The round of chuckles was a bit subdued and died out quickly. Ralston gave no smile, but checked his timepiece against the mantel clock. Conversation became stilted, and the drawing room knew long periods of uneasy silence. Ralston’s presence brought a decided dearth of merriment.
It was in the hush of one of the long, quiet times that Trahern sat restlessly drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair. He stopped and slowly raised his hand to stare at it. The drumming continued, and all eyes in the room came to rest upon him. The sound resolved into hoofbeats drawing near, and Charlotte went to the window as a stentorian voice bawled out a series of unintelligible orders, and the thundering of hooves ceased.
“Redcoats,” Charlotte informed from the window. “A dozen or so.”
In the excitement of the arrival, it was only Pitney who noted that Ralston wore a smile of satisfaction and glared with open hostility at Ruark. A knock came upon the door, and shortly the doorman ushered an English officer into the drawing room. Ruark had been standing with his backside to the hearth, but at the man’s entry he immediately presented his back to the room, bracing a hand against the mantel as he stared down into the flickering flames. Two soldiers with muskets followed the officer in and took up stations on either side of the door.
“Major Edward Carter, Virginia Detachment of His Majesty’s Ninth Royal Fusiliers,” the officer announced.
“Squire George Beauchamp.” George stepped forward and offered his hand, which was taken briefly by the other. “Master of this house and lands by royal grant.”
Major Carter nodded but remained stiff and formal. “I am about His Majesty’s business,” he informed George. “I respectfully request that my men be allowed to water and stable their mounts. Since we will remain the night, I also request shelter for my men.”
The eldest Beauchamp smiled ruefully at the man. “We seem to be short one stable, major. But there are other barns, and as for your men I am sure some arrangements can be made.”
“Whatever you can spare, sir.” The major relaxed a bit. “I would not inconvenience you in any way.” He cleared his throat. “Now, as to my business here. I have been informed that an escaped murderer is here. According to an unsigned letter I received from Richmond, the man goes under the name of Ruark. John Ruark.”
Silence fell like a shroud over the room. A feather falling to the carpet would have raised a din by comparison. Only Ralston did not give way to absolute surprise. Shanna dared not move, though her eyes went discreetly to Ruark. WIth a sigh of resignation, Ruark turned from the fireplace and met the major’s eyes boldly, a laconic smile on his lips.
“I surrender myself to you, Major Carter. I shall make no effort to escape.” Ruark nodded toward the soldiers. “No need for violence here.”
The major’s eyes slowly roamed the room and the tense, waiting faces of the others present. “I believe I shall accept your promise. You realize, of course, you are under arrest?”
Ruark nodded, and the officer dismissed the two men by the door. He returned his gaze to Ruark, and a smile began to play about his lips.
“Beauchamp! I should have guessed.” The major repeated Shanna’s words unwittingly and rubbed his jaw in reflective memory. “Ruark Deverell Beauchamp, as I recall.”
Now Ralston showed the surprise that had been absent earlier. His mouth sagged open, and he stumbled a step toward the officer. “Wha—” His tongue was no lighter than his feet. “Him? Beauchamp?” His finger stabbed at Ruark repeatedly. “Him? But—”
His dark eyes moved to George and then to Amelia, Gabrielle, Shanna, Jeremiah, and Nathanial. His longest stare of all was at Garland, who smiled sweetly back at him.
“Oh!” He swallowed. He toyed with the glove on his left hand and finally pulled it off as he retired to the fireplace and took his turn at regarding the coals.
“You were a captain the last time we met.” Ruark gestured to the officer’s rank.
“Aye!” The major rubbed his chin again. “I remember very well, Mister Beauchamp, and I am much relieved that I have brought more men this time.”
“I’m sorry about that, major,” Ruark replied and did seem genuinely apologetic. “I can only suggest that it was being so roughly aroused without explanation that stirred my ire somewhat.”
Major Carter chuckled. “ ‘Tis my earnest desire that I never be present when your ire is fully roused. I beg you, however, not to worry overmuch about the broken jaw. These times of peace make promotions come very hard. It was the injury which brought my name to the fore and assured the rank to me, preventing at the same time my being cashiered. Good luck it was, albeit rather harsh.” He surveyed the room. “You seem to be a member of the household.”