Chapters (76)
- Cover
- About the Author
- Also by Karen Brooks
- Title Page
- Dedication
- EXPLANATORY NOTE
- PART ONE
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- PART TWO
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- PART THREE
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- PART FOUR
- Fifty-Three
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Epilogue: Autumn 1706
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- GLOSSARY
- LIST OF CHARACTERS
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
‘How do you propose we do that?’ asked Cook. ‘The lairds read all the witches’ confessions, the retractions, even the council minutes and still concluded we were to blame for the events a few weeks ago.’
‘Say it, Robert,’ grumbled Bailie Bell. ‘That we were to blame for the death of Janet Cornfoot.’
The wind rattled the windows. A lamp briefly guttered before flaring to life again.
‘Aye, the lairds held you liable.’ Patrick waited for a protest that he excluded himself from responsibility, but none came. He lifted the letter from the table and slid it towards Bell. ‘But did you not also read that it won’t be those lairds, the ones who came here before, who will hear the case, but a different group. Some other magistrates according to this.’ His finger stabbed the page. ‘One presumes they’ll bring fresh eyes and ears to our sorry tale. A new perspective.’
Cook left his seat and he and Bell bent over the document; as he did, a look of optimism altered his expression. Vernour snatched up the paper and read quickly. ‘By God, you’re right.’ His eyes lit up with something that had been in short supply of late: hope.
Patrick worked quickly to keep it there. ‘If you leave at first light tomorrow, present our case to these magistrates along with all our supporting documentation —’ he gestured at the stack in front of Bell, ‘there’s no reason to send the prisoners.’ He paused. ‘Even if you’re forced to remain a few days, the costs will be a fraction of what we’d incur should those men below be sent to languish at Her Majesty’s pleasure. If we do this — if you do —’ he corrected himself, ‘then we take care of two problems at once.’
Vernour didn’t waste a moment, but strode over and clapped the reverend on the back. ‘It’s a brilliant notion, Patrick. You’ve outdone yourself.’
‘Aye,’ agreed Bell and Cook, exchanging a look of blessed relief.
Cook rubbed his face and gazed around. ‘I for one will be grateful to escape the Weem for a day or two. This… this matter has consumed the town. I’m heartily sick of it.’
‘It’s consumed us all,’ said Patrick. ‘And when we’ve done naught wrong but obeyed the word of the Lord, and for that matter the law, in all things.’
‘Aye,’ agreed Cook. ‘It’s time to go to Edinburgh and lay it to rest once and for all.’
‘Put the lairds and the Edinburgh magistrates straight,’ said Vernour.
‘And in their place,’ muttered Patrick as seats were resumed and plans swiftly made. A budget was agreed upon.
As the councillors, with the help of their notary, organised which documents they’d take and which they’d leave safe in the Pittenweem council rooms, and debated what points they would emphasise and those they’d try and deal with swiftly, Patrick made his own plans.