Jasmine moon, p.16
Jasmine Moon, page 16
"He will have to have a strong sword arm to win you, ma petite."
But the actuality was not so romantic as the dream. In the dream, there had been no blood—no Robert—merely a shadowy figure, a figment of a young girl's imagination.
During the days that followed, Robert watched Eulalie, while he rested and pretended to read. Aware of her every motion, he knew she was not comfortable being in the same room with him, or sleeping on the cot that had been moved from Jason's room.
Blast it! He wasn't comfortable either, watching her kneeling each day at the same hour, knowing that she was praying for the man who had purchased her. It went against the grain and he wasn't sure how much longer he could stand it. But he would not let her go back to the green bedroom.
Looking up, he caught Eulalie's eyes staring at him thoughtfully. She quickly averted them, but not in time.
"What are you thinking, Eulalie?" Robert questioned, propping himself up.
"I thought I might go to Jason's room and spend some time with him, if you do not object, Robert."
"So now that I am mending, you are anxious to neglect me for our son."
Eulalie saw the smile but could not be sure if Robert was serious or teasing.
"I do not wish to neglect you, Robert. I am truly thankful that there seems to be no infection. But I have missed seeing Jason, and now that I shall soon be able to wear street clothes again, I thought—"
Robert interrupted her. "I have missed seeing Jason also, Eulalie. Ring the bell, and get Florilla to bring him in to see us."
Walking to the bell pull, Eulalie gave it a tug and waited for a servant to answer. When the knock came, Eulalie was at the door to give instructions to the servant.
When Jason was brought into the room, Florilla stood passively beside the door, ignoring the affectionate exchange between Jason and the parents he had not seen for a while.
"Florilla, you may leave him with us," Robert ordered. "When we're ready for you to take him again, we will call you."
Jason ran back and forth, climbing on the bed beside Robert and then hopping down to run to Eulalie on the cot. He could not be still. When he was with one parent, his eyes traveled to the other, until finally he took Eulalie's hand, led her over to the master bed and announced, "Bed, Eu-lie."
Momentarily at a loss and a little embarrassed at his obvious solution to his desire to be with both parents, Eulalie did not move.
"I believe our son has invited you to join us, Eulalie. And judging from his face, you will either have to obey or be witness to a temper tantrum."
Reluctantly, Eulalie sat on the edge of the bed. Jason chortled happily between them, but then, noticing that Eulalie was not lying down as he and his father were, he attempted to lift her feet onto the bed.
"Madam, you must play the game all the way, it seems," Robert said, laughing.
"Eu-lie," Jason said, happily snuggling next to her, his face buried in her lap. She leaned over and kissed the back of his head.
"We're going to have to do something about that, you know," Robert advised. "He must not get in the habit of calling his mother 'Eu-lie.' It smacks of disrespect, doesn't it?"
Eulalie laughed and hugged Jason even harder.
CHAPTER 18
FOUR days later, with the help of Jimbo, Robert dressed and came downstairs. Except for the sling around his arm and the slight pallor to his face, there was no evidence of the duel. It had been kept quiet, and according to Arthur Metcalfe, the bereaved Polly had returned to St. John's Parish, a widow for the second time.
Arthur, a frequent caller during those days, now sat in the parlor with Robert, filling him in on the happenings in the legislature and the latest news of the war.
When Eulalie walked in, with Effie carrying the tea tray behind her, she heard only a remnant of the conversation before the men ceased talking. Eulalie glanced from one to the other as she poured the tea, trying to discern from their faces the seriousness of the news.
"Robert, are we in danger from the British?" a troubled Eulalie asked.
An assuring look swept over his face. "Napoleon is keeping the British far too busy for a full-scale war. The blockade is just a blasted nuisance, nothing more."
Eulalie relaxed, hearing his answer. And Robert, watching her, breathed easier. He did not want to alarm her with news of the recent commando raids on the sea islands close to Charleston. Far better to keep that to himself, until he could report back to Governor Alston after the holidays.
"And Columbia is too far inland to be in danger," Arthur reaffirmed. "As for Charleston, the state militia is guarding its harbor. So Midgard is safe."
At his answer, the troubled look reappeared on Eulalie's face.
"It wasn't safe the last time," Eulalie responded. "I remember Papa Ravenal's talking of the family silver being carried away in rice barrels by the redcoats."
"That was different," Robert replied. "Charleston had no adequate defense system then. It will be much harder now for a vessel to slip through the harbor and up the river. But enough of the war," Robert said, putting a stop to that part of the conversation. "Arthur, I believe you have some papers for me to look over?"
Eulalie picked up the tea tray and left the parlor as the two men bent their heads over the papers Arthur had brought for Robert.
It was the next afternoon that Eulalie sat in Jason's room, watching him ride the hobby horse in the corner. The child had not been up long from his nap.
He was a miniature of Robert, with no physical resemblance to link her as his mother. But her love for him grew greater each day. His topaz eyes were now bright with joy, and Eulalie herself felt his excitement and happiness. Jason had been the necessary diversion to get her through those difficult days spent in the same room with Robert.
Eulalie had been so self-conscious with Robert's gaze always upon her. And Feena had been no help, making comments about her skin and asking Robert's opinion.
So close in proximity, yet miles apart from each other, like two adversaries—Robert, with his smoky, insolent gaze traveling down the length of her yellow fleece robe one moment, and then changing to unconcealed distaste when she prayed for the man he hated—and not knowing what measure of reprimand he would take. But she had promised. She could not back down on a promise.
Just as she was thinking of him, Robert appeared in the doorway of the nursery.
"Eulalie, since the weather is good, I have decided to take you to Maggie's for the final fitting of your clothes. Three day dresses and two—" He stopped to correct himself. "Or rather, one evening gown, are not enough clothes for you. How soon can you be ready?"
"Are you sure you are up to—"
"Of course I am. There is nothing wrong with me, except for my arm in the sling. Another day or so and I'll be able to discard the sling. How soon, Eulalie?" he asked again.
"About a quarter of an hour, Robert."
"Good. I'll order the carriage."
The same little black boy who had accompanied Maggie to the white clapboard house let Robert and Eulalie into the shop. This time, he was dressed in bright-blue velvet, with a silk turban wrapped around his head.
"Neijee does give the shop class, don't you think?" Maggie said. "But so vain. He wants a lavender velvet suit to wear and has already selected my choicest feathers for his new headpiece."
The child grinned at Maggie's halfhearted protests over his extravagance and then plopped himself down where he could watch the fittings. He pulled out a piece of the smooth lavender velvet from under his jacket and stroked it with his fingers.
"Bee-yoo-tiful lady," the black child voiced, clapping his hands at intervals, as Eulalie changed from one gown to another.
With each new gown, Maggie delighted in parading Eulalie before Robert for his approval. He sat in the front of the shop, looking out of place, but seeming oblivious to that fact, his interest in the gowns making Eulalie extremely uncomfortable and shy.
"Now, for the best of all," Maggie announced, leading Eulalie back into the dressing room.
She relaxed when she saw the plain midnight-blue dress with the high neckline—a modest dress, more suitable for her than the low-cut ones that had been forced upon her.
When he saw it, Robert frowned and voiced his displeasure. "Maggie, I do not want my wife to look like a nu—nuthatch."
Eulalie knew from the hesitation in his voice that Robert had meant to say "nun" and had thought better of it.
"Wait," Maggie scolded. "You have not seen what goes with it. Close your eyes until I finish."
The white, translucent silk robe, embroidered with jeweled hummingbirds and silk flowers with garnet-studded centers, fell in loose wide sleeves and long flowing hem, covering the dark dress like a shimmering veil. A delicate gold nest with two of the jeweled hummingbirds was pinned in Eulalie's hair.
In a pleased voice, Maggie called, "You may look now."
Robert stared at the goddess before him. Her lips were tremulous and her dark satin doe eyes seduced his heart with their unsuspecting allure. The night of the harvest moon and the season of desire—once again he was succumbing to its spell.
Robert merely grunted and said aloud, "If you have almost finished, I will see to the carriage." And with those words, he stamped out of the shop.
"He…he did not like it, Maggie," Eulalie said in a distressed tone.
"Don't you believe that, Mrs. Tabor. I saw the look he gave you." Maggie laughed. "He liked the dress, but he had other things on his mind, like making love to his wife. If I were you, I would not keep him waiting."
Maggie was wrong, of course. He had looked at her with distaste, as if she were suddenly someone to be avoided. But she would not correct Maggie. Better to ignore her comment.
"I'd close the shop and throw the key down the well if Harvey ever looked at me like that. But that's highly unlikely. "The dressmaker shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "Well, that was the last dress, anyway. I'll send all of them to you on Wednesday."
"Thank you, Maggie. You've been most kind."
"Not at all. It's a pleasure to dress someone who is so loved and protected by her husband."
If Maggie only knew the truth, Eulalie thought. The woman had taken it for granted that she and Robert were lovers.
Neijee held the door open for Eulalie and escorted her to the carriage, where Robert was waiting.
She glanced back at the small black child standing in front of the shop, watching the carriage. How many years older than Jason? Three? Four? If she had remained a slave to Jacques Binet, would her own child have been sold as a pet for some rich woman? Or dressed in velvet suits and silk turbans to open doors for snobbish customers?
Thoughtfully silent, Eulalie sat beside Robert, who ignored her. With one hand he expertly tooled the horses home. He was in an evil temper, and Eulalie, feeling this, shrank against the seat, wondering what had happened to cause such an abrupt change.
Desmond Caldwell was waiting for them in the library when Robert and Eulalie drew up to the house.
"I have just heard from my wife, Julie. She is so delighted over her newfound cousin that she has asked me to extend an invitation to you both to spend Christmas with us at Cedar Hill."
Eulalie's face brightened and she turned expectantly to her husband.
"Robert?"
But Robert shook his head. "Give our regrets to your wife, Desmond. There are things I need to see to in Charleston. We will be returning to Midgard for Christmas."
"I am sorry to hear that. Julie will be quite disappointed." Desmond hesitated before speaking again. "Would you then consent to Cousin Eulalie going alone for part of the holiday season? Since Arthur will be coming also, he can see her safely home."
Robert's answer was not long in coming. "Impossible, Desmond. Jason has been ill, and a child needs his mother with him."
"Quite so," Desmond agreed. "I had forgotten about the child's illness. Well, another time."
Feeling thwarted, Eulalie said nothing until Desmond had gone. Jason was well and could have gone with her to Cedar Hill. But evidently Robert did not wish her to visit her cousin. And she, herself, was not anxious to go back to Midgard. The memories there were too painful.
"When will we be leaving for Midgard?" Eulalie asked, with a suppressed dread.
"On Thursday," Robert replied and left the library.
Wednesday morning, an excited Maggie personally delivered the finished dresses to Eulalie.
"You will not believe what has happened." Maggie's large eyes shone with happiness as she shook a dress free from its confining box. "Harvey has finally asked me to marry him and he wants me to set the date right away, so that we will have Christmas together."
"Oh, Maggie, I am so happy for you," Eulalie replied.
"There is only one fly in the ointment."
"And what is that?" Eulalie asked, seeing the frown on Maggie's face.
"Harvey refuses to have slaves. He's from the upcountry, you know. So that means that I shall have to part with Neijee. Would you like to buy him, Mrs. Tabor? Somehow I can't bring myself to put him up for sale for just anybody to bid on him. And he already dotes on you."
"But I have no money of my own," Eulalie explained.
"Your husband—he would buy him for you, if you asked him."
"I don't know. Maggie. How long do you have before…" But then, Eulalie remembered. They themselves were leaving for Midgard on the next day.
"Five days. We're to be married on Monday and leave Columbia on Tuesday."
"You'd better find someone else, Maggie, to buy him. I doubt that Robert would agree to it."
"Try, Mrs. Tabor. I know he would buy him if you asked him."
Through dinner that evening, Eulalie was unusually quiet. Her mind was on Neijee and Maggie's dilemma. And all day, she had not found the proper words to approach Robert.
"I thought you would wear one of the new gowns this evening, Eulalie. Are you not pleased with them?"
Eulalie looked up from her sewing. She had retired-early to the master bedroom, where Robert was now staring at her, a puzzled expression on his face.
"You know I am…grateful to you, Robert."
"That is not what I meant. I do not want your gratitude, Eulalie. I only want you to have the things you have done without these last three years." His voice grew fierce. "Are they not to your satisfaction, Eulalie? Was there something else in Maggie's shop you would have preferred? Some trinket, or another gown, even?"
Neijee. Now was the time to tell him about Neijee. Eulalie quickly admitted, "Maggie does have something that I would like to purchase."
Affronted by her admission, Robert advised her, "It is still not too late. You could send for it in the morning before we leave. You should have spoken up while we were in the shop the other day."
"But you bought so much for me."
"What good is that, if you are not happy with what I selected?" Then, in an effort at lightness, he said, "We will consider this purchase one of your Christmas presents—to make up for the disappointment of not spending Christmas with your cousin."
Her look was cautious. "The price would be…most dear."
Robert dismissed her protest. "I think I can stand the expense," he said, shifting his weight with an impatience to leave the room.
"Do you not want to know what it is?"
"It's not necessary. Go ahead and get it. And have Maggie send me the bill."
Just before he closed the door, she managed to say, "Yes, Robert. And—thank you."
So she had done it. But what would Robert say when he discovered what she had purchased?
They loaded the carriages with luggage, tying the extra trunk on top. Jimbo and Robert checked the ropes to make sure they were secure.
It was early morning and Eulalie, standing by the carriage, looked anxiously down the street. If Neijee did not come soon, it would be too late.
Already, Robert was telling Jimbo to drive on with Feena and Effie and the baggage. "You have a heavier load, Jimbo. Go on and we will catch up with you."
"Yes suh," Jimbo said and started the horses.
"I don't know why you insisted on coming out so early, Eulalie," Robert told her. "At least get into the carriage to stay warm, while I take one last look in the house. I'll send Florilla out with Jason the last thing."
Robert walked up the steps just as another carriage passed Jimbo, traveling in the opposite direction.
Maggie, dashing down the street in the small phaeton, stopped by the iron fence. Neijee hopped out, and Maggie, struggling with his trunk, apologized to Eulalie, who had stood outside the carriage in spite of Robert's orders.
"I'm sorry I'm late. Everything went wrong this morning. You know how it is."
"It's all right, Maggie. You're here in time." Eulalie helped Maggie lift the small trunk onto the back of the carriage and strap it on.
"Be a good boy for Mrs. Tabor, Neijee," Maggie said, patting the little boy on the head.
The boy grinned and followed Eulalie into the closed carriage.
Her heart was pounding when Robert reappeared. What would he say when he saw Neijee? But Robert was too busy to pay attention to the travelers in the carriage. Once he had handed up Florilla and Jason, he went to the driver's seat on the outside of the carriage and began the journey.
CHAPTER 19
WHO is that?" Florilla asked, pointing at the small black boy seated beside Eulalie.
"This is Neijee," Eulalie replied. "An early Christmas present from Robert."
Her casual answer stopped Florilla from commenting further. Little did Florilla know that under her assumed nonchalance, Eulalie's heart was still beating much too fast. She dreaded the confrontation with her husband at the first rest stop. But by then it would be too late to send the child back to Maggie.
It was past noon when they finally came to the travelers' rest. Robert had already passed Jimbo and the carriage containing Feena and Effie.
"Everyone out—time to stretch your legs." Robert sounded in a good mood.
