Mockingbird's Call (3 page)

Amelia put a hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs and stumbled out of the room. In the space of one afternoon, everything had changed so much that she wondered if she would ever be allowed to come home again.

Three

Amelia was already tired by the time they reached the train station in Nashville, even though it was not yet midday. She, Luke Talbot, and her maid, Tabitha, had departed before daylight to ensure their timely arrival. The chaos they encountered at the crowded depot was overwhelming and frightening for someone who rarely ventured from her parents' plantation. She was glad to have the escort of an experienced traveler. Luke had made the trip to Knoxville several times and knew exactly where they should go.

Feeling like a country bumpkin, Amelia gazed on the large brick building that was the station house. It was an odd-looking building with crenulated towers and roof and two enormous arched doorways that made her feel tiny in comparison.

Off in the distance at the very top of a hill, she saw the newly completed state capitol, with its soaring central tower and tall white columns. The sight made her proud to be from the state of Tennessee. If only the North and the South could put aside their differences and come to some kind of agreement. She wished she was smart enough to figure out a solution to eliminate the need for slave labor. The barbaric practice was tearing the country apart. No matter how long she spent in exile with her relatives, Amelia knew she would never change her mind on this topic. One day, she hoped to see all of Papa's slaves set free. But that was a problem for another day. Today, she needed to concentrate on her journey.

Train tracks ran hither and yon around the station in a dizzying patchwork. She held on to Luke's arm with one hand as he threaded his way around crowds of people and piles of luggage. Her skirt threatened to tangle around her ankles, and Amelia wished she might have worn her hoops instead of five layers of petticoats. But hoops, although cooler, would be impractical once she was seated on one of the benches in the passenger car. She glanced over her shoulder several times to make certain Tabitha had not gotten separated from them, reassured when encountering the smile on her slave's face. She thanked God again for Papa's decision to allow Tabitha to accompany her duringher exile. No matter how many strangers she encountered over the coming year, Amelia knew she would have one friend in Knoxville—two counting Luke Talbot.

All the noise and smoke was overwhelming. Amelia was a bit worried she might lose her grasp on Luke's strong arm and vanish in the swirling, noisy crowd. She'd never seen so many people. Young men in uniform vied for space amongst soberly clad businessmen. Importunate merchants hawked everything from newspapers to blankets. Shouts and grunts filled the air as slaves loaded cargo into crowded boxcars.

The smells of overheated bodies and live animals pushed in on her and made Amelia yearn for the country and a breath of fresh air. But she might as well put that behind her. Papa had made it clear she was not to come home before this time next year. By then, he said, the fighting would be over and things would be back to normal. He also made it clear she was to learn her place while staying in Knoxville. He wanted her to set aside reading newspapers and confine herself to novels to avoid further addling her thinking. He'd warned of dire consequences if she did not learn to conform her behavior to what was expected of a Southern lady of means.

“We are nearly there.” Luke pointed to a long, black car with wide windows that vaguely resembled an iron carriage. It was one in a long line of cars attached to a locomotive that belched black smoke from a tall pipe at its front.

“Praise God.” Amelia felt Luke's gaze on her and looked up at him. He was such a nice man, and she had forgotten how handsome he was. He seemed so much more grown-up now, perhaps because of the years he'd spent away at college. He sported a thin mustache and neatly trimmed side whiskers that made him appear older than his twenty years. Gone was the lanky youngster she remembered from their shared childhood. Luke carried himself well, as befitted the eldest son of a wealthy planter. His well-made clothing was fashionable, from the brim of his tall black hat to the polished toes of his leather boots.

“I am looking forward to getting back to Knoxville.” He patted her hand. “I know you will enjoy yourself there, Amelia. I hope to call on you often. Perhaps your uncle will allow me to escort you about town once you are settled in.”

She nodded. “It will be comforting to know I have a friend nearby.”

Luke smiled, showing his even, white teeth. “You may be certain of that. But I have the feeling it will not take long for someone as pretty as you to acquire a wide circle of admirers. I only hope you will still remember me then.”

Amelia reached for her fan and opened it in front of her face to cover her embarrassment. She did not know how to answer Luke. If she agreed with his compliment she would appear conceited, but if she disagreed he might think she meant that she would no longer remember him as a friend once she became established. Uncertain of what to say, she decided to say nothing and pretended a sudden interest in a group of people who were standing a few feet away.

They appeared to be a family saying good-bye to a young man about her age. The older lady wore a wide spring bonnet on her head, its upturned bill decorated with a bunch of flowers and greenery. She might have stepped out of
Godey's Lady's Book
, with her pale yellow bodice and matching skirt. She leaned over and kissed the young man, making his cheeks redden. He pushed his spectacles up on his nose and turned to the tall, handsome man who must be his father. Amelia wondered if the older man was a politician. He looked distinguished enough to be the governor. She watched as the two shook hands and embraced in the awkward way of men. Then the young man turned to a pair of ladies who were either sisters or some other close relatives. They all had the same look about them—tall, attractive, and openly affectionate.

An unexpected jab of envy straightened Amelia's spine. She'd always wanted to be part of a close-knit family like the one she was watching. Her parents had not bothered to accompany their only daughter to Nashville. Where had she gone wrong? Must she compromise her beliefs to be loved by her parents? Or was she destined to always fight alone for what she believed was right? Another thought struck her. Why was she so certain she was right? Perhaps the young man she was watching was more humble than she. Or was he simply the type who blindly embraced the beliefs of his elders?

Amelia sniffed and picked up the skirt of her gown with her free hand. The bespectacled young man was probably devoid of principles and incapable of independent thought. She was cut from different cloth. Amelia had been brought up on the Bible, and she knew right from wrong. She would not bow to her parents or anyone else who tried to convince her to abandon her principles. So what if she had to go live with strangers for a year? She was determined to make the best of the situation. All she had to do was keep herself from getting involved in political matters and concentrate on enjoying the round of parties and social events her relatives would no doubt be invited to. Then she could return home older, wiser, and more able to persuade her parents that times were changing.

After leading her to a seat in one of the passenger cars, Luke bent over Amelia. “I'm going to take Tabitha with me to make sure your luggage has been loaded. Are you comfortable?”

“Don't worry about me.” Amelia put a bright smile on her face even though she didn't much like the idea of being left completely alone. Tabitha knew all of their trunks, but she could not be sent by herself lest she be picked up by a bounty hunter mistaking her for an escaping slave. “I have Mr. Dickens's book to read. I'll be fine until you return.”

❧

Jared leaned out of the doorway and waved until the train turned a bend and he could no longer see his family. He stepped into the narrow space between cars and pulled off his spectacles which had unaccountably become blurry. The problem couldn't be connected to the burning sensation in his eyes. That would mean he was crying. Grown men didn't cry. Surreptitiously, he wiped the lenses clean and replaced the spectacles, looking around to see if he'd been noticed.

He opened the door in front of him just as the train lurched. Allowing the movement to push him forward, Jared passed several benches and chose one that was unoccupied. That's when he noticed the lovely young lady sitting on the other side of the aisle from him.

She glanced in his direction before modestly returning her attention to the book in her lap. She was the most beautiful girl in the world. The quick glance she sent his direction showed eyes as blue as a summer sky. He also noticed her delicate complexion and generous, bow-shaped mouth. Although her hair was pulled up and mostly hidden under her bonnet, he could see shimmering strands around her face that reminded him of sun-drenched corn silk. She could be the subject of poetry, perhaps the fabled Helen of Troy.

The train began to pick up speed as they moved farther away from the station, seeming to race as quickly as his mind. Where was the young lady's maid? Was she traveling alone? Chivalry filled his chest and squared his shoulders. Like a knight of old he could watch over her and make sure she reached Chattanooga safely.

His imagination soared. Over the next couple of hours, Jared would gradually win her confidence and offer her his protection. If she was traveling beyond Chattanooga on this train, he would speak to the conductor about her and make certain a suitable replacement would help her reach her final destination. If by some miraculous chance she was journeying to Knoxville, he would guard her from all the dangers they might encounter. It was the least he could do. If one of his sisters found herself traveling alone in these dangerous times, he would hope some man might do the same.

He tilted his head to see what she might be reading. Perhaps that would be a good place to start a conversation. It was a fairly thick volume, so not a book of poetry. Jared craned his neck farther but could not see the title. He thought he saw her gaze slide in his direction, so Jared sat back and straightened his cravat. He didn't want to make her nervous.

After a moment, she returned her attention to her book and turned a page. From the corner of his vision he saw a red ribbon she must be using as a bookmark flutter to the floor between their seats. Jared reached down for it at the same time as the young woman, narrowly avoiding a head collision.

He plucked the ribbon from the floor and put it in her hand, noticing her dainty wrist and long fingers. “You dropped your ribbon.” He nearly groaned as he heard the words. He sounded like a simpleton. Why couldn't he think of something besides the obvious to say?

“Thank you.” Her smile was perfect, friendly but shy. Her fingers closed over the ribbon, and she settled back in her seat.

Say something!
His mind screamed the words, but nothing came to him. His gaze lit on her book. She had partially closed it when she reached for the ribbon. He saw the title and inspiration struck. “You're reading
A Tale of Two Cities
.
What do you think of it? Dickens is one of my favorite authors. I was hoping to procure a copy of that novel before leaving Nashville, but with this and that, I never quite found the time to visit the bookseller. I hope to purchase it once I reach Knoxville. If I can find someone to tell me where the bookseller is located, of course.” He cringed as he realized he was babbling.

She opened her mouth to answer him but was stopped by the arrival of a broad-shouldered man who looked a year or two older, and much more debonair than Jared could ever hope to be. A brother?

“Is this man bothering you, Amelia?” The newcomer's ferocious frown raked Jared from head to foot, and Jared's hope of protecting the pretty traveler withered.

“Oh no, Luke.” She reached up and put a hand on the man's arm. “I was clumsy enough to drop my bookmark, and he most kindly returned it to me.”

A harrumph from Luke indicated his skepticism. “You ought not speak to strangers, Amelia, no matter the circumstances.” He turned to the black woman standing quietly in the aisle. “Sit down next to your mistress, Tabitha. Perhaps between us, we can keep her out of trouble.”

Jared stared straight ahead, but he could see the two women settling next to each other. The hair prickled on the back of his neck, and he looked up to see the belligerent Luke standing over him and frowning.

“Would you move over?” The man's voice was filled with exasperation.

“Oh.” Jared could feel his cheeks heating up. “Of course.” He grabbed the tails of his coat and scooted toward the window.

Luke's frown never disappeared, even as he sat down and pulled out his watch to check the time. If this man was Amelia's brother, he must take after another side of the family. While she was fair and delicate, he was dark, with ebony hair and eyes. His mustache and side whiskers made him appear more sophisticated than his companions. Jared stroked his own face, wishing he could grow a respectable mustache or maybe even a beard. His smooth chin, coupled with his spectacles, had caused many a new acquaintance to think he was still a boy.

“I beg your pardon, sir.” Jared fingered his cravat once more. “I meant no disrespect to the lady.” He wanted to explain his motives but decided to leave well enough alone when he encountered another glare from the man. Instead, he settled back against the wooden seat and gazed out the window at the passing scenery. Eventually, the rhythmic clacking of the train's wheels eased his embarrassment and lulled him into a state of somnolence.

A feminine giggle roused him, and Jared looked past the broad chest of his seatmate toward Amelia and her maid. What was the latter's name? It was something biblical. His mind searched. Tabitha! That was it. Both women had removed their bonnets during the trip, and now they sat whispering together, their heads nearly touching. It was a charming sight, straight blond tresses mixing with ebony curls. He was glad to see they were enjoying their journey. He would have liked to join their conversation, but he knew the man sitting next to him would never abide such a thing.