CHAPTER THIRTEEN — MARTIN’S OFFER

Martin returned to Vale House before dawn, not in Julian’s carriage but on foot from the road.
He waited beside the stable and asked the watchman to send Samuel out.
Samuel stepped into the yard with a lantern in one hand.
Ida remained within sight near the kitchen gate.
Martin had mud on his boots and dark circles beneath his eyes.
“I have been to the county office,” he said.
Samuel did not move closer.
“Why?”
“To find out whether Julian has arranged your transfer already.”
“And?”
“He has.”
Martin glanced toward Ida before continuing.
“The wagon is ordered for sunrise, but the receiving agent has not yet signed the agreement.”
Samuel heard the careful wording.
“What do you want from me?”
Martin looked ashamed.
“I want to repair some of what I’ve done.”


“Can you give back the night I spent waiting to be accused?”
“No.”
“Can you return the years I have spent working here?”
“No.”
“Then speak plainly.”
Martin swallowed.
“I can pay to purchase you from Julian, and arrange for your manumission.”
Samuel felt a strange, painful surge of hope.
Then he looked at the house.
“Would you purchase Liza too?”
Martin hesitated.
“I might be able to negotiate.”
“And Ruth?”
“Samuel, I cannot promise everyone.”
Samuel set the lantern on the ground.
“You came here believing I would be grateful for whatever part of my family you could afford.”
Martin’s expression tightened.
“I am trying to help.”
“You are trying to make yourself bearable to yourself.”
The gentleman lowered his gaze.
Samuel continued.
“If you can speak to Julian about a price,

you can speak in front of witnesses about the statement he ordered.”
“I already admitted my part in the photograph.”
“Then say what he planned to do afterward.”
Martin looked toward the house.
“He could ruin me.”
“He has already tried to ruin me.”
Ida walked closer.
“Mr. Kersey, you cannot purchase your way out of speaking the truth.”
Martin drew a long breath.
“I could write a statement.”
“Words on paper have a way of disappearing,” Ida said.
“We need you where other people can hear.”
The watchman began moving toward them from the carriage shed.
Martin lowered his voice.
“Julian is sending Samuel to be sold through a broker in the south.”
Samuel felt Liza’s name rise in his throat, but he held it back.
Martin went on.
“He intends to say Samuel confessed to approaching Catherine.”
“And my sister?” Samuel asked.
“Liza is to remain here.”
“Ruth?”
Martin nodded.
Samuel looked at Ida.
That was the leverage Julian expected to keep him obedient.
If Samuel ran, the people he loved could be punished for what the master called his ingratitude.
If he stayed, Julian could send him away and preserve the lie.
“There is one more thing,” Martin said.
“The broker expects the transfer papers at noon.”
Samuel looked toward the stable yard, where the wagon was already being prepared.
The night was ending.
They had fewer hours than anyone had hoped.
Ida spoke first.
“Then at noon we must be somewhere Julian cannot conduct business in silence.”