no clean clothes there." She caught a glimpse of white teeth as he grinned. The rascal. Her lack of clothes only strengthened his resolve.
"Come on." He guided her through the orchard to the woods. "We'll get a few hours' sleep, then leave early in the morning. By midday, we'll be married."
She gulped. "So quickly?"
He halted. "Are you changing your mind?"
"No, I definitely want to marry you, but I've hardly had time to adjust - "
"I'm in a hurry." He resumed walking, tugging her along with him.
"I gathered that, but this is an excellent example of a problem I foresee in our future."
"We will have no problems."
"Of course we will."
"If we have one, I'll fix it, and then, there won't be a problem."
She scoffed. "You will fix the problem? Shouldn't we fix the problem?"
He gave her an exasperated look as they emerged onto the path by the river. "Why are you fussing about a problem that doesn't even exist?"
"You're missing the point. I see marriage as a partnership."
He stopped. "I'll be responsible for you, Caroline."
"I'll feel just as responsible for you."
"But I can take care of myself."
"So can I."
His grip on her arm relaxed. Slowly he trailed his fingers down to her hand. "I believe you can. You are an amazing woman."
"Thank you." She entwined her fingers with his.
"I would like to wed tomorrow. I see no reason to wait." He watched her with a hopeful expression.
Tomorrow. She took a deep breath. The smell of exploded gunpowder and burnt wood still hovered along the river, a potent reminder of the risk Thomas had taken that day. It would be foolish to waste what little time they might have.
She nodded. "Yes. Tomorrow."
They resumed their walk to Jacob's house at a more leisurely pace. Moonlight sparkled off the Black River.
Downriver, Caroline noticed a black patch in the water. It was the blackened husk of the barge, still floating on the river. "They found the bodies, you know."
Thomas glanced at her. "How many?"
"Five. Hickman believes two were killed in the explosion and one drowned. The other two were shot with arrows." She waited, but Thomas said nothing. "I can see why you didn't want me involved."
He sighed. "We made the incident as dramatic as possible to keep Hickman and his men removed from the house. Otherwise, the rescue could not have succeeded."
"I see." She walked alongside him for a moment in silence. Exhaustion bore down on her, and she yawned.
"What else did Hickman do?" Thomas asked.
"He sent Pugsley to report the incident to General Cornwallis. He was extremely agitated, screaming at everyone, even Agatha."
Thomas nodded. "He's afraid he'll be held responsible."
"If they ever find out you were responsible, there will be a price on your head."
Thomas was silent.
They neared the mill. It crouched on the river's edge like a huge black crow with a metal beak jutting out over the water. The wheel groaned and slapped the water as it slowly turned.
She yawned again as she climbed the steps to Jacob's front porch.
Thomas opened the door. "I should tell you. There already is a price on my head." He entered the house and went straight to the hearth to light a fire.
Caroline remained by the door, stunned.
"I'll heat some water so you can bathe." He grabbed a pot and a kettle and filled them at the pump.
A wanted man. She slid the bolt on the door and wandered to the fireplace. She was marrying a wanted man tomorrow.
He hung the pot and kettle over the fire. "Would you like some cider?"
"Thomas, we should leave this area. We could go to my home in North Carolina."
He uncorked a jug and poured two glasses. "I will not abandon the cause of freedom."
"I'm not asking you to. But couldn't we have a brief respite?"
"Perhaps." He smiled as he brought her a glass. "I would love to spend some time alone with you."
With a blush she accepted the glass. She sat on the wooden settee and sipped her cider while Thomas hauled water from the pump to the tub in Jacob's room. Finally, he took the pot and kettle and added boiling water.
" 'Tis ready," he called.
She entered Jacob's room. It was sparsely furnished, but charming. An oil lamp flickered on the small bedside table. A quilt of blue and white adorned the four-poster bed, while a hooked rug of the same colors lay on the floor.
Thomas motioned to the neatly folded stack on the bed. "There's a linen towel there, and some clean clothing." He headed for