Moonlight Lover by Ferrarella Marie

Author:Ferrarella, Marie [Ferrarella, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-02-27T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-three

News of Franklin's arrival and the reason for his return to the United States spread like fire in a forest. The war was over. Finally. Britain had declared the hostilities to be over as of February fourth, and Congress echoed the command on the eleventh of April. Cries of joy, of relief and of revelry went up, county after county, state after newly formed state.

Morgan McKinley announced that a double celebration was in order at a town meeting, heralding the war's end and Franklin's visit. He handed the responsibility of arranging for the celebration over to Krystyna—and she recruited and commandeered every available pair of hands to her service, from family to house servants.

"So this is how a countess from Poland operates. Quickly and ruthlessly."

Jason stood, his arms crossed before him, leaning easily against the doorjamb of the study. He had been watching his wife pen invitation after invitation to mark the occasion. It seemed to him that she hadn't slept since his father's announcement. Christopher stood at the rear of the room, ready to deliver his aunt's invitations as quickly as possible.

"The key word is efficiently, my love." A smile spread on her mouth as her eyes sparkled. "If that does not work, then I become ruthless."

How was it possible to love someone more each day and believe that the end had been reached, only to discover that you loved her more the next day? It was a puzzle he had no hopes of solving, only enjoying.

Jason crossed to her desk. "Order me around as you will." Bending over, he kissed her temple as his nephew watched, envious. "I am at your disposal."

The smile only widened as Krystyna resumed writing. "I have always known that."

Within the space of three days, Franklin's idyllic tranquility was at an end, exchanged for a huge ball at the McKinley estate given in his honor. Everyone in the county, except for a few inhabitants with open loyalist sympathies, attended. Conspicuously missing was Winthrop's uncle, the Reverend Peregrine Blake, who had equated eternal damnation with siding with the rebels. For six years he had used his pulpit to preach the word of the crown. Anxious for his safety since Winthrop had disappeared, the Reverend kept to himself now and had developed the art of looking over his shoulder far more often than looking before him.

Krystyna had outdone herself in this commemorative ball praising freedom. In her heart, she had always espoused the American cause, equating it with her own country's struggle for the same goal. Since it hadn't been Poland's lot to throw off the yoke of her oppressors, Krystyna found bittersweet joy in being in a country that had. Morgan had ordered that no expense be spared for this celebration and she had taken him at his word. There was enough food and drink to take care of the needs of an army of people. And an army of people attended.

Sin-Jin stood back quietly, nursing a single glass of punch, watching Franklin hold court.

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