Free Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee

an untidy heap in front of the governor caused her heart to race uncomfortably. Soon, now, she must find a way into the governor's house and steal that pile of papers.
    Inside the room, the Governor and Wilkinson eyed each other across the table. Gayoso's swarthy face was flushed with temper as well as with the effects of the enormous quantities of liquor that had been consumed through the course of the evening, and there was a slight slur to his voice as he questioned harshly, "Well? Do you deny that Nolan is spying for you? And will you protest that Nolan's horse-hunting is really so that he can explore the country for you? To map it so that you might invade us?"
    Fury flashed across Wilkinson's face, but he veiled the telltale emotion so swiftly that Gayoso never saw it. Forcing himself to display an amicability that he didn't feel, Wilkinson leaned his large bulk back in his chair and said smoothly, "Come now, Manuel, you can't possibly believe that. I have been a good friend to Spain for years. Why would I want to jeopardize the gold your government so generously pays me? Think, man!"
    Thoughtfully Gayoso viewed the other's ruddy features. Wilkinson had been a good friend to Spain in the past—he had passed on valuable information concerning the capabilities of various American forts along the borders between American and Spanish territory, he offered much advice on American politics, and he had even tried to break Kentucky away from the United States to have the state unite with Spain. Oh, Wilkinson had indeed been a good friend! But was he now? Gayoso wondered.
    Reflectively, Gayoso admitted, "It is true you have aided my country for a number of years, but I think only if it is to your advantage."
    Wilkinson bristled. "Upon my honor, Gayoso! What sort of man do you take me for? My word is my bond and I have sworn to serve Spain! How can you doubt me?"
    There was a note of sincerity in Wilkinson's voice and Gayoso was torn with indecision. Perhaps Wilkinson was innocent of any plotting; perhaps Nolan was the only culprit. His mistrust still obvious, Gayoso asked, "Do you deny that Nolan has been sending you information? Information that could be used to guide a large force of men through our lands? Information that a person interested in wresting huge tracts of land from Spain might find useful?"
    Hiding his alarm and rage at the amount of information Gayoso seemed to have acquired, his jowly face the picture of outraged innocence, Wilkinson roared dramatically, "What a dastardly plot! Who dares to connect my name with such infamy? I tell you, Gayoso, I will not have it! My honor is well-known... and I will defend it with my life! Let me know the name of the blackguard who dares to besmirch not only my name but my honor as well and I shall prove to you who is really the villain!"
    It was an impressive speech and Wilkinson did it well, his blue eyes sparkling with righteous indignation, his full cheeks bright red with the force of moral wrath, but Gayoso was not particularly awed. He had seen Wilkinson do the same thing on many another occasion, occasions when the good general had been lying through his teeth.
    Outside, still propped against the wall, Leonie gave a mighty yawn and then sighed impatiently. Mon Dieu! Would those two never stop babbling and leave? The conversation came to Leonie as a low murmur of voices, except when she was actually looking in the window or when the voices of the two men inside were raised in anger, but it meant little to her. And as time passed, she grew more and more restless and disappointed. It was beginning to appear that her vigil had been in vain.
    She had just taken another quick look and was almost on the point of admitting defeat when Gayoso picked up the pile of vouchers and his brandy snifter and, followed by the other man, disappeared through a doorway to Leonie's left. Galvanized into action, she swiftly ran along the side of the house until she came to the next window, and