Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House(90)

He leaned toward me, and though his voice was quiet, it was deep and commanding. “Listen to me! Thomas is not a man to fool with. There is a lot of swampland in these parts, and you would not be the first to go missing after a disagreement with him.” With that, he slapped the reins and put a quick end to our conversation.


WHEN I FOUND the two letters addressed to me on a tray in the front entry, I took them directly to the privacy of my room.

The first letter I opened was from Robert.

Dear Mr. Burton,

We arrived safely in Williamsburg and have been well received by both Miss Madden and Miss Pyke. Rest assured that your daughter is cared for and in good health.

Though the Philadelphia house has not yet been sold, I have hired a reliable caretaker, and Molly will stay on until such time as a sale takes place. As per your request, your lawyer has seen to the transfer of your monies to Williamsburg, and I have included a record of what has been spent to date. I have been as judicious with expenditures as possible.

I await your safe return and remain a devoted servant to both you and your daughter,

Robert

Satisfied to learn that the baby and Robert were safe, I tore open the second letter.

Dear Mr. Burton,

How surprising it was to receive your letter.

Your lineage in this family is well known and because of it, Aunt Meg’s mother, Mrs. Madden, who is elderly and old-fashioned, quite disapproved when Aunt Meg and I agreed to honor your request. However, please know that your Miss Caroline is kept safely under our wing and will remain so until your return.

As well, your man Robert has been given our protection.

We eagerly await your arrival,

Eleanor Pyke

I reread both letters several times until the words blurred. My half sister Eleanor’s short note told me little, but what seemed clear was that I needed to get to Williamsburg as soon as possible. But first there was Pan.


THE NEXT AFTERNOON, as I rode again to see Addy at Southwood, I decided that if I were to encounter Bill Thomas, I would override Mr. Spencer’s warning. Though I didn’t doubt his words were true, I believed that when it came to money, every man had a tipping point, and I meant to offer a purse that Bill Thomas could not refuse. Pan and I needed to leave as soon as possible.

On my arrival, Addy had the chessboard set up, but I spent most of our game lost in my own thoughts. “Mr. Burton! It’s your turn,” Addy finally scolded.

I forced myself to focus on the chess game. “Sorry, sorry,” I mumbled, and picked up a pawn to make a quick move.

“Oh, we might as well stop playing!” she pouted.

“Why?” I asked.

“Look at what you did! Are you intentionally letting me win? And before, when I said that I was coming home on Sunday, you didn’t say anything kind.”

“I didn’t? Forgive me, Miss Adelaide,” I said. “Of course it will be wonderful to have you home again. I’m having one of those days when I can’t seem to get my feet on the ground.”

She tilted her head to look at me. “I’m surprised to learn that about you. You are always so sure of yourself.”

“It is all a fine act, Miss Adelaide,” I said.

“You mustn’t feel bad,” she said. “Even I have days when I don’t feel myself.”

“Is that right?” I teased.

“Yes, especially since Mother . . .” Her eyes welled up. “I miss her, you know, but I daren’t say so. Father and Patricia are both so unhappy. I must stay strong for them.”

“I understand,” I said.

“And one mustn’t dwell on sadness,” she said. “As Father’s friend would say, ‘A stiff upper lip, don’t you know.’?” She mimicked well an English accent. We exchanged a smile and then returned to the game. Under an hour later, as I was preparing to leave, word came that Bill Thomas was waiting outside to see me. My heart racing, I headed to the stairway, where I ran into Sukey. She reached out as though she wanted to say something, but I didn’t want to keep Thomas waiting and shook my head. “Later,” I whispered, and left.

The man was standing in the shade of the house, one foot resting casually on a back step. “Mr. Thomas,” I greeted him as cheerfully as I could. “It is good to see you again.”

He nodded in response, then took off his hat, wiped his forehead with his sleeve, and ran a hand through his thick blond hair. He replaced his hat, then studied me while setting it right.

“Are you ready to do business?” I asked.

He looked down at his feet. “What kinda business you wantin’ to do?” He leaned over and slapped at some dust on his pant leg.

I knew that I had one chance. “I’ll get right to the point. I want to buy that woman Sukey and the boy Pan. I’ll give you what you ask.”

“?’Fraid you wantin’ two that’s not for sale. I have a few others you can have a look at.” He eyed me with a smile.

From the upstairs rooms, I heard Addy call out for Hester and wondered if Thomas knew that Hester and Sukey were likely at the open window, listening to our conversation.

“It is the two from the hospital that I am wanting,” I said.

“They ain’t for sale.”

“Name the amount,” I said.

“They are not for sale,” he said.