Ridgeway by Louise Clark

Author:Louise Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Time travel, Canadian history, Canada US history, historical time travel romance, time travel adventure, Canadian military history
Publisher: Saffron Place Publishing
Published: 2018-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The acrid reek of gunpowder mixed with the pungent odor of male sweat as Jaclyn plunged into the retreating volunteer army. The black powder that was used by the weapons on both sides created a haze of smoke that covered the battlefield like a gossamer veil, softening the hard edge of violence and death. Around her men panted and pushed, some shouting, others silent, as they sought escape. The bark of gunfire and the screams of the wounded surrounded them all, a disturbing soundtrack to the flood of racing soldiers.

In the middle of it all it was difficult to remember the details she’d discovered in her research. She knew she was looking for Queen’s Own Rifles company number four, which had been on the left flank of the Canadian column. By her reckoning that put them on the western side of the Ridge Road, in the open fields, but closer to the trees. She’d seen maps and read written descriptions of its location, but putting the documentary information together with the brutal momentum of the real thing was frighteningly difficult.

It occurred to Jacqui that rushing into the middle of a battle was not the smartest thing to do. Part of her felt inviolate, armored by weeks of hard, slogging, thorough research. The Fenian invasion of Canada West and the Battle of Ridgeway were big news back in 1866. Fear of a second invasion ran high throughout that summer and the volunteer units had remained on alert, stationed in the Niagara until September. Interest in the invasion continued through the fall and winter while the volunteer officers squabbled amongst themselves seeking to lay blame and Sir John A. MacDonald and the Canadian government tried to figure out how an invasion had actually come about. If a young woman masquerading as a boy had been injured or killed on the battlefield it would have been reported. So that hadn’t happened. She was safe enough, as long as she didn’t change the timeline.

The pop-pop of gunfire continued unabated as she ran toward the oncoming Fenians. She had just sighted a shadow of dark green in the near distance and was hoping it was Queen’s Own Company number four when nearby a volunteer screamed as a Fenian ball lodged in his arm. Jaclyn hit the ground, suddenly terrified by the close call. Blood spurted from the soldier’s arm and dripped down on her. A drop landed on her cheek, trailing across her skin like a tear. The bravado that had impelled her into the middle of the rout deserted her with the speed of adrenaline euphoria.

What was she thinking? She had to be crazy.

The soldier stumbled, but didn’t fall. Jaclyn looked up, past his feet to his face. He was staring at the darkening red stain on his tunic with open-mouthed astonishment.

If he stood here letting his blood drip all over her he was going to pass out. She got to her feet, took his good hand and made him clamp it over the wound.

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