Lauri Robinson - Saving Marina

Her chin began to tremble, her legs wobble, but by sheer will alone, she kept her stare steady, her mind focused. In truth, it was for him she fought. And Gracie. And Uncle William.

Her win, if she could call Richard’s gaze being the first to drop, held no victory. Nearly exhausted, she let out a sigh as Richard, looking stormier than ever, swung around and marched away. Her reprieve, that of drawing in enough air to fill her lungs, ended abruptly when the barn door thudded.

Hitching her skirt out of the way of her feet, she scurried around the barn. Richard was inside, throwing the saddle over the blanket he’d already laid across the massive horse’s back. Real relief filled her then. Keeping him hidden until Gracie was well enough to travel would have been impossible.

“I’ll send a message to your ship,” she said. “As soon as Gracie is well enough. You can expect it by the end of the week, I’m sure.”

While threading the leather strap through the cinch ring, he said, “There will be no need to send a message.”

“Very well. If you want to return on Saturday—”

His glare stopped her from continuing. Accepting there was nothing more to be said, she stepped outside the barn door and took several long glances up and down the road. There were no wagons, no lingering travelers from the groups who’d made the trek into Salem Towne to watch the hangings, and for that she was thankful. If he hurried, his departure would go as unnoticed as his arrival had been.

Upon hearing the thud of a horse’s hooves, she turned back to the barn, where Richard led the animal out into the sunlight. She waited until he mounted before saying, “Safe travels to Boston, Captain.”

His glower was chilling. “I’m not going to Boston, Marina. I’m going to the village. Where I’m sure to find someone who’ll answer my questions.”

“No.” Despite the size of the beast, she grabbed the leather chin strap of the horse’s bridle. “You can’t go to the village. No one can know you’re here.”

His laugh was close to sinister. “It’s too late for that. The girl that was here...the one you called Anna. She saw me. Why do you think she scurried into the woods so fast?”

Marina slapped her free hand over her mouth to contain her gasp, and Richard’s tug on the reins freed the animal from the hold of her other hand.

“Please.” It was all she could think to say. “Don’t.”

“I have no idea what you are trying to hide but, rest assured, before the sun sets, I will know. I will have answers to all my questions.”

“They’ll arrest you—”

“For witchcraft?” He laughed. “Let them try.”

His words lingered in the air, echoing in her ears as he kneed the animal.

“Stop! Please!” Hitching her skirt, she started to run but made it only a few steps when a solid grasp caught her arm. She’d have fought it but realized her momentum was already making Uncle William teeter on his good leg.

“I have to stop him,” she said.

“No, child,” Uncle William said. “You don’t have to stop him. She’s his daughter, not yours.”

Her legs threatened to collapse beneath her as the captain disappeared up the road.

“Come inside, Marina,” her uncle said. “We’ll know soon enough what the captain’s fate will be.”

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