Napoleon's Gift (3 page)

I just knew a bowel of Granny’s gumbo would cheer old Millie up.

Ms. Millie was a character as well.

Unlike
Granny, Ms. Millie was from Mississippi, so she knew the life of a slave, never having been free. She was very soft-spoken, one of the kindest people I knew, until she got what she called
“riled up,”
then she would spit in your eye.

I though
t laughing, as I remembered her taking Isaiah to task. Isaiah was her youngest son here. He had been born on Haven; however, I knew Ms. Millie had three other children, each living in separate parts of the United States.

I would see the sorrow in her eyes whenever she spoke
of her other children, then she would remind me what a cruelty slavery truly was, and I would once again count my blessings, that the merciful lord had seen fit to let me be born in wonderful New Orleans.

When
I had collected the carrots, onions, celery, and sassafras, I brushed off my dress, then picked up the baskets.

As I walked from the west garden, I saw Mr. Charley’s carriage, and cringed.
Now that was one foul evil man!

Why God saw fit to place him on this earth, I would never know!

Nevertheless, I was not one to tell the good lord how to do his job, so I just accepted it, and stayed clear of him anytime he was about. I was not that naïve; I knew exactly what he wanted from me. I was not an innocent either, due to Billy Meraux and
Pinot Noir
, down on the Basil-leaf plantation. Yet, that did not mean I wanted what Mr. Charles offered either.

I saw Mary from the side door motioning me towards her
, and I walked just a bit faster.

Mary had been with Haven from as far back as I could remember. She and
Granny were the best of friends too. Mary was shipped here from France as well, so she too knew the free life. It was quite amusing truly, because it was easy to recognize the free coloreds in their attitudes. They mostly cowered to no one, not even the whites. French Louisiana was just that, which was why the whites, who recently settled here, were trying so desperately to change it.

“
Geneviève C'est méchant M. Charles est ici, vous feriez mieux de partir maintenant
.” That nasty Mr. Charles is here chil, you best get somewhere now, she hissed, I nodded, then hurried towards the stables.

As I came around the back
end of the house, he was standing in my path, and I gasped. Before I could turn to flee, he snatched me to him.

“
Et là, vous vous tenez. Je cherchais pour toi chérie, viens me tenir compagnie.”
And here ye stand. I was on the hunt for ye
chér
, now come keep me company. He said, and my entire body went limp with fear.

“
Monsieur, J’ai du travail à faire.”
Sir, I have chores to do in the stables. I said, careful not to look him in the eyes.

“I have an idea of some chores ye and I can do in the stables.” He grinned, and a fear so strong shot up my spine,
this time I did look up at him.

“My god yer a beautiful
wench.” He said, snatched me to him, ground his lips into mine, thrusting his hips forward.

“
Monsieur!
” Mary called, and my body sagged with its liberation.

“
Qu’est-ce que c’est?
” What is it! He snapped, then stepped away from me.

I turned and fled towards the stables.

“The mister is callin for you.” Mary said. Mr. Charles gave her a nasty look, nodded, then walked towards the house.

Mary sighed, then ran her trembling hand through her hair.

She needed to tell Marié, and think of something, or he would get that chil yet.

She thought, then headed back towards the
kitchens.

***

I sat down on the
small bench, put my shaking hands together, then put my head in my hands.

Good Lord!

He would have me yet, if I did not think of something!

I
had not informed Granny, because I did not want her to worry, but if happenings akin to today continued, I would have no choice.

I got up, then pee
red out one of the windows in the stable. He yelled something at Mary, then stormed off towards the big house.

I sighed my relief, then walked out the side door towards
Granny’s house.

I
was not sure what I could or would do.

It was
not as if I could refuse him, colored women did not have that luxury. I was free, but up to a point. To him I would always be property, and it did not matter I was not his.

It was
not that Mr. Charles was an ugly man, it was quite the opposite. He was very tall, well built, with blonde hair and very beautiful green eyes.  From what I knew, very wealthy too, and Jimmy commented that he had a fleet of ships. I think his family settled here in 1809, and helped to place New Orleans on the map as they say. Wealth, good looks, and the fact that the women here in New Orleans fawned over him, I speculated, this was why he thought he was entitled to anything he sought after.

However, there w
as tittle-tattle that Mr. Charles had been impoverish, and had been dealing in some very illicit undertakings. It was for this very reason granny desired to keep him far away from me as possible.

Most
of the whites around here thought that way, and could not care less what a colored thought. That was why I did not quite understand Mr. Charles’ attitude, because he was French. I knew Granny loved Mr. Jones, especially for all he had done for her, but she had been telling me since I was knee high, that only certain ones could be trusted.

Moreover,
it was Mr. Charles’ disposition, and the way he treated the women here, which made him a foul man. He was not above taking what he wanted, and I do not mean the sweet potatoes, which fell to the ground when he assaulted me. What is more, he was known to use force, and the fact that I was a woman, made him think he had a right to.

As I walked towards
Granny’s house, I thought on my situation.

I was,
J’étais dans une crique sans pagaie,
or as my bayou friend Onrey would say, I was up a creek without a paddle.

I sighed as I walked towards the back of the house.

I was the Master’s daughter, but that did not give me any privilege. At least any I knew of. I knew it was only because Mr. Jones had threatened Mr. Charles, that he had not taken what he wanted, but now with Mr. Jones sick and all, I had no notions of what I would do.

Granny looked up from the gumbo pot as she hear
d my footsteps.

“
Eh bien bonjour mon petit bebé
.” Hello my baby, she said as she smiled and gestured to the chair at the table.

“
Bonjour Grand-mère
.”

“And what ha
s my
petit
, with such a face.” She asked as she kissed my cheek, then pinched it.

“Nothing, just
contemplating.”

“Them must be some mighty strong thoughts for you to have such
             

sourciller
.” Frown she stated, and I sighed.

I just
could not tell her about Mr. Charles, moreover, she might have Ms. Millie hex him.

“Did you know Ms. Millie is under the weather
Grand-mère?”

“Yes, François mentioned it this morning, tis the reason I’m fixing this gumbo chil.” 

“Well good, she could do with some good cheer.”

“Then c
ome
mon-enfant
we’ll do just that.” Granny said smiling, as she took the pot off the iron furnace stove, and we both walked out the door.

Haven…

“And has the telegraph been sent Abel?” Mr. Jones asked, then gave into a fit of coughs.

“Yes s
ir, Miz Clarette came by three weeks ago and collected it.”Abel responded. Because of his illness, Mr. Jones was sometimes forgetful.

“Good, good. I need him here as soon as possible becau…” Ab
el handed Mr. Jones the handkerchief as he went into another round of coughs.

Ab
el did not think he would last the month. Mr. Waverly had better make hast, if he was to see to Mr. Jones’ affairs.

“I honestly do not think I shall last the month Ab
el.” Mr. Jones said wiping his mouth with the handkerchief, and Abel noticed the blood.

He
did not think so either.

“Can ye please send Mari
é to me?” He asked, Abel nodded, then left the room.

Tobias looked around the room, then
sighed.

He needed his affairs in order, because he would not go on before he knew
Ginny would be protected, and cared for. He had always made it a point not to show too much emotion around her, because after all, to the white bigots here, she was part colored. Nevertheless, if he had ever loved anything in his life, it was his daughter and her mother. Only Marié knew of his true feelings, it was the very reason he refused to take a wife after Anaïs’ death. No other woman could compare to her, and he would find that his mind reverted to her constantly.

He needed Benjamin here now.

He sighed again as Zurie walked into the room with a frown.

“Suh, Miz Marié is down at old Miz Millie’s, she wudn’t feelin well, so she went to tend to her. I’ll have James hurry down to get her if you like?” Zurie suggested, he nodded, and she left the room.

Chapter Two…

London England…

Benjamin looked u
p as his solicitor walked into the parlor.

“Well hello Edmund, and ye are today?”

“Jolly well Ben, and yerself? How are ye fairing since leaving her Majesty’s courts?”

“Well, well, please sit. What bring
s ye out today? I daresay I’d thought ye’d be well on holiday by now.” Benjamin grinned as he accepted the tea from Darcy.

“I had a mind to do just that, when this telegraph arrived for ye this afternoon.” Edmund said as he handed Ben
jamin the telegraph.

“America?”
He asked puzzled, and Edmund nodded. “Why it is from Tobias Jones, by God I haven’t heard from or seen him since before father’s death.”  Benjamin cried frowning at the letter.

“Then it must be urgent.” Edmund frowned.

“Seems Tobias isn’t doing well, and Clarette believes he’ll not see the month out. He wants to meet with me as soon as possible.”

“Whatever for?” Edmund questioned.

“I’ve not a clue. However, Clarette states a letter will follow the telegraph. My father and Tobias were well-hinged chums, but I have not seen him since I was a lad of sixteen. I cannot possibly fathom what it would be about.” Benjamin frowned as he placed the tea aside, then went to the bar. He raised the decanter towards Edmund, and he shook his head.

Benjamin’
s mind immediately went to Geneviève.

“And shall ye venture to America to find out?”

“That I shall Ed; I must say he has my interest now.” Benjamin grinned, and Edmund smiled.

“And ye will be off when
? And what of Madison?” Edmund asked grinning wider now.

“This my chap, is as fine a time as any to let her down gently. I am somewhat grateful for this adventure. She’s becoming rather bothersome with this marriage malarkey.” Ben
jamin retorted, and Edmund howled with laughter.

“Then by all means, ye must.” Edmund grinned, and Benjamin
could not help laughing now himself.

“Then I shall make things ready, liquidate treasury, and have it all for ye at the end of the week. When shall y
e book passage?”

“As soon as possible,
it will take me at the very least four weeks to arrive there. I just pray he is still alive when I do.” Benjamin frowned as he placed the empty whiskey glass on the bar.

“Then ye had best get at it.” Edmund stated, Ben
jamin nodded, then walked Edmund out the parlor.

N
ew Orleans

Haven

Plantation…

Mari
é frowned as she walked to the bed and felt Mr. Jones’ fever. He sent off that telegraph and his last will and testament nearly three weeks ago, and she just did not know if Mr. Waverly would make it!