When she came to a halt, Sarah grinned. “I have to tell you that I am feeling a great deal of sympathy for John right now!”
Linnet cocked her head and gave a sheepish grin. “No need. John had his revenge, believe me.”
“Yes, I know, and you are… uncomfortable.” Sarah winked and the women began to giggle together, which soon morphed into howls of mirth. Sarah had to mop her eyes, she was laughing so much. For Linnet, the laughter was emotional balm to her soul, she had never had a close friendship with a woman before. She had hoped to find friendship with Patsy but then the girl had betrayed her, and that had hurt more than she cared to admit. She realised that she wanted Sarah as her friend but she was nervous of how to proceed.
“Sarah, I want you to know that I totally regret running off and leading Peter into danger. I am so sorry; please, can you ever forgive me?”
Sarah saw her sincerity. “Of course I forgive you, but why did you run away? I still don’t understand.”
“I thought that John had set out to Boston without me. I was simply attempting to follow him, to catch up with him. I had no idea that your son would follow me, honest to goodness, I did not!”
“It’s all right, Linnet. Your husband punished you; it is over, you are forgiven, and there is no more to be said on the matter. Hans and I both forgive you. We shall put the matter behind us.”
“Thank you, Sarah. I feel so much better now that we have spoken.”
Sarah sat and looked at the beautiful young girl before her, wondering how she herself would have coped with everything this eighteen-year-old girl had gone through since her marriage. Not very well, was her conclusion.
“Well, you have certainly had some terrible adventures, my dear. It seems to me that you are a survivor and a very brave girl. You have a husband who knows how to love and protect you, and friends here in us. Your life can only improve and you can be happy again.”
Sarah stood and made her way around the table to where Linnet sat. She wrapped her arms about her, holding her close. After a moment, Linnet buried her head in Sarah’s shoulder and sobbed. Sarah stroked her hair and held her until the cathartic emotional storm had passed.
“Right. Now, we work!” she stated briskly after Linnet’s tears had ceased. “To begin with, we shall bake. You are going to learn how to make bread.”
Linnet smiled tremulously. For the first time since she’d been aboard the ship, she felt hope that her marriage might work.
Chapter 13
By the time the men returned that evening, Linnet had ruined two loaves of bread and burned two batches of biscuits. But she had learned how to make a bed and milk a cow, and she had even helped with some of the laundry.
She felt very guilty that up until now she hadn’t lifted a finger to help with the heavy domestic chores. Insisting that Sarah sit down with a cup of coffee, she attempted to prepare some vegetables for their evening meal. Even that simple task proved difficult, since she had never prepared a vegetable before.
She followed Sarah around diligently, trying to learn the tasks she needed to run a home. Several times throughout the day, she’d winced as she sat, turning her face away from Sarah’s shrewd gaze.
Linnet was nervous when the men came home that evening. She took a deep, steadying breath and went directly to Hans, apologising profusely to him for what had happened to Peter and to poor Penny. He had been magnanimous in his forgiveness. As far as he was concerned, Linnet had been punished. Justice had prevailed and so he could forgive her. He accepted her apology, patting her bottom robustly in a fatherly manner as she turned away. She winced at the contact.
“Gehoorzamen, Linnet, gehoorzamen!” he boomed.
Sarah translated for her: “Obey, Linnet, obey!”
Sarah, who knew her husband only too well, hid a smile, knowing that he had made the gesture simply for the purpose of causing Linnet a discomforting reminder to obey the rules.
John was pleased to see that his wife had taken his instructions seriously and that she’d made progress with learning domestic chores. He’d worried that she would remain sulky and resentful all day. Hans had assured him, when he’d fretted, that a sore backside never harmed anyone. He’d also added that Linnet’s chastisement was long overdue.
While the punishment still caused her some discomfort, the thought of what might happen if she failed to follow John’s instructions ensured Linnet’s complete compliance—she had no wish for a repeat performance in the barn.
She asked if she could ride with him up to see the cabin but he’d told her that only when she handed him her first properly raised loaf, he would take her. Try as she might, every loaf came out like a brick. She even asked Sarah to help her cheat, to bake one for her. Sarah had only laughed good-naturedly but refused.
When her first properly raised loaf of bread finally came out of the oven, large, crusty and golden brown, she was glad Sarah had not let her cheat. Her achievement was her own. John was absolutely delighted, he told her how proud he was of her.
Straight away, they made plans for their journey to the cabin. Hans suggested that first of all, they take his wagon, packed with various items they would need for furnishings. That way, when they permanently moved, they could travel on horseback and leave the wagon where it belonged, on the farm with Sarah and Hans.
Linnet was devastated at the thought of not being able to ride as she’d planned but kept quiet. She felt constrained around her husband since he’d punished her, wary of him. John had seen her face fall with disappointment when the wagon was decided upon. He fully expected her to speak out, voicing her complaint.
When she quietly stood up and left the room, he was amazed, and rightly guessed the reason why. The last thing he wanted was for Linnet to feel that her wishes must be supplanted by his own. He brooded over the change in her, finally deciding to ask Sarah for advice. He knew the two women had forged a bond of friendship. He was pleased that his wife had made a friend and confidant of Sarah.
He waited until Linnet was outside, helping Peter feed the chickens and pigs. The boy was able to hobble about using two sticks that Hans had crafted for him. Then he approached her. “Sarah, I wonder, could you spare me a minute or two? I need to ask some advice.”
Sarah turned and looked at him in surprise. John had always struck her as a supremely confident man, even arrogant. Intrigued by his sudden need for advice from a woman, she gave him her full attention.
“Of course, how may I help?” she inquired with her gentle smile.
John ran a hand distractedly through his hair. “I am not sure if you can help. I am sure you know what happened the night I brought Linnet back here?”
Sarah nodded, blushing.
John grinned broadly at her. “I see that you do. Ever since I punished Linnet, she has behaved responsibly and sensibly, yet she is distant and even seems to be a little afraid of me. Do you think she is?”
Sarah looked at John, dumbfounded. Men! “John, you strapped her. What did you expect?”
John was affronted. “Well, you aren’t afraid of Hans, and he told me that he has warmed your backside for you!”
Sarah flushed, embarrassed.
“I shouldn’t have said that, please forgive me.” John was instantly contrite. He was genuinely fond of Sarah and had no wish to embarrass her. “You must have found life out here quite difficult to begin with,” he suggested gently.
“I-I’m surprised that Hans shared something so personal with you.” She took a deep, flustered breath. She was disappointed with her husband, she would complain to him about his loose tongue but then she remembered that she had talked to Linnet about Hans taking her to task; perhaps she should keep quiet, after all?
She couldn’t meet John’s eyes, and when she began to talk, John had to strain to hear her, shy, reticent voice.
“It took me a while to understand the dangers of life here in the wilderness. My father was a schoolmaster and he never spanked me as a child. The first time Hans spanked m
e, I confess that I was a little afraid of him for a while. I expected him to punish me every single time I disagreed with him. It took a while to adjust and to realise that he was a fair and just man, that what he required from me was normal loving respect and obedience due to him as my husband.”
John looked thoughtful. “So what should I do to convince Linnet that I am not some kind of monster, about to thrash her every time she disagrees with me?”
“Have you tried simply talking to her?” she asked.
“No, I just don’t know where to begin.” He spread his hands helplessly.
Sarah pondered for a moment or two. “I know! Why don’t you make her a small gift? Perhaps then you could find a way to open the conversation.”
“What an excellent idea. I promised to buy her a horse when we arrived on dry land. You aren’t just a pretty lady but a wise one, to boot! Why didn’t I think of that?” He planted a kiss on Sarah’s cheek. “Hans is a very lucky man to have you, and I shall tell go and tell him so too!”
He turned and strode out of the house, leaving Sarah shaking her head, a delighted blush suffusing her cheeks.
A trip into the local settlement was required in order to stock up on supplies for winter. After much discussion, it was decided that, instead of a visit up to the cabin, John and Linnet should move up there as soon as they’d bought their supplies. They talked about who should go to buy the goods and who should stay behind at the farm. Finally, it was decided that Hans, John and Linnet would go.
The morning of the trip dawned crisp and clear. The first warning of the winter to come was in the cold fresh bite of the bitter wind. They set off with John and Linnet riding the buckboard and Hans on horseback. The journey took a good hour, and Linnet was chilled to the bone by the time the small wooden township came into sight.
Linnet looked around with interest at the rough wooden buildings with their covered walkways. Many had a horse or small wagon tied to a hitching rail out at the front on the dirt road. The little town seemed packed with people, and the atmosphere seemed almost like that of a fete or carnival. Whole families wandered the street together. Small children rode on their fathers’ shoulders. Hans looked at John, his eyebrows raised questioningly. John shrugged in return, both men nonplussed by the unexpected crowds.
Penman’s General Store was in mid street, and they pulled up outside the store in a line with three other various types of wagons. John helped Linnet down and, curious, she went inside the strange-looking store. It was full of every type of household need, from pots and bowls, pans, cups and utensils, to grain and coffee, cloth and even children’s candy. Everything, in fact, a family could need. Linnet spotted some stacked bolts of cloth and went over to study them. Sarah had asked her to buy something warm to make winter clothes for her and shirts for Peter and Hans.
As she fingered the serviceable material, John came and stood behind her. “You’d better choose something for yourself, as well. You need warm clothing for the winter. I have an errand to run with Hans. Do you think you will be all right here alone for a little while? Select what you need and Mr. Penman will add it to our bill.”
Linnet looked up at him, surprised. “Yes, of course, I’ll be fine. How long do you think you’ll be?”
John had already turned to walk away but answered, “Only about half an hour, perhaps, no more.” He paused and turned, his gaze directed to his wife as he said, “Oh, and do not stray from the store, do you understand me, Linnet?”
She could not meet her husband’s eyes because oh, yes, she understood his meaning—only too well. “Yes, sir,” she answered quietly.
John gave her a brief kiss on the forehead. “Good!” was his reply. Then he called over his shoulder for Hans and the two men left.
Linnet turned back to the pile of cloth, immediately engrossed in the selection of colours and texture of the materials. She decided on strong serge for skirts, along with a blue and cream checked material for Sarah to make into a dress. Mr. Penman, a tall, thin, stooping man with thinning grey hair, took the cloth away to cut the lengths she required.
While she was waiting, Linnet’s eye was caught by a beautiful deep, emerald green velvet bolt of cloth, virtually hidden under a pile of other materials. She eased it out from the stack and ran her fingers over the soft folds. It was surprisingly good quality, thick and rich, the pile of the velvet weave close together. Should she buy a length? It certainly wasn’t suitable for farm living but it would look wonderful against the green of her eyes. Would John approve? She thought not, sure that he would tell her to wait until they reached Boston before indulging herself.
She hesitated, heaved a sighed and put the bolt back on the pile, deciding she had no wish for another spanking from her husband if he didn’t approve. She reached for woollen flannel in a dull grey and took it to Mr. Penman for cutting.
He took the bolt of cloth from her and gave her an indulgent smile. “I saw you looking at the velvet,” he said, measuring out the serge. “It is very fine quality but unfortunately not practical. I ordered that for an elderly lady last year but blow me if she didn’t go and die the very week it arrived. I can do you an excellent price on it, Mistress, er?”
“Foster, Mistress John Foster. You would need to ask my husband’s permission on his return, Mr. Penman,” she replied absently as she fingered lengths of green ribbon. Linnet bought thread and needles for sewing and some velvet ribbon for trimming, in three different colours. She turned her attention to the purchase of some readymade undergarments. Finally, all her packages were wrapped and stacked with the household order.
Awaiting the return of the menfolk, she went out onto the sidewalk. Crowds milled in the street; obviously something was going on in the small town to be attracting so many people. Linnet hesitated but decided to join the throng to find out what was happening for herself, she hoped it might be a fair or some such event like the ones held on the village green near Lavenstock in England. She decided to tell John that the crowd had simply swept her along with them.
People gathered at the edge of the street where a large rough wooden structure stood. Linnet thought it might be some sort of a stage and waited, watching along with the happy, jostling people. There was a commotion to the left of the structure and an expectant hush fell over the gathering. A priest appeared on the platform, followed by a young, fair-headed lad who stood with his hands behind his back. Linnet wondered whether a sermon was about to be preached.
It seemed she might be correct when the priest started saying prayers and the men in the crowd removed their hats and everyone joined in the Lord’s Prayer. She murmured the familiar words and then looked up to see what would happen next. Two older men appeared on the platform, they manoeuvred the young lad to the middle. One placed a thick rope about the lad’s neck. Linnet’s eyes widened with dawning horror of what she was about to witness.
Frantically, she cast her eyes about her, looking for a way out of the crush. She caught sight of John at the edge of the crowd, waving at her, trying to catch her attention, a worried frown creasing his forehead. She lifted her hand to wave to him and began to push her way over to where he stood.
There was a shout from the crowd and a woman’s sharp cry. Her gaze was involuntarily drawn back to the platform and its fatal drama. The young lad stood straight, his head held high with the thick rope twisted about his throat. The breeze stirred his blond hair. Linnet could see that tears flowed down his cheeks, yet he made no sound. A deadly hush fell, save for the wailing of a single woman whom Linnet could not see.
She held her breath; there was a sudden loud crack and the boy fell feet downward, kicking grotesquely at the end of the rope. Mesmerised, she was unable to look away. She watched his purpling face and protruding tongue. Then promptly, blessedly, she fainted.
John shouted for Hans to follow him as he pushed and shoved his way through the melee, elbowing people aside in his desperation to get to his wife. What on earth was she doing out there in the middle of the c
rowd? Dear God, will she never learn to stay where I leave her? Finally, he reached her unconscious form. Stooping, he lifted her into his arms and pushed his way back through the press of people who politely parted to let him through.
Hans hurried over, patting at Linnet’s pale cheeks. “What a thing to happen. Why was she not safely waiting in the mercantile?”
John shook his head. “I don’t know.” They reached the cart and he placed Linnet on some rough sacking in the back of the wagon. “Here is the cash for our goods. Would you mind settling my account with Mr. Penman for me, Hans? I need to remain here with Linnet.” He handed some cash to Hans.
“Of course I will, my friend, and I will load the goods too, ja?”
Linnet stirred. She stared up into John’s anxious face. “My head is aching. “Oh my word, that poor boy—just like on the ship…” Her voice faltered.
John helped her up so she was sitting with her legs dangling over the tail gate of the wagon. He leaned forward and pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms tight about her. He kissed her pale forehead and smoothed back the tendrils of hair fallen around her pinched face.
“Linnet, listen to me, it was not the same as aboard the ship. Do not grieve for that young man; he was a killer and a rapist. He deserved his end.”
Linnet raised her head and gazed intently at her husband. “Really? That young lad was a murderer?”
John held her eye. “Yes. You are to put all thoughts of what you saw out of your lovely head… I would like to know what on earth you were doing there, though!” He put his face close to hers and growled, “I told you to wait for me inside the store!”
She tensed. “You knew there was to be a hanging?”
“Yes, that’s why I wanted you safe inside while you waited for me.”
“I’m sorry. I suppose now you will strap me?” she asked in a hushed tone.
John groaned and hugged her to him tightly. “No I shan’t spank you but I just might decide to take that naughty bottom of yours again! Come now, you’ve suffered a nasty shock. I want to get you away from here. Do you feel strong enough to walk, darling? We are going to find something to eat and allow you time to recover. Later, I have a surprise for you, which will cheer you up and take your mind off the hanging.”
Her Match, Her Mate, Her Master Page 19