Murder at Brick House: Chapter Eleven - A Clear Vision
The Legend of Amelia
Aaron Brown preferred to work alone.
He knew he would not fit in socially at the island Fall harvest festivals, so he had recruited his brother Seth’s sons, Stephen and Edward, who were well known and liked on the island, for that job.
Concealed in the dense undergrowth beside the long stretch of Wescott Road that connected Bleak Hall with the rest of Edisto, he watched the two carriages slowly make their way toward the main part of the island.
Aaron noticed that Amelia was riding in the carriage with the “Half-breed”, James Izard instead of her host, Paul Jenkins. Robert would not like her riding with either one, but especially Izard.
He regretted not being able to hear their conversation, but he knew from talk around the island, that Izard spent a lot of time at Bleak Hall with the Townsend woman.
He also knew of her work with the slaves, so he guessed that Izard must be involved as well. It made sense, since he was a half-breed himself. Aaron tucked this bit of knowledge away, thinking it might play into future plans, if needed.
As long as he could, he watched to see if they appeared to be “more than friendly” in their conversation. When the carriages were almost out of sight, he retrieve his horse to follow.
He had a hunch that they were headed for the Baptist church that Mrs. Townsend had help finance for the slaves to have a place for worship, so he did not need to follow too closely.
James was his usual reserved self, but was friendly in his conversation with Amelia.
He could tell right away that she was one who shared his beliefs and moral principles. Someone he could trust. He was drawn to her openness and inquisitive nature. And it certainly didn’t hurt that she was beautiful.
He was also aware of the cultural and social gap between his life and hers. What would happen if they became romantically involved? How would they be viewed by the elite society in Charleston, to say nothing of here on the island. He was determined to make sure that their relationship went no further than a friendship.
Amelia, on the other hand, was full of questions. There was mystery about James that intrigued her. He was handsome for sure, but there was a humility about him that she could not explain. She wanted to know about his family, his business, and his work with Aunt Hephzibah. She wanted to know about the tribal name his grandfather had given him.
“James, Martha has told me some about why you stay away from the island social life. Do you really feel that you would not be accepted? Don’t you ever get lonely?”
He blushed. He had never had anyone ask him those kind of questions so directly. For a long moment, he stayed quiet.
Finally, trying to make light of the awkwardness, he said with a smile, “Well, you don’t mince words, do you? To be honest, if I dwell upon it, it bothers me a little. And I don’t just feel I would not be accepted, I know it.
“Paul tells me some of the things others have said about me. About my family. I think ‘Half-breed’ is the most common term.
“It is only because of my father’s reputation and success with enhancing cotton cultivation and production that we are welcomed on the business side of things. But neither my parents nor I are part of the social life here.
“I guess I should be lonely, living out here on Edisto away from Yemassee and everything I grew up with. But, here I have my Grandparents. Grandfather has already given me his property.
“Their kindness toward others despite the prejudice against them has inspired me. Grandfather is respected on the island by most, though there are a few that continue to see him as nothing more than a dressed up savage. They are the wisest and most patient people I’ve ever known.
“Grandmother says that God will bring me a wife in His perfect timing. I trust her, so it doesn’t bother me so much.”
Amelia was amazed by his trust and acceptance that his circumstances were the will of God. She had grown up in church her whole life, yet had never been completely content that she was doing ‘God’s will’. Sometimes, she questioned whether she even knew what that meant.
It wasn’t until recently, when she came to Edisto, that she was more sure about God’s calling upon her life than she had ever been. One thing she was beginning to understand was that this calling did not include Robert Lundgren.
For the rest of the drive to the church, he told her of his empathy for the slaves and his work with Aunt Hephzibah and Paul.
Through his work, he visited almost all the plantations at some point or another. He would encourage the slaves to attend Sunday worship if they could.
Hephzibah and her assistant, Bella, a former slave that she had freed, tended to the health, education, and spiritual needs before and after the morning worship service. It made for a long day, but it was God’s work. She did not keep her work a secret and so far, no one had dared to challenge her as Bleak Hall was one of the largest, most profitable, and influential plantations in the entire state of South Carolina.
Paul had apprenticed under several Charleston physicians who would come out to the island during the slower seasons. His goal was to gain experience in basic rural medical procedures and then enroll in the Medical College in Charleston.
James kept him informed periodically of health needs he encountered at the various plantations he consulted with. Sometimes they would work together, but most often, Paul worked alone. He hoped that might change if Amelia chose to stay on Edisto and assist him in his medical work.
Amelia was great affected by the organization and detail of the work among the slaves. She was amazed and impressed with the Edisto Baptist Church. Regular preaching services were held by either Reverend Richard Furman of the First Baptist Church in Charleston or another preacher from that congregation.
Amelia’s heart raced when Paul approached her about becoming his assistant. She knew that both he and James were willing to risk their reputations and potentially their lives for this work.
Was she willing to do the same? Her only response was, “Yes, Lord”. For the first time in her life, Amelia had a clear vision of her destiny. A peace that she had never experienced before swept over her.
Aaron watched as the group emerged from the church. After they said their goodbyes, James helped Mrs. Townsend into her carriage for the return trip to Bleak Hall. Amelia sat next to Paul in his carriage to head back to Brick House. Then, instead of mounting his own horse, James left it tied to the carriage and sat on the other side of Amelia.
Aaron knew that Paul and Izard were close friends. But, were they both interested in trying to win Amelia’s affection, even though she was already engaged to be married? Was she becoming romantically interested in either of them? More importantly, would she become a source of contention between the two?
He could not see someone of her class becoming involved with Izard, a half-breed. Maybe it was just an innocent friendship between all of them. He knew Robert was a jealous man, so he would keep that thought tucked away for possible future leverage.
Stephen and Edward, Aaron’s nephews, reported that Amelia was the center of attention for many of the young men at the first Fall Harvest festival on Seabrook Plantation. He didn’t put much stock in that, as she was very pretty and she was a novelty for them.
They did say, however, that even though her best friend, Martha Jenkins was there, she seemed to spend more time with her brother, Paul. Was there something more happening between them?
Tomorrow, he would board the Pilot Boy for Charleston to report his observations to Robert.
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