AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Wrapped in the joy of watching Kitty’s merriment, Eliza didn’t notice Nathaniel standing in front of her until he spoke. “This one’s for you, Miss Campbell.”
She turned her head and sucked in a slow breath, her eyes swiftly trailing the magnificent gown from top to bottom. Never in her life had she seen anything so breathtaking.
The brocaded silk gown was dusty pink. Soft cream-colored lace followed the low neckline and around the openings of the sleeves. The stomacher was embroidered with the most intricate cream-colored floral pattern to match the lace, and embedded with hundreds of white beads. Her face heated with the intimacy of the gift. They could never accept. How much must it have cost him?
She looked up, her face glowing like the embers in the fire behind her. A movement caught her eye and she tossed her gaze at the kitchen door. Thomas stood in the doorway, but when her face turned toward him he ducked away as if he hoped to remain unseen.
Her earlier merriment crashed to the floor, leaving her with a rotten emptiness.
Eliza placed her hands around her middle and gripped tight hoping to press away the aching. She fingered the soft fabric. “Oh, Doctor, these gowns are so lovely, but we simply can’t accept. They’re much too expensive and—”
Nathaniel put his hand in the air, motioning for her to stop. “Not another word.” His voice was low and pointed as if he hoped Kitty would not hear. “You can accept them, and you will. You wouldn’t want to disappoint someone who so desperately wants to please you, now would you?” Nathaniel whispered with a curious gleam in his eye.
Eliza slanted her head. “I’m sorry, Doctor, I don’t understand.”
Nathaniel opened his mouth to continue, but Thomas’s commanding voice dominated the room.
“So what time can we expect you on Sunday, Doctor?”
Eliza noted the ease with which Thomas averted his gaze. She tried not to want him to look at her, but the desire betrayed her at every turn. She kept her vision at either the ground or the gown and pretended not to notice he was only four feet away.
“Well, since you three can’t venture out in society, being that you are hunted by the law,” he said with a chuckle, sitting in the chair Eliza had initially offered him. “I wanted to propose a small Sunday service here before dinner. What do you say to six o’clock?”
Thomas nodded in agreement, then looked at both Eliza and Kitty for approval.
“That’s a fine idea. I’m glad you thought of it,” Thomas said, pacing back into the kitchen. “Until Sunday, my friend.”
Nathaniel rose and stood in front of Eliza. His pleasing face beamed as if he had a secret. “Sunday will be full of entertainment. I’m looking forward to it.”
He whirled around, and went to Kitty before he put on his hat and coat. “You’ll look like the royalty in that gown, my dear.” He winked at her again, sending the blood into Kitty’s face.
The three of them shared their goodbyes and Nathaniel bounced out the door with the same vim as when he’d entered.
Sunday will be full of entertainment. What in heaven’s name did that mean? Eliza pushed the comment aside and focused on the other cryptic comments he’d made. If Nathaniel was implying that Thomas had some hand in the planning of this celebratory dinner, she figured the least she could do was wear the gown—just this once—and do her best to enjoy the evening whether Thomas looked at her or not.
Samuel sat in his empty Boston office, his mind blank, staring out his window. Snow fell in heavy clumps, adding to the empty coldness that had taken root inside him the day Eliza disappeared.
The doctor in Sandwich claimed she was dead. The initial shock of it had almost knocked him to the ground. He drowned in the depressing thoughts of a life lived without her.
Still he couldn’t believe it was true. Something deep inside told his heart she still lived, despite the doctor’s statement. Somewhere in the black, cold November night Eliza waited for him to rescue her.
The power of their love surpassed all tribulation. They reached for each other from the distances and he knew—even now—Eliza was calling for him, just as his soul was calling for her.
The door burst open and Samuel jumped from his chair. The cold air blasted his body as a snow-covered Donaldson stood in the doorway.
Samuel growled, his nostrils flaring. “Well? Close the door.”
Donaldson did so and came to stand in front of the desk. “News, Captain.”
“What is it?”
Donaldson reached into his knapsack and pulled out a letter. “I’ve just received word from Clark in Salem.”
A meager hope took shape in his chest as he snatched the paper. “And?”
“He says he’s spotted a man and two women matching the descriptions of Thomas and the Campbell girls just outside the city.”
“When was this?”
