Melek looked over Tabitha’s bowed head at her. “Thank you.”
“Take good care of her.”
“I will.” He smiled down at Tabitha for a moment before returning his attention to Amelia. “Will you be okay by yourself?”
Amelia nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“We need to get started, little flower.”
Tabitha nodded against his shoulder. She pulled away from him and threw her arms around Amelia. “God bless you.”
“He already has.” She felt the words in her heart. Seeing the two of them together was a blessing. Their love was apparent in every glance, every gesture. It was so much deeper than what she felt for Luke. The thought hit her like a blow. The affection she felt toward Luke was a pale shadow of what Melek and Tabitha had. Was it enough to base a marriage upon?
The question seemed to chase her all the way back to her aunt and uncle’s home. She didn’t know what to do. Should she marry Luke and hope to develop the kind of love Tabitha and Melek had? Or should she end the betrothal and continue looking for the right man? And what about her parents? They would tell her she was being foolish to pine for romantic love. Luke was a good man. He would see to her needs. But was that enough?
The sky was lightening as she snuggled under the pile of quilts on her bed, but sleep still escaped her. She had no idea what to do. Amelia closed her eyes and prayed for guidance, unsure of exactly what answer she was seeking. Eventually peace settled over her, and she drifted into slumber.
❧
Early the next morning, Amelia was awakened by a pounding at her bedroom door.
Before she could answer, Aunt Laura pushed the door open and hurried in. She was dressed in a flowing wrapper, and the long plait of her hair was draped over her shoulder.
Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”
“Have you seen Tabitha this morning?”
Amelia rubbed her eyes and tried to arrange her thoughts. She glanced about the room as if expecting Tabitha to appear in one of the corners. “No, why?”
Aunt Laura clasped her hands in a prayerful gesture. “It seems your slave has run away.”
“Run away? Tabitha? Are you sure?” Amelia was proud of the confused tone in her voice. She ought to be an actress. “Perhaps she’s gone on an errand and will be back in a little while.”
Her aunt considered the suggestion then shook her head. “Someone would know if she’d been sent on an errand. No, I’m afraid she’s escaped. You’ll likely never see her again.”
The poignancy of their good-byes came back to Amelia full force. “I hope she’s safe.”
“Safe? You hope she’s safe? I wish that was my only concern. I don’t know how we’ll tell your parents that their valuable property has disappeared.”
Amelia slid her toes out of the bed. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll tell Papa when I return home. Perhaps I’ll say she ran away during our journey back to Nashville. That way he can’t blame you at all.”
A calculating look came over her aunt’s face, but then she sighed. “No, we can’t do that. It’s not Christian to lie, even to protect one’s self.” She shook her head. “I’ll send one of our slaves up to help you dress. Do you have a preference?”
“No.” Amelia forced the word out. She could barely focus on her aunt’s dithering for the truth the woman had just uttered. Lying, even to protect one’s self, was not acceptable behavior for a Christian. She knew that, but somehow she’d forgotten it. She opened her mouth to confess her part in Tabitha’s disappearance, but shouts from outside stopped her.
Amelia ran to the window to see what was going on. “It’s Captain Talbot. I wonder why he’s here.”
Her aunt hurried over to where she stood. “You’re not expecting your betrothed?”
Concern swept Amelia. “No. Something must have happened.” She urged Aunt Laura out of the bedroom and made short work of her toilette. Her stays were not as tight as usual, her skirt felt slightly askew, and her hair was a mess, but she was downstairs at the door to the library in less than fifteen minutes.
She stood still for a moment to catch her breath and heard Luke’s accusing voice, punctuated by her uncle’s angry questions. She knocked briefly and entered, stopping all conversation.
Jared was sitting in his usual spot next to the window. Luke was leaning over him, his fist balled as though he wanted to beat the truth out of Jared. Uncle Francis was ensconced behind his desk, and she had never seen him looking so grave, even on the day Benjamin joined the army.
“What’s going on in here?” Amelia walked over to Luke and placed her hand on his arm. The muscles in it were as hard as granite. “Luke? What’s wrong?”
He glared at her. “Treason.”
Fear raked her spine. Amelia could almost feel the noose tightening around her throat. “What do you mean?”
“Someone in this household has been helping slaves escape.”
This was even worse than she had imagined. “Why would you think such a thing?”
“We captured a runaway slave last night. Most of his group got away, but we did learn the identity of at least one of them.” Luke’s gaze clashed with hers once more. “Tabitha.”
She could feel the blood draining from her cheeks. “Aunt L–Laura said she was missing, but I. . .I thought she was on an errand.”
“Only if her errand is in Canada.”
“Did you catch her, too?” She squeezed the question out of her tight throat.
“No.”
Amelia sat down on the sofa with a thump. At least Tabitha had gotten away. A prayer of thanksgiving filled her. “I see.”
“It’s not your fault. Tabitha should have been grateful for her easy station.” He turned and pointed a finger at Jared. “She would still be here if not for the Judas in your midst.”
A glint caught her attention and Amelia gasped. A pair of handcuffs dangled from Luke’s hand. “You’re arresting Jared?”
Luke nodded. “Don’t look so upset, Amelia. You should be congratulating me. Jared Stuart is the Mockingbird.”
She sprang from the sofa and watched in horror as he fastened the cuffs around Jared’s wrists. “This is absurd, Luke. He cannot be the Mockingbird.”
Luke’s eyebrows rose. “I know you feel sympathy for Jared, but you needn’t try to protect him. The man we caught told us the leader of the group was connected to this household. And Jared is the only one with abolitionist leanings.”
Amelia knew his logic was faulty, but she couldn’t tell Luke that without exposing herself. “It can’t be Jared. It has to be someone else.”
Uncle Francis put an arm around her shoulders. “There is no one else, dear.”
She shook her head. “No.” What could she do to stop Jared’s arrest? Her mind couldn’t come up with a plan. She had to do something, but she had no idea what.
Luke marched Jared out of the house as she watched helplessly. Everything was spiraling out of control—like an unstoppable spring flood.
“I know you’re as shocked as I am.” Uncle Francis shook his head slowly. “Remember, I’m the one who recently told my son he should be more like Jared.”
Amelia wanted to run after the two men, but what would she say? If she confessed the truth, she would be arrested. And her guiltless relatives would face suspicion and disgrace. “Where is Luke taking him?”
“To the school. Our friend General Zollicoffer has already filled all the jails. It seems many traitors reside in our fair city.”
But Amelia knew this time Luke had the wrong person. She was the real traitor. . .to Luke, to her parents, to her aunt and uncle, and now to Jared. But most importantly—and tragically—to God.
Fifteen
The new maid assigned to her in Tabitha’s absence smoothed Amelia’s cloak
over her shoulders. While they were waiting for the carriage to be brought around, Uncle Francis emerged from his study to discover where she was going. She mustered a bright smile and told him she had promised to make a morning visit to the Downing household. Another lie. Her conscience hammered her all the way to Mrs. Downing’s home, but Amelia didn’t know what else she could have done. Everything was in such a mess.
Mrs. Downing’s butler, a grizzled black man with a pronounced limp, announced her. Amelia was relieved no other ladies were visiting this morning. Faye was sitting next to the fire, a basket of mending beside her. Mrs. Downing, seated on a horsehair sofa, wore a pale pink morning dress that was covered with bows and laces. Her outfit reminded Amelia of a profusion of azalea blossoms. She dropped a curtsy and nodded to Faye.
“Come in, dear, and tell us why you are about so early this morning.” Mrs. Downing waved her to a nearby chair.
“A train accident occurred last night.”
“I see.” Mrs. Downing shook her head in warning before turning to her daughter. “Faye, would you go upstairs and fetch my wrap? I am feeling a little chilled.”
Her daughter put down her mending. “Yes, Ma.”
“And check in the kitchen for some of those tarts I like.”
As soon as Faye was gone, her mother turned to Amelia. “Tell me what happened.”
Amelia recounted the story Luke had told her and ended with Jared’s arrest. “I cannot bear the thought of his spending even one night in jail for something he did not do.”
Mrs. Downing stood up and walked to the fireplace. “I’m afraid it cannot be helped.”
“Yes, it can. I can tell them who the real Mockingbird is. I am tired of all the subterfuge anyway, and I’ve been having serious doubts about whether I’m following the Lord’s will in all of this.”
The older lady sat down again, an intense look on her face. “Think of all the poor souls who may lose their freedom if you step forward now. We have only recently begun to see success with our work, and a lot of it is due to your efforts. You cannot quit now.”
“The railroad will continue without me. That is its strength. The loss of a single agent may cause some hardship, but it will not be shut down.”
“Consider this, Amelia. Your friend, Jared, is a known abolitionist, right?”
Amelia nodded.
“Then he probably doesn’t mind spending some time in jail. He might even be glad to be imprisoned if it means the real Mockingbird can continue working.”
The argument was tempting. It would be so easy to simply remain silent. “But I cannot continue to lie. To tell you the truth, I am almost looking forward to confessing.”
Mrs. Downing tapped her chin with one finger as she considered Amelia’s words. “At least wait a few days until things quiet down. Give me time to find someone to take your place.”
Faye reentered the parlor at that point and their conversation halted. As the three women discussed the latest news, part of Amelia’s mind considered her hostess’s request.
She took her leave of Mrs. Downing and Faye and climbed back into the carriage, having decided to honor Mrs. Downing’s request. Halfway home, however, she changed her mind. She could not remain quiet. Not even one more minute. Jared could not suffer for her transgressions.
❧
Jared looked around the empty room in West College that had once housed his fellow students. How carefree those days seemed. In the two months since the closing of the school, everything had changed. He supposed he should have returned to his parents’ home in Nashville, but he could not bring himself to regret the time he’d spent here, even though it had led to his imprisonment. A temporary condition—or so he hoped. Once they found the real Mockingbird, Luke Talbot would have to release him.
He briefly considered offering to help Talbot in his search for the Mockingbird, but then he dismissed the idea. He might not agree with the lies and deceit involved in keeping the Underground Railroad in operation, but he could not fault the men and women who used it to escape the tyranny of slavery.
The kernel of an idea formed in his mind for a new article. He could write about the railroad. But what new slant could he give it?
As he was considering possibilities, one of the guards came and unlocked the door to his room. “Captain Talbot wants to see you.”
Jared searched the soldier’s face for any hint of what was going on. He looked to be in his midtwenties. His uniform was well worn and bore the evidence of several patches, butit was worn with evident pride. He gestured toward the hallway with his chin.
Jared nodded and preceded him. The hallway was filled with the moans and groans of the wounded soldiers who were housed here. Jared’s heart hurt for them. So much pain.
They climbed the steps to what used to be the president’s office and entered the room. He was not surprised to see Captain Talbot sitting behind the president’s desk, but the other occupant in the room made him halt in his tracks. What was Amelia doing here?
“Sit down, Stuart.”
Jared sat down in the wooden chair facing the desk. He glanced at Amelia out of the corner of his eye. Had she been crying? She looked pale and her eyes were red.
“I have a couple of questions for you.”
“What is she doing here?”
“Never mind that.”
Jared bit his lip to keep from responding. It wouldn’t do his situation much good to antagonize the captain.
“You have some loyal friends in Knoxville who insist you are a man of your word. Is that true?”
Jared nodded slowly. “My parents raised me to believe that honesty is of paramount importance.”
Luke leaned forward and stared directly into his eyes. “Then I ask you to give me your word that you are not working with the Underground Railroad and that you are not the agent called the Mockingbird.”
Knowing he had nothing to be ashamed of, Jared held the captain’s gaze as he answered. “I am not, nor have I ever been, involved with the Underground Railroad. Nor have I ever been known by the name Mockingbird. The very idea is ludicrous. I use words, not lies, to fight injustice.”
“You see?” Amelia spoke for the first time. “It’s as I’ve said. Jared is innocent. If you want to arrest someone, you know who it must be.”
Jared could feel his brows drawing together. What was she talking about? Who should be arrested?
Luke’s chair scraped the floor as he pushed himself away from the desk. “I suppose you’re right.”
Amelia stood as he approached her and held her hands out. A roaring sound enveloped Jared as he watched Luke fasten handcuffs around her dainty wrists.
“I’m so sorry, Jared.”
Their gazes met, and the truth slammed into him. Amelia Montgomery was the Mockingbird.
Jared was speechless. How had she done it? And why? Why hadn’t she come to him? She must have lied over and over again, deceiving all of them. He slumped back in his chair.
“You’ll let him leave?” Her voice was drained of emotion. Her whole attitude was one of resignation.
Jared wanted to be angry with her, but it was impossible. How could he maintain anger when she was sacrificing her freedom for his own?
“Yes, but that is the least thing that should concern you now.” Luke’s face was frozen as if to hide his pain.
Jared felt an unwelcome empathy with the man. Amelia had betrayed both of them.
Luke turned away from her and approached Jared’s chair, a master key in his hands. He unlocked the shackles and waited until Jared stood up. “You may have escaped justice this time, but you’d better watch your step.”
Jared was glad to be exonerated, but at what price? His gaze lingered on Amelia’s bowed head and slumping shoulders. “What will happen to her?”
“That will
be up to the general.” Luke’s harsh tone took Jared’s attention from Amelia.
“You can stop her from being. . .executed, can’t you?” He stole another glance at her and saw a tear drip from her chin and land on her shackled hands. His heart broke. Jared took a step toward her, wanting to comfort her.
Luke stepped between them. “Stay away from her. You’ve done enough harm.”
“Don’t blame Jared.” Amelia’s voice was thick with her tears. “What I did has nothing to do with him.”
“You have to protect her.” Jared adjusted his spectacles so he could see Luke more clearly. “She is your betrothed.”
“That’s right. Her fate is in my hands.” Luke’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “Not yours. You should escape while you have the chance, before I change my mind and have you arrested for fomenting rebellion in the Montgomery household. If you hadn’t filled Amelia’s head with your unrealistic notions, she probably wouldn’t be here right now.”
“It’s not his fault.” Amelia raised her head, and Jared saw the streaks her tears had left on her cheeks.
“Is that so?” Luke’s dark gaze raked both of them. “You’re not the same girl I grew up with. And don’t think I haven’t seen the closeness between the two of you.”
Jared wanted to dispute the angry man, but he couldn’t come up with any words. He watched as Amelia was taken away by the same soldier who’d escorted him.
Heartbroken, he shook his head at Luke and stumbled from the room. He made his way across the campus by instinct. A part of his brain noticed the differences since the soldiers had taken over the school. Long, deep trenches defaced the hillside sloping to the river, and military tents had sprung up like mushrooms after a spring rain. Soldiers milled about,but no one seemed to pay much attention to him.
Where should he go? What should he do? Jared had no idea. He buried his hands in his pockets and wandered the streets of Knoxville, feeling like a rudderless boat tossed by high waves.
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