“By birth,” Gordon agreed. “But we are no part of this war.”
Hawkins added, “A goodly number of my crew is American. My pilot, Landers, was born and bred in St. Michael’s, just across the bay.”
Landers, a lanky redhead, nodded confirmation. “My pa builds privateers to fight the British, ma’am.”
Reassured, Mrs. Green said, “This afternoon there was a battle a few miles east of Washington near a town called Bladensburg.” She sighed and pushed wet hair from her forehead. “Hardly a battle. They say the American militia ran like frightened chickens. The road is clear for the blasted British to march right into the city! That’s why we were heading to Virginia to stay with my family. My husband made me promise to go there if the British neared Washington.”
“That’s probably wise,” Gordon agreed. “Does your family live near the river?”
“Yes, on one of the creeks, which is why I thought it would be quickest to sail over, but . . .” She shrugged helplessly. “Perhaps it would have been wiser to cross on the Long Bridge, but that’s jammed with people and wagons fleeing the city, and going that way would take us closer to the British. If we’d lost Lizzie, though . . . !”
“But we didn’t, Miz Abby.” The nursemaid patted her mistress as if she were as small as Lizzie. “The Lord was on our side.”
“I hope so!” Abigail bit her lip. “I . . . I don’t even know if my husband is alive. He was with the militia.”
“The British Army has sent some of the best troops in the world over here,” Gordon said quietly. “Even Napoleon’s army couldn’t stand up to them. How far is that town—Bladensburg?—from Washington?”
“Only five or six miles,” Abigail said starkly. “They could be in the city by nightfall.”
“I’m here in hopes of rescuing a member of my family, a widow who hasn’t the means to return to England,” he said, simplifying the facts. “Her name is Mrs. Matthias Audley. Do you by any chance know her?”
“By reputation. She’s the best dressmaker in Washington, they say,” Mrs. Green replied. “But she might have left. Many people have, including most government officials. It’s chaos.”
The situation sounded unstable and dangerous. Gordon frowned. “Nonetheless, I must attempt to find her, or at least learn where she’s gone. Riding would give me some flexibility to track her down. Do you think I’ll be able to buy or hire a horse?”
The older Mrs. Green had been hugging the two middle children by her sides, but now she spoke up. “We can help. Our plantation, Tucker Hall, is on Tucker Creek, just north of here on the Maryland side. I think the water in the creek is deep enough for this ship to sail up a quarter mile or so.” She pointed up the river. “There are several horses in the stable. My husband is there to protect our property. Tell him what happened with us and say I’ve given you permission to take a horse. Samson would be best. He’s a large gray who’s strong and steady.”
Gordon sent a questioning glance at Hawkins. His friend said, “I’d just as soon not sail right up to the docks in Washington if there’s going to be a battle for the city. I can drop you off at Tucker Creek, then take the Greens over to Virginia. After, I’ll return and moor in the creek to wait for you.”
Gordon nodded agreement, then excused himself and headed down to his cabin to prepare for the next stage of his journey. He looked forward to being back on land and having a horse between his legs again.
Up until now, he’d just been traveling. Now the real mission would begin.
* * *
When theZephyrhad gone as far up Tucker Creek as Hawkins deemed safe, Gordon was set down at a landing and the damaged sailboat was tied to the dock for future repairs. It was less than a half-mile walk along the creek to the Greens’ plantation, which would have been considered a manor in England.
At Tucker Hall, he found Abigail’s husband alive and well, though his blue militia uniform was filthy and the left shoulder had been scorched by a musket ball. He and his father, a vigorous man in his late fifties, were grateful to learn their womenfolk were safe, and even more grateful to learn that Gordon had fished little Lizzie from the river.
Abigail’s husband planned to travel to Virginia to join his family, since it might not be safe for a militia officer to be found by the British. His father would stay and watch over their home if necessary.
Within half an hour, Gordon was heading into the war zone dressed as an English gentleman and riding Samson, the strong mount Alice Green had recommended.
What were the odds that the Widow Audley would be where she was supposed to be? Slim to none.
He’d always had good instincts for danger, and now those instincts were saying that the future would not be simple.
Chapter 5
Washington, DC
August 24, 1814
Usually the capital of the young United States bustled with energy and ambition, but four days after the British Army had made its nearby landing, Washington was as deserted as a plague city. Callie had hardly slept at all the previous night. In the darkest hours, she saw the light of a fire to the northeast. A bridge burning, she guessed.
This morning she’d chosen her clothing carefully, deciding on a blue gown that was elegant but simple so that she would look like a modest lady deserving of respect. She also pulled her hair back into a prim knot since it was too colorful to be respectable.
Now it was late afternoon and the artillery that had boomed earlier had fallen menacingly silent. The nearby battle must be over, but what had happened? Callie moved restlessly around her house, oppressed by the silence and wishing desperately that there was something she could do.
