Bewitching Kisses (Bewitching Kisses Series) Read Free Page A

imagination that would place a body out at midnight. I could gift Samuel with the land, she thought suddenly. Then George Porter would no longer desire me and Samuel would smile again. But even as she whispered the words to the ceiling, she knew her prospects of marriage would dwindle to naught if she carried no dowry. ‘ Tis not right to think of myself first, she decided . The land belongs to Samuel and I shall learn to be content.
    Reluctantly, she sat up and rubbed her hands over her eyes. He body ached for sleep but her mind raced on. Perhaps if she read some verses . . . But she dismissed the notion knowing full well it was only a ruse to light the taper. And once lit, she would never be able to extinguish it this night.
    Taking a deep breath to strengthen her resolve, Sarah flopped back against her pillows and squeezed her eyes tightly shut.
    “I am sleepy,” she chanted softly. “My eyes are closed and I will sleep.” But over and over she thought of the distressing events of the afternoon as Ann Tate’s disagreeable words echoed in her mind. She had not meant to speak ill of Dr. Gribbs. He was a kindly old man and she often enjoyed conversing with him. But why, she wondered, did he spout such nonsense as witchcraft? He knew his book did not contain all the secrets. Why, her mother’s special salve and herb teas weren’t in that volume and he knew it. Had he forgotten all the hours he had spent with Prudence discussing the merits of this potion or that? It simply made no sense.
    She rolled over on her side and pulled the covers higher about her. And dear Rebecca, Sarah shivered. If she was cold when safe within her bed, how did Rebecca fare in Salem jail? I shall go and see for myself tomorrow , she vowed, mentally listing what blankets and other essentials she might spare. Sarah shifted her pillow. Those children needed a few well chosen words , she thought, and then they’d stop that nonsense soon enough . She turned onto her back and straightened the covers. I shall speak to their parents myself.Mayhap they are too distressed to know what to do.Mayhap . . .
    Sarah’s heart froze in her chest and, despite her fear, she jerked upright. The creak stopped as suddenly as it had started, but it was one she knew well. It sounded every time she opened the front door. Her hands, trembling with terror, reached for the candle and flint. But when her fingers touched the waxed taper, her haste knocked it to the floor.
    Sarah scrambled out of the bed as if it were aflame and frantically felt along the frozen boards for the slender taper. Her heart pounded so loudly in her ears that thinking became impossible. She found the candle under the bed and fought back the desire to simply crawl under and hide there until morning came.
    The beating of her heart slowed only a fraction as the candle sprang to life. The warm light touched the room, but left too many shadowy corners for comfort.
    Her feet felt like blocks of ice as she inched her way to the open doorway of her room. “Is anyone there?” Her voice trembled, and hearing the question aloud only added to her terror. Cautiously, she inched down the hallway and stepped into the main room. The outside door was shut and the coals in the fire still glowed with warmth. Feeling utterly foolish, Sarah took a deep breath and relaxed. I am a goose , she thought, giddy with relief. At ten and nine I should not be afraid of the dark . But as she stepped further into the room, a shadow from the corner moved toward her.
    Sarah’s cry of terror was short-lived. She was caught from behind as a sack was roughly pulled over her head and down her shoulders. She could feel two sets of hands as her arms were pressed to her body and tied. She lunged, trying to escape her nightmare but only succeeded in falling to the floor. Her head struck hard and pain filled her being. Her ankles were bound; then she was pulled to her feet again and propped against the table.
    Refusing to admit defeat,