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things.”
    â€œI would not, not when it is clear that you have.”
    â€œSo what will you do?”
    â€œI will be polite to Father’s guests. It is our obligation as hosts to make our guests comfortable.” She gave him a bolstering smile. “Comfortable. Nothing more.”
    Ezekial nodded. “You are right, Faith, although I hate to have to agree. Treating them poorly will anger Father.”
    â€œFinish feeding the chickens while I tend to the horses.”
    â€œNo!”
    She turned to her brother. He was seldom so vehement. When he pushed past her, she asked, “Ezekial, what is wrong?”
    â€œYou must not go into the barn while there are strangers in there. Father said that.”
    â€œNot to me.”
    â€œMaybe because he believes you have too much good sense to go into a barn when there are strange men about.”
    She smiled wryly. “Now I have to be the one to admit that he is right, and so are you. I have fallen into such a pattern of doing chores that it is easy to forget that everything is not the same as it was before the war began.”
    Her brother gave her a quizzical glance before walking toward the barn. Faith let her smile fade, knowing that Ezekial had every reason to be baffled. To speak the truth would insult Father’s guests and reveal her own bewilderment about Major Kendrick.
    The British major had been polite and gracious and concerned about her safety. He had not acted on the thoughts she had seen in his eyes. Was it because he had treated her with more respect than any of his fellow soldiers that she could not budge him from her mind? Her first thought upon waking this morning had been of how his grin had a boyish charm about it.
    Tossing more corn to the chickens, she paused by the fence that surrounded her mother’s kitchen garden. She wished Major Kendrick and his men would take their leave, but, as she saw the soldiers tending to their mounts in front of the bigger barn, she guessed they would be here at least another day. Avoiding Major Kendrick would not be simple. Father was certain to invite the major to dine with them, as he had other officers.
    Her smile returned. A few words to Molly and Nancy would keep the conversation lively and away from any topic that might be disturbing. Her sisters had found a rabbit last week, and they needed only the slightest hint to begin babbling about it.
    â€œâ€¦ and, of course, you know my daughter Faith.”
    She stiffened as Father approached with Major Kendrick. Why did this British officer have to have such a warm smile? It suggested that he was not a rutting beast like his fellow soldiers. And that smile seemed to ease the cold of the wind swirling about her and twisting his cloak, which was the same shade as his black hair.
    Faith told herself not to be fanciful. Major Kendrick was simply more charming and subtle than some of the others who had called here. She would be the greatest sort of fool to think of him in any other way, especially when his flapping cape gave him the appearance of a great dark hawk about to swoop down upon her.
    â€œGood day, Mistress Faith,” Major Kendrick said with a half bow toward her.
    â€œIf you like days that are cold and blustery and look as if rain might come at any moment,” she replied.
    He laughed. “You are describing many of the days at Kendrick Court. I find this invigorating weather much more pleasing than the heat of the summer. A brisk walk or ride, then a mug of something warm by a broad hearth is an excellent way to pass the day.”
    â€œI believe there is still some tea in the tea chest in the dining room.” Father smiled at Major Kendrick. “Unless you would prefer a sip of brandy later. Or you might ask Faith to make you some of her mulled cider. It is renowned throughout the area.”
    â€œIs that so?” The expression in Major Kendrick’s ebony eyes did not match his smile, for his gaze became as