Treasonous Practices

By R.W. Winton

"We are all committing treason by supporting the rebel cause."

Since war began outright in 1775, Bethiah Rogers has learned how military events may impact the everyday lives of those with no ties to the military at all. In addition to the rising tensions before the outbreak of the war, Bethiah has witnessed the recent occupation of Philadelphia by the British army. The war has also postponed her expected marriage to her longtime friend, Levi Finley, who has been establishing his role in his father's business interests in Boston with the expectation to move her there once settled. It is an arrangement that benefits both Bethiah and Levi, allowing Levi to remain with the man he loves and Bethiah to not endure the usual intimate expectations of a wife. As the war continues seemingly without end, Bethiah and Levi choose to cease postponing the wedding, allowing Bethiah to join Levi and his partner, Jasper, in Boston. There she takes up the operations of the shopfront where acquired goods are sold, and she becomes a partner in the ownership of a privateer known as the Scot.

Yet, as Bethiah is enjoying her new life and the family they have created for themselves, it becomes clear that the war may disrupt their happiness yet again. Soon they are beset by those seeking to be paid the bounty for capturing Levi, a bounty put on him for his association with the Scot, a vessel that had been a ship in the British Royal Navy before being taken to serve as a privateer. By the time they discover the identity of the master behind the plot against them, it may be too late for Bethiah's family - both the family in Boston and the father she left behind in Philadelphia - and it may also prove too late for the Continental Congress and Washington's army.

REVOLUTION is a queer historical fiction series set during the American Revolution in which all protagonists find happiness at the end of their harrowing journeys, regardless of whether or not their stories include romance or of which side of the war they are on. SERIES CONTENT WARNINGS: war and violence, 18th century social norms and prejudices (including those regarding gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality)

BOOK SPECIFIC CONTENT WARNINGS: references to non-monogamy, mentions of slavery (one of the major characters was previously enslaved), attempted kidnapping, references to death of a mother from childbirth complications, anticipated death of a parent (who does not die), housefire, creepy dudes who won't take no for an answer and keep writing letters even when they are ignored

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.W. Winton
• Release date: Aug 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215036167

R.W. Winton

R.W. Winton is a history lover from Western NY who has always had a fascination with 18th century history. Revolution is the first in multiple historical fiction series planned.

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Treasonous Practices

R.W. Winton

© 2023 R.W. Winton

All Rights Reserved

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in quoted segments for review purposes, without written permission from the author.

A letter, of the 26th, from Gen. Washington, was read confirming the account given in the letter of the 25th,  from Major General Greene, of the treasonable practices of Major General Benedict Arnold, and his desertion to the enemy.

-Entry in the Journals of the Continental Congress

September 30th, 1780

Author's Note

This is first and foremost a work of fiction. Though I have indeed spent many, many hours researching the time period and events of this book, I did use some creative liberty. I tried not to create any scenes or situations that would be unbelievable for the average reader, though some who are well-versed in the period may take issue with some details. This is, again, why this book is fiction. Some of the events in this book are completely made up, some have some made up aspects, and some are as accurate as I could possibly make them. I urge anyone who wants to know more about what really happened in this time period to look for non-fiction references. The list of reference materials I used to write this can be found on my website: rwwinton.com

I also took pains to make this book enjoyable for as many readers as I could. Certain ways of speaking, interacting, and acting by characters may be slightly inaccurate. I chose to do this with the awareness that I am a 21st century author writing for 21st century readers. This book is not a product of the 18th century. Therefore, I tried very hard to make it possible for any reader, regardless of their familiarity with historical fiction, to feel transported to another time and place without losing their ability to understand what is happening. I was aiming for a story that is believable and as accurate as possible while still being widely accessible.

I felt it was very important to have books with diverse characters available to diverse readers. No reader should be concerned that they won't be able to read this because they don't understand the outdated language or customs. If the story interests someone, that person should be able to enjoy it.

That being said, I also did do my best to still make it feel like the story was taking place in the 18th century with 18th century characters. It is by no means a story about 21st century characters in an 18th century setting. That means I did everything I could to avoid making things sound too modern. I simply want readers to understand that some of the slightly too modern details, especially in speech, were done intentionally.

This book is also about fictional characters. While you may find records of people with similar names or playing similar roles in history, these characters are all my own. However, from time to time real historical figures will make appearances. In these instances, these figures are seen by my fictional characters in a way that is a product of who the character is and what their situation in the story at that point is. This by no means represents my actual feelings of that historical figure. Different characters may even express different views of the same historical figure. It is a way for me to express the reality of a world in a very difficult time.

At the end of this book there is a second note that talks specifically about aspects of the plot and characters as they relate to historical accuracy. I put it at the end to avoid spoilers.

Finally, I hope you enjoy the book. No matter who you are. No matter how much historical fiction you usually read. No matter how well you know the American Revolutionary period. Whether you are American or not.

Enjoy.

July, 1778

Philadelphia

Chapter One

The windows in the sitting room were propped open to allow in the breeze, though it did little to dissipate the summer heat, even at the morning hour of ten o'clock. Bethiah did not mind the heat too much on most days, and she minded it even less as she read the paper's latest account of the aftermath of the great battle that had so recently taken place in New Jersey, near a place called Monmouth. She had been quite pleased to read of how General Washington's army had caught General Clinton's on its march from Philadelphia, and fought so bravely that the British had slunk away in the night to avoid battling again the following day. The papers called it a heroic victory, and she thought it was as well.

She had not truly despised the British army or wholly supported the American cause until that winter, when she and her father had been forced to flee to the home of a lately widowed aunt to avoid the occupation of the Philadelphia by the British army. Though her aunt's home had been pleasant enough, they had remained close enough to the city to have still felt the effects of the occupation. When they had at last felt it safe to return to the city after it had been abandoned by the British, they had found their home all but destroyed by whatever military men had taken it for their own for the winter. Many of the homes of those who had left the city had been found in a similar state, and the city had been in a general mess. As most businesses remained closed still, little had improved.

She had heard many tales of hardship and suffering recounted by those who had remained within the city during the occupation, and was all the happier to know the army that had caused so much difficulty had been bested in battle. Perhaps they had not been soundly defeated, but they had not been victorious. Citizens of Philadelphia had starved to feed the army, had been forced to open their homes to the soldiers and had been abused for them. The people of Philadelphia had been subject to the whims of the occupying British army. Even the Tories had endured shortages and difficulties, though it was partially hidden by distracting dances and plays, she had heard. Hearing of it all, and enduring what they had not far from the city, had caused Bethiah and her father both to begin embracing more rebellious sympathies. Writing to her fiancé in Boston, her dear friend Levi Finley, had only increased these sympathies, though she had never received a letter in response once the siege began. She hoped all was well for him in Boston.

Despite all this, she did not wish ill on the British soldiers themselves. She wished that their commanders and the king would see the barbarity of war and bring peace soon.

And there is Miss Rogers, always reading the papers.

Bethiah was startled by the voice and stood, forcing herself to smile at Lucas Osborn, a friend of her father's and a lawyer as he was. He was nearly fifty years in age, dressed well despite the shortages in everything within the city, and wore a wig to hide the growing bald patch in his hair. He was also of a heavier weight than much of the rest of Philadelphia was after the winter of little food. Hosting a high-ranking officer had benefited him, it appeared. Next to him, her father was small and less gentlemanly in appearance. His suit was more worn, he was thinner, and he'd had his wig stolen by the officer who'd been staying at their house.

Good morning Mr. Osborn, she said politely. I didn't hear you come in.

He smiled. We just arrived to discuss a case your father is assisting me with, as I value his opinion greatly. He stepped close and looked at the paper she had been reading. Ah, I would not fret your pretty mind with such news of this war. It will all be over before too much longer. The French are of no concern and Washington's army of farmers will soon grow tired. All will be well enough here soon.

Bethiah supposed she should have known what his opinion of the war would be. I thought you to be a man of reason, she commented coldly.

He chuckled. I am. Now, perhaps you should put away the papers and look for a husband instead, one who is quite a bit more fit than that Finley boy. You wouldn't feel so compelled to fill your head with nonsense if you had a child or two to properly raise. I have found my life quite empty since my dear wife died. Perhaps your father would think it wise for us to wed so that I may help you to end whatever delusions you might have about the future here.

Before Bethiah could slap him as she wished to, her father spoke.

Bethiah is free to choose the husband she most desires, and I have already given my blessing to the future vows between her and Mr. Finley. I don't believe you are someone she considers an eligible suitor, were she to break the engagement. She has known you nearly all her life. You are nearly an uncle to her.

Bethiah grated out the words, He is quite correct. Marrying an uncle would be rather strange for me.

"But I am not your uncle, Mr. Osborn replied. Then he sighed. Very well, I will abandon the argument for the moment. I hope that no one else sweeps in before I can convince you that your current arrangement is a foolish one."

Bethiah was certain no one would convince her of such a thing, as she and Levi Finley had been engaged, in word at least, since they were children, and she doubted either of them would seek to change their satisfactory arrangement. She nodded to Mr. Osborn and her father, then gathered the papers and took them to her room to continue reading in peace.

∞∞∞

Some time later there was a knock on her door and her father entered. He smiled when he saw her writing in her journal about the things she had read that morning, and the experience of learning for certain that Mr. Osborn was a Tory.

Has he gone? she asked, setting her writing aside.

He has, her father replied. I told him I did not appreciate him being so forward with you, as well. Attempting to break your engagement with Levi is ungentlemanly.

I have never thought I would marry anyone but Levi, she admitted. We have been friends since we were young.

And neither of you desire children, he added, sitting down in the second chair at the room's small table. You have made that clear from an early age. Unless your opinion has changed now that you are formally engaged?

He sounded as if he were perhaps attempting to ask