Surrender by Heather Graham Page A

never given her his blessing to leave. If she wasn’t home, however, there would be a long, soothing letter from her. She did love him, and he knew it, and he took great comfort in that fact. He was a military man, a proud man, and he served his country honorably. If called upon to lay down hislife in this great struggle, he would do so—regretfully. For Risa, his only, cherished child, he would gladly die without the least thought or hesitation.
    He dismounted from his horse—a good animal, but one he’d named simply “Horse” because he’d had too many mounts shot out from beneath him to grow attached to the animals anymore. Grayson Bierce, his manservant—a free black with hair graying just as rapidly as his own, and old bones nearly as rheumatoid—came quickly down the steps from the house, pleased to greet him. Grayson’s smile was broad, teeth white against his ebony skin. Grayson, like the rest of the family, had been in the military a long time.
    “General, sir! I was so pleased to receive your letter, but it’s still good to see you’re really here, home, and all in one piece!”
    “All in one bone-weary piece, that’s for certain, Grayson,” Angus said. “Now, tell me, is my daughter back from that reckless jaunt she got it into her stubborn head that she had to take?”
    “No, sir,” Grayson said, looking uncomfortable.
    “Is there a letter for me?”
    Grayson hesitated, and Angus Magee frowned, his steel-gray brows forming a hard line that had given chills to many a young man in his command.
    “What is it, Grayson?”
    Grayson let out a long, deep sigh, looking down at the ground as the stable boy came and led Horse away. “Well, now, one of the young fellows—Lieutenant Andy Borden is his name—came up, reassigned from St. Augustine. He was mighty upset, thought you should know Miss Risa convinced some young civilian to take her south.”
    “South? South from Florida?” Angus said, perplexed.
    “Yessir—south down the peninsula. Seems she just kind of disappeared in the middle of the night, anxious to find Major McKenzie’s wife for some reason.”
    Angus felt a strange, strangling pain. He clasped his hand to his chest.
    “Now, sir, I’m sure that Miss Risa is just fine. From what I understand, Mrs. McKenzie has herself a fine home on an island down there. No harm could come toMiss Risa. It’s just that we haven’t got a letter yet, that’s all. You know how long communications can take.”
    Angus still felt as if his heart were in a vise. His face must have been dead white. Grayson took a hold of his arm, deeply concerned. “General, sir, let me get you into the house.”
    Reminded of his rank, Angus swallowed hard, and forced the pain to go away. Risa had gone sailing south down the length of the Florida peninsula? What in God’s name had happened to his levelheaded, highly intelligent daughter? Why would she risk such a thing?
    Angus straightened, taking a deep breath. Fear still gripped him, but he was an officer in the United States Army! He was a crusty old fellow, admired and respected by both sides. He’d sat cool through enemy attacks that would have panicked many a lesser man. He’d never realized before just how vulnerable he was, how easily he could be broken.
    Not by the enemy. But by fear for his daughter.
    “So she’s deep into enemy territory,” he said gruffly. “Hell! There’s reckless, foolhardy, dangerous fellows down there, trying to break through the Federal blockade. There’s always been scavengers—salvage divers, pirates, Indians, all manner of vagabonds!”
    “Miss Risa has always had a good head on her shoulders,” Grayson said at his side now as they walked into the house. “Sir, sit down, take your boots off. I’ll get you a brandy and cigar, sir, and you can plan the good scolding you’re going to give her when you get the chance. She’s got a mind of her own, you know.”
    “She’s stubborn as a mule!” Angus snorted.
    “Right,