So True a Love (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 2), page 12
“Aye, tonight.”
Nathaniel left the press with its heady smells of ink and inhaled the scent of warm dirt roads as he stepped into the sun. Horses clomped past, harnessed to over-laden carts and children darted across the street. He started down the road. Perhaps Thomas was right. Nathaniel tended to over-think. Perhaps he’d made something out of nothing and Kitty had only been— He grumbled under his breath and for the hundredth time reprimanded himself for not softening his frustrations the night Kitty had received that letter from Higley. A breeze brushed past, soothing the heat that ignited at the thought. Higley. Had the letter been from anyone else, or if the man had been simply a merchantman or a farmer, Nathaniel’s ire might have remained dormant. Might have. Knowing the man had not only proposed, but was the nephew of General Gage made it all the more revolting. Once again the indignation pulsed rough and raw when blessedly the wind cooled his neck. No matter his reasons for speaking such to Kitty, he should not have accused her. It would take concerted effort to make amends and help her feel his sincere affection.
He stopped as if the word were a boulder in the road. Affection? What was he thinking? A woman such as Kitty Campbell would bring more complications to his life than he dared to imagine. There were plenty of patriot-minded women in town whose company he enjoyed and who would—if he were ever to be so inclined—be a fine match for him.
Starting to walk once more, Nathaniel relished the touch of air that soothed his still-heated skin. He could never align himself with a woman who embraced something he did not.
Though finding a way to convince his heart was another matter entirely.
***
“You’re late.” Captain Donaldson’s tone grated the air as he reined in his spirited mare.
The darkness thickened, adding to the nervous energy that encased Cyprian’s spine. “But I am here.” Handing over the three large bags of powder, his chest pumped as if he had been the one racing to meet his overseer and not the horse. “I got here as quickly as I could.”
Donaldson held onto the bags as if he were gauging their weight and found them wanting. “This isn’t much.”
Isn’t much?
Cyprian shifted in his saddle and clutched the reins, unable to keep disdain from seeping into his voice. “’Tis extremely difficult for me to get that powder. If you would like to steal it yourself you may.”
The instant the words poured from his mouth he wanted to yank them out of the air and shove them back down his throat. Idiot. In a flash, the frightened face of the young Campbell girl turned his blood to ice. He had Andrew just where he wanted him, but the girl seemed unsure, weak. How easy it would be for her to ruin everything he’d done to keep Camilla alive.
Shaking his head, he turned his attention to Donaldson who sat unmoving on his mount, his eyes clamping around Cyprian’s neck with the force of an iron restraint.
“Forgive me, Captain, I spoke out of turn.” He had to crawl out of the hole he’d dug. “I won’t be late again, and I will do my utmost to get more.”
Donaldson’s expression didn’t change. “I am not ignorant of the challenge, nor of your need.” He tossed a small bag of coins at Cyprian. “But ‘tis not I who commands this operation. If my superiors are dissatisfied, I fear I will be forced to call upon someone else.”
Donaldson pulled hard on the reins, turning the horse around completely before kicking its flank and darting into the darkness. The animal kicked up clods of trampled earth that fell back to the ground with a splat, reminding Cyprian how easily he too could be trampled and forgotten. The misty ocean air rested heavily around Cyprian’s shoulders like an unwelcome consort.
I cannot fail.
He tapped his heels into his mount’s flanks and tried not to sink into the weight of his affliction. Somehow he had to prove to the British he was good enough for the job.
Nay, not merely good enough. Perfect.
Chapter Eleven
The feel of cool dough against her fingers, the crack of egg against bowl, made Kitty almost believe all was well in the world. She worked the egg into the sticky mixture and inhaled the sweet breeze that blew in from the open kitchen window. Her hair tickled her neck and she smiled. Peace, like a dear friend, wrapped its arms around her and rested its head against her shoulder. Where had it been for so long? Brushing the back of her wrist against her forehead, she pushed a quick, happy breath from her lips. Forgetting the chains of bondage in which Cyprian enslaved her, and becoming lost in something she loved, gifted a precious serenity she had forgotten even existed.
Kitty turned back to the fire to fuss over the pudding. Perfect. The golden brown was just beginning to kiss the edges and would soon be ready to be relieved from the heat. As she stared at the rounded mass, the woes that plagued her crawled upward, its claws scraping into the walls she’d erected and she winced. I will not endure this now. She knocked the thoughts away as she focused on the biscuits that would soon enjoy a warm fire.
Just then Eliza stepped into the kitchen and stopped with a gasp. She pressed a hand to her chest and her gentle features lifted as she smiled. “Kitty, did you invite everyone in town for supper? You’ve made enough food to feed a hundred people, I’m sure.” Her green and cream striped gown swished as she walked toward the table and sampled the crust of a still-warm pie.
“Have I?” Kitty giggled and turned to survey the spread of goods decorating the table. Four pies, two loaves of bread, three cakes of various sizes and a tray of corn muffins. Mercy! How long had she been baking? As she had been blissfully lost in the art of forgetfulness, time had flown by. And oh, that she could do this every day—every moment—until another loathed Saturday arrived.
Kitty shrugged and motioned to the table. “I suppose I have made a great deal of food, forgive me.”
“Not to worry. The garden is overflowing now and ‘tis good to make use of what we have.”
Eliza’s meticulously prepared coiffure and well-set gown attested she was ready to leave for the latest gathering at the Coopers. She looked past Kitty toward the fire before meeting her gaze. “You’re certain you don’t want to join us?”
Not if you dragged me by the hair.
Kitty giggled, tempted to tease her sister with the statement, but thought better of it. “Thank you, no, Liza. I’d prefer to spend the evening by this fire. I can’t tell you what kind of soothing power all this baking possesses, and I have surely been in need of it.”
The loamy scent of the pudding reached her nose and she spun around, using her apron to snatch it from the heat. Placing it on the table she examined the dish and smiled. Perfection.
Eliza neared, her slender brows lifting. “Carrot pudding?”
Kitty turned to the biscuits, her words spilling out in a hurried stream. “We had so many carrots, I needed to do something with them ere they turn rotten.”
“Indeed.” Eliza stepped closer. The sisterly teasing in her dark eyes grew more potent until Kitty could hardly stand the weight of it. Eliza smiled. “I must say I find that quite remarkable.”
“Remarkable?” Kitty swallowed.
“Thomas and I do not care for carrot pudding. And neither do you.” The hint of accusation in Eliza’s tone met its mark.
“If you’re implying I’ve made it for Nathaniel then you’re wrong.” Her cheeks grew hot. Mercy, why must she always be so transparent? She dipped her fingers in a bowl of water and wiped off the dough, praying the meager acting skill she employed would mask at least a portion of her emotions. “I’ve developed a taste for it, despite what you might think.”
With a shrug and a smile that made Kitty’s embarrassment bleed into her cheeks, Eliza snatched a slice of apple peel and took a small bite.
“I don’t know if that’s true about the pudding, but I do think you have grown to like a certain someone quite particularly over the past few weeks.” Eliza’s eyes flashed open as if she planned to say more but remained mum when Thomas strode into the kitchen.
Kitty’s shoulders dropped and she exhaled. For now the interrogation had been thwarted and she could breathe unrestrained.
Grinning, Kitty leaned her hip against the table. “You look quite handsome, Thomas, if I may say so.”
“I must agree with you sister, I do have a very handsome husband.”
Kitty watched as Eliza straightened Thomas’s cravat as Mother had done for Father countless times. Suddenly Kitty’s imagination produced a domestic scene that made her stomach both fly and plummet. What would it be like to straighten Nathaniel’s cravat?
Mercy, Kitty! Why must her heart yearn for something she knew she could never have?
Lifting on her toes, Eliza kissed Thomas on the cheek. “This suit carries treasured memories of our wedding, my husband. I’m so pleased to see you wear it.”
He dusted a kiss against Eliza’s hairline. “Then I’m glad I chose it.” He walked farther into the kitchen whistling a long note as he glanced at the table. “Heavens, Kitty. You’ve done enough baking for one day—or two or three.” He looked over at her and winked. “But it’s time you cleaned up, we are expected at the Coopers.”
“Oh no, Thomas, but thank you.” She turned back to her dough, pulling it onto the floured table. “’Twill just be you and Liza tonight, I fear I don’t feel much like being social.” Especially around a crowd of patriots.
Kitty pretended not to notice the unspoken conversation of Thomas’s and Eliza’s back and forth glances. Irritation wriggled through Kitty’s chest. She couldn’t help but think their motivations for desiring her company weren’t driven by personal conviction. Did they honestly believe that by making her attend these ridiculous gatherings every month she would eventually give up her stand?
Thomas broke a piece of crust off the apple pie and snuck it in his mouth. “We would love you to come, truly. And not for the reasons I see swimming in your head.”
Kitty swallowed a growl. If only she could keep her emotions from living in her face! “Thomas, please, the townsfolk are beginning to know me as a Tory and I don’t wish to—”
“Nonsense.” Eliza sighed. “You have yet to be introduced to many of the delightful people of Sandwich, and I am eager for my friends to become better acquainted with you as well.” She peered up at Thomas then gazed back at Kitty, the creases in her brow turning deep. “Kitty, I don’t know if you are simply unhappy here, or longing for your acquaintances in Boston, but something is... different. You’re more withdrawn and there’s a sorrow about you...” She stopped and came around the table, taking Kitty’s shoulders in her hands. “I think it would be good for you to get out, to meet some more people and see that even though you’re a Tory, you will be among friends. I promise.”
They would despise me if they knew what I’ve done.
All the serenity she’d enjoyed suddenly abandoned her, whisking out the window on the next available breeze. So her sister had noticed. Eliza’s gift of insightful concern made it difficult to hide anything, no matter how trivial. If only Kitty could tell what she knew...
Biting her cheek, Kitty stared down at the steam swirling upward from the pudding. Lord, be with me. She forced a hard breath followed by a smile. After sharing a pained gaze with Eliza, Kitty nodded her surrender. “I will go.” Perhaps the gathering wouldn’t be as bad as she feared.
Eliza brushed Kitty’s cheek, her dark eyes soft. “I am pleased, Kitty.” With a wink, she grabbed Kitty’s hand and led her from the kitchen. “Come, let us clean you up.”
Thomas led the way, but promptly stopped and pointed at the table. “Is that carrot pudding?” The glee in his face made Kitty want to toss the infernal pudding in the fire.
She pursed her lips playfully and glared. “Aye, I adore carrot pudding. Or didn’t you know?”
Removing her apron, Kitty followed Eliza toward the parlor ignoring Thomas’s jesting as she walked upstairs.
“Are you sure it’s the pudding you like—and not the man that will come to eat it?”
His gentle laughter rumbled behind her as she and Eliza hurried upstairs. Nay. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Nathaniel. And for that reason she hadn’t cared to attend another patriot gathering since that first night. He would be there.
Kitty unfastened her bodice and pulled off her petticoat while Eliza looked through the gowns in the armoire. A groan formed in her throat, but she swallowed it away. Her stomach turned. Seeing Nathaniel did terrible things to her insides.
Terrible? Or, wonderful?
Dotting on a bit of her flower-scented water to cover the scent of cinnamon, she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Kitty didn’t know, and she had no desire to find out.
***
The rich cacophony of mumbled voices mingled with the music the musicians continued to play, light and merry. Well-dressed men and women in colorful gowns and suits swayed back and forth on the dance floor, while other partiers crowded around the dessert table, clutching half-full glasses of wine in their gloved hands. The pungent scents of dessert and drink, candle smoke and cologne wafted from person to person, until the whole room nearly reeked of gaiety.
Standing in the corner behind the refreshments, Kitty’s nervous stomach continued to turn, though in truth the gathering had turned out more delightful than she would have imagined. She smiled and nodded at the few revelers that looked her direction, but it had been hours since she’d conversed with Eliza’s friends, and they were now all pleasantly entertained with either male company or other females with whom to converse.
Kitty picked out the clock on the wall near the exit and squinted to identify the time. She twisted her mouth to the side. It had been too long. Where was Eliza? She had taken her leave more than half an hour ago, complaining of an irritated belly. Not surprising, as that happened much of late thanks to the babe that thrived within her. But still, Eliza’s lengthening absence did not bode well. Had she taken ill? Had she gone outside to cast up her accounts and was now weak and unable to move? The unknown held too many questions, and Kitty started for the exit. ‘Twould be best to discover the answers, both for Eliza’s sake and for the sake of Kitty’s fragile sanity. Fighting the urge to peek over her shoulder every few minutes to discover if Nathaniel would possibly look her way had all but depleted her sound judgment. She had almost walked over to him several hours past, but sensibility had prevailed and now ‘twas three in the morning and they would likely be on their way home within the hour. Really, Kitty. She shook her head ever so slightly as she continued toward the exit. And now, with an urgent reason to make her escape, there was no possibility of having to speak with him. Thankfully.
Nathaniel had arrived just a few minutes after the three of them had, and her heart hadn’t stopped twirling since. Just as her mind hadn’t stopped thinking of him—wondering where he was, who he was talking to. Though she knew ‘twas foolish. Every time she peered across the room, pretending to make a casual perusal, there he was surrounded by at least four or five women all giggling and beating their fans hard enough to create a windstorm.
Carefully moving along the perimeter of the ballroom, Kitty found Thomas at the edge of the doorframe, another tall, handsome man at his side.
She curtsied low when she reached them, and they bowed.
The tall, blonde gentleman grinned. His eyes danced over her, and a pleasant smile lifted his face.
Keeping her attention on Thomas, she touched his arm. “Forgive me for interrupting—”
“Aw, Joseph this is who I was just speaking of.” Thomas grinned at her as he tapped the broad-shouldered man on the back. “Allow me to introduce my sister-in-law, Miss Katherine Campbell.”
Joseph bowed, never taking his gaze from her face. “’Tis a great pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”
Kitty’s face grew hot as she curtsied. “Thank you, Mr...?”
He stood straighter. “Wythe. Joseph Wythe.”
Horror clutched Kitty’s windpipe until she almost couldn’t breathe. The room faded in and out and for one terrible moment Kitty thought she might drop to the floor. Wythe? Shifting her stance, Kitty rallied every thread of strength and remained erect. Forcing a grin, she strained to keep the crack from her voice. “Wythe? Are you any relation to Mr. Cyprian Wythe?”
His features turned instantly taut, though his tone remained cool. “Aye, though I must admit I’m sorry to say it. He is my brother.”
His brother. Blood trickled away from her face. She stared out the door, eyes wide, head reeling, until Thomas tugged her elbow. “Kitty, is everything all right?”
She touched her head, and forged a fraudulent laugh she hoped would ease the sudden tension that threatened to stifle her. “Aye, forgive me, I am well. But I have great concerns about Liza.”
Thomas straightened and his brow plunged. “What do you mean?”
Kitty shook her head. “I fear she is not well. She excused herself over half an hour ago and I haven’t seen her since.”
Lips pressed tight, Thomas nodded and scanned the room before touching Joseph on the shoulder once more. “Please excuse me, I need to find my wife.”
He darted away and was out of sight before Kitty could follow.
“You are not fond of such gatherings?”
Kitty jumped as Joseph’s deep timbre awakened her from her inner dialogue.
She breathed a quick laugh and smiled, embarrassed for having forgotten her manners. “Is it so obvious?”
His smile grew wide, brightening his entire face as if her answer amused him. “I’m afraid so.” His height and the solid cut of his features made Kitty yearn to peek over her shoulder. Did Nathaniel see with whom she spoke? Would he wish he were by her side instead of Mr. Wythe?
She breathed away the sinful, yet desirable thought and placed a gentle grin on her lips.
Joseph gestured toward the dancers with the glass he held in his gloved hand. “Many people receive great enjoyment out of fancy parties and endless merrymaking, but I do not.”
