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Information that would save lives, Sarah reminded herself. Besides, they were only conduits, so the British wouldn’t discover who among them was gathering information for the Patriots. Sarah didn’t even know what the letters contained, nor to whom Mrs. Pendell delivered, but she was ready to assist in the fight for freedom however she was needed.

    Sunshine poured through the dining-room windows, across the long white-cloaked table, as her father studied Lydia’s face. His powdered wig,which he still wore from church that morning, matched the color of the tablecloth, and he looked as distinguished as any member of the House of Burgesses. Father lifted his silver goblet and took a long sip of his Madeira wine before he spoke. “You have made quite a speedy recovery.”
    She pushed a bite of salted ham with her fork, mixing the ham with her sweet potatoes. “Aye.”
    He tilted his head, and the beads of sweat on his brow glistened in the light. “Dr. Cooper would be amazed.”
    “I did not sleep well last night,” she said. “The fatigue overpowered me.”
    “Perhaps you should have remained in bed all day.”
    Lydia glanced across the table at her mother, who was sitting with perfect posture to Father’s right. Mother dabbed the edges of her lips with her napkin before she spoke. “There is no reason to interrogate her, my dear. We should just be grateful to the Good Lord that she is well again.”
    Hannah raised her glass and winked at her. “Hear, hear.”
    Lydia clenched her heavy silver fork. When she’d hurried back from Elisha’s room, she had seen Hannah’s face in an upstairs window of the manor house. And she’d seen her sister lift her hand in a mock greeting. She knew she must protect this stranger, but she hated being trapped inside this cauldron of deception. Even more, she hated that her sister knew she had been outside the house instead of in the library. If Hannah managed to keep her secret, she would make Lydia pay dearly for it.
    Father cut a piece of ham and lifted it. “Your mother said you had fallen asleep.”
    Mother nodded. “She was curled up on the chaise lounge.”
    “But I checked the library prior to—”
    Mother patted his hand. “You have been preoccupied, Charles.”
    Beside her, Hannah straightened the flatware by her plate. “A chair is a most unusual place to sleep.”
    Lydia shrugged. “I was tired.”
    Hannah smiled. “But apparently not tired enough to—”
    Prudence stepped into the room, holding up a platter. “We have ginger pudding and macaroons for dessert.”
    Mother glanced over her shoulder, surprised. None of the servants ever announced the food. “Thank you, Prudence.”
    Prudence set the platter on the sideboard and turned to place a silver bowl in front of Mother. “I know the pudding is your favorite, ma’am.”
    “Indeed it is.”
    Lydia flashed a smile at the maidservant for redirecting Father. Prudence had been with their family for so many years, Father would forgive her indiscretion.
    Mother sampled the pudding. “Please tell Viney that it is splendid.”
    Prudence nodded. “Aye.”
    Father cleared his throat. “I have news.”
    Lydia sighed quietly, relieved that he had moved past the questioning about her time in the library.
    Hannah lifted her spoon as Prudence put a bowl in front of her. “Do tell.”
    “I received a letter from Solomon Reed. His son has been commissioned a major in the British army.”
    Mother took a macaroon from the proffered plate. “What an extraordinary opportunity for him.”
    Lydia wasn’t certain how extraordinary it was, considering that most British officers had to pay for such an honor, but there was no good reason to provoke Father.
    “Who is Solomon Reed?” Hannah asked.
    “An old friend from London.” Father looked at Lydia. “You must remember him.”
    “I am afraid I do not.”
    Father sighed. “I suppose you were too young to recall everyone you met there.”
    They’d visited London when