So True a Love (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 2), page 13
“You do not?”
“Nay.”
The easy way he spoke, and the unpretentious sparkle in his striking eyes put Kitty at immediate ease, allowing her breathing to move slow and soft.
He took a sip of his drink. “I feel more comfortable beside a tower of flames and with a hammer in my hand.”
Kitty tilted her head. A hammer?
He must have sensed her unspoken question, because he answered with a pleasant chuckle. “I’m a blacksmith.”
“Blacksmith? I would never have guessed.”
The moment the words tripped out of her mouth she cringed. Never would have guessed. What an inconsiderate—
“Do I not appear as such to you?” Joseph’s jolly laugh pulled a giggle from her chest before she had a chance to constrain it. He smiled so wide, Kitty could see nearly all his straight white teeth. “Do not worry, Miss Campbell, you have not offended.”
Being the town’s blacksmith would certainly answer for the muscles that pushed against his waistcoat and jacket. But were blacksmiths often so wealthy? Joseph’s suit was one of the finest she’d seen on any gentleman all evening. Against her will, her gaze dashed across the room, finding Nathaniel near the large fireplace on the opposite wall, still surrounded by a gaggle of women. His dark gray jacket and cream breeches had pulled her attention all evening. Now, thankfully, she had someone else to occupy her time and thoughts, just as Nathaniel had plenty of ladies to occupy his.
An uncomfortable quiet settled between them before Joseph cleared his throat. “You are acquainted with my brother?”
Blinking, she could only nod her response.
He looked forward and shrugged. “Cyprian and I have never been close, not even as children.” The shocking statement made Kitty’s brows shoot skyward, but she kept silent as he continued. “But I am very fond of Jacob, Cyprian’s son. I do my best to keep the peace between us.”
Kitty stared forward, knitting her fingers at her waist as relief and worry battled within her chest. What would this kind man think if he knew what his brother was forcing her to do?
She quickly forced the thought from her mind and focused on the conversation. “I have not met Jacob, but I am sure he is delightful.”
A blissful smile split his face. “Aye, he is.” He looked up briefly and laughed. “He wishes to be my apprentice and works at my shop any spare moment he can.” Joseph stopped and suddenly his vision seemed to memorize her face. Not once did he move his eyes from her. “Miss Campbell, would you think me too forward if I—”
“Joseph!”
Nathaniel’s voice and sudden presence made Kitty gasp. Her eyes shot open wide and she clamped her teeth together to keep her mouth from following suit. What in mercy’s name was he doing here?
Unfazed, Nathaniel smacked Joseph on the shoulder and nodded approval as he scanned the man’s suit and breeches. “You are always my inspiration for proper fashion, Joseph, I must say. You are dressed far finer than any other gentleman here, including myself. I’m surprised you don’t have a chorus of women clamoring for your attention.”
Joseph grinned as if well acquainted with Nathaniel’s humor, then his smile rested slightly and he looked toward Kitty. “That honor is reserved for you Nathaniel, for I am much more content with only one.”
Kitty’s heart tapped against her ribs. Raising her lips in the most tantalizing smile she could create, she turned her head. Flirtatiousness was never her strong suit, but somehow at this moment the ability proved almost innate. And not, she told herself, because it might make Nathaniel wish he’d come to speak to her sooner.
The music began again and Joseph bowed, offering his hand. “It appears another dance is beginning, Miss Campbell. Would you do me the honor?”
Kitty stepped forward, brushing her fingers across Joseph’s, bursting to life with all the charm she knew how to use but so rarely did. “I’d be honored, Mr. Wythe.” Quickly shooting Nathaniel a smile she hoped would broil him, Kitty followed Joseph onto the dance floor.
Nathaniel dodged in front of them, his expression drawn. “Forgive me but I’m afraid your brother-in-law sent me looking for you, Miss Campbell.”
Kitty frowned. “Is Eliza unwell?”
He shook his head. “Thomas is with her at the fainting couch and asked me to see if you would be available to bring her something to drink.”
Worry replaced every other emotion as she gently gripped Joseph’s firm hand. “Forgive me, Mr. Wythe, but I need to see to my sister. May we postpone this dance until a later time?”
Joseph nodded, his mouth tipped at one side. “Of course, Miss Campbell. Another time then, and I shall look forward to it.”
Chapter Twelve
Nathaniel tried not to glare as he watched Joseph’s gaze follow Kitty as she exited the room. Joseph’s boyish smile grew wider and he let out a long breath. Nathaniel bit his tongue when Joseph looked back and spoke, his sound tainted with an airy kind of music. “I should have gone out of my way to speak with her long ago.”
Offering a polite stretch of the lips Nathaniel counted the many ways his past-self had been a fool. He’d tried to keep himself occupied all evening, tried to keep his mind from tilting Kitty’s direction, but no matter how he employed his thoughts otherwise, she consumed him. He’d looked her way a hundred times or more—her shimmering coral gown, creamy skin, and that bright, alluring smile beckoning him—but not once had she peered in his direction. All those smiles were gifted on other, less appreciative recipients. Nathaniel blinked and gave a quick shake of the head. Women were a mystery no man would ever unravel. Thankfully, he could at least maintain his glowing reputation as one who attracted ample female attention. With that reliable diversion, he would protect his heart from the one attraction it wanted.
Joseph let out another breath, snapping Nathaniel from his daydream.
After another sip of his drink, Joseph continued. “Do you know her well, Nathaniel? I assume you see her often at the Watsons.” His gaze remained on the door where Kitty had gone. “I suddenly find myself impressed upon to find a reason to visit Thomas and his wife.”
Nathaniel cleared his throat and grabbed his suit jacket at the waist to staunch his rising irritation. The only one welcome to make regular visits at the Watsons was Nathaniel. He inclined his head with a frown, and Joseph leaned in, his expression pinching as if he expected the news Nathaniel prepared to share would be grave. “Visits might have to wait. Eliza is with child and needs much rest. Guests might make her more tired than is safe, under the circumstances.”
Nodding, Joseph’s mouth quirked to the side as if he understood, but wasn’t pleased with the answer. “Well, I could always ask Miss Campbell to take a stroll with me around town. That way—”
“Have you seen Hannah of late?”
Joseph turned, his eyes wide as if the sudden question lurched something concealed from his heart. He blinked, shock etched into his features, but Nathaniel didn’t uproot the question he’d planted between them.
Seconds passed. Joseph looked down, a frown pulling his eyebrows together, and for a moment Nathaniel regretted his hasty change of subject. He’d wanted the conversation away from Kitty, but hadn’t known the mention of Joseph’s first love would prove so painful.
Joseph straightened and shook his head, emitting a sigh. “Nay. I have not seen her. I understand she is still in Plymouth.” Pulling his posture higher, Joseph tipped his head back and drained the rest of the wine in his goblet before he continued. “I doubt she and I will ever again cross paths.” He stopped and stared at the bottom of the empty glass. Rubbing his thumb against the goblet, he offered a smile that went only skin deep. “Which is why I find it a pleasant distraction to meet someone like Miss Campbell, someone so lovely and gentle and sincere.”
Nathaniel squirmed against his tightening waistcoat. “I heard tell she might have a beau.”
Joseph snapped a look at Nathaniel. “Someone is courting her?”
Not about to tell what he knew of the infamous Mr. Pigley, Nathaniel shrugged his response.
Joseph’s sudden boisterous laugh filled the air where they stood. “You don’t have designs on her, do you?”
“Of course not, silly notion.” The answer spilled from his lips too fast, and Nathaniel brushed away his blunder with a quick chuckle.
“Then I don’t see the trouble in pursuing—”
“Oh, there is something I meant to tell you this morning as I made my rounds.” Nathaniel scrambled to fling together something—anything that would cease this infernal conversation. “The uh... the watch for the magazine has been reorganized. We are requiring two men in the evening hours, not just one.”
One brow slanted up on Joseph’s forehead. “I know. I was at the meeting when that was decided.”
“Right, of course.” Laughing again and this time with less natural ability, Nathaniel turned around and scanned the table behind him in hopes of finding his own drink to cover his anxious nerves, but there were none within snatching distance.
“I do have one question about Miss Campbell.”
Nathaniel spun back, and quirked his eyebrows in question while inwardly he wanted to shove a cake in the man’s mouth to keep him from talking of her. “Aye?”
Mouth twisted, Joseph swallowed before speaking and when he did his volume had dropped to a whisper. “I hear she is a Tory.”
A grimace worked its way to Nathaniel’s face, but he killed it en route. Did Joseph mean such a thing as a slight against her character? “And if she is?”
“Well, I should like to know her position so when I next speak with her, I may tread gently regarding the subject.”
So foreign was the concept, that Nathaniel slowed his mind to dissect what his friend had just spoken. “You would align yourself with a woman who believed so vastly different from you?”
Joseph grabbed his empty drink off the window ledge and clapped Nathaniel on the back. “If a woman is God-fearing, and devoted to her family, I care not what political side she takes. When I marry, I ask only that my wife loves me until the end of my days.”
Nathaniel’s jaw hung open as he watched Joseph walk to the other side of the room. How could Joseph possibly think that way? Marrying one who didn’t hold to the same vital beliefs had proven time and again how destructive such a union could be. How painful. The ever-present scars on his past began to throb and he looked again for a drink to coat his memories when from the corner of his eye a motion near the exit roused his attention. His heart lurched.
Kitty.
He lunged forward to find Thomas, Eliza and Kitty making their way out the door.
Nathaniel followed. “Is everything all right?”
Kitty slowed to answer him as Thomas and Eliza continued down the front steps to the road.
“We are taking Eliza home to rest.” The night air toyed with the curls around Kitty’s ears and the glow of the candles flooding from the windows kissed her soft cheek.
Trying to focus on anything but the slope of her neck and the tantalizing scent of cinnamon on her skin, Nathaniel aligned the words he’d just heard when blessedly his reason snapped back into existence. “What’s wrong with her?” He stared after the pair as they huddled together, his concern for Eliza and the child in her womb beginning to flare.
Kitty moved down the steps. “She is well enough, simply over-tired and needs to stop moving so she can keep food in her belly.” She peeked over her shoulder and her full lips pulled into a smile that lured him further from sensibility.
Nathaniel hurried beside her. “I shall go with you. If Eliza is unable to keep meals in her stomach, ‘tis no wonder she is weak.”
Kitty continued along the road, several paces behind Thomas and Eliza and only gifted Nathaniel with a quick look before she responded. “I believe she will be well. No need for you to leave your throng of women to care for a patient who needs only a good night’s rest.”
Her words dropped to the road and nearly tripped Nathaniel as he walked. Throng of women? He stared at her. No, ‘twas not his imagination. Indeed the tone of jealousy had been there, but why? She hadn’t concerned herself with him all evening—had she? Did she really harbor feelings for him as Thomas had long suspected? Nathaniel continued on in silence. Why did he have this sudden longing to be near her, to touch her? ‘Twas too dangerous to even consider. And yet, he could convince his heart to do little else.
Suddenly Kitty stopped and faced him. She lifted her chin and searched his face with her large eyes that in the moonlight looked like dark pools of midnight speckled with stars. “Nathaniel, I appreciate your willingness to help and I know Eliza and Thomas do as well. I know just enough about such things to be assured Eliza will be well in a few days time. Do not trouble yourself with us. You may return to your admirers.” The emphasis she placed on the last word and the tilt of a smile in her gaze undid him.
“The only admirer I’m interested in, Kitty, is you.”
***
Kitty’s pulse charged when her gaze collided with his. He couldn’t possibly mean what he said. She tried to wet her throat, but the way Nathaniel stared down at her...
With a light laugh, Kitty struggled to recall how to place one foot in front of the other but all attempts failed. She stared back at him, motionless, floundering to keep the jest in her tone. “What makes you believe I admire you?”
He didn’t answer. Not right away. His hand slipped around her neck, slowly trailing his firm, soft fingers into the curls behind her head. Pleasurable tingles trickled over her skin at the sensation, slowly winding into her chest where her heart beat like it knew what was to come—and wanted it.
He stepped nearer, words warm and caressing. “Do you not?”
Kitty couldn’t breathe, could hardly force her eyes to blink. Mercy! Nathaniel’s nearness and the dusty moonlight turned everything into a heavenly dream, the kind of dream she’d yearned to embrace, but never allowed. Crickets chirped their blissful melody and the leaves rustled in the breeze. But the only sound she heard was the breath they shared only inches apart.
Licking her lips, Kitty couldn’t stop her vision from straying to his mouth. His breath smelled of cider, and the ivory light from the moon shaped perfect shadows against the contours of his nose and jaw. She blinked. It wouldn’t happen. Would it?
Nathaniel stepped closer, his own eyes moving down until they landed on her parted lips and she licked them once again. Cupping the back of her neck he leaned down, just as Kitty swept her hands up his waistcoat. She closed her eyes...
“Kitty, are you coming?”
Jerking back, Kitty pushed away at the sound of Thomas’s call, breath heaving and body tingling. She should step farther away—much farther—but she couldn’t. The sudden shock of what had almost been ripped down her spine. Nathaniel’s chest pumped wildly as he gazed back at her, his mouth parted as if he too struggled to make sense of what they’d nearly done.
Finally able to look away, Kitty blinked. She had to answer Thomas’s question, but she couldn’t make her mouth move. With effort unlike she’d ever known, Kitty began moving again and somehow found her voice. “I need to be going.”
Nathaniel didn’t follow, though his gaze did, wide and wanting. “I understand.” His quiet answer pulled at the longing that still lingered in her heart.
Rushing now, Kitty hurried to fall into step with her sister and Thomas. Though her mind had finally found its place, her heart had been left behind.
***
Cyprian knocked gently on the door of Camilla’s room before pushing it open. He tried to keep the vines of worry from inching higher around his heart, but he couldn’t stop them. Camilla looked as if she hadn’t moved at all in the few hours since he’d seen her last. She still lay on her back, her arms straight at her sides as if she were already dead. A curse mumbled from his lips. If only he didn’t have this drowning tavern to manage he could stay by her side every minute and see to her every need.
Nearing the bed, he checked to make sure her chest still moved up and down. It did. He closed his eyes and let out a ragged breath.
He bent low and kissed her soft forehead before turning his attention to the dying fire and adding another log.
A tap on the door caught his attention and he straightened when his son opened the door and peeked in.
“Jacob, what are you doing? I thought you were sleeping.”
Jacob stared at his mother from across the room, as if afraid of what his father might say if he stepped any further. “Forgive me, Father. I... I couldn’t sleep.”
Cyprian stepped to the door and pressed it open completely, his heart shredding at the recollection of how he’d treated his son in recent weeks. How did one father a child? After twelve years he still didn’t know.
He fought the urge to scold his son for not sleeping. Instead he followed the boy’s gaze. “Did you see your mother today?”
Wiping his hand over his mouth, Jacob sighed. “Aye.”
“Was she awake enough to speak with you?”
Jacob swallowed. “Nay.”
The pain that swelled in Cyprian’s soul squeezed until his lungs struggled to rise. The boy was eaten by sorrow, Cyprian could see it as plain as the freckles across Jacob’s nose. He had to find a way to keep the boy’s mind off Camilla or it would destroy him.
Cyprian clamped his eyes shut. He had to keep the boy busy so there wouldn’t be enough time to grieve over something that would surely haunt him for the rest of his days.
Jacob stared, moisture filling his eyes. “May I see her?”
Cyprian’s throat pulled so tight it ached. “Nay. You need sleep, son.” He nudged Jacob backward, but the boy wouldn’t move his gaze.
The pain was too much. Cyprian pushed harder against his shoulder and closed the door behind him when both he and Jacob were in the hall. “Get to bed. There’s work to be done and I can’t do it alone.”
