Carolina Crossing (Cape Fear Legacy, #2) by Hawthorne Kit

Author:Hawthorne, Kit
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kit Hawthorne
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

MELINA SET HER QUILL down on the blotter of the writing desk and looked over the flowing script that already filled half a page. She had so much to tell—about the birth of Boudicca’s pretty bay filly, and the big fish Rory had caught, and the sudden growth of the town’s population as Tories flocked to Wilmington. It was rumored that the Patriots had retaken Heron’s Bridge. She hoped it was true.

She propped her chin on her hand and gazed through the parlor’s front window at the pine boughs tossing lightly in the breeze. It was a mild, sweet day, like a foretaste of spring. Everything felt full of promise. They had only to hold on a little longer, and the Patriots would win the war, and the British would leave Wilmington, and all would be right with the world.

She would have to go to Charlestown after Papa was released. He was tough, and in his letters he always made light of his suffering, but he’d been locked in a prison ship for the better part of a year and would need tender care. Once he had his strength back, he would surely want to visit his Shaw cousins, and see the place where Melina had spent so many months, and express his thanks in person.

What would he think of Fergus? That was the question that kept running through her mind. Fergus could hardly be more different in temperament from Papa, and marriage to him would not be considered a brilliant match by her set. But Fergus was an upright and honorable young man. Anyone could see that. Besides, when had Papa ever been able to refuse Melina anything she truly wanted? And she did want Fergus Shaw. She wanted him with all her heart. And although he had never spoken openly of his feelings for her, she did think that he—

“Writing to Fergus again?”

Melina started, and turned to see Nessa, still in gloves and hat, giving her a knowing smile.

“Just a few lines,” said Melina. “A postscript, to tell him about Boudicca’s foal.”

Nessa laid a folded paper on the writing desk. “Perhaps you’ll want to add the latest news from Charlestown. I picked this up for you in town just now.”

Melina glanced at the address and opened the seal. “Mrs. Elliot! What possible reason could she have to write to me?”

“Is she not a friend?” Nessa asked.

“She was,” said Melina, opening the seal. “She and her husband were Patriots, but they chose to remain in Charlestown after it fell to the British, and Mr. Elliot took the Oath of Allegiance to the Crown. Summer Patriots! I have no use for them."

She unfolded the paper and read the opening.

Dear Girl, it is with great heaviness of Heart that I write to inform you—

All the air went out of the room.

“Melina? Are you all right?”

Nessa’s voice seemed to come from a great distance. Melina couldn’t answer. She held the letter in her hand and stared at the words until the lines of text swam before her eyes.

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