“Got it. North. Then to London. Wait until I tell Franklin the good news!”
They all laughed easily and “thank you” was inherent in the sound. When Harry closed the door Jordan said to Alexis, “They admire you. It must have been hard on them taking you in the first place.”
“It was,” she replied quietly, remembering how guilty they all had felt. “It was very hard. And now it seems they are not even sure why they had to do it.”
“Then you believe Captain Cloud’s orders did not come from Mr. Madison?”
“I always had a hard time believing that part. Have you ever read any of his articles defending the Constitution?” Jordan replied that he hadn’t. “George had some of them. I don’t know how he got them, but I read them once and I know why he saved them. Any man who wrote about the necessity of adopting your Constitution and its Bill of Rights is not the man responsible for violating my rights or those of Captain Cloud. No, those men I talked to are the ones responsible and I plan to find out why.”
Jordan never doubted her for a moment. He gathered strength from her determination. “Before I see to Brandon and the details for the fire there is something else that has been bothering me.”
“What is it?”
“When the captain discovers you are with us and not where Peach says you will be, I am wondering if he’ll go to the ship.”
Alexis touched her temple gently. It was still tender from Cloud’s blow. “I’ve taken care of that. Peters and Wilkes are going to make sure the captain does as I’ve ordered. They know what to do if he becomes too obstinate.”
“Peters and Wilkes,” he whistled softly. “And I thought you had forgiven him his rough treatment of you earlier today.”
“I’ll pay. He’ll see that I pay.”
Jordan smiled at his captain who was unconsciously staring at her bunk, seeing something he could only guess at. He saw her shiver and when she realized what she had done she looked up at him.
“Go on. Get out of here.” She laughed. “That silly smile on your face makes me feel like a little girl instead of your captain.”
Jordan got up and went to the door. “Why do I worry?” he muttered as he shut it.
Alexis kept Peach close by her side while her other men separated and took up their positions in the vicinity of the prison. Everything was going as planned. Harry had reported theConcordcrew was ready to help, and he had made her a present of the dagger he had taken from her aboard the ship. Now the weapon was securely strapped to her calf, hidden beneath the folds of her dress. She pulled her dark cape more closely about her shoulders and placed a hand on Peach’s arm. She was not completely sure whether she was steadying herself or comforting him.
“We’ll wait a little bit longer,” she whispered. “Are you scared?”
He looked up at her. She could barely make out the lines of his face in the darkness but she knew his eyes held trust in her. She saw a brief flash of white reveal his impish grin.
“Not much, Captain. You’re not disappointed in me?”
“Hardly.” She refrained from telling him how frightened she was. More frightened of facing these next minutes than she had ever been at the thought of facing Travers. She patted him on the back. “You go on now. Through the yard. Make enough noise so they don’t shoot you outright. If Allison catches up to you before the guards do he’ll have to be a little rough. Just make sure you scream.”
“Hope I know how!” he said bravely.
Alexis laughed. “Off with you!”
Peach ran out of the shadows toward the stone prison. He whimpered and called for help as he moved quickly into the light coming from the building. He hoped the guards would see he was just a boy, even though he felt like a man now. He glanced up to see the three guards lower their muskets as he approached. Relieved by their decision not to fire on him, he increased his crying as well as his speed.
Peach was almost on top of them when he fell to the ground, sobbing brokenly. It was not as hard as he thought. He did not know he would be so scared.
“What’s wrong with you, son?” asked one of the guards, stepping forward.
Before Peach had a chance to reply the guard heard other voices shouting and drawing closer. “There he is, Ned! I told you I saw him come this way!” The guard watched as Peach struggled to his feet and tried to get away. He was stopped when the man reached out and grabbed him firmly by the arm.
“Is someone after you?” he asked.
Peach nodded rapidly as if all power of speech had left him, and he attempted to pull away again.
Jordan and Allison came running into the circle of light. They stopped abruptly when they saw the muskets aimed at them. Jordan held up his arms and moved cautiously.
“You can put down the weapons,” he called. “Wouldn’t have come near this place if that damn fool kid hadn’t stolen my timepiece. Followed him here to get it back.”
“I don’t have it!” said Peach.
