To Follow Her Heart Read online

  He pulled her into an embrace. “Yes, you are, and that is all right. I am, too. It won’t be like this forever, Patience. Give me some time, and we’ll be wed. Just let me finish up my duties to Southold, and then I shall turn my attention to finding work.”

  She tilted her head back, her lips near his. “I shall do that. I shall let you finish what you need to do. Just hurry, please.” She felt his breath on her cheek, then his lips on hers. She clung to his kiss, making him be the one to end it—hoping he never would.

  He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I will hurry, my love, with every breath.”

  15

  September 17, 1664

  Patience hummed as she snipped late blossoms from her garden and piled them on the linen cloth. Frost would soon wreak its havoc on them. She would bring an armload of flowers to put in the many vases Mary kept about the house. The bouquets would be colorful, filled with roses and chrysanthemums, asters and anemones. And she plucked sprigs of mint to scent the rooms.

  Heather Flower and Dirk had walked over earlier to help Mary with her roasts. When Jeremy came, she was ready to go. The day was bright, with a crisp blue sky, trees dressed in vivid color, and the smell of wood smoke in the air. He carried the flowers, and she clung to his hand. She wore a favorite dress, simple with small blue flowers woven into the linen. Her hair was twisted and pulled up in the back, and she wore a white cap with the ties loose and flying in the fall breeze.

  Mary and the savory scent of roasted meat greeted them at the door. She brought them into the parlor, where Barnabas sat with their guest. Both men stood for introductions. The young Reverend Hobart bowed deeply over Patience’s outstretched hand, and for a moment she was unsure what to say or do next. But the tall reverend with warm brown eyes and wavy nut-brown hair filled the silence by telling her how pleased he was to meet her and could he just say he’d never seen such pretty dimples.

  A warmth blossomed on her cheeks, and she turned from both Reverend Hobart and Jeremy to hide her response.

  Reverend Youngs arrived with his wife, Joan. Lizzie and Zeke came a bit later.

  The young Horton girls had taken their supper early and now remained upstairs with Abbey and Misha. It made for lively, uninterrupted conversation at the table, and Patience enjoyed sitting back as she listened to the men discuss the latest news from New Amsterdam. Everyone was grateful there had been no bloodshed, but they all, Joshua Hobart included, feared what would become of the east end.

  Presently, after Mary pressed him to take second helpings of everything, including the sweet potatoes she’d laced with cinnamon and molasses, Joshua shared his plan to travel to Easthampton and visit with Thomas James, the minister there. “As you know, I am intent on finding a ministry here on Long Island. But after hearing about the recent events, I’m thinking that they affect the south fork as much as the north fork. Mayhap some of you should accompany me on my trip tomorrow.”

  Barnabas rubbed his chin and looked from John Youngs to Joshua. “Who else will you be meeting with?”

  “Charles Barnes, the schoolmaster.”

  Barnabas chortled. “Charles and I go way back. John, Dirk—what say you? Jeremy?”

  “All of us on the east end need to stay united. We should go.” Reverend Youngs turned to Jeremy. “And we should take Nathaniel Sylvester with us.”

  “I quite agree. Dirk, how do you feel? You have a unique position here, being Dutch but fighting with the English.”

  “We should go and talk. Governor Stuyvesant often said the south fork is like a different country. We need unity from them, not contention.”

  Barnabas nodded. “Then it is set, we shall go with you. And by way of Shelter Island.”

  “I have some berries and cream if anyone would care for some before we leave the table.” Mary stood halfway up. “Barney? Reverend Hobart?”

  Joshua waved a hand. “Oh no, thank you. What a fine meal, though.”

  Barnabas scooted his chair back. “Gentlemen, shall we remove to the porch to finish the conversation?”

  “Splendid idea.” Reverend Youngs stood.

  Jeremy was the last to file out and gave Patience a kiss on the cheek as he left. She turned to help Mary and the other ladies clear the table and wash the dishes. Heather Flower had been quiet during the meal, and she moved next to her as she wiped a wet rag over the table. “Has it been a long time since you were in Montauk?” Patience asked.

  “Nuk. Yes, it has. I was just thinking I would like to go with Dirk and the other men. To see Grissell and my people.”

  Lizzie ran a dry cloth behind Patience’s wet one. “You should tell them you want to go.”

  Joan nodded. “They will let you. But you need to tell them that’s what you want to do.”

  Patience’s brow wrinkled as she turned to Heather Flower. “You must tell them. They cannot say no. Those are your people.”

  The ladies finished up in the kitchen and took bowls of berries and cream outside. They wandered around the yard, eating their berries and examining plants. Mary led the way to the stable, where Stargazer’s newest foal stood on wobbly legs next to his mother, Moonbeam.

  “We haven’t named him yet. We are out of ‘star’ names.” Mary giggled. “If you have any ideas, please tell me.”

  Patience ran her hand down the foal’s face. “Look, he has three white blazes all the way down. Like falling stars.”

  “Call him Starry Night, Mary.”

  Patience patted his nose. “Very good, Lizzie. Yes, Starry Night suits him.”

  “That is his name, then. Papa would have liked that, Lizzie.”

  Mary’s eyes were misty as she spoke, and Patience hurried to hug her. “Shall we go tell the men our plans for Heather Flower?”

  “Let’s.” Mary led the way to the porch. “Barney, Heather Flower would like to go with you tomorrow. It shall be her chance to see Montauk and her people again.”

  “You do know that many have left, do you not, Heather Flower?” Barnabas cast an uneasy glance at Dirk.

  Dirk answered for her. “We are in constant contact with the people of Montauk. We send runners back and forth from Flushing, and we know there are few left. So many have died from disease, and others have left because they fear they will be stricken, too, or to find new hunting grounds far from the English fences. But you find the same true with the people of Corchaug, ja?”

  Jeremy spoke up. “True. In fact, Benjamin talks of moving his house out toward the old Corchaug fort. It’s deserted, and there’s much good land out there. I thought of building out that way, too, but if I work at Winter Harbor, methinks it would be better to live close.”

  Heather Flower stood tall, her black-opal eyes serious. “My people who remain need to see me. I must give them hope. But even more, I must remember and give honor to the elders who have gone before me.”

  Reverend Hobart spoke up at once. “Yes, come with us. Perhaps your husband would escort you to Montauk after our meetings?” He looked toward Dirk.

  Dirk stood and put his arm around his wife. “Of course, and thank you. I agree completely with Heather Flower. She needs to visit Montauk.”

  Jeremy stood and took Patience’s hand. “The evening is still young, and the weather is chilly but clear. May I take you for a stroll on the green? Or to the beach?”

  “I would love that.” She took his arm after they said their goodbyes, and they walked toward the beach where Patience had first come ashore many years ago. A place they now called Hallock’s Landing.

  The sun was low, sending light across the water’s surface. Jeremy wrapped his arms about her to keep her warm as they gazed at the rippled gold. She rested her head against his shoulder. She could stay here just this way, forever. “Jeremy, tonight is lovely.”

  “It is. I’m glad we have a moment to ourselves.”

  “What do you think you shall find out tomorrow? Do you think the people of Easthampton agree that it is not in their best interest to be so closely ruled by
the Crown?”

  “They do not like to be in much agreement with us on anything, but I cannot imagine they would disagree on this.”

  She shivered, and he rubbed her arms. “You shall return tomorrow night?”

  “Most likely two days hence. That depends on the discussions. I don’t believe they need to be long and drawn out. But we will take it as it comes. I should walk you home.”

  They walked arm in arm. Patience sighed. “Reverend Hobart is very nice, do you not agree?”

  His pace slowed. “Well, yes, I do. I noticed he was quite taken with you.”

  “I think he was being polite. Truly, it was generous of him to agree to take Heather Flower on the journey over to the south fork.”

  Jeremy shook his head. “I’m not sure I’d say it was generous. He couldn’t really say no, could he?”

  They came up to her door, and Patience turned to look up into his face. He looked so serious, and she could not suppress a small giggle. “I suppose not. But you do agree he’s a very honorable man, don’t you?”

  He pulled her close and lifted her chin toward his lips. “Yes, I would say that, if I must. But you find me to be an honorable man, too—don’t you?”

  “Yes, Jeremy. But if you don’t kiss me now, I shall freeze to death.”

  His kiss was long and warm, and she did not want it to end. When he drew his lips away, she clung to him for a moment. She did not want him to leave tomorrow. But if this was the last time she would say goodbye, if he would come back and marry her, she could let him go.

  16

  September 18, 1664

  Jeremy arrived at Patience’s house at dawn. A light frost on the flagstone made it slippery beneath his boots. He warmed his hands inside by the fire while he waited for Dirk and Heather Flower.

  Patience paced about, poking at the fire and straightening the crocks on the table, but finally paused a moment. “Would you like something warm to drink? Or a bite to eat?”

  “Nay, I ate. Ester had set out some bread and cheese for me on the table. It was enough. Come, let me hold you or you will wear out the floorboards.”

  She fell into his arms, and he brushed back the hair that fell into her face. “That’s better now. I shall not be gone long, you know.”

  She looked up to him. “I know.”

  Dirk and Heather Flower entered the kitchen, with Mosh at their heels. Patience gave them each a bundle of cold meat and berries. “I know you said you would not eat this morning, but take this with you to eat when you are hungry.”

  “Thank you. We will.” Heather Flower bent to her dog and showered him with hugs. “Be good for Patience. We will be right back.” She rose, and Patience gave her a hug.

  “Don’t worry about Mosh. I’m falling in love with him, and he seems happy with me. We’ll be fine together. Won’t we, Mosh?” She took a sliver of turkey from the table and dropped it as he lunged, nabbing it midair. He sat and looked at her with adoration. “See?”

  Jeremy chuckled. “Well, of course. You know the way to a man’s heart. Feed him.”

  “If that is the case, Jeremy Horton, I shall make you sit down right now whilst I feed you a meal fit to break any king’s fast.”

  “Then we would be keeping the good reverends and Barn waiting.”

  “And that would never do.” Dirk helped Heather Flower with her cloak. “But I’m glad to know Mosh is in good hands.”

  Jeremy took one last look at Patience as they went out the door, and she blew a kiss to him. The three trudged through the cold to the meetinghouse, and Jeremy scanned the sky. It looked like they would have precipitation, but mayhap it was not quite cold enough to snow.

  Inside, Reverend Youngs and Reverend Hobart discussed the plan with Barnabas. As magistrate of Southold, Barnabas would lead the small delegation. They would take the ferry to Shelter Island and visit with the Sylvesters. Hopefully, Nathaniel would make the trip over to the south fork with them.

  They mounted the horses, Jeremy on Ink and Heather Flower sitting in front of Dirk on Miss Button, and rode for the ferry. It would be noon by the time they got to Grissell and Nathaniel’s home. Jeremy had not visited there before, but he’d heard Benjamin and Heather Flower talk of the beautiful estate they lived on. Mayhap he’d pick up some ideas for his and Patience’s new home.

  The ferry ride was cold but quick. Jeremy watched as Heather Flower ran up the slope to the large house perched on the rise and a young woman ran down to meet her, arms open wide. They met and spun each other around. Four young children, the eldest a girl about ten years old, waited at the top for their mother, who slowly walked back up with Heather Flower in tow.

  He glanced around at the massive hedges and tulip trees that gave the grounds a fortress-like appearance. The house itself was two stories and built much like a castle. Barn had seen the place before, but Dirk and the reverends stood in awe with him. “I suppose this is how one may live when he has an island to himself,” Jeremy said.

  He walked up to the house with the reverends behind him. Most of this visit would be Heather Flower and Grissell catching up on lost time, he could tell. But it would give them a chance to convince Nathaniel to come with them. If he were here. They didn’t even know that yet.

  When the men reached the terrace, Grissell greeted each of them and told Reverend Hobart that she had heard not only of his father, but him too. She brought them into the massive house and went to find Nathaniel. Before they returned, a housemaid brought a tray of cider and savory meat tarts.

  Reverend Youngs gazed out the window, taking in the view. “As strategic as this island is, we need to be certain Nathaniel agrees on resistance to jurisdiction under New Amsterdam.”

  Barnabas shook his head. “I don’t think we’ll have a problem there. Nathaniel will have a sympathetic ear towards us. And if he doesn’t, his wife will. Trust me.” Barnabas and Jeremy exchanged a nod.

  Heather Flower turned as Nathaniel and Grissell entered, and all eyes followed. Jeremy remembered them from Dirk and Heather Flower’s wedding. They were a striking couple, difficult to forget. He strode quickly to them and extended his hand to Nathaniel and bowed to Grissell. “So good to see you again.”

  “Yes, quite a surprise—I’m shocked, really—but pleasantly. It was terrible news about The Swallow. Terrible. My condolences on your crew.”

  Jeremy closed his eyes briefly and nodded. “Thank you. That means much to me.”

  Nathaniel turned to Reverend Youngs. “Reverend, so good to see you.” They shook hands. “And Heather Flower, we are delighted to have you here as our guest again. Grissell tells me it is only for the day? Surely you must all stay the night, at the least. Please, everyone sit.”

  Reverend Youngs spoke up as he took a chair. “We are on our way to meetings in Easthampton, and we wanted an opportunity to discuss recent events that affect us all out on the east end.”

  “You mean the overthrow of the Dutch in New Amsterdam?”

  “Precisely.” Jeremy leaned forward in his chair and tapped his fingers on his knee. “And are you aware the colonies in the east end may be removed from New Haven’s jurisdiction and fall under New Amsterdam’s?”

  Nathaniel leaned forward, as well. “I’ve heard nothing about those plans. Is this what the meetings in Easthampton are all about, then?”

  Reverend Hobart cleared his throat. “Presently I am of Barbados, but I’m visiting Long Island as I seek a place in need of a minister. When I heard about the current situation, I invited Reverend Youngs and these gentlemen to accompany me to the south fork. There’s much at stake, and it seems prudent to take this up with the good gentlemen of Easthampton.”

  “We thought you may want to come with us.” Jeremy stood and went to the window. “These affairs have importance for you, as well.” He looked back at Nathaniel for his reaction.

  Nathaniel looked at Grissell, then studied his guests as if to decipher their hearts and minds. “Yes, I shall go with you.” He stood and leaned into a b
rief bow. “You will excuse me while I put together a few things? And darling, I will plan on returning on the morrow once our business is concluded.” He kissed his wife’s hand, and the men rose as he left the room.

  Grissell crossed the room to sit by Heather Flower. “You look so well and happy. I am so glad you’ve come for a visit, no matter how brief. But you must come back and stay with me.”

  “Nuk, my friend. I will. For now, I need to return to Montauk. It has been too long for my people, too.” She pulled a beautiful length of wampum from her belt. “This I made for them. It tells the story of Heather Flower and her warrior, Keme. It is a way to have my story handed down through the generations and to say ooneewey—thank you—to my people.”

  “I understand how important that is to you.” She turned to the rest of her guests. “Our friendship goes back to the time when Nathaniel and I first came here and Heather Flower was the first friend I made.”

  Barnabas smiled at Heather Flower before he turned back to Grissell. “Her aunt Winnie was Mary’s first new friend on Long Island. Heather Flower represents her people well and is a friend to all. I’m told that the Dutch people of the west end share those sentiments.”

  Heather Flower’s lashes covered her dark eyes, and a pink tinge spread across her coppery cheeks. “You say too much, my friend. I love the people of Long Island. I consider all to be my people.”

  Reverend Hobart stood. “You are a legend, Heather Flower. Many people in these parts say they have heard of my father, Peter Hobart. But I can say that I have heard of you, and you are loved and revered even by those who don’t know you.”

  She rose at once. “Thank you, Reverend. Thank you for your words of kindness.”

  Nathaniel reappeared, and everyone said goodbye to Grissell. She and Heather Flower walked arm in arm as the men rode ahead toward the ferry on the south side that would take them to Easthampton. At the shore, the two women clung to each other.

  “I shall miss you, Heather Flower!”

  “I miss you too. I will come back. We will have a long visit before I return to our home in Flushing.” She stepped onto the ferry with Dirk at her side.