Attributed to Ethan Allen at Fort Ticonderoga
“I’ve a letter from Eben.” Coralie’s sternness faded as soon as General Harlow went upstairs. “A post rider finally arrived at the tavern. I could hardly wait for the general to leave to tell you. He seemed to hold you captive forever.”
“Captive?” Mae laughed. She’d missed his company the moment he left the parlor. “I’m hardly a bird in a cage, Coralie. I just skated the river.”
Coralie made a face and brought the letter from her pocket. “Eben is insisting I take the inoculation right away.”
“As soon as possible, yes, though we’ve delayed so long Aaron has his hands full inoculating American troops.”
Taking a seat beside Mae on the sofa, Coralie unfolded the paper, the red wax seal bright. “As for Eben, he’s well and sends news from New York but doesn’t say just where.”
The ever-elusive Eben. He’d always had a furtive quality about him. There were many forts along those New York waterways, some British occupied and some American, all of them in dispute.Jon was on the west bank of the Hudson River at a place called Highland Falls near Fort Montgomery.
“He writes that he desires to be led directly to action, in resentment of the atrocious insults to king and country.”
Grandiloquent Eben. Mae held her tongue, though it was becoming increasingly difficult to do so.
“’Tis common knowledge, he says, that the Continental Army is near collapse and the conflict will soon be at an end.” She scanned the letter, her triumph apparent. “Which brings us to the matter of our nuptials.”
Mae felt a sinking in her spirit. “Is he getting leave to come here?”
Coralie looked up, holding Mae’s gaze. “Promise me you won’t breathe a word of our plans till the deed is done.”
Plans? Eben didn’t seem to have any. Patience wearing thin, Mae sent a silent prayer heavenward. “Will you elope and leave for your honeymoon in New York City without a word to anyone?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I don’t think anyone here would take kindly to Eben’s return or our marriage.”
“No matter what happens, we’re still family. You still have friends here.”
“Then why do I want to flee?” Coralie folded up the letter and stood. “Our village is nothing like it once was prior to the conflict. I fear Chatham will never be the same.”
Nor will I, Mae thought. General Harlow had seen to that.
The new parsonage, home to the Heaths, sat beside the Presbyterian church. Samantha and Phineas welcomed Mae and Coralie the next Sabbath with cups of mulled cider that spiced the air and raised Mae’s spirits. Soon the four of them were gathered round the table for a filling if simple meal.
“I’ve not seen you Bohannons in an age,” Phineas told them as he carved roasted mutton at the head of the table. He was nearly asgaunt as General Harlow. “What with the church becoming a hospital, I’ve not stopped ministering all day and sometimes all night.”
“How many men are in your care there?” Coralie asked.
“Two and forty at present, though the number varies daily. We’ve just buried two soldiers from the First Connecticut Brigade.” His mournful look said much. “We need a larger building, given the number who’ve fallen ill and require surgery and a lengthy recovery.” He looked toward Mae. “I don’t suppose you want to join the village’s nurses like Samantha instead of sewing?”
Coralie laughed outright. “My sister is much better at smiling coyly and handing out sweetmeats and kind words.”
Mae winced. “Samantha is made of heartier stuff, I confess.”
“We each have our talents and our shortfalls,” he said amiably. “So tell me, how fares your brother James? I hear he’s billeting at your house with two fellow officers.”
Mae nodded and passed a bread basket. “They travel between Lowantica Valley and Morristown most of the time, though they do manage to join us for supper on occasion and stay the night.”
Samantha managed a rueful smile. “I regret I’ve not seen James as much as I’d like, though he’s oft in my thoughts and always in my prayers.”
She looked so troubled that Mae wished she could offer some encouragement. Before James declared as a Patriot, he’d been a frequent visitor at the Heath residence. But time and distance seemed to have come between them and snuffed Mae’s hope to have another sister-in-law.
“Your father’s last wish was to see him again,” Phineas said. “I regret James’s service kept him from it.”
Did James regret it too? Or did serving his country trump being by his dying parents’ side?
Mae met his intent gaze somewhat uncomfortably. She read more into his words than what was said. Had her father voiced a hope that they’d marry? Phineas had attended him at the last. Though she and Phineas had no understanding betwixt them,Samantha had hinted of his interest. Mae shied from the role of pastor’s wife but hadn’t naysayed the notion—until Rhys Harlow wiped him from her mind at first meeting.
