Once home, he slammed the door behind him and lit an oil lamp, making both light and shadows dart across the floor and up the walls.
As he marched up the stairs to his room, the faceless Higley invaded his thoughts. Did Thomas know anything about this fellow? Nathaniel should have probed for more information while he had the chance.
Blast! Why did he even care?
He set the lamp down a little too rough and removed his jacket.
Kitty needed to be with someone of her own mind, and Nathaniel needed to rein in his ludicrous emotions before they sent him to an early grave.
He stared into the shadowy corner of his room and fingered the base of the lamp. If his upbringing had taught him anything, ‘twas that finding a spouse with the same beliefs and ideals was paramount. He’d witnessed enough heartache in his youth to understand that. Too much fighting, too many tears. Rubbing his temple, Nathaniel groaned as the memories of his parent’s discord assaulted him. He knew better than this—this foolish attraction to a woman so different than he. Then why couldn’t he escape the image of Kitty’s pink cheeks and adorable angry mouth as she’d stomped away?
He kicked off his shoes then slumped on the edge of the bed. Dragging his hands down his face, Nathaniel dragged his gaze to the musket on the wall. Like a surging wave, the weightier matters of the day crashed against him. This was no time to ponder over some fickle woman. His vow to keep the
people of this town safe poured through his veins with every pump of his heart. Not only did he need to provide care for their physical well-being, but their very livelihoods may depend on him should their safety be threatened. Untying his cravat, he growled and corrected himself. Their safety had been threatened. Standing, he yanked the fabric from his neck and wadded it before launching it across the room. Breath surging, he stared at the shadows. He would keep the people of Sandwich safe at any cost.
Chapter Four
Drinking in the cool night air, Kitty shook her hands at her sides as she trudged down the deserted road in the blackness. It had been less than a day and already the tensions between her and her family were as burdensome as she’d feared. She expelled a shaky breath. Perhaps she’d misunderstood her answer. Perhaps coming back to Sandwich had been a mistake and God had desired her to stay in Boston. Even though the city was dangerous for some, surely it wouldn’t have proved to be so for her. Would it? She was a Tory after all.
The temperature dropped another degree and she hugged her arms as a strong chill coated her skin. Was it the air, or the struggle in her soul?
Give it time.
The comforting whisper of God chased away the bite in the air and she stared up into the heavens. Where was her faith? Forgive me, Lord. It had only been a day, and she wasn’t about to throw away the chance to stay with Eliza because of a petty argument with a headstrong man.
She looked up at the expanse of stars, inhaling the sweet scent of lilac that caressed the air and suddenly the past swirled around her, transforming the trees and shadows into the beloved front walk of her childhood home. The memory enfolded her like Father’s comforting embrace. Closing her eyes she relived it as if it had only been yesterday. Father draped his arm around her shoulder and pointed to the stars.
“You know, my child, every time a star twinkles, ‘tis God giving a blessing.”
Kitty opened her eyes and stared at the sky above her, yearning so much for Father her bones ached. Remembering her response to him, she swallowed to press down the lump in her throat. “But the stars twinkle all the time, Father.”
“Aye,” he’d said, crouching down to her. He plucked a moon-kissed flower and tucked it behind her ear. “That is because God is always blessing his children, Kitty. Always.”
Inhaling a shuddering breath, Kitty flicked the tear from her eyes. She shouldn’t cry. These were happy memories.
Father, I miss you. I wish you were here to help me—to stand beside me in this time of turmoil.
She shook off the oppressive melancholy and started forward again. Only a few more steps down the road and Kitty halted, scattering rocks across the dirt as goose bumps splashed her skin. She held her breath. The sound of footsteps scuffled behind, and she strangled the gasp in her throat. Was someone there? Spinning around, she stared into the shadows.
Her heartbeat tapped quicker with each breath. Had she only imagined it? An eerie quiet draped the deepening night. She pressed a hand to her head. Mercy! Was she simply exhausted? She must be, to be imagining such things.
Another rustling in the bushes snatched her attention like an icy hand around the neck. She spun to glance behind, but again, nothing. Struggling to placate her trembling heart, she breathed out through tight lips. Foolish girl. She need only return home and finally get a good night’s rest.
Turning, she stepped back and slipped. With a sharp yelp she tumbled backward and rolled down a small embankment into a clump of trees. Kitty rushed to her feet, and brushed off her skirts, feeling the crunch of dead leaves and small twigs as she moved her hands along the fabric.
“Bother. My fine dress.” As she moved her hand over her arm, her finger slipped into a gash in the fabric then slid over something sticky on her skin. She closed her eyes. I’m bleeding.
Her stomach knotted but she took a deep breath to try and ease the rising alarm that coursed down her back. An invisible companion seemed to whisk its protective wings around her shoulders, admonishing her to hurry home which only made her fears ascend to greater heights. Where was home?
Panic attempted to buckle Kitty’s knees. She clutched her chest and whirled around, trying to find her bearings in the unfamiliar surroundings. Mercy, where was she? The unfamiliar terrain taunted, shapes and shadows reaching out to her with their long, spiny arms. She scanned the far road through the trees, desperate for familiar landmarks but the dark masked everything she might have known.
She was lost.
Her hands shook. Lord, help me.
Kitty took a few steps toward the opening in the trees as a flurry of hoarse whispers darted toward her. She snapped her head in the direction of the sound and held her breath. A small stone building rested in the clearing and suddenly her memory burst to life.
The magazine.