“Has the governor seen this yet?” Mama asked.
“Nay.” Henry closed his satchel. “He and Mister Washington left this morning for Governor Dunmore’s farm and are not expected back for a day or more.”
“And your father?” Mama asked. “Has he heard?”
“Not yet.” Henry nodded toward the document I held. “Will you print this?”
“Of course we will,” I told him with a bit of importance. “We are the public printer.”
“How did you determine this course of action?” Mama asked.
“We have been discussing it for some time, but I met with Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and several others last nightin the Governor’s Council chamber, knowing we must take a bold stand with Massachusetts.” Henry shifted on his feet as he spoke to Mama. Though he was her superior in every way, he was respectful and deferential as he addressed her questions. “We purposely met there to utilize John Rushworth’sHistorical Collections, which is a documentation of the English civil wars during the Puritan era. We modernized a similar action the House of Commons created in the 1640s to bring down the English constitutional establishment.” His voice was serious yet full of passion. “’Tis our desire to implore heaven to keep us from a civil war and to inspire our American brothers and sisters to support our rights. We are asking God to turn the heart of the king and Parliament to justice while showing solidarity to our sister colony. What happens to one of us happens to us all.”
His speech moved me, and I wanted to rush into the printing room to set the type myself.
“This is a bold thing you are doing,” Mama said, her voice grave. “Do you know the cost?”
“Aye.” Henry’s blue eyes were filled with determination. “We have all weighed the cost and are willing to pay our share.”
“Are you?” Mama studied him. “I pray God spares you from the ultimate cost.”
None of us spoke for a moment, but I could no longer withstand the weight of the silence. “We will work on this tonight,” I assured him, “and have it ready for distribution on the morrow.”
“Thank you.”
Mama wiped her hands on her apron and took the document from me. “I will take this to Louis now. Good evening, Henry.”
Henry gave her a slight bow, and she left us to enter the house.
“I fear the governor will not be happy,” I said.
“I fear the same, but we cannot let this tyranny prevail.”
“Will seeing your name affixed to the bottom of the resolutionhinder his familial generosity toward you?” I could not help but think of Lord Dunmore’s daughter, Lady Catherine.
Henry knew me too well. “Are you asking whether or not he will allow me to marry Catherine?”
It was the first time I had heard it from his mouth, and it stung. I could not look into his eyes as I tried to control my voice and emotions. I did not want him to know how much it hurt to hear him speak of it. “The rumors are true?”
“If you’ve heard that my father and Governor Dunmore desire a union, then aye. If you’ve heard that I’ve agreed to such a thing, then nay.”
I lifted my gaze to his, my voice quiet with hope. “You’ve not agreed?”
“Nay.”
I swallowed, trying to understand. “Do you intend to agree at some point?”
It was his turn to study me, his gaze beseeching mine with questions, though what he wanted to know, I wasn’t certain. We had not spoken openly of our feelings for the past six years. Did he still harbor any affection for me beyond friendship? I longed to know but had no right to ask.
“I am uncertain of what the future will bring,” he finally said, putting his hat back on his head. “I cannot make any promises for now—to Governor Dunmore or to anyone else. To do so would be unwise and reckless.”
I nodded, though my heart cried out at his words. The war loomed ahead for the next decade. Would he wait that long to marry?
“I must wish you a good day,” he said. “I am meeting my father for supper and should not tarry.”
“Will you tell him about the resolution now,” I asked, “or wait until he hears it for himself?”
“I have not decided.”
