“Baroness Riedesel has decided to brave the Atlantic voyage and even bring their small children.”
“As camp followers?” Suddenly Martha Washington’s journey from Virginia seemed a small matter indeed.
“That remains to be seen, but if she does follow the British army it will be in a chariot with a retinue of servants in tow.”
“Perhaps she’s a spy.” James looked disgruntled. “Why else would a noblewoman cross an ocean and risk her own life and that of her children?”
“To think a great many men and women are spying on both sides.” Mae spoke slowly, recalling something she’d read inThe New York Journal. “Is it true those Americans who unmask enemy spies are to be awarded large pensions, land, and medals?”
James stared at her through his haze of pipe smoke. “Sister, you’ve always had an active mind and appetite for news, but you seem to be particularly zealous regarding wartime matters.”
“On a lighter note”—she smiled at him—“I want you to take Father’s violin to General Harlow. None of us play it, and he can put it to good use in camp amongst his men. Nothing like music to lighten hearts.”
“Generous of you. Is this a loan or a gift?”
“A gift, to remember us by once he leaves Jersey.”
“Shouldn’t you ask Coralie first?”
She lifted her shoulders slightly. “I’m invoking my right as the senior musician and sister.”
Chuckling, Captain Sperry took out his pipe. “I sense a family feud.”
“Nonsense,” Mae said. “Betimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
“Violin aside, I doubt she’ll be joining us at the ball,” James mused.
A footfall drew their eyes to Coralie, who carried a tray with cups and a chocolate pot. “Aaron brought more cocoa by earlier, and I decided not to be a sleepyhead.”
“We were just discussing”—Captain Sperry shot a look at Mae—“the coming ball.”
“At Arnold Tavern?” Coralie sat down and began pouring the fragrant chocolate into cups. “I’ve decided to go.”
What?Mae barely masked her dismay. “I thought it would be of no interest to you whatsoever, given your tie to Lieutenant Gibbs.”
Coralie sent her a venomous look.
“Eben Gibbs?” James’s attention swung to Coralie. “What means you?”
With a frown, Coralie passed Mae a brimming cup. “Oh, you know ... he and I are longtime friends. We exchange letters on occasion.”
James sat back, pipe in hand. “Where is he?”
“Somewhere in New York.” She yawned as if the mention bored her. “I’d rather talk about the coming ball.”
“I didn’t think you were interested.” James set down his smoking pipe to drink the chocolate. “I was going to ask Samantha Heath in your stead.”
“I hope you do,” Mae told him earnestly.
“Well, Mae and Samantha can’t be having all the fun.” With a little laugh, Coralie poured herself a cup. “Besides, Aunt Verity will feel snubbed by my absence if I don’t accompany you to Morristown.”
“Will you be wearing your new”—Mae almost saidwedding—“gown?”
Coralie took a sip. “Tomorrow I’ll visit Madame Jaquett to see if she’s finished with the final alterations.”
“I’ll go with you,” Mae told her with an enthusiasm she was far from feeling.
“Bienvenue, mademoiselles!” Madame Jaquett welcomed them effusively into her shop as the ball approached. “I have finished both gowns. All that remains is for you both to try them on a final time.”
