TO OUTWIT THEM ALL by Peggy Wirgau: EXCERPT
TO OUTWIT THEM ALL
“Into the Lions’ den I go…”
Betty Floyd’s uncle risked his life when he signed the Declaration of Independence, yet she is the epitome of British loyalty and social grace in 1779. Attempting to ignore the war, she attends New York’s balls and soirees with the Crown’s officers, but the city is a dangerous place for someone with Patriot ties. When a soldier she has befriended is murdered at a British prison, Betty is driven to choose sides and join General Washington’s covert spy group, the Culper Ring.
Her social calendar provides the perfect backdrop to dance with the enemy, and she catches the eye of the charming Major John André, Britain’s Director of Intelligence. Garnering timely information for the Patriots becomes a never-ending balancing act, amid heightened collision between duty to her country and deepening feelings for André. When the slightest misstep could expose her and the entire Ring, a traitorous plot conducted by Benedict Arnold unfolds, and Betty is led to the very brink of death. Will she outwit the enemy, or will her flirtations with danger cost her everything?
EXCERPT
Inside the shop, Robert turned from the far wall, holding a small pile of men’s shirts. He adjusted his spectacles. “Cousin Betty.”
I wiped raindrops from my face. “Joe said you wished to see me again.”
He set the shirts on the counter and showed me to the desk where we’d sat two days before. “There is a matter of immense importance I believe we should discuss.”
I perched on the chair’s edge. “Very well. What is this matter of immense importance? It’s beginning to rain, and I shouldn’t stay long.”
Robert blinked several times and licked his lips before he spoke. “When you were here, I told you that I am not as neutral in regard to the war as you may think.”
This is important?
He continued. “It is more than true. I have read and re-read Thomas Paine—I expect you are familiar with him—and I embrace his reasoning. Plus, all that happened to my father and our farm has opened my eyes to the wrongs done by the British and the absolute need for complete independence from England.”
He paused, appearing to assess my reaction. He’d hardly ever spoken that many words to me at one time.
I remained still. “I’m listening.”
“For a month or so, I … I have undertaken the task of providing what intelligence I can regarding the British here in the city, hoping to be of assistance,” he said. “Of course, no one must ever know.”
“Providing intelligence.” I stretched the words as I said them, imagining their full meaning. “Do you mean you’re … passing information to … to whom?”
“If the information is useful, it is ultimately sent to Washington.”
General Washington? I worked the nubs on my left hand. “What are you saying?”
He stared at me, as if the answer were obvious. “I am saying I obtain information that may aid the Continental army in defeating the British.”
Shadows moved across the floor as individuals hurried past the shop. The clock ticked while I tried to absorb his words.
“They frequent my store,” he said, “making purchases for their barracks or the ships. Or I meet them at the wharves. I am working at the Gazette now as well, as a reporter of sorts, and I have a share in Rivington’s coffeehouse. It affords me an opportunity to ask questions or hear conversations, and anything I believe is useful, I send along via verbal or written reports.”
No wonder he was uncharacteristically friendly with the customers the day before. Had he only been prodding them for information?
“That could be dangerous, could it not?” I asked. “If anyone discovered …. But why are you relating this to me? Does Joe know anything?”
“Joseph has no inkling, I am certain.” He licked his lips again. “No one knows.”
The theatrics were becoming annoying. “Again, why are you telling me?”
Robert’s eyes narrowed. “You have connections unlike anyone else with the officers stationed in New York, due to your frequent attendance at their parties and such. You have met them, danced with them, earned their trust to a degree, I imagine. You are surely able to engage them in conversations regarding their duties that I myself cannot.”
This was becoming more confusing by the minute. In what way did my social life have any bearing on his activities? Nevertheless, I tried to answer truthfully.
“I don’t know anyone well. I only attend with my friend, Celeste Walker.”
“But you do have opportunities to talk with the officers, do you not?”
Thunder rumbled, accompanied by raindrops hitting the front window. I tried to ignore it and instead follow this confusing conversation.
“Of course, although ….” I was sorry to disappoint him. “I danced with the new Intelligence Director recently, but we talked only of silly things, nothing of his duties. And he deserted me on the dance floor.”
Robert was silent for a few seconds. “Major André.”
“Yes, but Robert, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
He leaned forward. “Cousin, you could be a valuable link in the chain, unlike any other.”
A link in what chain? The clock ticked on. Thunder shook the building.
‘Tis only thunder—
Then I bolted upright, suddenly realizing what he meant.
“You want me to spy?”
I held out my hands, wishing to put a halt to this insane idea. “I am not participating in your chain or whatever it is. Absolutely not.” I gathered my reticule and umbrella and stood to go.
Robert jumped from his seat and caught my arm. The look in his eyes—I’d never seen him so earnest.
“The king is a tyrant. You know firsthand what his armies did to Long Island, to your father’s farm, to those prisoners … all of us. And the taxes imposed on the colonies by Parliament are ruining the lives of good men and women, not to mention the American economy as a whole. If this war is the only way to rid our land of such oppression, then so be it.”
He relaxed his hold. “And you, with your access to those in authority, could learn what no one else can. It may well affect the outcome of the war.”
I eased my arm free and took a deep breath. I wished Robert would do the same.
He continued. “General Washington calls it a ring, not a chain. The Culper Ring.”
“Culper Ring?” I laughed a little at the name. Was this my simple, law-abiding, bookish cousin I used to know? “No, thank you. It’s entirely too dangerous. Out of the question.”
BUY HERE
PEGGY WIRGAU loves true stories from the past and writes through the eyes of history’s unsung heroines. Her first novel, The Stars in April, is based on the true story of a twelve-year-old Titanic survivor. The book is the recipient of several awards and honors, including a Starred Review from School Library Journal and the Pageturner Award Longlist. Her newest novel, To Outwit Them All, is about the only woman in George Washington’s spy ring during the American Revolution.
Peggy is a Michigan native and she also lived in the states of Washington, Virginia, and Florida before moving to Colorado in 2023. She is an active member of the Historical Novel Society, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Colorado Authors League, and loves exploring historical sites with her family. Find Peggy at https://www.peggywirgau.com.
Follow Peggy Wirgau on social media:
Facebook: @peggywirgauhistoricalfiction | Twitter: @PeggyWirgau
Instagram: @peggywirgau |
Category: On Writing
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
