Riverbreeze: Part 2 (29 page)

“’Tis full of seeds in the center but there’s about an inch or more of flesh directly under the skin.”

“What do you do with it?”

“Cook it and eat it, of course.” Robert quipped.

She made a face at him and clicked her tongue. “I know that! How do you cook it?”

“You scoop out all the seeds, then you cut the flesh in chunks, skin it and then you either roast it or boil it. Abby usually boils it, then she mashes it with honey and butter. ‘Tis rather good.”

“I can’t wait to try it.” Elizabeth said, still admiring the pumpkin in her hands. She smelled it; she continued to touch it all over and showed such childlike fascination with the simple pumpkin that Robert chuckled at her.

“What are you looking at?” She demanded.

“You.” He stepped in to give her a quick kiss. “It pleases me to see you so interested.

“Well, this is all new to me!” She defended herself. “Evelyn and I would go to the market with our governess sometimes, but mostly the cook bought our food. And we never grew anything. My father was a businessman.”

“I know.” Robert said, giving her a quick hug and another kiss on her cheek. “I still can’t imagine what it would have been like to live in a city.”

“’Twasn’t so bad.” She said softly, remembering her father, her governess and her home mostly.

Sensing her melancholy, Robert gave her another hug. “I’m sure it wasn’t.”

A call from the back door caught their attention. Elizabeth was actually glad for the interruption. “We’re in the garden, Evie.” She quickly called back. She wondered what Evelyn could want. Robert suggested that maybe breakfast was ready. Agreeing with him and ready for breakfast herself,--her stomach actually growled at the thought-- she and Robert decided they had better gather up the other two pumpkins and the basket of vegetables to bring into the house. Elizabeth picked up another pumpkin, Robert picked up the third and together they started towards the gate.

Presently, Evelyn entered. The dogs ran to her and she took a few moments to greet them. When she straightened, she said without preamble. “We have guests. Two gentlemen.”

“Who are they?” Robert asked.

“They introduced themselves as Edward Huett and Roger Wentworth.”

The names didn’t mean anything to Elizabeth but Robert’s face lit up. “Ned and Roger!” Then suddenly he looked like he was going to be sick. “Oh, no.” He groaned.

“What is it?” Elizabeth asked, looking intently at him.

“I could be wrong, but I fear this isn’t a social call. Ned is the sheriff and Roger is the court clerk.”

“But what could they want with you?” Elizabeth asked, sounding a little frightened.

Robert turned to Evelyn. “Did they say anything about what this visit is about?” Evelyn shook her head, her face somber. “They only said they needed to talk to you, Robert. They’re waiting in the parlor.”

“Well, I suppose I shouldn’t keep them waiting.” He said, dread in his voice.

* * *

After dropping off the vegetables with Abby in the kitchen and leaving the dogs with Evelyn, Elizabeth accompanied Robert to the parlor. He said it would only be proper to introduce her to their guests and she was curious herself to meet them and see what they wanted.

She was a little nervous; on the way into the house Robert had mentioned that he guessed this might have something to do with the incident with Doctor Harris, but he hoped not. Elizabeth thought back to that moment when Robert had yelled at the doctor and then the doctor declaring that he would have justice. She wasn’t as hopeful.

Outside the door, Elizabeth and Robert paused for a minute. Elizabeth clutched at her shawl and curled her toes in her shoes a few times to try to warm them. She hoped she looked presentable enough, but then decided not to worry. Next to Robert, in his stained buckskins, she looked like a queen! Nevertheless, she smoothed her hair and shook out her skirt.

“You look fine.” Robert whispered, smiling wryly at her. “Come on, let us go in.” He held out his hand to her.

She nodded, took a deep breath and placed her hand in his. At least he had taken the time to wash his hands at the well.

Together they stepped into the parlor.

The two gentlemen looked up. They were standing off to the side of the fireplace. They had been watching the servant build up the fire and in their hands were mugs of something hot to drink. At Robert’s and Elizabeth’s entrance, they both placed their mugs down on the sturdy, gate-leg table.

Both were impeccably dressed; one in an olive green doublet and breeches, the other, all in walnut brown. Elizabeth recognized Roger Wentworth, the man in brown, from the party, and even though she had never met the other man, she assumed him to be Huett. He was starkly different from Wentworth’s masculine beauty. He was barely as tall as her, had ordinary, stick straight, brown hair and, unfortunately, pockmarked skin. He had a sour expression on his face and Elizabeth struggled to maintain her smile.

Their broad-brimmed hats had been placed on the two chairs and a wooden case had also been set down on the floor. At the sight of the case, Elizabeth’s smile faltered, not liking the look of it. It reminded her of something her father’s solicitor had carried, a traveling desk of sorts, to hold official documents, paper, ink and quills.

Robert took the initiative. Guiding Elizabeth firmly into the room, he put on a pleasant front, greeting the men enthusiastically. “Ned! Roger! How good of you to visit today!” Then lowering his voice, addressed the servant. “Nathan, you may go now.”

As soon as the servant left, the men stepped forward, responding favorably to Robert’s hospitality, and formal introductions took place. The men bowed; Elizabeth curtsied and then pleasantries were exchanged. Surprisingly, Ned Huett even complimented Robert on his fine cider!

But once they were through with the small talk, Ned cleared his throat meaningfully. He addressed Elizabeth formally, “Excuse us, Mistress Bassett.” Then he addressed Robert. “May we speak to you privately, Robert?” He asked.

Robert drew himself up. “Whatever you may have to say, you may say in front of my wife, sir.” Robert said with dignity, drawing her close to his side. “We have no secrets between us.”

Elizabeth was glad to hear that.

“As you wish.” Huett nodded once. “My apologies, sir.” Another nod to Elizabeth. “Mistress.”

Elizabeth nodded in turn, keeping up the formalities.

Huett continued, “We are here on official business, Robert.”

“Indeed.” Robert said blandly, although Elizabeth had heard a tinge of sarcasm in his voice.

Huett must have too and he didn’t like it. He raised his eyebrows at Robert, speaking his next words in clipped tones. “I have a warrant for your arrest.” He turned to his clerk. “Roger, if you will get the warrant, please.”

Elizabeth gasped quietly and struggled to maintain her composure as she watched Roger bend down to retrieve his case. He picked it up, avoiding Robert’s gaze, and carefully placed it on the table, away from the mugs. He opened it and took out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Huett. All the while he looked rather uncomfortable; clearly he didn’t want to do this.

Robert was standing as stiff as a board, his lips pressed tightly together, his neck turning an alarming shade of bright red. Elizabeth touched his hand to try to calm him; she was afraid he might do or say something to get him in even more trouble.

Huett continued, “A complaint has been filed against you by Doctor Harris for defamation of character …”

“That sniveling, worthless turd.” Robert growled, snatching the document from Huett’s hand.

“Now that’s the kind of talk that gets you in trouble, Rob.” Roger chided him.

“I’m only speaking the truth.” Robert shot back.

“Your
truth.” Roger countered.

“Mmph.” Robert grunted, then started to read the warrant.

Huett added, “After you have read the complaint, you will write your statement with Master Wentworth and myself as witnesses; and your case will be tried next week in a special court session.”

“Next week!” Robert exclaimed, alarm in his voice. “I thought court wasn’t for another two weeks.”

“It was, but Justice Dixon and I have so many cases to hear, we decided to hold two sessions.”

“Is Sparshott going to be there?” Robert asked.

Huett frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. He eyed Robert curiously. “I do not know. I’m going to post notice at Sunday’s church service.”

Elizabeth watched this interchange between her husband and Huett with worry in her heart. What would happen to Robert now? Would he be whipped? Would he be put in the pillory? She remembered seeing an awful incident at the stocks in London one time when a man had suffocated and died because so many people had thrown so much rotten produce at his face that his mouth and nose had become blocked and no one had bothered to clear the mess away.

And something else was bothering Robert. Why had he become so alarmed when hearing his case would be tried next week? She thought he should have been happy to get it over with. Did his anxiety have something to do with that meeting with that man on the lawn during the party?

Having settled down and finished reading the complaint against him, Robert said he was ready to make his statement. Wentworth set paper and ink on the table for him and Robert pulled up one of the chairs. He handed Huett his hat and sat down.

“May I stay and stand beside him?” Elizabeth asked. When Huett nodded, she moved to Robert’s side and caressed his back to show her support. He smiled up at her and she smiled in return. She watched as he dipped the quill and wrote a very short, direct statement.

On Monday, October 30, 1643, I, Robert Alexander Bassett, did call Doctor Harris a filthy, barbarous murderer.

Then he signed the paper with a flourish and blew gently on the wet ink.

Elizabeth was impressed with his honesty. Despite his tendency to badmouth certain people he considered unworthy, he was an honorable man. She was most pleased. And his handwriting wasn’t too bad either! That impressed her as well.

They thought that Robert’s confession would have put an end to this unpleasant business but it appeared that the doctor wanted his day in court no matter what. Huett then asked if Elizabeth’s name had been Tyler before she married Robert and after she reluctantly confirmed that fact, he informed her that she had been named as a witness, along with her sister, Evelyn Tyler, whom he would need to speak with afterwards. Both of them were required by law to attend court for Robert’s trial or if they were unable to attend, he could take their statements now. With a heavy heart, Elizabeth assured Sheriff Huett that she and her sister would be at the trial next week.

Robert put his arm around Elizabeth. “’Twill be all right.” He said with a small smile. “A stripe or two, a public apology, a fine, keelhauled. What more can he demand?”

What more can he demand, indeed
? Elizabeth thought, as Roger packed up his case and he and Robert left the room.

Now it was time to give Evelyn the bad news of being a witness against her new brother-in-law.

* * *

While Huett remained in the parlor, speaking with the twins, Robert and Roger went outside to the front of the house to wait for him.

Roger stood awkwardly, looking out to the river. He puffed on a long-stemmed clay pipe that Robert had provided along with a supply of his sweet-tasting tobacco. Robert didn’t smoke himself, but kept a supply of pipes and tobacco for his guests. Clay pipes were prone to break if one tried to travel with them.

A slight breeze blew by them, rustling the leaves on nearby sumac trees and lifting the gold ribbon holding back Roger’s hair. He smoothed it down, saying, “You have a great place here, Rob.” He said softly. “You should be proud.”

Robert snorted, wondering where this conversation was heading. “Oh please…you’re acting like I’m going to the gallows.”

“I’m sorry.” Roger said indignantly, turning sharply to look at Robert. “But I feel awful being a part of this.”

Robert smiled affectionately at him. “You’re only doing your job, man. Do not fret over it. I’m not.”

“I guess you’re right.” Roger finally relaxed and smiled. Then he said, “Nicki had the baby early this morning.”

“This morning! Congratulations!” Robert exclaimed, smiling broadly. He clapped his friend on the back. “What did she have?”

“Another girl.” Roger complained, but Robert knew he really didn’t mean it. “What am I going to do with three girls?” He bemoaned.

Robert laughed. “You could put them in breeches and teach them to pick worms.”

Roger shook his head and took a puff on the pipe. “Nicki would have my head, if I did that.”

“You could get busy making three boys!” Robert teased him.

Roger snorted, shaking his head again. “Nicki would have my yard if I came any- where near her…at least for the time being.”

Robert laughed again. “Oh Roger…I feel for you. But girls can be sweet. They usually adore their daddies.”

“They will also cost me a fortune in laces and satins and silks.” He grumbled.