Chapter Eight

T he Wilmington Safety Committee met more openly than they had in the past, but they were careful those among their ranks shared their beliefs that the way forward for the American colonies was independence from Great Britain.

Alec glanced around the gathering in his shop with a critical eye. Behind him stood Liddy's coachman, Daniel. Alec had sent word out to all the committee members as soon as Daniel had shared the message from Liddy. Alec wanted to ask how she was, but that would have to wait. Right now, time was of the essence.

Alec raised his hand for quiet. "Gentlemen! I have news I need to share with you and much that needs to be discussed."

"Could it not be put in a broadsheet?" someone called from the back. There were chuckles here and there as people found a place to sit or stand and quieted down.

"You may recognize Daniel as Mr. Fennell's coachman. He's brought us an urgent message from Liddy Fennell."

"The daughter of a loyalist?" another man interrupted.

"I can assure you she does not share her father's beliefs," Alec replied. "Miss Liddy is well informed and has opinions of her own that are far different from her father's."

"That's true," Daniel interjected in his soft-spoken voice. "Miss Liddy believes we need to be our own nation, where all men can be free."

Alec nodded and turned back to his audience to share the news that could make Liddy's escape impossible. "Governor Martin has moved ahead with forming his own group of loyalists to join, I believe, with the Regulators. According to what Miss Fennell discovered, they are even now beginning their move to meet up with them somewhere in the vicinity of Cross Creek."

"Who are these loyalists?" someone else asked. "Where are they from?"

"I believe they are a contingent of Scotsmen still loyal to King George. If what I have heard is true, the men Governor Martin has recruited are a rough lot from the foothills and mountains to the west. As you well know, anything west of Bethania and Salem right now is all but unsettled frontier."

There were some murmurings around the room before the next question came from the blacksmith. "When, Kirkwood?"

Alec didn't want to make a choice between helping Liddy and helping the future of a fledgling nation. "While we don't have an exact timetable, I believe we should make haste to be there ahead of them to ensure they do not make it as far as Wilmington."

There were nods around the room before the questions began about how many men might be among the ranks of the governor's recruits, followed by a debate on the possible places where they might cross. It was late before the men finally departed to return to their homes.

Daniel had remained. Alec studied him.

"I take it you have something else you wish to discuss. Is it another message from Miss Liddy?"

"If you have feelings for Miss Liddy, sir," Daniel said, "she sure needs help. She's all but a prisoner out in the country, and her papa talking about sending that Mr. MacGill out to keep an eye on her. More like to compromise her so she has no choice but to marry him."

Just the thought of Liddy with Iain MacGill turned Alec's stomach. MacGill would crush her spirit. His jaw ached with how tightly he clenched his teeth. So many things complicated this situation. He had a duty to the colonial cause, but his heart told him he had to get to Liddy. She needed his help, and after reading the note she'd given to Phoebe, he knew she hadn't failed to meet him by her own choosing.

He wasn't sure what her feelings were, but she had risked much to make sure he received the information about Martin's march toward Wilmington. He had to help her.

Realizing that he'd left Daniel hanging, Alec said, "I do care for her, but I am in a quandary. My duty lies with the militia. Is she safe where she is?"

"I believe so," Daniel responded, but the hesitation there was plain.

"The militia will head out in no more than another day or two under Colonel Caswell," Alec said. "How far is this crossing of which you spoke from Fennell's country home?"

"You will pass within just a few miles. A man on a good horse could be there and back with his regiment in an hour."

Daniel gave him a hard stare.

Alec arched a brow. "Then I must ensure I have a good horse."

The older man smiled.