Daughter of Liberty by Johanna Hill

Author:Johanna Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“B UT WHY WAS SHE AT J EREMY’S!” A BIGAIL CALLED aloud to no one as she hurriedly dressed. “It is my fault. She must have gone there to speak to him after I told her—It is my fault! —”

Abigail flew down the stairs. Jane was dressed and waiting for her at the door. For the first time, Jane looked like an aging woman, her face deeply lined in worry. “Where is Nathan?” Abigail asked.

“He has gone to get the cart and horse. You must drive it since Levi is not at home yet. Nathan will ride Jeremy’s mare back. Where is Levi! He’s been up to no good for some time now! I’ve kept my peace about it and that was most certainly a mistake—I will give that boy a thrashing—I tell you, he’s not too old or big for Jane to take over her knee—”

“It does no good to rave and rant now, Jane!” Abigail said so sharply that Jane quieted. “I must go and find him. For if Katie is about to have the babe—I will take Jeremy’s horse and ride to Blue’s Tavern. Nathan can drive you to Jeremy’s in the wagon.”

“Do you intend to ride through the town bareback at this hour? A young woman alone down at the wharf? I will not hear of it! Write Levi a note telling him what has happened and he will meet us there.”

Abigail quickly scribbled a note. “I must find him,” she insisted and ran through the back door before Jane could further protest. “We will meet you at Jeremy’s,” she called behind her.

* * *

Levi and Charles walked through the disreputable blocks of Anne Street. Even at this late hour of almost eleven, girls, some as young as Katie, dressed in bright-colored, short dresses weaved among them, offering themselves for a small sum. Levi spotted a fancy coach which had stopped in a deserted alley. As he and Charles approached, they noticed first the richly dressed young men, then the coat of arms on the side of the polished carriage. They soon picked up the drift of conversation. For a whore, still young enough to be pretty, was attempting to pull her arm from one gentleman’s grip.

“I have changed my mind, sir,” she whined. “I do not wish to go with the two of you. I do not do that sort of thing,” she pleaded.

The man who held the reins laughed. “Come now, wench. You do that and more, I am certain. We told you we will pay you well.” He shook a bunch of clinking coins in his money bag. “Get in and do not tarry,” he insisted, as the man closest to the girl grabbed her other arm and began to pull her into the carriage.

“Get in or we will just as easily slit your throat and leave you to die in the alley,” the man puffed as he pulled at the resisting girl.

“Please, sir, let me go!” she pleaded and cried.

Both men

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