I went into the house behind my mother, who held onto Kevin's arm, and we were presented to our hostess. My mother was joined by friends, and Kevin and I were free to mingle among the guests.
There were several red coats in attendance; I supposed the Smiths were careful to keep relations with the members of the assembly on amiable footing. It was necessary in Charles Town, if one wished to keep one's business flourishing; unlike those of us who lived on the plantations, who could deride the British military and Parliament and even the King as much as we liked. I could see that living in Charles Town would require much more diplomacy than I was accustomed to at Gillean, or even at Brianag, though the Randalls were very moderate in their views, in spite of Robbie's and John Belden's participation in the dissention against the Stamp Act.
Kevin was dancing with Sissy Allen, the daughter of an old family friend, and I was standing with a cup of punch, watching them, when a familiar voice spoke behind me. "Miss Maclaine, is it you?"
I turned, and Freddie Ashford stood before me.
I had forgotten him. I had certainly not expected to see him in Charles Town. If I had given a thought to him, I would have assumed that he was still at Fort Christopher.
Last summer, when I had finally told August and Cathy of my love for Robbie, Cathy had schemed to get me away from Brianag and find a diversion for me; but her plan had gone awry and it was she who had been diverted. Freddie Ashford had pursued her and had very nearly caused her to betray her marriage; she had been devastated by the experience and I had been her confidant. At the time I had felt that she made too much of the incident; nevertheless, Freddie had hurt and frightened her, and because of that, I did not like him nor trust him. Now he was standing before me, and I could not think what to say; I had never expected to see him again.
"Lieutenant Ashford," I said. "How . . . unexpected."
"Yes, indeed! What are you doing in town, Miss Maclaine?"
I looked around the room, and then back at him. "I am doing what everyone else is doing," I said. "Visiting the shops, making merry, renewing acquaintance."
"Indeed! How pleasant! I would hope to renew acquaintance with you, Miss Maclaine!"
"Why?" I said. The music swelled; only he could hear me. The words leapt from my lips before I could think about them. "Do you hope to compromise me, as you did my friend?"