She swallowed hard, facing the window, afraid to even look at him. “Mr. Kennedy, you must believe I am in love with my husband. I am a completely different person than the woman you knew.”
“So William tells me.”
He stood so near, the heat from his body touched the back of her neck. She shivered in both repulsion and fear.
“Will you forgive me?” His voice laced with sincerity.
She moved away from the window to put distance between them. “I will forgive you, Mr. Kennedy, as long as you make no more overtures toward me.”
“As you wish.”
“I think you are a brilliant man, and I cannot help wonder if your wife even knows this. Have you showed her your passionate side?”
His forehead creased, his lips pulled together. “My wife and I are but strangers.”
“An arranged marriage, I presume?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head. “But the question remains, do you love her?”
He shrugged and pain etched his eyes. “We’ve had only one child in the five years we have been together. I fear love has not even entered our home.”
“Would you like it to?”
His brows raised, his eyes widened. “I never thought about it.”
“Mr. Kennedy, your wife is very lovely, and has been extremely forgiving of your actions. From the little time I have gotten to know her, she seems a knowledgeable woman.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Kat, you know me well enough to know what kind of woman I enjoy.”
“Please do not call me Kat, Mr. Kennedy. I am Mercedes.”
“My apologies.”
“But you were saying—”
He walked away from the window to his desk, and sat on the edge. “You should know I have always enjoyed having an eye-catching woman on my arm.”
“Would you like your wife to be this woman?”
He chuckled. “’Tis impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible.”
His brown eyebrows lifted. “And how can we change it?”
She dared to step closer. “Let me give you a little hint about women. Just like a rose, they do not blossom unless given sunlight.”
“What are you saying?”
“You need to compliment her. Make her feel pretty, Mr. Kennedy.” She touched his arm. “If you really want her to come out of her shell, you will have to help her along.”
The corner of his mouth tugged in a grin. “You are an amazing woman, Mercedes. I cannot believe you are trying to assist me in winning over my wife.”
“Encourage her, Mr. Kennedy, or she has no other reason to blossom. But you will also have to do some serious groveling for your past mistakes. If she loves you, she will forgive you.”
He smiled and his brown eyes twinkled. He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Which is why William forgave you, am I correct?”
“Yes.”
The bell from the door chimed, and Mercedes jumped away from Brandon, but not before William’s gaze rested upon her. Her heart plummeted, yet there was no reason to feel guilty. She had done nothing wrong, but would William believe that? From the scowl on his face, she feared the worse. He glared at her with accusing eyes. Not again.
Brandon moved past her toward William. “Braxton, you have returned just in time. Your wife has a surprise for you.”
William’s brow lifted when he looked at her, but the frown still marred his handsome face. “Indeed?”
Her stomach churned violently and she clasped her hands against her middle to keep the waves of nausea from upturning. She didn’t speak for fear her voice would crack.
“William,” Brandon continued, “I must tell you what an amazing wife you have.”
Inwardly, she cringed. Wrong comment to make, Mr. Kennedy.
William’s eyes widened. “Do I?”
“Indeed. She is amazing, for she was just now giving me advice on how to woo my wife.”
William’s lips quirked into an unexpected grin. “Woo your wife?”
Mercedes laughed uneasily and walked toward her husband. “Yes, William. Mr. Kennedy knows who holds my heart.” She stopped in front of her husband and touched his cheek. “I tried to tell him how to win over his wife properly.”
William chuckled and shook his head, his smile stretching. “This is, indeed, a surprise.”
“That is not my surprise for you, however.” She linked her arm around his. “I am stealing you away this afternoon for a picnic, if you approve, of course.”
“But of course. How could I turn down such a charming woman?”
Her heart hammered with each step out to the wagon. William took her arm, assisting her up, then climbed in to sit beside her. He gripped the reins and urged the team forward.
Her heart ached to see the distrust in his eyes. Although he smiled, it did not make his eyes sparkle. She slipped her arm around his and cuddled next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Should I scold you now or later?”
His head snapped toward her. “Scold me, my dear?”
“You think me blind? You think I did not see the look of distrust when you entered the office?”
He remained silent.
“William, how many times must I defend myself? I am not Kat. I love you completely and would never do anything to hurt you.”
His body relaxed. “I am but a normal man, my love.” He chuckled. “A man who succumbs to jealousy quite easily, I might add.”
She reached up and cupped his chin. He glanced at her. “Why would another man turn my head when you are the most handsome, the most loving person I have ever met?” She trailed her fingers across his bottom lip. “I do not want any other man because I have you.”
He laughed and turned his attention back to the road. “Please forgive me for trying your patience. I fear I do not deserve your love.”
“You do, and I will not give it to anyone else.”
“You truly are a forgiving woman.”
She squeezed his arm. “I know you have had a lot on your mind. Mr. Kennedy has even noticed how irritable you are.”
A heavy sigh came from him and his shoulders slumped. “The Sons of Liberty’s cause is growing more tedious, and I fear for your safety.”
“My safety? What of yours?”
“I can protect myself.” He placed his hand on her knee. “But because you are from England, people will suspect you of things. It frightens me to think you may be in danger.”
She straightened. He kept his attention on the road, but the firm set of his jaw revealed his irritation. “What am I being accused of?” she asked.
“Nothing yet...and you will not ever be if I can help it.”
“Who would be accusing me? Certainly not the King’s soldiers.”
“No, not them.”
She gasped. “The Loyalists?”
“Yes.”
“But why? Can they not see how much I love and support you?”
He patted her leg. “Mercedes, calm yourself, my love. Nothing has happened, and nothing will. I just fear for everyone’s safety.”
He hid something from her. Her heart ached once again. Why couldn’t he talk to her? Why couldn’t he be honest?
He stopped the wagon near a patch of wildflowers. Although the sweet scent of spring wafted through the air, she did not take the time to enjoy it. William’s problems weighed heavy on her mind. Sometimes she wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake him senseless, then kiss him to distraction. But none of these methods would force him to trust her.
He turned to climb down, but she grabbed his arm to stop him.
“William?”
He gazed into her eyes and smiled. “Yes, my love.”
“What is truly bothering you? What have I done to lose your trust?”
His eyes widened and she detected panic. What has he done?
Chapter Seventeen
Here’s your chance. Tell her.
William smiled and took Mercedes’ hand, helping her o
ut of the buggy. Shadows of doubt filled her green eyes, making his chest ache with sorrow. He had been an imbecile, plain and simple. But he didn’t want to doubt her, and he didn’t want her to mistrust him. Bringing her hand up to his mouth, he kissed her knuckles. “My love, I trust you with my life.”
“Then prove it. Tell me what bothers you so.”
He hooked her arm over his and grabbed the quilt. She picked up the basket of food, and walked next to him to the grassy field. After flipping out the quilt on the ground, he sat.
She placed the basket of food in the middle and knelt in front of it. Her brows drew together from worry. “Mercedes, forgive me for not speaking my worries sooner.” He paused, assisting her with preparing the food.
“Will you tell me now?”
“Lately, there have been letters circling town from an unknown author. This person writes of freedom and breaking free from Britain’s rule.”
He studied her face, waiting for some kind of hint that she was the mystery writer, but her expression remained blank as she laid out the food. Her eyes didn’t even glitter with an unknown secret.
“What is wrong with that? I have read many articles about that subject.”
“Yes, but this particular writer has captured Captain Wilkes’ attention.”
Her eyes widened and she sat back on her heels. “Indeed? Why so?”
“I suppose it is the passion behind each word, but the poems are creating a rise amongst the Colonists. Captain Wilkes is bent on finding this person.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“Gabe believes it is a woman.”
“Does it make a difference whether the writer is a woman or a man?”
“It does, only because we know what forms of punishment Captain Wilkes will inflict if the writer is indeed a woman.”
William held his breath, waiting for her to confess or deny. She did neither, nor did her expression give anything away. Sorrow laced on her creased forehead and frown, but that didn’t tell him if the writer was Mercedes or not.
She picked up his plate and handed it to him. “Would Captain Wilkes really be that cruel?”
“Yes.”
“Then I see why you worry so. I hope you and Gabriel find this person before she is caught.”
“My darling, promise me you will not get involved in anything of this nature.”
She smiled and nodded. “You know, if you had asked this of me when I first arrived in Philadelphia, I couldn’t have promised such a thing. During my marriage to Frederick, I studied him as he found traitors and turned them into the King.” She leaned closer. “Before Kat died, she suspected you of treason as well, and when I arrived in Philadelphia, I was determined to prove you a traitor and turn you in.”
Panic engulfed him, but he remained calm and allowed her to speak.
“After I had gotten to know you and your loving children, I realized I couldn’t break up your sweet family mainly because I wanted to be included in your family.” She winked. “So to answer your question, I promise I will not get involved in anything that will hurt you or the children. All I want to do is be the best wife to you and a caring mother to our children.”
He sighed, relief flooding through him like a broken dam. It pleased him to hear her confession about what she had first planned when they met, but he was more comforted to hear she wasn’t the writer. He could feel it; he sensed it, and he prayed he was correct. But finding this woman was of utmost importance, especially if she was leading people’s suspicions toward Mercedes.
“Now we have that out of the way, tell me what you and the children have done today.”
Her face lit up, that familiar twinkle came back in her eyes. His heart melted with love the longer he stared at her, and he thanked the Lord once again for his good fortune in finding her.
The time passed much too fast, and soon the meal was over and he needed to return to work. But before he ruined this perfect setting, and the mood, he reached in his pocket and withdrew a small box. “Mercedes, I, too, have a surprise for you. I thought about presenting this to you at home with the children, but I feel I must give it to you now.”
She wiped her mouth with the linen napkin. When she spotted the box, her eyes widened and her cheeks tinted pink. “What is it, William?”
“I want to give you a token of my love for you and our marriage.” Reaching over, he took her left hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
“But William, I missed our first marriage. And I want to marry you in a church, and actually be present this time.”
He chuckled. “And we shall. Soon.”
“With the children in attendance?”
“Of course. Anything you would like.”
He opened the small box and withdrew a ring of gold. She gasped, her hand flying to her neck.
She sighed. “William.”
“This ring is a token of my love.” He slipped the band over her finger then kissed it. “I hope you will wear it always.”
“Oh, yes!” She laughed and cried at the same time.
He cupped her face and drew her near, sealing their promise with a kiss. She flung her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, causing him to lose his balance and fall backward. They laughed together, but continued to kiss.
The horses neighed and brought him alert, reminding him where they were. Grumbling, he broke away and smiled. “As much as I would enjoy doing nothing for the rest of the day but kissing you, I think we are in the wrong location to do that.”
“Quite right. We might cause a scandal for displaying affection in public.”
“Do you know how much I love you?”
She lowered her lashes and gazed at his mouth. “Hopefully as much as I love you.”
He silently counted the minutes before he would be in her arms again. This woman would prove the death of him...but he’d enjoy every moment.
* * * *
What a quaint little scene.
Katherine wiped a bead of moisture off her forehead, pulling the violet cloak tighter over her head. Although the warm weather did not call for such a heavy outer-garment, now was not the time to be seen, especially by the two people she spied at this moment.
When William and her sister stood, Katherine stepped behind the tree. Her plans were coming together just as she’d imagined. Because of her, the Sons of Liberty were slowly being arrested.
She smiled. It had been a brilliant idea to write that letter and upset the King’s Army. Soon Gabe would be arrested. No doubt William would be caught trying to free his friend, then he’d be hanged for treason. This plan worked so much better than when she’d tried to shoot him during the Burwell’s party. A bubble of laughter sprang to her throat. She would get all his money and land, because she was his dear, grieving widow. And her sister...well, poor Mercedes would be mistaken for the twin who escaped the New York institution for the insane.
Folding her arms across her chest, Kat leaned against the tree and smiled. Captain Wilkes had promised her trunks filled with diamonds and rubies to help him hang every last one of the Sons of Liberty, and once she received her reward, she’d leave him for another soldier, higher in rank, of course. Soon she would be the wife to the wealthiest man in the country.
The rickety wheels of the wagon as it clamored away drew her attention to her sister and that arrogant man who’d always thought himself a better class than she. She snickered. Men like William Braxton she wanted to stomp on with her heel and push them into the ground. She’d show him who the better class was.
As for her sister who’d never actually done anything in her life to deserve what would happen to her, Katherine simply could not have her around to foil her plans. And that’s exactly what Mercedes would do if she ever found out what schemes ran through Katherine’s head.
Once the wagon disappeared, Katherine walked away from her hiding spot. Next on her list of matters to deal with—take care of Gabriel.
She smiled. This particular project wo
uld be a treat. She did not take lightly to those who had turned down her offers. Throwing back her head, she laughed hysterically. Gabe would regret he’d ever kicked her out of his room the night she tried to show him of her affections.
* * * *
The door to the office opened, banging against the wall with a resounding crack. William jumped in his chair and spun toward the noise. Gabe rushed in, his face flushed as he wheezed to catch his breath. He glanced toward Brandon’s empty desk before hurrying over to William’s side.
“Gabe, what ails you this afternoon? You look like you have been running for miles.”
His friend placed his hand over his chest, nodding with a smile. “It seems I have.” He chuckled. “But when I received the letter, I could not wait to show you.”
Gabe handed forth a folded piece of paper. “Read it.”
William opened the missive and glanced at the contents. His eyes widened even before he finished. “What? I do not believe this.”
Gabe chuckled. “Imagine how I feel right now.” He wiped his sweaty brow.
“But why would the mysterious writer want to meet with only you?”
His friend’s smile stretched. “I assume it is because I have been diligently asking questions about her.” He wagged his eyebrows. “And I am hoping it is because she is unattached and enamored with me—proving, of course, she is not your wife.”
William threw back his head and laughed. Once his mirth was contained, he said, “No, my good friend, this person is not my wife. I spoke with Mercedes earlier this afternoon and told her about the mystery writer. She is not the unknown writer.”
“Then let us hope this woman is enamored with me and wants to get to know me better.”
“Yes, indeed.” William glanced at the letter again. “So, tonight at midnight? I wonder why so late?”
“Secrecy, of course.”
Unease gathered in William’s stomach, clenching his gut. “Gabe? Would you like me to come along? Just in case you might need help?”
“What could go awry?”
“I have an unsettling feeling. The whole affair smells of a trap.”
“Cease your worrying.” Gabe slugged William’s shoulder. “I am a grown man and can take care of myself. Besides, why would a patriot want to trap another patriot?”
Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) Page 21
