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  Belle managed a nod, but as soon as Dominique had crossed the hall to her own room, she began to shake. She clutched her arms and told herself again and again that what they were doing was right. The memory of the sorrow that

  had filled Falcon's eyes as he had kissed her good-bye had convinced her her place was with him. She let no other thought intrude as she gathered the few belongings she intended to take. She would have to wait until her parents had gone to bed to copy one of her father's maps, but she would trace a path to Falcon, and pray with every step of the way that he would also view what she was doing as right.

  Belle slept fitfully that night, for whenever she fell asleep she was jarred awake by the sheer audacity of what she and Dominique were about to undertake. If pursuing Falcon proved to be a fool's errand, she would have no one to blame but herself. But if it brought him back into her arms, then the risk would have been well worth it.

  She was up and dressed in a pale blue muslin gown more than an hour before dawn. Her trip downstairs after midnight had prompted her to fetch a lantern from the back porch rather than rely on a candlestick when she feared she would be shaking so badly she would spew tallow all over her clothes. Her belongings were packed in a single leather bag she would lash behind her saddle. Chilly, she grabbed a warm woolen shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. Leaving her bag to pick up on the way out, she took the lantern and tiptoed down the hall to Dominique's room.

  Jean was a sound sleeper so she doubted he would awaken, but if he did, she would simply provide their brother with a gentle reminder of their fishing trip and send him back to bed. She rapped lightly at Dominique's door, then let herself in. She had fully expected to have to wake her sister, but Dominique was not only up and dressed, she had made her bed.

  "Ready?" Dominique picked up her bag and came to the door. "I've taken care to be quiet, and I've not heard a peep from Jean. Let's hope we can slip by everyone else as eas-

  ily" She noticed Belle's shawl then, and quickly fetched one of her own. She scanned her room with an anxious glance, then blew out the candle on the dresser and was ready to go.

  Belle picked up her bag as they passed her room, then held the lantern aloft to light their way. They hesitated at the second floor landing, but it was much too early for either their parents or Falcon's to be awake and stirring. Belle tugged on Dominique's sleeve, and the pair made their way on down the stairs and out the back door.

  The rhythmic chirping of crickets ruffled the cool night air, and the most ambitious of the English sparrows nesting near the house had already begun to trill their familiar greeting to the dawn. As they neared the kitchen, a mockingbird called loudly, startling them both, but they hurried inside without wasting the breath to scold it. As promised, their picnic basket sat on the pantry table, but a day's rations of ham, cheese, bread, and cider wouldn't be nearly enough to sustain them on their journey.

  Dominique plucked a string of dried apples from its hook on the wall. "I know we'll be able to gather berries along the way, but we ought to have something in reserve for the day we can't find any"

  "My God," Belle moaned. "I almost left without a pan to fry the fish." She hurriedly sorted through the utensils and found an iron skillet just the right size for the two of them. Taking care not to create a rattling clatter, she removed it from the stack of pans. "We can cook beans in this too, and cornmeal. Fill a small bag with each, please, while I fetch some more ham from the smokehouse."

  Dominique picked up one of the cook's aprons and spread it on the table. She set the iron skillet in the center, then rummaged around for cloth to hold the provisions Belle had requested. She had loved to help in the kitchen as a child, but it had been years since she had worked there and she had to search for everything far longer than she would have

  liked. As soon as Belle returned with the ham, she knotted the corners of the apron to make a sturdy sack.

  "I put in a knife and cooking spoon," she whispered, "but we'll have to stop at the scullery for plates and utensils." She peeked out at the sky, but it was still a dull gray with no hint of the coming dawn. "We should have started gathering everything earlier."

  "Have you had second thoughts?" Belle asked anxiously.

  "No, of course not. I just don't want to ride for two days and find we've already run out of everything."

  "We won't run out of fish, nor berries," Belle promised. She picked up the picnic basket, then had to shift hands to carry her satchel and lantern. "I know we can do this, Dominique. Falcon taught me everything Hunter taught him, and he travels the countryside without worrying he won't be able to provide for himself."

  Dominique struggled to carry the bundle of foodstuffs through the door, then bent down to pick up her bag. "I shall hold that thought whenever we lack for anything."

  Belle turned back toward her. "If you've changed your mind, say so now. I'd prefer to go alone than listen to you complain the whole way to South Carolina."

  Startled by the vehemence of her sister's tone, Dominique came to a sudden halt, but did not drop her burden. "There's nothing for me here," she replied with fierce determination. "Have you forgotten that this was my idea to begin with? Now let's hurry to the barn before the stableboys begin work and notice how much we're taking."

  "I'm scared witless," Belle confessed, "but I won't turn back."

  "Neither will I," Dominique insisted. When they reached the scullery, she made a quick trip inside for plates and utensils that would never be missed, then the sisters stayed on the path that ran past the carriage house and smithy to the stable.

  Belle placed the lantern beside the double doors before

  laying the rest of the things she had been carrying in the dirt. It took two hands to pull open one of the heavy doors, then she quickly brought the lantern inside. Both she and Dominique owned prize mares they rode often, but now she wondered if they were the best choice.

  "We've dressed in simple clothing to appear inconspicuous, but I didn't think how much attention fine mounts will attract. They are such beautiful bays, and I fear everyone will remember seeing them even if they forget us."

  Dominique brushed that worry aside. "They're beauties because their reddish hides are kept glowing with constant grooming. Let's just toss a bit of dust on them as we ride along and tangle their manes so they don't look nearly so sleek and pampered. Besides, I thought you meant to guide us through the countryside rather than along the main roads. With luck, no one will see us after we take the ferry across the James River."

  It was easy to argue that they had been blessed with good luck from the day they were born, but Belle did not want to rely upon luck now. "Your idea's a good one," she said instead. "We'll just let Baby Dee and Ladybug get so sweaty and dirty they can pass without notice as easily as we."

  Dominique's lips formed a pretty pout. "That will be the real challenge, won't it? To pretend that we're humble serving girls on an errand rather than respectable young ladies who expect to have their commands obeyed. It will be like acting a part in a play," she enthused.

  "Hush, and saddle Baby Dee. At least we know how to care for our mounts ourselves, and that's a blessing. A sidesaddle may be fine for a jaunt into town, but for a trip this long, we'd be better off riding astride."

  As they were growing up, Byron Barclay had been a superb teacher who never excluded his daughters from the skills he taught his sons. If they showed no interest he excused them, but not until he was satisfied they need not be

  dependent on any man. Belle had been more appreciative of the lessons, but as they saddled their pets, Dominique handled the task just as effortlessly.

  It took careful planning to secure all they wished to bring to their mount's saddles, but with Dominique carrying the picnic basket and Belle the fishing gear they had found in the stable, they were at last ready to go. Belle doused the lantern, and leaving it behind, the sisters rode their horses down the soft dirt path to the river. The sky had just begun to lighten with a faint blush, a
nd they could find their way along the familiar path without mishap, but each sent a longing glance toward home when she thought the other wasn't looking.

  At noon, Arielle went out the front door and looked down toward the river. It was a lovely day, warm and clear. A perfect day for a picnic, and yet by midmorning she had begun to feel uneasy.

  Byron walked up behind his wife and slipped his arms around her waist to pull her close. "Pretty day," he murmured as he nuzzled her throat.

  Arielle slid her hands over his. "Yes, it is, but I didn't really expect the girls to be away so long."

  Byron drank in his wife's subtle perfume. A delicious blend of wildflowers, it was among her most effective potions and never failed to stir his desire. "Why not? Belle has always been happiest with a fishing pole in her hands."

  Arielle relaxed against him, but she was worried still. "Perhaps it was only Falcon's company which made fishing such a pleasant pastime. I've seen her standing alone on the docks, gazing out at the river so often these last few years. I should have guessed her thoughts were of him. I don't think he knew how much she missed him."

  "Surely he must now."

  Comforted by her husband's embrace, Arielle remer

  bered the strained beginning of their own romance. Adversaries in Acadia, neither his British friends nor her dear Acadian neighbors had approved of their friendship; but regardless of the dire opinions of others, they could not have ignored the joy love offered them. She had lost everything she had once held dear, but did not regret her choice. She and Byron had been happy together for more than twenty years and she prayed they would have at least another twenty to celebrate their love.

  "Perhaps I'm more upset about Falcon's visit than I thought," she murmured, "but I do wish the girls would hurry home."

  "They are high-spirited creatures, but what possible harm could befall them, Arielle? They know the riverbank as well as this porch, and ride as confidently as Jean. Should they encounter even the slightest problem, our neighbors on the river would offer their help most willingly. Now come inside and let's dine with no further mention of our daughters. Think how sad Hunter and Alanna must be that Falcon left again so quickly."

  "Oh, how thoughtless of me," Arielle sighed. "I blamed Dominique for that failing only last night, but truly, I am no better." She took Byron's hand as they went inside, and did her best to keep the dinner conversation light rather than burden Hunter and Alanna with her foolish worries when their concern was rightly with Falcon, who had left to fight in the war.

  Byron had been sincere in his attempts to lift his wife's spirits at noon, but when their daughters were not home by three, his confidence that the day would be as ordinary as he had supposed was badly shaken. The afternoon was sultry and he could easily imagine Dominique and Belle napping on a grassy riverbank, but he wanted them home. Leaving his study, he paused at the door of the sitting room where Arielle and Alanna were sipping lemonade and doing their embroidery with lazy stitches.

  "I thought I'd ride up the river and meet the girls on their way home."

  Arielle knew all of her husband's expressions and while he was smiling, she saw the tension he was attempting to hide in the taut muscles along his jaw. "I'm trying not to worry," she replied, "but thank you for going to find them."

  Alanna had not realized it was so late. "They're probably dangling their feet in the river and paying no more attention to the time than I am. I do want them to enjoy their idle hours, but I can barely recall being as young as your girls."

  "That's odd," Byron said. "I remember those years vividly. You were already married to Hunter and raising Christian at Belle's age, and by Dominique's, you had given birth to both Johanna and Falcon. There are days when I think it's good our daughters have enjoyed so many carefree years, and then others when I pray they have not missed a chance for marriage and family."

  "The war can't last forever," Alanna assured him.

  Because he had been among the first to agitate for freedom from Great Britain, Byron felt responsible for every life lost in the cause he held so dear. "No. It can't, but our girls need the joys of peace as much as the men fighting." He came into the room to kiss his wife good-bye, then hurried away before the conversation became any more maudlin.

  He followed the fresh tracks on the path bordering the river, but when he came to the spot where he had taught his children to fish, the marsh grass was high and untram-pled. Disappointed not to have found his daughters quickly, he went on, but at the next shady spot there was no sign they had stopped there either. Recalling a mention of pretty places for a picnic, he thought they might have ridden farther than usual, but when the sun dipped low toward the river and he still had not found them, he was forced to return home alone.

  He left his horse at the stable for one of the boys to tend

  and sprinted up to the house. One look at his wife's anxious expression and his heart fell. "I thought they might have ridden inland and come home by a different route, but obviously they aren't here."

  "No, and now I'm sorry I didn't beg you to go out looking for them at noon."

  Having overheard their conversation from the parlor, Hunter and Alanna entered the hall. "I'll leave at first light," he promised. "They won't be difficult to track."

  Arielle clutched Byron's hand tightly. "They should not have to be tracked," she cried. "They were just going fishing, so they would have stayed beside the river. How could they possibly have gotten lost?"

  "They are not lost," Hunter said. "They must not want to be found."

  Arielle stared up at her husband. "I don't understand. Why would they hide from us?"

  Alanna saw Byron shake his head, and offered her own explanation. "Belle asked about tending wounded yesterday. You discouraged her interest, but could that be where she and Dominique have gone?"

  Arielle's eyes widened in fright. "Oh, no, they wouldn't have tried to reach South Carolina on their own, would they?"

  "Perhaps they mean to overtake Falcon," Hunter suggested. "Do not worry, I will stop them before they have gone far. I should have known Dominique did not really want to fish."

  Arielle clung to her husband. "But that means they lied to us, and they've never done that. Can't you go after them tonight? What if they haven't gone after Falcon? What if they've been kidnapped?"

  Hunter cocked his head, throwing the question to Byron, who did not want to believe the Loyalists in Virginia could be so mean. Then again, there might be other men, deserters

  from either side who would kidnap his pretty daughters simply for sport and use them very badly.

  "We can't wait for first light," he announced suddenly. "I tracked them a long way up the river. I thought they were just wandering, but they must have been making for the ferry. We can ride a long way tonight, cross the river as soon as the ferry begins to operate, and overtake them by noon. Grab whatever you must, Hunter, and let's go."

  Alanna came forward to encircle Arielle's waist as the men left without telling them good-bye. "Come, let's have some supper and decide upon an appropriate punishment when the girls come home tomorrow."

  Arielle pulled away. "I can't eat," she sobbed. "I just can't believe they would lie to us and take such an awful risk. How could they even dream they could make it to South Carolina unharmed? How could they have even considered making such a long and dangerous trip?"

  Alanna followed Arielle into the parlor and encouraged her to at least have a cup of her own soothing herbal tea, but in her heart she knew once Belle had fallen in love with an Indian brave, no risk was too extreme.

  "I'm so tired I couldn't even braid my hair, let alone grass," Dominique replied. She knelt to scoop up a handful of water. "I can't remember ever feeling so dirty. We wanted the mares covered in a layer of dust, but not us. Do you think it's safe to bathe here?"

  There was perhaps an hour of daylight left, and Belle surveyed the land surrounding their campsite with a weary gaze. Dotted with oak, birch, and pine, it offered a tranquil
sense of security, but she was still on her guard. "We haven't seen anyone for hours, but it might be a good idea to wait until after dark to bathe. I'll build a fire as soon as we gather firewood, but I don't have the energy left to cook."

  "Neither do I," Dominique agreed. "Cold ham and bread will be fine." She left her mare grazing near the stream and walked back to where they had unloaded their belongings. Not caring if she got grass stains on her aunt's gown, she lay down on her back, flung her arms wide, and stared up at the canopy of leaves overhead.

  "Do you think Falcon could have come this far yesterday?"

  Belle stretched out beside Dominique. "No. He left in the afternoon, so he must have stopped long before this." She closed her eyes and moaned softly. "I knew traveling this far on horseback was going to be difficult, but I never dreamed it would be exhausting. I'll get up in a minute to see about the fire."

  "Yes, do," Dominique murmured sleepily.

  Belle closed her eyes for what she believed would be just a moment, but she dozed off, and when she awoke, dawn had already spilled over the forest floor and turned the night air into a pale golden haze. Terrified they would be caught and herded back home like stray sheep, she sat up, pulled her wrinkled cap into place, and leaned over to shake Dominique awake.

  "We've overslept," she cried. "Wake up. It's time to go.'

  Dominique lay curled on her side. She needed a moment to recall why she was sleeping on damp grass, then pushed herself up into a sitting position. "What happened last night?" she asked through a lazy yawn. "I don't remember a thing."

  Stiff after sleeping on the ground, Belle rose shakily and stretched her arms above her head, but she still felt sore and began to massage her neck. "Nothing. We were going to build a fire, bathe, and eat a cold supper, but we fell asleep where we first lay down to rest."

  "I've got to take a bath," Dominique complained. "I can't ride another mile as sticky as this."