The Starfire Quilt by Allen Alice;

Author:Allen, Alice;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

nine

“Do not speak of this,” Cecelia said. “I must tell someone. Delverson says I must be prepared to leave right after Christ-mas. He is sure our Rebels will be crushed by then and the British troops will leave only a small contingent here to oversee the colonies. Delverson says they have Washington right where they want him, and once he is captured, the rebellion will fall apart. Merry, I am to return to England with him. I’m so frightened. Delverson is nice, but what shall I do in a strange place, knowing no one?”

“You will know Delverson.” Merry feared that was spoken with little sympathy. She tried to give some encouragement, while absently patting the sobbing young woman’s shoulder.

Inside, though, her mind churned with memory of recent events. Was Washington in danger? He had escaped capture at Fort Miflin and earlier in Boston. The colonists considered the “wily old fox” invincible. No, she could not accept the possibility of his capture or the Patriots’ defeat, though England had far more wealth and men-at-arms. Pulling herself together, she tried to ease her friend’s anguish.

“Cecelia, remember the dreams we had at school? You were going to marry a great lord and I planned to marry a doctor or scholar. Your dream is coming true. None of us knows much of our future husband’s family, but we accept them and learn to live with them. Delverson sounds like a pleasant young man. Think of this as an adventure into a new world and remember that no matter where you go, God will be there with you.”

After a few noisy sniffles and a hiccup, Cecelia raised her eyes to meet Merry’s. “You are right. Oh, I’m so glad I talked to you tonight. Delverson is a dear and I think I can learn to love him.”

Questions still circled Meredeth’s mind. She could not help asking, “How can they be so sure of taking Washington?” in a shaky voice.

Her eyes wide, Cecelia gasped, realizing she had confided more than she should have. Setting her shoulders firmly, she lifted her chin to reply, “Everyone knows he is camped at Whitemarsh. It is a perfect trap. The British can easily surround his troops.”

“I heard he was there, but I think he may be more difficult to catch than they believe. He has always had an uncanny intuition. In any event, I wish you joy in your marriage.”

Together, they returned to the ballroom, where sets were forming. Both were swiftly whirled away.

Later, at Mrs. Clairmont’s door, Stanfield did not linger, the sharp wind flinging snow at them even under the protection of the roof. After he left and when Merry entered the house, she found Aunt Mina propped crookedly in a wicker chair, soft snores coming from her open mouth. Merry smiled fondly as she reached over to waken her aunt. There, in the dim light, two long legs came into view. Merry stepped closer, biting her lip to keep from shouting, for beneath the tousled hair of the second sleeper was the face she so longed to see.

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