Riverbreeze: Part 2 (36 page)

Robert nodded. “Uh huh. I’ve suspected it for some time now.”

“And it doesn’t bother you?”

Robert shook his head. “No. But I do wonder what will happen to her. I’m concerned for her future.”

“Oh Robert, you’re so kindhearted.”

He blushed a little. “Does it bother you? To live in the same house with a…a…I know not what to call her. A sinner?”

Elizabeth laughed sardonically. “Does it bother me? I’m married to a sinner!” She teased him.

“Me!” He exclaimed, highly insulted.

“Yes, you.” She poked him in the chest.

“What have I done?”

Her voice lowered. “You know what you’ve done.” She said, a little too seriously.

Before Robert could respond, she turned and started to walk ahead of him towards the doorway.

He stood for a moment, staring after her, his mouth dropped open. How had the conversation turned from a discussion of Abigail to a reference to his affair? Obviously she had been more hurt by his admission than he had previously thought.

Prudently he shut his mouth and kept it that way. Mutely, he followed behind.

They descended the stairs in silence, but at the bottom step, Elizabeth stopped and turned towards Robert again. She took his hand. “I’m sorry.” She whispered, shamefaced. “I shouldn’t have—“

He quickly raised a finger to her lips, stopping her from continuing. “Ssh.” He moved his fingers to caress her cheek. “There’s no need for an apology. You were only speaking the truth.”

“But—“ She started, her eyes troubled.

He put his finger to her lips again. “Not now. We’ll talk about this later.”

Elizabeth finally acquiesced, nodding silently.

While she grabbed her cloak, Robert went to the parlor doorway to call for Abigail and then went into the kitchen to retrieve his pistol, powder and shot and to let the servants know they were ready to leave.

Jamie and Evelyn had already gone ahead, riding his horses. As a newly elected vestry man, he wanted to be at church early to introduce Evelyn to the pastor and to the other vestrymen and church wardens.

Jamie was very proud of his new position. Just this year the governor had ordered each parish to choose a vestry consisting of the most select, decent and competent gentlemen. The men were to set a good example in their general behavior and Robert thought that the people couldn’t have chosen better. Jamie would do an excellent job.

After Elizabeth said a few parting words to the dogs, they were left in the kitchen. Robert wasn’t happy about leaving them alone in the house and he secured all the kitchen doors so they wouldn’t be able to get out. Surprisingly they didn’t bark at all in protest. Perhaps Elizabeth had told him the truth when she had assured him that they would behave.

It was a clear, chilly morning and the five of them walked briskly down to the dock, Nathan and Dolnick leading the way. Robert had allowed Dolnick to carry his musket in case they needed protection along the way. The servants appeared quite pleased to be going to church, and Robert didn’t blame them. After yesterday’s exhausting activities they deserved a day of rest.

The two women walked on either side of Robert. Abigail had on her best olive green damask gown and her cloak in indigo blue. She wore a coif on her head and Robert wondered if Elizabeth had a veil for her head. It wasn’t necessary but some women did wear a small square of lace on their heads or a fine linen hood in church.

The two women weren’t talking right now, but they had exchanged greetings earlier and Robert had been glad to see that Elizabeth hadn’t acted unusually uncomfortable with Abigail. He didn’t know what he had said about Abigail was the absolute truth and he hated to think that he might be the reason for any animosity between the women. Abigail had nowhere else to live at this time and Robert didn’t want to kick her out, so it was rather important that the women got along.

But he wouldn’t worry about that now. He had to focus on his plan for the day; to visit with Adam Cooke so he could arrange sword practice with him and to obtain Burnett’s handkerchief. Everything else could wait until tomorrow.

* * *

The church was a short three miles up the river at a settlement called Westover. Originally the property had been called West Tower by a group of explorers looking for gold. They had settled the land in 1610 and had built a watchtower. When that adventure failed, Sir Francis West, patented the land for a new community, but the Indian massacre of 1622 had wiped everyone out. Finally in 1637, Thomas Paulett re-patented the tract of land and changed the name of the property to Westover. Because of the history and the convenient location of the property, the church, which was also used as the county court house, was located there.

A sexton waited at the wharf to assist the boats as they came in. He was a large man for his age; a boy, really, in his late teens. Timothy Matthews, (no relation to Captain Samuel Mathews of Mathews Manor), was what some people called ‘slow’ and was from a struggling, poor family on parish relief. His mother, Annabelle, cleaned the church and his father, Timothy Senior, who had a disfigured leg, helped to maintain the church yard along with a younger and healthier second son. Unfortunately the second son could only do so much on his own to keep their farm profitable and the family often appealed to the church for assistance.

“Who is he?” Elizabeth asked, eyeing the boy suspiciously. Timothy wasn’t dressed in the grandest of clothes and Robert sensed Elizabeth’s distaste. Nevertheless he explained who Tim was in a respectful manner, knowing the hardships people faced day to day in the colony. Elizabeth seemed to be duly ashamed of herself because she didn’t ask any more questions about him.

As Robert, Elizabeth, Abigail and the servants arrived at the wharf, two other families were approaching from the opposite direction at the same time. At their calls of ‘hallo!’ Robert smiled and waved back. The Crocketts and the Turners had small farms next to each other farther up the river, and always traveled together, keeping an eye out for any natives that might jump out at them from the forest in a surprise attack. The men were well armed as the law required.

“Who are they?” Elizabeth asked, watching the people with interest as they came closer. Earlier she had mentioned to Robert how much she was looking forward to attending church and to meeting more of their neighbors. She wasn’t used to living in an isolated area where the only people one saw for a whole week was one’s own family.

“The ones without children are Hetta and George Turner.” Robert said, as the servants carefully eased the boat between two others already docked. “The couple with the children are the Crocketts, Charles and Emily. Their boys are Charles Jr. and Arthur.”

“How old are the boys?”

“Junior is five, I think, and Arthur is three.” He answered her, keeping an eye on Dolnick as he threw Timothy the rope. Deftly, Timothy caught it and started winding it around a post.

Nathan assisted Elizabeth and Abigail to disembark while Dolnick carried the musket and continued to scan the area for attackers. Elizabeth murmured a greeting to Timothy, which Robert thought was considerate of her, but Timothy was too shy to respond. He bobbed his head once, then immediately returned to his job of helping to secure the next boats coming in.

“Where is the church?” Elizabeth asked, looking around and brushing a few loose hairs from her face. She pulled her cloak tighter around her as a chilly breeze blew across the wharf.

“You’re full of questions today.” Robert teased her with an indulgent smile.

She bristled. “Well, I’m curious.” She huffed. “I’ve never been here before and I do not know any of these people.”

“All right; all right.” Robert chuckled. “You can’t see the church from here. ‘Tis up the bank, through the trees. We follow that path…” He pointed to a hard-packed dirt path. “…but I’d like to wait for the Crocketts and the Turners.”

“Oh, I’d like that too.” She answered easily. “They look like very nice people.”

As they waited, Robert scanned the area hoping to catch a glimpse of Jamie, Adam, or Burnett, even though he knew he couldn’t see the church or the churchyard from this position at the river.

Abigail told Robert she was going ahead to the church. He wasn’t too happy about that, but he couldn’t stop her. He did say a few words to her first though, warning her to stay away from Burnett if he was here. With infinite patience, she assured him she would. Even so, Robert watched her leave, a frown on his face. He wasn’t convinced that Abigail was convinced that Burnett could have been the one who had attacked her. But he was convinced that Burnett had done it and he didn’t want that evil whoreson anywhere near her.

Both Charles Crockett and George Turner called out to Robert again. He turned and smiled broadly at his friends, surprised at how much he had missed them. Going to church not only offered the opportunity to worship in God’s house, but it also offered a welcome chance to visit with far-off neighbors and to catch up on events throughout the county.

Charles strode briskly towards Robert and Elizabeth, bringing his wife along with him. The boys ran ahead of them, straight for Robert, their little footsteps loud on the wooden dock. “Master Bassett! Master Bassett!” They cried out, their little faces expectant. “Where is Robin?” The older one asked when they stopped short in front of him.

“Remember your manners, boys!” The father called out.

Both boys made faces, but bowed politely. “Good day to you, sir.” Charles Junior said. “Mistress.” He added tentatively, eyeing Elizabeth curiously.

Robert maintained a serious look on his face, but inside he wanted to laugh. Elizabeth just smiled, enchanted with the children. They were so cute and obviously didn’t care for the stiff custom of formal greetings, but they had obeyed their father and Robert was impressed. They deserved the same treatment.

He bowed formally in return. “Good day to you, young sirs.” He said somberly. Then gently he added, “I’m sorry to tell you that Robin is not here today. He’s staying with his auntie this week.”

Charles Junior’s face fell. “Oh.” He said. “Come on, Art.” He grumbled, grabbing his brother’s hand and shuffling away towards the end of the wharf where it reached the shore.

“They’re adorable.” Elizabeth whispered, catching Robert’s hand and giving it a squeeze while watching after the boys. “I want several just like them.”

Robert gave her an indulgent look. “You say that now.” He whispered back.

The lads didn’t get far. Mistress Crockett quickly caught up with her boys and grabbed her oldest son’s arm. She leaned down to speak directly to him. “That was disrespectful, Junior.” She scolded him quietly. “That is not the way to speak to your elders.”

“I’m sorry, mum.” He murmured, looking at the graying planks and digging his toe in a small knothole.

“Say you’re sorry to Master Bassett.”

The boy looked up, his face flushed with shame. “I’m sorry, Master Bassett.” He said just above a whisper.

“That’s quite all right, son.” Robert said solemnly, stifling a chuckle.

Mistress Crockett seemed satisfied with that and she patted her son’s back, saying, “Good boy. Now stay close while your father and I talk to Master Bassett and his companion for a few minutes.”

Robert felt pity for the boy. He didn’t know that the boys enjoyed playing with Robin so much and would miss him when he wasn’t here. But Robin would be back next week and they could play then.

When the Crocketts reached Robert and Elizabeth, Charles had an apologetic look on his face. “Boys will be boys.” He intoned.

Robert chuckled. “I remember being just like them at that age.”

“Me too.” Charles said gravely. Then his whole demeanor changed. His face brightened as he greeted Robert with a quick hug. “But enough about that! ’Tis wonderful to see you again, Robert!” He declared heartily “’Tis about time you showed up for church again!” He teased good-naturedly.

Charles was a vigorous, young man of twenty four years. He was plain-looking with nondescript features, but he had a head full of lovely, wavy shoulder-length brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. He always had a friendly smile on his face and good will in his heart. He wore a new doublet and breeches the color of cinnamon and a short black wool cloak. His bucket-top boots were not new but they were clean and polished, and his broad-brimmed hat had a new ostrich feather attached at the ribbon band. His pistol was tucked into his leather girdle at his waist and pouches of shot and powder hung criss-crossed over his chest. From the look of him, Robert guessed he had brought in a rather profitable crop this year.

Then looking at Elizabeth with admiring eyes, Charles asked, “And who is this lovely, young lady?”

By this time, Emily had returned to her husband’s side.

“Charles, Emily, this is my wife, Elizabeth.” Robert said proudly, with an arm around her waist.

“Your wife!” Charles exclaimed with delight. He clapped Robert solidly on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man!” Then he turned to Elizabeth and bowed gallantly, sweeping his hat from his head. “A pleasure to meet you, Mistress.” He took Elizabeth’s hand when she offered it. Straightening, he presented his wife. “My wife, Emily.”

Emily smiled warmly at Elizabeth and curtseyed. She looked equally as prosperous in a new gown of fine, orchid wool. Her long cloak was black also and she carried a muff of rabbit fur. A strand of fresh-water pearls hung gracefully over her bosom and a pair of pearl and amethyst earrings hung from her earlobes. She was a naturally pretty woman, with light brown hair, large hazel eyes and a wide, bright smile. She also had a good heart and was a good match for her husband. She exchanged warm greetings with Elizabeth who was openly friendly. Elizabeth complimented Emily on her beautiful and mannerly sons and Emily thanked her, beaming.