Surrender the Night (14 page)

Mr. Drummond’s eyes twinkled in the candlelight. “Do say you’ll stay on as our man of work, Mr. Reed.”

Rose thrust her foot once again at the pompous man’s leg, no longer caring if she hurt him. Surely he would not agree. But just in case, she wanted him to know her wishes on the matter. Her foot met air, and his smile confirmed that he had retreated his leg to a safer position.

Aunt Muira frowned. “Dear, you’ve hardly eaten a bite. Are you ill?” She placed the back of her hand against Rose’s cheek.

“Now that you mention it, I do believe I’m not feeling well.” Turning her face away from her aunt, Rose gave Mr. Reed a venomous look and glanced toward the door.

He grinned.

She’d love to slap that haughty smirk off his lips. He’d done nothing but toy with her through the entire meal! And toy with her aunt and uncle as well. In addition, he had refused to take heed of her numerous hints for him to leave. My word, didn’t he understand she had the power to turn him in to the authorities? But of course, he was no fool. Since he had been introduced to Mr. Snyder as the Drummond servant, she could no longer do that without implicating her entire family as traitors.

Mr. Reed nodded toward her uncle but kept his playful eyes upon her. “I’d be happy to accept your offer, Mr. Drummond, but only until
you can find a replacement for me. When my wound is fully healed, I must return to my shi—regiment.”

What? He couldn’t stay!
Rose bolted from her chair, tipping it backward. It landed on the floor with a thump. Her uncle gave her a curious look. “Whatever is the matter with you, lass?”

Aunt Muira took her arm. “Perhaps you should retire. You look a bit pale.”

Mr. Reed struggled to his feet. “Indeed, Miss McGuire. I fear the events of the day have taken their toll on you.”

Rose’s jaw hardened until she felt it would snap.

“I commend your loyalty to our cause, Mr. Reed.” Uncle Forbes scraped his chair over the wooden planks and stood. He tugged upon his waistcoat. “Such courage and dedication is difficult to find. I accept your offer. In the meantime, I shall make every attempt to procure a replacement for you as soon as possible.”

Nausea gripped Rose’s stomach. She wrapped her arms around her waist and glared at Mr. Reed. By bringing the enemy into their home, she had endangered all their lives. Why didn’t the blasted man return to his ship? He certainly was well enough. What could he possibly want with them?

And then it hit her.

Mr. Reed hobbled to the side and pushed in his chair. Leaping to her feet, Amelia gathered his crutch and handed it to him. He thanked her with a smile as Rose’s uncle and aunt crowded around him, welcoming him to the family.

Yes, Rose knew exactly what the man was up to. No doubt, he intended to use his time here to spy for his country—make trips into town, under the guise of running errands, to get a good view of the city’s defenses. But he would not succeed, for Rose would do everything in her power to stop him.

CHAPTER 9

B
ucket in one hand, lantern in the other, Rose yawned and plodded through the weeds that surrounded the back of the barn where her uncle kept his horses and carriage. Katydids chirped their nighttime chorus as she peered through the predawn shadows and halted before the door of the servants’ quarters attached to the building.

Where Mr. Reed had spent the night.

A chilled breeze coming in from the forest swirled around her with the sweet fragrance of cedar and Virginia creeper. Despite the pleasant aromas, a shudder ran through her as she set down the pail and lantern—a shudder that had nothing to do with the wind. She fingered the handle of the knife she’d stuffed into her leather sash and hoped she’d have no need of the vile weapon. But one could never be careful enough when it came to a man she did not know. Rose had learned that lesson the hard way. She banged on the door.

After a few moments, a loud groan that sounded like an angry bear filtered through the wood. Plucking out the knife, she knocked again.

“What the deuces?” The words, followed by a string of expletives, grated over her ears before the door squeaked open.

Mr. Reed, bare-chested and with loose breeches hanging about his hips, gaped at her through puffy eyes. Hard muscle rounded his chest and arms, and Rose gripped the knife in both hands and held it out before her.

“Miss McGuire.” His gaze lowered to the blade trembling in her hands. “Have you disturbed my sleep just to kill me?” More humor than fear filled his voice.

“Only if I have to, Mr. Reed.”

“I assure you, I will give you no cause.”

“And I assure you, sir, that I will give you no opportunity to give me cause.” The words that had made sense in her mind twisted nonsensically in the air between them.

Mr. Reed’s brows furrowed. He shook his head. “You are befuddling my mind, miss.” He shifted his stance. “What need do you have of a weapon?”

“I do not know you, Mr. Reed. Yet, by circumstance I find myself forced to be alone with you.”

“Miss McGuire.” He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “If I had wanted to hurt you, I have had ample opportunity.” Anguish rolled across his face. “Why are you so frightened of me?”

“I am frightened of many things, Mr. Reed.”

He studied her. “As your uncle declared at dinner.” He stretched his back, his muscles rippling across his chest.

An odd warmth sped through her. Rose dragged her gaze from him to the dark form of her house in the distance. When she faced him again, she found him staring at her inquisitively. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just that you don’t seem the skittish type, Miss McGuire. You endured the assault of an enemy, went ably toward his gun, removed a bullet from a man’s leg, and then nursed him back to health at the risk of your own and your family’s safety. Egad, if I recall, you even begged Garrick to shoot you!” He shook his head. “Those are not the actions of a fearful woman.”

Rose nearly snickered at his compliment. What Mr. Reed didn’t realize was that she had been out of her wits with terror every second of those encounters. “I did what I had to.”

“Precisely.” One eyebrow lifted and a look of admiration flickered in his hazel eyes.

Against her will, his ardor nestled into a soft spot of her heart. Lowering the blade, Rose stuffed it back into the sash of her gown. “You should know, Mr. Reed, I intend to have this knife on me at all times.”

He chuckled. “I consider myself duly warned.”

Yet when her eyes drifted once more to his muscled torso, she realized how foolish her statement was. This man would have no
trouble overpowering her.

“Please cover yourself, sir,” she said, clearing her throat and touching the knife handle again.

Hobbling, he disappeared into the dark room and returned wearing one of Samuel’s cotton shirts. “Forgive my state of undress. I did not know it was you at my door.”

“Who else would it be, Mr. Reed?” Rose flicked a curl from her face, trying to ignore the heat flushing through her body.

He rubbed his eyes again and gazed over the farm still shrouded in darkness. “Certainly not you at this ungodly hour.”

“Enough of this.” Rose huffed. “You cannot stay here.”

The green flecks in his eyes glinted playfully in the lantern light. “I believe your aunt and uncle have given me their blessing.”

Rose clenched her jaw. “You may find your little charade amusing, but I assure you it is anything but.”

He leaned on the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest. “I find you sneaking out here in the middle of the night to see me quite amusing, miss.”

Rose’s stomach knotted in fury. “I insist you leave at once and go back to your ship.”

“Though I would love to oblige you, I fear I am not yet capable.” He sighed and glanced down at his leg. “When I saw the soldiers descend upon your farm, I tried to make my escape in the woods. Before too long, I found my strength spent and my pain unbearable.”

“Perhaps I should give you some of my aunt’s laudanum to assist in your journey.”

“Or a horse.”

“You know I cannot do that.” A light wind played with the hem of her dress and tossed Mr. Reed’s loose, dark hair over the top of his shirt. “How long must you keep up this pretense? My aunt and uncle are not imbeciles.”

He cocked his head and studied her as if he disagreed with her assessment.

Of all the impertinent
… A muscle tightened in her neck. Grabbing the lantern, Rose held it up to get a better look at his face. “Can you not see that every minute you spend here puts me and my family at great risk? Any honorable man would leave us be.”

“I assure you, I would never harm you or your family, nor do I wish to put any of you in danger.”

“Then leave us, I beg you.”

His jaw tightened. “In truth, my honor forbids me to leave you and Amelia without protection. Not after what happened with Garrick.”

Blood surged to her face. “Oh do not pretend, sir, that you have a care for what happens to us. You are an enemy to everything I hold dear.”

The katydids ceased their buzzing. Sorrow passed over Mr. Reed’s features before his eyebrows shot up. “Perhaps you forget that it was I who saved you from being ravished a week ago?”

Rose lowered her chin. “I have not forgotten your kindness. Yet I do wonder at your reasons.” She gazed up at the man towering over her and gathered both her fury and her resolve. “You have placed yourself in a grand position to spy upon my country, Mr. Reed, and I’m here to inform you I will not allow it.” She stomped her foot for effect but the man merely smiled.

“Spy?” Mr. Reed’s hearty chuckle tumbled over her, dissolving the power of her accusation. “What could I possibly learn from simple farmers that would aid the British cause?”

The katydids resumed their incessant droning.

Rose’s face heated. “Why you pretentious, pompous, overbearing …”—the rest of the names popping into her mind should not be uttered by a lady—“We may be farmers but we are not as beef-witted as you assume.”

Instead of being insulted at her tirade, he grinned even wider.

Rose sighed. “Besides, you could learn something of import when my uncle sends you into town on errands.”

“Miss, unless I were given access to your city’s plans of defense, I cannot see how the cost of a pound of flour or whether you wish to purchase beeswax or tallow candles would be of any use to me.”

“Is that what you believe to be the extent of our knowledge? How to buy flour and candles?”

He flattened his lips and ran a hand through his loose hair. “I meant no insult, miss. But upon my honor, I am no spy.”

“Good. Because I shall see that you have no opportunity to discover any military secrets.”

Mr. Reed stretched his shoulders and gazed into the darkness.

His features tightened beneath a pensive look. “I realize you hold my countrymen responsible for the death of your parents. I understand your hatred of me.”

Rose backed away. “I doubt you understand much about me or my country.”

“I assure you that I have no intention of staying but a few days.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Unless unforeseen circumstances arise, yes.” “Do you even know how to be a servant?”