“Oh, I will be more than happy to give you your share, Lord Erickson,” she said.
“You will?” he perked up.
“Oh, yes,” she agreed, making her voice sound breathy.
“Did you hear that boys?” he practically crowed to the men who had gathered around. “I ooof!” He crumpled to his knees as his hands protectively went to his crotch.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Circe said as she turned and looked into the gleaming eyes of all the people gathered around, “it seems that someone has put around a horrible rumor about me that is absolutely not true. While it is true that my parents have decided to live their lives differently than most, I have not followed in their path. I am interested in finding a husband, nothing more than that. Ladies, I know that some of you will now see me as an enemy, but I hope that some of you might be willing to be my friend. Gentlemen, I realize some of you are not prepared to be husbands, and I understand that, but know that I am not willing to be anything less than a wife. Now, if you find that you think we might suit, I would be more than happy to entertain you, properly, at my uncle’s house with a chaperone in full view at all times. Otherwise, I bid you adieu.”
Reese watched Circe walk up the stairs and part the group of men and women like Moses parted the Red Sea. He couldn’t help but feel proud of the way she had handled herself and the situation.
“Should we offer him assistance?”
Reese looked over to see Circe’s uncle standing at his left shoulder. “I am trying to avoid filth like him.”
“So true. She’s really something else, isn’t she?” Robert asked, a note of pride in his voice.
“Yes, she is.”
“She’s just like her mother. She doesn’t want to be, mind you. Disagrees with her mother’s beliefs, but she can’t very well run away from someone she’s been around all her life, can she?”
“No.”
“Dot is not going to be happy about this in the least,” Robert sighed. “I suppose I should go act as a buffer between the two of them.”
“Are they not getting along?”
“I think it’s difficult when there are two women near the same age living in the same house, especially when they both have strong personalities.”
“Hmm…”
“I’ve been giving some thought to your own bit of trouble that you’re stirring up, Lord Taggart.”
Reese turned and looked at the older man.
“Don’t raise your hackles, I’m not wishing to start a fight with you. The more I think about it, the more I believe what you’re doing is a brave move.”
“That’s not what many think.”
“No, I don’t imagine they would.”
“Does that mean you now agree with me?”
“I wouldn’t go as far as that. This little island, like so many of these islands, are composed of a delicate balance of slaves and masters. They outnumber us,” he said baldly.
“You’re fearful they could take over the island.”
“It would not be a good thing,” Hayhurst said.
“Why not? The people I am working with appear to be able to think and make decisions just like the rest of us. In fact, there are some things in which they are much more knowledgeable about than we are. I know that they are teaching me a great deal about running a plantation.”
“Don’t trust them too far, Lord Taggart.”
“I’ll take your words under advisement,” Reese said to appease the older man.
“That’s all I ask. Now, shall we return inside and see how my dear niece fared after her little speech?”
“You go ahead.”
“Don’t do anything you might regret,” Hayhurst said and looked back down at Erickson who had been helped to his feet by some friends.
“I won’t,” he said.
“Are you going to share with Circe how you feel about her?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ve seen bigger rakes than you fall in love.”
“I’m not in love.”
“So you say. But I ask you, would you have reacted as you did if Erickson had behaved in such a manner with any other woman here?”
After that, Reese was left alone on the terrace. Robert Hayhurst’s words echoed through his mind. I’m not in love, he argued silently and repeated the litany over and over. He saw Erickson’s friends helping him around the side of the house. He started to go after him, to warn him off again, but decided that Circe had done quite a good job of it herself. Instead, he turned and stood framed in the doorway, surprised when he saw a group of men gathered around Circe, paying homage to her.
“Well, she doesn’t need me to act as a knight in shining armor,” he said to no one in particular.
Someone standing close to him heard him and commented, “She did to Erickson what many of us have longed to do for quite some time.”
Reese gave the man an odd look. “Pardon?”
“That young lady there. I assume that’s who you’re speaking of. No one quite cares for Erickson. He’s just one of those that we all find we must tolerate.”
“Ah,” Reese said.
“Good to know she can take care of herself. Erickson will want his revenge for what she did to him today. Thinks rather highly of himself, he does.”
Reese decided there would be no more trouble tonight from that particular front, so he backed out of the house until he was once more on the terrace. His foot was in mid-air as he was about to step down the stairs and onto terra firma when he heard a feminine voice call his name.
“Yes?” he asked once he was on solid ground.
“I would like to apologize for the behavior of my husband’s niece.”
Ah, yes, Dorothea Hayhurst. She’s attractive, but there’s something else, he thought vaguely.
“Isn’t she your niece, as well?” he queried.
“It’s rather difficult to consider her my niece when we’re so near the same age. In fact, she is a few years older than I am.”
“I suppose that would be difficult.” Although he remembered having a step-aunt that was almost half his age. That was before—
“Yes, well, I’d like to apologize for her behavior, and the way you were drawn into it.”
Reese was almost grateful to the woman for interrupting his wayward thought; however, he had the odd feeling that he was being hunted. He wanted to take a step back or turn around and run from this woman, but instead he stood his ground. Later, he would come to realize what a mistake that would be. “You have nothing to apologize for. Lord Erickson is the one who should be apologizing.”
“Men can be very…forceful when their animal urges have been engaged.”
“Lady Hayhurst, I do not think this is a proper conversation we should be having with your husband only a few feet away.”
“Robert and I have an understanding.”
How many times have I heard this before? he thought on a tired sigh. “Lady Hayhurst, I have no time for an assignation, nor do I find that I want one.”
“Oh, come now, Lord Taggart,” she purred as she stalked him. “All work and no play makes for a very, very dull boy. I can help you relax.”
At that moment, several things happened in a very short sequence of time. Dorothea threw herself at him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips firmly against his. Reese tried to break Dorothea’s hold on him, but the woman’s grip held firm. She was stronger than she looked. Another pair of hands joined his in trying to separate them.
“Unhand her!” Circe demanded.
As they parted, Reese felt a stinging slap land on his cheek.
“Lord Taggart! How dare you! I am a married woman.”
“What were you bloody thinking?” Circe turned and demanded of Reese.
“I—”
“Circe, your language,” Dorothea chided.
“She is expecting a child. Have you no shame?”
“But I didn’t—”
“Do not even speak to
me. You,” she said, jabbing him in the chest with her finger, “you sex-starved liar.”
“Circe,” Dorothea gasped.
“I’m trying to tell you that I didn’t—”
“Do not give me that. I trusted you. I cannot believe that I thought you could change. You sicken me. Dorothea, we should leave before someone else spies us out here. I believe I am done with this evening.”
“There is no reason we should leave,” Dorothea argued.
“I will not have Uncle Robert embarrassed. I am looking out not only for his reputation, but yours as well. Now, let us leave right now.”
“Circe, wait, you have to listen to me,” Reese found himself pleading.
“I do not have to do anything, Lord Taggart. Goodbye,” she said with finality.
Reese watched as she disappeared back into the ballroom, never looking back. Dorothea, on the other hand, had the very nerve to peek at him over her shoulder, wink at him, and blow him a kiss.
“What am I going to do?” he muttered to the darkness, realizing never before had he begged for a woman’s understanding. “What exactly does that mean?” he wondered warily.
Chapter 16
The next morning Circe awoke to screaming that made her pounding head that much worse. On the way home last night very little was said in the carriage. When her uncle had inquired as to what was the matter, she had merely told him that she had a headache from all the excitement of the evening. Thankfully, he had believed her and remained silent. She had watched from her shadowed corner in the coach as Dorothea cuddled against Robert as if he would protect her from everything evil in the world.
The entire trip home, Circe had replayed the events over and over, trying to determine if she had misjudged the situation. How had Reese gone from her to Dorothea so quickly? Or had he? He had defended her against that lecherous Lord Erickson only to turn around a short time later and make a pass at Dorothea. The insufferable rogue!
Another scream interrupted her thoughts and set her head to pounding once more. Circe scrambled out of bed, pulled on her wrap, and ran to her balcony. She could not see anything, but the scream came again, echoing around the house. She ran to her door and had difficulty opening it in her haste. Finally, she was running down the hallway and practically flew down the stairs. She followed the sounds of the screams outside until she stumbled to a stop at the sight in front of her.
Tied to a post in front of her was one of the house maids. Her dress had been opened down the back and spread wide. Samson stood there with a whip in his hand. He was raising his arm when realization hit Circe as to what was happening.
“Stop! Stop this very second!” she yelled and charged at Samson. She grabbed at the whip, but was powerless against the giant of a man. Deciding this was useless, she ran to the maid and threw herself over her to protect her.
“Circe, move.”
“Uncle Robert, he’s whipping her.”
“It’s her punishment.”
“You know what is happening, and you condone it?” she asked incredulously.
“It is the way of the island, Circe. This maid has stolen jewelry from Dot and she must be punished.”
“I didn’t, m’lord, I swear!” the maid cried, writhing in pain.
“Uncle Robert, do not do this! I beg you! There must be some other way.”
“She’s taken it and can’t produce it. There is no other way.”
“That should be doubt enough that she did not take it! What piece of jewelry did she supposedly take?”
“A cameo brooch.”
“Let me look for it. Please.”
“Circe, this is Dot’s decision and I am not going to overturn it just because you feel it is the wrong one. You are not responsible for these people, Dot and I are. When you leave to return to England, we will still be here. Now, return to the house this instant.”
“But—”
“Now, Circe! I will brook no further arguments from you.”
“Please, miss, do as the master says. Ye’re just makin’ it worse fer me,” the girl tied to the post begged, her voice hoarse.
Hot tears of anger tracked down Circe’s cheeks. “This is wrong, Uncle Robert, and so are you. I never, never thought you would become a barbarian, but it seems I was wrong.” Circe moved away from the girl slowly and looked around the crowd that had gathered. She encountered various looks from condemnation to admiration. Standing off by herself, she saw Granny Mabel. Circe met the old woman’s eyes with a pleading look, but the old woman only shook her head in the negative. “I hate this country!” Circe yelled before she turned around and ran back into the house and upstairs to her bedroom. Circe caught Dorothea’s smiling face just before she slammed the bedchamber door shut and locked it. “How I hate that woman!” she growled. The screams started again, and Circe threw herself across her bed and pulled the pillow over her head to muffle the sounds.
Finally, blessed silence filtered up to her. She sat up and wiped the tears from her face. She stood and removed the wrap and saw faint traces of pink lines on it. That poor maid’s blood had left its mark on her clothing. Circe stripped off her night rail and dressed quickly in a plain dress that she could button up the front. She drew a brush through her hair and then found a ribbon to tie it back at the nape of her neck. She slipped from her room and made her way to the servants stairs. She was very careful not to be seen as she left the house.
Thankfully, the crowd had dispersed and the maid had disappeared. Circe walked along the little bungalows until she came to the familiar one on the outskirts of all the others. She knocked on the door and heard the sound of shuffling inside before the door was opened.
“Whachu want, chil’?” Granny Mabel asked.
“I…I needed to…”
“Yes?”
A moan drifted out to Circe. “Who is that?”
“Yer too curious for yer own good, chil’. Come in. Shut the door behind ye.”
Circe entered the little house and let her eyes adjust to the darkness. Someone lay on the cot-like bed in the corner. As Circe drew closer she saw it was the maid that Samson had whipped earlier.
“But you—”
“Ye couldn’t change her fate, chil’. This is my granddaughter, Bree.”
“You allowed them to beat your granddaughter?!”
“I didna allow them to do nothin’, chil’.” Granny Mabel crossed to the bed and sat in the chair beside it. She took a sponge from a basin and continued cleaning the wounds on the girl’s back. “Sometimes matters be takin’ from us and there’s nothin’ we can do ‘bout it.”
“I didn’t do it, miss. I promise I didn’t take it,” Bree said from her prone position, lying on her stomach, on the cot.
“Shh, I know. Calm yourself. I cannot believe someone could assign this type of punishment onto another human.”
“The Lady’s an evil woman,” Granny Mabel said as she continued to work.
“I have to find that brooch,” Circe said.
“Best you let the matter drop.”
“But Dorothea must be shown that she was wrong.”
“She’s never wrong,” Bree muttered from her bed.
“Well, perhaps it is time that someone showed her otherwise.”
“Chil’, don’t be takin’ on more than ye can handle,” Granny Mabel advised.
“I will not stand there while she treats others as less than human. It is not right.”
“Right or not, it’s what she does. We’ve all suffered at her hands.”
“Even you, Granny Mabel?” Circe asked incredulously.
“We’ve all suffered in some way, just not all of us have scars on the outside,” the old woman said wisely.
“I can’t believe he did this to me,” the girl sobbed as Granny Mabel rubbed some sort of ointment on her back.
“Didn’t I tell ye not to trust a man that looks like that one does?” Granny Mabel asked. “He’s far too handsome for his own good.”
“He told me he love
d me. We’re t’ be married. He wants t’ take me with him when he leaves this plantation.”
“He lied to you, chil’,” Granny Mabel said. “Yer both gonna die right here,” the old woman said sagely.
“No,” Bree argued with her grandmother.
Suddenly, as if talking about him caused him to be conjured like a ghostly apparition, Samson entered the bungalow without knocking. The door bounced back against the wall then hung open. Circe shrank into the shadows while Granny Mabel jumped up and stood protectively in front of her granddaughter. If the situation were not so serious, Circe would have laughed at the thought of the tiny woman taking on the hulk of a man.
“I need to see her, Granny Mabel,” Samson said, his voice rough.
“Ye stay away from her. Ye’ve done enough in the name of that woman.”
“I had to. I didn’t have control.”
“What?” Circe asked, unable to help herself.
“What’re you doin’ here?” he demanded.
“Samson, she’s on our side,” Bree said, reaching out for his hand.
“Is this who you were with in Lady Hayhurst’s bedchamber?” Circe questioned Samson, but it was Bree who answered.
“Yes,” she said, then recoiled just the slightest and pulled her hand free of his. At that moment Circe knew Bree was lying for him. She did not know what sickened her more, the fact that Samson was indeed having an affair with Dorothea, or that this woman, lying bloody and bruised at his hand, was willing to lie for him and still wanted him.
“I cannot believe either one of you,” Circe said.
“What do—”
“Just stop with the lies,” Circe said. “I know you are lying for him. I can see it in the way you pulled away from him, and the look of disgust on your face. Do not deny it.”
“You don’t understand how it is,” Samson argued.
“Oh, I understand completely. You are having an affair with the lady of the house, yet you keep making promises to this poor woman. Then you beat her for a crime she did not commit. You sicken me,” she said disgustedly.
“Ye don’t know what ye speak of, chil’,” Granny Mabel said.
“Oh, I think I do.”
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