Mae’s relief was tinged with alarm. Coralie’s company was a continual thorn. Wondering if her sister would sneak down the stair to the secret room, Mae listened absently as the men discussed winter encampment woes, even the coming ball.
“You’ve been invited.” James pulled a paper from his pocket.
Setting her coffee cup down, Mae took the invitation and read aloud.
Pleasure Ball
The Misses Bohannon are expected to attend the ball at Arnold Tavern on the Green on Friday, 28th of March current, at 7 o’clock PM.
She felt a bit awed at the fine script. The general and Mrs. Washington’s names were penned beneath though likely signed by a secretary or aide-de-camp.
“Will you attend?” James asked as she pocketed the invitation.
“Should I? There seems to be so much ... need. I’m afraid I would feel a bit hypocritical to make merry in the midst of it.”
Captain Sperry winked. “The ball is part ruse, remember. Meant to outfox the British into thinking we’re a more well-supplied enemy than we actually are. What better way to assert a show of strength than an expensive fete at winter’s end?”
“Granted,” James added, “more than a few officers might attend looking threadbare, but we shall have a grand time of it if only to flummox the British.”
“We need ladies like you to raise the men’s spirits,” Captain Sperry said. “Make them forget the woes of war for a few hours.”
There was only one man for whom she was interested in doing that. Would Rhys be there? As an officer, could he refuse? If hedanced as well as he handled a rifle and played the violin, she’d be smitten all over again.
For now, Coralie was uppermost in her thoughts, likely hiding behind the wall and listening, casting a dark cloud over everything. Mae felt up for a little ruse of her own.
“Have you heard the news?” she asked conspiratorially, toying with her empty cup.
James and the captain looked at her.
“Of course, ’tis somewhat secretive thus far”—she raised her voice rather than lowering it—“but I have it on good authority that the French are to provide a great quantity of weapons, equipment, and uniforms to you Patriots. French arms and French gunpowder should put the British at a decided disadvantage. Spain and the Dutch aren’t far behind to join the alliance.”
A lengthy pause.
“Where are you getting your information?” James asked, his expression difficult to read.
“I have my sources.” She smiled in a show of confidence. “Corresponding regularly with a former Chatham friend who lives near the Franklins in Philadelphia helps.”
“The same Franklin who sailed to Europe recently for unknown reasons?” Captain Sperry said.
“The same.” She all but glared at the wall and the secret room behind it.
Subterfuge did not come easily to her, but let that bit of news be passed on to the British. Shehadheard the French were anxious to deal a blow to their longtime enemies after suffering such a stinging defeat in the Seven Years’ War.
She said with relish, “Britain shall soon find themselves the loser in a very costly international war.”
James knelt by the fire to light his pipe. “We’ve been hearing of a great many Frenchmen enlisting of late.”
She nodded. “The French rather fancy our republican notions of independence.”
Captain Sperry blew out a breath. “All I’ve been hearing about are Britian’s formidable Hessians and hired mercenaries.”
“Who are deserting in spades?” Mae couldn’t hide her triumph.
James nodded as he returned to his seat. “What a bundle of confliction a war is when men are hired to fight battles they didn’t start. Not even their esteemed general, Friedrich Adolph, Baron Riedesel, can stop the tide of German desertions.”
Captain Sperry looked to Mae. “Did you also hear that his baroness will soon join him?”
“Tell me more.”
