You have Anna.
He brushed the thought away, though it lingered when the aroma of lavender brought back the scent of Anna’s hair, the feel of her skin. And the need to feel it again.
William shifted his feet and looked down again at his hat. “We are learning how to manage this new life. ’Tis difficult for both of us, but…we’ll fit into ourselves in time.”
Silence welled between them. Kitty dropped her hands to her sides and her voice went quiet. “You have feelings for her.”
He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. So many things he wished to say, but how to say it? I do, but my past imprisons me.
She must have seen a semblance of answer in his eyes. Reaching out, she touched his arm. “What happened to you, William? There is much I know you do not speak of. I would hear it. And nothing you say will leave this room, I give you my word.”
“I believe that, Kitty.” He straightened and put his hat on his head. “Perhaps someday I will speak of it, but for now
I should—”
“Speak of what?”
William spun to see Nathaniel enter through the back and plunk his medical bag on the large table beside the door. His grin consumed his face. “Just the man I wanted to see,” he said.
“Is that so?” William tucked his hat under his arm once more.
“Aye.” Nathaniel removed his coat then looked to his wife, who dashed from behind William to swing her arms around her husband.
She planted a quick kiss on his cheek then spun back to the kitchen. “I shall leave you gentlemen to your conversation. Supper requires my attention.”
Nathaniel’s gaze followed her away, his expression dreamlike. “I will never deserve her, William. No matter how I try, I shall never deserve her.”
“I must say I’m surprised she forgave you so quickly.” William moved to the parlor and took the largest chair.
“Well, I’m easy to forgive.” Nathaniel chuckled, then grew serious. “But you didn’t come to discuss my marriage.”
William pulled his lip between his teeth. “The boy I met today, the one for the exchange—”
“Boy?” Every hint of a smile vanished from Nathaniel’s face. “You should have met a man. Are you sure you were not duped?”
“’Twas our smuggler, no doubt.” William explained the boy’s struggle and Nathaniel stared, mouth tight as William finished. “That is not the worst of it. He was followed.”
Nathaniel’s face went slack. “To you.”
“Aye, to the very edge of my property.” His stomach churned. “If Anna had not come, I fear what might have happened.” He let out a dark breath. “Though her presence there nearly ripped me in half. He was far too close.”
Cheek between his teeth, Nathaniel answered low. “What was Anna doing in the wood?”
William flung a quick glance over his shoulder toward the kitchen to be sure they were still alone. “She was gathering nettles for supper.” The memory sparked the fear and indignation that simmered just beneath the surface. If that soldier had touched her…
“What did he say? Could you discern if they had any additional intelligence?”
William nodded. “We must be more discreet if we are to continue. Find another route perhaps. Not exchange in the middle of the…” He stopped and bit his tongue to keep from swearing. He growled and finished the thought, “The middle of the day.” The anger he’d suppressed since the moment he’d seen Anna bubbled.
Nathaniel’s neck ticked. “We must speak of this to Thomas.” He hurled from the chair and yanked his hat from the table. “Come. I have much to tell you, as well.”
They were out the back door and striding down the road for some minutes before Nathaniel began speaking again. “Thomas and I are feeling the need to do more.”
“More?”
“Aye. Our army surrounds Boston in the hills outside the city, but their situation is desperate.”
William focused on the ground, forehead pressing down. “I had heard they were in some need.” He stopped short as a horse and rider approached. Both men nodded as the rider passed and only when the sound of the hooves had completely passed did Nathaniel continue.