“You were not a Rose Hill slave.” What should she do? The open door was only two steps away, but she feared if she tried to escape, he’d be upon her before she could get away. Thank goodness Samuel and Isaac were outside.
“Don’t matter if I weren’t your slave, Miz Natalie. Your kind thought they could own me, mark me up with a hot iron, an’ make me bend to them.” He spat on the carpet. “I done with white people tellin’ me what to do.”
“I’m sorry for what you endured,” she said, working to keep her voice calm. Surely if she reasoned with him, the man could see the error of his ways. “Things are different now. You’re free. Free to make your own choices.” She glanced at the open drawers of her bureau. “Stealing is not the way to begin your new life. The Bible says it’s wrong.”
He laughed coldly. “What does some uppity white woman know about right an’ wrong? You ain’t never gone hungry because yo’ white massa won’t give you food. You ain’t never had an iron fresh outta the fire pressed against your face, the smell of yo’ own burnin’ flesh making you sick. You ain’t never been strapped to a tree and had yo’ white massa take the skin off your bones with a whip, cursin’ you with every swing ’cuz you done tried to get that freedom you white people give and take away whenever you please.”
His voice and his eyes hardened with each horrible description.
Trying to reason with the angry man was foolishness. His hatred went too deep. He blamed her for all the sins imparted upon him by his masters. And though she was guilty for keeping Rose Hill slaves in bondage the past four years, she had done nothing to this man.
She took a step backward, her eyes wide with fear. “Take the necklace and go.”
Run! a voice in her mind commanded.
A silent, tense moment passed before they both sprang into action.
Natalie whirled to flee the room. Jezro lunged to keep her inside. A struggle ensued. His sweaty body odor filled her nostrils as he pressed her against the wall. She fought and struggled, but her tired muscles were no match for his powerful arms. Terror washed over her. Would she be violated in her own bedroom by a newly freed slave?
Voices sounded from below stairs.
“Help!” she cried. “Help me!”
Jezro stilled, listening.
“Miz Natalie? That you makin’ all that ruckus?”
She had never been so happy to hear Carolina’s voice.
Footfalls on the stairs forced Jezro to release his grip on her. With a curse, he flung her from him and sprinted through the adjoining sitting room then into the hallway. The back stairway would allow him to escape, but she didn’t care. She wanted him gone.
Tears clouded her vision as Carolina and Corporal Banks entered the room.
“Miz Natalie!” Carolina rushed to her. “What happened?”
Natalie trembled and her breath came in such hard gulps, she couldn’t speak.
Carolina shot the corporal a concerned look.
“Jezro,” Natalie finally gasped, wrapping her arms around her body. “He was here … in my room.”
“Just now?” Carolina shrieked, horror widening her eyes. She turned to the corporal. “He must’ve gone out the back.”
Corporal Banks tore from the chamber.
Carolina took Natalie by the arm. “Come sit down, Miz Natalie. You safe now.” She led Natalie to a chair near the cold fireplace. When Natalie was settled, Carolina knelt beside her. “You want some tea to calm yo’ nerves?”
Natalie shook her head and closed her eyes. “I just need to know that man is long gone.” Her eyes flew open again. “Samuel!” She moved to stand, but Carolina gently pushed her back into the chair.
“He fine, Miz Natalie. He and Isaac are with Harriet up in her room over the kitchen. They lookin’ at that picture book you give Isaac.”
Relief washed through her, but her body would not stop trembling.
“I get some water heated for yo’ bath.” Carolina stood. “A nice soak do you good. I tell Harriet and Moses to be on the lookout for that no-good Jezro, but I ’spect he hightail it outta here and won’t never come back. Not with Yankee so’diers lookin’ for him.” A hint of pride sounded in her voice.
Carolina left, closing the door behind her. Natalie rose on shaky legs and turned the key in the lock. She went into the sitting room and locked the door that led to the hallway. With her forehead pressed against the wood and tears slipping down her cheeks, she let out a sob. Surely God had sent Carolina and Corporal Banks at just the right time. Had it also been His voice in her mind, telling her to run?
“Thank you,” she whispered, weak with gratitude.
Only then did the tremors in her body begin to subside.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Langford Manor had never looked so good.
The sun was dipping below the western horizon as Levi rode into the yard. All he wanted was a bath and a good night’s sleep. Not even a meal tempted him, tired as he was. The two-day journey from Austin wasn’t hard riding, but long hours in the saddle left him worn out these days. It was yet another reason he found himself dreaming of his carpentry shop more and more.
“Welcome back, Colonel.”
Corporal Banks crossed the yard to take the reins of his mount. A group of men played a game of horseshoes nearby, and the twang of a shoe hitting the metal stake resounded in an otherwise tranquil camp. With their days starting long before the sun came up, most of the men were ready to crawl into their bunks the moment it grew dark.
“Thank you, Banks. I don’t mind confessing it’s good to be back.” With stiff movements, he climbed from the horse. “I’ll brief you on my meetings in the morning. Our orders haven’t changed, but there is new information to discuss.”
“Yes, sir.” Banks didn’t turn toward the barn. The play of expressions across his face told Levi something was amiss, but he was too exhausted to deal with any new challenges just now.
“I’m going to bed, Banks.” He strode to the steps of the manor. “Whatever has you fretting like an old lady can wait until morning.”
“It’s about Mrs. Ellis, sir.”
That stopped Levi. He turned and retraced his steps. “What about Mrs. Ellis?”
A look of guilt washed across the corporal’s face. “There’s been an incident.”
Levi didn’t like the sound of that. “Out with it.”
“One of the new field workers—the man with the brands on his face—attacked Mrs. Ellis in her bedroom. Miss Carolina and I were just coming in when we heard her call for help.”
The blood drained from Levi’s face. “Attacked her? Is she …?” He couldn’t finish the question.
“It shook her up, but she’s all right. At least, she said she was when I left there a little while ago.”
“Are you telling me this happened today?”
Banks nodded. “Around noon. I had our men and Moses search the plantation for Jezro, but we didn’t find him. I suspect he’s long gone by now.”
A sick feeling swirled in Levi’s gut.
He’d felt sorry for Jezro. He’d wanted the branded man to know there were white people whom he could trust, but Levi had never considered whether or not he could trust Jezro. Or any of the others, for that matter. He’d simply assumed the Negroes’ gratitude would keep them in line. What a fool! His carelessness had put Natalie in danger.
“I need to see her.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized it.
Banks nodded. “I’ll get you a fresh horse.”
As the sun disappeared, Levi raced away from Langford Manor. He gave his mount the lead despite the growing darkness, flying over the dirt road and turning everything around them into a blur. He berated himself the entire way for not providing more soldiers to watch the workers, for hiring unsuitable men, for not being there when Natalie needed him most.
Rose Hill came into view over the next rise, bathed in the silvery glow of a half-moon.
He slowed the horse as he entered the long tree-li
ned drive, not wishing to alarm anyone with a wild entrance. From this distance, the house looked dark, and it occurred to him Natalie might have turned in already, especially after such a harrowing day. Even so, he needed to have a talk with his men—one they would not soon forget. Jezro should have never made it to the main house without someone noticing.
His heart lurched.
What if Banks and Carolina hadn’t gone inside? What if …?
An urgent need to see Natalie filled every corner of his mind. He nudged his horse. “Let’s go, boy.”
Dark house or not, he intended to speak with Natalie tonight. He wouldn’t leave Rose Hill until he knew she was safe.
The night sounds, normally so familiar and soothing, kept Natalie on edge as she sat motionless in the swing, too afraid the creaking chains would prevent her from hearing other more sinister noises. She’d thought to come out to her favorite spot to help calm her nerves after a trying day, but the shadows and sounds did exactly the opposite.
Was Jezro still out there? Corporal Banks, Moses, and even Carolina didn’t believe so, but something in Natalie could not rest until she knew for certain he was not coming back. The cold look in his eyes when he’d listed the sins of his former owners made his hatred for white people ominously clear. There was no trusting a man like that.
Her thoughts turned to Corporal Banks, as different from Jezro as night was from day. He’d searched the plantation for hours in the heat that afternoon, doing his best to offer Natalie reassuring words each time he came back to check on her before riding off in a different direction. When Cousin Eunice eventually returned from town, he’d dealt with her hysterics with more patience than Natalie knew was possible. Eunice vacillated between accusing him of conspiring with Jezro—“they’re all the same, you know”—and demanding that he stay to guard them, declaring they would all be murdered in their sleep otherwise. The judge, she’d said at least a half-dozen times, would have hunted down Jezro and put a bullet between his eyes. She advised the corporal to do likewise then proceeded to barricade herself in her room.
Stifling a yawn, Natalie knew she should turn in, but the thought of going up to her bedroom sent a wave of panic coursing through her. Moses had quietly locked all the doors leading into the main house before he’d turned in. Since he, Harriet, and Isaac slept in the room above the kitchen, they wouldn’t need inside the house until morning. She knew he’d done it to help her feel safe, but her mind’s eye still saw Jezro standing in her room, his hands on her belongings.
On her.
She shivered and glanced at the rifle leaning against the wall next to the swing.
Maybe she would sleep in Samuel’s room tonight. He’d gone to bed upset with her because she wouldn’t let him run down to the barn to see the kittens. With Jezro’s whereabouts unknown, she’d kept him inside the remainder of the day. Rarely did she raise her voice to her son, but his whining had pushed her taut nerves too far this evening. She would apologize to him in the morning and make a special trip to spend time with the new cat family.
A noise came from the trees lining the lane.
Natalie stood, listening, poised to grab the gun and dash inside.
“Mrs. Ellis, it’s Colonel Maish.” His hushed call came through the darkness.
Colonel Maish?
Her body practically sagged with relief when he came into view. It truly was him. As if dreaming, she watched him dismount, tie the reins to the porch rail, and then climb the steps, his eyes never leaving her.
“Corporal Banks told me what happened.” His voice was gentle and full of concern. “I came the moment I heard.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. More than anything, she wanted to fall into his arms and let him hold her, protect her, love her. She was tired of being strong. She was tired of being alone.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” When she shook her head, he glanced around the dark yard. “We will assign more men to your plantation tomorrow. I don’t expect Jezro to return, but I will feel better when there is a stronger military presence on the premises. At least until the man is caught.”
“You plan to pursue him?” This news surprised her.
“Of course. He assaulted you, Mrs. Ellis. The Union Army will do everything possible to ensure your protection.”
“Corporal Banks was incredibly helpful. I hope you’ll convey my appreciation to him. I’m afraid between my own emotions and those of my cousin, he had his hands full.”
“I’m sorry. We should have taken more care to keep an eye on the workers.” He shook his head. “This is my fault.”
“You couldn’t have known something like this would happen.”
“I should’ve anticipated it and taken measures to prevent it. That’s my job. You and everyone else at Rose Hill are my responsibility while the Union Army works here.”
The words stung. Was that how he saw her? A temporary responsibility?
“Why did you come?” She turned away, hurt and vulnerable. “You could have waited until morning to check on your responsibilities.”
He closed the gap between them with purposeful strides. She saw his feet just inches from the hem of her skirt. When she didn’t look up, he gently lifted her face until their eyes met and held.
“I came because I had to know you were safe.”
The softly spoken, honest words washed over her like spring raindrops, filling her with hope. “I am now,” she whispered.
With more tenderness than she dared imagine, he lowered his mouth to hers. Her eyes closed, savoring the feel of his lips, tasting, then possessing hers. When his hands moved to capture her face, she leaned into him, aware of only her desperate need to be in this man’s arms.
Far sooner than she wished, he lifted his head, separating their lips but still cradling her face with his warm hands. She opened her eyes to find his dark gaze studying her.
“That was unexpected,” he said, his voice husky.
With reluctance, she nodded and took a step back. His hands fell away. “Very.”
The corner of his mouth tipped. “But nice.”
“Very.” Her face warmed with his smile.
Looking out into the starlit night, he sighed. “It gets complicated from here.”
When he looked at her again, she saw his longing ran as deep as her own. “Yes, but it doesn’t have to be impossible, does it, Colonel?”
His eyes crinkled. “After a kiss like that, don’t you think we should dispense with formalities, Natalie?”
“I quite agree … Levi.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
He cupped her cheek, his thumb smoothing her skin. “Are you willing to explore this? To see where it leads? If you are, there are things you need to know.”
Before she could answer, a distant noise in the still night—was that glass shattering?—made Levi straighten. Had it come from the quarter? The barns?
“What was that?” Natalie asked, her heart thrumming against her ribs. Had Jezro returned?
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Reaching for the lantern, he said, “I’m going to wake my men. You go inside and lock the door.”
“I’d rather come with you,” she whispered, suddenly more afraid of the dark than she’d been as a child. “We can wake Moses and Harriet. She can stay with Samuel.”
“All right.”
Levi reached for her hand. When his strong fingers closed over hers, he gave them a squeeze. Together they hurried along the porch that surrounded the lower floor of the house. When they arrived at the walkway to the kitchen, Levi stopped. He jerked his head up and sniffed the air.
She did the same. Smoke! Far stronger than a simple cook fire in the quarter would produce. Something was burning.
“Get Moses!” He pushed the lantern into her hands and sprinted to the bachelor’s quarters.
While he roused his men, Natalie hurried to the kitchen. Thankfully, Moses had not locked that door.
“Mose
s! Harriet!” she hollered up the narrow stairs. “There’s a fire! Come, quick!”
She didn’t wait to see if the couple awoke but rushed back outside. The smoke was heavier now and hung in the still night air.
“It looks like one of the smaller barns is ablaze.” Levi ran toward her. “Have Moses wake the others and bring buckets. We’ll lose all the barns if we can’t put out the fire.”
He was gone an instant later, tearing across the lawn with the two privates trailing, both tugging on shirts as they ran.
“Miz Natalie!” Moses hurried from the kitchen, Harriet following close.
“The grain barn is on fire. Levi and his men have gone to put it out. We’ll need everyone’s help and all the buckets you can find.”
Moses tore off toward the quarter.
“We got buckets out by the garden,” Harriet said, already on the move in that direction.
Natalie flew into the house. She had to see Samuel’s sleeping face and know he was safe before she could help.
The second floor loomed dark and quiet. Shouts and voices from those fighting the fire drifted through the open window at the end of the hall. She hurried to Samuel’s room, tiptoeing across the floor so as not to wake him.
Desperate to see his sweet face, she held the lantern aloft. But his bed was empty.
Samuel was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Smoke from the fire penetrated the wet bandana Levi had tied over his nose and mouth. His throat was already scratchy, and his eyes wouldn’t stop watering, yet no relief could come until the fire was out. While flames shot up from the back of the small barn, the men concentrated their efforts on tossing bucket after bucket of water through the open doorway and onto the walls. Although no animals were housed in the structure, no one had to tell Levi that losing it would be disastrous. All the feed grains, corn, and seed for planting were stored here.
Wash Ingram pushed a bucket of water into his hands. Levi turned and passed it to the man in front of him. Three more men handled it before Moses, at the front of the line, tossed it onto the burning building. The process repeated, over and over, amid shouts to move faster.
The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2) Page 17
