Chapter Seventeen: The Cottage

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The wind was all that was left of the storm that had raged an hour ago. It pushed away the clouds, and gave them the light from the half-moon that glowed above. The wheels of their wagon squelched in the newly made mud as they careened down the road. A light rain sprinkled down, the spots of water glittering like millions of tiny diamonds everywhere. The muggy heat had been thrust away; replaced by a light cooling air.

As they neared Oak Alley, Crystal directed Michael to pull off into the surrounding woods. The trail that used to be there had long been taken over by the forest, but it was still the easiest way in. Crystal’s gut wrenched at every bump and shake. Every movement followed by Joseph’s weak gasps. She gently adjusted his head on her lap, and brushed the sweat soaked hair away from his clammy forehead. Her other hand dabbed at the dried cuts on his face with a piece of her petticoats.

Michael and Jeremy had tried to be gentle when loading Joseph into the wagon that they had retrieved from Ursuline Avenue. Though that hadn’t stopped her from flinching with every move they made. She kept her hand on Joseph’s chest the entire ride just to be sure his heart was still beating. It was, but barely.

Jeremy sat across from her in the wagon bed, watching Joseph with lifeless eyes. “I don’t think he’s gonna make it,” he said quietly.

Crystal threw him a sharp glare. “Never say that.”

“He’s lost too much blood,” Jeremy went on. “We waited too late.”

“I won’t let him die,” Crystal said, not looking up. Her fist clenched the bloody petticoats in her hand tightly as she followed the slow rise and fall of Joseph’s bandaged chest. “I won’t.”

Jeremy didn’t reply.

They arrived at the abandoned overseer’s cottage minutes later. It was almost completely hidden by trees and overgrown brush after all the years of neglect. After Oak Alley’s original overseer had died, the man had never been replaced. The house had fallen into ruins shortly after, and with the exception of snake hunting, the building was rarely used.

Michael and Jeremy climbed from the wagon and Crystal eased Joseph’s head from her lap, and grabbed the lantern that hung on the side of the wagon before following. Weeds had taken over the small porch and one side of the roof threatened to collapse from the weight of the giant branch that had fallen onto it. The front door had gotten stuck in its frame because of the weak foundation falling in on itself, and Michael had to kick it open. The wood crashed to the floor and Crystal cringed at the sound of tiny scurrying paws.

She held the lantern high as they entered the front room, glancing around uneasily. She had never been here before, always afraid of the snakes and mice that inhabited the place. She could taste the grim the door had sent flying into the air, and the smell of mouse droppings was sharp in the small space.

Crystal suggested they check for snakes before moving Joseph into the house. With the house only having one window and two small rooms, this wasn’t exactly difficult. Their search was, however, fruitful. Michael crushed a garden snakes head with his heel when it slithered out from a crack in the floorboards. His loud cursing was concealed by Crystal’s shrieks.

After much stomping to clear away any other unwanted creatures, they headed back to the wagon. Crystal grabbed the few blankets that had already been in the bed and hurried to make a place for Joseph in front of the brick hearth. The fireplace was the only thing about the cottage that was still in working order. Once Joseph had been set upon the blankets Jeremy rushed to start a fire with some dried leaves and sticks while Michael searched the woods for branches that had not been soaked by rain.

When they got the fire going and Joseph as comfortable as possible Crystal and Jeremy left Michael to watch him. They hurried through the trees, Jeremy pulling Crystal’s horse along by its bridle. It was safest to return the animal before it was missed. However, the ground was too uneven for them to ride the mare with only the light of their single lantern, and it wasn’t a long walk to Oak Alley.

The overseer’s house was set on the west side of the plantation. Closer to the slave quarters and cotton gin than the actual house. Together they skimmed around these obstacles. Crystal didn’t even want to think about what would happen if she were caught out here with Jeremy. Hopefully staying out of sight would give them fair warning if someone happened to be coming.

Once they were near the house Crystal directed Jeremy to the stables where he could put her horse away. She told him to meet her behind the kitchens once he was finished. He didn’t seem to mind obeying. Inside her home Crystal quietly made her way to her bedroom. Liza still lay soundly asleep on the cot where she’d left her.

“Liza?” Crystal whispered, bending down next to her and gently shaking her. “Liza?”

The maid’s eyes opened abruptly and she immediately looked alert. “Where was you?” she demanded.

Crystal looked back with surprise, but instead of answering got to the point. “I need your help.”

Liza was up before Crystal could gage her reaction. “I been waiting for this. You don’t know how long. Ever since you had that dream I’s been waiting.”

Crystal had yet to get up from the floor, and, with her mouth hanging open in surprise, watched Liza pace across the room. “How – how did you know?”

Liza turned to her, her eyes black in the dark, her teeth flashed white against her skin as she smiled. “Ain’t I raised you since you was a babe? You think you can hide anything from dis old girl? I don’ think so.”

Crystal couldn’t help but smile, and was reminded of her bruised jaw by the dull ache. She should have guessed that Liza knew something was going on. Her nursemaid always knew when she was upset or hiding something, though it had never taken Crystal so long to reveal a secret.

“I’m sorry I haven’t told you Liza, but this isn’t exactly a small secret. I didn’t just stain my Sunday dress this time.”

Liza’s expression didn’t change. “I figured as much. You ain’t gonna be sneaking out in the middle of the night to hide no dress you stained.”

Crystal sighed in relief as she pulled herself up from the floor. This wasn’t going to be as hard as she thought. “I’ll tell you everything, Liza. But first we need to get some supplies. My– my friend, he’s hurt. Badly. You have to help him.”

“Whatsa matter with him?”

Crystal swallowed loudly. “He – he was shot.”

Liza nodded as if she’d been expecting as much. “They get the bullet out?”

Crystal nodded as well. “Yes, but I’m afraid it may have hurt more than helped him.”

“We gonna have to get some water boiling and bandages . . .” Liza began ticking the things they would need off on her fingers as she quickly dressed. Crystal explained to her where Joseph was and whose help it had taken to get him there so that she wouldn’t be surprised when they met Jeremy outside.

Liza donned her grey cotton work dress and boots, then grabbed a few sheets from the wardrobe and the small sackcloth bag she kept under her cot. Crystal collected a few more blankets from her chest and they left the room and walked slowly through the house to keep from waking anyone. When they got to the back porch, they hurried to the kitchens, finding Jeremy pacing behind the building. Crystal watched the two exchange appraising looks, though neither said anything. They gathered supplies from the kitchens swiftly, water and what medicine they had. Crystal snatched half a loaf of bread and a chunk of day old cheese from the pantry and stuffed them into an empty potato sack. Michael and Jeremy were probably starving. They were heading for the door when Crystal saw Liza snatch a long craving knife from the chopping bloke and slide it into her bag. Crystal refused to think of what she planned on using it for.

When they finally arrived back at the cottage, Crystal dropped the blankets and bag she’d been carrying and immediately went to Joseph’s side. Grateful to find him, if not better, than at least the same as when she’d left him. Liza stood in the doorway studying the scene.

Crystal turned to her with a pleading look and gestured at Joseph. “Please help him, Liza.”

She reacted to Crystal’s words and joined her at Joseph’s side. “He don’t look good,” Liza observed. Throwing back the blanket that covered him, she pulled the scissors from her bag and began cutting the dirty bandages off of him.

Crystal had to look away when the wound was revealed. It was raw and deep, horrifying beyond anything she could imagine. How had he survived an entire day like this?

They all were silent as Liza worked. Crystal hurrying to obey her quiet orders to put the water on the hook inside the hearth and begin cutting sheets into strips. Though she hesitated when ordered to set the tip of the knife she’d seen Liza grab into the flames. Jeremy and Michael sat on the other side of the room to keep out of the way. They dug into the bread and cheese without hesitation, barely came up for air between bites.

After they finished eating, Liza sent all of them to find more wood for the fire while she washed him. Crystal let out a cry of alarm when she heard a blood curdling scream come from the cottage. She dropped her pile of branches and darted for the house. She reached the porch but Jeremy jumped in her path, and refused to let her go in. Crystal fought against him, but she was too weak and collapsed against to him. Her sobs were muted by Joseph’s continued cries of torture.

After a moment it was finally over, the night was terribly quiet. Even the crickets stopped chirping. Jeremy released her but she was hesitant to go back inside, afraid of what she would see. Michael joined them on the porch, his arms loaded with branches, and Jeremy moved the broken door. Crystal stared at her skirts as she entered the cottage once more. She heard Michael drop the branches near the fireplace and decided if he was being the normal it couldn’t be that bad. Slowly she raised her eyes. Liza was re-stitching the gash on Joseph’s head. The blood was finally all gone, fresh bandages were wrapped around his chest, and his lower half was covered by two thick quilts. Liza quietly announced that she thought he would live, as long as he was properly taken care of. There was an audible sigh of relief from Jeremy and Michael, but Crystal couldn’t bring herself to even breathe. How could he be alive after what she’d just heard? She quietly knelt at his side and brushed her fingers over his pale brow and he breathed a little deeper. His response assured her he was alive and she was calmed by this knowledge. With shaking fingers she wiped the tears from her own eyes and tried to avoid Liza’s concerned glances.

The men stocked the fire, their bodies noticeably more relaxed as they worked. When this had been accomplished, they both slipped back outside.

Crystal watched as Liza pressed the needle in and out of Joseph’s skin for a moment but began feeling nauseated. She reached for his hand, which lay limply at his side, and gently traced the lines in his palm. His skin was rough and calloused beneath her own. She found herself remembering what it felt like when he’d held her, which brought back the memory of his kiss. A blush heated her face as she thought of how his lips felt against her own. Warm and hard, devouring her until she could barely breathe, let alone think. But she had fought it. Knowing that it was wrong, hating that it was wrong. She had pulled away and let the shame engulf her.

She closed her eyes, trying to block out that day, and the day that followed. When she looked up Liza was staring at her, her brown eyes sad.

Crystal met her gaze and Liza looked away with a sigh, shaking her head. “They’s the ones that robbed that bank.”

It wasn’t a question so Crystal chose not to answer. Instead she returned her eyes to Joseph’s hand. Her skin was fair against his brown palm, she pressed their hands together so that they fit exactly. His long fingers were large compared to her small slender ones. She laced them together and looked back to Liza, who continued to stitch Joseph’s cut.

“I didn’t know where else to bring him, Liza,” she said quietly.

Liza didn’t look up. Her mouth pressed into a firm line. “Your father ain’t gonna like it.”

Crystal’s eyes widened in alarm. “Liza, you can’t tell him! He’d kill me. Along with these men.”

“So whatcha gonna do, hide him here forever?”

Crystal shook her head. “Just until he heals.”

Liza snapped the thread with her teeth and quickly tied a small knot with her nimble fingers. Once finished, she surveyed her work, pulling the blankets up over Joseph’s chest to trap the heat around him. Finally she looked up at Crystal, her eyes soft. “This is just gonna hurt you, pumpkin. Ain’t nothing good gonna come from it.”

“If I save his life, that’s all that matters.”

“They killed a good man, they did,” Liza said, staring at Joseph thoughtfully. “If you can live with that, I can too. Just never forget it.”

“You don’t know him like I do,” Crystal said in defense. She clasped Joseph’s hand harder than necessary as she spoke, as if holding on tighter would prove her point.

“That’s the truth. And if you trust him then so do I. All I’m sayin’ is be careful with your heart and who you give it to.”

Crystal looked at Liza with raised browse. “Liza, you know I’m marrying Charles. Joseph and I are friends. I wanted to help him is all.” She tried to say the words with conviction but flashes of Joseph’s kiss, his smoldering eyes, easy laugh, low voice, all crowded for attention in her mind. Reminding her of what she felt when he was around, like she was free.

But she couldn’t think of that. She was engaged and Joseph would never want her, looking at the extent he’d gone through to get rid of her told her that much. She wondered if he would be upset when he woke up. She had gone against his wishes to stay away from him after all. However, Michael had come for her so he would just have to deal with it.

Liza nodded at her answer, the look on her face skeptical, but she didn’t question her. Standing, the nursemaid gathered all the bloodied rags in her arms and carefully added them to the roaring fire. The cottage was already hot and stuffy, the added smell of filth did not help this aspect. Crystal could feel sweat collecting on her forehead and under her arms. She was exhausted and she could barely hold her eyelids open. She had forgotten how incredibly sore she was from the beating she’d received at the bank. Her entire body cried out for rest, her sides burned and she was sure her skin was now many more colors than just black and blue.

“It’s time you got to bed, pumpkin,” Liza said as she packed away her thread and needle. “Your friend will be here in the mornin’.”

Crystal shook her head, the action strangely uncontrollable after it started. “I can’t leave him. What if he wakes up?”

“He ain’t goin’ no where if that’s what you think,” Liza said. Coming to her side, she helped Crystal from the floor.

Walking was suddenly a very complicated thing to do for Crystal. With every step she wobbled and Liza had to support her. Crystal glanced at Joseph and was satisfied to see that he looked somewhat improved. No longer bloody, though he was still perspiring greatly.

“He’ll sweat the fever out,” Liza said, as if reading her thoughts. “The best thing for him right now.”

Crystal didn’t reply, it would have taken too much energy she decided.

Liza led her to the door, which had been propped up against its frame again, and moved it aside. Jeremy and Michael were near the wagon, speaking quietly. Their horses, tied to a tree, grazed near by. Crystal and Liza joined them in the cool dark. The wind felt marvelous against Crystal’s flushed cheeks and helped bring her out of her groggy state.

“He should be all right now,” Crystal told them. “The heat will hopefully help rid him of the fever. And I believe Liza gave him enough laudanum to put out a horse, so it’s doubtful that he’ll feel anything tonight.”

Jeremy and Michael nodded in unison, both shifting uncomfortably. Crystal could tell they were relieved, but neither were likely used to showing emotion. “You are both welcome to stay the night here. Actually you’ll be doing me a favor if you do. I cannot stay and watch him, so if you’re here I’ll at least be able to sleep tonight.”

“I can’t say we’re not tired, either,” Jeremy said, glancing at Michael. “But we won’t be here long. Riley will be wondering where we’ve got to.”

Crystal’s brow furrowed. “Riley? You mean Theodore Riley? Even after all he’s done you plan on going back to him?”

Once more Jeremy and Michael exchanged looks, guilty this time. “We know he’s not the nicest person to be around,” Jeremy started. “But he took us in when we didn’t have anything or anyone. We don’t always like what he does, but he deserves our loyalty.”

Crystal looked back and forth between both of them, unable to understand. “He makes you kill people. Innocent people. How can you defend him?”

Neither answered and Crystal felt she’d crossed a line. The tension in the air was thick, and when Crystal thought she was about to start screaming accusations Liza gently nudged her toward home. They had only gone a few feet when she heard one of the men finally speak.

“Thank you.”

The words were so quiet that she almost missed them. Crystal turned and saw Michael staring right at her. When she met his gaze, he shifted his eyes to the ground.

“For saving my brother, I mean.” If she hadn’t been listening this time, she wouldn’t have heard him speak at all.

Slowly she nodded. “You’re welcome. Though, I didn’t do it for you.”

Michael nodded at the forest floor, and after a moment Crystal turned away. Liza wrapped her arm around her waist to help her across the uneven ground, lifting Crystal’s hand over her shoulder to support her as they walked.

“I sure thought I’d be glad when you told me what you been hidin’,” Liza murmured as they made their way through the trees. “But, pumpkin, I sure never expected anything like this.”

Crystal sighed. “I never expected I would be hiding a criminal from the police either, Liza.”

“That ain’t what I meant.”Liza’s breathing was getting heavier with every step. “I’s never thought I’d see the day you did something against your parents wishes.”

Crystal missed a step, she was so surprised by the words. “It was a matter of life and death, Liza. I had no choice.”

“There’s always a choice, pumpkin,” Liza said quietly. “You always have a choice.”

Crystal didn’t reply and they walked the rest of the way in silence.

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"Chapter Eighteen: Rose"