William glanced inside. Through the poorly-lit room, a flash of pink flew by and then disappeared under a flurry of blankets. He chuckled softly. His dear little wife was acting shy again. So unlike her.She had extinguished the candles, leaving only the moonlight that poured through the sheer curtains. Yes, she certainly had been behaving strangely, but he forced aside his confusion and proceeded as if she weren’t even here.He closed and locked the door. After he shrugged out of his over-coat and waistcoat, he draped them over the nearby chair where he sat to remove his boots. Out of the corner of his

Mercedes stared wide-eyed at herself in the full-length mirror as she adjusted the sash on her dress. The woman staring back at her had sparks of excitement in her eyes and a rosy hue to her cheeks. Even her lips looked fuller, as though she’d been kissed good and hard by a loving man. She giggled like a schoolgirl. How could she not feel so elated after what she and William shared this morning?She wasn’t anxious to meet the other ladies downstairs because she worried her expression would give away this morning’s enjoyment. Yet if she dallied in her room any longer, they’d think her lazy.

William fidgeted with the bed covers and groaned from inactivity. He pulled the sheets tighter across his leg, and the subtle movement caused a sharp pain in his knee. He gnashed his teeth. Thankfully, his head wound healed quicker. He prayed his leg would be as speedy so he could get out of this bed and back home with his family where he belonged.His nerves had been tight and his temper ready to explode since the accident. Of course, it didn’t help when his wife kept herself from joining him in bed, laying blame to his injured leg. She didn’t want to accidentally bump it, she told him. As much as he protested, she had stuck to what the physician said about not moving him. If he could get his hands around the physician’

Shadows teased throughout the room. Shapes appeared on the wall from the moon’s glare, slicing between small openings on the curtains. William halted his footsteps. The shadows played with his imagination and sent prickles of trepidation dancing up his spine. Floorboards creaked outside the hallway. He spun toward the closed door and listened.Nothing.Only the fierce beating of his heart pounded in his ears, making him re-think his purpose for probing through Colonel Burwell’s study. William had to accomplish his goal tonight, for in the morn he and Mercedes would return home. This would be his l

Gabriel Lawrence, Watch Brandon Kennedy closely tonight. I have it on good authority that Mr. Kennedy is going to meet Captain Wilkes in secret to sell him some drawings. I fear your friend, William Braxton will be blamed for something, and I want it stopped.Your Friend, Always.William scowled as he glanced at the missive in his hand. &ldquo