Death in Salem Read Online Free PDF

impatient hand. William nodded and frowned pointedly at Rees and the doctor.
    Rees looked at his bloody hands in dismay and made some attempt to scrub them clean upon the canvas. The doctor, whose hands were untouched by blood, gestured to a basin of water and a cloth that had been set aside for his use. Rees quickly availed himself of the water, scouring his hands until the water turned reddish-brown.
    He then followed the doctor and the Boothes out of the small housekeeper’s office and into another room across the hall. A large fireplace dominated the opposite wall and over the mantel hung a portrait of a young woman with fair hair. Although the artist had painted her in a stiff pose against a red drape, he’d possessed enough skill to catch the roguish glint in her eyes. Her lips were curved in a sweet smile.
    â€œMy mother,” Peggy said unnecessarily, her voice beginning to tremble. Rees nodded and looked around. Decorated almost exclusively with items brought from the East, this chamber boasted walls hung in embroidered silk, a black lacquer table, and several beautiful porcelain bowls. There was even a strange blue statue with four arms. Rees stared at it for several seconds before turning his gaze to the spindly furniture. Imported from England but still in the Eastern style, it did not seem sturdy enough to hold Rees’s weight. At more than six feet, he towered over everyone else in the room save Twig, who Rees outweighed by at least fifty pounds. As the aptly named Twig sat down, Rees propped himself up against the wall. William turned a frown upon the upstart but Twig did not notice. Rees marked William’s expression; here was a young man very conscious of his own importance.
    Miss Peggy dropped onto a bench as though her legs had collapsed beneath her, but the face she turned to her brother was fierce with purpose. “I could not believe Xenobia guilty of Father’s murder, William, and now we know that she was not. You must speak to the deputy sheriff without delay so she can come home.”
    â€œHome?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow at her. “She was responsible for caring for Mother. With Mother’s death, Xenobia has no further function here.”
    Peggy’s mouth tightened with annoyance. “She can look after me then,” she said. “I won’t permit you to sell her. Unless you sell her to me. Then I shall promptly free her and employ her myself. Really William, she is part of the family.”
    William’s expression darkened. “Must I remind you that I am the head of this family now? Father allowed you too much latitude, but I will not make that mistake.”
    â€œPerhaps not,” Peggy said, exhibiting no anxiety at all. “But perhaps the contempt of our neighbors will sway you. We already bear the burden of gossip for owning a slave.” Leaning forward, she added emphatically, “You know how many of them despise us for that. If you sell her or turn her off you must realize we will all bear the brunt of disapprobation.” Rees nodded at the girl approvingly. He wished his wife Lydia was here now; he thought she would admire the fiery Peggy Boothe greatly. But William’s scowl was thunderous.
    â€œVery well,” he said after a moment’s silence. “I will do nothing. For now. Yes, Peggy,” he held up a hand to forestall her speech, “I will instruct the sheriff to free Xenobia and she may return home. For the time being. No doubt we shall require an extra pair of hands now that we have lost…” Abruptly his voice hoarsened and he turned aside. No one spoke. Tears filled Peggy’s eyes and dripped down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes with her fingers until Twig offered her his handkerchief. She nodded her thanks and pressed the grubby square of cloth into her eyes. Rees found Twig’s behavior surprising. First, because he had a handkerchief and second, because he was willing to offer it to