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Snatching the reins, he flicked them, rousing the horses to move. His instincts cocked like a ready pistol as he strained his hearing on the noise of the approaching riders. The drumming of hooves and mumble of several voices gave tell of at least three or four travelers, but it was the glint of red around the corner that made his blood chill far more than the temperature biting his flesh.
He glanced to Hannah, ready to shield her, ready to see a flash of fear in her eyes. But she only looked up at him briefly, her voice as smooth as glass. “We begin.”
The riders came within view, five in total, coming at them in the center of the road.
“Halt!” The soldier in front raised his hand out toward them.
The knowledge that Joseph would from here forward be forced to do the will of the enemy seared his skin, but he obeyed, acting his part.
“Good day, sirs.” He molded a small, polite smile on his lips.
The nearest soldier nodded and halted his mount beside Joseph. “What are you doing on this road?” He looked around the wood. “’Tis unpleasant weather to be traveling in indeed.”
Joseph glanced to Hannah. Had she seen the soldier’s eyes take her in in a single sweep? ’Twas just as he’d feared, and they’d not even reached the foundry. Dear Lord, what have I done? “My cousin and I are just returning home from Salem, sir.”
The soldier’s mount shuffled sideways, and he tugged on the reins. “Is that so?”
“Aye.” He snarled the rest of it, not lowering his gaze from the men who now surrounded them. “The bloody Patriots ransacked my cousin’s home because he refuses to join their cause. We went to help.”
The same soldier nodded, flinging a glance to the man on the horse behind him. “You are loyal to the crown?”
“We are no friend to the Patriots.” He nodded toward them, the next words burning a path through his throat. “God save the king.”
A grin broadened the lines on the soldier’s face. “God save the king.” Sitting straighter, the man looked to Hannah, his gaze lingering overlong on her face. “I should hope you are near home. Your cousin looks chilled to the bone.”
Joseph shook his head in reply, suddenly wishing perhaps they had posed as husband and wife. Then perchance the men would be less likely to pursue her. Then again, maybe not.
He flexed all his anxiety into his arms. “We are stopping at Greenborrow for the night, then on to Plymouth.”
“Plymouth, eh? We have just come from there.”
A nod was all he could offer. He glanced at Hannah, scanning her expression for any indication of recognition, but her painted geniality took center stage.
“Plymouth is our home.” Her voice trilled like birdsong. “’Tis lovely there. I am surprised you would wish to leave it.”
“I should have regretted to leave, indeed, if such loveliness as yours had been present.” He tugged at the reins of his mount again. “But alas, the army does not have…” He stopped, his gaze suddenly gripping to her with a scrutiny that stabbed blades into Joseph’s gut. “Forgive me. I do believe I feel as if we have met before. Have we not?”
Hannah’s cheeks reddened, and she looked away. “Sir, you speak too freely.”
His smile quirked at one end. “Deepest apologies, my lady.” Again the man looked behind to the others with him, the bob of his eyebrows making Joseph’s shoulders grow taut. “Greenborrow is still ten miles south, is it not?” He shook his head. “I should hate to see someone so lovely suffer in such weather as this.”
Joseph shook his head, knowing full well what the man would say. “It will not be long—”
“As a point of fact…” The soldier looked back from where they’d ridden. “Though we have just come from there, I would be most happy to take you the rest of the way.”
Had Joseph a ready pistol, he would have brandished it. “That will not be necessary.”
“Nay, nay, I insist. ’Tis the least I can do for any colonist willing to stand up to t
he Patriots.” The man’s eyes narrowed in the corners, but his smile widened. He turned his attention to Hannah. “A ride on horseback would bring you to the warmth of the inn much quicker.”
Never. Joseph all but leapt from his seat. “We thank you for the offer, but—”
“You will not let the lady answer for herself?” The words were barked before he grinned immediately after. “My lady, I would be honored if you would let me take you to the inn. Your cousin shall follow right behind. I do believe that warmth and a meal will do you good.”
Hannah turned to him. “May I?”
The glance and accompanying smile she fed Joseph did strange things to his soul. He wanted to slay every other man who touched her and in the same second scold her reckless foolishness. Did she not know what horrors might await her if she trusted this stranger?
