AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She blinked and tried to calm the whirling cyclone in her chest. “Good evening.”
Donaldson and Kitty moved to the side of the room, silent, mouths tight. Each held a look in their face that told Eliza they were ready to flee and fight all at the same time. Was her distress so obvious?
With hands outstretched, the reverend stepped forward. “Shall we begin?”
From that moment on, the room grew fuzzy and the voices around her seemed to come from some great distance. The reverend’s mouth moved, but Eliza couldn’t concentrate on anything he said. The walls swayed, a little at first, until the floor beneath her feet threatened to give way. She had no choice but to hold on stronger to Samuel to keep from toppling. He gripped her tighter and whispered in her ear.
“I love you too, my darling. Now, you will be mine forever.”
It seemed as though the reverend droned on for hours though it could only have been minutes. How much longer must I endure this?
A loud crash echoed in the room and Eliza almost jumped out of her shoes as the front door burst open. Three unfamiliar soldiers filed into the front room, their faces grim.
Samuel spun toward the door, keeping his voice low as if trying to maintain the reverence of the moment. “What’s the meaning of this? I told you not to bother me under any circumstances, did I not?”
The largest soldier took a step forward with a hand on the sword at his side. He bowed slightly at the waist before speaking. “Captain, there’s a massive crowd gathering at the Old South Meeting House. All available soldiers are requested to gather in town until further notice.”
Samuel shot a frantic glare at Eliza and the others in the room before he turned back to the three strangers. “They are rioting?”
The tallest soldier took a step forward and answered in a thundering timbre. “No, sir. They are peaceful, but it’s the sheer numbers of them. Many thousands have gathered. We’re needed right away. It’s believed the members of the Sons of Liberty are behind this. We fear they will do something with the three tea vessels in the harbor. We understand the sensitive nature of your engagement this evening, but we have our orders.”
“Are there not plenty of soldiers already in Boston? I refuse to leave. This is my wedding!”
“I’m sorry, sir,” the leader of the three said, “but I have my orders.”
Samuel’s nostrils flared and his chest pumped. “I will not leave. Not until we have finished here!” He shot a fiery look at the reverend. “How much longer will this take?”
The old man shook his head and gripped the Bible in his hands. “These things cannot be rushed if they are to be done properly.”
“I don’t care about it being done properly—”
“Please forgive Captain Martin, he is understandably frustrated.” Donaldson moved toward the door, his hand stretched toward the soldiers. “We will leave directly.” He aimed a fierce glare at Samuel. “You can finish this later.”
Knees trembling, Eliza shook her head as the room began once again to take shape. Had God heard her pleas? Perhaps, somehow, their wedding could be delayed long enough for her to think of a way to escape—or at least change Samuel’s mind—anything to keep her from marrying him.
The muscles along Samuel’s jaw ticked and his face reddened. “Cursed patriots.” He turned to Eliza and brushed his thumb across her chin, his voice soft. “I’m so sorry, darling. I won’t be long.”
She gripped her dress to keep her hands from trembling. “Do what you must. I understand, truly.”
After giving her a quick kiss, Samuel flipped his cloak around his shoulders.
“I will come as well,” the reverend announced, snatching his weathered hat and greatcoat. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Samuel’s eyes thinned as he glared at the old man. “Stay with me, preacher. I’ll not have you shirking your duty here. You’ll return when I do.”
Eliza kept her gaze on Samuel, yearning for the moment he walked out the door. But he stopped and took Donaldson aside as the others bounded down the few front steps and mounted their waiting horses.
“I will go with the rest of the men and see what needs to be done. You must stay here and guard the house.”
“Excuse me?” Donaldson jerked his own cloak around him and glared. A blatant hatred rose off him like a foul steam.
“I don’t want anything getting in the way of my marriage. I don’t trust Watson,” Samuel continued. “And when Eliza is finally my wife, you will go to Sandwich and follo
w through on my previous orders, but make sure that Watson does not escape. He deserves to burn for what he’s done.”
All the air sucked from Eliza’s lungs. She reached for the table at her side and tried to keep steady. Kitty rushed to her side.
Eyes narrowing, Donaldson growled. “Go to hell.” He shoved out the door, slamming his shoulder against Samuel as he went.
