Sarah Anne's Expedient Marriage (The Unshakable Faith Series Book 3)

by Cathy Bryant

  As nervous as she was, Sarah responded a bit too abruptly, “No! It shall not be any trouble for me to come in person.”

  Allowing the question of what manner the money might be presented to Sarah to drop, Mr. Harvey began, “You must have heard by now that Parliament has recently enacted the ‘Hat Act’ in order to have more control over the hat industry in the Colonies.” Seeing blank stares upon the faces of the man and woman sitting before him, he continued. “By enacting the Hat Act, they have significantly cut into the profits of our shareholders, which, I am sorry to say, includes you, Mrs. Swyndhurst.”

  At this point, Mr. Hoyt responded to the man, “In truth, Mr. Harvey, as I am not familiar with the hat trade, I have heard very little of this ‘Hat Act’ before today. And as Mrs. Swyndhurst has been vacationing with my dau…my family for a few months now, I am quite certain she has also not heard tell of it. Would you be good enough to explain just how it shall affect Mrs. Swyndhurst?”

  Sarah wondered what Mr. Harvey thought about the fact that she had been “vacationing” with Mr. Hoyt’s family. She was sure that he would find it curious, and as a result he might question her about it.

  With a sigh, Mr. Harvey began. “You see, Parliament has forbidden the export of beaver felt hats made in the colonies. They have also limited the number of apprentices our company, and others in the trade, may employ. There is a bit more to it, but suffice it to say—the ‘Hat Act’ has greatly cut into our profits.”

  After hearing this, Sarah wondered if she would receive any income in the future. “What are you saying, exactly?”

  Understanding her concern, he responded, “Do not mistake my meaning. You shall continue to receive an income, but it shall be considerably less.”

  After hearing what the man had to say, Joseph pinned him down on what amount his young friend might expect to receive. Once everything had been explained and Sarah had insisted, once again, that she would be coming in person to pick up her share of the profits, the two departed.

  After taking leave of the hat company, Mr. Hoyt assured Sarah she would be able to get by on the modest income. He then insisted she not rush into anything, explaining that as far as his daughter and Daniel were concerned, she could remain with them for as long as she wished.

  Sarah, with embarrassment for feeling the need to question, inquired of the elderly gentleman whether he thought it was obvious that she was with child, for she disliked the idea of her solicitor knowing—all the more risk that her husband would find out. Joseph reassured her that, with her cape draped about her, he doubted the man had noticed.

  Upon their arrival at home, after sharing with the Thompsons what had happened at the meeting, Mr. Hoyt wished again that the young woman would return to her husband, where she would be provided for. He worried that the burden of caring for herself and her child might be too much for his young friend, and now it would all be accomplished with even less on which to live. He also disliked the idea of Sarah being alone with only the baby for companionship. If she didn’t return to Amesbury, he hoped she would remain with the Thompsons for a long while yet. Having Daniel watching out for Sarah had been some comfort for the elderly gentleman.

  Mr. Hoyt had been thinking over the matter ever since the ride back to his daughter’s house, following the visit with Sarah’s solicitor. With all of this on his mind, he had been unable to fully engage in the conversation from the time they had arrived at home.

  Glancing over at his young friend, Mr. Hoyt couldn’t leave the matter alone. He was just too concerned. “Sarah, in a few more weeks I shall be returning to Amesbury. Perhaps by then you may wish to come along. I am not trying to force you, child. It is simply that I wonder if you might not be better off with your husband and in the care of your servants. If you were to live on your own, it sounds as though you shall not be able to afford servants, and shall therefore be quite alone.”

  “Mr. Hoyt, I know you mean well and that you are simply concerned for my welfare, but allow me to set the record straight once and for all. I shall not be returning to Amesbury! It is simply out of the question!” Just the thought of seeing Alexander again after everything that had happened—not to mention setting eyes upon the man she most feared—caused Sarah to tremble.

  The three adults glanced back and forth at each other after hearing the tiny woman speaking so adamantly. They had not noticed that she was trembling, nor were they privy to her thoughts regarding her attacker; consequently, though their hearts were breaking for her situation, to them it was a bit humorous to see such an angelic face attempting to appear so fierce. They knew she wanted them to understand how serious she was by her demeanor, but she was just so adorable at that moment that they couldn’t help but be a little amused.

  Fortunately, Sarah did not notice the exchange of half hidden grins upon her friends’ faces. Before she broke down and cried in front of the Thompsons and Mr. Hoyt, she turned and left the parlor. Then, to distract herself, she went in search of the boys. Spending time with them had always resulted in lifting her spirits, much the same as when she had been with the Strout children, whom she greatly missed.

  Once Sarah had gone, the three who remained in the parlor spoke in hushed tones concerning the young woman. After having a chuckle over what had just transpired, the mood in the room became somber.

  “We should not have laughed at her. She was clearly upset at the prospect of going home, thus her forceful words were spoken out of fear,” insisted Joanna, feeling guilty for the way she had reacted to Sarah’s ire.

  Joseph spoke up first concerning Sarah’s wish to remain in Boston. “I hope we are doing the right thing in keeping Sarah’s whereabouts from her husband. If he cares about her, and how could he not, he must be out of his mind with worry.”

  In understanding, Joanna and Daniel nodded. Then Daniel reminded his father-in-law that the decision had to be Sarah’s. “We should continue to pray about the situation, as well as Sarah’s heart, that God would move her to do what He desires—not what we think is best.”

  “It is just so difficult watching her suffer,” responded Joanna. “I believe, from what she has said, she and her husband do love each other, even though theirs has been an unconventional sort of marriage.”

  “Yes,” Daniel responded to his wife. “From what she has explained, they had just begun a more traditional marriage before she was harmed by that scoundrel.”

  “Well, as Daniel has suggested, let us continue praying for the Swyndhursts,” stated the family patriarch.

  When the conversation with her husband and father had ended, Joanna went in search of Sarah. Finding her with the boys, Joanna thought about the day that would inevitably come when Sarah would no longer reside with them. As she observed her young friend, she knew that it would be a sad day indeed.

  Glancing over at Joanna, Sarah’s thoughts were much the same. She knew she would greatly miss Joanna when the time came for her to live on her own.

  Alexander Swyndhurst had been searching for his wife for months. With the colder weather and snow constantly hindering his travel, the worried husband had had to leave the matter of his wife’s whereabouts in God’s hands for the time being; that is, at least until the weather changed.

  Alexander had been home for a few weeks when Alice Strout came to call at the Swyndhurst estate. Without Sarah around to assist her with the children, she had come to understand just how much her friend had been doing for her. Besides adding to their food supply each week, Sarah had also kept the children clean and Alice’s home well maintained. In fact, without Sarah, the young widow no longer felt as though she could manage all of her responsibilities.

  As she was ushered into the parlor, Alice felt a knot in her stomach at what she was about to request. She felt simply awful that it had come to this, but she didn’t know what else to do.

  When Mr. Swyndhurst learned that Alice Strout had come to call, he quickly went to inquire as to the reason for her visit. His first thought was that somet
hing had happened to one of her children.

  While taking a seat, Mr. Swyndhurst addressed his wife’s friend. “Good day, Mrs. Strout. And how are you and the children faring?”

  Looking a bit nervous, Alice responded, “We are not doing very well, Mr. Swyndhurst. I had no idea just how much Sarah, while on her visits, had accomplished for me and the children. She made it all look so easy. She supplemented our provisions each week, even doing much of the cooking herself. She had also done so much for the children that I am at a loss as to how to go on caring for them without her help.” She didn’t want to let on that the little money left to her by her husband was also running out.

  With a bewildered look, he hesitated a moment. He then questioned, “Is there anything I can do to be of assistance, Mrs. Strout? I know it would break Sarah’s heart if she were to learn that the children were in want.”

  Dropping her eyes to her lap, she replied, “Mr. Swyndhurst, I have heard that Sarah has not been at home for some time. Would you mind telling me when you expect her to return?”

  “In truth, I have been searching for her for months. I am not at all sure of her ever returning.” All at once, Alexander felt a strong sense of anger towards the woman, for if Sarah had not gone to her home that dreadful day, she would still be safe at home; however, just as quickly as his anger flared, it subsided. He knew it was wrong to blame Alice Strout for something for which she was not responsible.

  Not knowing why Sarah had gone off without notifying her husband as to her whereabouts, Alice didn’t know how to respond. And hearing Mr. Swyndhurst’s comments regarding Sarah only added to her uncertainty about whether she should state the reason for her visit. After a few moments of indecision, Alice chose to explain why she had come. “You see, Mr. Swyndhurst, I had hoped to ask Sarah…well…I thought she might…take my children in. I know that she loves them as much as I do, considering that she has always taken care of their needs much better than I. Do not mistake me, Mr. Swyndhurst. I love my children, dearly. That is why I would even think to make such a request. It is just that I believe it is in their best interest for Sarah to raise them.” Just then, Alice’s eyes filled with tears. “I hate to admit it, but I am completely inadequate as a mother.”

  Utterly speechless, Mr. Swyndhurst simply sat there, staring at the woman.

  Wiping her eyes, she asked, “You are stunned by what I have said, are you not, Mr. Swyndhurst?” She really didn’t need for him to respond to know the answer, for the man’s mouth was hanging open and his eyes had grown quite large.

  Scratching his head, he wondered if he could have heard the woman correctly. After a long pause to process that she had actually requested that he take her children in, he replied, “You are right in thinking Sarah would wish to take the children in. Without her here to help with the decision, however, I am not quite certain how best to respond. I have servants enough for the task, of that I am sure. But how shall you bear it—being away from the children, I mean?”

  “I was hoping I would be permitted to visit on occasion. I hope to remove to Ipswich to be with my sister, which is not so very far away.”

  “To be sure. If we were to take the children, of course we would wish for them to see their mother. Your sister—is she unable to assist you with the children?”

  “No, as she has five of her own and lives in a rather small home.”

  Nodding, he stated, “You must allow me time to think this over. Without the benefit of Sarah’s input, I must be sure that providing accommodations for your children is the best decision for all concerned.” Alexander knew exactly how Sarah would have answered, but was that truly what was best? My wife always worried so over Alice’s children. Having them here where the servants might be of assistance with their care would be in Sarah’s best interest as well as the children’s. She worked herself sick by going to their house and doing everything by herself. This might just be the solution to that conundrum, he reasoned. That is, if she returns; otherwise, I shall be raising them alone. Am I really prepared for that, should it indeed turn out that way? I must not even think in those terms. Sarah shall return. She must!

  The man had fallen silent, so Alice Strout spoke up, agreeing to allow him time to think over the matter. Her friend’s husband nodded his head, and then assured her that he would speak with her again in a few days. With that knowledge, she took herself off home.

  Once he was alone, Alexander—while pacing around the parlor—prayed about the situation. “Is she really prepared to give up her children, Lord? What if Sarah never returns? What then? Shall I raise the children myself? I want to believe the best—that Sarah shall indeed return—but what if she doesn’t?” After conversing with the Lord about what had been on his mind when Alice Strout was there, Alexander went to inquire as to Martha’s thoughts about having the children come to live at the estate.

  Finding her in the kitchen, he went in and made his way over to the window. As he looked out through the windowpane, with his back to Martha, he explained the reason Alice Strout had come. Without turning, he waited for her to respond.

  Sitting in quiet contemplation, though her employer wasn’t looking in her direction, Martha began nodding her head. “You know, that may just be for the best. When Sarah returns, she shall be so happy at finding the children here. What is more, I shall be here to see that she doesn’t exceed her limits. There will be no more days and nights away from the house for her if the children are right here under this very roof.”

  Turning his head far enough to offer his servant-friend a warm smile, he said with a sigh, “It does my heart good to hear you talk as if Sarah shall actually come home.” Then, turning once more to gaze out the window, he whispered, “As for myself, I am beginning to doubt that I shall ever see her again.”

  Feeling bad for the young man she had helped raise, Martha approached. Reaching up, she placed her hand on his shoulder. “We shall simply continue praying for her to return until we see her sweet face coming through the door.”

  “The following morning, James Haddon—Mr. Swyndhurst’s hired man—came to call with news. After taking him into his private study, Alexander, impatient to hear what the man had to say, hastily motioned for him to be seated.

  “What is it? What have you learned?”

  Studying his friend a moment, he realized, not for the first time, that if he didn’t find Sarah soon, his friend’s health would be in peril. Alexander was looking so careworn that Mr. Haddon could scarcely look at him. Finally, he forced himself to give their discussion his full attention. “I have had word from Boston. Sarah has been to the Spaulding Hat Company to request her income. In the missive I received, Mr. Harvey explained that he is unsure of her exact whereabouts, but he believes her to be in the vicinity. If you are wondering why the man contacted me rather than you, Mr. Swyndhurst, it is just that after our visit with Mr. Harvey, the one in which we had explained the situation, he took me aside to convey his wish that any communications regarding the matter be handled between the two of us instead of with you. He stated that, in his opinion, if he were to learn anything that might lead to Sarah’s whereabouts, I am in a better position to act upon the information to see if it leads anywhere before alerting you.”

  “That is understandable. But this is good news, is it not?” the excited husband inquired.

  “That is just what he was hoping to avoid—namely, getting your hopes up. Even so, I felt it best to inform you of this latest development before checking into it. Perhaps I should have waited. I, too, have no desire to give you false hope,” responded the hired man with sincerity. “Yes, we know she is well, but we may never learn her whereabouts.”

  “Not to worry, James. I shall be fine, regardless. That she is all right does more for me than you will ever know. I am delighted we took Mr. Harvey into our confidence. I hated to tell the man such personal things about my wife, concerning what had happened to her, but I felt that if he knew, he would be more likely to contact us if she came aroun
d.”

  “The road to Boston is now somewhat clear of snow, what with all of the melting, owing to the warmer weather. There may yet be time before another storm arrives for me to travel there to see what I might learn,” suggested James. “As I am in a position to stay as long as it takes, and you would not want to be seen in town, it might be best if I went alone.”

  “Perhaps you are right, James. And as winter shall soon be over, we may not be hindered by severe weather any longer. I trust you to send word the moment you learn anything. Do be discreet, won’t you? I should not wish for Sarah to hear that I am looking for her. In order to avoid being found, she might remove from there to another location.”

  “I shall do my best to see that she doesn’t find out that I have come to town searching for her,” replied James. “I will be on my way, then. The moment I find out anything, anything at all, I shall send word right away.” With that, he went home to pack for his trip.

  For the first time in many weeks, the husband felt hope rising up within him. He took himself up to his bedchamber to pray that James would be successful in finding his wife. He also thanked the Lord that Sarah appeared well when she had visited the hat company.

  When James Haddon arrived at the Spaulding Hat Company, Mr. Harvey shepherded him towards the room in which he conducted business. Once there, the two men spoke of Mrs. Swyndhurst’s visit. Mr. Harvey explained that after having been introduced to Mr. Hoyt, the man who had accompanied Sarah, he had asked around if anyone knew the elderly gentleman. One of the men with whom he had spoken had heard of Mr. Hoyt in connection with the town’s physician, Daniel Thompson.

  “The man disclosed to me that he believed Mr. Hoyt may even be the physician’s father-in-law. You see, he has been seen in town with Daniel Thompson’s sons. I was not privy to the information about one of my visitor’s connection to the town physician until long after the meeting had taken place; thus, while Mr. Hoyt and Sarah were still here, I attempted to discover the location of Mr. Hoyt’s family’s residence, where Sarah is presently staying. I told them the reason I had asked was so that I might send the income directly to her. To my dismay, she insisted on coming here in person to collect her earnings. In truth, I was only asking that I might gain the information you had requested. But once I learned of Mrs. Swyndhurst’s possible connection to Daniel Thompson, the town’s physician, I knew just where she was staying, if in fact Mr. Hoyt is the physician’s father-in-law.”