Page 76 of The Condemned (Echoes from the Past #6)

SIXTY-FOUR

Virginia Colony

After the first few days, Mary lost track of time.

She sat huddled in the corner of the shed, her arms around her knees, her gaze fixed on the opposite wall.

It was cold, but she was grateful for the draft as it cleared away some of the foul air inside her prison.

She hadn’t been provided with a bucket for her personal needs and was forced to use the corner of the shed.

Once a day someone brought her food, but it was always the same: a cup of ale, a hunk of bread, and a wedge of cheese.

She’d heard raised voices outside on what must have been a Sunday.

Betsy had asked to see her but hadn’t been granted permission.

The soldier who brought her food had been kind enough to pass on Betsy’s parcel.

She’d brought some sausage, fresh cornbread, and a clean shift.

“Your friend was very persistent,” he said as he handed Mary the food. “She also asked me to tell you that Mistress Kirby had a girl and they’re both well.”

“What did they name the baby?” Mary asked, her lethargy momentarily forgotten.

“How should I know?”

“She’s the first baby born in this colony,” Mary pointed out. The man shrugged. It made no difference to him.

“Thank you,” Mary called after him as he left the shed. He didn’t respond.

Mary tore into the sausage, desperate for something other than cheese.

She could have easily eaten the whole thing in one sitting but forced herself to eat only about a quarter.

She’d make the rest last for several days.

Mary set aside the food and the shift. She’d beg the guard for some water to wash with next time he came.

It made no sense to put a clean shift on a filthy body.

Mary rested her head on her knees in despair.

It could take weeks, or even months, for a ship to be ready to leave for England, and then what?

What was she to do once she got back? She had no money, no possessions she could sell, and no one to turn to.

She’d have to beg Uncle Swithin for mercy, but knowing his mean-spirited nature, she didn’t really expect any.

He might take her in, but there’d be a price to pay, and she feared for the future of her child, especially if it displayed signs of being of mixed blood.

Perhaps the Morelocks would take her in.

They were kind people, but they barely had enough to sustain themselves.

She’d thought she might receive at least a small portion of John’s assets, if not the plantation, but Secretary Hunt had made it clear that her right to the land was forfeit.

In her solitude, Mary’s thoughts sometimes turned to John.

She’d thought she might mourn him once the shock of his execution wore off, but the tears never fell.

She regretted his death, but deep down, she felt no real sense of loss.

John had made his choice and it had become his undoing—unlike Walker, who’d died defending her.

Grief for Walker tormented her day and night, her heart squeezing painfully at the thought of never seeing him again or hearing his beloved voice.

How unfair life was, how cruel. Their future had been snatched away from them, and snatched away from their baby.

Never would it have a loving family or know the security and peace of life in Walker’s native village.

Their baby would be born fatherless, sentenced to a life of penury, bound to a mother who was disinherited and disgraced.

Mary closed her hand around the bone comb, making sure it was still there.

She’d come to this land with nothing but this comb, and she’d leave it the same way.

She’d survive. She had to, for her baby.

Mary’s head snapped up when the door of the shed opened.

It wasn’t time to eat, so maybe someone had come to see her.

She was surprised to see Dr. Paulson. He gasped and covered his nose and mouth with his hand as the overwhelming stench hit him.

He stepped back out of the shed but didn’t leave .

“Come with me, Mistress Forrester,” he said.

Mary got to her feet. She felt shaky and confused after days of being in near darkness, but the doctor took her by the arm and led her across the way to his surgery.

He invited Mary to sit at the table and offered her a cup of ale and a bowl of fresh, hot stew.

Mary tried to eat slowly, but the delicious food weakened her resolve.

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Dr. Paulson was about to sit across from her but wrinkled his nose and moved to stand by the window instead.

“Am I to go back to the shed?” Mary asked once she finished eating. “May I wash before I go?”

The doctor smiled at her benignly. “Mary, I’ve had a word with the governor on your behalf.

I see no reason you should remain locked up until such time as you can leave the colony.

I am sure there’s nothing you could have done to sway your husband from his chosen course, and the accusations against you are insubstantial at best, made by a person who had much to gain from being believed.

I’ve asked the governor to allow you to bide with me.

I have a spare cot, and you can make yourself useful by looking after my needs.

I’ve been relying on Mistress Marsh, but she has her hands full these days, what with her husband ill. ”

“Thank you, Dr. Paulson. That’s very kind of you.”

“I will be leaving the colony with you, as it happens,” Dr. Paulson said.

“Will you? Why is that, sir?”

“I am to be married in the summer, and I don’t think my wife will care to live here permanently. I told her I’d give it six months and see how things stand, but truthfully, I think we’ll both be happier in England. A new physician will be coming out to replace me.”

“I see,” Mary said. “Where will you settle with your wife?”

“I’m originally from Dorset, so that’s where we’ll make our home.”

Mary pushed away the empty bowl and got to her feet. “I’ll begin right away, sir.”

Dr. Paulson shook his head. “There’s no need. Mistress Bass has started her pains, so I’ll be gone for several hours at least. With no competent midwife to attend the births, I’m afraid it falls to me to assist these poor women. Take the time to see to your own needs.”

“Thank you, sir. Did you attend on Nell Kirby?”

“I did, indeed. Your friend Betsy was there as well. Mistress Kirby had a fine, healthy girl. Adelaide is the name. Both Nell and Betsy had asked after you and begged me to speak on your behalf. They’re good friends to you, Mary.”

“I know,” Mary replied tearfully. “I wish I could see them one last time.”

“I’ll ask them to come by and see you after church on Sunday,” the doctor promised. “Now, I’ll be off.”

Mary sprang to her feet as soon as the door closed behind Dr. Paulson.

She poured some water into a basin, stripped off her filthy clothes, and unbraided her hair.

The water was cold, and the soap was coarse, but she didn’t care.

To have a full belly and be clean again were the extent of her desires at the moment.

Dr. Paulson’s kindness brought tears to her eyes, more so because Walker had admired him.

She sighed and wiped away the tears with the back of her hand.

All she could do at this stage was take life one day at a time, and today was a good day.