by Betty Bolte
Evelyn and Amy skirted the long table with its array of platters of meat and bowls of winter vegetables and condiments. Silver candlesticks and crystal glinted against the dark blue cloth covering the table. An elegant presentation, one befitting the status of Richard Abernathy. Nathaniel moved to pull out Evelyn's chair, but Benjamin had anticipated the need after seating Amy at her place.
Nathaniel settled onto his seat while Richard assisted his wife. He felt like the odd man out, which wasn't technically possible in a room with three men and three women. Oh, and of course, the two waiters standing at opposite ends of the room, biding their time until everyone had taken their places. They wore the green and gold livery Miss Lucille had ordered from Philadelphia. She'd seemed rather proud of the appearance of the two slaves as they attended to the needs of the family and their guests. Still, their stoic presence proved disquieting.
As soon as Richard sat at the head of the table, the two men began to hold the various platters for each person to select from the duck, venison, chicken, and fish. The smaller bowls of chutney and relish along with steaming bowls of stewed apples, boiled carrots, and seasoned beans passed from hand to hand around the table.
"Nathaniel, you were saying your plans are in flux?" Richard stabbed a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth.
"For the next few months, I'll be at the printing office as agreed." Nathaniel lifted his fork. "After that time has passed, I'm not certain what my future holds."
"Is anybody?" Benjamin chuckled. "Especially at this moment in history."
Nathaniel nodded as he chewed the roasted duck, detecting rosemary and garlic among the savory flavors exploding on his tongue. His stint as cook made him appreciate the nuances of various herbs and spices in ways he'd previously never noticed.
"I know what my future holds." Evelyn laid her knife on her plate and then speared a piece of cooked apple, cinnamon and nutmeg spices speckling the surface and perfuming the air. She smiled as she glanced at each person at the table. "I'm going to start a school for girls."
Gasps of surprise and murmurs of approval followed her announcement. Nathaniel remained silent, observing the happy responses at the surprising news. He laid his fork down, the ring of metal on porcelain drawing attention to him.
"Are you qualified to teach?" Nathaniel studied Evelyn's demeanor as she ate her meal.
How could she think to engage in such an endeavor? While he appreciated the sentiment, the desire to further others knowledge, she didn't seem suited for teaching. She possessed the knowledge and aptitude, certainly. But why would she want to lower her station in society from lady of the manor to tutor to young girls? If she were his wife, he'd not permit her to denigrate herself in such a manner.
She met his gaze and nodded once. "I plan to hire someone to assist with those subject areas I'm weakest in. But yes, I have much to share with the girls to prepare them for their futures."
Benjamin cast a doubtful look around the room, encompassing the entire structure of the house, then focused on Evelyn. "Is there enough space for a school?"
"Not here." Evelyn laid down her fork and peered at Benjamin. "I've hired the Sullivan brothers to rebuild my home with a few additions."
She planned to move back out into the countryside? Where the law barely reached to keep order? Nathaniel frowned, worried for her safety. Sure, she had an inner strength and courage enough to teach a thousand girls. But surviving on her own with merely servants to aid her endeavors? No husband looking out for her? Protecting her? What about her son?
"How can you afford to start over out there?" Nathaniel searched for viable reasons to prevent her from making what he considered to be a huge mistake. "Inflation is out of control."
Evelyn glanced at her father. "Father has generously agreed to finance the building."
Nathaniel had hoped to find some barrier to her intentions, but they melted away under the endorsement by her parents. After all, he had no say in the matter. He wasn't family, nor even a beau. Though he longed for the latter, to investigate and determine if they could have a companionable relationship. He sensed he already knew the result of the exploration, but only time, and her agreement, would reveal the answer.
Richard cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "I did say I'd fund your school, and I'm happy to do so."
"Thank you, Father." Evelyn beamed and saluted him with her glass of wine. "You are making my heart's greatest desire a reality through your support and kindness."
If Evelyn thought running a school equaled the best yearnings of her heart, then he'd dearly love to show her even stronger emotions to entertain and enjoy. With him by her side, instructing her on the finer points of companionship and even more on loving another.
"There are a couple of conditions." Richard lifted one brow as he regarded his daughter. "If you do not accept them, then I cannot, in good conscience, keep my promise."
Tension sizzled in the air between father and daughter. Nathaniel's very skin tingled as they stared at each other for the span of five ticks of the windup clock standing against the wall.
"You did not express a need for conditions this morning at breakfast." Evelyn inhaled and let her breath out on a sigh. "What changed?"
"I insisted upon them." Lucille sat with her hands in her lap, calmly watching the interplay between her husband and daughter. "It's our way of looking out for you, so we require you to adhere to them."
Evelyn's brows rose so high that if she had hair fringing her forehead they would have been hidden. In the event, since she'd pulled her hair up into a bun, the extent of her surprise was clearly visible. Nathaniel suppressed a chuckle, an inappropriate response to the drama playing out at the table. He couldn't help his musings about Evelyn any more than he could make his opinion matter in the current conversation.
"What conditions?" Evelyn tapped her index finger on the blue cloth in a steady tempo.
Richard drew a breath and pressed his lips into a line for a moment. "Two conditions. First, you'll take several of the slaves from the plantation to help you."
"Slaves?" Evelyn frowned and her finger's tempo increased. "I had planned to hire the help I need. Or perhaps an indentured servant so I'm giving someone a chance at a better life."
"You need qualified help, not someone off the streets of London or Dublin." Lucille shook her head. "Our slaves are trained in their jobs and content in their lot."
Nathaniel doubted the last statement, but kept mum. How could anyone be content to do someone else's bidding day and night forever? Especially when one had no hope of ever living the life of their choosing? One day, if the trend set by Pennsylvania and Maryland continued to gradually free the slaves, America would have no people in bondage, only independent citizens. Would he see that day? With luck, perhaps.
"You have a point." Evelyn shook her head and sighed, but when she raised her eyes to look at her father her gaze held a hint of reproach. "Very well. What's your second?"
Richard swallowed, glanced at his wife, and then shrugged, barely a lift and fall of his shoulders. "You must take a new husband within one year."
Evelyn sat back against the chair with a thud. She blinked rapidly as a frown descended between her eyes. "Why?"
Lucille squared her shoulders as if preparing to do battle. "Because, my dear, our grandson deserves a father, a man to teach him how to grow into a proper gentleman. Would you deny him his future?"
"Jim is too young to need such an example for some time." Evelyn's gaze drifted to meet Nathaniel's, then flicked to Amy before landing on her mother. "I expect to remarry at some point, but why one year? I'll barely have the school operational."
"Plenty of time to seek and find a fitting husband." Richard picked up his fork and pierced a chunk of meat. "You're a beautiful woman of childbearing age with property, a fine combination for a man seeking a wife."
No doubt existed in Nathaniel's mind as to Evelyn's qualifications for life companion. He'd not viewed them from the eyes of any other elig
ible bachelor. Not even when Benjamin had mentioned Ethan's interest in her had he truly considered why he might pursue the woman. As long as Ethan expressed appreciation for her as a person and not merely her property, which was enough for the stable he and his brothers planned to build. He'd best keep watch over Evelyn to protect her from such a maneuver.
"Especially with so many men returning home to start building a new life." Benjamin glanced from one to the other. "Evelyn shouldn't have any problem meeting your conditions."
"Hush." Amy punched him on the arm. "Mayhap she doesn't want to find a husband."
Struggling to find a compromise, Nathaniel remained silent. Outsider that he was, they wouldn't listen to his ideas. Hope had sprung into his heart at the prospect of helping her meet the second condition. Only to have it dashed when she objected.
Evelyn laid her napkin beside her plate and rose to her feet. She stood there, a silent statue, for several seconds. Her shoulders drooped as she contemplated her father. On a sigh, she straightened her spine. "I accept your conditions. I'm afraid my appetite has fled, and so I shall ask your permission to be excused."
"Wonderful." Lucille's smile was the only one at the table.
Richard inclined his head. "I'll make the arrangements at the bank to-morrow."
Evelyn glanced at Nathaniel on her way out of the room, the echo of her steps fading as she climbed the stairs to her bedchamber.
Why had she agreed when she obviously did not wish to adhere to either requirement? Should he go after her? Comfort her? Would she let him?
Chapter 13
Blankets, bed frames, bed linens, a table—make that two tables—barrels to catch rain water. Evelyn relaxed in her seat at the writing desk, tapping the feather of the quill pen against her cheek. What else? She looked around the room for inspiration. Flames—red, yellow, white, and blue—popped and snapped in the open fireplace. Gold and red brocade drapes hung at the windows. Elegant chairs, featuring cushioned seats and curved legs with claw feet, stood at intervals on the oriental carpet. Of course. She dipped the quill and added chairs to the list of items necessary for the interim lodgings in the renovated carriage house.
On the morrow, she'd visit her uncle to ask him to acquire the furniture for the finished house. Uncle Joshua, Emily's father, operated an importing business. The first list included many more items than the one before her. She glanced at the page pushed to the right side of the desk, ready to hand off. Bedsteads, armoires, tables, chairs, carpets, wallpaper, candlesticks, and on and on. She also need a quantity of smaller bits and pieces such as urns and basins, chamber pots, candles, kitchen wares and a myriad of other necessities. She grinned at the challenge laid before her. She'd create a welcoming home and worthwhile school.
The back door thudded closed, followed by the sound of footsteps in the hall. She paused, the quill poised to continue with writing down additions. Probably Amy stopping in for a visit. Evelyn perused the short list again. Cleaning supplies, cookery, utensils, baskets and bowls, cooking tools. The list seemed to have no end.
"Miss Evelyn."
Startled by the deep voice, Evelyn dropped the quill, knocking over the ink stand in the process. A river of black flowed onto the page, obliterating several of her entries. "Gramercy!"
"My apologies." Nathaniel hurried to help clean up the mess, grabbing a stained rag from a wooden bowl on the desk and blotting the paper. "What is this?"
"A list." After he lifted the rag away, Evelyn fanned the page, hurrying the drying process. "Must you sneak around so?"
"I had not intended to startle you." He dropped the rag back into the porcelain bowl sitting on the wood surface.
"What did you intend?" Evelyn glanced up at him, dropping her gaze back to the list when she saw the intensity of his expression. A deep yearning flashed through her, lightning across a stormy sky.
"To talk with you." He offered a hand, waiting with his palm up in invitation.
His hand had fresh ink over the stains from his current occupation. She picked up the rag and rubbed the dabs of wet from his fingers, careful not to make direct contact with his skin or risk upsetting her composure. Restoring the rag to its home, she contemplated his request. "We can talk here."
"Sit with me on the sofa. We'll be more comfortable." He wiggled his fingers until she oh-so-reluctantly placed her hand in his and stood. "Come."
Evelyn sucked in air in response to his touch, but allowed him to lead her over to the high-backed garnet sofa and sank onto the firm seat. What did he want? He sat beside her, his breech-covered thigh nearly touching hers. If her skirts had less bulk, she'd probably feel the heat from his leg. Fortunately, she'd donned her thickest petticoat to ward off the winter chill. Little had she considered the garment also would fend off a man.
She clasped her hands together in her lap, then endured his quiet contemplation. The scars on his face twitched as she studied him. Was he nervous? Curious. "What did you wish to discuss?"
His smile lit his eyes and revealed his teeth. "Your girls' school."
"I'm sorry. I don't understand." Her mind raced with questions. Why did he care? What aspect of the scheme? Why was her heart pounding so in her breast?
He pointed at the page on the desk. "Your list. Items needed to start over?" He shifted his position, closing the gap between them. "Quite a lot of things."
"Yes." Should she trust him? She knew he wanted to become better acquainted. Her parents' conditions preyed in her mind, rattling her composure. Her hands trembled. "I have my work cut out for me."
"Riding to and from the estate will be quite tiring, I'd venture." Nathaniel laid a hand over hers, his thumb brushing across her skin in a steady rhythm. "You'll want an escort."
Warmth threaded through her body, finding purchase in her cheeks. A current of electricity rushed through her with each tender stroke of his thumb. "I won't need one as I'll be living on the property to oversee the progress."
"Living there? Where?" His thumb stilled and his eyes raised to look into hers.
Detecting concern mixed with something more worrisome to her equilibrium in his steady gaze, she swallowed. "In the carriage house, after it's been made comfortable." Her heart competed with her thoughts. Which could race faster? "It's only a couple months until the temperatures will rise and it won't be quite so bitter outside."
"You can't live in a carriage house without making significant changes to it." He resumed caressing her hand with his calloused thumb, a faint rasp filling the silence. "Who will make it habitable for you?"
"Ethan has offered to start work next week." Was he suggesting she shouldn't pursue her intent? She lifted her chin and captured his gaze. "Within a few weeks, I should be quite at home, he said."
"I don't like the idea of you being alone with Ethan."
"Why ever not?" She blinked at him, amazed by the vehemence in his tone. "He's my cousin. I have nothing to fear from him."
"He desires your companionship too much, from the gossip I've heard." He shook his head and then peered at her. "I'd prefer for you to not accept his help."
"You do not have a say in the matter." Though she understood from her own exchanges with her cousin that he did indeed display a level of interest she found disconcerting. Still, she harbored no doubt in her ability to squash any unwanted attentions. "What do you suggest I do if not accept his offer?"
He regarded her for a long moment. "I'd be honored to assist you, if you'd permit me."
"I don't believe it's necessary for you to take time away from your work, but I appreciate the overture." Distance. That's what she needed. To put distance between them so he couldn't distract her. Couldn't make her out of kilter and on edge, as though waiting for something she couldn't define to occur.
"It's not inconvenient for me to take a few days to help."
"I'll not be alone, as I'll have Jemma and Jim with me." She paused, seeing surprise lift his brows. "And the Sullivan brothers will start working in a short time, as I said. I'
ll be perfectly safe, I assure you."
"I cannot help but be alarmed for your well-being. Your safety and comfort are my utmost concern." He gripped her hands, his sincerity reflected in both his gaze and his tone. "Lyn, please, let me complete the renovations."
She'd longed to put distance between them, and then he suggested infiltrating her temporary quarters? While holding her hands, which completely set her senses on fire. But then to have the man in yet another of her abodes? An inner voice whispered yes, yes, yes. She shivered though no chill swept through her. Instead, desire replaced the denial. She liked him on a deeper level than she'd previously admitted to herself. Must be that second condition her mother insisted upon making her weak. But the temptation remained, and as long as she was being honest, had begun the moment she'd met the man.
"Please?" Nathaniel squeezed her fingers, a persuasive grin aimed her way. "You know I'll take care of it without any delay. You'll be able to move in sooner."
"What of your printing work? Can Frank spare you?" What was she doing? She swallowed a huff rather than venting her inner turmoil. She didn't want his help, did she? Say no!
"Yes." He leaned closer as he tugged on her hands, turning her to angle toward him. "I have two days free after to-morrow."
"Free?" She moistened dry lips, enthralled by his eyes, his mouth as he drew steadily closer to hers.
"Yes. We can start for the property in a couple days." He reduced the space between them to a kiss.
Her senses spun, leaving her breathless and off balance. Her racing thoughts crashed to a complete stop. She closed her eyes, relishing the exquisite experience of bussing with a man, this man. Dear heavens above. He slipped inside her mouth, teasing the tip of his tongue against hers. A moan reverberated in her throat when he embraced her, pulling her to him. No longer could she deny her feelings about Nathaniel. She held onto him, an anchor in the maelstrom unleashed by his touch, his kiss, his very breath.
He eased away, slowly and tenderly breaking the contact between them. She just as slowly opened her eyes as she attempted to restore her composure and calm her heart. Amazing. The room had not changed. Everything still stood where it had been before the world turned upside down. She blinked when he captured her hands, bringing them up to his mouth.
