They all stood staring at one another when a change came over Samson. He broke out in a sweat and his body stiffened. Circe took a step towards him, but he waved her back. He fell to his knees beside Bree.
“I do love ye, Bree.”
“She controllin’ ye ‘gin?”
“Yes,” he gritted out between his teeth.
“Go.”
“I didn’t want to hurt ye.”
“I know,” she whispered, tears clogging her throat.
“Soon, we’ll be free of her.”
“I hope yer right.”
He groaned.
“Go, Samson, I can’t stand t’ see ye like this. T’ know…”
He kissed her before he pushed himself upright and stumbled out the door. He left the three women looking after him in various stages of concern.
“What is wrong with him?” Circe asked.
“The witch has him,” Bree said.
“What?” Circe asked, stunned at her words.
“The mistress uses dark magic t’ control people and make ‘em do as she wishes.”
“But how?”
“She’s created a doll in Samson’s likeness. She does…things to it, to reach him,” Bree clarified. “He can only be released by her.”
“When I saw him leaving her bedroom…”
“He was with her,” Bree admitted, crying harshly this time. “She may have his body, but she doesn’t have his mind and his heart.”
“Today, at the whipping post?”
“Twas her,” Granny Mabel spat.
“How do you know?”
“Saw her on the balcony.”
“How do you know she does all this? Surely it’s impossible.”
“I know cuz my sister taught her the dark magic,” Granny Mabel said.
“Your sister?”
“Was her nanny.”
* * *
“What took you so long?” Dorothea demanded of the hulking man as he entered her bedchamber via the secret door. After Circe spotted him leaving her room, Dorothea insisted that he now enter through the passage built into the walls.
“I—”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said breathlessly as she crossed the room to him. “You’re here now.” She ripped the front of Samson’s shirt apart and dropped kisses across his muscular chest. “I want you.”
“No,” Samson said. He gripped her arms and pushed her away.
“What did you say to me?” she asked with deadly venom in her voice.
“No,” he repeated.
“How dare you?”
“I dare when you had me beat the woman I love. I want the charm.”
“You have no right to demand anything from me. Leave my sight.”
“Not without the charm,” he snarled.
“You want the charm? I’ll give you the charm!” Dorothea stomped to a box and pushed buttons in a sequence so that the top popped open. She reached inside and pulled out a rough-looking doll. She opened a drawer, pulled out a knife, and plunged it into the doll’s chest. “Here’s your charm.” Dorothea sashayed over to him, a malicious smiled spread across her face. She held the knife out to him, the doll impaled on it.
Samson reached for it, but just as he was about to grab it, her words halted him.
“Make very sure this is what you want, Samson. Once you’ve made your choice, you can’t take it back.”
“I want to be free of you,” he said and took the doll, working it off the knife. He turned and left through the secret passageway once more.
“Oh, my dear, Samson, you will indeed be free.”
She crossed the room and stood at her balcony as she watched the man cross the courtyard. Dorothea returned to her room and sat down in an old, worn rocking chair that looked out of place amongst all the beautiful furniture. She picked up a basket, plopped it in her lap, and started humming.
* * *
On her way back to the house, Circe decided if she could do nothing else for the time being, she would at least foil Dorothea’s attempt at taking Samson as a lover. She entered the house with a purpose. She spied Uncle Robert in his study and worried her bottom lip as she tried to decide what to do. Making her decision, she entered his study.
“Uncle Robert, I need you to come with me.”
“Can’t it wait, Circe? I’m in the middle of something,” he said.
“No, it cannot wait. This is something that you need to see.”
“All right.” He pushed away from his desk and reluctantly stood. “What is this anyway?”
“This is something that you need to see, that you need to be aware of.”
“I admit, you have my curiosity piqued.”
As they walked up the stairs, Circe felt bad about showing Uncle Robert the true nature of his wife, but she felt he needed to know. He needed to see the evilness that lurked inside her.
“Circe, what’s going on?” Robert asked when they stood in front of her bedchamber door.
“See for yourself.” Circe twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Robert gave her a strange look as he entered the room.
“Darling, what are you doing here?”
Circe’s brow furrowed in consternation. Dorothea did not sound as if she were a woman who was just caught by her husband having an affair.
“Circe insisted that I needed to take a peek in on you.”
“Oh, really?” Dorothea asked as she looked around Robert and cocked a curious brow at Circe. “I’m working on some things for the babe.”
“But where is…”
“Who, Circe, dear?”
Circe looked at Dorothea and had a feeling the woman knew exactly whom she spoke of. “No one,” she said quietly. “I will leave the two of you alone.”
“I’m glad Circe interrupted me. I haven’t spent near enough time with you—”
Circe shut the door, unable to stomach any more of the loving conversation that passed between them. She entered her room and locked the door behind, ensuring her privacy. What happened to Samson? There had been no doubt as to where he was going when they were all together earlier. Had he been able to fight off whatever pull it was Dorothea had on him?
A chill ran through her. Something was not right. She could feel it. But what? She made her way to the balcony and sat down on one of the chairs. She could not get past the feeling that a chain of events had been started that could not be stopped.
* * *
Samson was walking towards Granny Mabel’s cabin, the charm firmly clutched in his fingers. He couldn’t believe it had been so easy. He had merely demanded she free him and she had handed it over, albeit in a repulsive manner. He cringed as he remembered the knife protruding from the doll’s chest.
He was free. He would wait until his Bree was well, then they would leave this island and get as far away from Dorothea Hayhurst as they possibly could. He heard the snap of a twig somewhere behind him and whipped his head around. Samson studied the shadows, but saw nothing out of place.
He turned back around and continued on his way. A group of men approached him from his right. He recognized them as some of the slaves the Hayhurst’s owned. One of them was a particularly good looking man with dark skin. He seemed to be leading the others.
“Men.”
“Samson,” they muttered.
“What’s going on?”
“Samson, make this easy on everyone and come with us,” the handsome one said.
“Go with you where?” The men refused to answer or make eye contact with him. He became more nervous with every second that passed. He took small steps backwards as he continually gauged their reaction. Stay calm, he told himself.
“Don’t run, Samson.”
“Run? I wouldn’t run. I—”
“Get him!”
Suddenly they were attacking him from all sides and no matter how he fought, there was no way he was getting away. He was being held down by all the men and the leader approached the group. He stood straddling Samson then dropped
to his knees and pulled a knife out of a sheath strapped to his upper thigh. When Samson saw the knife, he fought harder, trying to throw the man off, but there were too many of them holding him down. All he could remember was the doll impaled on the end of the knife and he knew he was indeed going to be free, but he would pay the ultimate price for his freedom.
“Samson, I—”
“I know. Keep Bree safe,” he said.
“I’ll do my best,” the man said before he plunged the knife into Samson’s chest all the way to the hilt.
Chapter 17
Over the next few weeks, Circe attended party after party. Men showed up at Uncle Robert’s house to pay their respects to her. Dorothea seemed to bask in the attention that Circe was receiving. One rare evening that no one had been asked to dinner, and they did not have a party to attend, they sat at the table, just the three of them.
“Do you realize this is the first night we do not have to attend a party, or entertain one of your suitors, in weeks?” Robert mused.
“I know. It is rather nice just to be home, is it not?” Circe asked.
“Dot, I must admit I rather hope we have a son.”
“To carry on your name, dear?”
“No, because having a daughter is much too worrisome, especially when it comes to finding her a husband.”
They all chuckled at that.
“How is everything going in the fields, Uncle Robert?” Circe asked, changing the subject. She had done as requested and stayed out of the fields. She also did not talk to the slaves. She quickly discovered it would upset Dorothea and whatever upset her, upset the entire order of the household.
“Now, you know that’s nothing to concern yourself with, Circe,” Dorothea chastised.
“I find it interesting,” she told the other woman. “Dorothea, have you ever seen the process of creating the products that Uncle Robert sells?”
“Don’t be silly.”
“It is really quite fascinating, and the long hours and hard work that the people put into it is quite astonishing. In fact, as the plantation owner’s wife you really should know all the workings here. It is—”
“Not you too?” Dorothea sighed, threw down her napkin next to her plate, and slumped back in her chair.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, that silly man who has the plantation next to us.”
“Lord Taggart?” Robert asked.
“Yes, that’s the one,” Dorothea said
Circe imperceptibly stiffened at the mention of Reese Taggart. She had successfully pushed him out of her memory since she had seen him kissing Dorothea that night, but now he was being pulled to the forefront once again. Here Dorothea was mentioning him as if nothing had happened, as if they had not been caught in one another’s arms. Circe knew it was childish, but she wanted to fling her plate full of food all over the woman. Just being forced to share a meal with her made her nauseous.
“It’s all over this island that he has nothing but free men working for him. Can you just imagine? What kind of control does he have over them?” Dorothea asked.
“You do not need—”
“Absolutely none,” Dorothea interrupted her.
“He does have some good points,” Robert pointed out to his wife.
“Please don’t tell me he has turned you to his naïve ways.”
“Not yet, but it does not go without considering.”
In an attempt to change the subject once again, Circe racked her brain for something to say. Suddenly something came to her. “I was hoping to go sight-seeing to other parts of the island. Do you think Samson would be available to take me about?”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Robert said stiffly.
“Oh, is everything all right?”
“Samson has left us.”
“What?”
“Last week, shortly after the punishment he meted out to that young maid, he left a note on my desk. Said he had an opportunity he could not turn down.”
“He did not tell you in person? That sounds odd for a man trying to improve his station in life.”
“I’ll tell you now as I told Robert earlier, Taggart stole him from us. That’s what he’s doing to all the plantations. The plantation owners should join forces, run him back to England, and take over his land.”
“Isn’t that a little extreme, darling?” Robert asked Dorothea.
“He’s going around and luring all the best workers to work for him.”
“They are not working for him. They are working with him. There is a difference, and Reese is above stealing and lying.” Circe found herself defending Reese. “If only you…”
“If only what, Circe?” Uncle Robert asked patiently when she halted.
“Nothing,” she muttered and returned to pushing the food around on her plate. She knew that no matter what she said, she would not be able to change his, or Dorothea’s, opinion. She also did not want him or Dorothea to know that she had been sneaking over to his house to visit with Ruth, Tally, and the new baby whenever the opportunity allowed. She was always very careful to go during times when she knew Reese would be busy out in the fields, and they would not run into one another. When she was not holding the little boy, named for his father, she would take Tally to the beach while Ruth rested at home with the Little Sean, which he was quickly becoming known as. Circe and Tally would play and giggle and laugh the afternoon away. They chased and ran from waves, picked up seashells, or built things with a little bucket, bowl, and large spoon that Circe kept tucked away in a niche in the cliff face. Ruth accused her of spoiling them and worried over what the others might think should they find out, but Circe would brush off her concerns.
“If you will excuse me, I would like to go for a walk.”
“Allow me to get someone to escort you,” Uncle Robert said.
“No, I would prefer to be alone.”
“You really should not be alone,” Dorothea admonished.
“For almost a fortnight—”
“You exaggerate,” Dorothea said.
“Regardless of the time, I have done everything you have wished of me. All I am asking for now is some time to myself.”
“You were the one that wanted to come here and find a husband,” Dorothea countered with a hint of anger in her voice.
“I realize that and I am beginning to regret it.”
“Now—”
“Let her go, Dot,” Robert interceded, placing a calming hand on top of his wife’s. “It will be nice for just the two of us to spend some time together.”
Circe knew Uncle Robert’s words were meant to soothe his wife, but instead they made her feel unwanted. Stop this! she scolded herself silently. You intruded on their life. They deserve time alone.
“Oh, all right, but do be careful,” Dorothea said.
“Of course.” She left them behind, and slipped out of the house. She followed the path that led to the bungalows. Upon reaching Granny Mabel’s house, she knocked on the door. When no one answered she twisted the knob and eased the door open so that she could peek inside. The little bungalow stood empty. She pulled the door shut and turned as drumming started somewhere beyond her vision.
The beating of the drums made her body throb, and the sound of chanting caused shivers to tingle up her spine. Curiously, Circe followed the sound to a clearing where a large number of her uncle’s slaves were gathered around a large fire. Men beat on drums while men and women alike danced around the fire. Some of the women writhed on the ground as if they were possessed. Circe trembled and took a step backwards into the shadows. Across the fire she saw Granny Mabel, her arm wrapped around a young woman’s shaking shoulders. It might have been Bree, but she could not tell from this distance.
She retraced her steps, leaving the people behind. The further she got away from the group, the less anxious she felt. She had only one place in mind to go. Circe walked down the drive and along the road until what had become her favorite place came into view. She walke
d down the rocky path and once she reached the sandy beach, she removed her shoes and stockings and left them close to the cliff. Circe made her way to the edge of the water and walked the length of the beach then back again. The surf rushed over her feet, calming her. She stood and wiggled her toes, letting the suction of the sand pull her down. Then she slowly pulled herself free and started all over again. About the dozenth time of her methodically doing this, a familiar voice reached her ears.
“If you’re trying to see how far you can dig a hole, most people have better luck using their hands or a shovel.”
She jumped and tried to whirl around upon hearing the deep voice, but her feet were well and truly stuck this time causing her to fall to her knees just as a wave came in, drenching her. Circe slapped her hands in the shallow water.
“Here let me help you,” Reese said chuckling as he came up behind her, wrapped his arms about her, and pulled until she was once more free.
Circe took a step away from him and looked down at her skirt.
“Turn around,” she ordered.
“What?”
“Turn. Around.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.” She waited until he presented his back to her, then lifted her skirt and squeezed out as much water as she could. “You may turn back around now,” she said after she dropped her skirt back to the ground.
“Better?” he asked.
“I am not speaking to you,” Circe said quietly.
“Oh, and why’s that?”
Circe rolled her eyes and walked away from him along the edge of the water. How dare he act as if nothing happened? she fumed silently. As if I did not witness him and Dorothea kissing.
“Circe, I did nothing.”
She could not help thinking that he sounded sincere, but then again men will say anything to get what they wanted.
“She kissed me. I have no interest in her. Not when I can’t get you out of my mind.”
“Do not seek to save yourself by making up lies about your so-called lustful thoughts towards me.” Circe kept walking away from him. And to think I was defending him to my uncle and Dorothea only a short while ago, she thought cynically.
“If this is the way you want it, I’ll leave you alone. I hope you have an enjoyable time on my beach.”
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