by Cathy Bryant
As she entered the bedchamber in which her guest was currently resting, Joanna noted that her suspicions regarding the noise had been correct. She quickly went to the young woman. Gently taking hold of Sarah’s shoulders while whispering her name, Joanna attempted to wake her.
After opening her eyes, Sarah glanced around the room and then at the person sitting beside her. She soon remembered where she was. As she observed a woman with large brown eyes looking so intently at her—recalling her name, she asked, “Is there something wrong, Joanna? Have I slept too long?”
“No…no. It is just that you sounded as though you were having a nightmare. We heard you cry out.”
With embarrassment, Sarah dropped her eyes. “Oh, I am sorry, Joanna. Please forgive me. I did not mean to disturb anyone.”
Feeling bad for the young woman that she would think she had been a bother, Joanna assured her, “Sarah, you didn’t disturb anyone. We were simply concerned for you. Are you all right?”
By now, a tear had slipped down Sarah’s cheek. “I really do not know how to answer that.”
Without saying a word, Joanna leaned forward and pulled Sarah into her arms. The two women then spent the next few minutes weeping.
After a while, Sarah, completely unaware of how her face appeared, pulled back to look at Joanna’s face. “Did your father tell you what happened?”
A bit hesitant to answer, in case Sarah might not have wanted what had happened to her to become known, Joanna finally answered, “Yes, Sarah, he did. But…he need not have said anything for us to know that something had happened. My dear, have you not seen your poor injured face?”
Reaching up to where her face had been throbbing, Sarah responded, “Oh, I should have known. It has been aching some.”
“I thought as much—you have not had a look at it, then.”
Sarah shook her head no, and then dropped her eyes. “I hope it shall not upset your boys to see me like this.”
Touched by the fact that the young woman worried more about the boys than she seemed to care about her own injured face, Joanna answered, “Do not concern yourself over them. They have had plenty of bruises and shall most likely think you were hurt by taking part in some out of doors amusement. In fact, if anyone questions you about it, we shall simply allow them to assume just that. Not that we shall lie about it, but we shall merely avoid a direct answer.”
Sarah smiled then and found herself believing she was going to like this woman.
“Furthermore, you need not worry that Daniel and I have been made aware of what happened; we shan’t tell anyone. My father just wanted us to be informed, should you need anything. In fact, Sarah, my husband is a physician. We discussed that it might be best if you allowed him to have a look at you—what with all that has happened and as Father explained, you have not been unwell of late.”
With a flushed face at the thought of having a man come near her, Sarah quickly responded, “No! I am quite all right! My illness was weeks ago, and I am only a little bruised—nothing more. There really is no need. In fact, I think I should be going.” Without thinking through where she would actually go if she were to leave, Sarah attempted to push past Joanna.
Joanna placed her hands against Sarah’s shoulders to stop her. As she was a good deal larger, she had little difficulty in preventing the young woman from rising. “Sarah, I am not going to force you to allow Daniel to examine you. Please, do not worry. As for your leaving, I shall not hear of it. You are to stay as long as you wish. Truth be told, I could use another woman around here. Those boys of mine are too high-spirited much of the time for my liking.”
Sarah’s racing heart began to calm as she comprehended that she would not be forced into an examination. The last man to have touched her nearly destroyed any sense of safety she had previously had. Thinking a moment about being useful to Joanna with her sons, she decided if they truly needed her, she would stay. She had always been comfortable around children. Truth be told, she had known no greater joy than being with Alice Strout’s children. Moreover, she knew she didn’t have anywhere else to go.
“Very well, Joanna. If I can be of any use to you with the children, I would be delighted to stay. I must apologize for my outburst. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Of course. Besides, there is no need to apologize. We shall not speak of it again. Now let us go and prepare dinner.”
With Joanna backing down, the matter of allowing the physician to see to Sarah was dropped for the time being; however, when Sarah was finally introduced to Mr. Thompson, just the thought of him coming near her—to see that she was well—made her shudder. Though he had kind, light blue eyes, she was glad that he would not be examining her.
The following morning, Joanna suggested a walk to Sarah. Though Sarah truly enjoyed the out of doors, given what had happened to her while she was walking home from Alice’s, she was reluctant to agree.
Surmising it was fear that held the young woman back, Joanna decided to try another tactic. “It is simply that I wish to call on one of our elderly neighbors, Elizabeth Brown. She lives alone and has not been well lately. Whenever I am able, I have been dropping by to assist her with her daily chores.”
Joanna had been informed by her father that Sarah had been attacked while returning home from a visit with one of her neighbors. Although Sarah had said very little on their journey about what had happened or anything else to Joanna’s father, he had gleaned that much the night of the attack. Armed with this knowledge, Joanna believed that helping a neighbor might just induce her new friend to accompany her. She was concerned that if Sarah didn’t face her fears, she might remain indoors, indefinitely.
Sarah, though she was ill at ease about the idea, yielded. Before long, the two ladies were on their way to call upon the Thompsons’ neighbor, leaving Mr. Hoyt in charge of the boys.
Within a short time, they arrived. After making the introductions, with Sarah’s assistance Joanna went right to work preparing a meal. The woman was grateful the ladies had come to help. At one point, while Sarah was out of doors hanging laundry, Joanna’s neighbor inquired about Sarah’s bruises. Believing the information being requested to be Sarah’s private affair, Joanna evaded the question. Sensing that the topic was off limits, the neighbor, Elizabeth, allowed the matter to drop.
While Sarah worked at helping with the laundry, she had all but forgotten her fears with regard to venturing away from her hosts’ home. And after a few hours, Sarah and Joanna were on their way back home. As they strolled along, Sarah’s anxiety about being out of doors returned. By the time they arrived, Sarah was covered with perspiration. Joanna had observed the fear upon Sarah’s face while they were yet on their way. As the ladies entered the house, Joanna ushered Sarah into the parlor to rest. She then went to find her husband and father.
Discovering them out in the yard with her sons, Joanna quietly explained what she had witnessed with Sarah. Not wanting the boys to overhear, she spoke softly. As they were not at all certain that it was merely fear that had caused the reaction in Sarah, they all thought it best if Daniel had a look at her.
After his wife informed him of where to find the young woman—in the parlor—Daniel insisted Joanna and his father-in-law remain where they were while he went in alone to speak with Sarah. He had no desire to overwhelm her by the presence of all three of them; however, upon entering the parlor, the tiny woman was nowhere to be seen. He surmised, correctly, that she had gone to her bedchamber. Since he would not be able to speak with her at this time, he returned to the backyard.
As she observed her husband approaching, Joanna sent her sons off to play. She then inquired, “Why have you returned so soon? You couldn’t have had enough time to see to Sarah.”
“She wasn’t in the parlor. She is most likely resting in her bedchamber. I shall speak with her later. What is to be done, Joseph? Her family must be beside themselves with worry. You haven’t exactly said why it was that she left her home.”
Nodding i
n understanding for his son-in-law’s concern, the elderly gentleman responded, “I may not have made myself clear when I attempted to explain the situation, for I was more concerned with your knowing what had happened than her reasons for taking leave of her home. Like you, Daniel, I have been thinking about the worry her absence is undoubtedly causing for her family, but I do not believe we should act just yet. Sarah is in no way prepared to see her husband. And if I have not already explained, she believes her husband will be disgusted at the sight of her after what has happened. Perhaps even turn her out.”
Stunned by news that the young woman could believe such a thing, Daniel inquired, “What do you know of the man? Could this be true? Would he indeed abandon her because of this?”
“In truth, as I have not been a resident of Amesbury for long, I know very little of the man. And from what I understand, he has been away in England for the past two years. He has only recently returned to Amesbury. I am not even sure it was to be on a permanent basis. The whole thing seems rather odd—that he would live in England while his wife resides in Amesbury. Though I have heard that he is an honorable man in business matters, perhaps Sarah knows best about what he is like as a husband. Let us wait a while before we decide what is to be done. I dislike leaving the gentleman in the dark regarding his wife, but I would also hate to see her injured any further if he were to reject her while she is in such a fragile state.”
“I cannot fathom anyone leaving his wife alone for two years. Perhaps you are right. We should leave it up to Sarah for now,” replied Daniel with a sigh. Turning to his wife, he pulled her into an embrace and whispered, “I could never be parted from you.”
Feeling much the same, Joanna smiled at her husband. “Nor could I.”
Later that night, Sarah finally emerged from her bedchamber. As she entered the parlor, she observed the family relaxing together. To make the young woman feel welcome, Joanna stood and ushered her to the settee on which she herself had been sitting. After Joanna had reclaimed her place, with Sarah now seated beside her, the two sat companionably for the remainder of the evening. And as Sarah appeared to be doing well, the plan to have Daniel take a look at her was forsaken for the time being.
Over the next few days, Sarah began to adjust to her new surroundings. Furthermore, the fear she had been experiencing at being out of doors was beginning to subside, for she had been forcing herself to walk about the yard several times a day. Not knowing what she would have done if not for Mr. Hoyt and the Thompsons, Sarah was most grateful the elderly man had been there the night of the attack, as well as having brought her along on his visit with his family.
Joanna learned in the short time Sarah had been there just what a help she could be. She often found the young woman preparing meals or assisting the boys in whatever they were doing. She had even observed Sarah helping the servants with their duties. To say that Mrs. Swyndhurst was as selfless a person as she had ever known, in her estimation, was not an overstatement. Unbeknownst to Joanna, everyone with whom Sarah had ever come into contact thought much the same thing about her.
At times, when Sarah was out of earshot, the Thompsons and Mr. Hoyt discussed her state of mind. They had begun to believe she had not suffered any serious or long-term bodily injuries; however, they were not convinced that her mind would mend so easily. Still unsure whether it would be a good idea to send word to Mr. Swyndhurst as to his wife’s whereabouts, they had all rejected the notion for the time being.
Back at the Swyndhurst estate, Alexander was beginning to believe he may never find his wife. To no avail, he and his hired man had searched several of the surrounding towns.
In all this time, Matthew Raymond had been anxiously keeping watch over Mr. Swyndhurst’s activities. He hoped to discover the moment the man learned of his wife’s whereabouts. He had been contemplating whether to follow Mr. Swyndhurst and attempt to seize Sarah yet again, or take leave of town in the case that, should she be found, she divulge what he had done to her.
Martha and Esther’s hearts were still breaking over the hurt their mistress had suffered. They tried to carry on as usual, but Sarah had been so much a part of everything that went on at the estate that to go on as before proved almost impossible.
On this particular day, Jonathan and Hannah Bleasdell paid Alexander a visit. They hoped to be of some comfort to their friend. Alexander had not been to church since his wife’s disappearance for them to learn firsthand what had happened, but given that Jonathan Bleasdell was a close acquaintance of the reverend’s, he had informed them of the details concerning Sarah.
Upon the Bleasdells’ arrival, Martha shepherded them into the parlor. Finding Alexander there, Jonathan greeted the distressed husband. “Alexander, how are you, my boy?” Just to look at his young friend, he knew the answer; for Alexander’s eyes were surrounded by dark shadows and his countenance was one of a man with a heavy weight on his shoulders.
After motioning for them to be seated, Alexander responded, “Not well, I’m afraid. It seems Sarah has simply disappeared.” Alexander knew that Jonathan and the reverend had spoken, for he had given his consent to his pastor to speak with the Bleasdells and the Presseys. “We have searched in all of the surrounding towns. My hired man is now venturing farther.”
Hannah had remained quiet while her husband attempted to console their young friend. When there was a lull in the conversation, she spoke reassuringly, “Alexander, with all of us praying, she is sure to be found. Have you any clue as to the identity of the man who attacked her?”
Hesitant to besmirch the character of the man he suspected, Alexander simply shook his head as an indication that he did not—which was in fact true; he hadn’t any proof concerning his suspicions.
“I dislike disagreeing with you, Alexander, but it seems you know more than you are letting on,” insisted Jonathan. “I have known you a long time; thus, it is useless to try and conceal anything from me.”
Alexander looked intently at his friend before answering. “Jonathan, I do have my suspicions; however, I am reluctant to taint someone’s reputation without any real evidence against him.”
“Usually, I would agree with you, but with Sarah missing, I am of the opinion that any information—even if it turns out to be incorrect—may be beneficial. You must know that Hannah and I shall surely keep anything you say to ourselves. What if you are right and we might have been able to learn something by keeping our eyes and ears open around the man, whoever he is?”
“You may be right.” Taking a deep breath, he began, “You see, when I returned from England, Reverend March informed me of a man who had been paying a little too much attention to Sarah. He also informed me that Sarah was quite uneasy whenever the man was in close proximity to her. We even questioned the man the day after Sarah disappeared.”
This time, Hannah spoke up. “Who is the man, Alexander?” She was certain she knew, as she had observed much the same as Reverend March.
“Matthew Raymond. As I said, I am uncomfortable with mentioning his name in case he is actually innocent,” responded Alexander.
“No need to worry. Your suspicions regarding whom you believe to be the culprit shall not leave this room,” assured Jonathan. “I am fairly certain that Hannah shall agree with what I am about to say: had you not revealed the man’s name, we could have guessed. We had also observed his interest in your wife. Sarah little noticed when men gave her undue attention; nevertheless, when it came to Mr. Raymond, as the reverend stated, Sarah always seemed discomfited in his company.”
Once again, a sense of guilt swept over Alexander for having left his wife alone for so long. Hanging his head, he muttered, “This is not the first time a man has forced his attentions on Sarah; however, her father was there to stop the other man from bringing her any real harm. This time, it is entirely my fault for having left her alone. Had I been here, the man would not have felt that she was unprotected.” Alexander had no desire to make known, at this time, what his other suspicions were
concerning Matthew Raymond.
“You are here now, doing your very best to find her,” smiled Hannah. “Now I understand why Sarah seemed content with the sort of marriage the two of you had entered into. The incident from which her father had saved her was sure to have had an impact on her. I do not think Sarah would have ever agreed to marry you if your marriage had not been one of convenience. While you were away, besides Jonathan’s desire to be certain that everything was running smoothly in your absence, we often came just to check on Sarah. On such visits, as Sarah was frequently not at home, Martha and I chatted. And from what she tells me, as well as what you have just disclosed, Sarah wasn’t looking for a husband. I believe she was simply honoring her father’s wishes. So, you see, you cannot blame yourself. You both went into the marriage with no real desire to be married.”
“I did so appreciate your willingness to look after things in my absence, Jonathan. And, Hannah, I am grateful to you for reminding me that Sarah was no more prepared for marriage than I.” Sitting there listening to Hannah, Alexander had to admit that what she had said was true. Sarah would never have married him if he had planned to remain in Amesbury. She only consented because she believed the marriage would be in name only. And yet, I still feel responsible for what has happened.
The couple remained but a little while longer. Alexander then spent some time thanking the Lord for his faithful friends and again praying that he would find Sarah.
Later that evening, Alexander’s hired man, James Haddon, returned with the latest information he had uncovered. Alexander escorted him into his private study where they might be alone. James then explained that he had been unable to discover much regarding Mr. Hoyt’s daughter, other than that the man did indeed have a daughter. He went on to say that in view of the fact that Mr. Hoyt was so little acquainted with the town’s inhabitants, as he had only been in residence a short time, no one had any helpful information to share. Though he hated to admit it to the distraught husband, it now appeared that they were at a dead end with regard to the elderly gentleman.
