your grandfather I'd not get you pregnant, and I'll be true to my word. I find other games much more exciting. But we'll talk of that tomorrow, on our wedding night.'
Moving close to her bedside, he continued, 'Your grandfather showed me something very interesting tonight. I know he's a crazy old fool, but this may help you stay true,
He pulled a piece of paper from his breast pocket. 'It seems your grandfather tried everything to get your mother back when she ran away with your father. He even paid a great deal of money to have this document forged.'
Opening the yellow paper, he stated, 'It says simply that your mother was the daughter of a slave and therefore property of the estate of Three Oaks. Now, Perry, you and I may know this is a forgery, but look at the damage even the rumor could do to you. Because you can't prove otherwise, anyone would only have to look at that beautiful black hair to wonder.' Laughing again, he added, 'Now don't worry, my dear, I plan to keep this little secret carefully locked up. I wouldn't want my wife to be subject to gossip.'
Perry made no motion to acknowledge that she was listening. A tear ran down the corner of her eye and fell on the pillow as she absorbed his words. He was blackmailing her. What of the future? Would there be more 'accidents,' until eventually one killed her?
Perry moved her lips, closing her eyes to the pain she caused herself as she whispered, 'Why?'
Wade moved close. 'What did you say, my dear?'
'Why me?' Perry managed with some degree of clarity.
'Why you?' He laughed. 'But, my love, don't you know. First, you will inherit, when your grandfather dies, one of the most potentially profitable plantations in the South. Everyone knows your grandfather drinks, so an accident would not seem unusual after we've married.'
'Second, I want a Southern wife to sit at the head of my table, for I need to make friends fast. I've seen most of the single women in these parts, and you outshine them all by far.' He patted her hand in mock tenderness. 'Don't worry, my love, I'll see the bruises don't show after we're married. In time you might even find my little games entertaining.'
Wade straightened, remembering his lecture once more. 'Oh, yes-third, I want you because you're fiery yet unprotected. I wouldn't want to fight a father or a handful of brothers.'
Perry realized he was right. Noma, the only one close to her, had fallen completely into his trap. She knew even if she told Noma the truth, it was unlikely the old woman would believe her. Andrew was out of reach. Even if he did return, he might not be strong enough to fight Wade's power. Wade knew how to bend people to his will, and Andrew was already a beaten man.
Closing her eyes tightly, she forced out tears as she tried to make her head stop throbbing. She knew she must fight alone against Wade. There was no one to help her. Somewhere deep inside, that spirit which always urged her not to give up still whispered. She had to clear her head enough to think.
Noma returned with two cups of warm milk and a spoon of sleeping powder. She placed the tray by Perry's bed and added the powder to one cup. 'I'll put this much in, Mr. Williams, and she'll sleep like a baby till mornin'.'
Wade moved to the door, impatient to leave. 'Take good care of my bride, Noma. I'll be back about nine tomorrow.'
As he closed the door Noma moved closer to Perry. She lovingly arranged the covers. She was confident her betrayal was for Perry's benefit. Noma chimed softly as she worked, 'Everything is going to be fine, my baby, just wait and see. Now let's drink our milk and go to sleep.' Noma must have said these very words thousands of times over the years, yet tonight they held no comfort for Perry.
Opening her eyes, she stared at Noma. She couldn't hate someone she'd loved all her life, yet her trust in the old woman had vanished.
Lifting her hand slowly, she pointed to the dying fire.
Noma understood. 'You must have a chill. I'll add a log. Just you rest, it'll only take a second.'
When Noma moved to the fire, Perry's eyes never left her huge frame. Unnoticed, bruised fingers traveled up to the tray of milk. Silently she moved her cup backward on the tray and exchanged it with Noma's cup of milk.
Her private war had began, and she knew that no matter what happened, she would never surrender.
Chapter 15
Perry pretended sleep long after she heard Noma's rhythmic snoring coming from the other room. She knew the sleeping powder had done its job but feared Wade might return to check on her once more before leaving. She would wait and plan until the right moment.
As the ancient clock in the hall chimed twice, Perry removed her bed covers. Painfully she slipped out of bed, every muscle in agony. She slowly moved to the triple-mirrored dressing table with only the firelight to guide her. Shadowy light danced across her bruised and swollen face. A newborn sadness reflected in her huge brown eyes. She must think rapidly and very logically if she were to survive. Another foolish mistake could cost her her life. She cradled her knees under her chin and began to rock, as she had as a child. She could pretend she was curled inside her mother's arms as they rocked back and forth in a huge chair.
Her mother seemed very close to her in this room, where everything Perry touched her mother had once held and cherished. The lacy room was now a prison, and the knowledge that her mother had once escaped was the only thread of hope that kept Perry's mind bound to rational thought.
Every ounce of her being willed her to escape. Her first problem would be getting out of the house. She knew a man slept below the balcony, so she must leave through the front. Hopefully Wade wouldn't have thought to place a guard out front.
Reaching up to touch her now blackened eye, an idea formed in her mind. There were only two people she could count on, two men who owed her favors and might be willing to repay them.
Carefully Perry pulled a few coals from the fire with a small shovel. Placing the coals on the hearth to cool, Perry moved to her wardrobe. She rummaged through the bottom of her clothes in search of the small bag Molly had given her. As she pulled out the bag she paused, listening once more for Noma's breathing. A gentle snore drifted from the small room. Digging inside the bag, Perry pulled out the rough boy's clothing she had worn when leaving Ravenwood months ago. She slipped into them silently.
Returning to the hearth, Perry tested the coals. Finding them only warm now, she began to rub the black all over her hands and face. She knew this would fool no one after dawn, but maybe she would be safe tonight. With a darkened face, anyone seeing her move in the night might think her to be only a black boy.
Perry collected her nightgown and slippers and walked to the beautiful dressing table. Opening a side drawer, she removed her small knife and placed it in her pocket. A cold determination vibrated around her. She'd need all her wits if she were going to break free.
She constructed the morning's events in her mind. Noma would search the room and find nothing missing, except her nightgown and slippers. Noma wouldn't suspect Perry of wearing the old clothes. She'd pulled them from the trash weeks ago and hidden them. At the time she decided it would be sentimental to keep them, so she'd hidden them away in the bottom of the wardrobe.
With swollen, bandaged fingers, Perry pulled the side drawer completely out, revealing Hunter's gold necklace, hidden in a small well under the drawer. She had almost told Noma of Hunter a hundred times, but each time she'd felt confused about her feelings and decided to think them out before talking about him to anyone. Now she was glad Noma knew nothing of Hunter or Abram. Perry wouldn't have to worry about being betrayed again.
Pulling her huge floppy hat low, she stuffed her gown and slippers into her baggy shirt. She would need money, but the little she'd taken before had vanished from her dressing table. Wade Williams again! Somehow she would survive. Any hardship would be an improvement over tonight. She also knew her boots would have to remain behind, for they might be missed in the morning.
In black-stockinged feet, Perry stepped out into the hall. She felt her way along the wall to the front stairs. She would leave from the front of the house, as far away from the guard below her balcony as possible.
In darkness, Perry slowly fumbled her way down the stairs to the dining room. The windows in the room faced the front of the house and would be easy to open. Her grandfather had probably drunk himself to sleep in his chair,
