Death in Salem Read Online Free PDF Page B

someone else.
    William’s shoulders tensed and twitched with the struggle to govern his emotion. When he turned around, his face was red but he’d recovered control of his voice. “Where’s Betsy?”
    â€œStill abed.” Peggy frowned, adding in disapproval, “I expect she will not emerge until Mr. Morris arrives to comfort her.”
    â€œ If he arrives,” William said. He sighed, his shoulders slumping, and Rees glimpsed the pressure under which this young man labored. “He’s one of the Crowninshield cousins after all. He might feel his consequence is too high to wed a woman whose father was murdered. Especially after the death of her mother under somewhat questionable…” Recollecting his audience he glanced at Rees, and seeing he was listening with great attention, William jerked abruptly to a stop.
    â€œRussell Morris would never break our betrothal, not for something like that,” a light voice said from the door. Peggy turned and, upon seeing her sister, rose to her feet.
    â€œNo doubt you’re correct, Bets,” she said, stretching out a hand. “I know he loves you.” But a worried line insinuated itself between her fair brows. Rees guessed that Peggy, and William too, feared the scandal would break both the betrothal and their sister’s heart. And Rees thought they might be right. That was the way of the world.
    Rees focused his attention upon Elisabeth Boothe. She was as fair as her sister but more strongly resembled the portrait of their mother. Betsy’s features had escaped the sharp nose and chin Peggy and William shared. Large blue eyes and a trembling mouth gave her the appearance of softness, and as Rees watched Betsy, tears welled in her eyes and began running down her cheeks.
    â€œMy wedding has already had to be postponed,” she whispered. On her, the black gown, identical to Peggy’s, was flattering. She looked both beautiful and delicate. Even Rees, who was more attracted to Peggy’s fire, felt the desire to protect this fragile young woman from harm. He could imagine the effect she would have upon younger, unmarried men.
    â€œDon’t cry, Bets,” William said. “Don’t worry.”
    Peggy, however, looked at her sister with some impatience. “Of course, Father had to postpone the wedding,” she said. “It would be most indecorous to go forward with it immediately after the death of your Mother. And now, with Father’s death…” Her voice trailed off as Betsy began to weep.
    â€œDon’t be cross with me, Peggy,” Betsy said.
    Peggy exchanged a glance with William and said bracingly, “Now Bets, I’m absolutely certain your Russell Morris will wait until you’re out of mourning.”
    â€œI don’t have time for these female dramatics,” William said. “I want to catch the sheriff and free Xenobia today. Finish this task before it steals any more of my time.”
    Rees turned to Twig, who nodded slightly. “We too, will take our leave,” he said. “In fact, if you don’t mind, Mr. Boothe, I’ll join you in your search for the sheriff.”
    â€œWhy, Mr. Eaton,” Betsy Boothe said, looking at Twig, “I apologize for my poor manners. I didn’t see you there.” She smiled up at him and Rees could see the undertaker melting, bending toward her, like a candle to a flame. “And who is this?” She directed her full attention at Rees and he felt its warmth. She must have had a wide choice among the single men in Salem for her future husband.
    â€œWill Rees,” he said. “I am a friend of Tw—Mr. Eaton’s.”
    â€œI am delighted to make your acquaintance,” she murmured, extending her hand. Rees bowed over it, but not before he caught the expression upon Peggy’s face. She looked as though she’d just bitten into a lemon.
    â€œAnd I, yours,” Rees said