Christine Hill Suntz – Novel PASTimes

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It’s lovely to meet you, Charlotte. Where are you from?
I live just outside Toronto on a beautiful estate called Edenbrook. My father built our home for my
mother when they arrived in Upper Canada. He tried to make it just like her home back in England, but
she never seemed happy here. At least, not from what I remember.
We used to raise horses but now Papa is ill and we’ve had to sell all but two of the horses. Our neighbour,
Deacon Cole, would buy the property in a heartbeat, but I can’t sell. I promised Mama I’d look after it so
Simon has an inheritance. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how I’ll manage. Not now that Simon is
gone.
Simon? Who’s that?
He’s my brother. I’m worried about him. Rumors are flying in town that he might have joined the rebels.
That would break Papa’s heart. Our family has always been loyal to the Crown. And what will become of
Edenbrooke, if he’s caught and tried for treason? That’s why I’m here in the backwoods. I have to bring
him back.
Rebels, you say?
Yes. They want us free from British control. A democracy, at least that’s what I’ve heard. At first, I
couldn’t figure out what they were so upset about. But since I’ve come to the backwoods, I’ve realized
things aren’t easy for the people here. The roads are bad, there are no schools, the government promises
to do better and then fails them again and again. I had no idea what it was like.
Simon never did fit in among the businessmen and politicians in the city. I guess that’s why he came up
here. I just wish I could find him. I know if I talked to him he’ll realize how much we need him. He’ll
come home again. For Mama’s sake.
I’ve heard travelling through the backwoods is dangerous. How are you going to find him?
I’ve hired a guide. It was the luckiest thing, really. His name is Joshua Robertson and he has a homestead
near where Simon is rumored to be. At first, he wasn’t too thrilled about taking me along but I convinced
him. Besides, it’s only a day’s ride. He’ll be rid of me before we know it.
Rumor has it you paid quite a bit of money to convince him to take you along. No wonder he thinks
you’re rich.
Yes. Well, I… If you must know, I had to sell my horse to pay him. But I’d rather not talk about that right
now. The important thing is that I find Simon. Deacon Cole – he’s the neighbor I told you about – thinks
he can Once he comes home, everything will be well.
Looks like rain is on the way. Joshua seems worried about the weather. Aren’t you?
Joshua said it’s not the rain I should worry about, but the mud. He thinks I’m a spoiled rich girl, but I’ll
show him. My family might have been wealthy once upon a time, but I’ve taken care of our estate for
years now. It will take more than a little mud and rain to stop me.
Well, good luck on your travels, Charlotte. I hope you find your brother soon. And I hope this
weather doesn’t slow you down.

Christine Hill Suntz knew she wanted to write as soon as she finished Anne of Green Gables, and she’s been lost in her imagination ever since. In 2022, she won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis Contest and the West Coast Christian Writers Goldie Award. When she’s not writing, she teaches high school French and tries out historical recipes on her (mostly) willing family.

Follow Christine’s adventures in writing and historical farming at www.christinehillsuntz.com or on Instagram @christinehillsuntz.

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Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We haven’t seen you around Cooper’s Inn before. Where are you from?

I’m Sara O’Connor, the new laundress. I’ve always lived here in Toronto, but this town has changed so much. When I was a child, people called it “muddy York”. The buildings were rough and the streets nearly impassable after a rain.

It’s 1837 now, and Toronto is a city. New settlers come through every day. Farms are springing up in the wilderness that used to surround the city. Cooper’s Inn is a busy place. I suppose that’s why Mrs. Cooper hired me.

I thought I saw a little girl here a moment ago. Is she your daughter?

Oh, heavens, no. That was Evie. She takes lessons with the Cooper girls, but they exclude her every chance they get. She visits me instead, and I’m happy to see a friendly face. We have to be careful, though. Mrs. Cooper saw me talking to her and gave me a warning. Doesn’t want a girl from a fine family mixing with the riffraff from Irishtown like me, I suppose.

Evie’s father has it out for me, too. He’s forbidden her from speaking to me. Can you imagine? What does he think I’ll do, force her to do my work? I’m the one friend she has here, and he wants to take that away.

He’s a lawyer, so I shouldn’t be surprised. He lives by the rules and doesn’t understand a young girl’s heart. I’d like to go right up to him and make him open his eyes, but I can’t risk losing my position.

Still, I won’t push Evie away. I guess I see in her the little girl I once was. We neither of us knew our mothers. We even love the same books. Have you read Ivanhoe?

No, I can’t say that I have. I don’t mean to offend, but how does a laundress come to read Ivanhoe? You don’t sound like you’re from Irishtown, either.

Well, the truth is, I didn’t always live in Irishtown. In fact, I might have more in common with Evie than anyone realizes.

I could earn more money as a lady’s maid or even a governess, but I have my reasons for working as a laundress. There are people I’d rather not see again, people who let me down when I needed them. I wouldn’t go back to that world, even if I could.

That’s why I keep to myself here at Cooper’s Inn. Or, at least, I did until Evie came along. Now I’m not sure what to do. Someone has to make her father understand her, but it can’t be me. I have too much at stake.

You see, I need to money to take care of Granny. She was a laundress, too. She taught me the trade and gave me a home when I had nothing. Now, it’s my turn to take care of her. She’s all I have left.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Before we go, any idea what’s happening in the common room? It’s full to the brim, and those men sound angry.

Meetings like this are happening all over the colony. No surprise, I say. Hundreds of newcomers arrive here, hoping for a better life, but the same systems that held them back in Britain exist here. A few wealthy families hold all the power and run our colonial government. The elected assembly can do very little to sway the Queen’s appointed governor. They’re frustrated.

So you’re a rebel, then?

No! I’m just a laundress who lives among the poor. I see how they struggle. You won’t repeat anything I’ve said, will you?

Your secret is safe with us, Sara. It sounds like you have some big decisions ahead of you. Good luck!

Christine Hill Suntz knew she wanted to write novels the day she finished Anne of Green Gables, and she’s been lost in her imagination ever since. Her love of language led her to study French and German and pursue a graduate degree in Comparative Literature before finding a home teaching high school French. Her work has won numerous prizes, including the 2022 ACFW Genesis competition.

Christine lives in Ontario on a hobby farm with her family, a flock of chickens, one attack rooster, and a herd of entitled goats. When she’s not writing or teaching, she enjoys trying out historical recipes on her (mostly) willing family.

Instagram: @christinehillsuntz Facebook: Christine Hill Suntz Author

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