Rhys paced on the terrasse until Miss Driscoll stepped out.
He then told her everything that he had overheard. “I will follow them back to Fort-de-France, but just in case they decide to scout around, keep the woven blinds down and something pushed against the door so that they cannot enter.
“I will keep the girls quiet and watch through the small break in the blinds.”
He gave a nod and stepped away as she stepped back inside, then went about kicking up dirt and smoothing sand, certain that no signs remained of occupation, then hurried back to watch the soldiers before he followed them all the way back to Fort-de-France. Not once did they veer off the path, nor were they very good at looking around. While Rhys was careful to remain back and not be seen, he really could have walked behind them without cover and it was unlikely they would have noticed.
If these were the caliber of soldiers guarding the fort and port, then England would have an easy time of it when it came time to invade.
Tempest did not know how long it took to walk to Fort-de-France and return and even though the French soldiers were likely gone, she was not going to allow the girls to leave the hut.
Except, it was taking terribly long for Mr. McNaught to return.
What if he had been discovered and captured?
What if he was not coming back?
While he was unpleasant most of the time, she did like having him around and would not want anything to happen to him.
She wouldn’t go so far as to admit that she and her sisters needed the protection of a man, but he did have a gun and she did not.
“I am tired of staying inside,” Ellen whined.
“We all are but it is for the best,” Nicoll returned.
“Best for who?”
“For you,” Nicoll answered.
“We cannot let the French discover us,” Tempest reminded her youngest sister. “As soon as Mr. McNaught returns, I am certain that we will be able to enjoy being outside once again.”
With her words, came a boot scrape on the terrasse.
They stilled and watched the door anxiously. With her heart pounding in an unnatural manner linked to fear for her sisters, Tempest grasped the long knife behind her and Nicoll shielded the two youngest.
When there was a knock at the door, Tempest put a finger to her lips.
It could be anyone and she was not about to call out. Instead, she quietly walked to the window and peeked through the blinds only to find Mr. McNaught staring back at her.
He should not have frightened them. “You could have announced yourself,” she said as she drew up the rolled reed.
“I am not certain you would have heard me,” he grumbled. “Your voices reached me before I stepped on the terrasse.
“We were being very quiet,” Tempest argued.
“Just because there is a door and there are reed vines covering the windows does not mean that sound doesn’t come through. It is not the same as having glass in those openings.”
She would remember that in the future but it was bad enough having to keep everyone inside and then expecting them not to speak would be impossible.
“Are the French soldiers gone?”
“They have returned to the fort and I did not see any others on my return.”
The tensions she’d been holding since yesterday slipped away. “You may go outside girls.”
“But stay near the house,” Mr. McNaught added.
Instantly they were on their feet and walking to the door.
