The General’s Wife: An American Revolutionary Tale
Page 26
He cupped her cheek with his palm. “Clara, will you marry me?”
Her eager eyes answered him first. “Yes, Sam, I will.”
He bellowed in gleeful laughter as he took her in his arms and kissed her everywhere his lips could reach. “Thank you, thank you. You have just made me the happiest man in the world.”
Clara giggled. “But, love, won’t Patrick be jealous?” she teased.
Pat let out a sharp guffaw.
Sam grinned. “Patrick is already married these last few months.”
Clara’s eyes widened. “Constance?”
Pat blushed. “Yeah. With our baby due, I wanted to get her on the ration for officers’ wives.” He buttoned up his waistcoat. “Sam will do the same for you. But with all the shortages, there’s no guarantee.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Cuyler are fervent patriots,” said Clara. “I’m sure they will allow you to use their lands to grow whatever is needed.”
Patrick chuckled. “And I’m sure we can get Hawkins to liaise with the Cuylers. He’s got farming in his blood.” He wagged a finger at Sam and Clara still naked on the bed. “Get dressed, you two.” He grabbed his hat as he opened the door. “I’ll meet you downstairs in the parlor.”
* * * * *
Clara had never dressed more quickly in her life. She even had to goad Sam into hurrying up.
“Darling, you are marrying an officer of the Continental Army. I must set the example and look presentable.”
Clara simply cursed the war.
And when Sam was finished she grabbed his hand to lead him downstairs and into the parlor. She giggled when she spied the Reverend Daniels, a sharp little man with dark hair, a pointy nose, and reading glasses, who now wore patriot blue instead of his usual neutral green frock. Once the British had left Chesterton, the true sympathies of many of the villagers had been revealed in a similar manner.
He smiled and nodded his greeting. “Lady Strathmore.” The smile turned into a smirk when he turned his attention to Sam who fidgeted at her side so much he was practically dancing. “Major Taylor, I presume?”
Clara giggled some more.
Sam flushed. “Yes, sir.”
Pat stood silently by, trying most unsuccessfully to hide a grin.
And then it happened. As her heart thumped in her chest, the reverend opened his Book of Common Prayer to the “Form of Solemnization of Matrimony,” drew in a deep breath and began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered—”
The parlor door creaked open and Sebastian Hawkins poked his head into the room. “I heard the parson was here,” he said, glancing around until his gaze landed on Reverend Daniels. “Pardon me, sir, but may we impose upon you for your services as well?”
Hawkins opened the door wider and let Annabella in, rocking her son in her arms. She nodded her greeting to the reverend and he smiled back, a fatherly twinkle in his eye.
Hawkins put his arm around her shoulders. “We would like to be married, sir. If you don’t mind. I have a license as well, signed by Colonel Henry Livingston, like Major Taylor’s.”
Clara gripped Sam’s arm excitedly and turned a hopeful face to the clergyman. Reverend Daniels shook his head in amazement. “Should I have a concern that your loyalty in marriage may mirror your loyalty in war, Lieutenant Hawkins?”
Pat choked on a guffaw.
Hawkins was nonplussed. “Sir?” And then he blushed. He searched his pockets, drew out a folded document, and handed it to the reverend.
Reverend Daniels perused the document with a raised brow and a hint of skepticism.
“I’m now Captain Hawkins of the 4th New York Regiment,” Hawkins explained. “And Annabella Rogers is my betrothed.”
“He’s on our side now, reverend, so you don’t need to worry about me,” Annabella squeaked eagerly. “He’ll be raising Redmond’s son. A true patriot son.”
“As long as you’re happy, child.” The reverend smiled warmly at her. “You’ll bring your son around for baptizing, too, when you’re ready.”
Annabella curtsied. “Yes, Reverend Daniels.”
The reverend turned to Sam and Clara. “Do the major and his lady object?”
“Oh, no, sir!” they said in unison. Clara giggled. Sam was just as anxious as she.
“Very well then, we shall have two couples joined in holy matrimony this afternoon.” The reverend waved Hawkins and Annabella over.
With the couples positioned before him, Reverend Daniels began his offices, his baritone voice soothing and melodious. Clara listened to the words just enough to know when it was her turn to say “I do,” and when she did, she looked deep into Sam’s eyes. Whatever the future held for them in this rebellious country thousands of miles away from her native land, Clara knew that with Samuel Taylor, she was finally home.
About the Author
Regina Kammer is an award-nominated, best-selling, multi-published writer of erotica and historical erotic romance. Her short stories and novels have been published by Cleis Press, Go Deeper Press, Ellora’s Cave, House of Erotica, Story Ink, The Naughty Literati, and her own imprint, Viridium Press. She began writing historical fiction with romantic elements during National Novel Writing Month 2006, switching to erotica when all her characters suddenly demanded to have sex.
The General’s Wife: An American Revolutionary Tale was Regina’s first completed National Novel Writing Month novel. The book was a finalist for the Georgia Romance Writers 2014 Maggie Award for Excellence.
The original cover of the 2013 edition was considered too provocative for major online retailers. The cover was changed in 2015. You can see the original cover on Regina’s website.
Keep up with Regina
Erotica for the Hardcore Historian: http://kammerotica.com/
Follow her on Twitter: @Kammerotica at https://twitter.com/Kammerotica
Or Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ReginaKammer
Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kammerotica
Connect with her on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4444724.Regina_Kammer