Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) by Jerri Hines Read Free Book Online Page B

Lieutenant Fletcher and his confirmation Tepper was being held at the Sugar House.
    “Oh, Hannah,” Camilla exclaimed as she ran into her grandmother's bedroom, quite flustered. “I know you have been in the most irritated mood lately, but I believe I have solved your problem and mine. I have run into Sergeant Wright. You must remember him at our last dinner party. Tall with the handsomest of eyes.”
    Hannah placed her finger over her lips to quiet her cousin. Her enthusiasm overflowed, but their grandmother had only moments before fallen asleep. Her grandmother hadn't been doing well as of late. Her energy level seemed to have diminished considerably. Hannah motioned for her cousin to follow her to the far corner of the room.
    “Now, Camilla,” Hannah said softly. “What do you have planned?”
    “Sergeant Wright wants to escort us to the Lewis's for their dinner party. He has a friend who desires to meet you, a Lieutenant Simon Fletcher. He said he met you here one morning. Is it not perfect? I've met him. Quite handsome, I might add. Not comparable to my Sergeant Wright, but quite presentable,” Camilla eagerly watched for Hannah's reaction.
    Hannah winced. She had no desire to attend the  Lewis's party and had planned to beg off with the health of her grandmother. She shook her head slightly.
    “Oh, please, Hannah,” Camilla pleaded. “Don't do this to me. Sergeant Wright works so hard down at the Sugar House.”
    Hannah attention peaked upon the mention. “Guarding the prisoners?”
    “I believe that's what he said. Oh, please, Hannah. For me?” Her eyes implored her cousin. “I believe Lieutenant Fletcher is indeed infatuated with you.”
    She stared at her cousin momentarily. “Of course, Camilla. For you.”
    Camilla’s eyes lit up. Hannah could well see she thought she would have to beg and plead harder. Camilla hugged her and kissed her cheek. “We'll have the best of times. I have invited them over for tea this afternoon. He thought that there was something going on between you and Colonel Durham. I told him no. Even if Colonel Durham wasn't married, you would tell me something of that importance. He said he had been under the impression that Colonel Durham was keeping an eye on you.”  
    * * * *
    Hannah sat across from her cousin, passing a cup of tea to Lieutenant Fletcher. She had taken care with her appearance finding a flattering rose silk gown. Lace decorated its sleeves, hem, and the low neckline. She could feel his eyes upon her in a most noticeable fashion. Her resolve to make such an impression upon the young officer had come after Camilla's comment. An eye upon me , she thought, try to !
    “I don't know if you remember me from about a month ago,” Lieutenant Fletcher said as he accepted the cup. “But we met the morning after the occupation.”
    “I do remember Lieutenant. I'm surprised I haven't seen you since,” she flashed a brilliant smile at him. “I had hoped to.”
    She caught his eye. Camilla giggled and sat back delighted with herself. The Lieutenant seemed pleased with her response also. “I was glad you accepted the invitation.”
    “I had thought of not attending,” Hannah said, biting her lower lip. “You find me vain, but I feel I have nothing to wear, not with all this chaos around us. I'm afraid my favorite dress shop has closed. Pray, Camilla, what was the name of the owner?”
    Susanna, who had sat quietly enduring the visit, choked on her tea. She coughed, having to place her cup down. Camilla asked concerned. “Sister, are you okay?”
    “Yes, of course. Pay me no mind,” Susanna managed to utter. She didn't look over at Hannah. Hannah was certain she wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face.
    Camilla turned back to Hannah. “You know, Hannah, I've been thinking of the same. It is a shame to lose such an important  shop such as it was. I haven't heard anything about Mr. Tepper. I can't imagine he could be a Patriot supporter. He didn't seem