Liberty's Charge (Sisters of the Revolution Book 4) by Audrey Glenn

Author:Audrey Glenn [Glenn, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: American History, Romance
Publisher: Daughters of Columbia Books
Published: 2020-11-11T22:00:00+00:00

Gilbert entered the law office just as the sun was beginning to set, for once managing to get through Hancock’s long list of tasks before full dark. Truth be told, he’d practically raced through them so he could get back to Patience.

“Good evening,” he called out. Patience beamed at him, and his foolish heart beat rapidly in response.

“I worked on the appeal,” Patience said, pushing a stack of paper in front of him. “Just a draft. Not complete by any means. I welcome any criticism.”

Gilbert perused the papers while Patience chatted quietly to Randolph, still at his own work despite the late hour. Gilbert became so immersed in her words that he was lost to all else. Keeping his face impassive, he stacked the papers into a neat pile and gave them back to Patience.

“Well?” she demanded, body tense as she waited for him to reply.

Gilbert let out a breath. “This is perfect! You’re brilliant.”

“It’s not perfect,” she argued, though her shoulders relaxed. “Perhaps you could read them aloud to me, so I can hear where I need to make changes?”

“It’s your appeal,” Gilbert pointed out. “You should read it.”

“He’s right,” Randolph agreed.

Patience laid her palms flat on the table. “I won’t be the one reading it in court.”

Gilbert put both hands in the air. “Nor will I!”

“He’s right again,” Randolph pointed out.

“I’ve got it!” Gilbert clapped. “Let’s act the whole thing out. I’ll be the crown prosecutor, and you’ll represent Phineas.”

Patience snorted. “Let’s not be silly.”

“It’ll be fun. Come, Patience, please,” Gilbert begged. He reached across the table and clasped both of her hands. “Will you do me the honor of completely cutting me down in court?”

Randolph chuckled from his desk. “You’re not getting out of this charade,” Patience insisted. “You can be the judge.”

“I’m really very busy,” he protested, waving at the stack of papers on his own desk. Patience continued to stare at him. “Fine!” He threw his quill down on the desk. “Just for a few minutes.” Randolph fetched Mr. Hayes’s court wig from his office and carefully placed it on his own head while Gilbert dragged some of the office chairs around until he’d created a passable approximation of a courtroom.

“Call this session to order,” Gilbert prompted Randolph.

Randolph cleared his throat and rapped his knuckles on the table. “Order! Order!” Patience stifled a laugh. “You there — a little less noise! The bailiff will read the decision of the jury.”

Gilbert scrambled in front of Randolph. “This man has been found guilty of smuggling and vile treason against His Majesty.”

Randolph motioned to Gilbert. “Proceed with the evidence against the accused.”

Gilbert flexed his shoulders. “That man,” he said, pointing to an invisible person next to Patience, “was found guilty of the most heinous crime ever conceived in the wicked hearts of men. He has betrayed our magnanimous monarch by the sheer audacity of his criminal depravities. Can you imagine,” Gilbert swung around to face Randolph, “the vile person who would dare to violate the inviolate words of Parliament?”

He heard a choking sound behind him and turned to see Patience stifling laughter.

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