Virginia clung to Frank’s arm. Devlin had seized one of the American navy’s greatest battleships. “Did he destroy her?” she managed numbly. Her head felt light again and her heart raced so swiftly that she could not breathe.
Frank shook his head. “He’s sailin’ her north, maybe to Halifax, as a prize.”
She nodded, still feeling ill enough to faint, hanging on to Frank’s solid arm.Devlin had been so close by. And damn it, she missed him so terribly that she ached for him, night and day, even as he fought and destroyed her own people.She must work harder, she decided abruptly, for that was the only way to keep her mind from such treacherous thoughts, the only way to keep her heart whole and beating. “Of course—how foolish of me.” She wet her lips and tried to slow down her breathing, to no avail. “How many died?”
“I heard half the crew, maybe a hundred sailors.”
Virginia made a sound.
“Ma’am? It’s worse. There’s all kinds of talk in town, talk of an invasion.”
Alarm stiffened her spine. “An invasion here?”
“They say them Brits will invade Norfolk real soon—and we be too close to town, Miz Virginia, if you ask me.”
Virginia turned toward the house, her heart beating so quickly now that she was becoming alarmed. She rubbed her chest. Sweat beaded on her brow. “I need some lemonade. Would you like some, Frank?” Would the troops come this way, burning and looting as they had done farther south and farther north? Would Devlin participate in the invasion? Were Sweet Briar and her people in danger? They had put together a small arsenal, in case they ever needed to defend the plantation. But Virginia prayed it would not come to that, for she knew they could not win an engagement with any British troops.
“Miz Virginia, I don’t like the idea of us bein’ so close to Norfolk!” He was afraid and it showed.
She must be calm and strong now, for the sake of Frank and all the people at Sweet Briar who relied upon her. Instead of going into the house for a cool drink, Virginia sat down in a wood rocking chair on the porch and vainly tried to fan herself. “Frank, we’re eight miles from the city. Even if they are dastardly enough to invade our small town, we will be safe where we are—our militia and the army will never let them get this far.” But it was a lie. The army would have their hands full with an invasion and Virginia knew many who served in the militia by name—they were young boys and old men.
Virginia knew that she could not let Frank see her fear. So she smiled at him. “Could you get me a glass of Tillie’s lemonade?”
He hesitated, then finally his expression relaxed. He nodded, tipped his cap and walked into the house.
Her smile vanished. Virginia gripped the arms of her wood rocker, staring out at her beloved fields. It had been bad enough hearing the war news from her frightened neighbors for the past two months and suffering distinct shortages because of the blockade, but still, somehow the war had seemed distant. Now, with the news of Devlin’s triumph just off the coast and the rumor of an imminent invasion, the war had become a very real and close threat.
She closed her eyes and was struck instantly with the strongest feeling that she would see Devlin again—soon.
VIRGINIA NEVER SLEPT SOUNDLY.In fact, sleep had become the enemy, for her dreams were filled with pain and heartache. She was always in Devlin’s arms, happy and well loved, only to have him turn coldly upon her and walk away. Sometimes she would chase after him as he left, begging him to stay. At other times, he had their child in his arms and she could not even get her voice to work to scream at him to give her baby back.
She awoke now from just such a horrible nightmare, her body covered with sweat, her heart beating frantically. As Virginia sat up in the shadowy bedroom, panting and sobbing, she told herself it was just a dream. She touched her belly to reassure herself; their child was still there, inside her tummy. She lay back down, holding her belly, waiting for her breathing to return to normal, for her pounding heart to subside. It was a very hot and cloying night, and although her windows were open, there was no breeze.
Arthur, who slept on the bed at her feet, suddenly jumped to the floor, growling.
Virginia wiped her forehead with an edge of her sleeveless nightgown, alarmed.
The dog ran to the window, putting both paws on the sill, and growled menacingly again.
Virginia stiffened, now filled with fear. He had become a fine watchdog, but at this hour, no one should be about. She quickly lit a candle and hurried to stand with him at the window. She stared into the night, but it was black and still. Arthur growled long and low once more.
And then Virginia heard the riders approaching.
Fear consumed her.
Arthur barked.
“Quiet,” she cried, and as she stared out into the night she saw a flickering torchlight.
Talk of invasion remained…but the British invaded by day, not by night.
Still, no one roamed about the countryside at night. It was far too dangerous.
Virginia returned to her bed and took a pistol from under the pillow. Her hands were shaking badly and it took her a moment to load it. In the hall she met Tillie and Frank as they came upstairs. and Frank carried a hunting rifle. Both were wide-eyed. “Riders coming,” Tillie whispered.
“I know, I saw,” Virginia whispered back. “Do you know how many there are?”
“I seen four or five,” Frank said, low.
