Jasmine glanced at Nolan, who gave an affirmative nod. ‘‘Of course we will, Obadiah. We’ll make certain he’s well cared for.’’
‘‘I lef ’ all his clothes and toys at da house. Figured you could get ’em tomorrow. If I don’ make it back, ya tell him ’bout his mama and papa and how much dey loved him,’’ he said as he rose from his chair.
‘‘You know we will, but I believe you’ll both be back.’’ Her voice caught in her throat. She dared say nothing further for fear she would break down in front of him.
He gave her a weary smile. She knew what he was thinking, but neither of them spoke as they bid each other good-bye.
Two hours later, Jasmine helped the boys into their nightshirts and tucked them into bed side by side. She helped the boys say their bedtime prayers and then turned to her son. ‘‘Good night, Spencer. I love you,’’ she said, placing a kiss on his forehead.
‘‘I wuv you, Mama.’’
She kissed Moses and said, ‘‘Good night, Moses. I love you.’’
‘‘I luff you, Mama,’’ Moses parroted.
She didn’t correct him.
CHAPTER• 19
Late February 1851
JASMINE BUTTONED her wool coat and pulled on her black kid gloves. ‘‘Are you certain you want to watch after Moses and Spencer? I fear it’s too much for you now that you have that sweet baby of your own.’’
‘‘The boys will na be a problem, and ya can report anything of interest when ya return. Ta be honest, I find the meetin’s a wee bit dry and borin’,’’ Kiara said with a smile. ‘‘The only reason I attend is ta lend any help I can regardin’ the runaways. The rest of the idle chatter and talkin’ does na hold my attention. Besides, it’s terrible cold ta be takin’ the wee babe outdoors for so long.’’
‘‘You’re right on both accounts. I don’t think little Nevan should be subjected to this merciless weather, and much of the time, the meetings do turn into visiting fests more than anything else. But I do want to remain abreast of what’s being accomplished with the runaways. Since we’ve had no success finding Naomi, I feel this work is the least I can do.’’
‘‘Do na give up hope. Obadiah is a strong, determined man. He’ll find Naomi.’’
‘‘Or die trying. That’s my greatest fear—that we’ll never hear from either of them again and poor little Moses will be left without both of his parents. I feel I should have done more to convince Oba-diah to remain here with us.’’
‘‘There woulda been no convincin’ him. We both know that, so ya just as well quit blamin’ yarself for somethin’ ya could na control. Ya best be goin’ on ta the meetin’ or ya’ll be late.’’
‘‘The boys should be asleep for at least another half hour. Moses usually awakens from his nap first. . . .’’
Kiara waved, as though shooing a fly away from the table. ‘‘Go on with ya. I been tendin’ these boys often enough I do na need ya tellin’ me when they might be wakin’ up from a nap.’’
Jasmine laughed. ‘‘I know! By now you’re as accustomed to caring for them as I am. And I’m truly thankful Rogan hasn’t objected to the time you spend helping me—especially since Naomi’s disappearance.’’
‘‘Rogan does na feel neglected in the least. Now be off with ya.’’
Waving a quick good-bye, Jasmine hurried down the front steps. ‘‘Hello, Paddy,’’ she greeted. ‘‘I’m sorry to keep you waiting.’’
‘‘Do na worry yarself, ma’am. It’s pleased I am ta be takin’ ya to yar meetin’,’’ he said as she stepped into the awaiting carriage.
As the carriage rumbled toward town, Jasmine settled back into the cushioned leather seat and pulled her fur collar high around her neck. Tucking a wool blanket across her lap, she mused, ‘‘I’ll never become accustomed to these cold Massachusetts winters.’’
Her teeth were chattering when the carriage came to a halt in front of the Cheever home. A gust of wind entered the carriage as Paddy pulled the door open, and she shivered as he assisted her down.
‘‘Thank you, Paddy,’’ she said.
‘‘If ya do na mind, I was thinkin’ to go and visit with Mr. Kit-tredge for a wee bit. He’s been wantin’ to hear more about the Shagyas,’’ he said with pride. ‘‘I told him ya would na be opposed if he was wantin’ to come and ’ave a look at them.’’
Jasmine smiled warmly at him. ‘‘You go and visit. I’ll be at least two hours, perhaps longer. And you tell Mr. Kittredge we’re proud of our Arabians, particularly our new Shagyas, and to come have a look whenever he’d like.’’
A strong north wind caused Paddy to pull his cap farther down onto his head. ‘‘Thank ya, ma’am. I’ll be back and waitin’ fer ya within two hours.’’
Jasmine bowed her head against the persistent wind and hurried up the front steps of the Cheever house. Before she could knock, the front door opened and a smiling Violet Cheever greeted her.
‘‘I’m so glad you’ve joined us, Jasmine. We’ve missed you at the last several meetings.’’
Jasmine stiffened slightly. She was still feeling a bit uncomfortable from Violet’s upbraiding regarding her love of Naomi. ‘‘I was otherwise preoccupied during those meetings. You’ll recall Spencer and Naomi were still missing.’’
‘‘Of course. I wasn’t passing judgment. I merely wanted you to know you’d been missed,’’ Violet replied.
Jasmine relaxed as she felt a wave of heat emanating from the parlor fireplace. ‘‘I know you weren’t being critical, Violet, but I do feel a tinge of guilt when I miss a meeting.’’
Violet squeezed Jasmine’s hand and smiled. ‘‘Well, you certainly need not feel one smidgen of remorse. If anyone had reason for being absent, it was you.’’
Jasmine glanced about the room, with her gaze settling on Elinor Brighton. ‘‘I see Elinor is here. I’m glad she’s continued to attend,’’ Jasmine said as she slipped out of her fur-trimmed coat and hat. ‘‘I think I’ll go and visit with her before the meeting begins.’’
Elinor was sitting alone on the settee, while the assembling women seemed to cluster into small groups that excluded her. ‘‘Eli-nor! How good to see you. May I sit with you, or is this seat spoken for?’’
‘‘I’d be most pleased to have you sit with me.’’ Her eyes appeared to glimmer with expectancy as she pulled her skirts aside to make additional room on the divan.
Jasmine smiled and nodded to several ladies as she sat down. ‘‘How have you been, Elinor?’’
‘‘Very well, thank you. I’ve not had an opportunity to tell you how pleased I am that your son was returned unharmed. I know you must have suffered terribly while he was missing. Has there been any word about the woman who disappeared with him?’’
Jasmine felt a lump rise in her throat. Elinor was the only person to have inquired about Naomi since her disappearance. There had been numerous questions and offers of assistance during Spencer’s absence, but now it seemed as if Naomi had been forgotten. ‘‘How kind of you to ask. I wish I could report we’ve had some word. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, her husband, Obadiah, has gone south in search of her. He believes her kidnapper has sold her into slavery. And as time goes on, I fear he is correct.’’
Elinor leaned closer. ‘‘We can pray he found her and they’ve attached themselves to the latest group of runaways scheduled to arrive in the next week.’’
‘‘We also need to pray that things go more smoothly than with the last group coming through. How sad that after reaching Massachusetts, they would be apprehended and returned. With the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, it appears there has been an increased interest in capturing the runaways. After all, with the local constables required now to assist in the detainment of escaped slaves, the lure of making money from the capture of fugitives has become appealing to a wider faction.’’
‘‘I couldn’t agree more,’’ Violet said as she settled between them. ‘‘We must be particularly careful that there are no mishaps with
this group of runaways while they’re staying with Liam and Daughtie. Word has been received that they cannot be moved farther north for at least a week, perhaps longer.’’
‘‘You mean they’ll need to remain at the Donohues’ for an extended period of time? That’s very dangerous,’’ Jasmine said.
Violet nodded vigorously, her carefully arranged curls wobbling back and forth. Jasmine stared in wonder, amazed the hairdo had remained intact. ‘‘Exactly! That’s why there are only a limited number of people at our meeting today. The fewer people knowing details, the better—only those in charge of coordinating clothing, food, and shelter have been invited. We’re certain those who are here can be trusted completely.’’
Elinor walked toward home, keeping a brisk pace. Mrs. Houston had offered her a carriage ride, but she’d declined. After all, the Houston home was in the opposite direction from the boardinghouse, and she didn’t want to impose. That fact aside, she was accustomed to walking and, unlike most of her counterparts, found the cold air invigorating.
Her cheeks were ruddy and her fingers growing numb by the time she entered the boardinghouse. The sound of chattering girls wafted from the parlor into the hallway as Elinor untied her bonnet before removing her heavy wool cloak. Peeking into the vestibule mirror, she checked her hair and tucked a loose blond curl behind her ear before walking to the parlor door.
Luminous shadows of a man on one knee in front of several young ladies danced off the walls of the candlelit room. ‘‘Oliver! I didn’t realize you were here.’’
Oliver swiveled, losing his balance and sprawling in a heap before the three girls seated on the divan. ‘‘Elinor! You startled me,’’ he said while attempting to stand. By the time he had regained his composure, Oliver’s complexion had turned nearly as ruddy as her own wind-stung cheeks.
The three girls continued to giggle, obviously enjoying the spectacle. Elinor bit her bottom lip and attempted to erase the picture of Oliver collapsed on the floor. Otherwise, she knew she would join the girls in their unmitigated amusement at the spectacle. ‘‘I apologize for surprising you. However, I didn’t realize you were making deliveries this evening.’’
‘‘I received my order earlier than expected and thought the girls would be pleased to receive their shoes,’’ he said.
‘‘And I’m certain they are.’’
‘‘Oh yes,’’ they said in unison. ‘‘Aren’t mine lovely, Mrs.
Brighton?’’ Abigail Morley lifted her skirt a few inches and revealed a pair of black calfskin slippers.
‘‘Indeed, although they won’t serve you well standing at the looms.’’
‘‘They’re not intended for work,’’ Abigail replied. ‘‘I’ll wear them when I attend the theater or a symposium.’’
‘‘Or to church, when we can get her out of bed,’’ Ardith Fordham added with a giggle.
‘‘I go to church on the Sundays when I’m not feeling ill,’’ Abigail defended.
Sarah giggled. ‘‘Strange how you feel fine every other day, but you always seem ill on Sunday mornings—and then have a rapid recovery when we arrive home.’’
Abigail glared at the other two girls. ‘‘I’m going up to my room.’’
‘‘Aren’t you coming to town with us? There’s ample time before the shops close, and there was a sign at Whidden’s Mercantile that a new shipment of gloves and lace arrived today.’’
Abigail hesitated on the stairway. ‘‘I’ll change into my old shoes and be back down in a moment. Don’t leave without me!’’
Elinor watched as Oliver remained focused upon packing his wares, apparently ignoring the girls’ repartee. Elinor neared his side. ‘‘Would you care for a cup of tea, or do you have other deliveries you must make?’’
‘‘A cup of tea would be very nice.’’ He smiled broadly as he locked down the lid of his leather and wood case.
‘‘The girls tell me you were gone to a meeting,’’ Oliver commented as he followed her into the kitchen.
‘‘Yes. The Ladies’ Aid group was meeting at the Cheever home this evening.’’
Oliver watched quietly as she deftly prepared the tea and arranged a small plate of lemon cookies on a tray. ‘‘May I carry that into the parlor for you?’’
She gave him a demure smile and nodded.
‘‘I trust you had a fruitful meeting and there was a good attendance,’’ he said while following her into the parlor with the tray.
‘‘Oh yes. Thank you for inquiring. I was extremely pleased that Mrs. Houston was once again in attendance. What with the disappearance of Spencer and Naomi, she had been required to miss several of our meetings.’’
‘‘You speak as though you know the family quite well,’’ he mused.
‘‘No, of course not, but the upheaval surrounding the disappearance of the woman and boy made most of us feel almost as if we knew them, don’t you think?’’
‘‘Perhaps that’s true. The entire issue was well discussed about town, and with so many people involved in searching for the boy, they likely developed a sense of association with the family.’’
‘‘Precisely. At least I know that’s how I was affected,’’ Elinor said as she poured tea into his cup. ‘‘Mrs. Houston tells me her son appears to be doing quite well, although she worries somewhat over the boy having nightmares since he returned home.’’
‘‘I suppose that’s to be expected. Did she tell you about them?’’
‘‘His nightmares?’’
‘‘Yes. Does he remember anything about them?’’
She gave him a quizzical look. ‘‘I don’t know—she didn’t say.
Why do you ask?’’
He hesitated. ‘‘I’ve heard it helps to talk about bad dreams and nightmares if you can recall them. Personally, I never remember my dreams.’’
The front door opened, and noisy chatter was followed by several girls calling out their good-nights as they ran up the steps. ‘‘I did inquire about the black woman, Naomi, and whether there had been any further word regarding her whereabouts. Poor Mrs.
Houston remains quite distraught over the woman’s disappearance.’’ ‘‘Did she say if they had any new information?’’
‘‘No. Although Mrs. Houston now believes Naomi has been resold into slavery. Isn’t that a sad thought? After suffering all those years as a slave and being set free—but then to be once again forced back into the misery of slavery! It seems more than a person ought to bear in one lifetime.’’
‘‘Surely Mrs. Houston must have set aside talk of the woman and expressed joy over having her son returned. I would think she’d find her son’s safety of greater importance than that of a colored woman.’’
Elinor felt compelled to defend Mrs. Houston—perhaps because of the harshness of Oliver’s statement. ‘‘Well, of course, she is thrilled beyond words to have Spencer home, but the burden of such a loss lies heavy upon her heart. She tells me that Naomi’s husband has gone in search of her. He left his son behind with Mr. and Mrs. Houston. I find the entire situation very sad.’’
‘‘But having the Houston boy returned was of the greatest import,’’ Oliver stressed.
‘‘To Naomi’s husband, I doubt that’s correct, but I’m certain the Houstons would agree.’’
He sat up straighter and squared his shoulders. ‘‘Did Mrs. Houston happen to mention the important role I played in unearthing her son’s whereabouts—the fact that I was the one who thought of the abandoned farm as a possible hiding place?’’
Elinor stared at him for a moment. ‘‘No. At least she didn’t mention it to me.’’
‘‘I find it rather strange that with all her money, she didn’t even offer me a pittance of a reward. After all, I doubt whether any of these locals would have ever thought of that old farmstead. The boy would still be missing if it weren’t for me.’’
‘‘Frankly I’m surprised you would expect a reward for doing a good deed. I believe the Houstons have continued to offer the rew
ard for Naomi’s safe return. I do hope she’s able to be reunited with her child. That little boy must certainly be frightened and confused with both of his parents now gone from home.’’
‘‘Seems they ought to be able to find her, what with her light color and beauty. She’s one of the prettiest women, colored or white, I ever saw. She’d sure stand out in a crowd.’’
The hair bristled on the back of her neck. ‘‘And how would you know about Naomi?’’
Oliver shrugged his shoulders. ‘‘I measured her for shoes when I was at the Houston horse farm. Mrs. Houston had me measure everyone for new shoes. Hard to believe, but she was buying expensive shoes for everyone on the place—even the coloreds.’’
Elinor sipped her tea and stared across the brim of her cup into Oliver Maxwell’s eyes. An increasing sense of suspicion and uncertainty had begun to settle in her heart.
CHAPTER• 20
MCKINLEY WAINWRIGHT stood at the bottom of the stairs awaiting his sister and her husband. ‘‘Do hurry, Jasmine, or we’ll be late,’’ he called up the stairs.
‘‘We’ll be down as soon as we tell the boys good-night,’’ she replied. ‘‘Have Paddy bring the carriage around.’’
McKinley shook his head in exasperation. ‘‘Paddy brought the carriage around fifteen minutes ago. He, too, is waiting.’’
A short time later, Jasmine descended the steps in a pale green gown that trailed the steps in small billowing waves resembling the morning tide lapping at the shoreline.
‘‘As usual, you look lovely,’’ McKinley said.
‘‘She’s always worth the wait, isn’t she?’’ Nolan agreed while following her down the stairway.
McKinley nodded. ‘‘However, it’s Violet who is to be the center of attention tonight. Let’s hope your beauty this evening doesn’t diminish her introduction into society.’’
A Love Woven True Page 25
