The night before Abraham was to make his oath to King George III, Lydia lay awake in her bed. She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter how hard she tried. The only remedy Lydia could determine was to take the matters weighing heavily on her heart to the Lord in prayer. So, she flung the covers from her body and crawled out of bed before she knelt on the floor beside her bed. For a moment she fidgeted with her nightgown. Then she folded her hands, resting them on her quilt, and closed her eyes before she shared spoke with the Lord.

"Dear Lord..." Lydia said breathlessly aloud, pausing for a moment before she continued. "Please keep Abraham safe in your care. We both know he's going to need your guiding hand now more than ever. If it is your will, please help his crop to recover. Please be with Mary and Thomas as well. Please be with Father. Change his heart and his thoughts on imposing a marriage on me. I think we both know why. Bless Selah, Anna, Caleb, Reverend Tallmadge and his sons..." She then took a deep breath. "And now dear Lord, about Benj..."

A noise came from the window, interrupting Lydia. Her head quickly snapped in the direction of the window, her eyes carefully watching it as it slowly began to open. Lydia's heart began to beat rapidly as a hand grasped the window sill. Seconds later, a familiar face poked in through the window and her heart began to beat wildly for a completely different reason. "Benj," Lydia whispered as she quickly got to her feet and ran to meet Ben as he finished pulling himself through the window.

Ben was hardly on his feet for more than a few seconds when Lydia's arms flung around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, holding onto him tightly like she was never going to let him go. Tears of happiness pricked at her eyes as she clung to him. Her plan had worked. Ben was here...with her. He sighed and wrapped his arms tightly around Lydia, not seeming to care much for propriety especially given the fact that she was dressed in her nightclothes. Ben was dressed in the plain clothes she had last seen him in before he had gone off to join the war effort. The pair stood there for several minutes clinging to each other, not saying a word. Lydia never felt safer than she did in the arms of Benjamin Tallmadge.

Even though he didn't want to, Ben was the first one to pull away. Lydia's bottom lip jutted out a bit as Ben looked down at her, pushing a stray hair from her face. His hand lingered on her cheek. "We need to talk, Lydia," he whispered rather sternly. Not only did the tone of his voice give him away, but also the fact he used her Christian name and not the affectionate nickname he had called her since they were children.

Lydia glanced up at him to see the serious expression on his face illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window. She knew that he was cross with her, but she was honestly too elated that her plan had worked and that he really standing in front of her to fret about the matter.

"What were you thinking?" Ben quietly chastised. "My letter quite clearly expressed that you were only to..."

Lydia placed a single finger on Ben's lips, interrupting and quieting him. She tried to hide her smile, knowing full-well the effect she had on him. He cocked his head and looked at her quizzically. Lydia's smile broke through the facade she had attempted. "I know you're cross with me, Benjamin. But first..."

Her fingers hand found their way to his cravat. Lydia pulled herself up with it, causing him to lean forward ever so slightly. From her new vantage point, she could clearly see the scattered freckles on his face and his tender eyes. Her heart began to race and her breath hitched. Slowly, Lydia inched her face forward until her lips gently pressed against Ben's, relishing their first kiss since before Ben had joined the cause. Her eyes remained closed when she finally pulled away, but she could feel Ben's forehead resting against hers. Lydia's eyes fluttered open to find Ben's eyes searching hers.

Then, both of Ben's hands went to Lydia's cheeks before he crashed his lips onto her. His kisses seemed desperate and hungry, compared to her kiss...not that she minded. Lydia's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling herself closer to him as he continued to kiss her. It seemed like she had waited an eternity for this moment...to once again be with him and she had no regrets about how she had gone about it. It had been worth it to be with him, like this, once more.

When the pair finally broke apart, both their cheeks were flushed and their breathing laboured. Ben's hands still gripped Lydia's face and her hands moved to rest on his. She had missed him so much these past few months. Lydia felt a bit like the apostle Thomas from the Bible, needing to touch him in order to believe that he was really there. She thought Ben looked as handsome as ever, maybe even more so. But his serious expression replaced his temporarily lust-filled one. Lydia simply smiled and cupped his cheeks in her hands. "You may scold me now if you wish."

Ben once again cocked his head and looked at Lydia rather incredulously. He opened his mouth to say something, but he quickly closed it and narrowed his eyes at her before he shook his head in disbelief. He threw his head back and quietly groaned. "I don't believe it," he muttered before looking at Lydia once more. "You orchestrated this entire thing."

"Orchestrated what?" Lydia asked coyly.

Ben leaned back, stood a little straighter, and gently removed Lydia's hands from his face. "You know what," he stated, still holding onto her hands. "You knew I'd come. You told Caleb not to tell me about what you'd done, knowing that he would tell me, knowing that it would upset me and that I'd come to Setauket to tell you to stop."

"That sounds quite complicated. You really think me capable of orchestrating such a feat?" Lydia glanced up at Ben, slightly chewing her bottom lip as she waited for his response.

He dropped her hands and folded his arms across his chest, glancing at her rather pointedly. "I find you perfectly capable of orchestrating such a feat."

For a moment, Lydia hung her head, but she quickly raised it and closed the distance between her and Ben. She rested her hands on his arms and tilted her head up toward him, speaking lightly. "Well, it worked. Didn't it, Captain Tallmadge?" She smiled softly.

Ben rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I can't believe you did this," he hissed. "Well, I can believe you did this, but Lydia, it's hardly appropriate. There are other men out there fighting for our freedom that haven't seen their womenfolk and those women don't orchestrate elaborate schemes."

Emotions began to flood through her. Some she hardly recognised that she had been holding back. "In my defence, to the best of my knowledge, none of the other womenfolk don't go weeks without a letter, only to receive a rather cryptic one by route of their brother who was kidnapped by the Continentals and then are told to help said brother spy. Only said brother hardly says a word about a damn thing and then pretends as if nothing ever happened. And...and..." Lydia's composure finally cracked. Her bottom lip began to quiver and tears began to sting her eyes. "I've missed you and...and..." Lydia's voice faltered before she quickly turned from Ben, not wanting him to see a hint of her weakness.

Lydia tried so hard to be strong...to be strong for him. She flung her arms around the post of her bed and hugged it tightly, resting her forehead against it, still sniffling back the tears. Though her eyes were closed, she heard Ben sigh and then listened to the sound of his boots against the floor, his steps growing closer. She felt his arms wrap around her midsection from behind as he pulled himself closer to her. Ben rested his chin against his shoulder and rubbed his face against hers. "I've missed you too, my Lyddie," he whispered in her ear.

She leaned her head back and rested it against him. "I wish you were home," she whispered.

"Lyddie, if I could choose to be anywhere, it would be with you. But you know that I have an obligation to..."

"I know. I know," she sighed, interrupting him.

Ben pulled her a little closer. "As I seem to recall, we had a conversation about how difficult this would be before we..."

She rubbed her cheek against his, feeling his stubble against her smooth cheek. "I know." Her eyes met his. "I know very well what we discussed, Benjamin. But I also believe I'm allotted a moment or two of weakness."

After nodding his head in agreement, Ben pressed a kiss against Lydia's cheek. Releasing the bedpost, Lydia placed her hands on top of his, which were still wrapped around her. She sighed, still leaning against him. "When must you leave?" Lydia asked, wishing her time with Ben wouldn't end, yet knowing that it would end all too soon.

"Shortly," Ben said, his tone rather melancholy. "I shouldn't have even come to Setauket."

"I'm glad you did."

Ben smiled at her words for a moment before he responded, "As am I, but I might be regretting the decision come morning." Lydia's brow furrowed at his words, but he clarified. "I'm leading the ambush and it certainly wouldn't do to have a fatigued officer leading the charge."

Lydia pursed her lips. For a moment she debated telling Ben to make sure that Simcoe didn't survive, but she thought better of it. She knew that Ben already worried about her and that there was no point in adding more to his burden when the situation should be rectified come morning. Besides, Abraham already made the request. Instead, she turned around, still in his arms, and she straightened his cravat. "I was hoping I would get to see how handsome you look in your uniform, Captain Tallmadge."

"It was safer this way," Ben responded as Lydia began to fuss with smoothing out some wrinkles in his clothes, much like a wife would do for her husband. When she didn't respond, he cocked his head trying to get her attention.

When Lydia made eye contact with him, she stopped and sighed. "Well, it's a shame that my brother got to see you in it and I haven't, that's all." Ben throatily chuckled which made her smile. Lydia tugged at his shoulders which made Ben groaned and reached for his right shoulder. She looked at him rather quizzically. "Benj?"

"It's nothing," Ben muttered.

"Why don't I believe that?" Lydia asked, arching her eyebrow. "Either you tell me what happened or I will have a look for myself."

"Lyddie," Ben groaned.

"I mean, it Benj."

Ben looked at her rather solemnly, clearly debating whether or not he should tell her. But he knew her to be a woman of her word, especially when it came to him. "I was wounded," he confessed. "Nothing serious. It's to be expected with a war going on."

"Are you telling me that you were shot?" Lydia watched as Ben pursed his lips for a moment before he gave a slight nod of his head. Lydia rolled her eyes. "Benjamin! You weren't going to tell me, were you?" Her voice was louder than she had intended. Ben reached up and covered her mouth with his hand for a moment as they listened to see if they had awakened anyone. But they heard no one stir, so Ben then removed his hand.

"I didn't want to worry you more than necessary. I knew if I told you what happened that you'd do something reckless."

Lydia folded her arms across her chest stubbornly. "It's a little too late for that. I did it anyway because you didn't tell me."

They made eye contact for a moment just staring at each other in the silence. Lydia sighed, already beginning to cave. While she didn't like him keeping secrets from her, she knew his intentions to be good. She moved her hands to his cravat and played with it. "Next time just tell me. You know I worry about you, Benj. I'm stronger than you think."

"You're the strongest person I know, Lyddie." Ben kissed Lydia's forehead, his lips lingering there for a few moments as Lydia clung to him. "I should probably go," he mumbled against her forehead.

Lydia's arms snaked around his neck, holding tightly onto him. "No," she whispered. "Please don't leave..."

"Lyddie, I must get back." He attempted to untangle her arms from his neck.

"You didn't let me finish, Benj," Lydia chided. Ben cocked his head once more and looked at her quizzically. "I was going to say please don't leave until I'm asleep. This way I don't have to see you go. I do so hate that part." She frowned.

Ben sighed but didn't say anything. It was clear he was torn between taking his leave promptly and wanting to stay with her. Lydia looked up at him with an expression that won him over many times growing up and tonight was no different. "Fine," Ben groaned. "But you must try to fall asleep quickly."

Lydia held back a squeal as she reached up and pressed a kiss against his lips. He eagerly returned the kiss. After several heated kisses, he mumbled the words lie down against her lips.

While she knew the word was meant innocently, Lydia pulled away from him and grinned. "My, that was awfully forward of you, Benjamin." Ben quickly released her as his face paled and his eyes widened in horror at the implication. Despite their situation, in many ways this still felt completely foreign to them. Lydia covered her mouth to suppress the laughter that threatened to reveal them. When she managed to regain her composure, she whispered, "I was only teasing you, Benj. But I'll show you that I am capable of obeying you."

She smirked as she pressed a kiss on his cheek before she crawled onto her bed. Lydia leaned her head back her pillow, watching Ben. She had purposely stayed to one side of the bed hoping that he might join her. She didn't know when she would see him again and she just liked being near him. She always felt safer and far happier at his side. While she had thought his years at Yale had been torturous, him being gone with the Continentals was even worse.

But Ben just stood there. Lydia patted the empty space on the bed beside her and softly said, "Benj."

Ben rubbed his jaw anxiously, looking over his shoulder at the door to the hall. "Your father is next door."

Lydia arched an eyebrow and sat up. "And Major Hewlett is across the hall."

"Precisely my point."

"Now you're suddenly for propriety?" Lydia scoffed. "You didn't seem to care much for it a few minutes ago and you certainly didn't care for it back in June." Although, Lydia couldn't help but blush at the boldness of her own words, remembering to what she was referring. Thankfully, he couldn't see her blush in the near darkness.

He groaned, knowing exactly what she was referring to. "It's not propriety I'm worried about."

"Then what?"

"Restraint."

"Ah." There was a moment of silence between the pair. Lydia then crawled to the end of her bed. Staying on the bed, she stood up on her knees and rested her hands on Ben's shoulders. "I think your sense of duty and obligation will likely help you on that front," Lydia said. "Sleep will find me much faster with you by my side and then you'll be able to hie yourself back sooner. Besides, the army isn't the only one to whom you have an obligation, Benj."

Lydia glanced up at him, her eyes shining in the moonlight. She tugged his cravat, pulling him toward her. Ben allowed himself to fall forward onto the bed after her, but he kept himself from falling on top of Lydia. For a moment, she lay on her back looking up at him as Ben propped himself up above her by his arms. "I suppose this is exactly the situation you were trying to prevent," Lydia whispered with a playful expression on her face.

"Aye," Ben responded, nodding his head, causing several tendrils hair to fall in front of his face.

Lydia reached up and gently pushed his hair away from his face. For a moment, she chewed her bottom lip. She knew better than to push Ben too far. She had already gotten him to come to Setauket and to agree to stay until she fell asleep. She needn't push the man she loved any farther. So, she wriggled to the head of the bed and Ben crawled to the spot beside her.

They lay there facing each other, not speaking, taking each other's features in knowing that it was likely to be the last time they saw each other for some time. Lydia gently brushed her fingers against Ben's cheek. Ben's hand clasped hers, keeping it on his cheek as he rubbed his face against it. Lydia couldn't help but smile. Her heart felt so full that it might burst with happiness. This was what she wanted and for now, it was hers to have.

"Go to sleep," Ben whispered before he kissed the inside of her hand which was still on his face. Lydia sighed and nodded her head. Ben softly smiled before he gently kissed her lips and then placed a kiss on each eye. Lydia closed her eyes and smiled contentedly.

Seconds later, her eyes flew open and she quickly sat up, startling Ben. He opened his mouth to speak, but Lydia pressed a lone finger on his lips before she turned her back toward him. She then folded her hands and bowed her head. "Lord, thank you for bringing Benj to me safely. Thank you for allowing us to have this time together, albeit shorter than we both would like." Lydia paused for a moment and glanced over her shoulder to see Ben smiling at her. She smiled and returned to her prayer. "Please watch over Benj and keep him safe so that he can come home to me for good and we might live as you intended. In Jesus name, Amen."

Lydia had hardly finished her prayer when Ben's arm wrapped around her middle from behind and he pulled her toward him. With her back to him, Lydia lay there as he nestled his face against the crook of her neck. She could feel his breath against her. It was warm and it made her sigh contentedly. Instinctively, Ben pulled her a little closer. "I love you, Lyddie," Ben said. "But promise me you won't do this again."

"I promise, Benj," Lydia said closing her eyes. "I love you." Almost immediately, she felt at peace and sleep easily overtook her while in the safety of Ben's arms.

In the morning, Lydia slowly awoke. She reached out for Ben, but she only found cold sheets beside her. Lydia opened her eyes to find no sign of him. For a moment, she almost wondered if she had imagined last night, but she spotted a letter beneath the pillow he had used. Lydia grinned. Nothing was going to sour her day. She wouldn't let it.

Lydia pulled the letter from beneath the pillow to see her name in Ben's familiar scrawl. When he had time to write her, she didn't know; but she did know that he hated when correspondence wasn't promptly responded to. She set the letter back down before she sat up and pulled the pillow he had used to her face. She inhaled. It still smelled like him. Lydia hugged the pillow tightly when a knock came at the door.

"Miss Lydia," Aberdeen's voice called from the other side of the door. Lydia quickly covered the letter with the pillow before she crossed the room and opened the door just a crack. "Miss Lydia, it's almost time for breakfast and it looks like you'll be needin' my help gettin' dressed so you don't make the judge late." Aberdeen's brow furrowed when she noticed Lydia still in her nightclothes. But the girl just smiled and allowed her entrance.

Aberdeen helped Lydia with her corset. While Lydia hated the wretched contraption with a passion, she was nothing but smiles as it was being done up. She was so cheerful that even Aberdeen took notice. "What's gotten into you, child?" Aberdeen asked.

"Nothing," Lydia chuckled, blushing a bit. "But I suppose a good night's sleep can do wonders for a person, don't you agree, Aberdeen?"

"Yes'm, I suppose so," Aberdeen answered rather hesitantly, quite sure that Miss Lydia was hiding something from her. She could just tell. In fact, Aberdeen hadn't seen Lydia like this in months. Sure, Miss Lydia was quite good at composing herself, but when you've helped raise a young woman since she was a girl, there are things one just knows. And Aberdeen knew that something was amiss with Lydia. But she said nothing on the subject. Instead, she asked, "Which dress would you like to wear today?"

"Why don't you pick?" Aberdeen glanced at Lydia. Lydia just nodded her head and Aberdeen went and picked a red patterned gown. Aberdeen helped Lydia into the gown before starting on the young woman's hair. She had just finished pinning Lydia's curls back when a bell rang downstairs. Aberdeen took her leave. Lydia waited until she could no longer hear Aberdeen's footsteps before she raced back to her bed and grabbed her letter from Ben.

Lydia opened the letter to find another letter stowed-away inside. This one was addressed to Father. Every now and then, Ben had her pass a letter onto his father and she was certain that was what he wanted her to do. She couldn't imagine him writing to her father. It would ruin everything. Sure enough, when Lydia read her letter, Ben did ask her to personally deliver the letter to his father when she had the opportunity.

Richard Woodhull called from downstairs for his daughter to join him for breakfast. Lydia slipped the letter for Reverend Woodhull in her stocking before she left the sanctuary of her bedroom to join her father.

"Good morning, Father," Lydia said rather cheerfully as she kissed her father's cheek before taking a seat beside him at the table.

"Someone's rather lively this morning," Richard said with a chuckle.

Lydia smiled at her father as she placed her napkin on her lap. "Well, the good Lord does say, This is the day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Richard patted his daughter's hand. "That he does. That he does."

After breakfast, Lydia donned her cloak and straw hat before she rode with her father into town. Abe, Mary, and Thomas would meet them on the green; as would most of the town. Taking an oath of loyalty to the king was serious business. Lydia wouldn't be surprised if most of the soldiers stationed in Setauket showed up as well. It was certainly going to be a sight.

But Lydia was nervous for her brother. Abe sometimes cracked under immense pressure and taking an oath of loyalty to a king whose side you are spying on was likely to lead to pressure. But that's where she came in. That was the role Ben had asked her to play, the role of attempting to alleviate some pressure off Abe. That was something she was capable of doing but she was easily capable of doing more and wished Ben would let her.

The cart came to a stop in front of the tavern. Through the window, Lydia saw Anna standing inside. Lydia nodded her head toward her friend and Anna nodded her head back. She then smiled at Anna and Anna gave her a rather quizzical expression in return. But Lydia couldn't help but smile. Thankfully, Judge Woodhull had missed the exchange between the two women as he hitched the horses and made his way to Lydia's side of the cart. He offered his daughter his hand, which she accepted, and he helped her down. Once Lydia was steady on her feet, she followed her father as he walked toward Major Hewlett.

Minutes later, Abraham's cart pulled into the green. When it came to a stop, Lydia approached the cart and reached up to take Thomas. Mary smiled and handed Lydia her nephew. Lydia tightly hugged her nephew and kissed his cheek. Thomas returned his aunt's affection with a sloppy kiss on her chin. Lydia chuckled and wiped her chin with the sleeve of her dress. She gently tapped her finger on her nephew's nose before she handed him back to his mother. Mary took Thomas and situated him on her hip while casting a scrutinising glance at Lydia.

"There's something different about you," Mary commented.

"Aberdeen helped me dress this morning," Lydia said, adjusting her hat. "I accidentally slept in later than usual this morning."

"Sleep," Mary sighed glancing at her son. "Enjoy it while you can. When you're a mother you'll wish you had."

Lydia's eyes cast downward for a moment as she attempted to hide the blush crawling up her cheeks. She did want to be a mother someday, a mother to Ben's children and after last night... Lydia quickly checked her thoughts, lest she give herself away entirely. Instead, she glanced at her brother. Abraham looked a little peaked as he stood next to their father who clutched his Bible. Lydia said a quick silent prayer that Abraham could get through the oath.

The people of Setauket and the soldiers began to assemble. Major Hewlett stood with Ensign Baker and Lieutenant Appleton. Anna stood at the entrance to the tavern. Lydia stayed beside Mary, mostly for the appearance's sake. She had a role to play indefinitely, which her to have good standing in Setauket.

Abraham placed his hand on the Bible and began to speak. Lydia's brow furrowed. She could see his lips moving but she couldn't hear him. Her eyes went to her father who looked rather irritated before he gruffly told Abe to speak louder. Abe glanced at their father curiously, with his jaw set. He stood a little straighter with a look in his eyes that slightly resembled defiance. Abraham then began to recite his oath clearly and loud enough for everyone to hear. Lydia shook her head. She should have known that Abe's stubbornness would shine against their father's disapproval.

With a final shout of God save the king! Abraham's oath was finished. Lydia glanced at Mary and smiled. "I think he presented himself well," Mary whispered to her sister-in-law.

"I agree," Lydia responded. She hadn't expected Abe to be quite so convincing, but their father's disapproval of him had been his saving grace. Although, Lydia couldn't quite place where their father's disapproval, it seemed more disapproving than usual. Not that Richard Woodhull usually approved of Abe. It was only after their brother Thomas had died and Abe had a role to fill that their father seemed to heed him more.

"Then let us go tell him so." Mary led them toward Abraham, carrying her son in her arms. Lydia followed in-step with her sister-in-law, trying not to meet the eyes of the soldiers watching her, no doubt trying to gain her attention. If only they knew the truth, they wouldn't be so keen to win her favour.

Abe was leaning against his cart as Mary, Thomas, and Lydia approached him. He looked knowingly at his sister. Knowing she couldn't say anything about the situation, Lydia just gave him a nod that hopefully conveyed everything she couldn't tell him in front of Mary. A look that conveyed that thus far, they were safe.

"Lydia and I both think you presented yourself well," Mary said as she stopped beside her husband.

Abe nodded his head and thanked his wife before quickly diverting attention from himself to his son. "I thought this little fella did awfully well as well," Abe said pointing at Thomas. "Not a peep."

"Clearly he takes after his aunt," Lydia teased.

Abe shook his head and rolled his eyes, knowing that was the furthest thing from the truth. "You do know there were times we had to leave you home with Aberdeen because you did nothing but scream, right?"

Lydia folded her arms across her chest and arched an eyebrow. She knew he was teasing her back, but she still felt compelled to respond. "And I do believe Father told me there were times when you did the same."

"Sprout must take after his ma then." Abe then reached out to grab his son as Mary beamed proudly. "But he's still my boy. Aren't you, Sprout? Come here. Come here to Daddy." With his son in his arms, Abe kissed the top of his son's head and Thomas gurgled in response.

"I think we should collect a five-pound of flour while we're here," Mary said to Abe. Abe nodded his head. Mary then turned to Lydia. "Would you care to join me? Perhaps we can even stop by and see some of the new fabrics Mister Ketcham just got in."

"I believe I will," Lydia answered. In the corner of her eye, she saw her father approaching. She then turned toward her brother. "Abe, tell Father where I've gone and not to wait on me. My legs are itching for a walk so I'll walk home when I'm done with Mary." Abe nodded his head in agreement. Lydia waved back at her father as she walked away with Mary to Ketcham's store.

Inside the store, Mary and Lydia looked through several bolts of fabric. The new fabrics would make beautiful gowns. Not very sensible ones, but beautiful nonetheless. Mary asked Mister Ketcham for several bolts of heavier fabric: a blue, a green, a brown, and a black. "Pick one," Mary said to Lydia.

Lydia's brow furrowed. "Excuse me?" she asked.

Mary smiled. "You heard me. Pick one."

"For what?"

"Your birthday present, if you must know," Mary said shaking her head.

Things still weren't any clearer to Lydia. "My birthday isn't until the end of November and..."

"I know you don't like to make a fuss over it," Mary said, reaching out and gently patting Lydia's arm. "I know it's not an easy day, but I want to make my sister something special for her birthday and nothing you can say is going to stop me. I just thought I'd give you the option of choosing the fabric. But if you're going to force me to choose I'm going to go with either the blue or green. The blue goes with your eyes and the green complements your hair."

Lydia pursed her lips before she sighed. "If I can't talk you out of it, then I suppose the blue will do nicely."

"Perfect." Mary grabbed the bolt of blue fabric.

"What are you making me?"

Mary shook her head. "If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"

Lydia arched an eyebrow and shook her head. There was no arguing with her sister-in-law over the matter. So, she wisely said nothing and simply smiled instead. That seemed to satisfy Mary. In the corner of her eye, Lydia saw Anna walk into the store, looking at her before heading to the corner of the store. "I think I'll have another look around while Mister Ketcham cuts the fabric and you square things away."

"Good idea." Mary smiled as Lydia walked away.

Lydia walked past Anna the first time through the store, not to draw any suspicion. Her second time around, she stopped to look at something with her back to Anna. "Annie," Lydia whispered her friend's childhood name.

"Lyddie," Anna whispered back.

Lydia grabbed a tin cup in front of her and pretended to examine it. "The deed should be done by now."

"To what are you referring?"

She mentally kicked herself. Of course, Anna didn't know that she knew. They hadn't had time to see each other since her last visit into town. Lydia glanced over her shoulder to see if Mary was watching her. She wasn't. She was engrossed in conversation with Mister Ketcham. Lydia exhaled a breath before she whispered, "Simcoe. Benj came to me last night and said that the ambush was happening today."

Anna turned her head slightly toward Lydia. "He came all the way to Setauket to tell you that?"

Lydia chuckled. "Not exactly. He came to chastise me for being reckless because it's not a woman's place to spy and left sooner after."

"Of course he did. Men," Anna scoffed with a bit of a chuckle before turning back to the shelf in front of her.

"I must get back to Mary before she's suspicious," Lydia said. "But I thought you ought to know that I'm in on the ruse and that if you need help with anything now that Selah's gone..."

"Thank you. Same to you."

Lydia nodded her head, despite the fact that Anna couldn't see it. She then moved to a different area of the store before she called to her sister-in-law, "Mary, might I rejoin you?"

"In a moment," Mary called back.

Lydia sighed and looked between Mary and Anna. It was a pity that she couldn't have them both for sisters. Lydia slowly approached Mary who had just finished her purchasing her items. The pair then walked out of the store and headed toward Abraham who was playing with Thomas in the grass.

"Father's up at the church with Major Hewlett," Abe said on his haunches as the women approached him. "Said he would be there for a spell if you wanted a ride back to Whitehall."

"Did you tell him I wished to walk?" Lydia asked her brother.

"I did." Abe grabbed Thomas and stood up. "He said to tell you anyway."

"Like I said before, my legs are itching for a good walk. So, I best be off." Lydia hugged Mary and kissed Thomas. Abe then set his son in the cart and allowed Lydia to hug him. "Take care brother," she whispered.

"You as well," Abe whispered back. Lydia moved to pull away, but Abe held onto her. She glanced up at him quizzically. "Do not breathe a word of..."

"I know how to keep a secret, Abraham," Lydia interrupted. "Quite a few actually. And if anything, it should be I worried about you keeping the secret. Now, if you'll please excuse me..."

Abe still didn't release her. "What other secrets?"

"If I told you, they wouldn't be secrets any longer, now would they?" Lydia eyed her brother before she gently patted his cheek and released herself from his grasp. She waved goodbye to her brother and his family as she walked away from them headed toward Whitehall, with a planned detour to deliver Reverend Tallmadge his letter.

As she approached the Tallmadge place, Lydia looked over her shoulder to be sure that no one could see her. She hated having to sneak around just to visit the good reverend, but if someone spotted her they would surely tell her father and everything would be as good as ruined. Thankfully, no one was watching, so Lydia picked up her skirts and sprinted down the path to the house. Outside the door, Lydia fished the letter out of her stocking before she knocked.

A few moments later, Reverend Tallmadge opened the door. He gently smiled. "Lydia, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Lydia held the letter up for him to see. "Ben wanted me to deliver this to you." She smiled as she handed him the letter.

Reverend Tallmadge looked at the letter in his hand for a moment before he asked, "Would you care to come in?"

Lydia nodded her head and crossed the threshold into the Tallmadge house. She remembered coming here often as a child. Before Ben's mother had died, she had taken a liking to her and invited her over frequently. In fact, it was the first Missus Tallmadge that taught Lydia to bake an area Widow Browne had failed miserably in her teaching. Of course, the house had changed since those days, especially given the fact that there was a different lady of the house. Lydia had nothing against the current Missus Tallmadge, but she missed Ben's mother-a woman who had been like a mother to her, especially given the fact that Lydia never got a chance to know her own mother.

"I'm afraid I don't have much to offer," Reverend Tallmadge apologised. "My wife is out visiting her kin and I had her take Isaac along. I sent them out after we heard of the murder and before she got a chance to prepare for me to be on my own."

She nodded her head in understanding. "When are they expected back?"

He shrugged. "I told her to stay as long as she cared to, especially with things the way they are in Setauket."

"If I would have known your wife was out, I would have brought something into town with me. But alas, I did not." Lydia chewed her lip for a moment before she suggested, "How about I fix you up a few things? "

Reverend Tallmadge sighed and shook his head. "I couldn't ask that of you, Lydia."

She smiled. "You don't have to, I'm offering. Besides, it will give us a chance to chat for a spell. It's not often we get to do so."

"No, I suppose we don't," he agreed. He led Lydia to the kitchen where she rolled up her sleeves and immediately set to work. Reverend Tallmadge sat on a stool and watched as she worked. "I've been meaning to thank you for those turnovers you sent over last. They tasted just like the ones Susannah used to make."

Lydia hung her head slightly and blushed. "Well, I did use her recipe," she confessed.

Reverend Tallmadge smiled at her. He had often wondered why the good Lord only blessed him with sons, but sometimes God worked in mysterious ways. He cleared his throat. "How is your father?" he asked.

She glanced up from her prepping and made eye contact with Reverend Tallmadge. She knew her father to be a sore spot for him. The two men had once shared a friendship until the day her father had marched from Tallmadge's church. Lydia was quite certain the two hadn't shared a single word with each other since that day. She sighed, "He's doing well. Stubborn as ever, but well."

He folded his arms across his chest. "What's he being stubborn about this time?"

"I think the better question is what isn't he being stubborn about." Lydia wiped her hands on the towel nearby before she sighed once again. "Although finding me a suitable husband seems to one of his top priorities these days." Lydia shared a knowing glance with Reverend Tallmadge. "Did you know that Ben asked my father for my hand his final year at Yale and my father refused him?"

Reverend Tallmadge nodded. "I did. He was rather discouraged for some time afterwards."

Lydia folded her arms across her chest. "He never told me. I only just heard about it a few days ago from my father. Why didn't he tell me?"

"I don't know why Benjamin never told you, Lydia. Perhaps it was he didn't want you to know how much the refusal had hurt his pride Pride goeth before a fall."

"He should have told me," Lydia said rather stubbornly before she began chopping. She blew a tendril of hair from her face. "Not that it really matters now."

Reverend Tallmadge nodded knowingly. "I assume that since you come bearing a letter for me from my son that you've heard from him?"

"Aye. I saw him last night." Lydia felt her cheeks flame as she refused to meet Reverend Tallmadge's gaze.

"How is he?"

"He's alive, thank the Lord. I had to force it out of him to tell me that he was shot in the shoulder. Didn't tell me how though. Although, maybe he told you." Lydia pointed to the still unread letter in Reverend Tallmadge's hand. She smiled softly. "I'll stop talking so you have a chance to read it."

Reverend Tallmadge chuckled to himself before he nodded his head and opened Ben's letter. Lydia finished preparing the turnovers and placed them in the oven as he read the letter. She then set to making some vegetable stew for the good reverend. Stew should at least last him a few days. Although, he would need to find some meat to pair it with.

As she chopped up the vegetables, Lydia glanced over at Reverend Tallmadge. He sat there reading the letter with a hand covering his mouth, but his eyes conveyed his worry. "Is something wrong?"

"The only news Benjamin has of Samuel is that he's aboard the Jersey."

Lydia sighed. Samuel was Ben's older brother, the oldest Tallmadge son. He was taken captive by the British and was now aboard the prison ship where Selah Strong had just been sent. Lydia walked over to Reverend Tallmadge and reached for his hand. "Perhaps we should pray?" Lydia suggested.

Reverend Tallmadge nodded his head before he bowed it and closed his eyes. Lydia followed suit as the reverend asked the Lord to watch over his oldest son and that His will be done. She mumbled her own amen when the prayer was finished before she returned to the meal she was preparing.

The stew simmered over the fire as Lydia set the turnovers on the table to cool. She then announced to Reverend Tallmadge that she best hie herself home. He stood up and hugged her. "God has truly blessed me and my family with you," he said to her.

Lydia smiled somewhat uncomfortably, she was terrible at accepting compliments. She chastely kissed Ben's father's cheek before she took her leave and escaped back to Whitehall.