Free Garden of the Moon by Elizabeth Sinclair Page A

would go well with my hair, and all the gentlemen would swoon at the sight of me. Oddly, I found myself feeling bad for Katherine. Momma consistently criticized Katherine’s choices, and warned her that the ladies would all snub her and she would become a social outcast. I wish Momma be nicer to Katherine. She can be trying on one’s nerves, but I think if she were treated differently, she would react differently.
    I really chose the color because it’s Jonathan’s favorite. He said the dining room in Harrogate, the house he’s building, will be sky blue. Harrogate is almost complete, and we’re going to stop by to see it on our way home from the Degas’ barbeque tomorrow evening. I can’t wait. I just know it will be breathtaking because Papa’s seen it, and he says it’s truly magnificent, and I believe him. After all, Jonathan designed it. How could it be anything less than grand?
    Jonathan will be there. He says he’ll have a special gift for me, but seeing him will be the best birthday present I could ask for. My heart pounds at the mere thought of seeing him again. Because Jonathan is Katherine’s unofficial fiancé, I know I shouldn’t, but I do love him so. I have ever since we were children. He’s so kind and so gentle. I just know, deep down, that he’s my soulmate and if I can’t have him, I would rather spend my life alone.
     
    Warmth invaded Sara. She knew what that special gift was–the locket. She picked it up and clutched it in her hand, then glanced at the portrait of Maddy’s love. Clarice had been right. Maddy had truly loved Jonathan. For a moment, Sara gazed dreamily off into the dark night beyond the window and wondered what it would be like to love someone so passionately and to have them love you likewise in return. It certainly wouldn’t be like the distant friendliness her parents shared. It would have to be more like the forever kind of love that Gran had felt for Ezra Wade.
    Perhaps someday, Sara would be lucky enough to find the man who would make her heart sing at the mere thought of him. An image of Jonathan Bradford drifted into her mind’s eye. That now familiar longing to touch him accompanied it.
    Shaking herself free of her impossible yearnings, she rubbed her thumb over the engraved roses on the locket and turned to the following day’s diary entry.
     
    June 18, 1805
    The day of the barbeque has finally arrived. I primped for hours getting ready. I want to look perfect for Jonathan. I’m so excited I can hardly hold the pen to write this. It’s also my birthday, and I feel as though my heart will burst from my chest at the prospect of celebrating and seeing Jonathan. Katherine, who’s more concerned with how she looks than seeing the man she’s supposed to love, doesn’t seem to care one way or the other, and I fear my suspicions are right. She doesn’t love Jonathan. She never has. Perhaps she will break off their relationship. I can only pray it will be so .
     
    A blank section separated the first entry from the next.
     
    We’re home and the day was one I will cherish in my heart forever. It’s very late, and I should be exhausted, but I’m not. I’m much too excited to sleep. My heart is singing. On our way home from Candlewick, we stopped to see Jonathan’s house. It’s just as I pictured it—magnificent. While everyone was taking a tour of the rooms, Jonathan and I slipped away to the garden. He told everyone it was to show me the roses, which he knows I love, but it was really to give me my birthday gift.
    It was all so very romantic. I remember every second of our time together. The balmy night was enchanting, and Jonathan looked especially handsome in his burgundy coat, white shirt and tan breeches. The moonlight tinted his ebony hair silver. He smiled, and I swear I saw love glowing in his eyes. My heart began to beat triple time. He held a small box out to me. My head grew light and …
     
    Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overcame Sara. She