For the remainder of the day they were left alone in their cells, only visited once to be given a meager meal of cold meat and hard bread, with watery ale. Though they hardly spoke to each other, both Nathaniel and Henri continued to sit against the wall that separated their cells. Only when they grew tired of sitting on the rough plank floor did they decide to pace their small confines, but they always returned to the wall after a short time.

When they did speak, it was Marie they discussed.

"I hope they don't harass her," Henri muttered. "She did nothing."

Nathaniel leaned his head against the wall. "I hope so, as well. The Johnsons have always been good to us, perhaps they will take her in until this is sorted."

He left unspoken what he feared most, that they wouldn't be returning to the house again. His mind strayed often to the look Samuel had given him, but he couldn't voice his hopes that he and John would arrange for Marie's care or even their freedom. Certainly those they worked for would be more willing to rid themselves of a burden such as Nathaniel than assist in his defense. John had said he could promise nothing that very first day, after all. Why would any of them wish to associate with someone accused of such a sinful crime? They surely had much greater concerns.

Henri's lack of response suggested he was thinking something similar. He finally sighed and whispered, "Perhaps. I can only hope she will be looked after, whatever the outcome for us."

Nathaniel knew when night came because his room became impossible to see in at all and the noises from the street outside gradually ceased. Though it was still early spring, the room wasn't terribly cool. Nathaniel was thankful for that considering the old cot had no blanket. He was reluctant to lay there, anyway. He'd always prided himself on having respectable hygiene, something pressed upon him by his father early in life. He feared the types of biting insects that might be living in the unclean bedding.

So, he stretched out on the wooden floor. After a moment he sat up again, removed his coat, and slipped out of his waistcoat. He folded the waistcoat to provide a bit of a cushion, then lay back down with his head upon it. The coat he pulled over himself like a blanket. He supposed that once they were confined for several days he would give in and use the cot, but for the moment he would rather suffer the pains of sleeping on a wooden floor.

"Henri?" he whispered.

There was a scuffing sound, then a quiet word that Nathaniel didn't quite catch, if it was full word at all in English or French.

"Assuming we are able to return home, don't bring the pests in your bed there," Nathaniel told him quietly.

"I didn't plan to," Henri replied, his voice sounding utterly exhausted. "I believe I fell asleep for a moment sitting here already."

Nathaniel smiled despite their situation. "Then goodnight, Henri."

He was rather proud of himself for having mastered enough French lately to know that what Henri muttered next was a very sleepy, "Goodnight to you, my love."

Nathaniel woke to find the room brighter, despite it having no windows. He had slept poorly and noticed first that his hip and shoulder hurt quite badly from laying on his side on the floor. It took several moments of agonizing stretching before he could get himself into a sitting position. He needed to use the wall for support to stand. Only then did the intense tingling in his arm become pronounced and he leaned back against the wall.

From outside came the morning sounds of the city coming to life. He heard laughter, talking, a barking dog, the clip-clop of a horse and the rattle of the wagon it pulled. In the distance came the first beating of the soldiers' drums. Beside him he heard a groan and the scuffling of Henri likely dealing with a similar misery to what Nathaniel had endured upon waking.

"Good morning," Nathaniel said quietly.

There was another groan, scraping, and what Nathaniel was fairly certain was a curse in French. Finally, Henri muttered, "I would not call this good. Aside from not being dead yet."

Nathaniel bent and retrieved his waistcoat, which he put back on while still working through the last  of the tingling in his arm. "I'm sure someone will remedy that soon enough," he muttered.

From inside the building Nathaniel heard a door open, then several voices talking. He couldn't make out the words, not that he truly tried to. He shrugged back into his coat and paced the cell for a time to loosen his sore muscles.

He had paced the room three times when he heard a few people moving down the hallway. Nathaniel assumed they were coming to offer more food, and so wasn't surprised when the door to his cell opened. He was, however, very surprised by the words he heard the middle-aged Sheriff Prouty announce.

"You are free to go."

Nathaniel stared at him for a moment. "I'm sorry?" he finally asked, as confused as he had been when Lieutenant-Colonel Weston had announced he was to be arrested.

The sheriff held the door open. "You are both being released. It was determined no trial was needed because you were arrested without evidence and the British army has no authority in civil matters, despite what having a general for a governor might suggest."

Nathaniel refused to allow himself to feel relief just yet. He still wasn't certain he was hearing correctly, but he moved to the door, then out into the hallway. When he saw Henri standing in the hall looking as uncertain as Nathaniel felt he had to resist the urge to hug him. Surely that would have been the evidence needed to keep them in their cells.

Henri looked tired. His clothes were rumpled and his eyes were shadowed. He also had the same stubble Nathaniel was certain he also sported. Henri only nodded to him before they were led out of the building and allowed to leave in the morning light.

They didn't speak on their walk back to the house. Nathaniel was desperate to see Marie and assure himself of her safety, and he was certain Henri was, as well. They were nearly home when a black child of perhaps eight years came running down the road toward them. Nathaniel stepped out of the child's way, but he collided with Henri. The boy apologized and whispered something else, then went on his way, though no longer running. Nathaniel noticed that Henri was holding his coat sleeve to cover most of his hand. Henri gave him a nod and continued walking, still gripping his sleeve over his palm.

Nathaniel wasn't certain if Marie was even going to be at home. He wondered if Samuel or John had arranged a safe place for her or if perhaps the Johnsons had offered to help. Once they arrived, however, Nathaniel knew she was at home. There was smoke from the chimney and fresh mud upon the step outside the kitchen door near where the chickens were happily pecking at their breakfast.

He gave two knocks on the door and listened for any movement inside. When he was ignored, he knocked again.

"The house is closed!" Marie finally called. "State your business!"

Relieved, Nathaniel smiled. "I wish only to sleep a few hours in my own bed after the time I just had," he called back.

"I, too, would like some rest," Henri added.

Almost before Henri finished speaking the latch was thrown back and the door pulled open. Marie threw herself first at Nathaniel, who was closest, then at Henri, embracing them both. It took several minutes for them to finally get inside the kitchen. By that time Marie was in tears and had hugged each of them more times than Nathaniel could count.

"How are you here?" Marie finally questioned, drying her eyes with a handkerchief.

Nathaniel sat down at the table. "We were released for lack of evidence," he replied.

Henri held up a letter and sat beside him at the table. "Perhaps."

Nathaniel was confused for a moment, then glanced from the note to Henri's face. "Who was that boy?"

"Samuel's son," Henri answered. "I recognized him by the blue-colored patch sewn on his hat. I've seen him on the street with Samuel twice before."

He moved closer to the fire with the note. It at first appeared to be a simple shopping list, but Nathaniel saw another message appear between the lines as it was warmed by the fire.

"He told me I would need fire for it," Henri explained.

Nathaniel sat closer to read the note over Henri's shoulder. They hadn't been given the opportunity to send or receive any messages in secret ink before, though he knew of its use. The content of the note brought him great relief.

My friends -

It is a great risk to commit any of this to paper, even hidden, lest the wrong hands discover it, however this was the most convenient way to explain our situation to you. We trust you will properly burn this upon reading it.

While you have been gone your house has been watched by us to ensure the safety of the one who remained there. We would have done all we could to remove her to safety if we deemed it necessary. All has been well thus far.

After your arrest we moved swiftly to ensure that the charges laid on you by W. were indeed the charges he truly felt you guilty of. He was concerned with no other possibilities. As soon as we were able to confirm this, we moved to free you as quickly as entirely possible. Though we trust in your honor, stronger men have fallen to the crush of imprisonment and we wished for you not to be taken by such an event. Your situation may have put us all at risk were you to fall to hopelessness, therefore we worked with all haste to have your arrest reversed by those of us who have power there.

Unless you choose to make a public spectacle of yourselves or we lose our power, you will not be arrested in Boston again for the same charge. Too many powerful men enjoy your rum and cider and wish to never go without it.

X

The "x" was very large and was the only closing to the letter. Nathaniel released a deep breath of relief and he felt Henri hook his arm around his waist, pulling him closer still. Marie took the letter when they had all finished and set it in the center of the fire, where it immediately became engulfed in flame.

"No spectacles!" she scolded, turning back to them and shaking a finger. "I can't see the two of you arrested again."

Henri stood and embraced her. "I have no desire to be arrested again," he assured her.

Only after Nathaniel echoed him and also embraced her did she pull away from their touch and dry her eyes once more.

"You go rest for a few hours," she instructed. "I have a coffeehouse to make ready."

"You don't want any assistance?" Henri asked.

She pushed them both toward the stairs. "Go on!"

Nathaniel pulled him in the direction of the stairs. "As she says. I need to rest a bit before we are open for the day, so long as Marie wakes us at a reasonable time before then."

"Of course," Marie assured him. "Now, go. I have more preparing to do now that I know we will certainly be opening the doors."

They discussed it no further. Nathaniel and Henri went upstairs, where Henri left Nathaniel at his room to visit his own. The weariness of the day and night in the jail settled heavily over Nathaniel then. He felt every ache in his body from sleeping on the wooden floor and he felt unclean. Though he wished to wash thoroughly, he had the energy only to clean his face and hands in the wash basin. After a moment of thought he lightly rinsed his hair.

He was just drying his hair when Henri returned, yawning greatly. "I'd like to stay here to know we are both alive," he told Nathaniel.

Nathaniel smiled. "Of course. It is a comforting thought."

Henri stepped close and pulled Nathaniel into a tight embrace. "I would have betrayed no one," he murmured. "Most certainly not you."

Nathaniel wrapped his arms around him. "It is the same for me," he replied just as softly. "I would have rather died than let them know the truth of my actions, and I would not have left you to suffer alone in gaining my freedom by any means."

"I could not have done it. I would not even have told them the truth to save you, though. It would have endangered Marie. Do you despise me for that?"

Nathaniel tightened his hold on Henri. "No. Absolutely not. To keep you both safe I would happily send myself to the hangman. Though I hope it never comes so close to that again."

"That I truly agree with." He yawned then and pulled Nathaniel toward the bed. "Sleep."

Nathaniel pulled him close when he started to pull away and kissed him softly. "I would rather die than deny my ever-growing love for you."

Henri smiled against his lips. "I don't believe it's our love they take issue with. They always concern themselves too much with what others do in their own private homes."

Nathaniel stepped away and yawned. "Well, this time I'll be sleeping."

"Nothing has ever sounded better to my ears," Henri declared.