Instead, he shuffled back. Evelyn stepped close enough for him to smell the wine on her breath.
She lifted the candle until its flame was inches from his face. “Look at me.”
Nathaniel forced himself to wait half a second too long before obeying. Their eyes met.
Evelyn studied him. Nathaniel deliberately allowed his left eye to wander. His mouth sagged open.
Seconds stretched. Then Evelyn smiled. “If you ever wander into my bedroom again, I’ll have you chained outside for a week.
Do you understand?” Nathaniel nodded violently. “Yes, Miss Evelyn.” “Go.” He shuffled out. The moment the bedroom door closed behind him, Nathaniel’s expression changed.
He moved down the hallway faster than he had ever moved inside Ravenwood. He had memorized enough.
More importantly, he had the letter. Three days later, Nathaniel began refusing food. Not enough to attract immediate suspicion.
Just enough. He left bread untouched. Spilled soup. Pretended to forget how to use a spoon.
When servants spoke to him, he stared past them. Within two weeks, his face had begun to shrink.
His steps became genuinely weaker. Evelyn was furious. “I paid thirty-five dollars for that animal!”
Her voice echoed through the kitchen one morning. “He’s dying from stupidity!” An older enslaved woman named Clara Hayes stood near the stove.
She had watched Samuel carefully since the day he arrived, and Nathaniel suspected she understood far more than she admitted.
“He needs treatment, ma’am,” Clara said. “I’m not paying a doctor.” “There’s a church in Fairhaven.
They help sick colored people. Won’t charge you.” Evelyn turned toward Nathaniel. He sat against the wall with his mouth hanging open.
She frowned. “How long?” “Few days.” “If he runs?” Clara’s face remained expressionless. Evelyn stepped closer.
“If Samuel disappears, I will hold everyone here responsible.” The kitchen went silent. Nathaniel understood exactly what she meant.
“Send him tomorrow.” The following morning, Clara drove Nathaniel toward Fairhaven in a rattling wooden wagon.
Neither spoke until Ravenwood disappeared behind the trees. Then Clara pulled the reins. The horse slowed.
She looked at him. “You can stop pretending now.” Nathaniel remained hunched. Clara waited. Finally, he straightened.
