“Please.” I took her hands. I would go without her, but I didn’t want to.
“When?”
“I’m not sure. It will take some time to work out the details.”
“What if someone else tries it first and beats you to the fifty thousand?”
I hadn’t considered that, but there was nothing I could do about it. “Then we’ll look for another opportunity—but I won’t worry about that now. I’ll know more after Luc speaks to the sponsors.”
Grace frowned. “Luc is coming?”
I nodded, secretly happy to hear the displeasure in her voice. “He’s going to be my business manager again. Will you come?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea—”
“Just think how much this would help Mama and Daddy. They would never have to worry about the orphanage again.”
Guilt still plagued her over the situation, so when she sighed, I knew I had won.
“Thank you,” I said, hugging her, relieved she would say yes—despite my concerns about Luc’s feelings. “I didn’t want to do it without you.”
“I’m not being entirely selfless. I think theGlobewould be interested in sending me along for the journey. It will help my career as much as it will help yours.”
“See? We both win.”
“And,” she added, “I love the idea of inviting Mama and Daddy. They’ll enjoy being there with us.”
“I’ll still have time before the cross-country flight to participate in air shows and compete for prize money.”
“We need to get to bed,” Grace said as she stood.
“Why have you been so eager to return to Salem lately?”
“Each day I hope Isaac will arrive with news of our mother’s family.”
Was that the only reason she was eager to see Isaac again? Though she couldn’t be with him after we left 1692, what would it hurt if she had his love until then?
I had treated Isaac poorly, hoping he would leave us alone—but perhaps I could be more thoughtful around him and encourage him to shift his attention to Grace.
It was the least I could do for my sister.
13
GRACE
JUNE 10, 1692
SALEM VILLAGE
Everything about today was somber. The weather, with gray clouds and cool temperatures. The ordinary, which had returned to its regular flow of customers since the grand jury had convened in Salem Towne and most of the accused were now in prison there. And my heart, which was heavy with the knowledge that the first person was being hanged on Gallows Hill this morning.
I stayed in the kitchen for most of the day, not wanting to hear the rumors and gossip in the dining room. I had baked all morning, and now our larder was full of pies, breads, cakes, and doughnuts. It was the only way I knew to keep my mind and hands occupied while Hope cleaned upstairs.
“’Tis done,” Susannah said as she entered the kitchen. She removed her steeple-crowned hat, having just returned from Salem Towne to watch the hanging. “The witch is dead.”
I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat and looked away from the gleam of triumph in Susannah’s eyes.
“What say you?” Susannah asked as she held her hat and stared at me. “Did you wish her to live and continue tormenting the afflicted?”
