Threads of Betrayal

by Monica Koldyke Miller

  Just as Reagan stood up, George launched himself from his chair and punched the giant’s face with all his might. Emily gasped as Jim threw himself between the two while grabbing for his holster. He found the act unnecessary for Jebediah only rubbed his jaw, amused at George’s show of manliness.

  Ambrose stood, vigorously beating his gavel. “Order! Order I say! There’ll be order in my chambers!” Flinging the gavel, Judge McCleary pointed a finger at Jebediah. “If you cannot contain yourself Mr. Johnson, I’ll end this inquiry here and now.”

  Jeb held up his hands in contrition. “Mah apologies, yer Honor. Ah sometimes fergit mesself.”

  The Judge waited while everyone resumed their seats. George, though visibly provoked, sat a little taller while Emily sank further in her chair, quietly weeping.

  McCleary thumbed through several notes. “What of the wagon, Mr. Johnson? Did you recover any evidence in the wagon?”

  “Didn’t git the wagon,” Jeb said. “We found a break in the floor where it got stuck in the bridge. But it got away.”

  “Do you mean to say you have no wagon?”

  “Ah have eye witnesses!” Jeb ground out. “All Ah want is the slave and her brat. If yu can git the gent to hand them over, Ah’ll drop all charges.”

  Emily stopped sniffling and looked at Jeb. “You’d drop all charges?”

  “Except of course, the cost of mah dogs,” he said. “After that, Ah’d fergit yer girlie wuz even there.”

  At Emily’s hopeful glance, Reagan shrugged his shoulders. “As I said before, I have no information that would be of help to Mr. Johnson.” He then looked toward Jeb. “If you have further accusations, I suggest you say so now.”

  The Judge slammed down his hand. “I’ll decide the questions here. Now, let’s get to the crux of the matter.” He turned to Jebediah. “Do you have a warrant for either Mr. Burnsfield or Miss Bruester?”

  “Ah don’t need one as long as Ah keep the peace while doing mah job. Everyone knows that,” Jeb said. “And Ah kept the peace.”

  “Mr. Johnson, you don’t have a wagon and you don’t have a slave. You don’t even have the babe you claim was there.” Ambrose folded his arms, staring. “You sir, have wasted these good people’s time and sorely tempted my patience. Furthermore, this court will be sympathetic to either party if they decide to prosecute you for false imprisonment.”

  “Ah’d have yer evidence if yu’d search where they came from last night. The sheriff didn’t find Dame Bruester at home. Ah say the biddy’s in on it too.”

  McCleary sighed. “Mr. Johnson, as you should well know, the Constitution asserts no authority in unreasonable search and seizure. You sir, have tried to circumvent the law. Until you show proof that withstands the scrutiny of this court, you shan’t harass either party again. Is that clear?”

  Jebediah couldn’t believe his ears. “So, yer believing their lies about courting, miles from town, in the damned middle of winter?”

  “It’s not what I believe, Mr. Johnson, it’s what you can prove. And you haven’t proven otherwise.” Judge McCleary then stood and gave a final rap of his gavel. “This investigation is hereby concluded. You are all free to go.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Relief flooded Emily’s countenance at Judge McCleary’s words. Believing this ordeal over, she tried gathering her wits. Not since her father had rejected Thomas as a suitable husband had Emily felt so aggrieved. Back then, her ego had been sorely bruised when Thomas withdrew his courtship. At first, she insisted he ask again but he refused, claiming no amount of wealth would be enough for her blue-blooded sire.

  Thus, the shock of his betrayal pierced her heart; planting a root so deep it choked all reason. In Emily’s imaginings, Thomas should’ve fought for her. Instead, he abandoned her to marry another. Because she never stopped loving him, she never lost hope. She chose to believe his marriage would fail and invited him to lavish balls where she richly displayed her charMs. But Thomas seemed only to have eyes for his honey-blond wife and not until Reagan was born would she concede failure.

  Deeply embittered, Emily had thrown herself at the son of the oldest and wealthiest family in Cantonsville. Timorous and somewhat awkward, George proved easily manipulated. With her father’s encouragement, Emily accepted George’s proposal later that year.

  Over time, Emily had been able to conceal her animosity toward Thomas and his son. But now, with this latest turn of events, no one would fault her if she refused Reagan further contact with her daughter.

  Emily’s thoughts returned to the present when the Judge stood up. Not waiting for George, she took Amanda’s arm and approached the door where Jim promptly opened it.

  “Good day, Mrs. Bruester. Amanda,” he said as they left.

  “Ah cain’t believe it,” Jeb said. “Is that it? Ah got no recourse?”

  McCleary looked annoyed. “For one thing, if you ever enter my chambers again, I’ll expect you to make yourself presentable. A bath and clean set of clothes goes a long way toward civilized discourse.”

  The sound of George clearing his throat caused everyone to turn. Reaching inside his coat, he withdrew a billfold and began thumbing currency. “Mr. Johnson, I understand you lost two dogs. What would you consider fair payment for the hounds?”

  Jebediah wet his lips. “Well, they wuz special bred, ya know.”

  “I’m sure they were,” George said, holding out several bills. “Included is a bit more to make amends for your lost time.” He smiled as Jeb seized the cash. “Will you need anything else before returning to Virginia?”

  “Ah cain’t rightly say,” he said, stuffing money in his pocket.

  “I see. If you need supplies, let the sheriff know and I’ll be happy to furnish the remainder.”

  “Mah boys need a few days rest, fer sher,” Jeb said. “Ah’ll be fixing mah next move after Ah wire mah client to see if he still wants me to pursue his wench.”

  As Hadley opened the door for Jebediah to leave, the bounty hunter sneered. “In the mean time, if Ah find proof of th’ gent’s guilt, Ah’ll be back. Mah client still ain’t got his property.”

  Elizabeth Hampton happened to be passing the courthouse in the mayor’s landau when Emily and Amanda emerged. The hurried steps of the women caught her eye and as she gazed out the window she recognized the Bruesters in the pool of a streetlamp. She became even more intrigued when Emily lowered a veil over her face before being assisted into a carriage.

  Elizabeth rapped on the wall until the driver opened a small aperture and inquired of her wishes. As he turned the carriage around, she settled into her seat, smiling smugly. She would soon know the reason for the odd behavior. Being the mayor’s daughter certainly had its advantages among the talkative clerks at city hall.

  Later that evening, Elizabeth left a dinner party where Camilla Muelder had been among the guests. With calculated nonchalance, she had whispered to Camilla the reason for Amanda’s visit to the judges’ chambers, repeating the account told by a clerk. She enjoyed seeing the astounded expression on Camilla’s face that turned into an excited interrogation of all she knew. Emboldened by her own importance, Elizabeth embellished the story, implanting her own rationale to suggest Amanda had lured Reagan into a tryst that backfired with their arrest. Elizabeth little doubted that before the week was out, Amanda’s reputation would be so damaged that no one would desire the girl, including Reagan Burnsfield.

  On the ride home she decided to throw her own dinner party. Having the gathering next week would give her time to fan the gossip. She smiled, realizing there was no greater satisfaction than plucking a morsel from the lips of another.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  For the hundredth time, Gabriella glanced at the mantel clock as she waited in the Bruester’s parlor. Following their escape from the bridge, Ben had driven to a farmhouse where fellow abolitionists took Nell in to nurse her wounds. Yet, despite their efforts, the girl succumbed to her injuries. Sorely grieved, Gabriella instructed
they bury Nell while she and Ben took Isaiah to a wet nurse in the next county. Later, he would be transported to the Canadian border with others who would raise him as their own. Lacking sleep and exhausted with worry, Gabriella then hurried home.

  She found the house empty and after a quick search realized Amanda had never returned. After changing clothes, Ben drove her to the Bruester’s where she was told Amanda and her parents had yet to return from an appointment. So, she waited.

  As afternoon aged into evening a servant came to announce the family had arrived. Gabriella rose, wincing at the arthritis that sometimes plagued her after being out all night. She was halfway across the carpet before Amanda burst through the door, running to her side.

  “Aunt Ella!” she gasped. “I’m so relieved to see you.”

  Gabriella touched her cheek. “Are you all right, child?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “How’s Nell?”

  Gabriella’s eyes grew moist. “Once Nell’s babe had been delivered into safe hands she passed away.”

  “And the baby?”

  “Safe for the moment,” she whispered as George and Emily reached the parlor.

  “Look Papa, I told you Aunt Ella would come when she found me gone from my room. See?” Amanda looped her arm around Gabriella and led her to the nearest chair. “She’s here, just like I said. It was all my fault because I’d left without her knowledge or permission.” Amanda furnished details, all the while plumping a pillow for Gabriella to lean against. “She retired early, while I stayed in the parlor. When Reagan came to visit, she didn’t know we went for a ride by ourselves. After all, Papa had given his permission.”

  Emily frowned as she watched Amanda fuss over Gabriella. If not for Gabriella’s insistence on a visit from her niece, this never would have happened. Sitting heavily on the sofa, Emily bared her displeasure. “She couldn’t have been too concerned. She didn’t check on you until this afternoon. You could’ve been dead for hours before anyone knew you were missing.”

  “Mama!” gasped Amanda. “You can’t mean that.”

  “No, no, it’s all right,” Gabriella said. “Emily’s right. I left early this morning to visit a friend and didn’t wish to disturb Amanda. I simply left without checking on her. When I returned home and found her missing, I hurried here as fast as I could.” Gabriella patted Amanda’s hand. “Although Wills informed me she was with you, I felt I should stay until you returned.”

  George smiled while putting an arm around his daughter. “Despite bad judgment on everyone’s part, Amanda has returned to us whole.” He then sat beside Emily, spying leftover scones on a platter. “You know, it’s past mealtime. Why don’t we have supper served here? I think it would be cozy to have a quiet evening amongst ourselves.”

  “In the parlor?” Emily said. “What would the servant’s think?”

  “It would be lovely,” Gabriella said. “I could use a bit of fresh tea myself.”

  “I’ll have Wills prepare something,” Amanda said, rising. A short time later she returned with the servant bearing trays filled with meats, cheeses, fruit and tea.

  As the meal progressed, Emily’s countenance softened and her words turned gentle. When she laughed with George over a trivial remark, Gabriella felt she was witnessing a different Emily than the one she had become accustomed to. Long after Amanda retired, the threesome shared a rare moment of companionship not unlike the times surrounding Amanda’s birth. Later, Gabriella would wonder if it was only at times like these the old Emily emerged to tame her sour temper.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Bad news travels fast. Damning news is equally swift when borne on wings of malicious tongues. By weeks’ end, the account of Amanda and Reagan’s arrest grew less accurate and more salacious until it little resembled the truth. Invitations ceased and the requests Emily extended were declined with the same excuses she had often used when sending regrets.

  Finding her afternoons empty, Emily soothed her pride with shopping at boutiques and jewelry stores. Clerks, who normally fell all over themselves at her approach, now lapsed into unusual silences, tittering unkindly at her departure. It wasn’t until acquaintances pretended not to see her that even shopping became unbearable. She wondered if they snubbed her, how would they treat her daughter? And more importantly, what would this do to Amanda’s future?

  Though frustrated, there remained in Emily a small, hidden cavity of tenderness. From this, she withdrew shards of patient restraint, vowing to turn this calamity around and provide a marriage she believed best for her daughter. Not from the heart, where a heart could be broken, but calculated to bequeath a better inheritance than the funds in Amanda’s dowry. The first maneuver toward that end was to reassert Amanda’s place above scandal.

  Without telling Amanda every invitation had been declined, Emily declared the family needed a few days rest. They’d postpone all activities until after the Sabbath services where she hoped others would be on their best behavior. She would begin repairing Amanda’s reputation there.

  ***

  Amanda’s insides felt knotted as she rode with her parents to church. Glancing at her hands, she wondered if she’d ever wear a wedding band. And if so, would she be allowed to grace anyone’s parlor, save her own? Forlornness settled on her heart. She decided if she must be disgraced, she’d rather be thought wicked than have Gabriella exposed as a lawbreaker.

  Soon, the carriage entered the churchyard and as it came to a stop Amanda spotted the Burnsfields entering church. She lost courage at the thought of facing Reagan’s family. “What must they think of me?” she wondered, stepping from the carriage.

  An excited buzz erupted in the sanctuary when the Burnsfields entered their pew. Amid chords of prefatory music many turned to look, but quickly turned away when finding either Thomas or Reagan returning their stare.

  “Psst!” whispered a woman elbowing her companion. “Did ya see the way he looked at me?” She peeked around her bonnet before gawking at Reagan. “Bold as can be, he is. Betcha I could have him too, if I wanted.”

  “Shhh!” her companion said. “He might hear ya, and think ye a harlot. And you in the house of the Lord! Have ye no shame?”

  “Ain’t no shame in wanting a man like that.”

  “Ye’re a no good woman, Molly Carnes. After what he was supposed to have done, what would ye be wanting with the man, anyway?” She shook her head. “Ain’t he the one that got caught with some high falutin’ girl and thrown in jail by her folks?”

  Molly leaned close, lowering her voice. “His name’s Reagan Burnsfield. One of the saloon gals told me he was arrested for hiding a slave and her baby. But the babe was his, and he used the rich girl as a ruse to git his lover away.”

  “Ye’re mad! And what are ye doing around those strumpets anyway? I told ye they’d bring ye to ruin.”

  “Just cuz the owner said I didn’t have the right voice for his shows, don’t mean I ain’t pretty. He said he’s got another job where I’d get paid more’n I make cleaning sheets and what not.” She turned for one more look. “But, if I was to catch the eye of a rich man, then I wouldn’t have to work no more.”

  The glare of others finally hushed Molly and she picked up a hymnal. She decided to introduce herself. If the gent could get a wench with child, then surely he’d fancy a vigorous woman ready to bear his children. By his looks, he would want a willing and lusty maid.

  The church had filled to capacity by the time the Bruesters walked inside. “Good morning,” Emily said, nodding and smiling. “Hello…nice to see you…”

  Amanda observed a wave of turning heads and a hush that fell at their passage. If not for the weighty timbre of the first hymn, she would’ve heard every footfall on the tiled floor. Dropping her gaze, she missed Reagan’s glance as well as the concerned empathy radiating from Katherine’s face.

  By the time the Bruester’s settled in a front pew, Reagan knew he needed to speak to George. The tale of their unfortunate mishap had traveled faster
than he thought possible and according to Beau, the rumors had turned unsavory.

  It seemed an eternity before the service ended and when it did, Reagan expected the Bruester’s to pass by on their way out. But with so many people thronging the aisles, it appeared they were heading for a side door.

  “What’s the matter with these people?” Thomas muttered, stepping outside his pew. Grasping Katherine’s arm, he succeeded in getting both she and Amy into the aisle before the crowd moved them along. “We’ll wait in the foyer,” he called to Reagan who began exiting the other side.

  Reagan had just rounded the corridor when a plainly dressed woman blocked his path. She then dropped her handkerchief. Though it became obvious she released it on purpose, she made no attempt to retrieve it. There seemed no way to step around her without abandoning his manners.

  “Allow me,” he said, snatching it up and placing it in her hands.

  “Why, thank you very kindly,” she said. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of yer acquaintance. My name is….” Molly’s heart quickened, for she didn’t realize how devastatingly handsome he’d be up close. But the amber flecked eyes weren’t on her. They were scanning the front of church.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” he said, turning away. “I have pressing matters to attend.” He strode up the aisle, leaving Molly with her mouth agape.

  “Ye could have him, hah!” snorted her friend as she approached. “What did I tell ya?” She shook her finger under Molly’s nose. “A fine gentleman ain’t having anything to do with the likes of us! Why, we look like paupers compared to him.”

  Molly grabbed the girl’s wrist and squeezed cruelly. “Shut up! The gent had pressing business, is all. He told me so.”

  “Let go!” the girl said, yanking back her arm. “I no longer want ye as a friend, Molly. Ye’ll bring me to ruin too!”

  As the woman fled, Molly took a good look at her own dress. “There’ll be no more washing dirty sheets for me,” she vowed. “I’ll take that new job and get me some fine clothes and a hat. Then, I’ll be a right pretty girl any man would fancy.” Leaving church, Molly didn’t care if her dress became soiled for she intended to throw it out the moment she reached the saloon.