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chilly as the breeze. “I had no idea that your daughter had traveled so widely, Cromwell.”
    â€œShe has many friends around Goshen.” Father patted her shoulder. “My daughter is very kindhearted.”
    â€œSo I have seen. Was your delivery of clothing uneventful yesterday, Mistress Faith?”
    â€œOtherwise, yes,” she answered.
    Faith thought her father would ask what she meant, but he began to point out landmarks that were visible from the yard. Wanting to walk away because she was bothered that her father might be giving this Englishman the very information that could lead to more killing, she did not move. Father stood on one side of her and Major Kendrick on the other. She must wait for a break in their conversation to excuse herself.
    A shout came from the house.
    Father’s smile grew even wider. “Pardon me, Major. While I tend to this, Faith will be glad to answer any of your other questions about the roads through the county.” He went at a near run toward the front of the house.
    â€œHe is a very busy man.” Sebastian knew he should go after Cromwell to discover what was happening. When he saw Osborne leave the other men in the barnyard and trot after Cromwell, he relaxed. His lieutenant would report back every detail in an effort to gain favor.
    â€œYes,” Faith said, spreading more corn for the chickens although scores of kernels were underfoot.
    â€œHowever, it seems that your father is anxious for you and me to talk once again.”
    â€œYes.”
    He did not give voice to the curse resonating through his head. These terse answers must be aimed at infuriating him. If so, she was succeeding.
    â€œDo you know why?” he asked.
    She gave him a contemptuous glance. Maybe she wanted him to feel like a fool rather than just be angry. Walking into the smaller of the two barns behind the house, she hung the bucket on a nail behind a half-wall. “I have heard much prattle about the fancy gatherings in England where young women flirt with young men.”
    â€œYes?”
    Her eyes widened at his copy of her brusque answers, but she folded her arms on the half-wall and smiled. “No matter how you view us here in Pennsylvania, Major, we are not so different from our cousins on the other side of the ocean. My father is very much like your father would be, assuming your father has a daughter he believes should be thinking of a husband.”
    â€œMy father was quite focused on that matter when my older sister had her Season in London.”
    â€œSo you understand.”
    He stepped over some odorous droppings on the floor. He faced her across the low wall and copied her pose, his elbow only the breadth of a dust mote from hers. Smiling, he said, “I understand that the very idea of speaking to me offends you greatly.”
    â€œOffends may be too strong a word.”
    â€œYour expression says different.” He laughed when she regarded him with amazement. “I do not know what I have done to earn your rancor, Mistress Faith, when I have endeavored in every possible way to treat you with kindness.”
    â€œ You have.”
    â€œAh, now I see the truth. You are distressed with me because I did not halt my men from bothering you when we first met.” He glanced toward where his men were still cleaning their saddles in front of the stone-and-wood barn that rose nearly as high as a London town house. “I can assure you that I stopped them as soon as I saw what was happening.”
    â€œI am quite aware of that. I did not mean to suggest otherwise.” She turned to step past him.
    He edged forward to stand in the middle of the opening in the low wall. “You have made it quite clear that you consider both me and my men as disgusting as a snake slithering through the grass.”
    â€œTo the contrary, Major. A snake has a good reason for being here. It keeps the barn clear of pests.”
    â€œAs we are ordered to