"What's that?" Thomas jumped to his feet and peered through the pine branches. "Bloody hell," he whispered.
"What is it?" She joined him.
A group of horsemen emerged from the woods across the lawn and galloped toward the front door. Dressed in green jackets, they sported tall helmets that accentuated their tall height. "Who are they?"
"Tarleton and his dragoons." Thomas turned to Caroline. "He's known to like the ladies. Stay away from him."
She nodded. "I hope he doesn't intend to stay long."
"The horses look worn. He'll want to feed and rest them a bit. Damn, is that - " Thomas pulled his telescope from his pocket and peered at the men. "Bloody hell."
"What's wrong?"
Thomas cursed softly. "Greville." He jammed the telescope to its smaller size and dropped it in his pocket. "Dammit. Tarleton will go inside to talk to Hickman, and I won't be able to hear it."
"I can do it. No one will think it odd if I go in the house. And I'll be safe in the secret passageway. They won't know I'm there."
Thomas gave her a worried look. "You don't know how ruthless these men can be. Tarleton is called the Butcher, and with good reason."
Caroline swallowed hard. "It needs to be done. I'll tell you what they said later."
Thomas grimaced. "Fine. I'll meet you tonight in the passageway. And Caroline - "
"Yes?"
"You're beautiful in the morning." He grabbed her shoulders, planted a kiss on her brow, then slipped away into the woods.
"Who's in charge here?" Tarleton demanded as he entered the library. His eyes narrowed on Ezra. "You look familiar."
Ezra stood at attention. "Captain Hickman, sir. We met before. At Camden." He glanced at Pugsley, who stood gaping at the famous lieutenant colonel. "Pugsley, take care of our guests."
"Yes, sir!" The guard saluted and dashed from the room.
Tarleton paced across the library, leaving a muddy track with his boots. "I remember. You're that . . . Loyalist fellow." He lounged on the settee, smearing mud on the blue damask. "We've been chasing Marion and his pack of traitors all night. God, I'm parched. Pour me a drink, man."
"Yes, sir." Ezra strode to the sideboard. "The partisans made a strike last night?"
"Yes. At Georgetown." Tarleton removed his brown plumed helmet and dropped it on the settee beside him. "The bastards slithered into the swamp like a swarm of cowardly snakes. Did they come by here? Did you see anything?"
"No, sir." Ezra presented him with the glass of brandy. "It was quiet here. We had a shipment of supplies by the dock. I had five guards posted there all night."
"And they saw nothing?"
"Nothing, sir. The supplies left this morning without incident."
"Hmm." Tarleton took a sip of brandy, then set the glass on a nearby table. "You've had no trouble at all with the partisans?"
"No, sir. We've been very careful."
Tarleton rose to his feet. Even without the tall helmet, he towered over Ezra. "The partisans are all over this area. Why haven't you captured any of them? You wouldn't be protecting them, would you?"
Ezra gulped. "No! I assure you, sir, I am loyal to the king. And I have devised a plan for capturing the wanted partisan, Matthias Murray Thomas."
"Why him in particular?" Tarleton's mouth twisted in a sneer. "You want the reward money?"
The reward and the plantation. Ezra focused on Tarleton's cold, dark eyes. "I want to serve my king."
"I always wonder about you Loyalists. Loyal to the king, but willing to kill your neighbors." Tarleton grabbed his helmet off the settee. "If you discover where the patriots are hiding, you will tell me first. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Tarleton stepped close. "You can have Thomas, but Marion is mine."
That evening, Caroline crept silently down the secret passageway to the china room. She placed her candlestick on the table in the center of the small room. How sad the shelves looked with half the crystal missing.
During the midday meal, Captain Hickman had once again asked Jane the whereabouts of her son. When she refused to answer, he had gathered up some of her prized crystal glasses and smashed them into the fireplace. Then he had announced he would spend the afternoon questioning the inhabitants of the local village. He had returned at sunset, still in a foul mood.
Caroline paced around the table. Poor Jane was worried sick about her husband and son. It was difficult for Virginia, also. With her baby due any day now, she despaired of ever hearing news about her husband, Quincy.
The door to the china room opened. Caroline exhaled