“My mother?” Nessie said in awe.
“Yes, your mother. I should have done it long ago. Your mother. Some day God will forgive me for not taking matters into my own hands.”
Nessie frowned. “You tell Father Juan. He forgive you. Con . . . conf ... confession,” she said triumphantly.
“That’s the simple way, Nessie. First, I have to forgive myself. Come along now, and let’s not keep your mother waiting another moment for the sight of your beautiful face.”
The courtyard was empty. Royall frowned, not sure if she was happy or disappointed that Sebastian was nowhere about. Right now she really had no desire to see Sebastian’s hard, cold, jet black eyes that looked into her soul. Better he should be absent. At the sound of the horses’ hooves, Anna ran from the house. One startled glance at Nessie made her pick up her skirts and race to the old worn-out horse, her arms outstretched. Her eyes sought Royall, hardly daring to believe her good fortune. Royall nodded. “I brought her to you. She’s to remain with you. She’s your daughter and she belongs to you. I am truly sorry I . . . Love her, Anna, she deserves it.”
“There will be much trouble when the Baron finds out you have brought my child to me, Senora.”
“Yes, there will be much trouble, but I’m the one who will make it. You need have no fear, no one, I repeat, no one will ever take that child from you again. You have my word.”
Royall leaned over and kissed the small, dark face. “Mind you, take as good care of your mama as you did of me,” she warned the little girL Nessie nodded soberly. With a wave of her hand, Royall rode from the clearing.
Tears scalded her eyes, making it impossible to see the horse that rode into the courtyard from the opposite side of the Casa. Nor did she see the dark eyes gaze longingly at her retreating back. She was too far away to hear the words the housekeeper spoke to Sebastian of the golden girl with tear-filled eyes and of the kiss she had given, oh so tenderly, to her little Nessie. “It would be a lucky man who could share a kiss with such a golden girl,” Anna said happily as she cuddled Nessie in her arms.
Back at the Reino, Royall faced Elena. “You know, don’t you? You know that Jamie raped Rosy!” At Elena’s nod, Royall felt anger chum within her. “What are you going to do about it?” she demanded coldly.
“I don’t know, Senora. I have to think. The Baron isn’t here. I can hardly take matters into my own hands. Jamie isn’t a child; he’s a young man.”
“A young man who just raped a small child! Don’t stand there and tell me you have to wait for the Baron to come home. From what I understand, he may never come back to the plantation. I want Jamie locked in his room, and I want Moriah moved into my room immediately. She’ll stay with me until tomorrow when I take her back to the Rivera plantation. Don’t even contemplate telling me I can’t do it. I did it and I’ll do it again. If you won’t do anything, I’ll do it myself. Well?”
“Jamie is in his room. I’m not as uncaring or as unfeeling as you may think, Senora. Jamie is ... has been like a son to me. I’ll do what has to be done. I suggest you go to your room and let me get on with dinner. One of the servants will bring trays to your room for you and Moriah. I want your word that you will stay in your room till I tell you to come out. Your word, Senora.”
“Very well, Elena, I’ll do as you say, but I want you to send a messenger to Manaus to the Baron. I want him to know about this. If he chooses not to return, then I will take matters into my own hands. I want your word on that matter, Elena.”
“Yes, Senora. I’ll have a messenger sent out at once.”
As always, Royall felt herself dismissed from the housekeeper’s presence. This time she was only too glad to go to her room. Thank God, Moriah was safe. The child would be delighted when she hears that she will be going home.
How tired she was, how depressed. If only she could have gotten just one glimpse of Sebastian.
All evening long Royall cringed in the high, wide bed. The angry sound of drums beating through the jungle was setting her into a frenzy. Moriah’s words did nothing to alleviate her apprehension: “The drums say there will be a death in the jungle tonight.”
Elena sat down on a hard-backed chair. Her head throbbed unmercifully. How had it come to this? When had things gone wrong? The day Royall Banner arrived at the plantation, she answered herself. I knew it the moment she stepped over the threshhold that things were going to change, and not for the better. Such turmoil. Do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t do that, where was it going to end. Was the Baron going to come back to the plantation? She had to send a messenger as the Senora requested. She couldn’t ignore the problem any longer; she would have to do as the young American woman instructed.
On lagging feet, Elena walked to the courtyard in search of one of the stable boys. Quickly and concisely, she explained exactly what he was to say to the Baron. “You are to return with the Baron and see that he ... that he arrives safely.” No need to tell the boy that the Baron might be drunk and he was needed as a chaperone on the long ride to the plantation. “You must be careful when you speak of Jamie. Just say that his presence is needed because of Jamie. Say no more. That is what you were told, and you are merely delivering . the message,” Elena admonished. The boy nodded and scampered off to the stables to saddle a horse.
If only she could think straight, get her thoughts together. There was something else she had to do. What was it? Dinner! Of course, even a dolt would have remembered. As if by rote, she set about preparing thick, pink slices of ham. Snowy white rice bubbled merrily as she shelled peas. The inevitable sliced fruit with sugar and cream would be dessert. There was no time for pastry, and her heart wouldn’t be in preparing the flaky dough, not today.
The cook appeared at Elena’s side. “Soon,” Elena murmured, “and then you will take two trays to the Senora’s room. I’ll see to Master Jamie myself. Pour the cream and slice the fruit.” The woman stared at Elena. Something was wrong. The housekeeper was acting strangely, as though she didn’t care about the dinner at all. Where was the butter for the peas? Why was there no lid on the rice pot? And there were no flowers for the trays, something the housekeeper always saw to herself. Where were the pretty napkins, and where were the dishes? Something was wrong. She sniffed a moment and then hurried over to the stove. She heaved a mighty sigh as she removed the heavy skillet from the stove. Just in time or the luscious pink ham would have burned. Elena didn’t even notice. She didn’t notice when the cook reappeared a moment later with a handful of delicate scarlet blooms to be put in the small vases on the shelf. Perhaps the housekeeper would scold her later, but she doubted it. In plain view of Elena’s unseeing gaze she arranged the trays and added the flowers and the colorful napkins. It looked just as elegant as if Elena herself had done it. Pleased with herself and what she had just accomplished, she set about ladling out the food on the plates. Gently, she touched Elena’s shoulder and waited for her nod of approval. Twice she had to repeat her gentle nudge before the housekeeper could bring her eyes to focus on the tempting looking trays. She smiled wanly and said, “You did fine, Maria. Now take the trays to the Senora’s room. I’ll take Master Jamie’s to him in a moment.”
There was no choice left to her. Senora Banner was right; something had to be done, and it had to be done now before the Baron returned. She looked a moment longer at the tray. Satisfied that everything was placed exactly right, she picked up the tray and left the kitchen. Her walk was stately, her eyes straight ahead, until she reached Jamie’s room. Deftly, she balanced the tray in one hand and withdrew a large key from her apron pocket.
“It’s about time, Elena. I thought you were never going to bring my food to me. I don’t like it when you lock me in my room. I’m going to tell father. I want you to bring my soldiers to me,” Jamie said petulantly.
Elena sat the tray down on a small table. “I want you to eat your dinner, Jamie. Later, I’ll get your soldiers. I don’t think they can be fixed, but I can try. Why did you break the
heads off the soldiers?”
“Oh, Elena, sometimes I don’t know why you say the things you do; I didn’t break the heads off my soldiers. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt my soldiers. You should know that,” Jamie scoffed as he wolfed down his food.
“I never thought you would hurt anyone, Jamie.”
“Elena, why are you talking so strangely? Who did I hurt? This rice tastes funny. Change it, Elena, I don’t want it.”
“Eat it,” Elena said firmly.
“All right, but I don’t like it.”
“Why did you hurt Rosy?”
Jamie stopped his voracious chewing and lowered his eyes to his plate. “I didn’t hurt her. She’s nothing but an Indian brat. She told on me, didn’t she? That’s why you gave me this rice. You’re punishing me,” he accused.
“You need to be punished for what you did. What you did was a bad thing, Jamie. Rosy’s father and some of the other Indian men from the Rivera plantation will come here and want to punish you.”
“Is that why you’re punishing me with the rice, so they won’t come here? That’s very clever of you, Elena. Father won’t let some old Indian men hurt me.”
“Your father isn’t here, Jamie, you know that. I’ve sent for him, but he won’t arrive till very late.” If he arrives at all, Elena added to herself.
“You can make it right, can’t you, Elena? You won’t let the Indians hurt me, will you?” Jamie picked at his peas and then rolled them off the plate. He watched as they rolled to the floor. “Say you won’t let them hurt me, Elena,” he whined.
“I’m going to make it right, Jamie. No one is ever going to hurt you. I’ve always taken care of you. You know I love you, like you were my own son. You trust me, don’t you, Jamie?” Her voice was low, tormented, as she waited for Jamie to respond.
Jamie laughed in delight. “I’m not afraid of some old Indian men. I know you love me. I love you too. Do you love me enough to bring my soldiers to me?”
“Perhaps later, Jamie. I want you to finish your dinner now. I’ll just sit here and wait till you’re done.” Obediently, Jamie cleaned his plate and attacked the sliced fruit with his spoon.
“Now, take your tray over to the door and set it outside.”
“Now, will you get the soldiers? I ate all of the rice so you don’t have to punish me anymore.”
“Come with me. I want you to look out at the gardens to see how beautiful they are. I want you to remember them.”
“Why? Are we going on a trip? Father didn’t say anything about a trip. Can I take my soldiers with me?”
Elena swallowed hard and maneuvered Jamie to the wide double doors that looked over the garden. “A trip? In a manner of speaking, Jamie. And of course your soldiers can go with you. They’re part of you. Tell me now, what do you think of the garden?”
Jamie shrugged. “Where are we going?”
Elena turned to face Jamie. “To a kind of wondrous place, Jamie. I’ve never been there, but there’s no pain where you’re going. Everything will be peaceful. You’ll never be punished again.”
“It sounds like a fairyland. When are we going?”
Elena stood face to face with Jamie. Lightly she cupped both her hands around his handsome head. Lightly she kissed him first on one cheek and then on the other. Her throat was like a thin rag as the words ripped from her. “I loved you as though you were my own, better than my own. I love you now. I’ll always love you, remember that, Jamie.” Her hands dropped to her side. Slowly, she reached into the pocket of her apron and withdrew her sharp paring knife. Her eyes locked with Jamie’s as she plunged the blade into his heart. “Now, Jamie, you’re leaving now.”
Jamie’s eyes widened in disbelief as he slumped to the floor. Elena stared down at him, tears coursing down her cheeks. “Forgive me, Jamie. I couldn’t let Rosy’s father take you away. He and the others would come as soon as night falls. I couldn’t let them take you, I just couldn’t let that happen to you.”
How beautiful he looked in death. How innocent.
She had things to do. Pick up the trays, wash the dishes, clean the kitchen. Send a boy to the Rivera plantation with a message telling of Jamie’s death. Only when she was finished would she allow herself the luxury of readying Jamie’s body for burial. When that was finished she would wait for the Baron.
Soon the beat of the jungle drums would abate. The silence would then be thunderous. One way or another, the jungle always won. It was a fact of life that she had lived with. Only this time she couldn’t let the jungle win, not with Jamie. She had been his accuser, she had judged, and it was she who found him guilty and meted out his punishment. This time she had beat the jungle by a hairbreadth.
Chapter Twenty
Royall watched in amazement as Moriah gobbled down her food. Just the thought of eating the food on her plate made her ill. She couldn’t swallow if her life depended on it.
The house was quiet. Too quiet. Usually around this time of day a certain amount of bustle was going on. The stables were being readied for the night, with the young boys chattering away in the courtyard as they came to the kitchen for their dinner. The little maids were giggling and rattling dishes in the pantry. Today there was only silence. Just the sound of the jungle drums, permeating the air outside her room. The sound was loud, then muted, and always ominous. Who was going to die in the jungle tonight? Who? Royall shivered as she watched Moriah set her empty fruit dish back on the tray. The child looked inquisitively at Royall. “I’m finished, Moriah. You can place the trays outside the door. Come right back inside and I’ll read you a long story until you fall asleep. Tomorrow is a big day for you. You’re going home!”
Moriah’s shoe button black eyes danced merrily. “I see me madre tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will. Bright and early, at first light. So, you have to go to sleep early tonight so you look especially pretty for your mother.”
“I not pretty, Senora,” Moriah giggled.
“Little one, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I say you’re one of the most beautiful little girls I’ve ever seen, and to your mother you will be the most beautiful child in all the world.” And she was, with her dark eyes and honey skin. Satiny ebony hair hung down to her waist. Small pearl white teeth glistened as the little girl brought her hand to her mouth to stifle another giggle.
“You read about princess and prince? I like that much,” Moriah smiled as she settled herself comfortably in the huge bed. “I like much when prince says to princess, you skin like cream.” She held out one chubby mocha-colored hand for Royall’s inspection. Royall laughed in delight.
Within minutes Moriah’s eyes closed, and she slept. Royall scrambled from the bed and ran to the balcony. Why did she have this strange feeling? What was wrong? Why was the house so quiet? A vision of Elena’s somber face rose before her. And the promise she had extracted from Royall not to leave her room till she sent for her. Now, why had she given her promise? Something was wrong. Wait. All she could do was wait for Elena to come for her.
Elena bent down and knelt beside Jamie’s still form. She felt nothing, no love, no compassion, no remorse. With a strength she didn’t know she possessed, she lifted Jamie’s body and placed him on the bed. She didn’t feel the least exertion at lifting him. She felt nothing as she began the morbid task of readying Jamie’s body for its last resting place. Thoughts of what was to come clouded her reactions at hand. Call Father Juan. Notify the men that they were to dig the grave. It would be in the small clearing that she herself tended each day, that served as a cemetery. Jamie would lie beside his mother, the mother he never knew.
Tenderly, she bent to wash his face. Years of loving welled in her throat. Loving Jamie had filled her life, brought meaning to it. Not only had she ended Jamie’s life, but her own as well. She continued with her methodical sponging. How beautiful he was. Carefully, she dressed him in his best suit and a snowy white shirt. Her task complete, she stood beside the bed looking down at him. In repose, his resemblan
ce to Carlyle was astounding. Her mind spit out the name as though it were some obscene word crafted by the devil himself. Why wouldn’t he admit to Jamie’s disability? He had always insisted that Jamie be treated as a man, and she had tried to comply. Deep in her heart she knew she was wrong, but she was helpless to change things. She had done her best. It hadn’t been enough. Nothing could change the fact that in Jamie’s manlike body lived the mind of a small boy. Nothing and no one could ever change that fact.
Her duties ended, Elena gathered up the washbasin and urn and placed them outside the door. She retraced her steps to the side of the bed. She placed a tender kiss on the cold brow. “I’ll wait here with you, Jamie, till the sound of the drums stop.” Primly, she settled herself on a low settee. She folded her hands and closed her eyes. She prayed.
Elena’s eyes flicked open. The silence was deafening. The drums had ceased their pulsing beat. The heart of the jungle was quiet now. It was over. “Soon,” she whispered softly, “soon, Jamie, I will witness the end of your father’s cruel reign. His kingdom is about to fall into ashes at his very feet. His end is near. Shortly he will join you. I will revel in his death just as I once reveled in the feel of his arms about me. Soon, Jamie, my love.”
Royall opened the door and placed her fingers to her lips. “Moriah is asleep. Is everything all right, Elena. Why have the drums stopped? Tell me, I know something is wrong!”
“Come with me, Senora, and you will see why the drums have stopped.” Puzzled, Royall followed Elena to Jamie’s room. Fear knotted in her throat as she followed the housekeeper into the lamp-lit room. She was more puzzled when she noticed Jamie asleep, fully clothed. “That is why the drums have ceased. Jamie is gone.”
Royall felt dazed. Had Elena just said Jamie was gone? That meant he was . . . dead. “How?” she gasped.
Elena turned to face Royall. “He disobeyed me and rode into the jungle. The horse stumbled and Jamie was thrown. His neck was broken in the fall. He was not equipped to ride the gelding.”
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