Mockingbird's Call by Diane T. Ashley Page A

jailors who resented her presence. How wrong she had been.
    â€œThere she is.” Uncle Francis’s booming voice was as warm as a summer breeze. He chucked her under the chin. “You’re as pretty as a picture, m’dear.”
    â€œThank you, Uncle.” Even though Amelia only stood some three inches above five feet, she was as tall as he, although his girth easily outstripped hers. Dark blue eyes, a Montgomery family trait, twinkled at her above his beard and mustache. He was dressed in a brown cutaway coat with a gold vest underneath, his attire showing that he kept abreast of current fashion. “You’re looking quite handsome yourself.”
    She turned to her aunt, who was resplendent in a gown of rich puce satin. Tiny pearl buttons decorated the bodice from the collar to her waist. The sleeves were wide at the shoulder and elbow and tapered to a narrow cuff fastened with more pearl buttons. The skirt, made of the same material as the bodice, was full and boasted a deep flounce. “And you are also looking lovely this evening, Aunt Laura.”
    â€œWhat a sweet child.” Aunt Laura wrapped her in a perfumed embrace. “Always saying the nicest things to your old aunt and uncle.”
    Amelia emerged laughing. “It’s easy when I am staying with such kind, handsome hosts. How many guests do you expect to have this evening?”
    â€œOnly a small, intimate group for dinner,” her aunt answered. “Our son, Benjamin, will be here, along with some new friends of his from college. And a few friends of mine from around town will be coming, with their sons and daughters.”
    Uncle Francis cleared his throat. “Our dinner table will only accommodate forty guests, so we were quite limited in our selection. But never fear, many more will join us after dinner for the ball.”
    Aunt Laura nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we had upwards of two hundred guests.”
    â€œI see.” Amelia tried to keep the trepidation from her voice. Forty guests for dinner? And many more later? She hoped she could find enough unexceptional subjects to discuss. Growing up on a remote, self-sustaining plantation had not prepared her for fancy parties or witty dinner conversation. She prayed she would not embarrass her hosts by saying or doing something to mark herself as provincial.
    She prayed even more for Tabitha, as she knew what occupied her mind most were those attempting to gain their freedom. . .and her inability to tamp her desire to help.
    â§
    It was easy to see which house belonged to Benjamin’s parents from the number of carriages lined up in front, waiting to disgorge their passengers onto the brightly lit stoop. An unexpected feeling of homesickness swept over Jared as he was reminded of parties his own parents and great-aunt had hosted for one or the other of his sisters.
    A slave hurried to take their horses. He slid from the saddle, ready to be free of the tired mount he’d rented from a livery stable near the college. His horse had been only slightly faster than walking across town. Benjamin’s sleek roan, a stallion he’d raised from a colt, had fought his rider all the way, trying to move at a gait faster than amble.
    Jared brushed his coat and straightened his cravat. “I was beginning to think we wouldn’t arrive until after the party was over.” When he received no response, he looked up to see that Benjamin was halfway up the front steps. With a sigh, he hurried after his friend.
    At the front door, he had a moment to take in the scene before being introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery. He could see no sign of the cousin who was the guest of honor. His gaze lit on a tall, thin girl with curly brown hair who was standing slightly behind Benjamin’s mother. That must be her. His dreams of renewing his acquaintance with the girl on the train died a quick death. He could feel his smile slipping, but his sympathy