His Defiant Wife, the Adventures of Linnett Wainwright, Book 2

by Vanessa Brooks

  “I understand, please carry on with your tale,” said Sarah, slightly pink and embarrassed.

  “Well that was when John found me and the terrible thing is...oh Sarah, he killed Ned! Dear Lord, I have so much death on my conscience; it was all my fault. I should have stayed here and Ned would still be alive today!”

  “Probably all worked out for the best! I shouldn’t waste tears over a man like Ned,” Sarah said dryly.

  Linnett looked up, shocked, but carried on with her tale, “The men went to look for Peter and Hans found him and brought him home to you. John went to look for the horse that I had borrowed from you. The poor sweet thing, she had been killed by the bear creature, but Sarah, I will buy a new horse for you and Hans, I promise you!”

  “Don’t worry about that now,” Sarah said, her sympathy for John growing by the minute.

  “Well that is it really, except that John told me to stay at the camp fire and wait for him, which I did but then I thought it would be helpful to fetch some water for our return journey. John came back while I was at the river.

  “He was so cross with me, Sarah. He became silent and wouldn’t listen to me after that. When we got back here last night he took me into your barn and used his...his....belt...on me....I don’t blame him...I...I know deserved it....I mean Ned and everything.” Linnett hung her head and a tear slid down her cheek.

  Sarah sat and looked at the beautiful young girl before her and wondered how she herself would have coped with everything this nineteen-year-old lass had gone through since her marriage. Not very well was her conclusion.

  “Well, well, you have certainly had some horrible adventures, my dear, but you are a survivor, that much is clear, and you are a very brave girl. You have a husband who knows how to love and protect you and you have friends here.”

  Sarah stood up and made her way around the table to where Linnett sat. She wrapped her arms about Linnett, holding her tightly, and after a moment, Linnett burrowed her head into Sarah’s waist and sobbed. Sarah stroked Linnett’s hair and held her until the storm had passed.

  “Right, now to work!” Sarah said briskly, after Linnett’s tears had ceased. “To begin we shall bake together and you shall learn how to make bread.”

  Linnett looked up and smiled tremulously. For the first time since she had been aboard the ship, Linnett felt that everything might be alright.

  CHAPTER 2

  By the time the men returned that evening, Linnett had ruined two loaves of bread and burned two batches of biscuits. But she had learned how to make beds and milk a cow and even helped with some of the clothes washing.

  Feeling very guilty that, up until now, she hadn’t lifted a finger to help Sarah with all these heavy domestic chores, she made Sarah sit down with a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, she tried to prepare the vegetables for the evening meal. Even that simple chore had proved difficult, since she had never before done anything of the kind.

  Linnett had followed Sarah around diligently, trying hard to learn the tasks that Sarah was teaching her. Several times through the day, Linnett winced as she sat down, turning her blushing face away from Sarah’s shrewd gaze.

  Linnett was very nervous when the men came in that evening. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she went straight up to Hans, stood before him and apologised prettily for what had happened to Peter and to poor Penny. Hans had been magnanimous in his forgiveness. As far as he was concerned, Linnett had been punished, justice had prevailed, and he could forgive her now. Hans accepted Linnett’s apology and patted her bottom robustly in a fatherly manner, making poor Linnett wince.

  “Gehoorzamen, Linnett, gehoorzamen!” he boomed, and Sarah translated for her: “Obey, Linnett, obey!”

  Sarah, who knew her husband only too well, hid a smile, knowing that he had made that gesture simply for the purpose of causing Linnett further discomfort. John, too, was pleased to see that his wife had taken his instructions seriously and that she had made some progress with learning domestic chores. He had worried that she would be sulky and resentful all day. Hans had assured him that a sore backside never hurt anyone for very long and he added that Linnett’s was long overdue!

  While the punishment was still causing her some discomfort, the thought of what might happen if she failed to follow John’s instructions ensured Linnett’s complete compliance; she had no wish for a repeat performance. After several days, Linnett’s bread-making had little improved.

  She had asked John if she could go for a ride with him to see the cabin, and he had told her that when she handed him her first properly raised loaf of bread, he would take her. Try as she might, every loaf came out as a brick. She even asked Sarah to help her cheat and bake one for her. Sarah had only laughed good naturedly and refused.

  When her first proper loaf of bread came out from the oven, a large crusty loaf of golden brown, she was so proud that she was glad Sarah had not let her cheat. John was absolutely delighted with her and for her.

  Straight away, they made plans for the journey up to the cabin. Hans suggested that they take the wagon packed with various items needed for furnishings. That way, when they moved up there they could travel by horseback and leave the wagon where it belonged, with Sarah and Hans.

  Linnett was devastated at the thought of not being able to ride as she had planned but kept quiet. She had felt constrained around her husband since he had punished her and was still feeling extremely wary of him. John saw her pretty face fall with disappointment when the wagon was decided upon. He fully expected her to speak out, voicing her complaint.

  When she quietly stood up and left the room, he was amazed and rightly guessed the reason why. John felt wretched. The last thing he wanted was Linnett to feel her own wishes must always be supplanted by his own. He brooded about the change in her, but finally he decided to ask Sarah for advice. John knew the two women had forged a bond of friendship. He was pleased that Linnett had made a friend and confidant of Sarah, for he admired Sarah.

  He waited until Linnett was outside feeding the chickens, helping Peter, who was able to hobble around on two sticks by now. “Sarah, I wonder, could you spare me a minute or two? I need to ask your advice.”

  Sarah turned and looked at him in some surprise. John had always struck her as a supremely confident man, even somewhat arrogant; she was intrigued by this need for advice from a woman, and sitting down, she gave him her full attention.

  “Of course, John, how may I help?” Sarah inquired with her gentle smile.

  John ran a hand distractedly through his dark hair. “I am not at all sure you can help, Sarah. You know what happened the night I brought Linnett back?”

  Sarah nodded her head, blushing. John grinned broadly at her. “I see that you do. Well, since I punished Linnett, she has behaved responsibly and sensibly. But she is distant and even seems to be a little afraid of me. Do you think that she is?”

  Sarah looked at John, dumbfounded - men! she thought.

  “John, you beat the girl with your belt. What did you expect?”

  John was quite shocked and affronted.

  “Well, you aren’t afraid of Hans, and he told me that he has warmed your backside for you any number of times!”

  Sarah flushed and dipped her head, totally embarrassed.

  “Sarah, I shouldn’t have said that, forgive me.” John was instantly contrite. He was genuinely fond of Sarah and had no wish to embarrass her. “You must have found the life out here quite difficult to begin with,” he prodded gently.

  “No... that is... yes. I am so.... surprised that Hans told you, that is all.” Sarah took a deep, flustered breath. She was disappointed with Hans, and she would be talking to him about his loose tongue but then Sarah remembered that she, too, had talked to Linnett about Hans spanking her so perhaps she should stay quiet after all. Sarah couldn’t meet John’s eyes, when she began to speak, John had to strain to hear her soft, shy voice.

  “It took me a while to, well, to understand the danger of life out here in t
he wild. My father was a school master and he had never...er... spanked me as a child,” she tried to explain. “Hans did just that, and I... well I was afraid of him for a while. I expected him to punish me every time I disagreed with him. It took me a while to realise that he was a fair and just man, that all he wanted from me was the loving respect and obedience due to him as my husband.”

  John looked at her thoughtfully. “So what shall I do to convince Linnett that I am not some kind of monster about to thrash her every time she disagrees with me?”

  “Have you tried talking to her?” Sarah asked him.

  “No....I don’t know where to start,” John said spreading his hands helplessly.

  Sarah pondered for a moment. “I know! Why don’t you buy Linnett a gift? Linnett would love her own horse, John, and then perhaps you could find a way to talk about this.”

  “What an excellent idea! I promised to buy her a horse when we arrived on dry land, Sarah. You are not only a very pretty lady, but a wise and clever woman to boot! Why did I not think of that?” John jumped up, went around the table and planted a kiss on Sarah’s soft cheek. “Hans is a very lucky man to have you, Sarah, and I shall go and tell him that!”

  John turned and strode out of the house, leaving Sarah shaking her head, a delighted blush spreading across her cheek.

  A trip into the small settlement town was needed to stock up on supplies for the winter months. After much discussion, it was decided that instead of a visit up to the cabin, John and Linnett should move up there as soon as they bought supplies. They talked about who should go to buy the goods and who should stay behind at the farm. Finally, it was decided that Hans, John and Linnett would go.

  The morning of the trip dawned crisp and clear. The first warning of the winter to come was in the cold fresh bite of the bitter wind. They set off with John and Linnett riding the buckboard and Hans on horseback. The journey took a good hour, and Linnett was chilled to the bone by the time the small wooden township came into sight.

  Linnett looked around with interest at the rough wooden buildings, with their covered walkways. Many had a horse or small wagon tied to a hitching rail out at the front on the dirt road. The little town seemed packed with people, and the atmosphere seemed almost like that of a fete or carnival. Whole families wandered the street together. Small children rode on their fathers’ shoulders. Hans looked at John, his eyebrows raised questioningly. John shrugged in return, both men nonplussed by the unexpected crowds.

  Penman’s General Store was in mid street, and they pulled up outside the store in a line with three other various types of wagons. John helped Linnett down and, curious, she went inside the strange-looking store. It was full of every type of household need, from pots and bowls, pans, cups and utensils to grain and coffee, cloth and even children’s candy. Everything, in fact, a family could need. Linnett spotted some stacked bolts of cloth and went over to study them. Sarah had asked her to buy something warm to make winter clothes for her and shirts for Peter and Hans.

  As she fingered the serviceable material, John came and stood behind her. “You had better choose something for yourself as well. You need warm dresses for the winter here. Linnett, I have an errand to run with Hans. Do you think you will be alright here alone for a little while? Select what you need and Mr. Penman will add it to our bill.”

  Linnet looked up at him, surprised. “Yes, of course I’ll be fine, but how long do you think you might be?”

  John had already turned to walk away but answered, “Only about half an hour, perhaps. No more.” He paused and turned, his gaze directed to his wife, as he said, “Oh, and do not stray from this store, do you understand me, Linnett?”

  Linnett could not meet her husband’s eyes because oh yes, she understood his meaning -- only too well. “Yes sir,” she replied quietly.

  John gave her a brief kiss on the forehead. “Good!” was all he said. Then he called over his shoulder for Hans and the two men left.

  Linnett turned back to the pile of cloth, immediately engrossed in the selection of colours and texture of the materials. She decided on serge for the shirts along with a blue and cream checked material for Sarah. Mr. Penman, a tall thin stooping man with thinning grey hair, took the cloth away to cut the lengths Linnett required.

  While she was waiting, Linnett’s eye was caught by a beautiful deep green velvet bolt of cloth virtually hidden under the pile of material. She eased it out and ran her fingers over the soft folds. It was surprisingly good quality, thick and rich, the pile close together. Should she buy some? It certainly wasn’t suitable for farm living but it would look wonderful with the green of her eyes. Would John approve? Linnett thought not, sure that he would tell her to wait until they reached Boston before indulging herself.

  She hesitated, then sighed, pushing the bolt back into the pile, deciding she had no wish for a spanking if her husband didn’t approve. Linnett then reached for woollen serge in a dull grey and took it to Mr. Penman for cutting.

  He took the bolt of cloth from her and gave her an indulgent smile. “I saw you looking at the velvet,” he said, while measuring out the serge. “Oh yes, it is very fine but unfortunately not very practical. I ordered that for a lady last year, and blow me if she didn’t go and die the very week it arrived. I can do you an excellent price on it Mrs., er?”

  “Foster...Mrs. John Foster, but you would need to ask my husband on his return, Mr. Penman,” Linnett replied absently as she fingered lengths of ribbon. Linnett bought thread and needles for sewing and some velvet ribbon for trimming in various colours. She then turned her attention to stockings and garters, and finally, all her packages were wrapped and stacked with the household order.

  Awaiting the return of the men folk to pay and pack the goods into the wagon, Linnett went out onto the sidewalk and noticed the crowds milling up the street; obviously something was going on to be attracting such a crowd. Linnett hesitated but then decided to join the mass and to find out for herself. She would tell John the crowd swept her along with them.

  People gathered at the edge of the street where a large rough wooden structure stood. Linnett thought it might be some sort of a stage and waited, watching along with the happy, jostling crowd. There was a commotion to the left of the structure and an expectant hush fell over the gathering. A priest appeared on the platform followed by a young fair-headed lad who stood with his hands behind his back. Linnett wondered whether a sermon was to be preached.

  It seemed she might be correct when the priest started saying prayers and the men in the crowd removed their hats and every one joined in the Lord’s Prayer. Linnett murmured the familiar words and then looked up to see what would happen next. Two older men had appeared on the platform and were moving the young lad back to the middle. One placed a thick rope around the boy’s neck. Linnett’s eyes widened with dawning horror of what she was about to witness.

  Frantically, she cast her eyes around her looking for a way out from the crush of people. She caught sight of John at the edge of the crowd waving at her, trying to catch her attention, a worried frown on his face. Linnett lifted her hand and waved to him, trying to push her way to where John stood.

  There was a shout from the crowd and a woman’s sharp cry. Linnett’s gaze was involuntarily drawn back to the platform and its fatal drama. The young lad stood straight, his head held high with the thick rope twisted about his throat. The breeze stirred his blonde hair. Linnett could see that tears flowed down his cheeks, yet he made no sound. A deadly hush fell, save for the wailing of a single woman whom Linnett could not see.

  Linnett held her breath; there was a sudden crack of noise and the boy fell feet downwards, kicking grotesquely at the end of the rope. Linnett was mesmerised, unable to look away. She watched his purpling face and his tongue protruding and then promptly, and blessedly, she blacked out.

  John shouted for Hans to follow him as he pushed and shoved his way through the crush of people, elbowing them aside in his desperation to get to Linn
ett. What on earth was she doing there in the middle of the crowd? God, would she never learn to stay where he left her! Finally, he reached her unconscious form and stooping, lifted her into his arms and pushed his way back through the press of people who politely parted to let him through.

  Hans hurried over, patting at Linnett’s pale cheeks. “What a thing to happen. Why was she not safe in the mercantile?”

  John shook his head “I just don’t know! Look, I will go and settle up with Mr. Penman. Would you stay with Linnett while I am gone please, Hans?” John asked and laid Linnett carefully in the back of the wagon.

  Han’s tucked a rug around her. “Of course I will, my friend, but when the paper work is sorted, you come back and see to your wife and I will load the goods, ja?”

  By the time Linnett came round and was aware of what was going on, John was back beside her. She stared up into his anxious face and groaned that her head ached. “My God, John, that poor boy! It was just like on the ship...” Her voice was so low, John almost missed the last part of what she said.

  John helped her up so that Linnett was sitting with her legs dangling over the tail end of the wagon. He leaned forward and held her against his chest, and he wrapped his arms tight around her. He kissed her pale forehead and smoothed back the tendrils of hair fallen around her pinched white face.

  “Linnett, now listen to me, it was not the same as aboard the ship. Do not grieve for that boy; he was a murderer and a rapist. He deserved his end.”

  Linnett raised her head and looked intently at her husband. “Really, that young boy was a killer?”

  John looked steadily back and said firmly, “Yes, really. You are to put all thoughts of what you saw out of your lovely head... I would like to know, though, what on earth you were doing there!” He put his face close to hers and growled, “I told you to wait at the store!”

  Linnett tensed. “I know...I suppose that now you will...beat me?” she asked quietly.

  John groaned and hugged her tight. “No I won’t beat you, I would never beat you! Come now, you’ve suffered a nasty shock. Do you feel strong enough to walk, darling? Why don’t we go and find something to eat, and then I have a surprise that will cheer you!”