by Betty Bolte
"I'd be delighted."
Soon they had joined the couples preparing to dance to an English country tune. He couldn't help but smile as the set of four couples formed a circle, moving first one direction then the other, patting hands together, followed by a pirouette in place, before clapping and resuming the large circle. With each tap and spin, his precious Evelyn smiled and laughed with him. The flush on her cheeks emphasized the color of her eyes, making them appear even more intense than usual. Captivatingly so.
The whirl and bustle of the jig made them breathless as they laughed and moved through the steps of the dance. Several strands of Evelyn's hair worked loose from the intricate bun on top of her head. He couldn't avert his gaze from her alluring features, the fine sheen of perspiration on her face, and happy expression upon her most tempting lips. The tune ended with a flourish, the dancers executing farewell bows and curtseys. Evelyn clapped her hands in delight as she rose from her curtsey. Nathaniel took her hand and led her back toward the punch bowl for some refreshment.
"Dancing jigs is such fun." Evelyn took the cup of red liquid with a nod and drank half of its contents. "I didn't realize how thirsty I was."
Nathaniel swallowed a gulp of his punch. "All that circling made me dizzy."
Or dizzy because of his companion? Inspecting the woman beside him, he found only perfection, even where slight imperfections existed. Like the sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks from spending time in the sun. He wouldn't change one aspect of his woman. He paused on the last thought. What right did he have to consider her as his? The question plagued him. Smothering a sigh, he gulped down the rest of his drink. He wrestled in his mind as to whether to confide in her his need to travel. Part of him wanted to stay, and he had pondered over many long nights if he should remain in the state or leave. The indecision drove him to keep his own counsel. What purpose did it serve to upset her before he'd settled on a definitive objective?
Frank motioned for Nathaniel to join the men's group, but he hesitated before nodding agreement. Turning to focus on Evelyn, he tilted his head in Frank's direction. "We're wanted over there."
Evelyn glanced to where he'd indicated and then shrugged. "You go ahead. I'd rather catch up with Samantha and Emily."
"Very well. I'll seek you out in a while." He squeezed her hand before releasing her to walk away.
A heated discussion was in progress when he reached the men clustered by the fireplace.
"The word is General Washington himself quelled the conspiracy in Newburgh," Frank said. "He appealed to the officers' sensibilities, reminding the men of his own sacrifice for the country. The mention of his failing eyesight and graying hair drove the point home that everyone has paid a price to win independence."
"A conspiracy?" Nathaniel stood beside Benjamin cradling his punch cup in one palm. "What happened?"
"Apparently, several officers of the Continental Army threatened to organize a coup against the Confederate Congress." Frank shifted his grip on the glass cup. "There's a lot of anger in the ranks about the soldiers not being paid for the last several years."
"Well founded anger." Nathaniel shook his head slowly. "I've been told we won't ever be paid."
"Then I have some good news for you." Frank speared Nathaniel with his gaze and a grin. "Congress has authorized five years full salary for every soldier."
"What form of money?" Benjamin asked. "I thought the congress had no funds?"
"Very true, but Robert Morris has financed the payments with his own money in the form of notes." Frank set his cup on the table beside him. "We should receive ours with the next ship from Philadelphia."
"Wait, I don't think it applies to you, Frank." Trent frowned as he glanced from man to man. "Not for the last three or four years at least."
Nathaniel listened intently to the discourse. If true about the monies due, his back pay along with the salary earned from his job might be enough for his plan to move west.
Benjamin sighed. "I see where you're going with your reasoning."
"Clear up your direction for the rest of us." Frank tapped a finger against the glass in his hand. "I'm baffled."
"Consider the fact of the British occupation interrupting our state's autonomy for those three or four years." Trent crossed his arms as he considered the rapt audience. "Then think about how no one ever created muster rolls for the men who turned out to fight."
"So? We know we fought." Frank's frown deepened, and he tapped the cup harder in apparent frustration.
"True, but no one can prove any one's word with written evidence." Trent shook his head sadly. "You all were considered volunteers, my friends."
"Volunteers?" Frank fumbled the glass and spilled several drops of the punch before he caught it in his hands. "We dedicated our lives to the cause with no expectation of recompense?"
"That cannot be true." Nathaniel shook with suppressed anger. "While I had not counted on receiving any amount, surely they cannot deny all our state's soldiers payment for their service."
His heart had dropped into his feet at Trent's revelation. He'd begun to hope to depart soon, to begin anew. The potential for expansion of the country's borders opened promising possibilities. Opportunities he'd happily explore. Mountains of trees and wildlife as well as prairies of wildflowers and grasses lured him inland to be traversed and mapped for others to settle. Without a doubt, he wanted to begin the adventure. With the unwelcome news from his friend, he would need yet another means to his goal.
"My apologies for sharing such distressing intelligence on such a festive evening." Trent's mirthless grin aimed at each of them in turn. "Perhaps our state officers will determine some other form of recompense."
"I, personally, shall not be waiting for any government action to meliorate the situation." Nathaniel shrugged and squared his shoulders. "I've never found much support from that sector in the past."
"Enough politics and military talk, gentlemen." Benjamin's countenance split into a grin as Amy approached the group. "My wife wishes to dance, and who am I to decline such a lovely offer? If you'll excuse me."
Benjamin broke through the circle of men to join Amy on the dance floor for the next reel. His departure prompted the others to drift off in different directions to locate their companions or other diversions. Nathaniel paused and searched the crowd of people in their finery, talking, laughing, dancing, until he found Evelyn in a merry discourse with her friends on the far side of the room.
While he'd realized how anxious he'd become about moving on, one huge question hung over him like an ominous cloud.
Could he face making such a momentous move without her?
Chapter 29
The buds on the bushes surrounding Pegasus transformed into open flowers in the days following the ball. Summer lurked in the warming days, waiting its turn. Evelyn kept busy, cleaning and furnishing her home. Several wagon loads of furniture had accompanied her when she'd returned from town. Uncle Joshua's efforts had yielded quite a lovely collection of furnishings for the house. Each time she placed a chair or positioned a table, she did so with a mix of joy and anticipation in her heart. What exactly she expected to happen she couldn't say. Despite the sense of expectation, or perhaps dread, she'd make the house a home replete with love and welcome.
The rattle of a carriage and jingle of harness drew her to the parlor window. A smile lifted her lips at the sight of Nathaniel driving the light vehicle pulled by a single horse. She'd missed seeing him since they'd both been too busy to make the trip either into town or out to the manor. So many decisions and adjustments had been needed and only she could make them. She spun, her long cotton skirts belling out, and hurried to the front door. Curiosity propelled her steps. Why was he in a carriage and not riding Jingo?
Peggy met her in the hall, Jim propped on one hip, his happy gaze fixed on his mother. "Who is it?"
"Nat." She moved to kiss her son on the cheek. The boy had begun scooting around the floor on his bottom, preparing
to start crawling in another month or so. "My little Jim is so handsome, isn't he?"
"Yes, of course." Peggy played with one of Jim's hands for a moment before smiling at Evelyn. "Run along and see your man. I know you're anxious to."
With a nod, Evelyn opened the door and passed through to stand in the warmth of the late morning sunshine. She grinned at the handsome devil reining to a halt. "It's about time."
"I agree." Nathaniel chuckled from his seat, the horse shifting its feet and rocking the phaeton. He grasped both traces in one hand and tapped the lid of a picnic hamper on the seat beside him. "Will you join me for a picnic?"
She hesitated for only a second before nodding. "I'll get my wrap."
She practically flew inside and snared her shawl from the peg by the door. "Peggy, I'm going out for a while. Take care of things here for me, please?"
"Of course." Peggy made a shooing motion with her hand. "Enjoy your outing."
In moments, she'd mounted the open conveyance and sat beside Nathaniel, holding the basket on her lap. "Where did you have in mind?"
He leaned over to kiss her, one arm wrapping around her shoulders as he pressed his lips to hers. She sank against him, savoring the feel, the smell, and the taste of her man. When she'd accepted her father's condition to marry, she'd intended to convince him at a later time to rescind the request. But the more she'd fallen in love with Nathaniel, the less onerous the condition had become. Sensations and emotions combined to make her eyes smart, tears leaking out from her closed lashes.
Nathaniel eased away to peer at her face. "Why are you crying, sweetheart? Is something wrong?"
She shook her head, swiping her cheeks dry as she chuckled. "Tears of happiness."
Nathaniel sighed with relief though his expression remained inscrutable. "I'm glad to know you're happy with me."
"I am. So, where shall we go?" Something in his eyes sent a shiver of apprehension down Evelyn's spine. Then his expression cleared as though nothing adverse had crossed his mind. She shrugged off the sensation as her imaginings.
"The hill overlooking the river? There's a live oak to provide a bit of shade and a nice breeze."
"Perfect."
As they bounced and bumped down the rutted road, heading south, she started singing. She couldn't help but share her happiness with the world, as it overflowed her heart and soul. If she could bottle the emotions filling her and sell it, she'd make her own fortune. The silly notion added to the sense of giddiness, making her voice stronger as she sang. Never had she expected to feel such joy merely by being with a man.
All the years she'd lived under the domination of her husband, she'd forgotten the initial love shared with Walter. Over the course of the war against Britain, her husband had undergone a dark metamorphosis. Each passing day, he had seemed to grow more bitter and more cynical. She'd retreated behind a façade of her own making, where she pretended to be docile and meek in order to reduce the number of slaps and pushes by his broad hand. She had no way to fight back with strength, so her weapon of choice had been to hide her true nature from him.
The overall effect of her façade made her cower when she considered the weaker version of herself. When Nathaniel came to be with her, she needn't be afraid. She needn't worry he'd hurt or harm her in any way with purpose. His gentle demeanor lifted her heart and soul to new heights.
Nathaniel made her feel good about herself. As if she were worthy of being loved and cherished. When she spoke, he listened with such a keen interest upon his countenance that she often revealed more than she intended. Even then, he expressed his appreciation for her, her son, and all she strived to accomplish. She couldn't envision her future without him.
As they drove along, sitting side by side, her thigh rested close to but not touching his with each jounce of the carriage. She could almost anticipate the sensation of allowing their limbs to make contact, the surge of pleasure sure to follow. She gripped the handle of the hamper to keep from touching him, distracting him from navigating the rough road. The effort took all her concentration and focus to not succumb to the delicious temptation.
Before long they reached their destination. Nathaniel jumped out of the carriage, striding around the horse with a quick rub of the mare's nose. He took the hamper from Evelyn and helped her step to the ground. She reached into the back of the carriage and lifted the lap blanket from its home in a side compartment. They walked together over to the immense oak and stopped to locate the perfect spot.
"Here under the tree?" Nathaniel pointed to a different area closer to the creek. "Or over there in the sunshine?"
"Here looks more comfortable." She shifted the blanket from under her arm to into her hands. Shaking it out, she spread it on the grassy spot. Kneeling on the blanket, she sat back on her heels and gazed up at Nathaniel. "Set that here, and let's see what we have for our luncheon."
"Your mother insisted on preparing our meal." Nathaniel put the basket in front of her before folding his legs and sitting down. "I know it made me hungry the entire trip out here."
Laughing, she opened the lid and peeked inside, well aware of Nathaniel's proximity and perusal. Glancing up at him, she caught another bemused look flow across his features which fled when he noticed her contemplation of him. Something worried him. What was he pondering? A slight frown pulled her brows as she returned to inspect the contents.
Smoked ham. Roasted chicken legs. Several hard-cooked eggs. Two kinds of hard cheeses. A crock of cool apple cider. Iced tea cakes. A feast indeed.
"Cook has outdone herself on our behalf." Resting her hands on the open hamper, she considered her companion. "Mother must think we eat like the hogs."
"I'm hungry as one." Nathaniel rubbed his belly as demonstration of the appetite in need of assuaging. "Can we eat now?"
"Hold on a minute, and I'll satisfy your request." She portioned everything onto plates and handed him one.
He winked at her as a smirk settled into place. "All of them?"
"What are you asking?" She lifted an egg and took a bite, revealing the pale yellow center.
"I have many needs." He picked up a chicken leg and bit into it with relish. He swallowed and grinned at her. "Will you satisfy all of them?"
She chuckled and shook her head. "Only those within my power."
He laughed and took another bite, chewing slowly as he regarded her. "I believe you have the ability to meet them."
"I am happy to make the attempt in any case." She finished her egg and dabbed her lips with a napkin.
"And I am glad to hear you say as much." He popped an egg into his mouth and chewed.
They ate for several minutes in companionable silence. Birds darted among the branches above them, calling to one another from the uppermost reaches of the tree. Cerulean skies provided a contrast for the wispy white clouds drifting slowly by. Beside her, the man of her dreams shared not only a pleasant meal but also frequent glances filled with love and promise. Could the day be more enjoyable?
She poured cider into cups and handed him one. The brush of his fingers against her hand sent a wave of yearning through her. She longed for another kiss to arouse her senses. They'd had infrequent opportunities to be together of late, thus she'd missed his busses and attentions. Nathaniel had sent notes via one of her cousins as messenger which explained his absence. He'd likely had his hands full, apparently, both at the print shop and with some other personal business. Mayhap the mysterious business troubled him, causing the flashes of worry she'd noticed.
"Tell me about your week." She sipped her drink and set it aside. "You've been busy, I understand."
"Extremely, which seems to be the way of it for as far into the future as Frank can determine." Nathaniel polished off a tea cake, licking the remains of icing from his fingers before wiping his hands with a napkin.
"Frank must be pleased with his revenue as a result."
"He has no complaints with his cash flow, of that I am certain."
"In time, perhaps
the number of jobs will abate."
Nathaniel's smile flattened into lips pressed together. He stared at her for a long moment, his regard both sending sparks through her veins and making her shiver with worry. Finally, he drew in a breath and released it on a huff.
"I've exciting news to share with you, sweetheart." Nathaniel placed his plate on the blanket before bracing his hands on his knees. "Or at least, I believe it is such."
She detected deep happiness and a touch of worry of his own, whatever he was about to reveal. If it made him happy, his news must be good even if a bit scary. She straightened her back, clasping her hands together to keep them from trembling. "Tell me."
"I've decided where I am going to live."
A shiver raced down her spine, distracting her for a moment from the intense expression on his face. "I can tell you're keen. Where have you decided to live?"
She imagined him taking a house in Charlestown, or even better wanting to marry and move in with her. The vision she cherished, of them as a family, running her girls' school and raising their children, floated in her mind. She couldn't stop the wide smile any more than she could stop loving him. She held her breath, waiting for him to confirm what she hoped with all her wishes to come true.
"West, on the new frontier, along the Tennessee river in the Yazoo lands." He grinned and slapped his knees. His eyes displayed the extent of his happiness but also a hint of concern as he studied her, waiting for her response to his purportedly good news.
Her heart sank. He couldn't. The sunlight dimmed around her, the day losing its pleasure. "Where exactly are these lands you speak of?"
He waved toward the west with one hand. "I'm not certain, but it must be several hundred miles in that direction."
So far away? She sighed and shook her head as a cleft formed in her joy, her heart. Why? How could he consider leaving? She couldn't fathom his reasons for wanting to put so much distance between them. "What about us?"
He grasped her closer hand and squeezed. "Come with me. We can start fresh in a new land. Start our own farm. What do you say?"