Chapter Twenty-One
Duncan’s heart sank as the treacherous blades were dutifully clicked into place, then a hand was on his shoulder. Woolford, in his captain’s uniform, pushed past. He casually set his cap on a chair. “Ensign?” he addressed the young officer who stepped past the sergeant. “It is ensign I believe?”
The officer gave a nervous nod.
“I am a captain in the king’s infantry. You are a naval ensign seconded to the Virginia water militia.” Woolford made a wide gesture toward the windows and the town beyond. “Perhaps you have noticed that you are on dry land. In the colony of Maryland.”
The ensign glanced up the stairs that led to the third-floor bedrooms. He did not take his hand off his sword.
“These men,” Woolford continued, “are irregulars under my command. What you do next
