Dillard Beach Mystery – 72

“Do you think it was Dillard that accused me of witchcraft and set the Magistrate to find me out?”

Chapman was silent for a moment. “I am not one for wild speculations, Rebekah, but I think your thoughts lead to a likely and accurate conclusion. Dillard hob knobs with the local elders, discovers the plans for the new town landing and realizes the sandy bit of soil he gave to you years ago is now worth a great deal of money. If he can have you arrested and tossed into jail, you lose all rights to the property and he can reclaim the gift as his own.”

Rebekah listened.

“The only proof you have against his accusations that you used witchcraft to coerce him to hand over the deed, is that document that was hidden in the chimney wall.”

“And now it is missing,” Rebekah remarked. “Stolen, I wager, by Dillard himself.”

“That is one possibility.” Chapman concluded. “And now that the document is gone, there is little you can do to stop his false rumors. Given time, he will continue to work against you until he can claim your property back.”

Rebekah stood up and began to pace the floor, considering her options. Finally, she turned and faced the Captain. “Suppose we do not allow Dillard any more time to work his scheme. I have an idea that will ruin any plan he may have to take back my land.”

“And what plan is that, Rebekah?”

She turned and faced Chapman directly. “I want you to marry me.”

“What did you say?”

“I want you to marry me. It is a simple statement. Can you not understand me?” She asked.

Stunned into silence, the Captain had no notion of what to say next.

“Of course,” Rebekah continued, “we will have to come to some clear understanding between us, before we marry.”

“Understanding?”

“Do you not see. It may be the only way for me to keep my property and dissuade Dillard from keeping up these accusations against me.”

“I do not understand, Rebekah. How would our getting married protect you or your property?”

“Because, you would now own it, Edward. My property becomes your property. The cottage, the shed, the garden, the land, the coastline… Upon our marriage it would all become yours.” She paused, then continued. “Of course, I would require that you sign a document renouncing the transfer of my property to you, but that would remain a secret between us. Dillard would never hear of it. As far as he is concerned, the property is lost to him.”

Chapman shook his head in wonder at her suggestion. “You are telling me you want me to marry you in order that you can transfer your property to me all the while secretly retaining ownership?”

“That is correct, Edward.”

“All this to prevent Dillard or anyone else from stealing the land?”

“Yes.”

“I see. So love does not come into it?”

“Our agreement would be a strictly business arrangement, Captain. There is no need for love or any affection to play a part.”

“But what of affection, Rebekah? If we are to marry, there are certain obligations of a wife to her husband…certain requirements…” He let the words fade into silence.

“Such details need not trouble us, Edward. I know you care for me, and I for you, but there is no requirement on either part to actually love each other. I am perfectly content to let things stay as they are between us. We are friends. Good friends.”

“Nothing more?” He asked.

She did not answer.