A Debt of Honor by M.A. Nichols

Author:M.A. Nichols [Nichols, M.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nichols Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

***

Shadows darkened the bedchamber, fought off by a lone candle and the banked embers of the fire. Had Father seen Nan in such a position, he would’ve reprimanded her for reading in such poor light, but as Mrs. Leigh controlled how many candlesticks were given to each room, asking for more would’ve been a pointless endeavor.

Nan had grown too comfortable in her father-in-law’s study. There, he had lights aplenty. Here, she had blankets and pillows. A trade-off, to be certain.

Not that it mattered, for though her eyes tracked the words on the page, they left little impression; her hands moved on instinct, turning the pages once she’d glanced at each line. Forcing herself back, she tried to read it again, though she had as little luck as before.

In truth, she was too tired to read, but if she put the book down, Nan was certain to fall asleep—something she did not wish to do. Not yet. Time away from Mrs. Leigh was precious, and she couldn’t bear to part with a single moment. Even for sleep.

A knock at the door had her attention darting up from the page; her fingers tightened around the book, and she forced her voice to remain even as she called out to the person. Mrs. Leigh was abed, after all. It was doubtful that the lady would rise from her slumber just to harp at her daughter-in-law. Or so Nan hoped.

But when the door opened, Nan was faced with someone she certainly did not expect to see. Benjamin poked his head inside as though checking that no one was about, and he slipped into the room, shutting the door behind him. And stood there.

“Do you require something?” she asked.

Benjamin tugged on the edge of his dressing gown. “No. I simply wished to see how you are faring.”

“Well enough,” she replied, which was a truth she ought not to forget. So many people struggled in this world, and it did no good to hope for more than that when she was already so blessed.

His slippers scuffed against the floor as he shifted from foot to foot. “That is good.”

Perhaps she ought to welcome him into her bedchamber, invite him to sit, or give at least a passing nod at politeness, but with her fortitude so depleted, Nan could hardly muster the thought that she ought to do so, never mind acting upon it.

So, she returned to her book as Benjamin seemed determined to stand there, mute. Of course, it was even more difficult to pay attention to her story now, for Nan was aware of every flutter of his nightclothes and creak of the floorboards as he fidgeted. And then his footsteps moved across the room, and though she did not look up, she spied him in her periphery as he came to the bedside.

“Nan?” Benjamin’s question held such uncertainty and timidness that she couldn’t help but turn her full attention on him.

“Yes?”

With a faint smile, he shifted in place. “Can I join you here tonight?”

Nan’s

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