Chapter Fifteen: The Family at the Door
That afternoon Silas ordered the enslaved workers to gather in the yard.
He stood on the steps with Curtis’s abandoned cane in his hand.
Lenora remained behind him.
Price and Ada had gone to Harrow Glen to speak with the magistrate.
Isaiah knew the timing was deliberate.
Silas intended to reassert his authority before anyone returned.
“Someone in this household has forgotten his place,” Silas announced.
The workers stood in silence.
Esther held Micah against her hip.
Gideon watched from the carpentry shed.
Silas pointed at Isaiah.
“You have interfered with my business and embarrassed my family.”
Isaiah stepped forward.
“I told the truth about a woman you kept locked away.”
Silas’s face darkened.
“You will answer only when spoken to.”
Isaiah looked at Esther.
Micah had buried his face against her shoulder.
Silas followed his gaze.
“Your sister will be moved to another household by morning.”
Esther tightened her grip on the child.
Isaiah felt the old fear return.
He forced himself to speak clearly.
“Who has agreed to take her?”
Silas stared at him.
“That is none of your concern.”
“It is my concern because she is my family.”
Silas raised the cane.
Before he could strike, Lenora stepped down from the porch.
“Silas, stop.”
He turned on her.
“You have said enough today.”
“No, I have not.”
She faced the workers.
“I ordered Esther to make seven coats with hidden pockets.”
Silas froze.
“I threatened her child if she did not finish them.”
Esther stared at Lenora in disbelief.
Lenora continued.
“I also ordered Isaiah to come to my room after dark and threatened his sister if he spoke about those visits.”
A murmur moved through the yard.
Silas seized Lenora’s arm.
“Go inside.”
She pulled away.
“I told Curtis that Isaiah stole from me.”
Isaiah watched the workers absorb the confession.
Ruth stood near the kitchen door with tears in her eyes.
Lenora’s voice shook.
“I knew the accusation was false.”
Silas stepped between her and the crowd.
“Enough.”
Lenora looked at him.
“You can punish them for what they say, but you cannot make me unsay it.”
Silas raised the cane again.
Isaiah moved forward instinctively.
Esther called his name.
He stopped because he saw the trap.
Silas wanted a struggle that would justify harsher punishment.
Isaiah lowered his hands.
“You have witnesses now,” he said.
Silas looked around the yard.
Every face was turned toward him.
He had built his authority on people being too frightened to speak together.
For the first time, they had heard his wife describe the threats aloud.
He dropped the cane to his side.
“Everyone return to work.”
Nobody moved until Ruth stepped forward.
“Mrs. Whitcomb, is Esther’s child being taken?”
Lenora answered immediately.
“No.”
Silas turned toward her.
“You cannot make that promise.”
Lenora met his eyes.
“Then I will make sure the magistrate hears that you intend to break it.”
