Napoleon's Gift

by Alie Infante

  “Know yer place woman.” Mr. Charles hissed, and Marié huffed up.

  “She is within her right, now is not the best of times, Charles, if you would kindly see…yourself…out.” Mr. Jones barely uttered, before he gave in to a series of coughs.

  “Fine, Tobias, but eventually, I will have it. You and I both know that.” Mr. Charles grinned sardonically.

  “This I do not have knowledge of Charles, and I have been informed that you are next to penniless. Therefore I see no seizure of my holdings in the near future.” Tobias sneered with a slight smile, and Mr. Charles smirked as he strolled towards the bedchamber entry.

  “Indeed we shall see.” Charles rejoined, then exited the room.

  “Has there been any word of Benjamin Marié?”Tobias asked as he accepted the cloth to wipe his mouth.

  “Not yet sir, I pray he hurries. Ginny knows of you and Anaïs, however you know they would never allow her to retain any of this.”

  “This I know too. I have made expressed details of what must be done, to Benjamin. He only needs to get here. I am not sure I can last another week Marié.” Tobias moaned, Marié nodded, as she placed the cool cloth on his forehead, and he sighed.

  “I know.” She sighed herself.

  “Send Ginny to me.” He commanded softly, Marié nodded, then left the room.

  ***

  I looked up wide-eyed as my grandmother came from Mr. Jones’ room. The look on her face, I had seen many times before, and it said something terrible was going to happen.

  “He wants to see you ma petite.” She said, and I was surprised.

  “Me? But why?” I whispered, then looked at the bedroom door.

  “Just go on chil, he has something to say to you. His time here isn’t much.”

  I nodded, wiped my palms on my dress, then walked towards the door.

  As I reached for the doorknob, I looked back at my grandmother, she nodded smiling slightly, and I went through the door.

  I had been in Mr. Jones bedchamber once before when I saw my mother’s portrait, but only the once, so I was very apprehensive. The curtains were drawn, the room dark and somber. I could see him lying in bed, and as I walked into the room, Abel helped him to sit up. He tried to smile, then gave into a fit of coughs.

  When he was done, Abel fluffed the pillows, laid him against them, then handed him a glass of water. Abel nodded to the chair, and I took a seat.

  “Toi mon amour, étaient l’amour de la vie de votre mère. Même plus que moi Juste le regard dans tes yeux quand tu es né, c’était assez pour elle de quitter cette terre heureuse.”

  He smiled, and the look of astonishment on my face caused him to chuckle.

  He said; you my darling were the love of your mother’s life. Even more than me. Just the look in your eyes when you were born, was enough for her to leave this earth happy.

  I sat looking at him openmouthed.

  “Ye did not know of our love I see. I am sure Marié kept it from ye, to protect ye. I have never loved another as I loved yer mother. Now, I have made arrangements so that ye will be taken care of. Ye are my daughter; as well I’m sure ye know by now?” He questioned, and I nodded, still astonished.

  “I’m not sure if ye remember Benjamin, ye may have been trop petit, but he is well underway here to take my affairs in hand. He will care for ye and Marié, once I have gone. Now, come towards the bed, so I can look at ye. Ye remind me every bit of Anaïs. There has not been one day which has passed since her death, that I have not seen her in ye.” He whispered as I sat down on the bed, then he lowly reached up to caress my face.

  “I have loved ye since birth ma fille bien-aimée douce. Although I have not always been able to show it, I have. Ye were born of a great love, even if some of the people here would not accept it. I have loved no other woman, but yer mother, and it shall remain thus, until I take my last breath, and I am with her again.” He said smiling, and I nodded.

  I was not sure what I was supposed to feel.

  He had always seemed so distant from me, that his revelation not only shocked me, but frightened me as well.

  What would the people here do, if they knew I was his only living relative?

  He went into a series of coughs, so bad that Abel leaned him forward, then began to hit him upon his back. I saw the blood, gasped, then looked up at Abel.

  Abel nodded towards the door, and I got up.

  “No, wait!” Mr. Jones wheezed, and I paused. “Know that I have loved ye always.” He commanded fiercely, I nodded, felt the sting of tears, and Abel waved me from the room.

  When I came out his bedchamber, Granny was there to embrace me.

  “Pourquoi as-tu ne me dis jamais rien de tout cela!” Why did you never tell me any of this, I yelled at my grandmother, and she frowned.

  “Because child, ce n’était pas mon histoire à raconteur.” It was not my story to tell, my Granny wailed, and I sat down on the settee.

  “For twenty-six years, he says he has loved me? That is very hard to believe Grand-mère.”

  “No it aien’t babé. He has, and I can bare witness to it. He loved my daughter, with a love only few in this world find. The minute you were born, he wanted you with him, and you were, until these white folks, mind you, not French, began to talk. Your father is a very wealthy man mon amour, and half of these people owe him plenty. You could never have what they want legally, but that still does not mean you would be safe to live that way. Especially, if he willed it to you. They’d sooner kill you first, which is the reason he’s sent for Ben.”

  “But why Benjamin Granny? I am not sure if I remember him.” I lied, and Granny frowned. Of course, I remembered him; he was the first boy I ever loved. However, he broke my heart, and I have wanted to loathe him ever since, on the contrary I cannot. Not to mention, it was 13 ½ years ago. I was sure he was a fine sort of a man by now though. I could not even imagine what he appeared like now; even then, he was very striking.

  I sighed as my Granny smiled.

  “You were approximately thirteen I daresay, when last Mr. Ben was here. Think back child, I know you recollect him.” She said as she motioned us towards the stairs.

  “My world, him!” I pretended, she nodded, and I smiled.

  Benjamin had the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. They reminded one of the skies on a clear summer’s day. The dark looks and light eyes made for a very fetching combination. I remembered all the neighboring plantation girls vying for him. However, when we first met, he struck me as very studious, and serious, because he was always carrying a book.

  “Yes, and Mr. Jones has willed everything to him, and he is to take care of this plantation, and its people. My only hope, is that he’ll agree to it.” Granny sighed, and I frowned.

  “You mean he doesn’t want to?”

  “I’m not sure if want is the word chil, he has a life far from here, so I have no notions how that will affect what Mr. Jones has done. I am not as young as I used to be, and someone will need to run this plantation, or sell it. Moreover, I hope above all hope, that it will not be that foul Mr. Charles. He has been after Mr. Jones to sell it to him for years now. However, I believe it is only to get to you chil.” Granny said, and I gasped.

  “You knew?”

  “Yes, I’ve been watching him for some time now. Why did you not tell me chil?” She wailed, and I sighed.

  “I didn’t want to worry you, anymore than you already were.”

  “This I needed to know.” Granny frowned. “Now, we need to make plans, encase this all goes to pot. I cannot go on to my grave, knowing full well that you aren’t taken care of.” Granny stated, and I sighed.

  I was far more capable than Granny believed, but it always made her feel as if she were taking on the world for me, so I’d let her believe that these last twenty-six years. Granny tended to forget that I was an adult, not a child. As far as etiquette and such went, I was rather long in the tooth, and should have been married ages ago. Nonetheless, I had only eve
r loved one person in my life, and I refused to marry without love.

  “Now come chil, we must make haste.” She said, tugging me from the house.

  Somewhere

  on

  the Atlantic…

  Benjamin looked out over the water and sighed.

  Why on earth would Tobias do this?

  He had not spoken to Tobias since before his father died, so why the sudden urgency?

  Surly, Clarette and his solicitor could manage things for Geneviève.

  Benjamin began to pace, and Bartholomew looked up from the paper.

  “I daresay, what has ye in such a state?” He cried, Benjamin paused, then frowned.

  “I am not quite sure; however I do feel a sense of foreboding upon my arrival. I have not spoken to Tobias since father died, ye know yerself, and I was never one for the business of slaves. Therefore, I have no notions as to why he would do this. I don’t believe he would actually think I would approve of this?”

  “Yet, we don’t know why he has done what he’s done yet chap; there must be some dire reasoning to it. Therefore, keep a stiff upper lip, until we do arrive. Not to mention, since Lincoln passed that act, the idea of slavery is a thing of the past.” Bartholomew grinned; Benjamin gave him a slight frown, then nodded and resumed his pacing.

  They had another week, until they arrived in New Orleans, and it was almost as if he were arriving for the first time. Nearly fourteen years had passed since he last stepped foot in New Orleans, so he knew just from the news abroad, things had changed drastically.

  Would she desire to see him?

  He wondered, and his frown deepened.

  If ever he had loved anyone in his life, it had been she.

  What would she appear akin to fourteen years later?

  She had been a beautiful girl, and on many occasion he remembered her wonderful depthless hazel-green eyes. Many a dream of his had been filled with them, however, he had destroyed it all, in one instant.

  Had she forgiven him by now?

  “And what is this I’ve heard the chaps back home speak of, a Madame Soleil’s?” Bartholomew asked, Benjamin paused again retreating from his thoughts, this time with a slight smile.

  “I have nary a clue, yet leave it to ye to find a spot of sport in all seriousness.” Benjamin retorted, and Bartholomew laughed.

  “I must say, it is the talk of Sir Francis and his cronies. He has spoke of nothing else since his trip last winter. I cannot in all good conscious allow myself to ignore such good counsel.” Bartholomew cheered, and Benjamin could not help laughing.

  “Fine, however it must be abated until I attend to this pressing matter with Tobias. I myself may join ye in a bit of sport.”

  “And has the captain said how long till port?”

  “If the weather holds true, another week, but he swears nothing more.”

  “Splendid, I grow weary of this vessel and its ragamuffins.”Bartholomew sighed, and Benjamin shook his head.

  “Ever the noble, I see.”

  “Yes, and ye shall remember that.” Bartholomew quipped, Benjamin tipped the chair backwards, and Bartholomew toppled to the floor as Benjamin howled with laughter.

  “Arse, I shall repay ye in kind!” Bartholomew cried, then laughed as Benjamin helped him up, and they went to seek the evening’s supper.

  New Orleans

  Basil-Leaf Plantation…

  “Where is Ginny presently?” Millie asked frowning.

  “I sent her to Adamae’s for her special spices.” Marié said frowning now herself.

  “And do you thank that boy is gonna do as Mr. Jones asks?” Millie inquired as she shuffled her old bones across the floor towards the kitchen.

  “I sincerely hope so Millie, if he does not all is lost. I have seen the way Mr. Charles looks at my bebé, the fact that she is half colored, makes her just his type. You remember what happened to Moses petite fille. He takes no never mind to the fact that they are not his property. I’d soon as le tuer morts, than to see him put his filthy hands on mon bebé.” Kill him myself, Marié hissed, and Millie nodded.

  “And did you give here that amulet I made chér; you know it will protect her.” Millie questioned, and Marié nodded.

  “Yes, but is it enough Millie. Mr. Benjamin should have been here by now. I tell you truth; I do not think Mr. Jones has another week left in him. Then the first thing that evil Mr. Charles will do, is try to get the bank to sell him the Maître lands. We have to find some way to stop that.”

  “Well, have you thought on sending Ginny off Marié?”

  “No, and I daresay she won’t leave me chéri. I’m the only thing she has, and you know as well as I, that I don’t have the strength anymore.”

  “And have you told her of the illness miel?” Honey, Millie countered, and Marié shook her head.

  “Non, you know I cannot, she would never leave my side. I have a few good months left in me. If Mr. Benjamin would only hurry, I could leave this earth, knowing full well that she’s looked after. If you remember, they were quite taken with each other, before Jean Christopher’s ball?” Marié sighed, then took a seat as Millie handed her the cup of tea nodding.

  “Yes I do, I myself thought he’d marry that gal, these whites be damned, he was so smitten. But, he’ll get here chil; you just hold on, I know he will.” Millie said as she continued to pat Marié’s hand.

  Land’s Hand

  Plantation…

  As I walked into Ms. Adamae’s yard, I frowned.

  I felt someone observing me, and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I turned, raised the stick I was carrying, and readied myself for the attack.

  “Nabbed you!”Timmy shouted, then pounced on me.

  We both hit the grass, and I laughed as I realized who it was.

  “Why yes you have. You are the smartest little man I know.” I wailed as I rained kisses down on his face, and his grey eyes lit up in his small brown face.

  Timmy was Ms. Adamae’s five-year old grandson, and as sweet as a lamb.

  We both got up from the grass; I picked him up, then retrieved the bag for Granny’s spices as Ms. Adamae came onto her veranda.

  “Well hello jolie fille, what brings you down today? Marié not feeling well today? I must say, I swear that Addison’s is getting the best of her.”

  “Granny has what?” I cried, saw the look of surprise on Ms. Adamae’s face, then it changed to one of sorrow.

  “I’m sorry mon enfant, I thought she’d done told you by now!” She wailed, and I shook my head. “Come chil sit.” She said gesturing towards the veranda swing, and I did, completely taken aback.

  “Granny never told me she was sick. She sent me for the spices.” I finally said, and she gave me a slight smile.

  “I guess she didn’t want you to worry none, mon enfant, but you must realize that your granny is near to 90 living years.” She said, and I looked at her for several moments, then blinked back the tears.

  I handed her the spice bag nodding.

  “Juste un moment, I’ll be right back with them.” She called as she disappeared into the house.

  I knew Granny had not been feeling well, but I have no notions it was this bad.

  She could actually die!

  When Ms. Adamae gave me the bag, I ran from the yard.

  I knew Granny was on her way to Ms. Millie’s when she sent me for the spices.

  As I ran into Ms. Millie’s yard, Granny came from the house.

  “What is it mon enfant?” She cried as I gathered her up, the tears flowing freely now.

  “Damn Adamae!” She hissed, as I continued to cry, holding onto her small frame tightly.

  “Why didn’t you inform me you were this ill?” I cried, as I drew back from her and took her face between my hands, smoothing the wayward grey strands of hair from her face.

  “Because I did not want this to happen. Addie and her grande bouche.” Big mouth Granny snapped, and I smiled despite the seriousness.

&nb
sp; “But Granny…”

  “We’ll see you in a while Millie. Descendre for supper if you feel up to it.” My grandmother called, and Millie nodded as she went back into the house.

  “Come chil, we have some things to discuss.” She said and pulled me towards home.

  As we rounded the house, I saw Jacques running our way, the look on his face stricken.

  “What is it fils?” Son, my grandmother called as he approached us.

  “Monsieur Jones Madame Marié, come quickly.” He said as he took my grandmother by the hand, nearly dragging her to hurry her along.

  When we reached the house, the faces of the servants looked grim. I rushed up the stairs, but Abel bared my way.

  “Non petite fille, this is not a way that you should see him.” He said shaking his head, and I looked at my grandmother. She hurried into the room, and closed the door behind her.

  ***

  Sometime thereafter, Abel, my grandmother, and Jacques came from the room.

  I could see my grandmother had been crying. I was not sure what I should feel, nevertheless I recognized my heart was heavy at his death. I had been near him for the last twenty-six years of my life, yet I discerned practically nothing of him as a person. Except to declare, that he was kind to all those who belonged to him.

  “Your father was a respectable man Geneviève, never allow anyone advise you differently.” Abel said, wiped his eyes, then walked somberly down the stairs.

  Chapter Three…

  Three weeks elapsed since Mr. Jones’ death, and the plantation was in a very dismal frame of mind.

  I recognized how much the coloreds loved him, for the reason that he was one of the “virtuous ones”, Granny declared.

  I was not sure what she and I would carry out now, but every day, Granny pledged we would be well.

  I on the other hand, did not think that was so.

  I frowned as I saw Mr. Charles’ carriage roll up, and every fiber of my being tensed up. My father was barely in his grave, and here he was presently. I was not sure if there was anything we could perform to impede him either.