Cyprian gripped her thin arm tighter as his throat thickened. “You are not dying.” He brought the vial up to the bed and uncorked the top. “Now, be a good patient and take your medicine. I don’t want to force your pretty mouth open.”
A full grin on Camilla’s face showed him her teeth, bringing back memories of their first years together—when they both were so young and death seemed an eternity away.
“I’ll try not to be so difficult for you,” she said.
He clutched her hand and kissed her frail fingers. “You never are.”
I’m doing everything I can for you. I promise.
After spooning her the first dose of medicine, Camilla gave a weak squeeze to his hand and slipped back into a heavy sleep with her next breath.
His eyes burned as he clutched the vial in his fingers, his knuckles white. “I will keep you alive, Camilla. I will. I promise.”
***
The quick walk to the stately home on the bank of Shawme Pond seemed twice as long as it should have been, thanks to the weighty anxiousness that made Kitty’s feet stick to the muddy ground as if it were two feet thick, instead of only slightly damp from the morning’s rain.
“Tell me again whose home we are visiting?”
Eliza peered over her shoulder. “Andrew and Mary Cooper. Andrew is a wealthy merchantman, and strong proponent of the patriot cause. He holds these gatherings every month and invites all who are favorable to the idea of liberty to mingle with those of like minds.”
Her voice was so mild Kitty almost thought her sister had completely forgotten their differing views until she continued. “I don’t wish for you to be uncomfortable, Kitty. There will be many guests who will be more than
delighted to discuss anything you like. And I do believe the Whitney girls will be there. I am eager for you to make their acquaintance.”
Kitty craned her neck to take in the regal entryway with its large double doors as the three of them walked up the stone steps. An inviting orange glow radiated into the street from the expansive windows. The fine draperies and furnishings peeked out at them, as if hoping to sneak a glimpse of the outside world. From the safety of the front stoop, Kitty stared at the many silhouettes of the merry partygoers.
Suddenly, a servant opened the tall doors even before Thomas could knock.
“Welcome.” The thin gentleman greeted them with a slight bow and gestured for them to enter, his white wig hanging a little too low around his ears. “Forgive me for being over-quiet,” he said, a smile on his lips. “The speaker has just begun and I might say, he’s very animated. You are welcome to enter and find a place to stand near the back.”
Kitty’s palms sweat in her lacy gloves and she licked her lips. Calm yourself. She followed Eliza inside, and inhaled the spicy aroma of cider and candle’s smoke that mingled in the air. Sighing, Kitty scanned her surroundings, determined to acquire a glass of cider and procure a quiet corner where she needn’t speak to anyone. She almost giggled as she stared at the magnificent dark-wood molding that crowned the ceiling and the large portraits and marble busts that decorated the entry. Not such a miserable place to spend an evening. She might in fact enjoy it. A mite of anxiety lifted. Scrolling bronzed sconces holding tall white candles lined the walls of the long empty hall that extended in front of them. A red and gold rug hugged the smooth wood floor. She kept her teeth together to keep her mouth from hanging open. She’d hardly seen a home in Boston to match such majesty.
She nodded at the servant who took her cloak at the door, and Thomas motioned for her and Eliza to enter the large hall. Skirting the fringe of the crowd, Kitty brushed arms with well-dressed ladies and men, all enraptured with the speech in progress. The three of them quickly found an obliging spot near the windows in the back, and Kitty swallowed, struggling to fit in, as if somehow her political leanings were as obvious as the emerald green of her gown. Glancing around, she reminded herself they would never have to know her true beliefs. She stood straighter. Though, if they did, they would likely ridicule her and throw her into the streets. How bad could that be? She stifled a grin at the ridiculous vision. Well, at least then her feelings would be out in the open. This time an easy smile washed over her face and a jovial sensation shot though her nerves like a brush of wind against a lonely meadow. Inhaling a relaxed breath, the sound of the speaker’s voice tugged at her ears. Stopping, she gathered her senses, her heart suddenly racing as if it remembered something more than her mind. Leaning quickly from side to side, she strained to look past the sea of white wigs and feathered coiffures to find the owner of the voice.
Could it really be him? She glanced at Thomas and Eliza who whispered to each other as they listened. They didn’t seem to be surprised. But then, why should they?
Kitty licked her lips and lifted on her tiptoes. Perhaps her memory played tricks upon her heart. It had been over a year since she’d last seen him. Perhaps, it wasn’t him after all, and was only—
The group parted slightly and Kitty’s heart stopped. She dropped back on her heels, and sucked a quick breath through her lips.
There, on the far side of the room Nathaniel stood, his chiseled features made even more alluring by the yellow glow of candle-light. Kitty’s mouth went dry. She tried and failed to focus on his words. His commanding presence dominated her will. She couldn’t pull her gaze from his eyes that danced with passion as he spoke, and the muscular frame that filled the fabric of his burgundy suit.
Extinguishing her irrational excitement, Kitty brushed a long curl from her neck and did her best to keep nothing more than a moderate measure of surprise in her tone when she cupped her mouth and spoke into Eliza’s ear. “You didn’t tell me Nathaniel would be here.”
Before Eliza could answer, Thomas bowed toward Kitty, the glimmer of a chuckle lighting his eyes. His tone remained low. “He is the most out-spoken of patriots.”
Shrugging, she tried to show her nonchalance, not the thrill that heated her neck and ears. Kitty exhaled through tight lips and looked down at her dress. Why didn’t I wear a nicer gown?
Leaning forward, Thomas whispered something to Eliza and she nodded before he ducked away toward the refreshment table.
“Nathaniel will be thrilled to see you.” Eliza turned her attention back to Kitty, keeping her volume low. She winked. “He speaks of you often, you know, asking how you fare and if we’ve heard from you.”
Kitty’s heart leapt at the news, but she pretended not to feel it, hoping the pleasure of her sister’s words didn’t make their way to her face. “I’m sure he is all politeness.” For surely ‘twas nothing more.
A motion to the side drew Kitty’s attention and she turned. A tall man stood alone in the corner, wine glass in hand, his gaze floating across the crowd as if he were looking for someone. His icy-black stare then landed on Kitty and her blood chilled. No matter how her inner-self reacted, she forced her outer appearance to remain collected. She raised her chin coolly, and turned to her sister speaking close to her ear. “Liza, who is that man in the corner to my left—don’t look too quickly.”
“I needn’t look.” Eliza’s face lit with a silent laugh as the actress came to life, completely masking the real subject of their conversation. “I already know who you mean. I saw him when we came in.”