Chapter Thirty-Two
Carrie was up long before the rest of the house. Her father had not once mentioned Ike Adams and the slaves, but she knew today would be different. Would he accept her explanation? A soft noise caused her to look up just as Rose entered the house to slip down the hall. “Rose,” she called softly.
Rose started but smiled when she saw only Carrie. “You scared me, Miss Carrie.” She walked over and joined her friend next to the Christmas tree. “You’re up mighty early.”
Carrie nodded and looked at her friend. “You look exhausted. Is everything all right?”
Rose hesitated. “Ike Adams was on his way here last night to talk to your father.”
Carrie waited. She knew there was more to the story.
Rose shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t really know what happened. Moses only had time to tell me everything was all right when he came in this morning.”
“Moses! What did he have to do with it?” Suddenly Carrie was frightened. She knew how much Adams hated Moses already.
Rose shrugged again and looked around. “Later, Miss Carrie. All I know is that he stopped him,” she whispered.
Footsteps were heard on the stairs. Rose melted from the room and disappeared into the kitchen. Carrie was left to stare and wonder.
“Merry Christmas, Carrie.”
Carrie forced a quick smile to her lips, grateful her father was so preoccupied. Before her mother died, she never would have gotten away with the game she was now playing. Her father would have known in an instant she was hiding something. “Merry Christmas, Father.”
Thomas gave her a quick hug and then turned to sink into his chair. After his initial greeting, he seemed content to stare into the flames of the fire. Carrie could tell his thoughts had already moved on to Richmond and what was waiting for him when he returned. It was just as well, she thought with a sigh. She sat down in the chair next to the fire and allowed her own thoughts to wonder.
Finally, her father came out of his reverie. “What time will the slaves be here this morning?”
Carrie shook her head. “They won’t be, Father.” Thomas looked startled—with good reason. The slaves of Cromwell Plantation always came to the big house on Christmas morning. It was as much a tradition as the Yule log. Carrie hastened to explain. “I didn’t want to share you this year, Father,” she said with a smile. “You’re home for such a short period of time...” She allowed her voice to drift off sadly, almost laughing at her performance. “I handed out all the clothing and gifts the day before you got here. The slaves seemed very happy. They all sent their best to you.”
This strange turn of events seemed to have shaken Thomas from his lethargy. He frowned quickly. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
Carrie smiled. “This is the first time you have mentioned the slaves, Father. I thought you had plenty else to occupy your thoughts.”
Thomas stared at her for a brief moment. “I’ve been selfish, haven’t I, Carrie? You are carrying all the weight of the plantation yourself.” He shook his head as he talked.
However, Carrie realized just how content she was running the plantation. It was not her dream, but she was suddenly very sure she was where she was supposed to be and doing what she was supposed to do. “You’re not being selfish at all, Father.” She moved over and knelt next to his chair. “I am quite happy here.”
Thomas stared at her as if trying to make himself believe it. “I should at least speak with Ike Adams. Thank heavens you have a competent overseer!”
Carrie controlled the sneer of contempt that almost surfaced. She settled for shaking her head. “Mr. Adams has worked very hard this year. I gave him some time off for Christmas. I do believe he has gone to visit family.” When Thomas frowned again, she hastened to reassure him. “We’re managing fine here, Father. Didn’t you say the place looked wonderful?”
Thomas nodded. “You’re doing a superb job.” Still, his eyes were troubled.
Carrie knew she needed to steer him away from the topic of the plantation. “And you’re doing a wonderful job, Father. I’m so proud of what you’re doing in Richmond. What will happen now that South Carolina has seceded?” She knew she was breaking her own rule of no politics on Christmas, but it was the only sure way she knew to distract her father. It worked. He was still talking when Robert and Matthew descended the stairs.
Breakfast was a casual affair as they settled down around the table to laugh and talk. Everyone ate their share of the grilled chicken, eggs, ham, fish, hominy grits and biscuits piled high on platters set before them. The rest of the morning passed pleasantly as they played games, sang around the piano and talked.
Around noon, Robert turned to Carrie. “Could I talk you into a ride? I could use some fresh air and exercise.” Carrie quickly agreed, but cast a look at Matthew sitting across the room with her father.
He seemed to read her thoughts as he looked up with a quick smile. “Leave me out of this one, please. I would much rather sit here with your father. My hectic schedule has left me desiring no more than peace and quiet.”
Carrie turned to Robert with a smile. “Let’s go!”
Christmas Day, 1860, was cold but not bitter. The sun shone brightly and the wind was calm. Carrie was thrilled to get outside and release some of her nervous energy. The strain of keeping up appearances the last few days was beginning to tell on her. She knew the house servants were perfectly capable of putting the finishing touches on their Christmas dinner. And so, without even thinking about it, Carrie headed Granite toward her place. Little was said until she and Robert were standing, side by side, on the banks of the James.
“Everything has been wonderful, Carrie.”
Carrie turned to him. “I’m so glad. I wanted it to be special.” She made no protest when he took her gently in his arms. She stood quietly and absorbed his warmth and strength.
Finally Robert spoke. “Is it time yet, Carrie?”
He said nothing else, but Carrie knew what he meant. Was it time for him to tell her how he felt? Carrie longed to say yes. She also knew that saying yes would destroy the magic they were experiencing now. To say yes would mean she would have to face all the things that stood as barriers between them. She knew the courageous thing to do. She could continue to put it off, but sooner or later, she would have to face it. She stood quietly as the battle raged in her heart. Then, knowing she was a coward, she slowly shook her head.
She felt Robert’s frustrated sigh, but he said nothing and held her a little tighter. Carrie hated herself for the game she was playing—except it wasn’t a game. She knew she loved this man. She also knew that as long as they kept a distance, they wouldn’t have to fight about the issues that had caused so much trouble in the past. She pulled away to look into his eyes. “Thank you,” she said softly.
Robert stared back for a long moment and groaned low in his throat. He pulled her close into a tight embrace, lowered his head, and claimed her lips with a gentle, warm kiss.
Carrie knew she should resist, that this kind of closeness would make the game harder to play, but she was powerless to do so. Everything in her responded eagerly. She encircled his neck with her arms and clung to him, her heart pounding. She lost all track of time as his lips exposed all the love in her heart.
Finally he pulled away. They stared at each other but didn’t move from their embrace. Robert’s voice was hoarse when he spoke. “I will wait, Miss Carrie Cromwell. I will wait for as long as it takes.”
Ike Adams came to slowly, confused and aching. Where was he? What had happened? The last thing he remembered was trotting down the road on Ginger. Where had he been going? He frowned, trying to remember. Cromwell! He had been on his way to see Thomas Cromwell. He was going to be late! Surging forward, he tried to stand, only to discover he couldn’t move. Pain exploded in his head. He moaned and lay back on the ground as he tried to get his bearings.
He forced himself to lie quietly, allowing his head to clear and his eyes to adjust to the dim light of wherever he was. Gradually, he realized his hands and feet were bound with ropes, and he was in some kind of small shack. A tiny beam of light shining through the cracks cast a faint amount of illumination as he looked around. Things looked strangely familiar. His brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of it. The pain in his head was abating, and he could think more clearly now. He tested the ropes and realized they were loosely tied. It took him only a few minutes to break loose from their confines.
He sat up slowly, knowing quick movement could make him pass out again. When his head had cleared sufficiently, he stood and looked around him, his confusion growing. Why did everything look so familiar? What had happened to him? What time was it? A noise outside brought his head up sharply. He eased over to the door and crouched, ready to attack whatever came through the door.
A child’s laugh filled the air as the door was thrown open. Ike tensed to spring forward, and then stopped, confused. “Joseph!” he exclaimed. “What you doing here, boy?”
“Daddy?” The slight, five-year-old boy crept forward, his eyes wide with fear and surprise. “What you doing here, Daddy? How come you didn’t come home for Christmas?”
Adams stared at him, trying to make sense of all of it. “What day is it, Joseph?”
“It’s Christmas Day, Daddy. We just finished dinner a little while ago. We waited and waited, and then Mommy said you must not be coming.” He paused, taking in his father’s wild condition. “I saved your Christmas present for you, Daddy.”
Adams pushed past him and stalked out into the clearing. “How the hell did I get in my own shed, not more than a hundred feet from my cabin? Who’s playing games on me? Somebody is going to pay for this!”
Joseph shrunk back against the shed.
Adams’ angry roaring brought Eulalia hurrying out of the ramshackle cabin. “Ike Adams? Where have you been?”
Adams continued to stalk around, growling under his breath.
“Daddy’s been in the shed, Mommy,” Joseph offered.
Eulalia pulled her son to her side in a warm embrace and waited for Ike to explain. “Things not go too good with Cromwell, Ike?”
Ike spun around, glad to have another target for his anger. “I ain’t never seen Cromwell,” he shouted. He looked down and realized his pockets were all pulled out. He held them out to her. “Somebody done robbed me. Then they brought me back and dumped me in our shed.” He didn’t need Eulalia’s look to tell him how ridiculous his story sounded. He shook his head but could remember nothing.
Suddenly he whirled around to look at the sun. Its position on the western horizon told him it was late. He knew it was of no use, but still, he had to try. Somehow knowing what he would find, he stalked over to the barn and threw open the door. Just as he expected, Ginger was munching hay contentedly, looking like nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all. Adams groaned. Was he really going crazy? Had he gotten drunk and couldn’t even remember it? He moved quickly to grab his saddle and felt a sharp pain shoot through his head. He put a hand to the back of his head and grimaced at the large lump he encountered. Someone had attacked him all right. Growling under his breath, he swore and cursed as he planned his vengeance. It took only minutes to saddle and bridle his rested mare.
He said nothing to his watching family as he swung into his saddle and headed for Cromwell at a gallop. Maybe, just maybe, he would get there in time. His thirst for vengeance increased as he rode. So, too, did his realization that he had no idea what had happened. Who could he vent his anger upon?
Robert, obviously not caring who was watching, took Carrie in his arms again before he climbed into the carriage. “I’ll see you soon,” he promised.
Carrie smiled back at him. “I hope so.” She had already said goodbye to her father and Matthew. She watched now as Robert joined the other two men in the carriage. Charles lifted the reins and the horses moved forward eagerly. Carrie stood until they had disappeared around the farthest bend. The sun was setting on the horizon as she tried to catch one final glimpse. They were getting a late start back to Richmond, but her father had seemed to sense Robert’s reluctance to leave, and had allowed them to linger over the sumptuous Christmas feast long after they should have been on their way.
Just as Carrie turned to enter the house, she heard the pounding of hoof beats approaching from the opposite direction. She moved to the edge of the porch. What she saw made her lips tighten with anger.
“I figured he might show up.” The deep voice came from just behind her.
Carrie started violently. “Moses! Where did you come from? You scared me half to death!”
“Sorry, Miss Carrie.” Moses continued to stare down the road. “That’s Ike Adams, you know.”
Carrie nodded shortly. “Go inside the house. I’ll handle this.” She spoke more sternly when Moses opened his mouth to protest. “Your being here will only make him angrier. Please go inside.” When Moses nodded and turned away, she added quietly, “Just don’t go far.”
Moses looked back with a quick smile and reached for the door. It opened before he could touch it. Rose stepped out onto the porch quickly. “Here, Miss Carrie. You might need this.”
Carrie reached for the rifle Rose held out to her. “Thank you.” She turned to stare down the road and wait for her unwelcome visitor. Rose and Moses gave her one final look and disappeared into the house. Carrie took comfort in knowing they were just on the other side of the door.
“Good afternoon, Miss Cromwell.” Adams seemed determined not to look at the gun she was cradling in her arms. He cast his eyes around, looking for her father’s carriage.
Carrie made no attempt to acknowledge his greeting. “I believe I told you never to set foot on Cromwell Plantation again, Mr. Adams.” Her voice was cold.
Adams narrowed his eyes in anger. “I have come to see your father, Miss Cromwell.”
“My father is not here.”
“Did he leave recently?” Adams asked.
Carrie wanted to smile at the pleading whine creeping into his voice. “I don’t believe my father’s activities are of any interest to you, Mr. Adams.” Her voice grew colder. “I don’t believe any activities on Cromwell Plantation should be of interest to you. It would be best if you left.”
Adams stared down the road.
Carrie read his thoughts. Shifting the gun so that the barrel was pointed in his direction, she smiled pleasantly. “I’m not going to say it again, Mr. Adams. I want you off Cromwell Plantation. And I want you to leave by the quickest route—the way you came.” Her heart pounded as she wondered whether she would actually shoot the despicable man if he tried to catch her father.
Adams turned to glare at her. “One of these days, Miss Carrie Cromwell, you’re not going to be standing behind the barrel of a gun. You’d best be watching yourself.”
“And you’d best be watching yourself!” Moses and Sam spoke in unison as they stepped out onto the porch behind Carrie. “You got nothing but enemies around here, Adams,” Moses said in a deep, angry voice. “Miss Carrie has plenty of friends.”
Adams stared up at the massive black man glaring down at him, cursed loudly, spun, and took off at a gallop.
Carrie stared after him with a deep frown, then she turned and put a hand on Moses’ arm. “Thank you. But I’m afraid you may have made even more trouble for yourself.”
“Adams ain’t nothing but trouble, Miss Carrie. It’s bound to come sooner or later. I reckon I’m just going to have to deal with it when it comes.”
“I suppose you’re right, Moses.” Carrie sighed. “I like to pretend trouble away sometimes, but I suppose it’s better to accept the truth of a situation. At least that way, you know what you’re up against and can prepare for it.” She looked up just in time to catch the quick look Sam shot at Moses. “What is it, Sam?”
Sam averted his eyes and shook his head. “It ain’t nothin’, Miss Carrie.”
Normally Carrie would have let it go, but something caused her to press the issue. She walked over and looked up at her old friend. “I’ve known you all my life, Sam. What is going on?” Still, he shook his head and kept his eyes down. Frustrated, Carrie looked at Moses and Rose. “What is going on around here?” she demanded.
Rose frowned and looked away. Moses did the same. Suddenly, Carrie was frightened. What were they hiding from her? “Rose?”
“We didn’t want to say anything to you, Miss Carrie.”
“About what?” Carrie was confused.
“About Robert,” Sam said in a low voice.
“About Robert?” Carrie echoed. Now she was completely confused. “I think we all need to go inside.” As soon as they entered the warmth of the house, she turned to them. “I want to know what in the world is going on.”
Sam looked at Rose in mute appeal. She studied Carrie closely and slowly nodded. “Carrie said it’s better to accept the truth of a situation.”
Carrie waited quietly, her body tense.
Sam looked down but spoke in a steady voice. “We knows how you feel ‘bout beating slaves, Miss Carrie. I done got some news a few weeks back about your Robert.”
Carrie listened closely, a sick dread rising in her throat.
Sam cleared his throat and continued. “Back in the fall, Robert Borden had some of his slaves run off. He done went after them, but they were long gone. He decided he was gonna teach his other slaves to not even think ‘bout doin’ the same thing. So’s he went down to the quarters....” His voice choked, and he fell silent.
“Tell me what happened, Sam.” Carrie didn’t even recognize her own controlled voice.
“He took a whip with him, Miss Carrie. He took three of the slaves—one man, one woman, and a child. He... He...” Sam shook his head as tears welled in his eyes. “The child didn’t make it. The other two were still in bed the last I heard.”
Carrie gasped as huge tears welled in her eyes. The picture of the slaves flashed in her mind, overlaid with the horror that it was the man she loved who had done such a thing. All she could do was shake her head, at a loss to understand all she felt.
“I’m sorry, Miss Carrie.”
Carrie dimly realized Rose was speaking to her, but she couldn’t reach through the fog that was settling on her heart. With a cry, she jerked away and ran for the stairs.
Moses’ voice followed her. “You did the right thing, Sam. Robert Borden has to let go of the hate in his heart if he is going to love Miss Carrie the way she needs to be loved. She had to know the truth.”
Carrie sobbed until her pillow was soaked. Then she pulled herself up and walked over to stare out the window into the cloudless sky. How could she have fallen in love with a man who could do what Robert Borden had done? She bit her lip, tears falling freely again. Why did love have to hurt so much? What was she going to do?
There were no answers, only more questions, as she finally drifted off into a troubled sleep.