Lord, grant me courage.
Not to intervene would surely put Matthias’s life at risk.
Annalise tiptoed to her door and cracked it open. She had wanted a somewhat peaceful evening reading a book in the library or knitting in the parlor. She missed those quiet times of togetherness with her parents.
They would never again be possible.
And there would be no peace while she resided at the Thorn residence.
The knocker on the front door had sounded at half past seven. Sheriff Bleyer, followed by the Hirams and Edgar Oret, entered the mansion.
Annalise had spent much time praying in preparation for this very moment. The moment when she uncovered her uncle’s plan to have Matthias put to death because of his work with the Underground Railroad.
Surely, Lord, that is not Your will. Matthias has been such an instrument in assisting the slaves to freedom. Lord, I beseech You to preserve his life.
The men gathered in the library, and Annalise envisioned Uncle Phineas taking the most comfortable spot in the room, the leather chair adjacent to his cherrywood desk. Rather than use the desk for writing, as most folks did, Uncle Phineas would prop his large feet on top of it, scuffing the fine wood.
It wouldn’t have mattered so much if the desk hadn’t been Father’s cherished writing desk. The desk where he so eloquently penned poems for Mother.
Uncle Phineas’s feet clomped on top of the desk, and she imagined him settling his rotund self into the leather chair and tipping the whiskey flask toward his mouth.
“Gentlemen, thank you for joining me on this fine evening.”
Uncle Phineas’s voice made Annalise’s blood curdle. This fine evening? The evening when you unveil your vile plans to take someone’s life?
“I’ve been doin’ some followin’ of our good reverend,” said Sheriff Bleyer. “Seems he does have a way with the colored folk. Like they trust him or somethin’.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yesterday, he walked by a slave and tugged on his right ear. Had to be some sorta code or somethin’. Reckon the slave seemed to understand what the good reverend was doing, for he nodded and went on his way.”
“Doesn’t surprise me none,” interjected Percy Hiram. “Whenever folks engage in illegal activities, a shroud of deceit under the cloak of a code seems reasonable.”
Uncle Phineas interrupted Percy Hiram with a curse toward one of the slaves, demanding she retrieve something to eat for him.
Likely Jinny. Poor, poor dear.
That wasn’t the worst the young slave woman had experienced at the hands of Uncle Phineas.
“Where were we? Oh yes, discussing a secret code between the good reverend and a slave. That’s good investigative work, Sheriff. Didn’t think you had it in you.”
Rather than take offense, Sheriff Bleyer chuckled. “Even a man with no law trainin’ can do some investigatin’ when the moment calls for it.”
“Our goal is to prove that Reverend Sorenson is guilty. He has some friends that might look unkindly upon us apprehending the man and tossing him into jail for a hanging the following day,” said Dale Hiram.
Annalise strained to hear the voices. Dale Hiram’s, especially, was a lower, more foreboding voice. Schooled at the best of universities, and now a rich plantation owner, according to Aunt Lavinia, he would be the perfect match for Annalise.
Especially to secure the family fortune.
Annalise cringed. For one, there was likely nothing left of her family’s fortune. Secondly, the only man worse than Dale Hiram was Uncle Phineas. Even Percy Hiram wasn’t as bad as his evil son.
And Percy Hiram was a reprobate if there ever was one.
Sneaking forward as quietly as she could, Annalise was taken aback by the new portrait of her uncle that hung in the hallway.
Startling at the glooming glare of Phineas Thorn, Annalise jumped back. The floor creaked.
“Miss, are you all right?”
Annalise jumped again at Jinny’s voice as she rushed down the hallway with a stack of clean linens. Annalise held a finger to her mouth and shook her head.
The slave woman appeared to understand. She nodded and went on her way.
But not before Annalise saw the bruise darkening beneath Jinny’s left eye.
Jinny had to be next to know the taste of freedom.
Annalise slid against the wall again and did her best to listen to the conversation on the floor beneath her. The men had, unfortunately, lowered their voices.
Or perhaps Uncle Phineas had closed the door to the library.
Whatever the reason, Annalise struggled to make out any of the words being exchanged between the men.
Chapter 9
Annalise took another step down the banister. Then another.
Lord, please keep me safe.
She held her breath all the while her heart raced. Where was Aunt Lavinia? Would she emerge at any moment and catch Annalise attempting to eavesdrop?
“Now that’s an idea and a half,” Uncle Phineas thundered.
What idea?
She must move closer.
“Annalise!”
Annalise straightened her posture and scurried up the stairs to her room.
“Annalise!”
“Yes, Aunt Lavinia?”
“Oh, there you are.” Aunt Lavinia patted her curly gray hair.
Annalise willed her heart to be still. What if Aunt Lavinia had found her on the stairs? What if…
“You look bedraggled, Annalise.”
The statement was more of a chastisement than a concern. Just like most of Aunt Lavinia’s comments.
“I was just preparing to retire for the night.”
Lord, forgive me for that bold untruth.
“I see. Well, I thought I heard some clamor. Is everything quite all right?”
“Quite all right, Aunt Lavinia.”
“Very well. It must have been your uncle and his unruly cronies.”
“Indeed.”
Aunt Lavinia eyed Annalise with suspicion. “Good night, then.”
“Good night, Aunt Lavinia.”
Please hurry and retire to your room so I can return to hear the men’s plans.
Taking one more glance back at Annalise, Aunt Lavinia proceeded to her bedroom. A few moments later, Annalise heard the door close and lock.
Perhaps, Annalise hoped, the men would be drunk and would repeat their plans. She waited a few more minutes, anxiety permeating every ounce of her being. Lord, grant me the wisdom to know when it is safe to eavesdrop again.
With the utmost prudence, Annalise skulked down the long hall and to the top of the stairs, all the while keeping a close watch on Aunt Lavinia’s door. The men’s rowdy voices carried up the stairs, although Annalise was unable to discern their words. For the third time in as many days, she continued carefully down the stairs and toward the library until she could distinguish their words.
“It’s a task that must be undertaken.”
How much had she missed due to Aunt Lavinia’s “concern”?
“I agree. Who we gonna use as the bait?”
Bait?
“How about my slave Horace? The reverend doesn’t know him, from what I recollect.”
“This might just work. Yes, Dale, let’s use Horace. Give him the details tomorrow. Tell him if he errs, he’ll be hung immediately with no questions asked. After a good beating,” Uncle Phineas added.
“I’ll tell Horace to act as if he wants his freedom. He’ll seek the good reverend out and ask how he can be assisted in his escape endeavor. Horace will do his best to convince Reverend Sorenson that he needs his freedom. Isn’t that how it all works?” Dale Hiram snarled. “Horace is a good-for-nothing slave as it is, so if he gets himself hung, he’ll rightly deserve it.”
“And,” added Percy Hiram, “Reverend Sorenson is a good-for-nothing preacher, so it’s the perfect match for a perfect plan.”
Annalise gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Th
is plan mustn’t succeed.
“Good. Then he’s perfect for the job. Sheriff Bleyer, be at the ready to bring Reverend Sorenson to the Ridge Gap town square after he decides to help our decoy. Percy and Edgar, you start the crowds rioting about the injustice of one of our own—a reverend of all things—breaking the law. It won’t take much to bring the reverend to justice. Folks won’t stand for a criminal on the streets of Ridge Gap, preacher or not. As Lavinia would say, ‘It’s absolutely scandalous.’”
The men chuckled at Uncle Phineas’s comment.
Anger rose within Annalise. How dare they make unkind comments about Matthias. And how dare they plot the murder of an innocent man.
She had every mind to barge into the library and rebuke them in the harshest way possible.
Much as the idea held appeal, it would do no good. They would likely throw her in jail for being a sympathizer. Then where would Matthias be? How could she assist the man she was growing to love?
And how could she aid in the escape of more slaves?
Instead of giving in to the temptation, Annalise retreated to her room.
She had a big day tomorrow.
Chapter 10
Never had Annalise willfully disobeyed.
God’s mercy was upon her with Uncle Phineas and Aunt Lavinia in town for the day.
Lord, please alleviate the case of nerves permeating me.
For if she failed at her attempt to warn Matthias, his life—and the lives of others, including her own—would be at stake.
Annalise swung open the barn door. Tandey, the stable slave, was grooming Annalise’s black horse, Eclipse. “Good afternoon, Tandey,” Annalise greeted him with a low voice. “I would take Eclipse on a ride.”
“Will it be the sidesaddle for you, miss?” A glimmer shone in the young slave’s eye as he reached for the saddle and placed it on Eclipse’s back.
“Yes, Tandey,” Annalise answered with her own smirk. Besides Annalise and her father, Tandey was the only other person who knew that Annalise had, on more than one occasion, ridden bareback. The memory of Father allowing Annalise to ride bareback with him through the vast fields of the Van Houten property while Mother attended a tea party warmed Annalise’s heart. He had allowed it thrice more, on the condition that no one must know that he, Hayes Van Houten III, had allowed his well-bred, high-society daughter and only child to partake in such an unladylike activity.
Annalise, of course, had agreed. Tandey, barely four years older than her and a slave who had been born on the Van Houten plantation, had taken particular delight in Father’s demand for secrecy. He had laughed for minutes as he watched Annalise clutching the thoroughbred she rode.
Mother would have suffered from the vapors had she known the truth about Annalise and the bareback rides on those hot summer days so long ago. It was the only secret Annalise held from her beloved mother. A secret necessary as Mother, bless her heart, wasn’t nearly as forward in her thinking as Annalise was.
Four times riding bareback for several hours each time without the irritation of that bothersome sidesaddle had made Annalise practically an expert. Under Father’s patient guidance, Annalise had been convinced she could win a riding contest with the best of the best.
Although Father hadn’t been that permissive.
Annalise smiled at the memory, thankful for the reprieve from the burdens that overwhelmed her.
Moments later, she rode slowly through the barn door and out into the open. Glancing down to ensure that her riding habit was draped carefully over her ankles, Annalise continued past slaves picking cotton in the fields, past the creek, and past the pecan grove. Riding sidesaddle was a torturously slow process.
Annalise did her best to act as though nothing was amiss on this hot and rather humid day. She held her head high, as she’d been taught in those riding classes Mother enrolled her in from a young age.
The sun was high in the sky, indicating that Annalise didn’t have much time before her aunt and uncle returned home. She must hurry if she desired to be effective in her discreet warning to Matthias.
How can one hurry with this most ridiculous excuse for a saddle?
Eclipse neighed, as if he heard her question and agreed.
Some miles later, Annalise spied the cluster of trees she sought. Pulling gently on the reins, she brought Eclipse to a stop and dismounted. Then, methodically, albeit swiftly, Annalise removed the saddle and hid it safely in the center of the trees, covering it with grasses and branches to disguise its presence.
She again mounted Eclipse, thankful for the pair of tan trousers beneath her riding habit. With a light tap of her heel to his flank, Eclipse took off at a gallop. Annalise clutched the horse’s mane and tightened her legs around his flank, welcoming the warm breeze.
Lord, please don’t allow anyone to see me.
Rarely had anyone taken the shortcut through the forest, a path Annalise was thankful to have stumbled on while out for a walk one day.
She ducked her head, as low tree branches hovered. Birds chirped, and the smell of wildflowers filled the air.
If only she could be free like this all the time, without the constraints of Aunt Lavinia and Uncle Phineas and their desire to marry her off to someone like the abhorrent Dale Hiram.
Think not of Mr. Hiram right now. There are more demanding tasks at hand.
So Annalise thought of Matthias as she rode briskly through the trees. She thought of his warm gray eyes and his handsome smile. Of his servant’s heart and his desire for justice. Of his strong arms and dapper appearance.
Of how he had almost kissed her.
Or so she had thought. Maybe she had imagined it.
Either way, no matter who her aunt and uncle desired to court and marry her, Annalise’s heart would forever belong to Matthias Sorenson.
Which was why she must reach him and warn him of the slave bait plan her uncle and his comrades had concocted.
It wouldn’t be much farther to Betsy and Adam’s house. Annalise urged Eclipse to gallop faster, and Annalise leaned low, pretending that she was one of the contestants in the bareback races Father had taken her to during the town’s Founder’s Day.
Only this race was for a life.
Chapter 11
Matthias heard her before he saw her. A vision of beauty astride a black horse tearing through the pasture toward his sister’s house. He rubbed his eyes and did a double take.
“Annalise?”
A mixture of elation and concern filled Matthias. Why was the woman he had recently grown so fond of riding toward Betsy’s home? And bareback?
“There’s something wrong,” he muttered.
Betsy joined him on the porch. “Now, now, Matthias. Don’t always think the worst.”
“No, Bets, there is something wrong.” Matthias felt it in his entire being. He marched down the two steps of the porch and hurried to meet Annalise. From the look on her face as she drew nearer, Matthias knew his assumption was correct.
Something threatened the Underground Railroad and his role in it.
“Matthias!” Her voice alone caused him concern.
“Annalise? Is everything all right?”
“May we step inside?”
Even though she had apparently ridden a great distance from her home to his, her beauty had not been compromised. A strand of blond hair cascaded near her right cheek, and Matthias resisted the urge to reach for it.
Her uneven breath that came in almost gasps caught his attention. “Are you all right?”
“Please sit and have some tea,” offered Betsy.
“I regret that I don’t have the time for formalities, but thank you just the same, Betsy.”
Her face showed grave concern, and he longed to embrace her and tell her all would be well—to hold her in his arms and shield her from whatever burdened her.
But he couldn’t very well embrace a woman he wasn’t courting; nor could he reassure her that all would be fine.
For what if it wasn’
t?
Her blue eyes lit with fear. “Matthias, you must be careful.”
“Whatever do you mean, Annalise?” Betsy moved toward Annalise.
“Matthias’s life is in danger.”
“Danger?” Had he heard her correctly?
Annalise’s words tumbled out in rapid succession, one word overlapping the other as she laid out the trap her uncle and his cohorts were setting to catch Matthias. She told of the slave bait plan and the planned riots. Annalise leaned toward him and whispered, “They know you are part of the Underground Railroad.”
“How can they know?”
“I’m not sure.” She looked at him with a troubled expression. “Surely you don’t think I’m the one who revealed your role in freeing the slaves?”
Matthias shook his head. “No, Annalise, I do not think you would ever share such information intentionally. However, you may have—”
The hurt in her eyes was almost more than he could bear, and he regretted his insinuation. “Annalise, it’s just that you may have unknowingly—”
“Never, Matthias, never!” Her voice went up an octave, and tears streamed down her face. “You must understand that I would never lead them to you. Why would I?”
“Annalise, I’m sorry, I just…If they’re watching you, as I believe Sheriff Bleyer to be doing, he may have ascertained my involvement—and yours.”
“With so much at stake, I would be an utter fool as to allow that.”
Matthias again longed to draw her into his arms to comfort her. Only this time the comfort was for the hurt he had just caused her. “I only meant that such a mishap is possible given your uncle’s suspicions of you and Sheriff Bleyer’s observations of your comings and goings.”
“I believe this conversation is over. Matthias, I rode out here risking my life to tell you that yours is in grave danger. Don’t think for a second that they will not draw you into this trap if you are not wise and disregard the slave’s request. Do not give in when a slave asks for help. No matter what. Do not offer to assist him. For if you do, Uncle Phineas plans to have you hanged.”
The Underground Railroad Brides Collection: 9 Couples Navigate the Road to Freedom Before the Civil War Page 57