She shifted uneasily in her new, unfamiliar bed, and thought of kissing Nathaniel.

Chapter 7

"Well, some things remain constant," remarked Julian on Christmas afternoon as he reclined full—length on the settee. "This may be the New World, but holiday afternoons are as boring here as they are in the old one."

Curiosity and her daughters had served a midday meal which had put them all to the test, and now the Middletons and their guests were gathered around the fire. Elizabeth had taken up her reading and was relieved to see Richard Todd do the same, hoping that it would spare her the necessity of another pointed conversation with him. Mr. Witherspoon and the judge were both drifting off to sleep, but Julian and Katherine Witherspoon were clearly eager for some activity.

Elizabeth looked up from her book to her brother's fidgeting.

"Don't suggest a walk, sister," Julian said, anticipating her recommendation. "My idea of entertainment doesn't include slogging around in two feet of snow after three servings of venison."

"Then maybe we should go down to the turkey shoot," suggested Richard Todd. He put down his book and walked to the fireplace where he stood with his hands behind his back, rocking on his heels.

"Oh, yes, the turkey shoot!" cried Katherine. She smiled at Julian as if it had been his suggestion. "It's a Christmas tradition, we must all go along."

"Certainly this is a working day like any other?" asked Elizabeth.

The judge roused himself to join in the conversation, stifling a yawn. "Yes, of course. But we have a lot of Dutch and Germans here, and they have particular ideas about Christmas—"

Reverend Witherspoon cleared his throat in a disapproving way, and the judge shrugged as if to apologize for the less seemly habits of the villagers.

"The turkey shoot is a popular event. People take the time," he concluded.

"You must have three dozen birds in your coops, Father," said Julian.

"Why would you want to go and pay for the privilege of shooting at somebody else's turkey?"

"I wouldn't," affirmed the judge, settling back down into his chair. "But it is good sport. Go on now, all of you young people, and see how Paradise amuses itself. Kitty and Richard will show you the way."

* * *

They set out in just a few minutes: Julian, Richard Todd, Katherine, and Elizabeth.

"Men come from all over to shoot," Katherine explained to Julian and Elizabeth.

"Billy Kirby organizes it."

"At substantial profit to himself," added Richard Todd. Katherine overheard this comment. It struck Elizabeth once again that her indifference toward Richard Todd was too studied, and too careful, to mean anything but the opposite of what it seemed to be.

They kept up a brisk pace so as to keep the cold from making too much headway, but still Katherine would talk.

"I wonder," she said to Julian, "if you should have brought out your gun. Should you like to try your hand at the competition?"

"I'll leave the shooting to the locals," said Julian shortly. Elizabeth observed him closely, but saw that he meant to say no more on this matter.

"Don't you care for hunting?" asked Katherine.

"On the contrary," Julian said with a smile. "But the game which interests me is a more civilized one."

Richard Todd's grimace was lost on Katherine and Julian, but Elizabeth noted it with dawning realization. She wondered whether Richard's distaste was for her brother, or for Katherine's flirtation. In either case, she found it difficult to listen any longer, and so Elizabeth stepped up her pace in hopes of outstripping the others. Soon enough she had left Julian and Katherine behind, but to her surprise Elizabeth found Richard Todd was unwilling to be shaken off.

"I think it is hard for young people who put high value on amusement and parties to live so far out," Richard said with an awkward smile.

Elizabeth looked up at him in surprise. Richard Todd was making excuses to her for Katherine, and she could not fathom why. Unless, of course, he had some tender feelings for her himself and her behavior distressed him. Elizabeth considered for a moment.

"I suppose that is true," she said. "It is a very small neighborhood, isn't it, and there cannot be much variety in the entertainment. I find that less of a burden. At home I was never so interested in the dances as I was in my uncle's library. But my cousins would not know what to do with themselves here."

Richard nodded. "Young ladies often have expectations which cannot be met by our little circle of friends."

"Well," said Elizabeth, feeling a little easier toward Richard now. "Young women have the habit of growing into older ladies, and giving up dancing for whist."

"But some young ladies seem to enjoy dancing more than others," said Richard. "Did you enjoy the party yesterday evening?"

"Yes, it was very pleasant," replied Elizabeth. She wondered if she dared raise the subject, and then decided that she might.

"What did you think of Chingachgook's proposal to my father?"

Suddenly the easy feeling between them was gone, and Elizabeth thought that Dr. Todd would refuse to answer her. He cleared his throat.

"I think it will come to nothing."

"You fear it will come to nothing," asked Elizabeth, "or you hope it will come to nothing?"

"It is not an easy thing, what the old man asks," said Richard, slowly searching for words."Peaceful times are precious in this part of the world, and I would be foolish to wish them gone."