The Measure of a Man by Lee Maggie

Author:Lee, Maggie [Lee, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2012-12-26T23:00:00+00:00

THEIR horses were already saddled and tethered to a hitching post when Alec stepped out of the house and into the cool morning air. The pale dawn light was only just beginning to brighten the sky to the east, and the street was mostly empty, but Alec still looked around carefully, peering into the shadowy recesses in search of anything unusual or out of place. Satisfied that everything was as it should be, he quickly checked all three mounts, turning as the door opened and Robert came out to join him.

Robert had crept back into their room in the small hours of the morning and had lain on his bed fully clothed, dozing for a few hours until they all rose. Alec glanced over and smiled at the satisfied look on his friend’s face. “Good night?” he asked innocently.

Robert returned his look, completely unabashed. “As ever,” he replied blandly.

Alec winked at his old friend but refrained from teasing. Robert had spent the evening keeping company with the women who plied their trade in one of the better of the bawdy houses that lined Old Street, and clearly he had enjoyed the experience.

When the door opened again, Alec caught a glimpse of Kit and Jamie embracing quickly before they, too, stepped out of the house. All four of them had shared a hasty breakfast in Jamie’s study while he wrapped several documents in a cloth before handing them over to Alec. He also handed over a small amount of coin, the first installment of the rent he had offered on Alec’s house. The rest would be collected along the way as needed, the amounts indicated in the letters of credit that Alec had tucked into his tunic.

The rushed meal had been a somber affair, each of them silently wondering what the future would bring, and whether, despite their optimistic assurances, they would ever see each other again.

Alec smiled a greeting as Jamie walked down the steps and joined him. They had said their private farewells the night before, Alec promising to return within a year to reclaim the title deeds to his house, and Jamie pledging his eternal friendship and swearing that as long as he lived, Alec would always have a home in Ludlow. By silent, mutual consent, neither had mentioned Jamie’s mother or what she might think of the offer.

“All set?” Jamie asked, with a perfunctory tug on Alec’s stirrups.

“As ready as we are likely to be,” Alec replied.

“And you know the route you will take into Boston?” Alec nodded. “And you have all your travel papers and remember the name of the ship and her captain?” Jamie pressed.

Alec grinned at his friend. “Didn’t you ask those same questions last night?”

Jamie shrugged. “And you’ll take good care of yourselves?” he asked, his voice gentler, and tinged with anxiety.

“You don’t imagine Robert will allow any harm to come to us, do you?” Alec replied lightly. He sobered up at the serious look on Jamie’s face. “We’ll all be fine,” he said firmly.

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