While Olivia dressed for the party, she thought about the previous evening. Wincing as she recalled the spanking, she puzzled over the questions the whack had raised.
Slowly she combed her hair into loose, soft ringlets. Wrinkling her nose at her reflection she murmured, “I wonder who that mysterious stranger is? And why are those two so fearful of being discovered?” Then she grinned at the obvious answer. “Of course! Knowing my brother, there’s something he has planned that he doesn’t want me to know about.”
She heard the tap on the door and turned, calling, “Come.” It was Alberta’s maid. “Oh, Ellie, will you please do something with my hair?”
The woman settled herself comfortably and picked up the brush. “I brought you some pink roses for your hair. Let’s lift your hair up and tie it with ribbons. It’s too hot for it to hang loose.
“My, that drawing room looks nice. Lewis, he put flowers all over the place.” She chuckled until she shook. “If you can’t stand flowers, just go to the garden. It’s bare; they’s all in the house.” Backing away, she said, “Miss Olivia, you look just as pretty as a picture. Now you go have a good time. There’s a pack of ladies and gentlemen down there already.”
Olivia paused at the head of the stairs. She could see Alberta and Lynda standing in the hall below. Their pastel gowns billowed over hoops, making them look like giant blossoms turned stem up.
After admiring the pleasing rainbow of color dotted among the white-clad men, Olivia started slowly down the stairs, enjoying the scene each step revealed. She saw the one dark coat in the crowd. It was a gentleman standing beside Matthew with his back to the room.
As she descended the last steps she studied the man. Black was fitting. His dark curly hair rode his collar like an extension of the coat. With his broad, heavy shoulders, she decided he needed the dignity of black.
Lem came to take her hand and she smiled at him. “You look very handsome!” she murmured, adding with a tiny smile, “It nearly makes me forget last night.”
He bowed and pulled her arm through his. “Mother wants you over here.” He lowered his voice. “Better not mention last night. I think Mother’s wise. Matt cast one burning look too many my direction.” He guided her toward the dining room.
When they passed the drawing room, Olivia tugged at his arm. “Oh, that’s nearly enough to make me like the waltz,” she said, watching the violins and bass viols descend upon the piano.
“But not me,” he muttered with a relieved sigh as he dropped Olivia’s arm and excused himself.
****
It was late in the evening when Matthew came to her with his friend in tow. “Olivia, do you remember Alex Duncan?”
She turned. The bright blue eyes were sober and serious now. He looked at her quizzically. Had he forgotten her? She hesitated. Surely this isn’t the drunken lout! She was caught off guard and filled with uncertainty as the man repeated her name. This gentleman was the perfect, remote Southerner.
She recalled the laughing, tipsy youth with warm, bright eyes and tumbled hair. She couldn’t believe this dark, dignified stranger even resembled the youth who had flung her around the kitchen in a wild dance which had ended in that terrible kiss.
Taking a step back, she surveyed the dark hair, noting the beard, and then her glance fastened on the tiny gold hoop in his ear. Caught by surprise she felt her eyebrows rise. But the next moment she blushed at the amusement in his eyes as he bent over her hand.
“The kitchen knave.” The words skipped from her mouth.
“Was I? I apologize, and pray that I didn’t disgrace my mother.”
Abruptly she backed away, conscious of only one hard, cold fact. This was the voice she had heard last night. This was the man who had spanked her like a misbehaving child.
She bowed stiffly. “You will excuse me, please? My aunt is trying to catch my eye.”
During the remainder of the evening she avoided the pair, although she studied them from across the room. The slight blond man in white and the hulking figure in black raised more questions. But as she continued to watch them, she became increasingly fearful for Matthew. The man had an obvious charm as he bent over Alberta. And poor Alberta! That sappy smile; she’s being swept off her feet! Is it my duty to rescue the whole family from that monster? As she wondered, she found herself questioning her violent disapproval of the man. She watched Matthew cross the room to Duncan and Alberta. In a moment Duncan stood, bowed to Alberta, and followed Matthew from the room.
“Lynda, I’ll be back in a minute.” Olivia hurried after the white and black figures disappearing into the library. The door was open. The music coming from the drawing room covered their conversation as they stood in front of the fireplace with their backs to her. Carefully she slipped inside and stepped into the shadows behind the door.
“Everything is ready. Meet me on the dock,” Duncan said. Olivia saw him glance toward the door. He stepped close to Matthew and she could no longer make out the words. The black figure moved toward the door, paused and said, “You need to let them know. There could be problems.”
Olivia fought the temptation to follow Matthew. She pondered the sentence she had heard. As they disappeared down the hall, she said, “I think that man has a strange hold on my brother. I know he is up to something, and I don’t think it’s good.”
Finally she left the room just as the clock began to strike. Glancing up she murmured, “Midnight. It won’t be long before they all leave.” Even as she spoke, she watched guests begin to move into the hall.
As soon as she dared, Olivia slipped into the kitchen and ran up the back stairs to her room. Her hands were trembling as she chose a dark, long-sleeved dress and changed quickly.
Cautiously she crept down the kitchen stairs and slipped out the back door to wait in the shadows. She heard the sound of laughter. Another carriage pulled away from the door.
Taking a deep breath, Olivia ran across to the garden path. Remembering the previous night, she moved cautiously through the bushes. When she could see the water reflecting moonlight, she stopped to catch her breath. Except for the lapping of water against a boat, there was only quietness. Not even a frog croaked.
Water lapping against a boat? There shouldn’t be a boat at the dock. Carefully she parted the bushes. There was no one to be seen on the path. Taking a deep breath, she quietly approached the dock. At the far end, nestled in the shadows of the towering oaks, she could make out the shape of a boat. It wasn’t the fishing boat; it was much larger. Walking up close, she waited for her eyes to adjust to the deeper shadows.
Now she could see the narrow board bridging the shadows and resting on the end of the dock. Cautiously she approached, testing her weight. Again she hesitated, glancing fearfully around before she ran lightly across the plank.
In the darkness she could barely make out the gleam of polished wood. Above her head a stairway circled upward. She tiptoed forward, with her hand outstretched. “Ouch!” She collided with something that shifted beneath her hand. With her hand still outstretched, she heard a hollow thunk. It was a long minute before she dared explore the surface with her hand. Firewood! Is it possible this is a steamboat? she thought.
The chuckle started deep in her throat. A nice, neat little steamboat, loaded and ready to go. Those two! They’re planning on giving me the slip, so that they can go off on a lark—just the two of them. Matt, you should know better! Still shaking her head, she started up the stairs. Holding back the giggles, she imagined their faces when they discovered their stowaway.
She had reached the deck when she heard the whisper of sound, and a distant thump. She stopped and listened. Could that be Matthew and Alex? Surely there must be someone aboard; it takes a crew to man even a boat this small. Now the sound came from the dock below. Leaning over the railing she saw the two figures, and heard their brave steps.
Backing away from the railing, Olivia tried to find shelter. There was a hard object against her back. Fumbling, she discovered a doorknob. With a sigh of relief, she cautiously turned the knob. The door gave slightly and then there was soft resistance. Again she pushed. There was a murmur of voices from inside, but the door flew open. She yelled. Immediately she heard the pounding of feet coming up the stairs, from which she tried to run but as soon as she started she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around her. As she fought, light flooded the air. “You! Olivia, how did you get here?” It was Matthew, and she flung herself away from him. At his shoulder, holding the lantern high, stood Alex. She could see only his frown. Matthew grasped her left arm and demanded. “Tell me, how did you find out about this?”
“Stop it!” she cried. “You’re hurting me! You needn’t break my arm. I heard you in the library.”
“Everything we said?”
She considered his worried face and took the chance. “Of course. When I saw the boat I realized you two were trying to give me the slip.” She jutted her chin at the pair. “If you’re going to make such an issue of having a female along on your outing, I’ll just take myself out of your presence.”
She moved, but Alex’s hand blocked her way. His voice was heavy. “Oh no you won’t. It’s much too late for that. In fact, you’ve made it absolutely necessary that we take you along.”
“Where I’m not wanted?” She lifted her chin as he reached for her arm and turned her around. Holding the lantern high, he stepped forward.
Olivia gasped and took a step backward. The light revealed a huddled mass of people, their dark faces terrified. The eyes shifted to Alex. He spoke softly. “There’s nothing to fear. This is Matthew’s sister, and she will be making the trip with us.”
One man detached himself from the crowd. He was wearing a red cap. He looked from her to Alex, saying, “Don’t seem right; maybe it’s better we let her go and take chances. Alex, she too gentle a lady; this is a hard trip.”
“Not for her. She’ll stay with the boat. We’ll take good care of her. Right now I can’t risk your freedom, even the lives of all your people. You trusted me to get you this far. I won’t let you down.” He paused, and added, “Her inconvenience isn’t as important as your lives.”
Turning to Olivia he waved to the man. “This is Caleb, my right hand man, my first mate.” He turned to set the lantern on the floor. Now Olivia could see the line of small black faces, watching her fearfully. Unexpectedly she blinked at tears. Alex looked at her and said softly, “Welcome to the Underground Railroad. Olivia, you are now involved in the task of helping move these people on their journey to Canada and freedom.”
Olivia just stood there, numb, not knowing what to think.
Turning back to Caleb, Alex said, “In another hour, we’ll lift the anchor and drift with the tide. When we get beyond the island, have the men fire the boilers. It should be easy going by then.”
“Won’t they suspect the quiet engines?” Caleb asked.
“If we are fortunate, there won’t be anyone to ask questions this early in the morning.” He waved at the others. “Go back to sleep; you’re safe.” Heading for the door, he turned to face Olivia. “Come along.”
He walked ahead of her, across the deck to the stairs leading up to the pilothouse. There he opened a door under the stairs. Silently he stepped aside and waited for her to pass through. Inside he placed the lantern on a cluttered table.
Olivia turned to look at her surroundings. She could see the cabin served as office and quarters. Bunks lined the room. A table with benches and chairs around it stood in the center of the cabin. She was aware that Alex was watching her. Reluctantly she faced him. With a slight smile he said, “Not fancy. I’ve taken the cookstove out to provide room for the crew. You’ve seen the rest of the accommodations. At best we can carry fifty in the other cabins. Fifty very crowded individuals.
“This trip we don’t have a full house, since it’s our first and it takes time to get the word around.” He paused, then added, “I suppose being crowded isn’t important if there’s freedom on the other end.”