“I’m scared to death!” Becky cried. “Jamie, I was so relieved to see you come aboard; it guarantees one more protector if we are attacked by the British. You will fight for me, won’t you?” And she turned a coquettish glance upon him, moving a little aside that he might take a seat next her.
Lettice, leaning over the rail, watched the water as the boat moved out of her dock and started down the Basin, moving slowly between the shores now showing their first suggestion of spring.
“Are you scared, Miss Lettice?” asked Tyler Baldwin by her side.
“No, are you?” she asked, without raising her eyes.
“Yes, for you.”
Lettice looked up, startled. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that I wish to heaven that all the ladies were safe inland, miles from the coast. I’ve no confidence in our being safe, although the captain says so.”
“What would they do to us if they were to take us?” asked Lettice, looking sober.
“They’d not treat you ill, I hope, but they might scare you to death. Miss Lettice, I have not seen you since your visit to Washington. Did you enjoy the naval ball?”
“You are changing the subject. Do I look pale with fright?”