Glory Over Everything (35 page)

“I would be happy to do so,” I said, feeling some obligation but also realizing the access it provided me to Southwood.

As though reading my thoughts, Mr. Spencer continued on. “I know you want to get yourself a man,” he said, “but I'm asking that you wait until Addy is back home. Thomas's moods are too unreliable, and I'd like Addy out of there if you decide to carry through with a purchase.”

“Certainly,” I said, and though frustrated with his request, I thought it best not to press my need.

W
HEN
I
VISITED
the following afternoon, I found Addy sitting up in a chair with Hester by her side.

“How well you are doing! It is wonderful to see you sitting in a chair,” I said.

“It's my first time up! I almost fainted,” she said with some pride. “It was fortunate that Hester's friend Sukey was here to help catch me.”

I looked at Hester. “She is your friend?”

Hester promptly busied herself straightening the bedcover.

“They came to this place together,” Addy said. “Isn't that true, Hester?”

Hester kept her attention on the red quilt that she was smoothing. “We know each other a long time,” she said.

“Hester won't tell me why Sukey won't speak,” Addy complained.

There was an awkward silence in the room. “I don't talk about that,” Hester finally said.

“All I want to know is why she won't talk,” Addy argued.

“She jus' can't, is all,” Hester said.

“Does she not like me, or is that the way she is with everyone?” Addy asked.

“She don't talk to nobody,” said Hester.

“But why won't she?” Addy persisted.

“ 'Cause she can't,” Hester said, her tone of voice issuing a warning that Addy disregarded.

“But why won't you tell me, Hester?” she pushed.

“That none a your business!” Hester said in a voice so harsh that the girl sat back in surprise. When Addy's eyes watered, Hester spoke more gently.

“Miss Addy, I don't mean to talk to you like that. I'm just wantin' you to get better so we can get home, is all. I don't like being back at this place.”

Addy was ready to take advantage of the opportunity. “All I wanted to know was why that woman won't talk to me,” she said, actually sounding contrite.

Hester looked at me helplessly before she turned back to Addy. “She won't talk 'cause she can't. They take out her tongue.”

In the heat of the room, a chill traveled the length of my body. Addy's mouth opened and then closed again. “I want to go back to bed,” she said weakly.

I
HONORED
M
R.
Spencer's request and returned to visit with Addy over the next couple of days. On my way to the big house, I passed by the hospital where I knew Pan waited, though I dared not make contact with him.

I struggled with fear for my own safety and continually fought myself over wanting to make a quick escape on my own. But then I would recall the knotty feel of the long scar on Pan's head that marked his abuse, and fury would renew my resolve. As soon as Addy was home, I would meet with Thomas and offer a purse he could not refuse.

On Thursday afternoon I was with Addy longer than usual and stayed to play chess with her until her doctor arrived. It seemed he would never come, but when he finally did, I made my exit. It was then, while hurrying down the back porch steps, that I met Bill Thomas for the first time.

Thomas was a tall man, and his stride corresponded to the length of his legs. Had I met him in a public square, I might have given him notice, for he was a strikingly handsome man who carried himself with an authority that reflected undisputed power. Clothed in various shades of brown, he wore a low-slung leather belt from which hung a handgun and, next to it, a treacherous-looking sheathed knife. He nodded in my direction but would have kept on walking had I not stepped out in his path. “Good day,” I greeted him.

“And who are you?” he asked.

“My name is James Burton. I am an artist, and I am visiting with the Spencers.”

“I see,” he said.

“And you are Bill Thomas?” I asked in a friendly voice, for he did not appear the brute I had expected.

He nodded, then looked toward the house. “How's the girl?”

“She appears to be doing well,” I said. “I believe that we will be able to take her home soon.”

“Sooner the better,” he said.

I duly noted the cold comment but saw an opportunity and took it. “I've been wanting to meet you,” I said.

“And why's that?”

“As I mentioned earlier, I am an artist, here to paint birds for the museum in Philadelphia.”

“What's that got to do with me?” he asked.

I mustered as optimistic a tone as I could. “I was hoping to solicit your help. Since my arrival, I have come to realize that I will be needing some assistance when I am out in the field. I specifically need someone to tote my supplies and help me out when I travel, as I foolishly left my valet at home. This summer heat is more brutal than I expected, but your Negroes seem to be able to tolerate it well.”

He grunted.

“I thought that I might be able to purchase a young man from you,” I added quickly.

He smirked. “I thought you people up there didn't believe in payin' money for nigras.”

“Not everyone thinks along those lines,” I said.

“Uh-huh,” he said. “So what are you wanting from me?”

“When I was down in your hospital the other day, I saw a young boy who I thought might work out,” I said. Made uncomfortable by his stare, I glanced toward the building.

He waited for me to turn back. “And which one is that?” he asked.

I tried to sound as offhand as I could. “He's small, thin, but I didn't get his name. He was helping that Sukey woman out.”

“Ah, him. Hmm. Got him a couple a months back. Sickly. Isn't broke in yet.”

“I'm hoping you'll sell him to me. He's of the age I was considering, and he won't be expected to do much heavy work. I'm prepared to pay.”

“He'd cost, that's for sure.”

“Just give me a number,” I said, and knew that I sounded too eager. Thomas eyed me as I removed my hat to wipe my forehead dry.

“I have a couple others that might work out,” he said.

I knew this ploy, for I had seen this same strategy applied when trading for a horse. He meant to get a feel for how determined I was to buy this particular boy. I had no desire to haggle over price. “Pan—” I caught myself, but not before he noted it. “I believe the boy's name is Pan,” I said, my chest tightening as I realized my mistake. “I think that's what that woman Sukey called him. No, it couldn't have been her. She doesn't speak, does she?” I hastily sought to recover. “It's unimportant. All I need to know is how much you want for him.”

Thomas leaned over and snapped off a tall blade of grass, then put it between his teeth and began to chew. He looked me over, then spat out the grass. “I'll see you another time,” he said. “I got some thinkin' to do.” As he turned away, so sure of his position, dark fury shot through me. How dare he dismiss me as though I were one of his Negroes!

He had no sooner disappeared than a pebble struck the back of my head. I swung around to see Sukey peering out from the corner of the house. She waved me over, and as soon as I rounded the house, she pulled out a slate and began to write. “You Jamie Pyke?”

I was so startled that I thought I had misread the words. I reread them. I had not.

She quickly erased the board with her skirt and scratched out, “I am Sukey. Tall Oaks.”

My stomach dropped, and my mouth went slack as I stepped back. What did she mean? Surely it wasn't possible. Was she trying to say that she, this aged, worn woman, was Lavinia's favored servant from Tall Oaks? And if she was, how had she so easily recognized me? I stared at her, searching her face, while she scrawled again. “Get Pan out,” the slate read.

I forced myself to stop staring at her. “I will,” I said. “I'm going to buy him.”

She shook her head violently. “Trader coming for him,” she wrote.

“I'm arranging to get him,” I repeated, wondering if her hearing was impaired as well as her speech.

She was about to write something more, but when two Negro men rounded the corner, the startled woman fled.

M
Y HORSE HAD
free rein, and as he galloped for home, my mind raced. I fought to control my rising panic. What had Sukey meant when she said that a trader was coming? How soon, and was he coming just for Pan? And what of Sukey? She was older than I, and my memories from Tall Oaks were vague, but I recalled well the terrifying day when she had been sold. What were her memories of me, and if she knew of my lineage, would she use it against me to benefit herself?

Perhaps it would be best if I tried to buy her along with Pan. But Thomas was already suspicious. What if I were to approach him from another angle and state that both Pan and Sukey had been stolen from me? But I had nothing to offer as proof, and I understood the man well enough to know that if he suspected my desire, he would refuse me. I had already made that error! Because of it, I worried that I had already jeopardized the sale of Pan.

My horse whinnied at an approaching gig. I reined him to the side of the road as Mr. Spencer and Patricia wheeled up.

“I cried until Daddy said he would take me to see Addy!” Patricia called out happily.

Mr. Spencer glanced at me with a sheepish grin. “You have two letters waiting for you. Sam went into town today and has just returned with the mail,” he said.

Finally, some word from Robert! “Wonderful!” I said. Though hesitant to let him know that I had gone against his wishes, I brought up my meeting with Bill Thomas. As I explained our exchange, Mr. Spencer lost his pleasant look. “I'm sorry for not waiting,” I quickly added, “but the meeting was so fortuitous that I felt I had to take advantage of it.”

“And does Thomas have a man for you?”

“There is a young boy I have seen around. He works with that woman Sukey in the hospital. He is the one I want.”

Mr. Spencer looked at me curiously. “I see,” he said. “And Thomas has agreed to the purchase?”

“Not yet,” I said. “I'm afraid he's taken a dislike to me. I wonder if you might put a good word in for me.”

He frowned and shook his head. “Once Thomas decides something, nothing will convince him otherwise. He is that way in all matters and believes himself above the law. Unfortunately . . .” He looked over at Patricia and thought better of what he was about to say. “My suggestion is to let it go, and we will go to an auction next week. There are plenty of others for sale.”

“The thing is, I have settled on this one boy. He would be perfect for my needs. And I'm thinking of purchasing that Sukey woman, too. She seems to know a lot about—”

“Forget about her! She runs that hospital for him, and he isn't about to let her go. I say to forget about the boy as well.”

“But he is the one I want,” I argued.

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.

W
HEN
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.

T
HE 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.