Distraction Read Online Free Page A

her talent for
predicting the future.
    Several hard knocks on the door rattled the walls of
the cottage. Mari and I sat up from a restless sleep. It could not
have been long past midnight. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears
as I stepped into my slippers and yanked my wool shawl around my
shoulders. Nonni was already at the door with a candle when I
stepped into the front room. I walked up behind her and peered over
her shoulder.
    “Widow Seabrooke?” a deep voice asked from the
lightless stoop.
    Nonni’s fingers trembled as she lifted the candle
higher to see who had addressed her. The man’s face was barely
visible beneath the black hat. The collar of his black overcoat was
pulled up high around his chin, yet I could still sense that it was
not a face we’d seen before.
    “Yes, I’m Widow Seabrooke,” Nonni answered after a
cautious pause. “What is it you want at this hour?”
    The man’s gaze was not unkind, but there was a
distinct look of purpose in his expression. He looked at me for a
moment and then lifted a piece of parchment. “I am Captain
Smitherton from Salem Town. I have here a mittimus for Miss Poppy
Seabrooke. I am to transport her to Salem Town prison where she
will await trial for setting a boy on fire.”
    Mari cried out and Nonni flashed her an admonishing
glance. My head spun and I grabbed Nonni’s arm to keep from falling
over.
    “I see,” Nonni said calmly. “You will wait here until
she gets dressed.”
    He stepped inside and Nonni’s arm went rigid beneath
my grasp.
    “If you don’t mind, I will wait inside. It is cold
and—”
    “Fine,” Nonni cut him off rudely.
    Half-dazed, I followed Nonni and Mari into my
bedroom. “Dress in your warmest skirt and blouse, my dear, it is
cold in those prison cells.” She spoke as if she was telling me how
to fry an egg.
    I broke into sobs, and she firmly grabbed hold of my
shoulders. “Look at me, Poppy.”
    I lifted my eyes but could barely see through the
onslaught of tears. Her gray eyes were clear and confident. “Do
nothing. Behave and cooperate. I will see you soon.” She winked and
released me. “Now get dressed, and I will see that our visitor does
not nose around the cottage.”
    Getting dressed was an arduous task with trembling
hands. Mari had collapsed onto the bed in sobs and was no help. My
knees wobbled and I was certain my legs would collapse beneath me
as I shuffled back into the front room. Nonni held up the candle to
inspect my attire.
    Captain Smitherton stared open-mouthed at me for a
moment. He gained his composure and fished in his pocket for a pair
of shackles.
    “There is no need for restraints, Captain. My
granddaughter will cooperate fully. Those are far too big for her
anyhow.” She peered up at him coldly. “Unless of course you’re
afraid of your obviously dangerous prisoner.”
    The man looked properly embarrassed. He returned the
shackles to his pocket. Nonni hugged me tightly and whispered into
my ear. “Soon, my dearest.”
     
     
     

Chapter 4
Poppy

    The black carriage careened wildly over the uneven
roadway, and I clutched the cold bars on the window to keep from
being thrown from the wooden bench. I pulled my hood up over my
head and braced against the cold. The tears had stopped and now all
I could do was wait and see where fate would take me. I had no idea
what my grandmother was up to, but I had every confidence that she
would free me from this horrid situation.
    It was hard to tell how long we’d traveled for, but I
recognized the salty sea air of Salem Port and knew we were close
to our destination. The horses’ hooves pounded a cobblestone road.
I scooted forward and glanced through the bars. The shops and
houses were dark, and a peaceful stillness blanketed the usually
crowded and boisterous town of Salem.
    Captain Smitherton halted the horses and they snorted
in exhaustion. I peered out. We had stopped in front of a plain
brick building with tiny windows set high in the walls. The