Free Flintlock by William W. Johnstone Page A

said. “Andrew, they are of the greatest moment.”
    The major feigned a look of surprise and his monocle popped out of his eye socket and dropped onto his chest. “How remiss of me, my dear,” he said. “Please inform Captain Shaw of your wishes.”
    Winnifred sat on the edge of her chair with her knees pressed close together, as though guarding a treasure she considered constantly under threat. She had a pale, pinched face, muddy brown eyes, and the hair that showed under her straw bonnet was so blond as to be almost colorless.
    â€œCaptain Shaw, what I am about to say to you is of singular importance and, as I have already indicated, of the greatest moment,” Winnifred said.
    Shaw gave a little bow. “Your obedient servant, ma’am.”
    â€œThank you, Captain. First, I wish to mention demon drink. Yes, Captain, those tools of the devil, the whiskey and beer that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life and inflames sinners to lustful fantasies.” She tightened her knees. “I am against demon drink in all its forms and disguises.”
    Shaw bowed. “I understand, ma’am.”
    â€œThank you, Captain. Secondly I am against the presence of loose women, and yes, I will say it, whores, on or near an army post. Without her purity, a woman is no woman, but rather a lower form of being, a fallen female, unworthy of the love of her sex and unfit for their company. A woman, even a married woman, must be willing to guard her sweet treasure with her life. Do you understand me, Captain?”
    â€œPerfectly, ma’am.”
    â€œI will not tolerate any fallen . . . creatures . . . anywhere near this fort while my dear husband is in command. They may flaunt their”—Winnifred lightly touched her small breasts—“dumplings of the devil where’er they please, but not at Fort Defiance. I am very adamant on these matters and I assure you, so is Major Grove.”
    â€œIndeed I am, my dear,” Grove said. “On that wondrous day we first became betrothed I vowed that my lips would ne’er touch alcohol or my loins be stimulated by impure or lecherous thoughts. Under your sweet guidance I have kept both those vows.”
    â€œAnd I have not forgotten that in whatever situation of life I find myself, from the cradle to the grave, a spirit of obedience and submission to my husband, as well as pliability of temper and humility of mind, are required of me.”
    â€œMy darling,” Grove said.
    â€œBeloved,” Winnifred said.
    Shaw smiled. All right then, first the wife, then the major. When the time came he’d kill them in that order.
    â€œDo you understand, Captain? No loose women and no alcohol are to be permitted at Fort Defiance. My lady wife has made her feelings clear on these critical points, has she not?”
    â€œIndeed she has, sir, perfectly clear. I will obey your . . . wife’s . . . orders, Major.”
    â€œGood, now take me on a tour of the fort. I wish to see how badly it’s been run recently.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Shaw said.
    And you’ll get your bullet in the belly, Major .

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    It had been too late in the afternoon to send out a wood detail, and everybody at Fort Defiance knew it—except Major Andrew Grove.
    He’d demanded that the woodpile be replenished so that there would be plenty at hand when the fighting soldiers returned with their prisoners.
    â€œGonna be dark soon, Lieutenant, and the wagon ain’t half full yet,” Sergeant Pat Tone said. He spat into the sand at his feet. “Damn desk major who knows nothing.”
    â€œHold your tongue, Sergeant,” Second Lieutenant Miles Howard said. “Major Grove is a fine officer and he’ll bring discipline and order to the post, something that up until now has been sadly lacking.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Tone said. He scowled. Grove and the lieutenant were two of a