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not. Under no circumstances will I submerge myself in a creek or in anything else for that matter. I’ve no objection to bathing. But a sponge and bowl will serve. I will not , however, descend beneath water of any kind.”
    He gave her a parody of a smile. “Care to place a wager on it?”
    She looked frantically at Josh. “Is he serious?”
    Josh shrugged. “He looks it to me.”
    Drew held back his smile of satisfaction. “Do you still wish for a bath, little Lady of the Realm?”
    She took a slow deep breath. After a moment of silence, she inclined her head. “Yes. But, a bowl and sponge will more than suffice.”
    He glanced at Josh. “Take Constance to the creek so she can wash her face and prepare to retire.”
    Stepping forward, Josh offered her his arm. “My lady?” Drew scowled. Constance hesitated.
    “No dunking tonight,” Josh whispered. “I give you my word.” Studying his eyes for a moment, she accepted his arm and followed him to the creek.
    Drew turned back to Mary. “Did Grandma give you a blanket to bed down on?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Good. You’ll need to fashion some sleeping ticks haste, posthaste.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    He removed his hat to scratch the back of his head, then replaced it. She stood with head bowed, hands clasped. A kerchief hid most of her dark brown hair.
    “Why is your head bowed?”
    She lifted her face, keeping her eyes downcast. “It’s disrespectful to be looking you in the eye, sir.”
    The moonlight softened features grown old before their time. She probably wasn’t more than one score, yet lines creased her forehead and the corners of her mouth.
    “Here in Virginia, you needn’t worry over formalities such as those. You may look at me, Mary, whenever you please.”
    Slowly, she swept up her lashes. Huge brown eyes focused on his hat, not quite meeting his eyes. The round pecan-colored orbs were by far her best feature.
    “You know I have no need for a bride,” he said, then blew a puff of air from his lungs. “I am in need of a woman, though.”
    Her gaze moved from his hat to his eyes. “I see,” she whispered.
    He felt the heat creep up his neck. “No, no. You misunderstand. I mean I need a woman to cook, keep my house, keep my garden, and take charge of my young sister.”
    She lowered her chin. “That will pose no problem, sir.”
    By troth, he had embarrassed her. “You did know I purchased ten men and plan to pick them up in the morning? They’ll be quite hungry.”
    “I will see to it, sir.”
    “Thank you, Mary,” he sighed.
    “Certainly, sir.”
    “You may return to your slumber.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    He watched her walk to the cottage. Though somewhat gaunt, her tall, straight form gave the overall impression of a woman built from staunch and hardy stock.
    He nodded. She’d do just fine. Turning his attention to the well-worn trail, he headed toward the creek.
    ————
    “Ah! If it isn’t the lucky bridegroom,” Josh exclaimed.
    Drew growled.
    Sitting on the bank, Constance twisted around to see if the men would come to blows. Drew looked willing enough. Josh, however, propped his shoulder against a tree.
    “Easy, Drew. I was just wondering when the marriage would be performed.”
    “Vex me no more, Josh, else I’ll knock out your brains.”
    “You last did that when I was only a lad. You wouldn’t have such an easy time of it now.”
    Constance turned back to the creek. Fringed with trees and a variety of other foliage, the contour of its indented bank dipped and swelled at random. A crudely formed raft moored several feet away bumped against the shoreline.
    Nudging her sleeves up, she trailed her fingers through the still water. The night light shimmered across the ripples she’d created. Leaning forward, she splashed a bit of water onto her thirsty skin, relishing its cool tranquillity.
    “All I see is a man who needs to be unbuttoning his doublet after supper,” Drew sneered.
    “Me? Ha! If you’re not