The Liberator Series Box Set: Christian Historical Civil War Novels

by Stephenia H. McGee

  “Why does he call you that?” Sue interrupted.

  Lilly looked at her from over top of the paper. “Because he can’t fathom why I don’t have a family name, so he insists on using that by way of a proper title.”

  Sue just stared at her. Lilly dropped her gaze back to the paper, but Frankie squirmed and lifted his head from her chest where he’d been resting it. “Mama.”

  “Hold on, baby.” She tried to look around his head.

  “Mama. Eat,” Frankie insisted, putting his fingers on her face.

  Lilly lowered the letter and looked at him. “You just had a roll, baby. No more.”

  “Pish! Let that little one eat. We got plenty. No reason for making him go without.” Sue got up from her chair and fished another roll from the basket and handed it to the boy. “You keep on reading.”

  Frankie took the roll. “Tank you!”

  A smile played on Sue’s mouth as she sat back down. “Yes, sir. Your momma’s right, little fellow. You gonna make a right polite gentleman.”

  Frankie settled back against Lilly’s chest and gnawed on the roll. Lilly lifted the paper again and read aloud. “Miss Rose, I am ever so deeply sorry for being so forward. I fear that my time in prison has made me appreciate life in such a way that I seek to take advantage of each breath of freedom. However, I realize that I moved things much too quickly and I have frightened you away. I know that you are of the Union, and your aversion to a man from the South is understandable.”

  Lilly lowered the paper. Is that what he thought?

  “What did you tell him?” Sue asked, her face befuddled.

  “I said I couldn’t be courted by a plantation owner.”

  “Hmmm.”

  Lilly looked back to the letter and cleared the lump that formed in her throat. “But since this war has come to an end, and we are once again of one nation, I ask that you try to look beyond the wounds of war. I have signed loyalty papers, and as far as the government is concerned, I am as much a…” She paused and squinted at the word. It seemed he had started a Y then an A, but had drawn through them. Paper being as rare as it was, he’d not gotten a new sheet.

  “As much as what?” Sue prompted.

  “As much as a Unionist as anyone else,” Lilly continued. “My plantation will be run under Union stipulations. I hope this eases your mind, Miss Rose, and that you might reconsider me?”

  She looked up at Sue, who offered an encouraging smile. “What am I to do? A plantation owner and a mulatto? It isn’t possible.”

  Sue shrugged. “Looks possible to me. ’Sides, if he can’t see you’s mixed, why bother telling him?”

  Lilly dropped her gaze back to the page. “We must stay on in Washington for a time, since our testimony will help with finding justice for the murder of the president. I would ask that you and Frankie come back to Washington and stay while we are at trial. Mrs. Smith has given me permission to make this request, and adds her wishes to my own.”

  Sue clapped her hands together smartly, but Lilly ignored her as she turned the page over. “She says that she would greatly appreciate you coming to help her with lady matters.” Lilly laughed. “I wondered how she’s managed without me doing her hair.”

  “Now, see there. Mrs. Smith needs you. You should go.” Sue insisted, bobbing her head as though that settled the matter. But since Mrs. Smith was her employer, not to mention a dear and trusted friend, Lilly supposed Sue was right.

  Lilly looked back to the page. “Miss Ross’s maid has stated she would help with caring for Frankie as much as you need it.” Ah, sweet Peggy. She did take a liking to Frankie, Lilly thought before returning to the letter. “And, if it is not too forward of me to say so, I would like your permission to get to know you better. I remain hopefully yours, George C. Daniels.”

  Lilly lowered the paper and looked up at Sue, who stared at her earnestly. “What you think?”

  Lilly pressed her fingers to her lips for a moment before answering. “Well, if Mrs. Smith needs me, and I can keep Frankie with me….”

  Sue nodded, encouraging her to continue.

  “Then I suppose I should go to Washington to help her, if she wishes it.”

  “And…?” Sue prompted.

  “And, well, anything else will have to be determined later.”

  Sue rose from her seat and scooped Frankie out of his mother’s lap. “All right then, you start going to pack. Frankie and me is going to go tell Gunter to get ready to take you to the train station.”

  Lilly watched Sue hustle out of the kitchen door as though she feared Lilly would change her mind. She should. She should write to Mrs. Smith and beg off going to Washington. But instead, her heart filled with anticipation, and for some reason, her feet bounded toward the house with joyful steps at the very thought of seeing a man she would be better off forgetting.

  “But he has indeed gained an immortality of fame.”

  John Surratt

  Washington

  May 5, 1865

  George ran a hand through his hair, feeling much too nervous to wipe the smirk off Matthew’s face.

  “My brother, courting a woman. One that, I must say, is quite unexpected,” Matthew said, continuing to goad George.

  George tied his cravat for the third time. “I do not care she is from working class. It’s a good thing, really. Then she won’t expect life at Westerly to be what it was before the war.”

  Matthew handed George a pair of cufflinks. “That’s true. But even the ladies of means have changed, George. Look at Annabelle.”

  George nodded his agreement. The woman certainly did not seem the spoiled, delicate flower that a Southern woman was expected to be. He slipped the links on and tugged on his sleeve. “Yes, and aren’t you glad you didn’t keep insisting that I be the one to wed her?”

  Matthew smirked. “Quite.”

  George chuckled and looked at his reflection. He’d had a haircut and shave, and in this gray suit with black velvet trim on the lapels, he even looked like a gentleman again. He turned to Matthew. “How do I look?”

  Matthew winked. “Like a woman, fussing over whether every hair is in place.” George swatted at him and Matthew ducked. “Seriously, George, you’re turning into a dandy.”

  George paused, and then when Matthew relaxed, landed a playful punch on his beefy shoulder.

  Matthew chortled and stepped away. “Geez, roused the bull, did I?” He sobered. “In truth, brother, I am quite pleased to see you this way. You’ve never seemed so enamored with a female.”

  George stuck his foot into a boot and tugged it on. “I’ve never been put into such a state over one before. I believe she is the one God means for me.”

  Matthew’s expression clouded and he turned away. “I am glad to see you filled with joy.”

  Too much in a hurry lest he be late, George nudged his concern over his brother’s odd behavior away. He straightened his trousers and then slapped Matthew on the shoulder. “Wish me well.”

  Matthew’s eyes danced, their old humor returning a bit more each day. George supposed he had Miss Ross to thank for that.

  “Perhaps I should instead remind you to keep your wits about you,” Matthew said. “Going out without a chaperone and all. My offer still stands to join you.”

  George rolled his eyes. “Nonsense. We are both widowed, and besides, I am a gentleman and she a proper lady, despite her class.” George plucked his silk hat off the bureau. “Now, my lady awaits.”

  He left Matthew chuckling as he closed the door to their room behind him, and then sauntered down the hall, feeling lighter than he had in years.

  Annabelle watched Peggy pin up Lilly’s ebony locks in a complicated style. Lilly shifted again, her plum colored dinner gown rustling around her fluttering feet.

  “Now, see here, Miss Lilly, you’s going to have to be still.”

  Lilly froze, her eyes darting first to Annabelle and then to Peggy. “You don’t need to call me that. I’m not a lady.”

  P
eggy shrugged and placed another pin. “Don’t matter if you is or you ain’t. You have to be still or this hair is goin’ to be a mess.”

  Lilly lifted a finger and chewed on the nail. “Are you certain it’s all right for Frankie to stay here with you? Because I can stay here.”

  Annabelle laughed and looked at the baby, who played contently on the floor with the little silver horse Matthew had given her. “Nonsense. He’s just fine here with us.”

  “You don’t got to stay here with me, Miss Belle,” Peggy said. “You can go down to the lobby with the Captain. There’s plenty folks down there, so you don’t much need a chaperone.”

  Though she would enjoy Matthew’s company, she had other plans for tonight. Her gaze darted to the boy again. “No, I’d like to stay here. I thought maybe….it might be good for me to spend some time with children. I know so little about them.”

  Peggy’s nimble fingers paused and sudden terror swept over her face. “Oh! You’s gonna be married soon!”

  Annabelle stared at her. “Yes…you’ve know that for some time, Peggy. Heavens, you were there when he asked!” She looked down at the ring sparkling on her finger and smiled. When she looked back up, Peggy and Lilly were exchanging a knowing look. “What?”

  Peggy’s fingers started working again, though they seemed to be moving much too fast. What had Peggy in such a dither?

  “Um, Miss Belle, you needs to go to your grandma and have a talk with her about the ways of being married.”

  Annabelle stepped closer to the other two women. “Why?”

  Lilly played with the lace collar of her gown. “Well, now, since your own mother isn’t here to talk to you about such things, Mrs. Smith gonna be the one to tell you what you need to know.”

  “But…” She looked at Peggy. “Peggy has been a mother to me since Momma died. Surely she would be best.”

  Lilly’s eyes widened with an expression Annabelle didn’t quite understand. Surely Lilly did not look down on her relationship with Peggy. Why, she had helped slaves to freedom. Annabelle frowned. “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Ain’t proper,” Peggy supplied.

  Lilly’s features returned to smooth glass and she nodded. “That’s right. Mrs. Smith would be better.”

  Annabelle crossed her arms. “I care for Grandmother, surely you know that. But…I do not know her well. And I am given to understand that what goes on between husband and wife is a…delicate matter?”

  Lilly’s cheeks colored, and she looked away. Annabelle looked at Peggy. “I know you didn’t marry, but…”

  Sorrow washed over Peggy’s eyes as she placed a pearl pin in Lilly’s hair and stepped back. “Not by white law, no. But that didn’t mean nothing.”

  Annabelle stilled. “What are you talking about?”

  Peggy studied her a moment before speaking. “I had me a man. He worked for your daddy down at the Natchez house. Didn’t get to see him much, but we jumped the broom. He was the only one that made my heart ever flutter.” A sad smile played about her lips.

  Annabelle blinked. “You never told me that!”

  Peggy shook her head. “No. He was sold when you were just a little girl. Didn’t ever see no reason to bring it up.”

  Tears formed in Annabelle’s eyes. She couldn’t imagine. Having your husband stolen from you, why, it just wasn’t fair! “Oh, Peggy. I am so sorry.”

  “Don’t be, baby girl. Had nothing to do with you.” Peggy reached out and took Annabelle’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

  “What happened to him?”

  “Don’t know, child. He was sent to auction. I never saw him again.”

  Annabelle swallowed a lump in her throat. “You should have said! Maybe we can find him.”

  Lilly made a funny sound, and they turned to look at her. Embarrassed, the lady dropped her eyes.

  “What’s wrong, Lilly?” Annabelle asked.

  The lady shook her head, the thin curls at the nape of her neck swaying. “It’s just that…not many Southern white ladies is like you, you know that?”

  “That they ain’t,” Peggy said, pride evident in her tone. “My girl is right special.”

  Something about the way Lilly said it seemed odd, but Annabelle had other things to consider at the moment. Like avoiding embarrassing conversations with her stiff grandmother. “Well, seeing then as you were married, Peggy, that’s all the more reason you should be the one to tell me what it is I need to know.” Her gaze drifted over to Frankie, so sweet with his chubby hands and angel’s face.

  “Oh, Lawd. I’s telling you, that there ain’t proper.”

  Lilly swept up from her chair and looked at them. “Well, why not, then? According to the law, you are a freewoman. What makes you any different? And if you have the relationship, why should something so silly as skin tone matter?”

  Annabelle tilted her head. Lilly’s tone seemed almost desperate. Did she truly think Annabelle thought less of Peggy? Heavens, Lilly had also said it wasn’t proper! Annabelle pushed her confusion aside, glad to have someone agree with her. “Yes, exactly. As I already said.”

  Peggy groaned. “All right, then. Guess you need to know, seeing as we might have a little one around Rosswood soon.”

  Annabelle laughed, her victory secured. Besides, how bad could it really be? A knock pounded on the door. “Ah!” she said, scooting around Peggy to grab the door. “The gentleman has arrived.” Did she imagine it or had Lilly grown paler?

  She swung open the door, and her breath caught in her throat. Not George at all, but a face from her past. One that looked so familiar, and that had her daddy’s eyes. Her hand flew to her throat. “Uncle Michael! Is it really you?”

  His hazel gaze ran over her. “Why, little Anna, you are all grown up!”

  Annabelle squealed and launched into her uncle’s arms. He chuckled and patted her back, then eased out of her grasp.

  “We feared you were dead! Did you not get my letters?”

  His face scrunched. “No, but then I did move around a good bit there at the end, and I spent a lot of time in a hospital with a nasty head wound. Just was returning to my men when Lee up and surrendered.”

  George appeared over Uncle Michael’s shoulder, a good hand’s width or two larger than her kin. “Oh! Mr. Daniels, meet my Uncle Michael.”

  George thrust out a hand. “A pleasure, indeed! We are certainly glad you have finally been found, sir. Your niece has been quite worried over it.”

  The men exchanged pleasantries and words of war, until George’s gaze found Lilly standing behind Annabelle. “Excuse me, sir. I do believe I have kept the lady waiting.” He offered his arm, which Lilly accepted, and the two of them drifted down the hall.

  Annabelle smiled as they disappeared down the main stair and then gestured for her uncle to enter.

  He brushed a hand over his short sandy hair and proceeded no farther than one stride inside. “It’s been quite an effort to find you, Anna. Imagine my surprise upon coming to Washington and seeing my niece’s name listed with the witnesses for the coming trial!”

  At her wide eyed expression, he continued, “It took a bit of asking to find you were at this hotel.”

  Annabelle pressed her hands together. “It has been quite an eventful few months, Uncle.”

  “I should say so. Do you know what is going on at Rosswood while you have been away?”

  Fear squeezed thick fingers around her stomach until she thought she may lose its contents. She shook her head, unable to get any words to escape her tight throat.

  “Andrew has laid claim, and nearly shot me when I arrived. Not even so much as a proper greeting! Then all that rambling on about wedding you as soon as you return.”

  Annabelle placed a hand to her head and swayed. Peggy ran over and placed a steadying hand on her. “Come, Miss Belle. You better sit on down.”

  She allowed Peggy to guide her to the dressing chair. “I have no intentions of ever wedding that foul man, Uncle. Grandfather secured the arrange
ment without my permission.”

  Uncle Michael growled. “Yes. I am aware. He had no authority to do that. Why didn’t you contact me?”

  “I did! I sent you two letters, but I don’t think Grandfather allowed them to ever reach the post. I tried a telegram, and then I got desperate and tried to get a message to an army dispatch. That…didn’t work out so well.”

  Uncle Michael stoked his beard. “Hmm. Well, in any event, after hearing his claims, I came to Washington to speak to my solicitor, who apparently has been here on business for some time.” His nostrils flared. “Cowardly man probably stayed up here to avoid the fighting down south.”

  “Is there anything he can do?” Annabelle asked, latching onto the only part of his words that were important.

  He offered her a placating smile, as though she were the child he remembered. “Of course, my dear. Forgive me for my outburst. I have legal paperwork giving me command of all my brother’s properties. Don’t worry. I will take care of you.”

  Annabelle fidgeted. “My father’s will states that Rosswood should go to me.”

  Uncle Michael hesitated. “And so it shall. Once I find a suitable husband for you, of course.”

  She brightened and stuck out her hand. “I am already betrothed, Uncle.”

  His face clouded. “On whose permission?”

  She paused. Why would he seem displeased? “Grandmother consented.”

  “Grand… you mean the Yankee shrew?”

  Annabelle startled, surprised by the loathing in his voice. “Uncle! She has been most kind to me, and if it were not for her, I fear I would have been in quite a mess. She helped us all. Why, she even took us in after we got George out of prison and we had nowhere else to go.”

  Uncle Michael studied her, his hazel eyes a tempest of emotions. Annabelle glanced at Peggy, but she had pushed herself up against the wall with her eyes lowered. Annabelle pressed her lips into a line. Hadn’t Peggy grown past such behaviors?

  “Hmm. Well, I shall have to meet this gentleman. There are far too many men out there who would take advantage of a woman who can offer them something. With this war, not many plantations still stand.”