“We arrived late last night with Mummy and Daddy,” Violet explained, and she reached for a pretty doll. She then turned back to me to study my reaction. Beatrice snickered, and both sets of eyes watched my face turn from curious and surprised to hurt and stunned.
“Daddy? My daddy is here?” I choked.
“He’s our daddy now, not just yours. Isn’t that right, Beatrice?”
“Yes, Violet,” the other girl answered from behind the curtain.
“And he bought us each a doll. He let us buy any one we wanted, and I chose this one,” she said shoving the doll in my face. “It was the most expensive one in the store, and possibly in all of London,” she said with a heavy English accent.
I dashed from the room with my heart pounding in my chest, so anxious to see Daddy. I ignored the creepy, weird laughter from the girls and flew down the steps to the main floor. There I stopped in my tracks as I unexpectedly bumped into Eugenia Norton, right after turning into the parlor. She gathered herself and shoved me away with a face that made no attempt to hide her disgust.
“Watch where you are going! Don’t you know better than to run about the mansion!” she snapped.
I tried to speak, but staring up into her stone-cold face, I could only stammer.
“Come now,” she said, snatching my arm and squeezing it tight enough for her long nails to dig into my skin. “We were just about to send for you.”
As soon as we stepped into the parlor, Eugenia released her grip and went to gently guide me in. I stepped far from her reach and frowned at her. I turned to see Daddy standing beside Mr. Giles.
There weren’t open, loving arms to greet me, no warm kisses or tender words of how much he missed me, as I had expected when Daddy came home. Instead, his face was full of disappointment and his hands stayed stiff by his side.
The room fell silent. All I could hear was Eugenia’s steady, even breaths and my heart pounding like a drum.
This wasn’t the reunion I had dreamed of every night while Daddy was away in England. Instead of my dreams coming true, a nightmare had begun.
“Amelia, Mr. Giles has informed me of your weeks of absence from school,” Daddy said in a stern voice I didn’t easily recognize. Though his voice boomed, I swore I saw a hint of compassion in his eyes.
From behind me, Eugenia mumbled something under her breath and nudged me forward. I gazed at Mr. Giles and shuddered when he only glared back.
Panic began to set in, and as they all stood waiting to pounce on me, I contemplated running. But Eugenia was standing right behind me, blocking any escape I might attempt. Then where would I go, after all? There was no way out of my predicament.
“I am waiting for an explanation,” Daddy said, with his arms folded over his broad chest and his head tilted down at me. “Is it true that you have played hooky from school for all the time I was away, as your teacher has enlightened me?”
Giggles flowed down from the top of the grand staircase, causing a brief distraction. It was then that I decided to run. I bolted passed Eugenia, who tried to grab hold of me but just missed my collar, only barely scratching my neck. I ran past Cordelia, who tried to hold onto the tray of filled teacups, but it all fell crashing to the floor.
“Amelia!” Daddy called after me.
I was outside and running toward the cabins when Hamilton appeared. The fright in his eyes stopped me, and I watched as he hurried past and went straight inside. Hamilton always stopped to say hello with a smile or a hand gesture. Never once had he walked right by me.
Putting my own ill-fated circumstances aside, I headed back to the mansion, but stayed on the gallery, just outside the parlor windows.
Anyone listening hard enough when the wind favored the direction of the mansion instead of the lazy river could distinctly hear Mammy’s screams in the distance, through the pain of childbirth.
I stayed in Hattie’s room and sat by the open window that faced in the direction of the cabins, while she stayed by her momma’s side. The moonlight reflected off Daddy’s white hair, so even from that far distance, I could see him.
Despite Eugenia’s annoyance and utter disapproval, Daddy stayed near the cabin all that afternoon and into the early evening, pacing with worry.
The wind was warm, the night air dripping with heavy moisture, making it uncomfortable to sleep or breathe.
Sometime before midnight, I heard Eugenia calling for me, but I stayed hidden in the darkness of Hattie’s room and slid under the bed when she came in looking for me.
“That rotten, unpleasant child,” she mumbled and flew out to check the other rooms.
I maintained my position by the window for another long hour before I heard cheers replace Mammy’s final screams, and then the faint sound of a baby’s first cry.
Mammy’s son was named Jacob Thomas, and he came into the world with skin almost as light as any white baby. His eyes were light green. His hair was dark and textured like Mammy’s, but otherwise, much to Mammy’s delight and Eugenia’s disgust, Jacob Thomas was the image of an Arrington.
Daddy came to see me that next morning with a happy glow that replaced the disapproving one of many hours ago. I was relieved when he took me into his arms and showered me with warm kisses.
“I have missed my family more than you realize, my sweet Amelia,” he whispered as he held me tight. “Today is a fine day. I shall never take such a day for granted again.”
“I missed you terribly.”
“I don’t ever plan to you leave again. I have a great purpose here. Not only for the plantation, but for you. I hope you can forgive me for being gone so long and understand that I have only your best interest at heart.
“I know you are not fond of your new mummy, but I think in time you will learn to love her. And you have sisters now. They play piano and collect dolls, just like you.”
“Hattie is my sister. I don’t need any more sisters,” I stated firmly.
“Eugenia has hired a private teacher to come to Sutton Hall, so we can put all the schooling issues behind us. I told Mr. Giles you won’t be returning. Your governess, Mlle. Duval, will be arriving by the end of the month. She has been with the Norton family since Violet and Beatrice were born. Today is a brand new day, for all of us. We are a new family and will make so many new wonderful memories. You finally have a real family, Amelia. Tell me you’re happy,” he cried, his eyes brimming with tears of happiness. “Tell me you’re as happy as I am.”
I nodded to appease Daddy and fell into his arms.
“I love you so much, darling girl. So very much.”
I clung to him while debating whether to ask him about Jacob Thomas. Could I tell anyone he was my half brother? Daddy seemed so proud to have a son and paradoxically, content to have his child growing up with the slaves, instead of under his roof with the family. Shouldn’t Mammy have the privilege of staying in our home, since she was the woman who gave him a son, after all, I wondered.
I took a breath and gazed up at Daddy, who had a faraway look in his eyes.
“He is my brother?”
Daddy’s smiled. “Yes, he is.” Then his smile faded and his expression grew serious. “However, you mustn’t speak of Jacob Thomas in the presence of your new mummy. The birth of my son makes her unhappy. You do understand what I am saying, don’t you?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good, very good. Now,” he said, jumped up and clapped his hands together. “Mr. Niles Montgomery, his son, and their wives are coming for a celebration supper tonight. Your mummy brought you back a few lovely dresses from the finest boutiques in Europe. You will wear one of them tonight. Perhaps that emerald green one there,” he said, pointing to the open armoire. “That dress is my favorite. I think you will look especially stunning in it.”
“Are they coming to celebrate the new baby?”
Daddy frowned. “No, darling. They are coming to celebrate my new marriage to Eugenia. Remember Amelia, no talk of Jacob Thomas. Promise me now,” he insisted as
he went to leave.
“Of course, Daddy.”
“That’s my girl, my best girl.”
“Are Violet and Beatrice your girls now too?” I nervously asked.
Daddy gripped his hand on the doorknob and turned back to me.
“I am their daddy as well. But they only have a small place in my heart. The other greater part belongs to you and Jacob Thomas. Just remember to always keep that a secret as well.”
I was nervous and excited for our celebration supper. I was nervous because Eugenia and her daughters were going to be there, excited because Perry Montgomery was attending. My mixed feelings were always filled with some sadness, for Hattie and I had not yet made amends. So much had happened so fast that she and I hadn’t a moment to talk. And with the arrival of my new family, I was kept from seeing Hattie, as well as from seeing Mammy and my baby brother.
I managed to steal away before the supper to see him. Mammy let me hold him for a short while before I had to return. There was so much I wanted to say; I was filled with happiness and woe at the same time. Mammy understood, wiped away my tears, and insisted I smile. “You have a baby brother who has your nose and full lips. Now smile, Miss Amelia. Put your tears away, ’cause crying ain’t gonna do you no good. Don’t you worry ’bout your mammy. I’m in good hands,” she assured me.
If Hattie were there, I would have asked for her forgiveness. I was sorry for acting like a spoiled brat, and I missed her terribly. But she was nowhere in sight. Most likely she was off catching fireflies or frogs by the river with her cousins. I wished I could be there too.
As I wandered back to the mansion, my eyes were drawn up to the second floor where I noticed Eugenia standing at the window to the suite she now shared with Daddy. She was staring down at me with a cold glare that caused me to shiver. I quickened my pace and hurried inside. Cordelia was waiting to help me dress for supper.
“You needs to hurry, Miss Amelia. Suppa almost ’bout to git started,” she said, and began to undress me.
“Are they all here, Cordelia?”
“Yes ’um”
“Mr. Perry Montgomery as well?” I asked wistfully, standing before the mirror as she assisted me with my chemise. She laced up the corset tightly and next put on the petticoat. After that came the crinoline. Finally, Cordelia lowered the emerald green silk supper gown over my head. It had matching silk ribbon and silk embroidery on the front panels of the layered, flounced overskirt.
“He here wit his wife.”
“Hand me my gloves,” I said, as I gazed at myself in the mirror. The dress made me look years older, and if I didn’t know my own age, I would have guessed I was near to sixteen.
“Sure is a pretty dress,” she mumbled, and tied up my bonnet. “Fill it out as good as any grown woman.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Don’t be growin’ too fast, miss,” she said, with the kind of weightiness in her tone that Mammy often possessed.
I chuckled in amusement and hurried to join everyone for supper. They were mingling in the parlor. Despite the fact that my heart was racing and I felt winded, I swept gaily into the room. All eyes fell on me. Daddy’s eyes were wide with surprise, almost as if he’d seen a ghost. I looked toward Perry Montgomery and felt myself blush as his dark eyes discretely scanned me from top to bottom.
“Why daughter, you look beautiful this evening,” Daddy’s said. Eugenia grunted and whispered something to Violet, who stood by her side. Beatrice was seated on the settee, wearing the same pretty rose-colored silk dress as her sister. Their drab, deep red hair was styled to match and hung over their lanky shoulders in long ringlets.
“Supper is served,” Abraham announced.
Daddy led the way, taking hold of my hand to escort me in to supper. I was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t walk in with his new wife and that he only had eyes for me. And at his celebration supper, no less! Oh, how the dress made all the difference. I was the center of attention, and this time not for being disrespectful or disobedient, either.
Daddy held out my chair, and I sat to his left, while Eugenia sat to his right, at the head of the table. Perry Montgomery sat between Eugenia and his wife - directly across from me.
If Hattie were to see me gazing adoringly at Perry Montgomery, she would most certainly have been displeased.
Perry Montgomery occasionally met my eyes, and when he did, I cast them away bashfully. Though he was a married man, years my senior and completely and ridiculously unobtainable, I couldn’t help but be shamefully charmed by his very handsome looks.
“Why, your daughter bears an uncanny resemblance to Charlotte,” Niles Montgomery stated to Daddy.
I nearly dropped my fork on my lap. He knew my mummy? He knew what she looked like, I thought in amazement.
“Indeed,” Daddy replied, winking at me. Eugenia frowned at her brother, and as I glanced around the table studying everyone’s expressions, I realized for the first time that they all must have known my mother. Everyone except Perry Montgomery and his wife, Myrna.
After the comment about me looking so much like Mummy, and Eugenia’s silent rage, Daddy awkwardly but appropriately for the occasion stood to make a toast. Raising his glass filled with bubbly champagne, he declared, “To my new wife, Eugenia, and her lovely daughters, Violet and Beatrice. My daughter and I welcome you to Sutton Hall and into the Arrington family. May we have many happy, prosperous years ahead.”
With a smile of approval, Eugenia looked up to Daddy. The girls were beaming, the guests pleased, and only Daddy noticed me grimace. When I raised my glass for the toast, he chose to ignore it and carried on with supper. How rapidly my mood could change at the mere mention of his new marriage. And as the conversation flowed into politics, the annual Southerners’ Commercial Convention, and the push to open the African slave trade, I grew bored and fidgety. Even having Perry Montgomery there wasn’t enough to keep me from becoming impatient and ready for supper to end.
Eugenia scowled across at me each time I shifted in my seat. Finally, she couldn’t seem to stand my unfitting decorum and said something to Daddy, which caused him to become suddenly disgruntled with me.
Instead of calling me out and completely embarrassing me, he gave me an uncharacteristically stern warning look. No longer did he seem to see the image of Mummy when he looked at me, but a little girl who was annoying and embarrassing his wife.
I refused to look up at anyone. I went from feeling like a beautiful woman back to being a little girl in a matter of what seemed like an instant. And the more I sulked, the angrier Eugenia became. She stared at me with eyes on fire until finally she could stand my presence no more. “Amelia Arrington, you are dismissed from the table.”
Helen came to escort me up to my room. I couldn’t bear to look at anyone, especially Daddy. It hurt to have him turn against me so easily.
Without a word, Helen drew the covers and laid out my bed clothes, and then she left me for the night. As soon as the door closed, I fell onto my bed, remembering Daddy’s unhappiness, Eugenia’s wicked glare, and the sound of Violet and Beatrice snickering as I was being scolded right in front of the Montgomery’s.
Not long after, Eugenia stepped into my room without first knocking. She towered above me as I lay curled up in bed.
“How dare you be so disobedient!” she spat, just loud enough for me to hear. It was obvious she didn’t want Daddy to be aware of her chastising me. “Sit up,” she commanded. “You’re a spoiled little brat. Your father has doted on you far too long. Thomas has tried his best, no doubt, but a child as wicked as you needs a stronger hand.”
“Daddy doesn’t think I am spoiled. You give him those ideas,” I retorted fearfully. She heard the tremor in my voice and smiled.
“Oh, yes, he does. You’re a child who needs discipline, a girl who if left to her own accord will only bring sin into this home. I see the way you look at my nephew, Perry,” she said and slowly leaned down to me so her face was only an inch from mi
ne. She was so close I could count the dozens of crow’s feet growing from her tightly squinting eyes.
“I see the lust in your eyes. Your father may be blind to it, but I certainly am not. I am not a fool, Amelia. Girls like you are nothing but trouble.”
“No, I’m not!” I yelled back.
“Don’t you dare speak to me in that tone, ever!”
I shimmied back against my pillows and turned away so she couldn’t see my fear.
“Things are going to change around here. I have suggested to Thomas that you be educated strictly from home, and he agrees. You will no longer attend school with the other children, or with Violet and Beatrice. This plantation has been run with a great lack of authority. It is appalling the way the slaves disrespect their master. They don’t appreciate what’s given to them. They should consider themselves lucky to have such a magnificent plantation to work on. My father ruled his home with an iron fist, and I see it the same way. Thomas could be much more prosperous if he had more backbone. That is what I am here for. I may not have youth on my side, or the timeless beauty most men gravitate to. But your father is a smart man and can see beyond the heaving bosom of a loose woman. He wants to make his plantation the richest in all the South, despite the talk of the northerners’ attempting to abolish slavery. That will never happen; it’s such a ridiculous suggestion. Neither I nor your father will allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of our success.”
It was Hattie, my better half, the one who always managed to ease my fears, whom I longed to see right away. Into the shadows of the night I stole, down the back stairway and to the tiny humble cabin she shared with Mammy and Jacob Thomas.
~ ~ ~
~ Six ~
All was still as I found myself wandering outside, under the light of the full blue moon, over to the cabins. The plantation was asleep, the slaves all tucked inside and resting as comfortably as possible in their stuffy rooms for the grueling day ahead in the cotton fields.
Box Set: The ArringtonTrilogy Page 5
