For Love or Country: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 2 (10 page)

Fear clawed up her neck as a feeling of foreboding came over her. She rushed to him, knowing something had happened. His gray eyes met hers, stealing her heart. He reached out to her, but dropped his hands to his sides as her mother appeared from the foyer.

“I have just learned a major battle has occurred at Guilford Courthouse toward the middle of the state between General Lord Cornwallis and the Patriot General Greene. ’Twas a bloody battle, and we lost a quarter of our men. While I cannot be certain, ’tis most likely your father and brothers were among them.”

The news stunned Tyra into a momentary stupor. Various scenarios ran through her mind as she tried to imagine the actual disaster. It was as if her body floated into a state of numbness. She stepped back in disbelief.

“How many did the Continentals lose?” Mama rushed into the foyer from the parlor. Anxiety filled her deep blue eyes as her chin trembled. Hugh turned to her.

“I am sorry, but I do not know,” he said. “We believe the Continental Army outnumbered our own forces by two to one. At the risk of sounding callous, we emerged as the victor, so I would imagine the Continentals suffered great losses.” He removed his black tricorn hat and looked down at it. “I do not wish to upset either of you, but I am sure the news will soon be in the papers and the topic of conversation around town. I thought it best to inform you myself.”

“Please, tell us as much as you can.” Unshed tears filled Mama’s eyes, but she lifted her chin and kept her composure.

“Yes, we both want to know.” Tyra walked to her mother’s side and linked arms with her. She met Hugh’s clouded gray eyes and found empathy. While she appreciated his consideration, her allegiance belonged to her family. Right now, she would do all she could to give her mother support and encouragement.

“A messenger arrived earlier from Lord Cornwallis,” Hugh said. “Both generals were forced to retreat and leave the dead and mortally wounded on the fields. Quakers at New Garden were trying to treat and save those they could on both sides. The Quakers are burying the dead together in mass graves.”

“Such devastation.” Tyra clutched her sour stomach with her free hand. “I can only imagine what they must be enduring.”

“Aye.” Mama nodded. “And my own husband and sons could be among them.”

“Do not think on it, Mama” Tyra covered the top of her cold hand with her own. “We must hope and pray for the best.”

“Of course.” She nodded with a restless sigh. “But not knowing is going to be the hardest part.”

“I know, but I believe we would know in our spirits if something had happened to one of them.” Tyra glanced up at Hugh. “Thank you for telling us.”

“You are welcome. There is one other thing.” He lifted a finger. “Lord Cornwallis is marching his troops toward Wilmington. There will be over fourteen hundred men arriving in a few days. They are worn out, hundreds are wounded, starved, and wearing rags at this point. You may be required to give more goods and supplies.”

“Will you be leaving us, Captain Morgan?” Tyra asked, fearful she would be forced to defend herself and her family once again.

“I hope not. Right now we have been commanded to prepare for their arrival.” He leaned close and lowered his voice. “I will do my best to ensure your safety.”

“I have come to believe it, sir.” Tyra tugged on her mother’s arm. “Come, Mama, let us remove to the parlor, and I will make a pot of tea.”

Tyra spent the rest of the afternoon keeping her mother company until she slipped into the kitchen to cook dinner. She missed having household staff to do certain chores, but after her father and brothers left for war, their field workers volunteered to fight in the war as well.

She gave everyone a heavy dose of chamomile tea, including Captain Morgan and Private Truitt. Once everyone retired for the night, Tyra dressed in a pair of Alec’s breeches. He was closer to her size than her other brothers. She pulled on a thick overcoat and borrowed a hat from Alec. To keep anyone from hearing her footsteps, Tyra made her way downstairs in a pair of thick socks she had sewn for herself. She carried her boots in her arms, thankful she had thought to oil the door hinges earlier. Outside, she pressed her feet into the boots and laced them up. Grabbing the lantern she had set on the back porch, Tyra waited until she reached the woods to light it.

The silver half-moon provided an angle of light through the leafless trees. It was so cold she could breathe gray smoke into the darkness. If she wanted to reach the Tuscarora camp and be back before daylight, she would have to hurry without getting lost in the dark. She had never attempted to find them at night.

Chapter 10

10

H
ugh emerged from his chamber to the fresh aroma of brewing coffee that intensified as he descended the stairs. Soft footsteps and busy sounds came from the kitchen. He entered to see Mrs. MacGregor hard at work rolling out dough for biscuits. She wore a brown apron over her clothes.

“Good morning, sir.” She glanced up with a bright smile. Her blond hair was piled upon the crown of her head as usual. “I hope to have a warm-cooked meal to break yer fast before ye leave this morn.”

“Where is Miss MacGregor?” he asked. “Is she not usually up by now assisting you?”

“Indeed, but maybe she needs a wee bit o’rest.” She used the round edge of a cup to carve out perfect round dough shaped in a circle. “I figured I would let her sleep some more.”

“In that case, how could I help?” He pointed outside. “I could gather some eggs. Back home I used to get them for my mother.”

“I already got them earlier.” Mrs. MacGregor chuckled as she shook her head. “I wish my lads were as eager to help as ye. Why not relax with a cup of warm coffee while I prepare the meal? I imagine ye’ll be plenty busy preparing for Lord Cornwallis’s arrival.”

“Indeed.” Hugh grabbed a clean mug from one of the cupboards and poured a steaming cup of coffee. “I hope we will know more in the next day or two.”

He walked back to the wooden table and sat down. A rooster crowed outside. Now Tyra should wake up. Hugh sat back and sipped the black liquid with a little more satisfaction than before. A few moments later, Private Truitt joined them. Kirk appeared a while later, rubbing his sleepy eyes and blinking.

By the time they finished eating, Tyra still had not shown. An uneasy feeling now lingered in his gut. Truitt tossed down the rest of his coffee and looked at Hugh. “Sir, I shall go saddle our horses.”

Once he had disappeared, Hugh glanced at Mrs. MacGregor and then Kirk. “Perhaps someone should go up and check on Miss MacGregor. ’Twould ease my mind to know she is not sick before I leave.”

“I shall go wake her up,” Kirk said with a mischievous grin. “I bet she is just being lazy, hoping I will do her chores for her.”

“Nonsense,” Mrs. MacGregor chided with a stern look meant to reprimand him. “Since when have ye known yer sister to do such a thing?”

Dropping his chin, Kirk shot from the table and hurried upstairs. Hugh sat in silence as Mrs. MacGregor gathered the dirty plates with a worried frown and dumped them in a wash bucket. She returned to the table for the coffee cups.

“Mama, Tyra left. No one has slept in her bed all night.” Kirk’s teasing tone had changed to one of concern as he scratched his eyebrow in puzzlement. “I cannot understand it.”

“Did you know anything about this?” Hugh rose to his feet and met Mrs. MacGregor’s gaze.

“Nay, I assumed she was tired is all.” She pressed her fingers to her lips and glanced at her son. “Did she leave a note?”

“I checked her desk and there was naught.” He shook his brown head. “We got to go look for her.”

“Kirk, go to the stables and see if she took a horse. Let Private Truitt know and tell him to saddle another horse for you. If we have to go out into the wilderness to find her, we will need you since you know the area better than we.” The lad nodded and disappeared down the hall.

“Mrs. MacGregor, do you have any idea where she might have gone? Did she say aught yesterday?” Fear for Tyra’s safety continued to build inside him, and he had to control his growing anxiety.

“Nay. I am just as baffled as ye.” She followed him to the door. “Where are ye going, lad?”

“Checking the doors to make sure there is no sign of forced entry. I am surprised none of us heard anything.” He scratched the side of his head, thinking back to how tired he had been the night before. Even his memory of going to his chamber to retire for the night escaped him. “Although, as I think about it, I slept deep and hard almost as if I had a couple of drinks.”

“When you went out this morning, was the door bolted from the inside?” he asked.

Mrs. MacGregor blinked as she stared at the door and bit her bottom lip. “I cannot remember sliding the bolt back, but it does not mean I did not. When I first woke this morn, I was not as alert as usual. Like ye, I slept soundly last night.” She touched his arm and gulped. “Captain, those British soldiers will not come back for her, will they?”

“I hope not. Can ye think of anywhere she might have gone?” he asked.

“She may have tried to find the Tuscarora Indians. They move their camp around, and she would have had to search for them.” Mrs. MacGregor placed her palm over her chest and took a deep breath. “My Tyra is headstrong. Her da and brothers taught her well how to defend herself, but I still worry if she is outnumbered.”

The front door swung open and Kirk rushed inside, breathing heavy. “She took no horse. I told Private Truitt, and he has the horses saddled and ready to go.”

“Very good, Kirk.” Hugh turned to Mrs. MacGregor. “Stay here in case she returns before we do. I will do my best to find her and bring her back home safely.”

When he did find her, she would have some explaining to do. In the meantime, he would have to concentrate on keeping his wits about him as his fraying nerves crumbled at the fearful images of what might have happened to her lurked in the back of his mind. He swallowed the rising panic and strode out of the house, putting all his military training at the forefront, determined to succeed on this new mission.

***

Tyra woke with a start as her Indian friends built a new fire in the middle of the longhouse where they lived and had invited her to stay. Last night one of their guards found her wandering in the woods. He recognized her and brought her to their swamp village where she was greeted with delighted surprise.

To her relief, Red Fox had found her letter in the tree weeks ago, before the Battle at Guilford Courthouse. He and his brother traveled to Hillsborough, but they could not find her father and brothers. They learned from a young boy that General Greene had taken his army across the Dan River and into Virginia. They continued north until they caught up with the army and some soldiers led them to her father. Once she was settled by the fire, Red Fox handed her a letter from her father.

Tyra broke the seal and unfolded the letter, using the firelight to read it. She had to tilt it at an angle to see it better.

Dear Tyra,

It is good to hear from you. Your brothers and I are still under the command of General Nathanael Greene. Alec is doing fine and adjusting to soldier life as well as Callum and Scott in spite of his young age. We are staying warm with the blankets you and your mother provided. Our feet are in better condition with the new socks you have made for us. Food has been scarce at times, but we are well fed when we are allowed to take the time to hunt in the wilderness.

We heard the British took over the occupation of Wilmington, and I wondered if you and your mother would receive our letters. It was clever of you to smuggle a letter through the Tuscaroras. They are resourceful, used to hiding, and not drawing attention to themselves.

Receiving your letter gave the boys and I comfort in knowing you, your mother, and Kirk are well. I want you to be careful with the British soldiers in our home. Trust no one and do what they say to keep from drawing their ire. Remember all I have taught you. If you feel in danger, leave and go to the Tuscarora Indians until the war is over.

As for your request, I have inquired about Colonel Neil Morgan. He has been taken prisoner in Hillsborough and is still alive and in good health. Since he is a British officer, the Patriots hope to exchange him for one of our own officers. Tyra, use this knowledge wisely and do not take unnecessary risks. Your safety comes first above the cause. Our family has already sacrificed and given much to this war. We do not need to give our women as well. I could not bear it if anything were to happen to any of you.

Write me back and let us know all is well. Give Kirk our love and tell him I am proud of him. I have enclosed another private letter to your mother.

Love,

Da

“Would like water?” White Cloud’s voice broke Tyra’s thoughts of her father’s letter. A wooden cup appeared in front of her. Tyra glanced up at the soft brown eyes peering at her in concern. White Cloud had always shown her such kindness. She was Red Fox’s wife and mother of their two children, a five-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl.

“Yes, thank you.” Tyra accepted the cup and drank the cool spring water. She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was until the smooth liquid quenched her parched throat.

“You sleep well?” A long black braid fell over her shoulder as she lifted a dark eyebrow.

“I did.” Tyra patted the fur pallet where she sat. “This is very comfortable and warm. I am sorry I fell asleep by the fire.”

“We glad you safe.” White Cloud touched her arm in a reassuring grip. “I make food.”

“No, I need to get back before I am missed,” Tyra said, rising to her knees and then to her feet. A sudden panic sliced through her stomach. “The British will be suspicious if they notice I am gone. Thank you for taking care of me and for all you have done to help my family.”

“You welcome. I get Red Fox take you back.” White Cloud disappeared outside the door of the longhouse. Tyra glanced over at their children in the corner who were eating what looked like porridge from a bowl. She smiled at them as she finished drinking her water and waited on their parents to return. The longhouse was filled with several other Indian families. Some were still sleeping on their fur pallets, while others were stirring and starting their day.

A moment later, Red Fox came inside, wearing a heavy coat of furs and a thick beaver hat. He ran his hands together as if trying to drive the chill from his fingers. He coughed and cleared his throat as he looked at Tyra. “White Cloud says you go home.”

“Yes,” Tyra nodded, pulling her cloak back on. “I am concerned the redcoats will think I am spying and will question my family in my absence.”

“Then we must go,” he said. “After redcoats came, we moved the village far away. Soon the sun will be up, and it will be bright when we get you home.”

Tyra hugged White Cloud goodbye, as well as the children. She thanked other villagers before stepping outside with Red Fox. He swung her up onto his horse and mounted behind her. It felt strange to be sitting bareback on a horse. Reaching around her for the reins, Red Fox guided the horse through an invisible path to keep them on solid ground around the mud and swampy bog areas. At times, a patch of moss and green vegetation looked like solid ground, but when they passed, she realized it was a puddle.

“Tyra, now that a big battle has happened, two men will go to New Garden Quakers. We find out if Malcolm MacGregor and sons are wounded or dead. A Quaker will write letter and I leave it in tree.”

“Red Fox, I do not know how I can ever repay you,” she said.

“Your father saved our village from white people many times.”

They rode in silence as the sun rose and brightened. Tyra worried too much time had passed and her disappearance had already been noticed. Her breath caught at the sound of someone calling her name. “Red Fox, set me down here, and I will go to them alone. I do not want them to track you and follow you back to the village.”

Tyra could feel each heartbeat pressing into her ears as he set her down. Once she landed on her feet, she covered his hand and looked up at the concern in his eyes. “Thank you so much. Please . . . go before they find you.”

With a brief nod, he turned his horse and headed back. Tyra continued on. Her boots squashed with each step into the mud, which looked as black as coal. At least eight inches from the bottom hem of her skirt was filthy. She lifted the material as she sloshed through the thick mire.

“Tyra!” Kirk called out to her. Judging by his tone, he sounded worried. Since Captain Morgan and Private Truitt were probably with him, she couldn’t respond. She needed to give Red Fox more time to make his escape. Instead, she would try to follow the sound of his voice.

***

With each passing minute without Tyra being found, blood pumped through Hugh’s temples with mounting pressure. Since there were no signs of forced entry and the bolt on the door was not locked, he could only assume she had not been taken. Small comfort compared to all the things that could happen to her in the wild. What could be so important she would risk her own safety?

Kirk assured him Tyra could take care of herself. She knew the layout of the woods in the swamp. As their search grew into an hour and then two, Kirk began showing signs of increased concern as well, calling for her more often and raising his voice. If they didn’t find her in the next hour, Hugh would send for hunting dogs.

They now walked in mud two to three inches deep. Hugh had abandoned his horse and walked on foot with Private Truitt and Kirk. Someone approached him from the left side making noises in the brush. He turned to see Private Truitt walking toward him. “Sir, do you believe she would come out this far in all this muck?”

“Honestly, I do not know,” Hugh said. “Miss MacGregor is not like any woman I have ever known.”

“True.” Private Truitt nodded as he walked beside him. He moved a limb out of the way. Their boots continued to squish as they walked in the thick mud. “I cannot say I have known many women who have earned the title War Woman.”

Hugh thought back to the day Tyra had fought the three soldiers who had attacked her. She had fought with strength, courage, and strategy. She could use a sword. What other weapons had she learned to use? Whatever they were, he prayed she had taken one with her.

“I hope she has not come across any alligators,” Private Truitt said.

The thought of a scaly creature with vicious teeth came to mind. His stomach spiked into a spasm, and the base of his neck sent a wave of fear throughout his body. What good would a weapon be if she came across an alligator?

“We have to find her,” Hugh said. He continued marching forward, listening for any sound or sign that she was out there. So far, when they called out to her, the only answers were from birds.