Gordon grimaced. “The shipping of slaves from Africa has been abolished and it’s high time slavery itself was made illegal, but so many plantation owners have so much of their capital tied up in slaves that they claim they can’t afford to free them. It’s a damnable situation.”
“That’s what Matthew said when I tried to persuade him to free his slaves. The plantation adjacent to ours was owned by Quakers who freed their slaves and paid the ones willing to stay fair wages. Matthew said he didn’t have enough money to do that.” She sighed. “As slave owners went, he was better than most. He let me have the money to build a church for the workers and looked the other way when I went to the slave quarters to teach them reading and writing.”
“That’s illegal, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but as I said, he didn’t interfere. Matthew and I became friends. He enjoyed having a pretty young wife as a hostess, and he wasn’t very demanding. We got on well enough until I discovered his mistress and her children. That was . . . a shock.”
Gordon frowned. “Many men have mistresses, but it must have been distressing to unexpectedly discover her. How did that happen?”
“One day I rode in a different direction from usual and came across a pretty little cottage tucked away in an area that was difficult to find even though it wasn’t far from the main house. Matthew was at the cottage with Susannah and the children. She was so beautiful and they were so obviously a happy family. . . .” She took a deep breath. “It was one of those moments when one’s life changes forever.”
Gordon nodded, understanding. “I see. In a place like Jamaica, a slave is acceptable as a mistress, but she could never be his wife. How did you deal with the revelation? That’s probably too personal a question, but we’ve both established that we’re curious beasts.”
She laughed ruefully. “I was so startled that I jerked on the reins and my horse almost threw me.”
“A good thing you’re a fine rider.”
“Indeed. Getting my mount under control gave me a moment to collect myself. When the horse was settled, I saw that Matthew looked embarrassed and belligerent and Susannah and her beautiful little children looked terrified.”
“Why terrified? Did you look murderous?”
“Possibly,” she admitted. “I’d developed a reputation for being forceful, so Susannah feared what I might do. Actually, what influence I had with Matthew I used to improve conditions for his slaves. I persuaded him to discharge a brutal overseer and I made sure the workers had decent food and medical attention. That doesn’t mean she wasn’t justified in fearing what I might do under such circumstances.”
“Was Matthew also terrified of you?”
“Very likely,” she said wryly. “I was always civil and respectful of him, but I had a stronger personality than he. I think I made him nervous.”
Fascinated, Gordon asked, “What did you do after discovering your husband’s secret family?”
“I told Susannah she and her children had nothing to fear from me, and said to Matthew that we would discuss the matter later.”
He was about to ask Callie how that discussion with her husband had gone when harsh voices intruded from the street. He crossed the room in two steps and dowsed the lamp. Callie drew a breath to ask what he was doing, so he swiftly put a hand over her mouth. In a whisper, he explained, “British soldiers are out there and looking for loot, I suspect. Better they not discover this cottage or my horse.”
She nodded and he removed his hand, but he didn’t move away. In the heavy darkness, he was acutely aware of her. He felt her anxiety, and also her courage.
Coarse words were becoming clearer as the looters came closer. Gordon’s mouth tightened as he realized the soldiers were speculating on the best houses to rob. In a breath of voice that couldn’t have been heard more than a yard away, he whispered, “Not troops who entered Washington with Ross. Probably they came from the British camp just outside the city.”
A cockney voice cut through the babble. “The white ’ouse with the blue trim. Let’s break in there. Whatever traitor owns it has plenty of blunt and we deserve a share!”
Callie breathed an anguished sigh. “The Marquands’ house! They’ve always been good neighbors to me. Can you do anything to stop those men?”
Because it was Callie asking, he actually considered for a moment before saying with regret, “Sorry, but the odds of facing down soldiers who may be drinking and are far from their commanding officer are not good. The risk might be worth it to save a life, but not possessions.”
“You’re very pragmatic for a bold adventurer,” she said, her voice dry.
“That’s how one has a chance of becoming an aged adventurer, which is my goal,” he said firmly. As the loud voices continued, he rested one hand on her shoulder, offering the comfort of touch. It seemed right to comfort his old friend Callie, though it would be easier if she wasn’t now grown-up, alluring Callie.
CRAAASH!!!A shocking clamor of sounds, frighteningly close, sent heat and debris blasting through the night. Blows hammered the roof like an angry giant and the soldiers outside bellowed shocked curses. Callie made a strangled noise and Gordon caught her into an embrace.
“It’s all right,” he murmured as he held her trembling body. “That was the sound of the frame and walls of your house collapsing from the fire damage. The thumps on the roof were probably bricks thrown by the collapse. Luckily this cottage is far enough away and protected by the trees so there was no real damage. With the ground wet from recent rains the fire shouldn’t spread.”
“Sorry, I’m not usually such a nervous rabbit,” she said in a shaky voice. “I’m so glad I sent the rest of my household away!”
She made no move to leave his arms, and he was in no hurry to release her. “After a day like this, you’ve earned the right to have strong hysterics. But this night will end, and tomorrow will be better.”
The soldiers noisily agreed to find a different house to loot. As the voices faded, Callie exhaled softly and stepped away from Gordon. “You’re right. There’s no point in staying here and mourning what I’ve lost. I’ll be off to Baltimore in the morning.”
He found the wine by touch and poured two glasses, pressing one into her hand before drawing her down to sit beside him on the old sofa. In the dark quiet, he was very aware of her warm body mere inches away. He swore silently to himself. The problem was that he hadn’t been with a woman in far too long, so his body was reacting too strongly to her alluring femininity.
