Anna bent her head to Mrs. Fenwick, a short plump woman, and whispered. “That Nathaniel Reed cut through the alley just as I finished hanging the laundry.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Fenwick said. Then, “Oh!” She glanced at the door leading to the back of the house. “He couldn’t have noticed anything. The wash is hung differently every time.”
Anna’s hand went to her chest. Sometimes it burned with fear they’d be found out. But she was made of stout stuff, and so took a deep breath, and tried to relax.
“Best prepare the platters, dearie,” Mrs. Fenwick said. “Put the washing behind you.”
Anna nodded and got to work. Luncheon was served promptly at noon.
When it was time, Anna carried a platter of roasted chicken into the dining room and set it on the sideboard while Captain Whitby entertained two fellow officers.
“...and then the horse threw him directly into the pond,” Whitby said.
Laughter erupted around the table.
Anna lowered her gaze and began filling water glasses. She recognized two of the officers, but not the third.
“The fellow was soaked from boots to hat,” the unknown officer replied. “I only wish I’d seen it.”
“You would have laughed yourself senseless,” Captain Whitby said.
More laughter followed.
Anna moved quietly around the table. The officers rarely paid attention to servants, which suited her just fine. She was setting a basket of rolls beside Captain Whitby when Lieutenant Rothborne asked, “Did your courier ever return?”
Captain Whitby eyed the roast chicken. “He did.”
Anna’s hands stilled for the briefest moment.
“Nathaniel Reed?” the lieutenant asked.
“The very man.” Whitby buttered a roll. “Reliable fellow. I wish half my officers were as dependable.”
The others chuckled. “That good, is he?” the unknown officer asked.
“Better,” Whitby said. “Delivers messages, keeps his mouth shut, and asks no unnecessary questions.”
Anna stepped away from the table. Every word tightened the knot in her stomach. Reliable. Dependable. Trusted. Exactly what she would expect a British courier to be.
“He’s in town today, isn’t he?” another officer asked.
Whitby nodded. “I sent him on several errands this morning. He should return soon.”
Anna carried an empty tray toward the sideboard, praying no one noticed her listening.
“Good man to have around,” Whitby continued. “If more people understood their proper allegiance, we’d have fewer problems in this colony.”
The officers murmured their agreement.
Anna’s jaw tightened.Proper allegiance.The words lingered long after the conversation shifted to other matters.
When the meal finally ended and the gentlemen moved to the parlor, Anna gathered plates with Mercy. “Nathaniel Reed again?” Mercy whispered.
Anna nodded.
Mercy looked in the direction of the parlor. “What did they say?”
“Enough.” Anna took a deep breath, then another. What were they going to do about Captain Whitby’s courier? What if he cut through the alley more often, and began to suspect what they were doing?
