After dinner, and a delicious dessert of apple tansy, the four of them retired to the main room, bringing two additional chairs from the table and setting them in front of the fire. They sang a few hymns and read the story of Christ walking on the water.
After praying, Thomas looked up to find Eliza’s eyes focused on him. A modest smile pulled at her mouth, which grew into a palpable longing that painted itself into her sweet face, turning his stomach as light as the first flakes of snow.
He was in grave danger of losing his heart. She was far too sweet, far too real, and far too bewitching for him to stay away.
Tingles of pure joy streamed over Eliza. She’d never enjoyed an evening so much in all her life. Being in this house with Kitty, and Thomas and Nathaniel made her almost believe she belonged here.
It pleased her to no end the way Thomas looked at her. Since their ill-advised kiss he had paid her little attention, but not tonight. It seemed all the awkwardness was forgotten, and they were back to being the friends they used to be.
Hearing Thomas pray during their small church service startled her. She listened to him ask God to bless this land and to help the Colonists secure their rights and freedoms. He prayed for wisdom, and the strength to go forward in a righteous cause. She couldn’t keep her head bowed, no matter how she tried. Thomas spoke to God as if He really did care for their cause, and would help them secure it. In that instance Eliza wanted more than ever to know what Thomas knew—what Father had known. How could she build up the courage to ask him to help her? For that’s what she needed, desperately. He had known Father and could tell her what she needed to know. She’d read the book Father had given Thomas and found it fascinating, and at the same time perplexing. But Thomas could help her—if only he would.
Kitty’s fidgety fingers drew Eliza’s attentions. With pursed lips and how she wriggled in her chair, Kitty’s discomfort stood out like a cardinal in a snow-flocked tree. Why did the talk of the patriot cause give her such unease? Releasing a slight sigh, Eliza dropped her chin again. Father had said she wouldn’t take the news well, yet she’d kept silent, so perhaps it would work itself out over time. Eliza could only hope.
A loud “amen” cut through Eliza’s inner conference. She refocused her gaze and drank in the perfect male form before her. He looked so strong in his tailored suit, his muscular shoulders and arms filling out every inch of fabric. The color of it brought out the bewitching blue of his eyes and contrasted with the magnificent midnight color of his hair. His masculine face was freshly shaven and looked so smooth it tempted her to reach out and test its softness.
She tried not to be obvious as her eyes trailed over him, but he caught her and raised his eyebrows ever so slight as a grin tugged at his lips. She ducked her head, the blood rushing up her neck and into her face.
Nathaniel jumped to his feet and removed his jacket, laying it over the back of his chair. “That was an inspiring service, Thomas, and I believe it should be followed by an inspiring bit of entertainment.”
Kitty clapped her hands. “Oh yes! What a lovely idea.”
“What shall we do then?” Nathaniel asked.
“Why don’t we have Liza perform for us?” Kitty said.
Eliza snapped her head toward her sister. “Me?”
Kitty tilted her head. “Yes, like you used to do! I haven’t heard you perform Shakespeare in so long.”
Nathaniel sat back down. “I have heard tales of your talents, Eliza. Shakespeare is one of my favorites. It would be a great honor if you’d perform for us.”
Eliza turned to Thomas, shooting him a stern but playful glare. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
Thomas attempted to smother a telling grin. “Nothing whatsoever.”
She turned again toward her sister. Kitty bit her lip and tilted her head farther as if to say “pretty please?”
Eliza looked around the room tapping her foot, searching for a reason to decline. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool out of herself. “I’d love to, Kitty, but it’s been such a long time and I don’t have any of my books with me. I really need to freshen my memory before I do anything like that and I’m out of practice on my recitations. I’m sorry, my dear.”
“Not to worry.” Nathaniel popped out of his chair again and went to fetch a small bundle by the front door. “It so happens that I’ve brought such a book with me.”
Eliza threw an accusatory glance at Thomas. He grinned wide as the horizon and leaned back in his seat. She couldn’t get out of it now. She was trapped. She pinched her lips and laced her fingers in her lap.
Nathaniel came to her chair and held the thick book in front of her. “Your reputation precedes you, Miss Campbell. You must indulge us, please.”
Eliza swiped it from him, giving him an exaggerated glare before the grin she hid brightened her face. She rose and stood in front of the fire, trying to ignore the fact that every eye in the room was positioned on her. Thumbing through the book, she struggled to locate a short, dull scene—nothing romantic, nothing dramatic. Something she could easily read without much emotion.
“Liza, do my favorite, will you?”
Eliza pulled her gaze from the book and stared at her sister, shooting fire through the slits in her eyes. Kitty smirked as if she’d had it planned from the beginning. There was no possible way she would read that scene.
“I’m sorry, Kitty. I don’t remember what one that is. Besides, I think—”
“Of course you do, silly. It’s act two scene two from Romeo and Juliet.”
Eliza’s lungs flattened and her face roasted from within. There was no possible way to do that romantic reading without feeling completely foolish, especially in front of Thomas. Acting it out for Kitty, in their room, when they were younger and with no audience was a different situation all together. She glanced at Nathaniel, then Thomas. Both men smirked and didn’t even try to hide the satisfied grins on their faces.
Kitty pleaded again, melting the barrier around Eliza’s heart. How could she resist her sister? After all her kindness and patience, after all her caring and with nary a complaint on her lips, Kitty deserved a bit of diversion.
Eliza released a soft sigh. “Alright. I’ll read it.”
Kitty squealed, and Eliza had to smile. She could do it for Kitty—despite her mischievousness—and forget about the other two.
Thumbing through the book to the section on “plays”, Eliza located the requested scene.
“Do you plan on reading both Romeo and Juliet’s lines?” Nathaniel asked none too casual.
Eliza’s stomach lurched and she blinked. What was he suggesting? She would rather die than read it with Nathaniel. Then again, she would rather be buried alive under a mountain of rank earth than read with Thomas.
Without thinking, she did what she hoped might save her from complete humiliation.
“I suppose I really cannot perform this alone, can I? Would you be so kind as to join me by reading Romeo’s lines, Doctor?”
Nathaniel beamed at the invitation and pushed out of his chair. “Why, it would be my pleasure, Juliet.”
Chapter Seventeen
This is ludicrous. Thomas forced himself to calm his tensing muscles and strained to keep from jumping out of his chair when Eliza asked Nathaniel to read.
Better to have Nathaniel performing with her, that much was certain. The last thing he needed was to stand next to her, to smell her sweet fragrance, gaze into her dark eyes, and feel the warmth of her body radiating only a few inches from his.
No. Let Nathaniel do it. Thomas had never been very good at reading aloud anyway.
While the two performers held the book and reviewed their lines, standing much too close, Kitty leaned over to him from her chair. “Liza does this so well. I can’t wait for you to see it. It will be divine!”
Thomas’s insides solidified and he didn’t know how to respond. “We’ll see.”
Eliza stepped forward. “Kitty, I remember how you used to like
to ‘announce’ me. Would you do us the honors?”
“With pleasure!” Kitty stood in front of the fire. In her most poised tone she announced the entertainment. “Ladies and gentleman, Romeo and Juliet, act two scene two.”
Once she’d taken her seat, Nathaniel cleared his throat and began.
“But soft!”
Even at the beginning of the monologue, Nathaniel made it painfully clear he was no actor. He read flat and stumbled over his words. None of that seemed to bother him or Eliza. She looked at him and smiled, trying hard not to laugh. He chuckled at his mistakes and continued on, sending Kitty an occasional smile.
Thomas sighed, his tense shoulders relaxing into the chair behind him. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as he’d imagined. So long as things didn’t get too intimate, he could sit through it.
When Eliza’s turn came to read, her voice floated like a song. The words flowed from her—she became the part. Her eyes filled with longing as she spoke the words. Thomas became so mesmerized he nearly forgot how uncomfortable he’d been to have his best friend reading by her side instead of him.
Thomas looked at Nathaniel. It was apparent she had entranced him as well. His friend couldn’t seem to look away and smiled with more sincerity than Thomas had ever seen from him. When his turn came, his voice dripped emotion—however ridiculous he continued to sound—and he drew Eliza closer.
Suddenly the temperature of the room increased by twenty degrees.
Thomas’s mouth went dry and he took off his jacket, but the room was still too hot. He unbuttoned the cuffs of his sleeves and rolled them up.
Eliza and Nathaniel went back and forth, getting more comfortable and more absorbed in their roles. They appeared to be having a marvelous time. Too marvelous.
Thomas’s legs burned as if he’d sat on a pile of ants. He had to use all his endurance not to squirm and move about in his chair.
Twice Eliza had snuck a peek at him between lines, gifting him with a titillating smile. He hoped she didn’t notice his uncomfortable writhing and assume he didn’t care for her performance, because he did care for it. Very much. Too much.
“I would not for the world they saw thee here,” Eliza said.
“I have night’s cloak to hide me from their eyes.” Nathaniel failed again with miserable cruelty at his dramatic attempts, but he made up for it with flare.
Eliza pressed her lips down as if to try to hold back a smile and accompanying giggle.
Nathaniel moved closer to her as he spoke. She no longer needed the book. It was evident her memory had been refreshed, so Nathaniel held it in one hand, and placed his other around her waist. She moved closer, placed her hand on his chest and gazed up at him. Nathaniel pulled her completely against him.
Thomas gripped the upholstery to keep from bolting out of his chair.
He looked at Kitty, expecting her to be just as riled. She smiled as big as the sky with her head at a slant.
How could anyone be enjoying this?
Eliza smiled up at Nathaniel, a coy slope to her lips.
He drew her closer and lowered his head. “And but thou love me, let them find me here.”
Thomas’s blood boiled. “That’s enough!” He bellowed, shooting out of his seat.
The two actors jumped apart, their mouths agape. Kitty stared with round eyes.
Jaw solid, he walked to Nathaniel and swiped the book from his hand. “Sit down, you’re terrible. I can’t stand to watch you. It’s my turn.”
Nathaniel raised one eyebrow and dipped his chin. A bold, satisfied grin swept across his face as he took the seat where Thomas had been. “Continue, oh great one.”
Thomas glared at his friend, calculating the different ways he could wipe the smirk off his face, then shuffled into Nathaniel’s previous position. His stomach turned weightless. Palms clammy, his breathing faltered.
This was a mistake.
Eliza’s face shone up at him, sparkling like the stars in the winter sky. The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slight. The orange glow of the fire kissed her supple cheek and made him want to do the same.
He kicked away the dangerous thoughts, and carefully slipped his hand around her tiny waist, relishing the warm smoothness of her gown and spread his fingers across her back.
Her dark eyes widened and she inhaled a sharp breath. In her gaze circled a mixture of nervousness and pleasure as the color in her cheeks deepened to scarlet. He smiled and pulled her body closer to his.
Pure heaven! Perhaps this wasn’t a mistake after all.
Thomas pointed to the words. “Why don’t you start from where you say, ‘I would not for the world they find thee here.”
Eliza bobbed her head in agreement before releasing a soft breath through tight lips. Did she feel it too? The force between them that acted like a heavenly vice, pressing them ever closer?
He almost couldn’t focus when she started talking. “I would not for the world they find thee here.”
Her quiet voice wavered and Thomas reserved a satisfied smile.
“I have night’s cloak to hide me from their sight,” Thomas said, allowing the deep resonance of his voice to circle between them.
She lifted her eyes to his as a beguiling grin peeked over her lips. Slowly, she traced her fingers up his chest. His heart thumped at a ferocious pace and he had no doubt she could feel it through his waistcoat. The sensation of her hand on his body intoxicated him.
He did his best to keep his sound even. “And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate, then prolonged wanting of thy love.”
Eliza’s breathing quickened, and the red in her face turned an even deeper shade of crimson while her eyes beckoned him closer.
After a moment of luscious silence Thomas cleared his throat.
“It’s your turn,” he whispered.
She shook her head, and looked toward the book. “Of course. Uh . . . where were we?”
Thomas pointed to her spot.
Eliza turned back to face him, as if fully composed. Her tantalizing voice reached into him and wrapped around his heart. “By whose direction foundest thou out this place?”
Thomas couldn’t resist and pulled her closer, heedless of the two spectators only a few feet away. “By love, who first did prompt me to inquire. He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot; yet were thou as far as that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise.” He lowered his tone, adding to it a husky vibration.
Eliza froze in his embrace. Her hand on his chest moved higher and pressed stronger.
Neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved.
If they were alone, he would kiss her. He wanted to kiss her. And with passion. Having her body to near to his, seeing her lips parted—so vulnerable and wanting—made it impossible to turn away. He remembered the sweet taste of her mouth and relished in the memory of her breath on his face, the soft brush of her nose on his cheek.
Thomas increased the pressure on her back, making her torso press firm against his. Time suspended around them and the world misted away.
Eliza breathed harder and pushed away, waking Thomas from his blissful state. She stepped back until he could no longer keep his grip on her. A physical pain ached in his fingers as her body left his grasp.
“I . . . I’m getting a bit light headed. I should sit.” She blinked rapidly a few times and took the chair next to her sister.
“Oh, Liza can’t you just finish, there’s not much more,” Kitty pleaded, swiveling in her seat.
Eliza looked back at Thomas, her face more flushed than ever. She placed both hands over her stomach and breathed out from the small O in her lips. “No. I’m sorry, Kitty. Perhaps another time.”
Kitty gave an exaggerated frown then forced a small grin. “Oh, alright, I understand. You did a marvelous job. No actress could have done any better.”
While the girls whispered to one another, Nathaniel stood and faced the fire, h
is hands clasped behind him. “That was quite a performance, old boy. I’m impressed. Bravo.”
Thomas exhaled, hoping to drive his raging pulse into submission. “I wish I could say the same about you.”
Nathaniel leaned his head back, laughing. “What, you weren’t impressed?”
Thomas peered back at Eliza. She glanced up from her conversation with Kitty then turned away again. The memory of her dainty form pressed against him was now burned into his mind forever.
“You have impeccable taste, Thomas.” Nathaniel’s gaze flitted to both girls, landing on Kitty and lingering, before he quickly turned back to the conversation. “I can see how you have been entranced. How could you not be, when Eliza is so fair a lady. She may be a decoy wife, my friend,” Nathaniel spoke low through closed teeth, “but I’d venture to guess she’d be willing to be more.”
Thomas rubbed his hand over his face, trying to scrub away his monopolizing thoughts. How could he spend any time with Eliza and not take her in his arms and kiss her with all the passion that swelled within him? At this moment he could easily see Eliza as his real wife—in fact wanted it to be so. But it would be better to fight such imaginations. Better for the both of them. She needed to know all that he did about her Father. It was his duty and he must act on his resolve to teach her, despite the risk to his heart.
“Let it go, Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel shook his head then turned his back to the fire and spoke loud. “I can’t recall the last time I’ve had such an enjoyable evening among friends.”
“Well, we owe this to you, Doctor.” Kitty lifted her chin and pressed her knitted fingers into her lap. “You can’t know how much this means to us.”
Eliza stood, taking hold of Kitty’s hand. “Yes, Doctor. Thank you so much.” She moved her eyes to Thomas. “And thank you as well, Thomas.”
So Fair a Lady (Daughters of His Kingdom Book 1) Page 18