“Did she also tell you the reason for my visit this afternoon?”
I nodded in reply, hoping my confession wouldn’t later come down on Nora’s head.
Anne took a deep breath. “Being so young, you might not have noticed how strange Nathan’s behavior has become since you and Henry married. For myself, I have found it most alarming, especially this past week when it significantly worsened. I have become so concerned that I even took him aside to inquire about his health.” She paused a moment to take a sip of tea. “I knew he was greatly disappointed that you did not accept his offer of marriage, but after speaking with him, I believe his previous hopes have turned into an obsession.”
I sat quietly. Already familiar with the story, there was no reason to interrupt or ask for clarification.
“He spoke at length of your skill for healing, hinting that there could be unnatural powers involved,” she went on. “He also said that your marriage to Henry might not be legal. When I pressed him for particulars, he said that steps had already been taken to rectify the situation.”
The room had grown uncomfortably warm. “What does he mean by rectifying the situation?” I asked, doing my best to stay calm.
“He refused to give any more details, but my guess is that he might try to have the marriage annulled on grounds of coercion and non-consummation.”
My stomach lurched suddenly. “Can he do this?”
“He would have to persuade the magistrates that the marriage was performed under duress, that Henry was somehow tricked or forced into it.”
The truth stuck in my throat. “Henry married me of his own accord,” I said weakly. A bit of persuasion had been required at the time, but it wasn’t like he’d been held at gunpoint. “My father arranged for our union before he died. I have the letters to prove it.”
“That is precisely why I haven’t spoken to you yet. I thought Nathan’s efforts would come to naught, and I saw no reason why you and Henry needed to consummate your marriage so quickly. Last night while supping at the Goodwins’, I only consented to come over today to stop Martha Oswald from making a similar visit.” Anne paused to let her words sink in, though her eyes never left my face. “But everything changed this morning when Nathan claimed a vision of evil. Assuming that you are the woman he names, the argument could be made that witchcraft was used to beguile Henry into marriage.”
“It’s a lie!” I cried, rising up from the sofa. “You can’t possibly believe I’m a witch.” Without Anne Boyle for an ally I might as well pack my trunk and leave Hopewell tonight.
“Gracious heaven! Do you think I would be sitting here in your drawing room trying to warn you if I did?” she asked impatiently.
Realizing my mistake, I sat back down and apologized for my behavior. “It will be my word against his once he accuses me. How can I convince the magistrates, or anyone else, to believe me over a minister?”
Anne’s gaze did not falter. “Let Henry sleep in your room. Let him have his conjugal rights.”
I shook my head involuntarily. “I can’t.”
“Of course you can. The man is your husband. You need to consummate the marriage eventually. Why not let it be tonight?”
If I had known what awaited me today, I would have been tempted to just stay in the Otherworld, or at least locked in my room. “How can this possibly help?”
“It will send a message to Nathan and all of Hopewell that your marriage is fully legal. I understand you have only known each other for a month, and many of the older women have privately commended your virtue and desire to proceed slowly. But there are some people who may grow suspicious the longer you continue to sleep apart. In three days when Nathan names you as the witch, your virtue may be misconstrued as Henry’s refusal to share a bed with his wife.”
I leaned back into the sofa, wondering just how Henry and I were going to get out of this one. Not that I hadn’t entertained the idea of what it would be like to lie with him, but I couldn’t even kiss him without Brigid’s fire boiling over. And then there was the little part about us not really being married...
“You have delivered enough babies to know how nature works,” Anne said, interrupting my thoughts. “And I’ll not insult you by offering unneeded advice. Suffice it to say, it is of the utmost importance to remove any doubt that your marriage is valid.”
I nodded. The front door opened, signifying the men had returned.
Anne stood and came over to me. “I’m sorry it has to be this way.” She left to meet Gideon and Edgar in the entryway.
Henry came in alone and sat down next to me. “That was...educational,” he said, sounding a bit dazed.