Chapter 181
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1777
His horse was spent. Christian felt sorry for the creature. If he’d been able to make the entire trip on foot, old Trigger Finger here would have gotten several days’ rest instead of two hard rides and a lot of standing around in the forest--with plenty of food and water, of course.
Christian sent his horse to the stable before making his way to General Washington’s headquarters. General Gates hadn’t had anything specific to say in return, only that the orders would be carried out and that his trusted advisor had concurred that the ground Captain Henry had chosen was fine ground indeed.
As he made his way to the house where Washington was staying, a flutter of skirts caught his eye. He turned to see a familiar face and wished he hadn’t looked at all. There she was. Catharine Greene. Sitting beneath a tree, fanning herself, looking lovely in the fading evening light. He’d never spoken to her and didn’t intend to do so now. Instead, he merely tipped his hat and kept his stride quick but human-like.
“You’ve returned?” she said, her voice sweet like honey. He had to pause to look at her. Clearly, she was speaking to him. It would be rude to ignore her.
“Yes, madam,” he said, tipping his head. “Just now.”
“How is General Gates? Well, I hope?”
“He seemed to be,” Christian assured her. Her eyelashes were long and fluttered at him mercilessly. She must be acquainted with the general. That must be her reason for asking, not because she wanted to speak to him.
“I’m so thankful to hear it.” Her voice was a purr. “It’s… Christian, isn’t it? Christian Henry?”
“Yes, madam.” His eyes went to the headquarters. There was a wall of windows facing them in the large, two-story house. It made Gates’s headquarters look like an outhouse. Any number of officers could be watching them now, including General Greene.
“Don’t worry,” she said, using her fan to hide her face as she giggled. “They’re all on the other side of the house, looking at maps and congratulating themselves on the victory they’re sure will happen soon.”
Again, his eyes flickered from her face to the building. “I must let General Washington know I’ve returned,” he said. “If you’ll excuse me, madam.”
“Of course.” She seemed irritated, as if she didn’t want him to go, but she understood. “It was a pleasure speaking to you, though, Captain.”
“You as well, madam.” He felt his stomach tighten. Had she meant more than politeness with her questions and response? Surely not. A woman of her caliber wouldn’t be interested in him, would she? It wasn’t as if she was aware of the strength and speed he commanded. If she knew what he was capable of, how he could rip the head from a Vampire with one tug or run for hundreds of miles at top speed without tiring, perhaps she would be impressed. But what was there to be so complimentary of now?
He was much younger than her husband. More physically fit. Handsomer. His mother had told him he was the most handsome young man she’d ever seen, and Christian had believed it. Perhaps Catharine Greene would also agree with his mother’s assessment.
With a quick goodbye, Christian continued on his way into the headquarters, requesting an audience with Washington.
He got it, almost instantaneously. Invited into the office Washington had been using these past several weeks, Christian stood in front of his desk while the general sat, his hands steepled in front of his face. Now, here was a man who would never be called handsome. But he was a great man, that was certain. He’d accomplished so much already, and there was no doubt in Christian’s mind, with his connections and status, he would be an influential man for many decades to come, assuming the war was won by the colonists. Christian believed that would most certainly be the case as well.
“What information do you have for me, Henry?” he asked, his voice light though there was an underlying tone of anxiety in it, as there always was. The power and responsibility of his duties most certainly demanded he be wound tightly.
“General Gates has received your correspondence and wants you to know he appreciates the additional support. A location for Morgan’s deployment has been chosen, and one of Gates’s officers has approved it.”
“Very good,” Washington said, leaning back in his chair, relaxing slightly. “Did you… find the location for Morgan?”
“I did. Bemis Heights. I think it will be more than sufficient.”
“Oh, yes. I am familiar. Perfect.” Washington was a man of few words. “Very well, thank you, Henry.”
Christian bowed his head, assuming he was finished, but as he turned to go, Washington suddenly had more to say, “You know, if we win this war, and I believe we will, there will be plenty of opportunity for those who are ready to put in the work, those who are prepared for the responsibility of leadership. A new country, a new nation, will require much of its brightest minds. Men like you will find a place within that group of leaders easily enough.”
Not knowing what to say, Christian stared at the commander for a long moment. This was one of those times when his social awkwardness stood in his way. He finally muttered, “Yes, sir.”
Unsure as to whether or not Washington wanted him to go now, he continued to stand there as the general thought of his own response.
When Washington blurted, “I know what you are,” Christian’s eyes widened. The statement could mean so many things. Was there a chance he meant… he truly knew what Christian was?
“Sir?” he asked, swallowing hard. His kind were sworn to secrecy. Only those who must know were allowed to know. It was for their own good. Humans couldn’t be running around with the knowledge that Vampires existed. It would cause pandemonium, chaos. Even if they were made aware that a force of protectors also existed to keep them safe, they would be better off not knowing what they didn’t know.
And yet, when Washington cleared his throat and said, “Yes, I know. I know everything. I have to know,” Christian understood what he meant. “When this government is formed, you can be sure the funding for what your kind does--keeping citizens safe from prowlers in the night--will be written into law in a way that can never be tampered with. Not only will your organization have plenty of money to operate with, all legalities will be tossed aside as well. Agents of the government, that’s what you will be. Secret agents.” A small smile turned up the corners of his mouth, almost undetectable to those who didn’t know him well.
Again, uncertain of a fitting response, Christian only looked at him for a long while and then said, “That would be… most helpful.”
“Indeed,” Washington said, straightening some papers on his desk. “My only advice to you, young Henry is… don’t mess it up. Be careful. A young, handsome fellow such as yourself without a lot of worldly experience may well get himself caught up in situations that derail you. Don’t let that happen. You’ve worked your way up through your reputation of working hard and being thorough. It hasn’t been money or reputation to get you here as it has some of the other fellows. Be certain that each choice you make brings you closer to your goals, not further away.”
There was something in Washington’s eyes that made Christian arch an eyebrow. He wasn’t quite sure what the general was getting at, but he thought he must pretend to know. “Yes, sir.”
“Very well then. That’s all. You may go.”
“Thank you, sir.” Christian saluted and then spun on his heels to head for the door, wondering what it was that Washington was hinting at.
Walking out into the parlor, he was acknowledged by several of the upper echelon of officers, but one man’s stare seemed to burn through him. General Greene.
It wasn’t as if anything had happened. All he’d done was speak to his wife--briefly. Surely, she must speak to these other officers more often, hold true conversations. But it was clear from the look on his face General Nathanael Greene was suspicious. Christian swallowed hard and headed out the door to his quarters, certain he would not give the general reason to suspect anything at all.
