Bewitching Kisses (Bewitching Kisses Series) Read Free

world dead. Does that not tell you something?”
    Ann’s eyes grew wide with confusion.
    “Think, Ann. Surely you remember. The year that I married Samuel is the same year Jonathan Townsend came to Salem with his daughter.” Elizabeth’s voice took on a wistful tone. “How I envied Samuel’s mother. With her husband long dead and her only son married off, along came Jonathan Townsend with little Sarah for Prudence to care for.”
    Ann’s eyes grew wide as realization set in. “But after Townsend came, neither you nor Prudence had any more children that lived.”
    “Exactly.” Elizabeth’s voice shook with fear. “Now Sarah holds in dowry as much land as Samuel, the rightful heir. If Prudence had had more children, the land would have been divided differently. Or if Samuel and I had children, Prudence surely would have bequeathed land to them in her will. But Sarah is the only child.”
    “And Sarah can now lay claim to half the land that should have belonged to Samuel alone.” Ann Tate straightened her bony shoulders. “If what you say is true, Elizabeth Wittfield, then your husband’s sister is indeed a witch. And I must admit that I am not surprised. Sarah is entirely too pretty for her own good. She admits to spending time with an accused witch, and she challenges both the doctor and the good reverend. I think she must commune with the devil.”
    Elizabeth swayed on her feet. “Samuel does not deserve this. He is a good man. How will he stand the humiliation of having a stepsister who is a witch”?
    “Well, if you ask me . . .” Ann paused at the gate to her yard, “I would beg Samuel to speak with the good reverend as soon as possible. If Sarah can make the cows go dry and keep you from having babies, then who knows what else she is capable of doing.” With her declaration hanging on the bitter wind, Ann turned and snapped the gate on her friend.
    Sarah shivered under the covers. Nights were the hardest. Every evening when she pulled in the latch string and raked the fire, a melancholy would fall like a damp cloak about her shoulders, chilling her bones and surrounding her with fear. The wind rattled the shutters, the boards creaked, and her heart pounded. For two weeks after her parents had died she had not slept at all. The sudden silence of the night had become more than she could bear.
    Tonight, even though the hour was well past midnight, she law awake in her bed. Moonlight streamed through her window but brought no comfort, for the corners of the room were filled with shadows that played with her mind. The wind howled and cold shivers ran down her spine. I’m such a coward , she thought, rolling over to bury her face in the pillow. Mayhap I should just accept George Porter and put an end to this . But even as the thought surged forth, Sarah knew it was not the answer. Flopping onto her back, she straightened the covers and clasped her hands as if in prayer. I want a husband, she whispered to the ceiling. But I want someone who wants me, not the land I carry . Warming to the thought, her fantasy bloomed. I want a man to look at me with the love in his eyes that Papa showed Prudence. He should be kind, and gentle, and caring . She ticked the list off on her fingers. And I would not find it amiss if he had a pleasant face. And babies . She sighed. He would give me lots and lots of babies.
    A smile touched her lips as she hugged the thought to herself. The face of George Porter surged into her dream and she jerked herself back to reality. You have no care for me, George Porter, she thought with sudden clarity, and I’ll not betray my brother . She thought of the hurt she witnessed on Samuel’s face each time he looked at her. You were wrong, Prudence, to place me equal to Samuel. I know in your heart you meant well, but your death has bequeathed your only son with bitterness. The wind howled, and Sarah frowned. In the night’s stillness she heard horses. Shaking her head, she chided her