The Spinster, the Rebel & the Governor
by Charlene Bell Dietz
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Historical Fiction
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EXCERPT:
The Wells girl covered her eyes with both hands. Margaret, ignoring the buzzing of flies and the damp heat of the morning sun, worked to untangle the girl’s words in her mind.
“If the river doesn’t take me, then I shall have my baby alone and will have to live with Master Cole, and I shall never see my dear Tom again.” With that, she burst into tears.
“You do not look like you are about to have a baby. Why do you say your time is up?”
“Master Cole brought me here four years ago. He said after I had worked for him for four years, I wouldn’t owe him a tad more, and now he says I can’t leave, and so I might as well marry him. Lady Brent. I worked hard from early morning until after dark every day, and my time is up. Even the devil would say this isn’t right.” She sniffed and looked away.
Margaret set her jaw. “Heaven help us if other masters here in Maryland treat their servants in this manner.”
“There’s nothing I can do.” She bit her lip. “I thought maybe the next time you talked with Governor Calvert you might say something on my behalf, and I pray my request is not one of cheekiness.”
“Mary.” Margaret called sharply across to the soap making group. “Would you please come here?”
When Mary finished saying something, she trotted over to the garden. “Hello, Carrie. Are you not feeling well—your face seems flushed?”
“So, you are acquainted with Carrie Wells?” Margaret studied her sister, slipped the basket from Carrie, and moved it into Mary’s hands. “She brought these for us and herbs to scent your soap.”
“Sometimes on Sundays after church Carrie walks with me in the woods and shows me barks, roots, and herbs that heal.” She glanced at the basket. “Why, these are lovely.” She glanced at the young woman, then put her hand on Carrie’s arm. “Are you still having trouble with Jacob Cole?”
“Jacob Cole is about to have troubles with her. Has Giles returned from Kent for Assembly today? Will both our brothers be at the meeting?” Margaret’s frogs roiled inside her.
How dare these men take advantage of their servants?
“I saw him and Fulke along with some other men heading to Lewger’s home earlier.”
“Come, Carrie Wells. We shall also attend Assembly.”
“But—Margaret,” Mary grabbed her arm. “Certainly, women would not be allowed—”
Margaret shrugged Mary away, snatched Carrie Wells by her hand, and stomped off down the path.
“Sister,” Mary called after her, “you must take off that filthy apron. You’re covered in soil.”
Margaret jerked it untied and slung it. “There is a difference between God’s soil and men’s dirt. Carrie Wells and I are about to sort this very thing out with all those fine gentlemen of Assembly.”
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https://www.amazon.com/Spinster-Rebel-Governor-Pre-Colonial-1638-1648-ebook/dp/B0B75TMKPY
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GIVEAWAY
Charlene Bell Dietz will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your hosting my book. I found the research a maximum challenge, but then found the actual story jaw dropping. It's my favorite of all the books I've written. Hope your followers find it just as fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good book to read.
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