Chapter Twenty Five: Deception
My body grew hot with shame as I stood in the corridor. I felt in that moment that everything I was working toward was about to collapse. My eyes slowed shifted towards the chair by the parlor fireplace.
"Come here, my dear." Father said. I swallowed a lump in my throat and kept my head down as I slowly entered the parlor. I could feel my father's eyes inspecting me. "Have a seat." He said gesturing towards the chair across from him. I took the seat and continued to stare at the floor. "You must know that I do not approve of you out in the late hours of the night alone with a young man. It does not reflect well on you, Kate." The disappointment in his voice was apparent and made me sink further into the chair.
"I know, Father. I am sorry." I said solemnly. There was a long uncomfortable silence between us. He sighed at last.
"Katherine, I know you are not foolish enough to compromise your reputation with this young man. However, I wish to discover his intentions towards you. That being said I must inform you that you will no longer go unsupervised when you venture away from home." Father declared much to my chagrin. I frowned as I stared into the fire and watched my hope of keeping my secret burned.
"Yes, Father." I said softly, complying with his order. This was another challenge that I had to face.
"Rachel will be going with you to the little Henry girl's funeral in the morning and she will accompany you should Major Tallmadge come calling on you before we leave on Wednesday." He frowned. "You may as well get used to the idea of being under constant scrutiny now before we return home. Also, I'm sure you are aware that it will be very difficult to make contact with Major Tallmadge once we are inside the city. I trust that you and Tallmadge realize this and will adjust to the situation accordingly. We must be careful not to give away our true allegiances. You know just as well as I do that we are walking into wasps' nest. I have already discussed this with your sisters and they have agreed to keep quiet about the company's time here and your courtship with Tallmadge." His tone was solemn and his eyes would drift from me to the fire. Father was being quite direct at that moment which was quite unusual. I could tell that he was concerned about the days to come.
"Do not worry, Father. All will be well. I'm sure of it. We will not be the only ones hiding secrets from the British. I will be speaking to Benjamin again tomorrow and inform him of the situation." I smiled reassuringly and kissed him on the forehead.
"Thank you, my dear." He smiled gratefully. "Now I believe you should get some sleep before the sunrises." He chuckled. I smiled and return to my room and undressed myself for bed. I quickly made my way upstairs. My stomach churned and my nerves were on edge. I did not know how I would get past the roadblock in my way. If I told Rachel the truth about what I was doing she would in a likelihood inform Father and then everything Ben and I have been working towards would collapse. I would have to find a solution to that problem and soon.
As I made my way up to my room I let out a deep resounding yawn. I had not realized just how exhausted I was, however, given the events of the past two days it was no wonder I was dead on my feet. I enter my room and undressed myself before collapsing on my bed. As soon as my body was comfortable I was in a deep sleep.
I awoke in the same position that I fell asleep in. My pillow wet from the spittle that had drifted out of my open mouth. I grimaced at the sensation as I wiped away the drool from the side of my mouth and jaw. Rachel comes in just as I stretch and stand to dress for the day.
"Mister Allen said not to wake you for breakfast. Sayin' that you needed your rest." She said picking up my dirty laundry.
"What time is it?" I yawned.
"It's just after eleven o'clock, Miss." She said as I crossed the room to my closet. I picked out a simple robe to wear for the day. A simple brown frock and white petticoat. Rachel assisted with some of the lacings I couldn't reach. Just as Rachel started to open my door I put my hand against it stopping her.
"Rachel, we need to talk." I spoke austerely looking her in the eye.
"Um, what about, Miss?" The confusion was plain on her face.
"Father, is going to ask you to be my chaperone whenever I leave the house. I will be going to be meeting with Major Tallmadge this afternoon and I need you to keep anything you might see or hear to yourself. No one else can know." The seriousness of my tone appeared to disturb Rachel.
"But, Miss Allen, Kate I-I can't do that. I would be lying to Mr. Allen." Rachel's fear was understandable.
"You would only be doing what I asked you to. He will never find out." I tried to plead my case, but Rachel did not appear to be convinced so I tried bribery as a motivation. "Rachel if you do this for me . . ." I had to find the right incentive, something I knew Rachel would want. Once I found it I revealed my hand. ", I will teach you how to read." Rachel's eyes widened in shock. Her mouth dropped slightly, but said nothing. I waited for a response but none came. "So? Do we have a deal?" I asked. I did my best not to appear to be anxious should she refuse the offer.
"Yes. I'll keep silent." She said softly as she nodded.
"Thank you, Rachel." I smiled in gratitude.
I put on my slippers and headed downstairs. My stomach moaned for something to eat so Tildy brought me some morsels of bread and butter along with a slice of salt pork and a mug of beer. Sitting in the dining hall. I anxiously watched the time, waiting for the time to come so I could go and meet Ben again.
"I don't see why Kate gets too have all the fun while we don't get to do anything!" Bess pouted from the parlor. "It's not fair!" Bess wailed in her typical whiny fashion. Confused by the outburst I looked to Father.
"What on Earth is she going on about now?' I crooked a brow. Father looked up from his papers.
"Oh, yes. A letter came for you from your Aunt Augusta. I had nearly forgotten." He said as he slipped the open letter across the table. Bess had an obnoxious habit of opening my mail. I sighed rolling my eyes and read the letter.
My Dearest Niece,
I am sure you are well aware of the potential social advantages that will arise once you return home. It is especially important that we make certain you that are prepared for the undoubtedly dozens of potential suitors whose eyes you are certain to catch. You uncle and I are planning a ball for Tuesday next. I intend to take you to the milliners as soon as you arrive. Everything must be perfect. All of our friends will be there including several new friends I am eager for you to meet. Judge Edward Shippen will be giving a ball to honor General Clinton and the other royal officers on this coming Friday evening, and has invited us to attend. We intend to take you with us. Your sisters are still too young to attend an event such as this and your uncle and I cannot bare to manage all three of you. I will tell you about all of the details once you arrive. I'm sure it will be good for you to see your dear friends Margaret and Becky again. Your Father informed us you will be arriving on Wednesday. We shall have the house prepared for you when you all arrive.
Your Loving Aunt, Augusta
I folded the letter and tucked it away into my pocket. If Judge Shippen was hosting a ball it was very likely that there will be a great number of British officers in attendance perhaps even General Clinton himself. My luck was on the rise. Much to my sister's chagrin I would be going with my aunt and uncle to the event. I was sure that they would get over it once the next ball or assembly comes around.
Glancing over at the time I could see that it was now forty minutes past eleven. I needed to get to the creek to meet Ben by noon. Coming up with an excuse to leave the table was not difficult to come up with. I rose from the table sliding my chair back.
"Father, if it's alright I'm going to go for a walk and take in the air." I spoke plainly. Father looked up from his papers. His eyes contained a small hint of suspicion.
"Of course, just return home for dinner. Rachel go with her." He nodded towards her.
"Yes, Sir." She curtsied.
My feet did not wait for another word. I was out the door before anyone could speak up. Rachel followed closely behind me. I stopped out of just out of sight of the house.
"I am meeting Ben near the creek. Once we get there, I need you to keep out of sight. Ben doesn't need to know about this just yet." I instructed. Rachel nodded in comply.
The grass was still slightly wet with dew as I walked across the property. I took in deep breaths of the crisp autumn air. The dead and dying leaves rustled and cracked beneath my slippers. It was a ten minute walk from the house to the creek and the great boulder where I told Ben to meet me. Once I reached the clearing in the forest, I took a seat on the flattened side of the stone and waited. Rachel headed to a cluster of trees several yards away and kept herself hidden.
The sun seeped through the forest canopy making the clearing glow with a faerie like atmosphere. It was as if I was in a scene cut from Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. The brook several yards away restlessly rush over the rocks and swirl against the bank. The water shimmered under the sunlight. I gazed at the scene oblivious to anything else going on around me.
The snap of a dry dead twig underfoot startled me and I turned to the source of the noise. I was relieved to see Ben approaching from the shadow of the forest, and I could feel the smile grow across my lips as he approached.
"I see that punctuality is another of your many virtues." I said with a grin. Ben chuckled.
"Apparently, stealth is not one of them." He jested as he walked over to my side carrying a parcel of some kind.
"What's that?" I nodded towards the mystery item in his hand. Ben took a seat on the stone beside me.
"This is for you." He handed me a bound collection of parchment. "Your copy of our codebook. This will be your guide on how you will encode your intelligence." I opened the four page hand written pamphlet and skimmed over it. My brow furled in concentration as I made a quick assessment of the codes.
"Numerical encryption?" I crooked an intrigued brow at Ben. He leaned in closer and began to instruct me while looking over my shoulder.
"Exactly. It's a numerical dictionary. Each number corresponds to a particular word. See here." He flipped to the last page. "My alias is John Bolton or 721 and Washington's is 711."
"Do I get a designated code?" I asked with an enthusiasm at the possibility of being included.
"Well, there hasn't been time to create one for you." He replied. I frowned into a pout. Then I glanced through the pamphlet and came across the code for "lady".
"Why not 355?" I suggested. Ben looked at the code then smirked.
"Agent 355. Hmm, it suits you. I'll speak to Sackett when I return and arrange the correspondence. Do you think you'll be alright learning these codes on your own?"
"It's easy enough to remember I suppose." I flipped the pages back and forth looking at the cipher.
"You don't have to memorize them all. Just be sure to keep this well-hidden." He assured me.
"Don't worry, Ben. I have the perfect hiding place for it." I smiled hearteningly.
"Oh, do you? Where?" He inquired with a crooked brow and smirk.
"If I told you it wouldn't be a secret." I smiled impishly. Ben smiled, but there was something behind it other than his charm.
"It's a small compartment beneath a loose floorboard under my bed. No one knows it's there. It's where I keep personal trinkets and such. Letters from my mother and other things that belonged to her." I told him truthfully. He recoiled as if he felt he offended me in some way.
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry." Ben looked away. I frowned sympathetically.
"Don't be. It's quite alright." I placed a supportive hand on his forearm and smiled. "I have feeling my mother would approve of you." Ben's hand reached over and tenderly grasped mine. I leant against him and rested my head lightly on his shoulder.
"Kate?" Ben spoke softly.
"Yes, Ben?" I sat up and leaned away in order to look into his eyes.
"I just want to make sure you understand how dangerous this will be. If something were to happen and you were discovered. I- . . . "He frowned as he looked away from me. The harsh risks all weighed heavily on the both of us. I placed a gentle hand on his cheek.
"I know what I'm getting myself into. I wouldn't have come to you if I didn't. Yes, it will be dangerous, but I believe that we will succeed here. We must." I spoke earnestly. Ben's mouth momentarily crooked in a smile before returning to a frown.
"I know." Ben said solemnly. "It's only. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you." His hand squeezed mine.
"There will always be that risk for both of us. Though, in truth, I am frankly more concerned for your safety than my own. You are the one who is going to be on the battlefield with enemy guns shooting at you." I grinned thoughtfully. "I will just be facing a different sort of weaponry."
"Yes, but both can be just as deadly." He reminded me.
"That is true." There was a momentary silence as my palm slipped away from his cheek. I slipped the letter from my aunt out of my pocket and held it out for Ben. "A letter arrived this morning from my aunt in Philadelphia. I think some of the contents will interest you." An intrigued Ben took the letter and began to read. "I know where my first mission will be."
"Judge Shippen's ball?" He asked. I nodded in reply.
"It's the perfect opportunity to establish myself as a Tory and discover any targets I can pull information from." I was very enthusiastic about this however the frown on Ben's face told me he was not as thrilled. "What is it?" I inquired. "Is this about your concerns for my safety?"
"No, it's not that it's only . . ." He leaned slightly closer towards me. I feel his breath against my skin. A chill shivered down my spine as are faces were merely inches apart. Ben continued. ". . . , the thought of being apart from you for so long is vexing."
My lips curled in an emotional smile as his words hit me. I tried to catch my breath as I found the words to reply with. My heart pounded furiously and I trembled all over.
"Yes, we will be parted for quite a while I should think. It could be weeks, perhaps months before we see each other again." I frowned slightly.
"Hopefully our correspondence will make our time a part feel a little less painful." Ben said reassuringly. A small hopeful smile came across my lips.
"I hope so too." I said with a half-smile. "I trust that you know that you shall constantly in my thoughts." I looked over at him. "Especially, when I have to pretend to enjoy the company of any British soldiers who presume any interest on my part." I rolled my eyes at the thought of what I would very likely have to do at any Tory gatherings my aunt would drag me to.
"I'm quite certain you shall be the subject of many affections when you make your social appearances." He grinned. I shook my head at that.
"I'm sure Peggy Shippen will have all of the fools already fawning over her by the time I arrive. I will do what I must for this mission, but I will not betray who I am even if it must be kept secret." I sighed.
"Of course not. I would never ask you to betray who you are." Hs brow furled and his tone was sincere.
"I know, Ben." I believed him. I was having a difficult time getting out what I wanted to say to him. I sighed. "Ben?"
"What is it, Kate?" He inquired concernedly.
"Should something happen while I'm in Philadelphia and if I find myself the target of another man's affections. I want you to know that I would not betray you, not even for the mission. The only affections I want are yours." I smirked flirtatiously. Ben smiled tenderly as he brushed a loose curl behind my ear. His hand bushed along my cheek while his thumb traced my jawline. The gentleness of his touch against my skin was not overshadowed by his slightly coarse hands. My heart pounded in my ears as Ben came closer.
"They are solely yours. Now and always." He spoke softly.
With those words my lips met his in a pure surge of unadulterated passion that took over the both of us. I could taste the musky air of his breath with each kiss. I gripped his arm drawing him closer to me. Our lips danced across the other's with an enthusiastic rhythm. The only time we would halt our embrace was to catch our breath. When Ben pulled away and began to breathe heavily I giggled and whispered, "And mine are yours," before kissing him again.
Ben's hands slid down from my neck down to my back pulling me closer. However, before our desires went over the edge Ben stopped himself. Despite the aching feeling I felt, I knew it was best that we stopped before the situation escalated too far.
My chest heaved beneath my stay with exuberance. Ben's eyes lingered on mine for a moment before drifting downward to my chest, and then he slowly pulled his hand away from my waist.
"I should be getting get back to camp." Ben said with a grin before slipping off of the boulder. He held his hand out for me and I took it hopping of the stone and down to the ground. I clutched the codebook against my chest.
"Yes, I should be getting back as well." I stammered. "We will be leaving the day after tomorrow. I hope I see again before then." I smiled walking with him to his horse.
"Of course." He bent down and kissed my forehead. I smiled still flustered from our encounter just moments before. "I will call on you again at your home before you and your family leave. I promise." He smiled before mounting his horse. I replied with a smiled and with a kick he was making his way back to the Continental camp.
"You didn't tell him about me." Rachel said stepping out from behind the tree. I glanced back at her for a moment then turned back to watch Ben disappear into the distance.
"I will, when the time is right." I told her. Yet, I did not know when or if there would ever be a right time to tell him.