by Jerri Hines
“I will tell you something I have never told another living soul,” Molly said. “There was a moment, a dark, desolate moment in which I wanted no more to live. I couldn’t even bring myself to get up in the morning. I could hear my children’s voices, see my husband’s face and then the realization they were no more overcame me. I wanted nothing more to do than die.”
Suddenly, Molly became quiet reliving the moment. She looked back at Jane. “I even planned of how I would do so. I would walk in the river. I could see so clearly the need to be near my loved ones, but then as I was walking toward the river, I heard a noise, crying and sniffling.
“I found Hugh that day. He was no more than eight or nine. I don’t think he remembers. He was scraped and dirty. There have been harsh words laid upon him, but he is the kindest, gentlest of creatures. I couldn’t leave him. He needed me. That was six years ago.”
Jane walked over and kneeled by Molly’s chair. Jane held Molly’s hands as she laid her head upon Molly’s knees. Molly silently stroked her head.
There they stayed. Time passed slowly. The sun sank down out of the sky. A noise woke Jane. Her head jerked up. Horses, she heard horses.
Rising, she searched desperately for her love, her life, and then in the midst of all, her eyes caught sight of him.
She watched as Sumner urged his horse forward. Jane ran down the steps and he leaped off the horse. Her world had come back to her. He pulled her into an embrace and didn’t care that all watched.
She broke from their embrace. Her hand went to his face. His hand caught hers. “You are alive,” she uttered low. “I—”
He smiled at her. “No tears,” he said. “There is much to discuss though, Jane.”
His eyes! What was wrong? Jane turned to find everyone looking at them. Colonel Shelby sat leaning against his hands, smiling at the sight before him. She saw Colonel Leckie with a similar expression, but her heart raced. There was General Durham.
Jane quickly turned back to Sumner, panic well within her voice. “Tell me they are not here for you?”
“We need to talk, but it is all settled. They aren’t after me as they had been. I will explain all, but it’s not—”
She knew before he said the words. Jane looked from him and searched the faces once more. “Joseph? Where is Joseph?”
His arms rounded her. “No....” She broke down. “Tell me, no!”
Sumner spoke words, but she didn’t hear anything except that Joseph had fallen. “He saved me, Jane. He wanted nothing more than forgiveness. He found it.”
Tears streamed down her face. “It is my fault. All is my fault....”
No words gave her comfort. He drew her back into his arms and held her.
* * * *
Molly had prepared the little she had for the men to eat. Jane tried to help, but Molly rebuffed her. “It isn’t necessary. I enjoy this. It is good, Jane. Sit with Sumner. Time will heal the pain. Now you need to lean upon his strength.”
Jane’s hands still trembled as she took the chair beside Sumner. Sumner reached over and held tight to them. Joseph had been buried before the sun set. Molly wrapped him in one of her quilts.
Jane bent down and kissed Joseph’s forehead before they wrapped him up. He looked so peaceful as he had when she first saw him, except when she met him, he had smiled up at her and asked if she was an angel. He had always smiled at her. Jane’s tears she couldn’t help but flow. He had sought to redeem himself. She hoped he had found his angels.
Now, she found she was exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to be held in her husband’s arms and sleep sound, but there was much to face before that time. She could feel his eyes watching her, but she refused to look at him.
“We will leave as soon as the men eat, if you don’t mind, General,” Colonel Shelby said. “I will take you upon your word.”
“I assure you, I will allow everything I have promised,” General Durham said firmly. “I believe it will be acceptable to us both.”
“I would hope that Mistress Meador won’t have to endure any more than she has,” Colonel Shelby responded. “I am certain I won’t have to repeat our position.”
“All seems to have come to light. The offender is now in custody and justice will be swift for him,” Durham stated stoically. He stared at Sumner. “If you return to straighten out the last few details of the events, you will be allowed to leave after that time. You won’t be prosecuted. And if you still desire your family to depart for England, I will help make arrangements.
“Joseph Williamson’s men can leave with you, Colonel Shelby, without interference from us as Benny’s men will leave with us. I believe that covers the matter.”
Jane caught Sumner’s eyes. What did he mean Sumner’s family still to leave for England? Bloody Benny was dead. She uttered to Sumner, “No, I don’t want to leave now.”
Sumner leaned over. “We will discuss this later.” He gave her a short smile and no opportunity to argue.
* * * *
Jane wished more than anything to have time alone with Sumner. She had none. He promised to explain everything, but it had been half explanations...short sentences. Her concern grew as the time neared for all to depart. She was confused as to what had been arranged.
“Be ready to leave,” Sumner whispered in her ear, leaning over after dinner was finished. “I have need to talk with Colonel Shelby. And then we will leave with the British.”
She looked uncertainly at him. Jane wondered if he was intentionally being ambiguous. She hadn’t a chance to ask, for he had walked out the door with his commander and Elijah, leaving her with Colonel Leckie and to her dismay, General Durham.
Jane could feel his eyes upon her. She didn’t dare look at him. What does one say to another who had wanted one dead?
Suddenly, Jane felt unsightly. Since her arrest, Jane had not had the luxury of a bath. She had washed to the best of her ability, but her dark hair was in disarray; her dress stained and wrinkled. A far cry from the comforts she had found at Elm Bluff.
In her short time within Charles Town, Jane had quickly assessed that most of the British, especially General Durham, felt the colonists inconsequential. She pondered if it was the reason he had so callously arrested her for treason.
She hadn’t cared then, but now? She didn’t know why it bothered her so at the moment. And to show further her weakness, she was sick. Jane couldn’t prevent her stomach from turning so. She wondered if British women hid such infirmities.
“It will be good to have you back at Elm Bluff if only for a short time,” Colonel Leckie said.
He caught her off guard for she had been deep in thought. She looked up in a strange fashion. He gave her a small smile.
“It is an odd situation. I can well understand how you may feel. I know you have gone through quite a lot. I wanted only to let you know that you were missed. And the little one hopefully will follow.”
“To be truthful, I don’t know how I feel at the moment.”
“I’m afraid it will all come at you later,” Molly said, cleaning the table. “After you have time to contemplate what has happened.”
Jane tried once more to help. Molly gently reprimanded her. “You need to rest. After everyone leaves, I will have nothing to occupy my time. You, on the other hand, will have a small one to chase around.”
Unintentionally, she caught General Durham’s eyes. Did she see remorse within him? She broke from his gaze. She had to have imagined the look and she had no patience to deal with him. Jane pushed back her chair to leave the table.
“Jane,” Colonel Leckie began. She looked up at him. The days had worn upon him, but he seemed intent upon her attention. Jane sat back down. He seemed pleased with her action. “I wanted only to add that I believe we will have a guest at Elm Bluff upon our return. I hope you don’t mind. It’s Katy Landor. She helped clear Sumner’s name at her own expense.”
“Katy?” Jane absorbed the news for a moment. “Cleared Sumner’s name? I’m sorry, Colonel. I am a bit
confused. I haven’t had a moment in private with Sumner.”
Colonel Leckie pressed his lips together in a thoughtful manner. “I should have deducted as much. Sumner will have time on the trip back. You have no worries now.”
“My worries are many, Colonel,” she retorted, taking her irritation out upon him. “Pray, you can’t hold back now with your thought! What do you mean? I was under the assumption that the British wanted Sumner as you want the Swamp Fox or the Gamecock. Have you not taken their loved ones and threatened them with the gallows?”
“It wasn’t like that,” General Durham interrupted. “It was another matter. You were under the wrong impression if you thought you were under arrest for your husband’s views.”
Jane’s eyes alit with rage. She stood, gripping hold of the table. “I was mistaken, General? Tell me how I will be received now? Please clarify for me! I am only a simpleton!”
“In war, Mrs. Meador, decisions have to be made. Not all are pleasant...most aren’t. Your arrest was an attempt to get your husband to turn himself in. No more.”
Colonel Leckie stood, placing his hand upon her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It wasn’t my intention. I wanted you to be aware of Katy’s presence.”
She wouldn’t be swayed from her attention on the General. “So, what you are telling me is that I was only a pawn! To be simply discarded if he didn’t make his appearance. Don’t pretend to me that you didn’t have intention to hang my person! Joseph wouldn’t have reacted in the manner he did if he thought otherwise. You have his blood on your hands, General.”
“It is evident you have no knowledge—”
“No? The knowledge I have is that I suffered under your orders. I am confused to what I had done to deserve such punishment. Do you know what I think...I think it is because in your eyes I defied you. You have no heart. What happened to it? When did you lose it?”
“Jane, why don’t you go—” Molly tried to direct her away from the table. Colonel Leckie, also, stood, but she pushed him back with her hands. She wasn’t finished.
“No, he needs to understand the ramifications of his decisions,” she turned to Durham. “It is the British attitude, General, that will destroy any chance you have of winning this war. In this I know, for my Grandfather would have stayed a loyal servant to the King. You rode into the South hoping to upsurge such loyalty, but instead you squelched any chance you had.”
“You blame England for the barbarian acts you Carolinians have enacted upon yourselves?” He laughed. “You feel no responsibility for any of them?”
“In that, you allowed such acts to continue...yes! Your troops themselves have done unspeakable acts without any respect for the people or the land! I heard that one of your most honored—the devil himself, Tarleton—dug up the grave of a Patriot and made his family look upon it and then preceded to burn down their home. The man had been dead for six weeks!”
“I can counter with as many examples of Rebel atrocities. This is a pointless conversation, Mistress Meador.” General Durham stood. “All has been arranged. It may be to my advantage if you discuss this thoroughly with your husband. We will depart soon.”
The man in front of her had intimidated her in the past, frightened her beyond reason, but not this day. “Dismiss me, General. It changes nothing. Your arrogant attitude spells your defeat, not mine.”
She breathed out heavily. Jane had exerted more energy than she knew she had within her. She couldn’t abide being in the same room. She could feel a hand upon her arm. Jane turned, but it wasn’t Molly who had her arm.
Looking down on her with the semblance of a smile, Sumner pulled her to his side. “I am ready, General. We will wait outside.”
Sumner ushered her out the door without another word. The weather was cool, but the moon hung high and full in the sky. Jane caught a glimpse of the last of the Rebel militia riding out of sight.
She didn’t dare look at Sumner. What had she done? Would he be upset with her outburst? Had she harmed his intention?
“I hope you don’t mind, but we don’t have a carriage. You will ride with me. I don’t want you riding by yourself,” he said and turned her to face him. “We will say our good-byes to Hugh and Molly in a moment.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Know well, Mistress Meador, I love you greatly.”
Chapter 21
The ride had been long and most trying upon General Durham’s patience. Sumner insisted on taking the ride at a slow gingerly pace for Jane’s sake. He told the General to continue on and he would follow soon enough, but the General insisted they return together.
General Durham had given Sumner a reprieve. In return, Sumner promised to help Durham settle the dreadful business with William Peyton. Durham, though, had every intention to contain Sumner’s presence while in Charles Town.
Every instinct in Sumner screamed to be wary of the man, but Durham had given his word. Sumner would hold to it for he himself wanted this settled. His own honor was at stake and revenge against William Peyton.
Peyton had been arrested. Sumner was certain that Randa would soon distance herself from her husband. Still, Durham wanted more information...information that only Peyton could supply. Durham wanted a man connected to The Prolusion affair, a man known as Georgie Boy.
For Molly and Hugh, Sumner would be eternally grateful. Upon their departure, Sumner had promised Molly he would try to see if he could move her into Elm Bluff as housekeeper. Jane’s face lit up on the suggestion. It was one of the many issues he would deal with in the few days he had, but his main concern lay within his arms—convincing Jane she had to leave.
Molly had cautioned Sumner. “She is trying desperately to be what you want her to be, but she will break down. I hope only she does so while you are there. She’s afraid about the babe.”
“I care only about her. If she loses it, we can—”
“But she does, Sumner. She has lost everything but you and your son,” Molly said gently. “Jane has within her the force to survive as long as she knows you are there in the end. She has Caleb whom she loves dearly. Let her know everything you feel before you leave. It will give her strength.”
He reined in his horse and smiled. Elm Bluff faced him. He nudged Jane. Her eyes opened and she beamed at him. No matter if it was only for a few days, it was good to be home.
* * * *
The sun set over the horizon. On the veranda, Sumner stood admiring the sight. His heart swelled as he watched his son ran rampant around the garden playing with Roscoe. Mary would have been so proud of her boy.
Sumner had hidden Caleb up the river at Samson’s farm. He had known the family since his youth. Caleb blended in well with Samson’s twelve young ones. Israel stayed with Caleb and Roscoe.
Jane told him that Caleb talked continually about his father. She said that in Caleb’s eyes none could compare to him, but when Sumner was with his son, it was the reverse. When he rode into the farm with Colonel Leckie, Caleb was the first to greet them, despite Israel running behind him urging caution.
“Is Mother home?” Caleb asked, before Sumner could dismount. No sooner had Sumner nodded, than Caleb said, “I want to go home.”
Jane stood at the entrance on their return. Sumner grimaced. Had he not given her specific instructions to go to bed? Riding closer, he recognized she had taken pains with her appearance, having bathed and changed. She had never looked so beautiful.
Caleb squirmed impatiently and wiggled down as soon as the horse halted. He ran into Jane’s waiting arms. The need quickly satisfied as soon as he had wrapped his arms around her, making certain she was whole. Jane kissed him and hugged him tightly. Shortly, he ran off, content everything was as it was supposed to be.
“I thought I told you to stay in bed until the doctor or midwife can see to you,” Sumner reprimanded her lightly. “Do I have to put you into bed myself?”
Flushed, a lovely smile emerged. “I didn’t want Caleb to be concerned.”
“Come, and I will walk
you up.”
“Can I not stay down for a moment? Katy has prepared refreshments. I don’t want to offend,” Jane said softly. Sumner watched her. Her hand unconsciously went to her stomach. She leaned over to him. “I believe she wants to talk with you. She seems greatly troubled and with everything Careen has told me in the short time I have returned, I can tell you I am worried.
“I promise I will retire afterwards. I feel better...I do. I have become quite selfish and want to spend as much time with you as possible.”
“I will not argue with you on that.” His hand gently caressed her face. “Your color does seem to have improved.”
“I had the most delightful bath,” she said. “I feel clean again. I never thought I would.”
“It would do me good to have one as well,” he said, relenting. He wrapped his arm about her waist. “Come, let us make this quick. Where has Caleb ran off to?”
“I’m certain Roscoe went to see his mother. After that, I’m afraid to guess,” she confessed. “But Careen won’t let them out of her sight.”
Sumner stepped into the drawing room with Jane by his side. The room had changed and not much to his liking. There was little he could do about it until after the war...confident that it would be his.
Katy seemed uncomfortable...withdrawn, not at all the Katy he remembered. She met his gaze with a slight smile, but it altered to a frown when Colonel Leckie walked into the room. Nor did it change when he sat next to her.
“I can’t tell you, Sumner, the relief I felt upon the news that you both were safe. Reluctantly, I will have to admit I had feared the worst,” Katy said, pouring a cup of tea. “And to be honest,” she turned to Jane, “it should be you pouring. I don’t wish to overstep.”
“Nonsense.” Jane smiled at her. “You do such a nice job. I find myself tired and enjoy being waited upon. Are you not my best of friends?”
Katy’s lips moved upward in a semblance of a smile. “I have heard it said.”
Sumner sat back. Jane did have the look as if she was enjoying herself. She seemed to be upon a mission of her own with her manner toward Katy. He wondered briefly what his wife was attempting to do.