So Rare a Gift (Daughters of His Kingdom 3)

A cascade of unnamed frustrations ran down her back as she neared Mr. Wythe. William would so quickly ignore his feelings for her—if indeed he had such regard—and allow this man to escort her home in place of himself?

“Good evening, Mrs. Fredericks.”

Mr. Wythe bowed slightly, his kind features softening her burgeoning frustrations. His height and broad shoulders took away another layer of her concerns. She could be safe with him. Though her traitorous heart wished it were William by her side, the resentments piling in her middle refused even the slightest acknowledgement that perhaps she misjudged him. She continued to refuse his gaze, though she could feel his eyes upon her.

“Good evening, Mr. Wythe.” She passed William as she strode toward the door. “I do appreciate you being willing to see me home safely.”

“’Tis my pleasure.”

William rushed forward and opened the door. He touched her back again as she exited. “I shall be home soon.”

The song of his voice curled around her and she looked up. Suddenly unable to move, captured by the swell of tenderness in his eyes, Anna gripped her skirt to keep from reaching for him. Did he care? Truly?

His mouth opened as if he would speak, but he shut it again, snipping the thread of hope she’d nearly used to mend the rift in her spirit. He looked to Joseph, a kind of warning blazing behind his eyes.

Joseph nodded and gestured for Anna to exit in front of him.

Walking into the chilled air, she gripped her arms and rubbed her hands up and down, trying to stay warm despite the chill that ravaged within. She was safe nowhere. Even here in this little town with a husband and friends beside her, her father’s ever-expanding influence would uncover her hiding place and snatch her from the only happiness she’d ever known. A bitter laugh reached for her throat but she kept it back. Not that she took any pleasure in burning every meal she touched or enjoyed the ache in her back from the endless scrubbing and digging and washing. A grin lifted her face and she glanced to the sky. In truth, she did take pleasure in such things. She loved this new life. All of it.

Lord, look down on me in mercy. Keep me from being discovered.

She glanced up at her escort and he smiled down at her before turning his attentions to the road with a stern set to his jaw.

Her stomach clenched. Had the look William given him been an unspoken command to be sure he kept her safe? Perhaps she was too harsh in her judgments. With a sigh that cleared the darkness from her spirit, Anna straightened her posture and resolved to rise above her childish sensibilities. William would no doubt be famished when he returned. Well then, he would return home to a feast.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A strange perfume rested on the air. Dew-kissed autumn leaves, sea mist, and the promise of rain. William trudged across the path from the creek and up to the house. Fatigue cramped his weary muscles. Numerous times in the past he’d stood watch for many intense and dangerous hours. But these last six were more charged than he’d ever endured.

The sun’s glow peeped at the edge of the trees, asking how he’d spent his night. His lips stretched in response. Tense as it had been, his body still buzzed with that excited energy he craved.

He’d all but forced Nathaniel to allow him to ride with him to Plymouth. The man had nearly burst a vein in his head, but he’d allowed it. And good thing. The ride there had been easy enough and the meeting with Willis Plains, the leader of the Plymouth patriots, had gone as planned. ’Twas the ride back that still had his pulse racing. He grinned again, recalling the speeds at which they’d ridden to escape the lone rider who followed. Then, like Joseph, the three hours they’d spent lying in the reeds, praying God would shield them. And he prayed God would continue to shelter him with His all-knowing hand. For now, the bulk of the responsibility rested on William to exchange the goods or deposit them, whatever the case might be. At least, until they could discover what else could be done.

Trudging forward, a dusting of orange sunlight rested upon a company of pink flowers, their petals so delicate William stopped to marvel God’s creation. Lowering to his haunches, he brushed his fingers against the silken blooms, their yellow centers and circle of slender petals all but beseeching him to carry them away that they might bask in the brightness of Anna’s smile. How could he resist? Plucking a handful of the delicate flowers, their lovely hue tempting a grin, William rose and continued on.

He rounded the small bend in the path and stopped when his house came into view. A light flickered in the kitchen window and a thread of smoke drifted from the chimney. Anna must be preparing breakfast. The image of her wounded expression when she’d left with Joseph still pained. Staring down, he questioned his reasoning for the hundredth time. Aye, Eliza and Kitty were both aware of the dangerous task they’d undertaken, but Anna carried fears of which the other two women still did not know. The burden of discovery weighed upon her heavily. If Anna were to have added worries over his safety…. He shook his head. ’Twas better to keep her ignorant, though he despised himself for the secrecy all the same.

Nearing the door, he stopped, a flash of color snatching his attention. Peering through the glass, he paused, a grin at his mouth as he watched the familiar morning scene repeating itself. Hands at her hips, Anna faced the fire then bent and swung around, plunking the skillet on the table. She blew upward at the strand of hair that draped her brow when suddenly she stomped and straightened her arms at her sides. “Mi rifiuto di rinunciare!”

A ripple of affection dashed through him. Whatever it was she said, she said it with passion. A grin etched into his face and he relaxed his stance, leaning his shoulder against the door to stay hidden but continue his pleasurable view. He’d seen this side of her only a few times, but now it seemed deeper, more real. This passion, this tenacity, was at the center of the woman he’d married. Though her courage had always been evident, this vibrant personality she unknowingly revealed sang to him, and he had to fight the powerful urge to rush in and embrace her.

With a quick shake of his head, he dispersed the outrageous idea from his mind. He pushed from the door and started for the barn. Though the flowers in his hand begged otherwise, he continued on, sure that the chickens might have eggs Anna could use, if she hadn’t already gathered them. The task would give him ample time to be sure his heart wouldn’t replace the entangling feelings from which he’d just freed himself.

A scream pierced the air and he whirled toward the house. The frightful sound came again and he bolted for the door. He gripped the handle and pushed, but the latch was in place.

“Anna! What’s wrong? Let me in.”

“William! Help me!”

She screamed again, but this time her voice snapped with horror.

Moving back, William kicked the heel of his boot beside the handle. The latch cracked and the door swung open. He rushed in a

nd his chest seized.

Anna writhed on the floor, her skirts aflame.

He lunged for the cloak on the peg and raced forward, beating the flames. His pulse exploded. He pounded again and again until the orange ribbons vanished, leaving only the smoldering black of their handiwork.