So Fair a Lady (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 1)

by Amber Lynn Perry

  Gratitude for Nathaniel’s kindness moved through Eliza like warm steam. She pressed a hand to her chest. How marvelous it was to see such a smile on her sister’s face. Her breath caught. Kitty was no longer just a girl of seventeen. These past weeks had changed her forever—into a gracious woman.

  Wrapped in the joy of watching Kitty’s merriment, Eliza didn’t notice Nathaniel standing in front of her until he spoke. “This one’s for you, Miss Campbell.”

  She turned her head and sucked in a slow breath, her eyes swiftly trailing the magnificent gown from top to bottom. Never in her life had she seen anything so breathtaking.

  The brocaded silk gown was dusty pink. Soft cream-colored lace followed the low neckline and around the openings of the sleeves. The stomacher was embroidered with the most intricate cream-colored floral pattern to match the lace, and embedded with hundreds of white beads. Her face heated with the intimacy of the gift. They could never accept. How much must it have cost him?

  She looked up, her face glowing like the embers in the fire behind her. A movement caught her eye and she tossed her gaze at the kitchen door. Thomas stood in the doorway, but when her face turned toward him he ducked away as if he hoped to remain unseen.

  Her earlier merriment crashed to the floor, leaving her with a rotten emptiness.

  Eliza placed her hands around her middle and gripped tight hoping to press away the aching. She fingered the soft fabric. “Oh, Doctor, these gowns are so lovely, but we simply can’t accept. They’re much too expensive and—”

  Nathaniel put his hand in the air, motioning for her to stop. “Not another word.” His voice was low and pointed as if he hoped Kitty would not hear. “You can accept them, and you will. You wouldn’t want to disappoint someone who so desperately wants to please you, now would you?” Nathaniel whispered with a curious gleam in his eye.

  Eliza slanted her head. “I’m sorry, Doctor, I don’t understand.”

  Nathaniel opened his mouth to continue, but Thomas’s commanding voice dominated the room.

  “So what time can we expect you on Sunday, Doctor?”

  Eliza noted the ease with which Thomas averted his gaze. She tried not to want him to look at her, but the desire betrayed her at every turn. She kept her vision at either the ground or the gown and pretended not to notice he was only four feet away.

  “Well, since you three can’t venture out in society, being that you are hunted by the law,” he said with a chuckle, sitting in the chair Eliza had initially offered him. “I wanted to propose a small Sunday service here before dinner. What do you say to six o’clock?”

  Thomas nodded in agreement, then looked at both Eliza and Kitty for approval.

  “That’s a fine idea. I’m glad you thought of it,” Thomas said, pacing back into the kitchen. “Until Sunday, my friend.”

  Nathaniel rose and stood in front of Eliza. His pleasing face beamed as if he had a secret. “Sunday will be full of entertainment. I’m looking forward to it.”

  He whirled around, and went to Kitty before he put on his hat and coat. “You’ll look like the royalty in that gown, my dear.” He winked at her again, sending the blood into Kitty’s face.

  The three of them shared their goodbyes and Nathaniel bounced out the door with the same vim as when he’d entered.

  Sunday will be full of entertainment. What in heaven’s name did that mean? Eliza pushed the comment aside and focused on the other cryptic comments he’d made. If Nathaniel was implying that Thomas had some hand in the planning of this celebratory dinner, she figured the least she could do was wear the gown—just this once—and do her best to enjoy the evening whether Thomas looked at her or not.

  Samuel sat in his empty Boston office, his mind blank, staring out his window. Snow fell in heavy clumps, adding to the empty coldness that had taken root inside him the day Eliza disappeared.

  The doctor in Sandwich claimed she was dead. The initial shock of it had almost knocked him to the ground. He drowned in the depressing thoughts of a life lived without her.

  Still he couldn’t believe it was true. Something deep inside told his heart she still lived, despite the doctor’s statement. Somewhere in the black, cold November night Eliza waited for him to rescue her.

  The power of their love surpassed all tribulation. They reached for each other from the distances and he knew—even now—Eliza was calling for him, just as his soul was calling for her.

  The door burst open and Samuel jumped from his chair. The cold air blasted his body as a snow-covered Donaldson stood in the doorway.

  Samuel growled, his nostrils flaring. “Well? Close the door.”

  Donaldson did so and came to stand in front of the desk. “News, Captain.”

  “What is it?”

  Donaldson reached into his knapsack and pulled out a letter. “I’ve just received word from Clark in Salem.”

  A meager hope took shape in his chest as he snatched the paper. “And?”

  “He says he’s spotted a man and two women matching the descriptions of Thomas and the Campbell girls just outside the city.”

  “When was this?”

  “Two days ago.” Donaldson nodded when he spoke, but kept his eyes in front of him and away from Samuel.

  “How positive is he that those three are the people we are looking for?”

  “Quite positive, sir. He didn’t get a close look, but he said he’s willing to bet his life it’s them.”

  Samuel laughed, his irritation growing. “So he’s not positive, but he’s willing to bet his life on it, is he?”

  He whirled toward the fire and wanted to beat his own dumb head against the hard wall.

  Thomas no doubt paid the sailor and that impudent doctor to make up such a story to keep him off their trail and lead them in the opposite direction. Such a stupid mistake had now cost him weeks. In truth Eliza had been alive all this time and he had been sitting, doing nothing, like a bumbling oaf.

  Pushing his hand through his hair, Samuel closed his eyes and shook his head. I’m so sorry, Eliza. His anger toward himself and hatred toward Thomas crashed into his lungs.

  “Is there a message you would like me to relay to Clark, sir?” Donaldson asked. “What are your orders?”

  “No message,” Samuel said, grabbing his sword and pistol. “I plan to bring the blackguard in myself.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Thomas tied his cravat.

  Then he untied it and tied it again. His sorry reflection peered back, mocking him.

  It still wasn’t right.

  Frustrated, he yanked it undone and fussed with it three more times until it rested just the way he wanted.

  He had been to numerous dinner parties in Boston—ones with many more guests and at homes of great opulence, yet he’d never been this nervous. So why did this menial party at his humble home make his hands fumble over his buttons?

  This dinner was intended to be a celebration for Eliza’s miraculous recovery and she deserved nothing less. What could be so intimidating about that?

  Thomas sighed aloud as he fastidiously tied his hair behind his head with a dark blue ribbon.

  Eliza.

  She was unlike any other woman Thomas had ever known. He admired her strength, her courage, her humble willingness to admit what she didn’t know, and her openness in acknowledging when she was afraid. Her hunger for knowledge was contagious, and supremely attractive.

  As he moved his arms through the sleeves of the blue-gray suit jacket that matched his breeches, a realization came alive amid his tangled thoughts. God has placed her in my life to help her find the truth she needs! How had he not seen that before? This entire time he’d been trying to do what was honorable by staying away and avoiding Eliza. If he really wanted to help her, he would teach her! He would tell her what he knew about her father, the things he’d said and the things he’d done. Eliza wanted to know, and might have even asked him if he hadn’t been so eager to keep his distance.

  Thomas sneer
ed to himself. He was an even greater fool than he’d realized, but there was still time to make it right. He could finally do good for someone for a change, forever dispelling the nagging repetitions of his father’s hateful rants.

  Now when he looked in the mirror, he smiled. His stubborn cravat remained in perfect form, as did the rest of his favorite suit.

  Yes. Since Eliza would be forced to remain in Sandwich until the search for them ended, he planned to make the most of it. No more hiding, no more silence. He prayed God would help him perform his mission without succumbing to his emotions. Eliza needed his help, not his affection.

  Thomas buttoned the legs of his breeches when he heard the front door open and close.

  Nathaniel’s voice rang through the house. “Greetings, one and all! I am here. The party may now begin.”

  With a quick chuckle, Thomas worked his feet into his shiny black shoes.

  “Hello?” Nathaniel called.

  “Coming.” Thomas checked his appearance one last time and emerged into the main room. “Sorry. I was just finishing.”

  Nathaniel whistled in approval and widened his eyes. “Thomas, you look quite dashing. You know you really didn’t have to dress up like that for me.” He smiled at his own joke and slapped Thomas on the shoulder.

  “You don’t look too terrible, yourself,” Thomas said as they each took a seat in front of the hearth.

  “Well, I donned my best suit as you can see.”

  Thomas smirked. “I noticed.”

  “I think this is a wonderful idea of yours, Thomas. I can’t figure why you wouldn’t want them to know this is all your doing—the gowns and everything.” Nathaniel’s volume quieted.

  Thomas moved his head to peer in the direction of the stairs. “Eliza already feels like she owes me for the first dresses, along with everything else. I don’t want her believing she’s obligated to repay me for anything.” He reached for his shoe and used his thumb to work away a smudge. “I wanted to do something for them. After everything they’ve been through and for how well they’ve handled it all, I feel it’s the least I can do. So no, I don’t want the girls to know. It will make it easier that way when it comes time for them to leave.”

  “When will you tell her about Samuel?”

  Thomas’s gut twisted. “I won’t. There’s no need to tell her.”

  Nathaniel tilted his head. “No need? I disagree, Thomas. You must to tell her about Samuel. I find it difficult to believe she knows his true nature, and she needs to understand what kind of man he really is. You can’t let her go back to him without knowing the truth.”

  Thomas gritted his teeth and wiped his hand over his mouth. Of course he didn’t want to send Eliza back to that snake. Lord, what am I to do?

  A weighty silence lingered between them before Nathaniel spoke again. “You’re becoming attached to them Thomas, whether you’ll allow yourself to admit it or not.”

  Thomas refused to respond. Ridiculous comment. He flicked a vagrant string from his sleeve as Nathaniel continued his lecture.

  “Did you know you always refer to Eliza and Kitty as ‘the girls?’ I think it’s endearing, but also reveals your true feelings.” Nathaniel’s smile bent upward. “Eliza has captured your heart. You can’t deny it.”

  Thomas glared at his friend who only grinned in return.

  “You know,” Nathaniel said, an impressive seriousness knitting his voice. “They don’t have to leave. They could stay right here with you. What life do they have for them in Boston? They’ve no family, nothing to entice them away from you.”

  “They have more than you think,” Thomas shot back. “Besides, in the end, Eliza may decide she’ll marry Samuel after all.”

  “Don’t fool yourself.” Nathaniel leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I’ve seen the way Eliza looks at you, and her eyes are not those of a woman longing for home, let alone another man.”

  Thomas exhaled, his shoulders dropping as he did. “I’ve told you, I will not water the garden of affection.” He stood, walked to the fire and rubbed the wood along the mantel. “Although, I have decided to help her learn what she wants to know about her father—she deserves that. I’ve already created too much turmoil in her life and I don’t want to be responsible for any more.”

  Nathaniel growled and began to respond, but Thomas continued before he could start. “Let me handle my own affairs, Nathaniel.”

  His friend slumped in his chair and shook his head, a disapproving expression clouding his face. “As you wish.”

  Thomas changed the subject. “Dinner’s been ready for a while now. When do you think the girls will be down?”

  Nathaniel tilted his mouth, then lifted and lowered one shoulder. “A woman’s toilette is a mystery and one I will never pretend to understand.”

  Thomas chuckled and kicked a renegade stick back into the blaze.

  “Good evening, gentlemen.”

  Thomas spun on his heel and Nathaniel jumped to his feet. Kitty had somehow entered without them knowing. She looked like a grown woman in her emerald gown. Her dark hair rested on top of her head in a stunning array of curls, the sparkle in her young eyes the most fetching accessory.

  Thomas bowed. She curtsied.

  Nathaniel’s eyes widened and he shook his head after a moment of silence. Thomas bit his cheek to hide the grin that pressed on his mouth. He’d never seen Nathaniel lose hold of his composure.

  Stuttering, Nathaniel finally spoke. “M-Miss Katherine—Kitty, you must be the most beautiful woman in Massachusetts.” He offered a generous bow and quickly took her hand, pressing his lips to her skin.

  Kitty’s face turned a healthy shade of red. “You can’t mean that, Doctor, though I appreciate your compliments.”

  His features brightened as if he’d recovered his usual charm. “I never say anything I don’t mean. And please, call me Nathaniel.”

  He offered his elbow and Kitty once again ducked her chin. “Thank you . . . Nathaniel.”

  Thomas glanced back at the stairs, excited nerves leaping in his stomach.

  “Is Eliza coming?” After the words escaped his mouth he realized how comical he sounded. Of course she was coming. “I mean to say, is Eliza ready?”

  A wide grin washed over Kitty’s face, as if she were hiding something. “She’ll be down shortly.”

  Thomas nodded and rested his fidgety hands on the back of the embroidered chair. Nathaniel led Kitty to the other seat and helped her to sit.

  At that moment, the dainty tap of Eliza’s shoes on the stairs forced Thomas to whirl around.

  Nathaniel came up behind him. “Steady, boy.”

  Thomas clenched his jaw to keep it from gaping and dropped his hands to his sides.

  His eyes traced Eliza’s dainty form. She was even more radiant in that gown than he’d imagined and her face glittered with the most magnificent smile he’d ever seen. The fitted gown accentuated her perfect curves and impossibly tiny waist. The white lace around the neckline tickled her creamy skin, while the dusty-pink color drew out the rosy nature of her cheeks and lips.

  He tried, but he couldn’t stop staring. Her hair was curled like Kitty’s and wrapped with a delicate ribbon that matched the color of her gown. Her creamy complexion and the velvety look of her long neck were so enticing he had to fight the sudden urge to taste it.

  Eliza curtsied low and dipped her head. Upon rising she lifted her lashes and spoke to him in a tantalizing timbre. “Good evening, Thomas.”

  Thomas’s heart beat with such profound strength, it ripped every word from his mind. He wanted to say how beautiful she was. He wanted to tell her he was sorry for keeping his distance when she needed him. Even more than that, he wanted to move his face near hers and inhale her graceful rose scent deep into his lungs before tasting her lips once again.

  Every appropriate response fled his mind as his blood raced around his body. He bowed. “Good evening, Eliza.”

  “Do my eyes deceive me?”
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br />   Nathaniel, back to his charismatic self, pushed Thomas aside and kissed Eliza’s hand as he bowed with dramatic flare. “You are even more alluring than Aphrodite herself, my dear.”

  Eliza smiled again and giggled low in her throat. “You are too generous, Doctor.”

  “I am too enamored. You and your sister shine like the stars themselves.” A hearty grin flashed across his proud face. “Shall we go in to dinner?” He took his place beside Kitty and sent a flashing glance to Thomas, no doubt intended to instruct him to make the most of the moment.

  Thomas could kill himself. Good evening? That’s all he could say?

  Eliza’s body faced away from him, but she turned in his direction and the rest of her followed, her gown sweeping across the floor.

  Thomas closed the space between them, offering his arm. “Shall we go in?”

  Her slender hand grasped his arm. “You look very nice this evening, Thomas.”

  Thomas’s tongue dried up in his mouth, shriveling his ability to speak. He could never compete with Nathaniel’s theatrical praises. He’d have to just say what he thought. “You’re a vision, Eliza.”

  Her eyes twinkled up at him and her fingers tightened around his bicep.

  Nathaniel and Kitty were already seated when Thomas and Eliza entered the eating area.

  Thomas almost laughed. They must be quite a sight—dressed in their finery, sitting at a simple table eating a simple meal, but none of them seemed to mind. They acted like life-long friends. Kitty insisted on making the delectable fare herself. The thick lobster soup, along with the fresh bread, tasted even better than it smelled. And Nathaniel made sure to compliment her on the carrot pudding, though Thomas could never figure how his friend liked the stuff no matter who made it.

  Eliza glowed. He had never seen her so relaxed and carefree. Nathaniel kept up a lively conversation, sharing stories and telling jokes that kept bright smiles on the girl’s faces throughout the entire meal. While the utensils clinked against the fine plates, and the candles sparkled off the glasses, Thomas contented himself with watching, too besotted to even enjoy the food in his mouth. He feasted upon Eliza with his eyes, wishing the evening would never end.