His tone held so much conviction, she wondered what love consisted of. How did it come about? How did it make a person feel? She had no answers.
“Has your family always lived in New York?”
“Only since my mother’s parents came north from Virginia. Both were enslaved. My father and his parents were slaves in South Carolina. He was an infant when they escaped to New York.”
“Escaping had to be harrowing.”
“For my grandmother it truly was because she was fairly young and ran alone.”
“Grandparents still alive?”
“My grandmother Rose is, but my grandfather passed on when I was twelve. She never remarried. She said all the men who came around wanted to take charge of her dressmaking shop and her money.”
“And her granddaughter has the same aversion to that type of control?”
She looked him in the eyes and said firmly, “Yes.”
He gave her a small smile. “Stick to your guns,cheri. We pirates don’t do well under someone’s thumb, either.”
Entering the center of the city, he guided the carriage through the congested streets to the St. Louis Hotel. “This isn’t a place that welcomes us through the front door, so let me park and I’ll escort you to the back entrance.”
Once the horses were tied to the post, he guided her down the trash-strewn alley and to the door designated for deliveries and employees. To her delight, Eb and a few other men and women were on the dock eating lunch. He looked both surprised and confused as she approached. “Miss Lacy? What are you doing here?”
He gave Drake a long searching look that held a hint of suspicion, so she made the introductions, then explained, “I’m staying with Mr. LeVeq’s mother temporarily, and he was kind enough to drive me here.”
“I see.” He eyed Drake again, who met his scrutiny levelly.
“Brigands have taken over our classroom, Mr. Slayton, so I have to find a new location.”
“No,” he replied, voice sharp with disappointment. “That’s terrible news.”
“Yes, it is. And since I don’t know where most of the other students live, I’m hoping you can help me spread the word that there will be no more classes until further notice.”
He shook his head sadly. “Of course. How long do you think it’ll be before we can start up again?”
“I’m not sure.” And she wished she had a better answer.
“Soon as you are, will you let me know? I’m anxious to continue learning. The others are, too.”
“I know you are.”
Drake spoke for the first time. “There might be openings at some of the few Bureau schools still operating.”
Eb nodded. “Before I found Miss Lacy, nobody else was taking new students, but I’ll start looking again.”
“Maybe you’ll have better luck this time,” Val said, hope in her voice. “Not that I want to lose you to another teacher.” And she didn’t, but he needed to continue his education.
“Who else do you plan to see?” Eb asked.
“Dina Watson, Abner Little, and Remus Blue. They were the only people who gave me information on how to get word to them or their families if I needed to.”
“I know where some of the others live and work. I’ll let them know on my way home.”
A man wearing a white chef’s coat leaned around the open door and called, “Eb! Time to get back to work.”
“Sure thing.” He started to the door. “Good seeing you, Miss Lacy. Take care of her, Mr. LeVeq. She’s real special.”
“I will.”