Nancy Whiskey. Laurel Ames

medicines.

      To Daniel’s utter surprise, the baggage was all piled into the lighter and Nancy was helped down into the boat. He was left to hand himself down into the tippy vessel as best he could. He had to shove over onto the seat by Nancy to make way for her father, who still looked blearily drunk and scarcely aware of what was going on.

      “Whatever did you say to him?” Daniel demanded as they were rowed to the quay.

      “I’ll tell you later”, Nancy said, stroking his cheek with one small hand and looking at him fondly. This was done so much for the Frenchman’s benefit that the effect was quite spoiled for Daniel. He struggled onto the dock and pulled Nancy up beside him.

      Trueblood was there in different clothes, to help her father up and unload their belongings. He looked rather surprised to see them released so expeditiously.

      “You are rather damp, Trueblood,” Nancy chided. “You may catch cold over this.”

      “I do not think so,” he said with a wink to Daniel.

      “All safe then?” Daniel asked.

      Trueblood nodded.

      “Let us go home then,” Daniel said with a sigh of relief. “By the by, just what did you say to that fellow that got us dumped on the dock, bag and baggage?”

      “Porter, here!” Trueblood commanded to a cartman, who came to load their effects, including Sergeant Riley.

      “I don’t think I will tell you.”

      “Whatever it was, it fairly shocked the captain.”

      “Probably because he did not realize you have a mistress in keeping.”

      “But I have not—By all that is holy, you never told him you were my mistress.”

      Trueblood chuckled at Daniel’s discomfort.

      “I will thank you to lower your voice so as not to make it common knowledge,” Nancy warned, her small chin coming up in mock resentment.

      “That does not account for his eyes bulging in that way, or for him thrusting us and ours from the ship as though we were a couple of lepers.”

      “No, that was when I told him I needed my herbs for my cure.”

      “But—but you are not ill,” Daniel sputtered.

      “Oh yes I am, with the pox.”

      “What?” Daniel staggered into Trueblood.

      “Not really, but I thought it would hasten our departure. Daniel, do not gape so. For you do not yet know.”

      Trueblood was by now losing a valiant struggle to contain his guffaws.

      “I have shocked you,” Nancy surmised.

      “Of course you have shocked me,” Daniel shouted. “A girl of your tender years should not know anything about such matters.”

      “Forgive Daniel,” Trueblood gasped. “He has a habit of underestimating women.”

      “How is he unique in that respect?”

      “Touché,” Trueblood countered. “I wish you would take Nancy home, Daniel, before you say something indiscreet. I will see to the baggage.”

      “Something indiscreet?” Daniel shouted.

      “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

      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