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The words were vivid and clear. Thomas jerked and looked around, expecting to see Nathaniel in the doorway. But no one was there. Silence enveloped the darkening room. He lay his head back against the chair and exhaled, expelling a storm of pain as he stared at the shadowed ceiling.
He closed his eyes and tried to fight away the recurring images from his nightmare that pervaded his mind. Eliza’s tragic cries and declaration of love wove into his soul, causing his eyes to burn and his heart to seize with longing.
You have done much good, my son, and are of great worth to me. You have a righteous desire, pursue it. Eliza needs you. Go to her.
Slowly, like a drink of warm cider, the words filtered down through the maze of his mind and settled in the center of his soul, melting away the doubt and confusion. Every nerve in Thomas’s body sprung to life. His mind cleared in an instant and a powerful energy shot down his spine.
It was not a nightmare he’d seen, but a vision. God was telling him to go after Eliza. She loved him—needed him. Blast it all, Nathaniel was right. Putting his past, his doubts, his pride and troubles at God’s feet would bring Thomas new life. The life he wanted with Eliza. But he had to rescue her first.
His heart burst from his chest. How could he have been such a blind, selfish fool? Thank you, Lord! Forgive me for not seeing it before. Forgive me for being afraid, for not believing you. Help me to get to her in time!
After flying into his greatcoat, Thomas rushed across town and slammed his fist on Nathaniel’s door, refusing to stop pounding until it opened.
Nathaniel came to the door fully clothed, and yanked his hat from the peg. “I thought it might be you.”
Thomas didn’t wait a second before speaking. “We’re going to save Eliza.”
Pulling his dark cloak over his shoulder, a broad smile painted Nathaniel’s face. “Well. It’s about time.”
Chapter Twenty-six
As she stepped into her childhood home, Eliza felt as if she’d fallen into the arms of God. Safety enveloped her and she sank into the large chair in the center of the room while Kitty made her way upstairs. Though the familiarity of the surroundings allowed Eliza to breathe deeply again, it failed to release her of the crushing grief that had become her constant companion.
She peered around, remembering that fateful night those many weeks ago when they had left in the dead of night, fleeing for their very lives. And though she’d missed these consoling walls, they no longer held such a powerful claim upon her heart. It was Thomas and his home that she longed for. It was in Thomas’s home, in his arms, where she belonged.
Donaldson stomped in behind her and went immediately to the hearth, working to create a warm blaze in the cold and forlorn fireplace.
“Are you going to be alright, my love?” Samuel said, in a gentle tone when he finally entered the house.
Her voice refused to work as her rising emotions thickened her throat. No. Her heart had been all but cut from her chest. She would never be the same again.
Samuel knelt in front of her and rested a hand on her knee. “You’ll see in time, Eliza,” he said, taking her hand in his. “This is the right way. I love you and I’ll take care of you. You are simply in shock. You’ve gone through a horrifying ordeal. You need to rest. I promise, you’ll feel much better in a few days.”
He pushed off his knees then walked around the room as Donaldson went back outside, the fire now blazing. “I came here many times after I’d found you were gone. I arranged the furniture again, as you can see, and replaced the broken glass.” He ran his fingers over the back of Father’s favorite settee. “Coming here made me feel closer to you.”
Eliza moved her eyes to where he paced in front of the now roaring flames. Samuel’s brow grew pensive. “I know I said we would marry at the end of this week, but I’ve decided on tomorrow instead. I have already asked a friend of mine, Reverend Edmonton, to officiate.”
“What?” Eliza found her voice in an instant, and it resonated much stronger than she expected. “But you said seven days!”
Samuel spun on his heel, a determined stare possessing his features. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Eliza, but we must not postpone. We can wed tonight if you’d rather.” He winked as if she would find his eagerness amusing. “I’ve arranged for our wedding to be here. I’m sure you won’t mind. We can have a special celebration sometime afterward, with our friends and family in attendance of course.”
What friends and family? “Why are you doing this?” She choked on her words, her eyes burning.
He tilted his head toward the ceiling and sighed. “Because we love each other, my darling. Your mind has been temporarily clouded. After we are man and wife you will be grateful for what I’ve done for you—for us.”
Her mind raced, trying to find excuses and reasonable ways to delay. She cleared her throat and forced her voice to sound sincere, hoping that perhaps, such compliance would win her a few more days of freedom. “Samuel, I have no gown. Our wedding should be cherished, not rushed. There are things to prepare. Things to do before—”
“What is there that can get in the way of our love? Frivolous things such a gowns are unnecessary. Vowing before God to love and honor one another until death is enough. Besides, it’s already been arranged. Tomorrow at six o’clock in the evening. Wear that gold and cream gown I love so much. It accentuates your already shining beauty.”
Eliza trembled and clapped a hand over her mouth, sure she would cast-up what little food she had in her stomach. She stood to try and take a deep breath to suppress the wave of nausea. Once it receded she faced Samuel, who came to stand in front of her. He moved her hand away from her face, and held her by the shoulders, leaning closer until his lips rested on her head. She cringed as he tasted the line of her hair, her jaw, until he reached her mouth. Samuel released her before she had time to push him away. He laughed low in his chest and gave her a lecherous smile. By the way his eyes coursed over her body, she knew his errant thoughts.
With another deep chuckle, he took a step away. “We’d better use caution, Eliza, and leave the rest for tomorrow evening.”
The mere mention of it caused her to sway, but he caught her and helped her into the chair.
He chuckled again and kissed her cheek. “The excitement of it is simply overwhelming.”
Eliza cringed and closed her eyes, fearing if she opened them the tears would flow without end.
