Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House(112)

When Hester placed a sleeping Kitty in her basket, then settled herself for a rest, Pan did the same. Addy surprisingly took to the idea of sleep, bundling her green shawl to use as a pillow. Silence descended as we traveled on.

Only Robert and I remained awake. He stared out the dark window, and though I wanted to converse with him, I found myself at a loss for words. I was trying to formulate a plan for my future, and I wanted to make the right decisions for all concerned—not only the children but Robert as well. I had no home to offer Robert, and especially after the trauma of the last few months, I felt that the kindest thing I could do for this good man was to give him a substantial stipend and relieve him of his service to me. But right now I could not face that.

I leaned forward. “Robert,” I said softly.

“Sir?”

“Thank you. I don’t know that I would have survived today without you. I’m sorry for the position I put you in.”

“We both knew the danger, and we need never speak of it again.”

“Thank you for coming for me, but was it wise to leave Williamsburg? Are you certain my daughter is well cared for?”

“Fear not.” He gave a quiet laugh. “As necessary as it was to come to your assistance, I would not have left if I hadn’t been sure of her well-being. Your young Miss Caroline has quite stolen everyone’s heart.”

“What does she look like, Robert?”

“My description would not do her justice. Her eyes are as blue as the sky.”

“Is her temperament that of her mother? Is she gentle?”

In the night light, I saw his smile. “You will not be disappointed,” he reassured me.

“And Williamsburg?” I asked. “What awaits me there? What is the mood?”

His smile left.

“Robert?” I asked again.

“It is welcoming enough, sir.”

“Yet?” I asked, hearing his hesitation.

“Yet I would prepare you for some controversy with regard to the guardianship of Miss Caroline.”

“Controversy? With whom?” I asked. “Have the grandparents . . .”

“No, no! It is the two women. Miss Meg and Miss Eleanor have both fallen under Miss Caroline’s spell.”

“But they know that she is mine?”

“Well. Yes. However, I believe they’ve decided that she would be better raised with them, feeling they are more qualified to shelter and raise a young girl.”

“And they are prepared to voice this to me?”

“Yes, sir, I do believe so.”

“We shall see,” I said. “Surely they have other interests.”

“Indeed. They are taken up with their school.”

“And they seem equally invested in this venture?”

“They are, though I’m afraid their livelihood is in jeopardy.”

“In what way?”

“It seems they offered some evening classes to Negro children, and because of it, the school’s enrollment has dropped off dramatically.”

“I see,” I said, understanding too well the full implication of their problem. “So it is not a town that would take to the likes of someone . . . like me.”

“No, sir, I do not think it would serve you well.”

Exhausted, I sat back and rubbed my face with my hands. I hadn’t expected to make Williamsburg my home, but I had hoped that it might serve as a resting place for a few months. Again I thought of the comfortable home that the Burtons had gifted me, and my heart ached. “Oh, Robert,” I said, “what I wouldn’t give to go home to Philadelphia!”

Robert nodded sympathetically, and we fell silent once again.


IT WAS DAYBREAK when we drew up to the small tavern where we were to change out our horses. We disembarked with great relief. During the last miles, Kitty had squalled from hunger while the goat bleated out her own distress.

Inside the tavern, after fresh milk was supplied for Kitty, the women were shown a room, while Robert as my valet and Pan as my servant accompanied me to a room of our own. There, Pan slept while I, in preparation for Williamsburg, was provided with the luxury of a hot bath. Later, as Robert shaved me, I asked how it was that he had known to come for me.

“I received a note from Mr. Spencer advising me that you and Pan were in jeopardy. I needed nothing more to arrange for a carriage.”

“So you traveled directly to the Spencers’?”

“Yes, and I waited there until Mr. Spencer and the others could plan your safe passage.”

“And what of Miss Adelaide? How was it that her father allowed her to accompany you?” I asked.

He shook his head with the memory. “Sir, I have never seen the likes of it. It is not in my place to judge the decision of a father, but Mr. Spencer did not appear to have a choice. On the day I was to leave, there she was, dressed and toting bags packed for travel. In spite of Mr. Spencer’s objections, Miss Adelaide stepped into the carriage and refused to come out. As time was swiftly passing and your safety was tied up in it, her father was forced to include Hester before he would allow his daughter to leave. On our arrival in Williamsburg, they are to return home immediately with a male cousin.”

“Why did she insist on coming?” I asked.

“She was certain that she could ensure your safe passage by naming you as her tutor.”