To Follow Her Heart Read online

  She fell against him. “Thank goodness you’re home.” She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Does Barnabas know? Reverend Youngs? Where are Johnny and Benjamin?”

  A chuckle escaped as he drew her back to him and held her close. A blond wisp of her hair brushed his cheek. “A runner is bringing the official news. I may be ahead of him, but no matter—they will know soon enough. I did not want to tarry in coming to you. Johnny and Benjamin are still with the horse troop. They will remain there during the transition.”

  “Do you feel they are safe?”

  “I would not have left if I thought not. The English have long had support from those who lived under the unstable rule of Stuyvesant. It is said he will retire to his estate and not cause one whit of a problem. No, they remain more to facilitate the change than to defend the takeover.”

  They walked hand in hand along the path to the garden. Her laughter pleased him as they watched a small fluff of a rabbit nibble on a grass blade. He’d like to hear the music of her giggle every morning and every night. “Patience, we’ve known each other for a long time, but in many ways we are just beginning together.” He rolled his eyes at how inane his own words sounded and tugged her arm so that she sat with him on the bench. “I mean, thank you for waiting for me. In some ways, I’ve been such a fool. I could have lost you to a number of men that mayhap deserved you more.”

  He expected a light laugh again, but she turned to him instead and studied his face. After a long pause, she began to answer him, but then stopped, as if deep in thought.

  He lifted her chin with his finger. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

  “No, of course not. I was just thinking, I’ve never met a man who measures up to you. Oh, Barnabas—but he’s never counted. But I would have waited forever, I think, sadly. Don’t you know that?” A smile flit across her lips and disappeared quickly. “Don’t you?”

  “When you tell me like that, I do. I love you. I always have.” She laid her lovely head on his shoulder, and he bent to kiss her. “We have a lot to get ready for. Lizzie and Mary will be thrilled to know they have a wedding to plan.”

  “Oh, I imagine. And Heather Flower.”

  “Where are she and Dirk? They are staying with you?”

  “They are. They went over to Mary’s. But I’m the wedding planner. I shall be making all of the decisions, and they will delight in helping me, to be sure. But what of you, Jeremy? What are your plans here in Southold—besides marrying me?”

  “What? You shall not provide for both of us?” He chuckled. “I rather thought I’d be a kept man.”

  She teased right back. “I rather think you should tire of that quickly.”

  “I haven’t had much of a chance to think this through, but you know I had much to say about how The Swallow was built. I’m thinking I might be a shipwright and build or repair ships. What do you think of that?”

  Her blue eyes flew open wide, and dimples emerged in her cheeks. “Why, that is a wonderful idea. Ships have been the love of your life, have they not?” Her grin took on an impish delight. “I’m not afraid to share you.”

  “You could say they were my first love, but you shall be my last.”

  She leaned into his embrace. “Tell me more—would you be building at Hallock’s Landing?”

  “Possibly. But I’m more inclined to inquire at Winter Harbor. I’ve docked there from time to time, and I think the fellows there might be open to another shipwright. I don’t know—we shall see.”

  “It seems the big ships prefer it over Hallock’s.”

  “The fact is, Hallock’s is almost too well-protected. And the water in the bay is deeper on Winter’s end. I’ve had a few conversations with the master shipwright in the past, and he says he’s close to handing over the sail iron, so to speak.” He watched her as she studied an ant that ran one way and then another as if it were lost. “What say you?”

  She looked up, a blush flooding her cheeks. “Why, I think it is a grand idea. Winter Harbor is not far from here. Handing over the sail iron is much like handing over the kitchen tongs.” Her eyes misted.

  “What’s wrong? You are crying.”

  She dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her apron. “I’m not weeping. It’s just, it’s just . . .”

  “Go on. What is it?”

  “It made me remember we have no parents between the two of us. They’re all gone. No one to hand me the tongs when we marry. Perhaps that is not so important anymore.”

  “That is not true. Certes. It’s important.” Mary would present her with the tongs, he would see to that.

  “My mother and father would have been delighted that you have proposed. They would have welcomed you to the family. Oh, Jeremy, we shall be so happy!”

  “That we shall. Now, first things first. I should look into employment at Winter Harbor. Once that’s settled, we need to decide where we will live.”

  “Where we will live? I thought you would move in here, with me, after the wedding.”

  He smiled at her. “I did not want to assume, but I had hoped you might make that offer. The other option would be to ask Benjamin to build a house for us. Thomas Mapes is surveying some land out toward Thomas Benedict Creek and some near where Johnny Youngs lives. There’s a hill above the port. It would be perfect for our house.”

  Her eyes flew open. “What about Dame School?”

  “You could use this property for your school and Lizzie’s Hat Shop, just as you do now. We have time to think on these things.” So many decisions. Very well then. They would take their time. There was no hurry. He was here now, and they had the rest of their lives to think things through. They could take each day as it came. “There’s no hurry to decide. With your school and the wedding plans, you have much to keep you busy.”

  Patience looked over her rosebushes and settled on the pink cabbage roses nodding their heads in the light breeze. Jeremy had brought the plant over from France, just for her. She snipped several blooms and took them in to arrange in a vase. Barnabas had come in search of Jeremy the moment he heard the news of his return, and the two had left for a meeting with Reverend Youngs.

  She looked about her kitchen. She loved this house. But perhaps building their own house was the proper way to begin her life with Jeremy. She wasn’t certain she would continue her school for little girls—as much as she loved them. No, it might be time to expand the hat shop. Lizzie had indicated for a while now that she could easily do that, if she had the space.

  And if Heather Flower and Dirk remained in Southold, their friend could have her own workroom and become a full partner with Lizzie. Would Dirk want to return to Flushing? Most likely. But perhaps the hat shop would entice them to stay.

  Her mind swirled with the turn of events. Not only were her prayers being answered, but the prayers of the entire village of Southold. And Jeremy seemed to be taking everything in stride, as if he had prayed for this, too. But he hadn’t, she was sure of it. But at least he had accepted it with enthusiasm. She would be open to change too—wasn’t that love? For with love came sacrifice. That much she knew.

  12

  September 14, 1664

  Southold

  If Patience hoped to remain in control of the wedding plans, those thoughts were quickly revised by Mary, Lizzie, and Heather Flower. After a morning relishing the memory of Heather Flower’s wedding, the ladies dove into preparations for Patience’s as they stitched pretty lace onto linen napkins.

  They all agreed her dress should be of the finest ivory brocade and pure pink silk. French lace and gossamer ribbons would drape her like icing on a cake. Lizzie would place an order from Boston on the morrow. If The Margaret was still in port and headed for Boston, perhaps they could send their list with the captain.

  Nothing was decided about her stick-straight hair, though it was much discussed. Heather Flower’s was straight, too, and had looked gorgeous on her wedding day with the curls ironed into it and flowers woven through. Perhaps
she would request the same treatment.

  Mary looked over her list. “You do think the wedding will take place before winter, do you not, Patience?”

  “That is the thing. Perhaps not. Jeremy is going to Winter Harbor to seek employment as a shipwright.”

  Lizzie nodded her approval. “That would be perfect for him.”

  “Yes. It seems he has talked, some time ago, with the master shipwright. It may be time for him to retire, and he thinks Jeremy would be a good replacement. At least he did back when they first talked.”

  “Well, he shall want to get that settled first, I am certain. As I said, we shall be ready, no matter what. I’m just thinking a wedding in warm weather is so much nicer. Not that a wedding at Christmastide would not be beautiful.”

  “I hope we do not wait that long. But we do want Benjamin and Johnny back before we wed. And Joseph to come home with Jane and the children.”

  Mary sat next to Patience. “The event of the year, my dear. We shall have as much fun as you.”

  The kitchen door opened, and Barnabas entered, followed by Jeremy and Dirk. “Heigh-ho! I hope we do not intrude?”

  Barnabas most often commanded the attention of the ladies, but today all eyes were on Jeremy. Mary was the first to speak. “Of course not. In fact, you have arrived just in time. We have many questions for you.”

  Jeremy grinned at Patience. “Mayhap we have arrived at the wrong time.” The men chuckled.

  Mary nudged Patience. “Go ahead, dear. You first.”

  Now everyone watched Patience. Her cheeks burned. “We are wondering if you might, when you are over in Winter Harbor, find out if The Margaret is still in port?”

  Jeremy’s eyes met Barnabas’s before he answered. “Patience, I must delay going to Winter Harbor.”

  “But why? What about your plans?” Patience’s throat ached once more as she waited for his answer.

  Barnabas cleared his throat and ran a hand through his thick, white hair. “The truth is, Patience”—he nodded to her and then the room—“ladies, Jeremy is needed here at the moment. We’ve just had a meeting with Reverend Youngs, and although the initial word is the takeover of New Amsterdam was peaceful, we’ve been instructed to prepare the reserve troop for backup in the event things turn ugly. It has almost gone too smoothly to not be prepared for an ambush of some sort.”

  Jeremy smoothed the hair on the back of his neck. “I am going to be working with Dirk in training the horse troop that remains here. We must be ready for an attack from the Dutch along the sound. We have no idea how long this will take, but we must be prepared for anything. I’m afraid I will need to delay my plans to go to Winter Harbor.”

  The sadness in his eyes did not escape her, but her own sadness clawed at her throat, and her heart ached. Why did this seem like one more delay in their happiness?

  Mary was quick to fill the silence. “Why, in a way that is good news. Why don’t we proceed quickly with the wedding? By the time everything is resolved politically, you could be settled.”

  Jeremy’s brows rose, and Patience noted the tender smile he gave his sister-in-law. They’d always been close, even throughout the difficult early years of Mary’s marriage to Barnabas. He was about to say something neither she nor Mary would care to hear. She could see it coming.

  “Mary, we cannot proceed just yet. It’s my duty to Southold and the Crown to defend and protect it. Surely we cannot celebrate in the midst of this turmoil, no matter how safe we have always deemed it to be here.”

  Barnabas held up his hand. “The facts are, it’s more than supporting the takeover. We on the east end are wide open for an Indian attack from the Narragansett whilst our attention is on the west end.” He looked at Heather Flower. “We can’t risk it happening again.”

  Lizzie put a hand on Heather Flower’s shoulder. “At least we could prepare for the wedding so when the time comes, we are ready.”

  Patience looked from Mary to Heather Flower and then to Lizzie. They appeared stricken. Well, she was a little stricken herself. “I think we need to support the military rather than plan a wedding, Lizzie. There is much we can do to provide meals and clothing for the soldiers. And you should prepare some of your concoctions in the event sickness or injuries overcome our troops.”

  Jeremy came quickly to her and pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Thank you, my love, for making all this easier. Just as soon as this matter is put to rest, I will go to Winter Harbor.” He pulled her close and lowered his lips to hers.

  She caught her breath, and his kiss sent tremors down her spine. For a moment, she desired to remain in his arms, but just as quickly she remembered her friends who sat agape. “Oh!” She smoothed a wisp of hair from her cheek. “Well, now. Before we are accused of impropriety, I think I should remind everyone we are pledged to each other.” The delighted faces staring back were both amusing and disconcerting to her, and her cheeks grew warm. “I think ’tis time I went home and began to make a list of what I can contribute to the cause.”

  “I will escort you, of course.” Jeremy offered his arm.

  “Thank you, but there’s no need. My goodness, it is just down the lane. I need a little time to myself. Surely you understand.” She smiled, but she feared her eyes gave away the sadness that engulfed her.

  Lizzie stood. “I shall go with you.”

  “No, Lizzie. Truly, I want to be alone.” She slipped out the front door. The clouds that had been gathering throughout the day opened, and she walked through the rain without so much as a glance to the sky. Even a rumble of thunder did not faze her, so alone she was in her thoughts.

  The insistent cadence of the rain on her shingled roof caused her to look down at her soaked clothes, and she climbed the stairs to change into a dry gown. How could he insist on waiting? Had she not waited for him a lifetime already? Would there always be a reason they could not marry?

  13

  September 15, 1664

  Jeremy started immediately to organize the ragtag troop left behind when the cream of the village rode out to Flushing. It was now on his and Dirk’s shoulders to train them into a militia Southold could be proud of.

  He picked through the assorted muskets and ammunition while Dirk put the small band of men through physical training at a good pace. He looked out the window of the meetinghouse and watched as the troop tossed weighted balls back and forth. They might make something out of these men yet.

  A messenger brought word that Joshua Hobart would be arriving the following day for a short visit. Jeremy did not know him well, but he knew of his interest in Long Island and particularly Southold. He was the son of Peter Hobart, the venerable minister of the church in Hingham, Massachusetts. Joshua was a minister himself, most recently in Barbados, where Jeremy had met him. His wife had died there some years before, and he was looking to relocate his ministry.

  Mayhap it would be on Long Island. Joshua liked the isolation they seemed to enjoy here. He shared his father’s inclination to have a more inclusive church, and that was easier here than up in Massachusetts, to be sure. And Southold had become more tolerant over the years. Nathaniel and Grissell Sylvester were a good example. Everyone knew they were sympathetic to the Quakers, but still they were welcome to worship in Southold. Tolerance was not about suspending their own beliefs but knowing how to love those who did not share those beliefs.

  But the somewhat cloistered existence had been shattered when their King decided to invade New Amsterdam and left the island vulnerable to a counterattack. Would Joshua feel the same when he visited and found the troops training and an attack on their end of the island imminent?

  Jeremy folded the message and stuffed it in his pocket. He was certain Ester had an empty room at the boardinghouse. It was not good timing for a visit, but he could take it in stride. God might have a purpose and a plan in all of this.

  He returned to cleaning the guns, a chore familiar to him since he’d been a youngster on his father’s estate in Mowsley. He and
his brothers grew up with guns, and his father taught them to not only respect them, but to keep them in good working order, as well. He rather enjoyed the process.

  Barnabas appeared as Jeremy polished the last musket with strong, gliding strokes. “What say you we go down to the meetinghouse. Reverend Youngs came by and requested that we join him and bring Dirk with us.”

  “By all means. I just finished up in here, and if the shouts of elation I heard a few minutes before you came are any indication, I believe Dirk to be finished with the troop. He put them through their paces today.”

  “Very good. Let’s find Dirk and walk on over.”

  They went outside and did not look long for Dirk, as he was on his way to find Jeremy.

  “How goes it?” Barnabas clapped his shoulder.

  “It’s only day one, so we should not expect a lot. But young Jacob showed much promise. As for the rest of the lot, they have a long way to go.” He looked at Barnabas. “I will tell you, though—our Jonathan is the best of the lot. He’ll make a fine soldier. He’d go in a heartbeat if you would let him.”

  “His mother will not allow it, and I have to agree with her. Four sons on the battlefield are enough. Even if it is a non-battle.”

  The three strode toward the meetinghouse. A drizzle kept the lane muddy and a gray cast on the day. Jeremy cocked his head toward Barnabas. “Do you know what John wants to talk to us about?”

  “Nay, not really. But methinks it will be about the military situation and the implications for Southold.”

  The rest of the walk was in silence, save for their boots trudging through puddles. What more could they do but pray and prepare the troop? If there was something else, Jeremy wanted to know.

  John Youngs stood in the doorway as they approached. “Good to see you. Come right in.” They filed in and sat around the clerk’s desk. “I called you here because I’ve received some news from New Haven.”

  “Oh?” Barnabas leaned forward, and Jeremy glanced between the two.