AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eliza retreated into her thoughts. Once Samuel found out about what had happened he would be furious. She had to find a way to get word to him and let him know they were safe.
Wherever they were going, Samuel would find them. She knew it.
Chapter Five
“He did WHAT?” Samuel boomed at Donaldson who stood before him, browbeaten and bleeding.
“Sir, there was nothing we could do—”
“There’s always something you can do!” Samuel stopped him before he could say any more. “Where’s the list?” He held out his hand to the two soldiers as they exchanged nervous glances. “Well?” His voice escalated.
Donaldson handed him the small ripped paper, pulling his shoulders back. “This is the only name I got, Captain. Watson grabbed the other piece and got away before . . .”
Samuel snatched it from Donaldson’s hand.
His face burned and his heart refused to beat. Robert Campbell.
“NO!” He shouted and crumpled the tiny paper, throwing it into the dying fire behind him. He rested his fists on the table, breathing hard.
Donaldson continued. “We followed your orders and went to Campbell’s to apprehend him, but no one was there so we—”
“You didn’t.”
Donaldson raised one brow. “Those were your orders.”
Samuel’s fury turned white-hot. They’d been to the house?
Eliza!
If they’d so much as touched her he’d kill them with his bare hands.
“How could you be so foolish?” Samuel marched around the table. “I could have you punished for this! How would your miserable mother and sisters survive then, Lieutenant?”
Donaldson straightened, an air of suppressed disdain lurking in his tone. “We were simply following your orders, sir.”
Samuel backhanded the inferior soldier, grabbed him by the lapels, and yelled in his face, spitting as he spoke. “You fool! Robert’s dead!” Pushing the man away Samuel grit his teeth. Donaldson touched his mouth, examining the new bit of blood on the back of his hand.
“Besides that,” Samuel continued, “everyone knows Doctor Campbell was a Tory.”
Samuel turned away and gazed into the embers in the small fireplace. There were whisperings about Robert’s involvement with the patriots, although Samuel never entertained the vile rumor. He knew everything about Robert. They had shared the same ideals and beliefs—hadn’t they?
Gripping the bottom of the table, he yelled with all his might as he flung it across the room and sent it crashing into the wall. The two subordinates straightened, their eyes wide.
“Ready my horse,” he barked. “Now!”
Donaldson’s mouth hardened and his eyes narrowed for less than a second before he turned to his companion and motioned to the door, then slammed it behind them.
Samuel pulled on his coat, grabbed his pistol, and fastened his sword at his side. If Eliza needed rescuing of any kind, he would be prepared.
Not five minutes later he was astride his gray gelding and riding full-speed toward the Campbell’s. His mind struggled to grapple with what Donaldson had reported.
They’d already been there? The house was empty? Not possible.
Eliza and Kitty must be there—likely they were hiding, no doubt scared out of their wits.
Those fool soldiers. He should never have entrusted them with such a task. Samuel wanted to beat them senseless. And he would, just as soon as he knew his love was safe.
When he reached the house and found the front door open, his concern jumped fifty notches. Leaping off his horse, he ran into the house, calling for Eliza.
