Saving Marina. Lauri Robinson

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      Upon hearing the thud of a horse’s hooves, she turned back to the barn, where Richard led the animal out into the sunlight. She waited until he mounted before saying, “Safe travels to Boston, Captain.”

      His glower was chilling. “I’m not going to Boston, Marina. I’m going to the village. Where I’m sure to find someone who’ll answer my questions.”

      “No.” Despite the size of the beast, she grabbed the leather chin strap of the horse’s bridle. “You can’t go to the village. No one can know you’re here.”

      His laugh was close to sinister. “It’s too late for that. The girl that was here...the one you called Anna. She saw me. Why do you think she scurried into the woods so fast?”

      Marina slapped her free hand over her mouth to contain her gasp, and Richard’s tug on the reins freed the animal from the hold of her other hand.

      “Please.” It was all she could think to say. “Don’t.”

      “I have no idea what you are trying to hide but, rest assured, before the sun sets, I will know. I will have answers to all my questions.”

      “They’ll arrest you—”

      “For witchcraft?” He laughed. “Let them try.”

      His words lingered in the air, echoing in her ears as he kneed the animal.

      “Stop! Please!” Hitching her skirt, she started to run but made it only a few steps when a solid grasp caught her arm. She’d have fought it but realized her momentum was already making Uncle William teeter on his good leg.

      “I have to stop him,” she said.

      “No, child,” Uncle William said. “You don’t have to stop him. She’s his daughter, not yours.”

      Her legs threatened to collapse beneath her as the captain disappeared up the road.

      “Come inside, Marina,” her uncle said. “We’ll know soon enough what the captain’s fate will be.”