Though Sarah was delighted to see him, she knew the visit might be awkward considering the fact that it was now three months since she had taken leave of Boston. She had avoided the question up to now, but this time she felt certain Mr. Hoyt would ask why she was yet in Amesbury.
“Mr. Hoyt, I am so glad you have come,” she said as she stood up from her chair to properly greet him. After embracing each other, Sarah guided him over to the chair next to where she had been sitting.
Mr. Hoyt began the conversation with a question. “Sarah, though I am happy to see you as well, I have been wondering when you plan to return to Boston.”
There it was, the exact question she was hoping to avoid. She was not ready to reveal the fact that she would not be going back, so she had to think quickly. “You see…I simply have so much left to see to here that I cannot possibly make the journey at this time. And since Mr. Swyndhurst shall be setting off for England soon, I wish to stay on with him a little longer, for this may be the last time we shall ever be together.”
Mr. Hoyt had been wondering if anything had occurred between Sarah and his son. He would not be at all surprised to learn that his son had upset her in some way. But as he listened, he felt certain that Sarah had only been longing to see her father-in-law and her home. Even though Daniel and his grandsons were surely missing her, she obviously needed this time in Amesbury. They’ll be fine for a little while longer, he told himself.
Sarah was happy Mr. Hoyt had accepted her answer. They could now visit comfortably. A few hours had passed when Mr. Hoyt stood up to go. He thanked Sarah for a wonderful afternoon and offered to escort her to church on the next Lord’s Day. She had in fact gone a couple of times with Mr. Swyndhurst since she had been back. Her old friend Reverend Edmund March had been delighted to see her, as were Jonathan and Hannah Bleasdell. She had yet to see her friends, Susanna and William Pressey, who had been away since her arrival. She wondered how long it would be before everyone realized she was back to stay.
Chapter 30
Midsummer, the year 1736, Amesbury, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Sarah had successfully concealed her true reasons for staying on in Amesbury for over three months. She had received one missive from Daniel and the boys. As she had expected, there were no pleas for her to come home. They were getting on just fine without her.
Although Daniel and the boys had been on her mind a good deal of the time, Sarah had other concerns. She had not been feeling well most days—very similar to an earlier time—a time when she was awaiting the birth of the child she later lost.
Martha had instructed everyone in the house to keep silent about the length of Sarah’s stay. For whatever reason, the young woman needed to be there, so she determined not to press her about Daniel and his sons again, nor would she allow anyone to make their mistress feel uncomfortable. Martha was also growing concerned about Sarah, for she was more certain than ever there would be a child in a few months. Until Sarah was prepared to discuss the matter, the head-servant was determined not to speak about it. This stance was becoming more and more difficult.
One morning while Esther was helping Sarah dress, she finally broke down and told her what she suspected—that she was with child.
“Are you certain?” the maid asked. Seeing Sarah nod, Esther squealed, “What happy news!” In hearing the loudness of her own voice, the maid quickly covered her mouth. Her mistress had spoken so softly she was sure this was for her ears only.
Sarah responded with less enthusiasm, “I was told this would not be possible. You mustn’t say a word about this, Esther. You see, I have no plans of returning to Boston.”
To Sarah’s last remark, Esther gasped, recalling another time Sarah had asked her to keep such a deep secret; that time had not ended well; therefore, she had always regretted not speaking up. “But why? Was Dr. Thompson unkind to you?”
“No, it is nothing like that, Esther. Come over here next to me,” she said, patting the bed. “I need to tell someone, and you and Martha are my dearest friends. I cannot tell Martha, however. You know how she worries.”
Esther shook her head yes while waiting patiently for Sarah to enlighten her regarding her reasons for leaving Boston.
When Sarah had finished explaining what had happened with George Hoyt, as well as her feelings over what had occurred with Daniel, she saw tears in her friend’s eyes. “What is it, Esther?”
“I had hoped you were happy in Boston, and after what you went through with Matthew Raymond, I cannot believe you have had to face yet another scoundrel. Sarah, what are you going to do if you really are carrying Dr. Thompson’s child?”
“When I decided to come home to Amesbury, I had no idea of my condition. Still, in the circumstances, I might have made the same decision, had I known.”
Though she thought Sarah was making a mistake in not returning to her husband, Esther said not a word to her mistress.
“In finally telling someone, it seems more real, somehow. I never thought myself capable of carrying a child, so part of me had been refusing to believe it.”
Esther leaned in and hugged her friend. “Sarah, everyone here will help you. You know that.”
Sarah nodded. “Remember, Esther, for now not a word to anyone. I expect that very soon everyone shall know, for it cannot be concealed for long.”
Esther wished Sarah had not sworn her to secrecy about the baby. She felt Martha should be told, for she would surely know what to do. Keeping her thoughts to herself, the maid replied, “If that is your wish.”
“It is.”
Once Sarah’s hair was pinned and she was ready to start the day, with a deep breath she led the way out of the room and down the stairs. Esther stayed with her until they arrived in the kitchen, where she left her mistress in the capable hands of the head-servant.
Martha smiled at the sight of her mistress entering the room. She could still scarcely believe Sarah was home. As she set a cup of tea on the table for her, she hoped she would at last tell her what was going on, for something surely was. The exact moment she was about to prod the younger woman a little to see if she would offer any explanation for why she had graced them with her company for so long, Mr. Swyndhurst came into the room.
“Good morning, ladies. And what a lovely day it is.” Taking a seat next to Sarah, Mr. Swyndhurst continued, “What are your plans for the day, young lady?”
Sarah had not thought that far ahead. “Well, do you have any suggestions for what I might do today?”
“Now that you have asked, I plan on making a trip to the Bleasdell home. Would you like to come along with me?”
“Indeed I would. When I last saw them, they inquired as to when I might come.”
Mr. Swyndhurst hoped Sarah might be more likely to talk if it were just the two of them. “Very good. We shall set off within the hour.”
With their plans settled, Mr. Swyndhurst sent Peter out to hitch up the wagon.
Chapter 31
As Mr. Swyndhurst and Sarah arrived at the Bleasdell home, Jonathan came out of the barn to greet them. He was delighted to see Sarah had accompanied Mr. Swyndhurst, whom he had spoken to on the previous Lord’s Day about coming for a visit.
“I hope it is all right that I have come with Father.” Sarah had continued calling her former father-in-law “Father”—as it had quite become a habit when Alexander was alive.
“To be sure,” replied Jonathan as he helped her down from the wagon. “Hannah shall be so pleased to see you, as am I.”
Mr. Swyndhurst took Sarah’s hand and slid it through the crook of his arm as they walked toward the house. The Bleasdells had an expansive farm. Their son, David, and his wife, Abigail Colby, lived on the homestead, too. David Bleasdell had set up shop on the property for making clocks and surgical instruments, as well as repairing guns. He and his father, amongst many other things, were also blacksmiths; and as if that did not keep the men busy enough, David had to be away from home from time to time as a representative to
the Court, and both men were present at every town meeting—the father as moderator, and the son as one of the selectmen.
Hannah opened the door to the house to find Sarah and Mr. Swyndhurst approaching. She quickly led them in and gave them each a hug. Jonathan and Hannah’s young daughter, Elizabeth, greeted them as well. Sarah was surprised to find her at home since, in the past when she had come, the youngster was frequently off at one of her older siblings’ homes. Her parents indulged her in this because they hoped all of their children would have a strong connection with each other.
When an hour had passed, Hannah quietly whisked Sarah from the room, hoping to learn what was troubling her, for she knew Sarah well enough to sense when something was wrong.
As the ladies entered Hannah’s bedchamber, Sarah felt ill at ease. Hannah was certain to ask difficult questions that she would not be able to skirt around as easily as she had with everyone else. Hannah was much too clever for that.
Making themselves comfortable on the settee that was situated on the farthest wall from the door, Hannah took hold of Sarah’s hand. “Sarah, what is troubling you?”
Sarah lowered her eyes. “Not a thing, Hannah.”
“We are friends, are we not?”
The younger woman knew where that question was leading. “Yes, of course, Hannah.”
“As your friend, I am here to help.”
Sarah studied Hannah for a moment. Knowing all her friend had suffered, she hated to trouble her, and said as much.
“You have never been, nor shall you ever be a burden. Now tell me what is going on.”
Sarah decided to include Hannah in her secret, which of course would be known by everyone soon enough. Over the next few minutes, the younger woman told the older everything, including her plans for remaining in Amesbury.
Hannah was left speechless. When words finally came, she offered a suggestion. “Sarah, at this point, I shall not try to talk you out of what you have made up your mind to do. If you are certain this is your wish—remaining in Amesbury—why not stay here until the baby arrives? With the townsfolk believing you had returned to Boston, you would be left to yourself.”
Sarah had already decided she would not be leaving her home even to attend church when it became obvious she was with child. Staying with Jonathan and Hannah would end the questioning that was sure to continue at her home. As Hannah had suggested, everyone would believe she had returned to Boston. But what would she do after the baby was born, she wondered? She could not hide out forever.
Hannah sensed Sarah’s hesitancy. “I know this will not solve everything. If you plan to stay in Amesbury with the baby, people will eventually know; however, you will have several months of calm before having to face everyone. And if you find that coming here won’t suit your needs, I could send word to a cousin of mine in Ipswich. I am certain she would be delighted to have you.”
The more Sarah thought about getting away, either to Hannah’s or the cousin’s, the more the idea appealed to her. “Since I cannot disclose my reasons for leaving Boston, I have been uncertain as to how to explain things to everyone. As you say, being away may be more tolerable.”
Hannah smiled, knowing she had been some help to her troubled friend.
When Sarah recalled the difficulties Hannah had been through—with her grandmother having been accused as a witch and put to death, and on top of that losing a child—she looked over at her friend. “Hannah, I really should not be bothering you with my predicament, you have been through so many trying times of your own.”
“Sarah, we each have our own troubles to bear, yours are no less burdensome for you. Thankfully, no matter how big the problem, God is bigger yet.”
Knowing this to be true, Sarah nodded.
Chapter 32
Joanna’s brother arrived at the Thompson home early one morning. Daniel welcomed him—oblivious to the part the man had played in Sarah’s decision to leave. Also always joyous at seeing their uncle, Dan and Joseph both came running at the sound of his voice.
As Dan and Joseph gathered up their uncle’s belongings, they asked their father to which room they should convey his things. Sarah had taken most of her belongings with her, so the bedchamber she had occupied was virtually empty, other than the furniture.
“Boys, take his things to Sar…that is to say, the room with the window that overlooks the backyard.” Sarah’s bedchamber is a little larger than the guest bedchamber. There is no reason he cannot stay in there. It is not as if she shall be returning any time soon, he thought.
Unbeknownst to Daniel, George fully comprehended what it meant for his brother-in-law to allow him use of that specific bedchamber. With that knowledge, a deep satisfaction settled over the pitiless man.
Later, while the family was at the table, the boys expressed their concerns about Sarah and her delayed return to their uncle. As he listened, he felt a little uncomfortable, for it seemed his nephews were quite unsettled by her absence.
Daniel attempted to change the subject a few times, for this topic caused him even more discomfort than it did his brother-in-law. Not wanting to silence his boys on the subject of Sarah, however, he allowed the conversation to continually drift back to his wife’s absence.
◊◊◊
Over the next few days, George heard more and more about Sarah from his nephews, including the close relationship between their mother and the new Mrs. Thompson. They also shared that her husband, Alexander, had been killed right in front of her when he was run over by a wagon. All he had known of the tiny woman that had caused him so much grief was that she had barged her way into his sister’s family. The last thing he wanted to feel for her was pity, which might easily turn to guilt over how he had treated her.
Daniel listened intently to his sons’ discussion with his brother-in-law; after which, his heart grew even heavier at the remembrance of what Sarah had been through. He hoped the boys would not mention her capture and subsequent loss of her child, for he couldn’t bear to hear any more about Sarah’s darkest days, not with the guilt he was presently feeling over adding to her burdens.
When George set off for home at the end of the week, the glee he had felt over Sarah’s absence from the Thompson home had diminished, for he had not been able to stop thinking about all Dan and Joseph had shared with him concerning Sarah. His nephews obviously loved her and were missing her terribly. His brother-in-law had also not been his usual happy self. And when he recalled what the boys had said about what a help Sarah had been to his sister, the unease he was experiencing was almost overwhelming. This woman he could little tolerate had been better to Joanna than he had been. Just now, he wondered what his sister would think of his treatment of her friend, if she had indeed loved Sarah as much as his nephews had said.
◊◊◊
The day after George Hoyt left, Simon Findley arrived at the Thompson home. His mother had divulged that Sarah was still away. As he hopped down from his wagon and started for the house, Daniel came strolling toward him from the direction of the barn.
“It is good to see you, Simon.” It had been a few weeks since the friends had been in each other’s company.
“And you as well, Daniel. In another month, the weather will put a halt to my travel and you shall be seeing me so often you are certain to grow tired of me.”
Chuckling, Daniel responded, “Not likely. You are welcome here any time.”
“I hear Sarah has not yet returned. She ought to make the journey home soon, or the roads shall not be fit for travel.”
“Yes, well…Sarah has not been to Amesbury in some time. She has my blessing to stay as long as she wishes.”
Simon moved his foot around in the dirt while searching for a way to tell his friend what his wife had endured at the hands of George Hoyt. “I heard that George was staying with you.”
“You heard right. He left just yesterday.”
“Oh, I see. I do not recall Joanna’s brother visiting her whilst she—”
“
As you say, we saw him but rarely before Joanna’s passing. I am not certain what brought about the change. Perhaps after losing his sister, he came to a better understanding of the importance of family.”
At that moment, Dan came running to tell his father that Joseph had been kicked by one of the horses. The boys’ father and Simon hastily followed after Dan as he led them to his brother.
Finding his son on the ground holding his stomach, Daniel knelt down next to him. Joseph could scarcely talk as his father questioned him about where he was hurting.
After evaluating the situation, Daniel decided his youngest son had only had the wind knocked out of him. “Joseph, I think you will be just fine once you catch your breath.”
Joseph soon began to breathe easier. “I…th…think I am all right now.”
Dan helped his brother to his feet and offered to finish the chores by himself. “You go in and rest.”
Joseph, his father and Simon then made their way to the house. As they approached, Simon stated that it may be best if he visited another day. Daniel and Joseph waved him on and continued on their way.
While on his way home, Simon wished he had not missed the opportunity to speak with Daniel about his brother-in-law. Though Sarah would likely be angry with him for disclosing what had happened, he was now certain, as she had not yet returned, it was the right thing to do.
Chapter 33
Sarah had been considering Hannah’s offer for her to stay with them. It would give her more time before her situation became known. She decided to talk to Esther about it.
Esther listened as Sarah informed her of the invitation by Hannah Bleasdell to lodge with them for a time. The maid then stated that Martha should be told about the baby.
Sarah Anne's Faithful Friends (Unshakable Faith Book 4) Page 14