The Abolitionist’s Secret (7 page)

“Well, uh, your fall was the high point of the evening. It’s all anyone could talk about.”

“Really?” Jasmine preened. “Then I suppose the ball broke up shortly after my departure to the hospital?”

“Uhh, yes, shortly afterwards. There were a few more dances, but no one much cared what happened after you caused such excitement.”

“So now that your season is over too, we’ll have to regroup for next year. What a shame all our lovely gowns will be out of date by next season.”

“Ummm, no, that’s not exactly the way things will go. I’ll get to wear all the gowns now, not just my half, since Mother says I must continue on without you.”

“Surely, she’s joking. You’ll be lost without me.”

Heather took a deep breath and stole a glance at her sister, who no longer looked quite so angry.

“It certainly won’t be the same as us going through it together. But, I think I’ll manage just fine.” She straightened her shoulders. “In fact, I have a gentleman coming to call again today.”

“What do you mean, again? Has this gentleman been here previously?”

“Yes, several times now.” Heather watched as her sister’s face turned from bored to intrigued.

“So you captured the interest of someone at the ball? Who might this mysterious stranger be? And why is he so interested in you?”

Heather stood up and moved away from the bed. No wonder she was always a wallflower. Jasmine insisted on grabbing the spotlight whenever the two of them were in the same room. But somehow David had seen her anyway, and he preferred her to the more flashy Jasmine. She could afford to be benevolent, especially since Jasmine’s season was at an end. With a smile on her face, Heather turned back to her twin.

“The mysterious man is no stranger to you. It’s the lieutenant. The one who prefers my company to yours. And he’s going to be accompanying me to every ball and event for the next two weeks, until he has to leave New York.” Heather finished with an emphatic nod of her head.

Jasmine stared at her sister in horror. “Surely, you must be joking! Quit pulling my leg, Heather. It hurts enough without you tugging on it.”

“It’s no joke, Jas, and it’s all your fault, since you fell and broke your ankle, exposing our duplicity. I owed him an apology for our childish behavior, so I had to talk to him. And he was astute enough to realize I’m at a loss without you beside me. The good lieutenant stepped forward and is more than willing to fill in for you. With him by my side, I’ll get used to the whole social thing and I will finish out the year by myself.”

“No, no, you foolish woman, you’ll be ruined by then. You don’t understand anything about how society works.”

“Well, then, why don’t you enlighten me?” Heather sat back down on the bed beside her sister.

“If you are seen exclusively with the ‘good’ lieutenant for even a week or two, no other man will step forward to ask you for a dance, or to come calling. You will have let everyone know that the lieutenant has laid claim to you, so no one else will bother. You know better than to declare yourself this early in the season. Have I taught you nothing? Then, when he leaves you in a few weeks and heads to the south, you’ll be left all alone to take a place at the sidelines for the remainder of the season.”

“Hmmm, I see what you mean.” Heather rose again and gathered up a hairbrush, which was on the dressing table. “Forgive me, Jas, but I must leave you now.”

“Leave? Where are you headed, and with your brush?”

“Mother thought it best that I move into Ginger’s room until you’re better. She doesn’t want me to disturb you when I come in late at night from yet another ball. And I’m headed to the room now so I can get dressed in time to greet the lieutenant, with whom I’m going riding in the park this afternoon. Mother is instructing Sally on what she needs to do to see to your comfort, so you’ll be in good hands. Now lay back and let the pain medicine do its job. I’ll check in on you later.”

Jasmine hit the pillows on either side of her, in helpless fury, tears pooling in her eyes. “It should be me, not you, who is receiving a gentleman caller this afternoon.” Her tears began anew. “This is so unfair!” As Heather departed the room, Jasmine flung a pillow at the closed door. “I’ll just have to figure out a way to make Heather’s season an abysmal flop without me beside her to show her the way. Maybe I should encourage her to see the lieutenant until he leaves for Georgia. Then, she’ll definitely be a wallflower for the rest of her season.” Smiling as her plan took shape, Jasmine leaned back into the pillows and closed her eyes.

Charlotte met Sally at the door to the nursery. “How are you and Titus settling into your room?” Charlotte bustled around the large space.

The nursery took up half of the fourth floor of the brownstone. There was a crib at one end, and a narrow bed. On the other end of the room, forgotten toys lined the floor-to-ceiling shelves. A large rug, woven in soft shades of red, gold, and brown was worn thin in various spots, having seen many a set of blocks erected on top of it. The middle of the room had both a child-sized table and a regular-sized version. Charlotte looked around in satisfaction.

“I have many great memories of this room, as my children were growing up.” She ran a wistful gaze over the toys on the shelves before turning to the dark woman holding onto her baby. “Now I hope we can create a good memory or two for you and your baby.”

“Lordy, ma’am. You already have, jez by lettin’ me see dis room.” She placed the baby on the floor and he immediately began to crawl to the shelves full of toys.

“I think, between you, me, Colleen, and my daughters, there will be plenty of people to care for young Titus. Jasmine has been sleeping quite a lot, as she’s still in considerable pain and the medicine puts her out of her misery for a time. The poor child. But, once she begins to feel better, she’ll undoubtedly have one demand after another, so you’ll be kept hopping.” Charlotte smiled over at Sally. “I know you didn’t expect to be a nursemaid, but our plans have changed dramatically. I hope Jasmine doesn’t run you ragged.”

“I’ze used to takin’ care of well-brought up ladies in the south, so I can deal with the likes of Miss Jasmine,” Sally smiled, as she blew out a long breath and looked at her savior. “I’d rather be takin’ care of your child any day than another southern woman.” She took a deep breath. “My blood runs cold when I even thinks about going back.”

“Well, you’re safe now. Get Titus settled down for his nap, get yourself some lunch, and then I’ll fill you in on what the doctor said Jasmine needs.”

Charlotte left Sally and Titus alone in the vast room. Sally sat at the table and watched her boy pulling out one toy after another.

“Well, son, jez look what we’ve gotten ourselves into.” Sally laughed softly, for the first time in weeks as she kept her eyes on Titus. “Saints be praised.”

As her eyes filled with tears, and she sensed the kink of terror for her plight begin to loosen a bit, she picked up her son and held him to herself. She took a deep gulping breath and prepared her child for his nap.

After making certain Titus was soundly sleeping, Sally let herself out and went down the back staircase to the kitchen on the ground level. There she was greeted by the house staff and given her lunch. She sat at the utilitarian table and ate soup and a sandwich. As she finished eating, Charlotte buzzed into the room.

“Come, Sally, let me take you to see Jasmine. Colleen is going up to check on the baby and make certain he’s still sleeping, so you should have no worries.”

“Ma’am, thank you for what you done for me and my boy. We are so grateful.”

“Nonsense, my child. I’m just doing what little I can. Come along now, and see to your charge.”

They moved upstairs to Jasmine’s room. She was awake, and full of complaints.

“Oh, Sally, I’m so glad you are going to take care of me exclusively. Could you open a window? I’m so hot.”

“Right away, missy.”

“And then, can you fetch me some lemonade? And find my sister? I need to caution her again on what she’s doing and make her aware she’s going to throw her season away.”

“Yes, missy. I’ze be right back.”
Lord have mercy
, Sally thought as she hurried back to the kitchen.
I’m a’gonna have my hands full with this one.

David helped hoist Heather onto her sidesaddle and then climbed aboard his own horse in front of the carriage house behind the Fitzpatrick brownstone. He watched as Heather smoothed out the skirt of her fawn-colored riding habit. The fitted jacket with tight sleeves was trimmed in a brown velvet ribbon the same exact color as her hair. Her hair was pulled back from her face and tied low on her neck with a matching ribbon. A cascade of curls fell over one shoulder and a fashionable top hat was placed at a slight angle atop her head.

David smiled as Heather stopped momentarily before they departed to wave at the windows of the townhouse. He looked up to the window and saw Jasmine, her face pressed to the windowpane. She stuck out her tongue at them, placed her fingers in her ears and waggled them at the pair. David grinned at her childish behavior and waved before he and Heather turned in their saddles to walk their mounts to the park.

David had mixed feelings about the season. He was sorry Jasmine’s season had come to such an abrupt halt, but happy that it had not interfered with Heather’s. Now, he had an advantage. His focus would be on Heather until he had to leave New York. He didn’t need to feign interest in Jasmine or offer to dance with her, just to steal a few precious moments with her beautiful and complicated sister. Two weeks, that was all he had to convince Heather of his intentions. Fourteen days in which to steal her heart. He would be with Heather every spare moment , bringing home the fact that his interest was genuine and not simply to help her adjust to a social life without the security of her sister. Of course, by the time he left town, her season would be moot if he had his way. By then, he would have accomplished his campaign for her hand, and they’d be wed in a small, intimate ceremony.

Together, they kept their horses at a walk as they headed toward Washington Square Park, where notable New Yorkers were getting their morning exercise on horseback. David noticed a lot of vacant land in the middle of Manhattan, and turned to Heather.

“What is going on here? You would think that land would be prime real estate.”

“Oh that,” Heather acknowledged with a wave of her hand. “The city has decided to put a massive central park in the middle of downtown. They’ve just finished relocating all the people who had been living there. It was mostly farmland anyway, since the soil is too unstable for tall buildings. Plans are underway to landscape this whole area. Papa is on the board of directors for the project and he showed us the plans of what it will become. I’m looking forward to riding through the park when they get it finished in a couple of years.”

David gazed at the wide expanse of land. “This is a considerable amount of land. How big is the park going to be?”

“I think right now the city has purchased seven hundred acres, but they want even more. Won’t it be fun when it’s all done? What a treat for New Yorkers. It will probably become the crown jewel of the city.”

“Some of our plantations aren’t even that big,” David whistled softly.

As they rode on, Heather grew quiet, so David attempted to draw her out. “How is Jasmine settling in at home? Is she feeling any better?”

“She is lonely, bored, depressed, and just generally awful,” Heather smiled. “She’s attempting to make me feel bad since Mother insists I’m going to continue on through the season without her.” Heather sighed. “It must be hard for her to watch, but I have to admit, I’m rather enjoying it.” She glanced over, and David caught the twinkle in her eyes. “Is it awful of me to say that?”

He laughed. “I think it’s delightful. I’m quite certain if the situation was reversed, she wouldn’t waste any time leaving your side to get to the next ball.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right. And, she’s furious that I’m spending time with you, since she blames you for her mishap.”

“I think that blame is misplaced. She should be finding fault with her cobbler.”

“Ah yes, Philippe. The handsome Frenchman who had all the fashionable ladies swooning this past winter. I wonder how his reputation is holding up, now that everyone knows it was his attempt at cleverness that caused Jasmine’s broken ankle.”

They rode on, talking quietly about the Cotillion and discussing the musical they were planning to attend later in the week at Buckley’s Opera House. At the park, they ran into one person after another who needed to be acknowledged, so their conversation thread kept getting cut. Heather introduced David multiple times as a family friend. After about a half hour of riding, David steered them to a remote gazebo tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the park’s main thoroughfare, and under the shade of the tallest tree in the park. He stopped his horse and dismounted, then assisted Heather in getting down.

“What are we doing?” She asked, excitedly.

“Come, take a look.” He tied their horses to the gazebo railing, took her hand and led her up the steps to the center of the structure. There, laid out and ready, was a luncheon feast for two. “I had the hotel where I’m staying put together a picnic lunch for us. Are you hungry?”

“Famished. Thank you, Lieutenant, for your thoughtfulness.” Heather’s eyes gleamed as she took a seat on the cloth where the food was laid. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in the sweet scent of the grass around them, the wonderful aroma of the food before them, and the manly smell of starch and sandlewood emanating from David, sitting close beside her. A shiver bolted up her spine. Perhaps he was sitting a bit too close for comfort.

• • •

Heather ate as if she hadn’t eaten in weeks, quickly downing a hefty sandwich piled high with thick slices of roast beef topped with horseradish and lettuce. Complementing the sandwich was a wedge of cheese and some fruit. David popped open a bottle of red wine and filled their glasses. She smiled as she thought of David ordering this meal for them at the hotel. No cucumber sandwiches for him! As her hunger waned, she looked up at David. “I’m so sorry, Lieutenant. A proper young lady never shows her hunger. She’s supposed to eat like a bird in front of a gentleman.”