“Right next door. That’s convenient,” Mary replied. “Chris and I would be happy to escort you. It’s hardly proper for a young lady to go to a hotel by herself.”
“I can come too,” Lizzy declared, “but Chris and Mary are a much better choice.”
“You could take Abe with you as well,” Mara said. She was never shy about sharing her opinion these days, now that she realized the troupe considered her an equal. “I’m sure he’d be willin’ to go.” She paused and frowned. “’Ceptin’ I don’t know if they allow black folks in the Waldorf.”
Ella nodded. “Thank you, all of you. I can’t imagine what my family will do or say. I have no idea if Robert has explained what he knows to our father. The entire matter is overwhelming.”
Lizzy put her arm around Ella’s shoulders. “Don’t fret. We won’t allow anything to happen to you. Henry Adler would never let anyone take you from the show.” She smiled. “You’re far too popular. Those huge mail sacks full of letters to you are proof of that.”
Ella gave a weak laugh. “I am so grateful for your friendship. All of you. This hasn’t been an easy time for any of us, and now that we know the part my family played in August’s death and the misery of so many people of color, I know I must see it through. I’m just afraid.”
“We will be with you every step of the way,” Mary encouraged. “You can count on that. I won’t let anyone hurt you, even if I have to come fully armed.”
Ella smiled. “I can just see you having an old west shootout in the middle of Fifth Avenue.”
Mary grinned. “Well, why not? I could always tell the arresting officer that I was trying to drum up business for the show.”
They all chuckled at this, and Ella found it relieved a bit of the tension. Of course, two hours later, as she made her way to the Waldorf with Mary and Christopher, that tension had returned in droves.
A clean-shaven bellman showed them to a room where large fireplaces were lit with welcoming fires. Ella spied her family in a far corner, completely isolated from the other guests.
She drew in a deep breath and glanced at Mary, who reached over and squeezed her hand.
“It will be all right,” Mary whispered. “Don’t show them any fear.”
Ella tried to imagine the situation was nothing more than performing in one of the many Brookstone shows. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Whispering one final prayer, she followed the bellman.
Robert saw her first and jumped to his feet. “Ah, here’s our Ella.”
Ella caught her father’s glance and found she couldn’t look away. He seemed to have aged twenty years since she’d last seen him and lost twice as many pounds. Her mother remained seated, but her expression betrayed her joy in seeing Ella after all this time.
“Oh, my sweet daughter. Come sit beside me.” Mother held out her arms, and Ella went to her.
It was so good to see her mother again. Ella had missed her despite their not being all that close. Mother was reserved and kept her thoughts and feelings to herself, just as she had been taught. Still, Ella knew that she loved her children.
“Mama, it’s so good to see you.” Ella sat beside her mother and hugged her close.
“I feared I might never see you again, and when Robert suggested we could meet with you here in New York, I was so excited. And you know how I hate travel.”
“I’m glad you made the trip, Mama.” Ella glanced up at her father and forced a smile. “I’m glad you both came to see me. Will you be able to make our show?”
“It’s doubtful,” Robert said. “I’ve brought Father here to see a friend of mine. He’s a lawyer who I believe can advise us.”
“It’s all a great mystery,” Mother confided to Ella.
“You haven’t explained to Mother why you need a lawyer?” Ella asked, noting her brother’s grim expression.
She looked out across the splendor of the grand room, grateful that the other patrons seemed to respect her family’s need for privacy. Had Robert truly avoided explaining the purpose of their trip?
Ella’s father took up the explanation. “I deemed it better to wait. Your mother has never been a part of the business affairs at Fleming Farm. I never saw fit to tell her—especially about the matter that has brought us here.”
Mother frowned. “Goodness, George, just tell me what’s going on.”
“I think it might be better if we adjourned to our suite. Would that be all right with you, Ella? You may bring your friends, of course.”
Ella stiffened. If there was a possibility of someone causing her harm, it would be in the privacy of the hotel’s rooms rather than here in the public eye.
Robert seemed to understand her apprehension and knelt down beside her. “I promise that no harm will come to you. Jefferson isn’t here, and I won’t allow anything to complicate our meeting.”
She nodded. “Very well. Lead the way.”
They quickly settled in the sitting room of her parents’ suite some nine stories in the air. Ella marveled at the view and swallowed the lump in her throat. She had prayed for strength to see this matter through and to support Robert as he explained to their mother what the secrecy was all about.
Mary and Chris had chosen chairs in the corner of the room to allow Robert and Ella a little confidentiality with their parents.
Robert took the lead and began a concise explanation of why he had arranged for their father to see an attorney. Mother paled as the truth was revealed. She grew teary when Robert gave her the briefest of details regarding August’s death.
She looked at her husband as if seeing a stranger. “How could this be?” she asked. “How could you do such things?”
George Fleming shook his head. His remorse was clear. “It was an association I inherited from my father. I did my best to convince myself that it was something of a service that helped more than harmed, that I was employing people and caring for their needs. I suppose that’s how I assuaged my conscience.”
“But you know how I detest all that the war cost us. I lost so many people I cared about. It’s as if you perpetuated it with this abominable act.”
“As I said, Beatrix, I felt I had no choice. My father had already established the business, and he expected me to do my part when I came of age.” Ella’s father shook his head. “I’m not proud by any means, but as time went by, I found myself more and more dependent upon the money I made. Our farm didn’t generate enough for all that we spent. Had it not been for this peculiar arrangement, we might have lost the farm and all the comforts we had come to count on.”
“It would have been better than forcing poor black people to sign away their lives,” Ella murmured. “Or killing innocent young men who just happened into the wrong place at the wrong time.”
She heard Mary sob and turned to see Chris had pulled her close while she cried. The sound of her heartbreak caused Ella’s mother to weep. No one else spoke for several long seconds.
Finally, Robert took charge once again. “The situation is unpleasant, to be sure, but now we’ve come to the point where we hope to make matters right. Mother, I know this is difficult for you, but Father assures me he is ready to face whatever justice is required. It’s important that he go of his own accord and declare his guilt, because then there may be leniency. But even if there is not, we cannot go on as if nothing has ever happened.”
“What will happen to us?” Mama said, sniffing and dabbing her face.
“You will always have a home with Virginia and me,” Robert declared, “no matter what punishment they require of Father. Virginia wanted me to make it clear that you will be welcome to live with us for as long as you need.”
Ella felt sorry for her mother. Hers had been a world of beauty and elegance. She had only known the duty to stand as silent support to her husband and to mother her children, and where the latter was concerned, she’d had the help of others. Now her world was slowly crumbling, and Ella knew it had to be terrifying.
“When do you a
nd Father go to see your friend?” Ella asked Robert.
He checked the time. “In an hour. Can you stay with Mother while we’re gone?”
Ella thought of how much she’d prefer to wash her hands of the entire matter, but she nodded. “I’ll stay with her.” She looked over to where Mary and Chris sat. “You can go back. I’ll be fine. I’ll stay here, and then Robert can escort me to my room when he returns from his appointment.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Chris asked.
“I assure you that Jefferson has no idea we’re here. As far as I know, he’s not even in Kentucky but rather New Orleans,” Robert replied. “He has no idea my father has left the farm, so there is no risk of him taking any sort of action.” He looked at Ella. “I promise you—you’re safe.”
She nodded. “Then go to your meeting, and I’ll be here with Mother, anxious to hear what you learn.”
The hours went by slowly as Ella and her mother waited for Robert and Father to return. Ella managed to keep her mother talking about mundane things in order to prevent her from fretting.
“Did Mrs. Solomon have her annual summer picnic?” Ella asked.
Mother perked up at this. “Oh yes, and to my surprise, your father actually wanted to attend. You should have seen the turnout. The Merton sisters even came this year.”
Ella fondly remembered the two elderly Merton sisters, who very rarely ventured out of their three-story Queen Anne home. They lived in the center of town and were old enough to have watched the town grow up around them.
“Mrs. Bouton had a garden party in June that they also managed to come to. I was truly surprised to see them make two events in one year.”
Having paced for the last thirty minutes, Ella finally took a chair opposite her mother. “May I talk to you about something else?”
Her mother smiled. “You should know by now that you may speak to me about anything.”
“I’m in love.”
Mother’s eyes widened in surprise. “In love?”
Ella nodded. “With a young man who worked for the show. Well, actually he started out at the Brookstone ranch. He breaks wild horses and does other work but also helped with the horses in the show.”
“I see. And you met him at the ranch?” her mother asked.
“Yes. He was there when I arrived, and he was always very kind. He has such a gentle nature.”
Her mother smoothed her skirt. “Will we get a chance to meet him while we’re in New York?”
“No, I’m afraid not. Phillip is in Montana. He left the show a few weeks ago and went back to the ranch.” Ella bit her lip.
“What has you worrying your lip?” her mother asked, smiling. “You’ve always had that habit, no matter how hard we tried to break you of it.”
Ella smiled. She had no idea her mother knew her well enough to know about her bad habit. “I remember Lucille chiding me about it. She said it would ruin my mouth.”
“I’m sure she did.” Mother shook her head. “Still, there’s a reason for it, so tell me what has you troubled.”
“You must promise not to be too critical of Phillip.”
Her mother frowned. “Do you think me overly critical?”
“There have been times that I felt . . . well, certain issues always seemed to bring out your disdain in a way that belittled others. I don’t want you to belittle Phillip, because he’s had a very difficult life and is working hard to overcome his mistakes.”
Mother gave a slight nod as she looked down at the floor. “I suppose that judgment of me is well earned. I never thought of myself as being harsh and severe in my thoughts, just pointing out the truth. But rest assured I will endeavor to think kindly of your Phillip.”
Ella knew the truth had hurt her mother, but rather than stop and apologize, she continued. “He has a problem with alcohol. That’s why he went back to the ranch. He and his brother left the show so that Phillip could stop drinking.” She braved a glance at her mother, who was now watching her intently.
“It’s a hard habit to break. Much harder than biting your lip.”
“I’ve heard very little from him, and I’m worried about him. I know I can never be anything more than a friend who loves him from afar unless he’s able to stop drinking. I’ve helped him on several occasions when he was drunk, and I know that’s no life for me.”
“No. It would be a disaster. I speak from a certain understanding. You see, my father imbibed quite regularly. It was always a grave concern to my mother.”
Ella stilled. “I didn’t know.”
“No. I never wanted you to. My father died young, although I don’t know for sure that alcohol caused it. The doctor said it was his heart. Nevertheless, I remember my mother suffering greatly because of his drinking.”
“Grandfather was cruel to her?”
“No,” her mother said, shaking her head. “He was the most loving of drunks. I doubt there was a harsh word ever said when he was under the influence of the bottle.” She paused a moment and grew thoughtful. “Sadly, I thought him far more pleasant to be around when he’d been drinking. He would play games with me and my siblings and tell us such stories. No, my mother suffered because of the judgment of others. Her church friends were vocal, as were others. She never felt she could attend parties without having to explain why things were as they were. Finally, she gave up social outings unless they were absolutely necessary. She told her friends her health was compromised, and indeed she had a delicate constitution that often left her fatigued.”
Mother took Ella’s hand. “I only tell you as a cautionary note. Alcohol can tear at a family in many ways. Perhaps if I’d been honest with you sooner, you wouldn’t have given your heart to this young man.”
“You don’t have to be afraid, Mother. I won’t marry him unless he is able to prove himself. And I don’t think he would ask to marry me unless he was able to overcome. It was, after all, his idea to quit. He knew how I felt about it, to be sure, but he finally saw some value in himself. His brother helped him better understand God’s love for him. I’d like to think I helped him in that as well.”
“You speak with a great deal of sense. I’m so proud of you. I can’t say that I understand your desire to perform in public, but perhaps my past is part of the reason I disdain attention. If you are happy, then I am determined to be happy for you.”
Ella hugged her mother close. It was so wonderful to have this moment—to share these thoughts and feelings. All her life she had turned to Lucille and Mara while her mother acted as hostess for Fleming Farm. There never seemed time for intimacy except in the most extreme of moments. She would cherish this time with Mama for the rest of her life.
The door to the suite opened without warning, and Robert and Father entered. Robert looked grave, and Father walked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“How did your meeting go?” Ella asked, jumping up. “What will happen now?”
“There’s no real way of knowing until we bring it to the attention of the authorities. However, that’s what we plan to do in the next few days. My friend will accompany us to Washington, D.C., where we will speak with another good friend. Both will act as legal counsel and represent Father. It’s our hope that we can arrange for the truth to be told at that level so the authorities who have covered up this egregious sin won’t have a chance to hide the proof. Father will share what he knows and his part in it, and with his help, Jefferson will pay for the murder of August Reichert.”
“And the people they enslaved?” Ella could barely pose the question.
“Yes,” her brother replied. “And them.”
“And will you have to go to prison, George?” Ella’s mother asked.
“It is difficult to know.” Father helped Mama to her feet. “But no matter what happens, it is the right thing to do.”
Ella went to her brother. “Thank you for what you’ve done. I know this hasn’t been easy.”
“No. It hasn’t, but as Father said, it is
the right thing to do.”
Ella turned back to face her father. “I am grateful.”
“And I am sorry. So very sorry for ever trying to force you to marry Jefferson. He had me cornered against my will in all of this, and I couldn’t refuse him. The welfare of my family and finances were so intricately entangled with his. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants, as you unfortunately have witnessed. I still do not trust him to refrain from hurting you, which is one of the reasons I agreed to do this.” He heaved a sigh. “Besides, it’s taken its toll on me, and I fear I can’t go on much longer.”
Mama took his arm. “Don’t say that, George. Things will be better now that the truth is coming to light. You’ll see.”
Father reached inside his coat and pulled out some folded papers. He handed them to Ella. “These are Mara’s. You’ll see they are marked Paid in Full and she is free.”
Ella clutched them to her breast. “Thank you, Father. I know it will mean the world to her, because it means the world to me. I hope you will set the others free as well.”
“I have already seen to it, with Robert’s help. We may well end up losing everything, but I will die with a clear conscience, having made a decisive attempt to right the wrongs I’ve committed.”
seventeen
Now direct your attention to this death-defying trick,” Oliver Brookstone announced as Lizzy prepared for her final run. She adjusted one of the saddle belts that had been added for her stunts and secured her foot.
She had been practicing the trick for weeks, but there were still problems. She considered just forgetting about it and doing something that she felt more secure in, but she hated to disappoint. She whispered a prayer, chided herself for her fears, and then put Longfellow into a gallop.
Things went well at first, but then just as she began the most difficult part of the maneuver, the strap that held her foot loosened, and Lizzy slipped. She knew she was falling and heard the screams of several viewers. Only this time the danger was more real than they knew.
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