Chapter 7. The Christmas Ball
(Sorry this chapter is so long...)
The burgundy taffetta gown that Abigail Winthrop wore was more stunning than anyone had seen in Puritan Harmony. Her Paris gown was a billowing rustle of silk at her feet to the swell of her breast and bare shoulders, with burgundy satin ribbons that shimmered under the candlelight. She carried her fan flirtatiously in her left hand, like a silver cobweb spun between ivory sticks. She listened to a handsome Corporal in the Dragoons re-tell his military exploits while the musicians played a lively tune. The men who gathered around her were bankers from the Commonwealth, Boston Investors, King's officers and the typical sons of the wealthy. None so far had gotten her to dance. The night was young, she thought. Keep them hungry.
She basked in the very Un-Harmony like company of men, while a Magistrate of Harmony, Samuel Bennett stole glances at her over the resplendent drawing room with growing discomfort. Part of his discomfort came from the fact that Abigail Winthrop was the loveliest woman he had ever seen, and the other was that she was clearly not of his class. He had formerly been a captain of the Infantry, leading his men up mountains with 47 men and boys to take and keep a patch of mud.
Alistar's eyes were drawn to the young woman while he stood beside his pallid, frail wife. "Will you excuse me, my dear?"
Susanna Crane smiled passively. "Certainly, Alistar."
Before he could approach the Winthrop woman and her buzzing admirers, Magistrate Bennett stepped in the way, barring his view.
"Excuse me, Mr. Crane-"
"Yes, what is it, captain Bennett?"
"It's about the Lennox woman."
"Oh, must we speak of this business at such a festive occasion, sir?" Alistar was annoyed at having to socialize with the town Magistrate, who was by all means, just another farmer in his estimation. He dismissed any of the man's former honors as captain in the army as nothing special, although he made sure that captain Bennett had checked his pistols at the door.
Bennett looked troubled. "Yes. I'm afraid we must. There's a number of members from the committee who think it is cruel to take a child from its mother. They are planning on withdrawing the proclamation of indecency and feeble-mindedness."
"There is no withdrawal of a proclamation! Its been registered in the court of London. What is on your mind?" Alistar peered up at him, as Bennett was almost a foot taller.
"Well-I," Bennett hemmed and hawed.
"Come now, would you deprive an innocent unborn child of a better chance at a Christian life? Think of it, man." Alistar pulled him over to the side, where their conversation would not be overheard. "Her wanton behaviour and fitness as a mother has already been declared morally unsuitable. Think of my poor childless wife! The committee has already approved of my adoption."
"Not by all." Bennett said.
"Oh? And who is in dissent?"
If Samuel Bennett wasn't so lonesome this Christmas Eve, he would not have chosen to accept the nominal invite to celebrate at the Crane Estate.
"Speak up, man!"
"The Standishes, the Russells and myself."
"The Russells!" He grunted, angered over the mention of his neighbor's farm. "Freed black slaves do not by the King's law have voting rights."
"They own property, they are educated, they...."
"Yes, and I'll see about that one of these days to change the Charter."
Samuel stared at Crane for the first time, wondering what he meant by that. Samuel had grown fond of the Russells. They often worked together during harvests and spring sowing, sharing plows, horses and labor. They were valued members of the community and he considered them his good friends.
"And as for the Standishes...ignorant grubbing fools with their seedy little Inn. I should close that place down for non-payment of taxes." Alistar tossed down his drink, promptly handing Samuel the empty glass as if he were a servant. Then he made his way toward the Winthrop woman.
"Madam, will you have this dance?" Alistar bowed to the lovely creature. He had been annoyingly arroused by Tabitha earlier in the evening. Tabitha had monstrously teased him. Tonight he desired the company of this attractive woman, perhaps to take her to bed if he could. If Tabitha would not satisfy his needs, some other would do. He was tired of the kitchen maids.
Abigail smiled politely back at him and stepped out to the dance floor holding Alistar's arm, leaving in her wake, many disappointed young men, including Samuel Bennett who watched from the side of the room. When the dance ended, Alistar took her to the study to look at the paintings over the great marble hearth.
After small talk, Abigail raised a topic, fanning herself. "I am sorry to be obliged to speak my mind so plainly as I am going to do. Are you going to take custody of the Lennox child?"
"I see it as my duty, as a leading citizen in this Town. My wife and I only wish to raise Harmony's innocents to higher moral promise, than that shown by the Lennox woman." He said.
"Know that I have strong objection to this monstrously ill treatment of a young woman so destitute. This is not an honorable way of proceeding, Mr. Crane."
"Honor be damned!" He said, moving closer to her side.
Abigail snapped her fan closed to display her anger. "I have seen nothing that diminishes Tabitha's moral character merely by her one error in judgement." Abigail said.
"And what an error! What if all the young women of the town were to copy her wanton behaviour? Something has to be done to right the wrong, to set an example for all the young women. Think of the child's welfare! That Lennox woman is an eccentric, feeble-minded woman. She has strange ways, and flaunts herself all over town in an unbecoming manner. Her bastard child is the result of it. We can't allow her to corrupt that child. My wife and I wish to rectify her sins."
"Why sir," Abigail stepped back. "you have given me every reason to conclude that there is more malice to your act of charity, than would be presumed. She has had a misfortune, that is all."
Alistar took her hand in his. "Misfortune? Bear in mind that by a concensus, the Christian community of Harmony has agreed that removing the child is the best course of action to remedy her wanton disregard for morality." He squeezed her hand confidently.
The bellowing of Alistar's voice caught Samuel Bennett's ear. He left the dancers and party goers to seek out the room where Abigail Winthrop might be. The door quietly opened and he slipped into the dimly lit room unnoticed by them. There he saw Alistar clutching Abigail's hand by the marble hearth. He thought it prudent not to intrude, although he would cautiously stand by until her was sure she was safe. Samuel stood in the doorway watching Alistar move closer toward the young woman. Does Crane have no shame? Everyone knew that he might have fathered countless numbers of children throughout the Commonwealth.
"How now Miss Winthrop, what right have you to judge Tabitha Lennox a fit, Christian mother?"
Abigail snatched her hand away. "And by what right have you, Sir?
Alistar was losing his patience with this vibrant, proud creature. "By the Law of England, Madam. Would you have such a woman influencing all the unmarried ladies of this town, to do the same?" He held his arm over the mantle, hovering over her bare shoulder, his lips close enough to touch her skin.
"And what will the town do when she refuses to give away her child?" Abigail felt his hot breath on her skin.
His eyes wandered over her shoulder, down to her daringly low cut bodice, and Abigail felt his eyes seering through the material. "Upon her child's delivery, she will be thus taken to the Portland Home for the Feeble Minded."
"Sir! Tabitha Lennox is as right minded as you or I!" She raised her voice and took a step away.
"Madam, you will do well to keep your impertinent opinions to yourself. By defending that immoral woman, it reflects upon your own character." He said threateningly.
"By your leave, sir, I will say whatever I like, and to whomever I like. And sir, do not take liberties with my character!"
"Indeed, my lady, I would rather enjoy taking liberties just as the glimmering firelight dances upon the supplicating softness of your charming neck; not half concealing those assemblage of beauties offered..." His hand slid up her arm, he kissed her neck and he was about to clasp her to his chest when Abigail struck him hard across the face with her closed fan.
"Insolent villain!" Her hands clasped over her bosom.
"For God's sake Madam!" Her force was amazingly strong. Her lovely bosom was heaving with what he took for sighs. He had the utmost difficulty to hold her one arm. Alistar wished he could take the saucey creature into the bedroom and ravish her, if she would only stop talking about Tabitha Lennox.
"For God's sake?" Abigail said evenly. "I pray God's sake and your sake are the same! I know your design."
Abigail turned away from Alistar with a flushed face, her heart beating fiercely in anger and indignity when she met with the friendly earnest face of Samuel Bennett, who had quietly approached them.
"Is everything all right, Miss Winthrop?" Samuel asked, noticing the wild look on Alistar's face, and the beginnings of streaming tears in Abigail's eyes.
"Why of course everything is all right, Captain Bennett." Alistar was annoyed at Bennet's interruption.
"I-I - seem to have a terrible headache." Flustered, she felt grateful for the appearance of this handsome young man. "I wish to leave this unpleasant place at once!" Abigail didn't care what he thought about her display of temper. "But my coachman is in presently in Town." Abigail said, still reeling from her unpleasant exchange with Alistar Crane. It was obvious to Sam Bennett that Alistar Crane had done something to offend Miss Winthrop. He had a few guesses at what it might be.
"My horse and sleigh are just outside, Mam. The storm seems to have let-up some, although I think a coach might leave you stranded here for the night. May I see you safely home then?" Samuel asked.
Abigail smiled wonderingly. "Why thank you, sir. I would be most gratefully obliged." She turned to Alistar. "I will take leave of you. Good evening to you, sir." She said in her most rigid tone of voice.
Abigail had read so many words of praise for Alistar Stoke Crane's civic generosity in the newspaper, while she had her own suspicion of the low artiface, the mockery of noble good for evil, as is too often the case among the elite. Now she knew for sure what that man was all about.
Alistar still seethed watching Abigail Winthrop lay her delicate hand lightly on Samuel Bennett's arm. They had the audacity to turn their back on him and leave him standing there alone.
Abigail noted that the arm was a strong one, and the gentleman was very tall. She never dreamed of being escorted home from a Christmas ball with a man who wore pistols.
The servant brought their coats and cloaks and the handsome couple stepped out into the winter night. They were looking at each other for a moment or two before he spoke. "My sleigh is hitched up over there...."
Hecuba, bored with uninspiring eavesdropping through the gleaming window clapped her hands softly as she perched herself way up upon the roof just above them. She delighted in the surprise pairing of this mis-matched couple. "Finally, some action." Bennett was a commoner, a poor New England farmer and Winthrop, bred to become the wife of an English aristocrat. "This is the way to bring down the Monarchy in England! Vive le Commoners! How dare England try to burn me as a witch! I'll begin by mixing the seeds of class doubt...for the sake of Chaos!" Hecuba's eyes peered up at the sky for a moment. Without losing a second, she waved her hand and suddenly brought a blizzard of snow and howling wind out of the night. The walkway to the sleigh which had been shoveled an hour ago, was now covered in two feet of heavy wet snow. "This is too easy." Hecuba kicked her legs back and forth, giddy with glee, then she leaned forward to watch her handiwork.
"Oh dear-I left my patterns (wooden clogs that go over shoes to keep them clean while walking outside) at the Inn." Abigail said.
"Precisely" Hecuba thought, waiting for Bennett to take the bait.
Samuel ascertained a quick remedy. "If you'll pardon me, Mam, I can I carry you across the snow."
Abigail nodded. "Well-under the circumstances."
He led her to the edge of the steps, placed both his hands to her waist and lifted her off her feet into his arms. "Lord!" He sounded surprised. "You're a little thing!"
What made him thinks so? His hands at her waist? His eyes-had they measured her so exactly while he stared at her across the room? She was pressed up against his broad chest.
"Captain Bennett!" She said with an absurd dignity as he held her in his strong arms. She must hold to some dignity. He was, after all, just a poor farmer, having given up the military life for toiling in the dirt.
"Well---" He could think of no proper answer.
"Did you offer to take me home to inquire about my size?"
He didn't trouble to answer, and conveyed her to the sleigh. He walked slowly, delaying the moment when he would have to release her from his arms. Instead he stopped walking and stood still in the snow and said: "You look like a Christmas angel, rising out of the snow."
"Oh!"
"What's the matter? Don't you like being an Angel?"
"I-" But she couldn't find an appropriate retort. "Why do you carry pistols, captain Bennett? Surely, you are no duelist." She said.
"No--I'm a soldier-or rather, I was. Old habits, I guess. You might call me, Sam." His long legs began to walk with her again. He could smell her clean hair, feel her arm around his neck, while he noticed the snow lighting on her eyelashes.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Sam."
"Sorry? About what? There's nought to be sorry for."
"For taking you away from the ball." She liked his distinctly American accent.
"There." He placed her into the sleigh and brought out a blanket to cover her legs. "Could get very cold on a night like this." He rounded the other side, climbed up beside her and grabbed hold of the reigns. She felt his muscular thigh brush up against hers as they sat beside one another. She didn't bother to move it away. He snapped the reigns and the horses urged themselves forward.
"I'm sorry for making you leave the ball so soon after you'd just arrived." She said penitently. The snow had renewed itself with vigor.
"I was only too glad to have an excuse to leave. And just in time, from what I gather." His voice was flat, and his mouth stern against his teeth. "When Alistar Crane sees a woman like you...there's no telling what he's capable of."
"What do you mean?"
Sam shrugged, looking straight ahead through the blinding snow. "There's talk."
"There's always talk." Abigail said.
"Yes." He turned the horses toward a woodland path, when the sleigh careened a little too sharp he felt Abigail's hand grab hold of his arm. "When I heard you and Mr. Crane arguing about Tabitha Lennox...I was worried. He's got it in for that woman, and there's a few guesses as to why that is, but I'd not like to say it in front of a lady."
"You don't mean to impute that Alistar and Tabitha....she's much too intelligent to...." Abigail shivered with the thought of kissing that horrid man. The forced adoption of Tabitha's child, the fierce passion in Alistar Crane's voice insisting on taking the child as his own...the question as to whether the woman was feeble minded...
"Like I said, there's been talk about Crane's mis-treatment of several women over the years. He does not discriminate by class either. There's been accusations from servant girls on up to the most educated daughters of the gentry. If you'll pardon my saying so, he's not a man to get mixed up with." He glanced at the girl's stricken face, and his own face was sad.
"I don't plan on having anything to do with him, Captain."
"Well-that puts my mind at ease, Mam." Sam said.
Damn, he thought. Damn! Why did I bring up this seedy subject? It was not the proper type of conversation to have with a lady like Abigail Winthrop. To instruct her about men like Alistar. Well, he was glad that someone told her, anyway. She seemed so proud and defiant to have stood up to that powerful man in defense of Tabitha Lennox, who was alone and helpless ---while Alistar Crane was making his own unseemly advances toward this brave young woman. He wouldn't allow Alistar's plotting bring harm to any woman, if he could help it.
Meanwhile: Hecuba sat back on the porch roof. Pleased with herself at the magnetism she sparked between the couple. "Would serve old Alistar right if someone put him in his place. Who the heck do that Warlock think he is? He's rubbing Tabitha's nose in the dirt, and even if she's not a full fledged witch, it burns me. Why does she take it? All she needs to do is tap into her natural abilities and squash that horny old fool." Hecuba produced a glass of punch and sipped it with genteel thoughtfullness, enjoying her snow.
(Sorry this chapter is so long...)
The burgundy taffetta gown that Abigail Winthrop wore was more stunning than anyone had seen in Puritan Harmony. Her Paris gown was a billowing rustle of silk at her feet to the swell of her breast and bare shoulders, with burgundy satin ribbons that shimmered under the candlelight. She carried her fan flirtatiously in her left hand, like a silver cobweb spun between ivory sticks. She listened to a handsome Corporal in the Dragoons re-tell his military exploits while the musicians played a lively tune. The men who gathered around her were bankers from the Commonwealth, Boston Investors, King's officers and the typical sons of the wealthy. None so far had gotten her to dance. The night was young, she thought. Keep them hungry.
She basked in the very Un-Harmony like company of men, while a Magistrate of Harmony, Samuel Bennett stole glances at her over the resplendent drawing room with growing discomfort. Part of his discomfort came from the fact that Abigail Winthrop was the loveliest woman he had ever seen, and the other was that she was clearly not of his class. He had formerly been a captain of the Infantry, leading his men up mountains with 47 men and boys to take and keep a patch of mud.
Alistar's eyes were drawn to the young woman while he stood beside his pallid, frail wife. "Will you excuse me, my dear?"
Susanna Crane smiled passively. "Certainly, Alistar."
Before he could approach the Winthrop woman and her buzzing admirers, Magistrate Bennett stepped in the way, barring his view.
"Excuse me, Mr. Crane-"
"Yes, what is it, captain Bennett?"
"It's about the Lennox woman."
"Oh, must we speak of this business at such a festive occasion, sir?" Alistar was annoyed at having to socialize with the town Magistrate, who was by all means, just another farmer in his estimation. He dismissed any of the man's former honors as captain in the army as nothing special, although he made sure that captain Bennett had checked his pistols at the door.
Bennett looked troubled. "Yes. I'm afraid we must. There's a number of members from the committee who think it is cruel to take a child from its mother. They are planning on withdrawing the proclamation of indecency and feeble-mindedness."
"There is no withdrawal of a proclamation! Its been registered in the court of London. What is on your mind?" Alistar peered up at him, as Bennett was almost a foot taller.
"Well-I," Bennett hemmed and hawed.
"Come now, would you deprive an innocent unborn child of a better chance at a Christian life? Think of it, man." Alistar pulled him over to the side, where their conversation would not be overheard. "Her wanton behaviour and fitness as a mother has already been declared morally unsuitable. Think of my poor childless wife! The committee has already approved of my adoption."
"Not by all." Bennett said.
"Oh? And who is in dissent?"
If Samuel Bennett wasn't so lonesome this Christmas Eve, he would not have chosen to accept the nominal invite to celebrate at the Crane Estate.
"Speak up, man!"
"The Standishes, the Russells and myself."
"The Russells!" He grunted, angered over the mention of his neighbor's farm. "Freed black slaves do not by the King's law have voting rights."
"They own property, they are educated, they...."
"Yes, and I'll see about that one of these days to change the Charter."
Samuel stared at Crane for the first time, wondering what he meant by that. Samuel had grown fond of the Russells. They often worked together during harvests and spring sowing, sharing plows, horses and labor. They were valued members of the community and he considered them his good friends.
"And as for the Standishes...ignorant grubbing fools with their seedy little Inn. I should close that place down for non-payment of taxes." Alistar tossed down his drink, promptly handing Samuel the empty glass as if he were a servant. Then he made his way toward the Winthrop woman.
"Madam, will you have this dance?" Alistar bowed to the lovely creature. He had been annoyingly arroused by Tabitha earlier in the evening. Tabitha had monstrously teased him. Tonight he desired the company of this attractive woman, perhaps to take her to bed if he could. If Tabitha would not satisfy his needs, some other would do. He was tired of the kitchen maids.
Abigail smiled politely back at him and stepped out to the dance floor holding Alistar's arm, leaving in her wake, many disappointed young men, including Samuel Bennett who watched from the side of the room. When the dance ended, Alistar took her to the study to look at the paintings over the great marble hearth.
After small talk, Abigail raised a topic, fanning herself. "I am sorry to be obliged to speak my mind so plainly as I am going to do. Are you going to take custody of the Lennox child?"
"I see it as my duty, as a leading citizen in this Town. My wife and I only wish to raise Harmony's innocents to higher moral promise, than that shown by the Lennox woman." He said.
"Know that I have strong objection to this monstrously ill treatment of a young woman so destitute. This is not an honorable way of proceeding, Mr. Crane."
"Honor be damned!" He said, moving closer to her side.
Abigail snapped her fan closed to display her anger. "I have seen nothing that diminishes Tabitha's moral character merely by her one error in judgement." Abigail said.
"And what an error! What if all the young women of the town were to copy her wanton behaviour? Something has to be done to right the wrong, to set an example for all the young women. Think of the child's welfare! That Lennox woman is an eccentric, feeble-minded woman. She has strange ways, and flaunts herself all over town in an unbecoming manner. Her bastard child is the result of it. We can't allow her to corrupt that child. My wife and I wish to rectify her sins."
"Why sir," Abigail stepped back. "you have given me every reason to conclude that there is more malice to your act of charity, than would be presumed. She has had a misfortune, that is all."
Alistar took her hand in his. "Misfortune? Bear in mind that by a concensus, the Christian community of Harmony has agreed that removing the child is the best course of action to remedy her wanton disregard for morality." He squeezed her hand confidently.
The bellowing of Alistar's voice caught Samuel Bennett's ear. He left the dancers and party goers to seek out the room where Abigail Winthrop might be. The door quietly opened and he slipped into the dimly lit room unnoticed by them. There he saw Alistar clutching Abigail's hand by the marble hearth. He thought it prudent not to intrude, although he would cautiously stand by until her was sure she was safe. Samuel stood in the doorway watching Alistar move closer toward the young woman. Does Crane have no shame? Everyone knew that he might have fathered countless numbers of children throughout the Commonwealth.
"How now Miss Winthrop, what right have you to judge Tabitha Lennox a fit, Christian mother?"
Abigail snatched her hand away. "And by what right have you, Sir?
Alistar was losing his patience with this vibrant, proud creature. "By the Law of England, Madam. Would you have such a woman influencing all the unmarried ladies of this town, to do the same?" He held his arm over the mantle, hovering over her bare shoulder, his lips close enough to touch her skin.
"And what will the town do when she refuses to give away her child?" Abigail felt his hot breath on her skin.
His eyes wandered over her shoulder, down to her daringly low cut bodice, and Abigail felt his eyes seering through the material. "Upon her child's delivery, she will be thus taken to the Portland Home for the Feeble Minded."
"Sir! Tabitha Lennox is as right minded as you or I!" She raised her voice and took a step away.
"Madam, you will do well to keep your impertinent opinions to yourself. By defending that immoral woman, it reflects upon your own character." He said threateningly.
"By your leave, sir, I will say whatever I like, and to whomever I like. And sir, do not take liberties with my character!"
"Indeed, my lady, I would rather enjoy taking liberties just as the glimmering firelight dances upon the supplicating softness of your charming neck; not half concealing those assemblage of beauties offered..." His hand slid up her arm, he kissed her neck and he was about to clasp her to his chest when Abigail struck him hard across the face with her closed fan.
"Insolent villain!" Her hands clasped over her bosom.
"For God's sake Madam!" Her force was amazingly strong. Her lovely bosom was heaving with what he took for sighs. He had the utmost difficulty to hold her one arm. Alistar wished he could take the saucey creature into the bedroom and ravish her, if she would only stop talking about Tabitha Lennox.
"For God's sake?" Abigail said evenly. "I pray God's sake and your sake are the same! I know your design."
Abigail turned away from Alistar with a flushed face, her heart beating fiercely in anger and indignity when she met with the friendly earnest face of Samuel Bennett, who had quietly approached them.
"Is everything all right, Miss Winthrop?" Samuel asked, noticing the wild look on Alistar's face, and the beginnings of streaming tears in Abigail's eyes.
"Why of course everything is all right, Captain Bennett." Alistar was annoyed at Bennet's interruption.
"I-I - seem to have a terrible headache." Flustered, she felt grateful for the appearance of this handsome young man. "I wish to leave this unpleasant place at once!" Abigail didn't care what he thought about her display of temper. "But my coachman is in presently in Town." Abigail said, still reeling from her unpleasant exchange with Alistar Crane. It was obvious to Sam Bennett that Alistar Crane had done something to offend Miss Winthrop. He had a few guesses at what it might be.
"My horse and sleigh are just outside, Mam. The storm seems to have let-up some, although I think a coach might leave you stranded here for the night. May I see you safely home then?" Samuel asked.
Abigail smiled wonderingly. "Why thank you, sir. I would be most gratefully obliged." She turned to Alistar. "I will take leave of you. Good evening to you, sir." She said in her most rigid tone of voice.
Abigail had read so many words of praise for Alistar Stoke Crane's civic generosity in the newspaper, while she had her own suspicion of the low artiface, the mockery of noble good for evil, as is too often the case among the elite. Now she knew for sure what that man was all about.
Alistar still seethed watching Abigail Winthrop lay her delicate hand lightly on Samuel Bennett's arm. They had the audacity to turn their back on him and leave him standing there alone.
Abigail noted that the arm was a strong one, and the gentleman was very tall. She never dreamed of being escorted home from a Christmas ball with a man who wore pistols.
The servant brought their coats and cloaks and the handsome couple stepped out into the winter night. They were looking at each other for a moment or two before he spoke. "My sleigh is hitched up over there...."
Hecuba, bored with uninspiring eavesdropping through the gleaming window clapped her hands softly as she perched herself way up upon the roof just above them. She delighted in the surprise pairing of this mis-matched couple. "Finally, some action." Bennett was a commoner, a poor New England farmer and Winthrop, bred to become the wife of an English aristocrat. "This is the way to bring down the Monarchy in England! Vive le Commoners! How dare England try to burn me as a witch! I'll begin by mixing the seeds of class doubt...for the sake of Chaos!" Hecuba's eyes peered up at the sky for a moment. Without losing a second, she waved her hand and suddenly brought a blizzard of snow and howling wind out of the night. The walkway to the sleigh which had been shoveled an hour ago, was now covered in two feet of heavy wet snow. "This is too easy." Hecuba kicked her legs back and forth, giddy with glee, then she leaned forward to watch her handiwork.
"Oh dear-I left my patterns (wooden clogs that go over shoes to keep them clean while walking outside) at the Inn." Abigail said.
"Precisely" Hecuba thought, waiting for Bennett to take the bait.
Samuel ascertained a quick remedy. "If you'll pardon me, Mam, I can I carry you across the snow."
Abigail nodded. "Well-under the circumstances."
He led her to the edge of the steps, placed both his hands to her waist and lifted her off her feet into his arms. "Lord!" He sounded surprised. "You're a little thing!"
What made him thinks so? His hands at her waist? His eyes-had they measured her so exactly while he stared at her across the room? She was pressed up against his broad chest.
"Captain Bennett!" She said with an absurd dignity as he held her in his strong arms. She must hold to some dignity. He was, after all, just a poor farmer, having given up the military life for toiling in the dirt.
"Well---" He could think of no proper answer.
"Did you offer to take me home to inquire about my size?"
He didn't trouble to answer, and conveyed her to the sleigh. He walked slowly, delaying the moment when he would have to release her from his arms. Instead he stopped walking and stood still in the snow and said: "You look like a Christmas angel, rising out of the snow."
"Oh!"
"What's the matter? Don't you like being an Angel?"
"I-" But she couldn't find an appropriate retort. "Why do you carry pistols, captain Bennett? Surely, you are no duelist." She said.
"No--I'm a soldier-or rather, I was. Old habits, I guess. You might call me, Sam." His long legs began to walk with her again. He could smell her clean hair, feel her arm around his neck, while he noticed the snow lighting on her eyelashes.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Sam."
"Sorry? About what? There's nought to be sorry for."
"For taking you away from the ball." She liked his distinctly American accent.
"There." He placed her into the sleigh and brought out a blanket to cover her legs. "Could get very cold on a night like this." He rounded the other side, climbed up beside her and grabbed hold of the reigns. She felt his muscular thigh brush up against hers as they sat beside one another. She didn't bother to move it away. He snapped the reigns and the horses urged themselves forward.
"I'm sorry for making you leave the ball so soon after you'd just arrived." She said penitently. The snow had renewed itself with vigor.
"I was only too glad to have an excuse to leave. And just in time, from what I gather." His voice was flat, and his mouth stern against his teeth. "When Alistar Crane sees a woman like you...there's no telling what he's capable of."
"What do you mean?"
Sam shrugged, looking straight ahead through the blinding snow. "There's talk."
"There's always talk." Abigail said.
"Yes." He turned the horses toward a woodland path, when the sleigh careened a little too sharp he felt Abigail's hand grab hold of his arm. "When I heard you and Mr. Crane arguing about Tabitha Lennox...I was worried. He's got it in for that woman, and there's a few guesses as to why that is, but I'd not like to say it in front of a lady."
"You don't mean to impute that Alistar and Tabitha....she's much too intelligent to...." Abigail shivered with the thought of kissing that horrid man. The forced adoption of Tabitha's child, the fierce passion in Alistar Crane's voice insisting on taking the child as his own...the question as to whether the woman was feeble minded...
"Like I said, there's been talk about Crane's mis-treatment of several women over the years. He does not discriminate by class either. There's been accusations from servant girls on up to the most educated daughters of the gentry. If you'll pardon my saying so, he's not a man to get mixed up with." He glanced at the girl's stricken face, and his own face was sad.
"I don't plan on having anything to do with him, Captain."
"Well-that puts my mind at ease, Mam." Sam said.
Damn, he thought. Damn! Why did I bring up this seedy subject? It was not the proper type of conversation to have with a lady like Abigail Winthrop. To instruct her about men like Alistar. Well, he was glad that someone told her, anyway. She seemed so proud and defiant to have stood up to that powerful man in defense of Tabitha Lennox, who was alone and helpless ---while Alistar Crane was making his own unseemly advances toward this brave young woman. He wouldn't allow Alistar's plotting bring harm to any woman, if he could help it.
Meanwhile: Hecuba sat back on the porch roof. Pleased with herself at the magnetism she sparked between the couple. "Would serve old Alistar right if someone put him in his place. Who the heck do that Warlock think he is? He's rubbing Tabitha's nose in the dirt, and even if she's not a full fledged witch, it burns me. Why does she take it? All she needs to do is tap into her natural abilities and squash that horny old fool." Hecuba produced a glass of punch and sipped it with genteel thoughtfullness, enjoying her snow.