Movement.
My heart beats faster. I recognize the footfalls as much as I feel the pain crushing my diaphragm, stealing my breath.
Dread, true dread, fills what little space is left in my chest.
The villain bows to me.“Jahleel, old boy? Ready to die?”
Dressed in the same sheet I wrapped his dead body, my former best friend, Katherine’s deceased husband, stands beside me. If Tavis Palmers is here, I must be dead or very close to it.
He claps. The thudding echoes.“Have you figured out everything? I wager you have.”
“Why don’t you have a saintly robe?”
Tavis shrugs.“I died in poverty. That’s a crime. I deserve sackcloth but got stuck with this. You could’ve helped me out one last time. A decent robe for eternity.”
The man responsible for my heartache, my lost years of happiness, gawks at me. He grabs my arm.“This way, Your Grace.”
Tavis begins escorting me to hell.
Chapter 6
KATHERINE, ANYAHOUSE—ARRIVAL OFDOOM
My horse heads my dray toward Anya House. The sky remains gray and dark, like a sheet ready to fall upon the dead. Georgina convinced me to visit the duke and try to beg forgiveness. I fear I’m too late.
Mr. Thom, my faithful employee at Wilcox Coal, sits in the rear seat, grinning. “My sons are returning from the Continent. They served under Commander William St. Landon. Miss Georgina read me their letter; she told me to expect them soon. I hope I can see them in their uniforms.”
“Yes. We received it last week when everything was normal.” My sister, Georgina, frets across from me, twiddling her thumbs. “Mr. Thom, do you know what they will do once they return?”
“Hmmm. Not sure. The world don’t treat all the sons who served equally.”
Thom’s sons are patriots, but I wonder what opportunities they will have. Some don’t respect Blackamoors, even when they fight for our king. “They used to drive drays for Papa,” I say, then add, “I know the duke will find them something.”
Georgina bows her head. “We can’t hold a conversation without acknowledging how much the Duke of Torrance has affected our lives for the good.”
“Yes,” Thom says. “And he’s going to get me operated on at Anya House. I’m going to be able to see again.”
“What?” I pull to the side of the road. “Thom? Georgina? What surgery? Why didn’t you tell me Jahleel is helping?”
He waves his hand at me. “Oh, you’re back to being on a first-name basis with him. Scarlett told me ’bout the duke. He’s going to be alright. He’s pulled through many times.”
My heart, which barely seems to beat, stops. “What do you mean, ‘many times’?”
Mr. Thom starts to chuckle. “Scarlett keeps me informed.” He folds his arms against his jet-colored mantle. “The man’s been sick a number of times last year. Pretty bad ones. But Scarlett keeps trying new things on him to get well and stay well. That’s why I know this operation she figured out will work.”
“I don’t understand. Georgina?”
My sister looks distraught as if she’d bite her nails if she didn’t wear gloves. Well, Georgieisthe panicking one. “So a procedure,” she says, “a surgery, you’re not scared?”
“Sure I am. But you keep trying. I might be old, but I’m goin’ to get my boys settled.” He nods to himself. “The duke ain’t give up trying. I’m sure of that.”
Georgina grabs my wrist. “Let’s be as brave as Mr. Thom and the duke, Katherine. Let’s get going.”
She’s right.
Everyone’s right but me. And no one tells me anything unless it’s about Wilcox Coal. I’d let it burn to the ground if it wasn’t our father’s. I tug at the reins and get my mare moving. Soon, too soon, we enter Anya House’s drive. Mr. Carew’s carriage is there.
Memories flash in my mind of seeing his vehicle arrive out front of Ground Street. “He will always be associated with sickness.”
