by Mark J Rose
“That’s true,” Will said. “I’d start practicing, sister.” He went silent.
“I know you prepare me for some jest,” she replied, “but you’ll not rest until it’s out of your mouth.” She put on a falsetto voice. “My word, practicing for what, dear brother?”
“Fanning,” replied Will. “I’m simply glowing.” He flapped his hand at his face, laughing hysterically.
“Enjoy your diversion,” she said, “but it won’t keep me from visiting with Graine. It’s been overlong since we’ve spoken.”
“Why is that?” Will asked.
“As Mr. Miller is fond of saying, ’tis a long story,” she said, looking past Will. “I see Mother. Have a capital time at the tavern. No fighting.” She turned and left with a sharp swish of her dress. Matt could only watch and smile. Stunning woman.
“You’ve done it again,” Will proclaimed.
“Done what?”
“Gone and made my sister happy.”
“It’s hard to tell with her sometimes,” Matt replied. “But if she is happy, I’m glad. She did seem pleased with getting new dresses.”
“She’s pleased to renew her friendship with Graine,” Will said.
“Graine should be an exciting addition to the Taylor family.”
“You intended to say Miller family, of course,” Will replied.
“No, Taylor family,” Matt said. “Could there be a prettier woman in all of Richmond?”
“Probably not,” Will said, resigned.
“You don’t admire her?”
“I do, but I’m not ready to marry.”
“Nor is she, I imagine,” Matt said. “She had that dreamy look in her eye when your name came up, though.”
Matt saw Will become distracted and scan the crowd. “As much as I endeavor to speak of beautiful ladies,” Will said, “we must focus on the charge at hand.” He motioned for Matt to follow him toward Thomas, who was talking to another man in the churchyard. He shook hands with the man and then walked to meet them. “You boys prepared for our interview?” he called.
“I imagine,” Will said, reluctantly.
“Would you rather stay and pick out dresses?” Thomas asked.
“Buy a nice satin one for Levi,” Matt said, “and suggest he try it on in the tavern.”
“There is some hidden lunacy in you,” Will said. “Best tell Father your history with Levi.” Matt took the next few moments to describe what had transpired the first time he met Levi in the King’s Tavern.
“You both antagonized him,” Thomas said after Matt finished. “You declared you labored for free and were bringing others for what?”
“Fresh air,” Will said. “’Twas not entirely Mr. Miller’s fault.”
“Mr. Miller surely played his part,” Thomas replied.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Matt replied. He was sorry.
“What’s done is done,” Thomas replied. “Either way, Levi is a damn fool. Keep clear.”
“I’ll do my best,” Matt said, “but I can’t promise anything.”
“You must,” Thomas said. “Fighting in the tavern is unacceptable. If you should desire later to have yourself killed, then that’s your choice. This day, though, naught comes from you. Do you agree to these terms?”
“I promise,” Matt said. “You’re talking to me like I make my living fighting!”
“I’m comforted knowing you’ll be there if there’s trouble,” Will piped up. “You can kick him.”
“You heard me,” his father said. “No fighting! Neither of you will say anything beyond good day.”
“We aren’t allowed to talk?” Will asked, surprised.
“Naught,” his father repeated. “No matter what Levi does, you’re to remain silent. Let the Paynes be impulsive this day, not us.”
“What if he insults Mother?” Will said. “Can we fight him?”
“He’d not insult—” the father said, then stopped himself to laugh. “If he does, you both have my permission to put up the gauntlet, else not a sound from either of you.”
“What if he insults Scout?” Will said. “Can we insult one of his animals, a cow or something?”
“This is no jest,” Thomas said. “There are serious consequences. The thought of Levi threatening our men or our business has me very concerned.”
“Neither of us will say a word,” Will said as he looked over at Matt for confirmation. Matt nodded.
“We’re taking the stallions,” Thomas said. “Graine wants to show her father the mares. She’s a wonderful young lady with a good head on her shoulders.” He focused on his son. “Her family is as solid as they come.”
“Are you and Mr. Miller in some collusion?” Will asked. Thomas looked at his son, puzzled, and then he turned his gaze to Matt.
“I told him the same thing,” Matt declared. “I didn’t know the family part; I assumed.”
“Paul Payne might be a match for her,” Thomas said.
“She’d never be interested in Paul,” Will replied.
“Don’t be so sure,” Thomas said.
“Let me think on it,” Will replied.
“Think on it as you desire,” his father said. “Realize, though, that there are more than a few eligible men in Richmond. I’ll grant that none has so grand a title as Horse Prince.”
“I told you, that’s only a jest between me and my fellows,” Will said. “It’s Prince of Horses, anyway.”
Thomas rolled his eyes. “Let’s repair to the tavern,” he said. “I shouldn’t want to miss them.”
“Such a tragedy,” Will said sarcastically.
“It gives me no more quiet than you,” his father said. “We should discover the gravity of our situation. I suspect ’tis much worse than we know.”
“Why do you say?” Will replied. “’Tis only made worse by some aversion Levi has to Mr. Miller.”
“Something’s changed,” his father said. “Levi’s conduct is more than is common.”
“Maybe we can eat before we fight to the death,” Will proclaimed.
“I’m all for that,” Matt said. “I don’t want to go through the pearly gates on an empty stomach. I’d be all cranky, and that’s no way to start off a stay in heaven.”
Both Taylors turned to stare at him as they walked to the carriage, shaking their heads. Matt smiled back.
**********
They arrived at King’s Tavern more quickly than Matt had wanted. Thomas guided the carriage to the stable master. Inside, the tavern was buzzing with activity, much like the previous week. A bar hostess walked to greet them. “Anne, dear, could we get something in the back?” Thomas said. “We desire a table to seat six fellows for an interview.” He handed her a coin. She motioned towards two men at the bar, who went to prepare the table and then guided them to the dining room. Thomas turned to Will and Matt and said, “Save a chair.”
The Paynes were at their regular table. Matt met their gaze as he walked by, and in that moment it felt like the true nature of the Paynes became clear. He imagined these men like a pack of wolves trying to separate him from the herd. “Don’t stare,” Thomas said, seeing him looking back. “Go to the table and let me take care of this.”
“Zounds!” Will whispered loudly. “You broke his nose.” Levi’s nose and face were black and blue. It made Matt strangely satisfied; he’d had some difficulty remembering whether he’d hit Levi at all. Matt and Will split off from the older man and headed to the table, but Will watched his father protectively the whole time they were walking.
Nathan Payne rose as Thomas approached their table and shook his hand, and they stood talking. Thomas often glanced at his son and Matt during the conversation, and then would look back to Nathan. They were apparently trying to agree on something before coming over. Then, both Payne sons stood up and they walked over as one. Matt found that his fists were clenched and his legs were locked, so he took a few deep breaths and forced his muscles to relax as his tae kwon do instructor had taught.
He
and Will remained standing as the men approached the table. Thomas joined them and Nathan took his place with his sons. The six men faced each other and didn’t attempt to shake hands. It was all very bizarre, and if the situation weren’t so serious, Matt would’ve broken out into hysterical laughter. The situation became no less strange when he found himself standing in front of the man who wanted to kill him. Matt knew that the best way to unnerve an opponent was to look directly into his eyes and not blink, and so he returned Levi’s glare with unblinking eyes. He wasn’t disappointed when Levi was the first to talk.
“What are you staring at?” Levi said.
“Levi!” Nathan said. “You’ll not fight in here.”
“He won’t look at me, then,” Levi replied, “if he wants to keep his teeth.” Matt slowly turned his back foot into a fighting stance. “I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch,” Levi said.
Nathan put his hand up. “Stop. It will serve neither family.”
“Mr. Miller!” Thomas said. “Enough!”
Matt shuddered. He backed away from the table and nodded to Thomas. He focused on a picture on the wall over Levi’s shoulder but kept Levi in the corner of his eye. He felt like he had been in a trance and time had slowed. He’d been able to see the other man’s eyes blink through their entire motion.
Thomas gestured to the table. “Please,” he said. “Sit.” He sat first, and the rest followed. “I have instructed my boys not to speak unless asked. The posturing of young men should not spoil what I hope will be a beneficial transaction for our families.”
“He’s not your relations,” Nathan said, glaring at Matt. “He’s not even a Virginian.”
“I decide who represents my family,” returned Thomas.
“He provoked my son and caused a fight,” replied Nathan.
“Levi fights when the wind blows,” Thomas said.
“We’re here to be insulted?” Nathan replied.
“We’re here because a chasm has formed between our families,” Thomas said.
“That your people have caused,” Nathan retorted.
“We concern ourselves with our own affairs,” Thomas replied. “Explain how we caused this?”
“My son is vexed,” Nathan said, “and I share his feelings.”
“And this justifies attacking members of my farm and family?” Thomas replied.
Nathan waved his hand to quiet him. Thomas was visibly irritated by Nathan’s dismissal. “I stood by these last few years and did nothing as my frustration with you and your relations grew,” Nathan said. “I was willing to ignore many things because of my Paul’s love for Kathryn.”
“Nathan, I don’t see—”
“You Taylors speak endlessly, but now I’ll have my say,” Nathan said, interrupting. “I stood by whilst you purchased the finest stock in Virginia and made alliances with all the best breeders. You’ve attempted to shut us out of the trade.”
“You’ve as many opportunities to buy horses as we,” Thomas said.
“How many times have I tried to hire your black horse for stud?” Nathan asked. “And yet somehow, the cost or time is never right.”
“I have kept Shadow’s line confined to my farm,” Thomas said. “I’ll make no excuses for this.”
“No more!” declared Nathan.
“What do you mean, no more?” Thomas replied. “We do as we will under the king’s laws.”
“We’ll no longer stand by as you purchase the finest horses in the colonies and leave us with pack animals,” Nathan declared.
“How would you deter us from conducting our affairs?” Thomas asked.
“Wherever there’s a horse for sale,” Nathan said, “we’ll offer more. I have fellows too and they’ll know that when the Taylors are interested in a horse, I’ll double the price.”
“Double?” Thomas exclaimed. “You would break your back to act on this vendetta?”
“We’ve amassed a sizable fortune selling our inferior animals,” Nathan said. He emphasized the word inferior while looking at Will. Thomas turned to his son with a probing stare.
“I’d never describe another man’s horses thus!” Will cried.
“You have your fame,” Nathan replied. “You declare your horses are the best in Virginia and that no others can compete. People believe Payne horses are inferior. As I said, no more!”
“This crusade will lead you to ruin,” Thomas said.
“Even when you’re weak, you speak as if you have the upper hand,” Nathan said. “This is merely business. I’ll see that you have no access to fine stock.”
“It’s a fool’s errand,” Thomas declared.
“I’ve already started,” Nathan quipped. “That champion stallion at the Browne farm?” He paused for a reaction, but Thomas remained stoic. “I told him I’d double your price.”
“Go buy him,” Thomas replied. “Virginia horsemen will be pleased with your extravagance.”
Nathan sneered. “I grow weary of the Taylors and how they are a pillar of Richmond. I know the real Thomas Taylor.”
“Men change,” Thomas said.
“You, your sons, and your daughter all think you’re better than everyone.”
“You’ll not speak of my daughter,” Thomas warned.
“How upstanding will the Taylors be when their money and power are gone?”
“You’re committed, then, to this war between us?” Thomas’s tone was both disappointed and tired.
“We’ll be using all our means to drive you into the ground,” Nathan said calmly.
“If that’s your pledge,” Thomas replied, “we’re done here.” Thomas waved to Matt and Will that it was time to leave and everyone stood. Thomas focused his stare on Nathan. “One more thing. If you or one of your sons threatens a member of my family again, I’ll come and put a ball in your head.”
29
Strategies and Plans
They walked out of the tavern in silence. Thomas reached into his pocket for a coin and gave it to the stable master. He and his son climbed into the front and Matt took the seat directly behind them, leaning forward to hear their conversation.
“That could have gone better,” Thomas said. “It’s always two steps forward and one step back when following the path of the Lord.”
“I swear to you,” Will said, “I have never slandered Nathan’s farm.”
“Don’t apologize for selling horses,” Thomas replied. “It’s easy to see that Nathan’s horrible at breeding.”
“How did he learn of the Browne stallion?” Will asked.
Thomas shrugged. “Of everything, this disappointed me the most. I’ve already been planning the foals from that one.”
Will glanced over his shoulder at Matt. “You started this,” he said. “Have you no thoughts?”
“I’m an innocent victim,” Matt proclaimed. “The war’s been building for a long time.”
“You’re not an innocent victim,” Thomas said. “You have some hidden lunacy in your desire to tease Levi at every interview.”
“I should have brought the dress,” Matt declared. He had a painful smile on his face knowing that the man was partly right. He regretted his inability to ignore Levi.
“The dress?” Will asked.
“The satin one for Levi,” his father chimed in.
“Levi was upset because I came empty-handed,” Matt said.
“Next time,” Will replied, laughing, “bring the dress.”
“You were staring him down,” Thomas said. “I’ve never seen Levi so irked.”
“It’s true,” Matt said, “about his eyes.”
“What?” Will asked.
“Something Jonathan said,” Matt replied. “He has eyes like Shadow’s.”
“The horse?” Thomas asked.
“Wild, as if something’s missing,” Matt replied. “I didn’t mean to insult Shadow.”
“Probably accurate in both regards,” Thomas said.
“We weren’t able to eat” said the older man, changing t
he subject. “The women will expect us to have eaten.”
“I know the perfect place,” his son replied.
**********
Soon after, they were eating in the Gold Lion Inn. “How shall we respond?” Will asked his father.
“The Lord is telling us to dig up our talents,” Thomas replied.
“Good stock may become hard to find with Nathan scattering gold everywhere,” Will said.
“Nathan couldn’t recognize a quality animal if it bit him on his ass,” Thomas replied. “I’ll enjoy watching him pay double for every horse that strikes our fancy.”
“It’s a shame that he bought the Browne stallion,” Will said.
“I’ll contact Douglas to see if the sale took place,” Thomas said. “Something of Nathan’s story smelled of fancy. Would he pay a hundred forty pounds? I might be prepared to spend eighty.”
“Eighty pounds!” his son exclaimed. “That truly is mad money!”
“I’m not mad,” his father said matter-of-factly.
“An expression Mr. Miller uses,” Will explained. “Why would you think Nathan was lying?”
“His manner,” Thomas said. “He was hoping for a reaction.” Thomas was quiet, clearly considering something. “Maybe I’d pay ninety pounds,” he said. “I don’t like this ‘mad money’ expression you boys are using, though.”
“He’s worth ninety pounds?” Matt asked.
“I’d not usually pay that much for any horse,” Thomas said, “but there’s none better than Douglas Browne when it comes to breeding.”
“What’s so great about this horse?” Matt asked.
“He’s Shadow without the empty eyes,” Will replied.
**********
It took about twenty minutes to make their way to the Martin house. The Martins lived in an opulent home with a long drive, right outside of Richmond. Matt could see people gathered off to the side of the house and a smoking fire where slaves cooked food. Thomas pulled the wagon up to the front of the house, where they were met by a well-dressed black man. Thomas handed him the reins and the man climbed up into the wagon to move it around the side of the house, out of sight. Thomas gazed at the enormous estate and said with a sarcastic smile, “It’s a humble shack, but we call it home.” Matt and Will laughed with him as they walked toward the picnic area.
