The Monongahela Inn, A Week Later
The women of the Monongahela Inn were all sitting on the porch, discussing what they could do to help the war effort, when they saw a dispirited troop of men shuffle down Isabella Street. They all jumped up at once to greet them. Most of the men had gone to Fort Pitt to sign up for the militia that very morning. Scott vanished a few days before, and Victor hadn't been seen at the inn since the day after the war was announced.
Hilary got to Jeff first. “I hope you're proud of yourself, Jeffrey. You cheated death in Boston, and now you want to double your bet. You're too foolhardy, too reckless, too...”
Jeff was already storming into the lobby. “They wouldn't take me, Hilary. Not in the condition my knees are in.”
Hilary and the rest of the staff followed him. “Oh, thank goodness! Our wedding is in two weeks!”
Eugenia looked at Mr. Foley. “And ours is next month.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Did you...”
“They wouldn't take him, either. Those flat feet of his make him too slow for the Army.” Mackie patted Mr. Foley's slumped shoulder.
Mr. Eldridge looked incensed. “And they had the nerve to tell Mackie, Lester, and me that we were too old for battle! I've fought the Dutch, the Spanish, and the French. I could certainly handle the British!”
Elizabeth was taking head count. “We're still missing Scott, C.J, and Victor.” She bit her lip. “Do you think...”
Maple put a hand on her shoulder. “I do not think they would take Victor. He was injured in Boston, remember. He might be put to better use writing pamphlets, as he has done. Scott and C.J....”
Elizabeth groaned. “Scott had better not be pulling another Crimson Blade con. He promised me he was giving all that up to work at the Inn!”
Maple sighed. “You know Scott. He says he promises, but 'once a scoundrel, once a scoundrel again,' as they say.”
“If he's out there trying to con some unsuspecting soldier out of a month's pay, I'll make him clean out the chicken coop again! Twice!” She threw a folder under her arm. “Maple, if anyone asks, I'll be in my room. I'm way, way behind on my stories! I have to finish that one about the writer who falls in love with the mercenary and tracks down a priceless jewel in the Mexican colonies with him.”
Maple nodded. “All right, Elizabeth. You will be here for afternoon play?”
Elizabeth smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. “Of course.”
She wasn't sure how long she was in her room. She tried to lose herself in the world of her story, but her own thoughts and feelings kept intruding. Scott promised me! Where is he? Where are they? Why did I believe he could change?And what about Victor? Why can't he find a military job that'll let him sit still for five minutes?
“If I could get my hands on those two,” Elizabeth yelled to the quiet room, “I'd...I'd...I don't know what I'd do, but it wouldn't be very nice!” There was a knock on the door, even as her yelling died down. “Come in!” she snapped.
“I'm glad to hear you're worried about me.” Elizabeth stood and turned to face Scott O'Rourke-Sherwood. She was shocked to see him in the red and blue uniform of a Patriot officer.
“Scott,” she said in surprise, “you're in the army now.”
“Actually, I'm a privateer, hired by the Patriot army to keep the British off their backs.” He nodded in the general direction of the harbor. “C.J joined, too. We've spent the last two days helping the boat works here refit the Ursula Gothel for war. We even renamed her. I thought the Ariel Belle had a more pleasant ring to it.”
“You're leaving?”
“We're both shipping out tomorrow. C.J's in the lobby now, with the rest of the staff.” He gave her a small version of his famous grin.“If I fought for places like Quebec and Montreal in the French and Indian War, I'm sure as hell going to fight for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in this one. I'll be fighting for all the Elizabeth Roberts out there. Even if it means doing without the lass I care for, for a little while. I guess that's how this whole thing works.” He put out his arm. “Victor's back, too. He came in at the same time I did. He wanted to meet us in the Manager's Office. Shall we go, Miss Roberts?”
She nodded, feeling dumbstruck. “We mustn't keep Victor waiting.”
The Manager's Office, A Few Minutes Later
Victor Comstock was going through papers when the two arrived. He stood and went to the duo. “First of all, Lieutenant Sherwood, let me be the first...well, second...to congratulate you on your commission. I heard you're shipping out tomorrow?”
He nodded, stiffening noticeably. He took Elizabeth's hand protectively. “Yes, I am. C.J and I will both be working for the Patriots.”
“As will everyone at the Monongahela Inn.” He looked at the duo in front of him. “The officers at Fort Pitt wish for us to become a type of military encampment. We'll provide rest, relaxation, and entertainment for weary soldiers just coming from the battlefields. We'll still take our regular non-military paying customers as well. It'll be twice the work on half the budget. I'll be at Fort Pitt for part of the time, continuing my pamphlets.” Victor was very nearly beaming. “God, I love a challenge!”
Scott stood, his eyes suddenly not wanting to meet Victor or Elizabeth's. “I'm sure it'll be great, Vic..tor. You're a brilliant innkeeper. I have to go. They need to make a few final preparations on the Ariel Belle before she's ready to sail again.” He nodded at Elizabeth, unable to look at her. “I'll be seein' ye, lass.” He shook Victor's hand again. “Good luck with your work, Victor.”
Elizabeth followed him out the lobby and onto the porch. “Scott...”
He stopped on the steps. “Lass, I can't stay and watch you with another man. If Victor is what you want, I won't stand in your way.”
She turned him around and kissed him deeply. His eyes finally met hers. “Lass...”
“Scott,” she breathed, “I was so worried when you left! I thought you hadn't changed. But now I know. I know you meant what you said.”
He lifted her chin and kissed her again. “I love you, Elizabeth Roberts. I always will.” He took something round and silvery out of his pocket. “Here. I want you to keep this for me, until I come home.”
She looked at the object in her hand. “Your watch? The one from your parents? But I couldn't...”
He smiled. “I trust ye, lass. I know you'll keep it safe for me.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I'll miss you, Scott.”
“And I'll miss you.” He opened the watch in her hand one final time. “Oh, would you look at the time?” He looked up, over her head, with a small grin. “And at our audience.”
The entire staff of the Monongahela Inn stood on the porch, watching the two with grins plastered on most of their faces. “No, keep going!” C.J insisted. “It was just getting to the good part.”
Mackie whistled. “This is better than any of our plays.”
“It is tres romantic!” Maple sighed. Victor was next to her. While his face showed disappointment, Elizabeth did notice that he didn't seem to mind when Maple put her good arm around his shoulder.
Hilary nudged Jeff. “I hope you're taking notes for our wedding night. I want it to be just as delightfully dramatic as this!”
He gave her a squeeze. “We'll make our own drama, Mittens.”
Mr. Eldridge watched them with a chuckle. “Understood completely.”
Scott nodded at the young man on the porch. “Come on, C.J.” He climbed on a horse. “I'll see you around, Elizabeth Roberts. Someday, I'll be home.”
Elizabeth and the crowd on the porch waved to him as the two men mounted horses and rode off down Isabella Street. “Good-bye, Scott! I love you!” But the two horses were already flying around the corner and out of sight.
She gazed at the silver watch in her hand. “Oh, would you look at the time?” She turned to her beloved family on the porch as she gently placed the watch in her pocket. “I believe we have an Inn to run!”
The Adventures of the Crimson Blade
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