Kitty strolled hand in hand with Melanie. Nearly nine months had passed since she had arrived in Jamestown. Unlike many of her fellow prisoners, who had arrived with her, her exile had been relatively happy. She had found a family with the Learys and Melanie had become devoted to her.
They walked around the harbour. When she first arrived, Kitty had often looked longingly at the departing ships. But, as time passed, she gradually adapted to her new life. Sometimes she would go several days without thinking of James. This caused her bouts of guilt. At other times, she would think about him and imagine what he would be doing in the bakery.
Since arriving in Jamestown, there were several men who had shown interest in her. Dr Leary had dinner parties and the occasional ball. During these functions, she never lacked suitors. At 19, Kitty Bell was an attractive young woman, with lustrous long hair and soulful, hazel eyes. She enjoyed the attention but did not let things go beyond flirting.
Kitty rejected them, not because she felt she might be being unfaithful to James, but simply because she did not have room in her heart for anyone new.
This marked a turning point. Kitty knew she would always love James, but was reconciled to the fact that, as life and the fates had decided they could not be together, she must force herself to stop thinking of him as her love-in-waiting. This self-revelation was both sad and oddly liberating.
Her relationship with Francis had become closer. He was a brilliant and dedicated doctor. As they got to
