“He concluded it must be based on your troubled history with Nathan. But you needn’t worry, he thinks the whole business a sham to get back at you.”
I smiled weakly, relieved that Ben hadn’t doubted me. “Why do we need more horses? I thought we were going in the shay.”
“We are, but if there’s an emergency, then horseback will be better for us to get away.”
“What do you mean?” Panic nipped at my ribs. The plan for this evening was to attend the meeting, get publicly denounced, and then return home to await the official inquest.
A shadow passed over Henry’s face. “It’s possible that folks could try to take the law into their own hands. Ben has instructions to wait behind the meetinghouse with a stash of weapons and the horses at the ready. Any sign of trouble, we’re to ride straight to Philadelphia tonight. Ben will join us in a day or two with clothing and whatever else we might need to journey onward.”
A sudden tightness settled in my throat. I hadn’t even considered the threat of mobs. These people were my friends and neighbors; it didn’t seem possible for them to turn on me so quickly.
I also didn’t recall agreeing to any kind of journey except when I promised not to run away. “Where would we go?” I asked, dumbfounded by this turn of events.
“To England. It will take Nathan time to find us. With some luck, we’ll be onboard a ship and well into the Atlantic by then.”
“But you made me promise not to leave. You said it would make me look guilty.”
“Things could get out of control tonight, and I won’t have you imprisoned or hanged.”
I gasped as my hand flew to my neck. “You think they might try to hang me?”
Anger flashed in Henry’s eyes. “There’s no telling what a mob will do with the right prompting. I’ve heard of it happening before, and I won’t risk it here—not with you. In England, you would be protected, as I could have Nathan charged with slander and arrested the very moment he spoke your name.” In the mirror, I saw his fists clench in frustration. “It doesn’t have to be permanent, just until a decree is drawn up clearing your name for good.”
He might as well have been speaking gibberish for all the sense he made. Hanging though, I knew exactly what that meant. “Why bother with the meeting, then?” I asked, my voice growing increasing frantic. “We could leave for Philadelphia right now before anyone is the wiser.”
“You can’t run before you have a chance to look Nathan in the eye and deny the charges.”
I thrust my chin out stubbornly. “Why does it matter? My reputation will already be in shambles. I might as well leave before he can take my life.”
Henry raised his hands, resting them on the back of the chair, just above my shoulders. The movement caused his coat to fall open, revealing the outline of something bulky tucked beneath his waistcoat. From the shape, it looked to be a pistol.
“Selah,” he said gravely. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
His deep voice washed over me, and I stared at him in the mirror, my eyes holding desperately to his. He was going to great lengths to make good on our deal. But, I heard something else in his tone tonight. “Your plan exceeds our original agreement. It was never my intention to put you in danger on my behalf.” Well, not this much danger, anyway.
“I agreed to keep you safe from Nathan Crowley. My honor wouldn’t allow for anything less.”
“Is that the only reason you’re here? To fulfill your obligation?” My questions were shamefully forward, and I watched his eyebrows rise in surprise.
He didn’t answer right away. “I take my obligations very seriously,” he said at last, showing the beginnings of a smile. “Would you prefer that I had an ulterior motive for staying? Maybe something of a more personal nature?”
I shrugged, biting my lip to stop from saying yes.
His smile widened, and my breath caught from the tenderness in his beautiful face. “Since you ask, there is another reason besides honor, but I’ve no intention of telling you tonight. Suffice it to know that I’m here of my own accord and I won’t let anything happen to you.”
With Nathan preparing to rain havoc on my head, this knowledge would certainly do. But I wanted to know if there was something even greater than honor guiding Henry’s actions.
I wanted to know if he loved me.
*
Two hours before sunset, Henry and I set out in the shay for Hopewell. The evening was warm, and the sky unmarred by the dark clouds that had prevailed for most of the summer. So much rain had turned the air pungent in places where the saturated grass and lowlying plants rotted in the ground. By good luck, the road remained decently passable, though busy with the number of field hands and families walking into town from the outlying farms. The closer we got, the more crowded the road became, slowing our progress to a snail’s pace.