“Because I’m the first colored Priest in America?”
His father stood and scowled down at him. “Because you’re a wise and compassionate young man.Mostof the time.”
A fortnightafter Joseph’s father sailed for Haiti with Bishop England, Cathy, Perry, David, and Sophie left for Missouri. To distract their mother from her grief, Joseph and Hélène coaxed her into visiting the orphanage run by the Sisters of Mercy. Several children had lost their hearing to fevers. Joseph and Hélène had taught them basic signs, but few people had the time or patience to converse with the children, let alone teach them to read.
Soon, Joseph’s mother and grandmother were visiting the orphans together. They’d always made little gifts for the children. Now they presented these in person. The Sisters of Mercy reportedthat what the orphans cherished most were their laps and their arms.
His mother and grandmother must have been visiting the orphanage on the day Joseph stopped at his parents’ house to retrieve a book. Even Henry and May were out, because no one greeted him. Everything was quiet till Joseph entered the hall and heard the murmurs in the parlor. He recognized Hélène’s voice, and the other sounded like…
Then Joseph saw them: his little sister and Mr. Conley seated together on the sofa, bare hands clasped, knees practically touching, a flush of pleasure suffusing her cheeks as he whispered something that sounded like poetry.
When she realized they were not alone, Hélène sprang up instantly in front of her lover, as if to shield him from Joseph’s wrath. “This isn’t what it looks like! You needn’t challenge Liam to a duel!”
Who’d ever heard of a Priest fighting a duel?
To his credit, Mr. Conley was also blushing, and trying vainly to move in front of Hélène. She wouldn’t let him, and neither needed protecting; Joseph was frozen in place on the threshold.
“Well, itiswhat it looks like, but nothinghappened!” Hélène continued at the speed of a locomotive. “And nothing happened at Christmas, either! I promised Papa I wouldn’t follow in Cathy’s footsteps. Papa already knows about Liam and me—and he gave us his blessing!” She dropped her eyes to the rug and pouted. “Except he’s making us wait…”
“…until I have established myself as a lawyer,” Mr. Conley completed. “Until I can support your sister properly. Not in the manner she’s accustomed to, and not in the manner she deserves—I’ll never be wealthy—but…”
“Liamwillmake a name for himself; I know he will,” Hélène gushed. “He’s going to represent people like Mama, and immigrants and colored people!”
How many of his clients would be able to pay him?
His sister darted forward to squeeze Joseph’s hands. “I told Liam the real reason Papa is visiting Haiti.”
“Hélène!”
“Your family’s secret is safe with me, Father. On my life, I shall tell no one.”
“Surely we can trust Tessa,” Joseph’s sister cut in.
Emotion climbed Joseph’s throat—and not all of it was dread. If she already knew… “You’ve told Miss Conley too?”
“Not yet, but?—”
Joseph shook his head. “You can’t, El. She teaches children. She might notmeanto reveal anything, but—” One of her students might speak cruelly of negroes, and before she thought of the consequences, Miss Conley might scold him by declaring that her dearest friend was a colored woman… “This is how rumors start.” Joseph turned to the Irishman. “Have you been reading the laws of your new state, Mr. Conley? Do you realize what we’re facing if the wrong people find out?”
The Irishman averted his eyes. “Your father could never return to South Carolina—none of you could leave and ever come back. If you remained in Charleston, you’d be forced to find white guardians, pay a capitation tax, and obey the same curfew slaves do. You’d be barred from restaurants and theatres and constantly reminded of your ‘inferior position.’”
And their treatment in the Northern states wouldn’t be much better.
Mr. Conley met Joseph’s gaze with defiance. “But such injustice will not change unless we fight it, Father.”
“You’ll be risking exposurebyfighting.”
“I’m not afraid,” Hélène insisted.
Mr. Conley smiled at her. “Your sister is afraid of nothing. She has a heart the size of a cathedral. After all, she lovesme. For the rest of my life, I shall strive to be worthy of her.”
“Will you give us your blessing, Joseph? Will you say our wedding Mass? Even if it doesn’t happen till”—Hélène bit her lip and threw a mournful glance at her suitor—“ten years from now, when Liam can support me?”
Joseph sighed. “Mama and Grandmama won’t approve of thismatch, El.” No doubt they were still hoping Hélène would marry a Middleton or a Pinckney.
“That’s why we haven’t told them yet.” Her brow furrowed. “Doyouapprove, Joseph?”
“Of course. I’m happy for you.” First he offered Liam his hand as a brother. The Irishman gripped it with obvious relief. Then Joseph blessed their betrothal as a Priest.
