“I express myself badly.” He straightened his back and adjusted his waistcoat. “Let me begin again.” He cleared his throat. “The simple truth is I am concerned for your safety, yours and little Ezra’s. I did not wish to speak of these things until we were well on our journey away from Hyannis.”
“And now we are.” She paused, waiting for him to continue. “Do you really believe the threats of a few pompous old men would intimidate me?” she asked.
“I doubt if anyone could intimidate you, Rebekah, but do not underestimate the power of those ‘old men’ as you call them. They are among the wealthiest of landowners and have the ear of the governor. Give them a good excuse and they will have you taken into custody.”
“On what charge? Witchcraft? I am a simple midwife and pose no danger to anyone. In fact, gratitude for my kind services to their wives and daughters is more in line with what I deserve.”
“I agree with you. But you must be careful in both your actions and what you say.” He moved closer and put his hand on hers. “I want to protect you and your son.”
She tried to pull her hand away, but he gripped it all the harder. “Do not underestimate the power that fear and greed can foster in an insecure populace.”
“Are you trying to frighten me off?”
“Have you not heard the rumors? Before we left Hyannis I received a message from a friend who lives not far from Boston. He shared the report of a wealthy widow from his village who was accused of witchcraft and brought before a magistrate. She was accused of consorting with all manner of evil spirts. Her lands and possessions were under threat but in the end, her accuser, a wealthy landowner who had been trying to buy her out, could not provide any evidence and so the charges were dropped. I wondered if you had considered your own position with regard to the lands you own?”
“You suspect Dillard will accuse me of witchcraft in order to reclaim my property? Why would he bother? With only a small house, a shed, and a garden, it is so small in size as to be insignificant.”
“But, as owner, you claim full rights to the shoreline which makes your small piece of land of great value. As the population grows and trade increases, Dillard may come to regret deeding you the property.”
“So what is it you propose, Edward? Another business arrangement?”
“That is not what I had in mind.”
“What then?”
He reached out and took her hand. “There is a simple solution that would benefit us both. You may call it a business arrangement. I prefer to call it a personal agreement between two friends.” He paused and waited for her to offer some sign of encouragement. She did not. “What I propose is that we should marry.”
Rebekah quickly pulled her hand away. “Marry?” she repeated. “And how would that be of any benefit?”
3 thoughts on “Dillard Beach Mystery – 53”
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Nicely written. But isn’t she fond of him? She’s not acting like it.
She is wary of him… fond, yes, but not ready to throw herself into his arms… yet!
Rebekah seems to come across as a independent person who is asserting herself as a “can do” person. Can we be let in on how she herself is feeling deep down inside. Is there a soft side to her? Can she let us in on her thoughts that she doesn’t share with anyone but the reader. Poor Captain. He’s kind of wearing his heart on his sleeve.
I’ve always pictured her in my mind as a dowdy kind of person with little attention to her appearance as she’s obviously poor but there must be something that is attracting the captain. Is it her mind?? Is there a spark that’s there?
I’m trying to remember her relationship with her first husband. Was there much emotion given? I seem to recall there is to her son.
Sorry to put this all on you.
I like how this is developing but let us in on what’s going on in her head.