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

by Amber Lynn Perry

  “What do my actions tell you now?” he whispered.

  She made no sound, only looked up and stroked his face with her delicate fingers. Her endless eyes shimmering back with such love his heart swelled until it nearly stopped his lungs.

  “Eliza?”

  “Yes?” she answered, a husky sound to her voice.

  “I want you to be my wife.” The words toppled out of his mouth and he bit his tongue. He hadn’t intended to ask her, but apparently his inner desires, no matter how suppressed, could no longer be ignored.

  She pushed away and looked up at him, disbelief painting her face. “Your wife?”

  He tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you say?” The muscles in his shoulders tensed. Maybe she did truly love Samuel. “Will you accept me?”

  She must have seen the emotions he attempted to disguise. Her slender fingers moved over his dipping eyebrows and the sweetest of smiles graced her enticing mouth. “There’s no need for your brow to furrow so. Of course I accept you.”

  Joy rose in his heart like a surging sea. Thomas moved his hands further around her waist, hoping such closeness would erase all other men from her mind. “You’re not wishing you would have accepted the man who asked before me?”

  An impish grin chased across her mouth. “Never. You’ve surprised me, that is all. I couldn’t be happier.”

  “So you do accept me?” he asked.

  A petite laugh escaped her. “Have I not already answered? What do my actions tell you, Thomas?” Her delicious tone tantalized him.

  A small chuckle of his own bubbled in his chest.

  “Eliza,” he whispered. “If we’re going to be married I need to tell you something.” The burden of his knowledge of Samuel weighed on him like a heavy chain. He knew he must tell her before she found out by some other means.

  “Aren’t you cold?” she said. “Do you want to go inside?”

  “Not yet. How could I be cold with you in my arms? Can your toes survive a few minutes longer?”

  “My toes?” She leaned on his chest and laughed. “After that kiss I’m warm as a summer’s day, Thomas.”

  He pressed her closer and reveled in the feel of her body against his. Pensive, Thomas struggled to place his words in his mind before speaking them. “Eliza, the man who proposed to you—”

  “Samuel?”

  “Yes.”

  She looked up at him, a teasing grin opening her lips. “Are you going to ask if he kissed me?”

  He hadn’t planned on it, though the thought had crossed his mind. Now that she mentioned it, he most definitely would ask. “Did he?”

  She moved her hands up to the cravat that peeked out from his greatcoat. “Would it make a difference if he did?”

  Yes. I’ll break his jaw. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  Her eyes twinkled. She looked far too amused. “Well, if it does matter I might have to keep such information from your knowledge.”

  He took her by the shoulders and extended his arms to their full length. “Don’t toy with me, Eliza Campbell. Now you must tell me,” he said, trying to sound more playful than he felt.

  “Alright.” She moved close to him again. “Yes. He did.”

  Thomas’s muscles stiffened. He’d hoped she would say no, although he’d doubted it. Rotten scoundrel.

  “Often?”

  “No. Not often. Only when he proposed.”

  “Good, because from now on the only person you’ll be kissing is me.” And Samuel had better stay as far away as possible.

  “I’m pleased to hear it, Thomas Watson. I don’t want to kiss anyone else.” She rose up on her toes and pressed her mouth against his, so light and gentle it turned his insides to liquid.

  “Now,” she said. “What was it you wanted to tell me?”

  He swallowed and licked his lips. Lord, give me strength to say what needs to be said. “Eliza.” He rested his hands on her arms. As hard as it was, he knew it was now or never. “You know the British were using me for information?”

  “Yes. They were blackmailing you, of course. I’m still horrified by it.”

  Thomas inhaled deep and expelled a loud breath before spitting out the bitter words. “The man who blackmailed me was Samuel Martin.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Samuel worked his way through the thick mass of patriots. His gut twisted into a tangle of knots at the fight that had ensued in front of the popular tavern. The Boston Massacre had been a living nightmare, and he wanted to stop a similar disaster from occurring in Sandwich.

  “What’s happened here?” he yelled, reaching the group as the men exchanged fists and fighting words.

  No one answered. Donaldson approached the group from the other side.

  The row escalated and several of the men lost their balance, tumbling into the crowd behind them.

  That’s when he saw her.

  Eliza!

  His heart crashed into his ribs. The world slowed. She’s alive! Her clothes were large and sloppy, but he knew it was she without a doubt. All these weeks, the quiet words that whispered to him were truly the echo of her voice, calling for him to save her.

  “Eliza! Eliza!” He reached for her, pushing against the dozen or so men that separated them. His blood blistered in his veins and he growled at those in his way. “Move! Move!”

  She pushed her way through the massive gathering. Peering behind her, she looked more frantic as she neared the back of the crowd. His vision dusted over the men and his heart stopped when he saw the reason for her haste. A large man pursued her at great speed. He knew right away it was Watson though only the man’s eyes were exposed to view. Rage pulsed through Samuel as he watched her run from Watson and away from the crushing crowd.

  She was trying to escape.

  When she ripped out the back, Watson followed and stormed after her, grabbing her from behind and yanking her toward the empty shops.

  Samuel stalled. He turned to Donaldson and yelled over the hats of the men in front of him. “Donaldson! Come with me. I’ve found Watson!”

  Donaldson’s features jumped and he instantly plowed into the group toward Samuel. “Where?”

  “Follow me!”

  “Martin!” Curtis’s voice rose above the crowd. “Where are you going? Come back. We need you here!”

  Samuel turned, fire exploding out of every pore. “I’m making an arrest!” He ignored Curtis’s demands and focused on his mission.

  He and Donaldson forced their way through the resistant group. Once out of the jumble, both men halted and looked around them, trying to find which way they’d gone.

  “You saw him?” Donaldson asked, whipping his head around. “Can you be sure?”

  “I saw them both,” Samuel said, still searching and taking a few steps to one side then the other.

  No. No!

  He’d lost them.

  He swept his gaze over the snow-sopped ground, hoping to recognize their tracks. But with the rally-goers stomping every which way it was impossible to distinguish one footprint from the next.

  “There! Could that be them?” Donaldson pointed to two figures arguing near a small home amidst the towering trees way beyond town.

  From such a distance it would be hard to tell, and the darkness didn’t help. He squinted, his breath racing. It had to be them!

  Samuel ran. Donaldson followed. As they neared, he skidded to a halt.

  The scene unfolding before his view seemed surreal. Though he was close enough to see them clearly, their voices only teased him, he couldn’t make out their exact words. Watson grabbed Eliza and pressed her against him, kissing her square on the mouth. Samuel clutched the pistol at his side. He froze with utter shock, unable to make his heavy legs move from their spot.

  His stomach lurched to his neck and wedged there like a chunk of lead.

  No! This cannot be happening!

  Samuel tried to read Eliza’s reactions. Was Watson forcing himself on her? The longer they kissed,
the more he realized how real her reaction was. The way she moved her arms around him and pressed into him answered his question.

  She wanted it.

  He snapped his head at Donaldson who stared with the same look of shock that owned every inch of Samuel’s soul.

  He looked again at the entwining forms. “Get out of here,” he said to Donaldson in a low tone.

  “But, Captain—“

  “Leave me be!” Samuel whispered as he whirled and shoved the soldier away, causing him to stumble backward.

  Donaldson’s eyes thinned and he pinched his mouth tight as he looked from the kissing pair back to Samuel. “As you wish.”

  Samuel looked back at Eliza and Watson, still holding each other close.

  His heart burst in his chest, sending a thousand nails scraping through his veins. The terrible scene before him began to swirl. He clutched his mouth, stifling a groan.

  He moved behind the trunk of a large tree. Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes, hoping his fears somehow invented the sight.

  When he looked again, her hands were still around Watson and her face tilted upward as she spoke to him.

  That errant devil must have some wicked hold upon her to make her act in such a way. Eliza loved him. They were to be married. All these years he’d dreamed about her as his wife. They’d talked of their future together, and at great length. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—throw all of that away.

  It took every ounce of fortitude not to shoot Watson where he stood. He glared across the distance as Watson continued talking. Eliza stepped back, losing her balance. Her hand shot to her mouth as a small yelp escaped her. Thomas reached for her and held her to him. He brushed his hand along her back, trying to soothe her. She shook her head then looked up at him as if what he’d said caused her considerable pain.

  Samuel lurched forward, ready to race ahead and sweep Eliza away from her captor.

  But he stopped, as Eliza reached up and stroked Watson’s cheek, then took his hand and kissed it tenderly. Watson pressed his lips into her hair and circled her in his arms as they moved toward the small home several yards away. She held herself next to him as they walked, her lilting voice floating on the air, baiting him.

  Watson opened the door, motioning for her to enter. He brushed her cheek, followed her in, and closed the door behind them.

  Samuel’s lungs collapsed and the snowy earth around him spun.

  Staggering, he tried to stable his pulse. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, couldn’t feel. Samuel turned to the tree in front of him then punched it over and over again, slicing his frozen skin on the rough bark, then sunk into the snow beneath him and looked at his bleeding knuckles.

  Tears burned his eyes. How he wished it were Watson he’d mangled and not some innocent timber. Yes, Thomas was vile, horrid—pure evil to take away his bride. To bewitch her into showing such intimate affections was a crime worthy of death. Torture first. Then death.

  Samuel flew to his feet and slammed his knuckles into the waiting tree again and again.

  This moment was both his greatest dream and worst nightmare. He’d located his beloved but found her in the arms of his greatest enemy.

  His lungs heaved. He pushed away from the blood-spattered tree and looked back at the house, so quiet and peaceful His hands trembled as blood trickled down his fingers and dripped into the snow.

  He would have Eliza for his own, no matter the cost.

  She belonged to him.

  The chastising that erupted from Kitty upon Eliza’s return sucked all breathable air from the room.

  “You risked all of us to attend that rally! How could you do such a thing?” Kitty cried, swinging her hands in the air. “You could have been caught or hurt. Or worse!”

  “Kitty, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” Eliza’s stomach rolled to the floor. She fixed her stance and straightened her shoulders as she pointed all her strength to not fainting. Her voice quivered. “I should never have lied to you. My reasons for going were selfish, you’re right, I see that now. I would never want to do anything that would hurt you.”

  This, coupled with the terrible revelation about Samuel was too much to bear. She tried to smile, attempting to lighten the mood. “Not to worry, Thomas has just now put me in my place. Such antics will not be repeated, I assure you.”

  Eliza sent a brief glance to Thomas. No emotion could be seen on his face, but the kindness in his eyes was obvious, if only to her.

  Kitty didn’t seem interested in quitting her castigation. “Liza, I have been very patient during these weeks, listening to you and Thomas discuss these issues, but I cannot keep these feelings inside me any longer.”

  Eliza shook her head. “What feelings?”

  Features tight, Kitty quivered as if she used every measure of strength to stay calm. “How could you possibly do this? Our lives have been completely uprooted and destroyed because of what Father did.” She stared a moment at the floor, gritting her teeth. A shadow darkened her brow. “Even so, I have been able to forget that, to put it to rest knowing there is nothing we can do to change the past.”

  She peered at Eliza again, the flame of fury blazing in her blue-green eyes. “Because of his actions we were narrowly arrested and could have even been killed. We’ve had to stay in hiding, leaving our lives behind us, never knowing when we can return. Now, after all of that, you choose to put us all in danger by trying to learn more about why Father did what he did? You’re actually interested in learning more about such a cause? I cannot believe my own sister would leave the safety of our upbringing. I am ashamed.”

  The blood in Eliza’s limbs retreated to her heart, taking with it her last reserves of strength. She found the closest chair and sat, gripping the cushioned seat, only vaguely aware of Thomas standing behind her.

  Eliza tried to ignore the lump that clogged her throat as a pressing guilt took form. She was supposed to care for Kitty, protect and love her. And here, she’d risked everything with her foolish actions. Dear Lord, what have I done?

  “Forgive me, Liza, but you must know how I feel,” Kitty went on. She paced back and forth, wringing her hands. “I cannot believe you would be so deceived. Where is your faith? You cannot tell me that God wants fighting and discord. He wants peace and charity between His children.” She halted in front of Eliza, her voice calm but clouded. “I love you, Liza, and I refuse to stand by and watch you entangle yourself in this vain and evil pursuit.”

  Tears stung the backs of Eliza’s eyes and spilled over her cheeks. God, please help me know what to do, what to say.

  Thomas stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Eliza’s shoulder. His fingers injected reassurance and his tone deepened. “Kitty, there is no sin in what Eliza has done.”

  Kitty didn’t move, acting as if she hadn’t heard him. “The more educated you become, the more unsettled you are. Liza, you must distance yourself from such things. Father was misguided, you must see that.”

  Eliza could think of no proper response. Her mind was like a dense autumn fog. She opened her mouth, hoping some words—any words—would join together, but Kitty continued before she could speak.

  “It’s not a woman’s place, Liza! For that matter, it’s no one’s place.” She snapped her head toward Thomas. “We should do whatsoever we are asked by our beloved king. King George will lead us. He will keep us safe. We must follow Christ’s example of brotherly love and submission to our leaders. You must stop this foolishness, Liza. Now.”

  Eliza rested her forehead in her palm. Her sister was wrong. But how to convince her of it?

  When it appeared Kitty had finished her verbal lashing, Eliza pressed her hands in her lap and attempted a calm response despite her fraying emotions. “Kitty, do you believe we should sit by and do nothing while King George abuses and robs us? You cannot deny that he is—”

  “He is not robbing us. That is a lie!” Kitty pinched her mouth tight and looked away as if she regretted the outburst. She cleared her throa
t. “It is our duty to pay such taxes, and we should count it an honor to do so for the good of the Empire. And I will tell you, Liza, though you will not like hearing it, Father was wrong. He was a traitor to our great country. His actions changed our lives forever. And not for the better!”

  Utter confusion and despair left Eliza’s heart desolate and cold. The room wobbled as she struggled to stand and took Kitty’s hands in hers. Lord, let me help her see the truth. Don’t let her despise me.

  “Kitty, everything Father did was for our benefit. His actions did change our lives, but I’m glad—I’m glad for what’s happened. And our lives are better no matter what you may believe. What’s happened has been a great blessing. You will see, I promise.”

  “It’s a blessing for you.” Kitty’s chin quivered. “You have a dashing man to love and care for you. But what have I? Nothing!” She pulled back her shoulders and spoke quickly as if to try and hide the waver in her voice. “While your world culminates in beauty, mine is barren.”

  Eliza reached for her sister, but she backed away, shredding the remaining fortitude in Eliza’s chest. She tried to keep her voice from catching. “Kitty, please. We must trust God—”

  “I trust God,” Kitty shot back, tears tumbling over her cheeks. “God wants us to submit to Him and be peacemakers, not willfully stir contention and malice. It’s you who must trust God. You are going against his will, Eliza, and you must stop it!”

  The daggers of her words made Eliza drop again into the chair behind her, this time placing her head in her hands. Was Kitty right? Was she going against God’s will? She thought of her father’s confession and the vision she’d beheld during those difficult weeks of recovery. Nathaniel’s rousing speech played again in her mind, and how his words had moved within her, awakening a sleeping belief. She needed to be alone, to drop on her knees and pour out to God the confusion that weaved within her spirit.