Lorenzo's Revolutionary Quest Read Online Free PDF

chair.
    Reluctantly, the boy sat down.
    During the ride to Charles City, Dunstan had taken Thomas’s measure as a man. The lad would serve him well. He was smart enough to choose the winning side of this war, smart enough to obey him, but not smart enough to question orders.
    Major Hawthorne entered, stuffing his shirt in his pants.
    Thomas leaped to his feet as Dunstan slowly unfolded himself.
    Wigless, hair disheveled, the major reeked of cheap perfume, suggesting he had just left female companionship. Major Hawthorne was famous for parties that put Roman orgies to shame.
    Dunstan smiled to recall the ad his cousin once placed in a colonial newspaper. “Housekeeper needed for British officer. Women with scruples and high moral character need not apply.”
    â€œDear cousin,” Major Hawthorne said, shaking his hand warmly. “A pleasure to see you again.” He turned to Thomas and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Well done, my boy! An entire battalion couldn’t have done better.”
    Thomas beamed.
    Turning back to Dunstan, Major Hawthorne looked at him appraisingly. “You look none the worse for wear, in spite of your recent indisposition. The thought of you languishing in prison was positively mortifying.”
    â€œSo mortifying you waited two months to spring me? Cut the malarkey and just tell me why the hell you brought me here.”
    Thomas looked shocked by Dunstan’s rudeness and rough language.
    â€œMy dear cousin,” Major Hawthorne said in a gentlevoice. “Always in a hurry. You must learn to take life easy and enjoy yourself. Shall I have the cook prepare something? Ham perhaps? They cure it to perfection here.” Major Hawthorne brought his fingers to his lips and kissed them lightly in a gesture of delight.
    â€œI haven’t the time.” Out of the corner of his eye, Dunstan saw Thomas slump in disappointment and realized the boy must be starving. “Oh, very well. Thomas, tell the major what you would like.”
    â€œHam and boiled eggs.” The boy’s gaze fell. “If it isn’t too much trouble, sir.”
    â€œNo trouble at all,” the major exclaimed. “You deserve a greater reward than that for what you’ve done.” He pulled a long tasseled rope hanging from the ceiling.
    A woman wearing an apron came to the door in seconds.
    Dunstan eyed her appraisingly. She was far too beautiful to be a mere maid.
    After Major Hawthorne ordered dinner, she left, closing the door behind her.
    â€œLet’s discuss why you’re here.” Dunstan’s cousin eased into an armchair and signaled for them to sit. “Intelligence has reason to believe the Spanish are up to their necks in this rebellion. We must find out just how deeply involved those New Orleans dons are. You know them better than anyone. I believe you acquired some of their language in New Orleans?”
    Dunstan nodded.
    â€œExcellent! I am told you once crossed paths with Lorenzo Bannister.”
    Dunstan scooted to the edge of his seat. “You have news of him?”
    â€œIn a manner of speaking. Our spies in New Orleans report that Bannister lives with Colonel De Gálvez. It appears Gálvez filed papers on his behalf. Court proceedings were held behind closed doors, with the resultingdocuments sealed and spirited away. We believe the colonel has made Bannister his ward.”
    Dunstan snorted. “Why would he do that? Bannister’s grown and can take care of himself.”
    Major Hawthorne lifted a shoulder. “The story grows more curious by the minute. Bannister and several of his soldiers were spotted leaving New Orleans on horseback.”
    â€œHis soldiers?”
    â€œYes. He is now a captain in the rebel army.”
    â€œThat’s interesting.”
    â€œQuite. Bannister and his men headed due west. They were dressed as civilians and traveled light, apparently in a hurry. What lies due west of New