A British Heiress in America (Revolutionary Women Book 1)

by Becky Lower

  Her lips met his and their tongues dueled while he toyed with her breast. She ran her fingers down his backside, cupping his derriere, feeling the muscles and the strength. Her hand slipped around to his ready cock and she touched him.

  “Pippa.” He gasped at her touch. “The first time will be quick, I fear.”

  “There’s been nothing quick about it, Daniel. It’s been months in the making. Please take me quickly, before I melt.”

  “You may feel some pain.” His hand slipped to her core, and he cupped her center. “But you are damp.”

  “Damp only for you. I love you, Daniel.”

  His gaze locked on her and he positioned himself over her body, spreading her legs apart. “I love you. I never thought I’d say that to anyone again. But you’ve captivated me from the first moment we met.” The tip of his erection ran along her folds, gathering moisture before he entered her.

  Once he firmly seated himself inside her, his eyes filled with tears. “You are now truly mine, Pippa.”

  “Now and for always, Daniel.” She squirmed, signaling to him her body had adjusted. His hand dived between them, and his fingers captured her sex, rubbing her little bundle of nerves between them. Her breathing quickened, and he reared back a bit before plunging into her again. And again. The bed groaned under their movement as they matched one another. Pippa’s moans became louder as she neared her climax. Daniel increased his movements, sliding in and out of her with hearty abandon, until her body stiffened and she plunged over the edge. Her inner walls contracted and pulsed around his shaft and he allowed himself release at last and collapsed on top of her.

  Once his breathing leveled out, and his body parts regained feeling, he fell to her side and they stared at one another.

  “Did it hurt much?” Daniel ran a finger over her cheek.

  “It was a tad uncomfortable at first, but it quickly faded. You’ve made the whole experience wonderful.” She kissed him, smacking their lips together. “Now, if you’ve had the foresight to pack a cheroot or two, our day would be complete.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He sprung from the bed and dashed to the hallway where his shirt had hit the floor, returning with a cheroot. “We’ll share.”

  Pippa smiled. “And then, can we make love again?”

  Daniel grinned. “You’ve read my mind, sweetheart.” He lit the cigar and inhaled. “I have another one of these in my pocket for later.”

  Pippa took the cheroot from him and blew a smoke ring. “I hope the bed holds up.”

  Daniel laughed. “If it breaks, it will be worth it. I’ll repair the bed before Sam returns.”

  By the time Pippa and Daniel finally left the little bedroom, it had grown dark. She took one long, last look at the yellow door behind which she had truly lost her virginity. She might already be carrying Daniel’s child. A shiver ran down her body as she considered the ramifications of what had just taken place. She had set her course. She was now a true patriot and would only return to England to claim her inheritance. Her home was in America.

  • ♥ •

  Daniel had not wanted to return Pippa to her Uncle Walter’s abode, but he had no place to keep her. He could not set up housekeeping in Sam’s quarters. And he certainly couldn’t take her to Gladys’s parents’ home. They had been most gracious when he told them of his intentions, but he had no wish to rub their noses in the fact he’d found someone new. It would only intensify the hurt they still dealt with daily. He couldn’t return to their home yet, either, still smelling of sex. It wouldn’t be right.

  He returned to Sam’s place, washed himself, and fell into the bed he had only recently shared with Pippa. He could still smell her scent, smell their scent. He drifted into a light sleep, inhaling their combined odors.

  “Open up, in the name of the King!” Harsh knocking quickly roused Daniel awake. He rushed to the door before the neighbors all got rousted out of their beds as well.

  His heart sank to his stomach as two British officers in their bright red uniforms flanked the doorway. They grabbed his arms and tied them behind his back before he could speak.

  “What is the problem, gentlemen?” Daniel’s voice rose as he tried to keep the panic from overtaking him.

  “You’ve been accused of being a spy against the British, and General Howe needs to ask you some questions.” The officers held him between them and they made their way to the general’s offices.

  Daniel said nothing during their short trip, using all his energy to keep up with the men. But his mind was abuzz. Who could have leveled such an accusation? He’d been so careful. What would Emma do if he were put to death? And Pippa? She could possibly already be with child. His child. He needed time to sort through things. But he feared time would not be on his side.

  Even though it was the darkest hour of night, General Howe’s office was ablaze with the light from a host of candles. The two officers who had escorted him left his side immediately after delivering him.

  The general glanced up from his paperwork. “Are you Daniel Simmons?”

  “Yes, sir.” Daniel struggled to keep his voice level as a bead of sweat rolled down his spine.

  “The same Daniel Simmons who has been running a supply ship to our forces for several years?”

  “Yes, sir.” Daniel held the general’s gaze.

  “Are you familiar with Samuel Adams, or did you just happen to fall asleep in an empty house?” Slowly, Daniel put the pieces together. There were only a handful of people who would have known his whereabouts. He took a breath.

  “Boston is a small city and I’ve spent my life here, so of course Sam and I are friends. Major Longfellow and his wife now occupy my own house so I sleep where I can when I’m in town, since my in-laws live in the country.” Daniel crossed his fingers behind his back. “The fact I slept in Mr. Adams’s home doesn't make me a spy.”

  “And yet, such a claim has been leveled against you, by one Lord Worthington. Why would that be, do you suppose?” The general’s harsh gaze pierced him.

  “Because his daughter has defied him by becoming engaged to me, a mere sailor, instead of a man of means.” Daniel sucked in air. “This is retribution for having his daughter fall in love with me. It has nothing to do with spying.”

  “We’ll see about that. In the morning, I’ll have Lord Worthington and Major Longfellow testify. You’ll spend the rest of tonight in the brig. Private Small!”

  The two officers who’d escorted him to the general magically reappeared and hauled him off to their jail.

  The man the general referred to as Private Small shot Daniel a look. His lip curled in a sneer as he tossed Daniel into the brig. “So you've been plowing Lady Worthington, have you?”

  A kick from the man to Daniel’s privates forced him to his knees. With his hands still tied behind his back, there was little he could do to protect himself, except to curl into a ball as the two men took turns pummeling him.

  “That woman is much too good for the likes of an American street bum. You need to die for defiling one of our good ladies, which I’m sure the tribunal will decide. If you get roughed up a bit tonight, who’s going to tell?” Daniel’s vision dimmed as he was kicked viciously in the side of the head, and he lost consciousness.

  • ♥ •

  Someone splashed a bucket of water over him, and Daniel opened his eyes. Or tried to, at any rate. Only one worked, the other had swelled shut.

  “Time to face the general, you rangy cur.” The officer lifted Daniel to his feet from the brig floor and Daniel tried to focus on him. At least it was a different man from the ones who had beaten him within an inch of his life. The man grabbed Daniel’s arm and led him back to the general’s office and to his fate.

  Walter Longfellow gasped as they led Daniel into the room. Daniel’s one working eye glanced in his direction. “Major.” He nodded. Then, his gaze shifted to the man next to the major. Lord Worthington wouldn’t even glance his way. His bluster died when face to face with his en
emy, in the manner of a true bully. Daniel hoped he could clear his name by appealing to Walter Longfellow.

  The general cleared his throat. “I’ve already gotten a statement from the accused, so there’s no need to have his testimony. Lord Worthington, since you’re the one who leveled these charges, I’d like to hear from you now.”

  William Worthington’s hand shook as he pointed at Daniel. “This man absconded with my daughter last night, took her to the home of a known traitor to the crown, and had his way with her.”

  The general’s brow rose. “And how does that make him a traitor?”

  Pippa’s father sputtered. “He was at the home of a known traitor. Does that not tell you something? My God, man, what more proof do you need?”

  Walter Longfellow placed a hand on his brother-in-law and faced the general. “If I may interject, General.” The general nodded. “Mr. Simmons has been an employee of the British government for four years and has served us in good stead. My niece, Philippa Worthington, was so desperate to escape an arranged marriage by her father she boarded Mr. Simmons’s ship posing as a boy. Daniel kept her secret the entire voyage, in order to keep his crew from violating her. He delivered her safely to us, where she has been staying ever since. I thought highly enough of Mr. Simmons to agree to let him court her, and they fell in love.”

  William wrenched his arm away from Walter and bristled. “The major has been in America too long if he granted permission for that Simmons fellow to court my lovely daughter. He’s gone soft and is a disgrace to the crown.”

  Daniel stood silently with his head lowered. These men would decree his fate and there was nothing more he could interject. When the door reopened, and a swish of fabric registered, he lifted his head. Pippa stood in the doorway. Her gaze flickered over her father and her uncle. When she caught sight of Daniel’s battered face, her hand clenched into a fist at her stomach.

  She faced General Howe. “How do you do, sir. I am Philippa Worthington, the subject of this discussion, and as such, I would appreciate the opportunity to take part.”

  The general stood as she entered the room. “This is highly irregular, my lady.”

  Her glance quickly took in all the men. “Yes, I will agree, it is highly unusual. Daniel Simmons is no more a traitor to the crown than I am. He has done nothing except protect me and my reputation from the moment we met. That doesn’t constitute a traitorous act, in my opinion, or in the opinion of any of the law books I glanced through before coming here.”

  The general’s brow rose again, and he nodded agreement. “Go on.”

  Philippa flicked a hand toward her father. “This man, on the other hand, has no regard for my reputation, except to offer up my virginity to the highest bidder. He is so desperate for money he’d sell his daughter to be able to continue his dissolute ways.” She showed her father her back.

  “My virginity is no longer for sale. My wish is to marry Mr. Simmons and to settle here in America, where I can tend to his daughter and make a home for us while he continues to work for the British government.” Pippa’s face broke into a smile when her father gasped.

  The general shifted his gaze from Pippa to the trio standing behind her. Daniel’s good eye caught his appraising gaze before it flickered over Walter and William. Then, he widened his stance before leveling his decree. “Lady Worthington, you present a most compelling argument.” He strode behind Daniel and undid his binding. “Mr. Simmons, I apologize for your treatment. This is nothing more than a domestic dispute, and not something to be decided by the British government.”

  He glanced quickly at the officer standing by the door. “Lieutenant, do fetch the chaplain for us.” The man saluted and left the room.

  The general took hold of Philippa's hand. “Your wish is my command, my lady. You shall marry Mr. Simmons before we leave the room.”

  Daniel rubbed his wrists where the binding had chafed them, but he grinned, somewhat lopsided, as his facial muscles weren’t working properly. He glanced at Walter and William. Walter winked at him, but William slammed his fist on the desk.

  “This is an outrage, General.”

  “Be that as it may, my lord. But if what you said is true, and your daughter and Mr. Simmons did indeed spend some time alone together last evening, she needs to wed as soon as possible to protect her reputation. So, we’ll take care of that little detail before she leaves here.”

  William sputtered, pivoted on his heel, and stormed out of the room. Philippa ran to Daniel’s side and cautiously embraced him.

  Her touch was worth all the pounding his body had endured last night. He squeezed her hand gently, showing her without words how much her lie had meant to him. He kissed her with a split lip as they waited impatiently for the chaplain. He was about to marry once again.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Pippa stood alongside her husband near the harbor, along with thousands of other Bostonians, witnessing the British fleet leaving. High on the hill in Dorchester Heights, where the empty cannons faced the fleet, stood a man.

  “Emma, look up there,” Daniel pointed to the man. “It’s your hero, George Washington.”

  Daniel’s daughter danced from one foot to the other in excitement. “Hello, General Washington!” She yelled to the lone figure standing amid the cannons Daniel had helped haul to Boston, saluting him with the length of wood she used as a rifle. The British had no idea the Americans didn’t have enough ammunition to do more than fire a warning shot, but they were taking no chances with their fleet, since they couldn’t possibly retaliate. They simply didn’t have the firepower to reach the heights where the cannons were.

  “March 17, 1776 will go down in history in Boston.” Daniel looped an arm around Pippa. “Evacuation Day. The troops have left the harbor. Hopefully, the soldiers will depart soon as well, and we can once again occupy the house I built.”

  “But if that happens, will you still be able to work for the British?” Pippa bit her lower lip. “I can send a letter to the attorney for my grandmother’s estate and have my inheritance sent here, but we will need more than that to live.”

  Daniel’s arm tightened around her. “If your uncle relocates to New York, as is the talk, I can probably still make it work. It’s only a five-day sail to get from Boston Harbor to New York’s harbor. But, if they no longer wish to use me, I will go back to building houses, as I did before.”

  Before Gladys met her end. Daniel didn’t need to say the words. Pippa’s heart ached for his losses. But, by marrying Pippa, he was finally able to put those losses behind him and progress to better times. Hopefully, there would be children, a sister or brother for Emma to play with, to be a big sister to. She felt a flutter in her stomach at the thought of what their amazing lovemaking might produce. This might be Evacuation Day to everyone else in Boston, but it was her Emancipation Day.

  Her father had returned to England on the first available ship of the spring. Daniel had cautioned him to wait another month for better weather, but Lord Worthington insisted on leaving. If he survived the trip, Pippa offered him Grandmother’s house in Surrey. She had no wish to return to England. Her father railed against it, saying being banished to Surrey was akin to death. But Pippa remained steadfast. He could sell the home for all she cared. Return to his beloved London, burn through the money he would have received, and die poor. She got a lump in her throat as the last ship left port.

  Daniel glanced at her. “Any regrets?” His thumb caressed her cheek, wiping away the tear.

  “A bit of nostalgia is all. No regrets. This is my home. You and Emma are my home. My future.”

  “This war is only beginning. The British won’t give in without a long battle.” Daniel teased her lips with a kiss and nuzzled her neck.

  “I can’t blame them for wanting to keep this rich country under their control. But under the command of General Washington, we can’t fail.” Pippa gazed up at the man on the hill. He had placed his hand at his forehead, shielding himself from the sun as h
e followed the path of the ships. “What a commanding presence.”

  Daniel followed her line of sight and glanced at Washington, too. “Perhaps we should follow Emma’s lead, and name our firstborn after General Washington.”

  “Perhaps we should wait until we have a wee one before we consider names.” Pippa’s laugh rang out.

  Daniel whispered in her ear. “I’m having a wonderful time attempting to get you with child. But, as it hasn’t happened yet, perhaps we should try harder.” His hand wandered down her back and she shivered. The years to come would be much more difficult than she ever thought possible. Much harder than if she had followed her first impulse and dashed off to Paris. But she was exactly where she wanted to be, with a man who made everything worthwhile. She and Emma were forging a tentative bond, and soon, hopefully, there would be another child to care for. She and Daniel would help the cause of freedom any way they could. Despite the hardship of the next several years, life was excellent. Exciting. Emancipating.

  Now, if she could just persuade American ladies it was accepted practice in England to light up a cheroot in public, her life would be perfect.

  About the Author

  Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the United States in search of great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love amid the backdrop of a great historical setting. Her books have been featured in USA Today’s Happy Ever After section on nine separate occasions. Becky loves to hear from her readers at beckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.beckylowerauthor.com