The Captain's Lady by Jo Goodman

Author:Jo Goodman [Goodman, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-64457-101-9
Publisher: ePublishing Works!

Chapter 11

Harry slowly wound the wagon through the streets while Alexis took in the sights.

“It’s not much, Captain,” she said. “Muddy. Cheap boardinghouses. Dull. I expected it to be bright.”

Cloud chuckled. “It’s a new city. Newer than the country. Those boardinghouses you call cheap are where most of the senators and representatives stay when they are in Washington. A lot of important decisions are made in those houses.”

“Is that where I am going to meet the President?”

“No, I doubt that. Mr. Madison has a pleasant home. So do Howe and Davidson. We’ll probably be going to one of their places.”

“Good. I have no intention of conducting business in squalor any more than I will discuss it during dinner.”

“You seem so surprised by everything. I thought you had been here before.”

“I’ve been here twice since I started searching for Travers,” she told him. “But I never left my ship. Too dangerous.” She smiled at Cloud and he returned it warmly when he saw her eyes were full of a pleasant memory. She winked at him. “I thought I might be captured by a certain naval officer.”

“And so you have been,” he answered.

“For now.” It was Harry who spoke, taking his eyes off the road for a moment in order to glance back at them. “How long are you really with us this time, Captain Danty?”

Alexis and Cloud both laughed.

“Do you see what I am up against?” Cloud asked her. “Harry doesn’t just speak for himself. My men don’t expect you to be at my home when they arrive there this evening. Landis and I expect you to leap out of this wagon at any moment.”

Alexis did not hear what he said. Her eyes were riveted to a handbill posted on a tavern wall. “Stop this wagon, Harry!” she cried. Without waiting for him to do as she commanded she scrambled to her feet, easily avoiding Cloud’s outstretched hands, and leaped over the side. She fell as she hit the ground, her balance strained. Before Cloud could catch her she was running toward the tavern. Harry started to pursue her but Landis’s hand on his wrist stopped him.

Landis pointed to the notice Alexis was studying intently and said, “She’s not going anywhere, Harry.”

Harry read the handbill. His stomach tightened. It stated that war had been declared and the date screamed injustice at him. June 18, 1812.

Alexis stood motionless, mesmerized by the black lines on yellowing paper. She sensed Cloud’s presence behind her though he made no move to touch her. Her shoulders sagged briefly as she realized the implications of the date. “It didn’t have to be,” she said softly, more to herself than to Cloud.

Cloud moved closer to her, resting his hands on her shoulders, lean, tanned fingers giving her the support her frame denied her. His eyes betrayed his pain and he was glad there was no one around them to see it. He could see the Follansbee as clearly in his mind as if the frigate were directly in front of him.

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