It was a hard three days ride to Charles Town through worn-torn countryside and over dusty dirt paths, but eventually Felicity and her father reached their destination. The dirt roads narrowed and became paved with stone and brick as the compact city emerged, full of tall, stately homes and private businesses. Father had spoken with a Redcoat who was blocking the roadway and he permitted them to enter the city. Charles Town had much more hustle and bustle than Williamsburg and the excitement of it all widened Felicity's eyes and dropped her jaw, even under siege Charles Town was full of sights to see. Felicity held Penny's reigns tightly as they trotted through the city proper and then along the harbor road where tall privateers were docked, their masts and rigging creating a forest overhead. She watched as the ships' crew shouted orders at one another, unloading their cargo as the Royal Navy marched orderly along the docks. The stench of fresh sea water mixed with dead fish and that of human waste stunk Felicity's nose, but she said nothing, the somber look mixed with determination that was in her father's eyes told her to hold her tongue and to follow him. Ragamuffin children, no older than William, darted through the streets and Felicity was sure she saw one steal some bread from a cart. As they made their way away from the harbor she saw the devastating aftermath of a battle. The blacked skeletons of burned out houses and brick, broken by cannon balls were the remains of the Redcoats' attack on the city. Felicity saw the destroyed remnants of a liberty pole in the destroyed community, the tattered remains of the Patriot's flag lay in the dirt. She so much wanted to jump off her horse and salvage the flag that meant so much to her, and so many more, but she knew she couldn't. She just shivered at the thought of so much destruction in a place where families like her own lived their quiet lives. If it could happen here, what was stopping it from happening in Williamsburg? That thought remained in her head until they reached the inn where she and her father would be staying while in town.
As they approached the tall brick building, the smell of fresh bread danced in the air. A plump, jolly lady greeted they and took them to their rooms.
"Oh, I just love visitors! Of course I do, of course I do—they bring in them money. But those from outta town, they be bringing news and we haven't had many people from outside the city come in since the siege. Oh yes, I've seen me share of British officers, dashing youn' fellows, but I be missin' me regular ol' gents. No, haven't seen much of those at all in a while, 'tis a rare thing to get in and out of this city if you not be in the Red's army and now look, you bring me a sweet girlie." The innkeeper chatted a way as she showed them to their rooms, "What be your business in Charles Town?"
"Business." Mister Merriman quickly answered, eyeing Felicity to keep quiet.
"Well, welcome to Charles Town! Dinner be at 6 sharp. Here is your rooms." The innkeeper continued, unlocked the door to a small white washed room, your daughter can stay in the next room over, here is the key. If you need anythin' don't hesitate to ask. Just ask for Ms. Plumby."
"Thank you very much madam for your aid," Mister Merriman graciously said as Felicity bobbed a curtsy, "We greatly appreciate your generosity."
&&&
After the two Merrimans settled into their rooms, Father left Felicity in the room to go see if he could locate were exactly Ben was held.
"Please take me with you!" Felicity begged holding her father's hand in her own.
"No, stay here 'til I fetch you." he sternly ordered, "And I mean stay here or I will take you back to Williamsburg at once and there will be no seeing Ben at all!" Father was so stern that Felicity knew she had better not disobey, a thought she had been considering. After Father left, Felicity settled in a huff in a chair next to the window and gazed out into the city. This is so unfair . . . maybe if I go out for just a bit he will never know she thought and headed out the door and tiptoed down the stairs. She glanced around nervously, trying to escape unnoticed. Satisfied, she stepped out into the warm sun and made her way down the cobblestone street. She walked up one street and then down another, not really sure of where she was going. She was amazed at how different from Williamsburg it all was. The houses were much closer together and, Felicity felt a gruff hand on her shoulder.
"And what be your business in these part of town?" a gnarled voice asked her. Felicity whirled around to see who the hand belonged to and found a disheveled British soldier. She could smell the stale stench of alcohol on his breath and he was badly in need of a shave—and a bath.
"My business is my own, unhand me!" she commanded.
"That's no way to speak to a gentleman." He cooed in a mocking tone, bringing himself closer to her.
Felicity recoiled at the foul stench and abruptly dropped her shoulder, hopping to loosen his grip, "If there was a gentleman present I would not be inclined to speak so—unhand me!" she demanded again with more force. The man did not comply; instead he put his other hand on her shoulder as well. Felicity grew frightened, instinctively her violently shoo both her shoulders to loosen her attacker's grip and then kicked him in the groin. As he doubled over in pain, Felicity seized the opportunity to make a run for it and tore up the street as fast as she could. Glancing around she saw that the street was abandoned and turned up another black, looking for someone to help her. As she kept running she became more and more lost in the maze of streets.
"I should have listened to Father, I am so lost!" she muttered to herself as she found herself at an intersection, not knowing which way to turn. Of all the times for the streets to be abandoned, it has to be in my hour of need she thought. Not meaning to, she let out a whimper, "Please someone help me."
"What would you give me in return?" a small voice answered. Felicity braced herself and slowly turned to find a small beggar child of about six looking eagerly up at her. She breathed a sigh of relief to find that the voice belonged to a harmless child.
"I'll give you a shilling for your services," she said and the boy nodded in agreement, his matted dirty blond hair falling in his eyes.
"Follow me!" he said grabbing her hand and then started running down the street. "My name's Jonah!"
"Felicity. Why . . . why are we running?" Felicity huffed, out of breath, as she followed at his heels.
"You want to beat your father, don't you?" Felicity almost stopped in her tracks.
"How did you know about that?"
"I like to wander near the inn, people always are around there and I like to watch. I saw you two go to the inn together, but then he left without you and then you came out lookin' all nervous-like and glancing over your shoulder like you were sneaking. So I just guessed." the boy said all-knowingly. "I like to watch people, I learned to read them." Felicity was impressed at such an insightful child.
"We're here!" he cried triumphantly.
"Thank you so much, Jonah." Felicity said, placing one hand on her stomach and the other on a post supporting the covered porch of the inn as she caught her breath.
"Any time." He smiled. Felicity took a good look at him standing there. His crystal blue eyes and matted dirty-blond hair, the smudges on his face from dirt and soot. He was so small!
"Jonah, where do you live?"
"Around." He answered, looking down at the ground.
"Oh Jonah!" her heart went out to the child.
"I take care of myself!" he said defiantly.
"But what about your parents?"
"They died, so now I take care of my self."
"You poor thing!" Felicity felt the urge to give him a hug.
"I'm doing alright. The shilling you promised will be a big help." He looked up at her eagerly. Felicity opened her purse and place several small coins in his little palm. His eyes grew wide at such a reward. "Thank you Felicity!"
"Thank you Jonah for helping me." She smiled at him, he reminded her of William. Little boys love food she remembered thinking of her brother snatching cookies from the kitchen. "Wait here, I'll see if I can get you something to eat."
"Sure," he shrugged and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
"Wonderful, I'll be but a minute." And Felicity rushed into the inn. "Ms. Plumby?" she called softly as she walked down the main hall. "Ms. Plumby? . . . Ms. Plumby!" She found her in the kitchen trying to manage a million things at once. "Ms. Plumby, could I—?"
"I'm a little busy dear—could you grab that pot before it boils over? That's a dear. Umpf," she lifted a heavy bucket onto the table. "things were so much easier when John was alive and was here to help." She said as she pushed her sweaty bangs back from her face.
Felicity took interest, "Ms. Plumby? Do you run this inn all by yourself?"
"Why yes dear, ever since my John died two years back. But I manage."
A stroke of genius hit Felicity and her eyes sparked with sudden interest. "Don't you ever want help?"
"Well sometimes me borders help out, can't afford them decent help, but I manage in the end."
"Don't you get lonely?"
"I run an inn, child! Things be rarely borin' and lonesome 'round here! Why do you ask?"
"Well, there is this child . . ."
"Oh no, I don't be needin' any youngins under my feet!" she shook a wooden spoon at Felicity.
"But this boy is strong and I'm sure he won't be any trouble. He has no family and is all alone! Please, just meet him! He's right outside."
"What?!" she wiped her hands on a towel, "Well, the child must be needed some bread and butter. Let's see him." And she followed Felicity to the front porch.
"Ms. Plumby, may I present Jonah!" Felicity said presenting the small child. Jonah looked startled as she stared at Felicity, but then he remembered his manners.
"Hullo, madam." Jonah bowed his head in recognition.
Ms. Plumby's heart melted, "Darlin' come in and have something' to eat! And let's see if we can get you washed up a bit and have you lookin' more proper-like." And she put her arm around Jonah and led him into the house. Felicity smiled with satisfaction and followed them inside.
A little while later Mister Merriman returned to find Felicity and a freshly washed Jonah happily sitting in the dinning room.
"Well, it seems like you have made a new friend." He kissed his daughter on the top of the head.
"Father, this is Jonah."
"How do you do? Are you here with your parents?"
Felicity saw she was trapped, how was she going to explain to her father how she met Jonah without admitting to him that she had disobeyed and gone out into the city by herself. However, Jonah, being an expert at reading people, immediately saw her predicament.
"No sir, I came to visit Ms. Plumby, she's a friend." He smiled up at Felicity, "Just like Felicity is."
"I'm glad to hear that, Jonah. Any friend of Felicity's is a friend of mine." He smiled warmly at the child.
Felicity breathed a mental sigh of relief, but she was bursting with anxiousness.
"Did you find where Ben is?" Felicity asked eagerly.
"Yes, I'll take you there tomorrow. I want to warn you though; he is in a jail and has been for many months. I just want you to be prepared."
"Yes Father." Felicity said solemnly, her short adventure in the city had opened her eyes. Her life at home had been so sheltered, but there was so much more to the world than the quiet life she had in Williamsburg.