Karen Michelle Nutt (13 page)

She stopped in front of one of the cabins. "She's in there," Arianna said like this explained everything.

"Who's in there?"

"Sophie. She desperately needs your help. She went into labor and the baby is turned the wrong way."

"This still doesnae explain why I’m here."

"You have to turn the baby," she blurted out, her eyes pleading.

Keldon ran his hand through his hair. "I cannae do that. Have ye lost yer senses?"

"You saved the calf," Arianna insisted. She touched his arm, a wistful gesture Keldon didn’t miss. "You can save Sophie and the baby, too."

She looked up at him with hope and trust. She believed he could work a miracle, but what she suggested was insane. He removed her hand from him. "I'm sorry, I cannae do it.” He turned away intent on heading back to the house, but Arianna’s next words halted him.

"Coward!" Arianna hissed.

Keldon stopped dead in his tracks.

"You care more for your animals than you care for the people you are responsible for."

He turned on her then. His eyes were like shards of green ice, ready to tear into her. "Ye dare say, I doonae care.” He walked the few spaces back to where she stood. His handsome face grew hard and resentful as he towered over her.

Maybe she’d pushed him too far.

"It's because I do care that I cannae do this. I doonae want anythin’ to happen to Sophie.”

His deep voice held a strange edge of passion that moved her and she placed her hand on his arm.

He looked down at her. “What I did for the wee calf is all too different. I cannae verra weel treat Sophie like a heifer. She’s a person and I couldnae live with myself if I killed her."

"If you don't do something, she's already dead," she implored, never letting her gaze waver. She knew in her heart, Keldon was Sophie's only hope. If he walked back to the house, Sophie would die.

Keldon broke the gaze, nervously running his hand through his hair.

Arianna waited as she watched him work through what she asked of him.

He took a deep breath and looked at her again. "Ye’re goin’ to have to help me. Are ye up to that?"

"I'll do whatever you say.”

He grunted something unintelligible under his breath and they entered the cabin.

Arianna insisted Keldon scrub his hands thoroughly. Then she poured his good whiskey over them. He thought she was daft, but she explained it was to fight infection. He decided he didn't have the time for her to clarify how she knew this. Time was of the essence. Sophie weakened by the second. If by some miracle, he turned the child around, he feared she wouldn’t have the strength to push.

He walked over to the bedside. "We're goin’ to try and make that stubborn bairn of yers turn the right way. Ye’re going to have to help me, lass. I willnae lie to ye. What I'm goin’ to do will hurt somethin’ fierce, but it's the only way. Do ye ken?"

Sophie nodded and Arianna took hold of her hand. "You squeeze as hard as you need to," she told her.

****

Four hours later, Sophie delivered a healthy baby boy. After Arianna bathed the baby, she wrapped him in a small blanket and handed him over to his mother. "He's perfect, Sophie. What are you going to name him?"

Sophie kissed the top of the tiny baby's head. “Elijah.” She then looked at Annabelle, her mistress, who she had once feared. Maeve had been right; Annabelle no longer existed. "Thank-you, Miss Arianna."

"I didn't do anything."

"Yas'm you did. You brought Mista Keldon here ter save me and my chile.” She looked at Keldon now. "Thank you.” Sophie's eyes had misted with tears of joy, for she and her child were alive.

"Ye’re verra welcome, Sophie. Ye rest now.” Keldon motioned to Arianna that it was time for them to leave.

On the way back to the house, Arianna quietly slipped her hand into Keldon’s, giving it an affectionate squeeze. He was so startled he missed his step. He glanced at her questionably, but Arianna didn’t turn to meet his gaze.

He didn’t know this woman who cared for others and went out of her way to help them. He sighed wearily. If only she would remain like this, but he kept waiting for the old Annabelle to resurface and wreck her vengeance.

He glanced down at their clasped hands, liking the feel of her small hand in his. He laced his fingers through hers, giving her hand a quick squeeze, too.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Arianna leaned on the counter as she watched Maeve and Oni prepare for the day’s meals. "Where’s Elijah’s father?”

Both women stopped what they were doing and exchanged worried glances. Arianna didn't understand why they hesitated to tell her.

Oni cleared her throat. "You done sold Thaddeus."

"Sold him?” Arianna stood up and closed her eyes, mortified over her past transgressions. Would she ever learn something about herself that wasn’t so revolting?

Maeve put a comforting arm around her. "It ain't your fault."

Arianna knew Maeve held fast to her conviction that she was someone else, but it wasn’t possible. How could she have switched places with another person? She had to face the facts. She’d been an awful, conniving and uncaring person. She should thank the Lord that the blow to her head knocked common decency into her. "Whom did I sell him to?" she asked determined to correct the wrongdoing.

"Mista Prescott," Oni answered.

“I’ll tell him I’ve changed my mind and want him back."

Again, Oni and Maeve exchanged glances.

"What's wrong?” Arianna was almost afraid to ask.

"Mista Prescott, he never sells his slaves. They die dere.” Oni sadly shook her head.

"We’ll see about that.”

Maeve’s eyes narrowed. “You have a wicked gleam in your eyes, Miss Arianna. Wut’s you plannin’ ter do?”

“Hmm?” She looked at Maeve. “Do? I plan on fixing this.”

“Wut’s you mean fixin’?”

“You told me you had powders that would help a headache. Just how potent can you make the remedy?”

****

Once the Prescott’s home loomed before Arianna, she lost some of her confidence, but she couldn’t back down now. Everyone was relying on her to bring Thaddeus back to Blue Run.

On the way over, she informed Samuel of her plans. Well some of it. She purposely left out the parts he might find objectionable. She didn’t want him to stop her. Samuel didn't come right out and call her a fool, but his raised brows said it all.

Straightening her dress, Arianna looked at Samuel. "Wish me luck."

Samuel’s mouth twitched. "You’s goin' ter need it, Miss Arianna. I ain't ever seen Mista Prescott part with nothin', slave or otherwise."

"I plan on being very persuasive.” With her package in hand, she made her way up the steps.

Arianna had inquired beforehand. Elizabeth wouldn’t be home until later today. She’d gone to visit Biddy-Number-One for tea.

Arianna would have Bernard’s complete attention.

She took a deep breath and knocked at the door. A tall black man wearing formal attire with white gloves and all, answered. "May I be of service to you, Mrs. Buchanan?" he said in a clipped speech.

"I have some business to discuss with Mr. Prescott. Please let him know I'm here?"

"Yes. Please do come in.” He led her to the drawing room before he left her to find Bernard. She sat down on the sofa, but stood again. “Stay calm,” she whispered under her breath. “You can do this.”

"What do I owe the pleasure, Mrs. Buchanan?"

She whirled around and forced herself to smile.

Bernard waddled over to her and took her hand with a polite kiss.

She fought the urge to wipe his slobber on his jacket. "I’m here on my husband’s behalf. He asked me to bring you a gift, thanking you for your last business transaction."

Bernard cleared his throat and pulled at his collar. "He told you?"

Arianna had no idea what arrangement Keldon and Bernard had. She was making this up as she went. "Only that he appreciated your business and he wanted to show his gratitude.” She then opened her package. Arianna couldn’t have been happier when Bernard licked his lips and raised his hands greedily for the bottle. "Would you care to sample it?" she asked, hoping he would.

"Yes, yes by all means.” Bernard Prescott snapped his fingers and the servant who had answered the door, was there to take the bottle from him.

"Please join me.” Bernard offered her a seat.

The servant filled the glasses and left the room, closing the doors behind him.

Bernard closed his eyes and sniffed the amber liquid. He smiled and took the first swallow. "Yes, yes this is very good.” He opened his eyes. "Your husband has exquisite taste. Tell him I would like to do business with him again."

"I will. And I will also let him know you were pleased with the gift.” She nodded toward the glass he held in his hand.

Bernard took another sip. "I’m curious, Mrs. Buchanan, why aren't you with Elizabeth and the other ladies today?"

Arianna leaned back in her chair, ready to put her plan into action. "I needed a change. I thought we could chat for a while.” She lowered her eyelids ever so slightly and at the same time, she crossed her legs lifting her dress above her ankles. Maeve told her this would be scandalous behavior. She needed to distract Bernard, rankle him a bit so he couldn’t think straight.

He cleared his throat and yanked at his collar. Who knew ankles were such a turn on. Bernard downed the rest of his drink.

Oh yeah, he was flustered. "Would you like another?” She didn't wait for him to answer. She stood and walked over to him. She let her hand linger on his before she took the flute from him. She noticed his Adam's apple nervously bobbed up and down as he swallowed. She poured the drink, overflowing the glass on purpose. "Oh my! I can't believe how clumsy I am."

"It's quite all right.” He pulled out a handkerchief, trying to clean up the mess.

Arianna poured another glass for him. This time she added the powder Maeve had given her. Maeve assured her it would only make him drowsy. She didn’t want him knocked out. She needed his cooperation.

Finished, Bernard sat back down and Arianna handed him his glass. "Aren't you going to join me?" he inquired.

Arianna almost let out a sigh of relief as she watched him down the drink. "I believe I will.” She refreshed Bernard’s glass, too. "To good friendships.”

With a nod, Bernard touched his glass to hers. “Um friendship.”

She didn’t like the gleam in his eyes as his gaze traveled the length of her. She hoped the powder worked fast.

Bernard blinked rapidly and laughed. “I’m a little light headed.”

She frowned. She wanted fast, but maybe she’d used too much. This wouldn't do. He needed to stay awake long enough for him to sign the papers she brought.

"Now Bernard... You don't mind me calling you Bernard, do you?” She sat close to him and placed her hand on his thigh.

"Nooo.” Bernard leaned a little too close and Arianna pushed him back.

"May I take Thaddeus home today?"

"Thaddeus?” Bernard blinked a few times.

"Yes, Thaddeus. You remember the young slave I sold you."

"Oh 'im.” Bernard frowned. "He's been more trouble. It's no 'onder ya wanted to get rid of 'im," he slurred.

"Where is he?” Arianna kept her voice under control.

"Had to 'each 'im a lesson.” Bernard leaned back and closed his eyes.

Arianna shook him and his eyes popped back open. "Wh..."

"Where is he?” She repeated, desperate to have the information from him before he fell asleep.

"He's... He's... Now where is he? Oh yeah... He's in the hole.” Bernard's eyes rolled back in his head and he fell forward into Arianna's lap.

Horrified, she tried to lift him back up, but she knocked him to the floor. "Oh my God!” Now what was she going to do? She wouldn’t be able to pick him up, but she couldn’t leave him. Besides, he hadn’t signed the papers.

The doors to the drawing room crashed opened. Arianna whirled around with a gasp. Keldon stood there his gaze pinning Arianna down with a shimmering wave of pulsing fury. “Have ye lost yer senses completely, Annabelle?"

“How—”

“Maeve told me.”

“Traitor,” she mumbled.

"Ye cannae do as ye please, Annabelle and think there are nay consequences. Where is Bernard?"