So True a Love (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 2), page 31
“How pleasant.” From behind, the other Redcoat responded. “We shall witness three hangings, not one.”
Nathaniel turned toward Donaldson as his muscles flexed. A spark flickered behind Donaldson’s impassioned eyes and Nathaniel dipped his chin.
They must act. Now.
Donaldson nodded again and Nathaniel lunged forward. He bashed the pistol away from his chest and jammed his boot against the soldier’s stomach. The man flew backward clutching his belly. From behind, a crack and a groan wailed toward the heavens.
Nathaniel shot a glance behind him to see Donaldson wrenching the pistol from the soldier’s limp hand.
Donaldson motioned to the trees, his face wild.
Nathaniel snatched Kitty’s hand and tugged her towards the woods as a shot rang out, flashing the forest with a burst of yellow light.
Pulling his weapon from his side, Nathaniel shoved Kitty away. “Get behind the shack!”
She dodged behind the building just as another soldier appeared from the dark. With barely enough time to think, Nathaniel fired and the soldier dropped to the ground.
Nathaniel spun around as Donaldson ran forward, snatched the ready gun from the dead man and shoved it at Nathaniel. Sounds of the camp—yelling, running, clanking of weapons grew louder with every second.
“You must leave. Now!” Donaldson turned to reload when a ball struck him in the arm and pushed him to the ground.
“No!” Kitty lunged from behind the shack, but Nathaniel waved her back.
“I won’t have you killed,” he yelled and pointed toward the trees. “Run to the horse. I’ll meet you there!”
Kitty reeled backward then stumbled and obeyed his command.
As more soldiers rallied in the confusion of the camp, Nathaniel pulled under Donaldson’s good arm and helped him to rise, but Donaldson grunted and pulled back. “Nay, go.” He grimaced. “I shall be more help to you here. I can convince them you went north. Go!”
Nathaniel nodded and dashed into the woods as more voices and shouts erupted from the smoke.
Kitty waited astride Astor with the reins in her hands. “Hurry!”
A bullet whizzed past Nathaniel’s ear. He launched himself onto the horse and secured one arm around Kitty’s waist as he flicked the reins.
His legs corded as he kicked the horse into a run. Not daring to look back, Nathaniel kept Astor at a pace that would have them in safety’s grasp in only minutes. Lord, do not let them follow us. The misty air coated his skin and hair as he leaned forward into the wind. Soon, the fearsome sounds faded and he braved a glance over his shoulder. He sighed, but still would not slow his mount. They were not followed, so it seemed, but ‘twas too early to relax. Nay, they would need to prepare to make an even greater escape should the British come searching for them.
He tightened his grip around Kitty’s waist. Lord, be with Donaldson. Keep him safe and cause the other soldiers to believe his tale for our sakes. And for his.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Kitty stared out the window of the Watson’s parlor. It had been nearly two whole days since the ordeal and both Nathaniel and Thomas seemed certain if the soldiers hadn’t followed them here already, they were likely safe. Forever. And yet, Kitty couldn’t allow herself to believe it, no matter how much she yearned to do so. Their trunks were packed and ready should the need to flee prove paramount. Blessedly, the Lord had seen fit to protect them from further turmoil. At least for now.
A ripple of purple eased up toward the sky, heralding the coming night, but the first sprinkle of starlight was still hours away. She wrapped her arms tighter around her chest. Eliza had long since retired, the babe in her belly having stolen every strand of energy. Thomas had retired with her, leaving Kitty alone to ponder the events that had nearly changed her life in a way she dared not even consider.
Leaning her head against the window frame, Kitty peered at the road. The news of the deaths of Camilla and Cyprian had been nothing short of shocking. And with the horror and confusion of recent events, Kitty had hardly been able to speak more than a few words.
The pounding of an approaching horse stole Kitty’s attention and she pulled away from the window. A rider came into view, his black cloak floating behind him on the wind. She recoiled and hid in the shadow of the stairs.
Nathaniel rushed into the parlor from the kitchen and looked out the window before he quickly opened the door and raced to meet the rider.
The man stopped his horse only long enough to hand Nathaniel a note before he yanked the reins and raced back the way he’d come.
Nathaniel tugged the paper open and after a breathless moment, dropped his hands at his sides, his shoulders visibly drooping.
Lord, no!
Kitty turned toward the door at the sound of Nathaniel’s steps.
He stopped just inside and glanced behind him. When he gazed back at her, the gentleness in his eyes brushed against her like a breeze on a field of wheat. He sighed and closed the door.
Handing her the note, he leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Read it.”
Her fingers quaked. She resisted and he dipped his chin. “Read it, Kitty.”
Carefully she took the note in her hands and exhaled a long breath out through pinched lips before scanning the words.
Friends,
All is well. Higley heard tell of the tragic events and has vouched for Miss Campbell’s loyalty to King George. Stockton is subdued.
You are safe.
God be with you until we meet again,
Donaldson
Kitty’s mouth hung open and she flung a look to Nathaniel. “I cannot believe it. ‘Tis nearly too marvelous to be true.”
“But it is.” His mouth twitched upward in a half-smile. He looked out the window. “We will be indebted to Donaldson forever I believe.”
“Aye.” Relief, and a heavenly peace rested against her heart. They needn’t hide. They needn’t escape to find refuge from the king. Lord, I thank thee!
Kitty continued to gaze at the note, but Nathaniel’s heated gaze warmed her cheeks. She swallowed, unable to bring herself to look at him.
He chuckled and pushed away from the wall. “I’d never have imagined Pigley would assist in saving our necks.”
Peeking sideways, a grin bloomed on Kitty’s face, and in her heart. “Nay, neither would I.”
“He possesses wisdom,” Nathaniel continued, “I’ll allow him that, for falling in love with an extraordinary woman.”
The warmth in his tone smoothed across her shoulders and down her arms like a loving caress. She wriggled to escape its alluring capture and shrugged, unable to structure a proper response. If she’d been brave enough in the beginning to place her trust in God, and even in Nathaniel, then all of this turmoil could have been avoided and all this heartache undone. The memories stabbed deeper as the vision of Donaldson’s torn garments and bleeding arm expanded in her mind until she could see nothing else.
Nathaniel stepped closer. The soft inhale and exhale of his breath made Kitty’s skin tickle with unbidden nerves. The urge to peek at him took control of her muscles and she dared a glance from the corner of her eye.
Time slowed.
That familiar look of desire and longing circled in his rugged features, melting her bones.
“You’re avoiding me.” His rich voice drew her closer, while the jest in his words tied her lips into a grin she attempted to crush.
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“I will neither confirm nor deny any such thing.” She lifted her chin and tried not to laugh as she knit her fingers behind her back, avoiding his gaze. If she allowed herself to reveal the emotions that hid behind her threadbare curtain of strength, she might never recover.
He toyed with the lock of hair at her neck. His fingers tickled her skin and all she wanted to do was collapse against him and lose herself in his warm embrace.
“Kitty,” he said, “I hardly know what to say. ‘Tis clear that I’m the chief of fools. If you never forgive me, I will understand, though I will pray for your forgiveness every day for the rest of my life.”
His words, like soft linen circled her wounded heart. She stared at him as a painful swelling threatened to close her throat.
She inhaled a ragged breath and her voice wobbled. “You have every right to think ill of me, after what I’ve done.” She turned away and stared out the window. “’Tis true that I was involved with the powder, though I give you my word had I any other choice I would have gladly spoken of it.” Returning to face him, she willed her tone to stay even. “I know I was wrong, but you must believe me when I say that I wanted nothing to do with it. I never wanted to—”
“I know.” He smoothed his palm against her cheek, sending a spray of gooseflesh down her neck and arms. His eyes trailed over her face, robbing the breath from her lungs. “You are not to blame, and if I had been more astute, if I had had less pride and fear for my own heart, I would have seen that from the beginning.” He stopped again, this time cupping her face with both hands and speaking so tenderly Kitty’s heart swelled until it pushed tears from her eyes. “I love you, Kitty. I love your virtue, your passion for good, your kindness and strength. I love the fire in your spirit and your yearning for right. I want to spend the rest of my days with you. And more than anything I want you to know that you being a Tory—”
“Stop.” Kitty placed a hand on his chest. A light from within glowed, warming her body with the brightness of truth. “Nathaniel, that’s what I wanted to tell you—one of the things I wanted to tell you after church this past Sunday. God spoke to me. He showed me the errors of my thinking and I know now, without a grain of doubt remaining, that your cause, the cause of freedom, is God’s cause.” She paused, and lifted her chin. “I’m a patriot.”
Nathaniel’s dark brow narrowed and his head tipped slightly. He never moved his gaze and his mouth tightened.
Kitty licked her lips and shifted her feet. She smiled, hoping such would coax a response from him. “Are you not pleased?”
His expression didn’t change and a surge of panic inched up her back. “I do hope you are not upset. Nathaniel, you must know I wouldn’t jest about something like this to entice you to say you love me—”
Nathaniel swooped down, cutting off her words with a kiss that turned her knees to liquid. His warm breath on her face mixed with her own and she clung to his chest to keep from melting to the ground. He pressed her to him, smoothing his hands down her back and gripping her as if he wished to mold her to him forever.
He broke away, breathing heavy. The brightness in his eyes matched the glistening of his lips. “Nay, I am not upset. I’m delighted to the point of utter disbelief. Though I do believe you Kitty, completely.” A deep, quiet chuckle rattled in his chest as he lowered his head. “And I must ask you to stop your bewitching ways, or I won’t be able to resist you as I should.” His eyes wandered to her mouth and he shook his head. “You never answered me.”
“Never answered you?”
“I asked you to be my wife. Am I to believe my feelings are not returned?”
Kitty’s heart grew wings. “Do you believe they are not?”
He stepped closer and nuzzled her ear with his nose as he whispered. “Marry me tomorrow, and let me begin to cherish you the way I desire to for the rest of my days. For I can no longer withhold my longing for you Kitty, not when I am consumed by so true a love.”
Ever so slowly, he trailed kisses at the edge of her hair and down to her mouth. His warm, possessive kiss removed every other thought from her mind. He directed her face upward and continued sharing his passion until he finally pulled away, staring at her with parted lips and hooded eyes.
“Marry me?” His voice carried no louder than a prayer.
She nodded, her throat too thick to make a sound.
He must have seen the unspoken answer in her tear-filled eyes. Tucking the stray hair around her ear he leaned closer. “Are you opposed to an afternoon wedding?”
“Nay,” she whispered.
Trailing a finger around her ear and down her neck, Nathaniel’s mouth twitched upward into a smile that whispered of delicious secrets to come. “I am glad to hear it. As of tomorrow night you will no longer be Miss Katherine Campbell. You will be my Mrs. Nathaniel Smith.”
Epilogue
Nathaniel stood in the far corner of his parlor, watching his newly pronounced wife smile and giggle with her sister and several other women in the opposite corner. He hadn’t expected the wedding to be such an occasion, though he should have known as much. It seemed women spent their entire youth planning such an event, and he wouldn’t have it ruined for Kitty, no matter how he wished it were already over. ‘Twas surprising what a few women could produce in less than a day when it came to such a thing.
A smile warmed his face as he glanced at the table in the center of the parlor. The only request Kitty had made for their sacred day was that a large vase of white flowers be placed in the room when they spoke their vows. The thought nestled in his heart and he loved her all the more.
Thomas approached, a cup of cider in his hand. “You name the moment, man, and I shall usher all from the house so you may enjoy your wife, as I can plainly see you wish to.”
“Is such a thing so terrible?” Nathaniel chuckled. “All in good time.”
Thomas took a sip. “I am very pleased.”
“Pleased?”
“Aye.” Thomas smirked. “’Tis no secret, I’m sure. You must know Eliza and I have always wished the two of you would marry.”
“Did you?” Nathaniel tried to jest, but all humor remained subdued under the peaceful serenity of the moment. “Then I suppose I ought to thank you and your wife for hoping such, for I can assure you this union is more joyful than I could ever have imagined.”
Thomas cupped his arm. “And may your joy be ever constant, my friend.”
As if Eliza had heard her name, she tugged at Kitty’s arm and pulled her away from the few others leading her in the direction of the men. Eliza stopped in front of them and winked at Thomas. “’Tis becoming late. We best be going.”
Thomas cleared his throat and set his drink on the small table beside him. “Aye, I do believe you are right.”
Eliza leaned in and whispered something in Kitty’s ear that made the color in her face reach crimson, and the itch to ask what was said hovered on Nathaniel’s tongue, but he bit it back. Kitty in turn whispered something to her sister. Eliza kissed her cheek and tugged on Thomas’s arm.
Eliza turned to Nathaniel. “God is surely smiling this night.” Then, she turned to Kitty and stroked her sister’s face. “And so is Father.”
Kitty glanced up at Nathaniel, her eyes wide as the horizon. “I believe he is, Liza.”
Nathaniel gripped Kitty around the waist, grinning broad and warm from the depths of his spirit to the tips of his fingers. “’Tis true,” he answered. “But I venture to suppose that no one in neither heaven nor earth is smiling more than I.”
***
When the last of the revelers had stepped into the summer eve, Kitty peeked out the window and waved at Eliza who turned one last time to smile over her shoulder. Nerves danced both beneath and atop Kitty’s skin. Her hands grew clammy and she hardly had the strength to turn around when she felt Nathaniel’s breath on her hair.
“We are alone.” His husky timbre tickled her heart.
Kitty swallowed and turned, praying at least this once her emotions wouldn’t display on her face. “That we are.” She smiled despite how her breath came in quick, short bursts.
He stepped nearer, producing a white flower in his fingers. “Are you not pleased?”
She could hardly speak for what his nearness did to her heart. “Aye, I am pleased.”
His gaze narrowed on her mouth then skirted away and he studied her hair. Gently tugging against the pins that held her tresses in place, he all but whispered as he let her hair tumble around her shoulders. “I am glad to hear it.” Gently, he brushed her hair behind her ear and tucked the flower in place. “Now, Kitty, I will kiss you.”
He leaned near and Kitty could not resist him. Tilting her head back, she welcomed his descent and wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting on her toes to more fully return his passion. She plunged her fingers through his hair and felt his strong, warm fingers do the same to hers. His hot breath against her mouth weakened her limbs and she leaned against him as a quiet moan escaped her throat.
Still holding tight to her waist, he pulled back. “I love you, Kitty.” Studying her face as if he had only just begun to treasure her the way he wished, he stroked his thumb against her cheek. “Shall we ascend to the bedchamber?”
Kitty’s body suddenly grew hot with nerves both anxious and wanting, and she knew her face displayed her feelings as Nathaniel’s unreserved gaze roamed her up and down. A smile lifted his mouth.
Releasing his hold, he trailed his hand down her arm and twined his fingers with hers. “Come, Kitty. Let me love you.”
Kitty gripped his hand and stepped beside him. “Aye, Nathaniel. Forever.”
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Kitty’s and Nathaniel’s story. I am thrilled to finally be able to share their romance with you.
Both characters are based roughly on real people’s experiences during that time. Emily Geiger was a remarkable Revolutionary heroine who did in fact eat a note she carried to keep it out of enemy hands. And the doctor of Sandwich during the Revolution was indeed a strong patriot who did much for the cause of liberty.
The next installment in the series, So Rare a Gift, will feature Henry Donaldson and Anna Martin—sister of Samuel Martin. I hope you will enjoy their story as well.
Blessings to you, dear friends. You make this journey a joy.
