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Chapters (68)
  1. Biding Time
  2. Dedication
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Prologue
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter One
  7. Chapter Two
  8. Chapter Three
  9. Chapter Four
  10. Chapter Five
  11. Chapter Six
  12. Chapter Seven
  13. Chapter Eight
  14. Chapter Nine
  15. Chapter Ten
  16. Chapter Eleven
  17. Chapter Twelve
  18. Chapter Thirteen
  19. Chapter Fourteen
  20. Chapter Fifteen
  21. Chapter Sixteen
  22. Chapter Seventeen
  23. Chapter Eighteen
  24. Chapter Nineteen
  25. Chapter Twenty
  26. Chapter Twenty-One
  27. Chapter Twenty-Two
  28. Chapter Twenty-Three
  29. Chapter Twenty-Four
  30. Chapter Twenty-Five
  31. Chapter Twenty-Six
  32. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  33. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  34. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  35. Chapter Thirty
  36. Chapter Thirty-One
  37. Chapter Thirty-Two
  38. Chapter Thirty-Three
  39. Chapter Thirty-Four
  40. Chapter Thirty-Five
  41. Chapter Thirty-Six
  42. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  43. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  44. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  45. Chapter Forty
  46. Chapter Forty-One
  47. Chapter Forty-Two
  48. Chapter Forty-Three
  49. Chapter Forty-Four
  50. Chapter Forty-Five
  51. Chapter Forty-Six
  52. Chapter Forty-Seven
  53. Chapter Forty-Eight
  54. Chapter Forty-Nine
  55. Chapter Fifty
  56. Chapter Fifty-One
  57. Chapter Fifty-Two
  58. Chapter Fifty-Three
  59. Chapter Fifty-Four
  60. Chapter Fifty-Five
  61. Chapter Fifty-Six
  62. Acknowledgments
  63. Other Titles by Lyn Gardner
  64. Going on Red
  65. Choices
  66. Born Out of Wedlock
  67. Give Me A Reason
  68. Mistletoe

“Usually, when I came into the study, there’d be a book open on his desk. He’d spend some time reading a chapter or a verse, and then he’d want to discuss it. That night, however, there was no book, and the cushion on the floor was gone. He told me to sit in the chair in front of his desk, and when I did, he spoke, much like I’m talking to you right now. Very calm, very matter-of-factly. He said that over the past three years I’d spent as his captive, he’d come to respect that I’d given up my freedom so easily for my neighbors. I had never fought against anything. I’d never spoken a word. I’d never dared disobey him, and he couldn’t fathom anyone doing that for only their friends…and then he asked me how many children I had.”

Goosebumps sprouted on Ruby’s arms. “Oh, geez.”

“I couldn’t speak, nor did I have to. My expression answered his question, and while he didn’t get a number, he did get the truth.” Bennett stopped, taking a slow breath before speaking again. “I remember trembling, my eyes filling with tears I couldn’t stop, and the more seconds that passed, the faster my heart beat. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to say. I just sat there with my head bowed…struggling to draw a breath.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

England – The Winter of 1628

“I asked you a question, woman. Answer it.”

Bennett raised her eyes. “No. You can take my life if you’d like, but I will not answer that question.”

“You are quite plucky for someone in your situation. Contumacious to the end, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Defiant, headstrong…obstinate.”

“Then yes, I am…I am con…con…”

“Contumacious.”

“Contumacious.”

“You’re also a lot smarter than I gave you credit for, yet not as smart as you could be.”

It had been an idea that had taken root in Max’s gray matter days before, an idea he told himself was ludicrous yet an idea he couldn’t shake. This unkempt peasant with her knotted hair and dirty nails had managed to do what Edward and all the others could not. She had learned, and she had done it on her own. The lessons Max had taught hadn’t been taught to her. Max hadn’t discussed with her. Max hadn’t explained to her. Max hadn’t lifted one goddamned finger to guide her toward the answers that others had missed, yet she had learned. More importantly, she had comprehended, and Max was dumbfounded. She wasn’t a scholar. She was years and years from ever reaching that pinnacle…or was she?