It's the height of the American Revolution. You're a widowed colonist, trying your best to raise your toddler son, keep your home out of enemy hands, and stay out of this wretched war. One day, you happen upon a wounded soldier, in need of help a...
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In the night, you lied with Samuel, listening to the sweet sounds of his breathing as he rested against your breast.
"Cora," a hushed voice came from the other side of the door. You glanced over at Sadie on her cot, sleeping soundly. As always, she had her father's knife in her hands.
"Is something the matter?" you asked, leading him away from your slumbering loves.
His eyes were bright with candlelight, but full of torment. The blanket from your bed was wrapped tightly around his broad shoulders, warding off the cold from the drafty walls. He seemed unsure of himself for the first time and the impression struck an affectionate chord in you.
"I wondered...," he began, hugging the fabric around him as if for protection. You watched him, waiting.
"I wondered if you would lie with me tonight," he finished with a raise of his eyebrows. You opened your mouth to reply.
"Being it's our last night together," he blurted before you could speak. Closer he stepped towards you, eyes holding yours. The wind whistled through the eaves of the cabin, sending you a shiver.
Thomas gave a cocky tilt of his head then opened up his cloak of blanket. He beckoned you to him, winking at you encouragingly. You gave a defeated smile and sunk into his arms.
"I know precisely what you're doing, you rascal," you murmured against his neck. His arms, enveloped you in a warm embrace.
"Darling, I was merely thinking of your comfort," he whispered into your hair,"Cramped in that tiny bed with Samuel." His tone had that lace of jest you'd grown to expect, always careful to cover any sentiment with sport. You knew that all too well. Except for you, it was the bristle of a bitter tongue, an indifferent shrug towards any advance from him. You projected what you thought a grieving widow should be: staunch and cold to the core. But that wasn't the case, was it? You longed for the heat of his touch, delighted in his tomfoolery. An honest woman would admit she was falling in love again. But you - you had to keep your secrets. It was the last line of defense in the war for your heart. Even now, you dared not betray it.
"Thomas...," your voice sounded thin against the rampant wind. You lifted your head, eyes resting upon his. They were full of question and void of any mockery. He held your gaze affectionately.
He would be gone in the morning with so much left unsaid. The words welled in you, threatening to crumble that dam of indifference that you managed to maintain. But the cracks in foundation only grew with the time you spent together. You feared they'd shatter you completely if you let those words become known.
"We should get you to bed," you said, dismissing any notion of devotion or declarations. His brows came together slightly, in disappointment it seemed.
The softness of your bed was welcome, but it was his tender embrace that provided the most comfort. He held you close to him, your head resting on his chest while his fingers caressed the curve of your hip.
"I don't suppose if we lie awake all night, we can hinder the sun from rising," Thomas said softy to the dark. The warmth of his breath tickled your face. His chest lowered with a woeful sigh.
You pressed yourself closer, fingers curling the string from his nightshirt, but remained silent. Those words again, they hammered so loudly in your heart, you could feel them pounding in your throat, demanding to be said.
"And I have a few ideas that just may do the trick," he continued with a squeeze of your rear. Even in the dark you could see that playful grin of his.
"Oh I bet you do," you murmured amused.
"Madam, I hope you're not implying that we do anything improper," Thomas said, returning to his priggish tone,"Honestly, woman, will nothing sate you?" he bantered with another squeeze.
You rose with a small laugh and planted a kiss on his lips. You felt his grin widen before succumbing to his burning desire. But this fired bellowed with something more. An urgency fueled it, and not just from him, but you as well.
He pulled away slowly, cupping your face as his eyes traced your features in the dark.
"If I wasn't called to duty, would you ask me to stay?" he whispered with earnest. You struggled to answer. Those words again, pounding once more inside you, wanted to take hold. You took a sharp breath to hold them at bay.
"Yes,"you replied emphatically. It answered the question, but spoke so much more.
He gently brought his forehead to yours, brushing your cheek tenderly with his thumb.
"Yes," he repeated with a smile. He breathed you in deeply, exhaling with contentment.
In that moment, you knew there was no more hiding from him. The words you spoke were not what he heard, yet what he heard, was exactly what you wished you could say.
You held his hand to your cheek, trembling as the notion took hold.
