Page 29 of Earl of Excess
Ruefully, she thought another kiss would have been nice, too. But they had both been mindful of appearance in the open canal. The small boat that had been following seemed to have disappeared. Shaking the thought off, she studied the small stream.
Nothing seemed to have changed. Tall pine and cypress trees surrounded the sides of the water. The cypress trees had large boughs of moss hanging from their limbs, giving them a silvery shimmer in the bright sunshine. After taking the sharp bend in the stream, it opened into a wider area where the fenced-in colony was in full view off to the right. They had arrived.
*
The man inthe culled-out pirogue hung back until he was sure to have dropped from their view. He maintained a steady pace, determined to keep up with his quarry, but out of their sight. He had heard the shot go off and raced to help them, only to see that they had survived what had looked like an alligator attack. Evidence of the short battle floated by his own boat, but by this time, it had become prey to another gator who was dragging the bloodied gator toward the edge of the canal, intent on removing it to the shore where it could eat.
Having read the note he had stolen, he was more determined to follow these two, and promised himself he would not let them escape a second time.
No one saw the small canoe move into the turn and hug the left side of the stream, camouflaged by hanging moss and low-hanging branches of the trees. If he had not seen the way the boat had been hidden before, he would not have known to look for it under the heavy drape of cypress and pine. He watched the two of them, along with their dog, enter a cabin.
He would need to know more about this place before he could act.Where exactly was he?
Chapter Fourteen
“Ismell somethingcooking—perhaps we are timing this arrival well,” she said. “It smells like fish.”
“I think you are right, he said, turning his head toward the smell. My stomach is signaling a need to eat.”
She guided the boat into the small cover off to the right and tied it up. Dandie leaped out and stood waiting, still dragging the leather leash.
“Girl, you need to keep the leash on for a little longer,” she coaxed, reaching over and patting her small dog. Dandie sat and watched them, her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth in a swirl-like fashion—her usual.
“Let me help you out, Matthew,” she said, reaching her arm into the boat. He laid the paddle down and picked up his stick tucked alongside the interior of the small boat. Clasping her hand, he stood and stepped out of the boat.
“I can carry things, so do not be afraid to load me down.”
“Thank you. I will,” she said with an appreciative smile.
Once they had the basket of food and the blanket with the weapons rolled up and tied within it, they left the small dock area.
Her aunt’s home was ahead. Bethany gave a quick look to her right as they stepped up to the door, smiling at Matthew, even though he could not see it. It felt right to have him with her. Once they met him, she knew her grandmother and aunt would feel that way, too.
Bethany pulled the small boat toward a smaller dock hidden by a tall cypress tree. She anchored the boat and helped its passenger find purchase on the wooden dock.
Before she could knock, her grandmother opened the door. “Bonjour!Bethany, what are you doing here?” The small woman stepped out onto the step and looked up into the smiling eyes of Matthew. “Who is this young man?” she asked softly.
“Matthew, let me introduce you to Grandmère,” Bethany returned. “Grandmère, Dandie and I rescued Matthew from the Villeré Plantation. We found him near death and have managed to...”
“Heal him nicely,” her grandmother finished on a murmur. She gave an appreciative smile at Matthew, looking between the two of them with an unfamiliar glint in her eyes.
“Your granddaughter has been my salvation. I have not fully recovered, but she is the only reason that I am not dead,” he offered.
The older woman shook her head as if clearing it. “Where are my manners, Bethany? Come in, all of you. I will want to hear all the details but let me bring out my sister. She was in the kitchen.” Reaching down, she petted the small dog on the head. “You kept them safe,non?” Said soothingly in hushed tones. It was more of a statement than a question to her grand dog.
“No need,” another feminine voice sounded from behind her grandmother. Her aunt’s lithe form stepped forward, tapping a thick, weathered stick in front of her. “I heard the voices and came to welcome my niece. We welcome any friend of Bethany’s to stay,” she said.
Bethany noticed Matthew’s shoulders relax, and she slowly whooshed out the breath she realized she had been holding.
“Thank you, I am glad to meet both of you,” he said. “My name is Lieutenant Matthew Romney of the King’s army.”
Bethany held her breath, but nothing happened. Instead, Grandmère reached behind Matthew and ushered him into the house.
“Welcome. May we call you Matthew?” her grandmother asked. As they walked, Grandmère glanced back at Bethany, her eyes questioning.
“Let me get us some tea,” offered Aunt Theodosia, tapping her cane into the kitchen.
“I’ll help,” offered Bethany, realizing that her aunt would probably make two trips—one carrying in the hot kettle. She could make that much easier.
