I wanted to ask Grace about my funeral, but there was no time or privacy. We needed to get breakfast served, and Leah was present. I filled several plates with food and took them out to the dining room. Father was filling cups of ale, and Susannah was sitting at a table with two men. I didn’t recognize either of them, but Father didn’t seem concerned that she was talking to them.
When I approached the table, she looked up at me, a half smile on her face. I held three plates of food and set one down in front of each of them.
“Hope, these are my cousins,” Susannah said, “come from Boston. Nathaniel Putnam and Benjamin Putnam.”
“Good morrow, Hope,” one of them said to me.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” said the other.
I nodded at them and offered a polite smile but didn’t engage with them. Was there no end to the Putnam family?
“They’ll be staying with us for a few days,” Susannah continued as Father brought the ale to the table.
I glanced at the men again, and they were both staring at me intently. They were pleasant enough to look at, tall and handsome like most of the Putnams, but there was nothing remarkable about either one.
There were other occupants in the dining room, so I left to get more food. Susannah followed me into the kitchen.
Surprised, I turned. “It’s not often we find you in here. Come to help?”
She made a face at that suggestion and then said, “I’ve come to tell you why Nathaniel and Benjamin are here.”
Grace turned away from her pancakes, a wooden spatula in hand.
“This concerns you, as well,” Susannah said to her. “Your father is arranging marriages for the both of you. I’ve convinced him ’tis time you were on your own, and with the arrival of his new child come winter, we’ll need your bedchamber.”
I stared at her, speechless.
“Nathaniel and Benjamin are concerned about your ages,” she continued, “but they’re willing to take you on if the dowry is right. And your father is willing to give what is necessary.”
“I’m not marrying one of your cousins,” I said, turning from her to fill more plates. “I’d never consent to be a Putnam.”
“If not my cousins, then who? You cannot stay here forever. I won’t hear of it.”
I sighed. “’Tis not your concern.”
“As your stepmother, ’tis my utmost concern.”
I had my back to her, so she couldn’t see my scornful look.
“What about you, Grace?” Susannah asked. “Have you given any thought to my suggestion about Isaac?”
Frowning, I turned to Grace. “What suggestion about Isaac?”
Grace’s cheeks filled with color, and she resumed her cooking, groaning as she realized one of the pancakes had burned.
“I suggested that she lure Isaac into marriage.” Susannah smiled at me like a pleased feline. “If you won’t have him, then what’s the harm in her staking a claim? He’s wealthy, handsome, and clearly interested enough to come here at all hours of the night.” She glanced at Leah, who quickly dipped her head.
So Leahwastalking to her.
“Mayhap Grace hath already started to persuade Isaac.” Susannah’s smile didn’t waver as she looked at me. “That is, unless you have your eyes on him?”
“Are you trying to put strife between us?” I asked, thoughI wondered why Grace hadn’t told me about her conversation with Susannah. Had they talked about a way for Grace to win Isaac? Now that we were staying in 1692, would Grace stoop to snaring him?
“I am simply trying to get you two out of my home.” The smile fell from Susannah’s face. “And the sooner the better. My cousins will be here for three days. They know why they’re here. If they like either one of you, they might ask for your hand in marriage. I’m telling you so you’re prepared with an answer.”
After she left the kitchen, I turned to Grace. “Why didn’t you tell me about your conversation concerning Isaac?”
Grace glanced at Leah. “Take that outdoors, please.”
