by Riva Zmajoki
Belva felt relieved that Josephine isn’t mad enough to beat someone over a dress, still they were too close to failing to feel comfortable.
“Then why give your neckless away when you could have pay her for the dresses?”
“Money isn’t traceable, anyone could steal it and get away with it. Jewellery is recognizable and she depend upon us not to betray her as much as we of her. Besides, I would rather keep the money for the final destination and use it wisely than to squander it on the way.”
While she floated in her romantic dreams of the lady, she never considered this side of their relationship. Never before did she had to hide a part of herself. She hid her identity but she could always just act and react not thinking of how she stands or how she addresses someone.
Josephine led that life all along. The way she just switched to politeness towards Mrs Huffing was just mind-boggling. She acted as nothing had happened.
How many times in her life was she threatened like this, blackmailed with exposure?
By her reaction, Belva would guess many times.
“This one for Belva, don’t you agree? You can travel to it and that one for the suitcase. You’ll look divine,” Belva looked at the dresses and got alarmed.
“No, they are too fancy for me. We can’t be so conspicuous,” she shook her head.
“But we have to,” Josephine said lightly. “Two ladies travelling by train on their own must look as respectable as possible. Dresses that signal status gives protection like nothing else. I can’t pretend to be someone ordinary. As you said, I would be obligated to stay quiet because my voice would betray me instantly. I can’t be demanded to be quiet for so long.”
“Alright, maybe you’re right, but not me. For me, we must find a dress for a maid. That way we’ll fit.”
“No, no, no, out of the question,” Josephine pushed the dress in her hands. “We’re two ladies travelling together for protection. A maid is no protection, she just invites advances. I won’t stand for you to be harassed or to be expected to mistreat you. That way we would be separated most of the time and we have to be ready to jump together if jumping is needed. I won’t be left alone to fend for myself.”
“But my vowels, as you said, will betray me,” Belva tried to resist her but already saw that it was in vain.
“Don’t pretend, dear,” she patted her face. “Your maid’s act isn’t all that convincing. As soon as you forget yourself your fine southern upbringing can be heard. You just need to let your natural vowels out. Besides, it’s much easier for you to stay quiet than me.”
Belva sighed agreeing with her.
It was strange to dress up in a fine dress. Josephine helped her like she was her maid and then worked on her hair.
“It must be as neat as possible,” she calmed her when she objected for sitting for so long.
When she looked in the mirror a stranger looked at her. She forgot that lady, that person she once was. It felt strange.
“Come on,” Josephine encouraged her. “Mrs Huffing called in a carriage. It’ll take us to the station.”
“A carriage? Isn’t that too obvious?”
“Of course it is,” Josephine smiled. “But two decent ladies walking on the street are very noticeable. Two ladies in a carriage are very ordinary.”
“Alright, we’re doing it your way,” Belva sighed. “I’ll take the suitcases outside.”
“No,” Josephine stopped her. “A lady never carries her own suitcases. She’ll stand for an hour waiting for the carrier rather than lifting it. We’ll have to be careful to remind you how a respectable lady looks like. Look at Mrs Huffing, didn’t she perfected her posture?”
Mrs Huffing slightly bowed her head in recognition. Belva didn’t know what to say. The boy entered and took their suitcases. He seemed to struggle with them.
“What did you put in there? We didn’t take that much stuff,” Belva asked when the boy was outside.
“Some rocks and Mrs Huffing was kind enough to put in some wrappings in it to prevent tumbling. I checked the weight it’s like it should be.”
“You’re awfully good at pretending,” Belva looked at her impressed.
“That’s what I do. To live a life of lies you always must think of details. Let’s go, dear, and don’t let your hand hang like that. It’s best to keep them clasped before your abdomen. That way you’ll train in the right angle of holding your arms. It’s like the small pouch is hanging from your arm always. The best still, carry this.”
Josephine hung the pouch with the rest of her jewellery on Belva’s arm. The weight was considerable but it reminds her to keep herself straight and formal.
They exited the boutique. The boy opened the door of the carriage for them. Josephine gestured for her to enter first.
From the door, Mrs Huffing waved at them.
“This is good,” she said to them. “Maybe people will come in when they see you two exiting. If anyone asks, tell them where you got your dresses.”
“Well of course,” Josephine said and the carriage moved.
There was only one question that bothered Belva.
“You don’t expect of me to really hold myself as Mrs Huffing do?”
That made Josephine laugh with glee and expose her long neck.
“Of course not, but when the pride is wounded every compliment is welcomed to patch up the wound. This way she’ll tell herself that she helped us because she wanted to and not because we made her.”
“Because you made her,” Belva said firmly. “You were fierce back there.
“Oh, you flatterer,” Josephine said and grabbed her hand.
Belva noted to herself that she’ll have to remember to let go of Josephine’s hand when they exit the carriage but for now she squeezed her back hoping that they aren’t just gleefully rushing to their doom.
11.1 The White Steel
Charcoaled House
Sue waited with tears running down her face.
They let Ina go with her father and Sue sat there alone. They had asked her the same questions over and over again.
Sue kept her story straight no matter how they challenged her. In the end, the old sheriff laid back in his chair.
“It doesn’t matter what you say, my dear,” he said to her. “The rumour is already out. The mob is gathering outside of these walls. I won’t give them you because you are a mother and your in-laws are respectable people, unlike you. I guess the rich folks can afford themselves a heart big enough to hold a snake against it.”
With that, he spat on the floor and left her alone.
The whole night passed. In the morning, the door opened and through them were pushed in Tricia and Cynthia.
They were a mess, all muddy and torn. They fell on Sue crying.
“The mistress, the mistress lit the house on fire,” Cynthia said.
“No, she didn’t,” Tricia shook her head. “The men carried torches. They burnt her alive in there.”
Sue was stiff now expecting the worst.
The day passed in silence. They were given a meal but none of them could eat.
Finally, the door opened and Sue wanted for anyone to come in and just do something. She was tired of waiting.
The handsome man in his forties entered and smiled at them like they are somewhere out on a dance and he’ll dance with them.
Tricia and Cynthia stood upright and adjusted their hair.
“You’re a Federal Marshal,” Tricia said darkly and then Sue noticed his badge.
“Luiz Terdreau,” he bowed a bit. “You’re skills of observation are well madam.”
“Santos, the delivery boy, described you well,” Tricia said flatly.
“You mean Santos Durant de la Cruz, my spy, did me justice in his descriptions?” Luiz smirked and sat on the other side of the table.
Sue felt ill. Santos was there constantly, he surely had seen it all. These two silly cows showed him everything.
“You lie just to throw us off,” Tricia insisted
. “He would never do that.”
“So, you think you know him. What did he do? Promise you a wedding in a white chapel? He promised that he won’t be bothered by your past?”
“He promised me nothing,” Tricia was angry. “I would never stoop so low.”
“Low dear?” Luiz lifted his eyebrow. “Then you’re as twisted as your mistress, are you?”
There was a thick silence in the air.
“Where is our mistress? Is it true that she died in the fire?” Sue cut through.
Luiz watched her.
“Would you cry if she did? Are those tears for her?”
“I would cry,” Sue wiped her cheeks.
“Shameless, that surely was a criterion for her staff,” Luiz leaned back in his chair. “No bones were found. It seemed that she slipped away freely and left you behind to pay for her sins.”
“Of what sins, exactly, do you accuse us?” Sue leaned forward. “We’re not really with clean cheeks to fear some dirt thrown at us.”
“That’s why she chose you,” Luiz shook his head sadly. “She was, undoubtedly a wise woman.”
“Still is, no bones were found,” Sue said quickly.
“Was because she stopped being wise when she started aiding slaves escape. When was that exactly? I bet I can guess the date. Just after we paid you a visit and you lied that you were in that carriage pregnant and invisible at will.”
“I didn’t lie,” Sue frowned thinking of that day, she didn’t even notice that was the question.
“Of course you didn’t. But that is not the point now. The point is that everything is burnt. No evidence was salvaged and no slaves captured. I guess, they are better than you at running and were already having another shelter ready to take them in and hide them. I suppose that you have no idea where that is?”
They stayed quiet.
“I thought so. You’re free to go,” he got up and went to open the door.
“Just so?” Tricia was suspicious.
“I have no proof to incriminate you. Even if there is a sure indication that the runaway slaves hid there, there is no way of proving that either of you knew. The child could have seen it and unable to explain until it learned to draw. I have no use of you here.”
“You’re just letting us go to be lynched on the street,” Tricia growled.
“A smart girl,” Luiz smiled. “Your old sheriff would probably do just that but I’m a man of the law. Your friend married well, she has protection. If she’ll help you, my men will escort you all to her home. It’ll take a few days for everything to settle. Then you can go wherever you want to.”
“Let’s go,” Sue got up. “Ina will be glad to see you.”
They went up but Cynthia staid seated.
“And Santos? Where is he?” Cynthia spoke up.
“Disappointed that you tricked him. He was reassigned to hide his shame. If only there was something to save his face, someone to help us catch runaways. He would surely be grateful if his name would be cleaned.”
“I can help,” Cynthia said.
“No,” Tricia pulled her by her arm. “It’s a trick. He’s just using Santos against us. If he’s a spy, why isn’t he here?”
“You heard, he was reassigned,” Cynthia said coldly. “Besides, you said it yourself he did no offer to you and you wouldn’t want it either. I wouldn’t mind seeing his pretty face again.”
“Come on,” Sue pulled Tricia out of that room.
Tricia was like a deflated doll under her arm.
“I can’t believe that he would,” she whispered when the patrolmen left them before Sue’s door. “He seemed so genuine.”
“I’m sure that the Marshal lied,” Sue said but wasn’t convinced.
Santos was there too often and too charming to be just delivering packages. Besides, he seemed too capable for that job.
Carol felt that he finally found his place. This time he didn’t go to someone who knew his secret life. He went to the cleanest most honourable woman he ever met.
Lady Chalice took him in with a smile and an embrace.
“Your mistress wrote me recently,” she chatted with him as she showed him his new duties. “It’s always wonderful to hear from her, especially when she says that she’s doing more charitable work than before. It’s always wonderful to help. She’s surely sad that you left her side but life is like that it brings us challenges we must overcome.”
“Certainly, my lady,” he said satisfied with himself.
This was a house he’ll be safe in.
To prevent himself from losing this position he made precautions not to meddle with the guests or tenants of the house. Instead, he charmed a maid who wasn’t in danger of producing children anymore.
It wasn’t exciting but it was secure and warm.
Carol did his job to the level that was acceptable and was ready to live that way until he gets too old to work. Then that hefty sum of money will come in handy.
“Did you know?” Chalice stormed in the kitchen as he gathered plates.
“What?” he said startled.
He feared conversations like this one.
“That Josephine hid slaves in her house that she helped them escape?”
Carol sighed with relief. Chalice was a charitable person, she’ll surely be impressed by helping those wretched slaves.
“Yes, I knew. She was quite determinant in her service to them,” he said calmly.
“Get out,” Chalice said.
“What?” Carol was startled.
“I won’t stand to house an abolitionist in my home. To think that I took in a slavery opponent under my roof.”
“But I…” Carol tried.
“No. I don’t want to hear a word from you. Gather your things and go before I report you in and they hang you by the nearest tree. I’m much too charitable to do that but I will if you say another syllable.”
Carol closed his mouth and went to gather his things.
Out of all things, to be accused to be slave-supporter was the most ridiculous thing he could think of.
Still, maybe it was for the best. He was getting bored with being all polite and decent and that maid started to talk of marriage. She even tried to leave with him.
“I’ll fight with you for freedom,” she whispered.
“No, my dear,” he kissed her hand. “That isn’t a destiny I would bestow upon you but you can do the good work here, under this roof. Look around there is surely a way to help further our cause without exposing your beautiful skin to harsh elements that rule outside of these walls.”
“I will,” she whispered and he smiled.
That was the best revenge he could think of to leave that false lady a rebellion under her own precious roof.
‘The white steel is the name we’ll give to the matrons that follow outer rules,’ his master said playfully. ‘You can’t wield the white steel because they have no handle to pull. Their only handlers are priests, judges and doctors. To them, even the mistress can only be polite towards because she’s wise enough to know their strength. The white steel won’t yield unless those around her change their mind, then she’ll just follow suit of others erasing all the words she might say before. That’s why even if she would agree to a play instructed by her husband as soon as some higher authority would tell her it was wrong, she would turn on you.’
11.2 The Road to Freedom
White Phoenix
When the Federal Marshal offered her a deal Cynthia jumped in. There was no way in Hell that she’ll leave and become Sue’s maid.
If she finds Santos along the way, that will be fine by her. The possibility of him being a deputy rose him in her eyes. Tricia said that no promises were made. That made him a fair game.
More than that, Cynthia wanted to gain some kind of protection. She would rather be in league with the handsome Marshal than with runaways that were constantly walking through woods and through the gutter.
“Your information is of no value to me,” the Marsha
l sighed on the end of their long interview. “You saw no one of value. There are no clues in your story about their whereabouts. I have no use of you.”
Cynthia thought quickly.
“I know all the addresses on which the mistress sent out letters. That can be her hideouts.”
“Santos showed me those. Letters clearly stated severance of relations. None of those women would help her.”
Cynthia fell into despair. If she had nothing to offer, she’ll just end up on the street and Sue’s door was closed for her.
“You said that the mistress didn’t burn. Did you find her jewels in the ruins?”
“We found no jewels,” the Marshal leaned forward.
“I know her jewels by heart. The shape, the count, what she had. There is no chance that she would leave those jewels behind but she’ll have to make money. What better way but to pawn jewels? If you lead me to Charlotte, which is just across the border, I can look around. If you find her jewels, you’ll find her.”
“And her associates,” the Marshal didn’t seem pleased. “It is a good idea, we’ll try it out.”
Tricia was furious at herself for listening to Cynthia. Now everything was ruined.
Cynthia turned against them betraying all they worked for to that obnoxious Marshal.
Shade was thrown all over Santos’ name and she couldn’t shake it off. Did he lie to her? Did he lie with his every expression, with his every move?
She did doubt him but after her attack, she was sure that she was wrong. No one can pretend to be so genuine. Or can he?
Staying at Sue’s home wasn’t anything better.
She sat in the kitchen and through the door listened to her husband talking to his uncle about their betrayal.
“Sue must never know,” William said. “If she knows you did it on purpose and not accidentally she’ll demand of me to leave.”
“A woman can’t command you,” his uncle said angrily. “I agreed on your marriage only because I thought that the maid will know how to obey you. If she’s a wretched woman tell me and I’ll get rid of her.”
“Don’t be like that,” William said in horror. “She’s a mother to my child.”
