THE CRY FOR FREEDOM (Winds of Betrayal) Read Free Page B

time? Mist’ Corbett's in a bad mood.…”
    “Why do you always assume it has to do with me?” Hannah frowned.
    “Cause it always does!” Mary giggled. “Member time ya’ left before it was yer turn to play—”
    “The harpsichord?”
    “Yas’um. An’ Mist’ Corbett spent the rest of the night looking for ya and found ya’ in the barn with a litter of kittens?  Or how ‘bout when ya’ hid up in the balconey with yo’ young cousins an’ Mr. Gabriel sat with ya’—”
    “That's enough, Mary,” Hannah said defensively. “Nobody wanted to listen to me butcher an otherwise beautiful song.”
    “Well, if ya hadn't played hooky during ya’ lessons, maybe ya could have played it. That's what Mist’ Corbett said. Ain’ so bad like ya gettin' caught on the stairs in Mast’ Gabriel's arms—”
    “It was William who found me, and if he hadn't yelled, no one would have taken notice. Besides, it was only Mother Agnes,” Hannah said blushing wildly at the memory. If only Gabriel had been there last night, I wouldn’t have had such an infuriating evening.  And would never have endured that insufferable man’s kiss…
    “Well, Miss Hannah, ya asked, and I tole ya’ what I heard ‘em, and I hear lots .” Mary grinned broadly and picked the fork up again with her mouth wide open.
    “Mary,” Hannah reprimanded, “please swallow before you speak.”
    Mary took the glass of milk intended for Hannah and gulped it down. “Guess then ya don’t want to know that I heard Mast’ Corbett is sending ya’ out to Mount Fairview.…”
    “Really?” Hannah exclaimed. This was the best news she’d had in weeks. She loved Mount Fairview, and the fact that Summit Hill, Gabriel's home, sat only a few miles up the river added to her pleasure. Her vigor renewed, she almost danced away from the window.
    “Then let’s pack this instant. I don’t want to wait one minute. Gabriel’s supposed to return within the fortnight— or at least that’s what he wrote in his last letter. Then Jonathan will return, too. This is going to be—”
    “Stop yer ramblin’, Miss Hannah,” Mary cried. “Don’t go gettin' me in trouble cause I tole ya’. And yer fader tole me when yer dressed he wants to see ya’ in his study. Figure ya must be in some kinda trouble.”
    “Not that I know of, and I usually know what I’ve done.…” Hannah said emphatically, but then she paused for a moment.
    He couldn't have seen her outside the study's window. No, he would have reprimanded her last night, not waited ‘til this morning.
    She pushed back her curtains allowing the sunlight to break in. This was going to be a glorious day!
    ****
    Forgetting all that had plagued her during the night, Hannah dashed down the stairs, heedless of Mary’s words trailing her while she ran out her bedroom door. “Don’t think yer father wants ya’ down there jus’ yet…”
    Oh, pooh! Hannah thought. Why wouldn’t he? But before her foot reached the last stair, she heard voices carrying along the foyer from the dining room, and she paused. A visitor for breakfast?
    She made her way again, more slowly. She turned the corner of the foyer and saw her father sitting at the head of the table, deep in conversation. At his side sat William with Lydia. All seemed normal until another voice spoke out.
    “I can’t see how one can live like this. Consider the straggling street you live on—ankle deep in dust. I thought I’d choke to death walking on it. I can only imagine what it’s like after a rain, not to mention the animals…”
    “No one forced you to come, Richard,” said Father sharply. “I assume you are comfortable at Tazewell Hall. The Randolph’s—”
    “Oh, you’re quite right, John. Quite right, but you know me, a man of business, purely. I wanted only to ask before we leave for Charles Town about Hannah. We’re coming back through in a couple of months. That should be sufficient enough time to make arrangements.”
    Hannah