Susanna Fraser by A Dream Defiant

Author:A Dream Defiant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

After a long day’s march, Elijah only wanted to seek out Rose and see how she fared, but instead he found himself summoned to testify at Yonge’s court-martial. Regimental justice was swift and severe, and in this case there was no doubt the accused was guilty. Colonel Dryhurst pronounced a sentence of two hundred lashes, to be carried out the next day, though in reality Elijah knew the punishment would be perhaps half that. The regiment’s surgeon always stood by during a flogging, and when he decreed the prisoner had had enough, the lashes stopped.

“I don’t like flogging,” Lieutenant Farlow commented as he and Elijah left together. “Other armies don’t have it, and it seems a blot on our honor that we haven’t found a better way.”

“I don’t, either,” Elijah admitted. “It’s treating soldiers too much like slaves. But in this case...it’s more merciful than what I’d do to him, if I had the chance.”

“And what is that?”

“Fling him into a fire to see how it feels.”

Farlow raised an eyebrow. “Bloodthirsty, for you.”

“He could’ve killed Rose and Jake.”

“Yes...and as soon as he’s fit for duty, he’ll be back in the company. You’ll have to avoid killing him.”

Elijah spoke through gritted teeth. “I’ll manage. I always do.”

“Are you certain you don’t want to court Rose? You’re very protective of her.”

“I’m certain she doesn’t want to marry me.”

“Have it your way.” Farlow shrugged and headed for the tent where the officers were dining.

At last Elijah could look for Rose. He found her outside the Whelans’ tent, seated on a rock with her bandaged foot propped on a rolled-up blanket, calling out instructions to Luisa, who stood at their campfire, stirring something into a pot.

“No, no, not that much salt.” Rose shook her head in exasperation. “Now you’ll need to add more water, or it won’t be fit to eat.”

“Hullo, Rose,” Elijah said. He nodded a greeting to Jemmy, Luisa and the two little boys. “You’re feeling better, I hope.”

“I am,” she said, “and I need to ask something of you, if I may.”

“Yes, please,” Luisa said. “Take her away before she drives me mad, trying to cook with her mouth when she cannot use her hands.”

“If you’d only listen, and taste,” Rose began, then shook her head and looked up at Elijah. “Can we go over there?” She nodded toward the edge of camp. “I can hobble along for a little distance, with this.” She indicated a sturdy walking stick braced in her lap.

“Of course.” He helped her to her feet and hovered at her side, ready to carry her again should she stumble or falter, but she managed, taking his arm again only to lower herself to sit on another stone. He sank to the ground beside her.

“What do you need?” he asked when she did not immediately speak.

“I—” She bit her lip, closed her eyes and then opened them, wide and gray and imploring. “I don’t know the right way to say this but—will you marry me?”

His heart pounded. If not for what she’d said last night, this would be a dream come true.

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