A Game of Shadows (33 page)

Sam was woken up by the sound of voices coming from the next room.  He’d been in and out of consciousness so much, he’d lost track of how long he’d been at the fort.  It had to be close to two weeks, but he wasn’t sure.  His days were reduced to eating and sleeping, mostly sleeping.  The fever had subsided, and the hot poker in his stomach had cooled off some, but he was still weak and in pain.  Sam reached for a cup of water, but his hand stilled as the conversation from the other room began to sink in.

“Doctor, I have orders from the
colonel to question Corporal Johnson,” an unfamiliar voice said.

“I understand that, Captain Manning, but Corporal Johnson is my patient and I’m telling you that he’s in no condition to answer any questions.  He’s just beginning to recover from the infection in his wound.  What is so urgent that can’t keep for a few days?”

Sam could hear the captain’s exasperated sigh.  “Doctor, I have my orders.”

“And I have a responsibility to my patient.”  Doctor Freeman sounded unusually firm
, ready to do battle with the captain.

“Ah, Captain Manning, if I might intervene,
” Susanna piped in, trying to diffuse the situation between the two men.  “I just checked on Corporal Johnson and he’s unconscious.  He’s been slipping in and out of consciousness due to the high fever.  I’m afraid you won’t be able to question him even if you try, so I suggest you come back later.  What is this all about anyway?”  Susanna asked, sounding annoyed with the captain and curious at the same time.

“On the day the patrol found Corporal Johnson, a young woman named Abigail Whitfield was to be hanged at City Hall Park.  On the way to the gallows two British soldiers ambushed the cart, killing the escort and freeing the prisoner.  We believe one of them
was wounded during the rescue, Miss Freeman.  We believe Corporal Johnson may have been involved in the incident.”

“Did you say “Abigail”?” Susanna asked, sounding shocked.

“Yes, she was charged with spying as was her husband, but he got away before our soldiers had a chance to take him into custody.”

“Why would British soldiers ambush British soldiers?” asked Doctor Freeman.  “Seems rather odd.”

“They weren’t really British soldiers, Doctor.  Two soldiers were discovered in an alley behind Madame Mabel’s bro…
—
eh, establishment.  They’d been knocked out and relieved of their uniforms and weapons.  We believe that Mrs. Whitfield’s husband and an accomplice posed as British soldiers and mounted a rescue.  Corporal Johnson might not be who he pretends to be.”  Captain Manning was quickly losing his patience, but the Freemans weren’t done with him yet.

“What will happen to him if he
were involved?” Susanna asked quietly.

“He will hang,
ma’am.  Now, if you would be so kind as to inform me as soon as Corporal Johnson comes to.  I really must speak with him.  Good day to you both.”

“Insufferable man!” Susanna
exclaimed as soon as the sound of the captain’s footsteps died away on the stone staircase. 

“I’m not interested in what he might have done.  I’m a surgeon
, and my duty is to the patient.  They can question him to their heart’s content once he recovers.  Now, my dear, I am feeling a bit peckish since I haven’t had my breakfast yet.  I trust you will be all right here on your own?”

“Of course, Father.” 

**

Sam watched Susanna silently as she walked into the room, her eyes
never leaving his face.  She didn’t look angry or accusing, just sad.  Her eyes were full of hurt as she pulled up a chair to Sam’s cot and sat down, her hands folded demurely in her lap. 

“I am guessing you heard that,” she stated.  “I would have never thought it true if he hadn’t mentioned Abigail.  She’s your wife, isn’t she?”

“She’s my sister,” Sam said quietly.  “Will you turn me in to the captain?”

“I don’t know.  On the one hand, you are guilty of murder and circumvention of justice.  On the other, you did what any brother would do.  Who was the other man, her husband?”

“Yes, my brother-in-law.  They’re just eighteen and were married only a few months ago.  Was he supposed to let her hang?”

“Was she really spying, Patrick?  Is that even your
real name?” Susanna’s eyes never left his, making Sam feel vulnerable and confused.  It was probably a mistake to tell her anything, but he felt the need to confess, whatever the cost.  If he had any chance of getting out alive, Susanna was it, and he couldn’t afford to lie to her any longer.

“My name is Sam Mallory, and yes, she was spying.  We serve the Revolution, not the
king.  Does that shock you, Miss Freeman?”

“No. I’m not unsympathetic to your cause, believe it or not, but people very rarely ask for my opinion
in these matters.  Now, get up.”  Susanna pushed back the chair, suddenly full of purpose.

“Why?” 
She must have made up her mind to turn me in
, Sam thought as he slowly got off the cot. 
She’ll march me to Captain Manning, and I won’t be able to do anything to stop her because I’d rather die than hurt her
.

“Because we are leaving.”  Susanna disappeared for a moment returning with Sam’s uniform, which had been cleaned.  “Get dressed and wait for me here.  I’ll be back in a moment.”

“How do I know you won’t call for help?” Sam asked.

“You’ll just have to trust me, Sam Mallory,” she replied, giving him a brilliant smile.  “
Now hurry.”

Sam tried to hurry, but getting dressed was a
difficult process given his weakened state and the pain in his stomach.  He nearly passed out as he bent down to pull on his boots, putting pressure on the wound.  It took him a few minutes to catch his breath before he could tie back his hair and put on the tricorn she left on his bed.  By the time Susanna returned, he was dressed and ready to go, although he had no idea where they were going.

“Here, take this,” she held out a musket, grinning at Sam’s astonished face.  “It’s my father’s, although he’s never used it.  I’ve asked the stable boy to prepare a trap.  It should be ready by now.  Follow me and just play along.”  Sam slung the musket over his shoulder and followed Susanna out of the room and into the lovely September morning. 
Susanna looked businesslike, with her straw bonnet and a basket slung over her arm.  The trap was already waiting.  “You drive,” she said as she climbed onto the bench, adjusting her skirts and placing the basket in her lap.  Sam mounted the bench with some difficulty, then began to drive toward the gates of the fort, praying that this ruse would work. 

The yard was surprisingly quiet since a lot of the soldiers garrisoned at the fort were at breakfast at that time of the morning. 
With the British occupying the area, there was no sense of urgency or danger as people went about their business.  Several officers passed by, but they did little more than greet Miss Freeman respectfully and move on. 

Two young sentries manned the gate,
desperately trying to hide their boredom.  They were no older than sixteen, their faces fresh and hairless.  The sentries snapped to attention as the trap drew up to the gate.

“I’m on my way to collect some surgical supplies
for Doctor Freeman from Richmond town,” stated Susanna. 

“Yes,
ma’am.  Do be careful.”  The young sentry gave Susanna a smile, which she eagerly returned.

“I will, Bobby. Now open the gate.”  The boys pushed open the heavy wooden gates, allowing them to pass unchallenged.  Sam stared ahead as he drove
through the gate, the sound of the gates closing music to his ears.  He drove in the direction of Richmond town, picking up speed as they got further from the fort.  Sam gazed around, trying to get his bearings and determine which way the Jenkins farm was.  Finn and Abbie were likely long gone, but Jim would help him.  He’d need to leave fast before the authorities came looking for him. 

Sam suddenly realized that he would never see Susanna again
, and the thought made him unbearably sad.  He’d gotten used to seeing her every day and looked forward to their conversations.  The hospital had been deserted save for a few cases of upset stomachs or cuts that needed to be dressed, so Susanna had been free to look after him and keep him company.  Sam snuck a peek at Susanna, needing to remember her face as it looked at that moment, illuminated by the morning sun and so serious that it made him smile. 

Susanna felt his gaze upon her and turned to face him, confused by his smile. 
“Sam, my father will be back from breakfast shortly and he might raise the alarm, so you need to make your escape soon.  I will return to the fort and tell them that you forced me to help you.  Do you have a place to go?  Will you be all right?”

“I will now.  I don’t know how to thank you
, Miss Freeman.  You’ve saved my life twice.  I would do anything to repay you, just name it.”  Sam reached out and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips.  He wasn’t sure what made him do it, but he just wanted to touch her, to feel her skin against his lips.

“You can repay me by staying safe and getting your sister far away from here.  They won’t stop looking for you.” 
Susanna shyly took her hand back, casting her eyes down as if all the answers were to be found in her basket.

Sam continued to drive, turning back periodically to make sure no one was in
pursuit.  He couldn’t help noticing the look on Susanna’s face.  She sat staring straight ahead, her back rigid as a pole, her lips quivering slightly in an effort not to cry.

“Susanna, I’m so sorry I
have put you in this position.  I know this must be distasteful for you.  No one will blame you if they believe you were in danger.” Sam reached for her hand again, but drew back, not wanting to upset her further.  Susanna turned to face him, her eyes full of tears as she reached up and touched his cheek tenderly, her thumb brushing across his lips.

“Sam, I helped you because I couldn’t bear to see you hang, and I’m proud of what I’ve done.  This is probably the first act of free will that I’ve undertaken in my whole life.  And now I’m about to undertake a second one.  Take me with you.  Please, Sam.
I don’t expect you to marry me.  I only want to be with you in any capacity you’ll have me.”  She stared into his eyes, her cheeks turning crimson as she realized what she had just done.

The words came unbidden and unplanned, tumbling
from her mouth as if of their own accord.  She’d never been so forward in her life, but her heart knew this was her only chance even if her mind hadn’t realized it yet.  The thought of never seeing Sam again left her paralyzed with pain, the rest of her life stretching before her, long and barren.  She loved him and she didn’t care if he never married her.  She’d gladly be his mistress if only she could have his love and affection, if only for a short time.  She would take what he gave her and be grateful, happy to know what it was like to be alive at last.  It was never too late to go back to her old life, taking care of her father and finding small pleasures in a good book or in the improved health of her patients.  At least she would have something to look back on, a time of madness when she took love and was woman enough to give it back.

“What do you mean, take me with you?” Sam stared at her uncomprehending.  “I’m an American Revolutionary and you are the daughter of a British
military surgeon. Do you realize what you’re asking?”  He was aghast at her suggestion, but suddenly his heart filled with hope.  Was it possible that she really cared for him?

“I realize what I’m asking, but the thought of never seeing you again makes me feel as if my
heart has been ripped out of my chest and stomped on a few hundred times.  I’m sorry I’ve put you in this position.  I should have remained quiet.  Of course, you don’t feel the same.  It was very foolish of me to assume you did; it’s just that…”  She suddenly grew quiet, silenced by humiliation.  “Forget I said it.”  She looked away, taking his surprise for rejection. 

“You will never see your father again.  He’ll think that I forced you to leave and possibly even hurt you.”  Sam hated to think that the man who’d done so much to help him would think him a murderer and abductor of women, but the unreasonable hope in his heart kept growing, filling his chest with something like happiness.

“I left him a note telling him that I helped you and went with you willingly.  I will destroy it once I get back to the fort,” she mumbled, turning away from him in embarrassment.

“But won’t you be sorry to leave him?”

“Sam, my mother died when I was twelve.  I had to take on the role of the lady of the house and take care of my father and little sister, who was only four at the time.  They were so helpless, so lost.  I told myself year after year that it was my duty to put them first and that my happiness didn’t matter.  I’d never allowed myself to entertain the idea of getting married or having a family of my own as long as they needed me.  I raised Laura as if she were my own child, but children grow up, and Laura left me.  She got married shortly before father and I left England.  Maybe it’s selfish, but I’m twenty-five, and I need to think of my own happiness before it’s too late.  Father will just have to learn to accept that.  He’s a wonderful, caring man, but at times he forgets that I’m his daughter and not his wife.”