"You ain't orderin' me around. I take orders from no woman."
"You won’t have to. You're fired."
"I don't think you heard me.” Rafferty grabbed her upper arm. “I say what goes here. No woman tells me otherwise.”
"Let me go.” She struggled with his grip but he laughed and tightened his hold.
His gaze raked over her as a dark evil sneer spread across his face.
“I said: Let. Me. Go!” She grounded out each word.
"No, I don’t think I will.” She screeched when he pulled her against his sweaty body. “Now don't make a fuss. I ain't ever had no complaints before from a lady."
“Stop it.” She turned her head away.
"I know why you’re struggling so much, but never you mind. It don't bother me none that you have a baby growin’ in your belly.” He rubbed against her his arousal evident.
Arianna’s eyes widened in fear as she realized she shouldn’t have confronted him alone. Rafferty didn’t respect anyone. She lashed out with her free hand, slapping him across the face.
"Oh so you want to play rough, do you? I can oblige.” He slapped her with such force that she lost her balance. Sprawled on the ground, Rafferty was upon her, roughly pawing her with his hands. He squeezed Arianna’s tender breast so hard tears sprung to her eyes.
"Get off of me!” She fought back in desperation. "Do you plan on taking me in front of all these witnesses?” She tried desperately to make Rafferty see what he was doing.
Rafferty’s sinister laugh sent a chill down Arianna’s spine. He didn’t care. He was going to rape her and she had a sinking feeling he liked the idea of an audience.
"Do you think anyone of those darkies will come to your rescue?” he spat at her. “Don't count on it. They know better. If they touch a white man, it means a sure death to them.” Gripping her hair in his fist, he leaned down and forced his mouth on hers. She bit down on his lip, holding on with her teeth, until she felt the blood spurt and the flesh pull away.
Rafferty screeched in pain. "Why you little—” He struck her.
Arianna saw stars. She blinked, forcing herself not to lose consciousness.
“I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.” He pulled back his fist to hit her again.
Arianna shut her eyes, waiting for the blow but nothing happened.
Rafferty grunted and went limp, toppling head first into the dirt.
Arianna scrambled away from the horrible man.
Thaddeus knelt down beside her. "You be all right, Miss Arianna?”
Arianna’s hands shook and the side of her mouth hurt, but otherwise she was unharmed. “I’m fine. She looked up at Thaddeus. “Thank you.”
He held out his hand and she gratefully took it. She glanced at Rafferty with a shudder. He would have raped her if Thaddeus hadn’t stepped in. She turned toward Thaddeus, her eyebrows furrowing. Rafferty would press charges and Thaddeus would suffer for his bravery. She couldn’t let this happen. "Thaddeus, would you help me bring Rafferty back to the house?"
"Dat might not be a gud thing ter do.”
"Don’t worry, we'll tie him up. Then I need you to go into town and bring back the authorities.” She paced as she thought. “Yes, the plan will work. It must.”
"Plan?” Thaddeus frowned.
"No one must know you were involved. Once Rafferty comes to, he will want satisfaction and I refuse to let him have his way because of the unfairness of the law." Arianna looked around at the other men and women who stood as witnesses. "Everyone, forget what you saw today. It didn't happen. You never saw Thaddeus raise a hand to Mr. Rafferty. If you all cooperate, I will take care of the rest.”
Rafferty wasn’t pleased when he woke up with his hands and feet bound. He struggled desperately to free himself, but without any luck.
When Arianna walked in with the authorities, Rafferty cursed. "You’re makin' a grave mistake!” Rafferty yelled. I demand my rights. I was struck by one of those niggers and I demand you find out which one!"
Arianna shook her head and looked at George Alten, the magistrate in charge. He was in his early forties, balding and not in favor of a man who couldn’t hold his liquor. He was even less inclined to forgive a man for scaring a pregnant woman half to death with his vulgar actions.
"As you can see, he has delusions which are simply not true.” Arianna had doused Rafferty with whiskey, broken a few items around the room to help manifest Rafferty’s unstable mind. She now dramatically waved her hand around the room emphasizing the destruction.
“The bitch is lying!” Rafferty screamed.
A small vein throbbed over Alten’s right eyebrow as he glared. “You will mind your manners, Mr. Rafferty.”
“See what I mean?” Arianna shook her head.
“Yes. Go on.”
“When I told Mr. Rafferty we had to let him go, he became wild with rage. I am just fortunate he tripped and knocked himself unconsciousness or I don't know what else the man would have done."
Alten cleared his throat. “You leave everything to me, Mrs. Buchanan, I'll see to it personally. This man will not harm you or anyone else for that matter."
"Thank you, sir."
The magistrate snapped his fingers and two of the men he had brought with him dragged the screaming Mr. Rafferty out of the house and hopefully out of their lives forever.
Exhausted, Arianna collapsed onto the sofa with a sigh. She closed her eyes letting the tension ease away.
"Miss Arianna?"
"Yes, Thaddeus."
"Now dat you don't has Mista Rafferty ter take care of things, who's going ter take his place?"
Arianna sat up. She hadn't thought that far ahead. "This does put us in a predicament." She paused for a moment, tapping her chin with her forefinger. "I know absolutely nothing about running a plantation.” She looked at him then. “But, you do. You could be in charge.”
Thaddeus shook his head in disbelief. "Dat ain't never been done. No slave kin be in charge."
"Well it's time for a change. You’re strong; you know the work and the people will respect you. You're the best man for the job. I want to hire you."
His mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Miss Arianna, you kin't hire me. You own me."
“I may not know how to legally free you, but if you are willing, I want to hire you, anyway. Why is it I can’t do what I want?”
Maeve walked over to her. “Maybe there be a way around it.”
“How?”
“There’s badges fer hire. Its ter say we has a trade ter offer and lots of plantation owners use dem badges ter make extra monies when de seasons slow, but sometimes they lets de tradesmen keep some of de pay.”
“Hire badges, hmm. Perfect.” She looked to Thaddeus. “I will pay you at Mr. Rafferty’s rate?”
"I don't know whut ter say."
"Say, yes."
His face broke into a wide grin. "Yas ma’m."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
To Arianna's dismay, Bernard and Elizabeth Prescott decided to pay a visit. She led them into the parlor while Maeve took care of preparing the tea for them.
Elizabeth seemed to carry most of the conversation, while Arianna prayed she wouldn’t have to endure their company for long.
"Annabelle?" Elizabeth repeated. "Are you paying attention to anything I have been saying?"
"I'm sorry I guess I'm a little tired. Please go on," she said to Elizabeth, though she wished the woman would shut up. Her voice grinded on her nerves and if she had to listen to her for too much longer, she was going to scream.
"The quilt we all have been working on will go up for auction on Saturday. We added the final changes. I must say the other women and I have missed you terribly. Won't you come back and join our little group?"
"I might," she lied. She didn’t intend to join the little group of snobs. “Since Keldon’s been away on business, I just haven’t had the time."
"When is that husband of yours returning?” Bernard asked looking aro
und the room as if he might appear out of the woodwork.
Keldon never told Arianna what he had said to Bernard the day they rescued Thaddeus. She suspected by the way Bernard acted her husband intimidated him considerably.
"I expect him back soon.” Another lie. She was getting good at this. She wondered what the Prescotts would say if she told them she didn’t know if Keldon would ever return. “Would you like some more tea?” She leaned forward with a gasp, her hand flying to her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Elizabeth asked.
Arianna smiled. “I felt the baby kick.”
"Dear, it isn’t proper to speak of your delicacy in public.”
“You’re in my house. I’ll speak of my delicacy if I want to.”
Elizabeth fluttered her eyes. “When are you expecting the new arrival?"
"I believe, May," she begrudgingly answered her. She didn’t want to share this moment with anyone, especially not with the Prescotts. Why couldn’t they go home and leave her alone.
"Keldon must be ecstatic?" the nosy Elizabeth continued.
Arianna’s smile vanished. If only this were true, but the reality of the fact was harsh. Keldon didn’t want the child, not when he wasn’t sure if it was his. Arianna couldn’t trust her voice to answer, so she nodded and poured the tea.
Thaddeus appeared at the door, but hesitated.
Arianna smiled, warmly. "Thaddeus do come in."
He removed his hat. "Sorry ter be disturbin' you, but I wuz wonderin' ef you still be wantin' me ter clear de section near de house?"
"I would, if you have the time to do so today."
"Shor’ly, ma'am.” Thaddeus then turned to the Prescotts. "Hope yous folks have a nice visit.” Then he went on his way.
Arianna could barely keep from laughing when she saw the Prescotts’ jaws drop in unison.
"Well, I never. How dare he address us.” Elizabeth touched her hand to her chest.
"He was always an insolent pup.” Bernard looked at Arianna. “You mustn’t give him so much freedom. A good day at the workhouse in Charleston would teach him respect."
“You feel beating a man is the answer?” Arianna’s voice was low and trembling with anger, but Bernard seemed not to notice.
“It’s in their nature to be uppity and a whipping keeps them in line.”
Arianna mentally counted to ten trying to maintain a calm appearance. The pompous ass was the one who needed a beating.
“You aren’t one of those activists, are you?” Elizabeth shook her head. “Mr. Drayton has sided with them, you know. He’s no better than that… What’s that colored man’s name, Bernard?”
“Cuffee”
“Yes, he not only wants to free the slaves, but he wants to relocate them as well.”
“Sounds like a good idea if the men and women want to go,” Arianna said.
“How can you say this? Why, who would take care of the fields? Who would serve us?” Elizabeth huffed.
Who indeed. Arianna stared at them. They couldn’t be her friends when everything they stand for sickened her.
“Really Arianna, when did your views change so drastically?” Elizabeth clucked her tongue. “Is this why you let poor Mr. Rafferty go?”
“Poor Mr. Rafferty.” Her voice rose. Then it dawned on her why they were here. Obviously, they had heard about Rafferty’s sudden departure. "Did you come all this way to tell me how to run my household?” Arianna could feel her blood pressure rising.
"We’re worried about you,” Elizabeth said. “We ran into Rafferty and he told us that you fired him. He claimed you took the word of a slave over his, on a matter of indifference."
"Mr. Rafferty has a strange way of putting things. I let him go because he is a dirty, lying bully who would stoop to anything if he was allowed."
“Well, I never,” Elizabeth huffed.
Bernard patted his wife’s hand, but he addressed Arianna. "Please tell us the rumors are false. You didn’t put Thaddeus in charge?"
"I did. He’s a hard worker and I trust him."
"He's a man of color?” He nearly choked.
Arianna had heard enough of their indignity and stood. "This conversation is over. I believe you both have better leave.”
The Prescotts stood. Bernard took his wife’s arm, but Elizabeth shook free. She looked down her nose at Arianna. “Let it be known, you’ve been warned.”
“As you have, my dear.” Arianna gave her a sweet smile and batted her eyes. “Now get your bony behind out of my house.”
Elizabeth sputtered not able to speak.
Maeve appeared as if on cue. “I will shows dem out.”
Bernard lifted his chin as he led his wife out of the room.
Arianna fell back onto the sofa in relief.
A few minutes later Maeve returned. “They be on their way. I believes Mrs. Prescott’s nose wuz out of joints.”
“She should count herself lucky, she left without me punching her in the nose.”
Maeve chuckled. “I wuds like ter see dat.”
Arianna smiled, feeling better now that she let off some steam. “Mr. Prescott mentioned a Mr. Cuffee. He didn’t seem to like him. I can bet I will. I need ink and paper.”
“Whut’s you cookin’ up in your mind?”
“I don’t know yet, but when I do, I’ll share it with you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Doused with cold water, Keldon inhaled deeply and his eyes flew open. His head pounded against his skull, making his stomach roll. He felt disoriented and blinked trying to focus. He jerked his arm, but realized his hands were bound above his head with the rope attached to a wooden post. His back lay bare, his shirt ripped from him. This couldn’t bode well.
"We've been waiting for you to join us.”
Keldon’s gaze riveted to the man who spoke. His eyes narrowed—Captain Stevens. Then the memories came barreling down on him. The takeover of The Waterfront, Nicholas Sherborn… a blinding pain…
“We thought you would sleep all day.” Captain Stevens paused. His gaze traveled the length of Keldon as if contemplating his next move. "Hmm... What exactly are you supposed to be? Are you a Highlander turned against us?” He deliberately tugged on Keldon's kilt as he circled him. "Or are you a pirate? Either one would still put you in an awkward position?”
Keldon didn’t answer.
"Looks like your crew decided to leave you. You’ll have to enjoy our accommodations.” The captain obviously enjoyed the power of his position with the way he paraded like a peacock.
Keldon curved his lips, though he knew the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "I have to tell ye,” he thickened his brogue for Steven’s benefit, “that thus far, I am no’ pleased with the hospitality ye've showed me.”
"You won't be feeling so cocky after we're through with you today.” He spoke calmly, but his eyes blazed with anger and hate. "You being a pirate, you probably are aware of the flogging techniques."
Keldon inwardly cringed, but he by no means would let this pompous little man see it. "Floggin’? Nay, cannae say I am. See, I never had to use such a... technique as ye call it."
Stevens turned and jerked his head to someone who stood behind him. “Come forward. Don’t be shy.”
Keldon hid his surprise under half closed lids as Nicholas Sherborn stepped into his line of sight. The bastard wouldn’t even look at him, fidgeting and shuffling his feet. If his hands weren’t bound, Sherborn would cease to breath.
Captain Stevens sent Sherborn on the mission to flush out the identity of the Highland Pirate. He thought Sherborn would have been the best one for the job, since he had a good reason to want the pirate hanged for his deeds. However, Sherborn had come back to the ship empty handed, stating he had run into a dead end. Stevens hadn’t believed him then and he didn’t now. “Do you know this man?” Captain Stevens asked Keldon, as he tried to read his face for any sign of recognition.
“Should I?” Keldon replied, his green-eyed gaze challenging him.
&n
bsp; Stevens was still not convinced. He suspected the two encountered one another, but what he was interested in was if Sherborn deliberately protected the Highland Pirate. “Well, well, is it games you want to play? I would be most happy to oblige.” The captain turned to Sherborn. “You’ll do the flogging.”
The color drained from Sherborn’s face. “Sir, I don’t understand.” Nicholas began, but the captain waved his hand to silence him.
He then handed Nicholas the weapon. “I’ll know if you hold back and if you do, you’ll feel its bite. Do I make myself clear?”
Nicholas blanched, his gaze shifting to Keldon’s.
Nicholas’ horrified expression thrilled Stevens. He was good at exacting pain in any form. It was one of his secret pleasures—be it by his hands or mental manipulations. It didn’t matter to him. The end results were always the same—death. “Step behind our captive, Mr. Sherborn.”
“This is madness!” Nicholas said as he took his position.
“Madness, Mr. Sherborn. This is justice. He’s a thief, a murderer—the enemy. He deserves death. He waved his hand in a flippant manner. “You may proceed with one swift blow to get my point across.”
Sherborn hesitated for only a second, his mouth pressed into a fine line. Then he raised his arm and brought it down.
Keldon’s whole body lurched forward, but he didn’t call out. Damn the man. Stevens inwardly cursed. Keldon must have bitten the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from humiliation. He’d fix that. He would soon learn his silence would cost him. "That my friend,” Steven’s grounded out, “is flogging, just so you understand.” He circled him to see the damage the blow had caused. He ran his fingers lightly over the red swell that marred the otherwise perfect skin. An explosion of pleasure spread through him as he imagined the man’s back a crisscross of mutilated flesh. It took all his control not to take the whip from Sherborn and finish the job.
With a ragged breath, he walked around to face Keldon, again. "The quartermaster is the one who usually administers this punishment. He might use the cat o' nine tails of an unwound whip of nine strands or sometimes the ends are tarred knots, musketballs or fishhooks. It's really quite a barbaric ordeal.” The captain leaned very close to Keldon. "Now you felt the first lash and there are ten more Mr. Sherborn will give you, or we can forget this little punishment of yours if you tell us your true name and where we can find the rest of your crew."
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