Read Online The Abolitionist’s Secret by Becky Lower - Free Book Online
Authors: Becky Lower
Ads: Link
she needs to do to see to your comfort, so you’ll be in good hands. Now lay back and let the pain medicine do its job. I’ll check in on you later.”
Jasmine hit the pillows on either side of her, in helpless fury, tears pooling in her eyes. “It should be me, not you, who is receiving a gentleman caller this afternoon.” Her tears began anew. “This is so unfair!” As Heather departed the room, Jasmine flung a pillow at the closed door. “I’ll just have to figure out a way to make Heather’s season an abysmal flop without me beside her to show her the way. Maybe I should encourage her to see the lieutenant until he leaves for Georgia. Then, she’ll definitely be a wallflower for the rest of her season.” Smiling as her plan took shape, Jasmine leaned back into the pillows and closed her eyes.
Chapter 11
Charlotte met Sally at the door to the nursery. “How are you and Titus settling into your room?” Charlotte bustled around the large space.
The nursery took up half of the fourth floor of the brownstone. There was a crib at one end, and a narrow bed. On the other end of the room, forgotten toys lined the floor-to-ceiling shelves. A large rug, woven in soft shades of red, gold, and brown was worn thin in various spots, having seen many a set of blocks erected on top of it. The middle of the room had both a child-sized table and a regular-sized version. Charlotte looked around in satisfaction.
“I have many great memories of this room, as my children were growing up.” She ran a wistful gaze over the toys on the shelves before turning to the dark woman holding onto her baby. “Now I hope we can create a good memory or two for you and your baby.”
“Lordy, ma’am. You already have, jez by lettin’ me see dis room.” She placed the baby on the floor and he immediately began to crawl to the shelves full of toys.
“I think, between you, me, Colleen, and my daughters, there will be plenty of people to care for young Titus. Jasmine has been sleeping quite a lot, as she’s still in considerable pain and the medicine puts her out of her misery for a time. The poor child. But, once she begins to feel better, she’ll undoubtedly have one demand after another, so you’ll be kept hopping.” Charlotte smiled over at Sally. “I know you didn’t expect to be a nursemaid, but our plans have changed dramatically. I hope Jasmine doesn’t run you ragged.”
“I’ze used to takin’ care of well-brought up ladies in the south, so I can deal with the likes of Miss Jasmine,” Sally smiled, as she blew out a long breath and looked at her savior. “I’d rather be takin’ care of your child any day than another southern woman.” She took a deep breath. “My blood runs cold when I even thinks about going back.”
“Well, you’re safe now. Get Titus settled down for his nap, get yourself some lunch, and then I’ll fill you in on what the doctor said Jasmine needs.”
Charlotte left Sally and Titus alone in the vast room. Sally sat at the table and watched her boy pulling out one toy after another.
“Well, son, jez look what we’ve gotten ourselves into.” Sally laughed softly, for the first time in weeks as she kept her eyes on Titus. “Saints be praised.”
As her eyes filled with tears, and she sensed the kink of terror for her plight begin to loosen a bit, she picked up her son and held him to herself. She took a deep gulping breath and prepared her child for his nap.
After making certain Titus was soundly sleeping, Sally let herself out and went down the back staircase to the kitchen on the ground level. There she was greeted by the house staff and given her lunch. She sat at the utilitarian table and ate soup and a sandwich. As she finished eating, Charlotte buzzed into the room.
“Come, Sally, let me take you to see Jasmine. Colleen is going up to check on the baby and make certain he’s still sleeping, so you should have no worries.”
“Ma’am, thank you for what you done for me
Jasmine hit the pillows on either side of her, in helpless fury, tears pooling in her eyes. “It should be me, not you, who is receiving a gentleman caller this afternoon.” Her tears began anew. “This is so unfair!” As Heather departed the room, Jasmine flung a pillow at the closed door. “I’ll just have to figure out a way to make Heather’s season an abysmal flop without me beside her to show her the way. Maybe I should encourage her to see the lieutenant until he leaves for Georgia. Then, she’ll definitely be a wallflower for the rest of her season.” Smiling as her plan took shape, Jasmine leaned back into the pillows and closed her eyes.
Chapter 11
Charlotte met Sally at the door to the nursery. “How are you and Titus settling into your room?” Charlotte bustled around the large space.
The nursery took up half of the fourth floor of the brownstone. There was a crib at one end, and a narrow bed. On the other end of the room, forgotten toys lined the floor-to-ceiling shelves. A large rug, woven in soft shades of red, gold, and brown was worn thin in various spots, having seen many a set of blocks erected on top of it. The middle of the room had both a child-sized table and a regular-sized version. Charlotte looked around in satisfaction.
“I have many great memories of this room, as my children were growing up.” She ran a wistful gaze over the toys on the shelves before turning to the dark woman holding onto her baby. “Now I hope we can create a good memory or two for you and your baby.”
“Lordy, ma’am. You already have, jez by lettin’ me see dis room.” She placed the baby on the floor and he immediately began to crawl to the shelves full of toys.
“I think, between you, me, Colleen, and my daughters, there will be plenty of people to care for young Titus. Jasmine has been sleeping quite a lot, as she’s still in considerable pain and the medicine puts her out of her misery for a time. The poor child. But, once she begins to feel better, she’ll undoubtedly have one demand after another, so you’ll be kept hopping.” Charlotte smiled over at Sally. “I know you didn’t expect to be a nursemaid, but our plans have changed dramatically. I hope Jasmine doesn’t run you ragged.”
“I’ze used to takin’ care of well-brought up ladies in the south, so I can deal with the likes of Miss Jasmine,” Sally smiled, as she blew out a long breath and looked at her savior. “I’d rather be takin’ care of your child any day than another southern woman.” She took a deep breath. “My blood runs cold when I even thinks about going back.”
“Well, you’re safe now. Get Titus settled down for his nap, get yourself some lunch, and then I’ll fill you in on what the doctor said Jasmine needs.”
Charlotte left Sally and Titus alone in the vast room. Sally sat at the table and watched her boy pulling out one toy after another.
“Well, son, jez look what we’ve gotten ourselves into.” Sally laughed softly, for the first time in weeks as she kept her eyes on Titus. “Saints be praised.”
As her eyes filled with tears, and she sensed the kink of terror for her plight begin to loosen a bit, she picked up her son and held him to herself. She took a deep gulping breath and prepared her child for his nap.
After making certain Titus was soundly sleeping, Sally let herself out and went down the back staircase to the kitchen on the ground level. There she was greeted by the house staff and given her lunch. She sat at the utilitarian table and ate soup and a sandwich. As she finished eating, Charlotte buzzed into the room.
“Come, Sally, let me take you to see Jasmine. Colleen is going up to check on the baby and make certain he’s still sleeping, so you should have no worries.”
“Ma’am, thank you for what you done for me
Similar Books
