Tennessee, 1862. Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Edwards hates her personal slave, Anna. Elizabeth has never given much thought to the plight of the slaves on her father's plantation; instead, she focuses on pretty dresses and horses, and dreams of the young man she wants to marry. But Elizabeth's world collapses when she is told she must marry her cousin to keep the plantation in the family. Elizabeth takes out her anger on Anna, who finally snaps and reveals that Elizabeth and she have the same father. Anna is brutally whipped the next day, and Elizabeth is horrified. When she tries to confide in her mother, she finds her secretly kissing Elizabeth's tutor. Elizabeth now feels she has nothing and nobody. She changes her attitude about Anna and asks her to run away with her. They are overheard by two stable hands, Fred and Sam, who have heard of a safe house on the Underground Railroad. The four of them set off, planning to reach Canada. Will they all make it to Canada alive? Does Anna truly forgive Elizabeth, or is she just using her? Is it possible to find love on the run?

Plantation Children

Sunday August 18 to Monday August 19,1862


I take the sedative like a good girl.In mid-afternoon,a tailor measures me for a dress,which is very tiresome.Normally I would love the prospect of a new dress,especially one so fine as a wedding gown,but now my priorities have changed.Nora follows me everywhere just like Anna did,except she is always an arm’s length away from me,as if she’s afraid I’ll run off.I don’t speak to her much,my mind on other things.When it’s finally time for bed,I let Nora put my nightgown on meekly.Luckily I don’t need a slave sleeping on a pallet at the foot of my bed anymore.As I’m in bed with lights out,Nora heads out to the small room that used to be Anna’s.And Hannah’s


Chapter 19