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The grip he held her with through his eyes nearly tugged at her like a grasp upon her shoulders, but with a blink and a smile she pulled to freedom. Walking to the door, she opened and stepped into the white winter light, blinded by not only the glare itself but by the sudden veracities that fell around her like the very snow from the heavens. This was her chance, her way to not only keep her vow to her uncle but to overthrow the very men who destroyed the life she’d loved. The farther she walked, the more it seemed the fears sloughed away like sand to lapping water. Emboldened, she turned back toward the house, a bitter-cold breeze tickling the hairs around her ears as she smiled.
Let the game begin.
Chapter Ten
Joseph watched the doorknob latch into place after Hannah’s exit. He should be with her. Confounded woman. Did she not realize there could be soldiers about? Chest swelling with a breath he hoped would ease the thump of his pulse, Joseph turned back to the loathed men in front of him.
Greene stared, mouth firm, eyes fixed. Clearly he didn’t like them despite the act he performed yesterday, and he planned to make it known. “So you are familiar with blacksmithing?”
“Aye, sir.” Joseph nodded, resting a hand on top of the chair beside him. “I’ve worked in that trade near fifteen years.”
Stockton rolled his shoulders back and opened his stance. “You own a shop of your own?”
Shaking his head, Joseph recited the story he’d perfected. “I do traveling labor. Many shops need outside help for larger commissions, so I make my way around. I have a special skill set other smith owners will hire me to make use of.”
A single brow rose on Stockton’s face. “Such as?”
“Locks, gates, and the like.”
Stockton shifted his feet and moved his eyes to Greene before fixing his gaze on Joseph. “Familiar with gun parts?”
A pointed question. Joseph was grateful he could answer in truth. “Aye.”
Stockton looked to Greene once more, whose only movement was a slight shift of the jaw.
Facing th
e fire, Stockton rested his arm on the mantel. “I have an order for one hundred gun barrels.” He pulled his bottom lip through his teeth, as if second-guessing his sudden and revealing statement.
Already the information flowed. “So many?”
“Aye. The more advantage we have over the enemy, the better.”
Greene stepped forward. “Sir, is it wise to—” He snapped his mouth shut when Stockton hurled a glare at his face.
“Do you believe…” The major paused, staring down before gripping Joseph with a gaze he knew was intended to show the strength of his position. “Could you craft that many in a short amount of time?”
Joseph reserved the shock of such a question. “How short?”
“Six days.”
Eyes fixed and mouth a firm line, Greene seemed ready to burst at the proposition that would shortly be extended. Why not make the devilish man a bit more uncomfortable?
Joseph tilted his head as his mouth pulled to a frown. “’Tis almost too short, but with help, I could manage.”
“Indeed I am intrigued.” Stockton’s gaze flung to Greene, not as an invitation to speak his mind but to repress any impending contradictions. Slowly, he turned back to Joseph. “Sir, I find you and your kind cousin to be most genuine. And as we are to be staying here together for an unforeseeable future, and if you are truly amenable to offering your hand in the service of your king, then I should be interested in offering you the honor of filling this order and any others that may be called for.”
“Major!” Greene stomped across the floor, his face twisted and red. “You cannot possibly trust—”
“Silence.” Irritation ticked below Stockton’s eye, and a menacing vibration settled off his shoulders as his voice rumbled from his chest. “You forget your place, Greene. Do not second-guess my judge of character.” After a beat of suffocating silence, he spoke again. “I can tell Mr. Young and his cousin are sincere in their devotion to the crown, and if they wish to be of assistance, well…seems to me that Providence is at work.”
Providence indeed. Joseph bowed in a reverent show of acknowledgment while the two men exchanged glares like enemies exchanging blows. How could this not be God’s hand? Here he had just been offered such an opportunity—to learn the very needs and numbers of the British and to be so trusted by one in authority.
Stockton thrust his last stare and turned to Joseph. “What say you?”
Joseph’s muscles tensed, and he willed his blood to travel with less force through his veins. Bowing his head again, he replied. “It would be an honor. But I do not wish to interfere if there is another man for whom—”
“Do not let Greene’s irritation dissuade you.” Stockton pushed away from the fire. “The remaining instructions are expected sometime this evening. I must visit camp to assess things there and will return sometime after dark.” Striding to the door, he stopped and turned with his hand on the knob. “Greene, you will ride with me.”
