Hellen

We rode for two or three hours before we arrived back in New Haven. The journey was quiet, other than Edmund and Charles chatting non-stop; honestly, tell two guys that they’ve known each other since they were five, and next thing you know they start to tell each other their life stories. I scolded Charles for it at one point, and all he did in response was inform me that I sound more British when I’m angry. 

We rode all the way back to the mansion on the horses, which had slowed once we reached the town borders.  

Once we got to the Turner mansion, I felt like I was seeing it for the first time again. I’d never been away from it for so long. I’d simply spent almost every waking hour in my bedroom discussing random things with Charlotte or discussing those things at the bakery—but I’d only ever been at the bakery for a few hours in a row.  

Anyway, all four of us practically leaped through the door to the mansion—so cheerful about being back.  

We entered the sitting room to find four redcoats sitting around drinking tea. I supposed that it was about the right time for tea, but I didn’t know that the Turners were supplying residency for the soldiers.  

“Um…” I muttered to my brother—who was still chatting with his new and improved bestie. I then whispered to Edmund, “Did your dad tell you that he was turning the mansion into a hotel?” 

Edmund shrugged. “I was in Rhode Island for over a week, remember?” 

“Right. Well—er—do we ask them why they’re here or do we just walk away?” I looked over at my three acquaintances. 

Edmund and Charles both said that they didn’t have any ideas. Charlotte was the one who answered me. She whispered to me, “I should probably pretend I’m a Loyalist, so they don’t kill me. We don’t want to be rude by walking away, so I think we should probably go and greet them. We should also introduce ourselves or something, otherwise, they’ll be confused as these two.” She nodded toward Edmund, then toward Charles. 

We went up to the soldiers and introduced ourselves—though Charlotte pretended that her last name was Edgecombe, just to be cautious.  

“Nice to meet you four.” Said one of the soldiers. “I’m William Thompson, and these are Theodore White, Samuel Richardson, and Henry Page.”