Mockingbird's Call (15 page)

“I hope it's not bad news?” Mr. Stone's voice invited Jared to expound.

He didn't yet feel he could bare his soul about the events of the morning. The pain was still too fresh. “No. I trust my abrupt departure won't inconvenience you.”

Mr. Stone pushed himself up from his chair and came to stand next to Jared at the window. “Don't worry about me. It's been a pleasure to watch you grow as a writer. God has given you a great talent, and I'm sure He will lead you on to loftier heights.”

Jared thanked the man before taking his leave. It had been reassuring to hear Mr. Stone's confidence in him and to be reminded that God had not deserted him. . .or Amelia. A plan began to form in his mind, and he strode through the streets of Knoxville with renewed determination. He knew exactly how to unlock the bars of Amelia's prison.

❧

It was nearly two o'clock by the time Jared made his way back to his former campus. He talked the sentry into letting him pass and made his way to the place where he'd last seen Luke, praying that the man would still be there.

“Come in.” Luke's voice answered his knock.

Jared sent a wordless plea to God before entering the room. He would need the Lord's help if he was to succeed.

Luke was sitting behind his desk, a stack of papers in front of him. He looked up as Jared entered, and his features registered his surprise. “What are you doing here? I thought I'd seen the last of you.”

Jared ignored the question. “You love her, don't you?” He watched the other man's eyes closely. There it was. Pain. And fear. Luke was afraid Amelia didn't love him. That was the answer. It gave Jared the bargaining chip he needed. “Of course you love her. You asked her to be your wife.”

“I don't see what my feelings have to do with anything. Amelia has committed some very serious crimes that would bring imprisonment even if we were not at war.”

“What if I promise never to see Amelia again?”

A frown brought Luke's eyebrows together. “How will that change things?”

At least the man was curious. It gave Jared the courage to continue. “You suspect Amelia and I have feelings for each other. I cannot vouch for her, but I can tell you that I love her. Even after learning how she has deceived me, I cannot find it in my heart to condemn her actions. She was trying to help people who needed her.”

“She has confessed to treason.”

Jared refused to be deterred by the man's cold tone. “I know you love Amelia, too. As your wife, she would be protected from the consequences of her actions. You are probably right that my influence is what led her to rebellion. I will return to Nashville immediately. I can board the next train out of Knoxville and leave this part of Tennessee for good. You won't have to wonder if Amelia is being influenced by me or my feelings for her. I will never contact her again. Once I'm gone, she will be totally committed to her marriage to you. She'll be more interested in setting up her household than altruism.”

“What if she doesn't agree?”

Jared sighed. “It's up to you to convince her. I know she cares for you or she never would have agreed to marry you. Amelia somehow got caught up in working for the Underground Railroad. But you saw her a little while ago. Her remorse was obvious. She knows she's hurt those who care about her. She will listen to reason.”

Luke took a turn around the office as he considered the proposal. Jared saw his expression move from despair to hope, from confusion to certainty. Finally the man walked over to him and thrust out his hand. “I have your word on this?”

What other choice did he have? He would do everything possible to protect Amelia. Jared's heart would not let him do any less. He shook Luke's hand. He would gladly pay the price of giving her up—knowing he would never see her again—to free the woman he loved.

Sixteen

The guard had left Amelia in a large room cluttered with chairs and desks that must have been removed to make space for the rows of wounded soldiers lying on cots in the former classrooms. She wondered if it was the same room that had held Jared.

She took a handkerchief from her reticule and blew her nose. No more tears, no more weakness. Even if the general decided t
o execute her. She was not proud of the pain she'd caused, but she was glad to have been a part of setting Tabitha and the others free.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She glanced at the untouched tray of food a soldier had brought her earlier. She'd not been able to swallow a single morsel. Her stomach was too unsettled, and her throat still seemed full of tears. Even the smell of the roasted chicken made her feel queasy. It would be a relief to have it removed. “Come in.”

Luke's broad shoulders filled the doorway. Why was he seeking her out? He'd been so angry once she convinced him of the truth.

Then his purpose dawned on her. “I suppose you came for your ring.” Amelia fumbled with the golden band.

“No.” He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “I'm not ready to release you from your promise.”

“But won't it hurt your career when the truth is known?”

“Your friend, Jared, has proposed a solution.”

Amelia's heart doubled its speed. Jared had argued on her behalf? “I thought both of you were scandalized by what I've done.”

“Both of us have strong feelings when it comes to you, Amelia. And we have reason to be disappointed with your choice to deceive both of us, but it's time to move beyond what's past and make plans about what has to be done next.”

So this was it. Amelia wondered if she would be hanged for her involvement with the Underground Railroad. She prayed for the fortitude to face her death with equanimity. After all, her own decisions were what had brought her to this.

Luke cleared his throat to get her attention. “I can't say that I blame Jared for falling in love with you, but at least he has the sense to put your safety above his feelings.” He leaned against the door and watched her.

“Jared loves me?” As soon as the words slipped out, she gasped. Even she could hear the longing in her voice.

Luke's face changed. His eyes darkened and his mouth twisted. “Honesty? Do you have to be so transparent now? What happened to the woman who lied to everyone for her own reasons?”

“I'm sorry, Luke.” She twisted the engagement ring off her finger and held it out to him.

“I could keep you here, you know.”

“I'm resigned to stay for the duration of the war if that's what you decide.”

“Please don't do this, Amelia. Don't throw away what we have. We can still have a life together.”

She shook her head and looked down at the ring still in her hand. “I didn't mean to hurt you, Luke. I love you like a brother.”

“I see.” He took the ring but then caught her wrists in his hands. “My feelings are strong enough for both of us. Won't you reconsider? I'm sure I can make you happy.”

She pulled her hands free and took a step back. “You're a wonderful man, Luke, and you deserve a wife who returns your feelings.”

Luke's shoulders slumped. “Would it make any difference if I told you Jared has promised to have nothing more to do with you?”

Amelia closed her eyes as the words burned through her like poison. In that instant she knew the truth. She loved Jared. Not with the tepid feeling of friendship she felt for the man in front of her. She loved Jared Stuart with her whole heart, and she always would. That was why her betrothal to Luke had felt more like a cage than a promise. It was sheer willpower that kept her from sinking to her knees. “I told you Jared had nothing to do with the Mockingbird.” She forced the words through clenched teeth.

“He'll soon be on his way back to Nashville.”

Amelia tried to force her lips into a pleasant smile, but her muscles betrayed her. She looked into Luke's dark eyes, unable to say anything.

“I hope one day to find a woman who cares as much for me.” The muscles in his face tightened, dragging his mouth downward. “But it is evident to me you are not that woman, Amelia. Everything you said to me and Jared this afternoon will remain between the three of us, so I have no reason to hold you any longer.”

“You're letting me go?” Her eyes stung with unshed tears. Regret filled her heart. Luke deserved so much more than she could ever offer him.

“Who would really believe that you, a gently bred heiress, are the Mockingbird?” His laughter had a sardonic ring. “But I must have a promise from you.”

Was he going to tell her to stay away from Jared? She could not make that promise. Not now that she knew the truth of her feelings for him.

“You must never tell anyone else the truth about the Mockingbird, or I will be blamed for abetting a criminal.”

Her eyes searched his. “You have my word, Luke.”

“Good. Then you are free to leave. I've ordered a carriage to return you to your aunt and uncle's home. I hope you will have the good sense to stay away from the abolitionists in town. I don't ever want to repeat this day's events.”

“Thank you, Luke.” She reached up and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. “You're a good friend.” Amelia followed him to the front door and allowed him to help her into the carriage. “I'll never forget this.”

“Be happy, Amelia.” He closed the carriage door with a soft click. “God bless you.”

❧

Cold rain pelted the roof of her carriage, and Amelia wondered if it would turn into sleet. Her heart went out to the poor soldiers like Cousin Benjamin who likely had little shelter from the weather.

She watched anxiously as the driver guided the conveyance through the streets to her aunt and uncle's home. Was the trip taking longer than normal? Or was it her anxiety that lengthened the distance?

Finally the driver pulled up the horses, and she saw the familiar front door. Her foot tapped a rapid beat as she waited for him to let down the steps so she could disembark. She barely noticed the umbrella he held above her head as she hurried out of the carriage and up the steps to the front door, but she did have the presence of mind to thank the man before disappearing into the hallway.

Amelia hurried to the parlor, wondering how Uncle Francis and Aunt Laura had received Jared when he returned home. Had they been suspicious of him? Or had they been relieved to learn he was not the Mockingbird. And what had he told them about her disappearance?

She pasted a wobbly smile on her lips as she pushed the door open. Part of her was anxious to confront Jared about his feelings, but another part of her dreaded having to face him since he'd found out about her work with the Underground Railroad. Would he be cold? Or had he forgiven her? There was only one way to find out for sure. She took a deep breath and stepped inside the room.

Aunt Laura was sitting in her favorite chair on the right side of the hearth, her needlework in her lap. She jumped up, heedless of the sampler's falling to the floor. “Oh, there you are. We were really beginning to worry.”

Uncle Francis was ensconced in the chair on the opposite side of the fireplace and held a book, which he closed abruptly as he looked up. “We wondered where you were, niece.”

Amelia bent to kiss her aunt and then turned to her uncle. “I apologize. I was unavoidably detained and didn't think to send you a note.”

“After the unpleasantness this morning, I told your uncle you had probably sought out your betrothed to ask for his help in recovering your slave.” Aunt Laura nodded and settled back into her chair, retrieving her sampler and once again plying her needle with speed and accuracy.

“Speaking of notes, we did receive one from the Stuart boy.” Uncle Francis snorted. “Your aunt and I went to Benjamin's encampment north of town earlier today to make certain he had everything he needed. When we got back, we were informed Jared had slunk in here during our absence and left a note thanking us for our hospitality. His note also claimed he'd been exonerated of the charge of treason. Said he had nothing to do with that Mockingbird fellow who's been helping slaves escape.”

Amelia wanted to ask where Jared was now, but Aunt Laura interrupted her husband's dialogue. “Speaking of slaves, did you find Tabitha?”

“No.” Amelia sat down on the sofa across from her aunt and uncle and twisted her hands in her lap. “I. . .I have a confession to make about Tabitha.” She took a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. “I'm the one who helped Tabitha escape.”

“You what!” Uncle Francis dropped his book.

Amelia cringed at the angry tone but would not let her gaze fall from his shocked one. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. My. . .Tabitha has fallen in love, and I wanted her to be happy.”

“Have you lost your senses?” Aunt Laura asked. “Her freedom was not yours to give.”

“Tabitha is more like a sister to me than a slave.” Amelia raised her chin. “I could not bear to see her unhappy.”

“I don't know what this world is coming to.” Uncle Francis sounded more puzzled than angry. He shook his head. “Your father is going to be very disappointed that you freed his property.”

A rueful smile bent her lips upward. “You're right, but I hope he will eventually forgive me.”

After folding her needlework and placing it in her basket, Aunt Laura moved to the sofa. “Of course he will forgive you. He loves you, Amelia. You are his daughter.” She put an arm around Amelia and hugged her close.

Uncle Francis rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes. My brother may be hardheaded, but he will forgive you once you settle down and start providing him with grandchildren.” He pointed a finger at her. “He's bound to be pleased with your engagement. Luke Talbot is a fine man.”

“Yes, well, that's another thing I have to tell you about.”

“What's wrong?” Aunt Laura pulled back a little and looked at her.

“Luke and I have decided we will not suit.” Amelia told them about her interview with Luke and how she had confessed to helping Tabitha get away, but she avoided mentioning the Mockingbird, in deference to her promise to Luke.

“I'm sure your young man will reconsider his decision once he has time to cool off.” Aunt Laura patted her hand.

“He must have been shocked by your confession,” her uncle agreed. “And also embarrassed to have to set Jared free. But he'll probably change his mind once he catches the real culprit.”

It was time to change the subject and broach the question she most wanted answered. “Did Jared's note say when he would return?”

Aunt Laura frowned at her. “Return? I thought you understood. Jared is gone. He is probably already on his way back to Nashville.”

“His note said he wants to do his part to end the war.” Uncle Francis shook his head. “Who knows what that means?”

The words echoed through Amelia. Who indeed? Certainly not her. She didn't know why she'd expected him to be here, anyway. Luke had told her about Jared's promise. One of the things she admired about Jared was his integrity. He would not linger here, knowing she would be coming back before too long.

All her hopes of being reunited with him died. It was too late.

One of the slaves came in to announce dinner, but Amelia knew she could not eat a single morsel. With a mumbled excuse, she went upstairs to her bedroom. Heartbroken, she threw herself across her bed and wept bitterly into the softness of her pillow. A maid came in, but she waved her away. She was too distraught to change into her nightgown. Who cared about such mundane things when her whole world had fallen apart?

Nothing penetrated her grief until the soft sounds of a birdcall drew her head from the pillow. She glanced toward the corner of her bedroom at her mockingbird trapped in its ornate cage. She pushed herself up from the bed and wandered toward it, her bruised heart somehow lightened by the lovely sounds it was producing. Their sweetness seemed like a promise from God.

Her breath caught as an idea took form. “I know just what we need to do so we can both be free, my friend.” She moved to her dresser and picked up the mockingbird brooch Jared had given her. It was the first thing she put into her valise, followed by hastily folded clothing. Hoping she had packed enough necessities, Amelia changed into her nightgown and slipped between the covers. She would need a good night's sleep if she was going to rise at first light.