“Remarkable?” Kitty swallowed.
“Thomas and I do not care for carrot pudding. And neither do you.” The hint of accusation in Eliza’s tone met its mark.
“If you’re implying I’ve made it for Nathaniel then you’re wrong.” Her cheeks grew hot. Mercy, why must she always be so transparent? She dipped her fingers in a bowl of water and wiped off the dough, praying the meager acting skill she employed would mask at least a portion of her emotions. “I’ve developed a taste for it, despite what you might think.”
With a shrug and a smile that made Kitty’s embarrassment bleed into her cheeks, Eliza snatched a slice of apple peel and took a small bite.
“I don’t know if that’s true about the pudding, but I do think you have grown to like a certain someone quite particularly over the past few weeks.” Eliza’s eyes flashed open as if she planned to say more but remained mum when Thomas strode into the kitchen.
K
itty’s shoulders dropped and she exhaled. For now the interrogation had been thwarted and she could breathe unrestrained.
Grinning, Kitty leaned her hip against the table. “You look quite handsome, Thomas, if I may say so.”
“I must agree with you sister, I do have a very handsome husband.”
Kitty watched as Eliza straightened Thomas’s cravat as Mother had done for Father countless times. Suddenly Kitty’s imagination produced a domestic scene that made her stomach both fly and plummet. What would it be like to straighten Nathaniel’s cravat?
Mercy, Kitty! Why must her heart yearn for something she knew she could never have?
Lifting on her toes, Eliza kissed Thomas on the cheek. “This suit carries treasured memories of our wedding, my husband. I’m so pleased to see you wear it.”
He dusted a kiss against Eliza’s hairline. “Then I’m glad I chose it.” He walked farther into the kitchen whistling a long note as he glanced at the table. “Heavens, Kitty. You’ve done enough baking for one day—or two or three.” He looked over at her and winked. “But it’s time you cleaned up, we are expected at the Coopers.”
“Oh no, Thomas, but thank you.” She turned back to her dough, pulling it onto the floured table. “’Twill just be you and Liza tonight, I fear I don’t feel much like being social.” Especially around a crowd of patriots.
Kitty pretended not to notice the unspoken conversation of Thomas’s and Eliza’s back and forth glances. Irritation wriggled through Kitty’s chest. She couldn’t help but think their motivations for desiring her company weren’t driven by personal conviction. Did they honestly believe that by making her attend these ridiculous gatherings every month she would eventually give up her stand?
Thomas broke a piece of crust off the apple pie and snuck it in his mouth. “We would love you to come, truly. And not for the reasons I see swimming in your head.”
Kitty swallowed a growl. If only she could keep her emotions from living in her face! “Thomas, please, the townsfolk are beginning to know me as a Tory and I don’t wish to—”
“Nonsense.” Eliza sighed. “You have yet to be introduced to many of the delightful people of Sandwich, and I am eager for my friends to become better acquainted with you as well.” She peered up at Thomas then gazed back at Kitty, the creases in her brow turning deep. “Kitty, I don’t know if you are simply unhappy here, or longing for your acquaintances in Boston, but something is... different. You’re more withdrawn and there’s a sorrow about you...” She stopped and came around the table, taking Kitty’s shoulders in her hands. “I think it would be good for you to get out, to meet some more people and see that even though you’re a Tory, you will be among friends. I promise.”
They would despise me if they knew what I’ve done.
All the serenity she’d enjoyed suddenly abandoned her, whisking out the window on the next available breeze. So her sister had noticed. Eliza’s gift of insightful concern made it difficult to hide anything, no matter how trivial. If only Kitty could tell what she knew...
Biting her cheek, Kitty stared down at the steam swirling upward from the pudding. Lord, be with me. She forced a hard breath followed by a smile. After sharing a pained gaze with Eliza, Kitty nodded her surrender. “I will go.” Perhaps the gathering wouldn’t be as bad as she feared.
Eliza brushed Kitty’s cheek, her dark eyes soft. “I am pleased, Kitty.” With a wink, she grabbed Kitty’s hand and led her from the kitchen. “Come, let us clean you up.”
Thomas led the way, but promptly stopped and pointed at the table. “Is that carrot pudding?” The glee in his face made Kitty want to toss the infernal pudding in the fire.
She pursed her lips playfully and glared. “Aye, I adore carrot pudding. Or didn’t you know?”
Removing her apron, Kitty followed Eliza toward the parlor ignoring Thomas’s jesting as she walked upstairs.
“Are you sure it’s the pudding you like—and not the man that will come to eat it?”
His gentle laughter rumbled behind her as she and Eliza hurried upstairs. Nay. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Nathaniel. And for that reason she hadn’t cared to attend another patriot gathering since that first night. He would be there.
Kitty unfastened her bodice and pulled off her petticoat while Eliza looked through the gowns in the armoire. A groan formed in her throat, but she swallowed it away. Her stomach turned. Seeing Nathaniel did terrible things to her insides.
Terrible? Or, wonderful?
Dotting on a bit of her flower-scented water to cover the scent of cinnamon, she stared at her reflection in the mirror.