Jump to new as of October 14, 2000
Epilogue Posted on Tuesday, 4 July 2000
Author's Note: For the sake of this story, as I usually do with my stories, I have the list of characters. Since this story is set in the American Revolutionary War I must combine history with the facts of the past and present. I have combined fact with fiction. The Jane Austen characters being the fiction along with others, but some characters are real to the history. That is where I attempt to explain some of the real life. In combining fact with fiction it becomes hard. Fact can often be varied, for example dates may be different for the same event and often becomes confusing. I shall try hard to keep the fact correct, but as it is that can be often hard, but any way here goes.
Setting: Boston, Massachusetts
Year(s): Around 1770-1783
Spies for American Army (All of the ladies friends working together, save Lydia and Kitty.)
- Elizabeth Bennet- A lady of Boston society. She is fairly rich. Known to be good at sneaking in and out of places quickly and quietly. Also known to sneak into British army camps with other spies.
- Emma Woodhouse- A lady of Boston society and also fairly rich. Is good at making sport of the officers with out them knowing they let valuable information slip.
- Lydia & Kitty Benton- They move with mostly the elite. Good at creating diversions without even knowing it. Empty headed seventeen-year olds.
- Anne Elliot- Maid in respectable household. Good at picking up supposed un-useful gossip. Good actor for most things.
- Elinor & Marianne Dashwood- Work in tavern were many officers choose to get drunk and divulge plans unknowingly. Known for being able to out run anyone. Can slip valuable letters from the post.
British Army (all men below friends working together)
- Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam- Known for his good looks and charming information out of women that could be valuable for them. The baby blues always (mostly) get the ladies.
- George Wickham- His smile can get him anything. Always getting the information he wants no matter what the cost.
- William Darcy- Handsome officer in King's men. Smart, and funny, but also can play a serious man that makes people assume he's not listening.
- Captain Frederick Wentworth- Still morning his lost love Anne Elliot, but still manages to do his duty. Known for his good ability to capture men defying the crown.
- George Knightly- Known for his way to sneak around with out being seen. Has a good shot and always manages to pretend to be attentive to young women.
- Colonel Brandon- Intercepts the post and often snatches letters that may prove valuable, unbeknownst to him most of those letters have already be switched by one of are American spies.
- Edward Ferrars- Known for eves dropping on secret meetings and then relays the information back to his comrades.
Other Characters
- Sarah Revere- Daughter of Paul Revere. Lives in Boston and helps the American Spies.
- A) Paul Revere- Silversmith and courier for rebels (Americans). Sarah Revere his daughter.
- Tempe Wick- Lives in New Jersey relays important information back and forth between Boston spies.
- Mary Cooper- Cousin the Tempe Wick. Works with her in gathering of information.
- Rachel Marsh- Employed in the house of John Adams of Boston. Helps American spies hide and extract information.
- Becca Simpson- Lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Works in the house of Peggy Shippen.
- Marie Mason- Lives in Lexington. Cousin to Elizabeth Bennet. Picks up information in neighboring British camps.
- Lydia Darragh- Spy for General Washington. Helps the younger girls in Boston with their work. Aunt to Emma Woodhouse.
-John Ballard- A stableman in Boston. He informs Americans of British plans.
-Dr. Joseph Warren- Boston doctor who was in charge of the rebel (American) spy ring in Boston.
This is just some of the characters because well...you know.
'They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'
- Benjamin Franklin-
In the mist of the American Revolution, and so it is with any war, there comes a time when any one, man or woman needs to do some service to their country. In every war there are the spies that role play the opposing side, pick up gossip from simple house maids or eves dropping behind crates or outside windows and then there are the spies that everyone least suspects. In this Revolution, it is ruled by men, but there are the few women that take on a major, but secret role, in playing the unsuspecting spy. For who would suspect a woman to play a spy? And so it is in this story with many heroines and hero's, but with that comes the tangling of unsuspecting love. A love that could destroy either side, either person, either heart, for who is willing to pay the price of their country for the far greater price of the heart?
The war started not long ago in 1775 and it is now February 20, 1775. Boston is occupied by the British and in the qualms of it all, nothing could be considered peaceful. The citizens grow uneasy and hurl insults at the back of the 'red coats' or some times 'lobster backs.' Mobs, such as the 'Liberty Boys' or 'The Sons of Liberty' and various others run rampant through the night's black streets attacking anything or everything that is any way connected with the British. In the mist of it all, people wonder what will happen next. The ground is cold and frozen with snow and British occupy the common while the commanding officers invade our homes saying it is are duty to the crown. First they invade are cities and are homes, what shall surface next?
Amongst these many qualms, there are the women that hold a secret part. The ones that secretly spy on the unsuspecting soldiers. Elizabeth Bennet, Emma Woodhouse, Anne Elliot, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, and Lydia and Kitty Benton are these spies.
If some think that Lydia and Kitty Benton are employed spies then you are wrong. With there gossiping and liking of red coats, they can be considered very unsuspecting spies, for although not employed, they do gossip. Too lively and out spoken for their own good and considered loyalists for their liking of the 'red coats,' they are young and giddy young women that seem not to understand the dangers they are sure to have fall upon them. Shall they collapse or shall they rise up?
Anne Elliot plays the innocent housemaid for news always reaches the servants first. Employed in the house of John Hancock, she learns much information that is valuable to are resources. Anne can play any role from the swooning young woman and one determined or whatever you wish to concur up. Coming to the Colonies before any British occupation, she made friends with other spies. Unbeknownst to her, the old flame she came here to forget has been stationed in Boston. Will her reserve perish or will she stand her ground?
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood work in a tavern. With plenty of drunken officers they often let information slip that can and could be valuable. Strong-minded women with the ambition never to be faltered, the two sisters share a strong passion to see their country given its liberty. They aspire to live the life of an American, but their resolve may soon very well crumble. Will their resolve be enough to save them or ruin them?
Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse play the nice and respectable society ladies. They pick up information here and there from shops or market people or pretending to be interested in an officer in order to extract information from them. Willed by there own passion to gain a truth or a fault in the British line of defense, they play there roles well, but will the pasts they tried to escape come back to haunt them?
In this circle of friends there are Sarah Revere, Tempe Wick, Mary Cooper, Rachel Marsh, Becca Simpson and Marie Mason, all of whom help their friends when they come to danger. Through out the colonies they lay scattered and wait for what message or unexpected visit to appear with the knowledge that their friends need be hid from the British that attempt to capture them. Although this is dangerous for all, they stand to survive in hopes their liberty can be secured.
Boston was invaded by British troops on September 30, 1768*. They have been stationed there for the last three years. Living in the common, every morning they hold drill practice waking citizens at an intolerable time. Stationed throughout Boston, groups of British soldiers stand upon street corners and outside house and other places. They stand tall and proud in their red uniforms, often they stand and converse in their groups, but what ever they do, they stand proud as if they know what they do, but one can not help but wonder if they really want to be here. It is winter and cold and they sleep in light cotton tents on frozen ground. Do they want to be here at all?
'Those who expect to reap the
blessings of freedom must, like men,
undergo the fatigue of supporting it.'
~ Thomas Paine~
A party takes place in the Boston house. Strains of music from dancing can be heard as the British patrol by the areas in the Boston street. Many can hear the strains of the song of a loyalist. Among the shadows of the house a shadowy figure slips along out the side door of the servants quarters. Tucking the papers into her skirts, she quickly slips onto the main street unnoticed by the British patrol officer.
Quickly she walk-runs along the lighted streets to her home. Only to be noticed by a group of British patrol. A British officer runs up along side her.
"Names Will, ma'am. Allow me to escort you home."
The lady eyed the officer in disgust. "I am perfectly capable. Thank-You" she curtly said.
"But ma'am----"
"That is right it is a knife. Please retreat if you know what's good for ye. I know how to use this."
The officer quickly retreats back to his patrol group and when he looks back the lady has disappeared.
"Those American chits are feisty" said William Darcy to his group. "Held a knife to me."
George Wickham extracted a smile. "Is that so?"
Will nodded.
Captain Frederick Wentworth eyed him skeptically. "What do you mean she held a knife to ye. These American chits don't know one thing 'bout using a knife. There all weak and into laces and dresses and stuff."
"Well it wasn't like I was going to stay around and find out is the chit was going to kill me. I'd like to stay alive."
"We all would" said George Knightly.
"Makes me wonder what the chit was up too" added Edward Ferrars.
Colonel Fitzwilliam put one foot up upon a small wall and flicked some ash of his cigar. "Does make you wonder. It's not every day you see some young, pretty chit like that walking the streets at night. She looked to be high society."
"Probably coming back from her nightly work" remarked Colonel Brandon.
All men turned to him. "They have whores here too, you know?" he added.
The men nodded.
"But then" he said again "We can't be sure that's what she was doin'. She could be up to no good."
Colonel Fitzwilliam took another puff of his cigar. "What would you consider no good?" he asked looking up at the night sky.
"Maybe spying. Who knows what side" he shrugged "but then as Wentworth pointed out, these American chits wouldn't be meddling in stuff like that."
"Elizabeth you're late. I though something dreadful happened to you."
"Ran into a patrol group. One tried to pick up on me."
"Thank god you're safe."
"Emma, dear, you are too good. Here are the papers."
Elizabeth produced the papers from her skirts. Emma took the papers and looked them over. Emma cracked a smile.
"Well, well, it looks as if are, oh, so wonderful bookkeeper Mr. Johnson is not who he says he is at all."
"Loyalist?"
"More. A spy for the British."
Elizabeth cracked a devilishly cheeky smile. "Could be used to are advantage. Always act like we know something that he don't."
Emma smiled that same devilishly cheeky smile as Elizabeth had. "So we could. I'll pay a call to Elinor and Marianne. You visit Annie."
"Got it."
"Careful Elizabeth."
"I will."
Elizabeth went down the same street she had come from. The patrol brigade was still there. She sighed ruefully. The gentleman watched her as she approached the house beside them. She ignored them of course. She knocked on the door and called "Annie."
She could feel the gentlemen's eyes on her. All of them. Annie opened the door.
"John asked me to give you this," she lied.
Annie smiled. "You're a god sin Elizabeth. Mr. Hancock says he'll see you tomorrow" she whispered.
The soldiers behind her picked up the conversation. Captain Wentworth though was focusing on the woman called Annie. He would have recognized the woman he loved anywhere. Anne Elliott was here. His love. He smiled slightly to himself. So the little minx thought she could stay hidden forever. Not bloody likely. I've found you Anne. One must not mistake his intentions as dishonorable because they are honorable. Honorable to the extreme. Then Anne closed the door and Elizabeth disappeared from the men's sight.
Colonel Fitzwilliam lounged his back against a tree puffing his cigar. "What do you make of that, boys?"
Will Darcy sat on the small wall with his elbows on his knees. His head lifted to the sky. "Truthfully, not much."
Wickham eyed the place where the young brunette had been standing, bathed in moonlight. His mouth twitched. "Maybe they share a lover."
The men burst out laughing. When controlled enough Colonel Brandon spoke. "I doubt a lover is what they share. Something else----yes. Lover----no."
"So sure of yourself, Brandon."
Colonel Brandon raised an eyebrow. "And you're not, Wentworth?"
Wentworth smiled. "Maybe."
"Looks as if the people wake" commented Knightly. Thankfully today was not a drill practice day.
Edward Ferrars crossed his arms over his chest. "Not just any people. It's that brunette again except she is with a good lookin' blond this time."
"I stand corrected" he added "Two other young women."
Annie quickly unfolded the note when she entered her room.
Are dear bookkeeper is a British spy.
Elizabeth
Annie quickly crossed to the fire and placed the note in the burning coals and made sure the whole note was burned into sputtering ashes. Dressing quickly she exited the house to across the street and met with the rest of the American spies.
"I think the last young one has joined" Edward commented as he observed the redhead exist to across the street.
Wentworth's eyes narrowed. What is she doing?
"Know the young chit?" asked Darcy to Wentworth.
"Know her" he said absently "The very chit I am in love with."
"So she be the one that left ye, eh?" cried Knightly.
Wentworth scowled. "I think the blond chit might be your lost lover."
Knightly furrowed his brows. "Damn it tis'."
"Told ye she'd come back" remarked Richard.
"Damn."
All eyes turned to Darcy.
"Don't know why I don't recognize the chit before."
"Who?" asked Wickham.
"Elizabeth."
All men stared at Darcy. "That's you Elizabeth?" asked Colonel Brandon pointing to the brunette.
"Could have been. Refused my proposal."
Wickham raised an eyebrow. "Losin' your charm my fine stud," he remarked by lazily slapping his back.
"You certainly haven't" remarked Darcy. The others chuckled.
"It's the smile. Women love it."
"So I have been told."
"Don't worry. If I know you you'll have her beggin' on her knees in no time to take her back."
"Who said she had to beg. I might be doin' the beggin'."
"Sorry, my fine stud, but men like us never beg."
"Well" Darcy replied with a roughish smile, "then I guess she'll be doin' the beggin'."
All the men heartily laughed.
*One source said that the British landed in September and another said October. As you see two different months.
Part 2 Posted on Sunday, 9 July 2000
'I cannot but lament...the impending Calamities Britain
and her Colonies are about to suffer, from great
imprudence's on both sides-Passion governs, and she
never governs wisely-Anxiety begins to disturb my Rest...
- Benjamin Franklin, 1775-
The coldness of the morning entwined itself into the buildings the stood in Boston and into the people that scurried to the market place. British soldiers marked the common and pinpoints in the Boston town. They were stationed outside homes, besides shops, hotels and other nonexistent places.
Gregory Tuttle peered around a house at the group of British Infantry who was laughing as if they were drunk. Elizabeth was just across the way, but the problem was getting there without being questioned. Gregory measured the distance in his head from the house to the alleyway. Not far. Hurry and think quickly, Greg. The lady can't wait all day.
"I don't know. If you think about it those young chits looked to be up to something" said Knightly.
Gregory slipped between a miller's cart and darted across the street. Colonel Fitzwilliam's eyes detected the movement. They narrowed.
"Look at the young lad" Richard commanded with a nod of his head in the direction that the boy went.
Gregory safely made it to the alleyway before Elizabeth stepped out. She did so because she noticed the soldiers eyeing them.
"What'd ye step outa there for?" Gregory demanded of Elizabeth.
"The soldiers are watchin'."
Gregory looked in that direction.
"Damn. They gotta better eyes than I thought."
Elizabeth smiled. "Aye, now you got the letter?"
" 'ere" he said thrusting it into her hands. She slipped it into he pocket.
"Perhaps Gregory, you should walk with me. It would look less suspicious."
"No" he said shaking his head. "Me mum is just over there."
"Go. Quickly."
She handed him some coins and Gregory scurried off. Elizabeth smiled in satisfaction. Behind half closed lashes she sneaked a glance at the soldiers watching her intently. Smugly she smiled to herself as she skipped gaily down the road.
"What did ye give the little lady?" demanded Wickham.
British soldiers surrounded poor Gregory in an alley and there was no getting out. He stared up at them wide-eyed, not in fear but in contempt. He would never revel the nature of the letter he gave to Elizabeth. Besides he had always liked Elizabeth. Who wouldn't? She was pretty, charming and anything a man could ask for. Gregory was only sixteen and Elizabeth twenty, but what did he care? He would never budge to tell them what he had given her, not for his life.
"A letter from me brother" he lied. He had no brother. Well he did, but he lived in Philadelphia. "I swear, honest. I gave her nothin'."
"You seem intent on defending the lady" spoke up Will. "What does it matter to you if something happens to her?"
"She me cousin" he lied again. "I love 'er." He tried to shrug, but Wickham's hold was so tight he couldn't move.
"Let the boy go" Richard said. "He's got nothing to say, do ya?"
"Nothin'."
Richard nodded. Gregory ran off down to another side of Boston.
"What did ye do that for?" asked Wentworth.
"They'll have another meeting. I'm sure, but for now" he shrugged "nothing to do."
"Miss Elizabeth" called Gregory through the mist of the night.
Gregory was pounding on the door of her house. It opened.
"My God Gregory get in out of this cold" cried Elizabeth in dismay.
She yanked him into the house and slammed the door. She looked at him and said "What have you been doing rolling in thee mud?"
"No, ma'am. It 'twas the British they pinned me into thee alley way and wuz askin' me what I gave ye."
"Lord" she cried "Come in and sit down. I'll get you some blankets before ye catch your death."
Gregory smiled. "Yes, mum" he mocked.
Gregory sat down in a chair by the fire while Elizabeth disappeared around the corner and then reappeared. She set the blankets on the chair and handed two to Gregory. She sat herself with her cup of smuggled in tea. She had friends in low places that were good at sneaking tea off of the ships and delivering it to her and her friends. Always had a ready supply. She handed Gregory a cup.
"Now tell me what happened, in detail" she said sternly.
"Not much to tell. You left and then the men corned me and one grabbed me by thee collar. They asked me what I 'ad given' thee and I told them nothin', but they didn't buy it so I said it was a letter from me brother. Then one asked why I wuz intent on defending thee and I said you wuz my cousin. That be it Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth bit her lip, obviously deep in thought he noticed. Finally she spoke "How are we ever to protect those that we love when there are British right and left watching are every move? It almost makes me wonder if this if worth the fight," she smiled slightly, "but then again it's worth it because....." she paused to compensate the right words "it's the American Dream."
She looked at Gregory with a broad smile.
"Liberty is what we wish to achieve. Freedom from the crown and in order to do that we must make the ultimate sacrifice. In order to achieve we must fight to achieve it. If we do that and succeed we have made the American Dream become alive, something to believe in. If we do achieve Liberty we have left a legacy for the future people to live by. By doing this we make the lives for our children and ourselves better and by obtaining Liberty we obtain our Freedom to live the lives of an American not an Englishman. May Liberty be achieved and may the king rot in hell."
Gregory smiled back at Elizabeth who smiled at her. "I couldn't 'ave said it better me self."
They sipped their tea in silence.
"I don't suppose you wish to go home?"
Gregory looked at Elizabeth. "Me mum knows I be fine. I'm a strong lad she says."
"You may stay the night in a guest room. I will make sure to get you some better clothes so the British will not recognize you."
"Thanks ye, Miss Elizabeth" smiled Gregory.
They turned in for the night. Gregory did not sleep right away. He looked out the window at the fields. Miss Elizabeth, he thought did a wonderful job of managing it. She was strong and independent. She was never afraid to fight for what she believed in. She never let any one talk down to her because she always had a sharp-tongued rebut. He smiled at this slightly. She was the kind of woman who let nothing stand in her way and who let herself be free in spirit. She knew when to laugh and smile. Her eyes always held a sparkle whatever the circumstances and most of all she cared for those around her in her warm and delightful manner. She was the statue of a goddess, a very beautiful goddess. Gregory slept peacefully with these thoughts.
"I don't care if you are the King's men, you will not inhabit this house."
Gregory woke up to hear Elizabeth shouting. He raced down the stairs and out the door.
"Miss Elizabeth?"
"Get back inside, damn it."
The British stood in front of the house. There were also some officers, Darcy, Wentworth, Richard, Knightly, Ferrars, Wickham, and Brandon stood with them watching the display.
"It's that boy," cried Wickham.
"Miss, as a Loyalist, you must let these officers move in."
"If I let them in hell will break loose. I said no. Get off my land."
"You will let us in" commanded the officer.
Elizabeth stood tall and proud.
"The lady said no" Emma called. She handed a pistol to Elizabeth.
"I am very proficient with this, Captain. Perhaps you better think again about ordering me to leave my house so people like you can inhabit it."
Elizabeth pointed the pistol at him. "Leave" she commanded.
Emma held her own pistol along with Marianne.
"Find another house to invade, but this is all we have" Marianne cried.
The Captain looked at the three women, each pointing a pistol at his head or heart and they looked liked they knew exactly what they were doing. They knew how to shoot he decided.
"There is an old house out back" spoke Emma "perhaps you could use that. Fix it up a little."
She shrugged and Marianne and Elizabeth looked at her with wide eyes, but when they looked into Emma's they saw what she was doing. They could easily gain plans and information if the British were in close vicinity.
"Yes," spoke Elizabeth "Out back. That is all I have to offer and if you try to force your way into my house I will shoot you."
"Shoot the King's men?" scoffed his 2nd in command.
Elizabeth aimed the gun at an apple on a tree and blew it clean off. "As I said" she replied while moving the pistol to point at him "I have an excellent shot."
The Captain looked at his men and then at the women. He was playing with fire and he didn't want to find out if they would shoot and how good they were.
"We'll take it" the Captain said gruffly.
Elizabeth and the girls breathed a sigh of relief. Gregory looked at Elizabeth. He came up behind her.
"You might wanna be careful Miss Elizabeth. Those men over there" Gregory whispered and pointed to the men behind the Captain's horse "They the men that cornered me. They knows me."
Elizabeth jaw clenched. "Gregory get inside before they decide to kill you."
"Miss Elizabeth I will not move. Now put thee gun down before ye hurt someone."
"Gregory, I know how to use this and also I thought we were supposed to blow there heads off."
"And get yer self arrested? With all due respect, ma'am I think it's best if ye put thee gun away."
"For who?" she asked between clenched teeth.
Low enough for only her to hear he said "Thee rebels. Ye are a patriot and a spy. Ye can't get arrested."
Elizabeth lowered the gun and handed it to Gregory.
"I want you to go inside" she whispered for him only "and get a message to Sarah Revere who will get a message to Lydia Darragh. Also tell Dr. Joseph Warren that the British are on my property and we will get whatever information we can. Make sure they do not see you."
Gregory nodded and went into the house as if it was his normal routine. He then slipped out the back and through the forest undetected.
Elizabeth, Emma, and Marianne stood on the porch.
"I think we can safely say that the house out back is yours. Go down that road till you get to the edge of the forest. It's up the path about 2 feet. Good-day."
"Part of the deal is to give us food, ma'am."
"Captain, you are lucky I gave you that house. Don't push your luck, o wise one" she mocked. "If you want food you get it yourself. If you can afford to drink your nights away on expensive wine then you can afford food."
Elizabeth disappeared inside and Marianne followed.
"Is she always like that?" asked the Captain to Emma.
Emma stopped outside the door and turned back. "We American's must do what we have to do to save our lives." She went inside and left the Captain and his men standing there.
"Move out" the Captain ordered and they headed down the road to the house.
Captain,The ship of artillery and supplies arrive on February twenty-ninth, seventeen hundred and seventy five.
General Jackson
Elizabeth read the note in excitement.
"Emma" cried Elizabeth.
Emma entered the study.
"Look at this."
She thrust the note into Emma's hands and while Emma read it Elizabeth wrote a note herself.
Doctor,A British supply ship comes to harbor in Boston on the twenty-ninth of February. We await your orders if there are any.
Elizabeth
"Who do we send with this note to Doctor Warren's?"
"Joshua."
"Give this to him and make sure he hides it well."
Two minuets later fifteen-year-old, Joshua Tuttle was racing quietly to the Doctors. There he handed the note to him and met up with his brother. They then sneaked back to the house.
"That was the boy in the alleyway?" asked the Captain.
"Yes sir" said Colonel Fitzwilliam "the very one."
"What do you think the lad up to?"
The Colonel shrugged. "Who knows what the letter contained. We shall never know."
"Not if you sneak into the house and find it."
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded.
He exited and issued the orders to the other men. Unfortunately for them Elizabeth had already thoroughly burned the letter making sure there was no trace of it.
"Papa" said Sarah.
"Yes?" her father, Mr. Revere asked.
"I have word from Elizabeth. There are British soldiers in the house in the woods."
"Are the ladies safe?"
"Yes, but if they are spying don't you think with the British there it will be hard to do so?"
Mr. Revere smiled at his fourteen-year-old daughter. "They were probably thinking it to their advantage."
Sarah pondered this. "I see your point. I must ask you to deliver this letter to Miss Darragh."
"I shall leave tonight. Thank you Sarah. Go visit Elizabeth and the others tomorrow."
"I will. I'm sure that the reason they are in the house in the woods is because Elizabeth wouldn't let them in the main house."
"Right you are. There smart women who a taking a great risk. Just like you."
"I'm pleased to be of service to this country. "
Mr. Revere left to dispatch the letter to Miss Darragh and Sarah went to bed. Tomorrow she would visit Elizabeth and her friends. Her mother insisted on coming, for which she was grateful.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and his men went towards the house. They silently slithered through the trees with only the crunch of their boots.
Anne and Elinor ran through the fields with definite speed. They had to get to Elizabeth. With the British on their tails they needed a place to hide. Reaching the house they slipped in through the secret door.
"Anne, Elinor. What's wrong?"
"The British caught us spying. They have troops out after us" Elinor spoke.
"Come with me." Elizabeth said.
She led Anne and Elinor to a place under the table. The slipped into the secret door and Elizabeth quickly shut it. It was a good place for the secret door because unless the table was moved you can't walk on it so the hollow place can go undetected.
"Emma, Marianne, its Anne and Elinor. They were caught spying. There hidden, but the Infantry will most likely be after them."
"Oh dear" said Emma "Lets just go about what we were doing and pretend they are not here."
"That's all we can do" said Marianne.
The girls went back to the tasks they were doing and hoped they looked composed.
The British Infantry stopped in front of the house and burst in the door.
"Where are they?" cried the commander.
His men were behind him all armed. The commander had a pistol pointed at the three women.
"Where are they hiding?" he yelled.
The girls flinched.
"Who?" asked Marianne.
"The spies. Where are they? Tell me or I shoot your heads off."
"We don't know" spoke Emma.
"There were two girls that came running through your fields. Where are they?"
"We don't know" Elizabeth replied firmly.
"I'll ask you one more time or I shall shoot. Where are they?"
"I don't know" replied the three ladies.
"Ready. Aim." the commander said.
The Infantrymen pointed their guns at the ladies ready for the command to fire. The ladies closed their eyes and waited for the guns to fire.
Posted on Saturday, 7 October 2000
A.N. For you Wentworth people. He is not in the Navy but the regular Army because if he wasn't in the Army, but the Navy, he and Anne wouldn't meet, but maybe we could work something out for him being in the Navy.
As the shots rung through the air they flattened themselves on the floor, but the British officers coming in from the back of the house, to find what Elizabeth was hiding, were all hit in either the arms of the legs. The men cried out in pain as the other British officers looked on in horror and the Commander couldn't believe that had just happened. The officers had been totally unprepared for that, but then they were supposed to search the house. They did not expect gun fire.
Below the floor Anne and Elinor winced at the sound. If Elizabeth, Emma, and Marianne were dead and they were found the American spy ring would fall into ruins. They heard boots sounding and a door close. Then the sound of hoof beats and marching was heard. They could only wait.
Marianne was the first to lift her head of mass red curls. She looked at Emma and Elizabeth who were slowly rousing themselves. Taking a deep breath she stood up and looked out the window.
"I think they're gone" she said.
Emma and Elizabeth got up off the floor.
"How can we be sure?" Emma asked.
"She's right Marianne" Elizabeth spoke "The British are masters at hiding and going about undetected. We'll have to send out some scouts."
"No scouts" Marianne replied "It's too risky.
"Then what do we do?" Elizabeth asked.
"Perhaps there is something. Most British wear red, so you look for the red coats" Emma suggested.
"Yes, but it is dark." Marianne said.
Before their conversation could be finished a loud moan sounded. They turned and Marianne gasped.
"Tell Lanka to get hot water and rags" Emma said to Marianne.
Emma and Elizabeth went to see how bad the damage.
"Look's like we'll be housing officers anyway" Elizabeth cried wearily "and that poses major problems" she added while looking pointedly at Emma and then under the table.
Emma nodded.
With the help of some of the servants they managed to drag all seven British officers up the stairs and into separate rooms. After cleaning and dressing the wounds the three ladies went downstairs and let Anne and Elinor out of there 'prison cell.'
"It's safe" Marianne said.
"Are you sure?" Elinor asked timidly.
"Yes" Marianne said.
"Only one problem" Elizabeth spoke "We have to nurse those British officers. Woo hoo" Elizabeth said with no enthusiasm.
Gregory and his brother Joshua headed up the steps in a hurry. They had seen the British Infantry and grew worried.
"Elizabeth?" cried Gregory in a panic.
Elizabeth came running down the stairs. "What is wrong?" she asked frantically.
"You're bleeding Miss Elizabeth" Gregory exclaimed in shocked horror.
"No, I am fine, but those British officers just happen to take those bullets for us."
"What do ye mean?" asked Gregory protectively.
"Just that. Now I need more rags and hot water. Excuse me. You may stay the night."
"I think that boy be in love with you" Will said calmly.
Elizabeth set the bowl of water down and looked at Will.
"You're hallucinating."
"Am not. The boy is in love with you."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "And if he is?"
"I'll make sure to dispose of him."
"Dispose of him?" cried Elizabeth "You will do no such thing."
"I can and will. I don't like the way he's been lookin' at you."
Elizabeth stared at him. "Why? Because he is American and not a stuck up British officer? Will, Private, you have no decorum. Get a grip. Your not the one fighting this war."
"I am too fighting this war. So were those girls here?"
"They aren't spies, but yes they were."
"I could arrest you for treason."
"Fine" Elizabeth replied holding her hands out "Arrest me."
She waited for him to make his move, but he didn't.
"Why aren't you?" she whispered.
He looked into her eyes. "You know" he softly murmured.
She looked away. "I should dress your wound."
"Hello....Anne" Wentworth said quietly.
Anne stopped at the door. He was still wonderful and handsome. She treaded softly and carefully into the room as if he would pounce any minuet.
"Frederick."
"How have you been?" he asked.
"Okay" she replied nervously while she cleaned and dressed his wound.
He smiled.
"It's good to see you."
Anne smiled.
"Yes, it is."
"I've missed you."
Anne looked up in surprise. "You have?"
"Yes."
"But you never wrote."
"How could I when I didn't know where you were."
"I'm sorry."
"I miss you, Elizabeth."
"Please......don't. Not now. Not ever."
Will studied Elizabeth and watched the flush ride up her cheeks.
"I will-soon. Someday and somehow. You can not deny me Elizabeth. I will have you."
Elizabeth walked towards the door and then turned around. "We are two different people on two different sides of this war. Don't make promises you can't keep" she replied.
"You can't hide forever" he called out to her.
She was gone. He thought he detected a sadness in her words. She had to care for him. If not just a little. The war had not officially started and he hoped it never would. She was here and he would have her. She was his life and she would be a part of it. She loved him and he knew it.
Emma sat on the side of the bed. She brushed his hair back. "George" she softly cried.
"Emma" he almost shouted as he clasped her hand.
"Welcome to America."
He was puzzled by her words. This was part of England not America.
"It is good to see you."
"You too" Emma replied.
19th April 1775
The British continued to stay in Boston and the British officers on Elizabeth's property stayed also. There were the occasional brawls from drunken soldiers and there were more troops coming in each day in various parts of the Colonies. It wasn't till that April that the war itself could really be said officially started. No one knew who fired the first shot, but who ever did caused the stand-off between the Americans and British to become a full fledged battle. The supply ship never came the day it was supposed to arrive. It never showed.
Standoff at Lexington, Massachusetts
The sun shone with ravaging interest and glared upon those that marched across the open field. The British marched steadily and with there well known in sync steps. Bright red gleamed and gold flashed along with silver that glittered and guns set neatly in a hand as it rested on the shoulder. Black boots crunched the grass is there path as the white pants showed not a spot. There mouths were set in firm but thin lines. There eyes slashed with murder and there look proudly claiming a superior right.
The minute men were worse off. They wore their everyday shirts, coats and breeches. They were dirt stained from long days in the fields. Guns hug freely but carelessly. Boots were scuffed and there hair poorly thrown in a tied tail. There eyes held defiance and their mouths seemed to whisper 'we shall survive.'
Silence hung wickedly. All said 'do not fire unless fired upon.'
.
.
.
.
.
Bang
.
.
.
.
.
The minute men and British then fired at each other. Many minute men were taken down and run through with bayonets. When it was over the minute men had retreated and the British were standing. The British thought they had won.
Boston, Massachusetts
----------- 17__
Dearest Emma,
I write to you with the uttermost terrible news. The war has started! I hear that His Majesty is sending a supply ship in. Coming Friday. Important information. Find it!
Your Aunt,
Lydia Darragh
The message came through the tunnel. It was short and to the point like all messages were and of course immediately burned. Emma prepared for Friday. All the duties she and the rest of the girls performed were of the uttermost importance and they risked their lives.
"Colonel?"
"What is it?"
"There has been reports of a light seen on the Lighthouse Cliff."
"Lighthouse Cliff?"
"There is a lighthouse on the cliff. They said they were signal lights."
"Keep watch."
"Aye."
Boston Market
Elinor and Anne had bartered for food prices all morning and they were tired. They walked around and looked at the people.
"Why did you come here, Anne?"
"What do ye mean?"
"Why come here?"
"The same reason we all did Elinor. To escape the past. I must be getting back. Good-day."
Anne scurried off to the house she worked in and Elinor sighed. To escape the past!! That was what they were all doing these days. As Elinor headed back to the Tavern she thought of what life would be like now they were at war. They would be fighting a battle of their own. Especially Anne, Elizabeth and Emma. They had to protect their hearts. What would happen if everyone of them had their past catch up with them. Then what?
"Elinor are you alright?"
Marianne studied her sister carefully.
"Yes, yes" she murmured with a shake of her head.
Marianne just nodded back and helped Elinor put the food away. They talked no more.
The night fell softly like a blanket as Elizabeth and Emma sat on the porch drinking tea. The breeze ruffled there hair. If one would look closely they would see that loneliness that only lies within ones self when and enemy is someone you love. They were all escaping from there pasts. Hoping to hide from something that would never rest until fulfilled.
The trees lined the dirt road leading to the house. The wind rippled it. Three men, like predators, watched the women's every move. They waited to pounce. All one had to do was wait. Horses hoofs were heard and a messenger arrived at the house. He pulled his horse to a stop and handed Emma a letter. The lady fainted and that's all that was seen.