Light of My Heart by Elizabeth St. Michel

Author:Elizabeth St. Michel [Michel, Elizabeth St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Elizabeth St. Michel
Published: 2017-09-05T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Regardless of the fire roaring in the fireplace of one of the luxurious salons of Belvoir Castle, Rachel pulled her silk shawl about her shoulders to ward off a chill. She turned a dazzling smile to the two gentlemen who had come to call. Despite her bright smile, her mood dipped as she looked through the doorway and out into the hall, hoping Anthony would walk by, even though she knew he’d be in his laboratory. Rachel shivered, wishing she didn’t need to separate herself from Anthony. Not only was it for the best, but it was required.

So, why was she so close to tears?

Aunt Margaret chatted with the two gentlemen while Rachel tried to convince herself that her aching disappointment was merely because of Anthony’s disagreeable and insulting outburst, but her lonely dejection sprang from something much deeper. She missed him. To see his smile, to be able to work with him again in his laboratory… No. His rudeness was an affront to her New England upbringing and he needed a lesson.

“Miss Thorne, has the unhappy and deluded multitude against His Majesty’s forces in the Colonies become sensible of their error?”

She ground her teeth. Sir Alford referred to King George and his cohorts attempt to dismember the Colonies.

Sir Alford thumped his tea cup down on the saucer. “For if all Colonial women are as beautiful as you, we need to conquer the rabble posthaste?”

“The King must make those cloddish rebels suffer the inevitable of England’s formidable army,” laughed Sir Pembroke.

Rachel’s hands clenched over the arms of her chair when Anthony chose to enter the room. She ignored him, incensed by these aristocrats, far removed from what sufferings her countrymen had gone through in the name of freedom. Should she remind them that the rebels were winning? Did she tell them her brother Ethan and formerly, her cousin Jacob robbed the merchant ships along the coasts of England while they slept snug in their beds?

She leaned forward, pretended alarm laced in her voice. “What do you think will happen with the alliance of France and the Colonies, prompted by the British surrender of Saratoga? The French make no secret of providing weapons, munitions and supplies to the patriots. New England is lost to the rebels, including my hometown of Boston. General Clinton’s forces have withdrawn from Philadelphia to New York. Is it a matter of time before the British remove from New York? Are the Colonies to be lost?” She held her wrist to her forehead, striking a dramatic pose, and sneaking a glance at her rapt audience. The fools.

Anthony leaned on the mantle and smirked. Aunt Margaret smiled. The other two men sat aghast.

“You must not return to that rabble. The sufferings of those loyal to the Crown, I can only imagine. The King will stop this rebellion.” Sir Alford protested, and then turned and frowned at Anthony. “Lord Anthony, so nice of you to join us. Miss Thorne was diverting us with her fears of the rebels.”

“She should know firsthand.

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