The Rebel Spy by April London Page B

woman sobbed and gripped Tamsyn’s arm. “Please don’t leave me alone.”
    Fear rippled over Tabitha’s face and Tamsyn’s heart beat faster.
    “Tabitha, what’s wrong?”
    The girl pulled her further into the corner. “He offered Mama a few coins for letting me come to the party with him.” Tabitha whispered. “There’s nothing to eat. Mama said I would have a nice time and she would be able to buy flour and maybe a little pork.”
    “Who offered your Mama money?” Tamsyn demanded.
    “He keeps touching me. It hurts. “Tears filled Tabitha’s eyes. “He said Mama knew what the coins were for and if I didn’t stop crying, he’d take back the money.”
    “Recruiting?”
    The voice stiffened Tamsyn’s spine and she turned to find Waxman leering down at her.
    Tamsyn lifted an eyebrow and met his angry glare.
    “I don’t recruit children .” She clenched her jaw.
    Tabitha trembled behind her.
    Chairs scraped against the floor and she leaned forward, into Waxman’s space. She licked her lips. “I’d find a woman who would plunge a knife into your filthy Yankee heart.”
    “You fucking bitch.” Waxman’s face turned red. One hand snaked into Tamsyn’s hair.
    Tabitha screamed.
    Waxman’s free arm lifted, taking aim on her face. A hand gripped Waxman’s arm.
    “Waxman! Let the woman go!” General Grant’s voice boomed through the room. The color drained from Waxman’s face and his eyes flashed with unresolved anger.
    His grip relaxed and Tamsyn jerked backwards out of his hold. “She disrespected me, sir.” Waxman continued to glare at her. “She—”
    “She’s a rebel, Wax.” George moved with ease next to Tamsyn and Tabitha. “They don’t know any better.”
    Tamsyn bit her tongue.
    General Steele held Waxman’s arm. The steady tick in his jaw caught her attention.
    George nodded and General Steele relaxed his hold on Waxman’s arm.
    “Captain Waxman, if you can conduct yourself accordingly, you are welcome to take your seat so this meal may continue.” General Grant pointed to a seat next to himself.
    “The rebel whore has no place here.” Waxman huffed and tried to reach around Tamsyn. “Come along, Tabitha.”
    “No.” Tamsyn pressed the girl behind her.
    General Steele narrowed his eyes at her.
    “You would deny me the company of my escort?” Waxman took a step closer and reached around Tamsyn, taking Tabitha by the arm. “Come along, Tabitha.”
    “Tamsyn, please.” Tabitha’s sob caught the men’s attention. She clutched Tamsyn’s skirt.
    Tamsyn took a step toward Waxman. “You will release the child.” Her fists clenched at her sides.
    “Or what?” Waxman sneered.
    “I’ll bring charges of rape,” she whispered.
    The sneer disappeared from his face when he realized her whisper carried to everyone in the room. He released Tabitha and took a large step back.
    “Those charges are false!”
    “Are they?” Tamsyn’s eyes narrowed.
    Waxman sputtered another denial.
    She grasped Tabitha by the hand and dropped her voice low, offering the soldier a bone-chilling smile. “If you go near Tabby or her family again, I’ll plunge a knife into your cold heart myself.”
    She brushed past Waxman. “If you will excuse us gentleman.” Tamsyn drew Tabitha along behind her, and headed toward the door. “I thank you for your gracious invitation, but I do think it best for Tabitha and I to take our leave.”
    She hurried through the foyer and out into the cool evening air. She pulled her thin shawl around her shoulders.
    “Tamsyn, where are we going?” Tabitha sniffled, gathered her skirts and followed Tamsyn down the steps.
    “Home.” Tamsyn looked around and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark.
    “But he will follow us.” Tabitha’s voice trembled.
    “No, he will not.” General Steele’s voice floated from the doorway. “George, do you have your horse?”
    Both men sauntered down the steps. She’d only half expected General Steele to follow. The