Emotion caught in her throat, and she laid her head against his chest. No one had ever cared about her preferences as Thomas did. He put a warm, comforting hand on her shoulder but did not pull her any closer. Even in that he took care of her. While his fervent love and affection showed in his intense gazes and tender smiles, he would not ask for more than sweet, chaste kisses. In return, she forbade herself to cling to him now that his departure loomed near.
“I know only,” she said, “that I do not wish for a long engagement.”
His chuckle resounded through his broad chest, tickling her ear. “Nor do I, my beloved. Nor do I.”
Thomas felt himself a changed man. If duty did not demand his presence aboard the Dauntless, he cared not if he ever went to sea again. How easy it would be to live the life of a gentleman farmer, like Freddy. With Dinah at his side, he would never lack for contentment. He could build his own haven in Hampshire, but unlike Bennington Plantation, he would do it without slaves.
One regret was inherent in that plan. He would be an ocean away from this good brother. Thomas had never found his eldest brother, the new earl, to be anything but an arrogant idler who relied on his birthright to the peerage to designate him a man. His next brother, Robert, had often been his partner in childhood mischief, but those days were years in the past. With Freddy, he had at last found a friend whom he could respect and confide in.
He had greatly enjoyed dispensing the gifts he’d brought from London to his family members: new parasol and kid gloves for Rachel and Marianne, play swords for little Jamie and Davy, a gold thimble and child-sized sewing scissors for Kezia, Gibbon’s recently published The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire for Freddy. Thomas was gratified by the appreciation heaped upon him by one and all, even the moppets.
There remained only a few matters he needed to discuss with Freddy before he left on the morrow. But for now, in the precious moments they had remaining, Thomas enjoyed walking arm-in-arm with his beloved Dinah along the path back to the plantation house.
“How long will you stay here?” he asked.
The troubled frown on her brow surprised him. “I don’t know. I’d hoped Rachel would help me with my wedding clothes. She is an excellent seamstress.”
“Ah, very good. But why not stay?” He squeezed her arm against his side to reassure her. “I will be gone for at least two weeks, if not longer, for I am determined to catch the pirate this time. He shall not escape me. But that is another matter. I would prefer that you be with those who love you, not that Hussey fellow.”
Her sweet smile did not agree with the sadness in her eyes. “I shall stay as long as I am welcome.”
“But of course you are welcome here.” Uncertainty clouded his thoughts. Surely the ladies did not exclude their cousin and sister-in-law. He had observed only warmth from Rachel and Marianne toward Dinah.
She stared down at their pathway. “Yes, of course.”
Another matter to bring up with Freddy. His brother must protect Dinah in Thomas’s absence.
“Oh, Thomas, do you enjoy the children as much as I do?”
He wondered if she was changing the subject to avoid unpleasantness, but decided to accept the happy new topic. “They are…what word says it all? Enchanting.” When he had at last seen his sister and newborn niece, their glowing pink complexions had removed the last of his fears. Some women could bear children; others could not. When the time came, he would trust his Father in heaven to see Dinah safely through it.
This new view of the Almighty had given him a peace in his soul such as he had never experienced. These past five days, he had read the Scripture passages Freddy had suggested concerning the nature of God as a loving Father. Each night, he had lain awake contemplating the matter and praying, as his brother also had suggested. At first, he’d felt considerable resentment toward his father for being such a callous, unloving parent. But he recalled that the old earl had often boasted of his own father’s harsh discipline and how it had made a man of him. With this in mind, Thomas found it easier to forgive his parent, for he had merely followed the path laid out before him.
Yet did not the very Gospel of Christ dispense with such methods of parenting? If all men bore the stain of sin on their souls, as Scripture made clear, then all men deserved everlasting punishment. But God sent His Son to atone for that sin. He did not beat or chastise His children, because Christ had already suffered beating and even death in their stead. A man need only believe in Christ and reach out to accept that atonement, as John 3:16 clearly stated.
Freddy had broken from their father’s sort of parenting. When the time came, Thomas would endeavor to do the same.
But the greatest revelation from meditating on the scripture came when Thomas began to comprehend how they would change his own thinking. God, the Almighty Creator, was not an angry, distant parent. He was a loving Father who was always near to lead and guide his children. Thomas could rely upon Him in matters large and small. And he vowed to begin immediately to make that his practice. It would affect everything he thought and said and did. Truly, he was a new man.
That evening, Thomas joined Freddy in his study for a last meeting before he returned to duty. Seated across the desk from his brother, he treasured each moment as they settled the last of their business. “I trust you found Bennington’s letter satisfactory?”
Freddy’s wry chuckle held more than a hint of dryness. “He wrote all the proper greetings and felicitations. But the long and the short of it is that I have now—or should I say again—entered a trial period as manager of Bennington Plantation.” He shook his head in apparent disgust. “If profits increase, I may stay. If not—” His shrug seemed a bit careless under the circumstances.
Thomas leaned forward. “But what will you do if he replaces you? What of Rachel and the children? And where would Marianne and her children live while Templeton is away?”
“My father-in-law’s trip to Jamaica is for the purpose of expanding the business he shares with Templeton. He has always said he would like for me to join their company.”
“Ah.” Thomas glanced around the room, taking in the shelves of books and the fine furniture. His brother lived in a spacious, well-furnished house, yet it was not his own. “You must know that you can always find a home with Dinah and me in Hampshire. You know the land. There’s room enough to build a second house. We could provide another base for Templeton’s trade in England.”
Freddy stared at him for a moment, then blinked and swiped a hand over his eyes. “I thank you for that, Tommy. But—” he glanced out the window “—the colonies are my home now. I cannot think of leaving.”
“I do not blame you.” Thomas snorted. “Infernal war. If it would just end, we’d all be able to make sensible decisions about our futures. You could break loose from Bennington, and I—” He ran a hand over his chin. “Will it surprise you to know I have come to think His Majesty should release the rebelling colonists and let them go their own way?”
Freddy gaped. “I had no idea.”
Thomas snickered at his comical expression. He could not yet read his brother well, but something was working in Freddy’s mind. “Do not be concerned. I am not some renegade or traitor. Surely you know my thoughts are shared by influential men in Parliament. Nevertheless, I shall do my duty to the end.” Why not confess it all? “Then I plan to resign my commission. Dinah does not know it yet, but this will be my wedding gift to her.”
Freddy’s face was a study in amazement. “I can think of nothing she would like more. She often said she would never marry a seafarer. Then the poor child met you. Despite knowing me these four years, she had no idea how charming we Moberly men are.”
“No idea at all.” This bit of camaraderie sealed Thomas’s devotion to his brother.
“So you think the king should release the thirteen colonies?” One dark eyebrow rose to emphasize the question.
Thomas regarded Freddy. He had been wounded defending East Florida’s b
order and no doubt felt strongly about the war. But an end of hostilities could mean commerce between this colony and the new country to the north, a boon to Templeton’s merchant business. “Practically speaking, I cannot imagine that they can form a cohesive government. Who will rule? That Washington fellow? Is he some Charlemagne they will crown as king?” He waved his hand carelessly. “Despite his mythical immortality and cleverness, I’ve no doubt all would fall into chaos, and they would come running back to the protection of the Crown. But at least no more good English soldiers and sailors would die trying to keep unwilling children under control.” His own analogy disturbed him, but he would think on it later.
“Yes, far too many have died during this war.” Freddy stood and grasped his cane. “I want you to read something.”
As he started around the desk, Thomas rose. “Sit down. What do you want? I’ll get it.”
Freddy waved him down. “Nonsense. I’m improving every day.” He limped to the bookcase and withdrew a familiar object from between two large volumes. “Here. Take this. Read it and tell me if you think the northern colonies can manage on their own.”
Thomas accepted the broadsheet, but felt a twinge of disloyalty. “Ah, well, all right.” He folded the paper into a smaller square and tucked it inside his coat.
Freddy returned to his desk and, despite his protests, Thomas noticed his clenched jaw. The effort had cost him, and Thomas would honor it by reading the colonists’ declaration. As Freddy had said, a man should know the thinking of his enemy.
“I have a letter for you to take to St. Augustine.” Freddy brought a sealed missive out of his desk drawer. “This is to Mr. Leslie. He and Mr. Panton are reputable men who have kept me apprised of Dinah’s finances. Her money is in safekeeping in their vault. This letter will give them my leave to deliver future reports to you.”
Stunned, Thomas accepted the folded vellum sheet. “Reports?” He studied the finely grained lambskin, an expenditure designating an important matter. “You have watched over her all this time?”
Freddy coughed out an indignant laugh. “Of course. Someone has to keep Artemis Hussey’s greedy hands off of her money. Every time he approaches Leslie about the matter, I hear about it within a day or two.”
Emotion welled up in Thomas’s chest, and so he echoed his brother’s indignant cough. “Yes. Well. I thank you for taking care of her.”
Freddy gave him a crooked grin. “That’s your job now.”
The perfect opening. “But until I can officially take on that delightful duty, perhaps you will continue to extend your hospitality to Dinah. She would welcome Rachel’s help in making her wedding clothes.”
“Hmm.” An invisible wall seemed to spring up before Freddy’s formerly warm gaze. “I would not deny my wife’s exceptional skill with a needle. However, with the house to manage and Marianne and her children to look after, I fear she will not have time to complete the work when Dinah needs it. There is a fine seamstress in St. Augustine, a widow named Mrs. Cameron, who surely can undertake the endeavor.”
After a moment of smarting from this rejection on behalf of his beloved, Thomas understood. Freddy was looking out for his wife and did not wish for her to be overburdened. “Yes, of course. I will encourage Dinah to return to the city as soon as possible and engage Mrs. Cameron’s services.”
Yet in the back of his mind, he felt disappointed that Rachel would not extend herself for this short time so that her own cousin might have her help. Did they not have enough slaves to perform all the necessary tasks about this place? Did Rachel truly not realize how left-out Dinah often felt?
But, no, Thomas would not allow bitterness to enter his thinking. Not when he’d finally bonded so closely with this brother, the only one with whom he shared so many common interests and opinions. The one who had already done so much to take care of Dinah, without her even knowing it. He did not need to ask another favor of Freddy, for soon enough, he himself would ensure Dinah’s happiness.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The entire family crowded onto the columned front porch to see Thomas off. Enfolded in his embrace, Dinah trembled in spite of her resolve not to cling to him. How could she let him go? How would she ever manage without him? But her determination won out, and she shoved him away.
“Go on, now. The sooner you go, the sooner you’ll return.” She forbade her burning eyes to produce tears.
His smile was as gentle as his finger tracing down her cheek. “Pray that I catch the pirate quickly. That will earn me some time off.” He placed a lingering kiss on her lips and rested his forehead against hers. “I shall return to you.”
Her aching heart warmed at his promise, more so than all the other times he had said it. This time, she believed him without reservation.
Hugs, kisses, handshakes, Davy clinging to his Uncle Thomas’s leg and the ever-present wriggling puppies made a merry pandemonium. Even Marianne had come downstairs to see him off and now clung to him with a strange desperation. When she finally released him, he declared himself the happiest of men to have such a loving family. Frederick quipped that Thomas had become lazy and would have difficulty returning to duty after such a long respite. Dinah laughed with everyone else and found that it lightened her heavy spirit. At least a little.
At last, Thomas gave her a final kiss, descended the front steps, and mounted his horse. The four East Florida Rangers had completed their patrol duties and were returning to the city with Thomas. Hinton cast a lingering glance toward Nancy, and Dinah’s maid blushed. The steward then climbed into Mr. Moultrie’s coach, and the travelers commenced their journey.
Dinah stood with the family on the porch and watched the procession. Thomas turned in his saddle and waved, and everyone else seemed to take that as a sign they could disperse. Dinah alone remained to watch as the group neared the cluster of palm trees beside the road into the pine forest. There Thomas waved again, then disappeared behind the trees.
She stared toward the palm branches swaying in the warm summer breeze. Perhaps Thomas would emerge from the forest and return to her. The hollow ache in her chest reminded her of the folly of her hopes. After sitting on the porch steps for uncounted minutes—or hours?—she wandered to the side of the house and settled into the swing hanging from a branch of a spreading oak tree. The gentle motion lulled her into a hazy stupor from which she could not waken. But why bother? She had completed the sketches of the children, her one unique talent in this family. No matter how much she tried to stifle her self-pity, she ached to think no one needed her here. Perhaps she should have returned to St. Augustine with Thomas.
The noise of a small riot broke into her thoughts. The children and their pets ran toward her from the back lawn, with Caddy in pursuit. They all seemed to see her at the same time and stopped abruptly.
Kezia marched toward her. “Aunt Dinah, I think it’s my turn to swing.”
“Miss Kezia, don’t be rude.” Caddy sent Dinah an apologetic grimace.
Dinah shook herself. “Never mind, Caddy. Come here, Kezia darling.” She stood and placed her niece in the swing, then gave her a gentle shove.
The remainder of the morning passed quickly, for the children would not let her go. After each one demanded a turn at being pushed in the swing, they decided on a game of tag, with their aunt in pursuit. Dinah had not run in years and found the exercise invigorating. And she found her spirits rising rapidly. Amid the usual giggles, falls, drying of tears and more giggles, she realized her life could not stop because Thomas was away. He would often be gone and for much longer periods than two weeks. Somehow she would endure it and be brave and smiling for him when he returned home.
Thoroughly winded from the last chase, she waved Caddy over and leaned on the girl’s shoulder. “Let’s try a game of hide and seek.”
Caddy giggled, a child herself. “Yes’m.”
“You take Davy so he doesn’t get lost. I think little Jamie and Kezia will be all right.”
“Yes’m,” C
addy repeated.
They explained the game and the boundaries to the children, and off they all went.
Dinah sat on the back porch steps. Feeling a bit selfish, she decided to give them plenty of time to hide…and herself plenty of time to rest.
“How is Marianne?” Frederick’s deep voice, so like Thomas’s, came through the open back window of his office.
Dinah listened with concern. She’d noticed Marianne’s distress when Thomas left and the way she’d clung to him. No doubt she was missing Jamie very badly, a feeling Dinah now understood. And Joanna had confided to her that new mothers sometimes felt weepy, though Dinah could not imagine why.
“Very frightened.” Rachel spoke softly. “As am I. To think my brother-in-law and my cousin might—”
“Shh. Do not fret, but trust in the Lord.”
Dinah’s heart jumped to her throat. She moved to the edge of the step, preparing to dash into the house and demand to know what trouble Thomas and her brother might encounter.
“But what if Thomas catches Jamie? Will he be forced to hang him?” Rachel’s voice dissolved into soft sobs.
“Shh, my darling. We must continue to pray. Jamie is serving a cause much greater than any one of us, and he knows the dangers.” His soft chuckle sounded forced, even strained. “Remember, Nighthawk never fails, never is caught.”
Dinah sank back on the step, barely managing to stop an audible gasp. Jamie was Nighthawk? How could that be? Why, that pirate had stolen part of Jamie’s cargo… Artemis’s part of the cargo. Now that finally made sense. Jamie had never liked Artemis.
But Thomas would soon be in pursuit of Nighthawk… Jamie, his friend and soon-to-be brother-in-law. Her mind refused to settle on this bit of madness. It was not true. She’d heard amiss. Frederick and Rachel were playing some terrible game.
At the Captain's Command Page 18