The Abolitionist’s Secret

by Becky Lower

  “He has expressed an interest, that much is true. And his interest is fueled, at least in part, by his dislike for you,” David replied evenly. “Your property and mine do share a stream to help with the irrigation of our crops, but he’s thinking about damming it up on the Bellewood side and introducing cattle to the property.”

  David noticed Blanche’s small intake of breath at the confirmation of the gossip. She turned from him to her father. “Daddy, you mustn’t allow it! Cattle at Bellewood. Think of it!”

  “Blanche, has Susan Whitman ever said anything to you about wanting to go to Charleston?” Simon leaned over his desk and studied his daughter.

  “Well, yes, Daddy, she did. She told me that after David and I married, she wanted to move herself and Mr. Whitman up to Charleston to be near her sister. She knew Bellewood would someday belong to me. In fact, we collaborated on all the furniture in the house, knowing that someday it would be mine.” Blanche finished in a huff, and then moved her gaze to David. “Well, mine and David’s.”

  “It can still be yours, Blanche. Well, all except the dining room table, that is. And me.” David replied, with a small smile.

  “Daddy, please! Bellewood is all I’ve ever wanted. I thought the dream of living there was gone forever when Jacob died, but Susan convinced me that David would agree to marry me. I resisted Robbie’s advances for years, counting on Jacob, and then David to give me the reins to Bellewood. Then David came home with another woman, again dashing my dream. But now, Bellewood can be mine. Mine and Robbie’s. It’s perfect, Daddy.” She clapped her hands together.

  David smiled to himself. He had known Blanche would have married him if he’d come home without Heather, and he would have spent his days with a woman who found him merely adequate. Just as his father had done. Thank you, Heather, for coming into my life when you did. He knew Simon could never deny his daughter anything. David now knew he was going to walk away from this transaction as the winner. All he needed to do was to negotiate the best deal he could from Simon and he could leave Savannah forever.

  “That’s enough, Blanche. Leave us men to our business now,” her father replied, gruffly.

  Blanche turned to David as she rose from her chair and he stood. She crossed over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek and ran a hand down the side of his face. “Go after Heather, David, before you return to the west.”

  “No, that’s not possible. She’s lost to me now.”

  “She loves you. Your mother and I were despicable to her, but she put up with it, and fought against us because she was so in love with you. I now regret my part in your mother’s schemes. Heather’s good for you, and you know it.”

  “Yes, I know that. And I also am aware that she will never forgive my mother for placing her in harm’s way. Nor will I. I’ve resolved to live with it and still maintain a relationship with my mother. But if I go after Heather and, blessing of blessings, she agrees to once again accept my offer of marriage, we will have a constant reminder of what Mother has done to her. I don’t think I can bear it. And I know Heather can’t.”

  “It’s the only way to right things, don’t you see? We were both so wrong about her.”

  “I appreciate you saying that, Blanche, since I know I’ll never hear it from Mother.”

  “Don’t let your mother get in the way of your happiness, David. Your constant reminder of Heather’s time in Savannah should be that Despite your mother’s best efforts to thwart you, you managed to find happiness. You’re part way there, by selling Bellewood and returning to the part of the country that you cherish. Now, finish the job and take the woman with you whom you love above all others.”

  David smiled and took Blanche’s hand. “When did you become so wise?”

  “Love does that to a person. Your mother’s machinations actually helped me see that you were the wrong person for me, and that Robbie, bless his heart, was right. If not for your mother’s schemes, I would never have gone to Robbie for advice on how to woo a man, and would never have ended up with him instead.”

  “My mother was responsible?”

  “Your mother was misguided, and her plans have run afoul, but in the end, it’s up to you and me to put things back together correctly. Let Daddy buy your land and run to Heather and beg her forgiveness. That’s the only way you’ll truly be happy.”

  Simon glanced at David as Blanche left the room. “So, you’ve heard my daughter. We want to buy Bellewood. I’ll give it to Blanche and Robbie as a wedding gift. And that way, I can be assured the stream that winds through both places will never be closed off, unless I damn well want it to be. Name your price. Whatever Douglas was willing to pay you, I’ll better his offer.”

  “I have a few stipulations first.”

  “Such as?”

  “All my slaves are to be freed prior to the transaction, so they are not included in the sale of Bellewood.”

  Simon Beaufort glared at David. “What do you mean, boy? How can I plant and care for the land without slaves? I may turn you down yet.”

  David squared his shoulders before he answered. “Since we are two grown men involved in a business transaction, I’d appreciate it if you not refer to me as ‘boy’ again. And, as for the slaves, my mind is set. They are all being given their freedom papers before I leave Georgia. You can hire them to labor for you as sharecroppers, if you’d like. But they will be free to walk away from here if they want to. That part of the deal is non-negotiable, Simon.”

  “It’s that blasted northern woman, isn’t it? You still want to impress her with your noble, self-sacrificing act.”

  “Not at all, Simon. When I was out west, rounding up Indians and moving them to the reservations, it occurred to me that they were being treated the same way our slaves are handled — given a place to live from which they could not roam. They were not being taught how to adjust their lifestyle to fit into this new society, or given the benefit of an education, so their chances of advancing were severely diminished. I couldn’t justify my part in what was going on out west, removing Indians from their way of life simply because we wanted what they had.”

  He glanced over at Simon to gauge his reaction to David’s speech. As he expected, Simon’s mouth was hanging open.

  “And our slaves have it even worse than the Indians, since we expect them to perform back-breaking work every day. But in either case, there needs to be a better job done of assimilating their cultures into America. This is the strongest point we have as Americans. We welcome all oppressed people from Europe and the rest of the world, and these two cultures, which are already a part of America, need to find a way to fit in, regardless of the color of their skin. That begins with freedom, and an education. I’m giving them the first step.”

  Simon glared over as David wound up his impassioned speech. His lip curled into a snarl. “I don’t know who you are anymore. Your parents made a huge mistake in letting you join the Army. You’re no true southerner if you believe slaves are worse off than Indians.”

  David sighed. “I think you’re right, Simon. I don’t believe in the southern lifestyle anymore. I only want enough from Bellewood to ensure that my mother will be taken care of for the remainder of her days. Here’s my price for the land.”

  The two men quickly came to an agreement and David shook Simon’s hand.

  “I hope Blanche will be happy as the mistress of Bellewood.”

  Simon leaned back in his chair and lit another cigar. Now that the negotiations were accomplished, he had a satisfied look on his face. “Bellewood is all Blanche has ever wanted, so I’m sure she’ll be happy to live there for the rest of her days. And, David, I do appreciate you coming to me and giving me the opportunity to bid on Bellewood rather than selling it outright to Douglas before I could make an offer.”

  David controlled his impulse to grin. “It was the only neighborly thing to do. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Simon.”

  • • •

  David put his arm aroun
d his mother as they looked at the large, white house with its stately columns one last time. Susan was sniffling, but as soon as the papers transferring the property to Simon Beaufort were signed, David breathed a huge sigh of relief and could sense the yoke of responsibility being lifted from his shoulders. He had neither tears nor regrets about leaving his past behind.

  “It’s such an unforgivable shame, David,” Susan wailed. “Your father is probably turning over in his grave.”

  “Father is probably as relieved as I am that all of this is no longer our responsibility. I’m glad to be done with it. Look how happy I made everyone — granting the freedom to any slave who wanted it, allowing Simon Beaufort the opportunity to expand his holdings, turning over the mansion to Blanche, which is all she really ever wanted, and finding a way to get you moved to Charleston to live with your sister so you’ll have no worries for the rest of your life. Plus, I have enough left over for me to buy a parcel of land out west and start my own enterprise, if that’s what I decide to do.”

  “Yes, you were able to accomplish quite a bit by selling Bellewood. But you’ve turned your back on your heritage! Your ancestors are buried here. I don’t understand your lack of ties to the land. I can’t believe you don’t feel anything for your home.”

  David turned his back to the house and helped his mother into the carriage. Some of the former slaves, with their freedom papers in hand, would drive the wagon loaded with Susan Whitman’s possessions as far as Charleston. Then, they would be free to go their way.

  “I’ve been asked to rejoin the Army as a captain, Mother, to help quell the rising tensions about slavery that are erupting out west. I think it won’t be long before the entire south and its lifestyle will have to reinvent itself.”

  Susan clucked her tongue at her son. “Such dire predictions, my boy. We never should have let you join the military in the first place. I have to admit, though, I’m glad to be off the plantation. Caring for two hundred unappreciative Negroes was a full-time job for me. I’ll much prefer living in the city with my sister and going to plays and musical performances. I only wish you had stayed here and married Blanche, as you were supposed to do. Then, my life would have been complete.”

  David settled into the seat for the long ride to Charleston. “Ah, yes, Blanche. She told me about your part in helping get her and Robbie Johnson together.” He smiled over at his mother.

  Susan fussed with the folds of her dress as she settled into her carriage seat across from him. “Putting her and Robbie together permanently was not my intention.”

  “But you are glad that she’s happy, at least, are you not? And she is now going to be mistress of Bellewood, as planned.”

  Susan pulled a handkerchief from her reticule, and wiped away her tears as she watched the plantation grow smaller and smaller.

  David could sense his mother’s agitation. This was going to be a long ride.

  “Are you going to head to New York and see that woman again before you head west?”

  “I do have some unfinished business there, so yes, that’s my next stop.”

  David smiled as he thought of Heather, and their precious time together. Every day, every hour, had been a pearl of delight. He glanced at his mother, and noticed she was about to explode.

  “You are going to try to win her back? After all the damage that hussy did? She destroyed my plans for you and Blanche, and is responsible for your sale of Bellewood and breaking all your ties to your heritage. That woman destroyed everything that I’ve ever strived for, what I have spent my entire life building.”

  David glared at his mother. “Heather is not a hussy, Mother. And she didn’t destroy anything. You did. If you had accepted her into our family as you should have, she and I would have been content to stay at Bellewood. Heather could have taught our slaves how to read and write and prepared them for being free, and I would have run the plantation and tried to dig us out of the financial hole Father had put us in. But you insisted on making her life an ungodly hell. You’re my mother, and I’ll always love you and provide for you. But right now, I don’t like you very much.”

  “So you are going after her?”

  David sighed. “I have no doubt that, by now, some other lucky man has captured her attention, and maybe her heart. I have no right to expect anything else. After the treatment she received here, after I made a promise to take care of her and protect her and I failed so miserably, I can’t imagine she’d want to see me. But I have to at least try.”

  Chapter 34

  New York City, Early July 1856

  David stood outside the Fitzpatrick family brownstone, feeling heartsick. He was certain he was not going to be welcomed inside, but he had to try one more time. He squared his shoulders, wiped an imaginary smote of dust off the arm of his new military jacket, and walked up the stairs, hat in hand.

  The house was eerily silent as he waited. Every other time he had been to call, the Fitzpatrick house, with its many occupants, was always abuzz with excitement and noise. Finally, the butler opened the door to him.

  “Ah, hello Kendall, my good man,” David hoped Kendall still considered him a good man.

  “Good afternoon, sir. Or should I say, Captain?”

  David smiled. “You have a great eye for observation. It seems you know a bit about military insignia, Kendall.”

  “My son is attending West Point right at this moment, sir.”

  “So, he’ll be my boss someday then. Congratulations. That’s a great achievement. You must be very proud of him.”

  “Yes, I am. Thank you. So, what can I do for you today, Captain?”

  “I was hoping to talk briefly with Miss Heather.”

  David crossed his fingers as Kendall perused him. This man held the key to his future, and his reply meant everything.

  “Miss Heather, along with the entire family, has gone to the Hamptons for the Independence Day celebration, sir.”

  “I see. Are they staying with friends?”

  Kendall raised an eyebrow. “No, Captain. They are staying at the house they purchased there last summer, in Roslyn.”

  “Thank you, Kendall. Is anyone else with them?”

  “Well, Miss Jasmine has two men along for company, and Miss Heather has her new beau.” Kendall threw David a sympathetic look — at least that’s what it looked like to David.

  His heart sank. The entire time he was riding up from South Carolina, he was afraid he might be too late to make things up to Heather. Kendall’s words confirmed his feelings.

  Kendall took a card from his vest pocket, wrote something on it and handed it to David. “Here’s the address of the Hamptons property. If you hurry, you can perhaps see Miss Heather before she decides to accept Mr. Morgan into her life. I heard a rumor he was going to ask for her hand this weekend.”

  David looked from the card to Kendall. The man was always the perfect butler, never making a misstep and able to handle every sticky situation. But what he had just shared was quite outside the bounds of his duty at butler.

  “Thank you, Kendall. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the information. But why are you doing this for me?” He reached out to shake the man’s hand.

  “Let me just say I’d rather a military man be in the family any day rather than an oily British fellow who thinks he’s better than the likes of us.”

  David grinned as he placed his hat back on his head. He saluted Kendall, turned sharply on his heel and ran lightly down the stairs to his horse. Roslyn was almost twenty miles away. If he hurried, he could be there by nightfall.

  • • •

  The Hamptons, Independence Day Weekend, 1856

  Heather and Jasmine were in their shared bedroom in the Hamptons estate. Their mother insisted they rest for several hours before dinner, but they were instead using the time to gossip about the men they’d brought with them for the long weekend.

  “Can you believe Mother put my two beaus in the same room? Now, they will brag to each other about how
far they’ve advanced with me, and I can never have a secret meeting with one without the other knowing about it. Very poor planning, I’d say.”

  “Either that, or very crafty. You know our mother.”

  Jasmine groaned. “Yes, you’re probably right. She would make the room assignments on purpose. It’s Mother’s fault that I will have no secret get-togethers. So now, what will I do all weekend?”

  “You’ll need to be every bit as crafty as she is. I’m sure you can pull it off, Jas. It’s not like you haven’t had experience juggling various men at the same time.”

  Jasmine preened. “That is true. I’ll figure something out, in order to spend alone time with each of them.” She glanced over at her twin. “But what of you this weekend? Do you think Blake is about to ask for your hand?”

  Heather sighed. “I suppose. This would be the best weekend to do so, if he’s going to.”

  “Has he spoken to Papa yet?”

  “I don’t know. And, I’m not sure if I want him to. At least not yet.”

  “But if he has spoken to Papa, and he does lower himself to one knee this weekend, what will you say?”

  Heather turned away from Jasmine’s questioning gaze. “I know Papa thinks Blake has a good head for business and will be able to care for a wife well enough, so I will probably answer affirmatively.”

  “Land sakes, that sounds overwhelmingly boring. But are you in love with him, dear sister?” Jasmine threw herself on the bed. “Does he make your insides quiver with his touch? Does his kiss make you forget where you are?”

  “No, I’m not yet in love with him and he most certainly doesn’t make me quiver,” Heather replied in a small voice. “But maybe that’s a good thing. I won’t be so tempted by desire that I’d place myself in danger again.”

  “But danger is so delicious. And I think you need some more of it in your life about now. Why don’t we crawl out the window, shimmy down the tree and peer in the windows of the men’s rooms? They are probably resting too, so perhaps we can find them in a state of undress. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feast your eyes on Blake Morgan’s handsome naked chest?”