She thought about Princess Ces’alena, who could have stayed with her father – but chose her own king to stand with. Her husband, Maynard Webster, a white man who was a king in his own small world because he used his mind and his heart – making him the most wise man she’d met to date, beside her husband.
Quinton Thaddeus Caine, was her husband.
Suddenly the acceptance of that sank true within her. For the first time since all had taken place, she realized that not only was he her husband, but that she – was just as worthy as any other woman on earth to call him so, to stand by his side as his “Lady”. Joy so profound sang loud and true within her, she was not a fancy to be passed about if she chose not to be. Now she understood the honor of her people, her mother’s people. So many died because they would be no man’s slave, they were born free, and would die, free.
What honor was there in living, if you lived only to make great those who despised you, demeaned you, and thus, would not die for you? In the bible, she knew that God’s son had died for her and that God, the Father had given up His son for her, yes for all those beneath them, and all He wanted in return, was to be honored as the One and only true King, the absolute Sovereign.
The time alone that Sarah spent thinking, she finally saw the light, she got it. She decided, by her husband’s side, she would be his countess, one in which the true King – would be proud of.
Chapter XV
More than a fortnight had passed since she last saw the back of her husband. Standing upon deck, speaking with one of the boys who was assigned to clean up after Moose, who stood wringing his hands, “Milady, ‘tis me that shu’be’doin’ it, not you Milady.” He looked around, once more worried someone would see that she was picking up the dog’s feces instead of him.
Moose was lying on his stomach, making low rumble, humble barking noises at her, as if explaining himself for having done it, looking guilty – pawing at her.
She had her gown rolled up out of the way, while using a rag to pick up his solid hefty, brown smelly parcel.
“Please Milady, I’ll see t’the rest, I will.”
“Hmm, there are three more. If this chore that is yours were seen to daily, there should be none. To see it done and this ship clean, if I must do it myself, I will. He is my animal after all – why should you?”
“No Milady, it is small, this chore. I wud ratha’ it, than none, or some owt else.” The boy pleaded. All he had to do was watch the dog and where it relieved itself, either splash the urine with soapy water to clear it, or if the other, remove it immediately, cleaning the spot.
Nothing else; in exchange, he had a warm bed, delicious meals, clean clothing, a few coins to do with as he wished; all given to him by Lady Caine. Few were lucky enough to have a chore so small with so much given in return for a job well done.
Yet, in his failing to carry out his chore, she’d hurt his pride by doing it herself. Some would have scolded him, slapped him about the ear, even whipped him, or thrown him off and into the streets; he found her form of punishment worse than all the rest, because it made him ashamed of himself – with her actions, she’d so much as said, she could not depend on him – which made him worthless, he was about in tears.
“Please Milady, no more.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I should clean the rest and-…”
“No Milady, i’be my place, I’ve shame me father enuf.” His eyes were weepy. He was a boy of 9, already working away from home to help his family who lived back at WhistHirst estates. Every coin she gave him, he’d saved instead of spending it on something for himself.
“Look at me, Aatu.” Sarah requested.
The young child lifted his eyes to hers; she returned the gaze with the gentle care of a mother, and then smiled at him, a beautiful smile.
“You are proud, for one so young. Even so, I never wish to be unfair. The animal is mine, I would ask nothing of you, - nothing of anyone, I would be unwilling to do myself – perhaps it is too much responsibility to give one so young.”
“No! No Milady! I’ll do it, an’ do it well.”
“This grand ship is not ours, when we travel – our Lord’s name travels with us. If even one of his people falls short in what is theirs to do, it can reflect badly, on us all. I am proud, like you – I would not have ill words spoken against Milord, would you?”
The boy began to weep.
“Now now, do not cry,” She gently wiped his tears away, touching him as tenderly as a loving mother, “If I must do it alongside you to see the job done correctly, and keep our name and proud honor as one, I will.”
“I – I will keep honor wit’our name, I will.” He swore.
“Very well, and should you need me, call me. We will, together, one and all, work to keep honor with our Lord’s name.”
“Yes Milady.” He nodded his head, and actually gave her a bow, even though she was not a queen; to him, she had just become one - his.
A call from above captured her attention, she turned and stood next to Moose, who was now up on his hind legs, front paws on the railings, barking towards the group of men riding upon the docks, coming their way.
They were back.
The moment she saw Quinton climbing down from his horse, safe and sound, she gave Moose’s head an eager rub; he was just as anxious, his bark could be heard throughout the entire area of the docks. The sound made her husband laugh out so loudly she could hear it from where she stood, smiling brightly, wanting to feel his arms around her. He turned, walked up to the hansom, opened the door of it and helped down a lady, dressed in a well-fitting gown, a cape, bonnet – those she recognized made by Colleen, the ones Quinton had taken for her mother to wear.
She felt faint, emotions overwhelmed her so, he’d done it. All the men were returning, walking up the gang plank, with her mother in the lead, looking for her. Sarah walked along the railings, her eyes welling up, her vision blurring. She stopped as her mother finally spotted her; Cora’s eyes widened at the sight of her daughter, standing regal, and more beautiful than she’d ever seen her.
Stepping forward, closer to her daughter, to be sure that what she was seeing was no trick of the eyes, she lifted her hand to caress her cheek, speaking in the tongue of the Powhatan people, “My daughter, you have made me proud. You took my words to heart – you have sweetened their tooth, so much so, they ask for more, and bow at your will.” Sticking to the native tongue, Sarah replied, “My mother, named me well, taught me well, and all that you see, is what she – has done.” Her eyes spilled with tears. The two women embraced, letting the time that once separated them be dissolved by their reunion. Finally the mother pulled away, saying still in the Powhatan tongue, “Enough, you must now see to your man, your Lord – he too, has made what I see, and for that, I shall be loyal to him, as you must always be.”
Sarah nodded, unable to say anymore, so filled with joy it choked her up.
Manny took the older woman’s arm and gently led her below to introduce her to his wife and show her around the ship. The other men in their group, including Evan, slowly boarded, looked to Sarah, nodded their heads and smiled on the way by. Finally, she turned to face her husband.
“I did not know, you spoke in the tongue of the Powhatan tribe.” Quinton stated in greeting, standing now before his wife. Her eyes were bright, her face clear, unworried and glowing, searching every trace of his features in rapt adoration, she did not immediately respond. “Lady Caine, you are lovelier, than I remember..”
“I missed you, while you were away, fulfilling your vow, bringing my mother back to me. The time we spent apart was not wasted, however – I have no desire to experience it again.”
“No, nor I,” He agreed, wishing to kiss her, “Would I seem too fervent in my desires by saying, get ye’below to our cabin now woman, prove your words on how much you have missed me! So far, it is Moose who has won in proving this.”
The dog wagged his tail even more, trying to get between them as Quinton scratched his ear, stroking his ma
ssive head.
“Moose you say?” She asked, an impish smile playing about her full lips.
“Em,” with a nod, was his simple reply.
She turned from him then, saying nothing more, her eyes said it all, she then made her way to their cabin.
Quinton was not far behind her, his only problem, getting around Moose in the narrow corridors. Once he made it to their cabin, poor Moose sat making forlorn noises as he was locked out for the night.
Yorkshire, England
While the majority of the party stopped to rest, Hayden rode on horseback to alert the household and Lady Lilith, that her sons were half a day’s journey away.
Quinton was firm about one thing, “Say nothing of my bride – they will see her, all in good time. Should Lady Lilith question you, let her know, I have sworn you to silence.”
“It is certain, that she will pester me.” Hayden groaned. Quinton smiled, “Yes, she will, very well – you may sing of my wife’s wondrous virtues-…”
“For which there are many Milord.” Hayden sincerely stated.
“You see well. Yes, of those things, be my guest, should she ask what she looks like…”
“The heavens have truly blessed this one, for I have not seen, such a beauty, as she.”
Quinton cocked a brow, looking the man over, just a tad bit of jealousy showing itself, “Yes – exactly. Perhaps it is a good thing that I send you on ahead, you have spent a bit more time than I desire, noting the attributes of my bride.”
Hayden laughed from deep down, he’d known Quinton since they were boys, he was a few years older, and would be soon taking the place of his valet; since his first had perished in their journeys abroad.
His father was well read and was the household steward. He was in charge of all domestic servants’ matters. He was also the one reminding all within the house and grounds of their duties, and speaking for them should he feel they were deserving of a raise in pay or promotion in position. One of his sons was learning to follow in his footsteps and the other was a bit of a rogue and friend to Lord Quinton. Hayden now armed with all that he needed was only too willing to keep the main secret and road ahead to make it known that Lord of WhistHirst would soon be home.
WhistHirst
Resisting all temptation to bite her thumbnail, Lady Lilith paced from one end of the sun room to the other, holding Hayden in attendance until he satisfied her curiosity.
“How can any woman be as beautiful as you claim?” She scoffed at his teasing, he appeared to be having too much fun at her expense; the only reason she gave him such a license was that she had known him as a young boy, and – she liked him, which granted him certain privileges not given by her to many.
“Think about it Milady, there was something that captured thee son, who swore, no bride would ever claim him as her Lord, and yet – there is now, a Lady Sarah Caine,” He shrugged with the turning of his hands, “Be it beauty, her clever wit, her grace, her kindness, which ever be the case; what of her that is more beguiling than any other, you shall soon see.”
“Get out! Playing silly word games!”
Hayden nodded his head, turning to do as he was told when her words stopped him once more, “Wait – tell me, you sing praises of her beauty, what of her being? Is she a whimpering little scatter brain, twee and delicate – easy to faint? Quiet as a mouse, witless and thick?” Her eyes narrowed in their cunning with each detail.
Hayden paused, letting his eyes search the heavens for the correct answer, and then smiling, answered, “No.”
“No?”
“No.”
“No – what?
“No, she is not, a whimpering little scatter brain, twee and delicate, easy to faint. No, she is not witless and thick, as for quiet as a mouse, Milady Caine-…”
“I am Lady Caine!”
Hayden lifted an amused brow, thinking that over.
“Am I mistaken, did thee not once push Lord Caine in hopes of getting him to marry?”
“That was then, this is now.” She snapped, “Go – I have heard enough!”
“I will find m’da and inform him to assemble the servants to meet thy new mistress.”
“That won’t be necessary; I will see to the matter myself.” She answered, distracted.
“Why? It is a matter for my father to see to.”
“You do not question me! In fact, if you must know, your father is no longer steward in this household!”
Hayden could not believe what he was hearing, his father had been seeing to the smooth running of WhistHirst before he was even born, before his older brother in fact.
Because he stood staring in disbelief, she reminded him once more of her order, “You are – dismissed!”
Turning away from him, expecting him to leave, Lady Lilith’s head was spinning, she could care less if the household met Quinton’s new bride, however as that was the protocol, she had no choice in the matter; sure enough, upon turning back, Hayden was gone.
Lady Sarah felt at times breathless, and other times, otherworldly; that day, she was dressed superbly, as grand as any lady of the highest order. Colleen had seen to it, and Aislin had once more, worked wonders with her hair.
Her gown was an olive and cream dream with details of lovely pastel lace in hues of softer olive, ecru and gold; draping from a high waist, an overskirt that split wide as it descended with the slightest train on the ground; accessorized with a heavy velvet green cape, bonnet and muff and beautiful high topped boots. The colors she wore enhanced her luminously rich, slightly ginger glowing skin, she was the epitome of a healthy, young and strong, beautiful black woman. At that moment, she felt as if she floated above ground and only the occasional bump or hole in the road jostling the carriage brought her back to earth.
“Nervous?” Ellen, sitting across from her asked.
It took her a moment to think about the question, to be sure of her answer, “No, not anymore, thanks to Princess Ces’alena, you and my husband.”
At that moment he rode up close to the carriage looking in at the ladies to check on them, “All is well I presume?” He asked, looking from one to the other. Sarah smiled, with visions of him naked in her mind and the night he spent making love to her. No matter where they were, he always seemed to squeeze that in. He must have sensed what was on her mind, because he too smiled.
Ellen looked from one to the other, and could have sworn they were starting to look the same, mainly their expressions, the things they did, it was almost as if one picked up where the other left off. Since her husband was riding up top, she couldn’t sit making goo-goo eyes at him, therefore, grinning, “Yes, um, we’re all quite well, aren’t we Miss Cora?”
Sarah’s mother looked next to her, nodding her head, she didn’t smile much, and when she did, it was slight. It was plain for her to see, that he was reluctant to drag his eyes from her daughter, but finally did, focusing on Ellen, “Good, it won’t be much longer now.”
“How much longer will it be before we see WhistHirst? Or rather, reach your land there?” She asked.
“I would say, the last hour or more, we have been on the land of WhistHirst, it won’t be long before we reach the village.” He assured them all.
“Oh my, the last – hour or more, you say?” Ellen exclaimed, looking back to Sarah, “We’ve been on your land Milady, for over an hour it seems.” She repeated to her as if she hadn’t heard him, awaiting some type of reaction from her.
Sarah only smiled; nodded once and reached over to her side to stroke Moose’s head. “It appears there shall be plenty of space for you.” She crooned to him.
“As well plenty of woods for you, Milady.” Quinton added, teasing her.
Now, there was a stir of excitement as that occurred to her, upon seeing her reaction he was quick to put in, “Ah ah, only with me escorting you, or whomever I assign to you, is that clear?” He warned and then looked further into the coach at her mother, “Miakoda, I will more than likely need your help from time to
time.”
Mother and daughter glanced at each other and grinned, for once the exact same grin.
“I sir, for one, think you’re in for the challenge of your life.” Ellen thought she should inform him. His response was to chuckle in acceptance, “Open the door, let Moose out, he may run alongside me for the rest of the journey, we are on my land now, he may do as he damn well wishes!”
The dog must have known the meaning of his words, because suddenly the monstrous beast, even bigger now, tried to stand in the coach, his tail hitting back and forth from one side to the other, making noises of excitement and whimpering until Sarah unfastened the door, opening it for him. No hesitation, out he jumped, barking loud and proud, taking off for the woods; having traveled so far, he knew not to go out of sight.
Sarah leaned out of the window, watching her husband ride up ahead, whistling and calling out happily to their monster mutt, he was glad to be home and that made her glad. However, as new as this was to Sarah, even she could see as they entered the village that things were not as they should be. The people, who moved towards the carriage to view their return, were not ecstatic to see them. While they are not hostile, even she could see, they looked towards them with weary sadness, and yes – a few, with contempt.
Her lessons had prepared her well, something was not right, suddenly the words that Lena spoke started to make sense – she was looking at a people that for all intents and purposes, were her husband’s responsibility and they were not happy to see him. There was coughing, uncleanliness, exhaustion, and to her horror, rags – too many of them were actually wearing rags.
She could not believe her eyes; tears welled up as she looked down at what she was wearing. With her face burning in shame, she sat back in her seat, her eyes wide with horror. She stared at Ellen as if she were caught in a bad dream and awaited some action from her to wake her from it. Sarah kept thinking about her husband, the man he was, certainly this could not be his doing? Had he left this place, these people to travel about leaving them to fend for themselves? Who was in charge? Who was responsible in his absence? She began thinking about all the things Lena had explained to her, about being a Lord and Lady, and what made them strong, their name, good, the acts and duties they had to maintain to be worthy of such a prestigious position. From what she could see from her coach, someone had failed those people miserably – the various cottages, with their thatched roofs, looked poorly kept, tattered and filthy – she was horrified – what she saw, was no different from the world she and her mother had left on Clover Leaf plantation.
The Fancy Page 18
