Or the worst had just begun.
Chapter Fifteen
Nathaniel stared after her, his pulse thundering, pumping his heated blood until his entire frame felt ready to ignite. Wiping a hand down his face, he groaned. What had he done? His mouth still throbbed from the passion they’d shared only seconds ago. He hadn’t wanted to frighten her. Hadn’t even intended to kiss her.
Gritting his teeth, he held his jaw tight and shook his hands beside his legs to rid the powerful regret that flooded him. Blast it. If she hadn’t been so alluring with her pert little mouth and cheeks pink from frustration he might have been able to resist her.
He rubbed the back of his neck. Her body felt so natural against his, her lips so soft.
At the sound of light footsteps, Nathaniel spun around, his heart in his throat. Had she returned? His shoulders dropped. Nay, ‘twas no one. He closed his eyes and remembered again the look of horror on her sweet face. The memory sliced him with the precision of a surgeon’s lance. The kind of passion they’d shared should exist only between husband and wife. No wonder she ran from him as if he were the devil.
He shook his head, his scalp still tingling from the sensation of her fingers in his hair.
But she had kissed him back. No doubt of that. She’d wanted it as much as he had.
Nathaniel stared across the pond, the sun sliding lower in the sky behind him. Things would never be the same now. A curse coiled on his tongue. So much for one kiss being enough. The hunger that such an act had planted in his heart would only grow. Roots of desire and the bloom of passion would flourish now that he knew something more than friendship existed between them. Much more.
Pressing his eyes shut, Nathaniel ground his teeth. Kitty would never embrace the cause of liberty as he did. She held to the very doctrine he strove to combat. What should I do? A flutter along the grass caught his attention. Kitty’s forgotten hat seemed to beckon him for attention. Stooping, he picked it up and caressed the yellow ribbon between his fingers.
He must forget her and focus on where he was most needed. The people of Sandwich relied on him.
That is where he must put his energy.
Time would take care of the rest.
***
Kitty pounded on the back door of the tavern. Hands quivering, she spun around, hoping Cyprian would appear and she could explain her reason for tardiness. But what was her reason? The answer made tears burn behind her eyes. Lord in heaven forgive me.
The slow creak of the door snatched her attention and she turned again, holding her breath.
A young boy, about eleven years old, stood in the doorway. His brown hair and blue eyes struck her so hard she nearly stepped back. He looked so much like Peter had looked. Though bright and gangly, like many boys that age, a sadness in the slump of his shoulders whispered of untold sorrows yearning to be soothed.
“May I help you, Miss?” he asked.
Kitty swallowed and tried to appear as if her heart wasn’t about to beat through her ribs. “I’m so sorry to bother you, I’m looking for Mr. Cyprian Wythe.”
He opened the door further. “My father isn’t here at the moment.”
Panic pounded its long nails into her bones. She clutched her skirts to keep her hands from exposing her fear. “I see.”
The boy motioned for her to enter. “Would you like to wait for him inside?”
“Nay, but thank you.”
Cocking his head, he offered an innocent smile. “My name’s Jacob. I know who you are. I’ve seen you around town.”
“You have?” She smiled, but kept it tight. The last thing Kitty wanted to do was engage in idle conversation, but perhaps if she stayed a moment longer Cyprian would appear. Then she could explain her negligence and plead for him not to make anyone suffer because of her foolish mistake and promise she would never do it again.
“Aye, I spend a good deal of time at my Uncle Joseph’s blacksmith shop. I’ve seen you walking past every so often.”
“Ah.” If he had noticed her, how many other people had?
“You don’t talk much do you?”
She pointed toward the road. “’Twas nice to meet you Jacob, I really need to be going.”
“What’s your name? I can tell my father you came by.”