by Diana Davis
David gestured at Constance first. “This is my wife’s cousin, Constance Hayes, our resident authoress.”
“Oh.” Mr. Marks took her hand with a little note of delight in his voice. “A distinct pleasure. This is a most arresting gown.”
Constance beamed back at him, touching the shoulder of her newest gown, pink and green stripes with block printed florals. “Thank you ever so much.”
“You must submit something to the Watchman. We certainly need to hear from the ladies on the cause of liberty.”
David seized the opportunity. “Then you’ll assuredly wish to meet her sister.” He waited for Mr. Marks to follow his gesture toward Patience, which took a beat longer than she’d expected. “Patience Hayes, finest legal mind since her father.” He lowered his volume to add, “And her politics are a good sight better.”
“Always good to meet a patriot.” Mr. Marks shook her offered hand firmly, his brown eyes intense and earnest.
“I read the Watchman regularly,” Patience informed him. “Your essays are excellent.”
“A patriot who praises my paper is even better,” Mr. Marks quipped.
“Patience,” David said, “Marks and I were discussing whether the second Congress ought to attempt to reconcile again. Your thoughts?”
She glanced at Mr. Marks, but if David had drawn her into this conversation, the printer was likely a worthy conversationalist. “We’ve already had our answer on that point,” Patience said.
“Hear, hear,” Mr. Marks agreed. Patience smiled inwardly. It was not every day she met a man who respected a woman’s opinion, especially on matters of politics.
“And if the Pennsylvania Assembly disagrees?” David asked.
“Then I especially don’t envy you your seat in Congress,” Patience jested.
“Oh, are you a delegate too?” the second man finally spoke up.
“I am.” David shook his hand and introduced himself. “And you are?”
“Your humble servant, of course.” He swept into a showy bow, though Patience couldn’ begrudge him a return curtsy. “Gilbert Brand, representing Delaware.”
“You’re quite early,” Patience remarked. Congress didn’t start for more than two weeks yet. Furthermore, who came to a party when not obligated — or invited?
Mr. Brand laughed. “I wish I could say I was so lucky, but I’m here to see Josiah Hayes about a legal matter. I tried his office, but the neighbors said he was at home today.”
David stepped back, as if bowing out to allow Patience to deal with her father’s business. Mr. Marks drew a breath, but as if he too sensed this was Patience’s purview, he instead addressed Constance. “You must allow me to introduce you to my sister, Mrs. Ainsley.” He offered his arm and escorted Constance away.
Patience was left with Mr. Brand. “I fear I’ve offended you all,” he said, staring after the people retreating away from them.
“It’s just that this is my sister’s wedding party.”
“Oh! Of course — you’re Miss Hayes. My abjectest apologies.” Mr. Brand scrunched his face. “I’m terribly sorry to press you, it’s just that it’s a bit urgent. My brother is accused of treason.”
Treason? That was serious, especially if the charge was being abused as was so wont to happen these days. “Papa will see you tomorrow,” Patience assured him.
Mr. Brand fiddled with a button on his gray coat. “I really hate to make a nuisance of myself, but I shan’t be here tomorrow. I have to get back immediately, for I’ve a trial to argue. I’m a lawyer as well, you see.”
Patience considered the man for a moment. She couldn’t help but notice how well his coat fit, but it was his smile, genuine and charming, that she found herself drawn to.
“Never mind,” he said suddenly. “I’ve interrupted your party. I’ll go. I’ll just write him. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” He wheeled to leave.
“Wait; I’ll see if Papa can’t spare a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” he said, spinning back to her. She fetched Papa, who followed her without question.
Mr. Brand introduced himself, bowing low again before he launched into the story of his brother’s arrest on a charge of treasonous smuggling with spurious evidence at best.
Instantly, Patience’s mind began clicking through possible defenses. Could she find an established precedent that could free his brother? The evidence — or lack thereof, rather — seemed to be the key.
The sound of the door opening pulled her attention. David and Nathaniel rushed back inside — had they left? — and passed Patience without acknowledgement. David’s valet, Westing, followed them into the house and closed the door softly.
Papa stepped away from Mr. Brand to ask Westing, “What is it?”
Westing muttered something Patience couldn’t hear, and Papa staggered to steady himself on a side chair.
Whatever was going on? In the drawing room, Nathaniel and David were speaking quietly with their wives. David ushered Cassandra over to Owen and Temperance. The horror that registered on her sister’s face was instant and crushing. She sagged against Owen’s chest, and he held her close, still talking solemnly with David. Patience’s heart ached for her sister. What was happening?
“That can’t be good,” Mr. Brand said, apparently to Patience, because there was no one else near.
“No,” Patience murmured back, “it can’t be. Perhaps someone else has arrived too soon.”
Mr. Brand tried a grin. “Well, we don’t know that. I’m sure all will be well. Perhaps they’ll just go away sooner. As should I, I think.” He gave a little bow and edged away.
Nathaniel and Helen reached Mama. Constance, Mr. Marks and his sister, Patience and Papa gathered around. “The Redcoats have attacked in Massachusetts,” Nathaniel announced. “Lexington. And Concord. Fifty Americans killed.”
A gasp spread through their little group. Mr. Marks bowed and took his leave with his sister. David, Cassandra and Owen took their place in their midst with Temperance leaning heavily on her husband’s arm. Behind them, the other guests filtered out, somber and bewildered as they felt.
“It’s war, then,” Cassandra said quietly. No one seemed to know what to say.
Patience scanned her family, her gaze finally settling on her brand-new brother-in-law in his cavalry uniform. What would this mean for Owen and David?
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How will Patience choose between a charming politician and a dashing patriot?
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And even more fun: A Colonial Christmas Collection by Diana Davis & Audrey Glenn!
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A collection of four short stories featuring the characters of the Revolutionary romances A Gentleman’s Daughter, A Lady to Lead, Freedom’s Ring and Liberty’s Charge.
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Thank you so much for reading Freedom's Ring! I’m excited to share my first sweet historical romance with you. I hope you’ll continue to join us for all romance of the Revolution!
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More from Diana Davis
SWEET ROMANCE BY DIANA DAVIS
Historical
Sisters of the Revolution with Audrey Glenn
A Gentleman’s Daughter
A Lady to Lead
Freedom’s Ring
Liberty’s Charge
Integrity’s Choice
Sisters of the Revolution Extra
A Colonial Christmas 99¢ holiday short story collection
Contemporary sweet romance by Diana Davis
Her Reluctant Rock Star
COZY MYSTERIES BY DI DAVIS
Lori’s B&B
1. Inn Over Her Head
2. Inn Trouble
3. Inn Vain
4. Inn Dire Straits
5. Inn Danger
Dusky Cove B&B Cozy Collection (books 2-5)
Ray’s Gifts
6. The Gift of Grift
7. The Gift of Lift
8. The Gift of Rift
9. The Gift of Thrift
As with all of my books, telling this story was only possible with lots of help! My first thanks must go to my family, who are patient and supportive of my writing. So thank you to my husband, children, parents, siblings, and best friend of over twenty years for always supporting my job/hobby/habit/obsession!
I want to give many thanks to my collaborator Audrey Glenn and my beta readers, authors Heather Baird and Ranée S. Clark, Susan Turner, Toria Rogers and Diana Franklin, who all gave extremely helpful feedback and encouragement.
We also had much help with research this time around! We were fortunate enough to (safely!) take a research trip to Philadelphia and learn so much. Thank you to Elaine Morris with the Hill-Physick House; Damian Niescior, site manager of the Powel House; Cirilo O. of City Tavern; National Park Service Rangers Geraldine (sorry I missed your last name!), L. Lavella, Robert E. Liles and E. Knight; and especially Albert Meinster, docent of the Old Pine Street Church, who saw us admiring the rowhouses on his street and took time out of his day to tell us of the street’s history and even show us his back patio. We are also grateful for all we learned in Independence National Historical Park, the Museum of the American Revolution, Fort Mifflin, and the Betsy Ross House. Thanks, too, to our hosts, John and David, for giving us a place to stay right in Society Hill. Many thanks also to author Rachel Schieffelbein for feedback and corrections on my horses and riding passages. Thank you!
Thanks once again to Sally Johnson, my proofreader, coworker and cheerleader!
I’m grateful to God for giving me this gift, a passion for writing, for reminding me not to hide it under a bushel, and for putting the people that I need most in my path (even if it takes me a while to recognize them sometimes).
And I’m grateful to you, reader, for joining me!
Diana Davis was born and raised in North Carolina. She is also the author of the Dusky Cove cozy mystery series. She has been writing fiction with Audrey Glenn since they were teenagers, and they share an interest in history.
Diana holds a Bachelor degree in American Studies and taught a course on constitutional history as an undergraduate teaching assistant. She is a candidate for the Master of Fine Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She makes her home in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and children.
Diana loves to hear from readers! You can reach her at [email protected].
