Page 15 of Earl of Excess
He watched the owner come out of the building and speak with the trapper. The two men lifted out two more stacks of pelts and carried them into the trading post. Peering through the window, he saw them remove to the back, finally giving the opportunity he needed. Quickly, he slipped in and walked to the counter. With an eye on the trapper and proprietor engaged in conversation in the back—neither seemed to have noticed him—he reached behind the counter and withdrew the sealed missive. Stuffing it in his pocket, he left as silently as he had come.
Chapter Eight
Bethany tied thesmall boat under the side of the house in the small compartment her grandfather had fashioned near the hidden entrance to the house. She needed it accessible so she could load provisions for their trip. Even though the trip would be short, she felt unsure how long she would be gone. A strange sensation shuddered through her and she looked about the small area, unsure of what it meant. The weather had been overcast, but a little rain could not hurt anyone. Unless became a torrential downpour, they would be fine. For good measure, she looked over and tossed in the small canvas tent her grandparents had fashioned as a covering for the boat. Canvas and perfectly measured sticks are attached to make a small tent over the center of the boat. It allowed some coverage for the hot, blistering days and when it rained.
She looked at Dandie, who enjoyed riding at the helm. The small dog gave her a knowing grin. Dandie liked it for the hot days. This would not be one of those. But the way it had been sleeting intermittently, she might change her mind. She smiled. Dandie made her smile a lot. The dog seemed almost human at times in her ability to communicate.
Bethany opened the hidden door to the cabin and allowed Dandie to go in first. When she closed it, she found Matthew sitting in a chair that faced the door.
He woke with a start. “Who is there? Is that you, Bethany?”
Dandie gave a short bark in answer.
“I woke up and no one was here, so I thought I should make myself more aware of my surroundings. It is a different world when your eyes do not see,” he acknowledged.
“I had hoped to be back before you awoke. I have brought some goods—potatoes and rice—from the Trading Post. I can make you a hot pot of potatoes and I believe Grandmère has a small side of pork in the pantry.”
“That sounds delicious.” He gave a nod in Dandie’s direction. “Dandie, if you hear a growl, fear not. ’Tis my stomach howling at the thought of a hot meal.” He gave a shy smile. “Not to say that the porridge, teas, and soups have not nourished me. They have. And I have enjoyed them. But potatoes!”
“My friend runs the Trading Post. I saw he had a barrel of red potatoes and thought a small portion for our meal this morning would be delicious. I, too, have thought of little else on the way back here,” Bethany returned.
“Ruff!”
They both laughed. “Of course, you, too! I could not eat in front of you, my dear little girl. You will have some potatoes. I shall cull some to the side before I add the spices, pepper, and onions,” she added. “I think I have some cold fish from yesterday I can add to them.” The small dog stood up on her hind legs and turned about at the last comment, causing Bethany to laugh. She landed with a small thud on her front paws, clearly pleased with herself.
“I wish I could see what she just did. She has quite the personality, I know,” Matthew said wistfully. “There is something I should share.”
“Me too. We should spend a few minutes in here. It would give you a change of... space.” She started to say the scenery and caught herself, aware of how that could be perceived. She cared that he could not see and wished his sight would return soon. Otherwise, he seemed to heal up nicely. The thought of it sent an unexpected pang to her heart. She would hate to see him go but having him here would put her and her grandmother in danger. When you put a face to your enemy, it made it harder to think of them as the enemy. They were people.
“My friend thought he could get your letter on a boat for England,” she blurted.
“The one you wrote to my father?” He was silent for a moment. “I confess I had not given thought to the danger that would put you in. Are you sure he is one to be trusted?”
“I have known Tobias almost all my life. I had no qualms about leaving it with him. It was the only option I could think of. I cannot imagine how else I could get word to your family, and I would not want your father to be thinking you dead. That seems almost cruel.”
“Thank you. When we left the coast and started the trek across the land, my unit took some difficult hits, and it became more difficult to get word back home. I imagine they do not even know where I have been fighting, although my father would do his best to find out. I think it has been several months since they would have received a letter from me,” he explained.
“I cannot imagine being in a foreign county with an ocean between me and my family and no way to see them,” she agreed.
“That is the hard thing about war,” he confessed. “I miss my family. It has been so long since I have seen my sister and baby brother... and my mother.”
“I never even understood all the reasons for the war,” Bethany allowed.
“It has always seemed to me to be a struggle for a mother to accept the independence of her child—if you can follow the allegory. The mother would be England, and I understand our country’s feelings toward that. At the same time, most in my country only know America to be what they hear and, to them, it is a bunch of ungrateful rebels. But when you are here and you see the country—what it has become, well—there is such majesty in the land.” A sadness washed over his face. “It’s war, but it seems senseless to me.”
“Do not tell me that you see the American’s point of view,” she teased.
“Yes and no. I am an Englishman. My heart is with England. All I am saying is that the loss of life is sad.”
Bethany noticed him sway a little and paid closer attention. He seemed to be healing, even though she had heard him cry out in his sleep. She had assumed it was a bad dream, however, it had seemed too personal to ask about. When she had come closer to the door to listen, she had heard only mumbled words before he went back to sleep. “I mentioned going to see my grandmother, but never bothered to see how you felt about that.” She gave a nervous laugh. “You agreed to go, even though you may not understand my reasons.”
“I realize you are frightened to stay here. What you have done for me—saving my life—has placed your life in danger. And, blind, I cannot be of much help.” He gave a wary laugh. “If I were able to help, I would have been healthy enough to leave, eliminating some of the danger. Although, there are other dangers. A young lady should not be here, alone.”
“Dandie goes with me,” she said, suddenly vexed. “And I can handle a gun.”
His eyes widened. “Whoa!” he said, throwing up his hands. “I seemed to have stepped in hot water. I apologize for the perceived insult. I had no intention of hurting your feelings.” He stood and walked to her, holding out his right hand.
She took his hand, and he pulled her to a standing position, softly pulling her into an embrace. “Your arm. You must be careful,” she said, backing up. She noticed him lean slightly, unsteady. His right arm kept the pressure, and she acquiesced into the hold.”
