Page 73 of The Condemned (Echoes from the Past #6)

SIXTY-TWO

Mary blinked as she was led out of the shed into bright sunlight. She felt lightheaded with hunger, and her mouth was dry as a bone.

“May I have a drink?” she asked the soldier who pulled her toward the church.

He didn’t bother to reply, but Prudence came alongside her and handed her a cup of ale and a hunk of bread. Mary drank deeply and nodded her thanks before biting into the bread.

“Don’t worry, Mary. All will be well,” Prudence called out. Mary had serious doubts about this farce of a trial turning out well, but all she could do was face whatever was about to come her way.

John walked behind her, escorted by two of Craddock’s soldiers.

He hadn’t said much during the hours they’d been locked in the shed, and Mary hadn’t bothered to engage him in conversation.

What was there to say? Travesty had made an accusation against all of them, but what Mary couldn’t begin to understand was why.

What did Travesty hope to gain by exposing John and Simon?

She still had years left on her indenture contract, and if the trial went as Mary suspected it might, Travesty’s contract would simply be sold to another settler, who might not treat her as kindly as John had or might take advantage of her vulnerable position and make free with her.

Perhaps that was what she hoped for, but this course of action was a great risk, and Travesty was not a foolish woman.

There was something Mary wasn’t seeing. Perhaps it would come to light during the trial.

The church was full, every pew occupied and dozens of colonists standing against the walls for lack of additional seating.

There were no women, save Travesty, who sat in the first pew, her head held high.

Governor Yeardley, Marshal Craddock, and Secretary Hunt sat behind a makeshift table erected in front of the pulpit.

Reverend Edison sat off to the side, not part of the tribunal, but an important witness to the proceedings.

Mary, John, and Simon were made to stand before the table.

John and Simon’s hands were bound, but Mary’s were left untied.

Secretary Hunt rose to his feet and held up his hand, calling for silence.

“Thank you all for coming. Today, we are here to try John Forrester, his wife, Mary Forrester, and their indentured servant, Simon Faraday. The charges are adultery, sodomy, and coercion. Travesty Brown, John Forrester’s indentured servant, has shared vital information with me, at great risk to herself, I might add. I applaud her bravery.”

There was a general murmur of approval, and although Mary couldn’t see Travesty, she could imagine her preening with self-importance.

“Mistress Brown, will you kindly repeat what you told me in confidence yesterday?” Secretary Hunt asked.

Mary turned to glare at Travesty, who ignored her accusing stare and got to her feet. She faced the three men and spoke in a clear and confident voice.

“John Forrester and Simon Faraday have been involved in an unnatural clandestine relationship for at least as long as I’ve been a servant at Master Forrester’s house.”

There was a gasp from the assembly, but Secretary Hunt held up his hand to silence the crowd. “Mistress Brown, when you refer to an unnatural relationship, what exactly do you mean?”

“I mean sodomy, sir.”

“And do you wish to make an accusation against Mistress Forrester?” Secretary Hunt asked.

Mary’s stomach clenched with foreboding. Was Travesty going to accuse her of covering for John? She could hardly have given him up to the authorities. Besides, she could claim ignorance. There was no proof that she had known about John’s relationship with Simon .

Travesty took her time answering. She made eye contact with each man in turn to make sure she had their full attention before she spoke.

“Mistress Forrester has been carrying on an adulterous relationship with a native, meeting him in the woods and lying with him freely. The child she carries is most likely his, since her husband wasn’t interested in performing his conjugal duties.

The savage who killed three colonists yesterday was not there by accident, but by design.

It is my belief that Mistress Forrester intended to run away with him in the near future. ”

Mary’s knees buckled as Travesty’s cruel words sank in.

She wasn’t just condemning John and Simon, she was including Mary in the charges and ensuring she couldn’t possibly mount a plausible defense in the face of the accusation.

What had happened yesterday was enough to give Travesty’s claim validity and imply that Mary was complicit in the deaths of her attackers.

A soldier grabbed Mary by the shoulders to keep her from falling, but she wasn’t permitted to sit down.

As she slumped against the man, welcoming blackness beckoned to her, offering oblivion and temporary peace, but Mary fought to stay alert.

She had to hear what was being said. This was her only chance to fight for herself and her baby, and she’d make the most of the opportunity, if she were given one.

Secretary Hunt turned to John, who stood, head bowed, before the tribunal. “Master Forrester, have you had sexual congress with your servant Simon Faraday?”

John refused to answer, which was as clear an admission of guilt as if he’d shouted about his couplings with Simon from the rooftops.

“Master Faraday, is what Mistress Brown says true?”

Mary turned her head just enough to get a glimpse of Simon’s face. Simon was no fool, and unlike John, he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“Sirs, I’ve been an indentured servant to Master Forrester these three years. During that time, my master has indeed used me to satisfy his unnatural urges. I was not a willing party to his lust, but being wholly in his power, I felt I had no recourse.”

“Why did you not make a complaint?” Reverend Edison demanded, outraged.

“I was afraid no one would believe me, and I would have to not only bear the assault on my person, but also suffer punishment for betraying my master.”

“How many times has Master Forrester made free with your body without your consent?” Governor Yeardley asked.

“Too many to count, sir.” Simon looked like he was about to weep, and a murmur of sympathy went through the crowd.

“Has he hurt you?” Governor Yeardley asked.

“Frequently, sir,” Simon said, his voice trembling. “He used me most brutally.” John threw him a look of pure loathing, but Simon ignored it. “I was entirely at his mercy, good sirs.”

“And you, Mistress Forrester, were you aware of this relationship between your husband and Master Faraday?” the governor asked.

“I was not,” Mary lied. She wouldn’t be party to this.

“Have you had an adulterous relationship with a savage?” the governor asked, watching her with narrowed eyes.

“I have not,” Mary said. She held her head high and looked directly into the governor’s eyes. She would not cower before these men.

“Liar!” Travesty called out. “I’ve seen you with him.”

“I have spoken to the Indian known as Walks Between Worlds on several occasions. He set his traps not far from our cabin. He was courteous and respectful and never made any improper advances toward me,” Mary replied, her voice clear and calm.

She didn’t care what happened to her, but she had to protect her baby, and she had to protect Walker’s reputation.

She would not give the tribunal any ammunition to hold him responsible for the massacre on the road.

“Mistress Brown, do you have any proof that Mistress Forrester did indeed engage in an adulterous relationship with this savage?” Secretary Hunt demanded.

“I saw them together several times,” Travesty persisted.

“Have you witnessed an act of sexual congress?”

“I have not,” Travesty admitted.

“So, what were they doing?” Marshal Craddock snapped. “Making daisy chains?” He looked angry and disappointed. He’d clearly hoped for more.

“They were talking,” Travesty replied after a slight pause. “But they were too close to each other, their heads bent in a most intimate way.”

The three judges conferred between themselves, their faces grim as they prepared to pass judgement. Secretary Hunt stood, waiting patiently until the noise died down and he was able to speak uninterrupted.

“Master Faraday, for allowing yourself to be violated and for not reporting the offense to the governors of this colony, you are to be put in stocks for a period of twelve hours. Once your punishment is complete, you will no longer be bound to Master Forrester. Your indenture contract will revert to the Virginia Company.”

Simon pretended to look horrified, but Mary saw the relief in his face. He let out a sigh and addressed the court. “Thank you, sirs, for freeing me from this sinful man.”

Secretary Hunt went on. “Mary Forrester, for the crimes of consorting with a savage, shielding your husband from justice, and for your involvement in the deaths of three colonists, you are to be banished. You will return to England on the next outbound ship. Until that time, you will remain incarcerated.”

“But I have nothing back in England. I have no home or family to return to,” Mary cried.

“That is of no concern to us. Only women of good character can be sponsored by the Virginia Company. Were you not with child, we’d consider a more stringent punishment. We have been merciful.”

Mary began to shake. She hadn’t expected this.

“I am a married woman. You cannot separate me from my husband.” It was a feeble attempt to change their minds about banishing her, but Mary had to try.

She had nothing to go back to, no means of supporting herself and her baby, and no hope of a different future if she were still married to John.

“You are about to become a widowed woman,” the governor replied. “Master Forrester, for the crimes of coercion, sodomy, and adultery, you are to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. The sentence will be carried out immediately.”