Cry Love by Eve Gaddy

Author:Eve Gaddy [Gaddy, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks, Inc.
Published: 2014-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

AS SHE’D FEARED, Claire wound up filling in for one of the docs whose wife was having a baby. She called and asked Jonas for a rain check, promising to spend time with him when their schedules allowed. Since he was a doctor as well, Claire didn’t have to defend working odd hours as she’d often had to do with Glenn. Jonas simply told her to get some rest if she could and they’d see each other when their jobs allowed.

Was it her imagination or had he sounded relieved that she couldn’t see him?

At midnight, she dragged herself to the long-term hotel she’d moved to and fell into bed immediately. But sleep was a long time coming. Her mind wouldn’t turn off. She kept thinking of Jonas and dreams, and forbidden, tragic love. Forbidden . . .

June 1859

“SARAH, WHAT ARE you doing here? It’s late. Does Victor know you’re here?” Even as she spoke and scolded, Rachel pulled her sister inside. “I can’t believe you’re out in this weather.” Rain had started coming down harder and harder the farther Sarah got from home.

“Victor’s gone. Thank God. For several days. I have to talk to you, Rachel. In private.” She glanced around, knowing none of Victor’s spies would be working at her sister’s house, but still, she worried.

“You’ll have to stay,” her sister said. “It’s already getting dark.” She drew the drapes aside to look out the window. “It’s coming down in sheets now. Lord, I’ve never seen such a night.”

“I need to get back. But that’s not important.” Sarah grasped her sister’s hand. “Rachel, I need your help.”

“Of course. What can I do?”

“One of our slaves needs to leave. Before something unthinkable happens.”

Rachel left Sarah to light the lamps in the deepening gloom. The fire was burning merrily, as welcoming as Rachel herself. “I don’t understand. You know we help whoever comes to us. Who is it?” She sat beside Sarah on the sofa.

“His name is Elijah. He keeps Victor’s accounts.”

“Oh, yes, I remember seeing him. Why must he leave?” Rachel repeated.

“Mr. Bransen, the overseer, had him beaten recently. He’s conceived a dislike for Elijah and it’s growing worse. I’m afraid of what Bransen will do next time. And I’m certain there will be a next time.” Which was one reason she’d risked coming to Rachel’s on such a night.

“Can you talk to Victor? Surely if Elijah is valuable to Victor he’ll step in with the overseer.”

Sarah laughed mirthlessly. “I’ve tried. You know Victor has always been autocratic.” Rachel nodded. “He’s getting worse. He won’t hear any dissension, as he calls it. I can barely get out of the house to visit the tenants without him questioning me for hours. If I show too much interest in any of the slaves . . .” she trailed off. If Victor found out about her friendship with Elijah, they would both die. What her husband would do if he discovered her true feelings didn’t bear thinking of.

She shouldn’t have kissed Elijah, shouldn’t have been alone with him, but no harm had come of it.

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