“Thank you, son, you may return inside, I will speak with Miss Campbell.” Cyprian came from the side of the house, his expression void of the emotion that resonated in his voice.
Kitty’s blood drained out of her head so quickly her vision wavered.
“Obey me, boy.” Cyprian nodded toward his son and Jacob obeyed, closing the door without even a smile.
Cyprian’s cold eyes speared clean through her. “Do you know what time it is, Miss Campbell?”
Praying for strength, Kitty swallowed and nodded. “Forgive me, Mr. Wythe. I lost track of time—”
“Are you without a pocket watch? Is your home without a clock?” He stepped closer. The blank stare he pinned on her frightened her more than the malice she’d seen in his eyes the night he’d found her at the magazine. “Without you showing your dedication I am forced to believe you have betrayed a confidence and I must stay true to my promise.”
Horror welled like a roaring wave, killing her ability to breathe. “Please, please, sir, I swear to you, I have not divulged anything!”
Cyprian blinked, his terrible lifeless expression unchanging.
Hot tears rolled over her cheeks and her chin quivered. “You must believe me.”
“Go home, Miss Campbell. All is well.” His upper lip twitched into a mocking smile while his eyes remained cold, showering Kitty’s skin with the sensation of a thousand wriggling worms.
When she didn’t immediately move, he stepped forward. “Did you not hear me Miss Campbell? I said all is well. Go home.”
She spun away, dashing from her enemy with more speed than she knew she possessed. Racing down the road, tears splashed against her cheeks as his words rang in her mind and his intent sank into her stomach. Suddenly she stopped as the weight of his threats crashed into her like a heavy horse-drawn cart.
All is well meant all was about to unravel.
Chapter Sixteen
Nathaniel pressed his hat on his head and strode out the large wooden doors of Andrew’s grand home and into the evening that smelled of salt and earth. The night air sat heavy with sea mist, mirroring the weight that pressed upon Nathaniel’s shoulders. He groaned inwardly at the failed attempt to secretly deduce the traitor among them.
Already outside, Thomas spoke from his place at the edge of the stone steps. “Until tomorrow, Andrew.” His voice was void of that energy which Nathaniel would have gladly drawn from, had it existed. Thomas touched the brim of his hat and started toward the road.
Nathaniel remained where he stood, the last of the men who’d attended the hastily called meeting. Sensing an inaudible groan from the man whose home they’d once again used as a place of security for their patriotic gatherings, Nathaniel lingered.
Andrew stared forward into the night, his arms crossed over his chest. Almost as if he were looking through the heavy
air into their uncertain futures, he turned his mouth and shook his head, his tone as dark as the black sky above them. “’Tis a rotten business, and there’s sure to be more anguish before we’re through.”
Nathaniel tapped Andrew’s arm before starting down the stairs. “All will be made right. We shall see to it.”
Andrew’s eyes followed him, grey and ominous like over-burdened clouds. “I pray you are right.”
His gaze held Nathaniel motionless on the first step, as if the man ached for something that remained unspoken. Nathaniel returned his stare, but said nothing, hoping his silence might coax from Andrew what his eyes wanted to share. Could he be... ? Nay. Andrew was more patriot than any of them. Then what bothered him so?
Andrew’s chest lifted and lowered. “Perhaps these raids will soon end and we may be at liberty to enjoy the peace we crave, hmm?”
Nathaniel flung a quick look to Thomas before studying Andrew’s pensive eyes. “We all wish it. Though I fear Mother England will not grant us such a reprieve. Not until we make it unmistakably clear where we stand on the issue of freedom. Which is why maintaining our reserves is most vital.”
Andrew nodded and pulled his bottom lip through his teeth. He quickly looked down and pushed from his position against the door. “Until that time, we shall strive to do the best that is within our power, I suppose. Good evening, gentlemen.” With a labored turn he stepped into the house, shutting the thick door behind him.
Tromping down the steps, Nathaniel glanced over his shoulder to where Andrew had stood, studying the conversations they’d shared with the handful of patriot men for the past two hours.
He shook his head, and expelled a taxed breath as he spoke through his teeth. “A blasted waste of time.” Irritation cultivated what meager energy he had remaining and he lengthened his stride down the hard dirt road. “We are no closer to determining the traitor in our midst. How are we so blind?”
He glanced at Thomas whose emotions wore themselves into the tightness of his mouth and the flaring of his nose, but remained speechless.
Nathaniel curled his fists and ground his heels into the road with every step. Who, Lord? Wilt thou not show us?
Thomas finally spoke. “Are our plans unchanged? Will we still remove the munitions?”