9

THE TRADE-OFF

AFTER BOLTING SHUT THE BEDROOM door, Katelyn and Lilly slept fitfully in the same double bed until the sun appeared at dawn. After hearing Lilly’s confession regarding the ring and piecing together the other grave details about her aunt, Katelyn lost no time in seeking help from the only trustworthy person she knew—Mrs. Irene Dempsey. After previous opium binges, her aunt was known to sleep the day away, but Katelyn wasn’t taking any chances. Early that morning, she rang for Jasper to fetch the buggy. She instructed Moxie to prepare a light food parcel for their journey without saying where she was headed to in such a hurry.

After sponge bathing and dressing very early as Lady Katelyn instructed, Lilly stood stone-faced near the kitchen back entrance, afraid that the baroness would burst forth ranting and raving with the intent to kill again. Her vivid blue eyes nervously darted around the kitchen area and entranceway, fearful that the wicked woman was lurking in a shadow, ready to strike like a lethal black panther.

“Lord knows I never ever saw you so quiet, child. What’s got into you now?” Moxie busied about mixing flour, soda, sweet milk, and lard together to bake a few of her famous biscuits, then used her palm to even out the dough on the flour-dusted wooden surface. A batch was already baking in the oven.

Lilly said nothing. Her quivering emotions might betray her, and she couldn’t risk a burst of tears. That negative report from Moxie would be music to the baroness’s ears. Those minutes felt like Lilly was condemned, waiting on the guillotine, the executioner being the baroness of course. Lilly felt slightly nauseous, so perhaps some food might settle her stomach.

As the hot biscuits came from the oven, Katelyn appeared looking anxious. “Just wrap a few in a clean tea towel with some scuppernongs for Lilly to eat in the buggy. I have important business to attend to, but don’t mention my haste to my aunt. Let her sleep today. If she asks about me, tell her we’ve gone to the market. I don’t know when we’ll be back, so don’t bother with lunch.” Katelyn hurried about the kitchen, filling the basket with the towel wrapped biscuits and a few of the scuppernongs to speed things along.

Just then, the bell in the kitchen rang with several consecutive urgent rings from the third floor. Moxie yelped in response. “What’s she doing up this early? Land sakes, I never have a moment’s peace when she wakes up in one of her foul moods.”

“Hurry, Lilly,” Lady Katelyn urged. “We need to leave now.” Her voice sounded panicky. Once they were situated in the open buggy, Lilly noticed a bulging satchel at Lady Katelyn’s feet and wondered about it.

At the Bennington party, Katelyn had overheard Andrew Dempsey mention his mother’s meeting that morning. Since Katelyn had attended many pro-abolitionist gatherings in the past, she knew exactly where Jasper needed to take them in town.

“I’ll tell you about it later,” Lady Katelyn said gently, understanding Lilly’s troubled heart. She didn’t dare mention Mrs. Irene Dempsey’s name aloud because Jasper had big ears. “There’s nothing to worry about. Just trust me to take care of some things.”

* * *

Lady Katelyn and the child were the first to arrive. Lilly quickly found Betsey in the narthex, and the two playmates ran off to explore the balcony in one of Savannah’s largest churches.

“My dear child!” Mrs. Dempsey’s voice was filled with joy to see Katelyn rushing down the aisle of the sanctuary. Her face was radiant, but as the troubled young woman came into full view, her demeanor changed to alarm. “But what has you looking so downtrodden this morning?” The matronly woman’s arms embraced Katelyn with genuine affection.

When Katelyn felt her loving hug, she burst into tears and clung to Mrs. Dempsey’s neck, sobbing her heart out. Lilly watched the scene unfold from the balcony view overlooking the sanctuary.

“Dear, dear, dear.” Mrs. Dempsey spoke with tenderness while lovingly stroking and patting Katelyn’s back for assurance. She held the distraught woman for a moment longer before gently turning her petite body to an open doorway, just as a navigator would assist a ship to safe harbor. While leading her out, Mrs. Dempsey glanced about the silent sanctuary and the rows of empty wooden pews. The sunshine streamed through the multicolored stained-lead-glass as the Stations of the Cross illuminated the church with revelation from heavenly places. The large Irish woman of equal faith sent up a quick, urgent prayer, calling upon the name of Jesus to intervene in this serious matter. The room would soon be filled with jabbering women and somber men gathering for information about the movement. She needed to act quickly and protect the privacy of her son’s friend at all cost.

As the two women were about to secretly exit through a side door, a clamorous voice broke the silence like a clanging cymbal. “Oh, Mrs. Dempsey! I’m so glad I’ve found you!” The thin woman angled her way through a row of pews, scurrying toward the two women revealing a huge toothy smile.

“Quickly, leave now,” Mrs. Dempsey urged in a hushed tone. “I’ll meet you in the open office at the end of this hallway. There is a lamp lit. I’m so sorry, but I need to take care of this matter before the others arrive.” Mrs. Dempsey was firm but reassuring as she gave Katelyn a quick pat on the back. “The Lord will redeem our time together, daughter. Don’t be afraid.”

Katelyn didn’t hesitate and quickly departed as instructed. Leaving the room, she heard Mrs. Dempsey changing into a diplomatic hat to greet the duties of the morning with her usual pleasant nature.

Their voices drifted as Katelyn hurried to her assigned destination. Her heart was pumping faster, and for a moment, she felt faint again. She regretted not eating a biscuit in the carriage with Lilly. After entering the dark corridor, her eyes were still blurred from tears. Blinking allowed her sight to adjust in the darkness before moving further. Down the shadowy hallway, a glimmer of light appeared from the open office door. Nearing, she hesitated because papers rustled and the form of a man’s shadow was cast on the wall above the desk as she appeared at the door.

“Miss Katelyn!” Andrew said, not hiding his excitement to see her. He jumped out of his seat to greet her, knocking the blotter on the floor, nearly spilling the bottle of ink.

The shock of seeing him sent her reeling, but she managed to remain on her feet. “I . . . I came to see your mother,” she said simply while nervously wringing the delicate handkerchief in her hands.

He hesitated before placing his hands on her shoulders. Katelyn instinctively backed away from him because they were alone in a precarious situation as an unmarried couple. “I’m sorry,” he said sullenly. “This is awkward, and it’s obvious that you’re upset about something. Please forgive me for invading your private matter with my mother. I’ll leave.” He brushed past her and quickly strode out the door before she could respond to him.

Katelyn slumped down on the vacated chair and began to weep. She wanted him to stay, but being so distraught, she didn’t trust her response. Andrew’s swift departure created another void in her troubled heart. He couldn’t possibly solve her problems with her aunt Genevieve. After seeing him with an attractive woman at the party, she realized he no longer had romantic interest in her. Her heart was overwhelmed with grief. She regretted coming that morning because it was highly intrusive upon Mrs. Dempsey, who was busy conducting an important church meeting, but she didn’t know whom else to turn to. For the first time since her uncle’s death, Katelyn felt completely helpless and all alone in the world caring for a young, innocent child now at risk.

* * *

Before the pro-abolitionist meeting began, Mrs. Dempsey ducked out of the sanctuary and rushed to the office, but Katelyn was gone. With concern, she returned to the crowded sanctuary, scanning the faces to hopefully locate the troubled girl. About fifty people were seated while others shuffled through the door. She spotted Andrew speaking to Wilber Franklin near the back entrance.

“Good morning, Mr. Franklin,” she said politely. “Pardon me, but I need to speak to my son privately. Please excuse us for a minute.” She guided Andrew by the sleeve to a quiet corner.

“Have you seen Miss Katelyn?” she asked anxiously.

“Yes, briefly. Mother, what’s this all about?” he said in an irritated tone. “She was terribly upset and wouldn’t allow me to stay in the office to talk with her.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have sent her there if I had known you were in there. I thought you were in the narthex greeting our guests. I must apologize to her. Please look to see if she’s still in the building. Have you seen Betsey and Lilly?”

“I’ll look for them. I saw them in the balcony when I came from my unpleasant encounter with Miss Katelyn.”

“If they haven’t left, please tell her that I’ll meet with her following this meeting. I just haven’t the time right now, but I know the Lord will work out whatever is troubling this dear young girl.”

* * *

The sunlight was glaring. In their haste to leave the church, Katelyn had forgotten her parasol. Using her hand to shield the light, she spotted Jasper in the open buggy under the shade of a spindly oak tree a few blocks away. Taking hold of Lilly’s hand, she said, “Hurry with me, Lilly. I need to get that bag from the carriage and make some arrangements for you.”

“What?” Lilly stopped abruptly and jerked her hand free from Katelyn’s. Fear rose within her heart because she did not want to part from Katelyn’s loving care. “Where are you sending me?” Lilly felt her throat tightened as tears formed in her eyes.

“Well, you can’t stay in that house. You aren’t safe. I need to seek the advice of Mrs. Dempsey. Perhaps you can stay with her and Betsey until this thing blows over. My aunt is not stable, and I realize that now. There is some legal business I must tend to, dealing with my inheritance. Aunt Genevieve controls the money, and unfortunately, I have only the roof over my head until I come of age next year. Hopefully she hasn’t gambled it all away,” she murmured while grabbing Lilly’s left hand to quicken their steps.

Lilly said nothing but hurried along in obedience. Katelyn’s face and neck were blotched with bright rosy splotches that resembled strawberries.

Earlier that morning, from their bird’s-eye view from the church balcony, she and Betsey heard Katelyn’s sobs before Mrs. Dempsey ushered her away. And that wasn’t all Lilly heard either. Serious conversations reached her ears, just as they had the night before.

* * *

Jasper spotted them rushing from the building and pulled the carriage around to the front of the church. The girls climbed into the buggy and Katelyn instructed Jasper to stop in a shaded area further down on Lincoln Street, a few blocks down from the church. She reached in the basket for a piece of a biscuit to settle her queasy stomach. Lilly refused any food and continued to sulk.

“Jasper, please take a stroll and enjoy one of your cigarettes on your walk. You won’t be needed for another few minutes, so we’ll wait under the shade of this building.”

The fair-haired man gave her a knowing smile and tied the horse to a hitching post. He tipped his hat before leaving their company as instructed.

“I wish all men from Ireland were as easygoing as that man. Moxie has a prince of a husband in that one,” she whispered.

Lilly looked at her silently and slouched in her seat with defiance. “There’s no sense trying to change the subject. I know what’s going on. I have ears. There’s a lot being said in this city. People are talking about us,” she jeered.

“Yes, Lilly. I know,” she said numbly. “I wish it weren’t true, but I’m afraid it is.” Katelyn’s bewildered eyes avoided the child’s hostile gaze.

* * *

Jasper stopped the buggy in front of the large church located on the corner of Lincoln and Oglethorpe Streets just as the last few people were leaving the meeting. Katelyn had instructed him to return home after she and Lilly exited the carriage. Since he and Moxie were Catholic, he didn’t pay much attention to other church services. For all he knew, Katelyn and Lilly were attending a religious service that morning and returned for more preaching. “Please tell Moxie I won’t be home for dinner. We’re attending an all-day church conference if anyone should ask.” Jasper gave her another knowing smile before tipping his hat to her.

As Katelyn and Lilly hurried into the narthex, Andrew and his mother were shaking hands with the last two attendees of the meeting.

“Well, I just asked the Lord for another chance to redeem myself,” Mrs. Dempsey trilled while dashing toward them. Her thick Irish brogue was delightful. “Lilly, please find Betsey and wait in the sanctuary until I come fetch you. She’s probably sleeping on a pew in the balcony.”

Lady Katelyn giggled, which broke the tension between her and Andrew. He took his cue and moved forward to greet his secret love on better terms.

Lilly curtsied to the older woman. Before dashing off, she noticed that Andrew was still observing Katelyn, looking quite smitten. “Good afternoon, Mr. Dempsey,” she called, waving her hand to him, momentarily breaking his spell.

He smiled back at her but continued gazing upon Lady Katelyn while walking toward her. Lilly knew in an instant that he still cared deeply for his lady, but Lady Katelyn was too distraught to notice his loving gaze.

“You must come home with us, Miss Katelyn,” Mrs. Dempsey said with concern. “It’s nearly time for tea, and you can rest after you’ve had something to eat. You look drained of spirit, and I discern there is much troubling you. I’m going to take good care of you, so don’t worry about a thing,” She turned to address Andrew privately in a hushed tone. “Son, please collect the carriage and direct the horses around to the back entrance. No sense being seen by all of Savannah today. This girl needs protection. Yes, I can surely see that in her troubled eyes.”

Katelyn felt sincerely grateful for this dear woman’s wisdom and clung to Mrs. Dempsey’s arm while being led through the silent corridor toward the rear door exit.

“Excuse me, daughter.” She let go of Katelyn’s tight clutch to dart back into the sanctuary to beckon the girls.

* * *

By the time tea was poured, Katelyn had begun to relax. The cozy parlor room wasn’t tidy enough for unexpected company, but Mrs. Dempsey’s parlor was clean and reflected the hospitable nature of the respectful woman offering her the comforts of a real home. She felt protected in this atmosphere and discerned that this was a safe place to share family secrets.

Katelyn and Lilly had been to the Dempseys’ modest red brick colonial-style home a few times over the past sixteen months. Andrew was the first true gentleman she met after coming of age to be courted. They met on the train when she and her uncle traveled to Philadelphia to purchase a fancy carriage for Lady Genevieve. Her uncle engaged the bright young attorney in conversation and later introduced Andrew to her. In private, her uncle said, “That is the kind of gentleman you should marry someday. He has sound ambition, scruples, and a moral compass that is not corrupted by loose women and drink.”

However, Andrew traveled extensively since his political involvement was demanding. On such occasions, he was away for a political fundraiser or gathering information on behalf of party allegiance being strengthened by resistance from the South over slavery. The economy now suffered from problems with federal legislation controls. Andrew took great care in explaining his position so that Katelyn was aware of his stance regarding the abolishment of slavery. She respected his position and shared most of his conservative views. However, he was a Christian man of humble means, whereas handsome Major Lance Bennington represented power, wealth, and a prominent social position in Savannah. And she, on the other hand, was now, most likely, penniless if the rumors were true.

* * *

“My dear, you’re in much need of an afternoon nap,” Mrs. Dempsey cooed. “Why don’t you take your rest upstairs, and we’ll talk later. You mustn’t let stress rob you of physical stamina. We have a guest room prepared for your comfort,” she coaxed. Her generous gift of hospitality oozed from every pore. “The girls have had their lunch and they’re out in the orchard picking apples to bake a pie later.”

Katelyn let out a huge sigh and gave in to the kind invitation. She hadn’t slept a wink the night before because she heard her aunt pacing back and forth past her bedroom door for what seemed like the entire night. Each time Katelyn nodded off in sleep, the doorknob would rattle again, which caused her to sit straight up in bed with a sudden fright. Thankfully, Lilly slept soundly and was not disturbed by the commotion. After the dark tale Lilly told about Genevieve, she was frightened of the spiritual powers her aunt possessed. Her aunt had dabbled in witchcraft while living in England, but her uncle had laughed off his wife’s interest in it as child’s play and nothing more than healthy curiosity. The baroness was a most vindictive person by nature. She was not going to let this hidden ring incident slide. Katelyn was deeply troubled and doubted if she should return home without legal intervention. As a public solicitor, perhaps Andrew could help in this delicate family matter.

Alone in the guest bedroom, Katelyn stripped down to her undergarments and slipped under the feather blanket. The curtains had been pulled together to block out the late afternoon sun and heat. She closed her eyes intending to sleep for an hour or so, but with all her fretting from the day before and lack of sleep, Katelyn didn’t awaken till early morning. However, when she opened her eyes, it felt like awakening from a brief nap. She had a nightmare but couldn’t remember the scenes. She was vexed in spirit and knew that the dream contained an ominous warning of some sort. But what?