Chapter 9
The women left for Bridgetown mid-morning the next day.
“I just cannot get over how vibrant everything is here.”
“Yes, it can be quite overwhelming at times,” Dorothea replied as if she were bored with it all.
“You would not take it for granted if you had been raised in England as I was. It is often rainy and quite depressing. You live for those days that the sun chooses to grace you with its appearance.”
“You’re right,” Dorothea replied. “I’ve only known island life. My family moved to the islands when I was a small child. Father was a missionary. My first husband lived on the same island as my parents. My second husband brought me to Barbados.”
“Pardon? Did you say you have been married twice before?”
“Yes. My first husband died in a riding accident, and my second husband went out fishing alone and a storm came up unexpectedly. We found him drowned several days later,” she answered matter-of-factly.
“But you are so young to have had three husbands. What about the periods of mourning? How young were you when you married your first husband?”
“I observed all the proper mourning periods, and I am hurt that you would suggest otherwise. And if you must know, I was eighteen when my first husband and I married.”
“And yet you never had any children.”
“No, I have not been blessed in that area as of yet, but I hope I soon will be. Robert so wants to be a father.”
“And what of you? Would you like to be a mother?”
“I want to see Robert happy. That’s all I care about.”
“How did you meet Uncle Robert?”
“He had some business with my last husband. Thomas died without an heir; therefore, I inherited his estate. Robert and I struck up a friendship that evolved into what we have now.”
“I see. What was it like growing up on an island such as this?”
“Lonely. I was often overlooked by my parents because of the work Father did. The only true constant in my life was my nanny, Naomi. She went with us no matter where we moved. When Father and Mother were busy teaching the natives about God, she saw that I was cared for.”
“It sounds as if the two of you are close.”
“Were. She passed away last year.”
“That must have been hard for you.”
“It was more difficult than losing my first two husbands, but I had to remind myself she had lived a long life. She was absolutely ancient. Naomi was probably near ninety when she passed away.”
“Oh, my.”
“Yes. She was well respected in the island communities.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Enough of the past. Tell me what exactly you are looking for in a husband. What does he need to look like? What age should he be? How tall?”
“You act as if I tell you, you can conjure him for me.”
“Don’t laugh off what you think to be impossible,” Dorothea said and chuckled huskily. She fingered a pendent hanging from her necklace and stared thoughtfully at Circe.
“I do not care about any of that. I just want to marry a man that I love and who loves me in return.”
“May I see your left hand?”
Circe leaned forward and held her hand out to her aunt. Dorothea took it, turned it over, and laid it palm up in her left hand. Circe watched as the young woman trailed the lines of her palm with her index finger. “Hmm.”
“What?”
“Shh.” Dorothea laid her left hand palm to palm with Circe’s left, closed her eyes, and remained absolutely still. “No one is going to compare with the man already in your heart.”
“There is no man in my heart,” Circe denied and tried to slip her hand free, but Dorothea’s grip firmed. Circe’s pulse raced as she kept tugging against Dorothea’s hold. Suddenly Dorothea’s eyes flew open and she pulled Circe close and looked straight into her eyes.
“You,” Dorothea breathed the word out on a hiss.
“What?” Circe asked, sounding just as confused as she felt.
“Oh, nothing at all,” Dorothea waved airily, letting go of Circe’s hand in the process.
Circe rubbed her palms together, feeling that something definitive had changed between the two women, but unsure what it was. They spent the rest of the trip to Bridgetown with Dorothea pointing out various landmarks.
When they entered the town of Bridgetown, Circe pushed away the uneasiness and enjoyed the sights around her. The buildings were not covered in soot and grime like all of London seemed to be. She heard Dorothea talking, but she really was not paying much attention to the other woman, because she was so enthralled with all she saw. Even the people were as colorful as everything else. She said as much to Dorothea who quickly explained.
“The islands have a mixture of slaves and servants from both Africa and Ireland. Some islands have more of one that the other, as do the various plantations. Ours are mostly from Africa, with only a few Irish. Every household has a mix of both and they seem to work well together. Then, of course, you have the English landowners.”
“Of course,” Circe murmured.
“Here we are,” Dorothea announced as the carriage drew to a stop in front of a building. “Shall we?”
“Yes,” Circe quickly agreed anxious to get this part over with so she could explore more of the island.
* * *
Several hours later, Circe and Dorothea walked out of the dress shop. Dorothea walked out smiling, pleased with the order they had left with the dressmaker. Circe was simply irritated that they had wasted so much time indoors. Having lived in England for all her life, she was used to making the most of good weather when the opportunity presented itself. The weather was better than good, and she itched to go exploring. She was just about to step up into the coach when a familiar voice sent shivers down her spine.
“Miss Hayhurst, how are you enjoying Barbados thus far?”
She stepped back down, turned, and held up her hand to block the sun. Give him the cut direct, she ordered herself. In the end she found she could not do that to Reese. “Yes, Lord Taggart. It is everything I had imagined and more. And you?”
“I’m not having as good of a time as you are, I’m sad to say.”
“Oh? I am sorry.”
“Won’t you introduce us, Circe dear?” Dorothea interjected.
“Oh, yes, I am sorry. Lord Reese Taggart, may I introduce Lady Dorothea Hayhurst, my Uncle Robert’s wife.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Hayhurst.” He bent low at the waist and bussed his lips against the back of Dorothea’s proffered hand. Reese dropped the woman’s hand, took a step back, and turned his attention back to Circe. “Was your uncle surprised to see you?”
“Very.” She bestowed a smile upon Reese. “And how is Windcrest Plantation?”
“You are the new owner of that…that…”
“Albatross is an appropriate description, but please, Lady Hayhurst, let us keep the visit to a more pleasant topic. Oh, I’d like for you to meet my manager.” Reese looked around before he turned back to face Circe. “It seems that he’s disappeared. Perhaps another time. We were only going to go into Oistin, but found they lacked most of the things we needed.”
“Yes.” Circe found herself curious about Reese’s plantation, but forced herself not to ask the questions she desperately wanted to.
“We were just going to have a bite to eat. Would you care to join us?” Lady Hayhurst asked.
“Thank you, Lady Hayhurst, but I should really be returning to Windcrest. I have a lot to do.”
“Since we are neighbors we should have you over for dinner. Robert would enjoy meeting you.”
“Neighbors?” Circe asked then turned to look at Dorothea.
“Oh, yes, but keep in mind there is still a lot of land between us.”
“Yes, there is,” Reese agreed and studied Circe who was worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. He had a sudden urge to tug it free and coax her into a kiss until she stopped worrying about the close proximity in which they lived to one another.
“Besides, we are high up on the hill and you are below and past us.”
“Yes,” Reese agreed. “I passed the entrance to Briar Rose Plantation on the way to mine.”
“Well, as I said, you will have to join us for dinner one evening.”
“I would like that very much,” Reese politely replied. “I really must be going. I have a lot to accomplish while I am in town.”
“It was good to see you again, Lord Taggart.”
“You as well, Miss Hayhurst. Lady Hayhurst.” He bowed politely before walking away.
The women stood there, watching him as he turned and walked down the street, looking around as if he were searching for someone. When he turned a corner out of sight, Circe turned to Dorothea. “You said we were going to eat somewhere,” she verbally prodded Dorothea in an attempt to remove Reese Taggart from her mind.
“Yes,” Dorothea agreed. “So, tell me exactly how you know Lord Taggart.”
“We came to Barbados on the same ship.”
“Alone?”
“He was alone and I was alone, but really we had very little to do with one another.”
“Come now, Circe, you can trust me. A handsome man such as him and nothing happened?”
“No,” Circe denied.
“Somehow, I don’t believe you,” Dorothea tutted.
“Are you accusing me of lying?”
“I think perhaps you’re not being truthful with yourself,” Dorothea replied. “Now, enough of this. Come along.” Dorothea tugged Circe behind her to the coach, and the two women climbed in once more.
Circe attempted to push the knowledge that Reese was her uncle’s neighbor from her memory. She also told herself that Dorothea was not showing interest in Reese, but somehow she just could not shake off the feeling that she was. She knew Reese’s reputation and how convincing he could be. She hoped that Dorothea was as in love with Uncle Robert as she appeared to be, because if she was not, Circe hated to see what might happen.
* * *
“Uncle Robert, I’d like to go exploring,” Circe announced after she and Dorothea arrived home.
“I thought you and Dot had gone shopping.”
“We did, but I am so tired of being confined within a small space.”
“I insist someone accompany you. If something should happen to you, I wouldn’t even know how to begin to tell your father and mother.”
“I will accept that. While you are deciding who will accompany me, I’m going to change into a riding habit.”
“What’s going on?” Dorothea asked as she entered the study.
“I’m going exploring,” Circe explained as she passed Dorothea on her way out of the room.
“Not in the heat of the day,” Dorothea said, putting a damper on Circe’s jubilation.
“Why not?” Circe demanded.
“Because you are not acclimated to our climate yet and going out in the heat of the day is difficult for those of us who have lived here all of our lives.”
Circe started to argue when her uncle stepped into the conversation.
“I’m afraid Dot has a point,” he said. “Besides you’ve had a busy morning. Why don’t you go upstairs and have a rest? Dot will get you when it is time for you to go on your excursion.”
“I will do this your way, Uncle Robert, but let it be known that I am not happy about it.” She turned and left the couple in his study.
“I don’t understand her fascination with this place. It’s just like every other island I’ve lived on.”
“Ah, but my darling, you have been gone so long from the island you were born on that you’ve forgotten what it’s like for someone to encounter paradise for the first time. It can be quite overwhelming and exciting, especially the older you are. I know I was both when I arrived here, especially when I set my sight on you,” he murmured as he approached Dorothea. He wrapped her up in his arms and lowered his lips to hers when he felt a slight tug, as if she were trying to move away from him. “Darling, is something wrong?”
“Don’t be silly,” she replied and stepped closer to him. “I know the perfect person to accompany Circe on her little adventure.”
“I was thinking of sending Elijah.”
“He could hardly keep up with her, even on a horse. No. I thought we could send Samson with her.”
“That’s an excellent idea. I’ll send word to him—”
“No. I’ll send word to him. You go up to your room and rest. You are looking a bit pale.”
“But I feel fine.”
“Oh, but darling, I don’t think you do, and I will be up in just a bit to see to your every need,” Dorothea said as she walked her fingers up his chest and then cupped his cheek.
“You know, I believe you’re right.” He bent his head and captured her mouth in a passionate, swift kiss then just as quickly left her as he went up the stairs to his bedchamber.
She picked up a bell and rang it until the older servant, Elijah, made an appearance.
“Yes, m’lady?”
“Elijah, get Samson for me.”
“Yes, m’lady.”
Dorothea was pacing the study when a tall, broad man walked into the room. His skin was the color of hot chocolate with a liberal dose of cream added. The freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks looked like cinnamon dust and did not deter from his manliness in the least. His hair was short and curly and the same color as his freckles.
“Shut the door, Samson.”
The man did and when he turned around, Dorothea was flying across the room and into his arms. She cupped his cheeks and pulled his mouth down to hers. She devoured him as if she hadn’t had food in days and he was her sustenance. Soon she was finding herself pushed away. “I’ve missed you,” she pouted. “Haven’t you missed me?”
“I’ve been busy with work, Lady Hayhurst.”
“Dorrie,” she corrected on a whisper. She approached the big man and rubbed against him sinuously. He took a step away from her, but she refused to be ignored and followed him. “Samson, kiss me.”
“With all due respect, I’d rather not, m’lady.”
“Respect has nothing to do with it,” she purred and stalked the man as a hunter would his prey. When she finally cornered him, she reached out and fondled him through his breeches, but much to her consternation his body did not respond to her. “Samson, don’t you like me?”
“I’m in love with another, m’lady,” he replied looking above her head.
“I see,” her voice was suddenly frigid. She opened her reticule and retrieved something that looked like a doll. At the apex of the legs she lightly rubbed her finger back and forth. She smiled when she heard a moan behind her. “Is something wrong, Samson?” she asked innocently.
“No, m’lady.”
Dorothea smiled wickedly at the strain she heard in his voice. “Now, what is the name of this woman you find yourself in love with?”
“I’d rather not say, m’lady.”
“I wouldn’t do anything to harm her,” Dorothea said innocently. She turned to see what affect her manipulations on the doll were having on Samson. She smiled lasciviously at her handiwork. His posture was stiff, beads of sweat had popped out all over his face and neck as if he were working under the heat of the sun, but most importantly, the placket of his breeches was tented. “Oh, Samson, you do want me,” she purred.
He remained silent, his hands fisted at his sides.
“Samson, I want you to have your way with me.”
“I’m sorry, m’lady, but I can’t—”
“Samson, you misunderstand. It is not a request. I want you to put your rod in me until that is all I can think of.”
“The master—”
“Is weak.”
“My Br…”
“You’re mine for now. Perhaps if I tire of you, I will release you,” she said ominously. She approached him and stuffed the doll in her reticule so he couldn’t take it from her. She pulled him down for a kiss. When he refused to interact, she brought back her hand and slapped him. “Open for me,” she ordered.
“Please, m’lady. Don’t—”
His words were cut off by her voracious attack on his mouth. “My breasts are begging for your touch.” She tugged the front of her dress low so that her breasts sprang free. She grabbed his hands and cupped them over her. Dorothea moaned in ecstasy. She manipulated his hands against her full bosom. “I want you now.”
“No, Lady Hayhurst.”
“Don’t even think of telling me no,” she growled and pulled him down for another kiss while she unbuttoned the placket on his pants. Despite all his efforts, his manhood sprang towards her in anticipation. “Ah, I’ve missed you, too,” she cooed. She grabbed him by his member and led him to a chair where she turned around, bent over the arm, and flipped her skirts over her back. “Take me like the animal you are,” she ordered. When she heard him try to retreat, she said, “Oh, Samson, when will you learn that I control this situation?” Dorothea retrieved the doll again, and spent a very enjoyable afternoon with the man under her control.
Sometime later, she was reclining on the chaise lounge in front of the window, recovering from her and Samson’s afternoon activities. Because of his reluctance to participate, she had been forced to use the doll to manipulate him. While it wasn’t ideal, it had led to some of the most enjoyable sex she had had in years. She watched Samson creep across the study as if trying not to wake her. As if I could sleep with the sensations coursing through me, she thought languidly. “Wait, I have something I need you to do.”
“What?” he asked suspiciously.
“Miss Hayhurst is Robert’s niece and she wants to go exploring around the plantation. I want you to go with her.”
“I have work to do.”
“Yes, to accompany her. You are to call her Miss Hayhurst, and you are not to have sex with her. That is reserved for me. Understand?”
He gave her a look that said he had no time to be a chaperone to spoiled, rich girls, nor a sexual toy for her. He turned to open the door and was halted by her.
“I asked if you understood, Samson.”
“What part? That I shall make sure she takes the teat as a nursemaid would? Does that satisfy you?”
“You don’t have to be so coarse.”
“I’m a coarse man. What do you want me to do, Dorrie?” he let the name she preferred him to call her slip.
She stood up and glided across the room, a smile on her face that made her look as if she were a cat that lapped up the last of the cream. She cupped the back of his neck with her hand and pulled him down for a long, thorough kiss, while the other hand brought his member back to aching life. “See, I’m not even having to use your doll now. He knows who his master is.” Dorothea enticed him into another bout of sex. This time they did not leave the wall.
When they were finished, she lay across the arms of the leather wingback chair, wilted from their physical exertions. She watched him straighten his clothes and was disappointed that all of that manliness was hidden from her sight once more.
“I want to know where all you go and who all she talks to.”
“Who?” he asked, distracted.
“The niece,” she replied.
“Why?”
“Just curious.”
“Hmph.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I’ll do as you wish”
“Oh, and Samson, I’ll expect a report tonight. I believe midnight should be a good time.” When he looked as if he would argue with her she said, “I will be waiting for you. Go out the secret passage. I’ll go upstairs, fetch Circe, and send her to meet you at the stables.”
“Who?” he asked, not having heard her christian name before.
“Miss Hayhurst, the niece. It is a good thing you are so handsome,” Dorothea muttered under her breath. She left the study and walked up the stairs to Circe’s room. She tapped on the door. She didn’t wait long for it to swing open. “Have you had a good rest?”
“Yes,” Circe replied. “I think I might just be caught up.”
“That is very attractive on you,” Dorothea commented on the hunter green riding habit with the gold braid and epaulets. She was also wearing tall riding boots. “Samson is going to accompany you on your ride. He’s waiting for you at the stables.”
“Thank you. Where is Uncle Robert?”
“He was coming down with a headache and went to lay down for a bit.”
“All right.” Circe turned to walk down the hall and out the door when she turned back to Dorothea. “Is Uncle Robert ill often?”
“What? No. He’s usually the picture of health.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes, now go and have fun on your exploration.”
“Thank you.”
Dorothea turned and slowly walked up the stairs while Circe practically skipped out of the house in her excitement.
* * *
Circe joined Samson at the stables and after she was helped atop a spirited mare, they set off. They wound their way behind the house where he started pointing out various points of interest to her. He was patient with her questions and she found him to be extremely intelligent and personable.
“What’s that?” she pointed to two large, round metal containers with smaller pieces of metal coming out of it.
“That’s where they distill the sugar cane to make rum.”
“How interesting. Does this plantation solely make rum?”
“No, and not many do. We primarily make sugar and molasses, but rum is a popular export and a good source of money for the plantation. It is a more involved process.”
“I am curious about something, Samson, but I am afraid I will sound rather rude if I ask.”
“I doubt very much an English miss such as yourself could be anything but polite.”
“All right, but if I offend you, I apologize in advance.”
“You’re forgiven.”
“You sound very educated for a slave.”
“I am very educated and I am not a slave.”
“Oh, but I thought Uncle Robert…”
“Yes, Lord Hayhurst owns slaves, but I am not one of them. My father’s family is from Ireland and they have done well on Montserrat, an island not far from here. My mother’s forefathers were both African and Irish, thus my coloring. My father owns his own plantation, but I am not his heir, rather I am the fourth son by his second wife. I did not want to go into business, shipping, or become a priest. So, I left Montserrat and have worked for several plantations on several different islands. I have found Lord Hayhurst the most pleasant to work for. I am currently the steward’s assistant. Eventually, I’d like to own my own plantation.”
“I apologize for my assumption. It is going to take some time to understand who are slaves and who are free.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less. Shall we continue with the tour?”
“Yes, please.” Their horses picked their way along the various trails they took. There were people of all colors and all ages working the fields. “I cannot fathom that such small children are working.”
“They will work off their debt until they are free.”
“But—”
“It’s the way of the islands, Miss Hayhurst. Besides, aren’t young children put to work in England?”
Circe pursed her lips and turned her head away from the people toiling among the sugarcane. They made a circuitous route around the plantation. As they grew closer to the main house, they passed smaller outbuildings. “There are so many of them. What are they?”
“Houses for the married slaves and their families.”
“You mean the entire family sleeps in those tiny hovels?”
“Land is precious here, Miss Hayhurst. We use every little bit available for the sugarcane or the harvesting of it. They are lucky to have a roof and four walls to keep them dry. Others aren’t so lucky.”
“What about the single servants?”
“There are both male and female barracks for them.”
They passed one of the little houses where an old woman sat in a rocking chair out front. She sang softly to two babes in her lap while other small children were gathered around her feet playing. The old woman made eye contact with Circe and she felt a tingle go down her spine. She turned her head but could still feel the woman’s eyes on her, assessing her, frightening her. You are being silly, she is just an old woman, she chastised herself.
“You best stay away from Granny Mabel.”
“Why?”
“There are things that the people of these islands believe in that you’ve never heard of in England.”
“Such as?”
“Just stay away from Granny Mabel. Also, while we’re on the topic, don’t make any enemies here and you’ll be fine.”
“Who should I not make enemies of?” When he refused to answer her, she asked another question, “Are you trying to frighten me into returning to England, Samson?”
“Yes,” he replied succinctly.
They rode the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the stables, and each of them had dismounted, Samson halted her progress.
“Miss Hayhurst, don’t let your curiosity be your undoing.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she countered, crossing her arms beneath her bosom. What had started as such a wonderful day had quickly turned sour. He took her hand and pressed something into her palm.
“Here.”
Circe looked down at the pistol. She looked up at Samson curiously.
“It’s loaded. You do know how to shoot, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Keep it with you at all times.”
“All right.”
“Good evening, Miss Hayhurst.”
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to escort me about.”
“I didn’t have a choice,” he said cryptically then nodded and walked away.
Circe watched him curiously as he left. She looked down at the pistol that lay heavy in her palm. Was she reading more into the situation than was really going on? Perhaps life on this tiny island was just vastly different from what she was used to in England. “Yes, that is all it is,” she told herself. She stuffed the pistol in the pocket connected by the belt of her habit, and then went inside the house.