“Forgive me Eliza, but are you well? You look pale.”
Eliza peered up at Thomas who stood beside her. She nodded at him and he nodded in return.
Thomas reached for her hand and rubbed it between both of his. “We... we’ve been reluctant to share this news until we knew for certain, but it seems enough time has passed.”
Eliza sat straighter in the chair, a grin on her face to brighten even the darkening sky that peeked through the windows. “I am with child.”
Kitty’s jaw dropped and her hands flew to her mouth as a delighted squeal peeled through the room. She flew to Eliza’s side. “Oh Liza! I’m so happy for you! Praise the Lord!”
“Well done, my good man.” Nathaniel thumped Thomas on the back.
Thomas shook his head and chuckled, looking back briefly at his wife. “Thank you. I do believe this is only the beginning of our joy.”
“I should say it is, Thomas.”
Kitty pushed to standing and knit her fingers over her stomacher, a dreamy smile painting her bright face. “A baby.” She beamed and sat in the chair nearest her sister. “So this is why you didn’t come to see me the other morning.” Sniggling, she pressed her hands into her lap and glanced at Thomas. “I suppose it is a very good thing I returned when I did. When the baby comes Thomas will be so beside himself with glee he won’t be worth the two hands he has to offer.”
Eliza and Thomas chuckled, and Nathaniel’s chest warmed. He stared at Kitty as she exchanged sly looks and blithesome smiles with her sister and brother-in-law. The room melted away and all he could see was Kitty. Her dark hair and yellow dress, her wide smile and blue-green eyes shining like a summer sea as she laughed. If only her convictions weren’t so... so wrong. He’d never known a woman of such beauty and gentle grace to have such a spark of life. She possessed a passion that simmered within her like the embers of a fire that never fully die, and when revived, bring flames as high as the heavens.
Just then her eyes landed on him and his heart cantered, spilling out the unwanted emotions. They would be a terrible match. Despite his penchant for a hearty debate and his tolerance for those of differing views, his zeal for freedom could never acquiesce enough to allow a binding relationship with a Tory.
Friendship. That would have to be enough.
Nathaniel cleared his throat. “’Twas only a matter of time until you came back, was it not, Kitty? Who can stay away when there are friends and family like us to be had? We are the most delightful people in all of Massachusetts.”
“That we are.” Eliza nodded and tossed a playful smile at Kitty.
Kitty opened her mouth, but a knock at the door stopped the conversation where it stood.
Thomas raised his brows and shrugged before he went to the door and opened it.
A young man in a weather-battered jacket and breeches stood at the stoop, his hair wild under his dust-covered hat. “Is this the Watson residence?”
“Aye, I’m Thomas Watson.”
“Excellent.” He offered a quick, slight bow. “I am here to deliver a letter to Miss Katherine Campbell.”
***
Kitty jumped at the sound of her name. Me?
Thomas nodded a thank you at the man and took the letter. The courier stepped away from the door and was astride his horse once again, thundering into the dusk.
Kitty couldn’t move. All eyes converged on her. No one said a word, but they didn’t have to. The unspoken questions in their faces—brows high, mouths lined with the hint of what might have been smiles—expressed their curiosity far better than any words could have done.
Thomas neared and handed her the note. “Were you expecting a letter?”
“Nay.” For truly, she wasn’t.
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The instant the paper rested in her hands she battled the blood that rushed to her face. The handwriting was unmistakable. Higley.
She looked up and smiled, tucking the letter in her pocket. Maintaining a composed manner when she spoke proved more challenging than she’d expected. “’Tis nothing. I will read it after supper.”
“Nay, Kitty, read it now. We shall wait for you.” Eliza’s one raised brow made Kitty’s stomach flip. Did she suspect? She must. There were no relations with whom communications were expected.
Feigning indifference, the three witnesses converged in front of the fire, leaving Kitty alone near the door of the kitchen to read the missive. With a quick snap she broke the seal and unfolded the paper. Her hands turned clammy and her stomach refused to cease its tumbling, forcing her to take refuge in the nearest chair.