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knot untied. Putting the band in the empty seat
next to her, she slowly opened the book’s cover. Looking at the
neat, tightly aligned script, Ryan realized it wasn’t a book at
all. It was a diary.
***
Diary of Remembrance Patience Allerton
Plymouth Colony
14 January 1628
The winter has been particularly harsh. Snow
drifts have blocked the main path to and from the village. I lay
awake at night, the sound of the wind howling, sending chills along
my backside. I have found worry and dread are my mainstays now,
though Isaac assures me we will last the winter, spring, on into
the year and beyond.
In spite of my husband’s reassurances, I was
awakened this morning by a dreadful sound of what I thought was a
woman crying out in pain. One of our mares had gone into labor
early, and Isaac was out in the barn with our servant William
trying to ease her through it. It is tragic, but the poor animal
died, along with her foal. Isaac is beside himself with the loss of
the mare, and the compensation we had expected from her
offspring.
    It brings to mind my own circumstance, and
fills me with dismay as I ought to think about my own unborn child,
and the fear that I should not survive its birth. Worse still,
should the child perish along with me, and poor Isaac be left
alone.
    My only comfort in this is my midwife,
Margery. Though three years my junior at only seventeen, she seems
to me wise beyond those years. I confide to her my darkest thoughts
and fears, and she assures me they are baseless. My child, she
says, will be fine.
    “ Your baby with be born without incident,
and you and your husband will make fine parents.” Margery promised
as she held my hand the night before last. We sat huddled near the
small fireplace in the main room of our home, and between the
warmth of the fire and Margery’s kind words, I did feel
better.
***
20 January 1628
    I overheard Isaac speaking with Goodman
Talis this morning. My husband did not realize I was walking from
the privy back to the house, otherwise, I cannot imagine he would
have been speaking of such things.
    “ I have not the stocks to get the animals
through the winter.” Isaac’s voice was strained as I had never
heard before. “If you do not provide me the credit I need, the
animals – and in return my wife and unborn child – will not survive
the winter.”
    My heart felt as if it might burst, and
there was a terrible souring in my stomach. My beloved Isaac is a
proud man, and though Goodman Talis was a dear friend and business
partner of Isaac’s father, his assistance comes at a high
price.
    “ I said you need not worry, Remembrance!”
Isaac’s voice had risen above the howling wind as I confronted him
that evening about the state of our affairs.
    “ But I do worry, husband – and how can you
tell me not to when I heard your pleading with Goodman Talis this
very afternoon?” My voice had broken and I felt as if I might faint
from the heat in my face.
    “ What you heard was nothing more than a
bartering amongst business partners.” Isaac’s voice was softer,
kinder as he took my hand in his. “I would not lie to you,
wife.”
    My eyes filled with tears, for I wanted so
very much to believe him, but my common sense did not allow me to
so easily push my concerns aside. I touched gently Isaac’s cheek,
his warmth and confidence providing me my only comfort.
    I am reminded of our time together during
the passage from England. Though already eight years past, I can
still so clearly remember fear of the unknown as we made our way
across a vast ocean. Isaac had reassured me then, much as he does
now, that we would not perish.
    Like his father, Isaac’s confidence in his
own abilities is what drew me to him. Though I am fifteen years
younger, he has always treated me with genuine respect and love. It
is something I do not take for granted as I see the women around me
struggle with dismissive, rude, and outright hostile husbands.
    It is because of this history, and the