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Before his answering gaze could immobilize her escape, she turned and started up the stairway.
“Good night, Hannah.”
She stopped, aching to say everything that pressed like a boot against her heart. Blessedly, only two small words formed. “Good night.”
The truth she’d spoken in the kitchen rang stronger with every rise and fall of the sun. She would be grateful when these two weeks were out—when their mission was done. And yet…
Hannah hurried up the final steps to her room, shutting the door against the thoughts that trailed her. She rested her back against the wood and stared at the darkened ceiling. What pained her more? This time with him now, or knowing she would once again be forced to find a way to live her life without him?
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning dawned like an exuberant suitor—cheerful and full of promises. At her usual perch, Hannah pulled a dish of perfectly golden turnovers from the fire and set them on the table, unable to suppress the smile on her lips. Joseph was already in the foundry, hard at work. If he didn’t return soon for breakfast, she would bring him and the others a basketful. She couldn’t help but anticipate the smile such a surprise would produce.
The door opened, and Hannah’s heart leapt, pulling her from her position at the table to the doorway of the kitchen. She brushed her hands over her skirt and pinched her cheeks, only to have her rising hopes punched down like a fist in dough.
“Aw, Miss Young. Good morning.” Stockton entered, his cheeks flush from cold, eyes too bright the moment they found her. “Smells marvelous.”
Hannah bundled all the pleasure her voice could convey and shoved it into her words. “Good day, Major. May I get you some refreshment? Have you had breakfast?”
He shut the door behind him. “I have—thank you, my dear. But I should like some coffee.” Swinging off his hat and cloak, he went to the fire, rubbing his hands over the flame. ?
??Chilly day. The mercury shows five degrees.”
“That is cold indeed.” Hannah took her time preparing the pot and entered the parlor only after she’d allowed herself a peek through the kitchen window, but there was no sign of Joseph.
She handed Stockton a full cup. “You must warm yourself, sir. Let me add a log to the fire.”
“Nay.” He batted her away playfully. “I shall do it.” Cup in one hand, he gripped a log with the other and threw it on the already billowing flames.
She looked to the door, her lip between her teeth as her mind worried over the thoughts she’d considered last evening. Thoughts she hadn’t been willing to tell Joseph, for she knew his answer. He wouldn’t approve, but she felt she must. How else could she most easily get the information they needed?
“I…” She ducked her head away, studying her fingers. “I do hope last evening was satisfactory for you, sir.”
“Satisfactory?” The sincerity in his voice made her almost believe the ploy she was about to undertake was not so dangerous. “’Twas heavenly, Miss Young. A success by every measure of the word.”
“But you do think, I mean to say, is Major Pitman still unsure of—”
“Aldor Pitman may be a man of few manners, but he is no fool.”
Hannah stalled, unsure of his meaning. “Sir?”
“He was quite smitten, I daresay. With his wife enamored by you, I can safely believe you and your cousin are free to aid the king with no more suspicions leveled at your back.”
Her tight stays eased around her chest. Inwardly, a cheer broke loose, but all she released was a smile. “I am very pleased.”
Gaze never leaving her, he took a sip of his drink. “I’ve quite a few messages to send. If you are willing, is now a good time to begin?”
“Oh, of course.” Moving to the desk in the corner, Hannah sat, retrieving the quill from the inkwell. Her fingers began to quiver, but a slow inhale helped ease the spike of anxiety. “I am ready to begin.”
“How eager you are.” He came forward until he stood directly behind her chair, the warmth of his body radiating far too near.
She peeked behind, swallowing away the disgust at the interest she was forced to feign. “Eager indeed to be of help to one so generous.”
“Generous?” The compliment straightened his shoulders.
“Aye, sir. You have been more than generous with me and with Joseph, and ’tis the least I can do.”
Almost lecherous, his eyes coursed over her. “Is that your only motivation?”
