Chapter 18

Congratulations

The next day, Mattie and Miss Victoria came back, but it wasn’t long before they were off again. The two of them spent a lot of time away from McCullen plantation, and who could blame them? I’m sure that was Mattie’s doing. I suppose he wanted to put as much space as he could between me and Miss Victoria, Miss Victoria and Miss Elizabeth, and of course me and him. No doubt he thought McCullen was somethin’ that could be caught, kinda like a cold, if she stayed too long, surely she was bound to catch the sinful way of the land. As confusin’ as everythin’ was, I can’t say I blamed him. If I were him, I’d do all I could to protect what was real and pure for as long as I could too.

A few days later, Master took me into town with him. He was gonna take me by Madam LaPierre’s after he had finished tending to some business; but wouldn’t you know it, we ran right into her in town! There she was, just ’bout to get into her carriage when we spotted her. Master, seeing her before me, nudged me on the shoulder, laughing as he watched Madam order around the store’s workers, tellin’ them how to properly load bags into the carriage. She was the kind of woman who had to be in charge of everything.

“Nady! Oh, is that you? C’est vraiment toi?”

“Yes, Madam, it’s really me.” I smiled as she grabbed me with both hands and pulled me in for the warmest hug.

“Oh my, what is this?” she asked as she rubbed my belly.

“Mama says I should be havin’ this baby soon now.”

“Oh, Nady, you and Jaydith?”

I smiled best I could, and as if hearin’ my thoughts, Madam knew there was more to say, that couldn’t be said…without me havin’ to say a word. “Madam, Master says I can start my lessons up again!”

Quickly turning her attention to Master, Madam LaPierre said, “Is that true? Don’t you give an old woman false hope,” she said as she searched Master’s eyes, lookin’ for any sign of truth to what I was saying.

Master laughed, findin’ Madam’s squinty eyes funny. “Don’t you go staring me down like I stole something,” he chuckled. “Now, yes, we had to stop Nady’s lessons for a while. But as soon as Nady is ready, she can start up again.”

“Now, then, that is truly wonderful news!”

“More wonderful than seeing me?” Master teased. Madam shook her head and rolled her eyes. He liked her, he really did, and deep down she liked him too. “Well, we must be going now. It was just lovely seeing you again, Madam LaPierre. Thank you for saving me the travel,” he laughed before whisking us off.

Right before we got home, Master stopped the carriage. “You’ve been quiet. You feeling alright?”

“Feelin’ fine. Just scared you’ll change your mind is all.”

“I won’t, Nady, I swear it to you. As long as McCullen is your home, you can sing with Madam for as long as you like.”

“You promise?”

“Cross my heart,” he said, smiling.

Just as we pulled up, Miss Elizabeth came runnin’ out of the house. “Oh, Matthew, you’re home. It’s finally happened, it’s finally happened!”

“What? What’s finally happened?” Master asked.

“Mattie has asked Victoria to marry him! Our son is getting married!” By then, Mattie and Miss Victoria were both standin’ on the porch, Miss Victoria as happy as could be, Mattie both happy and wary, worried ‘bout my reaction I suppose.

“Son, is that true?” Master asked, also happy and wary.

“Yes, Father, it’s true. This lovely lady has agreed to put up with me for the rest of her life.” I tried to be happy for them, I really did, but my face didn’t show it, no matter my might.

“Son, she’s a fine young woman. Congratulations,” Master said as he got down out of the carriage and made his way to where they were standing.

“Thank you, Father.”

Master shook his son’s hand then embraced him in a truly heartfelt hug. “Victoria, well, you’re already one of the family, or at least I hope you feel that way. It will be my honor to call you daughter.” He took her hand to kiss it. Just saying the word ‘daughter’ brought tears to his eyes. He lifted them and smiled at Miss Elizabeth as if to say, “We finally have a daughter.”

“Thank you, Mr. McCullen. I just hope I can make Mattie as happy as your wife has made you.”

No one said anything that would lend to mockery. Instead, Master took Miss Elizabeth by the waist, hugged and kissed her on her forehead and said, “What we have never ends.” Miss Elizabeth looked softly into his eyes, smiled and accepted his truth. “Well, we must celebrate. Nady, be a dear and get Caleb, Adena and the others all together. We must work fast! Go on!”

“Yes, Miss Elizabeth.”

Just as I turned my back to go into the main house, Miss Elizabeth called my name again. “Oh Nady, isn’t there something you want to tell Mattie and Miss Victoria?”

It didn’t matter how hard she tried otherwise, that woman was evil to the bone. Master tried to ignore it, but he couldn’t. His wife would never change. Slowly I turned so that I was facing both Mattie and Miss Victoria. I looked Mattie in his eyes and said, “Congratulations, Master Mattie, Miss Victoria. I hope you will be very happy.” It was like a knife through my heart. It was the first time I had ever called him ‘Master’ to his face.

Mattie tried his best to see past my pain, but it was there—a blind man could see it and a dead man could feel it—but he managed to say, “Thank you, Nady.” And with that, I walked away.

No surprise that I didn’t sleep one second that night, so the next mornin’ I was up early again. By the time the sun said hello to our side of heaven, I had already made my way up to the main house. I had to find a way to change Master’s mind; I had to get to Madam’s before you were born. As I turned the corner, I saw Master McCullen and Mattie walkin’ down by the lake. I knew Master was tryin’ to talk some sense into his son. On the outside, Mattie seemed alright, but Master knew that Mattie was searching for somethin’, and marriage and war weren’t the answers. He was makin’ a lot of big decisions fast. Oh sure, Miss Victoria was lovely, but he had only known her a couple of months. No tellin’ who she really was or would become. Then there was the war…why was he so set on going to fight? Maybe marrying her would keep him from going…only time would tell. But truth be told, I didn’t have time to care. I had to get to Madam’s, and I had to get there fast.

It wasn’t long before Master and Mattie made their way back to the main house. “Good mornin’,” I said to both of them. “Good morning, Nady. You’re up early,” Master said.

“You feeling alright?” Mattie asked.

I looked at him, not sure what he was really askin’…but regardless of the nature of his question, I just said, “Yes, thank you. Feelin’ fine. Master, a little later on today, gots something to talk to you ‘bout, if that’s alright.”

“Yes, Nady, of course. I’ll come and get you in a bit.”

I smiled, nodded my head and made my way back into the house, of course still within ear’s reach of them. Me and Mattie’s eyes caught each other’s before I made my way back inside. Even when we didn’t say much to each other, a lot was felt, and Master noticed it.“Would you look at that, just up there? It’s Gabe. It’s like he’s become a man overnight. Mother said Jaydith has been training him. He looks amazing!” Master said, tryin’ to cut through the thick silence. Gabe was carrying logs of wood ‘round back. Normally it would take two men to carry what he was doing on his own.

“Yes, well, even Jaydith’s fighting years will one day come to an end. I suppose it’s good that he’s training Gabe.” Mattie didn’t say anything, just stood there watchin’ Gabe. “What is it, son?”

“I suppose you’re right.” Then Mattie was silent again. “Speaking of Jaydith, something’s been troubling me ever since our return. He’s different and I can’t put my finger on it. You’d think he’d be the happiest man ‘round these parts. I mean, finally marrying Nady. We all know he’s carried a torch for her as long as I can remember. But now that they’re married, and even expecting a child…I don’t know, he’s just not acting like I thought he would be.”

Master quickly tried to change the topic. “Becoming a husband and father is a lot for any man. Jaydith is no different. It’s a lot to consider. Which brings me to wondering, are you sure about marrying Miss Victoria?”

“Why would you ask me that?”

“Because you’re my son,” he said without hesitation.

“Victoria is good for me. But am I good for her? Maybe that’s what you’re really asking.”

“Are you?” When Mattie didn’t respond, Master knew the answer.

“I want you to be happy, but I want the same for her too. If this is what you want, I’m in your corner. I’m always in your corner.”