by Jerri Hines
But Sumner realized it wasn’t only the British that terrorized the backcountry. The issue since the British occupation had become that the British had done nothing to contain the ravishment of the countryside by the raiders. Moreover, the British seemed to have encouraged the behavior.
Elijah pulled back upon his reins and motioned to Sumner. Broken branches. Men had crossed the area, not long ago. This could only mean one thing—Ferguson had crossed the Broad River.
Both men dismounted and tied their horses upon sturdy branches. There would be no more talk. They were close.
The two split up. Each took different paths up the steep incline. The woods were dense with vegetation. Sumner listened for any sound before he moved forward with his hand on the handle of his knife. A noise in the distance disturbed the normal serenity of the forest.
Crawling on his belly, he came to the peak of the small hill and saw his objective. Off to the far right, a road led to the summit of King’s Mountain. There it was—the British encampment.
Ferguson’s men had set up camp. It swarmed with Loyalists. From his view, Sumner guessed around eight hundred…no wait, there had to be more. He needed to get a better view. He would have to make it around somehow.
Suddenly in the stillness, a noise resounded in his ear, a scuffle. Elijah! Quickly, he descended toward the commotion. His eagle eyes looking for any sign, he caught sight of a figure standing over a man. Moving in closer, he saw it was Elijah underfoot of the assailant, with a blade reflecting in the sunlight.
Moving stealthily through the underbrush, Sumner took his knife in hand and moved behind the Loyalist sentry. In one quick motion, Sumner grasped hold of the man, pulled back his neck and swept the knife’s blade.
Sumner slung the lifeless body down on the ground. Covered in blood, Sumner helped Elijah to his feet.
No words were exchanged for each understood the need to retreat quickly back to Shelby. They had the information required. It would be here. Major Patrick Ferguson had chosen the place to make his stand against the overmountain men, the summit of King’s Mountain.
* * * *
Warren Parker rode in deep thought back to Laker’s Grove. Sumner had warned him not to attempt such a foolhardy venture when he mentioned the cow.
The thought nagged him to the point he had come out to retrieve it. He figured the animal would fetch enough to make the trip worthwhile. At least, it would be better than letting it starve.
He decided to chance the encounter. What could happen? Sumner thought Bloody Benny was going to have someone waiting to pounce upon him. Warren laughed to himself. Wasn’t his fault Benny let Sumner slip through his fingers! Besides, he would only be there long enough to get the cow. Slip in and out. A matter of minutes at best.
He sighed with relief when he passed the bend and caught sight of the house. It stood as before, none the worse from the encounter with Bloody Benny. Sumner had been wrong in his assumption that Benny would return, but then again he would hurry.
Riding up to the barn, Warren leaped off his horse, rope in hand. He cautiously opened the door. Immediately, he caught sight of his prize. He slung back the gate to the cow and tied the rope around her neck.
“Whatcha doin’, Warren?”
Startled, Warren jumped, releasing his hold upon the cow. He caught his breath. Bloody Benny stood in the doorway, blocking his exit.
“Oh, it is you, Benny. You scared me.”
“Who else do you think would be here?”
Warren swallowed hard and glanced around nervously while more of Benny’s gang walked in the barn. His hands shook reaching down for the rope he dropped. “Sumner, of course. I thought he had gone.”
“Gone because ya warned him?” Benny shot a look at Warren. He walked toward the visibly scared man.
“I didn’t! Did you not have the girl in your clutches? It was what you wanted. I gave her to you!” Warren said instinctively backing up from the menacing man.
“But ya forgot tell me one little detail. It was Sumner Meador!”
“I thought you knew. This place was known for a time as the Meador place.”
Benny laughed an eerie sinister laugh. “Not because if he knew ya betrayed him, he would do to ya more harm than ya thought I would.”
Warren froze. God, he wished he had listened to Sumner. Benny’s eyes held pure evil in them and they were staring straight at him. “I don’t consider my information betrayal, Benny. I have tried only to survive this wretched mess we live in. At times I don’t know what to do or say that will not have me swinging from a rope.”
“Shit, Warren, did you ever think of relying on your character or honor? Perhaps because you lack those qualities. I have cut down men who have pleaded for their lives and those who took it as a man should. I can see you would be one to beg and plead for your miserable life.”
“Christ, Benny, I have done nothing wrong here.” Warren tried to reason. “You need me for information. Haven’t I given it to you?”
“But you held back.” Benny spat at Warren’s feet. Warren jumped. Benny laughed again. “Ya are a miserable excuse for a human being, Warren. Ya coulda have been sitting pretty now if I had both in my hands. But now my hands are empty.”
Warren’s chest heaved; his mind raced. “I’m sorry, Benny. I thought you knew. I told you about the girl, even though I didn’t understand why you wanted revenge on her. You left her alive after you slaughtered her family and now you want her dead?”
Benny snickered. “Haven’t ya seen the girl, Warren? What makes ya think I wanted her dead, at least not right away? She needs to learn a lesson. Jus’ curious, Warren, does she know it was you that sold her inheritance out from her? The livestock, the belongings, and the land you miraculously had a deed for.”
“How was I to know she still lived? The thought was she died when she disappeared. And didn’t I give you a cut? Half. I should say it was a lot to ask when I did all the work…”
“Poor Warren. It must be so hard playing upon both sides of the fence. Greed, Warren, it can kill a man ya know. Never having enough, taking what isn’t yours. Look at that cow. It killed you that it might be wasted.”
“I have use for it.”
“But in so doing, Warren, can’t ya see what ya saying? No, I ’pose not,” Benny motioned to the two beside him. Warren screamed as they laid hold of him. Another took the rope from the cow’s neck and slung it around a beam. The other end fell into Benny’s hand. He quickly tied it into a hangman’s knot and looked at Warren. “It’s a real shame. You knew they weren’t returning. Here I am trying to help you, and you withhold from me.”
“I will tell you everything, Benny! Stop! For God’s sake man,” Warren cried digging his heels into the ground. The two pushed him up to Benny with ease, slowly the noose was lowered around his neck. The other two tied Warren’s hands.
Warren screamed. “No! I have a family. Everything, I have done, I’ve done for them.”
“You’ve done whatcha done for yourself, Warren. Don’t snivel. Have some pride.”
“I know where the girl is,” Warren cried.
Benny eyed Warren suspiciously, but lifted the noose off. “Tell me everything.”
“Sumner married her yesterday and sent her to his home. The girl doesn’t know who he really is or what he has. She is going to Elm Bluff, well within British territory, Benny. You can have easy access to her.”
“Married her! He married her! You are a fool, Warren. I know Sumner’s reputation well enough to know he wouldn’t have sent her into British territory without protection. Where is he?” He played lightly with the noose.
“He has gone on a fool’s errand to the border. Something to do with Shelby and his overmountain excursion. I doubt he will live through all he is running into for the cause.”
Benny laughed and then threw the noose back over Warren’s head.
Warren screamed and cried for mercy. The sniveling coward! He had betrayed him and wouldn’t live to see anoth
er day. Benny motioned for his men to raise the poor excuse of a human being up to the rafters.
Mercy, Benny had none in him. He had lost it all the day he was flogged and dishonored. He had sworn against all who played a part in his downfall. He had his revenge against everyone, except Sumner Meador. The gall of the man to come riding up into their midst without hesitation! Benny’s anger grew when he realized he had let Sumner slip through his fingers. He hadn’t recognized the sonofabitch until it was too late. If he had only known!
The girl, that was a different matter, she had interested him in a way no one else had in years. To have had the courage to try what she attempted. Then steal his horse!
Joseph reprimanded him harshly upon the destruction of the Kilmers, had even left him because of it. Benny felt a moment of regret, for he wasn’t without honor, or at least it was what he told himself.
His brother now served with a Loyalist unit in Charles Town. It might be time to pay a visit to Charles Town and Joseph.
Benny watched in satisfaction as his men raised the sniveling coward up off his feet, struggling for a breath, feet kicking. It was enough. His men tied the rope to the stall door and left Warren’s body there for someone to find sometime in the future. Benny didn’t care. He was leaving for Charles Town.
Chapter 7
Weary, Jane hoped they would soon come to their destination. Riding in front of her, Israel turned back and gave her a small smile. Clearly loyal to her husband, she liked Israel immediately.
Her husband! How she loved the sound of it! She was married to the man she loved. Confidence suffused through her to face the world because she had Sumner’s love.
Looking back on the moment he had asked her, Jane couldn’t recall any other option but to marry him. Sumner sent for the Reverend before he had even asked. She smiled at the remembrance, happy in the knowledge he would return to her. She would wait ever so impatiently for that day.
“There is much you don’t know,” Sumner warned her when he said goodbye. “Israel will have to help fill in all I haven’t told you. Know, though, I will return to you as soon as I can.”
Now she was tired and hungry. Stopping only briefly on their journey, they had ridden hard for the last day and a half. Unsure where they were at, Jane followed Israel down a long road lined with tall oaks covered in curtains of gray Spanish moss, up to a large plantation home. Quite impressive, the red-bricked mansion sat in the middle of a circular driveway surrounded by a well-manicured lawn.
A row of slave houses lay beyond the barn and curing house. A long whitewash fence encircled a pasture attached to the barn where horses grazed with a winding river behind them. Passing slaves working, Israel acknowledged a few, but it was the Red Coats walking the grounds that made Jane nervous.
None, though, paid much attention to them. Jane still wore the guise of a boy. She pulled her hat down further on her head and wondered why they were riding to the back of the house.
She wanted nothing more than to get to Elm Bluff. Stiff and sore, she needed a hot bath and a good night’s sleep. Her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten since the night before.
“Wait here,” Israel said.
Jane nodded and watched him run into the house. He did not soon return. She dismounted, afraid she would fall asleep in the saddle if she did not. Oh, where was Israel?
She strolled into the beautiful garden. The roses were still in bloom— dark red roses with a sweet fragrance, bright yellow ones, and lovely white ones. She continued up a gentle slope under a large live oak and found a small cemetery surrounded by a wrought iron fence.
Opening the ornate gate, she walked through and read the headstones. Governor John Rolf Blankenship, Elizabeth Cavanaugh Blankenship, John Steven Blankenship. Then she halted at the last two—Juriah Meador and Mary Montross Meador…beloved wife and mother…over three years ago.
Looking back up at the house, Jane stared at it in disbelief. It couldn’t be…could it? Was this Elm Bluff?
“Mrs. Meador?” Jane glanced around. At first, she didn’t realize someone was calling her. She heard it again. “Mrs. Meador?”
Israel! Quickly, she made her way back down the path, but suddenly halted. Israel stood with another, a British officer. He smiled at her in a friendly fashion and bowed slightly.
“Colonel Bruce Leckie at your service, ma’am.”
She felt her face turn a thousand shades of red. She was at a loss for words, stumbling over them. “It is a pleasure…to meet you. I’m Jane Kil…Meador.”
“So, Sumner married. That is good. It must seem strange that I am welcoming you to your own home.”
Jane said nothing for a moment, but stared behind him. This house, this mansion, was her home?
* * * *
Jane fell asleep in her new bed almost moments after she laid her head down upon the pillow. Colonel Leckie had directed one of the house blacks, Careen, to care for her. Immediately, a bath was called and a tray of food sent up.
Never in her wildest of dreams had Jane ever considered needing someone’s help with her bath or dressing, but the colonel insisted, apologizing profusely for having to place her in one of the guest bedrooms. All of the main bedrooms had been claimed during the occupation.
The house…mansion…took her breath away. Gilded double doors flanked the entrance while the ceiling rose all three stories high. A magnificent mahogany staircase curved upward. She had never been within a home where the rooms seemed endless.
Jane crawled under the plush covers. She would deal with her new home when she woke. Now…now she would sleep and dream of Sumner.
Sunlight filtered through the curtained window. Jane woke, startled. She had forgotten where she was. Pulling the covers around her, she sat up to find Careen in the room.
“Sorry, ma’am. I thought maybe ya woulda like to wake this day,” Careen said and pushed back the curtains. “Israel said ya had rid’en for a day an’ a half and needed your sleep, but if ya don’t git up ya won’t be able to sleep tonight. That’s what I told ’em. Besides, I wanna get a good look atcha.”
“What time is it?” Jane asked.
“Be after eleven,” Careen answered. The tall, black woman’s smile filled with warmth. She walked around the bed and rearranged a tray. “I brought up something for ya to eat. Didn’t get much last night. I have gone over Miss Cathryn’s old wardrobe for you. She ain’t coming back, but she won’t mind even if she did. Anything for her brother, mind ya. I looked ya over. You seem about the same size, except Miss Cathryn was a little taller and ya coloring is not a all alike with your dark hair, but I found one to suit you.”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Jane said, not caring what she wore at the moment. “I’m sorry I slept so late. I don’t believe I have ever slept so late. Will anyone be mad I slept so long?”
“Don’t ya worry none about ’em annoying British soldiers! Although we can’t complain none really, not with ev’ryone’s gone stark raving mad in these parts. Killin’ each other. The likes of it all! It’s a good thing we have Miss Cathryn or things woulda be worse for us.”
Jane had woken sufficiently to begin to comprehend Careen words. “Cathryn, Sumner’s sister?”
“Well, who else woulda I be talkin’ ’bout? The two could not been closer. It is good to have family.”
Jane’s eyes began to tear up. How foolish could she be?
Careen looked distressed. “Oh, now, Miss. Have I offended you?”
“No, no,” Jane said, attempting to compose herself as best she could. “It is only my family was killed recently.”
“I’s so sorry, Miss. So many lost. It ain’t right. I’ll be glad when all is over.”
“So will I. Careen, what are your duties?”
“I is suppose to be yo’ maid. We got nobody else. We lost so many, too, a few years back. Miss Juriah, Miss Mary, but ya would know that.”
“Yes, Careen,” Jane agreed, but suddenly she didn’t want to talk anymore. “I suppose I need to
get dressed for the day and at least make my appearance.”
“Get on up and I’ll help ya dress.”
* * * *
Jane looked at her reflection in the mirror. It certainly wasn’t what she expected. The blue dress definitely complimented her coloring and accented her figure to perfection. Careen had upswept her hair in a manner Jane never tried before, but, in honesty, she had never tried anything other than a bun to keep it from her face.
The gown was light and soft to the touch. The material reminded her of the nightdress and clothing she found at Laker’s Grove…the nightgown she had worn when she met Sumner. Color rushed to her face with the thought.
Sumner asked her not to wear them after he discovered where she found them. “You don’t need anything to wear at night,” he whispered in her ear. “I like sleeping with you, with nothing between us.”
Oh, she missed him so! She felt safe in his arms, but here, it was different, so different.
“Oh, Mistress Meador! Ain’t no wonder Master Sumner up and married ya. Ya hiding yourself in ’hem boys’ clothes like ya did. No one woulda guess it hid a beauty!” Careen rambled after finishing tying up the last lace in the back.
Jane smiled. “Please call me Jane. Jane makes me feel like I’m at home, and I would like that.”
“Ain’t no problem, Miss Jane.”
Jane descended the stairs with a newfound confidence in her appearance. Now, her focus shifted to her purpose, Caleb, Sumner’s son. She needed to talk to Colonel Leckie.
Halfway down the stairs, she caught sight of a group of British officers walking in the front door. Jane paused for a moment, uncertain what to do. She had no desire to disturb them.
Suddenly, her confidence waned as all eyes turned upon her. She wanted only to disappear.
“It couldn’t be the woman that came upon us yesterday,” Colonel Leckie said, breaking through the group. “Mrs. Meador, come. I’ll introduce you to my friends.”
Jane slowly finished walking down the stairs and accepted his hand. He gave her a wide smile and extended his hand to her, which she accepted. She was certain he had to notice how nervous she was.