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Samuel stood in the open doorway pointing and yelling at Donaldson’s back. “You will obey my orders, Donaldson! Or your sister’s will feel what it’s like to die in the streets!”
Eliza’s body shuddered as she worked to keep her composure. She turned her head toward Kitty, hoping to detect whether her sister had caught the dreadful command. Kitty’s eyes were round, her face pale. She had heard. Thank you Lord, I needed her to know, to bear this burden with me.
Samuel spun out the door and called to Eliza over his shoulder. “I’ll return as quickly as I can, my love.”
The door slammed shut and the house went instantly quiet. The pounding of hooves rumbled away leaving Eliza and Kitty alone.
Alone except for Donaldson. Eliza could see him pacing in front of the house from the large front window.
Kitty faced Eliza. “There is more I should know, I can see it in your eyes. Tell me.”
Eliza shuffled to the nearest chair and sat, resting her head behind her on the striped upholstery as a smothering defeat blanketed her shoulders. “Kitty, Samuel was the one who blackmailed Thomas.”
Kitty clapped a hand over her mouth. “What?”
“I had just learned about it myself, the night of the rally. I saw him in the barn the next morning. I didn’t know how in heaven’s name he found us. I could tell he wanted me to meet him, so I did, thinking I could help us all. We argued. I told Samuel that I planned to marry Thomas, but that only infuriated him more. Finally, I told Samuel I would come back to Boston and be his wife if he promised not to hurt Thomas. He agreed.”
Kitty slid to her knees in front of Eliza, her brows folding down. “So why did he just tell Donaldson—”
“He lied,” Eliza said, her voice shaking. “Kitty, I love Thomas. I don’t know what I am going to do if he’s killed! Samuel said I had to convince Thomas that I wanted to leave, that I didn’t love him so that Thomas wouldn’t follow us . . .”
Kitty stared forward, brushing her hand along Eliza’s back. “I can’t believe it, Liza. It’s too horrible to be true.”
“But it is true, and it is all my fault.” Eliza wept, clutching tighter to her sister’s petite shoulders.
The two remained in each other’s comforting arms until the swell of grief receded enough for Eliza to pull away.
Kitty pushed out a rough sigh. “I can’t understand how Thomas would just let you go. He loves you just as you love him.” Her volume escalated as she rose to her feet. “This entire tragedy is—“
“Kitty, please. I didn’t want Thomas to come after me. It is too dangerous for him. You must see that.” Eliza reached out and squeezed her arm. Her sister needed a distraction before the weight of their adversity overwhelmed her, too. “I’m feeling a bit weak, would you be so kind as to make me a bit of something?”
“Of course, Liza.” Kitty stared at the floor for a moment before nodding. “I shall prepare a small platter.”
“Thank you.”
Kitty kissed the top of Eliza’s head and walked past the large fireplace toward the darkened kitchen. “Care to join me?”
Eliza shook her head and spoke slowly to keep her voice from wavering with the emotions that pressed ever upward. “No. I need be alone for a while.”
A look of understanding streaked across Kitty’s face. She lifted an extra candle off the table and illuminated the pathway into her favorite room in the house.
Once alone, Eliza slumped to the hard floor and sobbed.
Her King had forsaken her.
Samuel rode back to the Campbell’s on his steady gelding, the winter air striking his nose and neck as anger rusted his heart. If only he hadn’t allowed the over-zealous reverend to come along—he and Eliza could have been married as planned. He should have known the man would get lost among the crowds. Samuel should never have trusted him.
He squeezed the reins in his hand. Those ruthless Sons of Liberty had foiled his designs yet again, just as they had done at the beginning when Watson had taken Eliza. The memory still plagued him and twisted in his gut like a cold dagger. He squirmed in his saddle. There had been no need for Samuel to go to the church. The minute he’d seen the menial ruckus and how polite the patriots were, he knew there was nothing he could do. Besides, their behavior was nothing but repulsive and he wouldn’t sit through hours of watching them destroy such valuable merchandise. Thousands of pounds worth of tea destroyed! And by men in Indian dress, no less. Despicable. If Samuel hadn’t had Eliza waiting for him, he would have gladly stayed and found a way to punish at least one or two of those wretched traitors. There would be hell to pay!
Even with the dramatic events at the wharf swimming in his mind, a ghostly shadow seemed to follow him as he rode. He shifted once again and kicked his horse to move faster. He could never rest until he knew Thomas was dead. The man was sly and conniving and Samuel could only imagine what he was capable of, considering the ploy he’d already pulled with his future bride.
As he put more distance between himself and Boston proper a persuading voice echoed in his head.
You and Eliza were mere minutes from being man and wife. You had simply to say a few words and you would have been united. Take her as your wife this night as you planned, how could she object to that?
He sat taller. Yes. Why not? He’d waited these many years and after all he’d done for her it was the just reward he deserved. Once he poured his passion upon her she would love him back, he knew it.
A stimulating desire set him aflame and he flicked the reins, kicking at his horse to move at a blistering speed.
