tucked neatly inside. "Is Jacob here?"
"No. He stayed at the ferryman's cabin to guard the supplies."
"Oh." So she was alone with Thomas and his perfectly working male parts. She unrolled a stocking and motioned to the door by tilting her head. "Do you mind?"
He raised his eyebrows. "You need help?"
"No, I want you to leave."
"Oh." He grabbed his shoes and stockings and padded to the door.
Caroline noticed the weapons by the door. "Are these crossbows?"
"Yes, mechanical ones that Jacob designed." Thomas paused at the door. "If you need me, I'll be close by." He exited, shutting the door behind him.
She dashed to the chamber pot in the corner, then quickly pulled on her stockings and shoes. But what about her laces? She couldn't go back to the Great House with the laces to her gown loose. As much as she hated to admit it, she would need Thomas's help.
She slipped into the parlor just as he entered the back door with a pitcher.
"I brought you some water." He poured it into a crockery bowl.
"Thank you." She washed her face and hands while he put on his stockings. "Could you . . . lace up my gown for me?"
"Of course." He circled behind her.
He tugged at the laces, and she clutched the edge of the table to keep from stumbling. Every touch of his fingers melted her resolve to avoid further involvement with him. How could she work alongside him when all her senses yearned for him?
His fingers grazed her spine as he tied a bow. "There, you're done."
No, she was undone. She eased away from him. "I need to go. Good night. I mean, good morning."
"I'll walk with you." He jammed his feet into his shoes. "I want to see if the supply barge has gone."
"All right." She wandered toward the door. "I - I don't remember very much from last night. I was trying not to swallow any of the rum, but I suppose I did."
"Aye." Thomas tied his hair back with a ribbon. "You passed out at the ferryman's cabin. We brought you back here." He strode toward her, pulling on his coat.
They strolled along the river path. Clouds gathered thick overhead, blocking out the sun. A breeze rippled the surface of the river. She wondered if it was going to rain.
"Do you wish me to bring you a meal at noon?"
He smiled. "Thank you, but no. I need to meet up with the partisans to tell them where to pick up the supplies we stole. Jacob will be stuck there until they do."
"I'm glad you're his friend. He seems so lonesome."
Thomas's smile faded. "We have much in common. Caroline, if you ever need your father, you can find him at Snow's Island, where Lynches River joins the Great Pee Dee."
"All right. Thank you."
"This way." Thomas led her to the grove of loblolly pines. Situated on a knoll, the pines offered them cover and an excellent view of the river and front lawn.
He pulled down a low branch and peered through a window of fragrant short needles. "The barge is gone."
"Good. Then they never noticed anything was amiss." She scanned the ground, looking for Edward's hiding place.
"What are you looking for?" Thomas asked.
"Our musket and horn of gunpowder." She brushed a pile of needles aside 'til her fingers grazed the cold metal of the barrel. " 'Tis still here, in case you ever need one."
Thomas crouched beside her. "A Brown Bess?"
She nodded. "We brought it with us. It seems like a long time ago, though I know it is not." She scooped up pine needles and heaped them on top of the musket.
Thomas helped her bury the musket and gunpowder. "A great deal has happened in the last few weeks."
"Yes." She had sworn to avoid soldiers, to avoid any heartache to do with the war, yet she had become a spy. And fallen in love with another spy.
Sticky resin coated her fingers, and she wiped her hands on the hem of her gown. How could she have allowed this to happen? She glanced at Thomas and her heart stilled. It was too late. He was the one. God help her, she couldn't imagine not loving him. Her soul cried out for his.
As if he heard her, he met her gaze. Desire flared in his eyes. "Caroline."
Should she fight it or surrender? It was tempting, so tempting to pretend the war didn't exist, that they would be safe for years to come. But it wasn't true.
The ground vibrated beneath