Much to Chaplen’s chagrin, the cold was still there the next day. To make matters worse, he could hear General How’s voice downstairs. Whatever the general wanted to say to him, Chaplen did not particularly want to hear it. The cold was making him feel grumpy and a bit childish.
Robyn Rivers was showing a rare caring side. She was continuously bringing him tea. Each time she added honey to it, which she insisted was good for his throat.
Morosely, Agent Chaplen turned his ear to the conversation downstairs. He was surprised to hear Robyn Rivers protesting loudly.
“Sir, Agent Chaplen is ill. He is not going to get any better with you marching in here and bothering him. If you—“
“Enough, lass! Get out of my way.”
“I am the lady of the house, General, not you. Therefore, I order you out!”
There was a long pause. Chaplen could see the general’s red face in his mind. “Lass, if you do not step aside, I will put you in the stocks!”
Sighing, Chaplen stood from the desk and opened the door of his study. He peered down the stairs to see Robyn Rivers, hands on hips, perched on the first step. In the narrow stairway, she was barring General Howe’s way. Chaplen was impressed. “Miss Rivers, I will see General Howe.” He frowned at Howe. “There’s no need to put the lass in the stocks.”
Robyn marched past Howe and the other officers.
Long turned and watched her go. He raised his eyebrows at Chaplen, who just shrugged. Neither had any idea why Miss Rivers had started acting like a mother hen. Chaplen would never admit it, but he thought it was nice to have someone taking care of him.
Howe stepped into the study just as Chaplen was blowing his nose. The agent sniffed in a manly way, and sat down behind the desk. “What can I do for you, General?”
Howe puffed himself out. “I have news for you, Chaplen—news about our little fox.”
“Do you?” Chaplen suppressed a cough.
“According to my source inside the rebel camp, the Shadow Fox is planning something with Washington.”
“Is he now?” This time, a little cough escaped. “Does your spy know what the plan is?”
Howe looked at him as if he had the plague instead of a cold. “No, he was only in for a short visit. However, I thought this might tickle your fancy.”
Robyn Rivers entered the door without bothering to knock. She strode by Howe and set a tea tray down on the desk.
“Thank you, Miss Rivers.”
Howe frowned at her. “As I was saying, my spy thinks he can get in with the Shadow Fox’s circle of friends.”
Robyn’s hand jerked, and she accidentally dropped the honey bowl. Swiftly, she scooped it up and continued to prepare Chaplen’s tea as if nothing had happened. However, the small incident had not escaped the agent’s keen eye.
“Did you hear me, Chaplen?”
“I did indeed. This spy of yours seems rather bold. How does he propose to do this? He would have to be young.”
The general beamed. “He is.”
Robyn was making a second cup, but Chaplen had a feeling that it was not for Howe. He noticed her lips were pursed in a fine line.
“Is he indeed? Well, the Shadow Fox had better watch out while your spy is on the job.”
Howe missed the sarcasm in Chaplen’s voice, but Robyn didn’t. She smiled slightly.
“Indeed he does. I think I can capture this little fox using my spy.”
Chaplen sipped his tea gratefully. It soothed his throat. “General, I would like to point out that the Shadow Fox already defeated you clever Reid Remington. What makes you so sure this plan will work with this boy?”
Howe lifted his nose. “I don’t think I disclose all my plans to you, Chaplen. Just watch and see. In a few weeks, the Shadow Fox will be swinging from a noose.”
Robyn marched over to Captain Long and handed him a tea cup. “Thank you, Miss Rivers.”
She nodded and made for the door.
“Halt, there, lass. Get some of that tea for myself and my men.”
Robyn turned and smiled impishly. “Sorry, sir, we’re just out.” With that, she turned and marched down the stairs.
Chaplen sipped the tea with an arched eyebrow. Miss Rivers was full of surprises.
“Well, I only came to inform you of this. You can give up and go back to England. The Shadow Fox is practically on the gallows.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Chaplen murmured into his cup as the general and his officers left.
~~~~~
“What we need is a man on this inside.”
“We are the men on the inside, Ben.” Robyn paced the barn’s floor.
“Actually, cousin, we’re women—excepting Ben and Jacob, of course.”
Robyn dismissed the fact with a wave of her hand.
“No, I mean we need someone to keep a lookout for us in General Washington’s camp.”
Robyn knew where he was going with this, and she didn’t like it. “We know he’s young, so he’s probably a drummer.”
“I think that Jack Richards would like to help. In fact, I think he’d be perfect for the job,” Sovay put in, with a smirk at her cousin.
“Thank you, Sovay. I’m glad someone agrees with me.” Ben frowned at his sister. “Just because Jack Richards wounded your pride doesn’t mean you have to hate him. He’s on our side, and he could be very useful to us.”
“Am I just talking to myself? We don’t need Jack’s help. We already know to look out for a boy. He’s not an adult—that’s why he’s so effective.”
“We still need someone to watch around the camp.”
Sovay and Ben looked at Robyn.
She groaned. “Fine. I see no way around this. If you want to ask for his help, go ahead, do so. I, however, will not.” She stomped from the barn in a huff.
Sighing, Ben and Sovay exchanged glances.
-----
Hehehe, Chaplen's man-cold cracks me up. It was awfully nice of Robyn to take pity on him. Poooooor Robyn. She just doesn't like that Jack guy. I don't blame her.
I'm currently in the cardio rehab's waiting room. I'm definitely the youngest one here. I'm my grandmother's official chauffeur for this week.
Well, y'all have an excellent week.
C.P. out!
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