Disclaimer: We don't own The Covenant. Elizabeth Howe and Rachel Clenton were both real people during the Salem witch trials so we don't own them either.

Authors: Bookworm since birth, Brophy, SkyyRyder and Cara Mascara

A/N: Hey everyone, sorry this took so long. We had people on vacation and such. But don't worry, we're all back now. And don't worry about the French translations. Nothing said in French is important.

Le Nouvel Espoir

Chapter 3: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Garwin Scorned

A deep sigh escaped the lips of Caleb Danvers as he finished sorting the papers for yet another court case. Boredom overcame him as he'd been doing this same thing for hours now, shut inside his father's office on such a gorgeous autumn day.

Normally, he wasn't bothered by doing his work, even on such glorious days where the sun was beaming down on Ipswich and the foliage seemed to change right before the occupants eyes. But for some reason, today was just not a good day for concentration. Especially with thoughts of the new girl in town, Sarah Wenham, plaguing his mind.

He looked at the remaining papers he would have to sort and sighed again. This could wait; many of these cases would not even be looked at for months. Making up his mind, Caleb stood from his father's large desk and left the office, locking it behind him and found himself already in the general area of the market.

Only moments after going deeper into the markets, the very blonde that had invaded the mind of the Danvers boy since the moment he'd met her was sighted, handing flowers to the two Abbot servants. Lily, the one Caleb remembered Tyler and Aaron both teasing Reid about, spoke briefly to Sarah, both girls laughing in unison. It was only when he got closer he realized the two were communicating in French. It must have been nice for Lily to hear her native tongue once again.

The French girl halted their foreign conversation once Caleb approached. Lily offered a small bow of her head and a soft smile his way before tuning back to Sarah. "Je dois y aller. A tes souhaits!"

"Au revoir!" Sarah called after the girl as she jogged over to one of the wagons where her companion was engrossed in conversation with one of the merchants. Caleb's attention was brought back to the petite blonde before him when she let out a soft laugh.

"She is sweet." Caleb smiled back and nodded.

"I suppose. She's always very quiet when I see her. Never says more than a greeting. However, you seemed to win her over quite easily." Sarah grinned, delighted that she had won someone hard to get to over. "She serves Aaron's family. I suppose I'd be cautious around people if I had to live with him as well," Caleb quipped, clasping his hands behind his back. "He and Tyler both tease Reid about lusting for her. He denies it, but his convictions are not as strong as they normally would be. Sometimes I wonder..."

"Oh stop! The poor thing surely doesn't want a maverick like that Reid following after her," Sarah said, a chorus of laughter following as the two stood together, a comfortable atmosphere surrounding them.

"He isn't all bad. He possesses the heart and soul of a poet and unfortunately the lecherous behavior of a satyr." Light laughter ensued once again between the two, causing Sarah's nearby father to smile.

"And what of Aaron? He didn't seem any better."

"He isn't. The difference is that Reid manages to excuse his behavior with a certain playfulness and Aaron just... the word snake immediately comes to mind. We are not the best of friends. I only tolerate him for Reid and Tyler's sake since they value his friendship for some unknown reason." Sarah's head shook and her slender fingers pushed the loose strands of her golden hair behind her ear.

"I believe you, Caleb Danvers, possess the heart and soul of gallant." Caleb grinned widely at her chosen words. A flutter in the pit of his stomach only caused his smile to widen as he stood with the free spirit before him. She was unlike anyone he had encountered before. Obviously well traveled, beautiful, insightful... She seemed to include every quality he wished he could. As a child, he never foresaw himself becoming a lawyer after his father; his heart had been set on adventuring the new lands of the Americas with his three brothers. But somehow he had become a hard working, save the nonsense diligent. Not that these were bad qualities in being successful, but he had occasionally found himself envying Reid's devil may care attitude, even if he got out of hand sometimes. Sarah was the perfect median though.

Caleb was captivated.

"Sarah, who is your friend, hmm?" The two younger people turned to see Sarah's father standing with a woman with the same remarkable blue eyes as Sarah and sand colored hair.

"Mama! Papa! This is Caleb Danvers. Caleb, these are my parents, Isaac and Constance."

"A pleasure to meet you sir. Ma'm," Caleb respectfully greeted the elders, firmly shaking each of their hands.

"Such a gentleman," Constance giggled to he daughter, tapping her lightly on the arm in a playful manner.

"Caleb my boy, why don't you show our daughter around the town?" Caleb gave a curt nod as the man's quite large hand clapped his shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't need any help Papa?" the girl asked, unsure if she should just wander off after only arriving to the town yesterday.

"Nonsense. We're perfectly fine Sarah. Go on," he mother ushered her away. Sarah gave a wave before pulling Caleb by the hand, having been eager to explore the new territory of Ipswich but not yet getting the opportunity.

"Your parents seem nice," Caleb mused as the two walked in step down the dirt roads, being looked at strangely due to Sarah's colorful dress, though neither noticed.

"Thank you." Sarah's smile was perfect and bright. It caused Caleb's heart to pulse heavily in his chest. "Have you lived in Ipswich your entire life?"

"Yes. I was born here. I've traveled outside of Ipswich, but not far. Only to nearby towns with my father." Sarah nodded, not seeming very impressed with Caleb's apparent sheltered lifestyle.

"I've been all over Europe. Traveled from the America's to Europe and back even." Caleb's brows raised in surprise. A pass to the America's was not something easy to obtain, never mind twice in a lifetime.

"That's impressive." The smile stayed on Sarah's face as she looked up at the tall, well-muscled boy. "So what is it you and your family does?"

"Well, we make and sell our own wares. I myself am quite talented with a needle and thread. I made this myself," she proudly explained, motioning to the unconventional dress.

"It's lovely," he complimented.

"Thank you. What about you? What is it you do?" Caleb was almost embarrassed to admit he was involved in law. It just wasn't as impressive as Sarah's exciting life.

"Well, my family is rather prestigious around here. My great-grandfather was one of the founders of Ipswich colony. I'm an apprentice to my father. He's a lawyer." Surprisingly, Sarah looked impressed causing a rise in Caleb's confidence.

"It takes an intelligent man to work as a lawyer," Sarah commented. "Caleb, those I came with are throwing a feast tomorrow evening at the beach... the Dell's I believe it was referred to. I would like it if you would come."

"That sounds wonderful."

Tyler glanced down at his pocket watch, sighing heavily to himself he grabbed an apple from the fruit basket on the wooden table and headed out of his families house. Duty called and Rose Clenton was days away from giving birth to her fifth child. His father had asked him to meet him at the Clenton home at half past twelve.

Biting into the delicious red apple, he noticed Pogue walking towards town hall; he remembered that his friend had disappeared out of nowhere yesterday, leaving him to listen to Reid moan about how Aaron and Caleb were both trying to win over the girls he was interested in. Tyler called out his name; the long haired deputy turned around and smiled at his friend.

"Tyler, how are you?" he asked stopping so that the younger boy could catch up to him.

"Where are you off to?" Tyler inquired.

"Going to Town Hall for a meeting with my father and Governor Abbot..." Pogue's eyes shifted slightly as he looked at Tyler.

"I see," the blue eyed young man nodded.

"Where are you headed, Tyler?" Pogue questioned, hoping to avoid any interrogation about his disappearing the previous day.

"The Clenton home. Mrs. Clenton is due any day now..." he answered swiftly his eyes locking with the pair of hazel ones that were looking quite anxious.

"That's great; send them my congratulations," Pogue nodded, pulling his pocket watch out and glancing at the time.

"Certainly." Tyler smiled and decided now was a better time than never to ask about his friend's recent vanishing act. It wasn't the first time Pogue had disappeared without a word and he had a feeling it wouldn't be the last. "Pogue." The hazel-eyed man looked at his friend. "Where did you disappear to yesterday?"

Pogue's gaze dropped to his feet, as he shifted uncomfortably. "I remembered that I had to do some chores at the house..." He scratched the back of his neck.

Tyler could tell by his life-long friend's posture that he was lying, but saw how the man was anxiously looking at his watch; he had things to do anyway, so there wasn't much time for small talk. "Well I'll let you get on your way to Town Hall. I'm off to go play doctor..."

A sly grin inched over Pogue's face as he started walking away, "You probably could with that pretty little daughter of theirs…"

Tyler's eyebrows lifted as he shook his head. Pogue disappeared around a corner as he continued on his way to the Clenton house. He thought about what Pogue had said; the eldest Clenton daughter was something else indeed.

She was beautiful; however, he had only met her a few times during visits with her mother. She was the eldest of the four other children; Josiah who was fourteen, Rebecca who was nine and the youngest was Jacob at four. Now she would be helping her mother raise another. Tyler couldn't even fathom the idea, being an only child.

He knocked on the front door of the Clenton home, discarding of his apple core a few steps away from the house. He was about to knock again when the same beautiful face he remembered opened the front door.

"Tyler, I didn't know you were coming." Rachel grinned at him, moving aside so he could enter her family's home.

"Father asked me to come assist him today, is he here yet?" Tyler questioned looking into the house.

"Not yet." She smiled flirtatiously at him.

Tyler smiled shyly and looked her over. "You look beautiful today, by the way," he complimented her.

Rachel felt her cheeks redden, glancing down at the floor. "You look handsome as always Tyler," she complimented right back. They were quiet for a moment, and Rachel decided to be bold. "So, Tyler… you're going to become a doctor, like your father?" she inquired pushing her silky hair out of her face.

Instead of saying what he really felt, Tyler noticed the tone in her voice and grinned. It almost sounded... impressed. "Future Doctor Tyler Simms, at your service," he mocked by bowing to her.

Rachel giggled and touched his arm. "I think you'd make a fine doctor." She licked her lips and Tyler watched her mouth.

There was something about the way her pink tongue darted out to moisten her lips in a slow, sensational manner that made his heartbeat quicken. Her hand was still on his arm and as he was about to say something else, the door opened and Dr. Simms walked in.

"There you are boy." His father's voice brought both teens out of their trance. Rachel took a step back away from Tyler and clasped her hands in front of her. "Rachel, dear… where is your mother?" he questioned, ready to get right to work.

"In the back room Doctor Simms. I will take you to her." She gave Tyler a small smirk before leading the way for both of the Simms' to her mother's bedroom.

Tyler watched her put a little extra sway in her stride as he followed behind her closely, letting his fingers graze her arms when he stepped aside to let his father in to see Mrs. Clenton. Rachel looked up at him with large eyes and he gave her a simple wink in return.

"What an oddly shaped thing," Rhys mused, holding up the deformed looking potato. It was a rather odd shape. "How do you say this in French?" he asked.

Lily laughed lightly. "La pomme de terre."

His brow scrunched, mystified with the word. "La pon dtre?"

She responded with a shake of her head, pressing her lips to contain her laugh as he shoulders shook. "You sound terrible."

It was the first time she had opened up in a long while and Rhys couldn't help but smile. His smile seemed to affect her, as she gave her own unladylike grin.

They were moving through the crowded markets, finishing off the last of the necessary purchases that Mrs. Abbot demanded them to obtain when Rhys spotted an old friend.

"Lizzy?" he called out.

Lily looked at him in question. A beguiling smile lit Rhys' face as he called out once again. "Elizabeth!"

Lily searched the general direction he was facing and saw a young woman walking towards them, a bright smile lighting her features also.

"Rhys!" She embraced him in a tight hug, something that led Lily to believe that they were friends. Very good friends. She felt a feeling swell within her that she didn't like. And she did not like this 'Lizzy'. Her blithe voice burst through Lily's reverie "Oh it's lovely to see you again!"

If it were possible Rhys' smile had widened even more "You too." He seemed to notice Lily looking at both of them, a slight frown on her brow. "Oh, Lizzy, I'd like you to meet Liliana," he said, gesturing politely to the young woman to the left of him. "She works with me at the Governor's home. Lily, this is Elizabeth. She dwells from Glasgow; a servant, like us."

"Nice to meet you," the girl said brightly.

Lily gave a curt and brief nod at the girl.

Rhys' gaze lingered a moment longer before he turned back to Elizabeth. "So what are you doing here?"

"Just came for some supplies. One can always rely on the produce here."

"Such as potatoes," Rhys quipped. Lily couldn't help but break into a smile. Elizabeth watched the two with odd intrigue. His eyes squinted in thought. "Lepoma de tre?"

Lily's eyebrows shot upward "Arrêter, stop! Before you insult someone!"

Rhys made a 'humph' in response, which caused Elizabeth to laugh. "With my such luck I would sound the same, if not worse!" she exclaimed. Lily could only muster a brief smile back at the girl as Rhys broke out in a chuckle.

Suddenly, the thought dawned upon him "Oh! We should leave now. Governor Abbot will not be pleased if we arrive home late."

"Of course," Elizabeth acknowledged. "It was lovely meeting you again Rhys, you too Liliana." Lily smiled timidly before the girl took her leave.

"Is anything wrong?" Rhys asked, looking innocent and curious in every sense of the word.

She tried to suffocate the guilt she now felt over being so rude. Why should she feel angry over Elizabeth? She was nice, pretty, good-hearted and happy, but yet Lily had felt annoyed. And it was Rhys that had caused such a reaction to occur. He was so openly happy towards her. They even embraced each other! She felt jealous by the gesture, jealous by the wide and unabashed smile on his handsome face. She had believed that that smile belonged to her alone.

Lily realized he was awaiting an answer "Non. I am fine," she said, walking at a faster pace. Rhys' eyebrows shot up in mild amusement before he caught up with her.

She was lying and he couldn't help but smile at the way she acted. She was jealous. He knew so by the curt answers, and looks she sent Lizzy's way once she left. Rhys had to admit it made him feel flattered that she felt jealous because of him. Elizabeth was a good friend. A strong mind, willing to do anything and muster a smile on her face all the while. It was that optimism that led him to enjoy her friendship, for him to also have feelings for her. But it was nothing compared to what he felt for Lily.

Rhys wondered what would happen once they left, whether they could be together. But he was unsure of the future, unsure whether Lily wanted to spend her life with him. And there was Lizzy too. But Lily was far worse off. The situation within the Abbot family was growing worse now with that plague known as Aaron. If Rhys had the option he would take her far away from the home right now. But he couldn't. Their freedom was quickly approaching anyway. He would manage to look after her within that time. He would try with all his heart to.

Rhys watched Lily out of the corner of his eye. She was staring at him again, and once he took notice she looked away, a light blush painting her cheeks. She was too self-conscious of herself, too beautiful. But she was also frail. She had gone through such unbearable horrors through her journey to Ipswich and he couldn't allow any more to arise. Not when he had say about it. Lily needed him and Rhys needed her. With one last affectionate smile towards her, he faced the trail that led to the Abbot's household.

By the lake on the outskirts of Ipswich, Reid and Kira were walking, hands entwined. Reid, convinced by Lily's reaction, was confident that Kira would love the verse he had thought up for her. And what good were the perfect words without the perfect setting? The sunset always looked marvelous over the serene setting of the lake and today he was in luck. The setting orange sun reflecting it's sparkling brilliance on the glassy lake was breathtaking.

Reid led Kira over to a wall of rocks, the perfect position for overlooking the lake. He sat her down and got on his knees in front of her.

"Reid what are you doing?" Kira asked lightly.

"Well, you see," he began, trying to fight the smirk from his lips. "The other day I was sitting around and my thoughts, as usual, drifted to your beauty."

Kira gave a light laugh, thinking of how she had one of Ipswich's most eligible bachelors wrapped around her finger.

"And you were my muse;

Flowers bloom within the skies,
From mesmerized features upon her face,
Sure of her beauty with kindled eyes
Her gaze that makes me find my place."

His hand once again found Kira's hand, lacing his fingers through her thin fingers.

"Hair flows softly, scent entrancing,
Spirit young and free; mine damnation,
Her smile turns my whole heart dancing,
Agonized ecstasy from its creation."

He brought the back of kira's smooth hand to his lips, leaving a single kiss to burn on her skin.

"Passion swelling with all ends of me,
Quaking with need, a valley of need,
Dire, the want surrounding be,
Where lies a lost soul of your unconscious deed."

As he was about to finish, he brought his free hand up to trace the delicate cheek of Kira's face, feeling the heat of her skin as she blushed. It was all for him; all because of him and he relished in the though. He was winning.

"A deal I would make from the Creatures own den,
Just to be found; greeted, by loves smile once again…"

The last lines were spoken so softly they were barely heard over the chirping of the crickets. When she was sure Reid was finished Kira cooed. "Reid... that was beautiful. I'm flattered."

"It was nothing." He replied with fake modesty "Since I've just poured my heart out to you, lovely, could I bother you for a kiss?"

"A small one.," replied Kira. Reid was never pleased with how stingy and indecisive she could be. What more would he need to do? He would get his way one method or another.

Taking her into his arms, he captured her lips in a sweet, chaste kiss. In his typical fashion however, fire began swelling in the pit of Reid's belly and Kira wasn't protesting as the tempo of their kiss increased. Confidence overtook Reid when Kira's lips parted for his tongue and his hands traveled southward.

Reid was getting exited. This day was going exactly how he planned; the passion of this kiss promising more. As the couple continued they did not notice the approaching visitor that had just come from out of a thick group of trees.

"Kira, Reid. What a surprise running into you here." The trespasser announced, breaking the silence with his booming voice, startling the two. They jumped apart at the intrusion and when Reid saw whom it was his face contorted into a frown. That was the only warning his friend was going to get to leave before the fire had completely burned out.

"Aaron!" Kira exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" A nervous and embarrassed expression graced her delicate features.

"Just taking a walk on this glorious day that the Lord has graced us with," he replied a mischievous smirk adorning his lips.

"Oh, you just missed it!" Kira gushed, all embarrassment quickly vanishing. "Reid just recited the most amazing poem."

"Did he now? Reid you must have found your muse."

Reid sent a horrified look at Aaron, praying that he wouldn't say anything about the little trick he had played on Lily, now thinking it was stupid of him to test the poem on her.

"What was it you were telling Lily the day before?" Aaron falsely questioned, tapping his chin in mock ponder.

"Nothing," Reid quickly defended, perhaps too quickly. "Don't you need to get back for dinner? I know your mother always gets into a frenzy if someone is late to the dinner table." Reid was getting desperate, fear of exposure pulsing through him. Why would Aaron do this to him? Why would Aaron ruin his chances with Kira? What did he care?

"Just a second. Kira, you should have been there. It was quite hilarious to see him sprout off some utter nonsense about flowers blooming, passion swelling, and dealing with creatures to get her love. I nearly began laughing right there! She bought into every word!" A dark look came over Kira's face and Aaron knew his job was done. "My, it is getting late and I must get home. See you tomorrow?"

With that, Aaron walked off, pretending not to see the look of utter outrage on Kira's face and the look of doom on Reid's.

When he was out of sight, Kira let loose hell.

"What the do you think you are doing?!" she screeched, pointing her finger at Reid.

"Now love, you don't underst--" Reid tried to say but she cut him off.

"Did you really recite me the same lines as you did that French harlot? How dare you! You are such an arrogant pig! How dare you treat me like that! Clearly you think of me on the same level you do with that leeching peasant! I shall tell my father and everyone I know what a self centered, arrogant, good for nothing, bastard you are!" With that she turned and tried to walk away but Reid grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"You will do no such thing. I didn't mean it when I was saying it to her. I was being sure the poem was good enough for you."

At his feeble attempt at consoling her, Kira let out an enraged shriek.

"Let me go!" With that she swung her arm back and slapped him across the face.

Shocked Reid released her limb and watched as she stormed away, not knowing what else he could do to stop her. All he did know was that Aaron was going to pay and Reid Garwin's revenge is never taken lightly.