“Again, you sought him out after I forbid it.” William leaned forward and planted his feet on the floor. “Why must you continue to antagonize me? We’ve been in Ipswich for nearly a year, and in that time, you’ve been the perfect sister of the church. Now, I fear for your soul.”
Elizabeth pressed her hands to her cheeks. Oh, dear, she’d left her gloves—to say nothing of her bonnet—behind on Brand’s ship. “Perhaps I didn’t have cause to enjoy myself here until now.” She certainly hadn’t knowledge of Captain Storme. If they’d met earlier, she could hardly imagine what her life would have been like.
“Keeping company with a rogue and creating scandal is not how you should enjoy yourself.”
“What scandal?”
“You know what you’ve done.”
“Nothing. I’ve done nothing.” Except let Brand touch places on her body only a husband should. She fought off a blush. Even now, delicious tingles meandered through her lower belly. Thinking about what he’d done to her tightened her nipples. To hide her reaction, Elizabeth crossed her arms over her breasts. “But if you have other news regarding that, please tell me so I may set the record straight.” I’m done letting you bully me.
“Stop that. Women who are committed to keeping themselves above the dreck in the world shouldn’t engage in arguing.” He narrowed his eyes. “You are guilty by association merely by being seen with him.”
“Is my name being gossiped about?” She arched an eyebrow. “Furthermore, if it is, why are you listening to such vitriol to begin with? That’s not something a godly man should do.”
“Do not think to engage is semantics with me, Elizabeth.” He shook a long forefinger. “Regardless, I realize that I can’t lock you in your room.”
“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.” Had the sin with Brand been worth the potential lecture that would come if William ever found out? She bit her bottom lip to prevent a grin. Yes, it was. During those hours with the captain, she’d felt wanted for the first time in her life. Surely God would excuse that.
William cleared his throat, scattering her thoughts. “However, I have made arrangements to curb this wild bent of yours.”
Please don’t tell me you’ve arranged an engagement.“Oh?”
“Yes. I’ve gotten word of a ship departing from London on September first for India. Since I’m anxious to be off, I’ve made a transfer of our passage from the ship that will leave Ipswich on the fifteen of September.”
“You have.” It wasn’t a question. Shock weakened her knees while hot panic filled her chest. “You’re leaving in seven days.” She clutched the edge of a small round table to keep from collapsing to the floor.
“I am, as are you, for your soul is in jeopardy here. In this way, I can be assured you’re living for the Lord as solemnly and seriously as you should.”
And I’ll return to being a prisoner.Six days to spend with Brand. The adventure she craved would end well before she’d hoped. It wasn’t enough time for him to realize that he should ask for her hand, nor did it give her an opportunity to know what lying completely with a man would feel like. “What if I don’t want to accompany you any longer?”
“Have you other plans then?”
“No.” The word came out in a whisper. Tears crowded her throat. As much as she’d adored spending time with Brand, he hadn’t spoken of a possible future with her, so what exactly was she doing? Have I made a terrible mistake? Does he only want me to assuage his need?
“Ah. You have no choice but to come with me as we’ve planned. Frankly, this will be good for you.” His stern expression softened by an increment. “All will come about right. You and I are family, and we’ll do the Lord’s work in India. I suspect we won’t have much time for other interests.” A fanatical light gleamed in his eyes. “Now, go make yourself presentable. It’s past time for dinner.”
“Right. Dinner.” How could he expect her to eat and converse when the whole of her world was crashing down about her feet?
In a daze, Elizabeth exited the parlor and drifted upstairs to her small bedchamber without cognizant thought that she did so. The housekeeper was just exiting the room with her arms full of dirty linens. “Oh, I beg your pardon.” Elizabeth gave her a wan smile. “I didn’t see you.” Mrs. Friedmont came twice a week to assist with chores and laundry, and it was one of the bright spots of Elizabeth’s day to talk with her, for the housekeeper reminded her of her own mother.
“It’s no bother, dear.” Her forehead wrinkled with the same concern that laced her voice. “Are you quite well? You’re by far too pale under the sun you got today and look ready to weep.”
That’s exactly what she felt like. Not having any more strengthen to remain on her feet, Elizabeth sank onto a straight-backed wooden chair at a tiny desk. Not much correspondence waited for her attention, for who would bother writing? “Oh, Mrs. Friedmont, I rather think I’ve made a mess of things.” With William’s desire to depart England earlier, there was no chance that she and Brand could deepen their relationship enough that he’d ask for her hand. What was more, the one time she wished to give herself to a man hadn’t ended in the splendid bliss she had hoped. There would probably never be another chance.
“Life is often like that before everything works out.” The matronly housekeeper gathered the linens into one hand and patted Elizabeth’s head with the other. “Don’t worry so, dear. It’ll sour your looks.”
She snorted. “For what? I’m hardly a part of society, and if William has his way, I’ll be whisked away just as I’d started putting down roots.” Yes, that sounded rather splendid. To have a home and a sense of belonging in Ipswich, where the sea called, and the air was clean and clear. Never had she felt stronger or more hopeful…
Until this evening.
“Yes, your brother informed me of his plans when I came in.” The other woman clicked her tongue. “I don’t have the answers for you. However, I do know that it’s not all glum.”
“How can you?”
A twinkled appeared in her dark eyes. “When you were talking with Mr. Hayhurst, a letter was delivered for you.” She nodded toward the nightstand. “I placed it there for you.” She lowered her voice. “Took charge of it myself, for I didn’t think your brother would be pleased. The flowers are a sweet touch, so don’t give up hope, miss.” With a wink, she bustled toward the door once more. “I must run. My man will be wanting his dinner.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Friedmont.” Curiosity buzzed at the base of Elizabeth’s spine. She left the chair to stumble across the floor. As she sat upon the edge of her bed, she lifted a nosegay of a few violets and two miniature summer daisies to her nose. They’d been tied with a purple satin ribbon. A small envelope waited on the nightstand, her name scrawled with a heavy hand.
After setting the nosegay down, she opened the envelope and slipped a scrap of paper from it.
Dearest Elizabeth,
Thank you for spending the afternoon with me. I’ve not appreciated a day more and look forward to seeing you again soon. What is between us certainly isn’t over.
Yours, Brand
“Oh, my goodness.” That was the most romantic missive she’d ever received. She pressed the note to her chest while heat blazed in her cheeks. Perhaps there was hope indeed. Quickly, she tucked the note and the envelope into her Bible lest William find it, then she moved to her washstand.
Dear God, please let Brand’s regard be true; I could fall for him with little effort.