Dillard Beach Mystery – 42

July 1683

Chapman stepped back from the rail, shocked at the vehemence in Rebekah’s  voice. “You overstate the case, Mistress Howland. Damnation is something best left to God. You have no right to wage such judgement against me. You forget, I am first and foremost, a trader with the clear purpose of buying and selling all manner of goods for profit. That is my primary focus. It is why I do what I do. This new venture with Captain Rykman is nothing more than that.” He turned and looked out to sea. After a long pause, he continued, his voice barely audible above the sound of the waves.

“For these past months I have done you a great favor, Rebekah.

“And what favor is that, Captain?” Her voice edged with anger.

“You ask as if you are ignorant of my generosity. Are you aware how much of my time and energy has been engaged in the trade of your medicines and ointments? I make very little money for my efforts, but still I trade them. I have trusted you to produce a product people can use with confidence, and though there are some, I am certain, who believe your tinctures are nothing more than magic and nonsense with no medicinal value beyond one’s imagination, I trade them and defend you in doing so.”

She looked at him, confused at his remarks. He continued, “Do not misunderstand me, Rebekah, I have no doubt in your abilities. In fact I encourage them. But the argument goes directly to my point. It is not for me to judge the quality of the goods I sell, madam, whether ointments or workers from Africa. My focus is to trade and make a profit.”

“You equate the selling of a person with that of a jar of ointment?”

“A poor example,” he responded, “but essentially accurate. I cannot afford to get involved in the ethics of a trade. I leave that responsibility to others.”

She was stunned into silence at his argument.

The silence stretched between them and remained unbroken. It was not until The MaryBell approached Hyannis harbor and the gong of the channel marker rang loud across the water, that either the Captain or Rebekah spoke.

As the boat approached the empty pier, Chapman looked for the horse and carriage that would take Rebekah and Ezra back to Dillard. They were nowhere in sight.

“The hour is so late, I fear the driver must have decided we were not coming. But that is no matter. There is plenty of room at the Chapman house for both of you to spend the night.” He did not wait for Rebekah to protest but picked up the basket of left-over provisions and handed it to her. “I’ll carry Ezra. It is an easy walk, just across the common. You will stay the night and I will have one of the dock workers drive you home in the morning.”

Rebekah had little choice but to follow Chapman across the common towards his home. As they approached the mansion she could see the housekeeper, Jacinda, watching from behind a curtain at the front window. Before he could knock, the heavy wooden door swung back to admit the Captain and his guests.

“Good evening, Jacinda. Sorry to return so late.” He brushed past her into the front hall. “As you can see, we have guests staying with us tonight.” He did not bother to explain but immediately headed up the staircase to the second floor, carrying the sleeping Ezra in his arms.

“Is everything allright, Captain?”

“Everything is fine, Jacinda. We left the island later than expected and a light wind took its time bringing us home. Otherwise, it was a fine day.” He nodded at Rebekah. “Come, I’ll show you where you are staying. Jacinda would you be so kind as to bring a candle near.”

The housekeeper took one of the lit candles from the hall table and moved towards the staircase.

Rebekah gave Jacinda a quick nod and followed the Captain up the stairs.

Once they reached the landing he turned to Rebekah. “You and Ezra should take the blue room. It is the first door on the right. There is a large bed for you and a trundle bed for the boy if you prefer to sleep alone. I can have one of the servants pull it out if you wish.”

He stepped to one side so Rebekah could pass. In the dim light she could see the oversized bed, with a richly carved headboard and embroidered coverlet.

“There is no need to wake your servant, sir. The one bed is quite large enough for myself and my son.”

“As you wish. I will have Jacinda bring you a glass and a small cider in case you are thirsty. Make yourselves comfortable and I will see you in the morning.” He nodded and backed out of the room.

Rebekah did not sleep well that night. Her thoughts were filled with fragments of her conversation with Chapman and it troubled her greatly. How could he be so dismissive towards the ethics required of his profession? It seemed he took no responsibility for the goods he traded. As far as he was concerned, it was up to the seller and buyer to handle any question of right or wrong, good or evil. Chapman’s only purpose was to bring the parties together and take a profit for his trouble. He wanted nothing else to do with the transaction. Should she have anything more to do with such a man?

Next morning, Rebekah rose just after dawn, exhausted from her dreams. She left Ezra to sleep and made her way down the back stairs to the large kitchen. A woman dressed in an oversized apron was stirring a large pot of porridge over the fire, while a second girl kneaded dough for the day’s bread.

“Good morning, mistress,” said the young girl, her hands covered in flour. “Are you looking for Jacinda?”

“No. I’m looking for the door to the back garden.”

The girl pointed a finger towards the door. “That way, Miss.”

Rebekah thanked her and crossed the wooden floor to the half door. The top was already hinged open, letting in sunshine and a warm breeze. Neat rows of herbs and vegetables filled the garden and she was tempted to explore each pathway, curious to discover what Chapman had planted.

“Can I help you, Miss?” Jacinda’s voice startled her. “Are you lost?”

Rebekah turned to face the housekeeper.

“Good morning, Jacinda. No, I am not lost. I was looking for the door to the back garden. I am in need of an early morning walk.”

The housekeeper stood tall and immovable. “You should have used the door on the first floor. The kitchen is not open to visitors.” Her voice was stern and without humor.

 “I’m sorry, I did not know.” Rebekah looked about, unsure which corridor or staircase would lead her back the way she had come. She began to walk towards the half door. Jacinda immediately moved to block her path.

“You cannot use this door.”

“But I only want to walk in your garden.”

“You must use the door to the garden on the first floor.”

“That makes no sense. I wish to go into the garden that is just beyond.” She gestured towards the half door and the rows of vegetables.

“To enter the garden, visitors must use the door on the first floor” she repeated. “Only the kitchen help or myself can use the half door.” She looked down at Rebekah’s shoes. “You will tramp all manner of sticks and dirt into the kitchen and I will not have it.”

Rebekah was startled by her attitude. “I meant no harm, Jacinda, I will remember for the next time.” She stood, waiting. Finally, Jacinda stepped out of the way and Rebekah walked to the half door, opened the lower half and stepped out into the garden.

It was there that Captain Chapman and Ezra found her sometime later. “Your  son is a sleepy head, Rebekah. Not like his mother, up early with the birds.”

Rebekah was surprised at the Captain’s easy tone. It seemed the dark clouds that surrounded their conversation from the night before had all faded away.

“You are welcome to wander the gardens for as long as you wish, Rebekah, but I expect you are anxious to return to your home and your practice.”

“There are women waiting for me, that is certain.” Rebekah answered.

“Then I shall call for a carriage and have you off within the hour. But first, I insist, you have some refreshment for the journey.” He looked down at Ezra who clung to his side. “You are wanting some porridge, Ezra, I am sure. And perhaps a sweet or two? I’ll ask cook to add a honey cake to your plate.”

Ezra nodded his head and grinned.

An hour later, a carriage pulled up to the Chapman house. Jacinda waited on the wide front porch as Rebekah and her son bid their thanks to the Captain. Rebekah could sense the housekeeper was eager to have both mother and son out of the house as quickly as possible. But she decided to delay their departure by just a few more minutes. First, to clear away any misunderstanding between herself and the Captain and second, she had a feeling that her lingering would somehow annoy the housekeeper. She knew it was not the most gracious of actions, but Rebekah could not help but enjoy how the delay upset Jacinda.