William grabbed the boy’s elbow and mouthed the words more than spoke them. “Go. Quickly.”
The boy’s round eyes spoke his unvoiced gratitude. Gripping the bundle he darted quietly away as William launched to his feet.
“Looking for me?”
“William!” Anna turned to him, her voice filled with relief.
The redcoat turned, his posture unchanged, unchallenged. “Coming to the rescue?” He chuckled. “As you can see, I mean her no harm.”
“If you have questions you may direct them to me, not my wife.”
“Your wife?” The soldier looked her up and down then did the same for William. “I hardly think you are worthy of someone so lovely.”
“Get off my land.”
The soldier leaned his head back, a laugh peeling through the air. “All you patriots are the same.” He faced William, his grasp tightening around his musket. “You believe simply because you own this land yo
u have license to harass me. But I speak in the name of the king, and therefore you must answer or find yourself in prison.”
William pulled his shoulders back and widened his feet, studying his opponent. Short jacket with off-white facings on his cuffs and lapels. From the 47th foot no doubt. Well-trained but not well-seasoned. An easy victory should he be forced into combat.
Playing the part, William raised his palms. “I simply petition for our privacy, that is all.”
“Then tell me what you know of that boy.”
“Boy?” Lord, let him escape unharmed.
“Do not think me an idiot. I followed him here. He was smuggling and you were helping him.”
William didn’t need to see Anna’s mouth drop open to know it did. Her quick gasp testified of that.
She stepped forward. “How dare you accuse my husband.”
“Anna—”
“Nay,” the soldier chuckled, “I like a woman with a bit of fire.” The soldier bobbed his chin up. “Let her speak for you. Perhaps I will find her pleadings adequate enough to let you go.”
“I am under no arrest.”
“You could be.”
William struggled to keep his jaw from ticking. He’d better play this game with his head more than his heart or he could find a rope around his neck.
He flung a glance to Anna. Her wide eyes and pinched lips screamed the questions she could not bring to her mouth before she turned her attention to the man in front of her. “We are gathering nettle as you can see.” She held the basket forward and pointed at the greens with her gloved hand. “And as we’ve only just arrived I can say with certainty there has been no boy here.”
Nodding, the soldier took the basket and placed it on the ground. “Perhaps you would like to stay a bit longer with me and watch for him.” He stepped closer until his shoes touched the base of her skirt. A sickening hunger in his eyes, he reached for her face but pulled his hand back, sending William a rotten smile. “’Tis a shame your husband had to be here. We could have had such fun.”
William lunged a step forward, his fists ready. “Get out.”
With a mocking bow, the soldier stepped backward. “As you wish.” He straightened and suddenly stopped, the hatred in his face morphing to question. His voice dropped. “I know you.” ’Twas more a query than a statement.
William scanned his memory. Though he had been familiar with the 47th regiment, he’d never served anywhere but under Martin and Stockton. How could the man possibly know him?
William ground his teeth. It didn’t matter why or how. It mattered that he did.
The redcoat’s forehead wrinkled. “I know your face.” He stepped nearer, his eyes thinning. “Aye. I have seen you before. But I cannot place it.”
A lie sprung to William’s mouth. “My brother fought and died at Lexington.”