High Society (The High Stakes Saga #3)

“Sometimes that’s a good thing, Pastor.”

He swallowed thickly. “I take it you have intelligence to share.”

“We took out a company of British soldiers far too close to home for comfort.”

His brows rose. “How large a company?”

“Large enough to paint many acres red with blood,” I answered.

“Why were they this far south? Most of the British occupy the north.”

“Most, but not all, apparently. I followed those who retreated. There are more companies camping near the Savannah River. Not a battalion, and probably misdirected and heading north to join up with their other regiments, but a danger to everyone between them and Cornwallis. Unless he’s building a force here slowly, purposefully.”

“God help us,” the pastor breathed. “Surely the war won’t stretch so far south.”

“I doubt there is a land it won’t touch before the British realize they’ve lost.”

The pastor’s lips tightened into a thin line. “Thank you for the information, Enoch. I’ll pass it along the proper channels.”

“Thank you. I was going to travel to speak with Washington, but something draws me back home.”

The pastor nodded. “Never ignore instinct. It’s there for a reason.” He clapped my elbow. “Be careful returning home.”

I gave the child another coin, praising him for taking such good care of Eve before I rode away. Patting her neck, I thanked her. “I know you didn’t get to rest for long, but I’ll make it up to you with a nice, shiny apple when we get home.”

The farther away from town we got, the more unsettled I felt.

Something was wrong.

* * *

Eve

Once everyone left the dining room, Asa turned to Titus. “You must be tired from your travels, and since you will wake early to repair the coop you damaged, I wager you need a good night’s sleep.”

“I’m good, actually. Not tired at all,” Titus retorted cheerfully.

Terah growled from her seat. “He would like to speak to Eve without you inserting yourself in the middle of the conversation.”

“I know,” Titus replied, “but you see, I just don’t trust either of you alone with her.”

Terah smiled wickedly at Asa. “Shall I escort him to his room?” she offered sweetly.

“Please,” Asa answered.

Terah blurred to Titus, plucked him from his seat as if his bulky weight was no more than a feather, and dragged him from the room so fast, his hollering was nothing more than a series of garbled noises.

“Was that really necessary?”

Asa smiled. “Yes.”

I sighed and slumped in my chair. “What do you want?”

“For you to speak to your clone.”

“Where is she?”

“Locked away.” I glanced to the floorboards.