He smiled ruefully. “By chance, I ran into a woman I’d had an affair with several years before. I was pleased because my memories of our time together were good ones. I discovered my error when she walked up and returned my greeting by punching me in the jaw. She threw a good fist, too. I asked her what I had done and she explained. I apologized for my criminal thoughtlessness and said I would do better in the future.”
“Did she believe you?”
“I don’t know, but I did change.” He glanced at the ventilation holes at the end of the barn. “It looks like the rain has stopped, so we can proceed on our way.” He stood and brushed off his damp breeches, then offered her a hand up from the hay.
She came up, wincing. “I was wrong that I wouldn’t have any bruises from coming off the horse! Nothing serious, though.”
Gordon opened the door, then retrieved his sodden coat from the floor and checked the inside pocket. “Good, the oilcloth preserved my letters of introduction. We may still need them.” He wrung as much water from the coat as he could, then tied the arms around his waist rather than wear it.
Outside, the saturated soil was steaming under the rays of the sun. The temperature had dropped with the storm, but it was still hot and as humid as any tropical country he’d ever visited. The bridge had completely vanished and the creek had overflowed its banks in some places.
“I’m glad we made it over the creek while there was still a bridge,” Callie observed. “How much farther?”
“Less than a mile, I think.” He smiled encouragingly. “Then we’re ready for the next stage of this adventure.”
“Speak for yourself, Lionheart! I don’t want an adventure. I want a thoroughly boring journey to Baltimore.”
“Where we will then await the invasion of the most powerful army in the world. That will be very boring, I’m sure,” he said dryly.
Callie laughed. “A lady can hope!”
Chapter 13
They found the owner of Tucker Hall, Thomas Green, in his stables grooming Samson. He looked up warily when they entered, then relaxed when he recognized Richard. “I’m glad to see you’re safe. I started to worry when Samson galloped in here.” He fed the horse a carrot, then left the loose box and latched the door as he came out to greet his visitors. “He’s a good steady beast most of the time, but he doesn’t like thunder.”
“So we discovered,” Richard said as he shook Green’s hand. “I was leading him across the bridge when an uprooted tree smashed the bridge dead center. Samson was already anxious, so he bolted to solid ground and headed for home while Mrs. Audley here fished me out of the creek. We took shelter in that barn till the storm passed.”
Green grimaced. “I thought the bridge would be all right, but we didn’t build it to survive a floating battering ram. I’m glad you made it over here safely.” He offered a hand to Callie. “It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Audley. I’m glad Lord George was able to find you. Are you heading back to England now?”
“I have no idea,” she said as they shook hands. “I sent my family to Baltimore for safety. I didn’t expect the British to burn my house down, but they did. My main concern now is to get to my family and hug them all.”
“I’m sorry about your house.” He sighed. “I want my family back, too. I hope they’ll be able to return soon. Any idea whether the British plan to occupy Washington?”
“I suspect that they intended a raid, not an occupation,” Richard replied. “They must have been shocked to find that after Bladensburg, there was no attempt to defend the capital. It probably won’t be long until some competent American officers organize a counterattack, and the British might not want to wait around for that.”
“I hope that means the British troops leave soon!” Green said fervently. “Infamous to burn our capital city! It’s time America stopped relying on inexperienced militia volunteers and trained more regular army soldiers like Britain has.”
“Surely that will happen,” Callie said. “Our military defeats have been appalling. We can do better.” Yet as she said the words, she wondered if she had the right to think of herself as an American. She’d been in the country for little more than three years, and being around Richard was making her feel more English.
Richard asked, “Is theZephyrout in Tucker Creek? I didn’t see any masts when we came in.”
“When the storm hit, the ship sailed out into the open river rather than risk being smashed up in the creek,” Green replied. “I assume it will return now the storm has passed.”
“I guessed that’s what Hawkins would do. The current down the creek now is ferocious, so he’ll probably wait until the floodwaters subside.”
“He might not return till tomorrow,” Green agreed. “But I’m being a poor host. Come into the house and I’ll find you dry clothing and food.”
“Something dry would be lovely!” Callie gestured at her wet, clinging trousers. “And a proper dress would be nice if you can spare one.”
“For saving Lizzie, you’re welcome to anything in the house.” Green led them from the stables to the spacious, airy house and summoned a pair of servants.
Within half an hour, Callie was dry and her hair was combed out loose over her shoulders so it could dry, too. When offered her choice of garments from Mrs. Green’s wardrobe, she chose a plain old cotton gown that was faded from washing since Mrs. Green probably wouldn’t miss it much.
The sun was setting and she enjoyed the cooler air when she joined the two men for a simple supper. As she met them in the dining room, she smiled at the sight of Richard. He wore an ill-fitting shirt and trousers, yet he still looked every inch an English gentleman. She must ask him how he managed it.
* * *
Tom Green proved to be an exemplary host. The clothing he’d offered Gordon from his son’s wardrobe was clean and dry and the fit wasn’t bad. A servant took charge of Gordon’s expensive and much loved boots, promising that by the next morning they’d be almost back to normal. His coat, minus the precious introductory letters, was also taken away, though the servant wasn’t optimistic about how well it could be restored.
