minutes later, Drake joined the other passengers waiting on the riverbank near the garden house. Birds chirped, hidden in the towering oaks. The musty smell of moss hung in the steamy air. Kirby had stayed behind to continue the hunt for clues to the Fox’s identity. Drake had yet to see Elise, and his disappointment was acute. With the ferry leaving soon, he’d have no chance to see her for the rest of the day.
Waving, the ginger-haired ferry captain jumped onto the dock, his freckled face split in a huge, snaggle-toothed grin. “Miss Cooper!”
Drake pivoted on his heel to find Elise rushing up the path. His chest tightened in appreciation. She was exceptional. The daylight allowed him to see details of her face previously concealed. Her smooth skin and startling green eyes were no mistake of the candlelight. She’d forgone a wig and a cap, allowing him to indulge his curiosity about her hair. Dark brown with thick strands of red and gold that glinted in the morning sun. Tied at the nape, the long tresses hung over her shoulder and swayed below her waist as she walked.
With a smile and a wave to the captain, Elise joined Drake at the back of the queue. All bright smiles and vivacious energy, she reminded him of a perfect spring morning.
“Hello, Mr. Amberly. Fine day for a sail.”
“Fine day, indeed, Miss Cooper. Most fine, now that I’m aware you’re following me.”
“Following you, sir? You’re mad if you think so.” She lifted the leather satchel she held. “If not for a friend in need, I’d still be asleep.”
He smiled. “Then thank heaven you’re a friend willing to help.”
Elise ignored the sudden racing of her heart. With the letters for Tabby hidden in her satchel, an emergency stop at Riverwood Plantation to rescue muskets and Drake Amberly to dissect for information, she had too much to do to be taken in by his charm.
The bell rang, announcing their imminent departure. The other dozen or so passengers, some carrying chickens or leading goats on leashes, moved en masse onto the ferry’s deck.
Drake helped her onboard, but the captain was there to meet her. He doffed his tricorn. “Good mornin’, Miss Cooper.”
“Good morning, Captain Travis. How’s your mother since her illness last week? Did the honey and lemons I sent make a difference?”
The young man beamed. “She’s back up to snuff, ma’am, and told me to thank you. The toddy she made did the trick. Her lung rattle’s gone.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Let me know if she needs anything else.”
The captain nodded his appreciation and reluctantly went back to his work. Elise moved starboard. She placed the satchel between her feet and beneath the hem of her yellow skirt before taking hold of the ferry’s rail. Drake joined her, his height and broad shoulders casting a long shadow over the deck.
“I dare say our young captain is another of your smitten conquests.”
“Don’t be silly, Mr. Amberly. Travis isn’t smitten, he’s my friend.” In truth, he was her partner in espionage. Over the past year she’d taken this particular journey more times than she could count. Beyond her regularly scheduled trips, Travis aided her often when an unexpected need to travel presented itself. Zechariah paid him well for his inconvenience, but his loyalty was free.
“Like Christian?”
The ferry wobbled as it launched. She gave him a saucy grin. “Careful, Mr. Amberly. We haven’t known each other long enough for you to be jealous.”
He frowned. “Perhaps not, but I do believe I am.”
He sounded as surprised by his confession as she was to hear it. Facing him, she was struck by how dangerous he was to her peace of mind. Something rare and beyond her experience had snuck up and bloomed between them. Other men had been as blunt, but they’d left her cold. With Drake, she felt as if she were being bathed with the sun.
He brushed her cheek with his fingertips and slipped a tendril of her hair behind her ear. “It’s my fondest hope we’ll grow our acquaintance.”
Breathless, she stared into his golden eyes, wishing she was the carefree young miss she pretended to be. She forced her gaze out across the river. Focus, focus, she warned herself. Prin is depending on you. The patriots need you. Dear Lord, please help me! Determined to carry out her task, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I agree, Mr. Amberly, we should grow our acquaintance. By all means, let’s chat.”
Chapter Five
“Shall I begin, Mr. Amberly?” Elise prayed their discussion would go well. What a blessing it would be if she were able to uncover all the information Zechariah required before they reached Charles Towne. With her orders fulfilled, she would be free to avoid the man and no longer have to worry about the disturbing emotions he stirred in her.
“If you like. But first, please call me Drake?”
“It wouldn’t be proper.”
His golden eyes danced with mirth. “Last night I was given to understand you care little for propriety.”
“What of your family and background?” she asked, determined to keep the conversation focused on him. “Are your parents living? Have you any siblings?”
His expression sobered. “My mother was of Roman extraction. My parents and older brother perished on a return voyage from Rome ten years past. I was left with the care of my two younger siblings. A sister, Eva, and brother, Anthony. Anthony passed away a few months ago.”
Her heart twisted with pity. “I’m so sorry. There’s nothing worse than losing a loved one.”
“I agree. Especially when he died by means of foul play.”
“My goodness! That’s doubly distressing.”
“I’ve come to terms with his death, but I won’t rest until his murderer is punished.”
She leaned forward and touched his hand in commiseration. “I’d want to do the same if it were my brother, but I hope you won’t allow your vengeance to rule you.”
“Anthony has no one else to avenge his honor.”
The fire in Amberly’s eyes frightened her. “I believe vengeance is best left to God.”
“Are you a religious woman, Miss Cooper?”
“Religious? Not terribly,” she admitted. “However, I am a Christian and do my best to follow God’s word.”
Drake glanced across the river to the passing shore. “I gave up on God ages ago. A man can only endure so many disappointments before he realizes his faith has been misplaced.”
Elise noticed his white-knuckled grip on the ferry’s rail. Her heart went out to him. “I don’t believe the Lord abandoned you. Not when His word promises He’ll never leave or forsake us.”
His mouth tightened into a hard line. “I hope you’re right.”
She recognized
