The four turned and looked out at the sea.
“It is a hot day. It would be nice to be in the water.”
Bloody hell! If they strip down and swim, not only would he and Ellen be stuck here longer than he was comfortable, but she might see things that she should not, as would Miss Driscoll and Ruth.
Except, while they were distracted by the water, it might give them an opportunity to sneak away.
“A swim it is,” one of them laughed and the four walked closer to the water, their backs to Rhys and Ellen as they started to remove their coats.
He took the opportunity to roll, lift Ellen again and dart into the trees, stopping only when he was certain he could no longer be seen and looked at the soldiers to make certain that his escape had not been noted.
They were still in the process of disrobing and had no idea.
He set Ellen down. “Quietly hurry back to the house and get inside.”
She nodded then took off running as he made his way over to Miss Driscoll and Ruth.
“Let’s go. They are still distracted.”
The two stayed low as they made their way back to the trees while Rhys remained behind the bush and watched, ready to warn the others if they were seen.
Once they were completely naked and stepping into the waves, only then did he retreat to make certain everyone had made it back to the house safely.
Their discovery had been too close. Had Mr. McNaught not been there to retrieve Ellen, they might have been found out and that would never do.
“I am going to return to the beach and watch and make certain they do not come this way,” Mr. McNaught announced as he joined them in the hut. “Do not leave unless I tell you to.”
That was the second time he had issued that order, but it would be obeyed for the safety of her sisters.
“I will return when they are gone.” He then disappeared, closing the door behind him.
That was all well and good, but Tempest was also responsible for her sisters and she needed to know where the French soldiers were as well. She simply could not wait inside uncertain and worried.
“Girls, I am going to follow Mr. McNaught. Do not leave.”
“You are not supposed to leave,” Margaret reminded her.
“I am an adult and responsible for you.”
She did not give her sister a chance to argue further, but slipped out of the house and followed Mr. McNaught, carefully and slowly until she found him crouched behind the same bush she had hidden behind before.
“I told you to stay in the house.”
“I do not take orders from you,” she hissed.
The soldiers were swimming, laughing and talking, and too far away to hear them. It was time she had answers to the questions weighing on her mind.
“You should avert your eyes, Miss Driscoll, it is not proper that you view men in a state of undress.”
She snorted at his comment. “I have seen men bathing and swimming naked in the sea since I was a child. I am certain they possess nothing that I had not taken note of at a younger age.”
He slid a sidelong glance at her and raised a blond eyebrow. “And here I thought you suffered from a strict moral code, given how you took and hid my rum.”
“I did not say that I intentionally watched,” she hissed. “Why are you really here?”
“Peace and quiet, though that seems to be lacking since you arrived.”
“I do not believe you.” It was too suspicious that he would be living in the very place she and her sisters had been brought.
