Silence enveloped them until Nathaniel spoke. “A woman would be hard pressed to find a man more worthy than you, Henry.”
The sound of his real name made William stall. Worthy? Nay. Not when he’d accepted a new name and changed his life to cover a multitude of hazards that could endanger them both, should he be discovered. The reality he’d ignored since his wedding day bore down on him like a winter storm. His entire past, every bit of him he had to keep secret. How could he ever really be worthy of anything when the truth circled above him like a vulture, ready to pick him apart at the demise of his charade.
“But the two of you have kissed. That should reveal something of how she feels.” Thomas’s statement smacked William back to the moment.
Like a boy in school who’d been caught daydreaming, William stumbled for a reply. “Well…no…we were—”
“Come now, you can’t tell me you haven’t kissed her yet?” Nathaniel’s sharp laugh bit the air. He shook his head, a look of disapproval in his face. “For shame, William.”
Thomas waved his hand in the air. “Nay, I saw you when I came in, you were—”
“We were about to if you hadn’t burst in the room.” The pent-up frustration shot like steam from a kettle. “And may we cease this conversation? I’d rather not discuss my marital struggles with men who clearly have little more experience than I.”
Nathaniel nodded, his hands in his pockets. “I understand.” His solemn look lasted only a second. “But rest assured we will be asking until we are sure you have made her your wife in all respects.”
He wouldn’t.
The smile on his face said he would.
William bristled. “Don’t do it, Nathaniel.”
“I should not.” Nathaniel chuckled as he spoke. “But the look of puerile embarrassment on your face when I do mention it is worth every moment I risk feeling your fist against my jaw.”
That comment signaled the end of their evening. William gave a quick nod then spun toward the door.
Thomas was right behind him, his hand on his shoulder. He whispered in William’s ear. “Now would be a good time to return home and finish where you were so rudely interrupted. She cares for you, that much is obvious.”
William whirled. Thomas fought a smile that urged for release, one his eyes were all too willing to share.
Battling the irritation that scratched his stomach, William snatched his hat and flung open the door.
He didn’t even turn around to see their looks of triumph. He could feel them burning into his back as he walked from the house. They’d switched conversations so easily it made his head spin. One moment they were discussing matters of supreme importance and the next, prodding him toward matrimonial bliss as if it were the most natural transition. The cool evening air soothed his burning skin. Had they so little regard for their own safety that they would push aside their pressing matters to discuss what had happened—or what hadn’t happened—with Anna?
“William!” Nathaniel called.
He stopped but didn’t turn until his friend was at his side. William answered with lifted eyebrows only.
Nathaniel lowered his voice. “We’ll be making our first exchange tomorrow night.”
“Where?”
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. “You are not to be part of this.”
“You knew I would want to help or you wouldn’t have spoken to me.”
Turning back to Thomas, Nathaniel gave a slow nod and a smile opened Thomas’s face before he slipped back into the house.
He lowered his voice to a thin whisper as if the leaves on the trees were keeping watch. “We will hold you back from taking part in the exchanges. For now. We will need you later, should the rest of us be suspected. ’Tis not a matter of if, but when.”
William nodded, a sudden buzz shooting through his limbs. “I will be ready at a moment’s notice.”
Nathaniel pivoted away then stopped and cupped William on the shoulder once more. “You’re a true patriot now, Henry.”
“William,” he corrected. A familiar longing at the sound of his old name flickered then dimmed. “I am Henry no longer.”
Nathaniel dropped his arm, his gaze firm. “Henry was a good man.”
“I hope William is a better one.”