The Golden Flask

Chapter Fifteen

“ Father! "

Caught off guard entering the hallway beyond the front door, Jake staggered backwards as Alison abruptly leapt into his arms.

"My name is Al and our last name is Stone," she whispered quickly. "We were fishing."

"Your son told me of your shipwreck," said Lady Patricia, coming out of the room behind Alison.

"My son told you, did he?" Jake put her down. "He's a remarkable young man."

"I'm just glad you're alive," Alison said. "I did not think we would make it."

"It must have been quite a storm," said Lady Patricia, her arms folded. "Yet I did not hear any thunder last night."

"Surprising currents," said Jake, who read her smirk all too well. "Not a storm. What else did Al tell you about our misfortune?"

"He has told me quite a lot. How the rebels burned you out of your home and left you penniless, so you had to make a living fishing. How you saved his life on the water last night, and plucked him from danger a dozen times. You sound like quite a hero."

"I'm sure every father is a hero in his son's eyes," said Jake. "Though I would allow as to how he may tend to exaggerate at times."

"I am Lady Patricia," she said, smiling in a way that suggested she was entering into a mild conspiracy with him.

"Pleased to meet you, m'lady." Jake returned the smile. "Your husband is most famous. I had not heard he had wed, but then it has been long since I was in the city. Is he awake?"

"Clayton Bauer is my brother," she answered. "He is awake but not at home. My husband and he are seeing to business in town."

"Excuse me for my mistake." Jake's air, at once gracious and mildly flirtatious, could not have been more finely tuned if he were at King George's court.

"I have only recently arrived from England," continued Lady Patricia, "where I can assure you my husband William is almost completely unknown, despite the fact that he is the third earl of Buckmaster and a peer."

There was just the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice.

"I'm sure you exaggerate," said Jake. Lady Patricia's skin was nearly translucent, lighter than the downy white of her long, low-waisted white gown. The stomacher pulled tight at her waist rose like a funnel of silk tissues to the large scoops of her bosom. Undoubtedly considered simple, everyday wear in her circle at home, it would have passed for a ball gown in America. Though she might be close to forty, she had the body of a woman barely older than Alison, and carried herself with the simple grace of a woman born not merely to station but beauty as well. Her face was light and cheerful; Rubens, perhaps, would have used her as a model when contemplating beauty.

"You are charming as well as mysterious," Lady Patricia told him. "George, show Mister …"

"Stone," said Jake.

Lady Patricia nodded, though it was clear she did not believe most if any of what Alison had told her. "Show Mister Stone upstairs. I believe my brother would not begrudge him a fresh set of clothes. And thank you for the shoes. Your son has fit perfectly into my … poor dead son's old clothes," Lady Patricia added to Jake.

With her last sentence, the studied polish of light chatter chipped away, and the woman showed her true face. It was no less beautiful for not being daubed with rouge, and considerably warmer.

Alison's expression clouded. She had not realized she was wearing a dead boy's clothes.

A thousand calculations fluttered through Jake's brain. Clayton Bauer was a close associate of Andrew Elliot, the hideous Scotsman who had returned from exile in the Jersey mountains to become the city's superintendent general, the highest-ranking civilian authority on the island. He could, on his own authority, have Jake put to death for as much as sneezing out of place — and with about as much thought.

On the other hand, Bauer's duties as spymaster would put him in a position to answer the perplexing question Jake had been sent here to answer. An hour of rifling his study might save the Revolution.

And a third hand, or at least consideration, presented itself: The beautiful woman standing before him fully realized he was not who he, or rather Alison, claimed. If they could not fool her, how could they hope to fool her brother? Already the redcoat guard behind him seemed edgy and suspicious.

"We must be on our way," said Jake.

"Do stay," said Lady Patricia, taking his arm. "My husband and brother will be in the city for several hours, and I would much appreciate the conversation of two people familiar with the rebellion. My only son was a young officer in Lord Cornwallis's army in the Jerseys this past winter when he disappeared. It would give me some solace to know more of this land."

"We have our own business in the city," said Jake. "But it would be ungracious of me to turn aside your kindness."

"I'll show you to the room where you can change, Father," said Alison, springing forward and taking Jake by the hand. "I know the way."

"I will see to breakfast," said Lady Patricia. "When you are done, we will be in the dining room."

"Yes, m'lady," said Jake, as Alison pulled him up the staircase.

His decision to stay involved more than the admittedly long-shot chance that he might search Bauer's office. Lady Patricia had charmed him. Her voice, while it contained the presumptive tone common to all British nobility, was softened in a most human way. How many earls' wives would condescend to seeing to breakfast themselves?

But life's more pleasing quandaries often must stand in line behind more pressing questions.

"Why did you tell them you were a boy?" Jake hissed at Alison after they closed the door behind them.

"She assumed I was. I thought it too dangerous to enlighten her."

"Her brother organizes Tory spy rings," said Jake. "And she has already seen through your fishing tale." He went to the window to peek through the curtains. Besides the man who had taken him from the beach, he had noticed two guards in the foyer and another pair on the front lawn. Now he saw two more posted at the rear of the property. Not overwhelming numbers, to be sure, but trouble enough.

"It's spooky to be wearing a dead boy's clothes," said Alison. "I feel as if I'm a ghost."

"That would be most convenient," said Jake. "You could slip through the walls and escape. Or search Clayton's office for me."

"Is that what we're going to do? I'm ready." Alison started for the door.

"No!" Jake grabbed her. "It's far too dangerous. There are redcoats all around, and God knows how many servants. We are not playing a game," he added. "We will have to tread very lightly here. You wanted adventure — well, here is some, and we must not lose our heads over it, you understand? If we are discovered, we will both be hanged."

"Yes, father."

Jake snorted. "We have some time before her brother returns. Let me discover what she knows. If I disappear for a while, continue talking with her."

"She is easy to talk to, though a bit suspicious."

"We will have to give away your story. It's too obvious that it's fake."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not your father."

"How would she know?"

A knock on the door killed Jake's sardonic reply. He found the servant standing outside the room with a set of clothes in his hand. Jake took them and dismissed the man.

"How did you fool him?" Jake asked when he had gone.

"I am more clever than you think."

"Yes, well, see that being clever doesn't get us in trouble."

"Should I close my eyes while you dress?"

"Can I trust you to keep them closed?" He didn't bother to wait for an answer. "Out the door with you."

"What if the servant comes back?"

"You'll just have to show again how clever you are. Wait for me, and add nothing to our tale. When I confess everything downstairs, play along completely. Until then, say as little as possible. You understand?"

Alison nodded solemnly — a bit too solemnly for him to trust, but there was no alternative. Jake pushed her out the door and quickly changed. The clothes the servant gave him were plain cotton breeches and shirt, serviceable and well made. A new pair of stockings and boots were also supplied; these were small and pinched his feet, but overall the re-dressed spy saw little reason to complain.

His Segallas was still in his belt, but as he had not had time to place it in the water-sealed lining of his money belt, it was seriously fouled. He had no other weapon, save his tongue and wit.

The pass from Washington was a liability. Ordinarily he would have burnt it, but no fire presented itself.

Eat it?

As hungry as he was, Jake could not quite bear the thought. He had seen a fire flickering downstairs; he decided to go immediately and warm himself, disposing of the pass in the bargain.

Alison was not outside the door when Jake opened it — not that he was very surprised. Cursing mildly to himself, he descended the stairs patiently, the wadded pass in his hand. Jake turned into the large room where the fireplace was and discovered the servant just extinguishing it.

"M'lady is in the dining room, sir, with your son," said the servant. The accent on the word "son" made it clear he, too, did not believe Alison's story.

"I was just going to warm myself at the fire," said Jake. "I still feel damp."

"The dining room is quite warm, being bathed by the sun through the glass."

Jake allowed himself to be led to the room, slipping the pass inside his shirt as he walked. Alison was being waited on by Lady Patricia herself near the bank of rear windows. A full breakfast sat in silver trays and servers at the center of the small, round table used only on informal occasions. A much larger table, not quite fully extended with its leaves, dominated the rest of the room.

"I would love some more tea, thank ye, m'lady."

"I see you found your way here, Al."

"Hello, father. Lady Patricia has made us such a wonderful breakfast."

"The cook made the breakfast," announced Lady Patricia. "But it's my pleasure to serve you. My brother is a bachelor, and during these rough days there is no proper hostess besides myself. He has only the cook and his man George, besides the constant company of guards. Most of them are gone to the city with him."

"That's not necessary," said Jake as she pulled out his chair. "I think it improper to be waited on by a woman of your station."

"Oh, I shall not pour your tea for free. My son was at Princeton; I would like to know what you know of that battle."

Jake's blue eyes reflected the calmness of a summer day, but inside, he stormed. The spy had been employed to gather intelligence and had played a role in the battle; he wondered for a moment if this beautiful British woman might somehow know that.

But something in her face belied such artifice.

"Sit down, sir," she said. "Please. You are famished, and I would like the company."

She touched his sleeve gently.

"We are not entirely who we seem," he warned her, still standing. "Though I cannot give you every detail."

"I did not think you were Al's father. Stay and have breakfast. Do you want some tea?"

Coffee, if you please. Something in me is allergic to tea, and I get a choking reaction."

"You should have that examined."

"I have, and apparently the cure is too dear." Jake touched his throat apologetically, then changed the subject as she nodded for the servant to fetch a pot. "The boy is a neighbor who sometimes proves useful. Unfortunately, the story he told of his house being burned is true. His real father perished in the flames."

"And you saved him?"

"I plucked Al from the fire, but could not rescue his father."

He glanced at Alison. She had a grimace on her face, and he could see her pinching her fingers together, as if to keep from saying anything.

As for Lady Patricia, it was clear that his hints had satisfied her, at least temporarily. She knew her brother was involved in spying against the Americans for the British, and would naturally jump to the conclusion that Jake was as well.

And something more. He brushed his hand over hers gently as he sat in the chair, and saw the light, brief flick of her eyelids.

"I know almost nothing of Princeton," he said, pulling himself to the table.

It was a moment before she gave him an embarrassed smile and sat herself. "Come now, surely you know something of the rebels who slew my son."

"Why do you think he was killed?"

"I — " Her lip quivered for a brief second before she regained her control. "Even Lord Cornwallis held little hope. The rebels have not asked for an exchange."

"That does not mean anything," said Jake. "They are not so organized that they would be able to respond quickly to inquiries, let alone take the initiative."

"That is something," she said, but it was clear she would no longer allow herself to believe her son might have survived. "Are they brave, at least? However misguided?"

"I would allow as the rebels are brave," said Jake carefully. "Their leader, General Washington, is certainly a noble man."

"You are the first person here with the courage to say so." She took the fine porcelain tea cup before her and held it to her lips, sipping as delicately as a fawn licks water from a stream. The servant, meanwhile, returned and served him. The cook had come from Pennsylvania, and her skill with scrapple was unsurpassed. Despite a token effort at restraining himself, Jake greedily gobbled two slices of the crisp fried pork mush without pausing for a breath. Sage and marjoram added to the flavor, and he had to control himself to keep from reaching for the last piece left on the ornate silver platter before him.

"Pardon my asking," said Jake when he was full, "but it is rare that we are visited by a noblewoman."

"My husband is indeed a peer, but you must remember, his position is inherited. We are not one of the haughty families your papers write of."

"Still. ."

Lady Patricia smiled. "We are of some influence, and we live comfortably," she allowed. "But you notice no train of servants, nor rich jewels at my throat."

"You sound almost like a Whig," said Jake.

"You are of the King's Party?"

"I would not think to find many rebels on these shores any more. Would you, Al?"

"Not at all, father."

"Still sticking to your original story?" Lady Patricia asked her pointedly. Alison pretended not to hear her, just as she had pretended not to hear Jake admit he was not her father. "There are many spies who show up at my brother's house," Lady Patricia added, turning to Jake. "Though I daresay few swim here."

"What makes you think I'm a spy? Just because I am not the boy's father, does not mean I am more than a wheelwright, which is my occupation."

"Come now, must I claim woman's intuition?"

"A woman as beautiful as you may claim anything she wants."

"There seems a bit of sauce in your reply, if I take your meaning one way."

"It may be taken any way you desire."

Lady Patricia picked up her napkin and dabbed gently at her mouth. She seemed to brush away her light manner with the cloth; it must be a well-practiced method of restraint, Jake thought.

"Lord Cornwallis said General Washington's army was nearly destroyed with the march," she said, "and it was only luck and desperation that made it succeed."

"It must be so, certainly," he answered. "But they are persistent. They fight for their homes and families."

"As you do."

"True enough."

Lady Patricia's hand shot out and took his so suddenly he was caught off guard.

"Do you think he is alive?" she asked.

"It is possible."

"How could I find out?"

And so, without even preparing for it, Jake found the way open to march to his goal. Was there a pang or twinge inside his heart at using this beautiful woman against her will, even for the good of the Cause?

"I would think that if you went directly to Sir William Howe immediately, the supreme commander might send personally after his status. But it would have to be done immediately."

"He is not in the city," said Lady Patricia. "Nor is his staff."

"I would go myself," said Alison. "You should go directly to General Washington and ask after your son."

This is what came of rescuing young girls from drowning, Jake thought. He loosed a glare at her that would wither an oak tree; if thoughts had any limbs, she would have been strangled in a trice.

"If he is the man they say he is," Alison said without taking notice, "he will seek out the truth immediately."

"Al, please."

"No, perhaps he is right. I would go, if I thought it would give me definite news, one way or the other."

"General Howe would have a much better chance," insisted Jake.

"A much better chance at what?" said a voice from the doorway.

Jake did not have to turn to realize he had overstayed his welcome. Lady Patricia's husband and brother were standing at the edge of the room — with a half-dozen well-armed and very red-coated soldiers right behind them.