Elias easily dismounted, seemingly not noticing Julies silence. He once again turned his attention to the ever blushing Megan. “Megan, I was hopeful beyond reason to see you here this morning. I would be most pleased if you would consent to a mid-morning walk with me. I am bound for the Sanders’ to deliver a parcel on behalf of my father. Please, say you’ll come with me.”
Megan’s smile grew as Elias continued to speak, and Juliet could only look on in horror. Megan looked as if she were about to accept his offer. Surely Megan was only responding out of kindness, or out of some misplaced need to try and befriend every town member. Megan must know that this silver-tongued serpent, this miserable wretch, could have nothing but inane and empty words to bore her with. Julie’s mouth flew open of its own accord.
“Oh, Elias, surely you must be joking,” Julies disbelief was evident, and she found that she had a confused Elias now looking at her, as well as a shocked Megan.
Julie found herself flustered by the two different reactions. An awkward silence settled as Julie looked from Megan to Elias, trying to organize her thoughts. She was furious at Elias for acting the fool, she was embarrassed that she had upset Megan. The result was that Julie was unable to get her mind to think of a proper response. Megan's shock was gone now and hurt had taken its place. Julie knew that she had spoken poorly and was about to say so when Elias spoke.
“Joking?” His face a mask of confusion. “Juliet, I would never take the attention of Megan lightly. I think perhaps the company you have been keeping of late has skewed your perception. The Petersens and Andersons are very respectable families, but I think that perhaps the dramatics of Ms. Susannah and young Nathaniel are taking a toll on you.” Elias turned his attention back to Megan and smiled overlargely. “Some people are quite capable of sincere conversation, free of juvenile antics.”
Megan turned her hurt expression from Julie and her gaze steadied on Elias, and softened.
The anger inside Julie rekindled. How dare he insult my friends, my judgment, and try to flatter Megan with his obnoxious horse-toothed smile! “Sir, I would thank you to leave my friends be. All of them.”
Elias wasn't listening, he was proffering his arm to Megan, and she was accepting! Julie could not believe the scene unfolding in front of her. “Megan, please don't tell me that you honestly-” but Julie let her words trail off. Megan turned her back and walked away with Elias, arm in arm. Julie could her the nasal voice of Elias growing fainter as the two made their way to the thoroughfare and out of sight. Julie felt like she was going to be sick for the second time that morning as she said to no one in particular, “What just happened?”
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Nathan could see only too well what was going on, and as much as he wanted to cheer up Julie, he knew that there were some things that needed to be resolved alone, also when Julie was mad she sometimes threatened to have him put in the stocks. Both very good reasons to be off into town.
Despite his numerous and disastrous apprenticeships, and his apparent lack of “stomach” control, Nathan was essentially well liked in town, and he offered a good morning and friendly wave as he meandered his way around town. People seemed to be more gossipy than normal. Everyone was talking in small groups. Not too unusual since it is a holiday, but they were whispering and looking very solemn. Not the lively chatter and friendly faces he expected. As Nathan approached the bakery, he nearly collided with Tobias Miller.
The upset farmer didn't even seem to notice, but Nathan heard the grumblings of the man as he stomped past, “Fool governor doesn't want to do anything about it, well I will...”
That did not sound good. Tobias was not strictly speaking what anyone would call intelligent. Nathan spared a quick moment to peer into the shop to see the back of his father, the constable and no doubt the Governor as well.
Nathan was quite sure that if his father were to see him alone at this time of day, he would be ordered home to help his mother with whatever tasks his brothers hadn't done before they slunk away. Nathan backed away quietly and decided to find the eldest Miller boy, Obediah, who recently started working for the Blacksmith. Obediah was large for his age, well-broad for his age anyway. Obediah was short but had large flat hands and a large flat face. There was a decidedly 2 dimensional look to him. Nathan had not as yet been apprenticed to the Smith, and no one suggested it. After what happened with the candlestick maker, no one really wanted to see what Nathan was capable of with fire and hot metal at his disposal.
Nathan approached Obediah casually and obviously, trying not to appear too purposeful. Obediah was a hard book to read, but they had a cordial enough relationship. Obediah was a little older, not quite a year.
“Morning Obediah,” Nathan waved as he caught the mans eye. Obediah nodded but said nothing. “What are you working on?”, Nathan tried to ease into the conversation unobtrusively, but Obediah responded only with a flat stare. Gracious, what is wrong with everyone today? “I apologize if I have come at a bad time, I did not mean to interrupt your work,” Nathan made to give a slight bob and depart but Obediah shook his head and finally spoke.
“Sorry, it's not you. This morning the Smith decided that things are in shambles out here. So I have been put on cleaning duty,” Obediah sounded tired and Nathan noticed his eyes were dull, well duller, anyway.
“Ah, I understand. I don't mean to pry, but are you well? You don't look yourself?”, Nathan really did commiserate with Obediah. He too had been put on cleaning duty numerous times by parents and masters just so that he would be out of the way.
Obediah shrugged. Nathan continued, “how is your family?” Obediah shrugged again. Feeling a little frustrated, Nathan frowned. So much for subtlety, “I saw your father in town, he looked upset.” Obediah was still for a moment then nodded.
“My father went to speak to the Governor,” Obediah looked around cautiously before proceeding, “I know you are friends with one of them, but you need to know something. There is something strange going on in West Cross. Those Irish are acting very odd. They are doing unnatural things, my dad says its the black magic. They are nothing short of witches my father says. I never met any witch, but I don't know. It doesn't feel right. Folks are getting upset and nervous. I can't sleep, I keep thinking about what is going on out there,” Obediah stopped speaking and looked at Nathan.
Nathan didn't know what to say to that. He felt chills go up his spine, and shivered. Obediah solemnly nooded as if he knew exactly what Nathan was thinking, but Nathan didn't even know what he was thinking. “I guess I know what everyone in town was talking about now,” Nathan ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
Obediah had gone back to working, but he paused to look over at Nathan and said, “I'm surprised you didn't know-what with your father being Constable.”
It was Nathan's turn to shrug. “Thanks for filling me in. I guess I should get going, lot to get ready for tonight,” Nathan waved again and Obediah nodded as he continued his chore, not bothering to look up.
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