Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Of course you must stay with us,” Arianna said to Jean-Claude.

Bessie, Patrick and young Patrick left to overnight with Kathleen and Samuel. Now Elizabeth, Sarah and Michael sat on one settee, Jean-Claude, Monique, and Vicar Edwards on another, Darius and Arianna on chairs near the fire.

“We wouldn’t wish to inconvenience you,” Jean-Claude said.

“It would be no inconvenience; we’ve plenty of room.”

“Oui, I see that mon Sullie; you have a magnificent home, but are you certain your husband would wish for us to stay?”

“It’s a long ride to Boston and you shouldn’t be traveling after dark,” Darius said. “Aye, stay with us.”

“Besides we haven’t had time to visit,” Arianna protested.

“I think you should stay for some time,” Elizabeth said batting her eyelashes at Jean-Claude.

“We might put you to work,” Darius said. “We have two cabins to complete and now a church, as well. We could use the extra hands. My wife would surely like to catch up, reminisce with you, and get to know Monique. Arianna’s mentioned you a lot.”

“Jean-Claude speaks of you incessantly, Arianna,” Monique said. “I used to be très jealous of this woman who occupied his thoughts. He crossed an ocean to find you. Do you truly believe he’d leave after seeing you for but a few hours?”

Jean-Claude glanced at Monique with a look that suggested he may have preferred she keep that to herself. Darius didn’t appear entirely pleased either.

Still, he was gracious.

“We have room for all of you to stay,” Darius said.

“I’d be happy to remain indefinitely with you,” Elizabeth said. She looked at Darius as she had Jean-Claude.

“You’ll remain with Patrick and Bessie or move in with Michael and me when we’re married,” Sarah said.

“That would be pleasant also,” she said now appraising Michael.

“I can lend a hand if needed. I’ve assisted with the construction of buildings before,” Jean-Claude said.

Arianna grinned, for those buildings had been brothels. To think he’d be constructing a church was ironic.

“I’ll help as well. I do hope you’ll have me stay on as vicar,” Vicar Edwards said.

“What made you come to the colonies and to a small settlement?” Darius asked.

“I was intrigued by the colonies and as I said, I heard your settlement was perhaps looking for someone to offer worship.”

“Have we met?” Arianna asked as she closely observed him. “You seem familiar to me.”

“I’m certain I’d remember seeing you.”

Darius glanced at him in question.

“Your wife has vibrant-colored hair. I’d surely remember meeting her.”

Darius nodded, but Arianna believed he might have suspicions regarding the vicar. She thought she may have some of her own.

“We should decide on sleeping arrangements,” Arianna said.

“Jean-Claude and I require only one chamber,” Monique said touching his thigh, then glancing at the vicar.

“I’m a guest, hopefully one day a friend. I’m not here to judge or lecture. I’ll leave that to the Puritans or my future sermons,” he said with a grin.

“I’m surprised you’d journey here with the Puritans’ intolerance,” Darius said. “And, Jean-Claude, you’re settling in Boston, which is largely composed of Puritans.”

“Aye, but Boston steadily grows. It’s evidently reached seven thousand people. With more Europeans relocating, ships arriving with sailors looking for women, even the Puritans can’t deny the need of my establishments.”

“Establishments?” Darius asked.

“Tavern-brothels,” Jean-Claude said. “I’m to operate brothels. One to begin with, but more will be needed. I thought you knew.”

Darius shook his head. “You’re traveling together?” he said as he looked at Jean-Claude and the vicar.

“Mary Magdalene was a woman of such persuasion. It’s believed to be the oldest profession,” Vicar Edwards said.

“You’re in agreement with this?” Elizabeth asked Monique.

“Jean-Claude’s a wise businessman. Only women who wish to be there will be in his employ. He offers them protection, ample food, safe shelter, a physician when necessary. I’m proud of him!”

“That’s accepting of you,” Darius said.

“You’re a very accepting man yourself, Mr. Wyndham, since my fiancé and your wife did meet in just such an establishment,” Monique said.

Arianna noticed the astonished expressions. She preferred no one knew of her time at the brothel.

“Mon Sullie was always my favorite, most requested fille!” Jean-Claude winked and smiled.

Sarah and Elizabeth looked like their eyes might fall out. The vicar nervously cleared his throat.

“Arianna wasn’t employed as you might presume,” Darius explained. “She cooked and provided remedies.”

Elizabeth nodded smugly and clearly didn’t believe him. She stared at Arianna till Arianna changed the subject.

“Jean-Claude and Monique may have the lower bedchamber; it’s large with a bath. The privy’s outdoors, but there are chamber pots in each room. Reverend Edwards, you’ll have the chamber by the kitchen. Sarah and Elizabeth will sleep in the larger upstairs chamber and Michael the other.”

“You don’t share a chamber? I understood the two of you are to be wed,” Monique asked Michael and Sarah.

“We won’t till we’re married,” Sarah said, her cheeks rosy.

Monique looked as though she couldn’t comprehend.

“When will you be wed?” Vicar Edwards asked.

“When the church is built and our cabin’s ready,” Michael said smiling at Sarah.

“Best we retire soon so we can begin early,” the vicar replied.

Arianna showed them to their respective chambers. Walking up the stairs she encountered Liza’s spirit.

“You permit strangers in my chambers?”

“Only for a little while, Liza. Jean-Claude isn’t a stranger to me, but a dear friend.”

“Very well,” she curtly said before disappearing.

Continuing to her own chambers, Arianna heard Sarah and Elizabeth arguing. She knocked and Sarah tearfully opened the door.

“Arianna, perhaps you’ll talk sense into her.”

Elizabeth scowled. “Now, you’ll both needle me.”

“What has you at odds?”

“She thinks I shouldn’t have thoughts of men,” Elizabeth groused.

“If it were only thoughts you were having, I wouldn’t be so concerned,” Sarah said.

“You’re having more than thoughts?” Arianna asked. “It’s natural to develop blossoming interest, but you’re barely sixteen, Elizabeth.”

“Some women my age are wed with children.”

“You’ll have children without being wed if you continue,” Sarah said.

“You’ve truly been with a man?” Arianna asked, hoping to conceal her surprise.

“I found her and young Patrick in the barn in the middle of…it. I’ve no doubt my sister initiated the intimacy.”

“He was more than eager!” Elizabeth replied.

Arianna felt her eyes widen.

“If Patrick and Bessie learn of it they’re liable to turn you out,” Sarah said.

“They likely wouldn’t be pleased, but more liable to punish Patrick,” Arianna said. “Yet young men’s desires are often acted upon without thought.”

“Michael and I haven’t been together and we love one another.”

“That’s your loss, Sarah, and I’m nothing like you,” Elizabeth said.

“Is it only Patrick you’ve been with?” Arianna asked.

“Aren’t you nosy?” Elizabeth said. “Since you’re asking, I’ve also been with Henry McKee, Kevin and Kaleb Murphy and another I won’t mention, for he’s married.”

“Elizabeth, you’ve only been at the settlement three days!” Arianna couldn’t hide her disapproval, which seemed to please Elizabeth.

“I’m meeting Kevin later tonight.”

“You most certainly are not!” Sarah said.

“Do you really think that you—sweet, gentle Sarah—could stop me?” Elizabeth snapped.

“What if these meetings create a child?” Arianna asked.

“I’ve heard a sturdy twig rids a woman of an undesired baby,” Elizabeth said with disturbing indifference.

“How have you changed so, Elizabeth?” Sarah began to weep.

“What did being proper do for Mother…or for you? She died and was unceremoniously tossed in the bloody ocean, and you were cruelly violated. I intend to seek pleasure when and where I can.”

“There are outcomes worse than an undesired child though it often brings shame to the woman,” Arianna said. “The method you suggest for ridding yourself of an unborn bairn can leave you unable to ever bear children, if you don’t die from blood loss or purulence straightaway. There are also horrid diseases contracted from being with many men.”

“You’ve fared well enough, Arianna. You can’t tell me someone as beautiful as you with your perfect body and voluptuous breasts, which men simply can’t tear their gaze from, could live in a brothel only serving food and remedies. You were likely with numerous men, probably ended several pregnancies. Now you have a handsome, sensual, wealthy husband, this grand home, fancy garments and that extravagant necklace! You haven’t done badly for a whore!”

Sarah gasped and slapped Elizabeth hard across the face. Elizabeth stepped back, clearly stunned. She put her hand to her face, a raised handprint already forming.

“Perhaps not so sweet after all,” Elizabeth said with vehemence.

“We’re beholden to Arianna for much and you owe her respect. It’s because of her we have a home and family. It’s because of Arianna and Darius we aren’t at the mercy of the Smythes or hanged.”

“Thank you, so much for all you’ve done,” Elizabeth said in an in genuine voice. “If I were Sarah, I wouldn’t thank you. You left us surely knowing Johnathan Smythe would harm us. I wish you’d watched Sarah raped.”

Arianna felt the sting of those words, for she was already riddled with guilt.

“I’m ever regretful for that,” Arianna said.

“It wasn’t your fault, Arianna,” Sarah assured her.

“Now if you’d step away, I wouldn’t want to leave Kevin waiting…unlike clumsy, inexperienced Patrick, Kevin knows how to please a woman.”

Arianna was stunned by Elizabeth’s boldness.

“Michael or Darius will prevent you from leaving,” Sarah said.

“I’m sure if I get down on my knees and…beg, they’ll be agreeable.”

Her implication was blatantly clear and Arianna shook her head.

“The contagions contracted from multiple experiences with men can also erupt within the mouth. They’re more difficult to conceal and spread quickly.”

“In a brothel you’d need to know all ways of pleasing a man. Did you pleasure Captain Alcott or simply allow him to have you? By the way he looked at you, it’s unlikely he’d have left without diddling you.”

“Elizabeth Davina Phillips, you’re appalling!” Sarah gasped. “Arianna wasn’t ever alone with him.”

“Some people like to watch. Maybe that’s how Michael gets his pleasure since he’s getting none from you…or maybe he had her, too.”

Weeping, Sarah wrung her hands. Arianna inhaled deeply, staring at Elizabeth. “How did you learn so much of intimate topics?”

“Bessie’s niece explained what happens with a man and woman, and her nephews were both happy to introduce me to such pleasures behind their stables. I liked it straightaway.”

Sarah’s eyes were sorrowful as Elizabeth determinedly brushed past them and Sarah appeared at her wits’ end.

“She won’t be permitted to leave,” Arianna said, hearing the protectiveness in Darius’s voice as he escorted Elizabeth back.

“You’ll not go out after dark, not here under my roof,” Darius insisted.

“How do you intend to stop me?” Elizabeth asked looking at the window.

“You’d break your legs if not your neck if you jump. I’ll sit outside this bloody door if I must,” Darius argued.

“I’d rather invite you in,” Elizabeth seductively said.

“I have a different solution.” Arianna nodded to Wolf who stood at the door and snarled on demand. “He sometimes sleeps outside our bedchamber, but he’ll stay here instead.”

“Come to my room, Sarah,” Michael said, peering inside. “I’ll sleep on the settee.”