“Perhaps not, but I could have helped you. Please forgive me for not fighting for you then.”
He hadn’t done anything wrong, and yet she understood his shame. He was a victim of this institution as well. “You are forgiven, Alden.”
His face warmed with his smile. “Thank you.”
She followed him down the steps, and he offered his arm as they walked onto the street. For those brief minutes, she pretended that she really was Mrs.Payne. That she was honored and cherished by Alden. That she had a home to call her own with no fear of someone snatching her away. She pretended she could speak her mind in a court of law and rely on justice to protect her and her innocence.
But she was only a project to Alden, a defendant in need of a lawyer. Still, she feared he would be furious when he found out today what she’d offered.
Then again, he would only be angry if he cared.
Victor and the judge were waiting for them in justice court, but it seemed that all except two miners had returned to their claims this morning.
After they stepped inside, Judge Roth looked at the door behind them. “Where is the boy?”
Isabelle spoke first. “Mr.Duvall and I settled this dispute last night.”
Alden swiveled toward her. “What?”
The judge looked up at her, sighing. “Do I need to remind you that you’re prohibited from testifying?”
“I didn’t realize discussing a bargain was considered testimony.”
Alden stopped her. “I would like to buy Isaac, Your Honor. I will offer Mr.Duvall a fair price.”
The judge looked at Victor. “Would you accept those terms?”
He shook his head. “I will only accept Mallie’s terms.”
“And what are those?”
“That she goes back to Virginia with me, in exchange for the boy.” He looked over at Alden. “Isaac is yours.”
Alden stepped forward, his eyes panicked. “I will give you a thousand dollars for Isaac if Isabelle remains with him.”
“I don’t want Isaac anymore.”
“Two thousand.”
“That’s enough, Mr.Payne,” the judge said. “A deal has been struck.”
Isabelle couldn’t look back over at Alden. “He also agreed to drop the kidnapping charges against Mr.Payne.”
Victor’s face contorted, but he ultimately agreed that it was true.
Isabelle slipped a piece of paper onto the judge’s desk without a word. It was the freedom paper she’d written up early that morning, for Victor to sign.
“What does it say?” Victor asked the judge.
“It says that Isaac has been emancipated from slavery. From now on, he will be free and under the care and guardianship of Alden Payne.”
Victor drew anXacross the bottom line. Then he reached for Isabelle’s arm, and she cringed as he led her toward the door.
Alden was close on her heels, reaching for her as well. “You can’t do this.”
“I must,” she said, shaking him off. “Tell Isaac to use the key I gave him.”
Alden stepped in front of Victor. “I’m not letting you leave.”
