Read Online Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) by Marie Higgins - Free Book Online
Authors: Marie Higgins
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crafted sabers and daggers. Hopefully, William wouldn’t think it too personal if she bought him a gift, too. After all, she was his wife.
The store attendant came to her side. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Braxton. Are you finding everything you need?”
She smiled at the silver-haired gentleman. “Yes. You have such a remarkable selection I would not know which one to choose.”
“You are purchasing something for your husband?”
“Yes.” She looked back at the shelf. “What do you think he would like?”
“I can help with that.” He reached in the glass case and pulled out a jeweled dagger. “Your husband has been eyeing this for weeks. This particular dagger came from a German trader. As you can see, the dagger’s black metal scabbard and composition handle is detailed in oak leaf. The blade is polished in cast metal, and the handle is littered with sparkling emerald and rubies, which was the very thing that caught Mr. Braxton’s eye.”
She nibbled on her lip, hesitating. The dagger was indeed the finest she’d ever seen.
“May I say, Mrs. Braxton, many men have come into the store and gazed upon this particular dagger in envy. Any man would love to be the owner of this elegant gift.”
Mercedes still pondered. William would certainly think her forward for purchasing this for him. She barely knew him. Then again, from what she’d observed so far, Kat hadn’t known him well, either. And…she wanted to gain his trust any way she could.
“Shall I put it on your account, Mrs. Braxton?”
“Yes, put it on my account,” she hurried with the answer before changing her mind.
“Fine choice, Mrs. Braxton. Knowing your husband as I do, I believe he would appreciate a gift like this.”
While the man wrapped it, she clamped her mouth closed, trying not to withdraw her decision. Giving such a gift to a traitor for the Crown would be difficult, and guilt for what she was doing gnawed at her stomach. But when she remembered what her sister’s frail body in the unkempt room had looked like, sleeping on one barren bed with only a woolen blanket for comfort, Mercedes hardened her heart. Not only that, but the box Kat had been buried in wasn’t fit for an animal.
Her sister’s memory came first.
* * * *
As Colonel Burwell flipped through his drawings, William held his breath waiting for him to make a decision. He could ill afford another problem at this point, and he prayed the colonel would be impressed with his work.
With one hand, the colonel turned the last page, scratching his chin with the other. His eyes narrowed as if studying the final outline. “Braxton?” He stood, a smile finally touching his mouth. “These sketches are fascinating. How soon can your company build these vessels?”
William sighed as relief poured through him, his heart hammering with anticipation. He wanted to shout with happiness, but kept focused on remaining serious in front of the man. “That particular matter we will have to take up with Mr. Kennedy. Building is his part of the business. I only draw, sir.”
Burwell laughed and slapped him on the back. “I like you, Braxton. You have a good head on your shoulders, and it’s refreshing to know a man who is not afraid to use his intellect.”
“Thank you. That is quite a compliment, Colonel.”
“Since I am already acquainted with Mr. Kennedy, I have no qualms about hiring your team to build new ships for the King’s Navy. The King needs good people on his side, and I am relieved to see we still have a few of the faithful here in Philadelphia.”
“But of course, Colonel. My loyalties have always sided with the King, and I am appalled to think some of my very own countrymen are turning their backs on their home country.” The forced words left a bitter taste in William’s mouth. By the grace of God, one day soon William would have the freedom to say what he really felt without threat of a hangman’s noose.
The colonel nodded. “Well said, Braxton.” He
The store attendant came to her side. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Braxton. Are you finding everything you need?”
She smiled at the silver-haired gentleman. “Yes. You have such a remarkable selection I would not know which one to choose.”
“You are purchasing something for your husband?”
“Yes.” She looked back at the shelf. “What do you think he would like?”
“I can help with that.” He reached in the glass case and pulled out a jeweled dagger. “Your husband has been eyeing this for weeks. This particular dagger came from a German trader. As you can see, the dagger’s black metal scabbard and composition handle is detailed in oak leaf. The blade is polished in cast metal, and the handle is littered with sparkling emerald and rubies, which was the very thing that caught Mr. Braxton’s eye.”
She nibbled on her lip, hesitating. The dagger was indeed the finest she’d ever seen.
“May I say, Mrs. Braxton, many men have come into the store and gazed upon this particular dagger in envy. Any man would love to be the owner of this elegant gift.”
Mercedes still pondered. William would certainly think her forward for purchasing this for him. She barely knew him. Then again, from what she’d observed so far, Kat hadn’t known him well, either. And…she wanted to gain his trust any way she could.
“Shall I put it on your account, Mrs. Braxton?”
“Yes, put it on my account,” she hurried with the answer before changing her mind.
“Fine choice, Mrs. Braxton. Knowing your husband as I do, I believe he would appreciate a gift like this.”
While the man wrapped it, she clamped her mouth closed, trying not to withdraw her decision. Giving such a gift to a traitor for the Crown would be difficult, and guilt for what she was doing gnawed at her stomach. But when she remembered what her sister’s frail body in the unkempt room had looked like, sleeping on one barren bed with only a woolen blanket for comfort, Mercedes hardened her heart. Not only that, but the box Kat had been buried in wasn’t fit for an animal.
Her sister’s memory came first.
* * * *
As Colonel Burwell flipped through his drawings, William held his breath waiting for him to make a decision. He could ill afford another problem at this point, and he prayed the colonel would be impressed with his work.
With one hand, the colonel turned the last page, scratching his chin with the other. His eyes narrowed as if studying the final outline. “Braxton?” He stood, a smile finally touching his mouth. “These sketches are fascinating. How soon can your company build these vessels?”
William sighed as relief poured through him, his heart hammering with anticipation. He wanted to shout with happiness, but kept focused on remaining serious in front of the man. “That particular matter we will have to take up with Mr. Kennedy. Building is his part of the business. I only draw, sir.”
Burwell laughed and slapped him on the back. “I like you, Braxton. You have a good head on your shoulders, and it’s refreshing to know a man who is not afraid to use his intellect.”
“Thank you. That is quite a compliment, Colonel.”
“Since I am already acquainted with Mr. Kennedy, I have no qualms about hiring your team to build new ships for the King’s Navy. The King needs good people on his side, and I am relieved to see we still have a few of the faithful here in Philadelphia.”
“But of course, Colonel. My loyalties have always sided with the King, and I am appalled to think some of my very own countrymen are turning their backs on their home country.” The forced words left a bitter taste in William’s mouth. By the grace of God, one day soon William would have the freedom to say what he really felt without threat of a hangman’s noose.
The colonel nodded. “Well said, Braxton.” He
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