The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 60
“Should we check inside that building? Jezro may have used it as a hiding place.”
A grave look washed over Moses’ face. “That there the shed. When a slave disobeyed or got into mischief, Massa Ellis had him thrown in there.”
Levi looked back to the small structure. Moses’ tone alone told Levi how bad it must have been to be put inside. “I’ll check it. You don’t have to.”
Moses took hold of Levi’s arm when he started toward the building. “Colonel, suh, that place nastier than anythin’ you can imagine. Not even Jezro go anywhere near it.”
He contemplated the information for several moments. “Is it still used?”
“Not since ol’ Massa Ellis die.”
“Why don’t you tear it down?”
Moses shrugged. “Don’t guess I ever thought to.”
“Would Mrs. Ellis care if you got rid of it?”
“No, suh, I don’t believe she would.”
They both turned to study the shed. When Levi met Moses’ gaze again, the glint of eagerness he saw there matched his own. It would feel good to destroy something as hateful as that shed. Especially after such a vexing day.
“We’ll need a sledgehammer.”
A grin stretched across Moses’ face. “I’ll bring two.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
It had been a full week since the fire. Gratefully, Samuel didn’t appear traumatized by the event. He played with the kittens and with Isaac, ran around the yard with Ebenezer, and curled up in Natalie’s lap for stories each night before bedtime. Everything would seem back to normal if it weren’t for the shadow of sadness in his eyes whenever Corporal Banks or one of the many soldiers residing at Rose Hill passed by.
Gently pushing the porch swing with her toe, Natalie broke open a pea pod and let the small green balls roll into the bowlin her lap, thinking of the day they’d learned Levi had been at Manassas Junction. Samuel shed huge tears because the colonel hurt his papa, or so he believed. She soothed him as best she could, trying to explain that no one knew what happened the day George died. When her son finally quieted, he didn’t ask about his papa or Levi again, and Natalie didn’t press him.
She sighed. Levi hadn’t been back to Rose Hill since that terrible day. Corporal Banks was very tight-lipped about it, and not even Carolina could get information from him about the colonel’s whereabouts. Natalie vacillated between the need to see him and talk things through and silently railing at him for his role at Manassas. Why, of all battles, had he participated in that one? She couldn’t deny the description of the man who’d killed George fit Levi. Reasoning also told her it fit every other Union officer who was there, but what if Levi was the one responsible for ending George’s life? How could she give her heart to the man who may have run his saber through her husband’s heart?
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