Midnight Rider by Joan Hiatt Harlow

Author:Joan Hiatt Harlow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: 2005-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

23

HANNAH AND MEG’S SECRET PACT

meg reached out, grabbed Hannah’s arm, and pulled her into the bedchamber. “I know how you get out!” she whispered. “I followed you tonight and saw you go into the stable, change your clothes, and head down into that tunnel behind the carriage house.” Meg took the candle from Hannah and placed it into a holder. “Now, sit down. We have much to talk about.”

Hannah’s worst fears had come true. Meg knew everything. Had she told the Gages? What would happen to her? Her knees were weak and she sank into a chair.

“You have a sweetheart, don’t you?” Meg demanded. “You’re leaving the Province House at night to meet with your … what, Hannah? With your stable boy?”

Hannah was taken by surprise. So this is what Meg thought she was doing at night. Meg didn’t realize that Hannah was the Midnight Rider who had been plaguing the soldiers. She had no idea that Hannah had posted warnings to Tory lawyers or that she was meeting with members of the Committees of Correspondence and Safety. “Oh, my. You’ve found me out,” Hannah said, trying to look guilty.

“You can’t believe I’m so daft that I didn’t know you had a secret. Hannah, you disappear at night so quickly. It’s obvious you’ve been meeting someone.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Meg. I shan’t do it ever again. Please forgive me.” Hannah tried to sound contrite.

“How did you discover that tunnel?” Meg asked.

“I saw someone come up through it one night when I was … at the privy,” Hannah replied, remembering Caleb’s story. “I don’t know who it was; I could only see his outline in the dark.”

“Did you report him?”

“Oh, no. I was afraid.”

In the dim light Hannah could see that Meg was pleased. “Good!” she said. “Then no one else knows except you and me.”

“I don’t know if anyone else is aware of the tunnel.”

Meg was smiling. “Now I can make a visit to my sweetheart. But you must never tell.”

“Oh, Miss Meg, it’s dangerous for you of all people to be out on the streets at night.”

“You’re a fine one to talk! If I told Aunt Margaret what you’ve been doing, she’d probably have you flogged.”

Hannah felt ill at the thought. “Please don’t tell! “she begged.

“I don’t intend to—under one condition: that you do not tell on me.”

“What if Mrs. Gage comes looking for you and you’re not here,” Hannah asked.

“That’s where you come in. You will be in my bed, and if Aunt Margaret comes knocking on this door, you are to call out—in my voice—‘I’m so tired, Aunt Margaret. Please let me sleep.’ She won’t disturb you. She’s happy when I’m tucked away in bed and not bothering her. Now, do we have a pact?”

Hannah hesitated. She was relieved that Meg had not discovered her real escapades outside the Province House. Still, suppose Meg told everyone about the tunnel! “There’s one thing you must promise.”

“You have no right to ask promises from me!”

“A request, then. Please don’t tell Lieutenant Pratt how you got out.

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