Longings of the Heart (31 page)

Slowly, John turned. His eyes bore into hers. They were cold and devoid of emotion. How could he have ever thought her handsome?

“I need cash. Now.”

“I’ve none to give you.” “It’s not my concern how ye come by the funds, but ye must pay me.”

John despised her. He fought off a desire to strike her. “I’m not giving you another farthing.”

She smirked. “Ye think not, eh? Well then, I suppose I’ll have to see how the elders feel ’bout yer wife’s . . . indulgences.”

“Ye won’t.” John hoped he sounded like he believed what

he was saying. “If you say a word, you’ll expose yourself. And you’ll be ruined right along with Hannah.”

“Ye believe I care what people think of me?” She smirked. “I care nothing for them. And there are other places to live, better than this pathetic settlement.” Her blue eyes turned colder. “But ye can be assured I’ll not go until I’ve spoken to the elders.”

John knew she meant it. “This will end badly for you.”

Deidre laughed. “Maybe so, but all the worse for ye.” She rested a hand on her hip. “I suppose ye might hold off and see where it gets ye.”

There was no escape. John had nothing to use for leverage. “What happened to the money ye got for the bull calf? I know ye sold him.”

“That was gone long ago, as if it were any of yer business.”

He stared at her, rage boiling inside. “All right, but this is the last time. Don’t ask again.”

Deidre smirked. “Certainly.”

“I’ll get the money for you, but it’ll take a few days. I’ve no funds right now.”

“I’ll not wait more than a week. And after that, I’ll be off to see the reverend.” She sauntered away toward a carriage driven by a man John had never seen before.

John’s hatred for the woman was deep and powerful, and frightening. He was defenseless. How was it that someone like Deidre could control his life?

He glanced up to see Hannah striding toward him. She was angry.

22

Hannah stepped out of the church just in time to watch Dei-dre flounce away from John.
What does she want?
Even as the question tramped through her mind, she knew. Furious, she strode toward her husband.

He looked from Deidre to Hannah, then squared his shoulders and faced his angry wife.

“What is it now?” Hannah demanded. When John didn’t answer right away, she repeated. “What does she want from us this time?”

“Nothing.” John’s eyes followed Deidre as she stepped into the carriage.

“So, she was just visiting, eh? I suppose the two of you discussed the weather.” Hannah couldn’t keep the caustic tone out of her voice.

John clenched his jaw. “No, of course not.” His eyes met Hannah’s. “She wants money. Mrs. Atherton discharged her and she says she’s in a bad way.”

“In a bad way? What with all the money she’s made selling what we’ve given her? And her larder is full, no doubt. What more could she have need of?”

John moved toward Hannah, but she stepped away. Just now, she couldn’t bear for him to touch her. She needed him to be strong, to stop this treachery.

“I told her this is the last time.”

Hannah glared at Deidre as she settled on the seat beside the stranger. Most certainly she was deceiving him as well. He looked to be someone of means.

Deidre rested an arm on an open window and gazed at Hannah and John. She smiled smugly as the coach moved away.

“It seems she has all the help she needs,” Hannah said, her voice prickly as nettles. All of a sudden she couldn’t bear the smugness, the ridicule, the treachery. She started after the carriage. “She’ll not make sport of us a moment longer.”

“Hannah. Stop,” John called. “You’ll only make things worse.” He ran after her.

But before he could catch her, Mr. Atherton’s carriage moved toward them. “Hannah . . . John.” He smiled, but the friendliness didn’t touch the concern in his eyes.

Hannah nodded and smiled and then tried to step around the horses.

Mrs. Atherton leaned out the carriage window. “If you’ll just give us a moment. Please, Hannah.”

Hannah watched the carriage carrying Deidre drive away. It was too late to catch her. She stopped and let her arms drop to her sides. Still angry, she did her best not to show it as she walked up to Catharine’s carriage window. “I didn’t realize you were still here.”

“I had some tidying up to do in the church. It wasn’t much, but I thought it the kindly thing to do.” Catharine smiled.

William opened the carriage door, stepped out and approached John. “I’ve a few projects I was hoping you might do for me.” He rested a broad hand on John’s shoulder.

“I’d be pleased to. Just what do you need done?”

The men walked away, and Catharine asked, “Will you come and sit with me?”

Hannah didn’t want to hear how she ought to be tolerant and forgiving. Deidre deserved neither. She stepped inside and sat across from Catharine. Pressing her back against the seat, she folded her hands in her lap.

“It was a splendid wedding. Lydia was stunning, don’t you think?”

“She was.” So quickly the joy of her friend’s wedding had evaporated. Deidre was good at robbing people of happiness. “And I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more handsome groom.” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “Except for John of course.”

“A very nice wedding, indeed.” Hannah tried to concentrate on what was at hand, but her mind kept carrying her back to Deidre. “I’m happy for Lydia.”

“Oh, I’m thrilled for her and for David.” Catharine leveled serious eyes on Hannah. “But there is something else I wanted to speak to you about. I know this is a trying time for you and John. And I understand your indignation with Deidre. You’re rightfully angry.”

Hannah stared at her hands.

“But running after her and confronting her at church is not necessarily a wise way to end her thieving.”

“We don’t know how to end it. What can we do? There seems to be nothing that will stop her.”

“This is something for the Lord to work out. It’s beyond human means.” Catharine’s expression turned mischievous. “Unless, of course, you’re willing to allow her to speak out.” She rested quiet eyes on Hannah. “I’m not at all convinced she will, but of course she may.”

“John and I have talked about what we should do if she tells everyone the truth, her truth. We’re prepared to move away from Parramatta.”

“Oh, I shouldn’t think that would be necessary.”

“The farm is only now beginning to do a small amount of business. We’ve a growing number of sheep, and there should be a profit in the wool. But others must be willing to do business with us. If this were to get out, it could put an end to our dreams. Especially because what she’s said to John about what happened isn’t altogether accurate; she’s colored the story with her own tale.” Hannah wanted it all to end, for good or bad. “What shall we do?”

“I’m convinced God overcomes evil with good. I’d say wait and allow him to set his plan in place.”

“But when will I know? How can we know what to do?” Hannah shook her head. “I can’t allow this to go on any longer. We won’t give her another thing.”

“And if she goes to the elders?”

“Then she does and there can be nothing done about it.”

“And you trust God with that?”

“We must. How can we not? He’s been with us through so much. I’ve no inkling of what is to come, but I do know the Lord walks with us.”

Catharine smiled as she reached across and took Hannah’s hand. “Good.” Passion lit her blue eyes. “We have a God who is powerful and wise, one we trust in all things.”

Hannah nodded. “I believe that.” She glanced at the road, then closed her eyes and breathed deeply, hoping to find a vestige of peace. “But I’m still frightened.”

“Of course. You’re only human.” Catharine squeezed Hannah’s hand. “You have William’s and my support, absolutely. As you’ve most likely heard, I dismissed Deidre. She’s served her previous sentence, but if I were to report her extortion to the authorities, she would most likely be given further gaol time.”

“Wouldn’t that be cause for her to remain quiet about what she knows?”

“One would think so, but for too many, temptation overrides good sense.”

Hannah just wished it would simply go away. “She’s insisting on a cash payment this time.”

“I’ve a good rapport with the governor. Would you like me to speak to him?”

Hannah considered the offer. Deidre deserved to pay dearly for what she’d done, but Hannah didn’t want prison even for her. “There must be another way.”

“I imagine God will see that justice is done. And I daresay, his ways can be the most painful of all.”

No longer feeling nearly so flustered, Hannah nodded. “I’m going to speak to her. I won’t allow this blackmail to continue.”

“I’ll be in prayer.”

“Thank you.” Hannah watched Thomas. He stood beside John, his attention riveted on the men’s conversation. She imagined he was enjoying being part of a grown-up discussion. “I’m just not sure about Thomas and what will happen to him if she speaks out.”

“I’ve thought about that. It does add to the dilemma.”

“I’d hate for him to become a target of ridicule on my account, but I believe it would be more harmful for him to watch his parents be bullied by someone like her.”

“I quite agree.” Catharine sat back in her seat. “I’m proud of you and John. This isn’t an easy thing to face.”

Hannah glanced at her husband. “I’m not certain John agrees with me.”

“Oh? I thought you were in accord. If not, then it might be best if you waited until you two agree on what should be done.”

“I know. And we will.” Hannah hugged Catharine. “Thank you for your kindness and your encouragement.”

“We need to stand together, eh?” Catharine smiled.

“That we do.” Hannah stepped out of the carriage and moved toward John and Mr. Atherton.

William looked at Hannah. “Well, it seems the women have completed their chat.” He glanced up at a darkening sky. “And the weather is taking a turn, so I’d best be on my way.” He smiled at Hannah. “Good day to you.”

“Good day.”

John and then Thomas tipped their hats to William Ather-ton.

Hannah stood a good distance from John while she watched the Atherton carriage move away. Now it was time for her and John to talk and decide their course.

“We should be off,” John said as cheerfully as he could manage. He rested a hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “In with you.”

Thomas clambered into the back of the wagon while John helped Hannah up onto the seat. He took his place beside her and lifted the traces, giving the horses a gentle slap of the reins. They moved toward home.

Wind whipped tree branches and spattered drops of rain. Birds chattered exuberantly in the trees, but in the wagon everyone was silent.

Thomas draped himself over the back of the seat between Hannah and John. “What’s wrong with ye, eh? No one’s said a word since we left the church. Figured ye’d be talking ’bout what a fine wedding it was. Is something wrong?”

“No. Everything’s fine,” said John. “We’re just a bit tired is all. It’s been a long day.”

Hannah patted Thomas’s hand. If she were going to speak to Deidre, it would be wise to forewarn the boy. “I’m just busy thinking about what a grand wedding it was.” She smiled. “Not to worry.”

“I know when things aren’t right. I’ve seen enough of it.” He pressed his chin into his arm. “Can’t help but worry. Once before, I lost everything in me life that mattered. And now I can feel it—something bad is going on.”

“It’s not like that.” Hannah turned and looked at him. “You’ll never lose us. I promise.”

“Ye can’t promise a thing like that. Ye never know what kind of trouble might come. Me mum and sister didn’t count on dying on that ship, and me dad and me was just going fishing, that’s all . . .” His voice broke.

“I don’t know why bad things happen,” John said, his voice tender. “But I know we can trust God. I don’t think he would have brought you into our lives if he didn’t intend for us all to stay together for a good while.” He offered an encouraging smile, then his eyes met Hannah’s and she could see renewed strength in him.

Hannah and John didn’t speak about Deidre the rest of the day, although the woman was never far from Hannah’s thoughts. By the time Thomas was ready for bed, she was on edge, needing to discuss what should happen and how.

John and Hannah followed Thomas up the stairs to the loft, and the three knelt beside the bed for evening prayers. Before John could begin, Thomas asked, “Can I pray this time?”

“That’s a fine idea,” said John. “Your prayers matter to God just as much as mine do.”

Hannah was touched by Thomas’s desire to pray.
He’s a fine
boy.
Her mind wandered to Deidre and what she would say to her. She knew her mind needed to be here with her husband and son, but she couldn’t keep it from wandering to Deidre and what was coming.

His voice solemn and reverent, Thomas began, “Father in heaven, me life’s been a bit of a struggle, but I’m thankful for all ye’ve done for me. I miss me mum and dad and Catrin real bad, but I love me new home. But there’s something bad afoot. I can feel it.”

Hannah’s heart skipped a beat and she glanced at Thomas. His eyes were squeezed shut.