A/N: This turned into more of a Hewlett character study than I originally intended, but oh well, the world needs more Anna/Hewlett fic so here we are.

ALL I CAN DO IS TO FOLLOW

If she were any other woman, Major Hewlett would have expected Anna to faint, or at least cry, after being confronted by such a beast as Captain Simcoe. But of course, she was no ordinary woman, so as much as he admired her steely composure, it was no surprise to him. She collected her things from the tavern in short order, packing with great economy of movement, and he barely had time to catch his breath before a private was carrying her trunk down the stairs to be loaded on a cart bound for Whitehall. Now that the task was done, Anna seemed to pause for the first time since their hasty departure from the square.

"Major Hewlett," she caught his forearm before he could follow the private downstairs. "I must apologize. I didn't mean to impose—I'm very grateful to you for playing along with the bluff, but I can make other arrangements. The Woodhulls surely—"

"Certainly not," Hewlett interrupted gently. "Out of the question. The Woodhulls will surely welcome you warmly; they would not wish to see you in harm's way."

Anna offered up a weak smile, but her brown eyes were still troubled. Impulsively, he pressed her hand in his.

"Don't worry," he assured her. "You're safe as long as I'm near."

Her pinched brow relaxed by degrees and she brushed her thumb across his fingers.

"I know," she nodded, regaining her usual pluck. "Thank you, Edmund."

With some difficulty, he released her hand, offering his arm instead.

"Allow me to escort you home, then."


Riding ahead of the cart on the road to Whitehall, Hewlett had to resist the urge to turn his eyes back to Anna with every stride. He focused on the clatter of the wheels over the dirt road and took some comfort in the sound, knowing Anna was perched there, following him to a safer harbor.

Filled with ire as he was at the idea of John Simcoe running loose in Setauket, Hewlett felt his chest swell with the thought of being Anna's protector, of having the power to be a comfort to her as well as an ally. He had to admit that her importance to him seemed to grow at an alarming rate.

He had felt so adrift here for so long, on this scrap of land at the edge of the sea, with nothing to anchor him but his duty to King and Country. The sea seemed to linger eternally at the corner of his eye, a constant reminder that his home was far across its churning, tempermental waters. What he wouldn't give for another day in the heart of England—riding across the fields of Derbyshire, where the air didn't taste of saltwater. But his duty brought him to Setauket, so in Setauket he remained.

Hewlett stole a glance over his shoulder as the road curved. Anna was staring out towards the sea, but as though she felt his gaze, she turned her eyes on him, lifting a hand to shield them from the sun.

"Nearly there!" he called. She nodded with a small smile; he was glad to notice that the color had returned to her cheeks.

Perhaps that was the root of his attachment to Anna Strong—he observed in her the same fierce sense of honor that was his mainstay. She, too, had sacrificed her old life for honor and loyalty. But what began as a simple admiration of her character had quickly turned into a much deeper attachment. He had no expectation of reciprocation, no illusions regarding his bumbling, awkward nature and its effect on women—and yet, he couldn't help hoping—

His thoughts were interrupted as he was hailed by Whitehall's grooms running out from the stables. The cart groaned to a halt behind him as he jumped from his saddle, handing his reins to a stableboy and leaving his horse with an affectionate pat. He stepped over to the cart, offering a hand to help Anna step down.

"Major," she said, glancing up at the sky as she smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt, "will it be a clear enough night for your telescope?"

"I—well—" he stammered, his heart suddenly hammering in a most inconvenient manner. "I should think so."

"Good," she smiled and started towards the house.

Hewlett peered into the clear blue above them, trailing behind her.

"Yes—I should think so—quite clear."