Sunlight began to brighten the lavender field, and sounds drifted through her door, murmured words she could not make out. Metal struck metal, and a grating squeak sent a shiver down her spine. The door swung in, and Artemis stood there with the lock in his hands. Cook scurried into the room, her eyes wide with questions and fear. She set a tray of eggs, bread and coffee on Dinah’s small table, left the room, then returned with a pitcher of hot water.
“Are you all right, Miss Templeton?” The gray-haired woman’s weathered face was pale, and her thin lips quivered as she spoke.
“I said keep quiet,” Artemis growled. He lifted his hand as if he would strike the woman.
She backed away down the hall, apologizing to Dinah with a shrug of her thin shoulders.
“And you.” Artemis leaned against the doorjamb. “Put on your best day dress, the purple one, and be ready in half an hour. You’re going with Mr. Richland.”
“What?” Dinah recoiled as if he’d actually struck her. “Why, that would be indecent for me to go alone with him to his house. How can you do this to me, Artemis? We grew up together. Went to Meeting together.”
He snorted. “And your brother’s fellow rebels tried to tar and feather me for my loyalty to the Crown. Well, East Florida is a new world for me. When the war ends, I shall not go back to whaling. Such a filthy business. Instead, I’ll be walking the clean, polished halls of government as this colony prospers.”
“But you don’t believe in slavery.” Dinah choked back tears. She would not let this man see her weep. “How can you sell me like a slave?”
He released another dismissive snort. “Hardly a slave, although you will be mistress over many of them. And don’t worry about being alone with Mr. Richland. You know full well that his mother lives there, and she will see to the propriety of things.” He reached in to pull the door shut. “After a few days of enjoying their hospitality, you will gladly marry the gentleman.”
“But—”
He slammed the door and the sounds of the lock being secured echoed through her room.
Dinah eyed the tray of food. She’d eaten little these past days and reason demanded she keep up her strength. Once Artemis freed her from the room, she would get away from him. All that chasing around with the children had reminded her of how fast she could run. She downed the food and coffee, then washed herself and put on the lavender dress, as he’d ordered. Let him think she would yield to his plan. Once they reached the gate, she would break away and dash to Dr. Wellsey’s house two streets over. Joanna would help her. She should have thought of them before. How alarmed they would be over her situation, but she had no means to deliver the news to them.
She knelt beside her bed and prayed for the Lord’s blessing on her escape. Prayed that Anne and Cook would not be hurt. Prayed that Thomas—what? She had no words to say to God on his behalf, only a heart that ached bitterly over the way he had abandoned her. Just as everyone else in her life had done. Misery and despair ground into her, dissolving her optimism, and she bowed her forehead against the quilted counterpane.
“Please, God.” It was all she could think to pray.
A voice within reminded her of the Scriptures she had read these past few days: He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. And another: I will receive you and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Finally: For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
As surely as if God had reached down and pulled her into a warm, paternal embrace, peace swept over her and into her soul. God would be her Father. What a precious promise. It drove away the despair and filled her with joy. He would be her helper, would guide her and protect her, no matter what happened. No matter what Artemis and Mr. Richland did to her.
Once again, the grating sound of the key in the lock came through the door. It opened, and Artemis scowled at her. “Come with me.”
Dinah stood and gave him a smile. “Yes, Artemis.” She scooped up her broad-brimmed straw hat and walked toward him.
He blinked, and his jaw dropped. Doubt furrowed his forehead, but then his eyes narrowed. “What’s this all about, this smiling compliance?”
She stared back at him. “God is my helper, Artemis. You can do me no harm.”
Again, his face crinkled with doubt, and perhaps a small hint of shame. But too soon, his scowl returned. “You have it all wrong, girl. I mean you no harm. I simply want to be rid of you.”
“No!” Anne burst from her bedchamber, rushed to Dinah’s side and clamped her arms around her waist.
“Woman, I’ve told you—”
Artemis gripped Anne’s wrist and tried to separate them, but Dinah clasped her dear friend’s waist in return, and they clung to each other in desperation. Unable to separate them, he raised his hand to strike.
Anne jutted out her chin. “If thou dare, then do it. But I will never let her go.”
His hand hovered, then slammed against the wall, and both she and Dinah flinched. Anne’s labored breathing cut into Dinah’s soul, but they did not disconnect, nor did either one weep.
“Very well.” Artemis gripped Dinah’s upper arm and dragged the two of them down the hall and out the front door. Cursing, he stopped and released them, where they fell back against the wall of the house.
Outside the open front gate, Mr. Richland stood beside his small carriage. Beside him stood Thomas, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Thomas!” Dinah released Anne and ran to him, stopping short of throwing herself into his arms. “You came at last.” Uncertainty rained down upon her. His presence did not ensure her present or future safety.
The love radiating from his sky-blue eyes erased her doubts. “Forgive me, my love.” His formal tone did not dismay her, for he took her hand and kissed it with great tenderness. “God willing, we shall not be separated again.” He gazed beyond her to Anne, who sank to the ground in silent sobs. “Mrs. Hussey, are you unwell?”
“Never mind my wife, Captain Moberly.” Artemis moved in front of Anne. “And you can unhand Miss Templeton. She is promised to Mr. Richland here, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
His expression filled with hauteur, Thomas stepped between Dinah and the plantation owner. “I believe you are mistaken, sir. Miss Templeton and I are to be wed.”
Dinah’s heart swelled with happiness. Thank You, Lord.
“Indeed?” Mr. Richland traded a smirk with Artemis. “And what have you to say about that, Mr. Hussey?”
“Ahem.” Artemis’s artificial cough stilled Dinah’s joy. She had no doubt about what his next words would be. “Now, tell me, Captain, would you not like to know the identity of the pirate you have been seeking? This Nighthawk fellow? For a small sum—or the rights to this chit’s hand, I will gladly divulge his name to you, along with the names of all of his, um, cronies and family members.”
Dinah’s heart seemed to stop. Now all would be lost. Peace, her inner voice murmured. She steadied herself with a bracing breath and moved close to Thomas. To her surprise, his face bore a frown of confusion.
“I cannot imagine the importance of the pirate in regard to my betrothed, sir.” He gave his head a little shake. “However, since you bring him into the conversation, I will tell you that I’ve encountered the fellow myself. Caught sight of him through my spyglass.”
Dinah thought she might swoon. He’d seen Jamie, knew the truth. What would he do? But if she fainted, she would miss it. Another bracing breath steadied her.
Artemis’s scowl deepened. “If you speak the truth, Moberly, then you know who he is. You can be hanged as a traitor if you try to hide his identity. I will see to it myself.”
“On the contrary, I do not know the man I saw that night.” Thomas’s lips curled upward into a sly smile. “Will you contradict me? Will you threaten one of His Majesty’s officers?” Again his hand went to the hilt of his
sword.
Dinah looked away, trying to sort out what Thomas had said. Mr. Richland caught her eye and his sneer proclaimed his disgust.
“Enough, Hussey.” He stepped up into his small, open carriage. “The man wouldn’t lie about this, not after the way he vowed to catch the pirate.” He spat on the ground before turning his attention back to Dinah. “You will regret your choice, madam. As my wife in East Florida, you could hold a status equal to that of an English countess. If you marry this man and live in England, you will be a shame to your husband’s family, a common, uncouth American.” He lifted his buggy whip and snapped it against the horse’s rump. The animal lurched forward and pulled the conveyance down the lane.
Dinah slumped against Thomas and he wrapped one arm around her.
“Dear one, we have much to discuss.” He eyed Anne. “Mrs. Hussey, I would not leave you here with this—”
“My husband, Captain Moberly.” Anne approached Artemis, who stared after Mr. Richland without expression. “Come, husband.” She gripped his arm. “We also have much to discuss.”
Artemis yanked his arm away from her and glared at Thomas. Gradually, rage faded into a bitter snarl. He spun on his heel and strode into the house, slamming the door behind him.
“Anne, what will you do?” Dinah rushed to her friend and embraced her.
Anne sighed and kissed Dinah’s cheek. “No matter what hardships beset our paths, God’s ways are best. He will be my strength and my guide. Perhaps one day my husband will come to himself and return to the Lord. Until then, my place is with him.” She gazed toward the door, then back at Dinah. “Go now. If thee but ask, the Wellseys will surely give thee refuge until thy wedding day. I will send thy belongings to Joanna.” She gave Dinah another kiss, then disappeared inside the house.
Dinah moved into Thomas’s open arms and felt the comfort of his embrace. But one thing stood in the way of her complete happiness. She gazed up at him through her tears.
“Thomas, did you truly see Nighthawk? See him clearly?”
He brushed a hand over her damp cheek. “I did.”
“And…but…” How could she ask the question? How could she not?
“As I said, I do not know the man I saw that night.” His intense look explained it all. Truly, she did not know the man Jamie had become either. “We have much to discuss, but—” he kissed her forehead “—there’s no hurry.”
“All right, then.” She buried her face in his chest. “May we go now?”
“Not until you forgive me.”
Dinah looked up to see genuine concern in his eyes. “For what?”
He exhaled a long sigh. “I promised to return, but did not.”
She gazed up into his handsome, winsome face, so filled with devotion and worry, and her heart overflowed with love. “But you did, for here you are.”
His smile burst through the gloom like a sunrise. “And I shall never leave you again, Lord willing.”
He had said that a while ago, but she’d thought it was for Artemis’s sake. “I understand when you must leave to do your duty. I promise not to complain.” She grimaced just a little. “Well, I promise to try not to complain.”
He chuckled. “My only duty from this day forward is to take care of you, my beloved.”
She gasped. “What have you done?”
He leaned his forehead against hers, that most endearing gesture that signified their deepest affection and communion. “I have resigned my commission. I fear, my darling, that you must set aside your ambitions to be a British captain’s wife. Will it suit you just as well to be the wife of a country gentleman?”
“Oh, yes, Thomas. But I didn’t dare to dream of such a thing. Are you sure you wish to do this?”
“Yes, my dear Dinah, I am very sure.”
He bent to kiss her, pulling her up in his arms and deepening the kiss as if he would never let her go.
And she had no desire that he should do so.
Epilogue
September 1780
St. Johns Towne, East Florida Colony
“Ladies and gentlemen—” Reverend Johnson closed his prayer book and looked out upon the congregation of St. Andrew’s Church in St. Johns Towne “—may I present to you Captain and Mrs. Thomas Moberly.”
Thomas gazed down into the most beautiful face he had ever seen. His beloved bride’s cheeks glowed, and her brown eyes sparkled with invitation. He lowered his head and placed a chaste, teasing kiss on Dinah’s lips. She rose up on her toes and claimed another and this time, he wrapped his arms around her and showed her what a real kiss was all about.
Had they chosen to marry in St. Augustine, Thomas would not have ventured to be so bold, but the people of this smaller community appeared to have fewer qualms about a husband kissing his new wife. To his relief, the congregants chuckled and murmured their approval.
Freddy and Rachel hurried forward to offer congratulations. Behind them came Hinton and his Nancy, who had married in St. Augustine before accompanying Thomas and Dinah on the trip to St. Johns Towne. Thomas and his steward would have much to teach their brides about life in England, but for now, he wanted his lady to enjoy the wedding celebration without any anxieties about the future.
After the others had given their congratulations and filed out of the small church, Reverend Johnson’s wife bustled toward them and embraced Dinah. “My dear, you are a beautiful bride.” She wiped away a tear. “How I envy you going home to England.” She hesitated for an instant. “Of course, it is not home to you yet, but it will be.” She shook her head. “But never mind. We have a feast awaiting you outside, so come along.” She began to walk away, then turned back. “Oh, Captain, I haven’t enjoyed a wedding this much since your dear sister married Captain Templeton four years ago. By the by, what a shame he and Lady Marianne had to rush away last month and miss your happy day. I never did discover the why and wherefore of that unexpected journey.” She raised her eyebrows, clearly seeking a response.
Thomas glanced at Dinah, whose serene smile conveyed her confidence in him. Her peace had not come easily. When they had spoken all the truth to each other about their loved ones’ deceptions, she had wept bitterly, and his own mind had been deeply troubled. But they agreed to hide what they knew during this final visit.
For Thomas’s part, he would never reveal their loyalties because Freddy clearly was not active in fighting against His Majesty’s troops. Further, the recent victories of Tarleton’s combined British forces in Georgia assured that the rebellion would soon be put down. Here in East Florida, Freddy and his family would be able to continue their happy, prosperous lives, unaffected by the madness happening in the northern colonies.
“Mrs. Johnson.” Thomas inclined his head toward the minister’s wife. “We deeply appreciate your kindness in preparing our wedding supper. I am famished.” He placed a quick kiss on Dinah’s cheek. “And you, my dear?”
“Oh, yes. Famished.”
They followed Mrs. Johnson to the back of St. Andrew’s, and once they emerged into the fading sunlight, Thomas felt as if they had passed through the door to their future. Only a few more obstacles lay before them, all of which he and Dinah agreed they could surmount as long as they were together.
November 1780
Hampshire, England
“Are you certain you wish to do this?” Thomas hugged Dinah close as their covered carriage moved over the dusty road to Bennington Manor.
“Of course I do.” Her heart filled with gratitude over his protectiveness, which had not abated since he’d rescued her from Artemis nearly three months before. “And best to get it over and done with. Even if Lord and Lady Bennington despise me, I shall not be dismayed, for I have your love.”
“And you always will.” Thomas bent down to give her a kiss and she received it eagerly. Then, with a sigh of contentment, she laid her head against his shoulder and toyed with her fan. The fragile silk had not torn when she struck Jamie, only the ivory had cracked. Thomas had miraculously repa
ired the damage with the same degree of skill he’d applied to repairing her heart.
England was a beautiful country, even with winter coming on and the days growing shorter. Traces of green remained on the hillsides and trees, and the local farmers had almost completed their harvest. The air was filled with the fragrance of herbs and mown hay.
Her arrival last week at Thomas’s—and now her—country house would always remain one of the happiest days of her life, next to the day they first met, the day when he proposed and their wedding day. She would somehow manage to forget their storm-tossed voyage from East Florida to Portsmouth aboard a British merchant ship, a harrowing six weeks that had tested her almost beyond bearing. Love triumphed, of course, but she would never cease to marvel that Thomas had managed to live at sea for eighteen years.
She prayed daily for Anne and, reluctantly, for Artemis. She prayed for Frederick and Rachel to be safe and to stay out of the rebellion. Most often, she prayed for the safety of Jamie, Marianne and their children, wherever they might be.
The carriage turned a corner, and through the curtained window Dinah could see the massive manor house, with its three stories of gray stone walls and tree-lined drive. At the front door, they were greeted by an austere, gray-haired butler, whom Thomas addressed as Blevins. The man escorted them to an exquisite drawing room.
Dinah had never seen such opulence as the furnishings of this room: brocade settees and tapestry chairs, velvet draperies, exquisite vases filled with hothouse roses, a massive marble hearth with statues of Zeus and Hera on either side. The giant painting of a battle scene above the mantelpiece impressed her with its artistry. Thomas told her the man on horseback in the center was the late George II. Behind the king rode a black-haired young man who looked very much like Thomas, and indeed, he was the late Lord Bennington, Thomas’s father. At this pronouncement, Dinah’s eyes welled up with tears for the old man who had given his all for his king, but could never show love to his own four sons.
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