Chapter Twenty-Seven

“My physician disapproves of your methods, but when the boy quit wailing, I knew you’d stopped the pain. What did you give him?” Alcott asked.

“A remedy specific for burns,” Arianna said. “It wouldn’t help your pain.”

“If you couldn’t find a way to ease my pain, I’m sure you could make me forget it.” The implication was obvious.

“You’re a forward, inappropriate bastard!” Samuel said. “I’ll thank you to leave. Darius is correct. You don’t need to be here upsettin’ everyone.”

“I thought you might be the even-tempered brother,” Alcott said.

“My brothers are all more even-tempered than me,” Darius replied, stepping toward Alcott.

“I’ll take Sammy out,” Kathleen said obviously believing a heated confrontation would ensue.

“Michael will no doubt put the honey on Sammy’s burn,” Arianna suggested. Kathleen nodded and left with the boy.

“If your wife refuses to assist me, that too could be considered treasonous,” Alcott said.

“Oh for Christ’s sake!” Darius blared. “It’s part of your leg that’s missing not your damn bollocks! You hide behind your name, rank, and bloody threats of treason. You’ve no idea how I wish your leg remained so I could fight you fair and square…man to man.”

“Aye, you might like that,” Alcott said suggestively and Darius stepped closer.

“Maybe it wouldn’t be considered treason, but surely witchcraft,” Alcott said.

“What are you saying?” Darius said.

“I saw that child fall into the fire. Your wife was quick to pull him out, but he was burned. Now he’s happy as a pig in shit with little evidence he was hurt. You can’t tell me there wasn’t some witchery done. Weren’t you supposed to control her?”

“Why would I restrict my wife’s healing?” Darius asked.

“Reverend Smythe might let it pass, but Charles Mendenhall, his eager witch-hunter, would be quick to see her suffer the witch testing. You’ve probably heard of all the hangings in Salem. Mendenhall won’t want to be outdone. His previous method of disposing of witches was by fire.”

Arianna paled and clutched Darius’s hand.

“There’s been talk of putting an end to those trials and hangings,” Samuel said. “Darius discussed it with Governor Phips in Wickshire.”

Darius hadn’t told Arianna. He didn’t want her to realize how fearful he was for her and certainly didn’t want Alcott to know he was hoping to assist in ending the persecutions. With his abhorrence of him, he might oppose it simply because Darius wanted it.

“The governor has yet to outlaw the witch trials. Besides, do you truly think a governor’s order can stop those who wish to thwart witchcraft? There are plenty of backwoods in this colony. If your wife refuses to ease my pain, I suppose I could have the witch finder sent here. Or…I might escort her to my fort where she can tend to my…condition.”

“Permit me to see to his leg, Darius,” Arianna whispered.

“I must speak with my wife alone,” Darius stated.

“Thank you, Arianna. Again, we owe you much,” Samuel said.

“You’re my family,” Arianna said. “I’d do anything for you.”

“We’ll give Wyndham and his wife some time. I’m sure he’ll see it my way,” Alcott said.

His arrogance made Darius want to snap his bloody neck, but he simply inhaled, waiting for everyone to leave them…then he stared at Arianna.

“We’ve no choice,” Arianna said.

“Christ, I know. I despise the thought of him anywhere near you. If I could kill the bastard and not think you’d suffer for it, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“Then they’d kill you and your death would make me suffer much more,” she said.

“If I can’t protect you, what do you think that would do to me?” he asked as he pulled her to him.

“You went to speak to the governor?”

“I wanted him to know many oppose these persecutions. I told him he must do something to stop the madness.”

“Did he listen?”

“When I suggested if it was his wife being accused of witchcraft, he’d be quick to put an end to it, he listened. When I said I might ensure she was under suspicion; that got his attention.”

“Did he take that suggestion well?”

“He had me removed from his chambers but I’m sure it made him think. But today, we need to contend with Alcott.”

“He might not permit you to remain here,” Arianna suggested.

“He might as well run me through with his sword then because you’ll not be left alone with him.”

“Surely he’ll permit someone to remain here.”

“Could you give him a slow poison maybe?”

“If I harm him in any way or worsen his condition, it won’t bode well for us.”

“Aye. Do what you must, my wee witch; help the bastard if you can, and hopefully he’ll leave us alone.”

Darius doubted that would happen no matter what the day’s outcome might be.

Two soldiers stood by the door. Alcott’s physician, along with Michael, whom she’d requested, and Ethan were in the chamber with Arianna and Alcott. She couldn’t very well oppose Ethan’s presence.

“You’ll need to remove your boot and the appendage,” Arianna said.

Alcott looked at her peculiarly.

“I wouldn’t want any woman, much less one so beautiful, to see the horrific atrocity. I only need something for pain.”

“You’re already taking laudanum. I can smell it and if I can’t view the wound, how am I to assist you?”

“Even whiskey-laced laudanum and ale combined don’t alleviate the pain. You must give me something more.”

“That combination might take away your heartbeat,” she said.

He only glowered at her.

“Is the wound open, inflamed or purulent?” she asked.

Whitby lifted his nose in the air and refused to speak.

“It’s inflamed from chafing,” Alcott said.

“May I look at the wooden appendage?” Arianna asked.

“Turn around then,” he said.

She complied and Alcott painfully groaned. Arianna turned back and Alcott had covered the stump. His previously wan face was ruddy in evident humiliation. He passed her the peg.

“I think it should curve more where it meets your leg, but I can’t determine accurately without seeing it,” Arianna said. “It must be smoother, too. You’ll need to leave the appendage off a few days. Allow sunlight on the chaffing. I’ll give you a remedy to apply and one to ingest. When it’s healed, place moss between your leg and the wood.”

“I couldn’t sit idle for days. I have men to command and more important duties.”

“More important than keeping what remains of your leg or staying alive?”

“Sunlight and moss!” the physician scoffed unpleasantly. “That’s what you offer?”

“Natural remedies are often best,” Arianna defended. “I’ll give you this but I caution you; take only small sips morning and night. If you continue to take the laudanum, this remedy and drink ale, you’ll die.”

“That would suit your husband well.”

“I don’t suspect only my husband would rejoice in that.”

“You’re not afraid of me, Mrs. Wyndham! That’s a rarity in a man, much less a woman.” Alcott’s lecherous smile gave her unpleasant goose bumps. “However, there’s a fine line between fearlessness and insolence as your husband once learned.”

“Do you wish to discuss my husband or would you like me to assist you?” she asked.

“Please…assist me, Mrs. Wyndham,” he shamelessly said.

“Have your wife apply this remedy morning and night.”

“My wife?” he said, clearly appalled. “She’s never seen this grotesque dismemberment!”

“Perhaps my husband might fashion another appendage or smooth this one.”

“I’m not certain who’d be more opposed to that,” Alcott said.

“If it will see you soon gone, you can wager much that he’ll do it,” Arianna replied.