The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 62
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