For Love or Country: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 2 (18 page)

“I want facts. For now, I am willing to drop the matter of the map since it is quite possible you may not know about it. There are others who could be tortured into revealing what I need to know about the map . . . like Mr. Simmons.”

Tyra stared at the floor, careful to show no reaction. Poor Mr. Simmons. At his age, she doubted the man would last long under such duress. If only she had run Major Craig through with her sword when she had the chance, at least then she would have prevented him from killing more souls like Cornelius Harnett. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, remorse seized her chest.

“How do we know the information you provided to Captain Donahue Morgan was not a trap? You wanted to be rid of him from your home, and once you discovered his brother’s capture, you devised a clever plan he would not be able to resist.” Major Craig walked behind his desk and set the map under a ledger. He leaned on his palms and met her gaze. “Admit it. You wanted to be free of him so you could resume your spy activities for the Continentals.”

“I admit no such thing.” Tyra set her jaw at a stubborn angle, determined not to say more than necessary. “I laid no trap for Captain Morgan.”

“Fair enough. The safe return of he and his men will determine whether or not you have betrayed him.” Major Craig stood and paced again as he shook a finger in the air. “Still, there is the matter of how you managed to smuggle letters to and from your father through the Tuscarora Indians. If you could do so, how do we know you have not provided the Continentals with pertinent information in regard to our activities here in Wilmington?”

“You do not.” Tyra kept her tone even. “But I have saved Captain Morgan’s life, and you do have evidence I provided your army with accurate information to rescue British officers. The Continental Army could also accuse me of spying for you.”

“And why would the War Woman, who has such a formidable reputation, a known Patriot, go against her family, friends, the cause they fight for, and all she believes?” He circled around her, slow and stalking, tracing a finger along the path of her cheek where he had probably left a handprint. “Unless she has developed an attachment to a particular officer on the side of the enemy?” Fear paralyzed Tyra as she met his gaze. “Tell me, do you fancy yourself in love with Captain Donahue Morgan?”

Chapter 18

18

O
ne of the men gave up his horse to Neil since he was weak from food rationings and was also a ranking officer. Hugh rode beside Neil like old times with the exception of the marked changes in Neil. His brother was harder than he remembered, lacking a depth of emotion that concerned him.

As they rode into Wilmington, a feeling of homecoming overwhelmed Hugh. Images of fiery red hair and wide green eyes warmed his heart. Hugh reached down and patted the pouch hanging from his side, content to know Tyra’s lock of hair was still with him. Soon he would be able to hold the real woman in his arms, providing he could find a convenient moment away from everyone else.

With the sight of so many redcoats everywhere, he could feel the tension in his soldiers subsiding. They no longer felt the need to keep looking over their shoulders and considering if every nearby noise was a possible movement from the enemy. Conversations increased among the men as they marched down Front Street toward the Burgwin House.

“Halt!” Hugh raised his hand and they all came to a complete stop. He turned to face his men. “You completed a successful mission. You have every reason to be proud of what you have accomplished. We brought back three of our officers and several other prisoners. Take the rest of the night and relax. Report at daybreak on the morrow.”

Hugh guided his horse around the house to the back where the stables were kept. Soldiers on duty opened the gate upon their arrival. Hugh and his brother rode through with the others on horseback. The hooves clip-clopped against the graveled dirt.

“Welcome back, sir.” one of the soldiers called behind them.

They dismounted and left their animals in the care of the stable lads and entered the house from the back courtyard. Candles were lit on the wall as their footsteps clicked down the hallway. The smell of melting wax and smoking cigars lingered in the air. Voices echoed from the parlor. Hugh followed the sounds knowing his brother and the others would follow.

He paused at the entrance, his gaze searching past Sergeant McAlister and Corporal Jackson on the settee by the window. Captain Gordon and Major Craig were both sitting in wing-backed chairs in front of the fireplace where a small fire blazed. To his relief, no women were present, so they would be able to give their direct report right away. All conversation died as their eyes turned toward him. Hugh stood at attention and saluted his commanding officer.

“Major Craig, we are reporting back from our mission. It was a success, sir.” Hugh stepped to the side and allowed his brother and the other two officers to enter the room. “This is Colonel Neil Morgan, Lieutenant Fox, and Second Lieutenant Adams. We brought back twelve other soldiers and sustained no loss of life. Two of our private soldiers have minor injuries.”

“Glad to have you back,” Major Craig said. “I must admit, I had worried the information Miss MacGregor provided might lead you into an ambush, but I am pleased to know I was wrong.”

“I told you I believed she told the truth,” Hugh said, wondering why Major Craig would continue to question his judgment. He swallowed and tried to maintain a nonchalant expression. If he showed fear or too much concern, Major Craig would know his vulnerability. He couldn’t afford to put Tyra in such a position. He met his superior’s dark gaze and recognized an expression of arrogance not present before his departure. “Did something happen while I was away?”

“Only necessary precaution, but rest assured, all is well.” Major Craig twisted his lips into a grin. He lifted one side of his gray eyebrow. Hugh had always wondered how he did it without moving the other eyebrow. “I am convinced where you are concerned, the War Woman has a soft spot.”

“What do you mean?” Hugh asked.

“Never mind. I think it is more important that you know we had two prisoners escape. Fortunately for us, General Ashe was not one of them. We found a hand-drawn map of several underground tunnels aiding them in the escape. It was in the possession of a Mr. Simmons, a man known to be a Patriot and possibly part of the Whig Party.”

“And what did you do?” Hugh walked toward him.

“We have Mr. Simmons in the dungeon below. He has not revealed much information, but he is an elderly man and would not be able to live through too much torture. I have waited to see if he might divulge something to Miss MacGregor.”

“How is she part of this? Is she here as well?” Hugh glanced at Sergeant McAlister for a clue. He looked down at the floor, but not before Hugh recognized a moment of guilt in his expression. Fear snaked up Hugh’s spine as he thought of the dungeon cells below. He couldn’t imagine her being down there with the other prisoners, but he always suspected Major Craig was capable of corrupt things. If Craig already thought an attachment had formed between him and Tyra, he needed to be careful in how he proceeded.

“I am not completely heartless. I put her in a cell by herself next to the others. None of them could lay a hand on her.” Major Craig stood and walked past Hugh, brushing his shoulder. He bent over the center table and poured a goblet of port and took a deep swallow. “At first, I thought she might have had something to do with the map.” He shrugged. “I thought she might have been working with the Whig Party, but she knew naught, and she has not discussed anything with Mr. Simmons in the cell beside her, as I had hoped.”

“Do you mean you believe she is innocent?” Hugh asked, saying a silent prayer for Tyra to have favor.

“For now.” Major Craig nodded. He took another swallow from his goblet and grunted. “I suppose you could take her home.” He waved a hand in the air.

Hugh turned and strode from the room. His brother sighed in confusion and followed him. Hurrying down the back stairs, Hugh entered the darkness where the cool dampness lurked. His breath came in short gasps, and it felt as if his heart would beat out of his skin. The stench of urine and decay accosted his senses, and he wrinkled his nose. He imagined rats and nasty rodents and grimaced.

“Hugh, slow down! What in the world could be possessing you?” Neil complained behind him.

“Sir, can I help you?” A soldier bounced to his feet. Even in the dim torch light he looked to be no more than ten and six.

“Major Craig is releasing Miss MacGregor. Please get the key,” Hugh ordered.

“Yes, sir.” He launched into motion at once, rushing over to the last cell by the wall and pulling out the key ring hanging from his side. The man sorted through several keys and inserted it into the lock. He turned until it clicked into place and swung the bar doors open.

To his surprise, Tyra didn’t immediately run out to him. Instead, she moved in a slow gait without uttering a sound. Her wild hair was not confined upon her head as usual, but fell around her shoulders in disarray. The torch light revealed dark smudges on her face, but it was to be expected considering where she had been. She stumbled. Hugh bent and swept her in his arms.

“No, consider your reputation,” she whispered, pushing him away.

“Nonsense, Major Craig sent me to get you,” he whispered back. “I am so sorry.”

“’Twas not your fault,” she whispered by his ear. Her hot breath brushed his skin, sending unexpected shivers over him.

“The blame is mine to bear just the same,” he said. “This would not have happened had I been here.”

“What would you have done? Taken on the whole British Army?” She coughed, shaking in his arms.

He pressed his lips to her ear. “If need be.”

“Hugh, what is the meaning of this? Have you developed an attachment for some lowly Patriot?” Neil asked, following behind him. “If you have, I will not stand for it. Not after all I have been through.”

“Neil, I will explain everything in time, but you must bear in mind people are more than Patriots and Tories.”

“Not in our world,” came the curt reply.

***

“I can walk on my own,” Tyra said, as Hugh gathered her in his arms and slid down the side of his horse. “I have never been a weak woman. Put me down at once.”

“Believe me, no one will ever be able to claim you weak, my dear.” Hugh said. His warm breath sent a slight tingle over her body as he gathered her close.

The front door swung open and her mother and Kirk came running out. Private Stoneman followed at a much slower pace.

“Tyra, I have been so worried about ye. I visited every day, but the wretched man would not allow me to see ye.” She laid a hand on Hugh’s arm and glanced over at Neil in question. “Are ye all right, lass?”

“I am.” Tyra nodded, kicking her feet until she caused Hugh to lose control, and she slipped from his arms and landed on her feet. “See? All I have are a few bruises, and I am in need of a bath. I want to be clean. Please . . . I just want a warm bath. The place reeked and was so nasty.”

“Of course.” Mama wrapped an arm around her and led her toward the house and up the front steps. “I shall heat some water right away.” She glanced behind her. “Captain Morgan, would you mind bringing up the tub to Tyra’s chamber? You will find it in the chamber where Private Stoneman has been staying.”

“Indeed.” Hugh nodded. “This is my brother Colonel Neil Morgan. We were able to rescue him from a Continental prison in Hillsborough. He will be staying with us.”

“Nice to meet ye, Colonel,” Mama said. “Ye’re welcome to our home. I made some warm biscuits earlier, and set them out on a plate in the kitchen. Please help yerself, while I tend to Tyra.”

“Captain, how did you convince the major to let her go?” Private Stoneman asked. “I tried to tell him she was innocent, but he was determined to take her.”

“I know you did your best, Stoneman.” Hugh slapped him on the back as he held the door open and they entered the house behind the women. “After questioning her, he realized she was innocent. I merely arrived back in time to bring her home.”

“What did they do to you, Tyra?” Kirk followed his mother and sister up the stairs from the foyer. “You have a handprint on the side of your face. No one ever gets away with doing anything to you.”

“Kirk, stay down here with the others,” Mama said. “Tyra and I need some time alone. Get the soldiers anything they need.”

As Tyra climbed the stairs, her arms and legs ached with heaviness. She breathed in the scent of home, baked bread from the kitchen, honey from her room, and the pine floors. Even though she longed to lie down in her cozy bed and sleep the fatigue away, Tyra desired to scrub the filthy grime from her skin even more. Her stomach rumbled as they walked into her chamber. Perhaps afterward, she could eat a warm cooked meal.

“Did anything else happen while I was gone? Did more redcoats come?” Tyra asked as she sank onto her bed. Mama settled beside her.

“Nay, it has been quiet.” Her mother reached over and squeezed her in a tight embrace. “I am so glad yer home where ye belong.” She took Tyra’s hand in her own. “Tell me the truth. Did they violate ye?”

“No, I am so grateful I did not have to endure that. They put me in a dirty cell alone. It reeked of urine and waste. Rats were everywhere. I was afraid to sleep lest I wake up the next morning with my toes missing.”

“Kirk is right. Ye have a handprint branded upon yer cheek.” Mama cupped her swollen face with the gentleness Tyra had come to know and love about her mother. “How did this happen?” Her voice lowered to a whisper.

“Major Craig slapped me when I gave him an answer he disliked.” She took a deep breath. “Mama, I am fine. You will see it when I get ready to bathe, but I have some bruising on my ribs where they shoved me into the brick floor and a painful lump on my head.” Tyra lowered her voice to a whisper. “They have Mr. Simmons and found the map of the tunnels. Major Craig is after everyone in the Whig Party. Mr. Simmons is fine for now, but I do not know how long he will last in his condition if they beat him.”

“They do not know ye drew it, do they?” Mama asked.

“He suspected me, but I managed to distract him until he gave up or believed I was innocent.”

A knock sounded on the door. “I brought the tub.” Hugh’s voice came through from the other side. Mama went to the door and opened it. Hugh carried the tub inside and set it in the middle of the chamber. He straightened and placed his hands on his hips. “Is there aught else I can do?”

“No.” Tyra said. “I am more than grateful you brought me home. I would imagine you need some time to get reacquainted with your brother.”

“We had plenty of time to talk from Hillsborough to Wilmington. Right now, I am more concerned with your well-being. Tyra, I should have been here.”

“The major was determined, and he had an army. You would not have been able to stop him.” Tyra stood and folded her hands in front of her. “If you had tried, things would not have gone well for you, so I am glad you were away.”

Hugh walked around the tub and glanced at her mother and back at Tyra. “My brother has changed.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Neil developed a severe hatred for colonials while imprisoned. Do not take him into your confidence. And remember, he outranks me.”

Tyra gulped. She had endured enough from these tyrannical redcoats. She hoped she would not end up regretting Hugh’s success in rescuing his brother.

***

Hugh stared at the written parchment paper nailed to a tree on Market Street. It was a proclamation from Major James Craig. The order was for all males in the region to give their allegiance to His Royal Majesty or forfeit their property and life by August one, seventeen eighty-one.

Sweat ran between his shoulder blades and down his back as the heat climbed. The summer temperature was just as bad in Wilmington as in Charles Town. He wiped his eyebrows before more sweat could drip into his eyes and sting like the salty sea. Hugh fingered the official seal Major Craig used on his documents.

Was this in retaliation against the two escaped prisoners? If so, Major Craig could be determined to punish all Patriots and Whig members on a personal level. He wanted to take away their property, wealth, security, and crush their spirit. Hugh wished he could keep the residents out of the war, but it was illogical to claim the enemy was not gaining supplies, motivation, and soldiers from the residents.