Chapter 22 Letters
Chapter Twenty-Two
Letters
Dear Captain,
I apologize for the delayed response, but my life has been a whirlwind this past fortnight.
I’ve reunited with my beloved sisters, and they are understandably fraught with worry.
I have also met Charlotte’s fiancé, Philip Ashby.
You will be delighted to know you are (surprisingly) more personable.
Your backside is far more appealing, as well.
Now that I’ve properly scandalized you, I can move on to the heart of the matter. We parted on rather abrupt terms, so I am writing to see how you are faring. Despite our differing loyalties, I do enjoy your company.
Sincerely,
Clara
[Hidden correspondence]
Forgive the short letter, but I didn’t feel safe speaking candidly.
You were right. Father did accept my story and has encouraged me to write under the guise of friendship.
He wished to proofread my letter to ensure I am not being too transparent, which is why I hid this one and created a false version.
From here on out, I will write two letters: one for you, and one for his approval.
I’m afraid nothing of import has occurred since my departure, but that may actually be a godsend. I’ll let you know if anything changes.
-CB
23 June 1779
Dear Miss Boyd,
Thank you for inquiring about my health. I’ve been a little unwell, but the doctor’s regimen has raised my spirits. As for the rest of your letter, I know you are trying to shock me, so I am returning the favor by not taking the bait.
I, too, enjoy our unorthodox talks, so I hope you’ll allow me the pleasure of a continued correspondence.
Sincerely,
Apollo
[Hidden correspondence]
A decoy would be perfect. The only problem is, what I state here might not coincide with your false letter, so it would behoove you to warn me of any major discrepancies.
In fact, since my letters are being placed into the dead drop, and thus, shouldn’t fall into his hands, it might be best if you forge a letter that coincides with yours, and then burn my own.
Either that, or pretend we haven’t corresponded until I have something worthy to share.
Although I’ve already briefed you on what you need to search for, please heed this reminder for your safety: While keeping watch in the city, do not needlessly endanger yourself. You are smart and capable, and I have the utmost confidence you’ll thrive in this position.
-BH
2 July 1779
Dear Captain,
It would seem my father’s favor with the British has officially dissolved.
As of last week, we’ve been forced to billet like every other unlucky cur in town.
Some soldiers chose not to stay, and instead have taken our hay, wheat, rye, and other provisions under a requisition order.
Our animals—including my favorite horse, rot them!
—were taken as well, while we’ve been forced into the servants’ quarters to make room for the King’s Men.
Father claims he’d give his very life for our king, yet I can tell he is displeased by the inconvenience.
It’s quite different from donating of our own accord.
Sincerely,
Clara
[Hidden correspondence]
I felt no need to hide my feelings, seeing how Father’s too distracted to be bothered with our letters. Still, I have taken all your suggestions to heart and will abide by them. Furthermore, I’ve made it my mission to listen in on every conversation in which these soldiers partake.
According to one of the officers, a man named Peter Richardson, someone who’s been spying for the British head of intelligence, is serving in a New Jersey loyalist militia.
I must confess, I’ve known about him ever since the public assembly I attended with Dr. Wagner.
I did not, however, realize the extent of his involvement, nor his importance.
As I’m sure you can guess, Richardson is pretending to be a patriot sympathizer, and thus, is feeding rebels false information.
From what I’ve gathered, he will be traveling to New Windsor, New York, near your commander’s headquarters, so I pray you make haste.
I know not of his intentions, just that he is gathering intelligence and planting lies into the mouths of whomever will listen.
-CB
10 July 1779
Dear Miss Boyd,
I am happy to hear your present situation is treating you well. Despite our political disagreements, I find it honorable that you stick to your principles, something that these days, many assuredly fail to do.
My courier is headed for Fairfield tomorrow.
He is to meet with a Connecticut platoon that plans to attack, and hopefully recapture, Fort Black Rock from the British.
It pains me that I can’t join him. Although I am unable to be in the thick of battle, he informed me that our troop numbers are low.
The hope is the British will be weakened from their prior skirmish earlier this month.
Forgive me for going on about this, as I am certain a lady of your position has no interest. Thank you for indulging me. Say a prayer for their safe venture, won’t you?
Sincerely,
Apollo
[Hidden correspondence]
I didn’t feel it wise to respond to your plight in the open, because I need you to inform your father of the Fairfield attack.
This is a decoy so they will hopefully send reinforcements elsewhere.
Instead of Fairfield, Amos revealed that Washington intends to attack Stony Point, New York, under the guise of night.
In regards to Peter Richardson, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I’m concerned that he, too, might know of Washington’s plans for Stony Point, but given his location, I am cautiously optimistic. This decoy should at the very least put a stop to that concern, should it arise.
-BH
23 July 1779
Dear Captain,
You’re too kind to hold me in such high regard. Either way, you are right. As a woman of society, I do not wish to dwell upon war. Instead, I hope you’ll allow me to regale you with much happier news.
Earlier this week, Mr. Ashby returned to Philadelphia, so I took Charlotte to a local bookseller for a distraction.
She was rather unbearable, you see, given how deeply she’s grown to adore him, so I purchased her John Cleland’s Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure to serve as a distraction.
I must confess, I thought of you. Charlotte’s blush was reminiscent of the time I gave you Jacob Rueff’s The Expert Midwife.
Tell me, Captain, have you any news on that front?
Do you have complete, unbridled knowledge of the female body?
Or are you to disappoint me yet again, and confess you never truly gave it a read?
With all these avenues of excitement, I suppose I’ll leave you to your thoughts. I imagine you have much to reflect upon.
Complacent and Unashamed,
Clara
[Hidden correspondence]
Forgive me if I spoke out of turn. You surely understand how darling I find your embarrassment, and I wasn’t lying when I said I am tired of war discussion.
At the very least, I’d prefer to only speak of the cause in our hidden correspondence, as opposed to focusing solely on it throughout these letters.
If I am only to speak of war, I’ll go mad.
In regards to Peter Richardson, when would I have told you?
Should I have brought it up after you implied I was a harlot, perhaps?
Or maybe after you kissed me? Either way, I was never beholden to you, nor your cause, and I’m still not.
To be frank, my allegiance lies with my sisters and the assurance of their safety.
Alas, protection under the King’s Men no longer seems to be that path.
I’ve heard about the patriot victory at Stony Point.
Despite the fact it gives me no pleasure to hear of the Crown’s loss, you have my congratulations, Captain.
It seems your plan worked. Admittedly, I feel guilty…
Is the blood of those men on my hands since I, myself, am the one who delivered the fatal misinformation?
Major Markham and his men were involved, you realize.
He is alive, but…what of the others he undoubtedly loved? What of those I’ve met in passing?
I don’t know how you can stand it, Ben. Does it not haunt you? Do you not feel bad, knowing how the victims of that attack will never return to their homes and families? Because I mind. I mind very much, indeed.
-CB
3 August 1779
Dear Miss Boyd,
I must confess, for the longest time, I was at a loss on how to address your filthy talk.
I imagine your parents never speak that way, so the mind wonders where you’ve acquired such behavior.
Regardless, I cannot claim innocence in light of my eagerness for knowledge, and inexplicably, I’m starting to view your commentary as charming…
a charm that’s very much an acquired taste, but a charm, nevertheless.
I’ve a considerable amount of time on my hands these days, so I will read any and all recommendations you have. Please don’t make me regret this decision.
Sincerely,
Apollo
[Hidden correspondence]
I apologized before, so all I can do is echo my shame.
I was cruel and unkind, and I hate how I spoke to you that night.
I enjoy your company, Clara, and our lives in Freyview are quite bleak without you.
Before your stay, I cannot recall the last time Father was so warm and free of spirit.
I’m of the firm belief that you have saved him—the both of us.
Although I’m horrified to learn of Major Markham’s misfortune, I am equally relieved of his safety. Regardless of our differing sides, he is a good man. I’m not so blinded that I cannot see that.