“Thank you. I think I’ll rest now.”
Moses nodded. “I be back after a while to check on you.”
Sinking into the softness of the bed, Levi closed his eyes. His belly full of Harriet’s delicious chicken broth, he already felt a mite stronger. A few more days and he’d be up and about. In the meantime, he hoped Natalie would come see him. They needed to talk. About Lopez. About the plantations.
But mostly, he grinned as he drifted off to sleep, he wanted to talk about marriage. Facing death out in the woods made him realize life was too short not to go after what a man wanted.
And what Levi wanted was Natalie Langford Ellis.
Samuel’s laughter rang out from the bachelor’s quarters.
Despite sweat trailing down her back and the ache in her arms as she hung wet sheets on the line, Natalie smiled. Her son’s sunny disposition was truly a blessing. He’d taken to spending most of his days in the sick room, entertaining Levi. What they did during all those hours, she didn’t know. Levi had yet to send for her, and she didn’t feel comfortable visiting the bachelor’s quarters uninvited. Not only did her mother’s teachings on propriety keep her from it, but her own muddled feelings kept her away.
Nearly losing Levi revealed how much he meant to her. More, she realized, than the plantations she’d fought so hard to hold on to the past four years. But after she’d refused his marriage proposal and then defended Alexander, despite the evidence that seemed so obvious now, she feared she may have missed her chance at happiness with the only man she’d ever loved.
Looking up to the cloudless sky, she heaved a sigh. The army doctor came by that morning to check on Levi’s progress. According to Moses, the older man seemed pleased. He’d said Levi would be fit to travel the short distance to Langford Manor soon. While she was happy his injuries were mending, it would be lonely without him. She may not spend time visiting with him the way Samuel and Moses did, but just knowing he was there at Rose Hill brought her a measure of comfort.
“Shore gonna be a hot one when this day get finished with us.” Carolina carried out yet another basket full of wet laundry. Ruth and Adline were working the paddles over the hot cauldron, stirring the laundry, so Natalie knew better than to complain about being out in the sun hanging the clean items.
She wiped her brow with the back of her hand. “Days like this make me wish we could dip our feet in the creek, just for a few minutes, anyway.”
Carolina eyed her, a mischievous quirk to her mouth. “What stoppin’ us? You the boss woman.”
Natalie glanced toward the tree line behind the servants’ quarter where the creek gurgled through Rose Hill land. Carolina was right. No one was there to prevent them from enjoying a little fun.
“I’ll race you!” Natalie tossed a pillowcase back into the basket and took off at a run, going as fast as the bulky skirt of her dress would allow.
Carolina shrieked and soon overtook Natalie. She arrived at the bank first. In no time, they had their shoes and stockings off and waded into the cool water. Holding their skirts high, they laughed and wiggled their toes, with Carolina splashing out into the deeper part of the creek to cool her calves.
“I haven’t done this since I was a young girl.” Natalie closed her eyes, relishing the feel of water flowing around her ankles and thinking of her childhood maid and companion. “Zina and I used to play in the creek at Langford Manor, but Mama didn’t approve after I started wearing long gowns. She said it wasn’t proper behavior for a young lady.”
“I ’spect it must’a been hard always havin’ to follow all them rules,” Carolina said, wading back toward Natalie. “Us slaves, we got one rule to follow: obey the massa.”
Natalie walked back to the bank and sat, keeping her wet feet away from her skirt and underthings. Carolina joined her.
“I’m sorry you had to endure slavery, Carolina.” She hoped her soft words conveyed her sincerity.
Carolina’s brow raised when she looked at Natalie. “Weren’t your fault, Miz Natalie. ’Sides, you done saved me when Massa Luther wants to sell me when he sell my mama and sisters.”
“How did you know?”
“Word travel mighty fast through the quarter ’bout such things, ’specially when Massa Luther breathin’ fire, sayin’ he gonna get rid of all the slaves Missy Ellis was partial to.” She looked at Natalie. “You been real good to me. I won’t never forget you.”
“You won’t forget me? Are you going somewhere?” She had a suspicion she knew the answer.
A shy smile filled Carolina’s face. “William—that Corporal Banks’ name—he done asked me to marry him. Just last night. Says all this business with the colonel gettin’ shot even though the war over has him thinkin’ it time to get outta the army and go back home.” She grinned, happiness radiating from her. “He want me to go to Mass’chusetts with him. Can you believe it? I gonna go north like all them Negroes talk about doin’ before freedom come.”
A lump formed in Natalie’s throat. “I am very happy for you. When does Corporal Banks plan to leave?”
“He say as soon as the colonel mends he gonna write to that general in Austin and see when his time be up. William say it best to get to Mass’chusetts before winter set in. I guess it get kinda cold up north.”
Natalie laughed. “From what I hear, it gets very cold up there, with lots of snow. I hope you won’t freeze.”
A sly grin crept up Carolina’s face. “I’ll have me a good man to keep me warm.”
“Carolina! You mustn’t say such things out loud.” But the truth of her words made Natalie smile. Soon they were both giggling. When their laughter subsided,
