Conjuring Sight (Becky Jo Chronicles Book 1)

by Teresa Rae

  “She’s a-gonna be dere after she dressed, Massa James. Now, go rest. Lord knows you ain’t be sleepin’ enough!”

  * * *

  “I don’t feel right leaving all these sick children here,” I say from my lukewarm bath behind a sheet Rose put up for privacy. I shift my legs in the tiny tub to wash the mud off them. It’s a good thing I’m tiny, too.

  “After Ida done help you dress, she gonna stay with da children,” Rose says as she organizes my things.

  “I don’t need help getting dressed.” I rinse off my body.

  Rose laughs. “I ain’t know much, but I be knowing dat you ain’t done worked a day in your life. You done work your hands raw.”

  I look at my hands. She’s right. The skin is red and swollen from frequent washings, and they have more than their fair share of blisters. “Maybe, but I can get myself dressed.”

  She laughs louder.

  “Proper ladies ain’t be dressin’ demselves.” She passes me a towel over the sheet. “I’m a-gonna find you salve for your hands.”

  I’m toweling off when I hear the door open.

  “Dere you is!” Rose says to the person who’s entered. “I done bin waitin’ forever. I a-gotta get Massa James dinner cooked. You be helping Miss Harris dress and den watch da children. Dere be salve on da table for her hands.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” a timid voice answers.

  “And ain’t you be listenin’ to her,” Rose adds. “She ain’t be knowin’nothin’ about gettin’ dressed. Massa James done saw her wearin’ Henry’s trousers.”

  I hear Rose’s footsteps leave the cabin and the door shut behind her.

  “Ma’am, you be needin’ help?” the timid voice asks.

  “My clean underclothes are in a leather bag by the door, and Rose hung my dress in the corner. Could you please get them for me?”

  Moments later, a small hand passes me a chemise, a pair of drawers, and a corset. I quickly put them on.

  “I hate to inconvenience you, but I really could use some help with this corset,” I say aloud, thinking Rose was right about me not being able to dress myself.

  “It ain’t no inconvenience at all, Ma’am.”

  A thin, black girl of about eleven apprehensively walks into my makeshift dressing room. She

  avoids eye contact as she tightly pulls the stings on my corset.

  “If men had to wear these things, they would outlaw them!” I try to suck in a deep breath of air.

  Ida says nothing as she efficiently helps me readjust my many articles of clothes. I soon see that I had put on almost everything incorrectly. Rose was right about me being helpless! After Ida has cleaned up my shoes and helped me button them, I stand up.

  “Ma’am, your hair,” Ida barely whispers.

  “Ida, that would be really nice of you to help me with it,” I say gratefully. “I’m terrible at putting it up.”

  Her hands move so quickly I’m amazed. Before I know it, my light hair is elegantly arranged around my head.

  I am very grateful for Ida’s help, especially after I appeared so backward to Colonel Blair. Every hope of making a good first impression is gone. Maybe I can make a good second impression.

  “Thank you very much,” I tell her. “I would have been lost without you.”

  For the first time, Ida smiles.

  As I walk to the Mansion, I hear Rose talking. “Her hands ain’t be workin’ hands and her gown too fine for her be nothin’ but a lady. And she ain’t no prostitute, dat for sure.”

  “But where is she from?” Gabe asks.

  “I ain’t knowin’ dat, but she done said she been raised by a negro. Must be a southern lady, but she be talkin’ different. Not like Massa James mama. And I ain’t never done seen a white woman be treatin’ negro children like she be doin’. She done talkin’ and singin’ to dem, and she ain’t even done blink when little Willy done relieve himself on her leg when she done help him. She be mighty kind but mighty peculiar. I be wondering where da train been done bring her from.”

  “Why is she here? There are few unmarried women in Virginia City who aren’t prostitutes. Maybe she is here to set up business?”

  “Definitely not, I am just passing through,” I say, walking around the house. Gabe bows and Rose curtsies from the porch. I continue, “I was born and raised in South Carolina. My parents are both deceased. I live with my sister. I have a few errands to accomplish here, and then I am going home to her.”

  “Sorry, Ma’am,” Gabe quickly says. “We didn’t mean no harm.”

  I climb the stairs and stop in front of him.

  “Gabe, don’t pretend to be something you’re not. It doesn’t suit you. I know that you are one of the smartest men in the state of Nevada, and the color of your skin will never change that. Yes, I’m a lady, but not like any you’ve ever met or will ever meet again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Colonel Blair is waiting. I don’t need you to show me in.”

  The stunned Gabe wordlessly opens the door for me, and I step into the house. I am immediately swallowed by a puff of smoke. I fight back a coughing fit. Waving smoke out of my face with one of my gloved hands, I move through the house to the dining room.

  When I enter the room, two men are sitting at the table. Colonel Blair is sitting at the head and the murderous Samuel Blair is sitting next to him. Colonel Blair is leisurely puffing on a pipe as he reads a stack of papers by oil lamp. My stomach goes queasy as I watch Samuel spit chewing tobacco on the floor – the floor! It’s so completely nasty I simply stand there in shock.

  Colonel Blair sees me first, and his eyes open wide. He immediately jumps to his feet.

  “Ma’am,” he politely inclines his head.

  Samuel follows his gaze, and his face pales. He, too, jumps to his feet.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” I say, walking past them and to the windows. I throw them open. “It is a wonder you are both healthy with all this stale air.”

  “Our apologies, it has been a considerable time since we have had the pleasure of a lady in our home,” Samuel says. His voice is as greasy as his hair. “It is an honor to have you stay with us.”

  I can play the game as well as him. However, I have no desire to stay in the smoke-filled, tobacco-soiled home, especially with an ornery colonel, no matter how handsome, and his murderous uncle.

  “You are too kind.” I look past him, smiling serenely at Colonel Blair. “Unfortunately, I must relay my regrets. Many of the children are still very ill, and I must return to them. I just wanted to thank you for your hospitality.”

  I curtsy before leaving the room, all the while, carefully watching where I’m stepping to avoid the piles of chewing tobacco.

  “James, you said she was a simple girl,” Samuel chastises his nephew. “That is no mere girl…”

  I don’t stay to hear the rest of their conversation. As soon as I’m outside, I greedily breathe in fresh air. Gabe eyes me from the front yard inquisitively as I’ve reappeared so quickly.

  I carefully descend the steps. “I could almost tolerate the foul smoke if it weren’t for the filthy remains of chewing tobacco everywhere,” I say quietly to him. “I don’t know how you and Rose stand it.”

  He’s still deciding whether I’m friend or foe, but his eyes twinkle, even though he doesn’t smile.

  “Old friend, Re-becca!” Henry shouts down the lane with his groupie dogs following behind.

  “Henry!” I laugh, running to him, which wasn’t very fast considering the enormous skirts on my dress and the bouncing bustle. “Come and have dinner with me. Rose made some delicious smelling biscuits.”

  Henry claps his hands and off we to the cabins we go, arm in arm. Gabe watches us with interest as we pass.

  “What have you been doing?” I ask as we walk.

  “Feedin’ horses,” he answers.

  I nod. “Where are the horses?”

  He points in the distance.

  “You’ll have to show me sometime,” I tell him as we enter Ros
e’s cabin.

  I’m grateful I’ve returned as quickly as I have when I see poor, little Ida trying to care for three crying children. I take two from her and begin feeding them their dinner. Some of the older, healthier children have returned and they crowd around Henry, teasing with him. Before I’ve even eaten my dinner, Rose walks into the cabin with a dress in her arms.

  “Dis been done belong to Massa James’s mama,” she says. “He done tell me you should be wearin’ it ‘stead trousers.’”

  “Thank goodness,” I say, taking the simple dress from her. “I need something I can work in.”

  * * *

  By the time night comes, I am completely and utterly exhausted. I have eaten little and slept even less, but I am so happy that the sickest children’s eyes are opening and they’re beginning to play that I simply sit and enjoy watching their parents come for them.

  Every mother and father stops to thank Rose and me for caring for the children before taking a seat to enjoy the evening as well. Blankets are wrapped around tired bodies as everyone congregates around a bonfire to keep away the chill, but there is undeniable warmth in their hearts. Henry starts singing, and soon everyone joins in. I watch the scene unfold and think of Mama and her countless foster children. We were musical and would often spend family get-togethers singing and playing instruments. I think of Mamma’s favorite scripture from Psalms, Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice and sing praise.

  “It’s too bad I don’t have my violin,” I muse to Henry as Rose sings a spiritual.

  I’m so involved with the impromptu concert that I don’t notice Henry’s disappeared until he returns, carrying a dusty violin case.

  “Massa James mama,” he says.

  I raise an eyebrow. I didn’t know Colonel Blair’s mother played the violin. Perhaps this was the reason he didn’t like hearing me play in the future, it reminded him too much of her? But this doesn’t make much sense because she died in childbirth, and he would have no memory of her.

  “Can you be playin’ dat thing?” Rose asks as I open it. I look over the old violin.

  “We’ll see what kind of condition it’s in,” I say, tuning the strings and tightening the bow. Once satisfied, I ask, “What would you like to hear?”

  “Tenting Tonight!” Henry calls out the song he sang for me that morning.

  Putting the bow to the strings, music fills the air. When I finish, there’s an animated applause. Everyone seems to have a request after that, and I play the ones I know. Before I realize what’s happened, it’s very late, and I’m yawning.

  “One final request,” I say, fighting to keep my eyes open. This is when I notice Colonel Blair standing in the shadows. He quietly joined the party while I was playing.

  “Play you favorite,” Ida says timidly next to me.

  I think for a moment. It’s a difficult request. I always enjoy a challenge, and Mozart is certainly that. My favorite symphony of his fills the air. The group goes silent as my right hand rapidly pushes the bow back and forth and the fingers on my left hand rotate between strings just as quickly. When I finish, I’m breathing heavily. Everyone stares through the darkness in silence. Mozart’s definitely not their thing.

  “I’m sorry; it’s been a long day,” I say as I put the violin back in its case, ignoring Colonel Blair’s gazing eyes. “Henry, you better return this violin to its owner.” I pass it to him before going into Rose’s cabin and crashing on the nearest bed.

  6

  Virginia City, 1875

  Monday, March 8, 1875

  I am so comfortable, I don’t dare to move for fear I will ruin the feeling. When a sunbeams shines in my face, I merely turn over, covering my head with my blanket. I’m wondering when Sunny is going to wake me when I hear faint voices outside my room.

  “It’s been almost twelve hours. How long is she going to sleep?” Colonel Blair asks, and I remember I’m still in 1875.

  “She done wore herself out,” Rose answers. “She ain’t bin used to hard work.”

  “I believe we all surmised that when she played the violin last night. The gown in her bag is further proof of this. Only the wealthiest ladies in Virginia City wear such things, and I have never seen a more accomplished violinist.”

  “Yeah, it be all everybody talkin’ about.”

  I take the blanket off my head and sit up. I’m surprised to find that I’m not in Rose’s cabin but, rather, a warm bedroom in the Blair Mansion. A fire crackles in the fireplace.

  A movement in the corner makes me turn my head. I smile at little Ida and hold my finger to my lips to keep her silent. She nods as I go to the door.

  I open it. Rose and Colonel Blair look at me like kids getting their hands caught in a cookie jar.

  “I started playing the violin when I was two and a half years old, and I believe the dress suits me,” I say to them. “You don’t need to speculate about me because I will answer any question you ask with the absolute truth.”

  “Good morning, Miss Harris,” Colonel Blair politely inclines his head. His eyes go to the floor as I’m in a nightgown. I notice he has shaved and cleaned up.

  I take the smoking pipe from his mouth. “You need to stop smoking. It will ruin your health.”

  “You are very presumptuous,” he responds, still looking at the floor.

  “And so are you,” I reply. “I fell asleep in Rose’s cabin and woke in your home. Let’s dismiss with all the formalities. I only have fourteen days remaining before I must leave. I don’t have time to waste on frivolities. I will tell you exactly what I think, when I think it. Stop smoking because it will kill you, and don’t even think about chewing because that is one of the filthiest habits I’ve ever seen. Now, I’m going to dress before eating and walking into town. If little Ida can spend her time dressing me, the least I can do is teach her how to read, and I will need a primer for that.”

  * * *

  A horse and a small, open carriage are waiting by the time I’ve eaten and dressed. I sigh when I see Colonel Blair is also waiting, having dressed to go to town.

  “Colonel Blair, I am perfectly capable of walking into town and buying a primer,” I say with annoyance.

  “Ma’am, it isn’t you that I am trying to protect but the peaceful metropolis of Virginia City,” he retorts.

  “I’m sure the ladies can’t get enough of your impeccable charm.” I smile innocently at him. “Besides, Virginia City is a mining city; it’s anything but peaceful.”

  He ignores the comment and raises a hand to help me into the carriage. I look at the horse nervously. I’ve never been around horses and, frankly, don’t trust the animal. I’d rather walk than ride in the carriage. Still, I have to act like a girl in 1875. I nervously climb into the carriage, arranging my skirts around me.

  The ride downtown is noisy, and I take in the differences between my time and his. Virginia City in 1875 is full of buildings and crowds of people. I watch countless people, from all ethnic backgrounds. There are miners in dusty clothing just getting off shifts in the mines, miners in slightly cleaner shirts on their way to the mine shafts, organ grinders with little monkeys, prostitutes wearing far too little clothing and way too much makeup while dancing inside saloons, and men emptying glass after glass of alcohol. The streets are also appallingly filthy: rats eat discarded garbage, a rank odor permeates the air, and there are some really risqué ads among the advertisements wallpapering outside building walls. Virginia City in 1875 is definitely not as romantic as I thought it would be. This point is driven home when I see small children playing in the streets wearing nothing but rags. My eyes fill with moisture. I try to blink it away. A prayer from the Sarum Primer fills my mind, God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in my eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and my speaking; God by in my heart, and in my thinking.

  Colonel Blair breaks the silence with his soft-spoken voice. “Virginia City is grueling on my southern sensibilities, as well.”


  “If you don’t approve, why do you live here?” I ask, blotting away tears with my gloved fingers.

  “I live here because my mines are here.” He clears his throat. “Rose told me that your parents are deceased. My sympathies, Ma’am. These are strange times we live in.”

  “All times are strange, Colonel Blair,” I respond. “Thank you for your condolences.”

  “Rose also said you are traveling to your sister. Where does she live? Perhaps I could accompany you home?”

  I shake my head. “She lives very far away, and I must complete a few tasks before I leave.”

  “Then you are a welcome guest how ever long is necessary.”

  “That is very kind of you.” I decide to change the subject. I have to feel the waters to discover my first steps to save him from Samuel. “I do not mean to be impertinent, but your relationship with your uncle seems strained.”

  “Impertinence is something I have come to expect from you,” he says with his lips slightly up-turned. “However, you are very perceptive. Uncle Samuel squandered his inheritance from my father and now works for me.”

  “You mean he makes a mess in your house and orders about your help?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “I suppose that is one way to describe him,” he says the words slowly while frowning.

  “I don’t mean to upset you,” I quickly interject. “It’s just that one must be very careful with family members who stand to gain from one’s death.”

  “Uncle Samuel may be a fool in matters of finance, but he means me no harm,” he defends his uncle, indicating he isn’t anywhere ready to hear the truth.

  We’ve been so busy talking that I didn’t realize the carriage has stopped in front of a schoolhouse.

  “Miss Andrews will have the primer you’re looking for,” he says. “I will return in fifteen minutes for you.”

  The spinster teacher does have a used primer which she allows me to purchase with some of the money from my purse. It is pouring when I step out of the schoolhouse. Trying to avoid getting drenched, I walk under the awnings of several establishments, taking in the general atmosphere of the city. It’s a pretty sad place. Every other store is a saloon, and they’re full of men and prostitutes, many younger than I am. I continue walking down the street.