The Abolitionist’s Secret (9 page)

“No, ma’am, she can’t.”

“Well, why ever not?”

Heather moved hurriedly into the room, catching the last bit on the conversation.

“Yes, Sally. Why not?” Heather asked anxiously.

“Cause you good ladies is helping us slaves to freedom, and ‘cause I’ze the slave the lieutenant is looking for. They don’t take kindly to tender-hearted folks like y’all in the south. So, if Master David is your true love, youze need to turn me in and stop helping Mr. Downing. Otherwise, youze can’t never move to Georgia.”

Charlotte listened to Heather’s sharp intake of breath as her daughter turned to her for guidance.

“Mother?”

Charlotte held Sally’s hands as she thought. “This is a dilemma. Damnation. Heather, you and David seem so right for each other. And he is such a fine young man. Sally, why don’t you tell us why you are on the run from the family home?”

“It’s not cuz of Master David. Like you say, he’s a very nice young man. So’s his father. It’s his mother who is hateful.”

“What did she do to you?”

Sally undid several buttons of her housedress, turned her back to Charlotte and Heather, and lowered her dress over one shoulder. The scars from a whip laced Sally’s back. Both Heather and Charlotte stifled a cry. Sally turned back to them and began straightening her dress.

“When my man and I decided to jump the broom, Missus Whitman got angry. You see, my Titus is a handsome and intelligent man.”

Charlotte smiled as she watched Sally’s face light up when she talked about her husband.

Sally raised her eyes and looked into Charlotte’s twinkling brown ones. “Missus Whitman was planning to use my Titus for stud.” Sally’s eyes flashed defiantly. “She tol’ me just cuz we jumped the broom, it didn’t mean nothing. But it meant somethin’ to me and Titus. When Titus refused to bed another woman, Missus Whitman got the master to sell him off the plantation and she whipped me.”

Heather’s eyes grew wide. “It’s just like Harriet Beecher Stowe says in
Uncle Tom’s Cabin!
”

Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat. “So your husband doesn’t know about baby Titus?”

“No, ma’am, he don’t. But we always said if we got de chance to escape, we’d meet up again in Canada.” Sally’s tear-filled eyes gazed up at the two ladies.

“We got a visit one night in de slave quarters from dis freedom fighter. He tol’ us how to follow de North Star to Canada, and that there was a town where Negroes were welcome and where we could meet up. After Missus Whitman got my Titus sold off, she talked about selling my baby too, since he was taking up my time. Dat’s when I ran. I’ze on my way to Canada, and I pray Titus is already there, waiting for me.”

Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears as she listened to Sally. “I see. So Mrs. Whitman is truly despicable.”

“She’s not nice.”

“And you think she’ll not welcome my daughter, even though her son is in love with her?” Charlotte glanced over at Heather, her eyes full of worry.

“Even with dat, it won’t be enough for Missus Whitman to change her plans. And, you could never visit Miss Heather.”

Heather clutched her hand to her churning stomach. “I can keep my involvement in abolition a secret. I’m good at keeping secrets. And, it would be a perfect opportunity for me to educate the slaves so they can take care of themselves once they are freed. Who would have thought I’d be faced with this dilemma, having just one or two abolitionist meetings with Mother under my belt, and helping you get away from danger.”

Heather’s eyes sparkled with unspent tears as she listened to Sally. Grasping at any chance she had to keep to her plans to marry David, she turned to the former slave. “Do you think I could get away with it, if I just don’t ever mention the word abolition? I know David and I haven’t known each other long, but I love him with all my heart.”

“Jez talkin’ about freeing slaves is enough. If you was to begin teaching Master Whitman’s slaves how to read ’n write, you’d put yourself and all dem slaves in danger. And you’d be messin’ with Missus Whitman’s plans, so she ain’t gonna stop at nothing to cause trouble, if she ever gets any whisper of what you’re doin’.”

Charlotte reached over and took one of Sally’s hands in hers again. “Tell me, what town in Canada did you and your young man decide upon?”

“Oshawa. We thought it sounds like a new beginning.”

“Then, we must get you there soon. Heather, you will need to think hard about whether or not to accept David’s offer. It will mean almost constant hardship for you, if he decides to live in Savannah. You’ll have to deal daily with the wrath of his mother. Not to mention, your livelihood would depend on slave labor. Marriage is hard enough when everything is good. To stack the odds like this may be too much.”

“Mother, you know I don’t give my loyalty lightly, but David has captured my heart. He’s at the bank now, asking Papa for my hand. I don’t care how hard our life will be. I want him by my side.”

Charlotte rose from the couch along with Sally. “Well then, we’ll just have to figure out a way.”

“I’ze so sorry, ma’am, for my part in dis,” Sally cried.

“Don’t be silly. Your baby was crying out for help for the two of you. As a mother, I could never live with myself if I had walked on past that alley and left the two of you there. I’m proud to have been able to assist. Don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll get you to Oshawa, and your new life.”

Charlotte took Heather in her arms. “If this is truly what you want, we’ll figure it out, honey. I’m happy for you, since I think it’s a good match, but we’ll need to tread lightly. Maybe what needs to happen is to have David leave soon for his home. He can tell his parents of his desire to marry you, and soften them up before you have to meet them.”

Heather brightened at her mother’s words. Yes, that might do it. And, if David decided not to return full-time to Savannah, but instead head out west, her activities with abolition could remain a moot subject to his parents. Yes, it just might work.

Heather was humming a nonsensical tune as she changed into a more formal dress for the evening meal. The patterned blue organdy was the perfect complement to her coloring and its high neckline enhanced her graceful, delicate curves. She placed an embroidered lace mantelet around her shoulders, pausing to admire her stitches. As she brushed out her hair, waiting for Colleen to perform her magic and fashion it into a fetching style that would emphasize her features, she reminded herself to take deep breaths. Tonight would be momentous, as David had spoken to her father this afternoon, asking for his blessing on their union, and Heather was beside herself with anticipation.

The lieutenant was planning to visit for dinner this evening and together they would make their engagement official in front of the entire family. In spite of her conversation with Sally and her mother earlier in the day, she knew this was the only path she wanted to walk down. She was giddy. Her stomach kept flipping, her heart pounded, and her palms were sweaty. She was grateful that Colleen took extra time on her hair, giving her the additional minutes she needed to compose herself.

“There you go, miss,” Colleen announced several minutes later as she placed the last sausage curl over Heather’s left shoulder. “Might I say that you look exceptionally lovely this evening? Blue is your best color.” She fixed the last pin into place on Heather’s head, and placed sapphire earrings in her hand.

“Thank you, Colleen. I like this hairstyle. You always make me look much more grown up than I feel.”

“Well, I’d say any lady who is accepting a promise of marriage is grown up enough.”

Heather smiled up at Colleen. “I should have known that I couldn’t keep anything from you. How did you find out about it?”

“Miss Jasmine told me. She’s fit to be tied.”

“Yes, poor Jasmine. She’s always thought she’d beat me down the aisle.”

“Her turn will come soon enough. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. Well, my wee sprite, you’re ready.”

Colleen left just as Charlotte came into the room. She walked over to Heather, pulled up a chair next to the vanity and sat down. She took Heather’s hands in her own.

Heather took a breath and looked at her mother.

“Before you say anything, Mother, yes, I know this life will not be an easy one, and I’ve thought about what it will mean all afternoon. But it’s what I want.”

“I know you are in love, and you are looking at things through rosy-tinted glasses right now. But I’ve had a few hours as well to reflect on the reality of the life you are about to choose and feel I’d be remiss in my duties as your mother if I don’t point out some basic facts. There are no two ways about it, the lieutenant is a slave owner, and if you move with him to Savannah, I can never visit you there, nor can you ever tell anyone of my activities up here.”

Heather’s stomach fell to her knees. “You mean, I can never see you again?”

“Not as long as slavery remains in this country. And you must tell no one of your involvement in Sally’s rescue.”

Charlotte looked away from her daughter and sighed. She dabbed at the tears in her eyes. “I’m afraid this is all my fault, Heather, and I take full responsibility. I’m the one who met David in the first place and invited him here, and now, because of my actions, marrying him will place you in peril.”

“Aren’t you being just a bit melodramatic, Mother?” Heather’s smile wobbled on her face. “We don’t have to tell David we know Sally.”

“Darling, if his mother, or the girl he left behind at the neighboring plantation ever find out about your abolitionist activities, you’ll be jailed, or worse. David may be able to provide some level of protection for you, since you will be under his care, but I would worry about you daily, being in such close proximity to the woman his mother has chosen for him. Not to mention his evil mother who whips her slaves.”

Heather sat upright as her spine straightened, along with her resolve. “I will not give up my involvement with the freeing of slaves. It’s a vile institution. I had not given much thought to what I would face in the south, being in the midst of slavery on a daily basis but you are right. From what I’ve heard of Blanche Beaufort, she would never welcome me to Savannah. Nor will David’s mother, since she hand-picked Blanche for one of her sons years ago. Life with the both of them would be challenging. That’s why I plan to talk David into re-enlisting with the Army, to give his mother and Blanche time to adjust to him marrying someone else. I think my plan will work best. I merely need to convince David it’s the best course of action.”

“However, as the only child of a wealthy plantation owner, it is his rightful place to take over from his father, so you will only be delaying the inevitable, don’t you think?”

Heather sighed at the complexity of the situation. “What if we got married and had a child soon after? No woman would be able to turn her back on her own grandchild, no matter how vile she might be. I love him, Mother. I know it’s been less than a week, but he’s such a good and righteous person. You must have seen that when you met him last fall. Otherwise, you never would have invited him here to meet Jasmine and me. I’ve fallen completely in love with him.”

“Yes, I saw the good in him, too, when we met. Were it not for this damnable slavery issue, I’d agree to the union wholeheartedly. And, as for his mother not turning her back on a child, remember why Sally is running from the plantation.”

Heather looked her mother in the eye, and raised an eyebrow at her. “Damnable, Mother?”

“All right, yes, I swore. It’s just so unfair that my lovely daughter is caught in the middle of the slavery issue. I hate this.”

“As do I. I’ll talk to David later tonight and see what plans we can come up with.”

“As much as it pains me to say this, you must give full consideration to not accepting his proposal, even though you love him. After all, there are still three months left in the season. Perhaps you can find someone else to marry?”

“No, Mother. There is no one else. Jasmine thinks I’ve ruined my chances by making my feelings for David known so early on. But he’s the right one for me, and I don’t want to ever look at anyone else. Besides, if I refuse him, I can’t very well tell all of New York society it was because I help slaves on the Underground Railroad. So, my season would limp to a finish with me sitting on the sidelines, where I suppose I belong.”

Charlotte raised Heather’s hands to her lips and kissed them. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

“Yes, me too.” Heather’s eyes sparkled with resolve. “We’ll figure something out. I’ll need some time with David alone before dinner.”

“Of course, my dear. I’ll prepare the parlor for you.”

• • •

Filled with both apprehension and excitement, Heather ushered David into the house from the front porch. He was so handsome in his fine uniform, it took her breath away. He grabbed her hands and brushed a gentle kiss on her lips as they stood quietly in the parlor. For the sake of propriety, she had to keep the door open to the hallway, but they at least had a little privacy.

“Your father was surprised when I went to him today to ask for your hand, but he willingly gave his consent to me, even though he thought our courtship was abrupt. I can’t wait to announce it to everyone at dinner. Shall I make it official and get to one knee now?”

Heather giggled at his suggestion. And her heart stopped for a second when he actually did bend down to one knee.

“I don’t have a ring until I get to Savannah, but my grandmother wanted me to use her ring when I found the right woman. And there is no woman more right for me than you, my love. Will you accept my proposal now, and the ring when I return from Savannah?”

“Yes, of course, I will, David. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.” Heather’s body responded to his words and his touch. She pulled him up from his knees and placed her brow against his shoulder as she luxuriated in the fact that this man was in love with her. He had been able to see her even with Jasmine in the same room. David loved the fact that she was quiet, yet impassioned. And she loved the fact that with him, she sensed she was protected and safe, but strong in her own right at the same time. She envisioned their future rolling out ahead of them, and couldn’t wait to take their first steps together. She gazed up into his eyes.