by Jerri Hines
“Oh, Cathryn! I’m so happy to have you back. We have been so worried,” she uttered, holding Cathryn at arm’s length to look at her. “So, we are to have a small one. Most assuredly you will need to rest. Come, Sumner is out in the fields. You have nothing to worry with now. You’re home.”
“Juriah, I have brought company,” Cathryn managed. Her hand reached for Mary. She pulled the young girl forward. Petite in stature to begin with, Mary’s huge brown eyes looked unsure. “This is Mary Montross. I owe her so very much.”
“Then our home is hers as well.” Juriah eyed Mary tenderly. Cathryn noted the recognition in Juriah’s eyes, but didn’t dwell on it.
Cathryn watched while Jean-Louis walked up to make his introduction. She noted the pleasure in his eyes as he gazed upon Juriah. Juriah politely, but coolly, acknowledged him.
“We will celebrate tonight, my dear.” Juriah turned her attention again to Cathryn, hugging her once more. “Our prayers have been answered.”
Juriah was interrupted for from the corner of her eye, Cathryn caught movement. She turned toward it and watched a rider jump the lower fence pasture. Her brother had heard. Sumner galloped up and in one swift movement was off his horse, wrapping strong arms around his sister. Cathryn was home.
* * * *
Cathryn awakened within her own bed. More than a year had passed since she had last laid her head upon her pillow. So much had changed. Yet the love she had been surrounded with as a child encompassed her. She wanted nothing more than for her child to be born within that love.
Juriah had placed her into bed and refused to let her up. Juriah didn’t like her coloring. “You’ve had too much stress. From the telling scars on your back, it bothers me greatly the pain you have had to endure. Cathryn, I haven’t seen them as bad on the backs of half-beaten to death slaves I have treated,” Juriah said, tucking her in that night. She took her herbs and rubbed them into Cathryn’s chest for her to breathe better and propped her up with pillows. “At least you can lay your head upon the pillow to sleep. I should have sent Sumner over to collect you when your father died. My dreams haunted me about you.”
Cathryn grabbed hold of Juriah’s hand. “I have been so miserable, Juriah. You don’t know. People I thought would have to love me, abandoned me so easily. And then Philip rescued me from that misery, but ever so briefly, Juriah. I couldn’t save him...”
Juriah took her into her arms and rocked her until she slept. She awoke to blinding light when her curtains were opened. Cathryn, readied to reprimand Tacy, quickly caught sight of her brother. He turned back to her with a quirky smile upon his face.
“I know, Sister, that it is rude to speak ill of one who has been absent for so long, but you are huge.” He laughed. Sumner pushed back his long dark hair. His skin was more darkened with the sun than she remembered; his face seemed more stressed. He walked over to the bed and sat upon the edge. “Ah, Jalyn! It is good to have you home. After the Colonel was killed, I became worried for you. I couldn’t write and tell you, but I tried to communicate to your solicitor that there was more here than first thought. I believe that the Colonel’s assassin wasn’t as politically motivated as the British declared it.”
“Why do you think that?” Cathryn asked, concerned.
“I couldn’t get into any details last night, not with Monsieur Renton within the room. I hope you were discreet with any information you gave him. I don’t trust him,” Sumner stated bluntly.
“I feel the same, Brother, but I had no other option. I had to leave.”
“I understand,” he said gently. “I spent the night talking with that little one. She is a spitfire. I will be forever in her debt for her saving you. I can’t believe one so tiny has so much within her. You have a friend for life.”
“I could never repay her for all she has done. I will tell you everything, but what about Father?”
“The Colonel was killed while out riding. Shot cleanly through the heart. It wasn’t too hard to hunt down the culprit and with a little incentive he spilled his guts. You do not need the details, but this I will tell you, he rued the day he killed the Colonel.”
A shiver ran down her spine. Cathryn understood well what her brother had done. And God forgive her, she wished it had been her to have done so. “What did he say?”
“That he was hired to kill the Colonel. With all the turmoil, one would assume it had to do with the call for independence, but Jalyn, I don’t believe it was. Why hire someone? If it was political, there are plenty to do so without the call for payment. Also, going through the Colonel’s papers, he had received threatening letters concerning, not only threats against him, but you.”
“I don’t understand, Sumner.”
“Jalyn, I believe the Colonel was set up. I believe someone wanted him to send you to England where he thought you would be safe and then he was killed. I’m no genius, but with you in their clutches they would have control of your fortune. That was why I sent word I wanted you to return.”
Cathryn’s eyes studied her brother. Her thoughts were frozen back in time. “Oh, Sumner, do you truly think so? His family? Mother’s?”
“You hadn’t a chance, little sister,” he said grimly. “I believe it came from his family, but your mother’s must have cooperated.”
Cathryn slightly nodded. “Of course, Reggie owed a fortune. Oh, my God! I let them stay within the estate. I should have kicked them out.”
“No, no,” Sumner soothed her. “You did what you had to do to save Mary. She told me. Life across the ocean makes no sense to me. Threatening a child who saved another. Mother told me the state of your back. Tacy said you were lucky you survived. I don’t see the justice in any of that!”
A warmth of comfort flooded Cathryn. She hugged her brother. “You don’t know how good it is to be back.”
“We aren’t out of the woods, yet, Jalyn. I don’t want you to worry about any issues for you are with me now, and I won’t let anyone harm you or your child, but you realize we will have to face several concerns after you deliver.”
“What do you know?”
“That my darling little sister could be carrying an heir to a dukedom. I hope to God it’s a girl for I can foresee troubles if it’s a boy.”
“You won’t let the Duke of Eversleigh take my child!” Cathryn cried.
“Hell, no!” Sumner exclaimed. “You don’t have to have the weight of the world upon you now. I will care for you. I went over the numbers you gave me last night. Even though we may have to fight for your inheritance in time, at the moment we should be content. We have taken losses as of late with the Indian raids that have begun.”
“Sumner, promise me you won’t let them take me back to England, or my child,” Cathryn pleaded. “I would die.”
“You have no worries, Jalyn.” Sumner gave her his word.
* * * *
May gave way to an oppressive, hot June that wilted the flowers in the buds. Cathryn had the entire household waiting upon her. She was in her glory, except she was so uncomfortable with the heat, the weight the baby placed upon her, and the fact she couldn’t breathe easily, but she was happy. Elm Bluff protected her from the hurt that welled up inside, allowing an escape from dealing with Philip’s death.
Mary had blossomed since her arrival. The once plain child had a gleam in her eye. She turned fifteen on the voyage back home. Color had returned to her pale face; she seemed to glow upon Sumner’s appearance. She had begun to brush her hair in a different manner, sweeping it upward. Tacy had gone through Cathryn’s old clothes and found several that flattered Mary’s coloring. Of course, the child was enamored with Sumner. He doted upon her for saving his only sister, but as with most of his gender was unaware of the effect he had on the young one.
Cathryn said nothing. There was nothing to be said. With all that Juriah had told her she doubted her brother was interested in much to do with the female persuasion.
“After we received your letter about your marriage, William
took the news hard,” Juriah said shortly after her return. “Sumner didn’t tell William whom you married, but felt he had a right to know. I believe that William had assumed you would do so, but I believe he had hoped. Afterwards, William followed his father’s advice. He married Randa Bowden.”
“Oh, no,” Cathryn uttered, not for William, but that Randa married another, not her brother. “Sumner?”
“He tried to persuade Randa to marry him when the news became official, but Randa refused to go against her father. Sumner has had many burdens placed upon him. He had to deal with the plantation without full control until he heard back from your solicitor,” Juriah said gently. “Your father had placed Sumner as your guardian, but it was hard to enforce from across the ocean. I believe the day the letter arrived stating that he had full authorization over the plantations and there were no restrictions placed upon him it gave him strength. To know that you acknowledge him fully, Cathryn, means the world to him. We are a strange family. Are we not?”
“But we are family,” Cathryn said. “And that is what I have so missed. It is good to have a haven to run to.”
“You need this time. You can’t run from your past forever, but you do not need to make a stand today. I’m concerned with you, Cathryn. You are certain you aren’t due until July.”
“It is the earliest, Juriah,” Cathryn acknowledged. “I have never been so uncomfortable, either. I’m huge.”
“Your feet are swollen, also. We need to take care of those,” Juriah said simply. “You need to relax only. Sit back. Once the babe comes, you won’t have time to rest.”
Cathryn didn’t argue with her. From her vantage point on the veranda she could see over to the river and pasture. England was only a distant memory, as if she had dreamed it. If not for the babe she carried and the scars upon her back, it would seem as if it never happened.
“She’s out on the veranda. I’m sure she would like to see you.”
Cathryn half rose, hearing Juriah greet a visitor, to get a closer look at who it was. She grinned in delighted recognition at the older, but still the same, handsome well-dressed man. “William Peyton!”
“Cathryn.” William walked swiftly up to Cathryn and kissed her cheek. “I didn’t realize you had returned.” William stepped back as if only noticing her clothing. The full unrelieved funeral black she wore left little doubt she was in mourning. “I’m sorry, Cathryn. Is it your husband?”
Cathryn gave William a small nod. She didn’t know why, but tears welled up in her eyes. She thought she was beyond the tears. “Yes, unfortunately he succumbed to an illness a couple of months ago.”
He gently squeezed her hand. “You have my condolences, but at least you will have a small one to relieve some of the pain of the loss.”
A few months ago she would have blushed upon the statement, but with her appearance, there could be only one conclusion to her condition. “Yes, it is my hope. But what of you? It is good to see you. I understand congratulations are in order. You married.”
“It seemed the right course of action,” William began in almost an apologetic manner.
“It is good to grasp at happiness, William. I’m certain your father was happier than if it had been me. I don’t think I impressed him when I tried to open a school upon your plantation,” Cathryn conceded.
“I don’t know if it was the school, Cathryn, or you trying to encourage the young ones to run away.” William laughed upon remembrance. Cathryn returned his laugh with her own.
“It is good to see you. I’m glad you came. I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t want everyone to know I’m back at the moment, not until after...” She paused for a moment. “Until after my confinement.”
“Of course, Cathryn. You know I wouldn’t do anything to cause you discomfort. I hope you know I still consider you a dear friend,” he said sincerely. “I hadn’t even suspected. I came over only to talk with Sumner. Juriah said he isn’t around. If you have need of anything...”
“Sumner will take care of everything,” she assured him, but broke her gaze away from him.
“What is wrong, Cathryn?”
“Wrong? Oh, William,” she uttered. She wanted desperately to tell all to her friend. She had always confided in him, but Juriah walked upon the veranda with refreshments. Her eyes cautioned Cathryn. Much had changed since she had left. “It seems I cry over everything these days. I’m desolate upon losing Philip. He was so young and will never see his child. Pray forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive. Randa is the same now,” he responded. “We haven’t announced it as of yet, but she is to be a mother, not until the fall, though.”
“That is wonderful,” Cathryn uttered, but she caught Juriah’s eyes. Again Sumner would be hurt. Cathryn swallowed, accepting the cup of tea. “Thank you, Juriah. You always know what I need. I’m so glad I returned, although I have to admit I had hoped the turmoil to have calmed, but the discourse seems to have only grown.”
“That was what I had hoped to talk with Sumner about. We received news of some more attacks upon the western borders. I had wondered if I could interest him in renting or buying the Charles Town house. I didn’t realize you were back. You may want to inhabit it now, but Randa feels nervous with all the rumors and wants to return to Charles Town. I know it’s not in use at the moment.”
“You will have to talk to Sumner. I know most go into town, but I have no intentions of living in Charles Town. I’m content here, but I’m unaware of any occurrences in our area to give rise to be concerned.”
Juriah poured William a cup. She took a seat. “I don’t believe Sumner wanted you to be concerned, my dear. For the moment, Elm Bluff doesn’t seem to be in any danger. We are too close to Charles Town for the Indians to attack us.”
Cathryn wasn’t convinced. “What gives Randa concern, William? You live close.”
William sighed. “I’m not certain if...”
“I am, William. I’m not a child. I admit I haven’t kept up with all, having to deal with a sick husband, and I had only a desperate need to return home after, but I had been warned. I believe they talked of battles.”
“Cathryn, it’s the war. You haven’t convinced yourself otherwise, I hope. I know you, ignoring what you don’t want to hear. The call for independence has gone out. We are breaking away from England. In so doing, the English bastards have enlisted the help of the Indians, mainly the Cherokee. They have engaged their service with the tomahawk and scalping knife. The poor untutored Indians, delighting in carnage believe the British scoundrels. The last raid came down and left the Johnson family devastated.
“Hugh Johnson was still with the South Carolina militia under Colonel Richardson and was with him at the Battle of Ninety-Six when they broke up a Loyalist gathering. The Indians raided his home up by the Saluda River, burnt it down to a crisp. Killed his infant son, scalped his wife, Wilhelmina, and kidnapped his oldest two girls. It could be where Sumner is. Richardson may be calling on him for his help again.”
“What do you mean, William? If it is as you say, why would the militia be calling upon Sumner?”
William looked confused. He glanced over at Juriah who sat without showing any emotions. He looked back at Cathryn. “I thought you would have known, Cathryn. Sumner is one of the leading militia commanders. He is with the South Carolina militia. He was with Richardson and Thompson at the Ninety-Six.”
Cathryn’s eyes fell in confusion. She knew he had to be teasing her. Sumner a patriot, never! He wouldn’t be disloyal to their father. “He would never! He would never take up arms against Father’s...”
Juriah eased up. “William, maybe you can come back when Sumner is here. It seems that I’m left to explain situations to Cathryn.”
“I’m sorry. I got carried away,” William said tensely. “I never meant...”
“I know, William,” Juriah replied. “It’s something that has been needed to be discussed but as you can decipher, Sumner hasn’t approached the subject. But i
t is best if it came from him.”
William reluctantly took leave with a promise of returning soon. Cathryn’s bosom heaved with silent wrath. Juriah returned to find Cathryn too angry to speak. They sat in silence for some while.
“Why would William lie? He knows we are loyal subjects to the crown!” Cathryn declared in fury.
“Calm yourself, Cathryn. Much has changed since you left. Your father, himself, was sympathetic to some of the un-just laws fostered upon the colonists,” Juriah said firmly. “Sumner said nothing because he knew you would react in the manner you have done. He didn’t want you upset with all you have gone through. In essence, it has no effect upon you as of yet.”
“He couldn’t betray Father!”
“No, Cathryn, he would never betray your father. But he is young, brash and dreams the world as he wants to see it, fired by idealism to create a new world,” she said simply. “He loved the Colonel and admired him greatly. Did you know that the man that killed your father was from a leading Loyalist family? I believe there were many factors. You will need to talk with him when you get control of your feelings. Ask yourself if it’s so important at the moment? Can it not wait until after the babe arrives? I’m worried about you, Cathryn. You don’t need any more conflict to deliver a healthy child.”
Cathryn heeded Juriah’s words. In truth, she only wanted to think of the child. She didn’t need to confront her brother yet. It would change little. Juriah was right. There was a bond between the two siblings that would be difficult to break. The two had the same father, but had grown up in two different worlds. Who was she to judge her brother’s decision? But it gave way to a new worry—what world was she bringing her child into?
Chapter 2
For the first time since she arrived home, Cathryn questioned her decision. Oh, she not how she felt...she needed the warmth within her home, the love that surrounded her, but at night she could see Philip’s face. He had gone to great lengths to keep her within England for a reason. Was this the reason? It wasn’t her life she had taken a chance upon, but her child’s.
