Chapter 13

They never did get to eat in the Continental Hotel dining room that day, but Matthew promised Amanda that someday they'd come back and have the dinner they'd missed. He wired Colonel Thornton from military headquarters there in Philadelphia to report on their capture of Rosemont and his accomplice, the very foolhardy Mr. Calhoun Harcourt, and received a reply almost immediately, telling him to turn them over to the Provost Marshal and bring Amanda home immediately.
"D.M. found dead by own hand in room of National Hotel," he added cryptically. "Evidence points to collusion with agents of Richmond government."

"So he wasn't just a murderer, he was a traitor." Amanda said. "He must have thought he could solve his money problems by selling military secrets to the enemy. Well, someday I'll find it in my heart to forgive him - he is dead, after all – but not any time soon. And to think I might have married him."

"Amanda, you would never have married him; you're too smart for that. Even if you'd never met me, you wouldn't have married him," Matthew said. "Let's go back to the house, say goodbye to Cousin Araminta, and get on the next train that will take us to Washington, even if we have to go by way of Pittsburgh."

They didn't have to go all the way to Pittsburgh, as it happened; they found a train that would take them to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where they could get another train to Baltimore and Washington. They bought tickets and headed for the platform; as they did, a newsboy passed with an armful of papers, announcing the major headline:

"General McClellan replaced by General Burnside," he shouted.

Matthew called the boy over and bought a paper, but they had to wait until they were in their seats before they could read the accompanying article. "So the Little Napoleon is out for good," Matthew said. "I hope General Burnside has more success."

"So do I. Matthew, I just thought of something."

"What's that, my sweet?"

"I haven't had a chance to gather intelligence while working as a seamstress yet."

"No, you've been too busy gathering intelligence and catching traitors while going about your daily life. Maybe we should just shelve the seamstress idea. You seem to be doing just fine as it is."

"Maybe we should. Oh, Matthew, I almost forgot!"

She took the signet ring off the wedding finger and gave it back to him. "Thank you for giving me the protection of your name, Matthew, even if we were only play-acting."

"It was my pleasure."

"Mine, too."

He raised the hand that had only recently worn his ring to his lips and kissed it. "We've got a long trip back home, my sweet, so you may as well get comfortable."

"I'm never anything but comfortable when I'm with you, Matthew."

CURTAIN

Thanks again for all your encouragement. More to come, I hope.