Free Thorns in Eden and the Everlasting Mountains by RITA GERLACH

rags.”
    If
Dorene’s eyes were daggers, they would have drawn blood. Raising her head, she
glided over to the door in a huff. The maid hurried to open it. Dorene left the
room. 
    Lavinia
sat beside Rebecah. “Dorene doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Your gown is
lovely.”
    Rebecah
stood and looked at the mauve silk in the mirror. “I should despise it.”
    “Why?
You look beautiful.”
    “I don’t
wish to look beautiful tonight. Lanley.”
    “Forget
him. Your betrothal is not etched in stone.”
    Despite
Lavinia’s encouragement, Brent’s words came back. Since that day in his study,
she prayed for a way to escape. The thought of being wedded to Lanley, made her
feel as though she were dying inside.
    “If
only you knew the threats your father has made, and how difficult he has made
things.”
    “I
know better than you think.” Lavinia headed for the door. “Tonight you need not
worry about my father or Lanley. Jack is here.”
    *  *  *
    Nash
felt out of his element with the new clothes and the scent of milled soap upon
his skin. And then there was Rebecah. He had seen her four times, in the
village or passing on the road, since they had first met. Their encounters had
been brief, always in the presence of others. Conversation had been limited to
the fine day, or the wellbeing of their loved ones. When he saw her standing in
the window, his heart pounded. Then she moved away and he bounded up the stairs
and stepped inside the house.
    Lavinia
and Rebecah emerged from upstairs and his eyes lifted to see her, to watch the
way she walked down the runner toward the stairs.
    “Is
that your cousin?” A girl dressed in blue damask, whose powdered face and black
patch made her look more like a harlequin than a young woman, moved beside
Dorene at the foot of the staircase.
    He slipped
back, so not to be seen, listened, and watched how she vied for attention. Dorene
has not changed at all.
    Another
girl in the cluster tapped her fan. “I caught a glimpse of her in the market. I
thought no great thing of her.”
    “I’ve
seen her in church,” spoke a third. “The men cannot keep their eyes from
wandering her way.”
    “Is
it true Sir Cecil Lanley has asked for her hand?” probed the girl with the
patch.
    “Yes,
and someday my cousin will get all she deserves.” Dorene proceeded into the
ballroom with her clutch of friends. Nash breathed a sigh of relief she did not
see him. A moment with the prideful Dorene surrounded by gawking females would
vex him.   
    Samuel
Brent walked by, stopped and turned. 
    “Sir
Samuel.” Nash bowed. “How are you, sir?”
    Brent
looked him over with scrutiny. “I’m always in excellent condition. Come to
Endfield with your parents, have you? Rodney told me you intend to sell your
land and are seeking a buyer. Why?”
    “I’ve
settled in America, and can use the money.” Nash took a step back to let a lady
and her gentleman pass.
    “So,
have you become a traitor to king and country?” Brent leaned forward. “Are you
one of those Sons of Liberty we hear about?”
    Nash
made no reply. Why get into a debate?
    “You
are aware I’m in favor of hanging traitors.” Brent smiled in quick greeting to
his guests. “We’ve enough loyal Englishmen in the Colonies to squash a rebellion.”
    “Yet
they should not underestimate the patriots’ fervor.”
    Brent
frowned. Lady Kathryn drew beside him. Nash kissed the hand she held out to
him.
    Rebecah
was coming down the stairs. Brent’s face flushed and Nash saw something
dreadful snapped in his mind.
    Lady
Kathryn touched his arm. “What is it, my love?”
    “You
don’t see it, do you? She is the image of her mother.”
    “Slightly,
Samuel.” Lady Kathryn opened her fan.
     “You
will excuse me.” Pain and anger glazed Brent’s eyes. “I’m not good at parties.”
    His
wife looked disappointed. “It would be discourteous, Samuel.”
    “I don’t
care, Kate. This is my house and I shall do as I please.”