Free Twin Speex: Time Traitors Book II by Padgett Lively

hastily.”
    “What? They didn’t say you were free to go?”
    “Well, they didn’t tell me I was being detained either.”
    She gave an irritable shake of her head. “For real? So they could be looking for you?”
    “I don’t know, but I can’t take the risk of getting picked up.”
    Ava sighed deeply. “You need me to get you into the house.”
    He smiled ruefully. “Not so much get me in, as create a diversion.”
     

 
     
     
    Seven
     
     
    Somewhere in the North Atlantic –Late April 1775
     
    EVELYN PULLED THE instrument up by the sturdy string to which it was attached. She looked at the reading and then jotted it down on the chart Billy had given her. She noted other bits of information: wind direction, course, longitude and latitude, the hour, date, and water character. In the last few days, she had taken over the measurements from Billy, who either sulked in his cabin below or stared moodily off into the distance when on deck.
    “What’s it say?”
    She swung around to see him leaning against the mast watching her. It was the first time he had spoken to her in days.
    Evelyn looked at him sympathetically, but merely replied, “It’s about twelve degrees warmer than yesterday evening.” She gazed out over the rolling waves and added, “I saw two whales.”
    He walked up next to her, and they both stared out at the endless sea. It had been weeks since they’d left Portsmouth, and their destination was drawing near. Evelyn found it hard to believe they would ever see land again. She had begun to feel outcast, exiled to this small ship, destined to roam the seas forever. Only the confident actions and self-assurance of the crew and Doctor Franklin were able to convince her otherwise.
    Evelyn had been fortunate in gaining her “sea legs” almost immediately. Billy and Uncle Hershel were the only two of the group to experience seasickness, and that, for only the first couple of days.
    “He’s my grandfather,” Billy finally said, without looking at her.
    She nodded. “Yes, I know.”
    He looked at her now and challenged sharply, “ Did you know?”
    Evelyn reached over to clasp his hand warmly in her own. “Billy, how could I have known? I’m only a couple of years older than you. Mother told me only after your grandfather told you.”
    He smile wanly and returned the pressure of her hand. “I’m sorry.”
    Evelyn was surprised by his reaction to the knowledge that Benjamin Franklin was his grandfather. William Temple, Billy to all but the adults, who called him Temple, was the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin’s own illegitimate son, also named William; who was now the Colonial Governor of New Jersey.
    She had thought he would be ecstatic. Evelyn had known him almost all her life. Each was the sibling neither of them actually had. Billy was smart and curious, and she could tell he wanted to please his famous grandfather. He was usually good at pleasing adults. By all accounts, even those of her generally perceptive parents, he was a typical boy. And so he was, but for one thing. She didn’t like to think of it as a weakness, more like a vulnerability. He sometimes exhibited a lack of resolve, and a need for something just out of reach. She didn’t know how to put it into words, but he revealed it in little ways only a contemporary would notice.
    “He didn’t say anything about her.” Billy sighed.
    Evelyn jerked her thoughts back from their meandering path. “About who?”
    “My mother, ninny!” he replied hotly and then apologized again. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “I want to be happy… I mean, I am happy. I… I just don’t understand how he can know nothing about her. I think she was a whore,” he choked on the word.
    There it was… the raw spot, the thing just out of reach.
    Evelyn looked out at the ocean, afraid to meet his eyes. Her mother had told her the same. Only Evelyn wasn’t to mention it to Billy. Mother’s great friend, Fancy O’Sullivan, had