“Sure, Theo. Thank you.” Branch broke off a small bite of the pastry Lucy was now having a most challenging time not thinking of as a love knot. He tossed it into the air and caught the bite in his mouth, causing Theo to stare at him in wonder, and Lucy to ponder if the man was always so ostentatious … and utterly intriguing.
Lucy wondered if Branch would once again try to get the locket away from her, and felt nothing but relief that it was no longer in her keeping. Was that the reason he was telling a silly story that made Theo laugh, or had he merely recognized her and purchased the cider out of friendliness?
Not one normally given to cynical thoughts, she couldn’t help but assume his reasons for trying to charm her and her brother had less to do with them and more to do with the locket.
Deeply annoyed for reasons she did not care to examine, she took another sip of the cider, then held the cup to Theo. He finished the last two swallows, then Lucy handed the cup back to Branch and stood.
He shifted his boot off the bench seat and straightened, giving her a puzzled glance. One that bordered on appearing entirely innocent.
Well, she knew better. He had tried to talk her into giving him Mrs. Washington’s gloves, and she knew for a fact that he had lied to her then. What was to keep him from lying to her at this very moment?
Nothing. Not one thing.
Miffed at the man for his duplicity, she offered him a curt nod. “It was kind of you to offer the cider, Mr. Barton. Thankyou. We must finish our shopping and return home, though. Enjoy your day, sir.”
“I … uh … Miss Carlson,” Branch said, appearing at a loss for words, which seemed highly improbable.
Theo hopped up and waved at Branch. “It was nice to meet you, sir. Bye.” He clasped Lucy’s hand and pulled her in the direction of Mary Thatcher’s blueberries.
As Lucy walked away, she could feel Branch’s eyes on her and did her best to ignore him, ignore the way her skin tingled and her heart skipped a beat. She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, wondering when she would encounter the handsome rascal again.
Five
Branch watched Lucy and her little brother hurry off toward a stall selling blueberries, strawberries, and fresh eggs.
He grinned, thinking of all the ways he had tormented the woman since she had left the goldsmith’s shop.
He had paid one of the young boys who were always eager to earn a coin to keep watch for Lucy if she left the shop that morning. The lad had raced up to him as he had been keeping an eye on a suspicious ship docking at a wharf on the river and let him know Lucy and her brother were heading toward the market.
Branch hurried to one of the stalls that sold a variety of daily goods and was also a place the local Continental spies used to occasionally exchange information. Out of necessity, Branch had become a master of disguises and could change his persona in the time it took to blink. He had hastily grabbed what he needed to pretend to be a beggar and positioned himself on a corner where Lucy would be sure to walk right past him. It hadn’t surprised Branch in the least when Lucy had been kind and offered him a coin.
While one of his trusted friends had bumped against her, with instructions to reach for her pocket, Branch had cast off the beggar’s appearance, donned attire fit for a dandy, and intentionally bumped into Lucy just to see what she would do.
Branch had asked two other friends to bump into Lucy as well, and one of the old women who spied for them had asked Lucy for food. Lucy had offered a sweet bun to the woman without hesitation. Although Branch had surmised Lucy was nervous and disconcerted, she had acted as though nothing were amiss while keeping a watchful eye on her brother.
Theo seemed to think he was Lucy’s protector and had appeared quite indignant on her behalf each time someone had bumped into her. The lad had a lion’s share of mettle, even though he couldn’t have been more than eight or nine. Truthfully, he looked like trouble frequently nipped at his heels, but he clearly adored his sister. Branch could tell at a glance that Lucy was equally enamored with her young sibling.
Branch had poked around just enough to learn about the Carlson family without raising any questions. They were liked by their neighbors and acquaintances. Respected in the community. Every inquiry he had made had been met with kind or approving words about Ward and Cleta Carlson and their two children.
From what Branch had observed, Lucy had an incredible talent when it came to designing and creating jewelry, even if no member of the Philadelphia guild would ever recognize it. He had watched from the shadows across the street as she had labored long hours over a piece of jewelry, getting it as close to perfection as possible. The pieces he had seen the few times he had entered the store were beautifully and skillfully made.
Despite her work going unrecognized, Lucy was, as Martha Washington had predicted, a woman who was full of spunk andgumption, with a kind heart, a keen mind, and a softness life had yet to corrupt.
Then again, she was only eighteen. Branch had been her brother’s age when she had been born.
He told himself he was far too seasoned by life for an innocent girl. But he couldn’t help feeling drawn to her. Not just to her pretty face, with curls of dark hair peeking from beneath her market bonnet to frame it, nor those soulful midnight-blue eyes, nor the sweet way she smiled when Theo said something to amuse her. It wasn’t the graceful way she moved, nor the way she squared those narrow shoulders, as though she would face whatever came her way with dignity and strength. It wasn’t the tantalizing fragrance of her that put him in mind of the roses at the house where Mrs. Washington was staying. It waseverythingabout Lucy.
The first time he set eyes on her, he had been struck by her joy and beauty, but then he had seen her gentleness and kindness, her sharp intellect, and her affection for her family and friends. Despite being careful about who witnessed it, her excitement and dedication to the valiant cause of liberty was also something he admired.
Which was why he was proud of how well she had done in handing off the locket to the courier. By the time the exchange was made, Lucy had looked like she was on her way to being thoroughly unraveled, but she had held on to her composure, asked enough questions to ensure the courier was who he claimed to be, and had the presence of mind to keep Theo occupied.
Branch had figured she needed a moment to collect herself and thought offering her a refreshing cup of cider would be a way to check on her. She had bristled at his approach, but he had an idea it was more out of what she deemed inappropriate behavior than a dislike on her part.
The way her eyes sparked with interest and awareness in his presence made him both gladdened and distraught. War was a terrible time to think of romance and love.
The very notion that Lucy inspired both of those thoughts in him left Branch more unsettled than if he had been caught by an entire camp full of Loyalist dragoons.
Branch did what he did best and disappeared into the crowd, keeping an eye on Lucy and Theo as they purchased blueberries, a fresh fish, and a loaf of bread, along with a bouquet of bright blossoms, before they headed home.
