To Capture Her Heart Read online

  “Thank you, Patience, and thank you, Lizzie. We’ll need to see how much she and Winnie will let us do. But she did tell Ben she’d like a Christian wedding.”

  Rachel and Ruthie joined them and soon everyone arrived. Winnie’s face glowed as they talked about the plans. Mary and Barney would prepare the feast and include both English and local dishes. Baked fish and roast turkey would be on the menu, but venison would be the focal point of the meal. Barney would bake the cake, and of course the table would be laden with English savories and sweets.

  Heather Flower was quiet through most of the chatter, but when they looked at the fabric and lace, her face brightened. She ran her hand over the smooth, shiny blue and cream satin and listened as Lizzie told her how she could embroider the blue brocade for the fitted bodice, and create a full skirt with the blue satin. Billowy sleeves of cream-colored satin would be tied above and below the elbow with blue ribbon.

  Mary hugged her. “It will be a dress truly for a princess, Heather Flower.”

  The ladies decided they would not wait for the banns to be posted to begin the dress, and they all helped cut the fabric, holding it up to Heather Flower and measuring. They moved her arms straight out to her sides, turned her this way and that, smoothing, snipping until finally they had all of the pieces cut for Lizzie to take home to stitch.

  They began to fold the pieces and Mary told the story of the cake Barney baked for their own wedding day again, and they all listened like it was the first time.

  Lizzie giggled. “Tell them how you cried and he had to promise to bake you one every year.”

  “Oh, they’ve heard that too, I’m afraid. But he does, no matter what.” That still meant as much to her as it did on the day they married.

  “Winnie, you’ve sent a message to her parents, haven’t you? Have you heard from them?” Patience loved the details of a wedding and was always good at keeping track of what had been done and what still needed to be accomplished.

  “We sent a messenger, and yes, they will come when we set the day. Benjamin will journey to Montauk. He tells me that he must ask permission of Wyandanch.”

  Mary straightened from her folding and put her hands on her hips. “What if we say the twenty-seventh of May? That way Benjamin can tell Heather Flower’s parents when it will be and it gives us one month to prepare. ’Tis a Saturday, a good day for a wedding feast.”

  “That is good.” Patience was the first to agree.

  Everyone looked at the others and nodded their heads in agreement, then broke out in chatter much like clucking hens. Heather Flower found a chair in the corner and settled into it. Mary meant to say something to her, but Barney entered. His presence still filled up a room and the ladies still noticed him. All eyes turned.

  “Barney, you are back. What did they say at the court?”

  He looked from her to the group of women. “The men will meet tonight and William and I will give our report. The men will then tell their wives. It’s best I keep it that way.” He bowed to the ladies. “Prithee, understand.”

  Patience nodded. “Of course.”

  “Very well.”

  Patience stood up. “We were all getting ready to leave.” She nudged Lizzie.

  “Oh, yes, Barnabas. We are just gathering up what we need for Heather Flower’s wedding dress.”

  He turned to Heather Flower. “Good morrow. Have you a date for this wedding?”

  She stood. “Benjamin and I would like to marry soon.”

  “We’ve decided just now on the twenty-seventh of May. Do you think that would be suitable, Barney?”

  “Aye, my sweet, more than suitable.” He bowed to Heather Flower and kissed her hand. “Welcome to our family.”

  Lizzie gave Heather Flower a hug, and hugs began all around as the ladies left. Abbey handed Sarah to Mary as she gathered up Misha to go home.

  With the baby on her hip and Hannah at her skirt, she stirred the pottage on the fire. “You must be hungry. I’ve never known a Horton man to not be.” She smiled up at her husband.

  “That would be true. Give me Sarah and you dish us all up.”

  She handed over the baby and he grabbed Hannah’s hand. “What say you we go find Benjamin and the boys? Are they in the barn?”

  “Yes, Papa.” They started out the door.

  “Barney, wait.” She stopped stirring and tapped the wooden spoon on the side of the pot. “I know you said you shouldn’t say anything until after the meeting, but I just have to know. What did you find out about Johnny? Will they help get him back?”

  He cocked a bushy eyebrow. “I suppose it doesn’t matter if I tell you before or after the meeting. It will be the same either way. Aye. Stuyvesant set bail and we’ll pay it. New Haven also requested the reverend write a letter asking for his release, which I expect him to do of course. I’ll take the letter and the bail with me this Monday. Joseph will go with me.”

  She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and a smile flit across her face. “Good. I will be so happy when Johnny is back safe and Ben and Jay can stop having wild thoughts about rescuing him.” She turned back to her pottage.

  He sat at the head of the old oak table and looked around at his family. With another meeting at the church planned for after supper, Barnabas sent Caleb to fetch Joseph and Jane to join them. Now they all clasped hands for the blessing of the food.

  Joseph sat to his right with Jane beside him. Benjamin sat to his left and then Caleb and Joshua. Next to Jane sat Hannah with Jonathan on her other side. Mary sat at the end of the table with little Sarah on her lap. She looked tired but so content holding their babe, and smiling—no, glowing—at their large family.

  Tonight he was thankful for his family as he led them in grace, and humbly spoke of his love toward them as well as for the Lord.

  “Amen.”

  They all looked up and waited for him to spoon the pottage into a bowl, add a hunk of bread and pass it. The first bowl was passed to Mary and each bowl after was passed until everyone had their supper. When Barnabas served himself, they began to eat. Old memories were treasured, but making new ones was important to him and Mary.

  Barnabas mopped up the gravy with the last piece of bread. “That was good, Mary. Thank you.” He stood and looked to his two eldest sons. “We need to get over to the meeting.” He glanced around the table, nodding to Jane. “Prithee, excuse us.”

  Jane gave a pat to her husband’s hand as he stood, and Barnabas walked to the end of the table to kiss Mary’s cheek and the top of Sarah’s head before leaving with his sons.

  The men who were gathered inside all turned as the Horton men came in. Barnabas walked up the center aisle to the clerk’s table, where William Wells and Reverend Youngs sat. He and Wells would not begin to serve officially until May 1, but the reverend requested they sit up front for this meeting because of the gravity of the situation with his son.

  Joseph and Benjamin sat in the Horton pew up front. The room was silent save for the door and the shuffling as the rest of the townsmen entered and took their seat.

  At length, Reverend Youngs called the meeting to order. The reverend led the men in prayer and then Barnabas stood to read the report from New Haven, including a bail to be paid for Johnny and a letter request from the reverend stating he desired the court to take action. The men voted to accept both items, and John Youngs said he would write the letter that night.

  “Thank you for your prompt action in the matter,” the reverend began. “I cannot tell you how concerned his mother and I have been. I still worry for his safety after the release and would like to request an escort on his behalf.”

  William Wells tapped the table. “I ask for a show of hands of who is in favor of sending the horse troop to meet Johnny and bring him home.”

  Every man raised his hand.

  Barnabas raked his hair back with his fingers before he stood. He turned to Reverend Youngs. “Joseph and I will sail before dawn on Monday and deliver the bail and letter direc
tly to the court.”

  “Thank you, Barnabas. It is settled then, and we are close to having Johnny home. I thank you all. I know he has been something of a rascal, but you all understand a father’s love. If anything happened to him, I would blame myself.”

  “Hear, hear, John—we all understand. Prithee, no explanations required.”

  “I appreciate that.” He folded his hands on the table before him. “Is there anything else we should discuss while we are here?” Reverend Youngs sounded tired.

  Timothy Brush stood up. “What about the wedding, Horton?” He nodded at Benjamin.

  “Thank you for asking. I’m proud to say my son will be marrying the daughter of Grand Sachem Wyandanch.” Murmurs trickled through the group. The custom of whites taking a native woman as a wife was not always well received by either the English or the Indians. But did not God create mankind equal?

  Barnabas knit his brow and looked around the room. The issue went far beyond the intricacies of living with the native people. He and Mary both thought the Quakers, and others who did not share the same religious beliefs, were precious in God’s sight too. He prayed for them continually, and his fervent desire was for those people who followed a different theology to find another place to live and worship, as he had done when he left England.

  He cleared his throat. “Mary informs me they have selected the twenty-seventh of May for the date, and you know how the ladies are. They are already busy with the preparations. I am certain that includes a feast at our home. The wedding will be here in the church, but I, as magistrate, will officiate. Benjamin, is there anything you want to add to that?”

  Benjamin stood, running his hand through his hair much like his father. He grinned, dimples creasing deeply into his cheeks. He glanced toward John Budd and nodded. “Just that I am looking forward to my marriage to Heather Flower and I appreciate all of your support.”

  The men rallied and applauded, but were they really supportive? His second eldest was getting married and he was creating a bit of a stir. Certes. Nothing wrong with that. He kind of enjoyed starting stirs. Ann would have been proud of their son and would have loved Heather Flower. She’d liked a bit of controversy as well.

  32

  April 29, 1654

  Benjamin sheared the last of the sheep with Joseph and Zeke, and the three trudged down the commons to make sure they hadn’t missed any. They’d be able to export half of the wool and still keep Mary, Lizzie, and Patience busy with spinning.

  Lizzie was looking to make her own hats, like Mrs. Haskins in London, except she wanted to control the process in every step. She would be spinning her own wool, dying it with the precious blue that the indigo-peddler sold and with the vivid reds and yellows from shrubs and trees that grew right there in Southold. She’d had a loom shipped down from Boston. Soon she would be carding, and then weaving the wool for hats.

  He was pleased Heather Flower consented to do the beadwork for Lizzie. He’d worried about blending their cultures when they wed, but she took everything in stride, like she’d been born to it. Mayhap her upbringing as a princess helped, though his mother said she doubted that.

  The men gathered in the barn after they’d put the fleece in barrels to soak and washed the sweat and dirt of the day off with a bucket of water and rags.

  The women had supper ready—they’d prepared a big dinner at noon for all the men involved in the shearing, and now it reappeared with a few refreshments added. Heather Flower and Winnie were visiting, and Benjamin sat with Heather Flower on his left and Hannah on his right. She wanted to sit next to Heather Flower and so they traded places. He could see who the favorite was around here.

  Benjamin took the opportunity to invite the ladies for a ride in the wagon after they ate. All but Heather Flower declined, much to his delight.

  Mary packed them a little sack of ginger cakes, and they wandered down to the barn. Inside the barn, Starlight softly neighed. Heather Flower stroked her muzzle as Benjamin hooked Star into the harness, and then he helped her to climb up to the wagonboard. They rode alongside the green commons, now filled with shivering sheep.

  “Would you like a ginger cake?” He reached in the sack and offered one to her.

  Heather Flower smiled and took the offering. “Koekje.”

  “What?”

  “It is called a koekje.”

  “Who calls it a cookie?” He grinned, for he knew, but he wanted her to say it.

  She stared straight ahead. “I am sorry, Benjamin. It was Dirk. I forgot. I should not have been thoughtless.”

  He reined Star in and turned her face toward his, cupping her chin in his hands. “No, it’s all right. I think it’s good you talk about him. I want you to be sure that we are doing the right thing. If you can talk about him without sadness, then I think that is a good thing. Yes?”

  “You are right.”

  “I wanted to tell you I’m glad you’ll be working with Lizzie. You enjoy beadwork and I think you’ll like Lizzie.”

  “I do, Benjamin. I like your aunt.”

  “I meant working with her. I guess I worry that you will somehow miss being at home.”

  “Winnie says God will provide, no matter where we are. No matter our path.”

  He clicked the reins and they rode across the fork to the North Sea. “She is right. I think the Hortons know that better than anyone.”

  They stopped at the bluff and walked down more than a hundred steps to the water’s edge. “Joseph and I helped my father lay those stones. The first time we came down here we climbed through all sorts of snagging bushes. I didn’t think I’d make it back to the top.”

  “It’s beautiful here.”

  “I think so. But in a few minutes the sun will hit the water and you won’t believe how beautiful that is.” He looked down at her and pulled her near. He lifted her chin with one finger. The sun’s light flickered in her opal eyes, and Benjamin thought how easily he could gaze into them from now until forever. Her pouty lips were soft as he bent to kiss them and he pulled her close.

  They climbed the steps back to the top of the bluff, and Heather Flower stopped to catch her breath and take a final glimpse of the moon over the water. Benjamin stepped in close and she allowed him to pull her to him. She wished tonight would not end and yet her aunt waited to return to the fort. She was glad Aunt Winnie was feeling better and enjoying the company of her friends.

  Benjamin lowered his lips to her ear. “What are you thinking about?”

  She caught her breath with a little laugh. “My aunt. I should take her home. It’s getting late.” She looked up to his baby-blue eyes and immediately felt regret for speaking the truth. “Benjamin, I was thinking of you, my friend, and this beautiful night, but then I remembered we left everyone back at your house. They must wonder where we are.”

  He laughed softly. “You don’t have to feel bad. I understand. And you’re right. We need to get Winnie home. I’m driving you, of course.” He kissed her cheek and took her hand. “Come on, I’ll get you both home.”

  As he helped her up into the wagon, he said, “I like it when you think of your aunt. I think we should all have respect for our parents and elders. It’s been a part of your and my upbringing and for that I’m thankful. See, our worlds are not so different.”

  She smiled. “Do you worry our worlds are different?”

  “No, not much. I think our parents worry about that much more than we do.”

  They rode down Hortons Lane in silence. Heather Flower could hear the crickets singing their songs and a lonely hoot owl winging its way through the dark, even with the creak of the wagon wheels and the clop of Star’s hooves on the dirt road.

  The white man had made many changes to their island. Some she did not understand, but most were good, she thought. It was strange they penned up animals, but then each family had their own. They even branded them with a special mark in their ear, in case one should escape. To ride horses and hitch them to carts and plows instead of using t
heir own swift feet and canoes to do the work had been surprising at first, but a wonderful idea. Even with the new and different noises added to their landscape, she appreciated what the white man had brought to her people. And they gave back generously.

  They pulled up in front of the Horton house, and before he could even help her down, Mary had walked out with Winnie.

  Benjamin closed the gap between them in three quick strides. “Heather Flower was worried about you, Winnie. It’s late. Are you all right?”

  Winnie held onto Mary’s arm, but brightened at Benjamin’s question. “Yes, my friend. I’m very good. We heard you coming down the lane and thought it might be nice to meet you out here. It’s such a nice night.”

  Heather Flower could tell she was tired. “Benjamin will help you up, Aunt. We’ll get you home. Would you like to sit up here on the wagonboard with us, or would you like to be down in the back?”

  Benjamin took her arm. “Why don’t you sit up with us? We’ll keep you warm. It is a nice night, but the air is a bit cool.”

  “That would be good.”

  Mary stepped close and gave her a gentle hug. “I’m so glad you came back for a visit. You are looking good, Winnie.”

  “You are too, Mary. And those little girls are growing so fast. I don’t want to miss a minute of it.”

  “I shall bring them out to visit you more, Winnie. I promise.”

  They waved their goodbyes again as Benjamin clicked the reins and they started the long ride home with Winnie snuggled between them.

  Heather Flower thought her aunt was falling asleep, she was so quiet. But then she stirred and couldn’t quit talking.

  “Let me tell you of how I met your mother, Benjamin.”

  She told the whole story about how the shallop came into the bay and what it meant to her people. She told Benjamin she would never forget the palefaces as they played with the jingle shells and watched Momoweta approach in his ceremonial war paint and feathers.