Page 63 of The Book of Unwritten Stories

She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes. ‘I fear even God himself could not help me with this, Matthew. I am in great trouble and when the villagers find out then I will be cast out or even worse, put in the county jail.’

Matthew looked mortified. ‘What could thou have done to deserve that?’

Lucine patted her stomach. ‘I am with child, Matthew; I have no husband.’

She dried her eyes. She had told him now and though it would be the end of their friendship, she felt better for telling another person about her predicament. She waited for his eyes to widen, his nostrils to flare in anger and for him to throw her out of his home. Instead, he did none of those things and stood up. He began to pace up and down before turning back to her and softly patting her shoulder.

‘Lucine, I have wanted to ask thee for a long time. I know I am not long for this world, and it is by the grace of God that your visits and potions have kept me living for this long. I think that we can help each other. If you were to marry me, we could explain the child that way. I do not expect you to perform any wifely duties towards me, except maybe take care of me when my time comes for God to call me home. You would not have to live here with me, although I would like it if you did for your company and conversation makes my ailing heart feel much lighter. All I ask is that we marry to show those Puritan fools you are a good, honest woman. They can ask no questions about the child if it has a father. Take your time to consider this proposal, but I feel it would be of mutual benefit to the both of us.’

Lucine stared at Matthew, and her eyes filled with tears once more.

‘Pray, I am sorry. I did not mean for that offer to make you cry more. Please forgive my foolish heart.’

She took hold of his hands. ‘Matthew, I cry because you show too much kindness to me. You are a good man, and I would very much like to take care of you. I too love our conversations, but I could not expect you to say that the child is yours. I would not bring that shame on your name.’

He shook his head. ‘Lucine, I have longed for a child of my own to fill this house with joy. This could be the last chance I have to make that happen. It is of great benefit to us both, and I would find no shame in keeping your honour. I know that you fell in love with the traveller. I could see the joy in your eyes on your visits when he was here. I think you should know that he was chased out of the village and I am sure that when he is able to return to you he will.’

‘He was?’

Matthew nodded. ‘I overheard whispers.’

‘Thank thee, Matthew, you are the kindest man. Yes, I would be honoured to be thy wife and live with you.’

‘You would?’

She nodded, this man was an angel sent from above to offer her the chance to have her child and be near to her sisters with no shame brought upon the family. They would not be cast out, and she would not go to the county jail.

She stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing him tight.

‘You have made this old man very happy, Lucine. I could not bear the thought of those fools being so unkind to you. We must make haste, must we not, if we are to make them believe that I have by some miracle managed to produce a child.’ He winked at her and she laughed.

‘I shall tell my sisters, and we will go see Reverend Higginson this evening, to ask him to wed us.’

He nodded. ‘Is this what you want, Lucine? For I would not want you to agree if it makes your heart unhappy.’

‘Matthew Hall, you have saved my life and my soul. My daughter will know thee as her father, and you will make a very good one.’

Matthew sat down, his hand on his heart, and Lucine began to empty the contents of her basket. ‘Let me tend to thee, too much excitement is not good for thy heart.’

He laughed. ‘Yes, it would not do for it to stop beating now because it has found such joy.’

‘You jest too much, for that would be terrible.’

She began to mix the herbs in with his ale and gave it to him. ‘Sup that, it tastes foul.’

He nodded. ‘I know it does, but I would drink a cup full of poison if you asked me to, Lucine English.’

‘I would never.’

He winked at her and drank down the ale, letting out a loud belch that made his cheeks burn. ‘Excuse me.’

‘Excused. Now, I must go and tell Lenora and Seraphina of your kindness. They will be so relieved and grateful to thee, Matthew Hall.’

‘When will thou be back?’

‘By midafternoon. We need to find the reverend before he gets too drunk in Ingersoll’s.’

‘How anyone can get drunk of that slop is a mystery to me. We will ride out together, there can be no questions. The whole village know you visit me twice weekly. I will tell him how madly in love I am with you and how you have agreed to be my wife. I do not have to lie for ’tis the truth. No one need know about the child till the time is right. I will leave that to you, Lucine.’