Chapter Twenty-Seven

                                    

                                          
Sara watched as Elijah stormed into the house. His face, a dark mask of anger, growling, and gnashing at anyone who was fool enough to stumble into his path. She stood hidden in a doorway watching him stalk up the hall to his rooms. Since he returned from seeing that woman at the McArthur Manor a fortnight ago, his mood had been decidedly black. Approaching him to rekindle their relationship would be foolhardy. She would bide her time until anger melted into despair, then she could present herself as a boon for his sorrow. A loving shoulder to cry on.
                          
Helping Jacqueline accomplish her goal of removing Ayo from his side was worth the risk. If anyone knew her part in it, she'd surely lose him or worse her life. Though things had not worked as she'd hoped, both of her problems had been tidily removed. She had hoped to see, Ayo swinging from a noose, the conniving whore. That pompous ass, Jacqueline was no better. She was foolish enough to believe that Sarah aided her out of anything but self-interest. Sarah smiled inwardly. Now that it had all come full-circle. She would have Elijah to herself and ensure there were no more competitors in the race for his heart.
                          
Elijah slammed the door upon entering his rooms. He looked around. His quarters had not been cleaned in weeks, much to the dismay of his mother. He refused to speak to either of his parents about Ayo or Thomas. Each time the thought of them ran through his mind, an anger grew in him. One that raged through his being and utterly controlled him. When the ache in his heart was at its worst, the only comfort he found was in drink or betwixt the thighs of a well-paid whore.
                          
A subtle knock came at his door. He whipped the door open in indignation. "What do you want." He stated gruffly. Charlotte stood staring up at her brother with wide eyes and a firm set to her jaw. She refused to be intimidated by his foul disposition.
                          
"Elijah, we must speak. This has gone on long enough."
                          
"I have no wish to speak with you." He stated as he attempted to shut the door. Charlotte jammed her foot in the wedge of the door. This time he would not get to skulk away to drown his sorrows at the bottom of a bottle. They were all suffering from recent events. It was time that Elijah faced up to facts.
                          
Charlotte clenched her teeth and squinted her eyes as they narrowed on her brother. "How dare you..." She seethed. "Do you honestly believe that you are the only one enduring this horrid situation? Can you not see that you inflict pain on those that would love you and protect you? Father has done all he can to assuage the damage the Morgan's have done to our reputation and our livelihood. Is it not enough that Ayo's life is recompense for our mistake?"
                          
Elijah who had his back to Charlotte turned sharply and grasped her by the shoulders. "Charlotte, what do you mean Ayo's life is recompense for our mistake. Is she not safe in Thomas' care?" Concern grew in his eyes. Thomas and Ayo had clearly stated their intentions for one another. Thomas was to take her out of Virginia to the North to escape what was sure to be her execution. Despite all else, he was certain, at the very least that she would be kept safe.
                          
"Not so Brother. Jacqueline and her dear mama, have placed a bounty on her head. It is a significant sum I'm told, being offered to anyone who would bring Ayo to them, alive or dead. Since Jacqueline cannot have you, she is determined to keep Ayo from having you as well."
                          
Elijah's eyes were downcast. "God's teeth! Has she not had enough? Father settled this matter with her mother. It cost us a pretty penny as well. We shall have to take economies for some time to recover the cost. Does Thomas know of this? Has he devised a way to protect her?"
                          
Charlotte shook off his hold as it had grown painful. "I do not know. As far as I know, they have been unable to find her. Thomas has kept her successfully hidden. To her credit, Jacqueline has been thorough and ensured her manhunt was open to all from here to the Canadian border. They have not a pray of escape. I've only recently received word from Thomas. They are hold up near Baltimore and have not been able to continue without being trapped. They are in desperate need of assistance."
                          
Elijah turned away from Charlotte and walked to the dresser on the far side of the room. He opened a decanter of liquor and poured himself a sizable cup and drank heartily.
                          
"There is more..." Charlotte paused, unsure of how to continue; fearful of his outbursts.
                          
"What more can there be?" Elijah faced her again, leaning against the board expanse of his Cherrywood dresser.
                          
Charlotte wrung her hands over each other in nervous habit. Elijah's silver eyes intensified their gaze waiting for her to speak. His jaw visibly tightened, Charlotte could tell he was holding back. She steeled herself and trudged on.
                          
"Ida found Jacqueline's tortoise shelled combs among Sara's belongings day before yesterday."
                          
Elijah flung the glass in his hand across the room, which promptly smashed against the wall causing Charlotte start in alarm.
                          
"Why was I not made aware of this until now!" He shouted.
                          
"Because Brother you would not listen to me nor to anyone who dares to bring up Ayo or Thomas in your presence." Charlotte snapped.
                          
"Have you asked Sara why the combs were in her possession?" He said storming towards her and stopping just short of her person.
                          
"We have not ascertained as much. Father, decided that leaving her to her own devices would be more expedient in revealing the truth. He believes that the manner of Ayo's capture by Simon raises some questions and that Jacqueline may have been involved in orchestrating the entire situation. I am inclined to believe this as well. I was against her from the start. We should never have entangled ourselves with that despicable family."
                          
"If this is true, we must find a way to prove it. It will exonerate Ayo; she will be free to return to us." 'free to return to me' Elijah thought.
                          
Charlotte's face became grim. "Brother, perhaps leaving her with Thomas is best."
                          
"Why should you say such a thing!" He cried.
                          
"Tis a simple issue of color. Brother whilst we all love her and would not begrudge your feelings for Ayo. Surely you know it's not to be. There is no discernible way, the two of you can be. I love you both and I would not see you suffer needlessly."
                          
The truth of her words could not be denied. Elijah knew his dream of being with Ayo was folly. Impossible even in the best of circumstances. Relationships between different classes was a matter that was frown upon but between different races, such a matter could cost lives. Despite this knowledge, he loved her still with every beat of his heart and every breath he took. She chose another. Were he in her place, perhaps he would have made the same choice. Elijah sighed and stalked to his door. He held it ajar. "It's time that you leave, Sister. I will hear no more of this."
                          
Charlotte gathered her skirts and floated past him out the door and just before he closed it, she asked "What will you do, Brother?"
                          
"I mean to keep her safe, despite any other quarrels we may have."