Rebel Enchantress (23 page)

“But it’s decidedly unpleasant to have your neighbors gaping at you as if you’re some sort of executioner. Even less pleasant when you’re trying to be just the opposite.”

His words went straight to her heart. His intentions were exactly the same as they had been the day she’d come to Maple Hill, only he seemed to be looking for more sensible, useful, humane ways to handle his affairs. That didn’t mean he was no longer a danger to her friends, but it certainly took the sharp edge off the sword.

Things might change if you give them time,” she said.

“How?”

“Lots of people have relatives in England,” she replied, thinking rapidly. They don’t hold them responsible for the war.”

“Just me.”

There’re still plenty of tories in Massachusetts. If they can be forgiven, you can eventually be accepted.”

“It’s been my experience that people forgive their friends and relatives virtually anything. They never forgive strangers.”

“If you married someone from around here, you’d have lots of friends and relatives.”

The shock of hearing the words that escaped her lips turned Delilah crimson.

“Who are you offering as the sacrificial lamb?”

“It’s not a sacrifice. I m-mean it w-wouldn’t be a sacrifice,” Delilah stammered, mortified, “if I were to marry you. I-I m-mean it wouldn’t be for the woman you asked to m-marry you.”

“But it might be very difficult for you, or any other young woman from Springfield, who married me.”

“People wouldn’t understand at first,” Delilah said, making sure to keep her gaze on the floor, “but they’d get used to it.” She looked up. “It’d probably be a lot harder on you.”

“Why?”

This can’t be the kind of life you’re used to. Coming from London you’re bound to want grand parties and clever people. Just the way you dress shouts that you don’t belong here.”

“Don’t you like the way I dress?”

“It doesn’t matter whether I like it or not. It’s just different. Like the kind of dinners you eat at night.”

“Are these all my reprehensible habits, or am I totally irreclaimable?”

“They’re not reprehensible… . You’ve got the all confused,” Delilah said. She paused and took a deep breath. “And you’re not irreclaimable. I imagine there’d be dozens of girls in Boston and Providence, even Newport, who’d be glad to have you.”

“None in Springfield?”

“You wouldn’t marry anyone from Springfield.”

“Why not?”

“Except for Priscilla, we’re nothing but farmers around here. Even Lucy Porter.”

“I’ve never known any farmers before, but I might find I prefer them to London aristocrats.”

“What would you do with Lucy or Hope in London? They’d be blushing one minute and giggling the next. And no telling what they’d say.”

“I didn’t mean I would like all farm girls. One would be enough. Besides, farm girls can be quite enchanting,” Nathan continued.

“With brown skin and strong shoulders? They look down on us in Boston. I don’t imagine your precious lords would even speak to us in London.”

“Apparently my aunt has been using my
exalted relatives
to impress her friends,” Nathan said. “She’s notorious for stretching the truth.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me.”

“I want to. I don’t want you believing I think I’m better than you. My mother was Uncle Ezra’s sister. On her side of the family my relatives are London merchants. My father’s family were also merchants, but his oldest sister married the fourth son of a poor earl. It meant I would sometimes be invited into the homes of the aristocrats, but I never belonged there.”

Delilah saw a spasm of anger distort his features, but he controlled it quickly. She could see hurt as well. She wondered if this had anything to do with his leaving England.

“I never considered not going back until I met you.”

“Me! Why?”

“I’d like to say it was your spirit, it sounds more admirable, but knowing me, it was probably the fact that you’re the loveliest woman I’ve seen in America.”

Delilah had always known she was pretty. Massachusetts farmers had an outspoken appreciation for an attractive woman–but the loveliest woman he’d seen in America! Either the man hadn’t put his nose outside the door while he was in Boston, or he was besotted with her.

“You look surprised.'’

“Of course I am. Next you’ll be telling me I’m prettier than all the women you knew in London.”

“No, there’s one who’s absolutely without parallel. Everything about her is perfection, but you’re much nicer.”

Again the fleeting impression of remembered pain, but Delilah was too shocked and surprised by the enormity of his compliment to do more than notice it in passing.

Nathan laughed softly. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you you’re absolutely beautiful?”

Delilah shook her head. “Pretty, but not absolutely beautiful.”

“That he lies awake at night thinking about you?”

She shook her head again.

“Then I’m certain no one ever told you what wonderfully expressive eyes you have.”

“No.”

Nathan moved closer. “Or that to have you within reach and not be able to caress your skin is a temptation almost greater than a mortal man can endure.”

“No.”

He moved closer still. “That your lips are an irresistible invitation to kiss you?”

“No.” Her response was a little breathless.

“That I’ve spent days thinking of ways to get you out of the kitchen so I can see you as much as possible. Every beautiful woman should know she’s appreciated.” He reached out and touched her cheek.

“How would you do that?”

“It’s very simple.” He drew so close she could almost feel the heat of his body. “You let her know what you like about her”

Delilah felt paralyzed. She had never had a man court her this way.

“I particularly like your lips,” Nathan murmured. Their lips were now so close they almost touched. They are so full and red and wanting to be kissed.” His fingertip traced the outline of her mouth.

“I don’t think they are.”

“You just don’t realize it,” Nathan said.

Then, leaning even closer, he let his lips brush Delilah’s. She felt as if she’d been struck a blow. Before she could decide what to do, he kissed her, this time pressing his mouth fully against hers.

“Can you tell now?”

Delilah’s breath caught in her lungs. Her whole being felt suspended, disembodied. How could a simple kiss affect her so profoundly?

Tell what?” she murmured.

That your lips are longing to be kissed.”

How could he ask her to think? She felt as though she would jump out of her skin. Her whole body cried out to be kissed, touched, caressed, held close. Some primitive instinct told her that the only remedy was prolonged contact with the cause of this delicious ache.

“Yes.”

He took her face in his hands, drew her closer, and kissed her again.

Delilah felt claimed.

Nobody had ever kissed her like this. She wouldn’t have let them, yet she didn’t want Nathan to stop. The gentle movement of his lips against hers caused her whole body to lean in his direction, drawn by the nectar of this sweet honeycomb from which she longed to drink deeply.

“Can you feel it now?” Nathan’s lips never left hers.

“All over,” she murmured. “Everywhere.”

Nathan drew her closer until her body pressed against his. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then used the tip of his tongue to delicately trace the outline of her lips.

Delilah shivered in ecstasy. Never had the touch of a man so nearly destroyed her ability to function, reduced her to such a spineless puddle of desire.

Nathan kissed the top of her nose and planted a pair of kisses on her chin before turning his attention to her parted, expectant lips. Delilah’s lips moved with his, touching briefly, enjoying the delicate softness, moving, seeking before Nathan claimed her in a deep, strength-sapping embrace.

“Can you feel my desire now?”

“Mmmmmm.” Her need to be close to him, the wish to concentrate her whole attention on the pleasure of his kisses overwhelmed her.

Footsteps on the stairs intruded. Before she could shut them out of her mind, the angry
rat-a-tat
of heels sounded on the wide heart-of-pine floor in the hall. Delilah barely had time to step back from Nathan before the library door bunt open and Serena Noyes entered, two leather-bound volumes in her hand, the light of battle in her eyes.

“Thief!” she exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Delilah. “I found these in your room.” She waved the offending volumes under Delilah’s nose.

“What were you doing in my room?” Delilah demanded, a flood of anger instantly transforming her rapture to outrage.

Serena turned to Nathan. “Maybe this will open your eyes to the kind of person you’ve nurtured in our bosom.”

“Answer Delilah’s question,” Nathan ordered.

His angry scowl stopped Serena so abruptly, it took her a few seconds to adjust. “What question?” she asked.

“What were you doing in her room?”

“I was looking for these,” she said, showing him the books.

“Am I to assume you wanted to read those particular volumes and being unable to find them on the shelves, decided Delilah must have them?”

“I’d never read this stuff” Serena said, scornful of the two rather thick histories of the ancient world. “I can’t think what she wanted them for–”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

“–except to sell them.”

“That’s insulting” Delilah cried. “I know I shouldn’t have taken them without asking, but they looked interesting.”

“What were you doing in here?” demanded Serena.

“My job,” Delilah snapped. “Cleaning out the grate.”

“Cleaning the grate doesn’t include looking through Nathan’s books.”

“I’ve already said I shouldn’t have borrowed them, but I won’t have you saying I stole them to sell. Who could buy them?”

“Do you really want to read these books?” Nathan asked.

Delilah felt poor and insignificant, and that made her angry.

“Yes,” she responded, trying hard to keep her wounded pride from making her say something she’d regret later, “but not if it means she has the right to search my room. I promise never to touch a single thing in this house again, but I won’t have anybody going in my room whenever they like.”

“I’ll search any room in this house as often as I wish,” stated Serena.

“Does that include mine?” Nathan asked. He was speaking softly again, with the look Serena hated so much in his eyes.

“N-naturally I didn’t mean yours.”

“Do you intend to search Priscilla’s room?”

There’s no need to–”

“Or Lester’s?”

“I wouldn’t think of it!” Serena said, outraged.

“Or Mrs. Stebbens?”

“I …”

“Nor will you search Delilah’s room again.”

Serena opened her mourn to speak, but Nathan cut her off.

“Not you. Not me. Not anyone. Furthermore, she can use the library as much as she likes.”

Serena closed her mouth, slowly, stunned surprise fighting bottled-up anger for control of her features.

“Unless you have something else you need to say to me, Delilah and I still have work to do.”

“You’re a fool, Nathan Trent,” Serena burst out, her fear of what Nathan might do to her insufficient to hold back her anger. “There’s nothing to stop her from lying to you and going behind your back to those rebels.”

“Nothing but her own integrity.”

“You’re even more foolish than I thought.” Serena’s face turned ugly with fury. “Her brother’s out there right now closing the courts. They meet at her uncle’s tavern to make their plans. Do you think she’s going to put you before her own kin?”

“No. I wouldn’t do that myself.” Nathan’s calm acceptance increased his aunt’s fury.

“But you give her free rein to search the house, even your library. That list of traitors is in here. Are you going to let her find that?”

Nathan opened one of the small drawers and took out a piece of folded paper. “Tell the if there’s anybody on this list the whole county doesn’t know about.”

Serena almost snatched the paper from Nathan’s hand. This was the first time she’d been allowed to see the conspirators’ names, and she almost trembled with excitement.

“I don’t see Reuben Stowbridge’s name here.” She looked vengefully at Delilah. That’s one we can add to the list.”

The governor asked for leaders, Serena, not followers. If he isn’t one of Luke Day’s cohorts, he had nothing to do with any of the court closings.”

“We don’t know that,” Serena said.

“I do,” Delilah said. “If Captain Shays hasn’t closed any courts, Reuben hasn’t either.”

Serena looked from one to the other, her fury mounting. “You’ll rue the day you listened to that hus–to her,” she said between clenched teem. “You’ll leave here just as poor as you came” she snapped at Delilah.

Turning and stalking out of the room, Serena slammed the door so hard Delilah thought it would break loose from the wall.

“My aunt is certain I’ll lose my inheritance and she’ll be turned out without a penny,” Nathan explained. “It causes her to become hysterical sometimes.”

“I can understand that,” Delilah said, feeling a surprising surge of sympathy for Serena.

“I have another list you might like to see.” Nathan looked at Delilah with what seemed a calculating glance before handing her a second list taken from the same drawer. These are people who are suspected of being potential leaders. Do you know anything about them?”

Reuben’s name was at the head of the list.

“I doubt John Skelly and Abel Judkins are leaders,” she said. They didn’t fight in the War of Independence, so they’ve never been particularly looked up to. I don’t know the rest.”

“And Reuben?”

“I told you, Reuben only follows Shays. If you don’t see Shays, you won’t see Reuben.”

“And if we do see Shays?”

“I don’t live at home anymore,” she said after a pause. “I don’t know what my brother plans to do.”

Delilah felt uncomfortable under Nathan’s scrutiny, but she resolutely faced his challenging gaze. Whatever her suspicions, regardless of how certain she might be Reuben was involved, she didn’t
know
what he was doing.