Enjoying the center stage, John elaborately described Hunter's landing in a field between his farm and the old church. Everyone could see the pride John had in his grandson as he explained that the lift-off would be in sight of the church, about mid-morning tomorrow. At Mary's suggestion, he invited all for a drink of her lemonade afterward.
Everyone was interested and amazed, except Wade, who sulked quietly by the window. Perry watched him force a smile and knew Wade resented Hunter's name intruding.
Perry felt sure that people would come from miles around to see the balloon lift off. She turned to her grandfather. "May we go watch?" she asked as they strolled a few feet away from the other guests. She could feel Wade following close at their heels and hoped he wouldn't invite himself along.
Wade stepped between her and her grandfather. "Of course I'll take you, Perry. It will be right on the way to church."
Perry noticed that he addressed her informally, but she made no comment. She resented the intrusion into her conversation. Her voice was cold as she whispered, "I hadn't planned on attending church, Mr. Williams. Tomorrow is Saturday, I believe."
Wade seemed not the least discouraged. He continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Yes, dear," he whispered back, "what better day for a wedding? Your grandfather and I have been talking, and we decided a short engagement would be in order.'' His lips disappeared into a thin smile that framed his teeth. Clasping his hands behind his back, he rocked forward off his heels in arrogant victory.
Anger clouded Perry's vision as she fought for control. How dare he be so presumptuous! Her hands balled into fists as she fought the urge to grab his throat and choke the smug smile from his face. "I'll not marry you tomorrow-or any other day, Mr. Williams! Do I make myself clear?"
Wade grinned like an animal who'd just trapped his prey. "It's been arranged, Perry. You might as well sit back and enjoy your engagement party, for tomorrow will be your wedding day." A fire danced in his dark eyes as his smile distorted his face into an evil mask. Perry watched the small scar above his eye and wished Hunter were there to help her as he'd once helped Abram, for she felt she was about to be trampled by Wade.
Perry looked to her grandfather for support. He was just finishing his third glass of wine. She knew he could be stubborn once he’d made up his mind and had a few drinks to fortify his determination. Well, she was just as stubborn, and she was not going to marry this man. She knew women had little more rights than slaves, but she also knew she was a fighter. Wade must be out of his mind to think she would marry him-she'd see them both dead first.
The other guests were watching her. She slowly forced her hands to relax at her side. She had to control herself and think. Maybe later, when her grandfather was sober, she could talk to him. If he knew how Wade had harmed her in Philadelphia, he would change his mind. As she took her grandfather's arm and proceeded to the dinner table, her mind raced for a way out of Wade Williams's clutches.
Chapter 13
Perry remembered little of the dinner party. The guests talked around her, unmindful of her distress. Even as they said good night Perry was so consumed by her hatred of Wade Williams that she only muttered short farewells. In her mind she plotted what she would say to her grandfather when they were alone and, if that failed, what she would say to Wade.
With the hall finally empty, Perry turned to face her grandfather. "I can't marry Wade tomorrow." She fought to keep her voice calm.
His eyes were blood red with drink and anger as he stared at her. "You will marry him tomorrow. We've talked it over and we think a fast wedding will cause less problems."
"But what of Andrew? Can't we wait until he returns?" The old man shook his head.
Perry could feel herself losing control. "You promised you wouldn't hurry me. I'm not ready to marry."
"Ready or not, the time has come, my dear." He reached to pat her shoulder but almost lost his balance and had to grab the banister to keep from toppling.
Wade appeared in the study door. From his smirk Perry knew he'd been listening. "Nothing will change the fact that tomorrow is your wedding day." He handed her grandfather another glass of brandy. "All brides are nervous the night before."
"This is not the night before. I don't know how to say it any plainer. I am not marrying you tomorrow.''
Wade's laughter chilled the warm night air. "You'll learn in time not to challenge me, but I swear you will be my wife tomorrow.''
Perry looked from her drunken grandfather to the insane captain before her. There was no reasoning with either of them. She turned and stormed up the stairs. She had to stall for time. Her first thought was to fake illness, but she decided against that ploy. Wade might bring the preacher to the house.
The only other alternative was to get away. But where could she run? John and Mary Williams might help, but they were Wade's aunt and uncle. The only other place was Kingston. She had enough money saved from her shopping trips to last her a few days, and then she could take a job in one of the many reopened shops. Wade probably would not bother to follow her, but if he did, it would take him at least a few days to find her.
Taking a deep breath, Perry tried to calm the urgency in her voice as she opened her bedroom door. "Noma, help me dress. I must leave tonight." Perry ignored the black woman's shocked expression. "Pack a few things in a traveling bag."
Noma faced her mistress without showing any sign of following the orders she'd been given. Age lines materialized as she wrinkled her face in disapproval. "What are you talking about, Miz Perry? You're not ridin' off in the middle of the night. No, sir!"
"Noma, you don't understand. Wade Williams plans to marry me tomorrow," Perry said over her shoulder as she struggled to remove her evening dress.
The older woman's face lit up, as bright as a firefly's bottom on a moonless night. "Marry. Well, my, my…" Seeing her mistress frown, she added, "Now, Miz Perry, you just nervous about marry in' and I knows how you feels. But marriage is the best thing for you. To a fine man like Mr. Williams too." Noma's mind was already whirling with plans for Perry's future. She reached toward Perry to hug the girl.
Jerking free, Perry stormed toward the wardrobe. "I'm not marrying Wade Williams. I have some say in the matter. I will not!" She stopped, realizing she had no time to argue with Noma. An hour's delay might mean the difference in Wade catching up with her before she could get to Kingston. She opened the wardrobe door and pulled out her riding clothes. "I wish everyone would stop treating me like a dim-witted child. He's no good. There's bad in him, more bad than I have ever seen in a man. I've seen it. I wish I had time to take you with me, but I know how you hate riding, and I must travel fast. Wade will return in a few hours to take me to the church. By then I'll be miles away. I'll send for you as soon as I get settled in Kingston."
Noma tried again, pointing her chubby finger. "Now, Miz Perry, I knows how you is when you sets your mind to something, but this time being stubborn ain't goin' to do you no good. Every woman needs a man, and you's doin' right nice with Mr. Williams."
Perry's anger showed from the tip of her slender foot to the flashing in her eyes. "I'm getting dressed and riding to Kingston tonight. Nothing you say will stop me."
Noma walked slowly to her small room. "You can't do this, Miz Perry. You can't ruin your life," she mumbled as she went into her room and closed the door.
Perry knew Noma would always see her as a child, and she had no time to make her understand. She quickly removed her evening clothes and tossed them unceremoniously across her bed. Ten minutes later she had packed a small bag and dressed in her mother's riding habit of midnight blue. She barely glanced at her reflection as she pulled her long black curls behind her neck and tied them with a blue ribbon..