Free The Beloved Land by T. Davis Bunn Page B

deliver.”
    The gentlemen exchanged looks of astonishment.
    “Here, I will make it easier for you.” When Thomas still did not move, Anne held his hand and pulled him down. “You have found berths for us, and you have the date of our departure for Nova Scotia.”
    Thomas inspected her face. “You … you are accepting this with great calm.”
    Anne did not answer immediately, gazing out over the garden.
    “I should have thought, well, with John—”
    “John is staying,” she confirmed. She took a long breath and Thomas squeezed her hand. She needed to know if she could state the facts and retain her composure. To her great relief, the peace remained. “John is staying here at Harrow Hall. I know the Lord who is making it possible for me to go to my father will also be with John. …” She slowed to a stop, but her voice did not break.
    Charles took her other hand. “I can only assure you that we shall care for him as though he were our own son.”
    Anne turned to look into Charles’s face. “I was blessed with two fathers,” she said. “Why should John not have the same gift?”
    “My dear …” Charles stopped to clear his throat. “Forgive me,” he said, his voice still husky. “Thank you, Anne, for the gift of your trust. Judith and I …” But he could not continue.
    “John loves you both,” she assured her uncle. “I could not find more devoted care. Of that I am certain.”

    Judith and Anne were making a tour of the local villages. Numerous projects—agricultural reform, schools, sanitation, medical care, classes for Scripture studies—were now well under way, and Anne was turning over their supervision to Judith during the time she was gone. “It is wonderful to know, dear Judith, I can leave these efforts in your hands,” she said to the older woman beside her in the open brougham.
    “The seeds are planted,” Judith replied. “I shall see the crops remain well tended.”
    Judith handled the reins with ease. Harry Day, Maisy’s youngest lad, rode a dappled gray and acted as their official escort. Two villagers also accompanied them on horseback, one riding ahead and the other behind. Even this close to the estate, even surrounded as they were by neighbors and friends, there was still risk of attack by highwaymen in these uncertain times. The villagers had worked out the system themselves, trading off once they knew who would escort the two women onward.
    The afternoon was sliding into dusk. Anne looked around at the pleasant shadows and confessed, “It is difficult to leave England at such a time as this.”
    “It is difficult to leave one’s home at any time,” Judith replied. “Much less saying good-bye to your own son.”
    Anne swallowed down the sudden lump in her throat over the coming separation. “I meant—I was talking about spring coming and the world so beautiful. …” She fought against the fear and dread trying to steal away her peace.
    Judith kept her gaze fastened upon the leather reins in her gloved hands. “I simply am wondering if you are able and ready to hear me out.”
    “I am desperately sorry to be leaving John.” Anne turned to look at Judith. She tried to match the older woman’s matter-of-fact tone. “And yet I feel at peace with the decision.”
    Judith grasped the reins in one hand and reached for Anne’s with her other. “I have watched you come to your decision, and I believe it is the right one, the only course of action in the situation you face.”
    Judith again took the reins in both hands. “Anne, my dearest, I care for you as I would my own daughter.”
    Anne only nodded. Finally she said, “But you are worried about something—”
    “It is nothing, I hope. But yes, I am concerned.” She looked at Anne. “I feel that you and Thomas must give thought to your own safety.”
    “Safety—in what way? Do you mean safety if our ship should be attacked?”
    “No, my worry has to do with enemies of Charles. You know he has them in high