After placing the bowl of peas and empty shells on the table next to the porch swing, she stretched her arms and back. The work was tedious, but the promise of Harriet’s creamed peas made it worth it. Perhaps she would stay and watch how Harriet made the dish, as long as she promised not to get in the way.
Ever since the fire, Harriet’s manner toward Natalie had softened. She didn’t seem so distant and even shared jokes with Natalie in a way she hadn’t before. It was strange how a tragedy could bring folks together and make them see there really were no differences that mattered. The color of a mother’s skin didn’t matter when a child was in danger.
With the sun sliding down the western side of the world, Natalie went to gather the slate and books. She and the women hadn’t held lessons since the fire. It would be good to get back to them. Making her way to the ancient black walnut tree, she spotted Carolina and Harriet coming around the side of the house from the kitchen. Samuel and Isaac charged past them, obviously racing.
“Is Lottie coming?” she asked when the women reached her.
“Don’t know, Miz Natalie.” Carolina plopped down on the grass. “Miz Eunice keepin’ her so busy we don’t hardly see her ’til suppertime.”
Harriet joined them. “Poor gal don’t have a minute to work on her own sewin’. That chile gonna get here an’ have nothin’ to wear.”
Eunice had taken it upon herself to move into the large suite of rooms Natalie had closed off. Although there were no funds for redecorating, she’d managed to create a space fit for Queen Victoria from items she’d procured from other rooms throughout the house. Natalie despised the woman’s audacity, but the mere thought of confronting her cousin left her exhausted.
Lottie hurried from the house a few minutes later as fast as her bulky load would allow.
When she arrived, Natalie smiled. “We haven’t started yet. We wanted to wait for you.”
A frown drooped the young woman’s face. “Miz Eunice say I can’t study the letters with you.”
“Surely she can spare you for an hour,” Natalie said, irritated with her cousin. Eunice usually took a nap this time of day anyway and wouldn’t even miss the servant.
“Ain’t that, Miz Natalie.” Tears formed in Lottie’s eyes. “Miz Eunice say I not allowed to learn ’em. Says Negroes don’t have no need to learn to read an’ write, and she ain’t gonna have no uppity Negro workin’ for her.”
Natalie’s irritation turned to outrage. She glanced at the house, wondering if she should speak to her cousin. While Eunice could dictate what her own servant did and didn’t do while they served her, she did not have the say on whether or not Lottie learned to read.
“Lottie.” Her firm voice drew all three women’s attention. “You are no longer a slave. You may work for Cousin Eunice, but it is your decision if you learn your letters or not.”
The young woman stared at Natalie, wide-eyed, while Carolina and Harriet grinned.
“I shore do want to learn ’em, Miz Natalie.”
“Then sit down. Our lesson will begin right now.”
Lottie sat, albeit hesitantly, but the moment she recognized the letter D in the book in her lap, the doubt on her face disappeared.
They were so engrossed in their lessons that none of them noticed Eunice arrive until she was upon them. She marched to Lottie, grabbed a handful of the woman’s hair, and yanked her to her feet.
“I said you are not allowed to learn your letters!” she bellowed, causing Lottie to shrink into her dress. “No good can come from a Negro learning to read.” She turned her venomous glare to Natalie. “I don’t know what has gotten into you, Natalie Ellis, but my slave will not participate in this … this … atrocity.”
Before Natalie could respond, Eunice slapped Lottie, nearly knocking the young woman to the ground. Samuel and Isaac ran behind the thick trunk of the tree.
“Cousin Eunice!” Natalie stood and rushed to Lottie, as did Carolina and Harriet, shielding her from the wrathful woman. “Lottie is no longer your slave. She is a free woman, able to make her own choices. Your behavior is appalling.”
“My behavior? What would your poor mother think if she saw you cavorting with Yankees and teaching Negroes to read? Why, I’m glad the fever took her long before she had to witness such a disgraceful disappointment.” She returned her narrowed glare to Lottie. “You get in that house right now. No Negro of mine is allowed to learn their letters.”
Natalie looked at Lottie, willing the young woman to stand up for herself.
“I …” Lottie’s voice came out timid and frightened.
“What did you say, girl? Speak up.” Eunice’s menacing stare bored into the young woman.
Lottie glanced among Natalie, Carolina, and Harriet before she returned her attention to Eunice. “I want to learn to read, Miz Eunice,” she said, more forcefully this time. “I’s free now, so you don’t got no say in it.”
Eunice’s face turned scarlet. “How dare you! This is what happens when you give Negroes their freedom. They turn uppity like they were our equals.” Her enraged eyes shifted to Natalie. “See what you’ve done. You’ve ruined her. Well, I won’t have it.” She turned back to Lottie. “You either come inside the house this instant, or you can go find yourself someone else to work for.”
Tears sprang to Lottie’s eyes anew. “Who gonna want me like this?” She indicated her huge belly.
“I guess you’d better get inside that house, then, and leave this foolishness of learning your letters behind.” Eunice’s lips pinched in a sneer, and she crossed her arms over her own ample belly.
With a look of resignation, Lottie nodded and turned to Natalie. “I best get inside, Miz Natalie. I shore ’ppreciate you wantin’ to teach me, but I ain’t got nowhere else to go. I gots to stay with Miz Eunice.”
“No, you don’t,” Natalie said before she realized what she was doing. When her thoughts caught up with her tongue, she smiled. “You can work for me, here at Rose Hill.”
The young woman and Eunice gasped at the same time.
“What do you think you’re doing, Natalie Ellis? Lottie is mine. The judge bought her for me.”
“Cousin Eunice.” Natalie squared her shoulders. “Lottie no longer belongs to you. She can decide whom she wishes to work for.” Turning to the startled servant, Natalie said, “I don’t have money to pay wages yet, but like the others, you can work for room and board and a share of the crop. Does that suit you?”
Lottie blinked several times before nodding. “Yes’m, Miz Natalie. That suit me fine.”
“This is outrageous!” Eunice practically shook with rage.
“No, Cousin Eunice, your behavior is outrageous.” Gathering her courage, Natalie said, “I believe it is time for you to leave Rose Hill.”
Eunice sputtered. “You mean to say you’re throwing me out? Over a no-good Negro?”
“I’m not throwing you out, Cousin Eunice. I simply believe you’ll be happier elsewhere. I won’t tolerate name calling or violence on my property. Lottie is a human being and my employee, and you will treat her as such.”
The three servants stared at Natalie with rounded eyes. Certainly, they had never heard a white woman stand up to another white woman over a Negro. Admittedly, neither had she.
“You mark my words, Natalie Ellis. You will rue the day you turned your back on your own blood.” Eunice stomped back to the house and slammed the door.
It was several moments before Natalie’s pulse slowed. When she glanced at the other women, their expressions mirrored her own shock.
“Well.” She shrugged and looked at Lottie. “I suppose you’ll have time to sew your baby’s clothes now.”
Harriet was the first to snicker behind her hand. Carolina’s brows arched high before she gave in to giggles.
Finally, Lottie, who still seemed stunned by the turn of events, said, “I shore ain’t gonna miss that woman’s snorin’ at night.”
Before long, all four women were laughing. And, oh my,
did it feel good.
Levi sat at the small desk in his temporary office, writing yet another report for General Granger, this one regarding the stolen cattle. While he didn’t like the fact that the thief was growing more brazen and stealing larger quantities of animals, Levi was glad for the distraction. It kept him from dwelling on all that had happened at Rose Hill the past three weeks.
He put the pen in its holder and blew on the page to dry the ink. Granger had not been pleased when he’d learned of the fire and the attack on Natalie. He’d ordered Levi to organize a manhunt, pulling men from the mission of delivering the freedom proclamation in order to catch Jezro. Levi hadn’t agreed with the order, mainly because he felt their chief assignment was far more important, but he couldn’t deny he wanted Jezro caught and punished for what he’d done to Natalie. When Granger put a bounty on the man’s head a few days after the fire, the local patrollers got involved. Their tactics and use of dogs did not sit well with Levi, but he had to acknowledge they had far more experience searching for a runaway Negro than Levi’s men. News arrived just this morning that Jezro had been caught and was even now on his way to Austin for trial.
He heaved a sigh. He should go to Rose Hill and tell Natalie the news himself, but try as he might, he couldn’t bring himself to face her. Not after little Samuel overheard Lopez’s accusation about George Ellis’ death. The poor child must be devastated to learn the hero who saved his life might be guilty of ending his papa’s. He wouldn’t blame Natalie if she never wanted to see him again.
Corporal Banks appeared in the open doorway that led out to one of the side porches. “Colonel, may I have a word with you?”
Levi leaned back in his chair. “Of course.”
Banks seemed nervous. “It’s a personal matter, sir.”
“Come in,” Levi said, curious. Banks never got nervous. Not even in battle. It was one of the reasons Levi had wanted the young soldier assigned to him after his promotion to corporal. Banks, for his part, had been relieved to be away from the infirmary where he’d been assigned.
He entered the small room but didn’t take a seat. Levi waited.
“I would like permission to call on Miss Carolina.” The words tumbled from his mouth, and he seemed glad to have them out.
Levi fought a smile. This wasn’t entirely unexpected. He’d seen the looks Banks exchanged with the young servant, but a soldier, even when not in battle, could not afford distractions. And women were most definitely distractions.
“You know how I feel about fraternizing while we have a mission to complete.”
Banks gave a firm nod. “I do, sir. I would only use my time off, of course. I wouldn’t allow anything to keep me from fulfilling my duty to the Union Army, sir.”
Levi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Banks and Carolina were free to pursue their attraction to one another with very little to hinder them. Unlike his and Natalie’s relationship, which seemed doomed from the moment they met. Why he had allowed himself to seek more, he couldn’t say. Especially after hearing where her husband died. Lopez’s allegations put everything in perspective … for both of them.
Looking into Banks’ expectant face, he couldn’t refuse the request. “You have my permission, but see to it this doesn’t interfere with your duties.”
Banks relaxed his stiff muscles and grinned. “It won’t, sir.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. You wouldn’t want to hurt the young woman. What happens when you leave Texas and return home? Assuming that’s your plan.”
“I’ve been thinking on that, sir.” He grew sober. “My service with the Army ends soon. I figure we can marry then. She’s already said she’d like to see Massachusetts someday.”
It seemed as though Banks had considered everything. “I suppose you’ll head over to Rose Hill later this evening?”
“I will, sir.”
“I’d like you to inform Mrs. Ellis about Jezro’s arrest. I’m sure she’ll be relieved to hear the news.”
“Pardon me for saying so, sir, but I suspect she’d rather hear it from you.”
Levi gave the corporal a look of warning. His personal life was not up for discussion. “Just give her the message, Banks.”
“Yes, sir.” He turned and left the room.
Heaving a sigh, Levi took up the pen again. This was exactly what Levi had warned Banks against. Women were distractions. He had a mission to fulfill here in Texas, and it did not include a romance with a beautiful widow.
An hour later, the last of his reports nearly finished, the inkwell ran dry. Frustrated, he searched the desk for another bottle but found none. A trip to the supply tent in the afternoon heat did not appeal. Surely there was a bottle of ink somewhere in this house.
Levi opened the door that led into the musty interior of the mansion. He hadn’t been inside since the day he’d accompanied Natalie while she pointed out the items of worth she was leaving behind. A study with books lining the walls was located on the first floor, and he moved through the silent house in that direction. As he did, he couldn’t help wondering what Natalie had been like as a child growing up here. He could picture her running through the rooms, her giggles ringing off the walls.
Shaking the thought away, he found the room and went to the large desk. Muted sunlight came through the curtained windows, aiding his search, but after pulling open several drawers, no ink was to be found. One last drawer remained at the bottom of the desk. It contained several ledgers and a bundle of documents rolled together, tied with string. Lifting them out to see if a bottle of ink might be underneath, the words printed on the face of the first ledger caught his eye.
Sales and Purchases.
Levi stilled, staring at the small book. There could, of course, be all manner of sales and purchases involved in running a plantation the size of Langford Manor. Natalie’s father more than likely kept records of how much cotton he sold in any given year, as well as purchases of equipment, feed, and a multitude of other necessities. But something told Levi this book did not hold tallies for the mundane items of plantation life. The book, he felt certain, held the sale and purchase information for one thing.
Slaves.
His stomach roiled with recognition. He should put the books back. There wasn’t anything in them that would come as a surprise. Langford owned slaves while he was alive. He bought and sold people at his whim. But driven by years of hearing his parents and their abolitionist friends discuss slavery, Levi had a deep need to see the evidence for himself.
He spread the items on the desk and opened them one at a time. The ledgers did contain records of the slaves Langford owned over the years. Names, ages, and dollar figures were neatly recorded on the lined pages. Thumbing through the books, seeing lives reduced to numbers in a column, he felt nothing but disgust. Next, he picked up the roll of documents and removed the string. The bundle fell open, revealing various sizes of papers, some printed with blanks filled in and some handwritten. Though he’d never seen one before, Levi didn’t need to be told he was looking at the bills of sale for Langford slaves.
Sickened, he leafed through the pages, noting names and dates until one caught his eye. After removing it from the stack, he carried it over to the window and held it up to the muted light.
The sum of eight hundred dollars was given to D.E. Boyd for the purchase of a Negro man named Moses, aged about thirty-five years and zero months, this day sold to Calvin Langford, the right and title to which slave I hereby warrant and defend against the claim or claims of all persons whatsoever. Given under my hand and seal this third day of March, eighteen hundred and fifty-two.
It was signed by an official in Galveston.
Moses. Bought and paid for by Natalie’s father.
Recalling what Moses said about Langford giving the slave to his daughter upon her marriage, Levi skimmed through the remaining papers until he came to the one he sought.
I do hereby certify that the Negro man named Moses does now belong to Nat
alie Langford Ellis.
Her father had signed and dated the handwritten note.
Levi stared at the paper, tangible proof that Natalie had owned a human being. While she could foist blame on her father and husband for her part in owning all the other slaves, the document in Levi’s hand told a different story. Her father had given Moses to her upon her asking, the way a child asks for a puppy at Christmastime. In her unquestionable selfishness, she had forced the man to leave his family behind and come to Rose Hill to serve her, never once considering his or Harriet’s wishes on the matter.
Levi read the date again. Six years ago. She had owned Moses for six long years. A question formed in his mind that would not be ignored.
Could a woman like that truly change?
A noise from the hall drew his head up.
Natalie stood in the doorway, Moses behind her, taking in the scene with unhappy eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The look of accusation in Levi’s eyes nearly took Natalie’s breath away.
“Mrs. Ellis.”
The warmth she’d grown accustomed to hearing in his voice was absent. She had hoped they would have an opportunity to talk and sort through the confusion Alexander’s declarations had left between them. When he didn’t return to Rose Hill, despite Corporal Banks’ assurances the colonel was well and in residence at Langford Manor, she decided she would go to him. She’d traveled to the plantation under the guise of retrieving an old toy for Samuel. It seemed ridiculous now in light of Levi’s cold welcome.
“Colonel. May I ask what you’re doing, going through my father’s things?”
He glanced at the mess on the desktop. “I was in need of ink and thought to see if I could locate some. Instead”—his cool gaze narrowed—“I discovered these.” He held up the paper in his hand.
The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2) Page 20