BooksBarbecue
Back The Darkest Shore Save as PDF
Chapters (76)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. Also by Karen Brooks
  4. Title Page
  5. Dedication
  6. EXPLANATORY NOTE
  7. PART ONE
  8. One
  9. Two
  10. Three
  11. Four
  12. Five
  13. Six
  14. Seven
  15. Eight
  16. Nine
  17. Ten
  18. Eleven
  19. Twelve
  20. Thirteen
  21. Fourteen
  22. Fifteen
  23. Sixteen
  24. Seventeen
  25. Eighteen
  26. Nineteen
  27. Twenty
  28. Twenty-One
  29. Twenty-Two
  30. Twenty-Three
  31. Twenty-Four
  32. Twenty-Five
  33. Twenty-Six
  34. Twenty-Seven
  35. Twenty-Eight
  36. PART TWO
  37. Twenty-Nine
  38. Thirty
  39. Thirty-One
  40. Thirty-Two
  41. Thirty-Three
  42. Thirty-Four
  43. Thirty-Five
  44. PART THREE
  45. Thirty-Six
  46. Thirty-Seven
  47. Thirty-Eight
  48. Thirty-Nine
  49. Forty
  50. Forty-One
  51. Forty-Two
  52. Forty-Three
  53. Forty-Four
  54. Forty-Five
  55. Forty-Six
  56. Forty-Seven
  57. Forty-Eight
  58. Forty-Nine
  59. Fifty
  60. Fifty-One
  61. Fifty-Two
  62. PART FOUR
  63. Fifty-Three
  64. Fifty-Four
  65. Fifty-Five
  66. Fifty-Six
  67. Fifty-Seven
  68. Fifty-Eight
  69. Fifty-Nine
  70. Sixty
  71. Sixty-One
  72. Epilogue: Autumn 1706
  73. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  74. GLOSSARY
  75. LIST OF CHARACTERS
  76. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

‘There, there,’ said the minister, producing a scented kerchief and passing it to her. ‘You’ve been through so much already, Mrs Cornfoot. More than should be asked of anyone. How about you allow me to get Mrs Glaren to take you to your room?’

Nodding and snuffling, trying to thank the minister, but finding the words were banked up in her throat, she nevertheless managed to convey how very appreciative she was.

The Almighty hadn’t abandoned her after all, but led her to a place of sanctuary and, she hoped, forgiveness for whatever sins He felt she’d committed and that had led to her being hounded by an earthly leader of His flock.

As she climbed into bed and pulled the soft sheets and blankets over her bruised and exhausted body, her last thoughts were of Sorcha, Nettie and the others, and how, when she was back among them, she’d tell them, not all men of God were bad. Some, like the Reverend George Gordon, were akin to angels here on His earth.

image

Sealing the letter, Reverend Gordon indicated for his manservant to come forward. First he made sure the door was shut, then leaned over the desk and lowered his voice.

‘Listen carefully. As soon as day breaks, you’re to ride to Pittenweem and find the Reverend Patrick Cowper. When you do, give him this letter then wait until he pays you. Do you understand? You’re not to leave his side until that ten pounds is in your hand.’

‘I understand, sir,’ said the servant and, with a small bow, left the room.

George Gordon fell back in his chair and gazed at the fire. He refused to feel remorse. After all, was not the woman a witch? From her own mouth she convicted herself.

Anyway, ten pounds would go a long way to repairing the kirk roof. What was a witch’s life and liberty compared to a house of God?

Forty-Seven

FORTY-SEVEN

image

Ye’ll no draw a strae across my nose.

(You’ll not provoke me into a fight.)

30th January 1705

It was impossible to concentrate. Tipping a creel of fish onto the table, Sorcha stared at the silvery bodies slipping and sliding in a slick wash of brine across the wood and, for a moment, forgot what it was she was supposed to be doing.

Janet’s escape had stirred everyone into a frenzy of fear and fury, led by Patrick Cowper. Yesterday, under the pretence of calming them, the reverend incited more anger by inviting that drunken sot Alexander McGregor, and even Peter Morton, to speak outside the Tolbooth. The townsfolk listened and demanded justice.