Authors: Beverly Jenkins
Eva’s eyes widened. Winnie looked down at her slippers.
There was really no good reply to such an incriminating question, so with that said, he turned away from the woman’s tight face and extended his arm to Blythe. “Is there someone else you wish me to meet?”
Beaming, Blythe placed her hand on his arm. “Yes, I do.”
Nicholas bowed in Faith’s direction. “Thank you again, Miss Kingston.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Grey.”
He escorted Blythe away. A satisfied Faith went back to her duties in the kitchen. The fuming Eva was left standing at the table with her teary-eyed daughter.
As Blythe walked with Nick, she said softly, “Let Prince know that Gage will be moving against the rebels come mid April.”
He kept his face bland at the surprising words.
She added, “Prince should alert his contacts as soon as he can. You may wish to let Artemis know as well.”
Raising her voice and tone as a friend entered, she trilled, “Mrs. Carstairs. Let me introduce you to Nicholas.”
For the rest of the afternoon, the parlor filled up with old acquaintances of the Grey family and others unfamiliar to him. A few of the acquaintances were men he’d been seeking in order to ask them about his father’s arrest. He quizzed them discreetly while making the rounds of the parlor but none was able to offer him any information that might shed new light on the matter.
Prince Hall arrived at the height of the affair along with some of the minutemen under his command. Nick planned to tell him Blythe’s news before he departed.
Blyth had invited a few of the eligible women so that he could make their acquaintance, but truthfully, they left him unmoved. Eighteen-year-old Hazel Carstairs was a giggler who couldn’t seem to do anything else. At first he thought she might simply be nervous, but the more he engaged her in conversation, the more she giggled, so he gave up and smoothly excused himself from her and her grandmother. The second potential candidate was a sly-eyed beauty named Elizabeth Sutter. Her mother kept praising the seventeen-year-old Elizabeth’s chaste character but the flirty look in the daughter’s eyes told him an entirely different story, as did her clothing. Her gown, though fashionable, had a lower cut than those of the other women in attendance, offering any man who cared to see a good view of the tops of her young breasts. Were he in the market for a dalliance she’d be on the list, but after a short conversation, he bowed gracefully and moved on.
Throughout it all, his eyes kept straying back to the buffet table in hopes of catching another glimpse of Faith, but no matter how many times he glanced that way she was never there.
While the guests mingled, ate, and conversed, he did the same, picking up snippets of conversations here and there about planting, relatives in England, and the anticipated war. Most of the twenty-five guests seemed to favor the rebels, but there were Tory supporters in the room as well. One in particular, a tall, pock-faced man named William Case, was a late arrival, who upon entering the parlor made a beeline for Nick, who was speaking with Hall and minuteman George Middleton, a commander of a group of Black patriots calling themselves the Bucks of America.
“Mr. Grey. My name is William Case. We met at the church.”
Nick excused himself from Prince. Truthfully, he didn’t remember meeting the thin, dour-looking man, but he played along. “Nice to see you again.”
“Have you settled into your father’s home?”
“I have.”
“I’m a successful businessman and I’m wondering if I could speak with you about an investment opportunity.”
Nick studied him. “What sort of investment?”
He looked around as if to make sure they weren’t being overheard. “There’s a business I’d like to acquire, but I may need additional coin.”
Nicholas could see Eva Potts shooting daggers his way but he ignored her. “And this business is?”
“It’s the inn owned by Stuart Kingston. Like everyone else, I know he and your father shared a grudge, but he’s thinking of selling.”
Nick’s mind immediately went to Faith. “May I ask why?”
“He’s a bit in debt, shall we say,” he explained with a satisfied grin. “Needs the money.”
At that moment Faith appeared behind the buffet table to replenish one of the dishes. Apparently Case saw her, too. “Lovely girl, isn’t she?” he said.
Nick turned back to the man, but before he could respond, Case added, “Stubborn little bitch though. Prideful, too. Never understood why Kingston wasted perfectly good coin educating her but he said it had something to do with his late wife’s estate. Who cares what a woman has in her head. It’s what’s between her legs that matters to a man. Don’t you agree?”
It took all Nick had to hang on to his composure. “Never heard it put in such a crude and succinct manner, Mr. Case.”
Nick’s rebuke seemed to go right over the man’s head.
“I’ve asked for her hand, but her father is allowing her to make her own choice.”
“I see.” Nick found this one of the most interesting conversations of the afternoon. “And has she agreed?”
“No.”
“Ah.” Nicholas felt better. “Some women can be quite stubborn.”
“Too stubborn, but I’ll have her, whether she wants me or not. She’s the main reason I wish to buy the inn. I’ll take Kingston’s debts and his daughter. No right-thinking man would refuse such an offer.”
Nick kept his distaste for Case hidden. “You certainly have it all well thought out.”
“Indeed. I’m a success for a reason.”
Prince Hall walked up. “Nicholas, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Nicholas nodded. “It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, Mr. Case. I’ll think over your proposal.”
As he and Prince made their way to the other side of the room, Nick said with genuine feeling, “Thank you.”
“He’s a Tory toad. You looked like you needed rescuing.”
“And I did. He was telling me of his coarse plans for Faith Kingston.”
“Really. He and her father are fast friends.”
Nick kept his voice down. “Her father’s deep in debt. Case wants to buy the inn and expects Kingston to throw her in as a condition of the sale.”
Prince shook his head. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“I know. Women, especially daughters, have few rights.”
Prince studied Nick’s face. “And what are you planning?”
“How do you know that I am?”
“Because your father often had that same look in his eye when he was plotting.”
Nick shrugged. “She’s a beautiful woman. Hate to have all that wasted on a rube like Case.”
And he said no more. “Do you think any of the women here are the Lady Midnight?”
Prince sipped his ale. “You are determined to find her, aren’t you?”
“I am, but in the meantime alert the Sons that General Gage plans to move on the rebels mid April.”
Prince kept his poise. “I’ll let them know. This will mean war.”
Nick agreed.
“All right. I hadn’t planned on being here long but am glad I stayed long enough for you to pass along this news.”
“I am as well.”
“Thank you, Nicholas.”
“You’re welcome. One last thing, I was in town a few nights ago and saw soldiers posted in front of a home.” He gave Prince the street and address of the home Faith had visited. “Do you know who lives there?”
“Mr. John Hancock.”
“I see. I was simply curious.”
“I’ll see you later. I’ll be riding back to Boston to share your news as soon as I give my regards to our hostess.”
“Godspeed.”
Prince inclined his head and Nick watched him make his way over to Blythe. A few moments later he’d retrieved his coat and gone out the door.
A
s the affair came to an end, Faith sighed wearily. She always worked from sunup to sundown so the exhaustion was familiar, but still her shoulders ached from lifting the heavy pots on and off the rods in hot ash-filled grate. She was perspiring, her clothing spotted with dust from the ash, and the tiny burns on her left hand, caused by an ember that sparked when she was moving a gridiron farther into the heat, were letting her know they were there. She wiped her hand across her damp brow and continued washing Blythe’s delicate china. The two hired women were done for the day and were putting on coats and leaving by the back entrance. She called out her thanks and they called back in kind.
And now the kitchen was quiet. The silence let her exhale and relax. She washed up the last of the plates and dried her hands. She wanted to go back out to the parlor and make certain there was nothing left to be washed before dumping the barrel of water outside. She saw that there were still a few people in the parlor, particularly Nicholas and Will Case but she focused on her task. Seeing nothing that needed to be returned to the kitchen, she started back when she heard Case call from behind her, “Miss Kingston, may I speak with you?”
She sighed and walked over to where he and Nicholas were standing. “Yes?”
“The food was very good. I’ll be looking forward to your skills when we marry.”
She had no time for his arrogance. “Is there anything else? I have duties to finish.”
He turned to Nicholas and grumbled, “This is what I mean. Have you ever witnessed such a disrespectful female?”
Nicholas didn’t respond.
Faith was in no mood to be dressed down and so walked away, but Case grabbed her wrist and held on painfully. “I didn’t dismiss you.”
Angry, Faith tried to pull away.
“Let her go.”
The menace in Nicholas’s tone brought Case up short.
“How dare you intercede in—”
Employing an icy calm voice that only they could hear, he echoed, “Let her go, or I will kill you where you stand.”
Case’s eyes grew large as pumpkins and he released his hold.
Nicholas added, “Now, I believe it is time for you to give the widow your regards and leave here.”
Case eyed him for a silent moment, then sneered malevolently at both of them before he walked off in a huff. Moments later, he exited the premises.
Nicholas turned his eyes back to Faith. “Now, where were we?”
She could only stare.
“Should I have been firmer?”
She finally found speech and whispered, “You shouldn’t joke that way.”
“I wasn’t joking, by any means.”
She blinked.
“If he threatens you ever again you are to tell me.”
He was so overwhelming, for a second she thought she might fall. Why did this particular man affect her so?
“Faith? Are you unwell?”
She spun to find Ingram Trotter standing there looking between her and Nicholas with concern. “No. I mean, yes, Ingram. I’m fine. I just—”
Her eyes went back to Nicholas, who was viewing Ingram as if he were trespassing in his domain. “Ingram, this is Nicholas Grey. Nicholas, this is Ingram Trotter. He’s a lifelong friend.” She viewed Ingram fondly as he and Nicholas exchanged cool nods. “Mr. Grey aided me in a quarrelsome situation with Will Case. I didn’t see you come in.”
“I just arrived, but only to drop off a letter to the widow that I picked up for her in town. My apologies for missing your reception, Mr. Grey. My son is ill so my wife and I can’t take him out into the weather.”
“Understandable.”
The men continued to assess each other.
Ingram asked her, “Do you need assistance loading the wagon or anything before I go? It looks as if the party’s all but done.”
Faith opened her mouth to respond, only to hear Nicholas say smoothly, “I’ve already offered my assistance, Mr. Trotter. I’m sure you’d like to hurry home to your wife and child.”
Faith found herself staring at him once again. Not pleased with his actions at all, she told her friend, “I’ve everything in hand, Ingram. Thank you. Give my love to Charity and the baby. I hope he feels better soon.”
“Thank you.” After casting Nicholas a final glance, he left them.
In the silence after his departure, Faith told him, “You’re very adept at lying.”
“Only when I want my way.”
She studied him.
“How long have you loved him?” he asked.
Her eyes widened before she could stop them. How he was able to read her with such clarity, she didn’t know, but she was left shocked and irritated. “I have tasks needing my attention.”
And she stalked off.
If Faith thought she was done with him, she was mistaken. She’d just removed her apron when he entered the kitchen accompanied by Blythe, who said, “Nicholas has offered to help you load the wagon. Do you have anything he needs to carry out for you?”
Faith met his eyes and then spoke to Blythe. “No, most of the large pots we used were yours. I only have a small barrel holding the things I need to take back with me.”
“Where is it?” he asked.
“I can carry it.”
He waited.
She blew out a frustrated breath. “There,” she said, pointing at the barrel she’d placed by the door.
Blythe said, “All right. Let me go and say good-bye to the last of the guests. Be safe driving home, Faith, and thank you so very much again for your service today.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you at church tomorrow. When do you leave for New York?”
“Monday morning.”
“Ah. Have a good evening.”
Blythe smiled, waved, and left the kitchen.
Nicholas stood waiting at the back door.
She told him again, “I can manage the barrel.”
“So can I. Lead the way.”
Tight-lipped, she complied.
She’d parked her wagon near the stand of birch trees behind the house. He followed her across the muddy field and placed the barrel in the bed of the wagon.
“Thank you,” she offered crisply. “And thank you again for your rescue from Mr. Case. I need to get home.”
“I never took you for a fleeing woman.”
She stopped. “And I’m not.”
They were only a few inches apart and Faith swore her heart was going to beat out of her chest. One part of her wanted to be kissed again and other parts were alarmed by the thought. He slowly and boldly reached out and gently raised her gaze to his. “I miss your kisses.”
It took all Faith had to keep from fainting dead away. “I think you are toying with me, Nicholas, and don’t believe I care for it.”
“I’m not toying with you, Faith. Why would I?”
She backed out of his hold so that she could think. “To play games with a country girl, to get back at my father. You choose.”
“And if neither applies, then what?”
“You tell me.”
Nicholas was enjoying this. “Then it has to be something else, say, attraction?”
“And again, I say that you are toying with me.”
“You don’t think I’m attracted to you?”
“You and Case, who’s sniffing around me as if I’m a bitch in heat, but the question becomes am I attracted in return?”
His eyes were lit with surprise. “There’s that tart tongue again.”
“Thank you.”
He smiled, finding her fascinating all over again. “And the answer to the question?”
She boldly met his challenge. “The answer is undoubtedly yes, I am attracted to you. However, I’m not silly enough to believe you’d do right by me, so that is that.”
Nicholas folded his arms over his chest. “Why wouldn’t I do right by you?”
“I’m twenty-six years old, and although untouched, hardly what society deems wife material, so that leaves scandal, and I value myself too highly to take on that role.”
Nicholas couldn’t remember ever meeting a more frank woman.
“Rebuttal?” she asked.
He had to admit he didn’t have one. Instead he reached into his coat and withdrew the small pouch holding the money she was owed for her work.
“Thank you,” she said, taking it from his hand, and began to make the walk around to the seat on the front of the wagon.
“Faith?”
She stopped and turned his way.
“This only heightens the attraction between us.”
“I know.”
While he watched, she climbed up onto the seat of the wagon and picked up the reins. He then asked, “How often do you take bread to John Hancock?”
Her face didn’t change. “Good day, Nicholas.”
She slapped the reins down over Susie’s back and drove away.
Nick watched her leave. He’d also wanted to ask her about the man named Trotter, but he was content to let her escape for now. Their mutual attraction would bring them together again soon enough.
B
ack at the inn, Faith placed the items she’d come home with in their proper places and tried to rid herself of Nicholas Grey. So he’d learned who lived in that house. She didn’t let that worry her because he had no proof that she was at Hancock’s for any reason other than the one she’d given him. What worried her more was that he’d been correct about their time together adding to the attraction she felt for him. It didn’t seem to matter to her inner self that she didn’t want to be attracted to him; it was there and rising each time she encountered him. She would just have to be more vigilant, if only because he hadn’t been able to dispute her claim that he wouldn’t do right by her. He’d probably left a trail of women in his wake and she had no desire to add her name to the undoubtedly extensive list. With her duties now done in the kitchen and everything put away, she left it and found her father seated at one of the tables in the dining room.
“How was the reception?” he asked.
“I spent most of my time in the kitchen but it seemed to go well.” She placed the bag of coins Nick had given her on the table. He immediately took it and began to count what was inside.
“Did you see Will?” he asked.
“Yes. It wasn’t a particularly nice encounter though. He grabbed me.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because I took issue with him chastising me.” She told him the rest of the story.
“Can’t have him putting his hand on you that way.”
“Nicholas Grey took exception to it as well.”
He looked suspicious. “Explain?”
So she did and ended by telling him about the threat he’d made to Will. “I told him it wasn’t right to make jokes like that.”
“And he said?”
“That he wasn’t joking.”
He sat up. “So, he’s as much a menace as his father.”
“He was protecting me. The only menace was Will.”
She could tell by his face that he didn’t agree and it angered her that he didn’t place her safety above all else. “I’m going to my room.”
“Grey is not for you.”
“I heard you the first time, Father.”
Faith entered her bedroom still caught by her mood. He was right but again she noted that her inner self insisted on responding in ways she couldn’t control. His touch set off a warmth in her blood that was as wondrous as it was disturbing. Having no mother and being a female of her times, she knew next to nothing about her body and how it performed, and according to society, being curious about such things would only place oneself on a fast wagon to hell. However, she knew this was lust, but she didn’t know how to make it stop. It was as if he’d touched off a small blaze inside her and each time they met it rose higher. She frowned. And how had he known about her lingering feelings for Ingram? Had it been so obvious? Oddly enough, during all the years she’d considered herself in love with him, she’d never felt this same heat. So what did that mean? Lust wasn’t something a good woman was supposed to feel, was it? And if she did, what kind of woman did that make her? Faith ran her hands over her eyes. She was making herself batty again. All that mattered was that she stay away from Nicholas Grey.