Surrender the Night (20 page)

Aside from the aching wound in his thigh and the heat of the day, Alex enjoyed this brief foray into civilization. Having spent months out to sea, any city, even one as primitive as this one, reminded him that life was more than wind and weather, grapeshot and broadsides.

Amelia dashed inside Brekham’s Millinery before Alex reached the front of the shop and stopped beneath a sign painted with a large purple hat.

“Stay here, Mr. Reed, if you please.” Miss McGuire thrust out her chin and turned to follow her companion.

Alex grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. “I know what you’re doing, miss.”

Holding her bonnet against a hefty breeze, she tugged from his grasp. “And what is that, Mr. Reed?”

“Trying to humiliate me into leaving.” He brushed dust from his coat. “I promised I would return to my ship, and I am a man of my word.” He offered her a look of appeasement. “So why don’t we spend our brief time together being polite instead of impertinent?”

She seemed to be pondering his suggestion when Amelia burst from the shop.

“There are no hats,” the woman grumbled as the bell hanging from the shop’s door clanged her disapproval before shutting. Tipping the edge of her bonnet against the sun’s bright rays, she gazed down the street. “There is no silk, no satin, no velvet, nothing with which to make an appropriate gown.” Her lips drew into a pout. “I tire of this war.”

“Amelia.” Miss McGuire looped her arm through her friend’s. “There also is a shortage of food and medicines, things which are far more important than such fripperies.”

Alex grimaced beneath another wave of empathy. What the deuces was happening to him? These Americans deserved discomfort and much worse for their rebellion against England.

“I know.” Amelia shrugged. “I know I am spoiled, and I shouldn’t say such things. It’s just that I heard there will be a ball at the Fountain Inn next week, and I was so hoping to go. I know it won’t be like the balls we had before the blockade, but at least we can forget the horrors of war for one night and enjoy the company of the good citizens of Baltimore.” Her eyes lit up. “Besides, I think Mr. Braxton intends to ask your uncle if he can escort me.”

Miss McGuire smiled, but her eyes were riveted to something in the distance. “Look, there are Marianne and Cassandra.”

Alex followed her gaze to a crowd of people across the cobblestone street. A tall muscular man in gray trousers with a double-breasted black waistcoat stood beside a woman in a stylish pink gown. Alex’s heart froze.

Noah Brenin
.

He’d know that bronzed face and light hair anywhere. He squinted against the sun at the two men who stood by his side. Neither could he mistake the coal-black hair of the one and the brawny frame of the other, nor the smiling face of the lad standing beside his father. Luke Heaton and Blackthorn along with his son, Daniel. All of them had been impressed aboard the HMS
Undefeatable
two years ago—dragged aboard as slaves to the British Crown.

Surely they would recognize Alex as easily as he had recognized them.

“Marianne!” Miss McGuire shouted as she made her way across the street, Amelia on her heels.

Alex turned his face away and scanned the street. People strolled down the avenue, weaving among carriages and horses. He could escape into the crowd, make his way back to the farm to get his uniform, and head to his ship directly.

But that would leave Miss McGuire and Amelia unescorted.

Clenching his fists, he glanced behind him at the millinery shop just as a feminine voice shouted “Rose!” from across the street.

CHAPTER 12

G
rabbing Amelia, Rose darted in between a stream of carriages and made her way to her friends. But instead of the expected smiles and greetings tossed her way; all of them, with the exception of Daniel, stared curiously at the spot she had just vacated.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw nothing unusual to draw their attention, although she did wonder where Mr. Reed had run off to. Scanning the street, she was about to ask Amelia when Noah spoke up. “I could have sworn I saw Lieutenant Reed.”

Mr. Heaton flipped the hair from his face, his dark brows furrowed. “Indeed.”

“Impossible, gentlemen.” Marianne’s skeptical tone belied her words as she turned to Rose with a smile. “What a pleasure to see you in town.”

“Mr. Reed?” Rose shook her head. Surely she heard the name incorrectly.

“Aye, Mr. Alexander Reed of the HMS
Undefeatable,”
Daniel, whose voice had deepened considerably since Rose had last seen him, announced with a hint of pride.

Rose’s knees turned to mush.

“Are you ill, Rose?” Cassandra, her dear friend, gripped her arm and steadied her.

Amelia eased between Rose and Marianne and took her other arm, but from the sound of her maid’s ragged breathing and the tremble in her grip, Rose guessed she suffered from the same confusion and terror that consumed Rose.

“I’m quite all right, thank you. Just a bit warm.” Rose plucked out her fan and waved it frantically about her face. Anything to keep her wits about her. “My word, what would a British naval officer be doing sauntering about on the streets of Baltimore?” She attempted a laugh that only brought curious gazes her way. “Why, he’d be arrested on the spot.”

Amelia’s grip on her arm tightened.

Mr. Heaton’s jaw knotted. “Or worse, if I ever see him again.”

Cassandra placed her hands on her delicate hips. “Come now Mr. Heaton, why are you always so eager to use your fists before your reason?” Ignoring her playful smile, Mr. Heaton huffed and looked away.

Her heart tight in her chest, Rose swept her gaze to the last place she’d seen Mr. Reed. No trace of him remained. But where had he gone? And how did her friends know him? Rose searched her mind, but only one possibility surfaced. Two years ago, Marianne and Noah had returned from the sea with an adventurous tale of capture aboard a British navy ship, of a mad captain, of sabotage, escape, and victory. Rose drew a hand to her head to quell a sudden dizziness. Of all the ships in the royal navy and all the second lieutenants …

Mr. Blackthorn, whom Rose had been introduced to three weeks prior as Noah’s first mate, continued to stare at the millinery store as if expecting Mr. Reed to reappear. “That man and his cap’n kept me an’ my boy prisoner on board his ship for three years.”

“Papa, it wasn’t his fault,” Daniel said. “He was only following orders.”

“Mr. Reed was an honorable man.” Noah gripped the pommel of his sword, sending Rose’s stomach churning. She had no doubt that regardless of his sentiments, he would not hesitate to arrest Mr. Reed and toss him into prison.

“Don’t forget, he allowed my precious wife to escape from his ship,” Noah continued.

Rose squeezed her eyes shut, trying to wrap her mind around
these shocking revelations. A flurry of wind tugged on her bonnet and cooled the perspiration on her neck. The clip-clop of horses’ hooves, the prattle of passing citizens, and the occasional bell from the port swirled past her ears. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Mr. Heaton’s gruff chortle snapped her eyes open. A breeze stirred his coal-black hair. He narrowed his eyes. “We owe him nothing. He allowed Marianne to escape only to save himself and his career.”

“I don’t understand. How could letting an enemy go save his career?” Rose asked.

Mr. Heaton crossed his arms over his chest. “He allowed her to keep a weapon on board. That’s treason.”

A weapon?
Rose sped up the fluttering of her fan.

“For my protection,” Marianne added. “Against that vile Lieutenant Garrick.”

“Oh my word.” Rose’s knees wobbled and Cassandra steadied her. So Marianne had experienced Mr. Garrick’s licentious appetites as well. And once again, Mr. Reed had played the chivalrous hero.

Marianne smiled. “And I threatened to tell his captain if he didn’t allow me to escape.”

Though the sun had begun its descent in the western sky, its searing rays seemed hotter than ever. Rose ceased her useless fanning.

“God had a plan for Mr. Reed.” Daniel nodded with a grin. “To help us escape.”

Blackthorn shook his head. “Only you could see God’s hand in such a disaster, son.”

“God’s hand is everywhere.” Daniel’s gaze shifted to Rose and remained there so long she thought there might be dirt on her face again. “God has a plan for you too, Miss McGuire,” the boy said it stoically as if he were speaking directly from another’s prompting. “Something important for you to do.”

Blackthorn’s lips slanted. “Are you sure, Daniel?”

“Yes, father, I’m sure.”

Something important to do?
Confusion once again jumbled Rose’s thoughts. For God? She hadn’t exactly been on speaking terms with the Almighty these past years.

Marianne squeezed her arm and smiled. “I would listen to him if I were you.”

“My son is a prophet, Miss McGuire.” Blackthorn scratched his linen shirt.

A prophet?
The explanation did nothing to ease her confusion. Prophets existed only in biblical times. God did not speak to people through prophets anymore. Any fool knew that.

As if to confirm her thoughts, Mr. Heaton let out a skeptical snort.

Blackthorn shrugged and ruffled Daniel’s thick brown hair. “He’s not often wrong. An’ my other son, who’s only five, appears t’ have the same gift. Got it from me wife, God love her. An’ we are now expectin’ our third. Mebbe we’ll have a whole family of prophets.”

Noah slapped his first mate on the back. “Indeed. We could use more prophets in this city.”

Pursing her lips, Rose directed her gaze at Daniel. “Well in this case, I fear you are entirely incorrect, Daniel, for I am not destined to perform any great feat.” Nor did she want to be. Truth be told, she just wanted to be let alone—to live out her life in peace.

Instead of frowning at Rose’s rebuke, Daniel smiled—a knowing smile that sent an odd shudder through her. She glanced toward the millinery. The shadow of a tall man shot back from the window.
So that’s where Mr. Reed went
.

Best to be on her way and rescue him from his hiding place.

“We should be going. My aunt will be worried.” Rose snatched the fan back from Amelia.

Noah cast a harried glance over the street. “But surely you and Amelia aren’t without escort?”

“No. My footman is with us.” At his questioning look, she continued, “I sent him to the chandlers to purchase some candles.”

“Well, allow us to escort you there,” Noah said.

“No need. It is just another block.” Rose waved her fan in the air and dragged Amelia away. “Do continue to enjoy your day.”

“Very well.” Noah touched the tip of his cocked hat. “Good day to you then, ladies.”

Cassandra waved. “I hope to see you soon, Rose.”

“Yes, soon. Let’s get together for tea, shall we?” Rose halted before a passing horse.

“Promise?” Marianne’s voice turned Rose around. Her friend slid her arm into Noah’s and she smiled.

“Promise.” As Rose watched them leave, a myriad of emotions clamored for her attention. The foremost one—fear that her friends would see Mr. Reed and arrest him—was already slipping away.

“What was all that about Mr. Reed, miss?” Amelia exclaimed as they reached the other side of the street. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I.” Rose waved one last time at her friends. No sooner had they disappeared from sight than Mr. Reed popped out of the store, brushing imaginary dust from his coat as if being among so many ladies’ hats had somehow soiled him.

“Thank goodness. The store owner was about to toss me from the place, accusing me of being some sort of coxcomb.”

Rose would have giggled if she wasn’t so busy settling her breathing.

“Thank you for not alerting them to my presence.” He scanned the street.

“I had no idea you knew my friends.”

His eyes met hers. “I had no idea they were your friends, miss. Nor that they hailed from Baltimore.”

“Pray tell, how many more of Baltimore’s citizens have you impressed on your ship?”

He smiled. “None that I’m aware of.”

“Shall we go just in case?” Amelia tugged on Rose’s arm, her eyes flashing with fear.