Free The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis Page B

in arm, the two sisters climbed the steps, chattering away. Because Mrs. Bennington had refused her chair today, Emily trailed close behind, ready to catch the woman should she fall.
    As she wandered the expensively appointed rooms, Emily remembered her ill-timed meeting with Alexander at the abandoned barn with an uncomfortable flush. This home, deeper in the Confederacy, was a place she could effectively start slaves on their road to freedom. She hoped the master’s son had forgotten her perfect spot to hide runaways overnight.
    Two hours later, Mrs. Hunt held up her palms, concluding her lengthy explanation of hand-painted wall coverings, imported tapestries, and European furniture. “Enough. Shall we enjoy an informal dinner on the terrace tonight? You’re probably exhausted after the trip.” She, however, looked as fresh as a spring morning.
    “I believe I’ll retire to my room,” Mrs. Bennington said. She appeared ready to faint. “Please send dinner up on a tray later, something light.”
    “Will you be joining us this evening, Miss Harrison?”
    “No, ma’am. Thank you for the invitation, but I also prefer to relax.” She slipped her arm firmly around Mrs. Bennington’s waist as they started up the stairs. With the inevitable meal with the Hunts postponed, she was granted a temporary reprieve. After unpacking and resting in her room, she slipped down two flights of servants’ stairs to the first floor. Conversation ceased and all eyes turned as Emily entered the room.
    “Hello, Miss Harrison.” Lila scrambled to her feet. She sat at a long trestle table in the huge, partially underground kitchen. The room was comfortably cool, yet the massive fireplace would make it cozy warm during winter.
    “May I join your family for supper?” Emily directed the query to Matilde.
    “Yes, if you promise to stay away from the stove.” Matilde flashed her magnificent smile. “Sit there, next to my daughter.”
    Emily complied with both requests. Over the next hour, Matilde introduced Emily to the entire Amite extended family as workers came in to eat and then returned to chores. Relaxing on the bench, she dined on rabbit stew, wilted greens, lima beans, corn bread, stewed tomatoes, and blackberry pie. The Amites were well known and loved by the Hunt Farm workers, both slave and free. Lila introduced her to cousins and nieces and nephews until Emily gave up trying to remember names. After eating their fill, Emily and Lila took a long walk as the sun dropped behind the Shenandoah Mountains. It was peaceful here and beautiful, yet Emily was filled with an odd sense of foreboding long after she told Lila good night and crawled beneath the soft quilt on her bed. Storms and specters filled her dreams as she tossed and turned in the perfect bedroom in the perfect world of Hunt Plantation.

    “Miss Harrison. Miss Harrison.” A voice pierced her fitful slumber, causing Emily to scramble from her bed. “Mrs. Bennington wishes you to join her for breakfast on the terrace.” A voice called through the door.
    “Tarnation,” she muttered. In a louder voice, she said, “Please tell Mrs. Bennington I awoke frightfully hungry and had breakfast in the kitchen earlier.”
    The person at the door seemed to be waiting for a better excuse. When none came, the maid said, “Yes, miss. I’ll tell her.”
    Forgive me, Lord, for lying and breaking Your Ninth Commandment. Emily sent up her penitent prayer. Another reprieve, but how long can this go on ?
    Unfortunately, not long at all. Mrs. Bennington sent a note to Emily’s room, insisting she join her for lunch on the terrace. Because the ball was that evening, luncheon would be served at two. Emily arrived promptly at the appointed time to find Mrs. Bennington seated with her sister.
    “Come sit, my dear. It’ll just be us women for the meal. Mybrother-in-law left to track down Porter at the field hospital. He’ll lend a hand until time to bring Porter back for the evening