Donaldson stepped aside as a woman emerged. Dress covered in mud, hair hanging around her face and neck, hands tied in front of her. Another soldier yanked her by the arm and led her toward the largest tent.
Nathaniel lunged, his muscles tearing.
Kitty!
Nathaniel strained against the urge to break out of the trees and rush to pluck her from their grasp. He shook his head. He must wait, no matter how painful the delay. Though he couldn’t stop his heart from running after her.
Donaldson neared Kitty and whispered something in her ear, but the other soldier tugged her away before she could even glance in response. Whoops and whistles from the men made Nathaniel’s muscles twitch as Donaldson followed Kitty into the large tent and out of sight.
I must get to that tent.
Speeding through trees, Nathaniel cringed at every splash his feet made in the shadowed puddles. Stopping just behind the largest tent, he crouched low. The lights in the canvas made blurry silhouettes of the three men who surrounded her.
The darkened figure of a tall, robust man moved toward Kitty, then pointed to the door. “Donaldson, Ward, I would speak with Miss Campbell alone.”
“Sir, I—”
“Leave us!”
The door of the tent flung open and Donaldson emerged, followed by the other soldier who quickly tromped toward the group in the center of the camp.
Nathaniel held his breath, watching. Donaldson rubbed the back of his neck and turned to glance again at the tent. The urge to call out became almost too much to contain. Nathaniel opened his mouth but snapped it shut when Donaldson spun toward him and glared into the trees.
“Who’s there?” His loud whisper sent spikes down Nathaniel’s spine.
Nathaniel rose and moved a step forward. A twig snapped beneath his weight and his pulse stopped. Should he speak? Would his rush to trust a Redcoat leave him in more peril?
Donaldson frowned and placed a hand to his weapon, growling as he stepped forward. “Show yourself.”
Raising his hands, Nathaniel emerged from the shadows, keeping his volume below a whisper. “Donaldson, ‘tis I, Nathaniel. I’ve come to rescue Kitty.”
Even in the blackness, Nathaniel could see Donaldson’s features relax. He removed his hand from his sword and looked behind before marching farther into the trees.
Donaldson reached out and gripped Nathaniel’s arm. He answered through barely audible words. “I’ve been praying someone would come.” The sincerity in his tone massaged away the pinch in Nathaniel’s back. Donaldson peered over his shoulder. “Kitty is in grave danger.”
Nathaniel stepped forward. “Tell me all.”
“They have framed her, claiming she had a message that I know she did not possess.”
The truth stabbed Nathaniel’s tongue. “But she did. She told me this evening she had found a note you had dropped in Sandwich. We know she wa
s planning to take it to Plymouth herself.”
“’Tis my fault then.” Donaldson closed his eyes and growled under his breath. “Kitty what have you done?”
“So ‘tis true.” Nathaniel wiped a hand over his jaw. “She had it, as the man claims.”
Shaking his head, Donaldson spoke fast. “But she did not. The woman who searched her confided in me that she found nothing. Kitty must have destroyed it before it could be discovered.” He looked back at the camp. “’Tis Stockton who claims a note was found. He wishes to use Kitty as an example in Boston and hang her for treason.”
“Hang?” Nathaniel grabbed Donaldson’s arm. “Tell me what to do. Tell me how I can take her from here.”
Donaldson nodded. “Wait here. I shall return.” He started toward the camp then stopped. “And be prepared, I’ll be bringing a friend.”
Chapter Thirty-six
“Ward?” Stockton yelled toward the door.
Kitty flung a look behind her, trying to remember how to pray.