When Callie entered the dining room to join the men, she wore a faded gray gown, but with her damp, shining, red-gold hair falling over her shoulders, she looked like the girl he’d run away with. Except for her eyes, which were old beyond her years.
The meal was light and pleasant, with cold roast chicken, warm crumbly biscuits, and a fresh vegetable salad. Callie said little as they ate. He’d have thought she was a demure young lady, except that this was Callie. He guessed that her thoughts were complicated and troubled.
After tea and a delicious fresh peach cake, Green pushed his chair back from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to return to my office for a couple of hours. I must catch up on my accounts.”
Callie asked, “Did you send some of your people across the river to safety?”
“No need. My blacks are safe here. The British leave them alone.” Green grimaced. “Except for luring some of them away and giving them uniforms and weapons and calling them Colonial Marines.”
Gordon wouldn’t have touched that topic, but Callie said, “I freed my slaves. Have you considered doing that? Then they wouldn’t need to run away to the British.”
“You’re not running a great plantation like I am,” Green said in a patronizing voice. “I can’t afford to free my slaves. I’m already shorthanded because of the ones who ran off to the British to fight Americans.”
“One can see why they’re tempted into running,” Gordon said, keeping his voice relaxed and conversational. “If you were a slave, wouldn’t you do the same?”
Green started to protest, then closed his mouth with a scowl. “I suppose I would. But Africans are different from us. I treat my slaves well, better than most owners. If they had any sense, they’d stay with me.”
“The desire for freedom is powerful,” Callie said in a soft voice. “As powerful as the desire for love and family. Men and women of all races will risk their lives for those things.”
Green looked acutely uncomfortable. “I don’t disagree, but I can’t run this plantation without slaves.”
Voice still soft, Callie said, “Why not treat them like indentured workers? Let your slaves get their freedom after a certain number of years of work. If the slave agrees, draw up a contract explaining the terms, and have it witnessed by a local preacher or abolitionist that the slave trusts. That would give your finances time to adjust, and I think many of the workers would stay on after they’re freed.”
Green opened his mouth, then closed it again as he considered. “Perhaps that would be possible. When this crisis is over and my wife and son and his family are home again, I’ll discuss the matter with them.”
Callie gave Green a shining smile so potent that it almost knocked Gordon from his chair even though it wasn’t aimed at him. Green looked stunned for a moment, then said, “I will indeed consider this seriously, Mrs. Audley. Thank you.” He rose from his chair. “But now I must return to work.”
After Green left the room, Callie also stood. “Good night, Richard. I’m going to get a bit of fresh air on the veranda and then go to bed. It’s been a tiring day.”
He stood courteously. “That it has. Do you mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Her smile was wry. “You can tell me which direction Washington is so I can see if anything is still burning.”
“Probably nothing after that rain.” He followed her outside. There was enough moonlight to dimly illuminate the wide veranda that ran around three sides of the house. Wooden rocking chairs were clustered in groups on all sides, and it was easy to imagine the Greens and their guests sitting out and enjoying the beautiful scenery with chilled drinks in hand.
He guided her to the western side of the house. “The city is that way.” He pointed. “No signs of flames.”
“Thank heaven for that!”
The veranda overlooked the moon-touched currents of Tucker Creek. Unlike the bridge, the sturdy pier that jutted out into the creek had survived. Gordon observed, “The pier was submerged when we arrived, but the water has dropped a couple of feet since then. By tomorrow morning, the creek should be close to normal level.”
“So we can set sail for Baltimore.” Callie crossed her arms and leaned against one of the tall wooden columns that supported the roof of the veranda. Her hair was mostly dry now and it fell over her shoulders in a shining veil.
She looked as young as when they’d eloped together and was so beautiful it hurt to see her. More than anything on earth, he wanted to sweep her into his arms and keep her with him forever.
But Callie’s thoughts were far different. “Do you think Mr. Green will take my suggestion to convert his slaves into indentured servants and eventually free them?”
“He might.” Gordon hesitated, not wanting to be falsely optimistic. “But I’ve not spent years living in a slave society as you have. Your guess is better than mine.”
“In Jamaica, most people simply assumed slaves were necessary and must be kept subjugated. Some are less comfortable with slavery and would welcome an alternative that won’t bankrupt them. Mr. Green might be one of those.” She exhaled roughly. “But I haven’t the energy to worry about great societal problems just now. What I really want to do is go to Baltimore and snatch up my family and keep them close and safe.”
Not unlike his desire for her. He gazed at Callie’s graceful silhouette and knew that he wanted her more than anyone or anything in his life before. But he’d have to be a flaming fool to think now was a good time to try to engage her interest.
All the same, he could offer comfort. He looped an arm around her shoulders and drew her to his side. “Your family is fine and you’ll see them soon,” he said reassuringly.
After an instant of resistance, she settled against him with a small sigh of relaxation. “I’m sure you’re right, but with all that’s happened, I won’t be happy until we’re together again.”
The soft, well-worn gown she wore had been stored with lavender and the lovely scent made her even more Callie-like. He swallowed hard and told himself not to draw her so close she took flight. “Tell me about your children. I know nothing except that they’re quadroons. Surely there is much more to say about them.”
