My mouth parted—not only at his offer but at his callous comment. I could think of nothing else to say but “No, thank you.”
Benjamin turned to Grace, appearing unaffected by my refusal.
She shook her head, looking between me and Benjamin like a cornered animal.
“And you—?” He paused, as if he wasn’t sure whether she was Grace or me.
“Grace,” she supplied.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Do you prefer me or Nathaniel, Grace?”
“Neither,” Grace finally said.
Benjamin frowned and pulled back. “Susannah led us to believe you two were desperate.”
“Perhaps she is desperate to be rid of us,” I said derisively, “but we are not desperate enough to marry you.”
That did seem to insult him—but I didn’t feel remorse. Not after his heartlessness.
I caught sight of Isaac as he walked up to us—but his eye was on Benjamin. Isaac had been at the ordinary the past few days, watching Benjamin and Nathaniel closely.
“Good day, Isaac,” I said, standing at his arrival. “I was about to take a turn in the garden. Would you like to join me?”
He frowned slightly at my eager greeting but recovered quickly. “Of course.”
I glanced at Grace, giving her an apologetic smile as I walked away with Isaac. Thankfully, Benjamin took our hint and excused himself. He joined Susannah, shaking his head.
She glared at me.
“’Tis a beautiful day for a wedding,” I said quickly to Isaac, turning away from Susannah’s anger to look at the garden and out at the harbor where tall, dark masts poked against the backdrop of a bright blue sky. A musty, fish-like scent wafted on the breeze, but it was subtle enough that it wasn’t unpleasant.
“’Tis, indeed,” he agreed as we came to a stop near the water’s edge.
I had a lot to say and not much time to say it. “I was thinking about finding my cousin.”
He frowned and spoke quietly. “Your Quaker cousin? Why?”
How did I explain this sudden need to feel connected to this time and place? Other than Grace, Pricilla, and my father, I had no other living relatives that I knew. “She is no longer a Quaker,” I reminded him.
“She is a servant, if I remember correctly.”
“Do you know who she works for?”
He straightened, and his blue eyes filled with disappointment. “You only sought me out to help you find her?”
I tried to offer him my most convincing smile. “Will you?”
He looked toward the ships and shook his head. “’Tis not wise, Hope.”
“I must find her.” I swallowed the emotions that threatened to clog my throat. I was not used to feeling so desperate or afraid. So lonely and uncertain. “Now that I know I have relatives, I want to meet them.”
He must have heard the longing in my voice because he looked at me with apprehension. “Are you well?”
Shaking my head, I set my plate on a nearby bench, no longer hungry. I wanted to explain to Isaac about losing 1912, but I wasn’t sure he’d believe me. Though if there was anyone in 1692 who might, it would be him. He had been such a dear friend for years. Always steadfast and trustworthy, even when I had brushed off his friendship. What would he say if I told him now?
I glanced toward the house to see if Grace was near. One of the bride’s sisters had sat beside her on the bench, and they were talking. Would she advise me not to tell Isaac?
“If you want to find her,” he said, concern in his voice, “I will help you. I would do anything for you.”
