Chapter 14
The sun was barely up when Gordon woke the next morning. As soon as he started moving around, two servants arrived, one carrying a pitcher of hot water and the other his boots and coat. As promised, the boots were in good shape. His dark blue coat would never be the same, but it was wearable.
After he washed and dressed, he swiftly packed what few possessions he had in the battered canvas satchel he’d used to bring the same items to Tucker Hall. He’d transferred everything to Mr. Green’s saddlebags before riding into Washington to find the mysterious Widow Audley. Both pistols would need cleaning since they’d been rained on, but everything had survived.
Satchel in hand, he headed downstairs and found Callie standing at a window staring out at the creek. This morning her hair fell in a braid down her back. In her soft gray gown, she looked like an unusually pretty servant. She turned at the sound of his footsteps. “No sign of your Captain Hawkins yet.”
“It’s early and he couldn’t sail the Zephyr this far up the creek anyhow. He’ll send a small boat.” Gordon scanned the horizon, but couldn’t see any masts or sails.
“May I put my clothes in with yours? All I have is what you gave me.”
“Of course.” Gordon tucked the folded garments inside. By the time he fastened the satchel again, Mr. Green had joined them, carrying a pair of wide-brimmed straw hats in one hand. “To replace the hats you lost,” he explained as he gave them each one. “These aren’t stylish but they’ll keep you from burning in the sun. For now, though, breakfast.”
The food was excellent and Mr. Green was a very gracious host, but Gordon sensed that he was anxious to see the last of his guests so he could return to his usual responsibilities. Callie was probably even more impatient to be off for Baltimore. Over the years, Gordon had learned to live in the moment, so he enjoyed the food and the sight of Callie across the table from him.
She sat opposite a window that overlooked the creek, and as they finished eating, she jumped to her feet. “A small boat is approaching your dock!”
Mr. Green also stood. “No one inside wearing a red uniform, I hope?”
“No, that’s Hawkins on board.” Gordon got up and donned one of the straw hats, handing the other to Callie. Picking up his satchel, he said, “Thank you for your most welcome hospitality, Mr. Green. Shall we see if Hawkins has news?”
That thought propelled them all from the house and down the path to the dock. Hawkins greeted Gordon with a firm handshake. “Glad to see you’re still alive!” His interested gaze moved to Callie. “You succeeded in finding your widow?”
“Indeed I did,” Gordon replied. “Mrs. Audley and Mr. Green, who is head of the family you carried over to Virginia.”
After handshakes all around, Green said, “We’ve had breakfast, but there’s food to spare if you’d like to come inside.”
“Thank you, but I’ve eaten and I expect my passengers are anxious to get away.”
“That I am.” Callie gave Mr. Green a swift hug. “Stay safe, and may your family be home with you soon!”
He hugged her back. “From your mouth to God’s ears! Captain Hawkins, do you know what’s going on out there?”
“The British troops have withdrawn from Washington,” Hawkins replied. “I imagine that the government officials are on the way back to restore order.”
“Thank God for that!” Green said fervently. “Does anyone know where the British forces are going next?”
“The best guess is to Baltimore,” Hawkins said. “But it’s too soon to tell. They might decide to burn Annapolis on the way.”
Green nodded soberly. “It’s selfish of me, but I’m glad they’re heading elsewhere. I hope our troops are better prepared for the next battle.”
After final farewells, the captain ushered his passengers back to the dinghy. Gordon was amused to see the blushes of the two young sailors who had been rowing the boat. Callie was a potent feminine force.
After he helped Callie into the boat and settled on the bench seat next to her, he asked Hawkins, “Did you escape the force of the storm?”
Hawkins growled, “No, dammit. The Zephyr took major damage to the masts and sails. There were hailstones the size of musket balls. If I hadn’t been able to get her into the Potomac, she would have been destroyed. She can still sail, but I couldn’t outrun a rowboat, much less a British frigate. We can’t cross the Atlantic until repairs are made.”
Callie tensed. “Can you make it as far as Baltimore? I must go there!”
“You want to go to Baltimore?” Hawkins looked pained. “I can’t recommend it.”
“If you can’t do it, set me ashore,” Callie said stiffly. “I’ll make my way by land.”
“I really do not recommend that!” Hawkins exclaimed. “The countryside is badly disturbed and you’d risk bandits, looters, frustrated American militiamen, and possibly British Army patrols.”
Before Callie could say that she’d risk it, Richard said, “It’s not an easy destination, but Mrs. Audley must go there to find her family since she sent them away from Washington for safety. What do you suggest as the best way of reaching the city?”
Hawkins’s brow furrowed as he considered. “I plan to take the Zephyr to St. Michaels, a shipbuilding town on the eastern shore of the bay. My pilot, Landers, grew up there and his father owns a first-rate shipyard. While my ship is being repaired, I can hire a small boat and sail you up to Baltimore. A vessel the size of a fishing boat will be too small to attract unwelcome British attention. It’s the best chance for you to reach Baltimore in one piece.”
As Callie ached at the thought of how long that would take, Richard enfolded her hand in his large, warm clasp. “It’s good to listen to people who know what they’re talking about, Catkin,” he said quietly. “You’ll do your family no favors if you get yourself killed.”
She exhaled slowly, struggling to control her anxiety. “I know you’re right. But I don’t like it!”
“Mrs. Audley, there are many things I don’t like and can’t change,” Hawkins said tersely. “This is one of them. But I promise to do my best to make sure you reach Baltimore safely.”
She looked at the two strong, capable men who were risking so much to help her, and bit her lip. She’d also learned hard lessons about accepting what could not be changed. It was time to act like an adult. “I’m sorry for being unreasonable,” she said apologetically. “You’ve suffered grave damage to your ship, Captain, and Richard risked his life to find me in Washington. I am deeply grateful to you both.”
Hawkins nodded acknowledgment, but glanced at Richard quizzically. “Your given name is Richard?”
“It’s one of my names. I was shocked to discover that the Widow Audley was a childhood friend from England.” He gave her an intimate smile. “We grew up as neighbors, but lost track of each other years ago.”
“I thought he was dead,” Callie added.
“That he’s still breathing is not for lack of trying to get himself killed,” Hawkins said dryly.
She almost laughed. “He’s not the only one! Richard told me about a certain cellar in Portugal. The one with bad brandy.”
Hawkins’s brows arched. “It’s not one of my fonder memories.”
“Yet men often seem to love danger and mystery.” Curious, she added, “You didn’t know any of Richard’s given names, Captain Hawkins. What are yours?”
“If you ever need to know, I’ll tell you,” he said, an amused gleam in his eyes. “But for now, I prefer to be mysterious.”
Callie smiled, then caught her breath in shock. The dinghy had just rounded a wide bend in the creek and they could now see where the Zephyr waited quietly at anchor. Two of the masts were broken and some of the sails were shredded. Sailors were working to replace one of them.
Richard gave a soft whistle. “You weren’t joking about the damage!”
“She’s suffered worse,” Hawkins said tersely. “But you can see why I’m in no shape to whisk you back to England.”
“That’s all right,” Callie said, knowing it was time to reveal her uncertainty. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to stay here or return home.” As she said the words, she realized that England did feel like home. But that would not be the only factor in her final decision.
“I should have known that rescuing a woman wouldn’t be straightforward,” the captain said dourly.
“This has more to do with being in the middle of a war than it does my gender. I’ve learned how quickly and disastrously life can change, and how uncertain the future can be.” She frowned. “I can’t decide if I’m so anxious to get to Baltimore just on general principles, or if my maternal instincts are whispering that something is wrong. But worry isn’t helping. All I can do is wait and see.”
“Patience is one of the most irritating adult virtues to acquire,” Richard said ruefully. “But I swear that I’ll stay with you until you know what you want to do.”
“In the meantime, you’re giving us ample opportunity for danger and mystery,” Hawkins said, wryly amused. “Remind me to thank you if I live long enough.”