Texas Angel, 2-in-1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

my place in society, but at least I will still inherit the plantation. Maybe in time people will forget my mistake.”
    “Isn’t love worth it?” But even to Elise the words sounded trite.
    Kendell turned away from her. “I would have to live my life as an outcast because I could never perpetuate the lie as your father did. I would never pass my child off as white to some poor unsuspecting man. And they say if we had more children, one could come along that was black as night. I couldn’t live with these things.”
    “Why?” she pleaded.
    “Because . . .” Still he could not look directly at her. “I am not strong enough.”
    “Oh, Kendell . . .”
    “Forgive me, Elise.” He walked away, leaving the hut without a second look at her or their child.
    What made her most angry was that she felt sorry for him. As she crumpled down upon the dirt floor, she heaped a load of recriminations upon herself. She had ruined him, and she had no right to expect him to give up what little he now had for her.
    It was time for her to accept her lot. She was a slave, a piece of property of less value than a thoroughbred horse. Her skin may as well be as black as Hattie’s. But acceptance made the truth no easier to bear. She lay down on the thin pallet that was her bed and wept. Hattie returned and tried to comfort her, to no avail. Elise cried the whole night through.

CHAPTER
    5
    T HE SOUND OF CHIRR UPING CRICKETS had no soothing quality this night. Elise’s taut nerves jumped with every musical note. When her foot snapped a twig, her heart nearly stopped. She clutched Hannah tighter in her arms with each step. She had every reason to be afraid. She was breaking the law, committing a dastardly crime. She was seeking her freedom.
    Five days had passed since that final discussion with Kendell in the slave quarters. In the meantime, Hattie, acting as a go-between, had arranged with Rowena Cowley a plan to help Elise escape. Rowena’s brother, an abolitionist, was willing to help her. Elise wasn’t sure what an “abolitionist” was, nor was Hattie certain, but the slave said it sounded like a good thing.
    Elise was to meet him after sundown in a specified place in the thick woods on the west side of the plantation. There was a big tree stump where she and Rowena had once picnicked after picking berries. The brother and Rowena would be waiting there. Elise had only her baby and a small rucksack slung over her shoulder, which contained her only possessions— the few baby things Mother Hearne had allowed her to take from the big house. For herself, she had not been allowed to take anything. When she had donned one of the slave’s castoffs, she had been required to return to Daphne the stylish day dress she had been wearing. She now wore an ill-fitting homespun dress that was old and ragged and had been passed around among many slave women. Elise’s beautiful gowns and jewelry no longer belonged to her. They belonged to the Hearnes, as she also did—until Maurice Thomson claimed ownership.
    The night was chilly, for it was still early in the month of May. There was no moon and Elise had difficulty finding her way, but this night had been chosen specifically for that reason. The darkness was her ally. If anyone did come after her, she hoped they would have as difficult a time in the woods as she.
    Just as she began to fear she had taken a wrong turn, the dark mass of the large stump appeared before her. Her sigh of relief was only momentary, for she immediately noted there was no one there to greet her. Not liking to stand exposed in the clearing surrounding the stump, she crouched down behind it, her heart thumping wildly.
    Then Hannah began to cry.
    “Hush! Hush, my baby,” Elise cooed softly. But it was feeding time, and the child did not heed her mother’s entreaty.
    Suddenly the sound of footsteps crunched and crackled into the clearing. Elise prayed the sound came from Rowena and her brother.
    “Miz Elise!” came