Love’s Betrayal Read Free Page A

and she prayed Papa had not detected her absence. Enough excitement had transpired for one day.
    â€œI daresay this is the last time I can help,” she said. Without waiting for him to question, she continued, “Papa is moving us to Chesterfield in three days. I fear I am of no service there.”
    â€œYou have done more than your duty for the cause,” he said. “We are greatly indebted.”
    â€œI would like to continue, sir. Please let those know who might need assistance in Chesterfield.”
    â€œI understand, and I will extend your concern.”
    When she saw the outline of her two-story home, she stopped. “I am quite safe now. Thank you for the escort.”
    â€œGood evening, and may your father’s decision to leave Boston be a prosperous one.”
    Delight straightened her shoulders and moved toward the back of her home, for now she faced the ardent task of slipping inside without detection. In three days, all of this would be memories. But tonight, vivid sights and sounds raced across her heart. She longed to do so much more, but God obviously saw fit for her to cease in her work.
    She held her breath and lifted the latch. Setting foot on the plank floor of her home somehow relieved the burden of the night’s dangers. Only the stillness of sleeping inhabitants greeted her.
I thank Thee, Lord.
    Stealing up the stairs, Delight realized she would never forget the night’s happenings. Weariness threatened to overtake her. Alas, it would take a long time before her heart slowed its incessant pounding.

    For more than sixteen months, Delight tried to appreciate the small town of Chesterfield, but it lacked the excitement of Boston. She’d hoped Papa would want to move back to their home city once the British deserted Boston in March of ’76, but he elected to remain in the quieter town. News of the war trickled in, although the patriots of Chesterfield eagerly strove to fight for their beliefs. Tories disgusted her, for she felt their loyalty to Britain was out of fear. She refused to listen to their viewpoint and wished all of them would board the next ship back to England.
    She listened and took note of a few patriots who held the qualities of leaders, all the while praying she could again be of assistance to the cause.
    In the past, Papa had attempted to take the middle ground, as though they were Quakers who dared not take up arms. But even before they left Boston, she saw him lean heavily toward the patriot cause. The incident at Mr. Taylor’s blacksmith shop was the turning point.
    In Chesterfield, Papa often left the house in the evening and didn’t return until quite late. Mama fretted constantly, and once Delight heard them arguing about the war efforts when he returned. She quickly assessed her father had joined the revolutionary cause and wanted to enlist in the Continental army. However, Mama stood her ground and insisted he remain in his trade.
    â€œWe have no sons, Elijah,” Mama had whispered through a ragged breath. “If we did, then one of them could take over the cooper business.”
    â€œWould you deny me the privilege of fighting for freedom?”
    Silence permeated the house.
    â€œMy dear husband, I love you with all my heart. Is it so wrong for me to want you unharmed?” Mama’s tears stabbed at Delight’s heart. She understood her mother’s sentiments and her father’s longing.
    â€œFreedom is always purchased with a price. I am not afraid to sacrifice my life so that our grandchildren will live without the tyranny of England.”
    â€œAnd deny our unborn child a father?”
    Papa did not reply. The only sound came from Mama’s muffled sobs. This baby was their eighth child, hopefully a boy for Papa.
    Delight felt her own eyes sting. Frustration dug at her senses. At least in Boston she could do her part, possibly enough for Papa’s share. When the war for independence was won, she