Lawfully Pledged Read online

  Lawfully Pledged

  The Lawkeepers

  Ginny Sterling

  Contents

  Introduction

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  A Bride for Daniel

  Lawfully Yours

  An Agent for Gillian

  About the Author

  Praise for Ginny Sterling

  What can I say except I absolutely loved this story, I laughed out loud and I shed emotional tears.” – Amazon Reviewer (Lawfully Gifted)

  “This series has quickly become one my favorites. Love the storyline, love the characters, love the back stories and love the sweet romance between each couple.” – Amazon Reviewer (Remember Love)

  “What an amazing start to a new series, Healing Hearts, a clean contemporary and extremely emotional tale. I loved the characters, the angst, and the honest discussions, along with the chemistry and interactions. The people are broken, but with encouragement, friendship, and the added benefit of animals, it is the beginnings for healing.” – Amazon Reviewer (Remember Hope)

  Introduction

  Peril around every corner and a spy among us…

  Madeline Anjou refuses to leave her home and dreams of liberty behind. She loves living in the Colonies, even on the brink of war. She might have a French heritage, but deep within her beats the soul of a true patriot. When she is brought in for questioning, she never expects to be rescued by Alden Knox in the middle of the British encampment.

  Alden Knox is a double agent for the Cause and walking a very dangerous path. He knows it’s only a matter of time before treachery ignites the desire for independence from Britain. What he doesn’t anticipate is the spark he feels for the beautiful rebel he rescues.

  Foreword

  Author’s Note

  Dear Reader,

  I was fascinated at discovering that the island of Manhattan was utterly ransacked by the British and set ablaze during the Revolutionary War. I thought I was a huge history buff - but had no idea some of the facts and stories that came to life before my very eyes. The characters I had read about as a girl, met and flowed, as I wrote Alden’s story – which then carried over into his brother’s story in ‘A Bride for Daniel’ in the Proxy Brides Series.

  I did take some creative liberty in placing my characters in the midst of the battles, as well as the dates, to make my story flow well. The Battle of White Plains actually took place over a month’s time period – not just a single day. Washington’s army did retreat towards Trenton, but not in the time frame I wrote. I hope that as you read this book, this doesn’t distract from the romance between Alden and Madeline.

  Chapter One

  September 21, 1776

  “Mais non. Je ne quitterai pas ma maison. Je n’ai rien fait de mal,” Madeline snarled angrily at the soldier standing in front of her, pointing a bayonet in her direction. She began coughing once again as he grabbed her by the arm, yanking her from the house she’d grown up in. She always relapsed to her native tongue when she was upset or in distress – and right now, she was in the midst of a full-blown panic attack as sheer terror washed over her.

  The growing town of Manhattan was engulfed in flames.

  She could feel the heat scorching the air around the people running panicked in the streets. British soldiers were going from home to home, kicking in doors, yanking people into the streets. Stunned, her neighbors stood around in all manner of dress at the horrors around them. Loud pops could be heard from splintering beams and glass popped from the temperatures they were being exposed to. There was an eerie glow just over the rooftops that indicated the fire was almost atop of them. It was a nightmarish scene playing out ahead of her. Great plumes of smoke rolled heavily into the air and then sank between the buildings, causing her to choke once again.

  “I don’t want to leave,” she managed to gasp out and was startled to have the soldier grasp her by the upper arm once again. Her powdered wig she’d pinned carefully into place for the soiree this evening was precariously sitting in place atop of her head. Her dress was already exhibiting the effects of the smoke – the icy blue watered silk that had been shipped in from France to Montreal had lost its luster. A line of men nearby was swinging buckets of water as fast as possible in order to douse the fires nearby.

  “By order of the King, you must evacuate!”

  “But where to? Where is my family?”

  “Miss – I care not. This whole mess was started by colonial garbage, you can just die here like the rest of them,” he whirled on her, snapping, when she jerked her arm from his hand once again. Aghast, Madeline stared at him as he walked off and felt a burst of fresh heat singeing the hairs on her arm as a window exploded nearby. If her dress caught fire or didn’t get clear of the smoke – she was as good as dead anyhow. Crossing herself, she prayed that her family got out of the city.

  “Wait!”

  She propelled herself forward immediately, fleeing in the direction several other people were running in. Yanking up her skirts, she bunched them up to keep others from stepping on the train of her gown and prevent it from picking up any embers. She would follow them all to safety and search the crowds for her relatives.

  As she fled through the streets, the blocks went past her one by one – each more treacherous than the next. She wondered idly if they were being simply led to the slaughter. New York was highly sought after by the British and retreat by General Washington was rumored to be on the horizon. Could this be an elaborate plan by the soldiers to flush the colonists from the city? Perhaps this was designed by the army to prevent the British from taking the city… but if so, why didn’t they warn the people? she mused, ignoring the ache in her lungs.

  Slowing to a walk, she sucked in great gasps of air, thankful that the smoke was not quite so thick in this area. Continuing on, she noticed that there was a large group of people off to the side being gathered. Maybe this is where she would find her parents, her brother, and her grandmother. Stepping over, she was immediately shoved into place. Spinning around, Madeline saw that the soldiers were gathering people up.

  “You are all being detained for questioning by order of the King. We will determine who set this fire and route out the traitors among you,” the soldier announced loudly as he stood steadfast among the others in uniform. For a moment, Madeline realized that the ruddy colors of their uniforms reminded her of a deep wound that was bleeding. This is what they were – an injury to this new land that needed to be excised in order to heal.

  She had smartly kept her opinions and thoughts to herself over the last year as tempers flared. Things seemed to be getting so much worse and it was only a matter of time before everything festered. She could have left to return to Montreal, but she adored this new city and these people. They had a rawness and vitality to them that called to her soul.

  Several people looked around in disbelief at the soldier’s announcement and began shouting swear words, throwing things, and becoming belligerent. Madeline backed away from the soldiers as they moved their bayonet guns from a vertical position into make ready, pointed at the crowd. That very same enthusiastic patriotism she admired was going to get them injured or killed, she realized.

  “Enough!” she bit out loudly, drawing several sets of eyes in her direction. “We’ve all lost plenty this evening. Is it worth attacking those that have helped us to safety? None of us have anything to hide and I will happily answer any questions you might have - so long as you stop pointing that gun at me any longer.”

  Th
e silence was deafening. Not just from the colonists behind her, glaring at her as if she’d betrayed them – but the soldiers couldn’t believe a woman would dare confront them publicly in front of so many.

  “Detain them all, Captain,” the soldier on horseback said coldly, glaring at her, “especially this one. Muzzle her so we don’t have a simpleton inciting an incident. She obviously doesn’t know her place among the British.”

  Madeline stood there stonily as the soldiers began to move among the people, splitting them up and ferrying them into groups. At least none of them were being threatened any longer. She glanced around to see if any of her relatives were being cloistered in the groups for questioning before glancing back to the man on horseback.

  “Mademoiselle,” he said sarcastically, tipping his hat in a mocking fashion that made her blood run cold, “if there is one thing we hate more than dealing with these insubordinate colonists – it’s dealing with the French. You would do well to keep silent as to stop offending our ears with your vulgar accent. Take her.”

  Madeline fought against the men that suddenly swarmed upon her. They grabbed her painfully, yanking her arms behind her back and tying her wrists together. Her wig was yanked off, causing her to wince at the feeling of several hairs being pulled from her head. She was shoved towards the trees and deposited down into the muddy grass like debris. If she wasn’t so scared at how abominably she was being treated, she might have gotten angry. The coldness in their eyes stopped her from dressing them down verbally.

  She was in real danger and surrounded.

  Chapter Two

  August 1776

  Lexington, Massachusetts

  “May I help you sir?”

  It was a causal greeting and Alden watched the blonde-haired woman carefully. He knew that wary look and had seen it in many men’s eyes over the last month or so – but never in a young woman. Something had happened to her, something alarming. He watched as she casually slipped her hand into the pocket of her gown and almost smiled. He could see the outline of a large knife through the material. It was comical to see how little stealth she had compared to what he’d learned since he’d become a spy for the continental army.

  “I’m looking for Emma Butler. She might be going by the name of Emma Knox,” he said softly, staring at her with a hard look to his eyes. The woman froze immediately in place and he could see the panic setting in.

  “Who, might I say, is asking for her?” she said coldly, stepping forward, and reaching for something under the counter with her right hand ever so slowly. He’d had enough experience to know she was reaching for a gun. He hoped that she didn’t pull the trigger before he had a chance to discuss why he was here. Yanking a pistol from a holster hidden under his jacket, he held it tightly – his finger perched just above the trigger.

  “I would not touch whatever arms you have hidden under there, miss. I would not want to shoot a young lady, but these are trying times…” Alden’s voice trailed off as he stared at her. She slowly backed her hand away from the gun and held it aloft.

  “There’s not much here for you to take.”

  “I’m not taking anything – as I said: I’m looking for someone in particular.”

  “You aren’t the only one that has come here looking for Emma,” she said cautiously. The fear in her eyes caused him to frown. He’d already had problems that seemed to be compounding quickly. He’d received word that his brother had been pressed into service some time ago and their uncle was maintaining the family’s company.

  Thank goodness because Alden had always struggled with numbers. He could shoot an apple off a fence rail from a distance but if you asked him to figure his sums, the numbers would cross and blur in front of him. In fact, almost everything blurred in his vision when he looked at it closely. If he held it far back from his face, he could see it.

  “Who exactly are you?”

  “I’m Alden Knox,” he said gingerly, watching her carefully for any signs that she might go for the hidden weapon again. “…And my brother, Daniel, was betrothed to Miss Butler long ago.”

  “Daniel isn’t here,” she whispered softly, staring at him in shock. “I am Emma. We were married by proxy a year ago. I’ve never met your brother.”

  “He’s a smart one and can take care of himself,” Alden said gruffly, looking away for a moment before taking a deep breath. That was not what he wanted to hear from her. He’d held out hope and prayed that his brother had been able to get away from the British. There was something about the way his uncle had relayed the news that didn’t set well with him. He sensed that his uncle was lying but the idea of family betraying one of their own was almost unfathomable – but then again – so was the idea of fighting for freedom from the British.

  Alden slipped the gun back into the holster easily and leaned against a table nearby that was stacked with bolts of fabric. This little woman was his elusive sister-in-law and could help him in more ways than one, if Daniel wasn’t here. Maybe she had more information that he could use?

  “I was really hoping to find him here or discover he’d been to you at some point. Who else has come looking for you?”

  “The bigger question is why are they looking for me?”

  “Daniel and I inherited our father’s company to be shared between us – from what I understand it’s not doing so well since my uncle took over.”

  “Why would he take over? Shouldn’t you be there handling it if it’s your inheritance?”

  “My uncle said that Daniel was captured by the redcoats and pressed into service,” Alden said with barely veiled disgust, shaking his head. “I just hope that once the war is over that he’ll be freed - if he’s still alive. I’m no good with numbers and would ruin the ledgers with mistakes.”

  “I understand,” Emma admitted slowly, watching him carefully.

  “What are you doing here? Just traveling through and decided to meet your sister by marriage suddenly after a year?”

  “I thought perhaps I would meet you and we could come to a business arrangement between family, if you are up to it? It’s a dangerous game played nowadays,” Alden murmured pointedly. “Is there somewhere we could speak freely and in private, sister? I’ve learned that the walls have ears and I’ve no desire to stretch my neck any time soon.”

  “Are you a traitor?” Emma asked, reaching for the gun under the table once again. This time, Alden remained completely still. This wary woman had been impacted by the war and it was obvious. She still felt threatened and he understood, but somehow had to gain her trust if they were to have any sort of bond. He’d always grown up knowing family was everything – and believed that with every bit of his soul, even if it was being tested now by his uncle’s falsehoods he was spinning.

  “Truly that depends on your loyalties and where they lie. I’ve already failed to protect my younger brother because I was gone.”

  “And if I answer incorrectly? Will you turn me in?” Emma whispered,

  “Never,” Alden vowed. “Family doesn’t turn on each other. We protect one another. I won’t fail Daniel again by letting his wife be hurt.”

  “I believe it’s time for me to close for the day. Would you care to join me for supper?”

  Alden saw that she released the gun. Her shoulders slumped in relief as she moved towards the door. He watched as she latched it shut firmly. He smiled widely at her, trying to reassure her subtly that this was the best decision for both of them.

  “I think we have a lot to talk about.”

  Hours later, they were sitting at the table laughing together like old friends at the memories Alden was sharing. It made him feel not quite so lost or lonely to be able to remember those times with someone who had a vested interest. This was Daniel’s wife and he hoped for his brother’s sake that he returned soon. Emma was a true gem and Daniel would utterly adore her.

  Emma listened, utterly fascinated, as he told her of Daniel’s childhood. They had been quite the mischief makers together. Daniel
would come up with the plan and Alden would enact it. Alden affectionately called him the ‘hidden ringleader’, confessing that he was the one always getting caught, never Daniel.

  They still sat at the table, their bowls of stew empty in front of them. Emma was shocked to hear that Alden was a self-proclaimed soldier and spy in the war. He was fighting for independence from Britain and wanted her help.

  “I need a safehouse to hide while I am traveling abroad. I have a place to hide in New York, Boston, and Pennsylvania – but if I need to run, I would be trusting you with my life and endangering yours.”

  “I have no affection for the British or the taxes they’ve levied on goods. They are slowly destroying all my father built by bleeding my family dry. I cannot maintain the storefront through legal means as it is,” Emma confessed. “I am selling to the Continental Army already, which is why I have the pistol at the counter.”

  “You’re crafty,” Alden praised, refilling his tankard and holding it up in a mock toast.

  “Because I am forced to be,” Emma said tightly. “The idea of hanging for doing something so trivial as helping support my neighbors fight a war that is destroying us all seems like an abomination. As a lucrative business, you shouldn’t be going hungry – yet I was. I was selling what goods we had in stock, but the taxes prevented me from purchasing more. I couldn’t afford to.”

  “I won’t ask you to further endanger yourself, I just ask for a place to hide – perhaps a root cellar nearby that is available or abandoned?”