Give Me Your Name

Give Me Your Name

Part One of the Purged with Blood Trilogy

By Karen Horst

Published by Karen Horst at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Karen Horst

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1 A Garden Party

Boston

April 1855

On the morning of the day when her life would change entirely, Julia Hamilton slept the smooth and gentle sleep of those who do not know their fate.

She opened her eyes just slightly when Lucy came in with a jug of hot water and poured it into the pitcher on the washstand.

Good morning," Julia mumbled just before Lucy went out the door.

Good morning, Lucy replied. You'd best be getting up. Your mother’s been up for an hour and cook’s almost got breakfast ready.

Julia rolled over and pulled the quilt around her shoulders.

Just a bit longer, she begged. I feel lazy today.

Lucy, whose African skin made her almost invisible in the dim room, poked at the nearly dead fire and found a shower of bright sparks hidden inside it.

You can’t be lazy today, she scolded. You’re the bride. You’ve got fifty people coming to see you get engaged to Charles.

No, they’re coming because it’s Mother and Father’s twentieth wedding anniversary Julia protested playfully. She knew they were both right but she liked teasing her friend.

Who do you think you’re fooling? Lucy replied, sitting down on the bed and pulling the covers off Julia. Charles has had the ring in his pocket for three weeks. Everyone in Boston knows it.

Charles who? teased Julia, pulling the blankets over her head. I don’t know any Charles.

Laughing, they wrestled over the quilt and Lucy won. Cold and fully awake, Julia sat up and stretched.

All right then, she said. If that’s the way you’re going to be, I guess I’ll get up.

Lucy picked up her jug of water and prepared to go. There were three more sisters to awaken, all younger than Julia.

I’ll be back up later to help you with your hair, she said as she left the room.

Julia let her small feet gingerly touch the floor. She was nineteen, petite, and pretty. She had thick dark hair that waved around her pale face. Her eyes were remarkably blue. That was always the feature that people remembered when they saw Julia, the beautiful blue eyes.

Julia thought about Charles as she washed her face. She thought about him every morning and had done so for most of her life. It seemed she had always been engaged to Charles. Their families were so similar, their futures so intertwined, that it had never occurred to either of them that they would not marry. Their future stretched before them in placid and serene wealth and happiness coming as naturally as rain and sunshine. Her father was a manufacturer of cloth; his father owned the ships that carried it to market. Their mothers were first cousins. So it was almost incidental that they were also in love. Had the love not existed, they would have had to invent it.

Julia dried her face and fixed her hair with combs. Then, after putting on a simple morning dress, she hurried down the long staircase to the dining room.

So there's the bride, her sister Martha jeered as Julia came into the dining room and sat down at the big, walnut table. Does Charles know how bad you look first thing in the morning?

I can't be beautiful all the time, Julia replied, unruffled.

Listen to her! Martha shouted back. I can't be beautiful all the time! Mother, Julia's being mean again.

Mother came out of the kitchen and quickly admonished both Julia and Martha.

Be quiet, girls, she scolded firmly but gently. Why must you start today with a fight?

Mother seated herself at the table. She smoothed her silk morning dress and twisted the pearls in her earlobes before placing a napkin on her lap.

Now girls, Mrs. Hamilton said serenely, at the party this afternoon, I want you all to move among the guests. No getting a plate of food and going off by yourselves. I want our guests to be well attended to.

Quite right, Father added his face partially hidden behind a newspaper. He did not look up at them, but continued reading intently.

A second later he threw the paper on the table and said fiercely: What can they be thinking?

The girls and mother turned toward him and waited.

What do they think? he asked again, sharply and rhetorically. Why would a respectable newspaper accept a vile advertisement like that?

What is it, dear? Mother asked.

An ad for the return of fugitive slaves, he replied irritably. A whole family, man, woman and child, suspected of being in the area.

A whole family? Mother repeated, pity and disbelief distressing her face.

Josiah Wilson, his wife and ten-year-old child, Father read out loud. Anyone aiding or assisting them will be in violation of the fugitive slave law.

Father pushed the paper aside.

How dare they run such an advertisement? Boston is a free city. They can't bring their filthy slavery to our doorsteps!

Congress says they can, Mother replied calmly. The fugitive slave law is the law of the land. They can come here to retrieve their runaway slaves and we have no choice but to return them. Like it or not, we must obey.

It's a bad law, Father countered. An unjust law and I will not obey it. If those fugitives come to my door, they will be given shelter.

Yes, dear, Mother replied softly, safe in the knowledge that no slave would ever enter their neighborhood of fine carriages, beautiful gardens, and imposing homes.

Mother, Julia said, hoping to change the subject. Would it be all right if I did some shooting at the party today? Mrs. Johnston says she doesn't believe anyone can hit a dime when it's falling, and I can. Charles and I have cooked up a little demonstration we'd like to show the guests. Do you think it would be terribly out of place?

Mother rolled her eyes. Shooting at an engagement party? Julia, please!

But Father broke in on Julia's side.

Now, Mother, if it were any other talent you would be eager to show it off. I know it's a bit unusual for a girl to be so good with a gun, but there it is! Our daughter is a sharpshooter. I think it's wonderful as long as she confines herself to targets and clay pigeons. I find it highly amusing and I think our guests will too.

Mother was not convinced.

A girl with a gun, she groaned. So rough and unladylike!

Oh, but it's such a dainty little gun, Father joked. And it shoots such sweet, little bullets.

Now Mother had to laugh.

John, please, she begged. I'd much rather she played the piano.

I'll do that too, Julia promised eagerly. Just let me shoot a little. Charles takes a handful of dimes and throws them into the air one at a time. I can hit nine out of ten!

Now that would be worth seeing, Father agreed.

I guess I'm over-ruled, sighed Mother. But, please, be brief. I don't want you to become known as the shooting bride.

Thank you, Mother, Julia exclaimed, jumping out of her chair and rushing to kiss mother’s smooth cheek. Charles will be happy.

And what about me? Father asked, seeing his oldest daughter kiss his wife.

Thank you too, Papa, said Julia as she kissed his rough face. I'll play a little Beethoven before I shoot.

I'll play a little Beethoven before I shoot, Martha repeated mockingly. I hope she shoots herself in the foot.

Martha! Mother scolded.

Later in the morning, Lucy went upstairs in search of Julia. When she did not find Julia in her room, she began to make her way down the hall towards the other girls’ rooms. At Sophia's door she heard laughter and whispering. It ceased when she knocked. Then Sophia opened the door just a crack, her vivid blue eyes just barely visible around the edge.

Oh, it's Lucy, she declared in relief. Come in here and see what we've got.

She opened the door wide enough for Lucy to fit her slender body through, and then shut it securely after her. The sisters were huddled around something at the foot of Sophia's bed. They parted when Lucy approached, revealing a large portrait in oil of the four of them.

It's for Mother and Father, Julia explained eagerly. Grandmother helped us pay for it. We're presenting it to them today in honor of their anniversary.

Let me see this, said Lucy, looking at the painting. She stood before it and inspected it closely.

The four girls were grouped together in a diamond shape against a dark background. Their clothes and skin were so fair that they seemed to Lucy like light in a dark world. The older, taller girls, Julia and Sophia, were seated side by side with little Clara between them. Martha stood in the background. Placid, serene Sophia was in blue. Impudent little Martha wore lavender while the youngest, Clara, had on pale green. Julia, the oldest and prettiest of them, faced the viewer in a pink dress, the color of rose petals. At the bottom of the elaborate gold frame was a small brass plate that read: The Hamilton Sisters, 1855.

So that's why you've been spending all those afternoons with your grandmother, said Lucy. Well, this is a wonderful gift! Won't they be pleased!

It is nice, isn't it? said Sophia earnestly. I think he caught us as we are, don't you?

Oh, yes, Lucy agreed. Your parents will treasure this.

We thought we'd take it downstairs after lunch, Julia explained. Then I'll make a little speech about their twenty years of happy marriage and what good parents they are. Then we'll pull the cover off the painting so that everyone can see it. We thought we'd do it before Father announces the engagement.

Lucy nodded her approval for this plan.

I’ll have Jasper take it to the kitchen when the guests start arriving, said Lucy. But look what time it is? You have only an hour before your guests arrive. Get your clothes changed.

The girls jumped up obediently and ran off to their respective rooms with Lucy following Clara. Doors slammed all down the hall. A few minutes later, Lucy could be seen running from room to room with combs, pins and curling irons in her hands.

She worked through the younger girls quickly then came and knocked on Julia's door. When Julia answered it, she was wearing a pink silk afternoon dress of the latest fashion; it had great broad sleeves and a tight waist, a wide skirt held out by a thick layer of petticoats. It was open at the neck and shoulders and Julia had placed a tiny string of seed pearls around her neck. Lucy’s mother was the seamstress who had made the dress and Lucy had helped with it, but she had not yet seen it on Julia. She stopped to admire how pretty her friend looked in it.

How beautiful you are! exclaimed Lucy. Won't Charles be pleased?

Oh, but look at my hair! wailed Julia, pulling Lucy into the room and closing the door behind her. You've got to work on it - they'll be here in less than half an hour!

Julia seated herself at the dressing table so Lucy could work. While she worked, they talked.

I have something I want to give you, Lucy told her friend. "Something my father made while he was away.

Lucy’s father, a free black man, was a harpooner on a whale boat that had recently returned to port after a year long voyage.

Oh? What is it, Julia asked, intrigued. They often exchanged small gifts.

Lucy picked up a bag she had brought with her and drew out a small wooden box, about six inches square. It was made of a solid piece of oak and embellished all over with shallow, continuous carvings of oak leaves and acorns. It had two brass hinges on one side and it closed with a brass hook and eye. She passed it to Julia proudly.

How lovely! Julia exclaimed, turning the box gently in her hands. It's so finely made. Thank you.

She opened the little box carefully and looked inside.

Papa made it from a solid piece of wood, Lucy explained. He carved it all over then he split it open and hollowed out the middle. I thought maybe you could put your jewelry in it.

Yes, it would be good for that, Julia agreed. Here, let’s see.

She reached into a shallow dish on the dressing table and pulled out the garnet stud earrings that her father had lately given her.

And here, let's put in the gold bracelet that Charles gave me. He had it made just for my wrist. See how little it is - just five and one half inches. That's how big my wrist is.

She put it carefully in the box with the garnet studs.

There, that will be good for my most precious jewels. It will be a fine place to keep important things. But, today I want to wear them both so I'm afraid the box will have to be empty.

She took the earrings out of the box and pushed them through the holes in her ear lobes while Lucy worked with a curling iron. Then she clasped the bracelet around her thin wrist. The girls heard horses in the courtyard and Lucy ran to the window.

Here comes Charles and his family, she announced.

Julia hurried to the window and glanced out. There, in front of the house, she saw the Boyce family carriage with its four white horses and gilded doors. Charles had already emerged from it and was helping his mother.

Oh, my! Julia exclaimed. I had better go down there. How do I look?

You're perfect, Lucy replied. Now go down the stairs slowly. It will make a better impression on Charles, although he's already so in love with you it won't matter how you look.

Julia straightened herself regally and paraded out of the room. At the top of the long staircase, she caught a glimpse of Charles standing in the foyer. He looked up and smiled at her.

She descended the stairs slowly so that he could have time to admire her. She stretched out her hand to him as she reached the last step.

Good morning, he said. You look beautiful today. Is that a new dress?

Yes, Hannah and Lucy made it especially for today. Do you like it?

It's lovely, he replied. But, then, anything looks good on my Julia.

She smiled, not because he was flattering, but because he was sincere. She took his arm and walked with him into the parlor.

Charles was a nice looking young man, almost six feet tall with broad shoulders and long legs. He had a pleasant, bland face with no remarkable features. A person could spend hours with Charles and never remember one word he had said. Consequently, he seldom quarreled with anyone. He had almost no defining features except his devotion to Julia.

Father says we can have our shooting demonstration at the party today, she said, showing him the small velvet bag in which she kept her gun. So I brought my gun. Are you embarrassed? Mother is. She doesn't approve.

Well, I approve of it, Charles replied heartily. I suppose she doesn't think that shooting is a womanly virtue.

I had to promise I would play the piano as well, said Julia. A little Beethoven will cool her frayed nerves, I hope. I thought I would do that as the guests arrive, unless you want me to help you greet them.

Oh, no, Charles replied. I can greet guests if you can play the piano. Besides, I think between your family and mine, there will be quite enough people to greet guests, too many probably.

Julia smiled and excused herself. She went into the music room, seated herself at the piano and began working her way through the book of short pieces by Beethoven. Carriages began to pull up to the house and soon the rooms were full of men in frock coats and ladies in afternoon dresses. The sound of their petticoats rustling as they walked was nearly as loud as the voices in conversation. About fifty people had been invited, family friends, business associates, and relatives. Very few of them were unaware of the purpose of the party but none of them mentioned the engagement. Several of them stopped in to greet Julia as she played and to compliment her on her skill.

Lunch was served on large silver trays in the dining room. It was a lovely spring day so the guests filled their plates and moved to tables in the garden. The lilacs that formed the wall around the garden were in full bloom and their scent was nearly overpowering. No one wanted to eat in the dining room on such a day.

When the last of the guests had passed through the dining room, Julia ended her piano recital, fixed herself a small plate of food and went to join Charles in the garden. She seated herself next to him and ate a bite or two while being continuously interrupted by approaching guests.

Lucy, who had been moving among the guests taking away their dirty dishes, came by Julia's table, leaned over and whispered:

Jasper has the painting in the kitchen. Tell me when you want him to bring it out.

Julia looked at Charles, then around at the guests. Most of them had finished lunch, the dishes were empty and the conversation was heating up. She knew that soon Father would make his announcement and she decided it would be funny to surprise him.

Shall we do it now? she asked Charles, who knew all about the portrait.

Now would be a good time, before everyone gets caught up in the other announcement. Charles agreed. You get ready. I'll get everyone's attention.

He stood up, tapped his knife against the side of his crystal water glass and called for attention.

May I have everyone's attention, he said loudly. May I have your attention? I know that Mr. Hamilton has something he is eager to tell you but before I give him the floor, his first daughter would like to say a few words.

John Hamilton turned around, very surprised at being upstaged by Charles and Julia. Julia stood up and the garden became very quiet.

Well, she said, some of you will remember that twenty years ago today my parents - John and Emily Hamilton - were married. Yes, twenty years ago today and I believe that several of you were present on that occasion. I was not.

There was loud laughter while Julia paused.

Many things happen in twenty years and I must tell you that in this family most of those things were good. Oh, we've had our troubles - what do you expect in a house with four daughters - but, on the whole, we have been happy. I do not think this has been because of extraordinary good luck. I believe, I know, that our happiness has been based on the solid marriage of the two people we honor today.

There was applause all around and several calls for toasts. The Hamiltons stood up and bowed while the guests cheered and applauded. Then Julia went on.

So today, while we celebrate, we would like to share with you a gift that the Hamilton sisters have prepared for our parents. Jasper, would you bring that forward please.

Jasper, who had been standing by the backdoor waiting, carried the painting to the center of the tables and set it before Julia.

Mother and Father, said Julia. This is for you from the four girls who love you.

She pulled the cover off the painting and a sigh of approval went up from the guests. Immediately, people began to get up and move toward the painting for a better look. But before they could go too far, John Hamilton rushed to Julia's side and signaled for everyone to stay seated.

My daughter has upstaged me! he cried, waving his hands and motioning people to sit down. Please stay where you are for just another minute.

The guests all quietly resumed their seats while John Hamilton spoke.

First, he began, I must thank my daughters for this lovely gift. I had no idea they were planning this - that's how clever my girls are. Thank you girls. I believe I can speak for your mother when I say that you could not have found another gift that would please us more; nothing in life gives us more joy than our four beautiful daughters.

Laughter, applause and cheers erupted from the guests as Julia embraced her father and mother. The other girls joined them and Mrs. Hamilton began to cry just a bit. When the excitement had died down, John Hamilton again signaled for quiet.

I just said that nothing gives me more joy than my daughters, he said loudly. Perhaps I spoke too soon. One thing that may give me more joy than my daughters, or at least as much, and that would be to gain a son. So today I am happy to tell you that my daughter, Julia, will this August be married to Mr. Charles Boyce.

There was wild applause and cheers as Charles stood up and put his arm around Julia. He smiled and ceremoniously took a small box from the pocket of his coat. This he handed to Julia. She opened it and took out a diamond engagement ring. She put it on her finger, held it up for the crowd to see, then threw her arms around Charles’s neck and kissed him. People swarmed out of their seats cheering and applauding. Julia and Charles stood arm in arm, happily greeting everyone who had come to wish them well. Not one person there doubted that they would have a long and happy marriage.

It took about forty-five minutes for everyone to speak with Julia and Charles. When the party began to slow down again and people had refilled their glasses and sat down, Charles whispered to Julia that perhaps now they might entertain with some sharp shooting. Julia smiled and agreed so Charles once again clinked his glass.

One more thing, he said loudly when he had everyone's attention. You may think that I am marrying Julia solely for her beauty and charm.

Everyone laughed and someone, probably one of his Harvard friends, called out Yes, but why is she marrying you? That's what I'd like to know!

Charles laughed and continued.

Julia has many talents. You heard her playing the piano as you came in and some of you know that she can also paint. But I'll bet that few of you know that she can also handle a gun better than most men. Yes, it's true! My little Julia is a sharpshooter! We know that shooting is a curious entertainment for a garden party, but let us show you what she can do.

He paused while Julia took the gun out of the velvet bag and handed the bag to him. He held it up for the crowd to see as she turned it over and let ten bullets and ten dimes flow out of it.

We have here ten bullets and ten dimes, he said holding his hand out for everyone to see. We’ll go deeper into the garden where you can see us but not be endangered. I will throw the dimes into the air one at a time and Julia will shoot them before they hit the ground.

Let's see it! someone shouted. Other people applauded. Charles and Julia walked away from the crowd to a remote, treeless area of the garden. From there they could be seen clearly but no stray bullets would endanger the guests.

Charles held the first dime up for the crowd to see then taking a long swing; he tossed it into the clear spring sky. Julia looked up, took aim and fired. With a sharp metallic smack, the bullet sped through the thin silver coin. Charles leaned over and picked the ruined dime from the greening grass. He held it up for the crowd to see and said loudly: That's one!" Then he threw it to a man at one of the nearer tables who examined it, verified that it had been pierced, and then passed it on to the other guests.

Charles smiled as he threw the second dime into the air. Once again, the crowd heard metal hitting metal and saw Charles smiling as he fished the dime out of the grass. They applauded and cheered as Julia hit one dime after another.

Charles had the tenth dime in his hand and was about to toss it into the air when a noise in the street stopped him. His hand stayed in midair, but his head turned toward the sound. It was indistinct