“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.”