A Bride for Daniel Read online

  “Emma left for Concord and will not be returning for several weeks – possibly until after the winter is over. Go away – I’m feverish,” she called out in warning. She watched as the shadow in the glass of the doorway disappeared from sight, indicating that he was leaving. Breathing a sigh of relief, she lowered the musket and went back to the room to clean the clams she’d purchased.

  Boiling them in saltwater for several minutes, Emma quickly removed the scum off the top of the water and set aside some of the hot liquid. Grabbing a knife, she methodically shucked the clams and removed the meat – tossing it in a bowl of fresh water. Peeling a potato, she quickly diced it along with a pathetic looking onion she’d dug out of her garden a few weeks ago. It was barely the size of an egg but she couldn’t leave it in the ground any longer. She was running low on goods and needed to harvest one of them right away. The others would just have to wait in order to foster any last bit of growth before the ground was frozen solid.

  Sighing, Emma grabbed the stoneware pitcher and rolled her eyes. It was empty again. Wiping her hands on her apron, she carefully looked out the window to see that it was clear to the well nearby. Opening the door, she slipped outside and pulled it to behind her. There was no sense in leaving it open to allow the heat out or animals inside, drawn by the scent of the clams.

  “I thought you were ill?”

  Emma jumped hearing a deep voice behind her as she dropped the stoneware pitcher. Her hand flew to her chest fearfully at the shock of being caught unawares. The pitcher cracked in three large pieces on the stone step where she stood.

  “You!” she practically snarled, “You cannot go about town lurking in the shadows, sir! You’ve scared me nary onto death and I am now heartily sick at this very moment.”

  “My apologies for startling you.”

  “They are not accepted, sir. Good day.”

  “Don’t you need some water?” the man asked innocently, his eyebrow lifting sardonically.

  “I need you to leave me alone.”

  “I am looking for Emma Knox. Tell me where she is, and I’ll leave.”

  “Emma isn’t expecting anyone and is gone.”

  “No, I imagine she isn’t looking for me since so much time has passed. I’m certain everyone must think I am dead at this point – even my brother,” he admitted softly, before speaking up to her. “Shall I fetch the water for you since you are so very ill right now, miss?”

  Emma grabbed the door frame to remain standing, her eyes glued to the man before her. Her knees would not hold her for very much longer as she suddenly felt faint at the realization that this man was her missing husband she’d married by proxy – and he was breathtaking. Blindly, she reached for the small wooden bench beside the door and sat down hard. He must have come to the same realization because his expression froze suddenly as he stared at her with dawning awareness.

  “You are Emma,” he breathed softly and then laughed. “I’m willing to bet you aren’t sick either – are you?”

  “I am feeling quite faint as of right now,” she admitted, studying his features. The resemblance to Alden was there, but slightly different. Alden had been intimidating at first glance, but this man’s appearance was almost inviting rather than threatening. His shoulders were not as broad and his coloring was much fairer than his brother’s.

  “Stay there and I will get the water,” he offered, reaching for the door handle.

  “Wait,” Emma started, surprised. “You can’t just appear out of thin air and help yourself to my home regardless of being polite or kind. I mean, this is my home.”

  “Technically it is our home since you are my wife.”

  “Barely,” she retorted in a shocked voice. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming or were dead. Even Alden said…”

  “What? Alden has been here?”

  “Several people have been here looking for you.”

  “Recently?”

  “As recent as last month,” she confirmed and was shocked when he hauled her up to her feet by her upper arm. “Owww! You are hurting me.”

  “My apologies Emma. If someone is looking for me, then they know I’m not dead yet. I will tell you everything, but we need to get you under cover. I’ll fetch your water, but please, wait inside for a moment.”

  Stomping like a petulant child, she marched up the steps after yanking her arm from him. The temptation to slam the door in retaliation for him hurting her arm was almost overwhelming but the tinge of alarm in his words made her wonder – and curiosity won out. Stepping inside, she grabbed a large pail and shoved it at him.

  “That was my nicest pitcher that shattered on the stones.”

  “I will get you a new one.”

  “Just go get the water so I can finish making dinner and we can talk, husband,” she retorted flatly. She watched him walk off and blatantly disregarded what he said, refusing to shut the door. Instead, she found herself admiring the way he walked towards the community pump nearby. His back and shoulders flexed under his coat. She watched as he pushed down on the pump handle several times, filling the pail, before walking back to her place. She ignored the frown on his face and moved to the table to begin cooking the potato and onions she’d just cut up prior to his appearance.

  “So, we are to have a discussion of who is in charge, wife?”

  Emma fought the urge to roll her eyes. How dare he suddenly appear and begin to tell her what to do? She’d been on her own for some time now, and with his resurgence she was supposed to cater to his every whim? Oh yes, he was nothing like his brother. Alden was congenial and friendly – this man was overbearing and set her on edge.

  “Considering I have had to take care of myself without answering to anyone, I believe I have done quite well on my own – thank you.”

  “Well you are no longer alone.”

  “Only because you’ve made some sort of magical reappearance suddenly,” she bit out, putting her hands on her hips. “What kind of man doesn’t even show up for his own wedding after being betrothed? And on that note – who disappears for years on end without a word? Were you truly captured by the redcoats?”

  “The kind of man that nearly dies from fever and found himself stuck aboard a frigate, pressed into service of the King. Now that I’ve answered your questions, it’s my turn: what happens to make a lovely young woman so very bitter that she lashes out at the man she willingly married? Does this mean you missed me or yearned for me to come to you?”

  “I don’t even know you!”

  “And you aren’t giving me a chance to remedy that!”

  They stood there glaring at each other with the table between them. Emma had her hands still on her hips and Daniel had his palms flat, leaning on them towards her in aggravation. The defensive stance between the two was evident and telling – neither one wanted to give in this tug of war. Unexpectedly, Daniel pushed away from the table and crossed his arms, putting his back towards her.

  “I am sorry it took me so long to come to you after our marriage by proxy, Emma. I never intended our separation to be so very long. I had typhoid and didn’t want to expose you to the illness.”

  “I’m glad you are okay,” she muttered, feeling like a heel that he’d apologized and had a good reason for his absence.

  “Is there someone in your life since you thought I could have passed away?” Daniel said quietly and she saw the concern on his face. Was he thinking that another man had taken his place? She had to remember that he would not know her, there was no way he could know that she took her vows seriously and that is why she’d been so hurt.

  “No. Once I pledged myself to you before God - that was it. I would not defile the sanctity of our marriage – even one by proxy. I would wait for the man I took as my husband regardless of how long it took.”

  “It is the same for me,” he admitted. “I promised to provide and care for you as a husband, and while I was unavoidably delayed, I am here now.”

  “I understand that but you
cannot expect me to fall into your arms like some simpering milkmaid, do you? You are a stranger to me and have been from the very first since I heard your name. I only know stories of your childhood that Alden shared with me when he visited.”

  “I’m glad my brother has seen fit to say hello – do you know when he is passing back through on his way to Baltimore?”

  Emma bit her lip and frowned.

  “Truthfully, Daniel – how do I know it is truly you? I mean, I have had people coming here for weeks, nay – months, asking if I have seen you. Your brother shows up, your uncle came by, and now you.”

  “What have you told them?”

  “That I have not seen you.”

  “You haven’t told me how I can trust that you are who you claim to be,” she repeated, putting her hands in her pocket and feeling the knife. She trusted no one, especially not after Daniel’s uncle had visited. He’d shocked her to the core asking where Daniel or Alden were hidden. He then had put his hands on her, practically wrestling her in order to feel her abdomen, repeatedly asking if she was carrying a child. The older man quickly released her and left her shocked and traumatized. She’d never been manhandled in such a fashion before – which was why Alden gave her the dagger.

  “Emma, we were betrothed to garner a business deal between our families,” Daniel began. “I honored my father’s wishes as any dutiful son should. I always thought Alden should have married first with me being the younger son, but my father said no.” Emma watched as he shook his head at the memory and smiled softly. At his words, she released the dagger and stared at the man who stood before her.

  “The business was to be split between us, but I was always the better of the two at figuring the ledgers. My father betrothed me first because he knew I could do the bookkeeping. My brother kept arguing about running off to join the Continental army and decidedly hated the idea of being betrothed to a stranger. I did not mind it so much because it was my duty to uphold the Knox name, or so he said. I think my father was frightened that he would lose both sons to the military – and in a way, he did.”

  “Your brother does come here every few months when he needs to hide,” Emma said softly, watching Daniel. “He is a spy for the army and has been quite protective of me as a brother should be. He is the one who gave me the musket there in the corner.”

  “I’m glad he is okay and hope that I may see him again soon.”

  “I hope so too for your sake. He seems to be a good man.”

  “He is.”

  “He’s a better man than your uncle,” she uttered, shivering in disgust. “I would not have him in my home again ever. I apologize but he is not welcome here.”

  “My uncle is a despicable man who stole my life away from me,” Daniel said angrily, shocking Emma. “Emma he will never be welcomed into my home or my life again – ever. Did he mistreat you? Did he harm you?”

  “He kept asking me if I was with child and if you had been here.”

  “He’s asking because if Alden and I are dead then everything we have goes directly to him - which is why we are in danger if he discovers I’m alive. I’m certain he is going after myself and Alden.”

  “Based off what you’ve told me – I would agree,” she said firmly. “So how do we keep him from getting your inheritance?”

  “I need to go home and take possession of it.”

  “You cannot go alone,” she protested. “He will kill you.”

  “I will not until I am certain I have the upper hand,” he said carefully.

  “I can go with you,” she said suddenly, surprising herself.

  “I would not want you to be endangered – not when we’ve just met,” he whispered, walking over to her side. His finger touched her cheek as he stared into her eyes. Emma swallowed hard, unable to move.

  “I would like the chance to get to know each other, Emma.”

  “You are… too close to me,” she breathed, her voice hesitating.

  “All I ask for is time,” his words were soft between them as his finger moved from her cheek to just under her chin, lifting it slightly. “I will not take you to bed, wife – not yet – but I will work on courting you just as I should have done once we’d become betrothed.”

  “It’s not necessary,” she protested.

  “It’s very necessary,” he argued just before his lips brushed against hers. Emma jumped, startled at the feeling that surged through her. There was a tenderness to his touch that made her realize that perhaps being married to him wouldn’t be quite so bad. He broke the kiss and his arrogant, knowing smile made her immediately regret her thoughts.

  “That changes nothing,” she uttered and stepped back from him.

  “It changes everything. I will woo you my wife and shall enjoy it.”

  “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  “But you were cooking dinner, sweet wife,” he said innocently.

  “Eat somewhere else,” she snapped in frustration and his laughter only served to make her feel even more irate. “It’s not funny. Go somewhere else Daniel for your meals and to rest your head.”

  “I cannot protect you if I’m not here.”

  “Who’s going to protect me from you?” she said pointedly, crossing her arms over her chest in aggravation. His Cheshire-like smile was her undoing.

  “Precisely.”

  Chapter Four

  October 1781

  The infuriating man had been there a week. True to his word, he would not leave her alone. He was there constantly, sleeping on a pallet in front of the hearth downstairs while she slept alone in the bed upstairs. Every time she turned around, he was right there either smiling at her or trying to talk to her.

  “Why don’t you come with me today?” he invited, smiling over the edge of his cup of coffee. It was funny the little things Daniel said or did. The other day, he insisted they would not sell tea in the store. He’d claimed that ‘tea leaves were for the British and coffee beans were for the colonials’. It made her laugh at the sheer nonsense of his statement, even if she agreed with him. She only carried tea leaves for a few people that could afford to buy the extravagance due to the taxes levied on it.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I thought maybe we could go for a walk together since the leaves are nearly off the trees. I wanted to try to get a deer or two as well while we are out.”

  “I don’t know,” Emma hesitated, “It’s been several years since I have cleaned a deer and it’s much easier to simply visit the butcher if we need something.”

  “Why would we pay a premium for something I can do for ourselves? Come with me and let’s enjoy the autumn air while we can.”

  “Very well,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “Let me get my heavy cape. It gets chilly out.”

  “Get your pistol too,” he urged. Surprised, she glanced at him in alarm only to see him shrug. “You never know and I don’t want you without protection.”

  “Your brother gave me a dagger to help protect myself,” she offered.

  “The same one you had your hand on in your pocket when I kissed you?” he teased. “I saw the outline of it when you walked. You need something smaller if you are trying to keep it hidden, sweet wife.”

  “I’m not your sweet anything,” she said rolling her eyes.

  “You most certainly are - you just don’t realize it yet. It’s a good thing I am a patient man and you are worth waiting for.”

  “Ugh,” she muttered, throwing the shawl over her shoulders and tucking it into her apron that covered her overskirt. She slipped the flintlock into her pocket of her dress and patted the apron. “There. Maybe if I am armed it will keep you at bay?”

  “After our kiss, I know another one is worth dying for,” he said tenderly, picking up the musket and holding out his hand. Emma felt a flush of pleasure at his words, even if she didn’t want to admit it. She liked it when he was actually trying to be nice to her instead of being in control. Her parents had always been the best of
friends and she wanted something like that for herself, not a domineering man who thought she should serve him.

  It wasn’t long before they were walking down a pathway carved in the forest and Emma was glad she’d joined him for the walk. The canopy of trees above them looked as if they had been singed by flames. There was evidence that the leaves had once been bright gold, copper, and red. Now, the leaves were curled at the edges by the cool temperatures at night. The leaves on the ground were a heavy golden brown and slick with rain from the night before. The rain would be snow in no time, hiding all the beautiful autumn beauty that had once been there. Birds sang, hidden from the branches.

  The silence made Emma keenly aware that she was alone with Daniel. As if coordinated, he glanced at her and smiled, nodding slowly. He held his finger up to his lips before he pointed off to the left. A large buck stood immobile as Daniel drew up his musket. Emma reached out and lay her hand on his arm.

  “Not yet,” she murmured only seconds before the buck disappeared into the brush. “It’s beautiful out and I’m not ready to head back yet. There will be another one if we are patient.”

  “Smart… as well as lovely,” Daniel said admiringly, smiling down at her and extending his arm towards her. As she placed her hand on his arm once again, she was surprised to feel him cover it with his own.

  “I want to get to know you, Emma. Tell me about your childhood.”

  She found herself simply walking and talking with Daniel as if they had known each other forever. He listened and would smile or nod; sometimes he would throw back his head, laughing easily. She liked that he seemed to smile a lot when he was with her. Sometimes she would catch herself watching him because he looked so angry or upset – but it was also a reminder that someone was after him and that they were not safe. Glancing around, she saw that they’d walked quite some distance and it was getting late in the afternoon. She was getting to where she could see her breath in front of her and wished she’d brought her muff to hide her hands inside.