Savage Destiny (The Hearts of Liberty Series, Book 1) (63 page)

Randolph had tossed his hat aside as he had come through the door. With his boyish curls and bright blue eyes, he was such an attractive man, she wasn't surprised people were so eager to believe they were lovers. Remembering that Charity Wade had described him as fine-looking, she suddenly had an idea.

"Thank you for wanting to stand by me, but let's just wait and see what happens in the next few days. If the gossip subsides, fine, I'll stay, but if it continues to embarrass you, I'll leave regardless of how loudly you protest."

"No, you won't," Randolph argued.

"Yes, I will. You once asked to meet Christian, and I don't see any reason for us to abide by my aunt and uncle's rule forbidding him visitors any longer. Because you've come home early, would you like to see him today?"

Randolph saw through her effort to distract him from the issue at hand, but his curiosity got the better of him and he agreed. "Yes, I would." Eager to go, he rose to his feet.

"Good." Alanna kept her fingers crossed the whole way, but when they arrived at Charity's, nothing went as she had hoped. As she so often did, Charity came to the door holding Christian, but he had awakened from his nap feeling cranky and out of sorts. His face red from crying, he reached out for Alanna, but kept right on fussing.

"His gums are swollen," Charity explained. "I believe he's cutting his first tooth."

"Poor baby. He seems very unhappy about it, doesn't he?" Alanna quickly introduced Randolph, but rather than smiling prettily as she had expected her to, Charity just seemed embarrassed, gathered up her children, and disappeared into the bedroom for the entire duration of their visit. With Christian's mood so far from good, Alanna did not want to stay long anyway. Randolph's interest in the child seemed sincere, but she did not want to risk boring him. She excused herself and carried the boy into the back room.

"Why are you hiding in here?" she whispered. "I thought you and Randolph would like each other."

Charity had been scrubbing the floor before they arrived. She was wearing a faded dress, and her hair was sticking out from under her cap in long, damp wisps. "Oh, Mrs. Hunter, he's a fine gentleman, and look at me! There's nothing for him to like."

"That's not true. I'll bring him back with me on Sunday. Put on your prettiest dress, and make the effort to smile at him. He'll like you, believe me he will."

Having no inkling of Alanna's matchmaking plans, Randolph began to criticize Charity as soon they left her house. "Are you sure that woman is giving Christian enough attention?" he asked. "She seemed overwhelmed with the responsibility for her own children, and the boy deserves the best of care."

"You're mistaken. Charity is wonderful to Christian. I simply chose the wrong time for a visit, is all. Christian was fine this morning. He's really a very good little boy, even if he was unhappy just now."

Randolph nodded thoughtfully. "Even if Mrs. Wade is a capable woman, her house is awfully small for four young children. You don't plan to leave Christian with her much longer, do you?"

Randolph wasn't aware of her argument with Hunter over the boy, and Alanna saw no reason to share such a private torment with him now. "If there were a way for me to nurse Christian myself, then I'd be raising him, but because I can't, he'll have to stay with Charity a while longer."

Randolph hadn't meant to broach such a delicate subject; badly embarrassed, he remained silent until they reached home. "I need to go back to lock up the shop. I'll see you at supper."

Alanna entered the house, discouraged her plan to spark a romance between Charity and Randolph hadn't had a more auspicious beginning. She had always considered Charity attractive, but apparently all Randolph had had a chance to observe was a harried young mother with more children than hands. Well, things would be different on Sunday, and she would hold a thought for them until then.

When Randolph came home, he handed Alanna a small box. "It's something for Christian. I should have thought of it earlier."

"Thank you, how sweet of you." Alanna removed the lid to find a small sterling silver bell suspended from a mother-of-pearl hoop. Christian's name had been engraved on the bell, and it was such a beautiful gift, she was deeply touched by it. "Thank you. You're the first person other than Elliott and me to give Christian a present. It was very thoughtful of you. You made this yourself, didn't you?"

"Yes. It's not just pretty, however. I've made a great many of those over the years, and babies love to chew on them. With teeth coming in, that will be all Christian will want to do."

Alanna shook the hoop, and the bell rang with a musical tone. "You do beautiful work. I've always enjoyed visiting your shop."

Randolph sat down beside her on the settee. "Thank you. Is there anything you'd like me to make for you? It could be a wedding gift. A teapot perhaps?"

The mention of wedding gifts made Alanna's heart lurch. Melissa and Ian had received so many pretty things, and yet they had all been left for Graham and her to pack away. No one was likely to give Hunter and her such lovely presents, but rather than gifts, she would have appreciated the kind words and good wishes she doubted they would ever hear. Randolph was her only friend, it seemed; she gratefully reached out to touch his sleeve lightly.

"I'm sure it would be beautiful, but completely out of place in Hunter's home. He lives in a house he built himself out of tree limbs and bark. It's actually very cozy, but not a good place to show off silver teapots."

Stunned by the description of her future residence, Randolph placed his hand over hers. "Oh, Alanna, are you going to be happy living there?"

"Were you happy with your wife?"

Randolph nodded. "Very."

"Then you can understand how little a house matters. It's who shares it that's important, not how grand it is."

Randolph could certainly agree with that statement, because he had not realized how empty his life was until she had entered it. "Yes, and I hope you enjoy every day you spend here with me."

Alanna could not mistake the longing in his voice, but she smiled as though his comment were merely that of an attentive host. "Thank you again. I'm sure I will."

* * *

Alanna wanted to wear the white dress adorned with violets to church on Sunday, but fearing it would be seen as disrespectful to Elliott's memory, she chose a plain blue gown instead. As they had the day of the funeral, she and Randolph arrived just as the congregation was entering the church, and took seats in the very last pew. That did not prevent curious glances from being directed their way, however. Uncomfortably aware of the constant low murmurings their presence provoked, they left before the priest pronounced the benediction.

"I don't understand why people are so quick to condemn our friendship," Randolph complained. "You're in need of a place to stay, and I've provided it. That doesn't constitute a sin."

"That people are so quick to see evil instead of good is horribly discouraging, isn't it? Hunter and I were unable to win my aunt and uncle's sympathy and understanding. I can't expect more from people who barely know me, or strangers, than I do from them. Fortunately, I don't have to remain here in Williamsburg forever, Randolph, but you do. I'm going to move out of your house next week."

"No, I won't allow it."

Astonished he apparently thought he had that right, Alanna spoke clearly. "I'm neither your daughter nor your wife, and while I appreciate your concern, I have to make my own decisions." They were walking toward Charity's, and as they reached her gate, Alanna turned toward her now sullen companion. "You were absolutely right about this house being too small for Charity and her family. I'm going to ask her if she would like to share a larger place with me."

Randolph seized upon his first inspiration to discourage the idea. "She may own this place, Alanna, and if she does, she'd be insulted by such a suggestion. After all, it's her home."

Pleased by his comment, Alanna nevertheless appeared to think about it a moment before replying. "You're right again, and I don't want to risk insulting her. Do you suppose you might make a discreet inquiry as to whether or not she owns the property, while I'm playing with Christian? You're blessed with an abundance of tact, and I know you could do it without arousing her suspicions."

"But I've just met the woman," Randolph protested.

"Yes, that's why your questions will seem the natural curiosity of a new acquaintance." Giving him no more time to ponder her plan, she attempted to hide her smile as she preceded him up the walk.

Striving to look her best, Charity was dressed in a rust-colored gown, which provided a superb complement to her auburn hair. It was far from new, but clean and pressed, and flattering to her slender figure. Her children were also carefully groomed and dressed in their finest apparel. She welcomed Alanna and Randolph to her home, offered tea and cookies, but apologized for Christian.

"I'm afraid he's still asleep. He loves the rattle you made for him, sir. It hasn't been out of his hands since Mrs. Hunter gave it to him."

Randolph had had such a quick glimpse of Charity on his initial visit to her home, that he was quite pleasantly surprised to find her far more attractive than he had first imagined.

When her children went out onto the porch to play, and Alanna went into the bedroom to see Christian, he found talking with her not nearly as disagreeable a task as he had feared.

"I was born here," he said, "but I know we hadn't met until just the other day. How long have you and your family lived in Williamsburg?"

Charity had to give her full attention to pouring his tea, and waited until after she had filled the cup and handed it to him to reply. "I was born in Philadelphia, but moved here ten years ago when Thomas and I married. He was a cooper, and worked for several of the plantations. We had hoped to buy some land and have a farm of our own one day, but he took sick and died. That was the end of our dreams."

Randolph was leaning forward slightly, wearing an expression of concerned interest, but Charity feared she was boring him, and grew even more flustered than she already was. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm just rambling. I spend most of my time with the children, and talking to adults is difficult for me. I'm afraid I don't have anything more to say."

Charity's innocent sweetness reminded Randolph of Alanna, and he was charmed by her shyness. He knew Alanna was so desperately in love with her husband she scarcely noticed him, and it was immensely satisfying to meet a woman with similar qualities who appeared to be free. "I know exactly what you mean," he agreed. "When people come into my shop, they ask questions about the merchandise, or make special requests, so my conversations all tend to have a similar ring. Then I meet a lovely young woman like you, and it's difficult for me to know what to say."

It had been such a long while since anyone had referred to Charity as either young or lovely, that she could not help but blush. "Really, Mr. O'Neil, I'm not used to that kind of flattery."

"What a shame. How long has your husband been gone?"

"It will be four years come December."

"I'm a widower myself. Although my daughter is grown, I know how difficult it is to raise children alone."

Touched that he understood her plight, Charity's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Oh my yes, it certainly is," she agreed.

Christian had awakened, but Alanna changed his diaper and kept him in the bedroom. She could overhear bits and pieces of the conversation taking place in the front room, and rejoiced that it appeared to be going so well. She liked both Charity and Randolph enormously, and hoped the gentle nudge toward friendship she was providing might develop into something more. When she finally took Christian out to join them, the subtle smiles passing between the pair convinced her it already had.

* * *

By the time Hunter caught up with General Braddock's forces, they were encamped at Will's Creek. Since he had last been there, the former Ohio Company's trading post had been fortified with a log stockade. Barracks and powder magazines had been constructed, and the site renamed Fort Cumberland. Consisting mainly of British regulars, joined by colonials and sailors, there were twenty-two hundred men under Braddock's command.

Located where the creek joined the Potomac River, the newly built fort was on a rise surrounded by thick stands of oak and chestnut. Teeming with men and crowded with pack animals and wagons, the fort presented such a disorganized maze, that it took Hunter half a day to find Byron. He knew better than to merely walk up and tap the young man on the shoulder, and so waited until an opportunity presented itself for him to approach Byron while he was alone.

Hunter started for him then, but he was still ten feet away when Byron glanced up and saw him. The look on his face was anything but welcoming, but Hunter kept right on coming. No fool, he came to a halt just beyond Byron's reach. "I have some very bad news for you," he announced so softly only Byron would hear.

Byron nodded toward the open gate of the fort; with Hunter following close behind, he skirted the wagons parked nearby and walked out into the forest. When he was certain their conversation would not be overheard by any curious strangers, he turned to face him. At first glance he hadn't noted much difference in Hunter, but now he saw the last ten months had given the brave's features the same lean, forbidding hardness he saw reflected in his own mirror.