A Royal Bennet (8 page)
Authors: Melanie Schertz
Elizabeth’s expression showed her fear. “Where
would we go? I have no means to pay for other
lodgings, or even for some sort of transportation. I
know not what we will do.”
Mrs Barkow shook her head. “Do not fret, Miss
Elizabeth. I have sent word to a friend of mine. His
name is Abraham Miller. He will be here soon and
will be able to assist you. Mr Miller is a freed black
man, and he assists others who are being taken to the
Americas to be slaves. He has set up a network of
houses to hide those he helps to escape their destiny.
Though your skin is quite pale in comparisons to
those he commonly aids, you are escaping being sold
into slavery. I am certain Mr Miller will assist you.”
Tears welled up in Elizabeth’s eyes. So caught up
in her own struggles, Elizabeth had not thought of the
many Africans who were stolen from their homes and
sold as slaves. Though slave trading had been illegal
since eighteen hundred and seven, most ships
carrying slaves ignored the law. She had heard of
secret groups who would find ways of freeing the
men, women and children who were being ripped
from their loved ones, and taken far across the ocean.
It was shocking to Elizabeth to now be involved in
such a situation. Having grown up in Hertfordshire,
Elizabeth had never met anyone of dark skin until she
visited with her aunt and uncle, in London.
“Why would Mr Miller assist us? We are white, not
African.” Elizabeth felt humbled as she realized the
situation. She had never lifted a finger to aid those
freed from slavery, yet now, she would require the
assistance of a former slave who was protecting
others.
“Abraham is a friend of my husband. We
have…assisted…him from time to time.” Mrs Barkow
wished to keep as much information private, for she
did not wish the truth to become well known. Though
it was illegal to participate in slave trading, there
were many who disagreed with the law. Their sort
would have no difficulty in causing trouble for the
innkeepers, even destroying their inn. “He also has
ways of transporting people from the ships, using
tunnels and the canals between here and Manchester.
My husband is an abolitionist, and I agree with him. It
does not matter if your skin is black, white, green or
purple. No person should be forced from their home
and sold, as if they were a horse or steer.”
“Thank you, Mrs Barkow. I will make certain you
are repaid for your generosity.” Elizabeth embraced
the innkeeper’s wife.
“Keeping you safe is repayment enough, Miss
Elizabeth. I am more concerned with you and Lucy
being safe.” The elderly lady patted Elizabeth’s cheek
with her hand. “You are a good girl, Elizabeth Bennet.
A kind, caring girl, and I am grateful we have been
able to assist you. Now, I will bring you news as it
arrives.”
“You have my gratitude, Mrs Barkow.”
~~ ** ~~
Abraham Miller was nearing his late thirties, and
had lived in Liverpool for the past five years. In that
time, he had aided more than fifty slaves to freedom,
escaping the ships with their bellies filled with African
slaves. Between the abolitionists, like Mr Barkow, and
other freed slaves, Abraham was able to move those
he freed to other areas of England.
Receiving a message from Mrs Barkow, explaining
her situation with the two young ladies staying with
her after escaping their captors, Abraham was at a
loss as to how he could help. He was accustomed to
assisting Negros, and had never given much thought
to those of other races being stolen and sold as slaves.
He realized how foolish he was in this thinking, as he
was certain there were people of all races being sold
into service everywhere in the world.
Plans would need to be made quickly, for, if Mrs
Barkow’s letter was to be believed, the culprits could
storm the inn at any moment.
He sat down at his desk and began writing letters
to some of the men and women who had aided him in
the past. As soon as he heard from them, he would go
directly to the Barkow’s inn, and assist the young
ladies to disappear from there.
One of the ways Abraham had used in the past was
distraction. His skin color was unique enough to
cause many to stare at him. What used to cause him
frustration, had become a useful way to use people’s
prejudices against themselves. While he distracted
the attention of others, other men and women were
able to lead those who were being rescued to safety.
Abraham Miller arrived at the Mallard Inn before
the dinner hour. Mrs Barkow showed him to a private
room near the dining room. The private room had a
servant’s entrance in the back, which led to the
servant’s staircase up to the guest rooms. Once the
door was shut behind him, Mrs Barkow led him up the
staircase and to the room where Elizabeth and Lucy
were staying.
“Miss Elizabeth, this is Mr Abraham Miller. He has
agreed to assist us.” Mrs Barkow made the
introductions. “Abraham, this is Miss Elizabeth
Bennet and her maid, Lucy.”
not really matter.”
she ill?”
by all that has happened.” Elizabeth stated.
“Well, we will be hiding you in the basement of the
Bluecoat School. It is for poor children, but a friend of
mine works there, and will keep you there until
tomorrow. From there, we will work on moving to a
church near my home. The church is near the canal
which flows to Manchester. We can move you there,
to the home of another friend. Once in Manchester,
we can contact your relations to meet you there.”
Tears were welling in Elizabeth’s eyes once again.
It amazed her how easily her tears flowed in the past
week. She was exhausted, not having slept a full night
since she left London. “Mr Miller, I cannot thank you
enough for your aid. I will see that you are
reimbursed when my family comes for me.”
“It is not necessary, Miss Bennet. We are all
dedicated to stopping slavery, and your plight has
made me realize that my people are not the only ones
who can become victims of slavery. Now, while I
draw attention to myself near the front of this
establishment, I will have Mr Barkow lead you out the
back and to my wagon. You will need to hide under
the cloth on the back of the wagon. Mr Barkow knows
how to arrange everything.”
Elizabeth nodded her head. Looking at the
innkeeper’s wife, she took hold of the lady’s hands. “I
cannot thank you enough, Mrs Barkow. I promise you
will be paid for the room and our care.”
“I am not worried, dear girl. Now, do as Mr Miller
tells you and trust him. He will do everything he can
to protect you.” Mrs Barkow handed Elizabeth a
satchel with some clothing and food inside. “This is to
tide you over until the next stop on your way. Safe
journey, and I will be praying for you.”
The two ladies embraced, and then, between
them, were able to manage standing Lucy up and
moving her to the stairwell. Mr Barkow was at the
bottom of the stairs, waiting to assist the young ladies.
“I saw the men, they were talking out front, though
one man was standing in the alley, near the stables. If
Abraham causes a fuss out front, I am certain the man
from the alley would move to the front.”
“Very good. Walter, will you be able to take the
ladies to my wagon? It is parked in front of Jethries’
shop.”
safely hidden in the wagon.” Mr Barkow replied.
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Abraham Miller took a deep breath and stepped
outside the front door of the inn. “I have never been
treated so abominably in my life. I have money to pay
for the services, how is it my money is not as good as
another man’s money?”
Mrs Barkow stepped outside, playing her part in
the distraction. “My husband will be back in an hour.
Until then, I am in charge, and I say we do not want
the likes of you in our business. Your money is from
dishonorable work, and I will not sully our
establishment with your tainted, filthy money.”
“You are a foolish woman. My work is not
dishonorable, and there is no taint on my money. All I
wished to do was purchase some food. Is it too much
for a working man to purchase a meal?”
“In this establishment it is. Now, be off. I will not
tolerate you any longer.” Mrs Barkow walked back
inside the inn, praying they were convincing enough
to allow her husband and the ladies to escape out the
back. She had noticed four men watching from across
the street, one of which came from the side of the inn
and joined the others.
Abraham continued to fuss about until he finally
made his way down the street, in the opposite
direction from his wagon. He had performed this sort
of ruse before, and he was more than willing to walk a
few extra blocks to protect those he was rescuing.
Nearly an hour later, Abraham was able to meet
with his wagon. The ladies were covered completely,
and would remain so until they reached Bluecoat
school. After shaking hands with Mr Barkow, and
apologizing for the scene he made outside the inn,
Abraham picked up the reins and urged his horses to
walk.
Pulling to a stop near the rear of the “H” shaped
building, Abraham was met by his friend, Jenny, who
worked as a scullery maid, along with her sister,
Ruby. The sisters had been rescued by Abraham and
his friends two years prior, and they had vowed to do
what they could to aid others.
“Jenny, let us take the young ladies inside before I
introduce them to you. It is best that as few people as
possible know they are here.” Abraham suggested.
Elizabeth and Lucy were kept covered up, hiding
their identities as much as possible. They were led
inside the building, and down into the basement.
Once they were inside a small bedchamber, and the
door closed behind them, introductions were made.
“Jenny and Ruby Walker, this is Miss Elizabeth
Bennet and Miss Lucy, pardon, I do not remember her
last name.” He turned his attention towards
Elizabeth.
“Her name is Lucy Winters.” Elizabeth looked at
the young Negro ladies. “It is a pleasure to meet you
both. I cannot begin to thank you for assisting us.”
“I must admit, I was surprised with Abraham’s
request to assist white folk. But he stated that there is
some in other places of the world who be wantin’ a
pretty white lady to do their biddin’.” Jenny stated.
“Guess it dunno madder what color the skin, there be
those who would sell ya.”
“It has been an experience I will never forget. I am
from a small estate in Hertfordshire, and, to be
honest, I have never spoken with someone of dark
skin before.”
Ruby laughed. “I wish I had a penny for ev’ry time
one o’ the chilluns asks bout our skin color. I been
tellin’ them I was baked too long in God’s oven.”
Elizabeth found the young ladies to be sweet
natured. They did not seem frightened of white
people, and used humor in the same manner that
Elizabeth did to make others feel comfortable.
asked Ruby.
“They’s eyes grow wide, and most act as they
believe. It does no good to figures out why we be
different, we just is. Be good they see different sorts
though, and learn we is all just people, nottin’ evil or
scary ‘bout the color we is. The evil and scary is on
the inside.”
“I agree with you there. After all we have endured
since leaving London, I can agree with your words.
The men who kidnapped us were evil, inside.”
“No, Mrs Barkow was quite generous. She even
gave us some food to bring with us.” Elizabeth
motioned to the bag in her hand.
Jenny motioned to a small bed in the corner of the
room. “Forgive us, you and Lucy will need share a
bed. My sister and me will share my bed.”
There is nothing to forgive.”
Darcy arrived at the inn, only to learn he had
missed Elizabeth. Mrs Barkow was polite to him, and,
at first, denied any knowledge of Elizabeth and the
maid. It was only after his informing her of his
acquaintance with Elizabeth’s family, her father’s
estate of Longbourn, and with the Gardiner family,
that Mrs Barkow decided he was telling the truth. “Mr
Darcy, if you will step into my husband’s office, we
can speak in private.”
Richard followed his cousin as they entered the
room, and the door was closed behind them. “So you
do know Miss Elizabeth?” Richard inquired.
“Yes, and you must understand the reason for us
not saying so. There have been men watching the inn,
as one of the maids had gossiped about our
mysterious guests who did not leave their room.
Foolish girl; we had to send her on her way, for I will
not hold with such gossip.”
the building?” Darcy asked.
“They were until an hour ago. We heard some
commotion out front, and, when we looked, we saw
the men arguing and suddenly left the area. I am not
sure if they realized how we snuck them out, but it
was plain to see they knew the young ladies were
gone from here.”
maid?” Richard was curious.
“A friend of our family is a freed Negro. He assists
others to gain their freedom.” Mrs Barkow stated,
watching her words carefully. She was cautious of
allowing anyone know of Abraham, for she did not
wish to bring him any harm.
“Mrs Barkow, we are here to recover Miss
Elizabeth and the maid. We wish to restore them to
the Gardiners. I believe they will be arriving in
Liverpool any time now. We received an express from
my sister, at my estate of Pemberley. That is how we
came to be at your establishment. Apparently Miss
Elizabeth sent an express to Lambton, to a friend of
her aunt’s. The lady then informed my sister,
knowing I was coming to assist Miss Elizabeth.”
