November 1776458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa4eCTdoSd
New Jersey, American Colonies8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPitjYKuy7 維尼
The men were hung that morning outside the town. Gallows had been erected on the hill overlooking the river port so all disembarking could see what happened to those suspected of spying for the rebels. Later that afternoon the November rains began to fall. Bone cracking cold doused Guy Fawkes Night, eliminating any chance of a bonfire to burn the effigies.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UjsQGkjnK 維尼
Ferocious banging jolted me out of a fitful sleep before the fire. Penelope cried in her crib nearby where she had drifted off while I darned wool stockings for the winter. Blinking away the weariness from my strained eyesight, I jumped to my feet. Pulse spiking, I reached out a comforting hand to my daughter. However, I did not bring her to the door with me. In truth, I was scared to do so.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpkgEaIDE8 維尼
Holding aloft a mulberry candle, it’s rich scent sweeter than that of plain tallow, I neatened the fichu around my neck. The hinges on the door creaked as I opened it a crack.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxkMKKDaPR 維尼
“Yes?” I whispered out into the misting night.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVPR5V4Xb0 維尼
A familiar face cut into view with a bushy beard and juniper green eyes, “Mistress Pierpont?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXU9AXJfIj 維尼
“Joshua Liebel? Is that you?” I gasped, pulling the door open to my husband’s childhood friend.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN39QJZ3VO 維尼
“Aye, with a friend,” he groused. Around his broad shoulders, the arm of an injured dragoon in blue and white hung. The stranger’s head lolled to the side like a doll’s.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjzS7Ih3p0 維尼
Glancing around the abandoned edge of town where our homestead stood, I silently ushered them into our home. Like everyone else in town, I had heard of the ambush the Continental troops had wreaked upon the British Regiment. I prayed Joel had not been present.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8b7Gpu7Qc 維尼
“My husband?” I begged as Joshua dropped the man into the seat I had occupied, “Can you tell me anything about him?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwCsBibKec 維尼
I picked up Penelope who quieted once she was in my arms. Joshua didn’t reply but tugged down the royal blue of the man’s sleeve and tore his shirt. A deep gash beside his neck stuck to the frayed edges of linen. I swallowed hard, forcing my squeamishness to subside.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmYfrA5rTH 維尼
“What do you need for him?” I croaked, hitching Penelope on my hip and pacing towards the hearth. 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpWz8Tz8nb 維尼
“If you could put the kettle on and get us some water boiling. That’d be grand, Mistress.” Joshua instructed as he dabbed a gash on the side of the dragoon’s dark head.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D9NfrZHeJ 維尼
“Aye,” I murmured, kissing Penelope and setting her once more in her crib.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRmZdvxo29 維尼
I returned with a kettle of water as Joshua stoked the kitchen fire to a roar. Penelope studied the scene with her serious, piercing blue gaze, so much like her father’s. It almost physically hurt me to look at her.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPxBAVuuCH 維尼
I tore strips from an old petticoat as Joshua eased the Dragoon’s coat off the rest of the way. Joshua had not taken on the uniform of the Continentals as my husband had done. Rather, he and one of my brother-in-laws had maintained the garb of a woodsman, scouting and taking reconnaissance of the British. He ran his meaty fingers over his shorn curls and peered over at me with weary eyes.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ6hcAYohq 維尼
“We barely made it into town. Checkpoints and patrols everywhere. The woods are crawling.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5lRprnNNP 維尼
“My husband, please.” I straightened my posture, snapping self-control into my voice though my hands trembled as I continued to tear bandages, “Have you heard anything? Seen anything?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJMJroGNzM 維尼
“Michael and I were separated soon before the first shots were fired,” Joshua shook his head as he took a flask from his coat, “But as far as I know, your brother-in-law lives. You can tell his wife so. But your husband- honestly, I don’t believe his regiment was even present.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQWlaPKbP1 維尼
I exhaled slowly, glancing over at Penelope as she plopped down on her behind but still watched us with muted curiosity, “Thanks be to God. I told him I didn’t want him to go, I told him this wasn’t for him-“8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtxZuhqbGV 維尼
“And d’you think he’d listen? Joel Pierpont?” Joshua scoffed, taking a swig from the flask, “I only hope for your sake, Frances, that your little one didn’t inherit his strong will. Otherwise, you’ll be having quite a time mothering to be sure.” He chuckled as he poured the liquor onto the dragoon’s neck wound.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwT5tuUp4d 維尼
The bite of the alcohol on the torn flesh ripped the man to consciousness. He gasped, sitting up with eyes rolling around the warmly lit room. Joshua pressed a hand to his chest to settle him back in his seat, “That’s it, man. Easy does it. You’re safe.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsZYGSEJF1 維尼
“Where am I?” He demanded in a thick Scottish brogue.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa1d4mPQqv 維尼
“New Jersey. You’re in the house of a friend. Mistress Pierpont here, her husband is in the Connecticut Dragoons. They’re good people,” Joshua coaxed, his bearish voice growling low.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzy78uyk28 維尼
The man winced as he gingerly touched the wound on his forehead. I brought over a couple strips of cloth and handed them to Joshua. The Dragoon squinted up at me, “Thank you, mam, for taking us in and risking yourself.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb5DSiLeuH 維尼
“Tis no risk, I should hope someone would do the same for my man if it were he.” I managed a friendly smile, though my insides were quaking.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGdg2Mfu0b 維尼
The regiment that had been posted in our town was under the authority of a man without bend. Inflexible as granite though just in action, I wondered if Major Sharp would show deference to a single woman and her infant daughter if they were caught harboring rebels. Again, I fought the terrible dread that we were being unfit parents.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6i42DiqSU 維尼
Penelope deserved to be shielded from the horror of our world. Instead, her father was out riding into redcoat artillery and mother was aiding enemies of the King. If we had been childless, such behavior wouldn’t have been concerning. Risky but only to us. My loyalist mother had been right. The danger was too much of a threat to our child. We should have minded our own business and let someone else win the peace.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2EYc6RuDj 維尼
“That’s a lad,” Joshua murmured as he wrapped the cloth around the man’s shoulder.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFwpOqQAMo 維尼
“I know tisn’t a proper stance for it, Mistress, but let me introduce myself,” The man hissed through his teeth, “Captain Geoffrey Dougall.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡL81mH8LOnH 維尼
“Pleased to meet you, Captain. I am Frances Pierpont and this is my daughter, Penelope. Would you like something to drink?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd5GZxslTD 維尼
Captain Dougall’s dark eyes narrowed, his mouth snarling upwards as Joshua dabbed his forehead, “D’you mind me asking if you got anythin’ stronger than tea?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9VlGdQbjH 維尼
“Aye,” I nodded with a smirk, “My husband surely left a bottle in the cupboard.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8MqmUzUza 維尼
“Ma ma ma ma ma ma,” Penelope blurted out, banging a wooden dolly against the bars of her crib, her mouth pursed in confusion.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWHU7CbMKN 維尼
Joshua chuckled, “You seen my woman lately?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ovbl5KVsY 維尼
“I chatted with Tabitha and your brood just this morning at the market.” I replied with a smile, pouring the Captain a mug of ale.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnG05ZfDZZ 維尼
“My Gideon, the baby, he’s the same age as Penelope. Though a mite friendlier, I must say,” Joshua winked at me as I handed over the cup.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ8dOUE5gb 維尼
I perched my hands on my hips, “Penelope is just a lady of discerning tastes.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZAqfyew9J 維尼
“You mean poor Gideon will have a hard time asking her to courting someday. Especially with that icy look she be giving us-“8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMD16vObFa 維尼
Joshua’s lighthearted jesting halted as another pounding came at the front door. We stared at each other in hard silence. The pulse was so defeaning in my ears, I thought I would faint.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡInxvBtcAPm 維尼
“Ma ma ma ma,” Penelope chattered before chewing on the edge of her crib.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQSFeSfOeW 維尼
“Upstairs,” My voice was tremulous but hushed, “The attic door is in the linen cabinet, you'll have to climb the shelves.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRzZpvCpT9 維尼
Joshua nodded wordlessly, the Captain’s face paling in pain as he helped him to his feet. I stayed where I was at the fire and watched them climb the narrow stairs to the second floor. The banging came again.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3rBZATtbF 維尼
I scooped up Penelope this time, if anything just to settle my nerves. She grasped her dolly under her arm. The candleflame wavered on the table in the front hall as I opened the door.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EViwmNcJa 維尼
“Mistress Pierpont?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF3XnuQ2mN 維尼
I tried not to look too relieved. If it had to be a redcoat, at least it was Captain Bertram. Middle aged and kindly, he had often complimented me on the brilliance of my daughter’s eyes. He had a reputation for being easy going.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡOflZkM54mn 維尼
“Captain?” I stepped back, “Is everything alright? What are you doing out in the rain?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhLpNAWQHH 維尼
“I hate to bother you like this but may we come in?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Z2BPl0Qt 維尼
I swallowed but gave a genuine smile, “Of course, please do! Come in out of the cold!” Captain Bertram with two of his men entered, their white powdered wigs dusted with rain. I led them into the kitchen, “I am sorry, I do not have a parlor fire lit-“8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkI4SriUD1 維尼
“No, no. Don’t apologize,” The Captain smiled handsomely, the crinkles around his hazel eyes deepening. His men eyed the room as though they were about to tear it apart in a frenzied search, “No doubt you weren’t expecting guests.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEsoaTjf3I 維尼
By the grace of God, he didn’t know half the truth of that statement. Captain Bertram glanced over at the table. My heart lurched as I realized I had not put away the bottle of ale. Blood rushed to my face as the Captain arched a dark eyebrow at me. Thankfully, he mistook my look for embarrassment instead of fear.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd9ND5jANx 維尼
“On a cold night like this, no one can blame even an upright lady as yourself for tippling something to warm the blood. After all, it is Guy Fawkes Night.” He smirked, seating himself in my husband’s chair at the table.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsqCf2f5I0 維尼
I chuckled, putting Penelope in her crib, “Please don’t think it’s a habit of mine-“8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡefznKpQlLW 維尼
“I’d never dream it, madam.” He clicked his tongue, waving a hand dismissively.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6NMLR2Mxx 維尼
“How can I help you this evening, Captain?” I asked, wanting to get to the point, “Can I offer you and your men some tea?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVQPEOOE2X 維尼
He shook his head, his body relaxed as he studied me, “Please don't trouble yourself. We heard tell that there were some ruffians in this area. Banging on doors and such. Possible rebels though only God knows why they would be so obvious with their presence. Have you heard anything?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8XWJof1SC 維尼
I wet my lips, my brain racing with possible outcomes for any answer I would give, “Yes actually.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbNB2php8K 維尼
Bertram leaned forward slightly, “They came here?”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoU4sj7c4p 維尼
“Yes, there were a couple of men banging at my door. But they weren’t rebels, just drunken ruffians as you said. Old friends of my husband’s actually. Guy Fawkes Night and all, you know. They were looking for Joel but didn’t know that he had-“ My voice trailed off as I glanced over at Penelope.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAlUuRMzXE 維尼
“That he’s left you two all alone.” Bertram’s tone rang with genuine pity. The sound made me nauseous, “Left you for a fruitless cause.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡfECvR7meRj 維尼
“Yes,” I offered with a weak smile, my eyes flickering briefly over his face.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5isCwXSJoi 維尼
“The cad.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtSRe3OfCf 維尼
I tried not to wince at his accusation but nodded, peering down at my hands folded demurely on my lap.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWjz1JlfSw 維尼
“I should take my leave of you, if all is well,” Bertram stood, motioning his men to the door.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSc3iGkCZh 維尼
I rose to my feet, keeping to my side of the table. With just the two of us in the room, and only Penelope as chaperon, the air was stifling, “Thank you for your concern.”8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzkyQrX2TP 維尼
“And Mistress Pierpont,” Bertram lifted a hand towards me, his fingers drifting briefly over my elbow, “If you should ever be in need of anything at all, please let me know. Especially with winter coming on, you and your daughter will be provided for.” His eyes sought mine but I couldn’t meet them. His tone was too familiar and the room was getting hotter.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxDKYyCcvX 維尼
“Thank you, Captain. I appreciate that.” 8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdcm5aVkTQ 維尼
“Very well. I bid you good evening.” 458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh0jkJ6y5U
8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8zXOljhUm 維尼
“Good night,” I nodded in return, “God save the King.”458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarPWGR0Npk
8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLWpBsRQcf 維尼
Giving a quick bow, the heels of his boots clicked against the floorboards. I remained cemented where I stood till I heard the door click closed. I rushed to the front hall and snapped the bolt into place, the nerves up my spine and under my scalp prickling. I rubbed my damp palms together and slowed my breathing, closing my eyes to the shadowy foyer.8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhTigi4iBr 維尼
“Ma ma ma ma ma,” Penelope called from the kitchen. 458Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3VwW35Y9k
8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfvP6Fkf1b 維尼
A/N: So almost all the characters in this story except for a couple are based on real people in our lives. Pretty much everything is the same, just transferred back a couple hundred years. SO MUCH FUN. Thank you for such a great prompt!8964 copyright protection454ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33vkMi9LpR 維尼
ns34.231.247.88da2
