Family Reunion (46 page)

"No… you won't. Mike…" Manny began; his son lifted his head. "Tomorrow, you're to ride with Leon to Dustinhurst. I don't trust that they'd just give her over to him, no matter how much he puts up. You go… pay her debts and request that you fancy her for your household. They'll make you pay for her, but to you, they'll hand her over."

Mike stared a moment, wishing to rebel from such a request, but then he considered the alternative. His father was handing him a significant use for his white appearance to help others. Leon sat waiting for his answer.

"When?" He asked.

"First thing in the morning, the earlier, the better." Leon answered.

"And when they ask you who you are, what will you say?" Manny quizzed.

"Michael Ramsey Webster, of Ramsey…?" Mike sighed. "I'm sorry… I should know this shouldn't I?"

"Yes son, you should. You will walk in there tomorrow with all the arrogance of a prince. Of the privileged, dressed as they would dress and you will introduce yourself as Michael Ramsey Webster, of Ramsey Fleets – Passage, Shipping and Deliveries.”

“
Our mansion on Cobble Hill is completed and we are in need of servants, maids, cooks etc. etc. I have my eye on one in particular, a Francis I believe her name is, one of my men has spotted her and I wish to acquire her. I'll be paying her debt and taking her with me now. End – of - discussion. They don't need to know any more than that, neither will you stoop – to giving them anymore… because you hold the purse strings."

Mike glanced from his father to Leon. "Alright… I'll be ready."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it. Now, before the two of you leave here to pick her up, I want you Leon to gather a few men, put Shelly, Jarvis and Finbar on it. I
want
- by tomorrow afternoon, no later, Winston's and Greyson's whereabouts. I want to know where they lay their heads…get my meaning? No later than tomorrow afternoon."

"It'll be done." Leon promised.

"It has to be…" Manny rose from his desk and walked from behind it heading for the door. "It's going on three. Grab some rest you two…tomorrow will be a busy day, a lot of loose ends to tie up. A lot of tidying up to see to, and as for your savings Leon, I’ve neglected to inform you, you used them to purchase the Carolina Mist, it's now yours. You've been clearing quite a profit over the last few months, but even so, freeing Francis, that's the bonus…and it's on me." He closed the door behind him.

Leon sat staring with Mike next to him who said, "Well big brother, we best get to bed…father has spoken." He stood next and followed his father out the door with a smile on his face.

Leon sat motionless.

Chapter Ten

Lena’s hair was spread out on the pillow around her head in soft waves. Manny couldn't help but stare at the white streak. Gritting his teeth he pulled his eyes from it to her peacefully rested features, staring intently at his sleeping beauty. His eyes followed the length of her form and back up to her hand that rested below her breast. He couldn't resist gently picking it up, his thumb softly caressing her knuckles as he held it. On his knees and leaning over her, he stayed for quite some time, mesmerized in disbelief that he had her back with him once again. His other hand went up to brush the hair back from her temple and forehead, and then downward as his knuckles caressed her cheek.
'Oooh what a wonder it is ... to love someone as I love you ... and oh the pain I've caused you because of it. Yet still, I cannot stop; only my death shall see that I do. And if there is truly life afterwards, there I will love you as well.'
He swallowed the lump in his throat, murmuring softly over and over. "I love you, I love you, I love you. Sleep well my little princess. This moment signifies our new beginning."

Finally, with the hooks of exhaustion deep within him, he stood; about to douse the light but caught himself. He backed away leaving it lit, deciding that if ever she would have to face the dark, she would face it with him there beside her. Until then, he would bring as much light in her life as any one could possibly need.

A single tear fell from Lena's eye as she watched him pull her door partially too, hearing his footsteps down the corridor, she reached up and wiped it away. "I love you, I love you, I - love - you. My father – who art in heaven, you have heard my prayer – I thank you – I thank you."

The following morning, after just a few hours of sleep, Manny was
up and off, placing guards around the ship until he had all matters and persons under his control. The order was simple, no one was to get on or off without escort. At the waterfront building, he was not surprised to see Clarence Winston striding rather stiffly into his office. With a smile, Manny leaned back in his desk and greeted him.

"Well I'll be, if it isn't Mr. Clarence Winston. Come in Mr. Winston, how very nice it is to see you again, and how might you be this fine day?" Manny’s manner mocking and sarcastic, and then his eyes narrowed.

Clarence took a seat across from Manny, his body language spoke loud and clear, he was not a happy man. Glaring at Manny he started the match, "Let us not play little games Mr. Webster. You know why I'm here. A fine day? No! I want her back! I found her! I will be the one returning her to her father! I have worked too hard and long to allow you, or anyone else, to just snatch her from me! I - want - her - back!!"

Manny felt his insides on fire, wondering how much time it would take to snap Clarence Winston's scrawny neck. While contemplating that, he leaned forward and asked as if seriously confused by Clarence's actions.

"Tell me something Mr. Winston, why would a man, who is supposedly, a man of at least a little commonsense and intelligence, waste his time and mine, by coming here asking - no, demanding something, that he knows is completely out of the question? Have you gone man?!"

Ignoring him, Clarence argued. "I found her, I want her back!"

"The woman you found has always belonged to me. Where she is concerned, there is no sharing. In fact, you place yourself in great danger coming to me this way. You've lost, it's over!" Manny said rising from his seat, walking slowly around his desk to the front, then sitting on it with his arms crossed over his chest peering down at Clarence.

Clarence stared at the size of the man before him, he swallowed nervously and suspected the move was to intimidate him, but he was too close to that treasure to back down, and so looked down from Manny at his manicured nails, and began quite casually.

"Now see here Mr. Webster that is where I beg to differ, considering the circumstances surrounding your past, all that hidden information that no one here in the North knows about. Emmm, let's see, were I to take out a little ad in the New York Gazette, that umm, detailed some events, sa-a-ay… let me think, how would I have it written? Oh, I know! How about starting it, let's say this way. One of New York's well known wealthy shipping tycoons has been accused of having a Negro fancy for a mistress.”

“
The said tycoon was indeed so enamored with his Negro mistress, that he divorced his poor wife over the Negro fancy, after - trying - to kill her." Clarence glanced up from his nails, his eyebrow cocked boldly. "And what's more, the poor thing returned to Europe, devastated and heart broken. Losing all she had so rightfully gained to the conniving, scheming voodoo spell casting Negress slave. The cruel and unjust ending of this horrendous deed was to find that same Negress manipulating her master with black magic and other heart binding spells, spells so gripping and intense that even after pushing her master's poor Missus down the stairs, thus, murdering their unborn child, she was forgiven. Now, all fruits gained were given to her own bastard children, by said... tycoon. Bastards who have all been placed in our society, passing themselves off as white. Where is she now? It would shiver the innards of the most formidable man to hear that she lives right here in the heart of this great city ... her latest victim, George Sin-clair!" Clarence Winston smiled, quite satisfied with the results of his careful planning.

Manny felt such rage he envisioned snatching Clarence's head from his shoulders.
'George Sinclair ... why does that name ring a bell?'
His mind wondered.
"What does Ceś alena have to do with George Sinclair?" Manny asked.

Clarence smiled again, reading the discomfort in Manny. Feeling that he now had the upper hand, he answered the question. "Well it seems that your sweet delicate little princess happens to be a murderer." He let that sink in for a second then went on to inform him. "She single-handedly, murdered one - George Sinclair…she stabbed him to death."

Manny sat calm as could be and responded to that by saying, "You steaming, stinking, stack - of
shit!
If my memory serves me correctly, there's no way she could have killed a man his size. You're lying!"

"No matter - whatever the truth may be, you cannot afford for that story to go to print. There would be a mob formed in the blink of an eye, they would make their way to wherever you’ve hidden her, tear her from her hiding place and hang her as you watched! I want the Princess back in my hands, because we set sail first thing. You want her so badly you can pick her up again from Makia Island, where I'll be taking her… or else!"

Manny's eyes glittered so fiercely Clarence gulped. As soon as he returned home, he would have to sit and write out all he had stated, making sure to have it to show tomorrow in case Manny thought he was bluffing.

Clarence stood. "Now, see…and you thought my visit was a complete waste of your time and mine. Not at all… and you must admit, I am fair, after all, I'll let you enjoy her
one more night
.”

“
She is – quite a fancy…I myself may find her hard to resist." Clarence grinned winking at Manny, who had yet to move, and if Clarence knew anything about Manny, that was not a good sign.

"Tomorrow, I'll be waiting. Good day Mr. Webster." He turned, feeling nothing but elation because he knew that no man with so much to lose would jeopardize it all over a Negro slave. With pep in his stride, he confidently left Manny's office.

Manny stared at the closed door. Slowly he made his way back around his desk and sat. Two things were uppermost in his mind. Several years previously, on his return to New York from abroad, he had heard about the passing of George Sinclair. It had been said, he had been murdered by one of his servants, and the servant had been hung for the crime. Lena was very much alive.
'She couldn't have, she just couldn't.'
He couldn't and wouldn't believe it. There was also Sandra...Sandra -
'Sinclair'
, Manny shook all thoughts of that, now was not the time to dwell on it. For the meantime, his uppermost concern was Clarence Winston – and the fact, that he’d gone too far – he’d threatened the one person, that to defend, brought out all the worst of what there was in Manny – the very worst.

* * *

Later that morning, Lena stretched and yawned. The stiffness and soreness in her arm plagued her even more, it seemed to be worse the second day. She tried to sit up with the aid of her left arm but it was too much too soon and so she depended on her right to bring her up. Just as she was coming to a sitting position, Hope entered her room smiling brightly, carrying a tray of food for breakfast. "Ah, I see you're finally awake." She greeted, setting the tray on the side table.

Lena tried to smile, but a tired moan escaped and she asked, "What time is it?"

"Half past the hour of ten ... would you like to rest longer?"

"Heavens no, I should have been up long ago." Lena gritted her teeth as she worked her sore shoulder in circles.

"You know Gaitsu can help your shoulder, daddy places a lot of faith in him and he wishes you to know, that if ever you need him, you only have to call him. He was very attentive to you last night, before he left you to us."

"Very interesting man; your father has always been able to attract people to him. He has a very strong protective nature about him. Always grabbing someone out of the fire, and soothing them anyway he can. Anyway, I will be okay, once I bathe and dress, and begin moving about-…"

"I'm afraid daddy says you are not to lift a finger today."

Lena smiled to herself. "Is that so, and ... where is he?"