The Sins of a Few (17 page)

“Perhaps with his tongue he will do time in the pillory,” Nathanial said. “I can think of no better place for his neck than between slabs of wood.”

Faith laughed, but quickly sobered when a little girl with red-rimmed, tear-filled eyes approached with hesitance. Deliverance. “Is it true what Abigail said?” she asked of Nathanial. “Were you going to send me to jail?”

Nathanial knelt before her. “No one would send you to jail, itty bit.”

Faith smiled. Clearly she was not the only one for whom he reserved names of affection.

“But Momma and Abigail said you would.”

“They told some stories that got people in trouble and it was wrong,” Nathanial said.

“Are they going to jail?”

“Not a chance. Miss Faith asked us all to forgive, and she is right. We should all forgive.”

The little girl turned to Faith. “You saved us,” she whispered, the first tears falling.

“Faith, I presume you know Deliverance.” Nathanial stood. When he spoke, his voice shook, leaving no doubt as to how much he loved his sister. The rest of his family approached just as Faith scooped the little girl into her arms, holding her against her hip.

“I suppose I should thank you,” Richard said.

“You need not force yourself,” Faith replied. “We have no purpose in becoming friends.”

“Nathanial spoke of your needing to move,” Elinor said. “If you and your mother wish to reside with us, it will be allowed.”

Faith could not determine if the gesture was sincere, but she nonetheless appreciated it. Fortunately, she did not need to accept. “Thank you for your kindness, Goodwife, but my situation has been resolved.”

“Very well then.” Elinor made haste in gathering her children, even reaching to take Deliverance from Faith’s arms.

Just as the group turned to leave, Nathanial spoke. “Thank you.”

His mother turned and nodded, then walked off. It was enough. It would have to be.

In turn, Thomas Mather approached. He immediately reached to shake Nathanial’s hand. “Good show, old man.”

“Not a show. Just a woman stronger than I, who probably knows more about forgiveness than the rest of us.”

“I hope you do not mind that I spoke for you,” Faith said shyly.

“I think you spoke well for each and every one of us,” Thomas said. “Both of you did. Although I am afraid you left a name off your list, Nathanial.”

“I did?”

Faith followed the direction of Thomas’s gaze, finding the loathsome Rebecca at the end of it. And she was headed their way.

Somehow Faith expected the woman would not arrive to share good will.

“Is there no end to what you will do for attention?” Rebecca barked upon her arrival.

Nathanial met her glare with mild amusement. “You take issue with my actions, Goodwife?”

“You abandon your responsibilities, walk away from your
wife
, and denounce your own family, and you wish to know if I
take issue
?”

“Perhaps the better question is
why
you take issue,” Thomas said. “What is it to you? Nothing Nathanial has or has not done has affected you, and the only issue you should have with Nathanial denouncing his family is the fact that you were not included.”

Rebecca’s mouth dropped open, her eyes dark and furious and wide. “How dare you!”

“Oh, I dare,” Thomas said. “You have been with them every step of the way. You accused the midwife and countless others. How many died because of you, Rebecca? If only I had a portion of the courage of Nathanial or Faith, you might have been among them.”

Faith drew her hand to her mouth in shock.

Rebecca had turned a shade of chartreuse Faith was not sure she had ever before seen. “You are a most loathsome man. I must have been desperate to join with you. I am sorry we ever married!”

“And you are a mockery of a woman. Be assured, the regret is mutual, but not the desperation.” He turned to shake Nathanial’s hand, then to clasp Faith’s. “Forgive me that you had to witness that, but it was a long time coming.”

“I suppose the best things are worth waiting for,” Faith murmured, watching the goodwife’s face change from chartreuse to purple.

Thomas tipped his hat and walked off without another word to his wife, who did not move until she caught Faith staring at her. Then, in a huff, she stormed off, but she was a step too late. Thomas had already hopped onto his wagon. He had barely settled onto the buckboard before urging his horse along.

“Thomas Mather, you stop that wagon this instant!” Rebecca yelled.

Rather than turn around, he threw up a hand in farewell. “Have a nice walk, Rebecca,” he called.

Rebecca had a good hour’s walk to get to the home she shared with Thomas. Faith tried to stifle a laugh and failed when a number of observers broke into applause.

“You are going to need to shake that man’s hand,” Faith said.

“Indeed. But first I have something else in mind.”

“And what might that be?”

“First I’m going to see how Cornelia fares. The incident with Jeremiah really shook her up.”

“She said you were of great help to her.”

“Not for purely altruistic reasons, I am afraid. I figured she had encountered Jeremiah before—on a professional basis, I mean—and hoped if I paid her well enough she might be encouraged to provide testimony against him. I did not expect him to make it so easy.”

“You gave her the means to find a new start.”

“I suppose there is a lot of that going around,” he said. “Which brings me to my second intention.”

“Which is?”

“Dependent on one thing.”

She swatted him on the shoulder. “Which is
what
?”

He leaned over until his lips brushed her ear when he spoke. “Whether there is any privacy to be found.”

Epilogue

Nathanial procured materials for the house faster than Faith thought possible, though the building process took longer than most. He wanted a sizeable home—not a boastful one like that of his parents, but with plenty of room to fill with children and family. The result was as lovely as she could have ever hoped. Faith had never before been on the second story of a building—much less slept there—but not even the height dizzied her as thoroughly as did her husband.

He came from behind as she stared through the window and wrapped his arms securely around her. “Your thoughts are heavy.”

She shook her head and leaned back against him. “It would be better said that my heart is full.”

“If you prefer to move to a room on the lower floor—”

“I like being closer to the stars.”

“You may change your mind during summer’s heat. In the meantime, I consider it my personal duty to keep you warm through the winter.” He pressed a kiss to her neck, and the gesture might have landed them both back in bed had the noise of an approaching wagon not captured their attention.

“Who do you suppose that is?” Faith asked.

Nathanial’s hold on her loosened. “Someone with a lot of coin. I haven’t seen a carriage like that since I left London.”

Curious, Faith followed him downstairs. He opened the door to a man of obvious wealth. His clothing was crisp, the dyes dark.
Henry Dunham
. Behind him, his wife Lydia stood, holding a tightly wrapped infant.

“Nathanial Abbot?” When Nathanial nodded, the man continued. “Henry Dunham. Forgive the intrusion. May I have a moment of your time?”

“Of course.” Nathanial stepped back and gestured for them to enter. “Please, come in. This is my wife, Faith.”

“And my wife, Lydia,” Henry said. “And the babe is a new arrival. Just a week now.”

“He is beautiful,” Faith said. Her heart ached as much as it swelled, for the accusations had nearly ended the baby’s life before it had begun. Rather than succumb to her emotions, she busied herself gathering fresh biscuits and drinks, then rejoined the group in the parlor.

“I heard what you did in response to the accusations,” Henry was saying. “That took a great deal of courage.”

“Word certainly travels,” Nathanial said with a grin. “I am afraid the courage was all Faith’s. It was she who put an end to my intentions.”

Henry gave Faith a gentle smile. “One gesture just as important as the next. Quite a fitting pair, I would say.”

In Lydia’s arms, the baby stretched, then settled back into contented sleep.

Faith nearly melted. “What is his name?”

“William. Would you like to hold him?” When Faith nodded, Lydia carefully slid the baby into her waiting arms.

Had Faith ever held anything so precious? “Oh, he is beautiful.”

Lydia leaned close. “If the way your husband looks at you is any indication, you will have your own before you know it.”

Faith flushed hot.

Henry cleared his throat.

Nathanial sat next to him, bemusement lighting his face.

“As I was saying,” Henry said, a smile gentling his words, “I took it upon myself to research your credentials, Goodman, and while of course, I have not received word from London, those here who know of your work speak highly of you. Your actions on behalf of the people of Salem support as much.”

“I appreciate that.”

“In light of what I have learned about you, I would like to procure your services.”

Nathanial and Faith exchanged glances. “I am honored, Goodman Dunham. What can I do for you?”

“Please call me Henry. As you may know, I entertain a number of business dealings. I would like you to serve as my attorney. The work will not be steady, but I am offering a hefty monthly stipend to ensure your services remain available to me.”

“And my residence?”

“You need only travel between here and Cambridge. The trips will be infrequent, and of course I will arrange transportation.”

“That is a generous offer. Surely your family already has established relationships.”

Henry nodded. “Indeed, but their loyalties are ultimately to my father.”

“Ah. That is a circumstance I know all too well. You seek exclusivity?”

“Would you object?”

“I would like to be free to barter assistances to my neighbors should they require representation.”

“Of course, as long as they do not require representation against me.” Henry grinned and stood. “Please, think it over. I will return in three days’ time for your response.”

Nathanial, who had stood alongside Henry, shook the man’s hand. “That will be fine.”

Faith regretfully returned baby William to his mother’s arms and bade the trio farewell. Once the carriage started down the road, she turned to Nathanial. “Will you take his offer?”

“What is your opinion?”

“It is all you could ask for. You knew all along the people of Salem could not support you in your profession.”

“This is true, but you are mistaken about one thing.”

“Which is?”

“It is not all I could ask for. I have that here, with my wife. It is hard to stand here with you and see anything but beauty, and in truth I cannot help but appreciate Salem, for it has given me you. But no matter how I grow to love it here, my affection for home will never be greater than my affection for you.” He pulled her close. “I love you.”

“And I you,” she whispered.

He grinned. “Although it does seem something is missing.”

“What might that be?” Faith asked, softly. Shyly.

“A babe. What do you think? A girl as beautiful as her mother?”

Nathanial’s baby
. “I think you cannot choose.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Would you like to know what I think?”

She laughed as his kisses trailed to her neck, then her collarbone. “Have I any choice?”

“You always have a choice with me.”

She sighed playfully. “Very well then. What do you think?”

“I think we need to spend the next three days in bed.”

“And Cambridge?” she asked, though with Nathanial’s mouth seeking purchase through her clothing, she cared not for anything else.

“Come with me when I travel to Cambridge.” He paused his explorations and stared deeply into her eyes. “I want you by my side. Always.”

Her belly flip-flopped. “Anywhere.” With their home in Salem, there was not anywhere she would not go with him.

In response, he swooped her off her feet and carried her up the stairs. When they reached the bed, he paused.

“What is it?”

“I may have been mistaken.”

“About?”

“Wanting you beside me.” He lay her on the bed and yanked his shirt off, dropping quickly to rest on top of her. He grinned. “Beneath me works, too.”

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Acknowledgments

Oh, the people who have enabled me! I have to once again thank my editor, Erin Molta, for taking me on when I knew nothing of writing a historical. And before that, KL Grady, who was crazy enough to take me seriously when I said I should write a Salem romance, then back to Erin who said yes, absolutely, make it a series. And because I wouldn’t make it a minute without them, a very special thanks and lots of love to my absolutely incredible husband, who was infinitely patient while I hid in my “lair” to meet my deadlines, and to our six children, who did not use that time to destroy the house…at least not irrevocably. I owe you guys one. (Or ten.) And to my mom, who doesn’t lock the door and pretend not to be home when I drop off all six kids to spend the night so I can work in peace, THANK YOU!