Lydia straightened her stance and pursed her lips as her brother stood there looking at her with an expression she couldn't quite read. She had been sure not to talk about Ben with Abe since she had supposedly ended things with the love of her life. It wasn't that she was particularly fond of the idea of keeping things from her brother, but he might speak with their father and then things would certainly be ruined. Sadly, Lydia loved Ben more than she trusted her brother at this point. With the British occupying Setauket, Lydia wasn't quite sure where Abe stood on the matter. As far as she knew, Abe was as Tory as her father-something Lydia was not. Ben's enthusiasm for the cause was plain as day in his letters and it had seeped into her very core. Ben's views were hers. And now with Abe standing before her, she was quite worried.

Abraham and Lydia had never quite seen eye to eye growing up. Poor Abe often had to fight for attention from their father, whose attention was usually occupied by Thomas, his eldest son, or Lydia, his only daughter. And because of this, Abe often looked for ways to make trouble for Lydia. Lydia knew Abe loved her. They were siblings after all. But the sibling rivalry had been quite strong between the two of them. It was usually Ben or Caleb that helped even his demeanor toward her. But when left to their own devices, Lydia and Abe could be quite stubborn and unwilling to cave for the other.

"Lydia, answer me," Abraham said rather sternly with an expression to match his tone.

She scoffed and placed her hands on her hips, deciding to continue the ruse. "How should I know why Benjamin Tallmadge would be writing to me?"

Abe glanced at his sister and shook his head. "Before you continue any further, you should know that Ben didn't seal his letter. And I..."

Lydia's brow furrowed for a moment before her face contorted in anger. "You read my letter?" she hissed at her brother. She reached to snatch the letter from him, but he quickly moved his hand with the letter behind his back. Having played this game with him before, Lydia made move to embrace her brother in a hug, so that she might grab her letter. But Abraham anticipated her move. He then held the letter above his head. His few inches of extra height made it nearly impossible for Lydia to retrieve the letter. "Hand it over, Abraham," Lydia groaned as she made an attempt to jump for the letter.

"Answer me true, Lydia and I shall give you your letter." Lydia slowly backed away from her brother, glancing up at him. Unsure of whether or not to believe him. Abe made eye contact with his sister. "There was once a time when we could tell each other anything, Lyddie."

She threw her head back and laughed. "Ha! There was never a time like that, Abe. The time you're referring to is a time when you'd go behind my back and tell Father any transgression I confessed to in your presence."

"Aye, that may be," Abe sighed. "But truthfully, it rarely ever worked out in my favour." Abraham gave his sister a sheepish smile which made her sigh.

"What is it you wish to know, Abraham?" Lydia asked with her arms folded across her chest defensively.

Abe shifted his stance, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was watching or listening to them. "How long have you been in contact with Ben?" he asked just above a whisper.

Lydia pulled a stray tendril of hair behind her ear before she looked at her brother and smiled. "You make it sound like there's a time I ever stopped corresponding with him." Abe looked at his sister rather curiously, almost gobsmacked. This only widened Lydia's smile. "I have been writing Ben since he was at Yale and I haven't stopped." Lydia's expression saddened. "Although, this is the longest I have gone without a letter from him. So, depending on when that letter you hold in your possession is dated, he could very well be dead."

"He's alive," Abe whispered in his sister's ear. His words sent shivers down her spine. "I personally received your letter from Ben himself, yesterday."

Almost immediately, Lydia became much more animated. "You did? Where? How? How is he? How did he look? Did he ask about me?" Lydia glanced up at her brother. Abe was shocked to see the turnaround in his sister. She blushed and chewed her bottom lip, directing her gaze toward the grass.

Abe shook his head and cleared his throat before he spoke. "He's a Connecticut dragoon now, all done up in blue and gold and got a shiny helmet. But I suppose you already knew that."

Lydia blushed again. "I've never seen him in his uniform." She paused for a moment before she asked her brother, "Did he look handsome in his uniform?" Abe looked at his sister rather incredulously. Sometimes he forgot that despite the fact that she grew up only surrounded by men, she was still quite feminine. Lydia groaned. "C'mon, Abe. You must give me something. I haven't seen him since..." Lydia paused once more. Another secret. But she continued, "I haven't seen him since before he joined on." Her bottom lip jutted out. Lydia knew Abe could only rarely refuse her with her like that.

And just as she predicted, Abe groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, I suppose he looked rather dapper," he confessed which made Lydia grin and giggle a bit. Abe couldn't remember the last time he saw his sister like this. He had grown used to what he now knew was a facade. "You're in love with him as much as you ever were, aren't you?"

His words struck her and the facade immediately fell over Lydia once more as she straightened her stance. She held her hand out before she coolly asked, "My letter, please." She was quite upset with herself that she had allowed herself to relax around her brother. Especially when he could very well go to their father with the information she had just divulged.

Abe noticed the immediate change in his sister. The transitory carefree camaraderie between them had suddenly vanished and was replaced by a wall of Lydia's building. Things between them had always been complicated. More complicated than it probably should be and he knew he bore the brunt of that burden. Abe slowly exhaled. It was now no wonder to him that his sister had managed to keep her secret this long. She had grown into quite the actress.

Slowly, he extended the letter toward his sister and placed it in her open hand. Lydia's fingers slowly curled around the letter before she slipped it into the pocket of her apron and attempted to busy herself once again with the laundry.

"You-eh-might as well read that while I'm present," Abe said, folding his arms across his chest.

"I'll read it when I'm good and ready, Abraham," Lydia retorted rather snidely as she hung one of her petticoats on the line.

Abe sighed. "We're going to need to talk once you read the letter, Lydia. And if it makes you feel any better, Ben knew I was going to read the letter. He told me as much when I was with him."

Lydia grabbed Major Hewlett's red coat from the basket to hang on the line. "And why were you with Ben in the first place?"

"I'll be honest with you..."

"Looks like there's a first time for everything," Lydia muttered to herself as she pinned the red coat to the line. "Although, given the way the town gossip has been churning, I wouldn't be surprised if you confessed to Captain Joyce's death."

Abe grabbed his sister's arm and turned her toward him. He would have expected a look of surprise on her face, but he was the one surprised when he saw her hardened expression. "Listen here, I had nothing to do with Captain Joyce's death," Abe hissed. "I didn't even know about it until I returned from having sold some of my cabbage on the black trade before being captured by the Continentals."

Lydia arched an eyebrow. "You were taken by the Continentals? You? And they just happened to let you go?"

Abe sighed. "That's where Tallmadge comes in."

Slowly, Lydia blinked almost in disbelief. It took her a few seconds to process his words, but she finally choked out, "Ben got you out? How?"

Abe released his sister's arm and shook his head. "Well, if you'd have read the bloody letter, you'd already know."

Lydia folded her arms across her chest and glanced at her brother with a stubborn expression. She impatiently tapped her foot for a few moments before she swiftly turned on her heel and headed toward the house. Abe quickly caught her arm. Lydia whirled toward her brother and glared at him, the anger quite evident on her face. "I don't require your assistance to read, Abraham," Lydia hissed. "I was only going to sit on the stoop. So, I suggest you unhand me."

She didn't even need to finish her threat. Reading his sister's expression clearly, Abraham removed his hand from his sister's arm and watched as she walked away, her blue skirts shuffling with every step she took. Once she reached the stoop into the back of the house, Lydia carefully sat down, adjusting her skirts. She glanced at her brother, who still stood beside the laundry before she pulled the letter supposedly from Ben. While she hoped the letter truly was from Ben, part of her couldn't fathom Abe delivering her such a thing.

But once she unfolded the letter she immediately recognized Ben's familiar scrawl. For a moment, Lydia closed her eyes and held the letter over her heart as a wave of emotions hit her. Tears stung at her eyes and the days of worrying seemed to reside. Ben was all right. At least, for now. Lydia wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her dress before she set the letter back on her lap and began to read.

Dearest,

If you are reading this letter, it means that things with your brother have gone favourably and that he is going to require your assistance. He has been granted permission to divulge information about the task at hand. I trust he will brief you fully. Once that has been done, you are to assist only. I repeat-assist only. I will not have you putting yourself in harm's way more than is absolutely necessary. I must confess that I am even hesitant to ask as much as I already am, but we both know how he can be-at times needing guidance toward who he really is and what is right. I have complete confidence in your abilities to gently steer him if need be.

For a moment, Lydia stopped reading and glanced up toward her brother. "What is it Ben has asked you to do?"

Abe shrugged and responded, "Nothing of importance."

Lydia studied her brother carefully. She knew he was lying. Not only because Ben's letter told her otherwise, but because she had known her brother long enough to know when he was lying. He was purposely holding back, meaning that she was going to have to prod the information out of him until he was truthful. Lydia slipped the letter she hadn't finished reading into her apron pocket and crossed the yard toward her brother. "Come now, Abraham. Let us be honest with each other. You gave me this letter. You would have hidden it from me if you were not at least considering it."

Abe folded his arms across his chest. "Simcoe. Why have you not told me about him? Why is it I had to hear of your troubles with him from Anna Strong?"

"Simcoe?" Lydia questioned. "What does he have to do with what Ben wants you to do?"

"Everything at this point," Abe said dropping his voice. His expression grew much more serious. More serious than Lydia could ever remember seeing him. "Has he touched you?"

Lydia shuddered for a second before she responded, "Not yet. I have been careful to avoid being anywhere with him alone. But sometimes I fear that if we ever were alone..." Lydia's voice trailed off and her hand covered her mouth. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled it. "He seems like a man who knows how to get what he wants and I don't..." Once again, she couldn't bring herself to finish.

But Abe seemed to understand. He closed the distance between them and embraced his sister. For a moment, he just held her. "Ben tried to recruit me for a secret mission. I wasn't intending to do it, but I fear that I must to protect you and Anna from that beast."

"Anna?" Lydia asked, slowly backing away from her brother.

"Aye, he's being billeted with her now that he's purchased Joyce's commission."

Lydia gasped and threw her hands over her mouth. With Selah gone, who knew what that vile man was going to do to Anna and that didn't make Lydia any safer. Thus far, it had always been Selah who had interceded on her behalf. Lydia wished the British would just go away and leave them alone. It was men like Simcoe who solidified her stance as a patriot. Lydia wrapped the shawl she had discarded on the ground around her shoulders. "So, what are you going to do and how does it involve Ben?"

"I-I'm not sure yet." Lydia's brow furrowed at her brother's response. Abe must have noticed her dissatisfaction before he whispered, "But I shall be back for dinner tonight by orders of Major Hewlett to further discuss my crime and punishment. Perhaps by then..."

"By then, I could sneak into his room and see if there is anything worth our while."

"No!" Abraham hissed. He surprised his sister by grabbing her by her shoulders and giving her a firm shake. "Did you not read Ben's letter? You are to be assisting nothing more. Do you understand Lydia?" His gaze was so intense it practically bore through her. Lydia slowly nodded her head to calm her brother down before Aberdeen took notice of them from inside.

Satisfied with Lydia's response, Abe released his sister. He cleared his throat and tugged at his cravat. "I must hie myself home. I'm sure Mary and Sprout must be worried by now. I will be back later." Abraham eyed his sister. Lydia knew his last phrase was a warning, not a mere statement. Again, she nodded her head. And with that, Abraham took his leave.

Lydia watched Abraham walk away until he was out of view. She then quickly set to work checking if any of Major Hewlett's articles of clothing were dry. Abraham might have forbade her from sneaking into Major Hewlett's room, but he mentioned nothing of her going in there to deliver his laundry where she could perhaps stumble across something important. Several pieces that had been hung earlier were dry. Lydia took those items off the line and tossed them into the basket before she scurried inside with the basket on her hip.

She had just closed the door behind her when Aberdeen called to her from the kitchen. Lydia exhaled a puff of air that blew a stray tendril of hair from her face before she walked into the kitchen to see Aberdeen. "You called?" Lydia said evenly, still balancing the basket against her hip.

"Was that Mister Abe I saw you with outside?" Aberdeen asked, looking up from the food she was preparing over the fire.

Lydia nodded her head. She knew that the best way to conceal the truth was to actually divulge some truth. "Abe wanted to let me know that he'd be joining Father, myself, and the major for dinner tonight. I hope that shall not be too much trouble for you."

"Nay, Miss Lydia. I'm just glad to see Mister Abe alive and well the way the town gossip has been churning." Aberdeen smiled softly before she began to chop another potato to add to the ones already simmering.

Lydia cleared her throat. "Well, I best get to this laundry, but if you're in need of my assistance Aberdeen, just call." Lydia offered the woman a small smile before she swiftly turned on her heel and walked upstairs. While Lydia knew that what she was doing defied her brother...and Ben, she felt compelled to do so. Besides, as far as excuses go, laundry was a fairly plausible one, should she be caught.

Once upstairs, Lydia knocked on Major Hewlett's door to verify that he hadn't suddenly slipped-in while she had been with Abe. When no response came, she twisted the doorknob and walked into the room. She set the basket on the bed and glanced around the room. The room had once belonged to Lydia's eldest brother Thomas. Thomas would probably be proud that his old bedroom not housed a major of the Royal Army. And if that were true, Lydia couldn't help but think that he would be disappointed with her and her Rebel leanings. But alas, God had deemed fit to call Thomas home to him and Lydia was still attempting to fulfill her time of grace here on earth. And she whether she be damned or not, she would do what she could to help Ben.

Slowly, Lydia glanced at the major's desk. Thomas's things had been removed and replaced with the major's. Judging by the books on the desk, Major Hewlett was a man with a strong admiration for the finer things in life...especially the stars. Lydia's hands traced along the edges of the books when she found something strange stacked between two books. It outside made it look like it was a book, but there were no pages and the bottom was cut out. Inside was what looked like a tin piece of paper with holes cut out.

Her brow furrowed. She knew what this was. It was a Cardan grille. She had first learned of them from Ben, who told her that sometimes he and his friends at Yale would code their correspondence for fun. He had shown her how it worked with a letter from his friend Nathan Hale. For a time, Ben and Lydia had even used such methods to enclose meeting times in their correspondence while he was home in the summers.

Lydia pulled the grille from its compartment and tried it on the three letters on the corner of the desk, but it was to no avail. There was no hidden message in any of the letters. Although, she should have known that the major wouldn't be so careless as to let an important letter like that lie around. Not to mention that none of the letters seemed to come from anyone of importance. But Lydia didn't allow that to discourage her. While there might not be any information the grille was just as important. If the Rebels had a copy of the grille the British were currently using, it would be to their advantage...at least until they changed grilles.

So, Lydia carefully pulled a fresh sheet of paper from one of the desk drawers. She then traced the holes of the grille onto the paper before she folded it and slipped into the pocket with Ben's letter. She then put everything back into its proper place before she moved back to the discarded laundry. Lydia quickly folded the laundry and left it at the edge of the bed before she exited the major's room.

Lightly, her feet trod across the wooden floorboards until she reached her bedroom. She carelessly tossed the empty basket to the floor before she sat down on the sill of one the windows in her room. She slipped her shoes off her feet before she brought those up to rest on the sill as well before she pulled Ben's letter from her apron. She hadn't yet a chance to finish it and now seemed as good a time as any.

I pray this letter finds you well, my dearest. I apologise for it being so long since my last correspondence. There were circumstances beyond my control prohibiting me from getting word out to you. You should know that you were never far from my thoughts and it was my desire to hold you in my arms just once more that helped me to persevere in the face of much adversity. I shall not go into detail, not wanting to cause you more distress than necessary. For now, know that I am safe and I eagerly await being reunited with you once more.

Ardently yours,

Benj

Lydia sighed as her fingers traced Ben's signature. Then a small smile played her face. He knew her too well. He knew that she would do something more than simply assist Abe and he knew that she would worry about him. Sometimes, she couldn't help but wonder if Ben knew her better than she knew herself.

Upon hearing the front door open and close, Lydia quickly scampered to the loose floorboard. She placed the letter from Ben in its proper place. The copy of the grille would be housed there temporarily until she was sure of how to get it to Ben. Lydia then grabbed the basket and walked downstairs to greet her father who stood in the hall, waiting for her as she descended. When she approached him, she pressed a kiss on his cheek before she looked up at him. "Abraham stopped by earlier and mentioned he would be joining us for dinner. I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of telling Aberdeen."

Richard chuckled as he stepped forward and kissed Lydia's cheek. "You have become quite the lady, Lydia. Running Whitehall with grace and beauty as your mother did before. I must confess that I will be quite saddened to see you leave to run your own household."

"It's a good thing you have nothing to worry about then," Lydia responded rather coyly, not wanting to debate her father on the subject again. "My place is here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I do believe I have laundry on the line that needs to be put away." With that Lydia nodded her head and walked toward the door to do just as she said.

That evening, dinner was a rather somber occasion. Lydia ate her pork and potatoes quietly as Abraham just pushed his food around on his plate while Richard Woodhull and Major Hewlett conversed. Lydia kicked her brother under the table like she had countless times as a child. He quickly glanced at her and she nodded toward his plate for him to eat something. While she couldn't be sure what was bothering him, Lydia knew that if Abe wasn't more careful he could give them away. He wasn't nearly as subtle as she was. Abe rolled his eyes and took a small bite of pork.

Major Hewlett was the first to finish eating. He dabbed his napkin at the corner of his lips before he declared, "Excellent, as always."

"Credit goes to Aberdeen," Richard said with a nod. "I merely raise the pork. She performs the alchemy. Although I do believe it was Lydia who made the bread." He glanced at his daughter knowingly. Lydia's face slightly flushed as she nodded her head and smoothed the napkin on her lap.

"It's very good, Miss Woodhull," Major Hewlett praised with a smile on his face. Lydia nodded her head once again. Accepting praise wasn't something that came naturally to her. She was never quite sure where the line was between humility and pride. Hewlett then glanced at Abraham. "You've hardly touched yours," he said to him.

Abe pushed a piece of meat on his plate with his knife before he glanced up at Major Hewlett. "It's hard to eat on a guilty stomach, I suppose. My apologies." Abe then looked at his father. Richard Woodhull nodded his head at his son before glancing at Major Hewlett.

Hewlett nodded his head before he spoke. "Abraham, what I could not say earlier from my pulpit, as it were, is that I view your crime as a mere symptom of a more serious disease that is afflicting these colonies..."

Richard cleared his throat rather loudly, side-glancing at Lydia. Major Hewlett's mouth formed an o as he looked at Lydia. Lydia chuckled and shook her head. Of course her father considered the conversation that was about to take place unsuitable for a member of the fairer sex. So, she would take her leave. Besides, her father or Abe were bound to tell her eventually.

Lydia set her napkin on the table. "I can see when my presence isn't required," she said gently resting her hand on her father's. "Might I please be excused?" Richard smiled sweetly at his daughter and nodded his head. She stood and said, "I shall be upstairs reading my Bible if anyone requires me." Lydia made eye contact with Abe and he nodded his head before she swiftly turned on her heel and headed out of the dining room, her skirts swishing behind her as she walked.

Once upstairs, Lydia didn't go into her bedroom. She stayed in the hall, leaning against the railing spindles as she had many times when she was a child, eavesdropping on conversations. While she knew eavesdropping was a sin, she couldn't help herself. She wanted to know what they were discussing. Besides, she was upstairs as she had promised.

The start of their conversation was rather muted, almost as if they had anticipated her listening. But she knew they would eventually forgo their cautiousness and converse normally. She just needed to be patient and wait. Lydia's patience proved useful when the conversation turned loud enough for her to hear after Major Hewlett snapped his fingers and requested paper. She listened carefully to find out that Hewlett wanted the names of those who had boarded Abraham's scow and threw him overboard.

For a moment, Lydia held her breath. Was Abe going to give up Ben? While she wanted to believe that he wouldn't, part of her couldn't help but believe that her brother would betray the man she loved. But her doubts were quickly cast aside and she breathed a sigh of relief when Abe recalled that the boys were from Hempstead. Although, Lydia couldn't help but slightly cringe at Abe's rather specific details about the boys who had captured him. Had Lydia been in Abe's shoes, she would have been rather vague on the details because Abe's details could be easily refuted, especially with their magistrate father. But that was the choice Abraham had made. She couldn't change it. She could only guide him from here on out. Assisting him as Ben wanted her to.

Lydia almost retreated to her bedroom, when Major Hewlett dropped something that piqued her interest. "Excellent. I shall pass this on to Captain Simcoe with instructions that if he should encounter any of these men on his raid, he will give them no quarter."

"Raid?" Abe questioned, his interest apparently just as piqued as his sister's.

"The dispatch that I received today was from York City. It's intelligence regarding a rebel safe house across the Sound where they're launching their strikes from. We'll cross at night, just like your attackers..." Hewlett paused for a moment before he continued more quietly for effect. "Silent approach, bayonets fixed. Give them their own medicine."

Lydia had a hard time hearing his words over her pounding heartbeat which seemed to have reached her ears, but she had heard enough. The good news was that she would be granted a respite from Simcoe. The bad news was that the British were going to raid a rebel safe house. Lydia kept her hands over her mouth, not wanting to betray her position. This was exactly the kind of information Ben had wanted from them. The gears in Lydia's mind began to turn.

If they could get this information to Ben, then maybe the Continental Army could help rid them of Simcoe. Lydia closed her eyes, panting for breath. She hoped Abe was thinking the same thing. Although, because it meant keeping Anna safe, she was almost certain that he was. Lydia knew that neither Abe nor Anna had ever fully fallen out of love with each other. Sure, they had both moved on with their lives and married others, but one never truly forgot a love with as powerful of a connection as they shared. A love that could rival Ben and Lydia's love for each other.

Hearing Abraham excuse himself, Lydia quickly stood on her feet and leaned against the bannister. When Abe walked into the hall downstairs, he caught sight of his sister. He slowly nodded at her before he called for their father's sake, "I'm going to wish Lyddie a good night before I take my leave." Not waiting for their father to respond, Abe slowly climbed the stairs his expression looking rather solemn. He gestured toward Lydia's bedroom and she nodded her head before leading her brother inside.

"How much of that did you hear?" Abe whispered.

"Enough," Lydia responded as she folded her arms across her chest. "The question is what are you going to do about it."

Abe rolled his eyes at his sister. "Get word to Tallmadge, of course," he said as if it were obvious.

"Good." Lydia gestured to the door across the hall. "After you."

"No, you're staying here."

Lydia looked at her brother pointedly. "Ben said I could assist. So either let me assist you or I'm doing it on my own." Stubbornly, she side-stepped her brother and started to tip-toe across the hall. Abe grabbed Lydia's arm. She looked at him with narrowed eyes. He groaned and shook his head, which brought a small smile to Lydia's face. He had caved.

Abe walked first into Hewlett's room. "Stand guard," he whispered to his sister.

Lydia rolled her eyes, but she stopped and leaned against the doorframe, watching her brother slowly approached Hewlett's desk. He reached for the stack of letters on the corner. "Not those. There's nothing in those," Lydia whispered. Abe quickly turned and looked at his sister curiously. She rolled her eyes. "I might have accidentally seen them when I was returning Major Hewlett's laundry to his room."

"Accidentally my arse," Abe muttered.

She squinted as the moonlight softly shone in the room. "Try that letter carrier. It wasn't there when I was in here this afternoon."

Abe shook his head, but he did as his sister said. He opened the container and pulled a letter out. After he unrolled the letter he began to read it. Abe's brow furrowed as he glanced up from the letter and at his sister. "It's about Harlem. That's ancient news."

"They likely would have coded the letter in case of interception," Lydia whispered as she approached her brother. She found the container holding the Cardan grille and held it up to her brother.

Abe looked at her rather pointedly. "Do I even want to know?"

"How I know about Cardan grilles or this specific one?" Lydia paused for a moment before she smirked.

Abe plucked the grille from Lydia's hand and placed it on top of the letter. One had to make sure things lined up perfectly and once they were the encoded message was revealed. Rebels' safe house. Connecticut, Meigs Harbor. Show no quarter.

A bell rang from downstairs. Both Abe and Lydia froze, fearing they had been caught. But when their father called for Aberdeen, they both relaxed. The Woodhull siblings glanced at each other before they began putting everything away in its proper place. They then quietly escaped back to Lydia's room.

"I could have figured it out myself," Abe whispered rather stubbornly.

Lydia rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. "I don't doubt that. It was just faster with my help." Abe shrugged noncommittally. "So, what's next?" Lydia asked. "How do we get this information to Ben?"

Abe glanced over his shoulder and then back to his sister. He then explained to her barely above a whisper. "I need to get to Anna. She's to hang a black petticoat on her line to signal to Ben that we need to meet. She's to also hang handkerchiefs to signal which cove is safe for the rendezvous with his courier."

Lydia stood a little taller, reaching her full height. "I want to be there when you meet."

"What?"

She placed her hands on her hips and slightly narrowed her eyes at her brother. "You heard me, Abraham. I want to be there when you meet this courier."

Abe shook his head and folded his arms across his chest. "It won't be Ben."

"You don't know that for sure. He knows his way across the Sound, as well as any." Lydia chewed her lip. "Besides, I have something of my own to offer them and I want to deliver it myself."

"Fine," Abe groaned. "But you'd best be ready when it's time or I will leave you behind. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to get to Anna so she can do her part in all of this." Abe turned to leave, but Lydia grabbed hold of his arm. He was about ready to just shrug her off, but she looked up at him rather innocently before she threw her arms around him, catching him off-guard.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Abe sighed and hugged her back with one arm. "I do need to go, Lyddie," Abe whispered back. She nodded her head and released her brother. He then descended the stairs and left Whitehall. Lydia turned and went into her room to ready for bed and prayers.

A couple days later, Lydia was ready when Abe came for her to rendezvous with the courier. She pulled her cloak closer as they headed into the woods toward the cove. It almost seemed strange to be meeting up with a Continental during the day, but Lydia didn't question it aloud. Instead, she silently followed her brother through the trees.

When they reached the cove, they found a boat ashore. Abe held his arm out in front of her to keep her back. Lydia knew he was doing it for her safety, so she stayed back. He took a few steps closer toward the boat when a rustling sound came from the east. A man suddenly appeared from behind the trees. Lydia watched as Abe quickly drew a knife on the man. The man started to laugh. His laugh was familiar. She scrutinised the man Abe had pinned down. It was none other than Caleb Brewster!

"Abraham, lower your knife," Lydia said running toward them, lifting her skirts as she ran as to not muddy them too badly. "It's only Caleb."

"Lyddie-girl!" Caleb laughed heartily, gently pushing Abe aside and opening his arms wide. "Come here, you." Lydia chuckled as she embraced Caleb. He hugged her tightly before he swung her around, lifting her feet from the ground. She squealed which only made Caleb laugh harder before he sat her down on her feet.

Lydia smiled and pushed a stray tendril of hair from her face as Abe stood there rather annoyed with his arms crossed over his chest. "Are you Ben's courier?" she asked.

"Aye, can't say I was expecting to see you," Caleb said. "Although, Benny-boy should have known that you wouldn't stay put. Not when it involves him." Lydia blushed and rolled her eyes, which made Caleb chuckle. Caleb then glanced at Abe, who didn't look any happier. "Good to see you again, Woody."

"Good to see you again? Good to see you again?" Abe hollered, his anger clear in his tone and his facial expression. "What the hell is this?"

"Come on, Woody. Lyddie's already pieced it together. Although, now that I think on it, she always was a little quicker..."

"You're the courier?" Abe questioned rather incredulously.

Caleb glanced at Lydia. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. Then Caleb shook his head. "That's right, now he gets it."

"But we..." Abe cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. "Back at Frog's Point..."

"Yeah, that was the first interview," Caleb acknowledged, nodding his head. "The second was with Ben. You passed muster when you refused to give up my name." He stopped for a moment and smiled at Abe, gently patting his friend's cheek. "Just want you to know I was very touched by that."

But Abe wasn't having any of that. He pushed Caleb away from him. "You set me up?" he questioned before punching him across his jawline. "You bastard!"

Caleb rubbed his jaw before he spat in the leaves. He looked at Abe and then charged forward, tackling Abe to the ground. "Boys," Lydia sighed as the boys continued to tussle and argue. She simply leaned against the boat and watched them, unamused. The number of times she had watched Abe, Caleb, and Ben do this very thing when they were younger was beyond her. Nor could she quite understand the rationale behind it, but yet she always just stood there and watched. Apparently, some things never changed.

Abe shouted for Caleb to get off him. Caleb lifted Abe to his feet and held him fast. Despite the fact that they were nearly the same height, Caleb was much burlier than Abe. Caleb told Abe that he was Second Company, Fourth Battalion, New York Regiment and that he was assigned to Captain Tallmadge for special detail. Lydia couldn't help but smile as her heart swelled with pride at mention of Ben. Captain Tallmadge. Her Captain Tallmadge. Lydia was so lost in thought about Ben that she didn't quite catch what happened with the boys. But the next thing she knew, Abe was stomping away like a child.

Lydia rolled her eyes and groaned. "Abraham!" she called to him.

Caleb turned back toward her and shook his head. "Now, now, Lyddie-girl. I got this."

She harrumphed and folded her arms across her chest in frustration to watch Caleb rectify the situation. Lydia hated being cast aside in such a manner, but at times it was second nature for the boys to do so. She watched as Caleb took a few steps following Abe before he shouted, "No one knows her name either!" Lydia knew Caleb was making reference to Anna Strong. She chewed her bottom lip, know that if anything would cause Abe to see reason, it would be his desire to keep Anna safe.

And it did. Abe stopped and slowly turned toward Caleb. His expression wasn't jovial, but he stood there with his eyes fixated on Caleb. Caleb called, "Now she put a petticoat on that line for a reason. What?"

Abe shrugged his shoulders and Caleb shook his head.

"If you aren't going to say something, I will," Lydia stated, walking toward the boys.

"Lyddie, I said I got this," Caleb said never breaking eye contact with Abe as he took a few steps closer to his friend. "I think you know something Abe. And I think you wanna tell me. Huh?" The burly bearded man had closed the distance between himself and the wiry farmer. "You get a taste for boiling these lobsters and you'll want more. Yeah? And once I pass this up the ladder, they'll want more. Washington's been trying to get a man inside the city since Howe took it over. So are you gonna tell me what you know or not?"

Abe glanced for a moment at his sister. Lydia looked at her brother rather innocently. She hoped that his pride didn't win this battle. Caleb wasn't the only who needed Abe to cooperate. Lydia needed her brother's cooperation in the matter at hand to make sure her standing in Setauket was safe. If her brother let his pride get the better of him, then what was to keep him from divulging her secrets to their father or Major Hewlett.

Abe slowly exhaled before he made eye contact with Caleb. "The Royal Army knows of your safe house across the Sound at Meigs Harbor. They plan on ambushing it and showing you no quarter." Lydia breathed a sigh of relief at her brother's statement, thankful his pride hadn't won out.

Caleb released a slow whistle at the news. "Christ," he hissed. "Ben is gonna want to hear this."

"Hold on now. Hold on," Abe said tightly gripping Caleb's arms. "I'm going to want something in return." Caleb's brow furrowed, but Abe continued before he could ask anything. "Captain Simcoe. You must promise me that he will meet his Maker. He's been nothing but trouble for the womenfolk in my life since he got here." Abe glanced at Lydia and then reiterated. "I want him gone."

"Aye." Caleb nodded his head taking a side-long glance in Lydia's direction. He then gently patted Abe's face before he pulled away. "I ought to get myself to Ben so he can devise a plan before this happens." Caleb turned and walked toward the boat.

Lydia felt all but forgotten. That was until she remembered the copy of the Cardan grille in her apron pocket. She knew Caleb wasn't going to like her meddling, but that was exactly what she was counting on. "Caleb, wait!" Lydia called.

Caleb stopped and smirked. "You think I'd leave without saying good-bye to you, Lyddie-girl?"

"It's not that," Lydia responded. She slowly exhaled a breath before she pulled two folded papers from her apron pocket and handed them to Caleb. "Make sure these get to Ben." Caleb chuckled as he took the paper from her. She knew that he thought they were both letters for Ben. Although, only one was meant for correspondence to him. So she explained. "One is a copy of the Cardan grille in Major Hewlett's room. I'm not sure how long they'll use that exact grille, but it might prove useful should you intercept any correspondence."

Caleb stood there for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She could almost see the battle waging within him-he wanted to chastise her for doing a man's work and not following orders, but also not wanting to do so because they were friends. Eventually, when he responded, he said, "Ben's not going to like this. He's not going to like that you..."

Lydia interrupted him, playing-up the act. "Please don't tell Benj it was me. Please, Caleb. Tell him it was Abe."

Abe put his hands up in defence. "Leave me out of this," Abe responded. "I told her not to." Lydia rolled her eyes for effect.

"Ben's my superior officer, Lyddie," Caleb groaned, rubbing his beard in frustration.

"Since when have you been one for always following the rules?" Lydia pointed out with her hands on her hips.

Caleb groaned. Lydia had him right where she wanted him. Only he didn't know that. He ran his fingers through his hair. "If Ben asks, I'll be honest with him, Lyddie."

Lydia forced a disappointed expression on her face and slowly nodded her head. She was almost certain that he would ask. Caleb sighed before he said his good-byes to Abe and Lydia and pushed off in his boat, which would take him to Ben. While Lydia wished it was her going off to see Ben, she stood at the shore with her brother hoping that she knew Ben as well as she thought she did.