“I want to do something, but I don’t know what,” Anne said, her stomach churning at the thought of the wealth at Drummond’s disposal. There was so much injustice in the world, and it seemed as if the wrong people were in possession of the power.
“We each do what we can with what we have. Alastair has helped escaped slaves move on. That’s why he keeps the tavern open. He doesn’t need the revenue from the Fox, but it’s someplace for people to come if they need help.”
“Can anything be done to help the slaves who are brought here? To get them away from people like the governor’s wife and Lord Pelham?”
Beth’s hands stilled. “There was a boy named David, who wasn’t much older than you. He tried once. He was one of the governor’s field hands who met Benjamin in the streets of Nassau. Benjamin told David about Alastair. David tried to escape, but Webb caught him before he could get to us. The governor gave him three chances to give himself up. But David refused. By the fourth time, Webb simply raised a musket and took aim. David didn’t survive the night.”
Anne swallowed, her throat tight.
Drawing a deep breath, Beth looked down at the table briefly before meeting Anne’s eyes. “A slave’s job is to stand, listen, and tremble. The minute we stop trembling, we become unmanageable.”
Anne found that her own hands were trembling. Reaching for the pistol, she caught herself and clenched her palms together. “Can nothing be done?”
“Alastair has tried, but the killing of a slave, or any colored person, is not treated as a crime, either by the courts or the community. Charges were never brought against Webb.”
“I hate how that woman made me feel.”
“You’ll always find people like her. People who must make you feel small in order to feel big. They’ll do everything in their power to keep you in the place they’ve assigned you, but remember, you always have a choice. You can choose to hate them back. Or you can choose to be better than they are,” Beth said, picking up the spoon once more to measure out some leaves.
“How you must hate working for her.”
“Mrs. Webb has enough hate in her for the rest of us. She makes no secret of the fact that she wishes to return to England. I pray every day that her wish will be granted. It would save me the trouble of making this poultice.”
“What’s it for?”
“It’s a helpful remedy for boils.” The hint of a smile appeared on Beth’s lips. “Mrs. Webb doesn’t like people to know she visits me, which is why she comes in an unmarked carriage and only approaches from the back.”
“Surely the governor knows.”
“Most likely. But he never speaks of it with Alastair. I suppose she doesn’t want anyone to know. I only do it to try to keep the peace between Alastair and the governor. I’m not doing it to help her.”
Leaning over the table, Anne bent toward the bag, studying its contents. Reaching forward, she prepared to take a pinch, but Beth raised a hand in warning.
“Be careful. It’s black nightshade.”
Anne’s mother had often spoken of plants and vegetation from the islands. “I’ve heard nightshade is poisonous.”
“It can be if it’s swallowed.”
“Can you . . . see the boils?” Anne asked. Although she’d only had a brief glimpse of the woman, there hadn’t been any evidence of any unsightly sores. Anne couldn’t help her smile at the thought of Mrs. Webb covered in oozing cysts and ulcers.
“I wouldn’t know. When she comes, she waits in her carriage. I’m to be ready, hand the poultice through the window, and take the coins for payment. She surprised me today. I hadn’t expected her so soon after the last batch I made. But she’s the governor’s wife, and answers to no one. When she comes again, I don’t want you speaking with her.”
“Trust me, I have no desire to ever set eyes on that woman again.” Alastair had already warned Anne about Lord Pelham. And now she had to worry about Mrs. Webb. There seemed to be quite a few people on the island who posed a serious threat.
“It’s a wise person who knows when to stay silent, Anne. She has slaves at home who have no shield against her anger.”
Anne hadn’t thought of that. She’d wracked her brain to think of some sharp retort to put the woman in her place. She was indeed grateful Beth had come before she had fanned the flames of Mrs. Webb’s anger any further. Anne shuddered, hoping that the woman would not cause anyone harm because of Anne’s careless words.
Looking out the window, Anne wished Alastair would return with some news.
“Try not to worry about your friend. Alastair knows what he’s doing.”
“Does Alastair trust the governor?”
Beth gave a short laugh. “Trust is not quite the word I would use. Theirs is a unique relationship. Webb’s only been governor for a few months and I’ve met him only once. There’s some concern for his welfare. In the past few weeks, his health has declined.”
That wasn’t a sound endorsement. Especially not with Teach still in custody. “Will Webb allow Alastair to speak with Teach? To find out what happened?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know. It’s difficult to tell how the governor will respond. It depends entirely on his mood and on his health. Some days he isn’t fit for visitors.”
Anne hoped fervently that the governor was in a good humor that day. His wife certainly hadn’t been. If only Anne had the money from her inheritance. Not only did she wish to find her family members, if any still lived, but she also wondered what it would take to free the slaves working for the Webbs.
The uncertainty of everything and her inability to act were driving her mad. Normally she had a plan for everything. All she knew now was that she had to find a way to get to Teach. He was so close. . . .
Anne glanced at the door leading to the tavern. It would open later that night. Perhaps that was what she needed. A mindless job that could provide her an escape from her thoughts.
Unexpectedly the door swung open, and Alastair filled the entryway. He was alone, looking drained. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t able to see the governor. He didn’t feel well enough to have any visitors.”
His voice crackled with frustration, but it was nothing compared to how Anne felt. “Were you able to find out what happened?”
“No, lass. Not yet. By the time I arrived, the crew was already locked up. Nobody was allowed to see them. Not even me.”
Anne didn’t miss the worried look Beth shot Alastair.
“I’ll go first thing in the morning. Perhaps a good night’s rest will clear the governor’s head. Make him more cooperative.”
“Is that man even fit to lead?” Anne cried, throwing her hands in the air. “What could that crew have possibly done to warrant their arrest? They were the ones who were attacked. I saw those ships close in with my own eyes.”
Beth placed her arm around Anne’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “I know this must be difficult for you, seeing your friend like that. But you have to realize that it’s easier to get into a prison than to get out.”