“Please don’t leave, Nathaniel. How will I marry him? How will I look him in the eye when I see you, and say ‘I do’?” She leaned back into him, and he unconsciously surrounded her with his arms, so obviously pained by her question. It sent a wave of nausea through his stomach.
“Ellie, please don’t say such things. It’s not proper for you to say such things.”
“What do I care of propriety, Nathaniel? My hair is down; my hoop is gone. Do I look as if I care for such manners?” She laughed, an uncomfortable, forlorn laugh. “Perhaps Mother looks down on me from her place in heaven and is encouraging me to run. I’m owned. Worse than any slave, Nathaniel. No one has set me free. I must marry whom my father tells me to marry. I’m chained to that plantation, and no Yankee law is going to help me.”
“Eleanor, you are just being spoiled. Andrew will provide a nice life for you. He’ll get you a grand mare, and you shall have your happiness once again. The plantations will thrive under the new laws. It will just take effort.”
“Do you believe that? That I shall be happy? That a large home shall make me such?” She looked up at him, her pleading eyes begging him for the truth.
But he wouldn’t give her what she asked for. It would only make things worse. He knew she wasn’t spoiled or self-centered, and with him out of the picture there would be no regrets.
“Mary’s going to see you home now.”
Nathaniel tried to help Eleanor into the carriage, but she turned and ran. She scurried behind a collection of weeping willows. Nathaniel followed her without thinking. He found her sitting under the big tree with her arms crossed.
“We’ll run together, Nathaniel. Who’s to stop us? We could get married Under-the-Hill, take a ferry, and be on our way. No one questions such things now that the war has torn everything apart.”
It would take one sentence from Nathaniel to silence her. He only had to say he didn’t love her in such a way or that he hadn’t wanted to settle down, but the words wouldn’t come. They stuck in his throat like a great walnut lodged in discomfort.
“Eleanor, come and get in the carriage. A doctor should check your arm.”
“Do you think your brother will treat me fairly, Nathaniel? Or do you think he wants the plantation? Tell me—does Andrew want Rosamond, or me?”
“Both, I suppose. There’s no one for your father to leave it to. Why shouldn’t Andrew run it?”
“There’s me, Nathaniel. My father could leave the plantation to me. I would treat the men fairly, and I know just as much about running it as my father. Perhaps more because I listen.”
“Ellie, I’m going home. You’re talking ridiculously. I shall tell Mary where she can find you.”
“Fine, Nathaniel. Leave if you must, but remember this. You do love me. I can see it in your eyes. Only yesterday you were asking for my hand in marriage, and I won’t forget that. Not for as long as I live. I’ll marry your brother if that’s what everyone wishes for me, and I shall be a good wife to him. He is a hero to the South, and that is enough for me. But will it be for you?” Eleanor squared her shoulders. “What shall happen to you, Nathaniel?”
“Eleanor!” Eleanor’s eyes opened wide at the sound of her father’s bellowing voice.
“Stay here, Nathaniel. Please—my father must not know we were together.”
He took her hand and grasped it. “I shall never do anything to hurt you on purpose, Ellie.” He watched as her curls bounced away and then closed his eyes in agony. Her father would never accept Nathaniel as a son-in-law. He had to do what he could to make Andrew more desirable to her as a mate. It was the least he could do.
Chapter 6
After two days of bed rest ordered by her father, Ellie yearned for the sunshine and the outdoors. She longed to see the magnolias and smell the Mississippi autumn. Her room felt stuffy and only furthered her feelings of capture. Mrs. Patterson hovered about Eleanor as though she were an invalid. She sighed with relief when the older woman finally disappeared downstairs to eat supper.
“Perhaps we could climb from the windows,” Eleanor said with an enthusiastic grin. “Like when we were children!”
Mary answered solemnly, in a tone that reminded Eleanor they were adults now. “Your father is very concerned about you. Why would you give him more to worry over? Your arm could become worse if you don’t rest it.”
Eleanor exhaled deeply, knowing her cousin was right, but wanting to be childish again, if for no other reason than she would soon be married. Probably children would follow, and her carefree romps through the long grass would cease. “Another day gone. If it weren’t for sneaking out in the evenings, I couldn’t stand it. To think the men are free all day, and we are locked up here.”
“Your father will have a fit if he finds you giving extra portions to that slave girl. You never know what dangerous characters she might bring with her one night.”
“They’re not slaves anymore, Mary,” Eleanor said, springing out of bed and stamping her foot on the floor. No one remembered these were free men and women. “And it’s time for me to get down there—the sun is nearly gone.”
Eleanor packed up the remainder of her meal. She’d told the cook she was extra hungry with her illness and had a good supply of biscuits and even portions of meat for Ceviche tonight. It would be a treat for the young girl, and Eleanor took pride in saving such a sufficient meal for Ceviche.
“My mother is in the parlor. I don’t know how you’ll get out tonight.” Mary crossed her arms and stretched her legs onto the bed as though taking some pleasure in the thought her cousin might get caught.
“Aunt Till will be talking with her daughter.” Eleanor smiled and yanked Mary by the hand from her comfortable position.
“Oh no, you’ve gotten me in enough trouble this week. I’ve already got the Pemberton boys fretting over you and asking for me to see to your every whim. Now you want me to get in between you and your father? Well, I won’t do it. You’re on your own if you intend to sneak out of this house. No slave girl is worth all this. My mother is right to worry after you since your father has no idea what you’re capable of.”
“Mary, where’s your sense of adventure? Remember when we borrowed the pony to see the battle at the river? Think of all the excitement we would have missed had we stayed home as Aunt Till and Father ordered.”
Eleanor hoped to persuade her cousin in her quest for freedom, which she was usually able to do. She had found her calling seeing to the needs of others, and she hoped Mary would help her do it. Nothing else felt important any longer. Not the color of her dress or the state of Rosamond or even Lady being laid to rest. Eleanor planned to help the former slaves, and she planned to enlist Nathaniel to help her. They still had that in common.
“If you won’t help me, at least let me borrow your gown. Perhaps I can slip out that way. Mine are all so brightly colored.” Mary crossed her arms. “I’m not having any part of this, Ellie. You’ve got no business out in the woods at night. Lord only knows what tragedies might befall you.”
“Fine. Stay here, but if you heard that baby wail, you’d help her, too. What right do we have as humans to starve people? I’ll tell you—we’ve got none, Mary!”
Eleanor opened her bedroom door and peeked around the jamb. All was quiet, and she tiptoed down the stairs, leaving her cousin alone. It was the one time she remembered Mary defying what she wanted. She heard her father and aunt arguing in the library but didn’t stop to listen. She was just thankful their conversation kept them so busy that they didn’t notice her. It was something about the missing overseer.
She passed easily without being seen and climbed down the back steps with her basket packed. Ceviche was waiting for her at the edge of the woods as usual.
“Miss Eleanor, you’s so kind.” Ceviche held her baby cradled against her breast with one arm and held out the other for the basket.
“May I hold the baby?” Eleanor reached out her arms and took the infant into an embrace. Closing her eyes,
she listened to the gentle smacking noises as the baby sucked on his little fingers. “He’s getting so big.”
“Yes’m. Now that I got me more milk, he’s gonna be a big chil.” Ceviche rammed the food into her mouth and swallowed huge gulps of milk to chase it down. Her breath was labored from eating so feverishly.
“What’s his name? I never asked.”
“His name is Frederick. He’s named after Frederick Douglass, and he’s gonna be just as smart, Miss Eleanor. I’m gonna get him out of here. He’s not gonna pick no cotton for his life.”
“How do you know about Frederick Douglass, Ceviche?” Eleanor was mystified that anyone so remote might hear of the works of such an outspoken black man. As for Eleanor, she’d heard only derogatory statements about him from her father, but enough to know that he represented everything her father feared.
“It don’t matter none. Fact is, I know.” Ceviche continued to force food down herself, and Eleanor had to look away. “I also know Masser Pemberton is leaving tomorrow.”
“Andrew?” Ellie turned back toward the young girl.
“Not your man, Miss Eleanor—his older brother. He’s going to preach about Jesus—at least that’s what he says.”
“Where did you hear that?” Eleanor’s eyes widened in fear that this might be the truth.
“He’s packing up his things now. Andrew says it’s best he leave before you’s over your illness. You ill, miss? Word is, Masser Andrew’s happy to see Masser Nathaniel go. Mrs. White is helpin’ him pack.”
“Are you going back to Woodacre now?” Eleanor bounced the baby nervously. “Can you get a message to Nathaniel for me? A message that no one would see you bring him?”
“I can get one to Jim. Jim, he can go anywhere on Woodacre. He’d see to it that Masser Pemberton got the note.”
“Wait here.” Eleanor thrust back the baby and climbed the back stairs. She hunted for a piece of paper and found a bit of charcoal to write her note. She scribbled something quickly and took it to Ceviche. “Don’t tell anyone you’ve done this.”
“No ma’am.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night, Ceviche.” Eleanor bent over and kissed Frederick’s head. “Get the note to Woodacre as quickly as possible.”
She snuck back into the house and walked into the parlor, where her father and aunt were still having words. She acted as though she’d just come from upstairs.
“Eleanor, what are you doing out of bed?” Aunt Till stopped arguing with her father and lowered her brows in a concerned frown.
“I was thirsty. I thought I might help myself to some tea.”
“Ring the bell, Eleanor. That’s what it’s there for.” Her father crossed his arms. “Where’s Mary?”
“She’s in my room,” she answered truthfully. “Is there any tea?”
“Eleanor, get back in your room and stay there,” her father ordered.
Eleanor could see her father was in no mood for her trifling, and she promptly stood up straight and left. She closed the parlor doors, and the argument started again at once. Despite knowing better, she leaned against the wall and listened.
“Where did they find him?” Aunt Till asked.
“He was in one of the cotton fields. None of the slaves claims to know anything about it, but he didn’t get there on his own.”
“You’ve got to get Ellie married as soon as possible. It isn’t safe for her to be here. She needs a husband who can keep her safe. No more of this running around on a horse between the plantations. She’s had far too much freedom.”
“There was a day when chivalry ruled the South. Those days are gone, I suppose.”
“I’ll take Mary as soon as the wedding is over, and we’ll be on our way. It’s not safe for her to be running about either, though she’s not inclined to adventure like Eleanor. You’ll need to have someone with them at all times until the wedding. It’s necessary. As soon as Eleanor’s arm has recovered, make arrangements with Preacher Cummings to perform the ceremony.” Aunt Till clicked her tongue. “I’m so glad Eleanor’s mother didn’t live to see this. To see what has become of Rosamond.”
“You take care of the womanly things surrounding the wedding. I’ll handle the slaves, and I’ll find out what happened to that overseer.” Her father’s voice grew louder. “Someone’s going to pay with a hanging.”
“Shh,” Aunt Till reprimanded. “Eleanor and Mary have had a hard enough time of it. They needn’t know any of this.”
Eleanor clutched her hands to her chest and ran up the stairs, afraid to hear anymore. It served her right for eavesdropping. The overseer wasn’t coming back. With fear and trembling she recalled running to the edge of the woods alone each night. Would she be able to go tomorrow? Or ever again? The thought of baby Frederick looking bigger and healthier drove her. She would have to find a way.
Nathaniel closed his traveling pack on the small amount of items he intended to take with him. Mrs. White offered to send a food basket along, and he graciously accepted. He didn’t know where he was headed or how long it might take him to find his way. He turned his face to the ornate ceiling and asked for the Lord’s guidance.
Andrew stood with his hand in his pocket, studying everything Nathaniel did. “So it looks as though you have everything. You should leave tonight.”
“I plan to wait for daylight, Andrew.” Nathaniel excused Mrs. White and faced his brother. “You have your whole life with Eleanor. You needn’t worry about how soon I go. Your wedding shall be soon enough.”
“Eleanor doesn’t love you, Nathaniel. You squelched any of those feelings the day you abandoned her and left her to be gossiped about as a terminal spinster. I hope you don’t leave thinking you’re doing me any kind of favor.”
“On the contrary. I’m leaving to do Ellie a favor. You two should have Woodacre to yourselves, instead of extra relatives bumbling about. Father will see to it Ellie is given the proper beginnings of your marriage, and so will I. It’s only right that a married couple start out on the right foot.”
“Don’t ignore my words, brother. Eleanor is not your Ellie any longer, and I’d appreciate it if you spoke of my fiancée in appropriate terms. She shall be your sister-in-law in less than a week. I’ll find her a new horse, and all will be right again.”
Nathaniel looked at his case before buckling it up. “I meant nothing by it, on my honor. I was only referring to my childhood playmate. I wish that you would get over this anger you have toward me. You are the only brother I have. I’m leaving, so let it be on good terms. You shall have Father and Eleanor all to yourself again. I needed to come back to make amends, but I shall not stay. Isn’t that enough for you? What more would you wish?”
Andrew tilted his head to the side, avoiding eye contact with Nathaniel. What had happened to the brother Nathaniel knew? The boy who had spurred him on in races and taught him to ride a horse? Where was that Andrew now? Nathaniel was certain Andrew didn’t even love Ellie. He only hated to lose, and in Andrew’s mind he had lost. He wouldn’t be satisfied until Nathaniel was dead. At least that’s what Andrew’s scowl said.
“You wish me dead, do you not?” Nathaniel asked.
“I wish you were thought of as dead. Where you go is your affair.”
“I’ll give you a word of advice, Andrew. Buy Eleanor a special horse, one that tells her how truly sorry you are.”
“I have already spoken with a top breeder—”
“Ellie—I mean, Eleanor—doesn’t want a top breeder; she wants Lady. I’ve written down the name of the farm where Lady came from. Perhaps they’ll be able to trace the line and find you a horse who’s similar.”
“Lady was nothing more than a rickety old mare, Nathaniel.” Andrew laughed. “She was little more than food for the hounds, and you wish me to replace her?”
“You’re thinking like a man and about the value of good horseflesh. Eleanor is thinking of the horse she loved. Buy her a relative of Lady’s. Trust me. Just this once. I’ll not steer you wro
ng.” Nathaniel shoved the scrap of paper into his brother’s pocket. Then he held out his right arm to shake his brother’s hand. “I wish you the best, brother. Make Father proud. I know you always have.”
To his surprise, Andrew reached out and took his hand. “Good luck, Nathaniel.”
Stepping into the hallway, Nathaniel decided to check on his horse and the small conveyance he would take with him. He was probably gathering far too much to make an honest circuit-riding preacher, but he would wait to see where God sent him before he did anything drastic. Perhaps he would find a little church to work out of. He approached the stables and was met by Jim, one of the plantation men.
“I gots a letter for Masser Pemberton.” He held out the note, and Nathaniel recognized Ellie’s penmanship immediately.
He unfolded the note quickly, thanking Jim for his service. Then he bowed his head in shame at the contents.
Dear Nathaniel,
I’ve heard rumors that you are departing us again. Tell me it isn’t true! Tell me you won’t leave me here to suffer alone. My father holds me here because of my arm, but I’m afraid there is something far more sinister at work. Will you leave again without bidding me good-bye? While I am held captive?
Yours affectionately,
Ellie
Chapter 7
Nathaniel!” His father’s voice jolted him from his quiet thoughts. “You’re needed here. Come back in the house with me.”
Nathaniel crumpled the letter into his pocket and followed his father into Woodacre. They climbed the circular staircase into his father’s study. The home, while still spacious, stood sparse and empty. All its lavish furnishings had disappeared with the war. If they’d had a mother or a sister, perhaps some of it would have been replaced by now. As it was, it remained a hollow testament to destruction.
He breathed in deeply, surrounded by the smell of his father’s cigars. Whatever furniture the Yankees stole, Nathaniel was sure that scent was singed into the wood. How Nathaniel would miss that spicy scent that instantly catapulted him back in years. Back to a time when he hadn’t made so many mistakes and people thought of him as a man with promise. A man they’d like to see their daughters married to. Now he was the black sheep, the one who caused whispers as he passed, and certainly no one they’d be proud to call “son”. His father entered his library and closed the doors behind them.
The Prodigal's Welcome Page 5
