“Who is he?”
“His name is Cyprian Wythe, and a more loathsome man you will never meet. At least that’s what Thomas has said. I’ve never formally met him. His wife is gravely ill, poor dear. That’s all I really know.” Eliza motioned to the front of the room. “If I were you I would focus my attention on someone much more interesting.”
Kitty followed Eliza’s gaze and her breath halted. Nathaniel’s expression was lit with the same passion that filled his voice, and though she did her best to focus on his words, Kitty’s heart had been snatched by a flurry of delightful and dangerous emotions. Would he be pleased to see her? What would she say? What would he say?
Kitty! Get hold of yourself.
The fleeting attraction she’d felt for him those months ago had been folded and neatly put away like a gown she was too fond of to wear. So why were these emotions now emerging from their place of security?
Nathaniel continued his spirited speech and the hushed room seemed absorbed in his presence. The more he spoke, the more his face brightened and his voice strengthened. A few rounds of “huzzah” and “hear, hear” were the only sounds, other than the periodic swish of skirts and quiet tap of shoes.
“Freedom is ours for the taking,” he said, scanning the crowd. “Can we much longer stand by and succumb to these oppressions as an ass would submit to an unruly master? Nay! Who can stand these afflictions and not be soon shaken into a realization of our awful state? The king wishes us to believe that we do not struggle; that your existence is not made more difficult by his hand; that your day-to-day living is not challenged by his rule. But our lives do change daily and we do feel it, and we will not ignore the truth!”
The room boomed with applause. Men rapped their canes against the ground and women clapped gloved hands in wild agreement.
“I for one cannot remain idle,” he continued. “It falls upon each of us to stand up in the cause for which our futures depend. I will not forsake my country. Will you?”
Another more passionate ovation exploded from the group. Kitty sank back against the wall behind her. How could these God-fearing people believe that discord and arguments were sanctioned by the Lord? These patriots should submit to their leaders and be peace loving. Wiggling her toes in her shoes, she squirmed and took a side-ways glance at Thomas who stood near the refreshment table. Had he wanted to bring her here in hopes of changing her mind? Kitty quickly glanced to Eliza. Her sister’s face shone and she alternately nodded and smiled as she listened with rapt intent. Had she brought Kitty here for that reason as well? The thought left a painful prick in Kitty’s heart.
Her posture slumped as the pressing realities trapped her between idealism and fact. Being home with family was a blessing indeed, but the challenges that lay ahead rose like a storm on the horizon. She shook her head. If she kept silent, as they all should, then there would never be a reason to argue issues that should not even be entertained in the first place.
After a cleansing sigh, Kitty lifted her chin and choked on her breath when Nathaniel’s gaze locked with hers.
***
Nathaniel struggled to keep the words flowing. He blinked to clear his vision. From his position it was difficult to see to the very back of the room where the lights were more dim, but he would know those radiant eyes from a hundred miles away.
Kitty.
Why was she here? Wasn’t she supposed to be in Boston?
Her slight smile unraveled his carefully woven strands of focus and for a moment he nearly walked straight to her. He would never forget the moment, over a year ago, that he’d first seen her in that emerald gown. It still hugged her perfect curves the same way and emphasized the rich auburn ringlets that dusted her neck.
Pleasant thoughts from those many months ago emerged from a forgotten pocket in his mind and his pulse jumped. The scent of her hair and feel of her hand against his arm ignited his memory. Had it really been so long since they’d spoken? Somehow it seemed like only yesterday. Yet in the same moment, it seemed like a lifetime.
With a quick shake of his head, he found his pace again and continued with more earnest. The excitement of her presence increased his zeal a
nd the crowd responded to his energy. When he finally concluded his speech, his entire body hummed with passion for the cause he cherished. And, if he would allow it, from the pleasant thought of Kitty’s company.
Applause thundered through the room and he offered a polite bow, impatient to make the journey across the room to the back where she stood. Keeping his eyes fixed on his destination he struggled to make his way through the crowd.
“If you have a moment, Dr. Smith, I’m anxious to speak with you about the—”
“Forgive me, Mr. Barker, but there’s someone I must see.” He pushed past three others, but the group kept pressing.
“What a rousing speech, Dr. Smith,” another one said. “Patrick Henry himself couldn’t have been more stirring.”
“Thank you, Sir.” He kept moving.
“There you are, Doctor.” Caroline Whitney, a tall, regal blonde snatched his arm with a polite grin and a gentle tease in her voice. “You promised me a dance and the music is about to begin. Will you go back on your word?”
“Forgive me Miss Whitney, but—”
From the side three more women surrounded him like an enemy force, their weapons of low-necklines and flirtatious smiles at the ready.
A brunette sidled-up far too close for propriety. “I believe you promised me the same.”
“And I,” a short one pouted.