Nick settled down at the far end of the other bench. “I want to hear every word.”
Lucy held her tongue as Morning Fawn shared the basic details of the agreement and Lucy’s part.
At the end, Lucy shifted her glance to the ogre who stared out the window. She mouthed to Morning Fawn, “You and him, no. Gotta be another way.”
Morning Fawn shivered. “I’ll do whatever it takes to save Devon.”
“He...we…the rescue might not…”
Morning Fawn squeezed her friend’s hand. “You run like the wind and pour out your heart to those Unionists. Devon risked his life for their cause. Make them understand.”
Lucy nodded and mouthed, “You get away when it’s done.”
Morning Fawn turned her head and stared at her jailer. She’d given her word.
Across the river, Nick ordered his driver to pull over in a wooded spot outside of town. “This is where you get off, girl. I’ll allow Miss Beth a moment in here alone with you for her to tellyou the location of the Unionist hideout. And I’ll give you the route the escort will take and where they’re likely to stop. Then Reynold’s life is in your hands.”
Lucy shuddered and lowered her gaze. “In the Lord’s hands, sir.”
“It’s not the Lord who’s going to be running and begging. Never saw Him wield a gun. You’d best stick with the Unionists, pitiful lot that they are.” He puffed out his chest. “And let me give you warning. If any word of my help here reaches Confederate ears, I’ll launch a manhunt for Reynolds the likes of which this state has ever seen, and Miss Logan will be my mistress, not my wife. Therefore, the Unionists don’t need to know about my involvement. Telling them would be like pouring water in a bucket with a hole. As far as they’re concerned, Miss Logan helped you escape from me. If you see Reynolds in person, you can tell him the whole story.”
“I could write a note.” Morning Fawn clutched her hands. “A short note saying I’ve agreed to marry you.”And that I’ll love him forever.
Nick frowned. “All right. It’d be a shame for him to not hear the news. You’ve got three minutes to tell her and to write the note, and I’m going to read it.”
Ten minutes later, Morning Fawn braced herself on a tree as Lucy took off through the woods for Alleyton.God go with her. Keep her safe. Please spare Devon. For that, she’d pay whatever price she had to. What did the Lord of the universe think of the bargain she’d sold herself for? Had she been wrong? What choice did she have?
Devon woke in a cold sweat. He’d dreamed of Isabelle for the first time in months. He shivered and pulled the wool blanket up to his neck, but there’d be no returning tosleep. His future loomed in front of him like a guillotine. Today, he’d start the journey to San Antonio. If the German League or Jeremy didn’t take action, it would be his last journey.
Dear God, let this not be the end. Morning Fawn.Please, Lord, look after her.
A knock and then voices drifted up from below. Were the Rebs coming for him before dawn? He rolled up off the rock-hard floor and rubbed his eyes.
Footsteps clunked on the stairs—not just the jailer but several men. Devon got to his feet and straightened his clothes. He grabbed his blankets and his empty tin cup. He winced as he stretched out his left arm. A pent-up breath rattled through him.
An itch crawled up the back of his skull. He plucked a louse and smashed it between his fingernails.
The outer door lock clicked. Devon braced himself.
Lantern light beamed in through the open door. The jailer trudged in.
With a gun to his back?
Half a dozen men spilled into the hall that led to the cells. A motley crew of Rebs. But why did the officer in the slouch hat have a gun pointed at the jailer?
Devon blinked in the blinding light. His muscles tightened like sinew strung in a bow. If they’d come to lynch him, he wouldn’t go without a fight.
Suddenly, the officer clunked the jailer in the head. The fellow thudded to the ground. The soldier with the lantern stepped out of the way, and the bearded officer hurried forth.
Jeremy. The realization exploded in Devon’s head. Laughter burst from him. His meager possessions dropped from his hands. He lunged hard against his chain. “You’re here.”
“You bet I am.” Jeremy grabbed the keys to the cell from the man who riffled through the jailer’s pockets. “We’ve got to hurry. The other two guards are tied up downstairs. There’s aheavily armed Reb escort expected here within the hour. That slave girl of LeBeau’s?—”
“Lucy? Was Morning Fawn with her?” Hope jolted through Devon.
“No, but she sent Lucy with word about the move and about how flimsy this jail setup was.” He stuck the key into the lock and turned. “She had information about a place on the road we could strike, but I knew our best bet was here. I’d been hiding out for several days working to figure out a rescue. Even dreamed up an excuse to visit LeBeau.”
The cell door swung open.
