Elizabeth's Hope (A More Perfect Union Series Book 0.5)

by Betty Bolte

  Chapter 11

  Abernathy Plantation – June 1781

  Thank all that was good that his commander understood how desperate he was to be with his woman. It had been too long for his peace of mind since he’d last visited Elizabeth. Jedediah arrived at the plantation knowing he only had the opportunity to return since the army camped nearby for a short time. They might stay in the area for a few weeks, but he would only be able to visit upon occasion, as in when he was not needed. Like this one day. He couldn’t even stay the night as he had done before, but that would have to suffice. General Greene proved very generous regarding short leaves as he remembered his own courtship with his wife and how he craved to be in her presence. Otherwise, who knew how long it would have been between visits? Still, if he was one minute late, the general threatened to withhold any more such leaves. Time was of the essence.

  As he rode up, he spotted several of the slaves announcing his arrival, acting as protective sentries for the plantation. Several dogs barked to warn him off as well as to announce his presence. He saw Elizabeth and Emily returning from the distant woods with heavy baskets held before them with both hands. It looked like they’d been out picking berries on such a pretty summer afternoon. He saw the moment when they recognized him, suddenly hurrying down the lane, dust kicked up by the hems of their long skirts. He rather liked the simple bonnet tied upon Elizabeth’s head, shading her fair features from the sunshine.

  They met in front of the manor amidst a flock of disrupted chickens and their complaining squawks. He dismounted, handing the reins to the stable boy, and walked over to greet the ladies.

  “Jedediah, I had not expected you.” Elizabeth set her basket on the step and crossed the yard to accept his kiss.

  “I only have hours, but I had to see you.” He shouldn’t have kissed her because of the resulting desire shooting through him. But how could he resist those tempting lips? “Miss Emily, how fare you on this fine day?”

  “My health is fine, thank you.” Emily glanced at him and then Elizabeth, a sly smirk forming on her lips. “I’ll take these inside while you talk.”

  Making good on her words, Emily lifted both baskets, one in each hand. Rather awkwardly, she slowly walked up the steps and through the door, standing open to catch any stray breezes to cool the interior of the house.

  “Shall we walk?” He offered his hand and waited for Elizabeth to accept his invitation.

  They strolled along the lane, heading toward the stream where a cool breeze brushed his cheek. He enjoyed merely being at her side, not speaking or necessarily even touching. Her proximity brought him peace and tranquility. Calming the ever present urge to be doing something. Being with her was enough.

  Three more months of his service and then he’d be free and ready to mesh his life with hers. Three more months of war and the resulting uncertainties. Three more months until his real life could begin.

  He squeezed her hand and led her toward a copse of trees, a hidden place where they could be alone and unseen. “The time till we can be together cannot pass quickly enough to suit my taste.”

  He drew her to him, clasping both her hands to his chest and kissed her. The surrounding trees stood silent witness to their affection. The temptation proved strong indeed to do more, but he resisted. Holding her fingers linked in his kept his hands from roving her luscious body. She kissed him back, pressing and searching to deepen the connection until he relented. At least for a deeper kiss. Which spurred the desire simmering inside. He couldn’t. He broke off the buss and peered into her unfocused eyes. Damnation but she was beautiful and so tempting. So willing. But he’d promised not to disrespect her. Better to wait until they were married.

  “Why did you stop?” Elizabeth tilted her head to the side as she gazed at him. She freed her hands from his and placed them on his chest. “You needn’t fear that I’d object. I enjoy our busses.”

  “You know how I feel about waiting.” Though his body sure didn’t agree with that concept. He gritted his teeth to refrain from acting upon his desires. “We should go back to the house.”

  She pressed her hands to his chest, holding him from moving away from her. “Jedediah, I want to lie with you again.”

  A jolt of surprise blended with expectation widened his eyes as he looked at her. “I thought—”

  She kissed him, silencing his protest. “If I carry your child as a result, I shall be very happy indeed.”

  “Your father will not approve in the event.” He searched her eyes and found no hesitation or fear of the resulting derision she’d endure. “Why would you risk his wrath?”

  The love shining in her eyes as she smiled up at him made his heart fill with emotion. “Because I want to show the world that I love you and this is the best way to declare it. I’ll be happy to have your child. So please, lie with me?”

  He studied her features, seeing the hope in her eyes, the smile on her lips. She moved her fingers on his shirt, creating little circles of torment on his chest. Pondering his options, he felt his reluctance fade when he considered the number of couples who had welcomed a baby into their family within a short period, mere months, after a marriage. Once a woman accepted a man’s proposal of marriage, the contract was binding between them. Given that fact, he saw no reason not to be with his betrothed.

  “My love, if that is what will make you content, then I shall do as you ask.” Do as he’d longed to do for months. With the woman he couldn’t say no to. He bent his head to kiss her, envisioning lying with her upon the soft bed of needles and claiming her as his own.

  Chapter 12

  Abernathy Plantation – July 1781

  The knife in her hand gave her some measure of comfort. Slicing carrots to cook for dinner, Elizabeth fought unwarranted tears. She wasn’t slicing onions, after all. Why then the impulse to weep? She couldn’t explain it, unless…

  Emily strode into the kitchen, a basket of freshly picked strawberries clasped to one hip. She set the basket on the work table and then propped her hands on her hips to peer more closely at Elizabeth. “What’s wrong?”

  “I cannot fathom why I am crying, but I am.” She wiped the dampness from her cheeks with the back of the hand holding the knife.

  “Careful there, Elizabeth.” Emily reached for the knife, pulling it slowly from Elizabeth’s defeated grip. “That’s newly sharpened.”

  Turmoil created a tornado in her chest. She pressed a hand to her stomach and inhaled deeply, releasing the air on a long sigh. The tears. The upset. The lack of her courses. Wait. She blinked several times as she stared at her sister, joy and hope blending to calm the whirling winds of emotion inside. Could it be true?

  “What now?” Emily tilted her head and lifted one brow, waiting.

  A shiver raced down Elizabeth’s back, a sign of impending change stirring her senses. “Em, I believe I carry Jedediah’s child.”

  “How can you know?” Emily’s querying countenance slowly changed into one of cautious happiness.

  “My emotions are all over the place, for one thing.” Elizabeth rested both hands on her stomach, certainty replacing the hope she’d felt earlier. “I didn’t have my courses as usual either.”

  Emily smiled and hurried over to clasp Elizabeth’s hands with all her strength. “I’m going to be an aunt?”

  Elizabeth bobbed her head and squeezed Emily’s hands. “I’ll be a mother. Oh, Em. I cannot express how filled with joy I am at the prospect. Wait until I tell Jedediah.”

  When would he manage to get permission to come to her again? She never knew when he’d appear on the carriageway, cantering up to greet her with a kiss and a hug. The uncertainty added to the relief and eagerness she experienced with his surprise appearances. All she could do was continue her round of tasks each day and keep an ear tuned for the sound of hooves on the dirt lane. She bent to her work, but Jedediah was never far from her mind.

  Days passed in the summer heat, with nights spent sleeping on the portico to take advant
age of the cooler night air. A growing tension pervaded her senses, a feeling of impending doom or disaster. She hated when she had that feeling. It meant something bad was about to happen, but she had no idea what it might be. She could only wait and see.

  Emily joined her one morning on the front portico where they’d arranged several comfortable chairs to do their never-ending sewing and mending. The morning sun rose from the back side of the building, so the air remained cooler on the west side until midday. Buzzards slowly circled in the sky, playing on an updraft of warm air with their outstretched black wings. Jasmine carried a tray of cold lemonade out to place on the table between them. The sound of other servants working at various tasks around the manor provided a sense of comfort to her disquieted nerves.

  Emily caught Elizabeth’s eye as their maid disappeared back into the house. “Do you feel it, too? That something awful is going to occur?”

  Elizabeth nodded as she finished tying off the last stitch on the apron she was making. “For a week now, at least. What might it be?”

  Emily bit her lip as she shook her head. “I never know, but it’s usually something natural, like a storm or fire or whatnot.”

  Elizabeth relaxed at her revelation. “That’s comforting as I feared for our men. That something untoward transpired or is about to happen to them.”

  “I pray that is not so.” Emily resumed her mending of a pair of their uncle’s pants. “I cannot imagine them not coming home. But if one of them doesn’t, then at least we know he did what he had to for our country.”

  “Duty and honor in the cause of freedom.” Elizabeth frowned at the apron she mauled with her hands. “That is most definitely a cause worthy of a man’s life.”

  “Many have given theirs already.” Emily slipped the silver needle through the dark fabric and pulled the thread through to snug the stitch into place. “Uncle Richard believes the end is coming with the victories of General Greene and General Morgan.”

  “The cessation of hostilities cannot come soon enough.” Elizabeth held up the tan apron with its patchwork pockets and carefully folded it to lay it aside. As she turned back to continue their conversation, she heard a pair of horses galloping up the lane toward them.

  “We have company.” She rose to walk to the edge of the portico to await the men’s arrival. The sentry slave hollered out a warning of the impending visitor. The dogs barked as she stood staring down the lane. With each stride of the strong horses, her heart soared higher. “It’s Jedediah and Frank. I wonder why they’re in such a hurry today.”

  Emily set aside her sewing and walked over to stand alongside Elizabeth. “It’s been too long since we’ve had the pleasure of Frank’s company. I wonder if there is something amiss.”

  Elizabeth glanced at her sister and then returned her attention to their visitors. “We shall find out soon.”

  The horses arrived with a cloud of dust as the stable boy ran out to hold the reins as the men swung from their saddles. Crossing the yard with long, hurried strides, they took the front steps two at a time until they stood on the portico in front of Elizabeth and her sister. Dust covered their breeches and smears marred their shirts. Still, they were a most welcome sight.

  “Elizabeth.” Jedediah pressed a kiss to her lips and then stepped back. “We have but a few minutes before we must fly back to the army.”

  “What has happened, Jedediah?” She could see the resolve in his expression as well as his love for her. “Why are you and Frank in such a state?”

  Frank stood before Emily, his countenance clouded by his concern. “The army is on the move even as we stand here and we must catch up to them before nightfall.”

  “Where are they headed?” Emily clasped her hands together in front of her skirts, staring up at Frank’s serious expression.

  Frank reached out to take one of Emily’s hands and lift it up to press a kiss to its back. Emily’s gaze flew up to meet his, her eyes wide and startled, but she didn’t withdraw her hand from his buss. Elizabeth was happy that Frank had finally shown he cared for her sister, a moment that had taken years to arrive. What, indeed, would prompt him to do so at this juncture? It must be something pressing. Dangerous.

  “We cannot say for your safety.” Jedediah’s words drew her attention back to him. “I love you, Elizabeth, and I long for the day when I may claim you as my wife.”

  She nodded, moved beyond words at the sincerity of his sentiments.

  “We came to bid you farewell for a time. We’ll be on the move and far from here so unable to return until the fighting is over.” Jedediah bussed her lips again, lingering for several beats of her heart before breaking away. “You have my word that I’ll do all in my power to return to you, my love.”

  Heaven above, watch over him. “Jedediah, you must know that I love you and even more important will wait for your return. Come back to me, especially as I believe I carry our child.”

  Jedediah’s eyes flew wide open, and a slow smile crept across his mouth. Just as slowly, his brows descended into a worried frown. “My dear, that is wonderful and awful tidings. Such news provides all the more reason to end this war and return to marry you as we’ve planned. You must promise to take care of yourself in my absence.” He pulled her into a strong embrace, tucking her head to his chest for several moments. When he eased back, he kissed her one last time. “Knowing you will be waiting will goad my efforts to return as quickly as possible.”

  “We must away.” Frank released Emily’s hand and smiled at her as he tipped his tricorne. “Be safe, Miss Emily. Miss Elizabeth, you as well. Until such time as we may meet again, fare thee both well.”

  “Take all necessary precautions until I return.” Jedediah tipped his hat with a nod to each of them. Then he spun on one heel and quickly followed Frank.

  Once mounted, they paused long enough to wave, and then wheeled their horses and galloped away, a billowing cloud of dust rising behind them, obscuring their departure.

  Emily sidled closer to Elizabeth and wrapped an arm around her waist as they lingered there until the dust settled. Until their men had vanished from sight. Then a few moments longer.

  “They ride to defend us and the country.” Emily sighed and squeezed Elizabeth’s waist. “They will be back. They must come back.”

  Elizabeth blinked away stray tears, refusing to succumb to the pain of Jedediah’s departure. She must keep the faith. He would return to her, and their child if she did indeed carry one inside. “I know he loves me and will love our child when he is by my side once again. He must attend to his business, to satisfy his commitment. Then we will enjoy our lives together as we have planned and promised each other. I am content with that knowledge, and can only hope that the time of his return will be very soon.”

  The End

  __________

  Thanks so much for reading Elizabeth’s Hope, the prequel to the A More Perfect Union series! I hope you enjoyed Elizabeth and Jedediah’s story. Turn the page for a sneak peek at the next story in the series, Emily’s Vow!

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  Thanks again for reading!

  Sneak Peek of

  Emily’s Vow

  by Betty Bolté

  “Frank is due to return any day.” Emily Sullivan suppressed a shiver and quickened her pace. If asked, she would blame the early evening breeze blowing inland across the Charles Town harbor for her reaction. Frank had once claimed to be a patriot but now had switched his loyalties to serve as a loyalist broadside printer in the occupied town.
How dare he even show his face? Did he truly believe in the British cause or did he have such loose morals as to pretend for his own profit? Either way, she’d have naught to do with the man. Her long skirts swirled about her hurried steps. “I’m glad you wanted to walk with me, Samantha. Your company calms me. And of course it’s nicer than traversing the distance home from Aunt Lucille’s house with my servants.”

  “Together we’ll be safe enough for such a short walk,” Samantha McAlester replied, “though I doubt your father will agree given his insistence that you remain at home.”

  “It is my fault we left the sewing circle later than I intended, but I miss St. Michael’s bells chiming the hour. What shall we do without them? The British should pay dearly for stripping our treasured bells from the steeple.”

  “Come, let’s get you home and off the streets.” Samantha quickened her pace.

  Emily hurried down the sandy road beside her friend, noting the waning sunshine draping shadows across the street. The slap of the waves at the distant convergence of the Cooper and Ashley Rivers beat a syncopated rhythm against the array of ship hulls, large and small, in the protected harbor. Many of the masts bobbing against the darkening sky sported the hated British flag. The losing army had resorted to sanctioned looting of the beautiful homes—those still standing after two years of British occupation as well as fires and bombardments—as booty for the officers and soldiers before they withdrew. She hoped they would leave soon, but nobody knew exactly when the British ships planned to depart. They’d already sent the bells to London along with other pilfered items. In fact, the British officers sought retaliation for the threat posed by the patriots, who had hidden their true allegiance, against the loyalists living in the city. The officers encouraged harassment of the American citizens, which translated into her father, a leading merchant in town, fearing for her safety more than ever. Until the British actually evacuated, uncertainty and fear blanketed the town.