Nightingale by Agnes H. Hagadus

Author:Agnes H. Hagadus [Hagadus, Agnes H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B09P5HNVCP
Goodreads: 59955306
Published: 2021-12-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

It was several moments before April could move. Reamus had taken off, thankfully, but the mess was left for her and the others to take care of. She had to think exactly how to do that.

April knew it wasn’t merely taking care of the four Confederate soldiers and the general’s wife. It was also the fact they would have to be on guard for Reamus’ return.

The cooing of her son broke her from her inner turmoil. April turned toward Eliza who held Charles tightly to her chest. “We’re going to need to get rid of the bodies. But we’re going to need to hide the cause of death as well.”

How April loathed speaking of such things in front of her son. Yes, he was only five-months old, but still. She wanted to keep him as innocent as long as she could. In the world he was born into, that would be nearly impossible.

“Miss April?” The woman in question was startled by Peter. She hadn’t even realized he hadn’t been around during the entire scenario. “If I may, I mays have a solution. One that will take all but one of us to do.”

Anything at this point. April took Charles from Eliza. “I’m listening.” She held her son so tightly he squawked. Instinctively, she kissed the top of his head and loosened her grasp.

“I had to handle a…situation for my master, once.” April noticed the distance in Peter’s eyes. She wondered how much her four remaining friends had suffered because of the dominance of one race over another.

“In a drunken stupor, my master killed a man.” Peter continued to stare into the distance. “He had us use the man’s own weapon to make it appear as if he killed himself.”

Not liking the images the memory brought forth, April understood immediately what Peter was thinking, she thought. “Rachel, will you remain here with Charles?”

Rachel remained startled with what had transpired. She was only able to nod her head. “Thank you.” April turned her attention toward the other three. “We’ll need to load the bodies into Mrs. Ransom’s carriage. We’ll need the soldier’s horses. We’ll use the soldier’s weapons to hide the arrow wounds. Then, we’ll unleash them as close to the village as we can.”

Sarah was the first to respond. “When do we leave?” April took a deep breath. She needed to fortify herself. “I suggest as soon as possible. The light will leave us soon.”

Grateful someone was taking charge, at least momentarily, April kissed her son once again before handing him to Rachel. “Take good care of him. And keep a musket at the ready.” The young woman’s dark eyes widened at the thought of holding a weapon. “In this house, anyone can be armed.”

Words failed Rachel, still. Instead, she held onto the child. She glanced down at one of the soldier’s weapons. She visibly shook, but she would do as asked.

“Ok, pack some supplies, Eliza. The rest of us will load the bodies. We’ll have to remove the arrows and hide the wounds closer to the village.

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