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

A noise in the doorway caused him to turn his head. There, in the entrance to the bridal bower, was Rebecca. The light from the candle she held caught her auburn tresses, now loosed and hanging to her waist. She wore a white linen gown. His breath caught in his throat.


She moved to the table and set the candle down, before slowly and gracefully walking toward him. Silhouetted from behind by the fire, illuminated in front by the candles, her auburn hair caught the light again. She smiled tentatively.


It was the first time Jonathan had ever been alone with a woman. He sat as if turned to stone. Only his eyes moved. He took in her pretty face, bathed in candlelight: her eyes sparkled; her smile was shy, yet confident. She wetted her lips. Jonathan realized he was trembling.


Chapter 34