Grace Ann didn't tell Bella what had happened that evening. She came back to the clearing and had a small dinner with them. The children quickly lost interest when the couple refused to answer any questions and Bella didn't pry. There was no point, considering she knew it all. Even on the long walk back home, the two sisters remained strangely silent.

At home, Father's ranting and grumbling occupied their attentions. "Arrested!" he kept sputtering, slamming his fist on their kitchen table. "Preposterous!"

"Maybe he was involved in something that you didn't know about." Mother cautioned. "Surely the soldiers aren't just rounding up innocent people."

"I know Franklin well." Father answered, grimly. "His only crime is his refusal to unquestioningly support the Lords."

"Nonsense." Mother scoffed. "The people may have their words."

"By the time we figure out that it's not nonsense, it will be too late."

"Enough." Mother nodded towards the girls, who had stayed quiet. "You're scaring your daughters."

"Grace Ann, Bella, go to bed."

They obeyed, because generally it wasn't a good idea to anger Father when he was in this sort of mood. Besides, Bella didn't want to admit it but his words did frighten her. If the soldiers were arresting those who didn't fully support the Lords' power, then what of those who deliberately tried to subvert it? What would she find tomorrow, at work? Bella spent a restless night, expecting soldiers to burst into her home at any moment, ready to arrest her.

No one came.

She hurried to work the next day, nervous about the long walk alone but unsure who she could trust to walk with her. In the front lawn of the school, she worried about all the boys who milled about. Anyone of them could be a spy. Anyone of them could be a soldier in disguise, waiting to arrest her. Bella shook her head, trying to rid of herself of these silly thoughts. But they would not go away.

She saw Thom, sitting on the front steps of the building. Thom, who knew everything. Thom, who might be a spy himself.

"Bella!"

She jerked at the unexpected call and turned, ready to flee from the soldiers come to take her.

Instead, Jonathan stood there. "Whoa, you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Sorry, just a little nervous today I guess." Bella shrugged. "But... what are you doing here?"

"I came to get you."

Her fears resurfaced. "To get me?"

"Yes. Bella, come on. We need to go get married." Jonathan grabbed her arm, ready to lead her away.

"My sister isn't married yet, Jonathan."

"You don't have to admit that." he urged. "Just lie... don't even tell the judge you've a sister."

"The judges know I've got a sister." she pointed out. "The judges live in our town."

"Not the new one."

"What new one?"

"The one newly appointed by the Lords. We can go before him and he'll marry us and once it's done, no one can take it from us." Jonathan grinned, eagerly.

"You want me to marry in secrecy?" Bella tried to sort this out in her mind. "Without even my parents at my side?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"How are the times desperate?"

"Because we're leaving." he explained. "My parents and I. We're moving. And they won't let me bring along anyone except my wife."

"You want me to marry you in secrecy and then leave?" she stared at him, stunned.

"Well, we can't stay here, Bella. It's too dangerous! The soldiers are nearby and a constant threat. Father doesn't want to live like that and neither do I."

"This is my home, Jonathan." she shook her head, slowly. "My family is here... my work is here... how can I go anywhere else?"

"Well, there's no reason for you to keep working once you're in my family." Jonathan replied, with a shrug. "You'll be too busy raising our children and minding our house."

"I like my job." Bella said it softly, feeling unexpectedly guilty.

"This is the trouble with older women." he muttered, unkindly. "You forget your purpose!"

She stepped back.

"Oh, Bella, I'm sorry." Jonathan amended. "I didn't mean it to sound like that. But I'm worried. I don't like the soldiers being nearby and I don't intend to stay. I'd like my wife to join me."

"I'm not your wife yet." she reminded him. His statement had renewed her courage.

"You will be as soon as we go to see the judge."

"I'm not going to see the judge, Jonathan." her voice was soft, her words strong.

"What?"

"I love you." Bella told him, sadly. "But I'll not start my life in a fake marriage, running in fear without my family by my side."

"If you don't come now," he told her, coldly, "you'll lose me. I really am leaving, Bella."

"Have a nice trip." she smiled at him and then walked inside the building.