But this was no random widow with a roving eye and an interest in mutual pleasure. This was his friend Callie, who had endured a shattering day and by the sounds of it, a rather trying life.
He took her hand for comfort, no more. “How did your life change after you discovered your husband’s mistress?”
“I kicked him out of my bed,” she said succinctly. “Matthew’s first English wife sounded dreadful, which is likely why he took up with Susannah. I told him I’d continue as his hostess and mistress of the plantation, but he had broken our wedding vows, so he’d lost his marital rights where I was concerned.”
He smiled into the darkness. Now that was the bold, defiant Callie he’d grown up with. “Most men would not take that well.”
“I think Matthew was rather relieved to no longer be living a double life,” Callie said thoughtfully. “He truly did love Susannah and their children, and they loved him.”
“Did you consider going back to England then?”
“To the hell of my father’s house? Or as a pathetic grass widow with no children or purpose for living? No,” she said flatly. “In Jamaica, I was busy and did useful work. Matthew and I rubbed along very comfortably after the dust and emotions settled down.”
“It sounds like a less than ideal marriage.”
She shrugged. “There are many worse. Matthew treated me with kindness and respect and I was able to do what I wanted most of the time.” A smile entered her voice. “That part I liked. Life is much more rewarding when a woman doesn’t have a man causing her problems.”
“Should I be offended on behalf of my sex?”
She laughed. “You’ve always made my life better, not worse. But you are not a normal man.”
“I’m fairly sure I’m offended,” he said with amusement.
“Think of my remark as a compliment,” she said reassuringly. “Matthew was a rather weak man, but he had a kindly nature. I was fortunate that he wasn’t a hard-drinking brute like too many of the other plantation owners.”
“And he was fortunate that you were able to accept the situation and adapt your marriage in ways that benefited you both.”
“I was much happier when I stopped thinking of Matthew as my husband. Once the truth was out, Susannah and I became good friends. She was a lovely, kind woman, and I fell in love with the children. I made sure they received an education equal to what a plantation owner’s legitimate children would have.” She halted for a moment, then continued with a catch in her voice. “When Susannah was dying, I promised her I’d look after them as if they were my own.”
“I assume Matthew emancipated Susannah and his children?”
Callie said a rude word. “He said he would, but he never got around to it. He died not long after Susannah, and his death put his children at risk.”
“Which is why you fled Jamaica with them?”
“Yes, and I brought Susannah’s parents with me. Sarah and Joshua were both half European, the children of plantation owners by slaves. They were the butler and housekeeper at the plantation and they love Susannah’s children as much as I do. I asked them to come with us and gave them emancipation papers immediately. But there might have been legal problems since Matthew had a legitimate son by his first wife. Henry was the heir, and he was not the sort of man to free valuable slaves.”
Finally understanding, he said, “Which is why you came here and changed your name so he couldn’t find you or the children.”
“Exactly. Matthew brought me to Washington and Baltimore several times over the years, so I knew both cities.” She laughed a little. “Well, Washington is more town than city, but it has aspirations, or did before the British decided to burn down everything important. Baltimore is much larger and Matthew owned a warehouse with living quarters above, so I sent my household to stay there. Now I need to join them to make sure everyone’s safe.”
“How do you plan to reach Baltimore when most of Washington has fled, taking virtually all of the horses, carriages, and wagons with them?”
“I’ll walk if I have to,” she said calmly. “I can reach the city in two or three days. With luck, a wagon or carriage might take me along.”
He winced at the thought of her hiking the distance through a war-disturbed countryside. “Nota good idea. I came here from London on a ship that is now tucked into one of the creeks off the Potomac, so we can sail to Baltimore.”
“That could be problematic, too, but I’ll think about it in the morning. I’m so tired my mind is refusing to work.” She sighed wearily. “Perhaps we can take turns sleeping while one person watches in case roving soldiers turn up.”
“Don’t worry about that.” He stood, then scooped her from the sofa. “I’m a light sleeper and haven’t had as tiring a day as you, so I’ll keep watch. Now you must sleep.”
She squeaked with surprise, then relaxed in his arms as he carried her to the small bedroom. Since there wasn’t much furniture, he managed to avoid tripping and dropping her, which would have interfered with his manly attempts to sweep her away.
He laid her on the side of the bed that was against the wall so she was securely tucked in. She murmured, “There’s a light coverlet folded across the foot of the bed.”
It had cooled a little, so he found the coverlet by touch and spread it over her. She was already asleep. He had been telling the truth about being a light sleeper, and he put his brain on alert for any threatening sounds.
That done, he couldn’t think of a good reason why they shouldn’t share the bed, which was a damn sight more comfortable than the floor or the sofa. Quietly he lay down beside her, releasing his breath in a long sigh as he rolled onto his side and laid his left arm over Callie’s waist.
