“Dinner is ready. Shall we go in?” Ruth suggested, directing the way into the small dining room.

The surroundings were not fancy; there were no servants to wait on them; the dishes were not of the finest china and the wine not the best, but Matt found himself enjoying the simple, yet perfectly prepared, fare more than any other meal he’d ever had. The conversation was pleasant, the mood convivial, and Matt felt perfectly content.

He put all troublesome thoughts from him during the dinner as he relaxed and enjoyed himself. At no time did he allow disturbing thoughts of the attack on Faith or of the state of his life in general to intrude. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, and he fully intended to make the most of it.

Occasionally as they dined, his gaze would lock with Faith’s. All else would fade into the background as the image of their embraces the day before flooded through him in heated remembrance, and sent his blood racing through his veins. At those times it was only sheer willpower that enabled him to break off the contact and turn his attention back to the general conversation.

“How do you find life in Boston, Matthew?” Ben asked as they lingered at the table, the meal finished. He found his suspicions being slowly laid to rest, for he’d found nothing in the younger man’s manner to indicate that he was being anything less than forthright with them.

At the question, Matt’s gaze automatically swung back to Faith and he answered, “I’ve found I’ve fallen quite in love with Boston, Ben.”

His words sent Faith’s hopes soaring. Was there hope that Matthew might stay here and forsake returning to England?

“You find Boston more appealing than London?” Ben wondered, a bit amazed by his statement.

“Boston is fresh and vital,” he explained, mentally comparing Faith with the city. “There’s a sense of excitement here that I’ve never experienced before, not even in London.”

“Indeed, there is that,” Ben agreed.

“Matthew, I have never really thanked you for saving Faith from the soldiers or for summoning the doctor for me,” Ruth put in appreciatively.

“I wish I could have done more.” Matt’s answer was rigid as unwanted thoughts of the culprits going free and unpunished assailed him. “Especially where the attack was concerned. If I’d been able to catch the two men, things would have turned out differently. They would have been brought to justice, as they deserved.”

Ben snorted in derision. “Don’t fool yourself, Matthew. It wouldn’t have mattered. Nothing would have been done, regardless.”

Matt’s tone hardened as he thought of his helplessness in the situation. “I know. Faith explained it all to me, but mark my words, someday, somehow, I’m going to see justice done.”

“Matthew…” Faith interrupted worriedly as she sensed the sudden anger in him.

Ben, too, saw the undisguised outrage and determination in his expression. “Do you know much about the protests that are going on?”

“Not too much. Faith has mentioned a man named Sam Adams as being one of the chief leaders of the group calling for complete independence, but beyond that I know very little about it.”

“Would you like to learn more?” Ben asked, feeling that Matthew could possibly be an asset to their cause.

“I would,” he answered firmly. “From what little I do know, I find myself quite in sympathy with them. It was hard for me to believe at first…” Matt shook his head sadly. “And I ended up questioning my entire life prior to this. It took some time, but I’m now firmly convinced that certain powers have been, and are continuing to be, abused here. There have been some serious errors in judgment regarding the governing of the colonies, and it seems quite obvious to me that the colonists are not being treated with the same respect as other full English citizens. It’s no wonder some of them are angry and are calling for a separate nation.”

“You’re right.” Ben was quick to agree. “Feelings are running hot and high over this tea thing right now.”

“And well they should be. The imposing of the monopoly may prove to be the biggest tactical blunder of all.”

“There’s a meeting of protest scheduled for later this week. It seems some of the ships carrying the tea are nearing port, and we’re trying to determine exactly what to do about it. If you’d be interested in attending…”

Matt was instantly attentive, for he wanted to learn all he could. “I most certainly would be.”

Faith felt a momentary chill as she remembered her father’s fate. She suddenly found herself worried over Matthew’s involvement with the rebels.

“Matthew…are you sure?” She hated herself for asking, but she didn’t want him doing it unless he was certain.

“Yes, Faith, I’m sure,” he replied with conviction.

Faith nodded in acceptance as her heart swelled with emotions. Just when she thought she’d discovered every wonderful thing about Matthew, she was surprised by another facet of his character. No longer was he just the fascinating, handsome nobleman who’d rescued her. Now she knew that he was definitely more deep than that. He had very real concerns, and he was willing to act upon them.

“I feel that my future is here in Boston, and I want to do whatever I can to make life better,” he told her, a tender note of understanding in his voice.

A thrill rushed through her as she considered his statement. He claimed openly that his future was here in Boston, and Faith hoped she was a part of that future.

“It will be better all around if I make contact with you directly and leave Faith and Ruth out of it,” Ben said.

“All right, but is there truly that much danger involved?” Matt wondered.

“There’s really no way of knowing. There have been no overt actions against individuals yet, but who can say it will remain that way? With things just now reaching the fever pitch that they are, anything could happen, and at any time. I just want to be cautious so Ruth and Faith aren’t put at risk. It’s common knowledge that I visit here regularly. Though it’s doubtful that anyone could make a connection between us simply because of the coincidence, I don’t want to chance it.”

“I agree,” he replied seriously, “and I’ll be waiting to hear from you. I’m staying at the Red Lion Inn.”

It was over an hour later when Matthew took his leave. He stood with Faith in the front hall, just out of sight of Ruth and Ben, who had discreetly remained in the parlor to give them a moment to themselves.

“Dinner was wonderful, Faith. Thank you for the invitation.” Matt knew he should go, but his need to kiss her had become almost overpowering. He had been anticipating this moment all evening. Now that they were ostensibly alone, he wanted to take advantage of the moment.

“I’m glad you were able to come, Matthew.” Her voice was soft, her lips moist and parted, and her turquoise eyes were sparkling in unspoken invitation.

“So am I.” His voice was husky as, at last, he gave in to the desire to hold her close.

Faith went into his arms without pause and, looping her arms about his neck, accepted his kiss with open pleasure. Matt, feeling her willingness, tightened his arms about her, bringing her even closer. The encounter was bliss-filled paradise for them both as they surrendered to the beauty of what was happening between them.

The perfect wonder of it was almost painful, and when they broke apart, they were each stunned by the power of their own feelings. It was then that Faith knew without a doubt that she loved Matthew, for there could be no other name for the emotion that throbbed so vibrantly and demandingly within her. Matt, too, realized the depth of the emotion that filled him. He stared down at Faith in silent, cherishing awe, realizing that his entire future happiness rested with this small woman he still held in his arms.

“When can I see you again?” Matt asked, his eyes dark with passion’s denied intent.