The days since the trial ended had passed in happiness at Mr. Randolph’s house. The thrill Camden experienced at hearing Judge Carter declare Isaac a free man—pronouncing those long-awaited words “not guilty”—paled in comparison to the sense of ecstatic relief that never left Isaac’s and Sophia’s countenances. Despite their eagerness to return home, the couple had agreed to remain in Richmond long enough to allow Isaac to recuperate. His abduction and imprisonment had affected his body such that he was not sure he would ever fully recover. Georgiana, however, had persuaded him and Sophia that he should at least recover sufficiently to endure the long journey back to the Northwest; she spent every free moment she had at the house, even when Camden was not there, trying to help them prepare for the trip. At Isaac’s request, she also helped them improve their reading and writing, most often by copying their favorite passages from Mr. Randolph’s large family Bible.
One afternoon, Camden had just returned from the courthouse when a knock came at the door. Mary had been given the day off until dinner, so Georgiana rose from her seat next to Sophia in the parlor to answer the door. Outside, she found a young man with a messenger’s bag.
He extended a sealed letter to her and said, “To be delivered to Mr. Page. Is he here?”
“Yes. I can take that to him.”
“Apologies, ma’am. I’m instructed to deliver it to Mr. Page personally.”
“Very well. Please come in.” Georgiana stepped aside to allow the man into the front hall and called into the office for Camden.
“Yes. What is it?” Camden said, stepping from the office into the hall.
“A letter for you, sir.”
Camden took the letter and examined the wax seal. “Thank you,” he said.
A minute later, Georgiana sat down across the desk from Camden as he gave the seal a second inspection. “It says ‘Tasker’,” he said as he applied the letter opener to break the seal. He read it silently and then, with a very puzzled look on his face, handed it to Georgiana. Taking it from him, she perused it for herself
> Dear Mr. Page,
>
> It was with great interest that I read in a newspaper recently brought from Richmond that a former slave of my father’s was on trial for murder. This interested me greatly not merely because of the result—for which I am sure you are to be congratulated—but because, as heir of my father’s estate, I can assure you that I never secured the services of any slave catchers to pursue Isaac. In fact, until the newspaper reached me at my country estate here near Roanoke, after my return from a trip to England, I was not aware that any of my father’s former slaves had even left the Commonwealth. It appears that justice was done in this case, but if you have any information that would assist me in determining exactly what has transpired, I would be most grateful. I expect business will call me back to James City County presently, and as I pass through Richmond on the way, I hope you will be able to make time for me to speak with you.
>
> With the kindest of regards,
>
> Solomon Tasker IV
“This is . . . what are we to make of this, Cam? This is bizarre, is it not?”
“Quite. If it is true that Mr. Tasker did not authorize slave catchers, then there is something about this that has escaped notice by everyone. It makes me uneasy. Isaac could probably use more time to convalesce, but I think they should start back to their homestead as soon as possible.”
Georgiana nodded her agreement. She noticed Camden shifting slightly in his seat, a sure sign that he was preparing to broach some other topic that gave him some anxiety.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”
He chuckled and she responded with a reassuring smile.
“Certainly not,” she said. “But I suppose that’s secretly one of the things you love most about me.”
He rose from his seat and came around the desk to sit in the chair next to hers.
“There is something I wanted to say to you.” He paused before continuing.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“I am, as you know, a man who is given to deep contemplation before taking action. This is often to my own detriment. That is why I have been cautious before approaching your father respecting a certain topic; I pray that I have not delayed that conversation too long. However, it was quite a long time ago that I became certain of at least one thing, Georgiana: my happiness in this life can only ever be complete if you will become my wife. I would not dream of going to your father with such a request without first knowing that you feel exactly the same way that I do.”
Georgiana could hardly contain her joy as he took her hands in his. “Cam, you know already that my happiness will forever be entangled with yours. Your caution will certainly balance my sometime impetuosity, as I’m sure my father will tell you when you speak to him. I love you with all my heart.”
“And I love you with all my heart also. Shall I go to him today?”
Georgiana nodded. “Shall we go together? Mother will be an emotional wreck, I’m sure; so I ought to be there to dry her tears—tears of joy, I assure you.”
“Then we should leave now, I suppose. But let me write a note for Mary that there will only be Isaac and Sophia for dinner.”
“Wait,” Georgiana interjected. “Father went to Williamsburg on business. He won’t be back until late tonight, possibly even tomorrow morning.”
“Well, first thing in the morning, then. I won’t wait longer than that.”
The next morning, Camden was surprised to find that he was not the first person to visit Senator Burwell.
“You will find the Senator in the drawing room, sir,” Andrew, the Senator’s manservant said as he begrudgingly admitted him to the house.
Camden let himself into the drawing room and found that the Senator’s other guest was none other than John Marshall.
“Mr. Page, it’s good to see you this morning,” said Senator Burwell. “We were just talking about you. You do know Mr. Marshall, do you not?”
“Yes sir, Senator Burwell. We are acquainted.”
“I was just telling the Senator,” Marshall said, “what an excellent job you did in the recent murder case. The papers surely did not do justice to your advocacy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Marshall. I hope the Senator knows what a help to me you were.”
“That? It was nothing, Senator Burwell, I assure you. I gave Mr. Page a gentle nudge in the right direction. The rest was his doing entirely.” Mr. Marshall put down the cup of tea that he had been sipping. “Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I really must be going. Thank you for your time, Senator Burwell.”
“Good day to you then, sir,” the Senator said. “Let me call for Andrew again and he can see you out.”
The Senator returned from bidding farewell to his guest and seated himself opposite Camden, who had poured himself a small cup of tea.
“Now then. What brings you to my house so early? Georgiana should be downstairs shortly, I imagine.”
Camden cleared his throat. “I have come about Georgiana, Senator Burwell, but not to see her directly.”
“Oh, I see.”
Camden took a sip of his tea before he continued and he could tell that the Senator was waiting expectantly.
“You see, sir, that your daughter and I have grown quite fond of one another. In fact, we love each other deeply. I believe I am now at a point in my life where I can ask for your consent to our being married. I have entered a partnership with your brother in law and I am confident that I can provide for your daughter.”
“Yes, well, of course. I must admit that I have had my doubts about you along the way, Mr. Page. You have risen from nothing. That is not terribly unusual, yet you have not only risen, but have also made your place in the world secure. Mr. Randolph speaks well of you always. Mr. Marshall who just left us had nothing but praise. In fact, I find that no one who knows you has anything ill to speak. That my daughter loves you is obvious and your love for her is equally clear. What other reasons I could concoct to withhold my consent I cannot possibly imagine. I heartily consent, sir, and I hope the wedding may take place as soon as possible.”
Camden left the Burwell house in a joyful haze, hardly noticing anyone or anything from the time he left until he returned to Mr. Randolph’s house. Mary was tidying up in the office when he saw that a letter had been delivered while he was out. He recognized neither the name nor the handwriting, but opened it hastily, assuming it was likely to be one of several others he had received recently either praising or excoriating his work on Isaac Freeman’s behalf.
> Dear Mr. Page,
>
> Regrettably, it is my duty to inform you of the most unfortunate circumstances which have befallen your partner, Mr. Joseph Randolph, Esq.
>
> Several days before writing this letter, I was called to attend to a man who had been badly injured in a fall in Windsor, a town that neighbors my own. Upon arrival I found the man alive, but unconscious. I saw to his injuries and made him comfortable, but have so far been unable to wake him.
>
> I am uncertain how long he might remain in such a state of coma, but if you or one of his family members are able to come to Vermont as soon as possible, I would strongly advise you to do so. Until then I remain your humble and obedient servant,
>
> Dr. Anthony Sanderson
>
> Weathersfield, Vermont
Camden dropped the letter on the desk and fell back into his chair. He closed his eyes while taking in and letting out a long, deep breath. Mr. Randolph had been a father-figure and a mentor, but was now his partner and, he hoped, his friend. The news struck Camden like a blow to his stomach.
“Is something the matter, Mr. Page?” Mary asked as she peeked her head into the office. “You don’t look well, sir.”
“We’ve had some bad news, Mary. Send for someone to come and take this letter to Senator Burwell’s house immediately and I’ll tell you what it says.”
As Camden suspected, Mary did not take the news well. He knew that Georgiana would likewise be sickened by it, yet although he dreaded the sadness it would cause her, he wanted nothing more than for her to be by his side.