The Last, Long Night (#5 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series) (28 page)

When he sat down, a group of women came forward to sing softly while Pastor George finished the funeral.

The sun was below the horizon, with its glorious rays turning clouds purple and red, before Jeremy walked up onto Carrie and her father’s porch.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said.  “People needed to talk.”

“Of course, they did,” Thomas said.  “They loved your father so very much.  His death will leave a huge hole in their lives, but time will heal it.” He put an arm across Jeremy’s shoulder.  “Just like it will for you.”

Carrie gazed at her father and knew he spoke from experience.  She knew he still missed her mother, still thought of her every day, but the loss had faded enough to let joy back into his life. 

Jeremy looked into her father’s eyes for a long moment and finally nodded.  “I hope so,” he murmured.

Carrie led the way into the dining room.  May had gone all out to fix a special dinner for Jeremy.   Summer’s bounty had the table almost groaning.  A plate of steaming corn on the cob was surrounded by sliced tomatoes, fried squash, piping hot green beans with fatback, peppers, and two blackberry pies.

Carrie’s mind flew to the plantation.  She had a brief moment of regret that her plans to provide food for people in the city had been cut short by the Union army, and she longed to know how Sam, Opal, and the kids were doing, but she knew she was where she was meant to be.

Jeremy laughed and looked around the room.  “Is there an army joining us to eat all this food?” 

Carrie laughed with him.  “May was determined that you know how much she thought of your father.”

Silence fell on the room as they consumed the food.  Carrie knew Jeremy needed quiet after the long day he had experienced. 

Finally Jeremy looked up, pain heavy in his eyes.  “Have you ever known anyone who was adopted?” he asked.

Carrie stared at him.  “Only you,” she admitted.  She knew he needed to talk.  “What’s it like?”

“When I got adopted by
my
parents, it’s like I was the luckiest person in the world,” he said softly, “but…”

“But what?” Thomas prompted gently when the silence spread out.

Jeremy shook his head and made no attempt to hide his tears.  “I just feel so alone now.  And I can’t help wondering…”

Silence filled the room again.

“You can’t help wondering whether there is another family out there?” Carrie asked softly, her heart beating harder.

Jeremy hesitated and then nodded.  “Is that horrible?”

“Of course not,” Thomas said immediately.  “I think if it was me I would feel the same way.”

Carrie remained silent, but she could feel excitement taking wing in her heart.  The time had come. 

Finally, Jeremy looked at her and was obviously startled by the smile on her face.  “Carrie?”

“I’ve been waiting a very long time for this moment,” she finally said.  “I’ll be right back.”  She ran lightly up the stairs, reached into her dresser for the letter, and ran back downstairs.  “This is for you,” she said tenderly.  “It’s a letter from your father.”  Then she paused.  “You may want to read it alone.  Father and I can leave.”

“No,” Jeremy protested.  “You two have become like family to me.  I want you to stay.”

Carrie sat down again, stared at her father, and wondered how he would take the revelation.

Silence reigned in the room for several long minutes as Jeremy read his letter and then read it again, disbelief sharpening his features.  He gazed up at both of them several times, and then his eyes jerked back to the letter, his breath coming in short gasps.

“Son?”  Thomas reached over to touch Jeremy’s arm.  “Are you okay?”

Jeremy finally looked up and managed a shaky smile.  “I guess that should be
brother
,” he replied and then turned to stare at Carrie.  “You knew?”

“Since last winter,” she admitted.  “I promised your father I wouldn’t tell you.”  She took a deep breath.  “It was a hard promise to keep.”

“Is someone going to tell me what is going on?” Thomas demanded.

Carrie gazed at Jeremy.  “Perhaps you should just read the letter.  I don’t know what it says either. Your father told me about it the night he died and asked me to give it to you.” 

Jeremy stared at Thomas, took a deep breath, and began to read.

Dearest Jeremy,

You’re reading this letter because I’ve gone home.  You can be sure I’m happy with God, but I want you to be happy, too.  It’s time for me to do something I should have done a very long time ago, but I was too afraid.

Please know I wasn’t afraid for me.  I was afraid for you – afraid of what it would mean for your life.  I’ll also confess I wondered whether you would believe me.  Carrie told me I was underestimating you, but I asked her to promise to keep my secret.  She agreed to for no, but said when the war was over she didn’t know what she would do.  I’m glad she doesn’t have to make that decision.

Thomas looked at Carrie sharply but remained silent as Jeremy continued to read.

Jeremy, I’ve never told you about where you came from.  It’s time.  You have a rich heritage and have been surrounded by more of your family.  You just didn’t know it.  Before I tell you, please try to understand that I kept the secret only because I thought it would be best for you.”

Jeremy’s voice faltered and tears filled his eyes.  He stared at Carrie wordlessly and then handed her the letter.

Carrie reached for it, found her place, and continued.

We adopted you after you were sold as a slave from Cromwell Plantation.

Carrie heard her father gasp but continued to read.  This letter would tell him what he needed to know.

Your mother was a slave woman named Sarah.  Carrie has told me many wonderful things about her.  I’m sorry to tell you she died two years ago.  She was raped by Thomas Cromwell’s father. 

This is so hard to write now.   You are a twin, Jeremy.  Your sister, Rose, was born black and was raised on the plantation.   Rose is Carrie’s best friend. 

Thomas, not wanting to sully his father’s reputation, took you from the plantation the same day you were born and sold you.  The woman at the plantation you were sold to didn’t want to have a white slave, so she sent you to the orphanage in Richmond.

That’s when your mother and I received the greatest blessing of our lives.  Having you as our son has been nothing but pure joy.  Your mother was determined to raise you without your knowing about your black heritage.  I went along with it.  Even after she died, it became easier not to tell you. 

Now I know I made a mistake.  You are half black, Jeremy.  I didn’t want you to have to deal with that in the white world we are a part of, especially in the South, but that is no longer my decision to make.  You are a man.  You deserve to know.

You deserve to know the rest of your family.  You deserve to know where you come from.  You deserve to know that you could one day father a black child.

In a small way, I’m relieved that I’m going to die soon.  I should have told you before.  Now I don’t have to see the disappointment in your face.  I suppose I’m a coward. 

Please know how very much I love you.  Being your father was the greatest honor of my life.

Your father

Carrie finally looked at her father. 

Thomas stared back at her with stunned eyes, turned to gaze at Jeremy, and then stared back at her.  “How did you find out?” he finally asked.

“I found an old family album last winter when I was home on the plantation,” she explained.  “When I saw a picture of Grandfather as a young man, I knew I was looking at a mirror image of Jeremy.  I had met Jeremy only once before.”  She looked over at Jeremy.  “I went to Pastor Anthony, and he told me the truth but begged me not to tell Jeremy.” 

Thomas turned around to stare at Jeremy again.  “How could I have not seen it?  Carrie is right.  You look just like my father.”

“You weren’t looking for him,” Carrie said gently.  “I was.  After I knew about Rose’s twin, I looked for him everywhere.  It wasn’t until I saw the picture that it all fell in place.”

Silence fell on the room as feelings swirled, collided, entwined, and then swirled again. 

Thomas was the first to break it.  “Do you hate me?” he asked Jeremy hoarsely.  “I won’t blame you.”

Jeremy shook his head.  “It’s all so new,” he murmured.  “But no.  I can’t imagine what I would have done in the same situation.  I may question it at some point, but the truth is it would be wrong to judge something I’ve never experienced.” 

Jeremy shook his head as he continued to gaze at Thomas.  “So you’re my half-brother.  We have the same father.”

“I knew there was a reason I liked you so much,” Thomas said teasingly.  His lighthearted tone released the vise that had gripped the room since Jeremy had begun to read the letter.

Jeremy turned to Carrie.  “You’re my niece?” he asked in a disbelieving tone. 

Then his eyes widened as everything sank in.  “I have a twin?” he whispered.  “I have a sister?  She’s your best friend?”

Carrie laughed, happiness filling her as truth spun through the room.  “Rose is the most wonderful person in the world!” she exclaimed.  “Father made sure we grew up together in our home.  He made life easier for her because of what his father had done.”

“No,” Thomas said firmly.  “If tonight is about truth, it should be about the entire truth.”  He turned and faced Jeremy.  “I made Rose’s life easier because I felt so guilty.  I know what I did was the wrong thing, but I didn’t know what else to do.  And I didn’t understand that black people are just as human as I am.  I thought you were a possession I could do with as I chose.”  He turned a tender look to Carrie.  “Your
niece
has taught me differently.”

Thomas reached for Jeremy’s hand.  “Will you please forgive me?”

Jeremy suddenly threw back his head and laughed.  “There is nothing to forgive, but if it makes you feel better, yes!”  The laughter seemed to release something in his soul.  “I’ve had a wonderful life, and I didn’t have to work in the tobacco fields.  I received a wonderful education and had the best father a son could hope for.  I’d say I came out on the good end of this.”

Jeremy jumped up to pace the room.  “And now I find out that a man I greatly admire and respect is my brother.   And a woman who is one of my favorite people on the planet is my niece, though I suppose our ages will steal the
uncle
privileges from me,” he said teasingly.

Carrie jumped up and ran over to give Jeremy a big hug.  “I’m so happy you know!  I’ve hardly been able to keep from telling you.”

Understanding dawned in Jeremy’s eyes.  “That’s why you were so startled when I came for dinner the first time.”

Thomas shook his head.  “I know you’re good at keeping secrets, but this one must have been really difficult for you.”

“You have no idea,” Carrie murmured.

“And I have a twin,” Jeremy said again, looking overwhelmed.  “Tell me about her.”

“Rose is amazing,” Carrie proclaimed, so happy to be able to tell him.  “She is beautiful and one of the smartest people I know.  She is also kind and wise, and the best friend anyone could hope for.  I miss her every single day.”

“Is she on the plantation?” Jeremy asked suddenly, his face hopeful.  “Is there any way…?”

Carrie shook her head.  “Rose is married now.  I helped her and Moses escape the plantation two years ago.  Moses is a Union soldier.  Rose teaches school at the contraband camp at Fort Monroe.” 

She paused and took Jeremy’s hand.  “One of the reasons Rose decided to escape was so she could come back after the war and find her twin brother.  You’re all she has left now of her  family, and she so wants to meet you.” 

It was time for total truth.  “She was afraid you might not want to know her,” Carrie admitted, “and I didn’t know what to tell her.  She was afraid because you had grown up white that you wouldn’t want to know you had a black sister.”