“You never really had a chance at freedom and happiness. You were so very special and unique. It is wrong for you to be dead! I wonder what your life would have been like if you had been born a white man or an Indian. Middle ground has no purpose. You had so much to give, and they wouldn’t permit it. Damn them all! God, how I hate this vile, cruel country! I hate what they did to you, to both of us. So much hate and destruction… I shall pray for you each night, both to my God and to your Great Spirit. In all that truly counts, you are my brother. Never could I have loved or needed you more if we were truly kin. How I wish I could trade my life for yours. I love you, Paul Williams; I honestly love you…”
Alisha tightly gripped the heavy, wooden marker which proclaimed the words, “Paul Williams, Beloved Brother,” and wept bitterly.
Hiram returned to check on her. Finding her sobbing as if her tender heart would surely break, he pulled her to her feet and hugged her. “You must let him go now, Alisha. He is now in the hands of the Maker. He wouldn’t want you to suffer this way. Come, we’ll return to the Horne House for some hot tea,” he urged.
Alisha allowed herself to be taken from that dismal place. No one even noticed the mute girl standing in the nearby shadows. When everyone had departed, she slowly approached the grave. She silently wept for her lost love, thinking and feeling many of those same things which Alisha had said. She remained at the site until darkness and cold forced her to return home.
This being the Sunday for services, Mary decided it was time to face Alisha. She went to her room to see if she needed any help with dressing. Giving their pre-arranged signal, Alisha finally opened her door to permit Mary to enter. The room was dark and chilly, and Alisha was not making any effort to leave.
Mary stared into her pale, sad face with its look of anguish. She noted the darkened smudges beneath her large, glassy eyes. She saw her listlessness. It was clear she had no intention of going out. Mary fervently wished there was something she could say or do for this girl who had been so special to her beloved; there was not.
Another knock came to her door. The voice of Jamie O’Hara called out to Alisha. “I’m not dressed yet, Mr. O’Hara,” she stated through the closed door. “What do you want?”
“I hate to bother you at a time like this, Miss Williams, but your room and board are paid only through tomorrow morning. Do you plan to stay on here?”
Stunned by this heartless news, she replied, “I’ll let you know in the morning. Is my brother’s room still vacant?”
“Yes’um. You have both rooms rented until tomorrow at noon. After that, you’ll have to pay or leave. I can’t afford charity. I mean, I’m sorry about your brother and all, but I run a business here.”
“I understand perfectly, Mr. O’Hara,” she tersely stated. “Either I will pay you by noon, or I’ll leave. Does that suit you?” she scoffed angrily at his cold-blooded intrusion.
“That’s fine, Ma’am. See you tomorrow.”
She listened to his retreating footsteps, forgetting about Mary’s presence behind her. “You hateful beast! You could at least allow me a few days to get my affairs settled. No one cares about people anymore. Where did human kindness go?” she murmured sadly.
She whirled around to fetch the key to Powchutu’s room and retrieve his possessions. Her gaze locked with Mary’s. Alisha flushed with shame. She stammered, “I forgot you were here, Mary. I didn’t mean to speak ill of your uncle; he just stunned me with his news. I guess I better go to Paul’s room and get his things,” she said, dreading to carry out her words.
She went to the bedside table and unwrapped the bundle left for her by Moses. There was a sheathed hunting knife, a few coins, and a room key inside the dirty cloth. Tears eased down her face. “Such a meager amount to represent a man’s life, isn’t it? He was a loner until we…” she halted just before giving away a secret which Mary already knew.
“He was a good man, Mary. He was so kind, and gentle, and helpful. I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him. He was the only family I had left. God, how I miss him already. Such a wonderful and loving…brother…”
She quickly threw on a dress and combed her hair. She splashed cold water upon her face and dried it off. She left her room and approached his with great reluctance and sadness. She put the key into the lock and turned it. She shoved the door open and went inside. Her eyes roamed the depressing, somber room. It had none of the color and richness which hers did. She wondered how he had endured this dismal room for so many hours. She wondered if Celeste had been a stimulating diversion from this gloom.
She cast such thoughts aside and collected his scant belongings. She would decide later what to do with them. Yet, she could not bear the thought of some cold stranger disposing of them. She searched the drawers for their money. Not finding it, she began to intently search the entire room. Mary came into the room and closed the door behind her.
She also allowed her gaze to roam this tormenting room, but for reasons vastly different from Alisha’s. She had loved and emotionally died in this very room. How could she ever clean it again? How could she ever watch some other man sleep in here?
Noting Mary’s appearance, Alisha frantically asked, “Mary, could you help me look for our money? Paul always kept it. I cannot find it anywhere. There was none with him except a few coins. Where could he have hidden it?”
Responding to the distress in Alisha’s tone, Mary joined in on her treasure hunt. Later, the room had been thoroughly gone over from top to bottom, from side to side. There was no money. She glanced at Mary and asked, “Could he have left it with your uncle?”
Mary hurried to fetch him. He joined Alisha in Powchutu’s room. She explained about their missing money. To her dismay, he informed her that he knew nothing about any money. She argued, “But I know he had it with him! He paid for the things which we bought. Perhaps it was stolen, or he was robbed,” she suggested.
“Surely you aren’t suggesting I had something to do with this missing money!” he shouted indignantly.
“Certainly not, Mr. O’Hara!” she replied in the same tone.
“You’ve had the key, Miss Williams. Nobody could come in here without it. If he left any money in this room, it would still be here. I swear to you he didn’t leave any with me. A man would be a fool to trust another man with all of his money or to carry it around with him out here. Your brother didn’t strike me as dumb. I bet he buried it somewhere. He was always out most of the day. I bet he hid it and took only what he needed with him. If’n that’s the case, there’s no telling where it is,” he stated her worst of fears without a single hint of sympathy.
Before thinking, she cried out in alarm, “What shall I do without any money?”
“For one thing, you can’t stay here free! I don’t cater to unpaying guests. I’m sorry as I can be for you, but that won’t put money in my pockets or food in my belly,” he bluntly informed the startled Alisha.
“You would actually throw me out in the street if I cannot pay you tomorrow? You wouldn’t even give me some time to work something out? Perhaps borrow some money from a friend?” Her voice was shaking with emotion and her eyes were wide with anxiety.
“It’s none of my affair, but you already owe Mr. Gordon quite a huge sum of money for these past weeks he done paid for. Your brother ain’t give me nothing on your bill; he seemed contented to allow Mr. Gordon to pay for it all. Paid until tomorrow noon, that is,” he casually reminded her of his deadline.
Deadline! Tomorrow was also Jeffery’s deadline for his demand for marriage. It was perfectly timed; both deadlines would fall upon her slender shoulders at the same time.
Jamie coldly continued, “As for borrowing money from some friend, Miss, I doubt it can be done during winter. Folks here just bearly exist themselves. They sure can’t give away their own survival. It ain’t even right to ask, if you ask me,” he sneered.
Alisha wanted to scream at him, “Who is asking you?” But she did not. Without a doubt Powchutu
had continued to permit Jeffery to pay their bills in order to hold on to their meager funds; now they were irretrievably gone.
After Powchutu’s recent death, would Jeffery still insist upon her immediate capitulation to his demands? Of course, he would, Alisha realized. Powchutu was not even a friend of his. Now that she was penniless and alone, she would have no excuse to put him off. What argument could she give to stall him? There was none. Clearly she would be in Jeffery’s clutches by nightfall Monday!
She glared at the irascible, unfeeling man who owned this house of pain and selfishness. “You have my word, Mr. O’Hara: either the money or my departure by nightfall.” She picked up the little bundle and raced past him to her own room. She loudly and emphatically slammed the door and bolted it.
Jamie went down the steps and met the waiting Jeffery in the back hallway. “You told her?” Jeffery arrogantly inquired.
Jamie nodded his head, then replied, “I told her to pay up by noon or get out of my hotel. Nicely of course. She was searching her brother’s room for some money she claims he had with him. Weren’t none there. Appears she don’t have none. Shame for such a pretty girl to be all alone and poor.” Jamie hinted with a lecherous note in his tone and sparkles in his beady eyes.
Jeffery grinned. “Not for long, O’Hara. Within a few more days, she’ll be my new wife.”
“You’re gonna marry her! Why? You already got her at your mercy and in your debt!” he shouted in astonishment. “Why you being so mean to her if you’re gonna wed her?”
“What kind of plans did you think I had for a woman like her? You underestimate her, O’Hara; she’s the marrying type. With her money and brother gone, she’ll willingly accept my proposal of marriage. See to it.she has whatever she needs until noon Monday; after then, she gets not so much as free water and bread. Savvy?”
Jamie agreed to his relentless terms, then put the gold coins into his grimy pocket. He walked away to return to his work. He wouldn’t concern himself in other people’s problems!
Jeffery turned to find Mary standing in the shadows of the storeroom. He went over to her. She quickly retreated a few steps. He grimaced in disapproval. It was past time for her to receive a justly earned lesson…
“You’ve been avoiding me lately, Mary,” he said solicitously. “Why? You even act afraid of me. Have I ever harmed you in any way? No! I know you overheard my talk with your uncle. Just so you don’t misunderstand, I love Alisha and want to marry her. If she doesn’t have any place to go, she’ll come to me sooner. She’s confused and hurt right now, so I have to use trickery on her. See? I was going up to see her, but your uncle says she is real upset right now. I’ll wait until tomorrow.”
His tone of voice changed very noticeably as he casually said, “Paul came to see me shortly before his accident. I got the idea he was about to leave here for good. He was in a strange mood when he stopped over and left some things with me. There’s a package for Alisha and one for you. I didn’t know you two had become such good friends. I was waiting for Alisha to settle down before I handed her a gift from him. But if you want yours, I can send it over by Slim. Or you can come over to get it. Whatever…”
His false concern disarmed her. At the mention of her lost love, the fearful lights left her eyes for joyous ones to enter. Her face actually beamed with love and happiness. “I can see you want it as soon as possible. If your uncle doesn’t know about Paul and you, it might be best if he doesn’t see you come after that gift. It might be something real personal. He did grin when he handed it to me. Wait until Jamie leaves, then sneak over to my house like you used to do.”
At the glint of suspicion in her gaze, he cunningly inquired, “You sure you don’t want me to send it over by Slim? It won’t be any trouble for him. I wouldn’t let Jamie see it,” he added, winning her trust again.
She nodded no, and he smiled with deceptive geniality. “You’re a smart girl, Mary. Afraid your uncle might take the gift away from you?” She nodded yes. “Well, you do what you like. Do you want to come after it?” She nodded yes. “I can promise you a surprise and your uncle won’t get any of it.” He laughed, knowing he had the grieving girl eating out of his hand.
Mary smiled brightly. She rushed away to complete her chores. After her uncle’s departure, she looked around to make certain there was nothing for her to do until morning. As was her custom, she walked out of the house and headed in the opposite direction from Jeffery’s home. Once she was out of sight, she circled back in the edge of the woods. She gingerly approached the back door. She tapped lightly and waited for an answer.
Jeffery and the other two men had been eagerly watching Mary’s stealthy mission. He sent them upstairs to await his call. He went to let Mary inside. He led her into his study. He handed her a glass of wine and told her to drink it to settle her nerves. He warned that she might become upset by this loving contact with her lost friend. As he pretended to retrieve the package, she quickly and unknowingly emptied the glass. Feeling dizzy almost immediately, she promptly sat down on the sofa.
“Are you all right, Mary? You look a bit pale. Here, have some more wine,” he coaxed softly.
She nodded her reluctance, but he sweetly insisted. “Here, just a little more,” he urged.
He held the glass to her lips and tilted it up. She drank it quickly, suddenly very thirsty. “More?” he inquired politely. She nodded yes. He poured more into her glass. Knowing she was too far under to see what he was doing, he opened the small packet and dumped its chalky white contents into her next glass. He held the glass to her lips while she drained it.
“Feeling better now?” he crooned in a mellow drawl.
Mary smiled and sighed in contented relaxation. She began to pull at her neckline and to lick her dry lips. “You’re hot and thirsty, aren’t you?” She nodded yes.
“Why don’t I just remove this dress so you can cool off a wee bit?” Beyond any resistance, Mary permitted him to remove her ill-fitting dress. “Still hot?” he inquired, familiar with the lustful reaction to this drug.
She nodded yes. He handed her another glass of wine. “Drink it, Mary,” he commanded in a firm tone. She gulped it as he leisurely removed the rest of her shabby garments.
“Stand up and let me have a good look at you.” She obeyed the hypnotic voice which commanded her. She felt warm and tingly all over. Her body flamed and yearned to be touched. Feeling a tempting hand upon her breast, she writhed in growing need and pleasure.
“Does that feel good, Mary?” She nodded yes. “Lay down on the sofa,” the crooning voice calmly ordered.
She mechanically obeyed. “That’s a good girl. I want the answers to some questions. The truth, understand?”
She nodded yes to each question he asked. “Were you sleeping with Paul? Did you love him? Was it good with him? Did you go to him first?” He worked as he talked, receiving the expected answers. He picked up a cloth to wipe off his fingers.
“Come with me, Mary. Paul is waiting for you upstairs. You must please him in every way.” He led her up the steps as he spoke to her, implanting these suggestions within her mind.
He opened the bedroom door. Eyes and breeches bulged as the naked girl strolled into the room. “Go to the bed and lie down, Mary. Make yourself ready for Paul.”
She meekly complied.
He glanced at the wide-eyed Slim. “You won the toss?”
Slim nodded yes, unable to take his eyes off of Mary’s lush body. “Then have a go at her. Paul’s here, Mary. Do anything he says.”
Slim licked his lips. “You gonna watch us?”
“Maybe for a little while,” Jeffery replied. “I must admit, I enjoy seeing females like Mary and Celeste getting their just desserts.”
At four o’clock in the morning, Slim and Tommy cleaned Mary up and put her clothes back on her. On Jeffery’s orders they hauled her over to the graveyard and lay her upon Paul’s grave. Slim took an opened box and placed it at her side.
By the time Mar
y came around, she would believe she had walked to the grave and had erotic dreams all night. She might blame it upon the wine or upon her grief, but she would not recall any clear faces or details of her night. She would see the gift which Paul had supposedly bought for her, a beautiful pink dress, and believe herself temporarily possessed by delusions.
Slim and Tommy carried out Jeffery’s orders without question, knowing they would soon be sharing Mary for keeps. With any luck, Jeffery might drug her again as payment for some future service. The two men decided to look for ways to help Jeffery or to persuade him to help them.
“You were right, Tommy,” Slim said, “no need to stop such rewarding work. Truth is, she makes you wanna be her slave.”
Chapter Fifteen
Alisha stared at the unfamiliar girl in her mirror, the one with the ashen face and blank eyes—face and eyes which were just as devoid of joyous emotion as her aching heart was. She wondered why hideous Fate had stormed into her new life and wreaked such devastation upon it. Life for Alisha had begun as a beautiful golden thread. But each time happiness and freedom loomed foremost on her horizon, the thread would tangle and knot. More than once in these past two years she had fervently prayed for a simple end to her endless misery…
It was Wednesday, January 16, 1777. Here she stood before a tall, oval mirror in the bedroom of Jeffery Clayton Gordon, ex-cavalry lieutenant and native of the Virginia Colony, dressed in an exquisite wedding gown. Within the next hour, she would become his sole possession, and there was absolutely no way she could prevent this ghastly vengeful horror. She could only pray for a lessening of Jeffery’s wrath—or for Joe’s swift arrival in the coming spring.
Forbidden Ecstasy Page 27
