Silver Storm (The Raveneau Novels #1) by Cynthia Wright

Author:Cynthia Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Cynthia Wright

Chapter 16

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October 24, 1781

Devon had never undressed the night before. Sitting wide-eyed in the darkness, she had made a clear decision about her future. Some other girl might be too cowardly to strike out for herself, she thought repeatedly, but I have never been a coward. How could I have tortured myself for so long? There is a simple solution. I will leave this place, and, with luck, I'll never see Morgan or Andre again.

Watching the moon out her dormer window, she waited for the dawn to come. Her clothes were assembled, rolled into a bundle and tied with a strip of lace from an old chemise. The plan was simple, but it would separate her from Williamsburg and this horrible coil, and tomorrow's problems of survival seemed trivial.

Her conscience stung at the thought of taking the horse Raveneau had purchased in Yorktown, but there was no other solution. Doubtless he would be furious. And Morgan... Morgan would be crushed.

There is no other way! her heart cried out, and, as always, she would follow where it led.

I will go to a new town, she thought, a new colony, and begin life all over again. I can sew, or work in a shop, or perhaps I could teach–like Master Hale...

Lulled by the comfort of her dreams, she tilted her head back against the wing chair and allowed her eyes to close for a moment. When they opened next, the sun had begun to rise.

Devon jumped up, but soon realized that only a miracle would find Raveneau awake at this hour. The past three mornings had not seen him emerge from his chamber until eight o'clock. Wearing breeches under her gown so that she might ride astride if necessary, Devon gathered her lace-bound bundle, slipped into her pelisse, and propped her farewell letter on the bed.

The hall was cool and still, fragrant with aromas of the breakfasts being prepared in the huge kitchen. Devon paused at Raveneau's door only long enough to assure herself that he was not astir, then tiptoed toward the stairway. From the landing she could see that the taproom was deserted except for a flock of servants. Feeling like a criminal, Devon stole down the stairs, smiling stiffly at the young girls who looked up in surprise from their cleaning chores.

Just a few more steps, she assured herself. Holding her bundle under her pelisse, she passed the doorway that led to the dining room when a familiar voice called out and paralyzed her legs.

"Well, well! It's Devon! Ah, you young brides are all alike. Couldn't sleep, eh?"

Sick at heart, she turned her head to find Raveneau smiling casually at her from a table in the otherwise empty dining room. He sat with a cup of coffee and the Virginia Gazette, totally at ease, as though it were his custom to take breakfast at six o’clock in the morning.

"Eh bien, come and sit down. We will share the muffins that I smell baking in the kitchen."

Mesmerized by his silvery eyes, she crossed the room and sat down in the chair that he held out for her.

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