He glanced back at the house for a moment, then nodded. “Of course.”
“Do you have somewhere you need to be this morning?”
“Nay. I planned to eat breakfast with my parents and then come see you in a few hours. After that, I was prepared to leave for Philadelphia at noon.”
“Noon?” I ran my clammy hands down my skirt as I walked toward Nicholson Street. It would be quieter than Duke of Gloucester, and we’d have more privacy.
Henry stopped and took my hand. “Libby, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”
In my haste to get to him, I hadn’t contemplated how I would convey my request or convince him without telling the truth. He’d never understand or believe me if I tried, and I could not leave him thinking I was mad.
I took in a calming breath and steadied my thrumming pulse. If ever I needed to keep my wits about me, it was now. I forced myself to continue walking, drawing him along with me. “I’m sorry, but I need to tell you something very important, and I must beg you to take me seriously.”
“Of course.”
This was the moment. I could not go back from here. Once I told him, I would forfeit my life in 1775. But with one look at him, I knew I could not let him die, no matter how much I wanted to stay here for the next three weeks.
“I have learned something very disturbing, and it involves you.”
His head jerked back with surprise. “Me? Something I’ve done?”
“Nay.” I prayed I could find the right words, knowing that I could not beseech God for help. Not this time. “I have learned that your mission to Boston has been compromised.” It wasn’t necessarily the truth, but it would be. “You cannot go. If you do, you will surely be caught and face dire consequences.”
He forced me to stop, concern deep within his eyes. “How do you know these things? Who have you talked to? Lieutenant Addison?”
I struggled to meet his gaze. “I cannot tell you.”
“Then how am I to believe what you’re saying?”
His words hurt more than they should have. “Have I ever lied to you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why would I lie now?”
“I’m not suggesting ’tis you who’s lying. If I don’t know your source, how can I believe the person who has told you this thing? Mayhap it’s a trap to keep me here.”
“Nay.” I placed my hand on his arm. “Henry, you must trust me and believe me. If you go, you will be caught, and if you are caught, you will be executed.”
He stared at me, his blue eyes filling with a range of emotions that were hard to track.
“Promise me you won’t leave today,” I said, my hand still on his arm. “Promise me you’ll stay in Virginia.”
“Libby, you don’t know what you’re asking me to do.”
“I’m asking you to save your life.”
“’Tis not as easy as that. There are things set in motion that I cannot control. I must go to Philadelphia and then to Boston. I’m needed for the cause, and I fully understand the dangers and risks I’m taking.”
My desperation rose with every word he spoke. “But how can you go, knowing that this mission has been compromised?”
“I have to trust and believe that God is in control. He alone will decide my fate.”
I couldn’t understand him. I was offering him a lifeline, yet he wasn’t taking it. “What if I’m sent here to stop you? What if you’re supposed to listen to me?”
He swallowed and took my hand in his. It was a long moment before he spoke. “You’re right, of course. If you have been given information to help me, I should heed your warning.”
Hope took root within me. “You believe me? You’ll not go?”
