Less Than a Gentleman by Kerrelyn Sparks Page A

the coral silk ribbons that tied her bonnet beneath her chin. “We were halfway here when my manservant took off with my maid.”
    “Oh, dear,” Jane murmured. “How dreadful.”
    “I was devastated!” Agatha removed her bonnet and shook out her glossy brown sausage curls. “They abandoned me in a godforsaken inn by the river. Thank goodness Captain Hickman came along when he did.”
    The captain bowed. “My pleasure.” He accepted Agatha’s offered hand and kissed her gloved fingers.
    Agatha blushed prettily. “Such a relief to know gallantry has survived in these perilous times.” She withdrew her hand slowly with a coy smile.
    Caroline breathed easier, relieved to see Hickman’s interest shift to Agatha where it appeared welcome. But why would Agatha flirt with other men when she had journeyed here to marry Jane’s son? And there was another problem. Agatha gave every indication of being a Loyalist. Why would she agree to marry a captain in the Continental Army?
    Agatha tilted her head toward Jane with a helpless look. “I do hope you will have a maid available for me?”
    “I’m afraid we’re short on help these days,” Jane confessed.
    Agatha shuddered. “ ’Tis this dreadful war to blame. I wish they would hang all the rebels and be done with it.”
    Hickman bowed his head. “Your wish is my command.”
    With a giggle, Agatha deposited her hat on a bombé chest. She gazed in the mirror above it and patted her hair into place.
    “If you will excuse me.” Caroline sidled toward the stairs. Her sister would be waiting to hear what was happening.
    Agatha turned and inspected Caroline, looking down the considerable length of her nose. “What lovely fair skin you have. Though I suggest you use a parasol from now on. It would do wonders for deterring those ghastly freckles.”
    Caroline bit her lip. She would have to be courteous. Agatha had been invited here, not her.
    Jane eased closer to her. “Caroline?”
    “I must apologize,” Caroline whispered.
    “We’ll talk later.” Jane touched her shoulder. “For now, would you please go to the kitchen and ask Dottie to prepare tea for our guests? And have Betsy prepare the bedchambers.”
    “Oh, yes. Please do.” Agatha covered her mouth with a gloved hand as she delicately yawned. “I must rest before dinner.”
    “Very well.” Caroline headed for the back door.
    “One moment.” Hickman raised a hand to stop her. “My men won’t be needing a room. They’ll remain by the barge tonight. The cargo I’m transporting is extremely important. It cannot be left unprotected.”
    Caroline nodded. “I understand.” At least there would be only one redcoat in the house tonight.
    Hickman continued, “I require a bedchamber overlooking the river, so I can keep an eye on the situation.”
    “May I ask how long you will be staying?” Jane asked.
    Hickman cocked an eyebrow as if he found the question impertinent. “We leave at dawn.”
    Caroline exchanged a glance with Jane, knowing they were both relieved, but unable to show it.
    “I prefer a bedchamber overlooking the garden.” Agatha flicked her fingers at her as if dismissing a maid.
    “As you wish.” Caroline gritted her teeth as she strode to the back door. This was the woman Jane had chosen for her son? Had Matthias approved of the engagement?
    Halfway to the kitchen, she halted with a sudden thought. What if Jane’s son returned home tonight? He wouldn’t stay alive long enough to court Agatha. Three redcoats would be here to greet him.
    Her sudden stop had caused the contents of her skirt pocket to knock against her hip. The knife. She’d been using it to prune rosebushes in the garden. She could only hope she wouldn’t need it for protection.
    C aptain Ezra Hickman filled his glass from the brandy decanter Mrs. Thomas had brought to his bedchamber. A shame it hadn’t been the flame-haired Miss Munro or flirtatious Miss Ludlow, for he would have asked either one of them to