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Clara trembled again. A surge of fear rose at the implications of what they’d done. “I thought to ask for Morrie as a wedding gift and then set her free. Everything legal and aboveboard. But we couldn’t risk it. What if he...” Tears threatened to rise. Would the pain ever go away?

Daniel shushed her gently. “Do not speak of what might have happened.”

“Hmm.” Dr. Johnson thrummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “No doubt, you’ve done the right thing. Good thing you’ve come in the dark of night, too. No one knows you are here.”

Daniel agreed. “How is it that the boys haven’t come tumbling down those steps?”

Mrs. Johnson laughed. “If they knew you were here, you wouldn’t be left alone. Seeing as you arrived with a wife, it is best they are away.”

“I gave them the option to board at school for the spring semester. You wouldn’t know it, but those two are ready to become proper gentlemen.”

“I can’t believe it.” Humor tinged Daniel’s tired voice.

“As for how we can help you, it looks as though your lovely lady has wilted. I daresay she needs to retire. Daniel, we shall leave her to your mother’s care. You’re coming with me.”

Daniel kissed her cheek before an unfamiliar arm looped with hers and led her through unknown twists and turns to the stairway. Daniel’s mother smelled of soap and roses.

“You’ve been through much, I believe.” Her caring voice contrasted greatly with her own mother’s.

“Not so much as Morrie.”

“Nonetheless, you’ve endured a trial. And prevailed.” Clara heard her concern. “When we use our hurts and pain to uplift another—then, we forge something greater than the scars of our circumstance. We make new marks on this world. Redeeming ones. By His stripes, we are healed. ”

His stripes...

She led Clara through a door to a cool room and set to work on a fire. “Do you need help? Here, I’ll fish out your nightgown and set it to warm. The bed is but a few steps to your left. That’s it.”

Clara felt for the mattress, relieved to find a velvety cushion awaiting her.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t wait up for Daniel. He and Dr. Johnson have a long night ahead, I’m afraid. Placing Morrie will be no small task.” Her voice was anxious.

Surely, no danger would come to her here. “She will be safe?”

“I’ve no doubt. We haven’t lost one yet.”

Clara sat on the mattress, weary to the bone.

So many in captivity. Would that they could all be freed at once.

She thought of Lewis and Jenny—little Oscar.

And the many others that populated the estate that Christian and Lucy would gain upon their marriage.

If only the nation itself would give up the idea that one man could hold another captive.

She wished she could live to see the day. If only...

“You feel the weight of it, don’t you?” Her kind voice invaded once again.

“Morrie is only one person.”

“Yes.”

“So many more...how do we do it all?”

“We don’t. We take care of one person at a time, as God sends. Only Morrie matters right now.”

“Doesn’t seem enough.” Clara stifled a yawn, her eyes gritty.

“The costs one day may indeed be high.” A loving hand stroked her cheek. “Welcome to the family, Clara.”

Her new mother left her to the crackling fire and nightgown, and the solitude of thoughts that would race but for her exhaustion.

Sleep. And a prayer for Morrie...and Daniel for whatever task Dr. Johnson had set about.

For the first time, she thanked God for her accident.

For making her blind. If only Lucy could know the love and freedom she’d found.

She awoke the next morning to Daniel’s knuckle stroking her cheek.

“You’re back.”

“I’ve been back for hours.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Because once I stoked the fire, I fell asleep taking off my shoes.” He laughed. “Right on the floor. Good thing there’s a thick rug.”

“Tell me. What did you do?”

“Set a little bird free. The less you know the better.”

“I want to know.”

“If you are ever questioned, you won’t know the answer. Best keep it that way.”

“She is safe?”

“Utterly.”

Clara leaned back on her pillows, feeling cut off from the girl she had barely begun to love.

“What now, Daniel?” She loved saying his name. No longer was he the mysterious Reverend Merrick. Would they make the long return trip home? Or stay a while?

“Breakfast.” He squeezed her hand.

CLARA STROKED THE PATTERN on her napkin, French knots made the centers of flowers, a satin stitch for the petals. “My only question is: what do we say? How do we answer my father upon our return?”

Daniel’s mother took a seat beside her. “Morrie has escaped. This is true, and truly all you know. You need not tell him anything else. ”

Clara released her napkin. “I wish—I wish I could have said goodbye.” Even so, she could scarcely believe the turn of events. That the Johnsons were capable of seeing Morrie to a new life, well hidden within a great secret.

They’d had a relatively peaceful journey.

Morrie had served her in every way possible.

Without a complaint or murmur. The girl had no sense of freedom, her mind still trapped by the unquestioned expectations.

Posing as her slave, there’d been no reason for anyone to suspect anything nefarious was in the works.

If she and Daniel hadn’t married, they wouldn’t have been able to travel so freely. No, indeed. Thankfully, Daniel had made it clear how much he loved her. Her heart overflowed with these new feelings.

Mrs. Johnson spoke, “She knows you care, Clara. To do what you’ve done—marrying my son sooner than planned—all to help her. She knows. I doubt she’ll ever forget.”

Daniel’s hand enfolded hers again, skin against skin. She’d never get tired of his gentle affection. His protection, his never-ending patience.

“What I need to know is, how long do you plan to stay? Returning so soon after arriving will only cast suspicion upon you. And,” Mrs. Johnson paused, “you must send a message reporting Morrie’s escape.”

“But she needs time to get away—time to find certain safety. I cannot report her.” Clara shivered. She didn’t want to contact her father. Ever. Hard to do in the small town they called home. But soon, he’d go back to England with Mother. Gone for good.

“A compromise.” Daniel offered. “We’ll tell him together. In two weeks. Come what may.”

Dr. Johnson cleared his throat. “Are you sure, son?”

“Morrie can’t be caught .

Dr. Johnson clapped his hands together. “Excellent. I suggest you two enjoy a restful honeymoon. I have a quaint cottage by the sea...”