"I lost three seamen last night, good men, when we
charged the breastwork. They'll be buried tomorrow with all the others killed."
"It was a hard night for us all, sir."
"Don't try my patience, Master Briggs. I'm not in the mood." He paused to wait as Katherine joined the circle.
"Katherine, your servant." Anthony coldly doffed his hat in greeting. "Here to review the militia?"
"I came to find out about Jeremy."
"I'm still hoping there must be some mistake." He abruptly turned away.
"Well, now that I know, I suppose I'll go back." She looked at him, elegant and cool even now, and told herself she should be more embarrassed than she felt, having him see her here with Hugh. What was he really thinking?
"Katy, wait. I'm glad you're here." Winston motioned her forward, ignoring Anthony's pained look. "Perhaps it'd be well for you to hear this too. Maybe you can convey what I want to say to the Assembly, for whatever good it may do." He turned back. "I want to tell you all that I've concluded this militia is untrained, undisciplined, and, what's worse, uninterested in getting shot all to hell defending Barbados. I hear them asking each other why they're fighting at all."
"We're holding them off nicely, sir," Briggs interjected. "I'm proud of . . ."