His eyes latched with Eliza’s. “What do you think about it all?”
Eliza could hardly believe the question. Her mouth dropped open. He cared about what she thought—what a woman thought about politics? Samuel believed it wasn’t a woman’s place to discuss it, and even her own father had never spoken to her in this way. She stuttered. “I’m . . . I’m not sure what to think about anything anymore.”
Thomas’s mouth bowed upward as he slipped his masculine hand over hers. She lifted her watery eyes, the intense loneliness of seconds ago evaporating at his touch.
“You’ll come to know in time, Eliza. God will show you.”
The low resonance of his voice sliced through her and his gaze seemed to be memorizing her face. Her breath stuck in her lungs and her muscles froze.
He’d used her first name! It sounded so good when he said it.
She pondered his words. Yes, she did believe God would show her. But would she have the faith to follow whatever it was He revealed?
The intimacy of the moment heated her cheeks. Eliza pulled her hand away and rested her back against the tree once again. Samuel’s face flashed across her mind. What would he have said to her at that moment? He certainly would not have asked her what she thought about it all.
Silence enveloped them and she cleared her throat. “You better get going if we’re to start again soon. We’ll be here when you get back.”
His face brightened in a smile that stopped her heart and he gave a quiet laugh. “I’m delighted to hear it.” After that, he was gone.
She watched until his tall form vanished from sight. Within seconds, her body surrendered to a welcoming sleep.
Samuel glared at Thomas’s uncle who slumped in the corner of his small headquarters. The room had smelled a bit unpleasant before—from dirty soldiers, smoky fires, and stale air. Now it reeked.
Even though the temperature of the room was cold, the man dripped with sweat. His fat legs were spread out in front of him and his swollen hands were tied with thick rope and lying across his bulging stomach. His fingers twitched.
Samuel slid a chair across the hardwood floor and sat only inches from his prisoner.
“Now, George Watson. If you find any value in your miserable life, you will tell me everything you know.”
George’s small black eyes rounded. “Sir, please! I know nothing. I tell you honestly. I came to port just yesterday. Tommy offered me a job. I was looking for work, you see. I needed to escape my gaming debts so I—”
“Shut up!” Samuel slapped him across his face. “I know Watson had a plan and I know you’re part of it!”
“I swear by all that’s holy, I know nothing!”
“Where did he go? Tell me now!” Samuel leaned in closer.
The man stuttered, beads of sweat trickling down his face. “All I know is that he had to meet someone last night. He said, ‘Take care of the press, Uncle.’ And then, he left.”
Samuel’s heart pumped pebbles of hot coals into his limbs. He leapt from his chair, launching it into the wall with the backs of his legs. George whimpered, shrinking into the corner as far as his large body would allow.
“You can’t tell me that this was an accident, that it wasn’t planned! He wanted to get away from here, away from me!”
Samuel stomped away from George and clenched his fists at his side to keep from punching the door—or the man. He started to speak quietly, but his volume rose to a fierce thunder. “That man took my future bride and I want her back! If you don’t tell me where they are, I believe a stint in prison will relax your memories.”
George’s hands shook. “No! No, please! sir, if I could tell you, I would—”
“I won’t be forced to listen to such drivel. Donaldson!”
The door to the next room swung open and the Lieutenant entered.
“Yes, Captain?”
“Donaldson, help this smelly beast into his new accommodations.” Samuel knelt down and drew close enough to see George’s black pores. “Welcome to America, Mr. Watson.”
Donaldson hefted the heavy man onto his feet and attempted to plow him out the door when the man turned back to Samuel.
“Wait! Wait! I did see something.”
Samuel glared. “Well, what is it??”
“There . . . there was a girl.”
Chapter Seven
“A storm is approaching. We must quicken our pace if we are to find shelter before the rains descend.” Thomas looked behind him at the girls when he spoke. He didn’t want to worry his companions, but he couldn’t ignore the facts. They still had at least forty more miles to go.
The clouds collected into a thick gray mass, and a breeze played with the canopy above. Diffused daylight brightened their path, but did nothing to warm their bodies as the scent of impending rain swirled around them.
Thomas glanced back again at his fellow travelers. He couldn’t have picked two more compliant females if he’d tried. Kitty had not said three words together. Thomas allowed himself another peek at the eldest Miss Campbell and tried to quell his growing curiosity. Every moment that passed testified of her unmistakable strength and noticeable charm.
“If it rains, will we be able to find any shelter?” Eliza called from behind her sister.
“I know of a place where we can rest, but we likely won’t arrive there until nightfall.”
“You know of a place? Have you been this way before?” Eliza asked.
He helped the ladies over a fallen tree obstructing their way. “I knew I would need a place where I could make a new start for myself, and I chose Sandwich. I’ve traveled there many times—I’ve even built myself a modest home over the course of about a year.” He thought of his new home, his hope for a good life getting swallowed up in their uncertain future. What were they to do when they got there? When would it be safe for Eliza and her sister to return to Boston?
“Mr. Watson, you believe we must go all the way to Sandwich with you to remain out of reach of the soldiers who were looking for my father? For us?” Eliza’s tone relayed her apprehension.
Just then Kitty slipped on a mossy stone and landed on her backside with a surprised yelp. Eliza helped her up before Thomas could offer assistance. The young girl burst into tears and buried her face in her hands. Eliza rested her sister’s head on her shoulder and stroked her hair, whispering comforting words in her ear before sending a quick glance at Thomas.
His guilt squashed him like the pounding of his press. He prayed God would guide him and help him keep these trusting women from any additional harm. His father may have thought he was good for nothing, but he planned to prove him wrong.
“Are you all right?” Eliza stroked Kitty’s arm.
“No, I’m not all right!” The girl who had been silent the entire trip now exploded into a whirlwind of tears and fury.
“Kitty, please.” Eliza tried to console her, but Kitty wouldn’t allow it.
She pushed away from Eliza and unleashed her frenzy at Thomas as she got to her feet. “What are Eliza and I supposed to do when we get to Sandwich, did you think about that, Mr. Watson? We have nothing more than the clothes on our backs. You have been preparing for this. You have a home waiting for you! We have nothing!” She crumpled against her sister again and muffled her sobs with her hands.
Thomas froze, a wicked helplessness moving like a cold vapor through his muscles. The weight of their situation resting on his shoulders now increased a hundred fold.
Kitty was right.
He hadn’t prepared for this. How could he? He gripped his fists. He’d make it up to them—make things as easy as possible for them once they got to safety. God, help them understand why this had to be done.
“Kitty,” Eliza cooed. “Mr. Watson did his best. We are safe because of him. What else could he have done? Remember, God is overall and He will provide. He already has.”
Kitty appeared uninterested in being placated. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and continued walking.
After only a few steps she spun around again, her voice more subdued, but the tears kept coming.
“And you knew about Father! Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known? Don’t you think I have a right to know?”
Eliza threw a fleeting glance at Thomas, as if requesting some kind of help, but he could only stand, mouth agape. He’d never had much experience with females—much less crying ones—and this drama only mystified him more.
“I haven’t known for long.” Eliza moved toward her sister with an outstretched hand, as if Kitty were an injured animal. “I only learned of it after he died. He didn’t want us to get hurt and—”
“Well, we nearly did get hurt, did we not?” Kitty’s face scrunched again as she struggled to hold back a sob. “Here we are, in the middle of nowhere. Cold, hungry, aching from exhaustion and about to be drenched from head to toe!”
She wept again, this time falling to her knees. Eliza rushed to her, holding her in her arms until her crying came to a quiet end.
Eliza turned to Thomas, a caring smile gracing her rosy lips as she silently mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
Thomas came near, hoping Eliza could read the apology in his face. “’Tis my fault. I take full responsibility.”
Kitty lifted her head and wiped at her tears. The anger from moments ago evaporated more with each word. “Forgive me for such a display, Mr. Watson. ’Tis not your fault. Our father is to blame. If not for his actions we’d never be in this position. He should have stayed loyal to the Crown, like he always taught us to do!”
Eliza wiped her sister’s glistening cheeks with tender fingers. “We cannot change the past, Kitty. Father said to trust God, and that’s all we can do. That’s what we must do.”
“You are right. I suppose I’m overcome and I’m losing hold of my senses.” Kitty studied the fabric of her cloak. “I do trust in God, but ‘tis clear I must work on developing my faith.”
Clutching Kitty’s hand, Eliza’s voice appeared to heal like a physician’s balm. “God knows we all must develop more faith, Kitty. I do not think ill of you, and I’m sure Mr. Watson feels the same.”
“Most certainly.” Thomas used as much gentility in his voice as he could. “If we can but journey another few miles, we’ll have shelter and be able to rest. Do you think you can make it?”
“I believe I can.” Kitty kept her eyes down and nodded, then stood and pulled away from her sister’s embrace.
Eliza walked next to Kitty, her arm around her sister’s drooping shoulders. Soon Kitty announced she needed to be alone, and sped up, walking in front.
As they put more miles behind them, the gray sky released its torrent, and Thomas’s fears unearthed. They were soaked to the bone. The sound of the rain drummed so hard it drowned out the sound of their steps. By the time they reached their temporary haven, the girls were dripping wet and so weak they could hardly stand.
“This is it. Welcome home.” Thomas pointed into the dry, dark cave, grateful to be able to provide something to help ease their burdens. Beautiful moss decorated the house-sized rock and thick trees stood as imposing sentinels around it.
“I’ve stayed here many times in my travels to and from Sandwich. It’s as if God put it here just for us. There’s ample of room for all, plus ten more, so make yourselves comfortable.”
Thomas strode in, flipping off his sopping cloak, and placed it over another rock to drain. The two girls followed him inside, cautious, as if the cave were home to dangerous dragons.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, no one lives here.”
“There aren’t any . . . animals?” Eliza took teeny steps forward but stood straight as if she didn’t want her apprehension obvious. The attempt was endearing.
Thomas couldn’t hide the mirth in his voice when he answered Eliza’s sweet and innocent question as he reached for the satchel she’d been carrying. “You mean, bears?”
“Bears?” Eliza jerked back, her hands at her neck.
He winked and stepped closer, removing the bag from her grasp. “Well, there is a family of bears that live here, but not to worry. They are visiting relatives in Providence and won’t be back for another week.”
Kitty smiled and giggled from her place along the wall as she took off her cloak, but Eliza still appeared nervous.
He decided to change the subject. “I put a pile of wood in here last time I traveled through, in preparation for a just such a situation.” He reached into a generous opening at the side of the cave, pulled out a substantial pile of dry wood, and built a castle-worthy fire.
Both women stood around the roaring blaze, their gowns not as wet as their cloaks had been, thank the Lord. Eliza searched the satchel of food, and gave a small bit of bread to Kitty, then held out the other piece to Thomas.
“I’m too tired to be hungry,” she said.
At that very moment her stomach growled. Thomas couldn’t help but laugh.
She placed a hand over her middle and looked away.
Thomas used his hands to mold her trim fingers around the morsel. “You eat it. I can’t have either of you going hungry. We still have a long journey ahead of us.”
Eliza’s grateful brown eyes spoke volumes and she sat down next to her sister in front of the fire, nibbling at her meager meal. She glanced up at Thomas, looking ashamed to be eating when he wasn’t. Could she be any more charming?
“Ladies, when you’re done with your feast, I’d suggest trying to get as comfortable as possible and sleep as much as you can. This will be our last real shelter before we get to Sandwich.”
The sisters nodded and started talking in hushed tones to one another. Kitty devoured her portion of the bread and lay facing the fire, her arms crossed over her chest for warmth.
Thomas watched as Eliza moved to lay behind Kitty, as if to shield her back from the cold. She rubbed Kitty’s arm up and down from behind to keep her warm.
Thomas’s heart wrenched and a pulsing desire to keep Eliza warm dashed through him. Did she never think of herself? She should be in front of the flames as well, or she might catch a dangerous chill.
Within only a few minutes Kitty slept, but he could tell from the way Eliza moved restlessly on the hard ground that she was not sleeping.
“Are you doing all right, Miss Campbell?”
She poked her head up and her lips lifted into a tired grin. “As fine as I can be.”
How enticing she looked. Her rosy cheeks and round dark eyes shimmered with the glow of the fire. The dark strands of hair around her face curled slightly, kissing her cheeks. As much as he wanted to keep her warm for the sake of her health, he feared his nearness to her would drive emotions within him that he didn’t want to have.
“Will you be warm enough?” he said.
She stood, rubbing her hands together. “Now that Kitty is sleeping, I think I’ll lay in front of the fire as well. If I don’t, I’m not sure how I’ll survive through the night.” She gave a tiny laugh as if to lighten the heavy mood and moved around the fire, holding her long heavy skirts with one hand until she found a comfortable position on the dirty cave floor on which to lay.
He breathed a sigh of grateful relief. At least now he didn’t have to worry if he should try to keep her warm. The fire could do that.
“Thank you for being patient with us, Mr. Watson. Sleep well.” The melody in her voice caused his stomach to float.
“Thank you, Miss Campbell. Goodnight.”
When she closed her eyes, he let his gaze travel over her. She lay on her side and he marveled at the perfect slopes of her shoulders, her waist, her hips. This woman was not only caring, courageous, and selfless, she was bewitchingly beautiful. He never knew such a person existed. If he were ever to marry, she would be . . .
He shook his head and exhaled. She had a life in Boston to return to, and his home would be in Sandwich. This episode would be but a small chapter in the book of her life.
Thomas looked out the large opening of the cave, hoping to clear his fog
gy brain. The heavy sheets of rain still drummed only feet away from them, and the darkness of the approaching evening thickened.
Please Lord, stop the rain so we can move at a more rapid pace tomorrow.
The next leg of their journey should be the easiest. Yet he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that the worst was yet to come.
The next morning promising sunlight broke through the leafy mosaic and shimmered on the diamond-like droplets that rested on the foliage outside the cave.
Eliza woke with a start at an unusual noise. Her eyes widened, her heart refused to beat, and she tried to muffle a scream. She stayed motionless, too afraid to move, to breathe. Eliza’s blood drained from her face, and she tried to rouse her companions without frightening the horrid creature, afraid at any moment it would attack.
“Kitty! Thomas!” she squeaked, staying still.
Neither of them moved.
She called for them again, louder this time. Thomas jerked and grabbed at the pistol underneath his side. He stalled for a moment, looking back and forth before his body shook with a bellowing laugh.
Awake and giggling, Kitty rested on her elbow next to Eliza. “Liza, how do you always attract those creatures?”
“This isn’t funny! Why isn’t it moving? Get it off of me!” Eliza squealed.
Her plea only made Thomas laugh harder.
How could they possibly find humor in this? “Please! Get it off of me, one of you. Why doesn’t it just leave?” Eliza covered her mouth and breathed through her fingers while the large gray squirrel stared at her from tiny black eyes.
“Allow me to rescue you from this dangerous attacker, fair maiden.” Thomas reached over and shooed the animal from its perch on Eliza’s lower leg. It scampered away as Thomas continued chuckling and wiping tears from his eyes.
So Fair a Lady (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 1) Page 7
