Sarah Anne's Expedient Marriage (The Unshakable Faith Series Book 3)

by Cathy Bryant

  “Since Alexander didn’t plan on having a traditional marriage when you were wed, he certainly won’t be too disappointed that there may never be any children from your union. In fact, Sarah, he has said as much to me. At some point, your husband’s feelings for you changed from indifference to adoration. I have never seen a man more concerned for his wife. Just having you, shall be enough. Take my word for it.”

  She had to agree; Alexander had come home from England a different man. At first she had feared the change, but now she was delighted with the transformation in their relationship.

  “Daniel, you and Joanna have become the dearest people in the whole world to me. How shall I ever do without you both, and the boys, of course?”

  “When you return home, you shall be so happy with Alexander, you shall scarcely think of us,” he said with a warm smile. “Well, let us go and find that husband of yours. I believe if you take it slow while traveling, you can manage the journey. But the moment you are home, you must take to your bed for a few days of rest.”

  With a twinkle in her eye, she responded, “I shall allow you to tell him the first part—that I am well enough to travel—if you omit the ‘bed rest’ directive.”

  Chuckling, he placed his hand against her back to shepherd her from the room. As they made their way to find Alexander, he countered, “You can depend on me,” pausing for effect, “to give him the entire directive.”

  As Sarah was now well enough to travel, the following day the Swyndhursts, Mr. Hoyt, and James Haddon, after a tearful farewell, set off for home.

  As Daniel had suggested, Alexander took it slow as they traveled, for he had no wish to tire his fragile wife.

  After four days of stopping off several times along the way for food and rest, the couple and their traveling companions finally arrived in Amesbury. As they neared his home, Mr. Hoyt called out a farewell from his wagon. Alexander and James called back a sendoff to their friend. As Sarah waved farewell to Mr. Hoyt, she felt immeasurable gratitude toward him for all that he had done for her.

  As James plodded along, Alexander and Sarah snuggled close together. When Sarah spotted Matthew Raymond’s house, she turned her face toward Alexander and pressed in tight to his arm. Glancing down, Alexander surmised, by her countenance, that his wife was ill at ease at seeing her attacker’s home. Placing his arm around her, he pulled her close and whispered, “He is gone and can never harm you again.”

  Hearing Sarah sigh, Alexander was reminded of how blessed he was to have found his wife and that she was now safely in his arms. He was also grateful the journey from Boston, as it brought them into town from the opposite direction, hadn’t carried them by way of Alice Strout’s home, for he had no desire to divulge that bit of information just yet.

  When they arrived home, after a grateful Alexander had thanked him over and over again for finding Sarah, James parted company with the couple.

  Just after Alexander and Sarah had descended the wagon, having heard them approaching, Martha came running out to greet the Swyndhursts, primarily Sarah. Pulling the young woman into her arms, she exclaimed, “Sarah, I have missed you so! You must never leave us again. Do you hear?”

  “I have no intention of doing so, Martha.”

  “Good! Now let us go in. Everyone is anxious to see you.” While keeping her arm around the young woman as they walked, Martha, with Sarah in tow, made her way to the house.

  Alexander smiled at his servant-friend escorting his wife. He felt certain she would not allow Sarah out of her sight for some time to come. Knowing this brought peace to his heart. Not that he believed Sarah would ever go away again, but he did not want to take any chances.

  After the trio had entered the house, with delight in seeing the Swyndhursts safely at home, Peter approached. While smiling widely at the young woman for whom he had been praying, Peter awaited instructions from her husband. After warmly greeting Peter, Mr. Swyndhurst directed him to fetch his, and Mrs. Swyndhurst’s belongings from the wagon. Peter was more than happy to do so. When the servant had returned shortly after, he was instructed to carry Sarah’s things up to ‘her’ bedchamber.

  Sarah listened as her husband directed Peter toward her bedchamber, not his, with her satchel. After thinking about this for a moment, she began to suspect the reason must be that he no longer wished to have a marriage in the traditional sense. Not that she blamed him. Although he accepted the baby as his, it was, after all, another man’s child. She thought about how good he had been to her since learning the truth. If all that could ever be between them now was a special sort of friendship, she was grateful at least for that. Besides, she felt undeserving of even that, for had she listened to him in the first place and not gone to the Strouts’ home that day, none of the trouble that had befallen them would have even occurred.

  And yet, while we were in Boston did he not say that he wanted a real marriage? With time to think about everything, he must have changed his mind, she thought.

  Once Alexander had seen to getting Sarah settled, he asked his head servant to prepare Mrs. Swyndhurst something to eat and have it sent to her bedchamber. He then spoke to his wife. “Sarah, Daniel insisted that you rest for a few days once we arrived back at home. Come with me. I shall escort you to your room.”

  As Sarah thought about how different things were going to be than they had been before she left, she felt a sense of sadness. She never would have believed she would yearn to share her husband’s room, but that was exactly how she was feeling just now. Not that she was prepared for anything more than merely sharing a room, but to have him near, she believed, would have been comforting somehow. Being back in the town where the terrible incident had taken place, for Sarah, was exceedingly disconcerting. Pushing it from her mind had been hard enough while she was in Boston; now that she was home, she wondered how she could think of anything else.

  Glancing up at her husband, she replied, “Alexander, I wish to wash first. I shall not be able to rest comfortably until I have done so.”

  “Very well. I shall have Peter fetch the tub from the laundry. When you are through, come and find me so that I might see you to your bedchamber,” he said with a smile. He then added, “It would be best if you put on a nightgown rather than a day dress after you have bathed, as you are to remain in bed for a few days.”

  Nodding, she turned to go. Slowly taking the stairs, she made her way to her room. Once she had gathered up fresh clothes, she went back down to the kitchen. While she waited for the water to heat, she and Martha had a cup of tea at the table. As Martha observed her young friend, she could scarcely believe her eyes. Sarah was actually home. Though the elderly servant desired to discuss what had happened the night Sarah went away, she knew now was not the time. Then, glancing across the table at her mistress, she wondered if Sarah would ever wish to talk about that terrible night. If she had to guess, she was fairly certain the answer would be no, she would not.

  A short time later, behind the closed door to the buttery, Sarah stood in the wooden tub and reached down to wet her cloth in the warm water. As much as she wanted to sink down in the tub, after having lost a child not all that long ago, she knew she shouldn’t just yet. Soon, she began to grow weary as she stood there, and decided to quickly finish up with her sponge bath. She then dried herself off and donned her nightgown. She really could have washed up in her bedchamber but hadn’t wanted to say as much to Alexander. He doesn’t understand that women don’t usually bathe so soon after— She hastily turned her thoughts back to Alexander, for it was still too painful to think about the child. As it is, I bathe more often than most, so it was understandable that he assumed I needed Peter to fetch the tub. All I really needed to do was wait for the water to heat to carry up to my room, enough for the washbasin.

  After draping a small quilt around her shoulders, she gathered up her soiled clothing from the floor. Upon leaving the buttery, as he had requested, Sarah went in search of her husband. Finding him in his study, she stated that sh
e was ready to go to her bedchamber. Once he had risen from his chair, smiling in her direction, he came close and took her by the arm. He then led her from the room.

  As they mounted the stairs together, Sarah felt ill at ease. She wondered what it was going to be like living under the same roof with her husband now that things had changed between them. Before I went away, we had started to become a real husband and wife. And he searched for me all of those months. But most astonishing was that he was so wonderful about my child, even naming the boy after himself; nevertheless, as I suspected might be the case if I ever returned, he clearly no longer wants me for a wife—in the traditional sense, anyway. And yet he does seem happy to have me home again. This is all so confusing.

  By the time the couple had reached Sarah’s bedchamber, Alexander had begun to wonder what was on his wife’s mind. She hadn’t said a word as they had made their way up the stairs. After opening the door to her room, he escorted her in. He then ushered her over to the bed. Once she was seated on the edge, he pulled a chair up alongside her. As she climbed under the bedcovers, she kept her eyes averted from his.

  Sensing that something was wrong, reaching over, he took her hand in his. “Are you all right, Sarah? It must be difficult being back here.”

  Not wanting to share what she had been thinking about, she simply said, “I am fine, Alexander. Just a bit tired. I believe I shall rest now. I do not wish to keep you from whatever you were doing before I came to find you.”

  Believing his wife that she was merely tired and ready to sleep, he rose to his feet. Leaning down, he placed a kiss upon her cheek. After making his way quietly from the room, he gently closed the door behind him. Standing there on the other side of the door, he prayed for his wife that her mind and body would fully mend. He then went to find Martha to inform her that Sarah wished to rest for a while and that she would eat something later. He also took the opportunity to disclose all that had happened to his wife, including that she had been with child, but because of the fall had delivered too early and lost the child.

  When Martha learned that Matthew Raymond had followed Alexander to where Sarah had been staying and had abducted her again, she was horrified. For the elderly woman, who dearly loved Sarah, it was going to take a good deal of time to come to terms with all that her beloved mistress had been through. In all the months Sarah had been gone, what Martha had already known of the situation had constantly plagued her, and now she would have more of the atrocities her mistress had suffered weighing upon her.

  In her bedchamber, Sarah lay staring at the ceiling. After a time, her eyes finally closed in sleep. Not long after she had nodded off, however, she had a dreadful nightmare. Trapped within her sleep state, the face of Matthew Raymond filled her slumbering mind with terror.

  About this time, Martha decided to check on her mistress. If the young woman had awakened, the elderly servant worried she might be in need of something. Additionally, she wanted to look at her once again. She couldn’t quite believe Sarah was actually home. As she approached the door to the young woman’s bedchamber, she heard crying coming from within. She quickly opened the door and found Sarah, sound asleep, tossing about on her bed. Martha surmised that her mistress was having a nightmare, thus she took hold of Sarah’s shoulders and gave her a little shake.

  All at once, Sarah opened her eyes. Still trembling, she grasped Martha’s hand. “His face…I could not get away.”

  As she sat down on the bed next to the frightened young woman, Martha whispered, “It was just a bad dream. You are safe now.” It isn’t a wonder she is having bad dreams after all that has happened. It nearly broke Martha’s heart that Sarah had been so mistreated. Seeing her terrified face, just now, merely added to the pain she was feeling with regard to Sarah.

  As the young woman came fully awake, she realized she was indeed safe in her own bedchamber and that Matthew Raymond was truly dead, never to hurt her again. “Martha, I will be all right now. I believe I shall come down to the parlor for a while.”

  Though Martha knew that Mr. Swyndhurst intended for his wife to remain in bed for a few days, she thought it might be best to go along with Sarah’s wish. She believed Mr. Swyndhurst would agree once he learned of Sarah’s nightmare.

  After making her mistress comfortable in the parlor, Martha went to find Mr. Swyndhurst. While glancing out the kitchen window, she spotted him in the yard and went out to speak with him.

  Seeing the elderly woman approaching, with concern, Mr. Swyndhurst met her halfway. “What is it, Martha? Is Sarah all right?”

  “Yes, she is presently reclining in the parlor. I need to speak with you while she—”

  Interrupting, he inquired, “Why is she out of her bed? She was instructed to rest for a few days. When we set off for home, she had not fully recovered from her injuries, as well as birthing a child; the journey only added to her fragile state. ”

  To calm him, Martha continued with her explanation. “I was certain you would agree with her decision to rest in the parlor, rather than in her bedchamber, once you knew what had happened. You see, Sarah had a terrible nightmare about that devil of a man, Matthew Raymond; therefore, we both thought it best that she come down to the parlor. She needed a distraction from thinking of that horrible man.”

  Nodding, he replied, “Yes, if that be the case, perhaps it is best that she rest where there are others around. I shall go in and speak with her.”

  While placing her hand on Mr. Swyndhurst’s arm, Martha advised, “It might be better if you did not let on that I told you. I would not want her to think I came running to you to inform on her.”

  Seeing that his servant-friend had been greatly disturbed at seeing Sarah in such a state, Mr. Swyndhurst decided to try and make light of the situation. So, with a smile he replied. “I shall not speak of our conversation—the one in which you ‘came running’ to inform on my wife.”

  “Oh, you do like to tease,” she replied with a chuckle. “I had to tell you, or you might have chastised her for not keeping to her bed.”

  “I am happy you told me, Martha. You are correct—I surely would have scolded her for coming out of her room when it is essential that she rest. I had already planned on being firm on this point, if necessary. We both know how she can be.”

  After Martha returned to the house, Alexander waited a short while before going in. He wouldn’t let on that he knew about the nightmare, but he wanted to be close in order to soothe his wife. In all of the months she had been away, he wanted nothing more than to have her home where he could comfort her. She was home now, and he had every intention of making up for lost time.

  The next day, hoping to find the Swyndhursts at home and doing well, Susanna and William Pressey came to call. A few weeks prior, Jonathan Bleasdell had informed them that Alexander had found Sarah and that he was expected to return with her within a fortnight. He had also warned them not to say a word regarding the Strout children, as Alexander wished to wait until Sarah had fully recovered before sharing the news. Not wanting to descend on them too soon, the Presseys had waited much longer than the predicted time of the Swyndhurst’s return.

  After Martha had escorted the Presseys into the parlor, she went to inform Sarah that she had guests. Alexander was not at home, for he had gone to speak with Jonathan. He had yet to disclose all that Sarah had been through. Though he knew that his wife was with child before taking leave of Amesbury to fetch her, he had not disclosed the news to the Bleasdells. As it was now, he had more to tell than he had before he left. He also hoped to check on the children. He hated having to leave them with the Bleasdells now that he and Sarah had returned; however, he knew Sarah was not in any shape to take care of them, and take care of them she would—of that he was certain.

  Upon his arrival, Jonathan shepherded Alexander to the stable so they might speak privately. As they entered the impressive structure, the two men took a seat on a bench by the door. Jonathan, a lover of animals, had a fine stable with enough stalls to
board his own animals, as well as a few horses for folks who were unable to provide shelter for their own animals. Quite often, he had taken his pay in the form of food; thus, the Bleasdells’ kitchen was frequently stocked with plenty of breads, cakes, and the like.

  Looking intently at Alexander, Jonathan remained quiet so as to allow his friend to speak uninterrupted. Alexander clearly had a lot on his mind. When the younger man sighed, but had still not spoken a word, it became obvious to Jonathan that Alexander had no idea where to begin. Jonathan then prodded him along by suggesting that he start at the point when they found Sarah.

  “Very well, Jonathan. When we arrived at the home where Sarah had been staying, I found that she had been well cared for. In fact, the man was a physician who had trained in England. We have not his like in most, if not all, of the colonies, as there is not a medical school here as yet. As you know, most of our medical men have merely apprenticed as surgeons or apothecaries under men with no formal schooling. It had to have been God’s handiwork that Sarah had been taken to this particular home.”

  “Quite so; God was surely looking out for your wife, for it is very true that we don’t often see men with his training in the colonies. Some might question where God was when Sarah was put upon. For myself, I have no need for an answer to that sort of question. In this world there are trials, many of which are brought about by evil men—men who use their God-given freewill for selfish and wicked acts. The man who attacked Sarah is a prime example of just such a man. Even in all of this, God is with us through every trial, when we allow Him to be. In fact, I have observed that you have drawn your strength from Him over the many months you have been searching for Sarah.”

  “Indeed, Jonathan. I never would have made it through, if not for Him.”