Savage Destiny (The Hearts of Liberty Series, Book 1)

by Phoebe Conn

  The reason for the disorganization of her apparel was then painfully obvious. She sat down on the side of her bed, unable to imagine what her aunt and uncle must be thinking to reject her so cruelly. They had accused her of being disloyal, which she most certainly wasn't. She hadn't revealed Melissa's secret, nor would she share any of Elliott's. She had given them the loyalty they deserved, but they had treated her like trash.

  Randolph was pleased to find a long, hot bath did indeed ease his discomfort. He would have to stay home for the rest of the day; clad in his dressing gown, he stopped at Alanna's open door. "I hope nothing important was left behind," he called to her.

  Alanna rose from the bed and carried a handful of the grass she'd brushed from her clothes over to him. "They just threw my things out the window, didn't they?"

  Randolph would have denied it to save her feelings, but because she held the proof of what had happened, he told the truth. "Your uncle was most ungracious, but I didn't lose sight of the fact he'd just lost a son."

  "He needn't behave as though he had lost a niece as well." When Randolph looked pained by her remark, she reached out to touch a curl at his temple. "You have such beautiful hair. Perhaps that isn't a proper thing to say to a man, but you do. Why don't you throw away your wigs?"

  "I'll throw away everything I own, if it'll please you," Randolph blurted out without thinking.

  "You've already done more than enough for me," Alanna assured him. "Now will you excuse me? I want to get everything put away."

  "You'll join me for supper, won't you?"

  "Yes, of course, I will." Alanna waited at the door until he had reached the stairs. Randolph was such a sweet man, but no matter how much she missed Hunter, she was not going to take refuge in his arms. It was definitely going to be a temptation, but one to which she would never yield.

  Chapter 28

  In less than two days' time, Robin Frederick's penchant for gossip had insured that all of Williamsburg's finest citizens had learned of Alanna Barclay's marriage to an Indian brave. Her tale was imaginatively embellished in the subsequent retellings, so that Hunter was variously described as an Iroquois chief by some, and as a bloodthirsty renegade by others. Alanna's unusual choice of marriage partner alone would have been enough to cause her to receive severe censure, but the fact that she was also living openly with Randolph O'Neil, sent many of her aunt's horrified contemporaries into a swoon. No one could recall a scandal of such delicious proportions, and it promised to keep everyone talking in hushed whispers all summer.

  Randolph employed two clerks at his shop. Lena Fisher cataloged, sorted, and dusted the merchandise and kept the shop in perfect order, while Robert Platt was an apprentice silversmith who showed great promise. Randolph was fond of them both, and when their attitudes turned cool, he noticed it immediately. He was unable to recall an incident which might have upset them. It was true he had been absent from the shop on several occasions that week, but he had always thought the two liked the responsibility of handling customers on their own. Too considerate to allow what he felt had to be an unfortunate misunderstanding to continue, he asked the pair what was bothering them.

  At first Lena shrugged and turned away, and Robert simply blushed, but after a few minutes' coaxing, Lena reluctantly admitted what was wrong. "I hope you'll forgive me if this seems too personal a matter for my comment, but the whole town is talking about the way you've taken up with an Indian's wife. What with you being in church every Sunday, you have to know it isn't right."

  Dumbfounded, Randolph stared at Lena for a long moment. She was a mature woman, not some silly girl, and he found it difficult to believe she did not know him better. As for Robert, well, he was an inexperienced young man, and perhaps could be excused his embarrassment on that account.

  "Mrs. Hunter's aunt and uncle have treated her abominably, and I have invited her to stay in my home while her husband is serving as a scout with General Braddock's forces. There is absolutely nothing improper about our relationship, and I am shocked, shocked, Mrs. Fisher, that you would repeat what can only be described as the cruelest of gossip. In the future, please refer anyone who might wish to make a comment on my guests to me."

  At Alanna's suggestion, Randolph had ceased wearing a wig, and he plunked his hat atop his head and left the shop without telling his employees when, or if, he would return. He stormed down Duke of Gloucester Street, his hands clasped behind his back and an angry scowl on his face. People stepped out of his way, but he heard what they were saying behind his back.

  That Alanna was staying with him was obviously common knowledge, but he could not understand why it was being viewed in such uncharitable terms. He had spent his entire life in Williamsburg, and was amazed to find people did not have a better opinion of him. He would have to write to his daughter that very day, so that she would hear the truth from him before one of her more ambitious friends sent word of her father's imagined indiscretion. Infuriated by the unfairness of the malicious gossip circulating about them, Randolph returned home in a wretched mood.

  Seated at the window seat in the parlor, Alanna saw Randolph coming up the walk. He looked so upset, she laid her book aside and went to the door to greet him. "What's wrong, Randolph? Has my uncle been bothering you again?" she asked.

  In the few days Alanna had been with him, Randolph had been enormously flattered by the depth of her concern. He wasn't used to being met at the door by a woman other than Mrs. Newcombe, and Alanna showed far more sensitivity to his moods than his housekeeper ever had. "No, I've not spoken with John since I picked up your clothes. There is a reason I'm home early though. Let's go into the parlor and discuss it."

  Alanna understood what was the matter before Randolph had completed a halting preamble to the problem. "It's too late for me to find another place to live today, but I'll go out first thing in the morning, and look for new lodgings. Innkeepers don't have to worry about gossip the way private citizens do. In fact, a resident who's at the heart of a controversy is probably good for their business."

  "No, you're not leaving here, and that's all there is to it. Neither of us is acting in a scandalous fashion, and I refuse to behave as though we were. Don't you see? If you move into an inn, people will assume we had something to be ashamed of, and we don't."

  Randolph had tossed his hat aside as he had come through the door. With his boyish curls and bright blue eyes, he was such an attractive man, she wasn't surprised people were so eager to believe they were lovers. Remembering that Charity Wade had described him as fine-looking, she suddenly had an idea.

  "Thank you for wanting to stand by me, but let's just wait and see what happens in the next few days. If the gossip subsides, fine, I'll stay, but if it continues to embarrass you, I'll leave regardless of how loudly you protest."

  "No, you won't," Randolph argued.

  "Yes, I will. You once asked to meet Christian, and I don't see any reason for us to abide by my aunt and uncle's rule forbidding him visitors any longer. Because you've come home early, would you like to see him today?"

  Randolph saw through her effort to distract him from the issue at hand, but his curiosity got the better of him and he agreed. "Yes, I would." Eager to go, he rose to his feet.

  "Good." Alanna kept her fingers crossed the whole way, but when they arrived at Charity's, nothing went as she had hoped. As she so often did, Charity came to the door holding Christian, but he had awakened from his nap feeling cranky and out of sorts. His face red from crying, he reached out for Alanna, but kept right on fussing.

  "His gums are swollen," Charity explained. "I believe he's cutting his first tooth."

  "Poor baby. He seems very unhappy about it, doesn't he?" Alanna quickly introduced Randolph, but rather than smiling prettily as she had expected her to, Charity just seemed embarrassed, gathered up her children, and disappeared into the bedroom for the entire duration of their visit. With Christian's mood so far from good, Alanna did not want to stay long anyway. Randolph's interest
in the child seemed sincere, but she did not want to risk boring him. She excused herself and carried the boy into the back room.

  "Why are you hiding in here?" she whispered. "I thought you and Randolph would like each other."

  Charity had been scrubbing the floor before they arrived. She was wearing a faded dress, and her hair was sticking out from under her cap in long, damp wisps. "Oh, Mrs. Hunter, he's a fine gentleman, and look at me! There's nothing for him to like."

  "That's not true. I'll bring him back with me on Sunday. Put on your prettiest dress, and make the effort to smile at him. He'll like you, believe me he will."

  Having no inkling of Alanna's matchmaking plans, Randolph began to criticize Charity as soon they left her house. "Are you sure that woman is giving Christian enough attention?" he asked. "She seemed overwhelmed with the responsibility for her own children, and the boy deserves the best of care."

  "You're mistaken. Charity is wonderful to Christian. I simply chose the wrong time for a visit, is all. Christian was fine this morning. He's really a very good little boy, even if he was unhappy just now."

  Randolph nodded thoughtfully. "Even if Mrs. Wade is a capable woman, her house is awfully small for four young children. You don't plan to leave Christian with her much longer, do you?"

  Randolph wasn't aware of her argument with Hunter over the boy, and Alanna saw no reason to share such a private torment with him now. "If there were a way for me to nurse Christian myself, then I'd be raising him, but because I can't, he'll have to stay with Charity a while longer."

  Randolph hadn't meant to broach such a delicate subject; badly embarrassed, he remained silent until they reached home. "I need to go back to lock up the shop. I'll see you at supper."

  Alanna entered the house, discouraged her plan to spark a romance between Charity and Randolph hadn't had a more auspicious beginning. She had always considered Charity attractive, but apparently all Randolph had had a chance to observe was a harried young mother with more children than hands. Well, things would be different on Sunday, and she would hold a thought for them until then.

  When Randolph came home, he handed Alanna a small box. "It's something for Christian. I should have thought of it earlier."

  "Thank you, how sweet of you." Alanna removed the lid to find a small sterling silver bell suspended from a mother-of-pearl hoop. Christian's name had been engraved on the bell, and it was such a beautiful gift, she was deeply touched by it. "Thank you. You're the first person other than Elliott and me to give Christian a present. It was very thoughtful of you. You made this yourself, didn't you?"

  "Yes. It's not just pretty, however. I've made a great many of those over the years, and babies love to chew on them. With teeth coming in, that will be all Christian will want to do."

  Alanna shook the hoop, and the bell rang with a musical tone. "You do beautiful work. I've always enjoyed visiting your shop."

  Randolph sat down beside her on the settee. "Thank you. Is there anything you'd like me to make for you? It could be a wedding gift. A teapot perhaps?"

  The mention of wedding gifts made Alanna's heart lurch. Melissa and Ian had received so many pretty things, and yet they had all been left for Graham and her to pack away. No one was likely to give Hunter and her such lovely presents, but rather than gifts, she would have appreciated the kind words and good wishes she doubted they would ever hear. Randolph was her only friend, it seemed; she gratefully reached out to touch his sleeve lightly.

  "I'm sure it would be beautiful, but completely out of place in Hunter's home. He lives in a house he built himself out of tree limbs and bark. It's actually very cozy, but not a good place to show off silver teapots."

  Stunned by the description of her future residence, Randolph placed his hand over hers. "Oh, Alanna, are you going to be happy living there?"

  "Were you happy with your wife?"

  Randolph nodded. "Very."

  "Then you can understand how little a house matters. It's who shares it that's important, not how grand it is."

  Randolph could certainly agree with that statement, because he had not realized how empty his life was until she had entered it. "Yes, and I hope you enjoy every day you spend here with me."

  Alanna could not mistake the longing in his voice, but she smiled as though his comment were merely that of an attentive host. "Thank you again. I'm sure I will."

  * * *

  Alanna wanted to wear the white dress adorned with violets to church on Sunday, but fearing it would be seen as disrespectful to Elliott's memory, she chose a plain blue gown instead. As they had the day of the funeral, she and Randolph arrived just as the congregation was entering the church, and took seats in the very last pew. That did not prevent curious glances from being directed their way, however. Uncomfortably aware of the constant low murmurings their presence provoked, they left before the priest pronounced the benediction.

  "I don't understand why people are so quick to condemn our friendship," Randolph complained. "You're in need of a place to stay, and I've provided it. That doesn't constitute a sin."

  "That people are so quick to see evil instead of good is horribly discouraging, isn't it? Hunter and I were unable to win my aunt and uncle's sympathy and understanding. I can't expect more from people who barely know me, or strangers, than I do from them. Fortunately, I don't have to remain here in Williamsburg forever, Randolph, but you do. I'm going to move out of your house next week."

  "No, I won't allow it."

  Astonished he apparently thought he had that right, Alanna spoke clearly. "I'm neither your daughter nor your wife, and while I appreciate your concern, I have to make my own decisions." They were walking toward Charity's, and as they reached her gate, Alanna turned toward her now sullen companion. "You were absolutely right about this house being too small for Charity and her family. I'm going to ask her if she would like to share a larger place with me."

  Randolph seized upon his first inspiration to discourage the idea. "She may own this place, Alanna, and if she does, she'd be insulted by such a suggestion. After all, it's her home."

  Pleased by his comment, Alanna nevertheless appeared to think about it a moment before replying. "You're right again, and I don't want to risk insulting her. Do you suppose you might make a discreet inquiry as to whether or not she owns the property, while I'm playing with Christian? You're blessed with an abundance of tact, and I know you could do it without arousing her suspicions."

  "But I've just met the woman," Randolph protested.

  "Yes, that's why your questions will seem the natural curiosity of a new acquaintance." Giving him no more time to ponder her plan, she attempted to hide her smile as she preceded him up the walk.

  Striving to look her best, Charity was dressed in a rust-colored gown, which provided a superb complement to her auburn hair. It was far from new, but clean and pressed, and flattering to her slender figure. Her children were also carefully groomed and dressed in their finest apparel. She welcomed Alanna and Randolph to her home, offered tea and cookies, but apologized for Christian.

  "I'm afraid he's still asleep. He loves the rattle you made for him, sir. It hasn't been out of his hands since Mrs. Hunter gave it to him."

  Randolph had had such a quick glimpse of Charity on his initial visit to her home, that he was quite pleasantly surprised to find her far more attractive than he had first imagined.

  When her children went out onto the porch to play, and Alanna went into the bedroom to see Christian, he found talking with her not nearly as disagreeable a task as he had feared.

  "I was born here," he said, "but I know we hadn't met until just the other day. How long have you and your family lived in Williamsburg?"

  Charity had to give her full attention to pouring his tea, and waited until after she had filled the cup and handed it to him to reply. "I was born in Philadelphia, but moved here ten years ago when Thomas and I married. He was a cooper, and worked for several of the plantations. We had hoped to buy some land and
have a farm of our own one day, but he took sick and died. That was the end of our dreams."

  Randolph was leaning forward slightly, wearing an expression of concerned interest, but Charity feared she was boring him, and grew even more flustered than she already was. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm just rambling. I spend most of my time with the children, and talking to adults is difficult for me. I'm afraid I don't have anything more to say."

  Charity's innocent sweetness reminded Randolph of Alanna, and he was charmed by her shyness. He knew Alanna was so desperately in love with her husband she scarcely noticed him, and it was immensely satisfying to meet a woman with similar qualities who appeared to be free. "I know exactly what you mean," he agreed. "When people come into my shop, they ask questions about the merchandise, or make special requests, so my conversations all tend to have a similar ring. Then I meet a lovely young woman like you, and it's difficult for me to know what to say."

  It had been such a long while since anyone had referred to Charity as either young or lovely, that she could not help but blush. "Really, Mr. O'Neil, I'm not used to that kind of flattery."

  "What a shame. How long has your husband been gone?"

  "It will be four years come December."

  "I'm a widower myself. Although my daughter is grown, I know how difficult it is to raise children alone."

  Touched that he understood her plight, Charity's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Oh my yes, it certainly is," she agreed.

  Christian had awakened, but Alanna changed his diaper and kept him in the bedroom. She could overhear bits and pieces of the conversation taking place in the front room, and rejoiced that it appeared to be going so well. She liked both Charity and Randolph enormously, and hoped the gentle nudge toward friendship she was providing might develop into something more. When she finally took Christian out to join them, the subtle smiles passing between the pair convinced her it already had.