The Liberator Series Box Set: Christian Historical Civil War Novels

by Stephenia H. McGee

  “I fear he may not go to the law, Grandmother,” she said carefully. “That is why I planned on following him. I stopped this thing once. I can do so again.”

  “You’ll do nothin’ of the sort!” Peggy proclaimed, her voice nearly a screech.

  George looked at Peggy with open astonishment, but she willfully ignored him, keeping her attention on Annabelle. Grandmother laughed and Peggy blinked, apparently remembering she and Annabelle were not alone. If it were as easy to read Peggy’s dusky skin as it was Annabelle’s, she was certain the older woman’s cheeks would be bright red. Peggy snapped her jaw shut, but did not lower her eyes.

  “I agree, Peggy,” Grandmother said, looking rather amused. “Fortunately, my dear husband had plenty of contacts in Washington.” She swung her attention back to her granddaughter. “Perhaps you and I could make arrangements to visit, just to ease your mind?”

  Annabelle stared at her. “You want to go to Washington with me?”

  Grandmother gave her a smile threaded with a meaning Annabelle couldn’t quite decipher. “It’s not as if I have pressing matters here. Besides, I have friends near there I haven’t seen in ages.”

  “We should start travel plans immediately,” George interrupted, beginning to rise.

  Grandmother lifted her brows. “And who said you were going?”

  George balked. “I…he’s…what?” he stammered.

  Grandmother smirked. “You, sir, are still not yet fully recovered and have no business traveling around the state of New York as a wanted man.”

  Annabelle watched George’s face color to a bright red and wondered if he would be able to keep it contained. Grandmother seemed entirely unaffected by his anger and rose from her seat, straightening her bodice. “I’ll have Lilly begin packing our things, dear. Anka can send some telegrams ahead for me, and we should be ready to go by morning.”

  Grandmother almost made it to the door before George found his composure. He lurched to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair in the process. “Wait just a moment!”

  Grandmother turned to regard him, her face expressionless. George straightened the chair and then squared his shoulders. “I will not be left behind like some invalid. You cannot stop me from riding to Washington on my own, even if you deny me your company. I’m healthier now that I’ve been in weeks, and I will not lounge while my fool brother places himself into harm. I am going to Washington, whether you approve or not.”

  Rather than a show of anger, a slow smile spread across Grandmother’s face. Annabelle looked to Peggy, who seemed just as confused as Annabelle. Grandmother inclined her head. “As you wish. I will just leave Günter in charge of Lilly and the baby’s safety, then. I’m sure his wife won’t mind him staying here in the house while we are gone.” Her forehead wrinkled in thought. “In fact, I better just move Pete, Anka and the entire family here for a spell. Yes, yes,” she said, seemingly to herself. “We might be awhile, and that would be best.”

  George’s eyes widened, and for a second, he hesitated. “Yes, that seems fitting.” He gave the slightest bow and then moved toward the door. Grandmother pulled it open for him, and he slipped out without giving her another glance.

  Grandmother turned her focus on Annabelle, her brown eyes studying Annabelle intently. Annabelle returned her Grandmother’s gaze, not sure what her elder searched for. Finally, the woman turned and looked at Peggy, who had already begun clearing the table. She wrinkled her nose. “Peggy, you are not a servant in my house. You don’t need to clear the table.”

  Peggy offered a genuine smile. “I knows that, ma’am, but Lilly needs to tend that little un, and I like to keep busy. ‘Sides, don’t take but a few minutes to get these dishes out to Sue, so she ain’t got to come fetch them.”

  Grandmother glanced back to Annabelle, but knowing Peggy’s stubbornness well, she simply shrugged. Peggy took that as consent enough and gathered the plates and soon headed out the rear door toward the kitchen, not bothering to wait to see if Grandmother would argue further. When she’d gone, Grandmother smiled at Annabelle. “Well, come along child, we have plenty to do if we are going to leave at first light.”

  Annabelle nodded and followed her out the door.

  “Not only is Richmond to fall, as a fruit of the campaign, but in his dreams General Grant sees General Lee unable to meet him in battle, unable to retreat, unable to subsist, and with nothing to do but surrender. The fatal circle is to be drawn around him at last.”

  – The New York Times

  Fredrick, Maryland

  April 2, 1865

  Annabelle scanned the newspaper she’d purchased at the train station as the carriage jostled along the road. Being enclosed in a fine carriage reminded her of what life had been like before the nation had been torn asunder. She could close her eyes and lean back against the padded seats, and if she tried hard enough, perhaps she could pretend Father rode across from her.

  But, pretending helped no one. Once they’d left Grandmother’s home in New York and taken the train to Maryland, signs of the nation’s destruction once again marred the landscape and shattered Annabelle’s fragile attempt at forgetting the horrors of the previous years. Trying to imagine all was well only caused more pain when reality bared its fangs once more.

  She glanced up from the bouncing script she still hadn’t managed to read and found Grandmother had awoken from her brief nap. “Where are we going, Grandmother?”

  Grandmother covered her mouth with a gloved hand to suppress a yawn. “We will be staying with a friend of mine in Fredrick tonight.”

  Annabelle’s brows pulled together. Even with the speed gained by riding the train, Annabelle couldn’t help but feel their travel had been unbearably slow. If they hurried, they could make it to Washington, have the law take down the conspirators, and settle the matter before Matthew even had the chance to be seduced by their games.

  They really didn’t have the time for Grandmother to linger with friends. Annabelle opened her mouth to say so, but thought better of it. Without Grandmother’s aid, she would have been forced to travel on the roads alone, without even the money to find a decent room.

  She shivered. As much as she worried for Matthew’s safety, she knew such foolishness would have never been an option. She glanced at Peggy, who rode stiffly at her side. No, sneaking away to Washington without Peggy would have been a betrayal she might never undo.

  “All will be well, dear,” Grandmother said, as if reading her thoughts. “You will give yourself early wrinkles with all those frowns.”

  Annabelle smoothed her face. “I cannot help it. The delay has made me anxious.”

  “Delay?” Grandmother arched a brow.

  Strange how she can hike just one like that, Annabelle thought. She’d tried to practice the trick in the looking glass three nights past, but couldn’t get one to rise without the other.

  Annabelle clasped her hands in her lap, trying to keep them from fidgeting. “Well, yes, Grandmother. Harry has apparently been following us for weeks. Who knows what they have been doing all this time. They may have already carried out their vile schemes!”

  “Ha!” Grandmother barked. “You think if those fools had accomplished that ridiculous plan, you wouldn’t be reading about it in that paper?”

  Annabelle glanced at the crumpled pages in her lap and sighed. “I suppose you are right.”

  Grandmother looked smug. “Of course I am.”

  Annabelle glanced at Peggy, who still sat silently next to her. She fidgeted with her dress in the same manner Annabelle always did. The dark blue silk looked beautiful on her, and Annabelle had seldom seen Peggy without her head scarf. But Grandmother had tossed that aside along with Peggy’s ragged dress the moment she’d showered Peggy with all the colorful gowns a widow would never wear again. Now Peggy had a trunk just as heavy as Annabelle’s. That might be amusing, if things were a bit different.

  Peggy had adamantly refused the clothing, but it did her little good. Grandmother
had her way, and that was that. Annabelle guessed Peggy secretly treasured the fine fabrics, given the way her fingers often caressed them, as they did now. Peggy noticed Annabelle watching her.

  “What?” she asked.

  It seemed Peggy hadn’t been listening to her discussion with Grandmother. “Nothing,” she replied.

  Annabelle regarded the woman across from her. “Do you suppose George fairs all right?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “The fresh spring air will do him good, do you not think?”

  She shifted her focus from her own frustrations and thought about George, still weak from his time in prison, and a pang of guilt stabbed through her. George often seemed tired, and during their stay at Grandmother’s house, he would retire as soon as he’d taken his evening meal, looking exhausted, though he tried to hide it.

  She imagined the fresh air would, indeed, do him good. The north had finally begun to warm, and cheery sunlight had always been a lift to her own moods. Besides, she figured George was probably enjoying his few moments away from female company riding alongside the carriage driver. The corners of Annabelle’s mouth turned up. “You are once again correct, Grandmother.”

  “Certainly, my dear,” Grandmother said with a canny smile. “You’ll find I usually am. Might as well start getting used to it.” She winked, and Annabelle could not suppress a small laugh.

  The carriage began to slow, and Annabelle shifted her attention to the window. They had entered a large town, and the streets were crowded with traffic.

  “Should have reached Fredrick,” Grandmother said without glancing outside.

  “Already?” she asked, incredulous. Grandmother had made it seem staying the night would be necessary, since they would not make the afternoon train, but they apparently had plenty of time to continue farther today.

  Grandmother waved away Annabelle’s annoyance as though it were a summer stable fly. “So we are early. No harm done. Besides, when I sent word to my husband’s friends in Washington, I requested they return telegraph here.”

  Annabelle looked to Peggy for support, but Peggy simply shrugged. She ground her teeth. Hearing back from her friends that they were delighted Grandmother had decided to visit was hardly worth the wasted time.

  “Trust me, dear,” Grandmother said softly. Annabelle glanced up quickly, unaware that Grandmother had once again guessed her thoughts. “Getting there faster and running pell-mell into we-don’t-know-what won’t garner any success. Best we send word ahead and see what we can discover about the state of affairs. Sometimes, it’s best to approach with a delicate touch.”

  “I am useless all the way out here,” she grumbled.

  “Nonsense,” Grandmother said, reaching across and patting her knee. “You are the least useless girl I’ve ever known.”

  Annabelle knew the words were meant to comfort, but they still rankled. She was not a petulant child needing to be mollified, and Annabelle’s words had been spoken out of truth, not self-pity.

  “And don’t look at me like that.” Grandmother laughed, giving Annabelle another pat before leaning back against the cushion again. “I don’t dole out worthless compliments or empty words. If I said it, it’s because I meant it.”

  Annabelle offered the best smile she could muster. “I…well, thank you, Grandmother.”

  The carriage rolled to a stop, and in a moment the door swung open and George poked his head inside. She had to admit, he looked rather dapper since Grandmother had insisted on getting the tailor to adjust Grandfather’s suits to fit him.

  He pushed his bowler hat back. “Driver says we’ve reached the telegraph station, Mrs. Smith. Want me to run inside and fetch your messages?”

  Grandmother shook her head. “No, I will handle it myself. You stay here and look after Annabelle while Peggy and I go inside.”

  Annabelle tried to cover her grimace. She didn’t need tending. She cut her eyes at George, only to find him grinning.

  “Me?” Peggy asked. “You needs me to tote somethin’ for you or fetch somethin’, ma’am?”

  Grandmother took George’s hand and stepped out of the carriage, turning to speak to Peggy as she straightened her skirts. “Of course not. I want you to get used to getting out and doing things as a free woman. You’ve been one for quite some time, though you don’t act like it.” Peggy gaped at her, but Grandmother seemed entirely unaware of it. “Hurry along now, let’s get going. Haven’t got all day, you know.”

  Peggy snapped her jaw shut and looked at Annabelle. Annabelle lifted her shoulders and offered an encouraging smile. It would be good for Peggy, indeed. The poor woman looked as nervous as a mouse in the kitchen, but she scrambled out of the carriage and followed Grandmother anyway.

  As soon as they stepped away, George hopped up into the carriage and took Grandmother’s seat, leaving the door open for propriety’s sake.

  “Been wanting to talk to you,” George said, rubbing at the back of his neck.

  Annabelle clamped her hands in her lap, not caring for the resignation in his tone. “Oh?”

  George tugged at his collar and looked down at the shiny new boots on his feet. “Well, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since we left New York.”

  Annabelle practiced holding her worry lines at bay and waited for George to continue. He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before finally taking a deep breath and continuing. “I want to be sure we are clear, Miss Ross. I do not ever intend to marry you. It is not something that will come about after we have grown accustomed to one another.”

  Confusion washed over her. Perhaps she had not been clear with George. She offered her best smile. “Of course, Mr. Daniels. When we spoke on the matter, I did not take our conversation to mean that there was simply a delay in the arrangement. I understood it to be a final decision.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. That, perhaps, stung a tad, even if his words of rejection had not.

  “I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “I didn’t want things to go on as they were, with you thinking it were a possibility sometime in the future.”

  She felt the muscles in her jaw tighten and tried to force them to relax. “As I said before, Mr. Daniels, I have no schemes for forcing anyone into a marriage. All this time, my only intentions have been to do whatever I needed to save my father’s lands.”

  George nodded solemnly. “I understand. And, I do not want for you to feel the only way to accomplish your goals is through marriage. I know women don’t have many options, but as I said when we first spoke on it, I will find a way to be sure you are secure.”

  Annabelle tilted her chin, wondering why they were having this discussion again. “You are truly kind.”

  George leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers. “It is not merely kindness, Miss Ross. I owe a great debt to you. You took risks to find my location and put yourself in danger on several occasions to help my brother gain my freedom.” He stared at her, his genuine gratitude evident.

  “I….” She began, unsure what to say.

  George held up his hand to stay her. “I wanted you to know my aid comes from gratitude, not obligation. More, I also want you to know that I did not decline the match because I thought you unsuitable. I….” he hesitated, uncertainty playing across his face.

  She kept her face serene and waited, giving him time to gather his words.

  Finally, he sat back and regarded her seriously. “I was in an arranged marriage before, and though we enjoyed one another’s company, no real love ever blossomed. I do hope you’ll forgive my selfishness, but if I ever marry again, I want it to be for affection and not for benefit. I want to know what it is like to spend the remainder of my free days with a woman my heart yearns for.”

  Annabelle’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward. “I did not know you were married.”

  He nodded, pain evident in his eyes. “She died in childbirth, six years back.”

  Annabelle put her hand to her heart. “I’m sorry for
your grief.”

  A sad smile played at his mouth. “I thank you. I believe the wounds will never fully heal, but I hope to one day find the type of love that will soothe their ache.”

  Annabelle remembered the way George had looked at little Frankie and Lilly, and suddenly it made sense. Seeing mother and child must have stirred painful memories about the family he’d lost. She met his eyes. “I know this revelation was not easy for you. I appreciate your honesty.”

  He gave a small nod.

  “And,” she said with a sigh, “you can’t know how soothing your words actually were.”

  George cocked his head, evidently confused.

  She smiled. “You see, I, too, have no desire to be married to a man I do not love. Peggy said that keeping my family lands was not worth spending the rest of my life in a loveless marriage. In my heart I know she was right, but I fear I may have still been tempted to do so, had you agreed.” Since the one I love will not have me, she added to herself.

  Understanding washed over George’s face, and Annabelle felt a weight lift from her as well. “You are a wonderful young lady, Miss Ross,” he said.

  Annabelle pressed her lips together, unsure what else to say.

  George remained seated, and she grew uncomfortable. Now that his intentions had been delivered, she expected him to exit, but still he stayed, watching her. “Were you aware that my father’s arrangement with your own never actually included me?” he finally blurted.

  Annabelle almost snorted, but kept her dignity intact. “Of course. My father arranged for me to court the youngest Daniels son, the one nearest my age. I’ve known that Matthew pushed me off onto you for some time, Mr. Daniels.” Try as she may, she couldn’t keep the bitterness from her tone.

  George’s lips drew into a line, thoughtful. Where Matthew tended to be quick with his words, George seemed to consider everything before it left his lips. “I think my brother’s motives may be different than you think, Miss Ross.” She glared at him, and he looked away. “Well,” he said after clearing his throat, “Perhaps it is something the two of you should discuss once we reach Washington.” He tilted his head and popped out of the carriage before she could reply.