I wanted to laugh, but couldn’t. In three days my life would be ruined.
“Don’t worry, Selah. Nathan will make his grand announcement with enough drama to get the town into a proper uproar. Then the constable will conduct an official investigation. When nothing can be proven, the whole witch thing will subside, and we’ll all return to our boring lives.”
It would never be so easy—Nathan would not allow it. “This is not going to end well. Once people get stirred up, there’s no telling what will happen.”
“In my opinion, the only one at risk is Nathan Crowley. Have you seen him lately? The man’s been walking around for the past two weeks gaunt as a scarecrow, muttering to himself. If anyone’s possessed by a devil, it’s surely him.”
“Who’s possessed by a devil?” Henry asked from the doorway.
I silently cursed myself for not closing the door behind Nora. I sat completely still and stared at the floor as he came to stand before me. He hadn’t even asked permission to enter, likely because he already knew what my answer would have been.
“Good day, Nora Goodwin,” he said, giving her a polite bow.
“Good day, Henry Kilbrid. And if you had attended meeting you would not have to ask,” she said crisply.
“I chose to commune with God from a nice hilltop this morning,” he replied.
Nora smiled at his frankness. “I spoke of Nathan Crowley. At meeting he claimed we had a witch living in Hopewell whom he intends to name in three days. I was only reassuring Selah that this would be impossible since there is no such thing as witches and that if anyone is currently in possession of a demon, it is surely Nathan.”
I struggled to keep my breath steady. Now I would learn whether Henry intended to condemn or support me. From the corner of my eye, I caught a small movement, and then felt his hand firmly on my shoulder.
“I agree entirely,” he said. “But it won’t be easy for the woman who’s charged.”
My mind began to race, trying to figure out what he agreed with—that there were no such things as witches, or that Nathan Crowley was possessed. Or maybe he had meant them both.
“Do you have any idea who it could be?” Henry asked. I was really quite impressed at how well he could feign ignorance.
“Not the slightest,” Nora sighed.
“Supposing Nathan isn’t in his right mind, it could be just about anyone,” Henry said.
“Oh, what if it’s me?” Nora asked excitedly, giving us her best devious smile. “Will you still let me come to your party at the Oswalds’? I may even be tempted to dance if Nathan already thinks me a wicked woman.”
With everything going on, I had failed to remember the ball that Martha Oswald had planned for Henry and me this Saturday night.
“All the more reason to have you there,” Henry laughed. “And I would make sure to request your favor for several dances.”
Listening to their good-natured banter helped to lessen the panic in my chest. In its stead, a strange sensation developed—an awareness of becoming detached from myself, as though all this talk had been about someone else. “Are Anne and Gideon coming over to discuss Nathan’s vision?” I asked.
“I almost forgot,” Nora said, stealing a quick look out the window. “Last night they shared evening meal at our home. I heard them telling my parents later that they were coming to Brighmor today to speak with you and Henry about...” Her voice trailed off, leaving us hanging in suspense.
I looked at her imploringly, but she purposefully ignored me as she decided how best to continue. “They want to make sure that you and Henry are properly situated in your domestic life, and to answer any questions you may have about the propagation of our species.”
Henry started laughing. “Oh, this should be most entertaining, to receive instruction from Gideon Boyle.”
Nora stole another peek out the window, a slight blush in her cheeks. “Oh, dear!” she exclaimed. “I see them on the road, and it looks like they’ve brought old man Sweeney along.” She rushed over to give me a peck on the cheek. “I’ll just go out the servants’ door, and across the Dowlings’ property if you don’t mind.” She shot Henry a quick look. “Good luck,” she said, with a sympathetic smile, and dashed out.
As soon as we were alone, Henry moved forward, kneeling in front of my chair. “Do you want me to speak with Nathan tonight?” he asked, all humor gone from his voice. “I have no qualms with killing the man if he persists in threatening you.”