Mockingbird's Call (13 page)

Thirteen

Amelia stared at the silver tea service, her mind a long way from the chatter in her aunt's parlor. A rustle of skirts brought her head up, and she smiled at Mrs. Downing. The lady and her daughter had become regular visitors to the Montgomery home, although there seemed to be little action on the Underground Railroad. Things had been quiet since the Christmas holidays. Perhaps the January weather was too harsh for runaways to attempt escape.

“You are looking lovelier than ever, Amelia.” Mrs. Downing leaned over and patted her hand. “Your betrothal to the handsome Lieutenant Talbot must be putting those roses in your cheeks.”

The ladies around her twittered as hot blood rushed to her face. They probably attributed the sight to maidenly modesty. How could they know the true reason behind her discomfiture? Ever since that night, Amelia had felt like a drowning victim. With each congratulatory or teasing remark, the weight of her feelings had dragged her under. She wanted to claw her way to freedom, to give back the sapphire ring on her hand and explain her mistake to Luke. He would understand, wouldn't he?

As if her thoughts had conjured him, the door opened, and Luke stepped into the parlor. Her cousin was close behind him. In the two weeks since Christmas, Benjamin had begun spending most of his time with Luke. It was a development that disturbed her somewhat, but she could do very little about it. She wished Benjamin would spend more time with Jared. Not only were they of an age, she knew she could depend on Jared's common sense to keep Benjamin from joining the fighting.

Luke bowed to Mrs. Montgomery before making a beeline toward Amelia. Just before he reached her, Amelia felt something slide under her hand. A note from Mrs. Downing could only mean one thing—the abolitionists needed her help. She slipped the paper behind the cushion of her chair and rose to meet Luke.

Mrs. Downing sighed and put a hand over her heart. “Ah, young love. How wonderful to see it in the midst of these dreary days.”

Luke smiled at the older lady before turning his dark gaze on Amelia. He was every inch the Southern gentleman, from his neatly trimmed mustache and side whiskers to the polish on his boots. He took her hand in his own and raised it to his lips. “I trust you are well, my dear.” He squeezed her fingers before letting them go, an indication of his happiness to see her.

Amelia knew her heart should be racing at the display of his affection, but it remained stubbornly calm. “It's nice to see you, Luke.”

Behind him, Benjamin cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. “We have news.”

“What is it, dear?” Aunt Laura set her cup next to the serving tray.

“Well, you already know the army has taken over East Tennessee University and established a hospital there.”

Amelia nodded. Luke had kept them abreast of the activities at the university, and she had read a blistering article in
The Voice of Reason
, an underground newspaper Mrs. Downing had slipped to her just last week. She suspected Jared might have been the author. The article's frank style and uncompromising position matched Jared's personality and reminded her of the paper he had presented during the literary society meeting. She had wanted to quiz him about it, but with the exception of family meals, she had seen little of Jared since Christmas Eve.

She missed the sound of his voice and the way he pushed his spectacles up on his nose when he was thinking. He always listened to her opinions, often engaging in a lively debate.

It would be nice if Luke had time to discuss important issues with her, but he generally treated her like an empty-headed debutante. He was attentive, but if she tried to bring up a serious subject, he told her not to worry about such matters. Perhaps when the war was over, things would be different. They would have more time together, and Luke would pay proper attention to her ideas.

“Luke's skills and knowledge have come to General Zol
licoffer's attention. The general is leading his brigade north into Kentucky, but he took time to give Luke here a promotion to captain, and”—Benjamin paused for effect—“the general has given our newest captain a special assignment.”

The ladies all crowded around Luke, each clamoring to congratulate him and find out about his new assignment. Amelia hung back. She was worried his promotion would mean he would soon be going into battle. It was bad enough when he was responsible for transporting wounded soldiers to Knoxville. That had been after the battles were fought. This new assignment probably meant he would be in the thick of the fighting. She might not be certain they would make the perfect couple, but she didn't want him to become another casualty.

“The general has put me in charge of finding the traitors who work with runaway slaves. One in particular has been causing a large stir. We recently caught some of the renegades who know him only as the Mockingbird.”

Luke's words made her jaw drop. Now her heart was thumping so loud and fast she felt light-headed. She had to get her emotions under control or risk being caught right here in Aunt Laura's parlor.

“Aren't you happy for your brave fiancé?” Benjamin sauntered toward her. His eyes lit on the brooch she often wore, the brooch Jared had given her for Christmas. “Well, look here, Luke. Maybe you should start your investigation with your betrothed.” He pointed to Amelia's chest. “Perhaps my cousin is the culprit you seek.”

Shocked silence greeted his words. Everyone looked toward her and Benjamin. Amelia did the only thing she could think of. She laughed. It started out somewhat stilted, but the sound immediately eased the tension in the room.

Her cousin's louder and more natural guffaws at his joke reassured the rest of the ladies, who joined in as they realized the improbability of his suggestion.

Aunt Laura shook her head at her son. “You should apologize to your cousin.”

“It's quite all right.” Amelia was relieved everyone was laughing. It had been a close thing there for a moment. How disastrous it would have been to be unmasked in her aunt's parlor, to be arrested by her own betrothed. She pushed the frightening thoughts back and smiled widely. “I don't mind Benjamin's attempt to bring some lightheartedness to us. We must all learn to take ourselves less seriously if we are to survive this war.”

Even as her face showed relaxed mirth, her heart beat a nervous staccato. Was this how her future with Luke would be—always hiding her true self? She longed to allow her heart to fly as free as those she helped escape slavery. . .but she despaired as a door clanged shut on the cage holding her heart.

❧

“What have you done?”

The commotion outside Jared's bedroom broke his concentration. Was that Mrs. Montgomery's voice? He had been answering the letter he'd just received from his parents, but he put down his pen and walked to the door. Then he hesitated with his hand on the knob. He didn't know if he should interrupt or not. It might be a family problem, and no matter that the Montgomerys had opened their home to him, he was not a member of their family.

The voices had moved down the staircase. It sounded like someone was crying. Was it Amelia? Was she hurt? Chivalry filled his chest. He twisted the knob and strode to the head of the stairs.

The Montgomerys—all four of them—were standing in the foyer. Benjamin had his arms around his mother, who was the one weeping. “I am a grown man, and it's about time you stopped treating me like a child.” His voice was angry, but he continued patting his mother's back as if to comfort her.

In an instant, Jared grasped the situation. His friend was no longer wearing street clothes. He had donned the gray uniform of the Confederate army. He would be going to war. A stab of concern penetrated Jared's heart. He wanted to add his protest to that of Benjamin's family.

“If you had only come to me, son,” Mr. Montgomery's voice was gravelly with pain, “I would have purchased an officer's commission.”

“I can stand on my own two feet, Pa.”

“As a foot soldier, you'll likely be used as cannon fodder.”

Mr. Montgomery's grim pronouncement produced fresh wails from his wife. “Please stop him, Francis. You have to do something.”

Jared was about to retreat to his room to keep from intruding, but he must have made some noise because Amelia looked up. Her troubled blue gaze pierced him. She seemed to be pleading with him. But what could he say? No words could undo Benjamin's actions. He had committed to serve the Confederate army. All they could do was pray for his safety.

“Perhaps Mr. Stuart can convince you.”

He pushed his spectacles up and took a deep breath before heading down the stairs. “I'm sorry, but I heard a commotion.”

Mrs. Montgomery pulled slightly away from her son's shoulder and sent a wobbly smile toward Jared, her eyes red and puffy from her tears. “It's okay, Jared. We consider you part of our family.”

“Yes.” Mr. Montgomery nodded his agreement. “I never thought I would say this, but I wish my son were as liberal as you. At least your parents don't have to worry about your going off to fight.”

Jared wanted nothing more than to return to his room. He felt the same call to arms as his friend. It was hard not to. Most males between the age of fourteen and forty were needed to assure the South's freedom. Freedom. How ironic that Southern leaders sought freedom to determine their own destinies, destinies that relied upon withholding freedom from their slaves.

Benjamin snorted. “You don't have to drag Jared into this. It's my decision. Besides, I probably won't be gone for long. The officer at the recruiting station has a Bible verse on the wall behind him that reads, ‘Five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight.' By this time next month, I'll have whipped so many Yanks, they'll be in full retreat.”

Mrs. Montgomery moaned and pulled a handkerchief from the sleeve of her dress.

The words were sheer bravado. The Confederacy could not claim victory based on the Lord's promises to the Jewish people. Jared knew the South was badly outnumbered and had few resources to rely on. Their best hope was to inflict enough pain on the Union so President Lincoln would withdraw his troops and allow the secession to stand. It was a forlorn hope. Allowing the Union to split would make both sides weaker. The whole nation might disintegrate into dozens of independent countries. The vision of the Founding Fathers to create a cohesive power would be lost.

His lack of belief must have shown on Jared's face. His friend turned away from him. “Fine. If you're all against me, I'll get my things together and leave.” He took a step back from his sniffling mother and pushed his way past Jared.

Amelia tossed an angry glance at Jared before leading her aunt away. What had
he
done? What did she expect of him? Did she want him to chain Benjamin to keep him here? She would do better to blame her betrothed. Luke Talbot had taken Benjamin under his wing in the weeks since the school closed. Her cousin's decision to join the fighting was probably inevitable. No doubt Luke's influence and success had hastened the event.

Perhaps she blamed Jared for not spending more time with Benjamin. It was true that he'd not spent much time with the Montgomery family since Christmas, but the fault for that lay at her door as much as his. He could not abide the thought of Luke and Amelia together, cooing like doves. So he found reasons either to be out of the house or to be closeted in his bedroom. He felt bad to lose the closeness that had developed between him and Amelia. Her insight and intelligence challenged him to think, but their budding relationship shattered when she chose to link her future to another man.

Mr. Montgomery clapped him on the shoulder. “I'd better go to the bank and buy some of those Confederate notes. Since my son has taken the bit between his teeth, I'll need to make sure he has money for provisions.” The man walked away, looking as if he'd aged a decade since last night. His shoulders drooped, and his head hung down.

Jared's heart hurt for him and for the whole Montgomery family. Thumping noises from over his head indicated Benjamin's continued anger.

The door to the library beckoned him, offering a quiet interlude. His heart heavy, Jared sought out its peace and the wisdom he knew he could glean from reading God's Word.

Fourteen

Amelia met Tabitha downstairs, her dark cloak pulled tightly about her. It was well past midnight, and the rest of the household was slumbering peacefully. The day had been eventful, starting with Luke's promotion and her near exposure and ending with Benjamin's decision to join up.

“I don't know if I can leave you.” Tabitha's wide eyes shone with tears.

Amelia hugged her and sniffed a little. “Don't be silly. Think how wonderful it will be to control your own life. You are going to be free the way God intended you to be. You and Melek will settle down in Canada and start a family of your own. After the war is over, Luke and I will come visit you.” She handed Tabitha a small leather pouch. “This contains some money. It should help smooth your path and make sure you have something to get you started in your new life.”

Tabitha nodded and placed the pouch inside the meager bag that held her most precious belongings. “I don't know how to thank you.”

“You can thank me by leading a happy life.” Amelia led the way to the door. She had memorized the instructions on the note Mrs. Downing had passed to her in the parlor. It had said to meet at the same location the lady had taken her to during the rally. The most perilous part of their journey would be avoiding Confederate patrols. They were to approach the church on foot and give the call of a mockingbird. Then they would be met by Melek and his current group of escaped slaves. Tabitha would go with him, and Amelia would return home.

Amelia wished they could use horses for the trek across town, but they would be less detectable on foot. It would take them an hour to walk across town in the dark—their progress would be slowed by having to avoid patrols.

They made their way down the dark streets, barely daring to speak for fear of being caught. Amelia had to stop from time to time and study the map that had been included with Mrs. Downing's instructions.

They were only a few blocks from the church when disaster struck. She turned a corner and nearly walked right into a mounted patrol. For a brief instant, she froze and her entire life seemed to flash in front of her eyes. Then Tabitha grabbed her elbow and pulled her into the recesses of a shadowy doorway. Amelia held her breath, trying to hear if they'd been seen. But neither of the men raised an alarm. They seemed to be half asleep as they walked their tired horses down the street, passing scant feet from where Tabitha and Amelia were hiding.

The two of them waited for several minutes before moving forward.

“That was close.” Tabitha's whisper sounded loud in the quiet street.

Amelia placed a finger over her mouth and nodded. Then she gathered her courage and stepped out of the shadows, half expecting to hear a shout from one of the soldiers. No one, however, pursued them, and they made the rest of the trip without incident.

When Amelia recognized the rendezvous, she pointed it out to Tabitha. Then she tightened her lips and whistled.

After a moment, the hoot of an owl answered. A tall figure materialized out of the darkness. Melek.

They were safe. Tabitha fell into his arms with a cry of relief. Even in the dim light Amelia could see the tenderness on his dark face. It was a poignant moment for her—saying good-bye to her closest friend. But she could do no less. The hope they would see each other again in the future—on earth or definitely in heaven—would have to sustain her.

Melek looked over Tabitha's bowed head at her. “Thank you.”

“Take good care of her.”

“I will.” He smiled down at Tabitha for a moment before returning his attention to Amelia. “Will you be okay by yourself?”

Amelia nodded. “I'll be fine.”

“We need to get started, little flower.”

Tabitha nodded against his shoulder. She pulled away from him and threw her arms around Amelia. “God bless you.”

“He already has.” She felt the words in her heart. Seeing the two of them together was a blessing. Their love was apparent in every glance, every gesture. It was so much deeper than what she felt for Luke. The thought hit her like a blow. The affection she felt toward Luke was a pale shadow of what Melek and Tabitha had. Was it enough to base a marriage upon?

The question seemed to chase her all the way back to her aunt and uncle's home. She didn't know what to do. Should she marry Luke and hope to develop the kind of love Tabitha and Melek had? Or should she end the betrothal and continue looking for the right man? And what about her parents? They would tell her she was being foolish to pine for romantic love. Luke was a good man. He would see to her needs. But was that enough?

The sky was lightening as she snuggled under the pile of quilts on her bed, but sleep still escaped her. She had no idea what to do. Amelia closed her eyes and prayed for guidance, unsure of exactly what answer she was seeking. Eventually peace settled over her, and she drifted into slumber.

❧

Early the next morning, Amelia was awakened by a pounding at her bedroom door.

Before she could answer, Aunt Laura pushed the door open and hurried in. She was dressed in a flowing wrapper, and the long plait of her hair was draped over her shoulder.

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. “What's wrong?”

“Have you seen Tabitha this morning?”

Amelia rubbed her eyes and tried to arrange her thoughts. She glanced about the room as if expecting Tabitha to appear in one of the corners. “No, why?”

Aunt Laura clasped her hands in a prayerful gesture. “It seems your slave has run away.”

“Run away? Tabitha? Are you sure?” Amelia was proud of the confused tone in her voice. She ought to be an actress. “Perhaps she's gone on an errand and will be back in a little while.”

Her aunt considered the suggestion then shook her head. “Someone would know if she'd been sent on an errand. No, I'm afraid she's escaped. You'll likely never see her again.”

The poignancy of their good-byes came back to Amelia full force. “I hope she's safe.”

“Safe? You hope she's safe? I wish that was my only concern. I don't know how we'll tell your parents that their valuable property has disappeared.”

Amelia slid her toes out of the bed. “Don't worry about that. I'll tell Papa when I return home. Perhaps I'll say she ran away during our journey back to Nashville. That way he can't blame you at all.”

A calculating look came over her aunt's face, but then she sighed. “No, we can't do that. It's not Christian to lie, even to protect one's self.” She shook her head. “I'll send one of our slaves up to help you dress. Do you have a preference?”

“No.” Amelia forced the word out. She could barely focus on her aunt's dithering for the truth the woman had just uttered. Lying, even to protect one's self, was not acceptable behavior for a Christian. She knew that, but somehow she'd forgotten it. She opened her mouth to confess her part in Tabitha's disappearance, but shouts from outside stopped her.

Amelia ran to the window to see what was going on. “It's Captain Talbot. I wonder why he's here.”

Her aunt hurried over to where she stood. “You're not expecting your betrothed?”

Concern swept Amelia. “No. Something must have happened.” She urged Aunt Laura out of the bedroom and made short work of her toilette. Her stays were not as tight as usual, her skirt felt slightly askew, and her hair was a mess, but she was downstairs at the door to the library in less than fifteen minutes.

She stood still for a moment to catch her breath and heard Luke's accusing voice, punctuated by her uncle's angry questions. She knocked briefly and entered, stopping all conversation.

Jared was sitting in his usual spot next to the window. Luke was leaning over him, his fist balled as though he wanted to beat the truth out of Jared. Uncle Francis was ensconced behind his desk, and she had never seen him looking so grave, even on the day Benjamin joined the army.

“What's going on in here?” Amelia walked over to Luke and placed her hand on his arm. The muscles in it were as hard as granite. “Luke? What's wrong?”

He glared at her. “Treason.”

Fear raked her spine. Amelia could almost feel the noose tightening around her throat. “What do you mean?”

“Someone in this household has been helping slaves escape.”

This was even worse than she had imagined. “Why would you think such a thing?”

“We captured a runaway slave last night. Most of his group got away, but we did learn the identity of at least one of them.” Luke's gaze clashed with hers once more. “Tabitha.”

She could feel the blood draining from her cheeks. “Aunt L–Laura said she was missing, but I. . .I thought she was on an errand.”

“Only if her errand is in Canada.”

“Did you catch her, too?” She squeezed the question out of her tight throat.

“No.”

Amelia sat down on the sofa with a thump. At least Tabitha had gotten away. A prayer of thanksgiving filled her. “I see.”

“It's not your fault. Tabitha should have been grateful for her easy station.” He turned and pointed a finger at Jared. “She would still be here if not for the Judas in your midst.”

A glint caught her attention and Amelia gasped. A pair of handcuffs dangled from Luke's hand. “You're arresting Jared?”

Luke nodded. “Don't look so upset, Amelia. You should be congratulating me. Jared Stuart is the Mockingbird.”

She sprang from the sofa and watched in horror as he fastened the cuffs around Jared's wrists. “This is absurd, Luke. He cannot be the Mockingbird.”

Luke's eyebrows rose. “I know you feel sympathy for Jared, but you needn't try to protect him. The man we caught told us the leader of the group was connected to this household. And Jared is the only one with abolitionist leanings.”

Amelia knew his logic was faulty, but she couldn't tell Luke that without exposing herself. “It can't be Jared. It has to be someone else.”

Uncle Francis put an arm around her shoulders. “There is no one else, dear.”

She shook her head. “No.” What could she do to stop Jared's arrest? Her mind couldn't come up with a plan. She had to do something, but she had no idea what.

Luke marched Jared out of the house as she watched helplessly. Everything was spiraling out of control—like an unstoppable spring flood.

“I know you're as shocked as I am.” Uncle Francis shook his head slowly. “Remember, I'm the one who recently told my son he should be more like Jared.”

Amelia wanted to run after the two men, but what would she say? If she confessed the truth, she would be arrested. And her guiltless relatives would face suspicion and disgrace. “Where is Luke taking him?”

“To the school. Our friend General Zollicoffer has already filled all the jails. It seems many traitors reside in our fair city.”

But Amelia knew this time Luke had the wrong person. She was the
real
traitor. . .to Luke, to her parents, to her aunt and uncle, and now to Jared. But most importantly—and tragically—to God.