Chapter 26: Chapter Twenty-Six

Darius beamed at Arianna and held her hand. Their cabin was abuzz with the chatter of several conversations, the sounds of dishes being passed around and forks and spoons clattering against plates. Their great room was warm with the glowing hearth fire, the camaraderie of family and friends and the glorious scents of delicious, bountiful food.

Everyone in the settlement was here. Chenoa was with Michael and Arianna immediately adored the round-faced, gentle woman with the broad smile and kind eyes. Sarah sat beside Michael, their love apparent. At present Elizabeth was staring at Darius but she appeared interested in all men. Kathleen’s babe was asleep in Liza’s chambers. Charlotte and Ethan were here though Arianna attempted not to look at either.

Arianna was pulled from her thoughts hearing a familiar croaky voice. She smiled at the reaction of everyone seeing Grandmother MacDonald arrive. Arianna rose to greet her. Darius had offered to fetch her with the wagon, but she’d said if she was inclined to be in the presence of that many people, which she most certainly wouldn’t, she’d get there on her own.

“You must sit next to me,” Arianna said hoping to make the old woman feel welcome. Darius found a chair for her. Grandmother hadn’t tied back her hair, but she’d brushed it and even washed her hands.

“Why did you decide to come?” Arianna asked.

“I couldn’t miss the excitement.”

“It’s lovely to have everyone together but I wouldn’t say it’s particularly exciting.”

“The excitement has yet to begin.”

“Could you give me a hint?” Arianna asked.

“You’re going to need more chairs,” Grandmother replied.

She’d barely said the words when someone pounded on the kitchen door. Darius glanced at Arianna and she shrugged. He went to see and returned with two men.

“Dougal?” Grandmother asked.

“I’m Angus. This is my brother, Duncan. Dougal’s our father. We wanted to meet you, though Father said you might well be dead.”

“Not just yet,” Grandmother said.

“You’ve done well to find the place. Come have a seat. I’m certain your grandmother’s delighted to see you,” Darius said.

Arianna smirked, not certain the woman was ever delighted about anything.

They’d barely gotten settled after Arianna found more plates and food was passed to the men, when another knock was heard.

“I did tell you,” Grandmother said as Darius went to the door again. This time when he came back, Arianna wasn’t sure he was altogether pleased. However, Arianna leapt off her chair so fast, she nearly toppled it over. She squealed and ran to meet the shining brown eyes of the tall, dark-haired man.

“Jean-Claude!”

He lifted her into his arms and swung her around, then planted a lengthy kiss on her lips. He spoke endearments in French and Arianna wasn’t certain whether Darius or Elizabeth’s eyes were wider.

“You’ve met my husband, Darius?” Arianna finally said.

Jean-Claude smiled his engaging smile and nodded. “Oui, mon Sullie.”

He’d called her that from when first they met since her last name was O’Sullivan and he liked to refer to her as his.

“Your husband introduced himself and most hospitably invited me and my companions to supper,” Jean-Claude said.

“Your companions?” Arianna asked looking beyond him.

“My fiancée Monique and Vicar Edwards.”

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Arianna said smiling at the lovely black-haired woman and the man with them. He seemed oddly familiar.

“I’d heard your settlement was in need of a vicar. I met this helpful young man who permitted me to travel with them. I’m grateful; I wouldn’t have managed on my own.”

“How did you find this place?” Arianna asked Jean-Claude who’d not yet released her hand.

“I could always find you, mon Sullie.”

“That was when we lived in the same city. There was an ocean between us this time.”

“I’ve been in Boston a few weeks and heard you were here.”

“I’ve missed that accent,” Arianna admitted. Darius looked like he didn’t appreciate her candor but found another table. Everyone appeared interested in the handsome Frenchman. Arianna thought he’d be charming them all soon. Perhaps not Darius, although he was being cordial. The fact the suave Frenchman had a fiancée surely didn’t hurt.

Seated and eating once more, Grandmother crooked her very gnarled finger at Darius. He looked uncertain but leaned closer.

“You must control your temper, Young Wyndham.”

“My temper? I’ve controlled it quite well. In truth, Jean-Claude seems an amicable man.”

“It’s not the Frenchman who’ll rile you,” Grandmother said glancing toward the door.

There was no knocking this time. The door was flung wide open and Darius quickly stood. When three men with red coats stepped in, followed by George Alcott and a woman who looked enough like Charlotte and Liza for Arianna to know it was Alcott’s wife, Emma, Arianna held her breath.

“I’ve invited my sister and her husband,” Charlotte said. “I suppose I forgot to tell you.”

Arianna grasped Darius’s hand and held tight knowing by his expression he wanted to turn Alcott away.

“You might have mentioned it,” Darius said glowering at Charlotte, then Alcott.

“Remain calm, my love,” Arianna whispered. “If we’re civil, perhaps they’ll soon leave.”

It was a toss-up who wore the snootiest expression: Alcott or his wife.

“My sister, Emma, and Captain George Alcott who presides over the nearby fort,” Charlotte introduced.

The men stood in respect, even the Murphy boys.

“Should I simply stand here indefinitely still in possession of my cloak?” Emma impatiently asked.

Arianna started toward her, but Darius shook his head.

“I’ll hang it for you,” Darius said.

“Not at the kitchen door with the others that smell of God knows how many varieties of animal dung and food odors that would permeate the fine fabric.”

“I could hang it here where the wood smoke would permeate it, I suppose,” Darius said scowling at the ostentatious woman, though Arianna noticed even she looked at Darius appraisingly.

Bessie and Kathleen exchanged a look of disapproval.

“I’ll place it on the bed,” Arianna said.

“Are you a servant?”

“She’s my wife, Arianna.”

“Oh, yes, the vagrant Irishwoman!” Her nostrils flared snobbishly. Arianna might have found it amusing, if she hadn’t seen Darius’s perturbed expression.

“My wife was never a vagrant. I’ll thank you not to speak to her with such misplaced superiority.”

Alcott finally spoke. “I’ll thank you not to take that tone with my wife.”

“It’s our home. It wasn’t my wife or me who offered an invitation to either of you. Consider yourself lucky I don’t sent you back out the door.”

“We’ve had this discussion, Wyndham. You’ll see me fed and treated hospitably or soon regret it.”

“Please sit down, everyone. The children mustn’t sense animosity on this day of celebration,” Arianna quietly said and felt Alcott’s eyes on her.

“Perhaps the bairns could go outdoors for a time,” Kathleen suggested.

Some of the older children took the younger bairns out.

Arianna noticed Alcott limping worse than before. His face was sickly pale. Clearly in considerable pain, she doubted he’d admit it.

“This is my physician, John Whitby,” Alcott said. “My men will need food, too. I presumed they’d eat in the kitchen, but I see you permit anyone at your table.” He stared at Michael and Chenoa distastefully.

“Unlike you, my family and friends were invited!” Darius said.

The acridity in Darius’s tone startled Arianna as his eyes went to the musket by the door.

It took all Darius’s self-control not to charge the man, propel him out the door on his arse, wooden leg or not. But Arianna was correct, it would cause discord. He’d face harsh consequences, if he wasn’t shot on the spot. He’d need to be conciliatory, bite his tongue and have the loathsome man and his unlikeable wife sup with them.

Darius enlisted the Murphy boys in locating extra chairs from his workshop. Arianna filled their plates with generous helpings; it was easier than passing it down the long line of people. Alcott nodded approvingly when Arianna set his food before him.

“That’s far too much for me. Is this venison?” Emma discourteously said. “Who prepared it? It wasn’t the savages was it?”

“Eat what you’d like and the food you’re familiar with,” Charlotte said. Even she sounded perturbed with her peevish sister.

Darius didn’t miss Alcott ogling Arianna as though he undressed her with his eyes. Alcott’s wife noticed as well.

“George may need something cold to drink.” Emma scowled at Arianna.

“Or something cold poured over his head,” Kathleen mouthed.

“Did you wish to speak, Mrs. Wyndham?” Alcott asked.

“No,” Arianna replied.

“Not you. The Mrs. Wyndham with the brood of children, more every time I see her.”

“You’ve seen me twice,” Kathleen said. “And blessedly lucky I am for that.”

Darius saw the warning look Samuel and Patrick gave Kathleen.

“If I did wish to speak, you can wager much it wouldn’t be to you,” Kathleen defiantly added. Alcott narrowed his eyes with unhidden disapproval.

“Do you often have savages at your table?” Alcott asked.

Darius knew he purposely attempted to rile him.

“I’d believe there’s only one savage at this table, although I don’t know your men or your physician.”

“When do you plan to begin building the church?” Vicar Edwards asked, clearly hoping to dispel the palpable tension.

“Perhaps it could be started today?” Jean-Claude said. “With so many men, it would surely take no time.”

“There’s only been discussions regarding building a church. There are people of various denominations here,” Darius said.

“I offer worship and consolation to all faiths.”

“How did you hear we might need a vicar?” Darius asked.

“There was word in Wickshire.”

Darius hadn’t spoken of it, but maybe Samuel had.

“I’d like to ask my wife’s opinion and the settlers should vote on it.”

“You’re accommodating, Wyndham. Though why a woman would have any say eludes me.”

“I think we need more ale!” Ethan said. “Kevin and Kaleb, take your brothers and young Patrick and bring more casks.”

“I’ll go with them,” Elizabeth said.

“You’ll stay here,” Sarah warned, clutching her.

“You’re not my mother!” Elizabeth pulled away.

“I’ll go,” Darius said. “We’ll take the cart. Would you like a bit of air, Arianna? Come with me.”

She smiled at him and stood.

“She’s like an obedient puppy in how readily she wants to please you. She reminds me of another, once nearly stitched to your side, Wyndham.”

Darius felt his blood about to boil when Michael stood.

“I’ll go with them,” Michael said likely wanting to be distanced from Alcott.

“He looks strong. They’re good for something after all.”

“You’ll not speak to my brother like that!” Darius ordered.

Michael’s complete dislike of Alcott was evident by his stern, unyielding stare.

“Are you disrespecting me?” Alcott said to Michael.

“I don’t approve being anywhere near them,” Emma said. “You’re lucky he isn’t scalping you!”

“The English punishment of drawing and quartering and disembowelment is ever so much more civilized!” Darius said, wanting to punch Alcott soundly in his objectionable mouth and tell his contentious wife what he thought of her. He saw Arianna looking at him worriedly. He clenched his fists so hard he shook. He’d been glad the children hadn’t heard this, but now they burst through the door chasing one another.

“Kathleen, control your bloody little hooligans,” Charlotte said. “They always get Rachel excitable. Look at her tangled hair and messy frock.”

“Charlotte, your daughter wears a smile when she’s allowed to be a child and not a smaller version of you!” Kathleen sneered.

The children continued running and Arianna shrieked, “Mind the fire!”

Darius saw Rachel chasing Ben. When Rachel tripped against him, they both fell toward the hearth. Darius reached for Ben who was closest to him. Arianna grabbed Rachel, but neither could prevent Sammy, running close behind, from falling into the fire. Several women screamed but Darius was stunned to see everyone was suddenly unnaturally still, as though frozen. Even the fire stopped mid-flame.

“What’s happened, Arianna?” he asked for only the two of them remained moving.

“I’m keeping time at a standstill, but I’m not sure how long I can hold it. People will notice if too much is changed when time resumes.”

Arianna dropped Rachel safely nearby and reached for Sammy whose face was nearly in the flames. His coat sleeve was on fire but she pulled him to her. Evidently, she couldn’t hold time any longer for everyone began moving again and Sammy screamed in pain. Arianna held him to her. The bottom of her gown caught fire and Darius hastily pulled the tablecloth from the table and half the dishes with it. He wrapped it round Arianna and Sammy and patted out the flames. Arianna was nearly in tears, but her legs weren’t burned.

“Carry Sammy to my healing chamber,” she said, trembling. She still held tight to Sammy; Darius lifted and carried them both. Samuel and Kathleen followed.

“Let me through; I’m a physician,” Whitby said.

The paunch-bellied man with a bulbous nose and long chin, sounded as arrogant as the man who employed him.

“Step aside. I’ll see to the boy. Burns must be attended with care. We’ll need butter straightaway,” he ordered.

“I’ve an herbal remedy that better soothes pain,” Arianna said as Darius set her to her feet and placed the crying child on the table.

“I’m institutionally educated with much experience. Are you going to entrust your child to this…this healer?” he said with disgust.

“Aye,” Samuel and Kathleen said in unison.

“So be it! I shouldn’t be surprised. Those who allow heathens at their table are surely ignorant,” the physician muttered.

Michael came in then and the obnoxious, portly man scurried away. Arianna observed the situation and stared at Darius. She waved her hand, once more stilling time.

“Sammy’s garment is burned into his skin. I’ll need to use magic, but it can’t be obvious.”

Darius nodded and she poured the entire bottle on the garment, gently peeled it off, then reached for another remedy. She released time and Sammy, who’d been crying loudly, quit when the potion touched his skin.

“Would someone get honey from the kitchen?” Arianna asked.

Michael left at once.

“Honey, Auntie?” Sammy sniffled.

“Aye, it helped with my burn.” She showed him the scar on her palm.

“Will mine stay pink?”

“No, yours will heal completely. Just look away, Sammy.” Arianna gestured for Darius to block the others’ view. She touched her hands to the burn. Magic glowed from her fingertips. “Yours will be gone soon enough, sweet bairn.”

“Why can’t you do that for the scar on your neck?” Sammy asked.

“I wanted your auntie to have that W so everyone would know she was a Wyndham and my wife,” Darius explained.

“Auntie’s a woman, not a sheep or a cow. You might have given her a ring, Uncle Darius,” Sammy said, wrinkling his small nose.

“Aye, I’ve yet to do that,” Darius said.

“I don’t need a ring, my love,” she said as he bent to kiss her.

Darius tensed when Alcott came into the room.

“I mightn’t be able to order you from our home, but I can forbid you from being in this chamber. You’ve no purpose here.”