Free A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) by Irina Shapiro Page B

thought we might come by the end of the month.  Would that suit?  Alec and Valerie will likely be back by then.  Little Louisa offered us her room.  She said she could share with Minnie.  You know how close those two are,” said Charles, rising to his feet.  “I think that would be ideal.”
    “Yes, that would help with the sleeping arrangements,” mused Louisa.  “I’m sure Minnie wouldn’t mind sharing with Louisa for a few months.  Mrs. Dolly and Bridget are sharing a room, and we have a guest at the moment who might be staying with us for a while.  He’s in Amelia’s old room.”
    Charles merely shrugged his shoulders at the mention of a guest.  He was obviously preoccupied with the situation at home.  With every day that passed without supply ships arriving from England, the fear of famine loomed ever larger.
    “Annabel will be so relieved. She’s terrified for Harry.  He’s still so little.  She thinks there might be looting once the supplies start to run low.  People will have to trade with the Indians again, despite their feelings.  There’s no other choice.  Well, I better go home and give Annabel the good news.  Charles kissed Louisa’s hand and said goodbye to Kit before leaving them. 
    “What if Alec and Valerie aren’t back by the end of the month?” Louisa asked, turning to Kit.  It was only the first week of October, but Louisa was scared.  Every day that they stayed away meant they hadn’t found Finn and that their chances grew slimmer.  Would they come back without him or stay and continue searching?
    “Only time will tell, darling.  In the meantime, we have to store provisions for the coming winter.  It’s all hands on deck, I’m afraid.  Those ships are not coming, and we need to prepare for the worst.” 

Chapter 12
     
    Finn leaned on the spade and wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt.  It was unusually warm for October, and he was sweating profusely.  He was accustomed to walking for hours and tracking game, but he wasn’t used to this kind of work.  Him and Jonah spent several days clearing the field, which was tedious, backbreaking work.  Thankfully, they finally finished that morning, and had been sent by Mr. Mallory to fill in the old privy and dig a new one.  The smell of the privy still lingered in his nose as he sucked in fresh air. 
    Finn was grateful not to be wearing his leather doublet.  Mrs. Mallory had given him two shirts and a pair of brown breeches, as well as a coat and a tricorn that had belonged to Sam.  Jonah kept his silence out of respect for his parents, but Finn could feel his resentment. A stranger was sleeping in his brother’s bed and wearing his clothes.  Finn didn’t blame him.  He would have felt the same.  Thankfully, Jonah’s silence didn’t last long, since he was naturally a chatty lad.  Finn encouraged him to talk by asking numerous questions about the conflict between England and the Colonies, and making all the appropriate noises, praising Jonah’s knowledge and patriotism.  Questioning Jonah was the best way to find things out and get his bearings in this inexplicable situation. 
    “I can’t wait until I turn seventeen,” Jonah announced.  “I hope the war won’t be over by then.  I’ll join the Continental Army on my birthday, despite what Pa says.  He didn’t want to admit it, but he was proud when Sam joined up.  Sam is serving with the 8 th Virginia Regiment under General Peter Muhlenberg.  Even Martha said he looked dashing in his uniform.  I wonder if he’s ever seen His Excellency, General Washington.  What I wouldn’t give to catch a glimpse of him.”  Jonah stopped digging, sidetracked by his fantasy. 
    “We will win this war.  You’ll see Finlay.  We’ll send those Lobsterbacks crawling back to their King with their tails between their legs.”  Jonah began to dig with renewed vigor as if he could dig his way to victory.
    Finn found it difficult to believe that