by Hines, Jerri
Jo swore she saw tears well in his eyes, but he quickly rubbed his tired eyes and suppressed the emotion. As he looked back up at her, fear gripped her. Something was wrong…bad wrong.
He sighed heavily. “I wanted to talk so no one would hear us. There is so much I want to say…have to say.”
“I’m sorry, Andrew. I know the predicament I have placed the family in with my actions. I couldn’t…I couldn’t let him…”
Andrew shook his head and reached over, gently taking her hand in his. “There is no need, Jo. I wish only it had been from my hand. You did what you had to do to protect your son. Make no mistake, Buck would have killed Percival, you, and any other who got in his way.”
Releasing her hand, he stepped back and stared at her with a faraway, melancholy look. “I never told you about the day Wade called for me to treat Gillie. It was…” He paused, struggling to control his composure. “Horrific. Never have I seen someone who had been tortured so. The things...it is not necessary for you to know what happened, but that they did. Such a beautiful life. To have endured the pain…the humiliation. It solidified my stance on slavery.”
“I have always known you have been sympathetic to the slaves’ plight. It is why our slaves...”
“No, Jo!” he said, violently. “You don’t. You don’t know me at all. I have hated slavery and everything it stood for long before the war. It ate at my conscience. Oh, I listened to all the propaganda. But unlike Wade, who despite his misgivings, followed the call his state made upon him, I could not. Wade, like those who remain now, do so only by their sense of honor, not wanting to disgrace our country or family. He gave his life for all he believed in and none of that was slavery. Despite his heroic actions, his toil and suffering has been for naught.”
His words scared her. Confused, her mind ran rampant, for it seemed he was confessing the sins of his soul to her. Her nerves shaken, she asked, “What are you saying, Andrew?”
Above her, birds twittered; the wind rustled through the leaves. Andrew stood deadly still.
“For what I am about to utter, you will hate me.” His voice carried clearly and articulate. “I’m not asking for forgiveness, only understanding—one day. I told you when this whole dreadful business started that I lived only to redeem myself. I had much to atone for, Josephine, so much. Know, I love my family and all I have done I’ve done for them.”
Jo trembled. Comprehension began to sink into her. For a long moment, she could only stare in disbelief and then abruptly recoiled. Her hand clamped over her mouth, her eyes widened in disbelief. “You…you have been helping the Yankees!”
“I have done what I’ve had to do to protect the family. I’m a doctor who has pledged to uphold life and it is that pledge I have kept for everyone, Jo. Both sides.” He lowered his gaze and looked down at his hands. “Believe me or not, I love my home and my family above all else. Grandfather called me a coward…said I had no backbone and had disgraced the family, but I believe with my actions, I have saved Magnolia Bluff and the family.”
Jo slapped him, hard, and uttered in complete disgust, “You betrayed Wade and all he stood for.”
His hand went to his cheek. “No, Jo,” he snapped. “I’ve protected you and the children. They have become as my own. I did what I must to protect those I love, but it was not I who set this network up. Do you not know that Cullen wanted Percival out of here at the beginning of the conflict? Who do you think stood between him? Even now, I was prepared to stand again against them.”
Color drained from her face at the mention of Cullen. Her heart faltered. “Why? What is going on?”
“An order came down to remove Percival. No matter anymore of my stance or whether or not you were willing to go with him.”
“Dear God,” she whispered. Her knees began to quiver. “No…no.”
He rushed to her and took her hands in his once more. “Listen, quickly. I had to send word to Beaufort last night. I tell you all this because you have to go. All of you. After last night, I realized that there are things I can’t protect you from. Harry Lee…what happens if Harry Lee returns?”
Her chest heaved; she couldn’t breathe. All the words he was saying. Her body went cold.
“Jo, there is no other way. I wish it had been me who shot the bastard, but what if McCoy gets wind of what has happened? He would like nothing better than to throw you in jail, no matter if Buck deserved it or not. Too many people saw—the slaves, his friend.”
“I would hang?”
“He would have difficulty proving murder without a body. We can always say that he left on his own accord…cast doubt on the way he died. Fell in the river, drunk. But they will never prove you shot him. Derek and I made certain Buck’s body would never be found. Already, there is animosity growing around us, for we are faring better than most. You can’t tell the Yankees the real reason I’m sending you at this time. Even they can’t know what has occurred. It is better to have all be buried with Buck.”
“Sending me? Oh, Good Lord, what have you done?”
“They are here and are waiting. You won’t be going back to Magnolia Bluff. I told them you discovered our scheme. They can’t afford to keep you here.”
“No.” Her voice shook. Glancing around frantically for a way out, she saw shadows in the trees walk out toward them. “I won’t go. I won’t leave. I’ll never leave my home. I won’t betray Wade.”
Andrew gestured and the two came forward. Jo rushed at Andrew and gripped tightly to his coat. “Don’t do this. I will hate you forever for your betrayal.”
His eyes broke from hers. “One day,” he said. “One day you will understand. I do this to protect you and the children. After all this madness, you can return. You will have a home to return to and we will be here waiting.”
“My children…my children!”
“They are going with you. Rosa has already taken them down to the appointed place.”
It was the last she heard. She felt strong hands grip her arms. Her vision blurred through her tears. Someone said, “If you scream or make any noise, we will bind your mouth. If you fight us, we will tie you up and carry you.”
She obeyed.
She had no choice…no choice at all.
Jo’s only hope was the promise that her children would be with her.
Chapter Seven
“Momma…Momma,” Percival cried. “We’re on a ship…on the water!” Excitement rang in his small voice.
Jo felt none of it…she was petrified. The moment she stepped aboard the vessel, she realized it was a warship. Mortified by the stares of the sailors…their snickers…she followed her escort in silence. Poor Madeline clung to her as if her little life depended upon it, while Percival thought it a grand adventure.
Percival rambled on about each thing that caught his eye. Jo nodded in an effort to pacify him while she tried to comfort his crying sister, whose tiny fingers had dug into Jo’s arm. All the strange faces and noises frightened Madeline.
Two weeks had passed…two long weeks. She had been taken down to Beaufort. As promised, the children were at her side. Never had she traveled in such discomfort.
First they were literally pushed into a closed carriage that provided a jarring ride along a bumpy road. At dark, they were transferred to a boat that sent them to the Union occupied town.
She had no answers to their fate, no news about Magnolia Bluff, no communication from Andrew. Nothing. A Captain Claiborne met with her, but he dismissed her readily enough when she refused to talk.
Isolated from town, the days passed in an overseer’s house on one of the abandoned plantations. Their welfare and comfort had been seen to with Rosa packing a wicker valise for each of them. The children were allowed to play outside and along the shoreline. The only restriction was that they were not allowed to interact with the inhabitants of the town. It had been a quiet existence until soldiers came in the wee hours of the morning.
In an unusual chilly December wind, Josephine and the chi
ldren were transported to a waiting ship. Once aboard, she was escorted to a small cabin, where she sat in wait.
The weather had cooled considerably. Assuming they were traveling north, she worried. She had no coats, gloves, or boots for the children. Suddenly, panic consumed her when Jo realized she had nothing except the clothes on her back.
A knock on the door startled her. As she moved to open it, Percival pushed a chair over to pull himself up to look out the porthole. Madeline screamed, afraid her mother was about to put her down.
The door opened. A tall, handsome officer stepped into the cabin, followed by a cabin boy dragging a trunk. A Navy man. Jo recognized the uniform. Moreover, the man seemed familiar. His blue eyes held a warmth; his smile, kindness.
Glancing over his shoulder, the officer saw Percival kick his chair out from under him. Immediately, he walked over and grasped hold of the little boy, who clung precariously to the porthole with his fingers as his feet dangled in the air. Percival squealed in delight as he was flung over the officer’s head, touched the ceiling and then placed safely back on the floor.
Percival looked up at the man and asked, “Did you bring me more men to play with?”
“More men?” Jo asked in a failing voice. “Oh, no…you were there…”
“Yes, Mrs. Montgomery,” the officer answered, taking his hat off and tucking it under his arm. “Lieutenant Hugh McFadden. You may not remember but we have met before in Philadelphia.”
“Cullen.” She stared at him, remembering.
“Yes, Cullen has been a trusted friend for many years,” Hugh said. “I want to apologize for the inconvenience of withdrawing you from your home, but let me assure you, it was a necessity.”
Grabbing Percival by his hand, Jo took a step back. “That is what I’ve been told.”
He gave her a faint smile and opened the trunk’s lid. “In here are some articles I thought you might have use for...women’s and children’s clothes. I know you weren’t allowed time to pack.”
With Madeline balanced on her hip, Jo quickly glanced over the contents. A pretty blue organdie, a pink taffeta, slippers, petticoats…from the look of them, everything was new. She looked up at him. “Where did you get these?”
“I didn’t steal them from any defenseless Southern lady, if that is your inference,” Hugh answered. “You will have need of them. I have another trunk with warm clothing for you and the children as well. Boots, gloves, mittens. I won’t go into all the details, but I’m to escort you to Washington.”
Jo shot him a suspicious glare. Abruptly, she questioned, “What is going to happen to us?”
“I’m to escort you to my commander in Washington. From there, they will be able to tell you exactly what is planned, but I would not worry. Your family in Philadelphia has been notified. I would expect that Mr. Jonathan Smythe will be in Washington to greet you.”
Her eyes widened. “No…no! He will take Percival from me!”
Immediately, Percival ran in front of her and held out his hands, as if protecting her from the lieutenant. “Don’t make my momma cry. I haf to protect her…”
Lieutenant McFadden knelt down on one knee. “No one is going to harm any of you. I give you my word.”
“But you’re a Yankee!” Percival spat the word at him as if it was the most dreadful thing in the world to be.
“Yes, I am, but I am a man of my word. I’ll tell you what I will do. After I talk to your momma, I will take you on a tour of the ship. Would you like that?”
Percival looked pleadingly at his mother. Exasperated, Jo agreed, “If you are good. Now, let me talk. Sit on the bed and play with Madeline.”
Hugh waited until the children were settled. “No one will separate you.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Jo made an effort to keep her voice low. “What else am I supposed to think? I’m dragged from my home…taken against my will. Do you not know I have realized that Cullen has wanted to take Percival from me for a long time? That is his intention.”
“I’m certain it will be an adjustment, Mrs. Montgomery, but no one wants to pull a child away from his mother,” Hugh repeated. Lowering his gaze, and then looking back up at her, he went on. “I do have to emphasize that you can’t say a word about the scheme you uncovered. It has been a secret known only to a few. There will be serious consequences for the ones left behind if it is revealed. Harm could befall your family. Magnolia Bluff burned. I would advise you not to say a word to anyone unless I tell you it’s safe. Not even the commander of this ship knows the real purpose of our mission.”
“Your mission?” Anger resurfaced…rage at Andrew’s betrayal burned. “Your mission be damned.”
“I don’t expect you to understand—”
“I don’t want excuses. I want to go home, Lieutenant McFadden. I want to take my children—”
“That’s impossible,” he stated firmly. “It will be better for you to accept things as they are. You and your children are safe and will be well looked after. Cullen will—”
Jo laughed, almost hysterically. “Cullen?” she cried. “He will take my child and where will I be? Tell me, Lieutenant McFadden. What is to become of Madeline and myself?”
“Cullen has well looked after his—”
“His son? Percival is not his son!” she hissed. Had she not been so scared, so nervous, she would have collapsed at the assertion, but now she did not have the luxury to worry about her reputation. “Percival is Wade’s son. Cullen lost all claim when he left me. Can you not understand that he hates me? I do. I understand it well. He will be happy only when I’m destroyed and taking my child will do so. Please, Lieutenant, I beg you...don’t let him.”
“You are exhausted. Rest. I assure you that everything will work out. No one is going to take a child from his mother…”
“Don’t lie to me. Andrew told me you were sent to take him!”
“Calm down,” he replied, annoyed at the reference. “I would have never done such a thing unless absolutely necessary.” Hugh sighed heavily. “This conversation is done. All I can tell you is, don’t be concerned. Your welfare will be seen to. At this time, you have no other option but to sit back.”
“What do you mean?” Jo countered, completely confused.
“It is with the greatest reluctance, I am to inform you that you are being held as a prisoner of war. I would surmise that an agreement will be made for your release when we get to Washington. Until then, there is nothing more to be done.”
His words silenced her. She only managed a nod when Percival took the lieutenant’s hand and walked out the door with him. Her knees buckled and she sat back on the bed. Madeline crawled to her side. Jo hugged her daughter tightly.
She whispered, “Prisoner?”
* * * *
The city of Washington frightened Jo. Not at all what she had imagined, the city reeked with a rank, foul stench. Moreover, she was once more alone with her children.
Lieutenant McFadden had departed the ship the morning they docked. She had not seen him since.
Without warning that night, she and the children had been escorted by a platoon of Union soldiers from the ship to this house…this room. A platoon…truly a platoon to escort her! What did they expect—for her to make a run for it with two children on her hip?
In the darkness, she had been taken in an old rickety carriage to this house on a crowded street. The house was in need of much repair. The paint was peeling off the building; the bottom step was broken. When she walked into the foyer, she paused in an effort to get her bearings of her new surroundings.
Her immediate thought was that the house needed a good cleaning. One of the guards pushed her from behind. Jerking her head back, Jo shot the soldier a hard look.
“Upstairs,” he uttered roughly.
Grabbing Percival’s hand, she held tight to Madeline in her other arm and climbed the stairs. A door opened and they were herded into this room. Comprehension dawned on her. She wasn’t to live in the house, only t
his room—it was her prison cell.
The lock clicked. Releasing Percival’s hand, she raced to the door. It was locked. Looking around, the room contained little. A bed, a small chest, and a writing desk. A couple of hours later, the trunks were delivered.
Jo had never been more thankful. The room was cold. There was no fireplace and the temperature outside was frigid. Bundling the children up in their clothing, the three of them huddled on the bed.
Days passed and the room grew smaller, especially with a rambunctious three-year-old. Percival couldn’t understand where the life he had known before had gone: the lawn, his dog, the stables…his room. Everything he had known and loved, except his mother and baby sister, had disappeared.
For a time, he had been distracted, first with the house in Beaufort and then the ship. Now reality seeped into his world. Moreover, Jo worried about Madeline. Her darling daughter had become even quieter than normal.
She needed to talk with Lieutenant McFadden. Even being forcibly taken from her home in the manner she had been, she had not suspected she would have been treated in this manner and…the children! It broke her heart.
Food had been scarce. Adequate water had been supplied to wash, but the children needed baths…she needed a bath, but not in this freezing room. She had long forgotten how it felt to be warm. Moreover, their clothes had disappeared. Having given clothes to the guards to be washed, none had been returned.
“Momma, I’m hungry. I want to leave.”
Percival pulled at her skirt. Jo wanted nothing more than to cry, but she couldn’t succumb to the desperation of their situation. She leaned down to her son to give him the only comfort she could. He smelled. Oh, Lord, he had soiled his clothes again. Once more, Jo changed her son.
He screamed, being exposed to the cold and the freezing water. “Momma, don’t! I can’t button ’em. They’re too small!”
“Please, Percival, you don’t have a choice. There is nothing else.”
