Chapter Seventeen

During the ensuing three weeks after Aaron’s receipt of Compton’s letter, several events unfolded. First, Mrs. Carne reported that Hannah was gaining health. One or more of the Carnes visited her every day in Dr. Kidder’s infirmary, and during these visits, they did all they could to encourage her to remain hopeful and improve her health by eating the bread and broth served by the kindly Mrs. Kidder.

On the evening of Mrs. Carne’s report of Hannah’s recovery, Aaron was particularly vexed and impatient and paced the floor of the study. He was all too aware that Hannah’s improved health, in a wry twist of fate, could bring about only one result: her death. He was finding inaction nearly intolerable, and a thousand schemes for rescuing Hannah were flitting uselessly through his mind.

Two days after the conference among Aaron, the Carnes, and Brockton that had elicited Mrs. Carne’s opinion of Hannah’s condition, Aaron was in his study attempting to concentrate on matters of business. A hurried knock on the door drew him from his restless endeavors. It was Corey.

“Sir, the Glenard has just docked! Is this not the ship bringing your brother?”

“Indeed it is! The carriage, please, Corey.”

“Aye, Captain.”

For the first time in several weeks, a smile appeared on Aaron’s face as he met Mrs. Carne in the hall. “My brother’s ship has arrived, Mrs. Carne. Is his room ready?”

“Yes, indeed, sir. What refreshments would you like served?”

After requesting fruit tarts, wine, and an assortment of cheeses, Aaron hurried outside to help Corey harness the horses. In a few minutes, they were off at a brisk trot to the harbor. When at last Gabriel strolled leisurely from below decks of the Glenard and stepped across the gangplank, Aaron thought he had never been so happy to see another person. Here was someone with keen intelligence and perception—someone who could assist him in his time of need.

The brothers embraced, and Gabriel’s cheerful smile as he greeted his brother and shook hands with Corey lifted Aaron’s spirits.

“Come,” he said, slapping Gabriel on the back. “we will give you a short tour of the village as we drive to River’s Edge, and I will try to answer the thousand questions your curious nature will generate.”

****

While Gabriel was settling in at River’s Edge, Colonel Feragus Compton was pacing his own study. His wife, whose opinion he was impatiently awaiting, sat mutely in a leather armchair.

“Well?” he demanded.

She sighed. “My dear, I have not a crystal ball.”

“But you’re a woman! You must know how a woman’s mind works! What is the foolish girl about? Here is an offer the like of which will never come her way again. Clarke is an excellent man, and his wealth and connections are unquestioned. If she keeps him waiting too long, he may find himself a more willing maiden!”

“She says she won’t give him an answer until a certain matter has been settled.”

“What matter?”

“I don’t know; she wouldn’t tell me.”

“Do you think she means to accept him?”

“Of course she does, my dear. She’s not a fool. I think there was some sort of little lovers’ quarrel between them, and she’s perhaps waiting for his apology.”

Colonel Compton was thoughtful. “It may have been brought about by that business of his governess. It’s likely he was none too happy about Maria bearing witness against the Winstead girl. But what could she do? She had to speak the truth to the court.”

“Certainly.”

Compton abruptly sat down at his desk. “I’ll write to Clarke and ask him to be patient. And I’ll give him enough encouragement so with luck his eyes won’t be straying elsewhere.”

“An excellent plan, my dear.”

Later in the day, when Colonel Compton’s note reached River’s Edge, Oliver Brockton had just arrived. Aaron scanned the note and then turned it over to the solicitor. Gabriel, seated in an easy chair sipping a large port, watched the lawyer’s face as he read.

“Excellent!” exclaimed Brockton. “The doxy is going to try to hold off until Hannah has been hanged—and so now we negotiate.”

Gabe looked from one to the other of the men. “Will someone please tell me what is going on here?”

Brockton deferred to Aaron, his surprised expression the only clue he hadn’t been aware of Gabriel’s ignorance of the plan.

Aaron hesitated. “Gabe, you won’t like what I’m going to tell you, but believe me, it’s the only way. In order for Brockton to file a brief for a new trial for Hannah, I must find a way to get a young lady—her name is Maria Compton—to recant her testimony in Hannah’s trial. It was she who placed Hannah at the scene of the crime, and it’s clear to all of us that she’s lying.”

Gabe carefully set his glass down on a polished side table. “Don’t tell me you’ve gotten into another scrape like the one with our cousin.”

“No—well, yes—but all I did was pay some attention to the young lady. I didn’t propose to her.”

“Your attentions must have been rather marked for her to become so angry she would lie about Miss Winstead.”

Aaron sighed. “I can’t excuse myself, Gabe. I found her attractive, and I didn’t attempt to hide it. But when I knew her better, I didn’t like her as well. My manner changed rather abruptly, and she was angry.”

Gabe stared at his brother, and then his face reflected his sudden comprehension. “You’re going to marry her! In order to save Hannah, you’re going to marry Maria!”

“Yes, I’m going to marry her.”

“You’re mad, Aaron, mad! You’re sacrificing all happiness, all honor and propriety!”

“Sacrificing all happiness! Don’t be absurd, Gabe! Do you think there could be any happiness for me if Hannah is hanged?”

“My dear brother, it’s hardly your fault she’s in trouble with the law. And we don’t even know for certain that she’s innocent!”

Brockton sat back and watched Aaron, wondering if he would respond with what he, Brockton, perceived to be the real truth.

“Of course she’s innocent! Gabe. It’s more than a matter of my feeling guilty because I inadvertently caused her harm.”

“I see. You’re in love with her. My dear brother—”

“No, you don’t see. You’ve never met her. She’s wonderful—I can’t begin to express how wonderful she is. How pure, honest, trustworthy, innocent she is. I’ve never known a woman like her.”

There was silence in the room, and the three men only gradually became aware of Mrs. Carne standing in the doorway, a tray of refreshments in her hand. As she set the tray down, Aaron could easily see a smile on her face that she couldn’t manage to suppress. He was forced to smile himself, although with more than a hint of bitterness. Mrs. Carne with her sharp vision had seen the value of Hannah Winstead while he, Aaron Clarke, commander of three ships, had been wasting his time with Maria Compton. At that moment, he felt he could never consider himself to be an intelligent man again.

The next morning brought Colonel Compton to River’s Edge in response to a note from Aaron. The colonel was ushered into a small parlor in which sat Attorney Brockton, Captain Clarke, and the captain’s brother from England. Bows and introductions were exchanged, and Katie came in with tea.

When all were seated and supplied with refreshment, Brockton, who had made it clear to Aaron and Gabe that he was in charge of the meeting, spoke.

“Colonel Compton, my good fellow. I’ve been retained by Captain Clarke to negotiate certain terms regarding the merger of your niece and himself.”

“Terms?” asked Compton, surprised. “She hasn’t yet given a positive response to Captain Clarke’s proposal, so I don’t know what terms you refer to.”

“You’re a man of the world, sir,” pursued Brockton, “and as such are no doubt aware that your niece, however manifold her charms, might never again receive an offer of marriage as good as this one. Therefore, my client and I would like to set forth certain terms with which it would be in your best interest to comply.”

Compton shrugged. “As to her dowry,” he said dryly, “if this is the matter to which you refer—”

“No,” Brockton replied, cutting him off. “We’re not interested in her dowry. We’re interested in her testimony at the trial of Hannah Winstead.”

Compton looked from one face to another. “What on earth does the trial have to do with my niece’s marriage to Captain Clarke?”

“It’s simple, sir,” Brockton said softly, leaning forward. “Unless Miss Compton recants her testimony, there will be no marriage.”

“What!”

“That’s not all. Captain Clarke is prepared to disseminate a report impugning Miss Compton’s honor. I’ve been told that she had to leave Boston in disgrace because of an indiscreet attempt to elope, and if Captain Clarke speaks ill of her, she’ll be in disgrace here. And then what will you do with the doxy?”

“How dare you, Brockton! Clarke, I thought you were a man of honor!”

Brockton ignored the outburst, but Aaron was pale with emotion. “Until I can prevent Hannah Winstead’s execution, honor be damned!”

Compton stood up and retrieved his gloves. “I will not sit here and have my niece insulted. I withdraw my consent to the marriage, sir. Good day to you.”

Brockton stood also. “You’d better think of what you’re doing, Compton. Your brother has thrust a burden on you that you’re not likely to be rid of soon. Captain Clarke will make an excellent husband and in all matters will be completely honorable. He asks only one stipulation—that your niece recant her testimony. For this small concession, she’ll have a lifetime of comfort and ease. And you, my good man, will be rid of her.”

Compton sat down again, his anger deflated. “There is sense in what you’re saying. However, I’m not completely certain Maria can be induced to recant. After the marriage takes place, perhaps—”

Brockton laughed. “Do you think us fools? She’ll recant within three days, or my client will withdraw his offer. If he does, let the gossip begin!”

Compton slumped forward. “You don’t know how willful she is! I have very little influence…and my wife none at all.”

Brockton sipped his tea, biding his time. “You have one bit of leverage, Colonel.”

Compton could not conceal his expression of hopefulness as he turned his eyes to the solicitor. “And that is?”

“You can send her back to Boston, where—excluded from society—she can spend her days tatting lace with her mama. How do you think she’ll like that?”

“But…I promised my brother to keep her here until she could be safely married.”

“All the better. If your brother knew she’d received an excellent offer and refused it, he would probably agree you had discharged your duty and should have no further obligation.”

“Indeed, you have a point, Brockton, but—”

“Then pray inform the lady—today—that she must recant her testimony and prepare for her wedding, or she’ll be on the next coach to Providence.”

Colonel Compton looked tired as he rose heavily from his chair. “I’ll do my best. She won’t want to recant, but with the threat of departure, one hopes she’ll capitulate. However—” He paused and looked keenly at Aaron. “You must give me your word of honor that, if she recants, the marriage will take place.” Again, he paused. “I’m no fonder of dueling than any other man, but if the need arises, I can assure you I’m an excellent shot.”

Brockton waved a hand. “Come, Colonel Compton, this is unnecessary. Captain Clarke is fully prepared to marry your niece. However, she must recant fully. She must go to the sheriff and claim she was confused as to the day she saw Miss Winstead, et cetera, et cetera. I’m certain a few tears and a stammered apology will settle the matter.”

Aaron stood. “There will be no negotiation about her recanting. Pray keep that in mind.”

Compton did not reply. With a nod of the head, he walked from the room.

Brockton turned to Aaron. “Be prepared for a summons. The lady will probably want a meeting with you, so she can enjoy the sight of you groveling at her feet.”

Aaron nodded. “I’ll grovel as much as she likes. The stakes are too high for pride.”

Gabriel had been listening to the entire conference with keen interest, but now he glanced at his watch. “Aaron, I told your friend Carne I’d ride about the farm with him this afternoon. If there’s nothing further I can do at the moment to assist you, I’d like to keep the appointment.”

“Go ahead, Gabe. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Gabriel left the room, and Brockton’s eyes followed him.

“There could well be another card to play,” he murmured.

“What did you say, Brockton?”

“Nothing, simply thinking aloud.”

A moment later, the door was flung open by Corey.

“Captain! Captain! I’ve just been to town and…dear God, sir…they’re building the gallows!”