Threads of Betrayal

by Monica Koldyke Miller

  “Oh.” George blinked. “That one’s going to be difficult with Emily. You understand, she has rules about such things.”

  “And so she should,” agreed Reagan, thinking of Derrick. “Whenever possible, I’ll seek proper measures when escorting Amanda.”

  George nodded, though his attention was drawn to the hors d’oeuvres on his plate. “Yes, the proper measures,” he repeated.

  “Then, if I have your consent…?” Reagan held his breath, as George seemed to ponder his request.

  After selecting a plump tart, George lifted his gaze, grinning. “I’ll probably live to regret this decision too.” He chuckled as he took a bite of the confection. “But, yes Reagan, you have my consent.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  A lone figure leaned against a tree as sounds of whimpering came from a clutched bundle wrapped in several layers of cloth. The figure repositioned the bundle and began humming while far away; a mournful baying filled the night air. As the howling mounted, the hidden one pressed forward, moving from wooded darkness to shadows of buildings on the outskirts of town. The moon emerged from dark clouds, exposing the figure while it stopped often as if counting houses. At last, the figure found a wrought-iron gate and as the latch closed behind her, she climbed the steps, rapping twice before retreating against the wall.

  From within, a slow tapping could be heard. The sound grew, mingling with her beating heart before the portal swung open and a whispered voice bid the stranger come in.

  ***

  Settled near the parlor fire and with their needlepoint forgotten, Amanda and Gabriella chatted contentedly while time slipped away. From an early age Amanda delighted in visiting the gabled manor, having fond memories of times spent in upper chambers when a younger Gabriella still climbed the stairs with amazing agility. Built before Gabriella was born, the stately manor had been lovingly maintained by the spinster ever since its purchase.

  “It’s getting late, my dear,” Gabriella said. “My bones feel winter approaching and my bed is calling me thither.” Reaching over, she patted Amanda’s hand. “It’s been good having you visit. We shan’t let so much time pass before you come again.”

  Amanda kissed Gabriella’s cheek. “I’ve missed times we spent together. I must’ve been terribly shy to have grown up with so few friends.”

  “Nonsense. You were just overwhelmed by your mother’s directives. ‘Do this! Don’t do that!’ How could you make friends with so many restrictions? I never forgave George being too weak to stop it. I prayed it wouldn’t destroy the joy you radiated as a babe,” she said. “Thankfully, my prayers were answered.”

  Amanda looked away. “Mother says her instructions are only for my own good.”

  “Not by my recollection,” Gabriella said. “But for now, I’ll hold my tongue.” She sighed as she reached for her cane. “Your mother’s actions stem from a deeper hurt. You’re coming to an age where if needed, I’ll reveal the source of that pain.”

  “I’m sure you’ll tell me when you’re ready,” Amanda said as she kissed her cheek again. “Good night, Aunt Ella.”

  Lighting two candles, Amanda handed a flickering taper to Gabriella before blowing out the lamp. Together they climbed the stairs and were nearly at the top when an unexpected knock halted them.

  “Who could it be, this time of night?” Amanda looked toward the foyer, missing Gabriella’s worried glance.

  “It could be a neighbor needing assistance,” she said, turning around. “Or, someone who’s lost and needs directions.”

  Amanda grasped Gabriella’s arm. “Surely, you aren’t going to answer that.”

  “My dear, I’m an old woman who’s long fended for herself.” She took a step down before motioning with her cane. “Go to bed. I’ll be up shortly.”

  Amanda bit her lip as she debated whether or not to obey. After taking three more steps, Gabriella turned to glare at her. “Amanda, if I have trouble, I’ll call Ben. I don’t believe he’s retired for the evening. Now, do as I say and go upstairs.”

  Ben was Gabriella’s driver and handy man. Though well into manhood, being unmarried made him available at any hour.

  “All right,” she said. She paused at the landing to find Gabriella still watching her and reluctantly went to her room.

  Grateful Ben had earlier laid a fire, Amanda sat near the hearth to listen for the familiar tapping of Gabriella’s cane. She waited, not realizing her lids had fluttered closed until a chiming clock startled her awake.

  Amanda opened her door, straining to hear a sound. “Aunt Ella, are you there?” Hearing only silence, she went to Gabriella’s bedroom. She found a crackling fire and tidy bed, but no Aunt Ella. Taking a lamp, she descended the stairs.

  After sweeping the entranceway she entered the parlor, but the room was empty. Fear began gnawing her insides and if not for the complete silence, she never would’ve heard the low murmur of voices. She followed the sound through the dining room to the kitchen, pushing open the door.

  Amanda froze as she saw a dark-skinned girl sitting near the stove. The girl wore a tattered dress while a bandana covered her head. Wide-eyed, she snatched a bundle from her knees and looked at Gabriella. “She gonna tell? Ah cain’t go back! Ah jus’ cain’t!”

  “Oh no, child, it’s all right,” Gabriella said, laying a hand on her shoulder. “This is my niece, Amanda. She just wasn’t expecting visitors this late.”

  Gabriella’s voice shook as she gave Amanda a guarded glance. “I think you’d better have a seat. I’ve something to tell you.” Once seated, she faced Amanda. “This may come as a shock, but I’m an abolitionist and have been most of my life. As you can see, I also help slaves escape to freedom.”

  Amanda spied an open jar of balm and evidence of a recently eaten meal. “Sh-she’s a fugitive?”

  “I’m afraid so. I wasn’t expecting anyone tonight, but one never knows when duty calls.”

  A sudden wailing erupted from the bundle the girl held. She began rocking, crooning in a soft, singsong voice. Opening the blankets, she uncovered a baby. Amanda’s eyes widened as the girl loosened her garb while guiding the infant’s rooting mouth.

  “They wuz gonna sell mah baby,” she said, shaking her head. “Ah wuz promised Ah could keep mah chile. But I heard mastah say he had t’ sell th’ boy, cuz crops wuz bad this year.”

  Gabriella’s voice shook as she bent near the girl. “It’s going to be all right. You’re safe now.” Dipping a cloth in a pan of water, she gently washed the girl’s face.

  “This is why I’m against slavery. It breaks my heart the way these people are treated.” Using her cane, Gabriella made her way around the table. “I sent Ben to ready the wagon. It’s too dangerous here since the hunters are using bloodhounds. The rest in Nell’s party have been captured, and it won’t be long before they discover she’s missing.”

  Amanda shuddered, recalling her own encounter with bounty hunters. “What can I do?”

  “I have clothes in a trunk that’ll protect Nell against the cold. Why don’t you hold the babe so she can change?”

  “Of course,” she said.

  Nell rose and placed the baby into Amanda’s lap. “His name’s Isaiah, which means th’ Lord saves. Ah believe th’ Lord’s gonna save mah chile.”

  “Hello, little one,” Amanda said, brushing a fingertip across his nose. “You’re having quite an adventure.” He smiled, grabbing buttons on her dress as the women left the kitchen.

  Soon, Gabriella returned. Sitting in a chair, she rested against her cane. “The poor girl is near exhausted. How she managed to find her way here is beyond me.” She looked at Amanda sternly. “I’m sure you have many questions my dear, but now isn’t the time to satisfy them. We haven’t much time. Ben’s trick of brushing her tracks will only slow the hunters, not put them off entirely. As soon as he returns, we must take Nell to a safe haven.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “That my dear, is none of your business,” she said, not u
nkindly. “You mustn’t know if lives are to be saved.”

  Amanda nodded as Isaiah tugged a captured latch of hair. “What did Nell mean when she said she was promised her child wouldn’t be sold?”

  “Her master forced her to become his mistress when she turned fourteen. Promising not to sell the babe was a way to keep her from fleeing, as many do when faced with being separated from children.”

  “How despicable!” Amanda’s voice shook as she looked at Isaiah. “Why, he was going to sell his own son!”

  “Though vile, it’s not uncommon.” Gabriella said. “It seems he treated her well, allowing few duties while she carried his child. But once she discovered the truth, she fled with others already set to go.” Her eyes softened at Amanda’s obvious distress. “Hopefully, you can understand why I’ve chosen to be an abolitionist. I pray you won’t betray me while Nell is in my care.”

  “I would never betray you,” Amanda vowed. “I’ll keep your secret, I promise.”

  “Thank you, my child,” Gabriella said. “You can’t know how comforted I am and blessed by your bravery.”

  Wearing new clothes, Nell returned with a clean blanket and yellow coverlet. Peeling rags from Isaiah, she wrapped the coverlet around his body before securing the blanket.

  A light knock on the back door preceded Ben’s entry into the kitchen. He appeared to have dressed rather hastily as his stylish bowler looked out of place with his workman’s garb. “We’ve got to leave if we’re to make our destination.”

  As Nell shrugged into her coat, Gabriella spoke. “Amanda, be a dear and get my wraps from the hallway closet. My legs are no longer nimble, and I’m afraid we’re short on time.”

  “Surely, you can’t mean to go with them,” Amanda gasped. “There’s no need, with Ben along.”

  Gabriella thumped her cane. “Do as I bid! I haven’t time to argue!”

  With a sob, Amanda rushed to gather her aunt’s things. “At least, let me go with you,” she begged while assisting with Gabriella’s wraps.

  “Absolutely not. If we were caught, you’d be arrested. However,” she said, indicating the pantry, “you could get leftover muffins from dinner. Wrap them in a cloth.”

  Nell scooped Isaiah into her arms while Amanda gave Ben the bundled food. She only had time to kiss Gabriella’s cheek before the servant hurried the women outside.

  From the door, Amanda could see the outline of a horse harnessed to an open buckboard. She watched Ben place Nell and her baby inside before lifting Gabriella to the seat. Climbing up, he gathered the reins and after snapping them, sped away.

  A shiver ran along Amanda’s spine when she heard a faint baying of hounds. The howling rose and fell but never ceased, and spurred by fear Amanda ran through the house. She halted by a window where she detected a light bobbing through the woods at the edge of town. As she followed the lantern’s path, she realized Ben was heading toward the same road where she and Reagan had encountered bounty hunters. If they continued toward the river, they’d be trapped! Not only would Nell be caught, Ben and Aunt Ella would surely be arrested.

  In near panic, Amanda wheeled from the window to grab her coat before dashing out the door. She ran to the barn and once inside, lit the lantern kept near the door. Though she did her best to saddle Ben’s horse, it shifted toward her as she mounted. Amanda left the barn at a fast cantor, praying she’d intercept the buckboard before the bounty hunters could overtake them.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Reagan’s impatience to be gone from the Hampton party took root the moment he got permission to court Amanda. Soon after, he claimed he needed to step outside for a gentlemanly smoke. With many guests milling around both inside and out, he hoped it would be awhile before anyone realized he had taken his horse and left.

  Reagan rode the short distance to Gabriella’s home. As he entered the yard, he noticed a light burning in the rear of the house and thinking the women awake, bounded up the steps and sounded the knocker. After a lengthy pause and when no movement could be detected, Reagan knocked again, only louder. As he waited, a persistent sound drew his attention and he realized it sounded like the far off echo of baying hounds.

  Just as he turned to listen, a horse galloped from the area of the barn and out the open gate. White, flapping petticoats declared the rider a woman. There were only two ladies in the house, and that most certainly was not Gabriella!

  Reagan ran to his horse and mounted. Wheeling around, he followed the clattering hoof beats. Unsure of the rider’s identity, he decided to follow to see if it was Amanda and why she left alone on a mysterious journey.

  Amanda reached the crossroad that led to the river before halting. She blew on her fingers while peering ahead. In the bright moonlight she could see the wagon round a bend. But, just as she feared, the firebrands had grown closer and terrible din, louder.

  “If you get me to that yonder wagon,” she said, stroking her horse, “you’ll get an extra ration of oats, I promise.”

  Suddenly, a prickling ran up Amanda’s spine as she heard behind her, a horses’ snort. Kicking her own horse, she rounded the turn, expecting to be nearing the buckboard. But when she saw the empty road she circled, searching the shadows. “Aunt Ella!” she cried. “Where are you?” As she neared a patch of trees, a figure rushed toward her, grabbing her reins.

  “Amanda? What are you doing?”

  “Thank God I found you!” she said, recognizing Ben’s voice.

  “What’s wrong? We told you not to come.”

  “I had to!” she said. “I heard dogs then saw lights in the woods, heading this way.”

  Ben cursed before hurrying away. Bringing the wagon from its hiding place, he climbed up. Amanda could see Aunt Ella and Nell were now huddled together in the rear of the wagon.

  “Go home,” he said. “If anyone comes to the house, you know nothing, is that clear?”

  “But, what if I’m stopped before I get there?”

  “Were you followed?” he asked sharply.

  “I’m not sure. I thought I heard someone behind me.”

  “She’ll be caught!” Gabriella’s voice rose. “We can’t send her back.”

  “Then, she’ll have to come with us,” Ben said. “We’ll take Old Trail road. It’s no longer used.”

  “How can we?” asked Gabriella. “The bridge is rotted.”

  “We’ll tie Amanda’s horse to ours and pray we get across,” he said, slapping the reins. “If we must, we’ll ford the creek. It’s shallow this time of year.” He turned the wagon toward trees and through a weed-filled expanse that narrowed to a footpath. Traveling a short distance, he set the brake and hopped down. He then reached into the wagon, snatching Nell’s head wrap before running out of sight.

  He returned a few minutes later. “I dusted the ground with her scarf. After tying a rock to it, I threw it beyond this trace. Hopefully, it’ll throw off the dogs.”

  “Where are we going?” Amanda asked.

  “To a safe haven,” he answered, slapping the reins.

  The wagon’s progress slowed as wheels became tangled with underbrush. After a laborious half mile, Ben brought the buckboard to a halt. “Looks like we’ll have to walk.”

  Climbing down, he held Nell’s bundle until she alighted. Placing the babe in her arms, he then lifted Gabriella and set her on her feet. “I’ll take the wagon across. If it’s safe, you can follow. But, stay near the walls, the floor should be stronger there.”

  While Amanda dismounted, Ben made a harness with a coil of rope, fastening both horses together. He affected makeshift blindfolds by tying rags around their eyes. Then, using soothing tones, he led them into the interior of the covered bridge.

  Facing the horses, Ben walked backwards, pulling the traces. Boards creaked as they moved and the horses became agitated. “Easy boys,” he murmured. “Easy.”

  Above the trusses, an unexpected flutter of wings swooped near and a swarm of bats engulfed the wagon. Darting rapidly past in a squeaking
, chirping cloud, the horses shied from the swift passage then reared, pulling Ben from his feet. It was then that the sound of baying hounds began to echo inside the narrow bridge.

  Ben was nearly trampled as the frightened animals now rushed forward, splintering floorboards that fell to the water below. He clung to their necks, barely keeping his feet above churning hooves until halfway across, the bridge shifted with a terrible groan.

  Suddenly a plank broke, jamming a rear wheel. The jarring impact and forceful halt further panicked the horses and rearing up, their hooves clawed near Ben’s face. As whinnies rent the air, he abandoned all attempts to be quiet.

  “Go around!” he yelled. “Get across the creek!”

  Amanda also heard the snarling hounds and with sick realization, knew they hadn’t escaped. She immediately began pulling Gabriella toward the embankment as Nell held out her baby.

  “Oh Lord! Save mah chile! Them dog’s will kill mah baby! Please-” she sobbed, “-please don’ let them kill mah baby!”

  Terror gripped Amanda as she propelled both women forward after hearing thrashing sounds of dogs being released. But, without her cane, Gabriella could do little more than a swift hobble. When pounding hooves came crashing down the trail and a dark form vaulted directly in front of her, Amanda screamed.

  “Amanda! What the hell are you doing?”

  Amanda nearly fainted when she recognized Reagan’s voice. “Help us! They’re nearly upon us!”

  Without further words, Reagan scooped Gabriella up and ran toward the creek as Nell snatched at the mount’s reins. As the horse shied backwards, Amanda grabbed Nell. “Come on!”

  With a wail, Nell gave up trying to catch the horse and together they ran among steeply banked trees until nearing water. Suddenly, Nell slipped. She caught herself, but the movement roused the baby and he began to squirm.