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do.”
    â€œReally?” She put her hands on the ribbons of the brightly embroidered apron she wore over her simple cream dress and scowled at him. He was tempted to tell her that her fury was squandered because he could think only of how his hands itched to discover if they could span her slender waist. “It seems that British soldiers are determined to make pests of themselves here.”
    â€œThose sound like rebellious sentiments from a loyalist’s daughter.”
    â€œThis has nothing to do with politics.”
    â€œThen I suspect it has everything to do with the fact that the run-in you had with my men was not your first with British soldiers.”
    â€œNo.” She stared at the floor.
    Sebastian clasped his hands behind his back. “You need not be ashamed of what has happened. ’Tis not your fault if your loveliness has persuaded lonely men to forget their manners, although you would be wise to stay close to your home.”
    â€œHere—where I have suffered the most when your fellow officers have deemed that the guise of hospitality suggested something more?” She looked up at him, and he realized he had mistaken her downcast eyes as a sign of shame. She had been attempting to conceal her fury. “Major Kendrick, if you will step aside, I will gladly leave you to whatever tasks you have to do today while I complete mine.”
    â€œI thought you were to show me other landmarks.”
    â€œFather showed you the important ones.”
    â€œAnd the others?”
    Faith regarded Major Kendrick with a frown. He might not be grabbing at her as other officers had done, but he was even more intolerable. Last night, she had ducked beneath his arm to evade him. She did not want to do the same again today.
    Noting the glitter of amusement in his eyes, she said, “I would be glad to point out landmarks that you may use while you continue your journey.”
    â€œI am not certain in which direction we will travel next.”
    â€œWhy not?” she asked, trying to ignore the way her heart seemed to be having a difficult time beating. If this major and his men remained here, her deliveries to Tom Rooke would be made so much more difficult.
    â€œMy orders are not complete.”
    â€œThen you should have waited until they were before you left the garrison in Philadelphia.”
    Major Kendrick laughed, startling her because she had been certain that he would be angry at her mocking tone. “My orders are dependent on what the rebels’ leaders do next.”
    â€œThe leaders? In the Continental Congress? They are not here in Chester County.”
    â€œTrue.” He chuckled. “York is the rumored sanctuary of the rebels now.”
    â€œYou are going to be a busy man, Major, if you are to deal with them and the folks here.”
    â€œWhich is why I would appreciate your help now , Mistress Faith.”
    She nodded, and he stepped aside so she could move out from behind the wall. As she went with him out of the small barn, she heard a rumble of laughter and her name spoken by Major Kendrick’s men. He must have heard it, as well, because he glanced in their direction. The laughter was silenced.
    Faith’s breath caught in spite of what she had already seen on the road. Major Kendrick expected instant obedience from his men. Did they fear him, or respect him? She shivered, recalling the captain who had disciplined one of his men so severely that the man almost died. If Major Kendrick was of that ilk, she was stupid to challenge him again and again as she had. His temper might explode to hurt her. Yet, to acquiesce might be even more perilous.
    â€œCold?” he asked.
    â€œYes.” She could not tell him the truth.
    He unbuttoned the collar of his cloak and settled it over her shoulders. “This may help.”
    She fought another shiver. This one was definitely not from cold, but from the sliver of heat that had cut through her when his