“I am pleased that you are pleased.” Nathaniel removed his hat and wiped his forehead. “I shall warn the others on the committee and call a meeting to decide what is to be done to secure the smuggling effort.” He started toward town. “I shall require your help, Thomas.”
Thomas nodded and followed.
William stepped after them. “You’ve an army in Sandwich?”
Nathaniel halted. “Our militia is small, but we are fearless.” He turned, a light in his eye. “I shall return here tonight and give you what information I have.” At William’s nod he and Thomas started toward town.
“William?”
Anna.
He whirled, dread robbing him any clarity of thought. The soldiers could come here. And if they did…
“I thought I heard your voice.” H
er head cocked to the side. “Are you unwell?
William shook his head and pulled back his shoulders, constructing a barrier that would conceal the war that waged inside of him. “I am well, I thank you.”
He glanced back the way he’d come then looked up at the sky, thankful for the way it was just starting to darken. If any soldiers came to town they would likely check the farm and if they found him… Blast. He had to take her somewhere. Staying at the house would be too dangerous. They’d have to find a place the soldiers would be less likely to look.
A thought burst to light and he started for the house. “Shall I help you carry the wash to the creek?”
Her shoulders dropped. “Now?”
He jogged the rest of the way to the house, feeling as if the soldiers were at the very edge of the wood though he knew such a thing was improbable. He cupped her elbow. “We must hurry. We have little daylight left.”
Whether she sensed the urgency he strained to disguise, he couldn’t tell. She dashed to the kitchen and grabbed the laden basket, but he plucked it from her arms. “Follow me.”
After a few paces he glanced to Anna before focusing on the trail, with her only steps behind. He’d have to find a reason to stay longer at the creek than they had clothes to launder. What if he was found? He flung a look to Anna, praying that his earlier belief that the soldiers of this regiment wouldn’t know him was well founded. But if they did know him, and he were apprehended, would they take her as well?
He flicked away the rancid thoughts and hurried his pace toward the creek.
Nay, he would not think it. In time they would be home and enjoying a meal of boiled meat and burnt biscuits. Suddenly, such a meal had never sounded so inviting.
~~~
Anna tried to keep her eyes ahead, not on her husband’s broad shoulders or how his biceps strained the linen fabric of his shirt as he hefted the laden basket. The light evening breeze carried scents of late-blooming foliage mixed with salt air from the sea. Inhaling, she focused on that.
She raised her eyes to the sky. Was William really so concerned about the washing? It would be dark soon. She opened her mouth to voice the question but snapped it shut again. Nay, better not to ask when he’d so willingly offered to assist in a woman’s chore. The other men she’d known in her life would have scoffed at the mere thought of participating in such a task. Well, perhaps not Samuel.
A niggling worry pierced her stomach. She shook her hands at her sides to release the building nerves. She’d never washed a thing in her life. Seen it performed, aye, but never participated and certainly never watched from beginning to end. Did she need soap? How would they dry the clothing? She’d nearly attempted the task days ago, but her worries over cooking had consumed every thought, every moment.
Anna bunched her skirts in her hands. Why must he be so kind? It would have been better to learn such a chore on her own rather than shame herself with an exhibition of her failings. He’d notice first hand her lack of domesticity and solidify any regret he may have in marrying her, if her humiliating meals had not already done so.
“Did anyone come by the house this afternoon?”
Anna almost tripped over the commanding sound of his voice.
She cleared her throat. “Nay. No one.”
He glanced over his shoulder, a slight dip in his chin. “You are certain?”
“Aye.”
He stopped so sharp Anna nearly careened into him. “We’re here.”
Stooping, he lowered the basket and glanced the way they’d come, then to the right and left. He scowled. “We should begin. The sun won’t be up much longer.”