The Raider (Montgomery/Taggert 9)

“She was here!” Nathaniel yelled. “I had a toothache and she was with me.”

Jessica pulled Nate to her, holding his hands to keep the angry boy from attacking Pitman.

“Let’s see if we can set an example to anyone else helping the Raider,” Pitman said. “Take them outside.”

Roughly, the women and children were pulled outside and they stood huddled together while the sounds of destruction came from within the house. The children buried their faces in the women’s nightgowns. Only Jessica and Nate watched through the open door, their faces identical masks of anger and hatred.

The soldiers and Pitman came outside. “Torch it,” Pitman ordered.

“It’ll be the last move you make,” came a voice behind them. Alexander Montgomery, sitting side-saddle atop a gray mule, a blue-and-white striped banyan on over his nightclothes, a wig askew on his head, was aiming a set of dueling pistols at Pitman’s head. Except for the weapons, he was a ridiculous sight.

Nathaniel ran to Alex and held the mule’s reins.

“This is king’s business, Montgomery, not yours,” Pitman said. “You touch a king’s officer and you swing.”

“Destroying the homes of women and children has nothing to do with the king. If you want your Raider, why aren’t you out chasing him instead of taking your anger out on these helpless creatures?”

“This one”—Pitman pointed at Jessica—“knows something. A woman helped the Raider.”

“And she’s probably still with him, nursing his wound. I heard there was blood on the leaves. Why aren’t you searching the houses to see who is missing?”

Pitman narrowed his eyes at Alexander. “This isn’t finished, Montgomery. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Alex kept his pistols aimed at Pitman while the man and his soldiers mounted their horses and left the cove.

When they were gone, Eleanor ran to Alex. “Oh, Alexander, you were wonderful.”

“Help me off this foul animal, will you?”

“Yes, of course. Jessica, wasn’t he wonderful?” Eleanor asked as she helped Alex maneuver around his stomach and fat legs and dismount. She turned to look at Jess, but Jessica was slowly ushering the children inside the house.

Alex waved Eleanor’s protests away and followed Jessica into the house. The place was a shambles; nothing in the interior had been left whole.

Jessica was standing by the fireplace, holding what was left of a music box that had belonged to her mother.

“Oh, Jess,” Eleanor said, putting her arm around her sister.

Sally began to cry.

Alex stepped forward. “Let’s get the children and get out of here. You can stay at my house for the time being.”

“No!” Jessica fairly shouted, making Sally pause in her crying. “We’re Taggerts and we stay on Taggert soil. We’ve not taken charity before now and this won’t make us start.”

Alex looked at her for a long while. “All right,” he said softly. “Eleanor, see if you can repair the beds enough for the night. We’ll get the children down, then talk about what needs to be done.”

Jessica didn’t say a word but picked up Sam and began to hug him until he also began to cry.

“Here,” Alex said, taking the baby from her. “Who wants to hear a story about pirates?”

The children, scared, tired, wanting anything to make their world seem safe again, agreed eagerly.

Jessica, looking numb, walked out the front door.

“Stay by her,” Alex told Nathaniel. “Don’t let her go far.”

Nate nodded and followed his sister outside.

An hour later, Alex had all the children in bed and, he hoped, asleep. Jessica had returned, and she and Eleanor had repaired the mattresses enough that they all could sleep for the few hours left of the night.