He flung Kitty behind, shielding her from the impending ball. Nathaniel glanced back and his chest turned to stone. Donaldson stood with his hands raised as another soldier aimed at Donaldson’s head. “Stockton knew some foolish rogue would try to steal the wench.”
Nathaniel spun to the man in front of him, planning the ways he might disarm the boyish soldier.
“How pleasant.” From behind, the other Redcoat responded. “We shall witness three hangings, not one.”
Nathaniel turned toward Donaldson as his muscles flexed. A spark flickered behind Donaldson’s impassioned eyes and Nathaniel dipped his chin.
They must act. Now.
Donaldson nodded again and Nathaniel lunged forward. He bashed the pistol away from his chest and jammed his boot against the soldier’s stomach. The man flew backward clutching his belly. From behind, a crack and a groan wailed toward the heavens.
Nathaniel shot a glance behind him to see Donaldson wrenching the pistol from the soldier’s limp hand.
Donaldson motioned to the trees, his face wild.
Nathaniel snatched Kitty’s hand and tugged her towards the woods as a shot rang out, flashing the forest with a burst of yellow light.
Pulling his weapon from his side, Nathaniel shoved Kitty away. “Get behind the shack!”
She dodged behind the building just as another soldier appeared from the dark. With barely enough time to think, Nathaniel fired and the soldier dropped to the ground.
Nathaniel spun around as Donaldson ran forward, snatched the ready gun from the dead man and shoved it at Nathaniel. Sounds of the camp—yelling, running, clanking of weapons grew louder with every second.
“You must leave. Now!” Donaldson turned to reload when a ball struck him in the arm and pushed him to the ground.
“No!” Kitty lunged from behind the shack, but Nathaniel waved her back.
“I won’t have you killed,” he yelled and pointed toward the trees. “Run to the horse. I’ll meet you there!”
Kitty reeled backward then stumbled and obeyed his command.
As more soldiers rallied in the confusion of the camp, Nathaniel pulled under Donaldson’s good arm and helped him to rise, but Donaldson grunted and pulled back. “Nay, go.” He grimaced. “I shall be more help to you here. I can convince them you went north. Go!”
Nathaniel nodded and dashed into the woods as more voices and shouts erupted from the smoke.
Kitty waited astride Astor with the reins in her hands. “Hurry!”
A bullet whizzed past Nathaniel’s ear. He launched himself onto the horse and secured one arm around Kitty’s waist as he flicked the reins.
His legs corded as he kicked the horse into a run. Not daring to look back, Nathaniel kept Astor at a pace that would have them in safety’s grasp in only minutes. Lord, do not let them follow us. The misty air coated his skin and hair as he leaned forward into the wind. Soon, the fearsome sounds faded and he braved a glance over his shoulder. He sighed, but still would not slow his mount. They were not followed, so it seemed, but ‘twas too early to relax. Nay, they would need to prepare to make an even greater escape should the British come searching for them.
He tightened his grip around Kitty’s waist. Lord, be with Donaldson. Keep him safe and cause the other soldiers to believe his tale for our sakes. And for his.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Kitty stared out the window of the Watson’s parlor. It had been nearly two whole days since the ordeal and both Nathaniel and Thomas seemed certain if the soldiers hadn’t followed them here already, they were likely safe. Forever. And yet, Kitty couldn’t allow herself to believe it, no matter how much she yearned to do so. Their trunks were packed and ready should the need to flee prove paramount. Blessedly, the Lord had seen fit to protect them from further turmoil. At least for now.
A ripple of purple eased up toward the sky, heralding the coming night, but the first sprinkle of starlight was still hours away. She wrapped her arms tighter around her chest. Eliza had long since retired, the babe in her belly having stolen every strand of energy. Thomas had retired with her, leaving Kitty alone to ponder the events that had nearly changed her life in a way she dared not even consider.
Leaning her head against the window frame, Kitty peered at the road. The news of the deaths of Camilla and Cyprian had been nothing short of shocking. And with the horror and confusion of recent events, Kitty had hardly been able to speak more than a few words.
The pounding of an approaching horse stole Kitty’s attention and she pulled away from the window. A rider came into view, his black cloak floating behind him on the wind. She recoiled and hid in the shadow of the stairs.
Nathaniel rushed into the parlor from the kitchen and looked out the window before he quickly opened the door and raced to meet the rider.
The man stopped his horse only long enough to hand Nathaniel a note before he yanked the reins and raced back the way he’d come.
Nathaniel tugged the paper open and after a breathless moment, dropped his hands at his sides, his shoulders visibly drooping.