Nancy Whiskey

“Also, the very sight of your aghast face is going to send me into a fit of the giggles and the game will be up.”

“And you thought my plan was stupid,” Daniel grumbled in an outraged undertone as they followed the cart with the sleeping Riley away from the hubbub of the dock. “What if that officer had been a victim of the same disease himself? He might have kept you on board to care for him.”

“I had not considered that,” countered Nancy, taking his arm and compressing her lips in thought. “But then I could have given him some really vile medicine and still he would have wanted rid of me.”

“Is there no end to your invention?”

“I have always prepared myself for any disaster. During a battle one must have bandages ready at hand. I would assume one must sleep dressed ready to travel. I have drilled, you see, to be able to wake up and flee or fight at a moment’s notice. I know I was not much use in the beginning, but it was my first battle, Daniel. Did I account myself so very ill?”

He softened at the hopefulness in her young face. “I suppose not. Another woman might have swooned.”

“That would have been singularly useless, for then the pirate might have carried me to the captain’s cabin. Though, of course, I would fit through the window once Trueblood broke it, so I suppose I could have gotten away no matter what.”

“And if he had tied you?”

“I carry a knife in my stocking.”

“Is there nothing that would daunt you?” Daniel asked sternly.

“But Daniel! This was an adventure! I have been preparing for such things all my life. Think how gratifying it is to realize it has not all been in vain, that I can take effective action in an emergency.”

“You enjoyed all this?”

“No, not that man dying, of course, but the rest of it was not so bad. And I feel sure you would have enjoyed it, too, if your leg had not been aching.”

“My leg is fine. It was having you to care for that worried me,” he blustered.

“Well, now you see there was no need.”

“I grant that you slid though this situation on sheer gall and luck, but you have no idea what awaits you next.”

“Yes, isn’t it exciting?”

Daniel groaned.

Chapter Two (#ulink_25832c30-6b5e-5271-bb00-30b5f1d82f88)

Cook’s Hotel was a formidable brick house half-a-dozen blocks from Water Street, with a pair of ornate hitching posts by the front door and a fenced garden in the rear. Mrs. Cook was able to offer Nancy and her father one small room, though Nancy doubted they would have been admitted at all if not for Trueblood vouching for them and then helping her father up the stairs, over Mrs. Cook’s suspicious questions about his indisposition.

“Miss Riley may have Trueblood’s room for her use, and Trueblood can share with me,” Daniel told Mrs. Cook, taking that buxom lady aback with these high-handed orders.

“Why do you offer Trueblood’s room?” Nancy asked, before Mrs. Cook could protest.

“Because Daniel knows there are any number of disgusting saddle packs in his room,” Trueblood said, as he came down the stairs. “Also, mine has an excellent view of the river and a number of volumes on plants I hope you will avail yourself of.”

“But I cannot put you out. It looks to me as though this is your home.”

“I assure you, the invitation was on my lips as well, and it would have been a more gracious one than what Daniel ripped out with. But he was always one to rush headlong, unheedful of giving offense.”

“You make it difficult for me to refuse”, Nancy said ruefully, looking from one brother to the other, then to her bemused hostess.

“Do not, I beg you.” Trueblood bowed and kissed her hand, winning a satisfied smile from Mrs. Cook and a glare from Daniel.

“I suppose it will only be for a few days, until Papa decides what he means to do.”

“Well, now that’s all settled,” Mrs. Cook interrupted, to keep Daniel from replying. “How about a nice cup of tea in the parlor before dinner?”

“Let me help you,” Nancy offered, wanting to make sure she had an entrée to the kitchen.

“That’s very kind of you, but I have got two girls to help me, empty-headed though they may be,” Mrs. Cook said as she shepherded Nancy out. “I shall be glad of some female company at table rather than rough seamen or worse.” She cast a disparaging look at Daniel as they exited, and Nancy’s chuckle was lost in the bowels of the house.

Trueblood helped the limping Daniel up the stairs.

“Nancy said that French privateer pointedly asked where you were,” Daniel whispered. Once Trueblood had pulled the door shut behind them Daniel dropped down onto the bed.

“I caught a glimpse of Dupree on the French ship,” Trueblood answered, searching Daniel’s bureau and finally discovering a worn shirt, which he quickly reduced to bandages. “He did not seem best pleased to see me. But the privateer captain gave me a salute, the sort of gesture one reserves for a worthy opponent.” Trueblood demonstrated to Daniel.

“So I was right about Dupree.”

“Possibly, or Dupree may have been making new friends. He is, after all, French-Canadian.”

“Don’t be so gullible, Trueblood.”

“Just a counterweight to your suspicious nature, Daniel. The packet is in your trunk. Do you want me to take it round for you?”

“No need. It is no more than a few minutes walk.” Daniel got up with a grunt.

“Suit yourself, but you do look a sight.”

“I’ll change first.”

“A fresh bandage would not come amiss, either.”

“Oh, very well, but be quick about it.”

“Where is Daniel?” Mrs. Cook demanded when she came into the sitting room with the tea tray.

“He had an appointment,” Trueblood said, and received a skeptical look from Nancy, who was following her hostess with a plate of cakes.

“And on that leg,” Mrs. Cook scolded as she poured each of them a cup of tea.

“So long as no splinter remains in the wound, it were better it had some exercise to keep from stiffening up,” Nancy replied as she seated herself and looked contentedly around at the polished cherry furniture and cozy chairs. She was wearing a crisp white apron to hide the blood spatters on her gown, “Fancy having an appointment across all those miles of ocean and to arrive within an hour of the time.” She glanced at Trueblood over her teacup.

“All business, is our Daniel,” Trueblood countered before he gulped his tea and reached for the cake.

“Ah, yes, you are traders. How could I have forgotten?”

“We run pack trains of dry goods overland to Pittsburgh and bring back whiskey or furs.”