She looked tempted, but shook her head. “Too complicated to do in a strange household, particularly one in crisis mode.” She smothered a yawn. “Besides, I’m tired enough not to need it.”
“A tiring and bruising day.” He thought of his simple, pleasant guest room upstairs. “Last night we shared a bed.”
“We only had one bed,” she pointed out. “Sleep well, Richard.”
“And you also, Callie,” he said as he opened the door into the house.
Chapter 14
The sun was barely up when Gordon woke the next morning. As soon as he started moving around, two servants arrived, one carrying a pitcher of hot water and the other his boots and coat. As promised, the boots were in good shape. His dark blue coat would never be the same, but it was wearable.
After he washed and dressed, he swiftly packed what few possessions he had in the battered canvas satchel he’d used to bring the same items to Tucker Hall. He’d transferred everything to Mr. Green’s saddlebags before riding into Washington to find the mysterious Widow Audley. Both pistols would need cleaning since they’d been rained on, but everything had survived.
Satchel in hand, he headed downstairs and found Callie standing at a window staring out at the creek. This morning her hair fell in a braid down her back. In her soft gray gown, she looked like an unusually pretty servant. She turned at the sound of his footsteps. “No sign of your Captain Hawkins yet.”
“It’s early and he couldn’t sail theZephyrthis far up the creek anyhow. He’ll send a small boat.” Gordon scanned the horizon, but couldn’t see any masts or sails.
“May I put my clothes in with yours? All I have is what you gave me.”
“Of course.” Gordon tucked the folded garments inside. By the time he fastened the satchel again, Mr. Green had joined them, carrying a pair of wide-brimmed straw hats in one hand. “To replace the hats you lost,” he explained as he gave them each one. “These aren’t stylish but they’ll keep you from burning in the sun. For now, though, breakfast.”
The food was excellent and Mr. Green was a very gracious host, but Gordon sensed that he was anxious to see the last of his guests so he could return to his usual responsibilities. Callie was probably even more impatient to be off for Baltimore. Over the years, Gordon had learned to live in the moment, so he enjoyed the food and the sight of Callie across the table from him.
She sat opposite a window that overlooked the creek, and as they finished eating, she jumped to her feet. “A small boat is approaching your dock!”
Mr. Green also stood. “No one inside wearing a red uniform, I hope?”
“No, that’s Hawkins on board.” Gordon got up and donned one of the straw hats, handing the other to Callie. Picking up his satchel, he said, “Thank you for your most welcome hospitality, Mr. Green. Shall we see if Hawkins has news?”
That thought propelled them all from the house and down the path to the dock. Hawkins greeted Gordon with a firm handshake. “Glad to see you’re still alive!” His interested gaze moved to Callie. “You succeeded in finding your widow?”
“Indeed I did,” Gordon replied. “Mrs. Audley and Mr. Green, who is head of the family you carried over to Virginia.”
After handshakes all around, Green said, “We’ve had breakfast, but there’s food to spare if you’d like to come inside.”
“Thank you, but I’ve eaten and I expect my passengers are anxious to get away.”
“That I am.” Callie gave Mr. Green a swift hug. “Stay safe, and may your family be home with you soon!”
He hugged her back. “From your mouth to God’s ears! Captain Hawkins, do you know what’s going on out there?”
“The British troops have withdrawn from Washington,” Hawkins replied. “I imagine that the government officials are on the way back to restore order.”
“Thank God for that!” Green said fervently. “Does anyone know where the British forces are going next?”
“The best guess is to Baltimore,” Hawkins said. “But it’s too soon to tell. They might decide to burn Annapolis on the way.”
Green nodded soberly. “It’s selfish of me, but I’m glad they’re heading elsewhere. I hope our troops are better prepared for the next battle.”
After final farewells, the captain ushered his passengers back to the dinghy. Gordon was amused to see the blushes of the two young sailors who had been rowing the boat. Callie was a potent feminine force.
After he helped Callie into the boat and settled on the bench seat next to her, he asked Hawkins, “Did you escape the force of the storm?”
Hawkins growled, “No, dammit. TheZephyrtook major damage to the masts and sails. There were hailstones the size of musket balls. If I hadn’t been able to get her into the Potomac, she would have been destroyed. She can still sail, but I couldn’t outrun a rowboat, much less a British frigate. We can’t cross the Atlantic until repairs are made.”
Callie tensed. “Can you make it as far as Baltimore? I must go there!”
“You want to go to Baltimore?” Hawkins looked pained. “I can’t recommend it.”
