The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis Read Free Book Online Page B

portico. An elderly couple stood alone, sipping iced tea. “Miss Harrison, may I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Hull of Parkersburg. Edwina, Howard, this is Miss Emily Harrison of Marietta.”
    “How do you?” she murmured, withholding her curtsey at the last moment.
    “You’ll be pleased to discover they share your views on slavery,” said Dr. Bennington. “They feel the institution should be abolished and say so often and loudly at every public meeting and forum they attend.” His eyes twinkled, apparently pleased with himself. Then he bowed to the Hulls and disappeared into the throng of guests.
    Reluctantly, Emily struck up a conversation with them. “I am pleased to learn there are antislavery sentiments on this side of the river too,” she said to Mr. Hull.
    “An archaic system that places a few rich planters at the top of society while the rest of us struggle to earn a living!” he thundered. “How can a farmer or shopkeeper compete with free labor?” Mr. Hull made little attempt to modulate his voice. “Young people are hard pressed to find decent jobs if they weren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouth.”
    Emily glanced around uncomfortably. “You speak of economic concerns, but what of the ethical reasons for the institution’s abolishment?” she asked.
    Mr. Hull blinked like an owl and took a swallow of something brown in a bowl-shaped glass. Mrs. Hull tilted her head toward her. “I’m not sure how much traveling you’ve done, my dear, but few families in these western counties have been blessed with so much…abundance as our dear host and hostess.” Smiling, she nodded in the direction of Mrs. Bennington. “I assure you, slaveholding plantations are rare in this part of Virginia.”
    “We’re forced to suffer to maintain old King Charles’s land grants from a hundred years ago,” interjected Mr. Hull. “Those created some very rich men among the king’s cronies. With no offense toward our friends, the Benningtons,” he added hastily.
    It was Emily’s turn to blink with disbelief. “King Charles should have insisted that the Colonies contain no slavery from the start.”
    Ignoring her comment, Mr. Hull downed the contents of his odd-shaped glass. “Economies aside, Miss Harrison, what about the principles of states’ rights? That’s what this rebellion is about, at least here in Wood County. Why should some Yankee in Washington tell us how to live our lives?”
    Emily felt the boning of her corset cut into her ribs and breathed with relief when Joshua threw open the French doors.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served,” he announced with a deep bow.
    “It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir, ma’am, but I must locate my charges.” She bobbed her head and hurried away from the tiresome couple.
    She spotted Margaret near the dining room door, looking winsome and lovely in her new gown. “Thank goodness I found you,” Emily whispered in Margaret’s ear. “Let’s find two seats at the far end of the table.”
    “Dear me, Miss Harrison. We must sit where our name cards have been placed. And I doubt that will be together. Wish me luck at my first gala.” Margaret squeezed her hand and then glided into the room without waiting for Emily’s wishes, good or otherwise.
    She entered at a less enthusiastic pace, trying not to gape at her surroundings. At least a hundred tapers illuminated the beautifully appointed Hepplewhite table. The silver gleamed and the crystal sparkled in the candlelight, reminding her once again of her modest upbringing. As Margaret predicted, the governess and charge had been separated. Margaret sat between two young men, one more simpering than the other. Emily found her name card across from Dr. Bennington and between two slightly older men. Neither was as expensively dressed as their host. During the meal, they attempted to outdo one another with stories of bravado in vain attempts to impress her. Dr. Bennington appeared amused by the