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It pleased her to no end the way Thomas looked at her. Since their ill-advised kiss he had paid her little attention, but not tonight. It seemed all the awkwardness was forgotten, and they were back to being the friends they used to be.
Hearing Thomas pray during their small church service startled her. She listened to him ask God to bless this land and to help the Colonists secure their rights and freedoms. He prayed for wisdom, and the strength to go forward in a righteous cause. She couldn’t keep her head bowed, no matter how she tried. Thomas spoke to God as if He really did care for their cause, and would help them secure it. In that instance Eliza wanted more than ever to know what Thomas knew—what Father had known. How could she build up the courage to ask him to help her? For that’s what she needed, desperately. He had known Father and could tell her what she needed to know. She’d read the book Father had given Thomas and found it fascinating, and at the same time perplexing. But Thomas could help her—if only he would.
Kitty’s fidgety fingers drew Eliza’s attentions. With pursed lips and how she wriggled in her chair, Kitty’s discomfort stood out like a cardinal in a snow-flocked tree. Why did the talk of the patriot cause give her such unease? Releasing a slight sigh, Eliza dropped her chin again. Father had said she wouldn’t take the news well, yet she’d kept silent, so perhaps it would work itself out over time. Eliza could only hope.
A loud “amen” cut through Eliza’s inner conference. She refocused her gaze and drank in the perfect male form before her. He looked so strong in his tailored suit, his muscular shoulders and arms filling out every inch of fabric. The color of it brought out the bewitching blue of his eyes and contrasted with the magnificent midnight color of his hair. His masculine face was freshly shaven and looked so smooth it tempted her to reach out and test its softness.
She tried not to be obvious as her eyes trailed over him, but he caught her and raised his eyebrows ever so slight as a grin tugged at his lips. She ducked her head, the blood rushing up her neck and into her face.
Nathaniel jumped to his feet and removed his jacket, laying it over the back of his chair. “That was an inspiring service, Thomas, and I believe it should be followed by an inspiring bit of entertainment.”
Kitty clapped her hands. “Oh yes! What a lovely idea.”
“What shall we do then?” Nathaniel asked.
“Why don’t we have Liza perform for us?” Kitty said.
Eliza snapped her head toward her sister. “Me?”
Kitty tilted her head. “Yes, like you used to do! I haven’t heard you perform Shakespeare in so long.”
Nathaniel sat back down. “I have heard tales of your talents, Eliza. Shakespeare is one of my favorites. It would be a great honor if you’d perform for us.”
Eliza turned to Thomas, shooting him a stern but playful glare. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
Thomas attempted to smother a telling grin. “Nothing whatsoever.”
She turned again toward her sister. Kitty bit her lip and tilted her head farther as if to say “pretty please?”
Eliza looked around the room tapping her foot, searching for a reason to decline. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool out of herself. “I’d love to, Kitty, but it’s been such a long time and I don’t have any of my books with me. I really need to freshen my memory before I do anything like that and I’m out of practice on my recitations. I’m sorry, my dear.”
“Not to worry.” Nathaniel popped out of his chair again and went to fetch a small bundle by the front door. “It so happens that I’ve brought such a book with me.”
Eliza threw an accusatory glance at Thomas. He grinned wide as the horizon and leaned back in his seat. She couldn’t get out of it now. She was trapped. She pinched her lips and laced her fingers in her lap.
Nathaniel came to her chair and held the thick book in front of her. “Your reputation precedes you, Miss Campbell. You must indulge us, please.”
Eliza swiped it from him, giving him an exaggerated glare before the grin she hid brightened her face. She rose and stood in front of the fire, trying to ignore the fact that every eye in the room was positioned on her. Thumbing through the book, she struggled to locate a short, dull scene—nothing romantic, nothing dramatic. Something she could easily read without much emotion.
“Liza, do my favorite, will you?”
Eliza pulled her gaze from the book and stared at her sister, shooting fire through the slits in her eyes. Kitty smirked as if she’d had it planned from the beginning. There was no possible way she would read that scene.
“I’m sorry, Kitty. I don’t remember what one that is. Besides, I think—”
“Of course you do, silly. It’s act two scene two from Romeo and Juliet.”
Eliza’s lungs flattened and her face roasted from within. There was no possible way to do that romantic reading without feeling completely foolish, especially in front of Thomas. Acting it out for Kitty, in their room, when they were younger and with no audience was a different situation all together. She glanced at Nathaniel, then Thomas. Both men smirked and didn’t even try to hide the satisfied grins on their faces.
Kitty pleaded again, melting the barrier around Eliza’s heart. How could she resist her sister? After all her kindness and patience, after all her caring and with nary a complaint on her lips, Kitty deserved a bit of diversion.
Eliza released a soft sigh. “Alright. I’ll read it.”
Kitty squealed, and Eliza had to smile. She could do it for Kitty—despite her mischievousness—and forget about the other two.
Thumbing through the book to the section on “plays”, Eliza located the requested scene.
“Do you plan on reading both Romeo and Juliet’s lines?” Nathaniel asked none too casual.
