Jonathon Carver, a young Puritan school teacher, meets handsome Nathaniel Morgan, master cooper. He comes to recognize the longings he's had all his life as desire for the love of another man, and Nathaniel provides that love.<br><br>Their love must be carefully guarded, as they live in Colonial America during a time of the call to Awakening of the Puritan spirit. Knowing the penalty for their love is dire, they strive to keep their affair secret.<br><br>Desperate for a way to resolve their situation, they devise a bold plan which could free them to be together. But can their love for one another overcome the structure of the society in which they live? Or will they be destined to forego fulfillment of their desire and go their separate ways?

Awakening

Rebecca looked at Jonathan’s teacup and frowned. “Is the tea not to your liking?”


“Oh,” Jonathan hastily raised the cup to his lips. “No, it is fine.” He replaced it on the saucer and breathed a sigh that he had not spilled it after all.


Jonathan looked nervously over his shoulder at Mary. He was sure she was aware of every word, every motion.


He moved from his chair to sit at the opposite end of the couch. Mary lifted her head from her sewing, raised an eyebrow, then satisfied that Jonathan was not about to ravage her sister, she lowered her eyes once more to her work.


“Miss Gilmore, may I speak candidly?”


Rebecca looked over to her sister, then nodded.


“I want you to know what has happened…this situation…the—”


Chapter 13