“So you say,” Ely said dismissively before turning his attention back to me. “Given the facts, I had to side with Nathan in believing that treacherous methods were indeed used. It would seem you have married a dead man.”
My face flushed red with embarrassment. I wanted to stop the hearing and ask Ely if we could continue this discussion in private without Nathan, George, and Fletcher present. Ben and James already knew this part of the history, which made it somewhat easier for them to hear it recounted.
“Given the severity of Martin’s error,” Ely went on, oblivious to my discomfort, “he was very helpful in getting to the bottom of this case. The day before your marriage to Samuel Kilbrid, you procured Henry Alan’s contract for indenture. Acting on a hunch, we followed up with Dirk Fletcher to get a physical description of the man he recently lost to your thirteen pounds.”
“It’s him,” Fletcher said, pointing gleefully at Henry. “That’s the lad who was stolen from me.”
“And is this the same man who stood as Samuel Kilbrid?” Ely asked, turning to look at the other magistrate.
“It is. They both agreed that he was her cousin. How was I to know they were lying?”
“Nor why they would lie in the first place,” Ely said softly, shaking his head in disbelief. “Hoping to solve this riddle, Martin and I decided to make a trip to Hopewell. We arrived this very morning just in time to witness the funeral of a well-respected Quaker Elder who had died after catching afire and falling from your bedroom window at Brighmor Hall.” Ely rubbed his forehead in frustration. “In truth, Selah, from the number of times your name has been associated with trouble these past weeks, I was not surprised to learn that you were somehow involved in Edgar Sweeney’s death.”
He made it sound as though it were my fault. Like I went around asking to be tied into my bed and burned alive. “I was involved against my will,” I said tersely. “Edgar was insane and tried to kill me.”
“Gideon has already explained the situation,” Ely said.
“Good. Then you have no reason to doubt my innocence.”
Ely raised his eyebrows, surprised by my impertinence. “Edgar aside, since your father’s death you have managed to deceive a magistrate, pass an indentured servant off as your deceased cousin, and be accused of witchcraft.”
“Nathan told you that I wasn’t a witch,” I reminded him.
Ely’s eyes bulged in their sockets. “You committed fraud!” he bellowed. “Not to mention living in a state of sin with Henry Alan, as your marriage is clearly invalid. What say you to these charges?”
There was nothing I could say other than admitting my guilt for what remained. George McKee might as well put me in irons and toss away the key—I was completely done for.
Dirk Fletcher started to laugh. “Not so high and mighty anymore, eh, my lady?” he jeered at me.
I scowled at him, but this only seemed to encourage his mirth.
“Selah’s virtue is intact,” Henry said calmly, finally breaking his silence. “Our union was never consummated.”
Ely gawped at him. “Do you really think me such a simpleton?” he asked. “Sweet Moses, man! You’ve been living together for nearly seven weeks now. One can only imagine the carnal knowledge you have shared while pretending to be husband and wife.”
“On my honor as a gentleman,” Henry said, “Selah is a virgin.”
“Mighty fine words from a servant,” Fletcher scoffed. “You’ll forgive me for saying that your honor means nothing here.”
“How dare you!” James said, shooting to his feet. “You should be flogged for insulting him!”
Fletcher stood up to face James. “Flogged my arse. I’m going to buy the lad’s contract soon as his young miss gets tossed in the stocks for lying.”
“I’ll see you in hell first!” James cried.
“And that you may if you don’t sit down this very minute!” Ely cried out. “I’ll have quiet at once or you’ll both be charged with disorderly conduct.”
The men remained standing almost nose-to-nose, glaring dangerously.
“Let it go, James,” Henry said, his cold stare resting on Fletcher. “There will be ample time for retribution after the hearing.”
“You will not threaten the witness,” Ely snapped at Henry. “Any retribution will come from me in the form of the law.”
Henry turned back toward the magistrates, his jaw tense with anger.
“During the past two months,” Ely continued, “there has been one consistency in all of these goings on with Selah.” He pointed directly at Henry. “I do not think it a mere coincidence that her problems began the day she met you.”
My mouth dropped open in surprise. Henry was about to be blamed for my own bad behavior. “It wasn’t his fault,” I started to say when his hand came firmly to my shoulder.
“You’re right,” he said. “It was my idea for us to marry.”
“Henry!” I cried, aghast at his admission.