Her eyes glistened in the fading light. He moved quickly before he decided against himself again. He pressed his lips to hers. She stiffened. He lightened the kiss. She gloriously softened against him. Her hands slid up his arms to thread into his hair. Heart swelling he poured all the waiting, all the relief he felt at her safety into his kiss. A boot scraped on the cobble behind them. He pulled back and tucked her behind his back.

  “Miss Amity?”

  Amity looked out from behind his elbow.

  “There ye are, Miss Amity. I thought t’was ye.”

  With one hand smoothing her hair, Amity stepped next to him. “Why Mary, whatever are you doing here?”

  “Jonathan, that’s Daniel’s brother, is taking me home, but that’s not why I’m here.” She pointed to her feet.

  What had she seen? He’d promised her father he’d marry her if she’d been compromised. Amity’d probably think he did it on purpose.

  “I saw ye walking along the street from my window. I’ll not point it out just now being that we have an audience. I thought t'was ye, but I couldn’t be sure, so I was taking an extra careful look, and that’s when I seen the two gentleman following ye.” Simon pulled Amity a little closer.

  “Where are they now?” He asked not daring to turn in any direction lest he give Mary away.

  “Behind the warehouse two doors down.”

  “Miss Mary, would you let me have the honor of escorting you home?”

  Simon extended his other arm and Mary took it. “If you would show me the way.”

  She gave him the address one block down from the direction in which they’d just come.

  “You must have left at the same time we did. I can’t believe we didn’t see you on the road.”

  Simon directed them away from the ordinary.

  “We left right after I came back from seeing ye the last time. Jonathan said wind didn’t make no difference to soldiers. And I guess he was right. We traveled by horse and slept in our tent.”

  “So Jonathan did decide to leave.”

  “His time was up. Said he should be getting back to his parents.”

  “What will you do?”

  They reached the end of Sophia Street, and Simon took them up to Caroline Street to make their way back toward Mary’s accommodations.

  “I haven’t decided for certain, but I think, after we’ve visited, Danny and me, I think we’re going to Bethlehem.”

  “Pennsylvania?”

  “Yes. They’ve mission work for a woman to do there. It’s time I did something useful for God.”

  Amity fell silent at Mary’s pronouncement.

  Simon’s heart trembled at what scheme Amity would dream up now. She’d already compromised and settled on Winchester instead of the missions in the Ohio Valley. Would she decide she should follow Mary to the mission field?

  They rounded the corner onto Wolfe and approached Blackstone’s Tavern.

  Amity stopped them and looked around him to Mary. “Would you care to come in for a cup of coffee?”

  They settled in the private dining room off the main chamber.

  Simon leaned over the table. “Can you describe the men you saw?”

  “I only seen them in the shadows, like a camp-cat slinking around after rats. I never seed their faces.”

  The coffee arrived. Silence fell as they prepared their brews.

  17

  Winifred fumed behind the door of the private dining parlor. Some thieves. It wasn’t like Thomas to choose inept fools. They hadn’t struck her as inept either when it came to that, at least the tall one didn’t. The less she thought about the short one the better. She pointed and Thomas followed her quietly back to her office.

  “They were seen.”

  “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but in their defense, how could they have known that Morgan would have an ally in a town he’s never visited?”

  Winifred spun to face him cold fury infused her limbs. “I have no time for incompetence. I can see I shall have to take things into my own hands.”

  Thomas paled. “Freddie, let me have a talk with them before you put yourself in any danger.”

  She attempted a laugh. It sounded chilling even to her own ears. “You might have thought of that before you sent me incompetent ruffians. Find them and send them to me.”

  “Just give me a little more time.”

  She wavered. “Thomas. The stone is here, right under our noses. We just need to get it.” She clenched her fist in desperation as though the stone were already there.

  “Surely we have couple of days to procure the stone in such a way that will not put both of you at risk? What kind of life will he have if you are gone?”

  Cold stillness stopped her dead. “Two days. I can’t afford to wait any longer.

  ~*~

  “If you’re ready I shall walk you home, Miss Mary.”

  Amity stood. “I’ll come with you. Give me a minute to check on my aunt.” There was no way she would leave Simon to travel home on his own.

  Simon frowned. “I think you’d better stay here.”

  “Your frown won’t work on me, Simon Morgan. I will not leave you to walk home alone.”

  He rolled his eyes at her.

  “That won’t work either. Those men, whoever they are, left us alone when we were two or three. There is no telling what would happen if one of us travels alone.”

  “I can walk myself home, Miss Amity. They’re not interested in the likes of me.”

  “Don’t be a ninny. Now that you have spent this much time with us, it could be worse for you. It’s best we walk together.”

  “I have to agree with Amity there, Mary. You shouldn’t walk alone.”

  “Then it’s settled. Give me a couple of minutes to check on my aunt.”

  Simon resigned and sat back down.

  “Beg your pardon, Miss Amity, but is Miss Clementine ill?”

  “I don’t know how I didn’t think to tell you. She was attacked by a bear.”

  Mary lost all color. “A bear?”

  “He clawed her arm. Simon killed him before he could do anything else.”

  “And to think I’ve been traveling with my little Danny all this way.”

  “I’m sure you’ve nothing to worry about. It’s still too early for bears. I think the mild weather caused that one to rouse early.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help? I nursed many a soldier…”

  “Not at the moment. The doctor has been to see her and re-dressed her arm. Now we just have to wait.”

  Amity touched her arm to take leave. She found Clementine sleeping soundly. Lucy rocked silently by the bed with her needle weaving in and out of the hem of a red calico dress draped across her lap. Amity nodded to Lucy before closing the door. In the hallway, she bounced off Simon tucking a pistol into his breeches.

  “I wish I’d thought of that.” Amity whispered. Not that she owned a gun that small. She’d have to look into acquiring one if she was to travel the world as a free woman. She sent up a prayer that they would have no need of it tonight.

  Simon grinned and followed her down the narrow stairs.

  Outside, frosty air bit at the exposed skin of her face. She tucked a little closer to Simon’s warmth than propriety dictated, but he didn’t seem to mind. And there was the matter of the kiss they shared. Once again, she prayed that tonight would end peacefully so a discussion of what that kiss did or didn’t mean for their future could take place.

  The three of them walked in silence.

  Amity scanned the area listening for anything that might be men approaching them.

  Mary disappeared into the ordinary where Jonathan and little Danny waited.

  Before they reached the corner of Wolfe Street, two men stepped out of the shadows of the warehouse across the street. The man who approached was tall. His companion came up to his shoulder.

  “Mr. Morgan?”

  Simon stopped and slipped Amity a little behind him on his right.

  “Is it Mr. Morgan?”

  “Who are you?”

  “My name’s Oliver Hugh, sir. I have been directed to give you this note from some people who know John Parchment.”

  “Why didn’t he just mail it?”

  “The post isn’t what it should be is it, sir?”

  Simon took the folded paper from Hugh. “Have you been following me all night?”

  “We have been waiting to see you alone, yes, sir.”

  “We did see two other fellas who looked like they might be interested in ye…” the shorter one spoke his voice raspy.

  Amity tightened her grip on his arm and stepped in closer. “What did you see?”

  “Not much, sir. But we were told to hang about and make sure no mischief befell ye.”

  Indeed. Simon tucked the note into his coat pocket.

  “Thank you, gentlemen.”

  “We are to wait for a reply.”

  Simon suppressed the urge to shout at the men for a myriad of things, not the least of which was frightening Amity. “Well, it cannot be read in the dark, can it? Follow me.”

  “Simon—”

  “Later.”

  Amity bit her tongue and stayed close to his side.

  The two men walked a few paces behind them. Amity forced herself to not look back and inquire after them. Who were these strangers, and what could they possibly want with Simon? What mischief are they protecting us from?

  Bending near a candle in the Tavern’s entryway Simon broke the seal. He took slow care with the intricate folds then dropped his arms in frustration.

  “Tell the sender I shall meet with him at the designated place.”

  The two men bowed and left.

  Amity stepped close to whisper and forgot what she wanted to say. His closeness brought the kiss they’d shared into sharp memory. He placed his arm around her shoulder to turn into the private parlor away from the gaming in the main chamber. “Simon, what is going on, and who wants to do you mischief?”

  “Let’s have a seat.”

  They sat facing each other in front of the small fire.

  The small fire illuminated the fine lines beginning to form at his gentle eyes. Funny, she’d never noticed them before. She reached up and smoothed the hair that slipped onto his forehead.

  He hesitated to speak.

  Did her nearness blank his mind too? A gentle glow of knowing warmed her heart and extended throughout her limbs. She loved him. Ever since she could remember, she’d loved him.

  “Amity,” he took her hand in both of his.

  “Simon, what is this mischief?”

  The alarm she felt at him in danger wasn’t new. She always worried about him. He could be so lost in his work that he wouldn’t come out for days. Someone had to look out for him; he was too trusting.

  “I have something to tell you…” He retrieved something from his pocket. He held it a few seconds between his thumb and forefinger before placing it in her hand.

  “It is a rock.”

  “Precisely.”

  The stone was warm from his pocket and smooth between her thumb and forefinger. “Is this what the mischief is about?”

  “I think so.”

  “But what is it?”

  “I am still trying to figure that out.”

  He sat back in his chair still holding one of her hands. Amity held the stone before the candle on the table; it was a clear green with markings in the middle. “It is beautiful. Where did you get it? Is it some kind of gemstone, like a very large diamond?”

  “I hadn’t really thought of it like that.” He explained how he'd gotten it from the sea captain at Miller’s Ordinary, and also John Parchment's and the secret society’s interest in the stone. “I was so caught up in its possible supernatural meanings that it never occurred to me it might have some intrinsic value by simply being a large gemstone.”

  “Who are these so-called important men that have such interest?”

  “I don’t know yet. John has kept their names from me.” He handed her the note. “I suppose they will have to reveal themselves in three days’ time.”

  “I will pray for guidance tonight.”

  “Thank you.” He leaned in and Amity forgot to breathe.

  “Simon…” She forced herself to turn away from his kiss.

  “I’m sorry.” He placed a hand on her arm.

  She turned back, stomach churning. “I’m not sorry, Simon.” She covered his hand with her own. “But what does it mean?”

  Lucy shuffled into the room. “Miss Amity, Miss Clementine is awake and asking for you.”

  Amity stood. Simon followed, “We will have to talk soon.”

  ~*~

  Clementine sat propped by two flattish pillows. “It’s rather late, I knew you were walking, but I didn’t think you’d try to make it to Winchester on foot.” Groggy from the laudanum she hesitated around a dry throat.

  “What may I get for you?”

  “A cup of tea would be nice.”

  There was no tea to be had for honest folk. The embargo took care of that. Amity poured a small amount of coffee from the pot into the dish provided.

  Clementine took the cup with hands that radiated heat.

  Oh no. “Lucy, call for Simon. We need to get Dr. Solomon back tonight.”

  “You won’t need Mr. Simon for that. I saw the doctor not ten minutes ago, down the hallway.”

  “Then go ask Mr. Burns to send Dr. Solomon whenever—”

  The door creaked open, and the round head of the doctor peered in. “Did I hear you call for me, Miss Archer?”

  “My aunt has a fever.”

  The doctor stepped toward the bed. He felt Clementine’s forehead and checked her pulse. He unwrapped her arm cleaned it once more and rewrapped it.

  “What can I do?”

  “There is so much that we don’t know.”

  Sensing the deliberate pause Amity waited.

  “I see no infection.” He stroked his deep black beard. “We need to keep the wound as clean as humanly possible…some infection may have entered the wound despite our efforts. We usually think of fevers as coming only with infection, but I’ve begun to think recently that it may be part of the body fighting to live. Much like we get warm when we exercise. It is but a theory of mine with no proof, but I think we shall see her improve in the next twenty-four, maybe forty-eight hours. Try to keep her cool.”

  “Should we not stoke the fire to keep her warm?”

  “I shouldn’t think so. Do you like a hot fire on a warm summer day out in the garden?” The right side of his mouth angled up in a half smile.

  “Definitely not.”

  “Let’s give her body a chance to do its work.” He picked up his bag, took two strides to the door, and spun around with one finger in the air. “And let her have some more of the physic I gave her, it will help.”

  Amity caught his free right hand. “Thank you, sir.”

  “I will check in tomorrow.”

  18

  Two days passed while Clementine’s fever burned.

  Simon busied himself reading. He kept close to the tavern in case Amity or her aunt should need anything. He glimpsed Amity only in passing. If she required anything, she sent a servant. She only left herself when absolutely necessary.

  Midway through the third morning Simon caught Amity in the hall outside Clementine’s door.

  “How is she?”

  “She feels warmer to me. I have written to my father, but it is too soon to hear from him.” Her stormy eyes sheltered pools of tears. “She is talking to Uncle William as though he sat on the bed next to her.” The tears spilled down her checks.

  A protective feeling surged through him. Simon gathered her into his arms and placed a kiss upon her head. “Have you eaten?”

  “Not yet. I was on my way down.” He released her. Fatigue deepened the tiny lines around her eyes.

  Mr. Burns escorted them to the private dining parlor. “How does Mrs. Foster this morning?”

  “Not much improved, Mr. Burns.”

  “Shall I send your breakfast upstairs?”

  “No,” Simon interrupted. “Bring Miss Archer something to eat here.” He turned to her. “You need some rest. You can go back after you’ve eaten.”

  “I’m not very hungry, Simon.” She looked up at Mr. Burns. “I shall need Dr. Solomon today if you can arrange for him to see my aunt.”

  “I shall do just that. I believe I may catch him before he leaves.” The man left.

  “There must be something going around. He is here almost every time I think I need him.”

  “I wondered if you would like to visit Dr. Solomon with me.”

  A hand flew to her chest. “Are you well?”

  “Yes. I’m quite well. I’m going to see him about the stone.”

  Confusion played across her countenance. “Oh, yes. The gemstone.”

  “Tonight is my meeting, and I would like to speak to someone who might be able to interpret the writing in the center.”

  “You think it’s writing?”

  He waited while the servant placed her food on the table. Once she’d begun to eat, he explained all the theories that he knew to date without telling her of his own experiment and what the stone had meant to him.

  “I don’t dare leave yet,” Amity said when he finished. “I’m distressed being from Aunt Clementine for this long. Perhaps you could see the doctor after he sees my aunt. I don’t think I can eat any more.” She rose to leave. “Come up when you are ready and maybe you can talk to the doctor then.”

  Dr. Solomon accompanied Amity out of Aunt Clementine’s room and stopped in the hallway. “And still we wait, Miss Archer. I find her pulse strong. Her mind is weakened by fever. It is delirium, nothing else.” Dr. Solomon was tall with a round face that made Amity think he worked at staying lean.

  “It’s just I’ve heard—”

  “That the dead visit the dying?”

  Amity nodded her head. Indeed, who hadn’t heard of such things?

  “I am a man of science Miss Archer. I have not seen ghosts talking to any of my patients. Nor have my patients reported such things to me.”

  Perhaps they were too afraid to tell you? “Thank you, Dr. Solomon.”