The Fancy (24 page)

heavy and hard from amazement – she was amazing

– different, unique and he, was more in love,

– different, unique and he, was more in love,

because who could compare?

Sarah, ever patient, showed Aislin the type of

combs that would be needed to tame her hair, and

showed the young one how to part it, the best way of

handling it. Aislin was al ears, eager to learn,

excited that she had such a Lady to care for, and

listened to her every instruction – so much so, to

Sarah’s surprise, not only did Aislin do her hair, but

did it beautiful y, in an assortment of twists, braids

and wraps – that would only work because of her

texture of hair.

Upon completion, she was exhausted, but

proud, and stood a bit tal er when Sarah turned to

her, smiling in delight at the good job she had done.

“Right then, Milady, yer ‘air, tha’be m’job now – no

others.” She was staking her claim, after al , whose

job was more important than hers?

Sarah nodded, she found the girl Aislin,

endearing, genuine and unabashed for her place in

their lives. For some reason, Sarah had always

thought that only persons such as herself, African

and Indians had been slaves, but it appeared that

wasn’t true.

Outside, the men were deep in discussion as

Quinton shared with them his new plans. After doing

so, leaving the young boys and Hayden behind to

sort through the furnishings and bring them inside –

the other four, Quinton, Evan, Owen and Vonn went

to the Murrays.

There introductions were made and more

discussion resumed with the end result that in three

days, it would be time to travel. Erwin and El en

agreed to join them in two days.

The entourage had been the talk of the town

when it pul ed in. It was also the talk of the town upon

departing; with Quinton posting on the door at the

town hal a notice that stated there were two empty

residences for claiming – one with a carriage rig

included - each was fil ed with furniture and livestock

left behind free for the taking to any who would claim

them. Also - immediately needed, a doctor!

Altogether, a train of five wagons pul ed out,

loaded down with only the essentials they needed in

travel, part of the essentials – weapons; just in case -

they were ful y armed, and their destination; New

York, and Ramsey Fleets & Passage.

1831 – New York

Ramsey Manor

Most who traveled abroad – after their first

experience traveling with Ramsey Fleet, returned to

them often for the quality of care and convenience

one received while booking passage. Those who

did not dwel near New York awaiting their day of

travel, could do so at the hotel in town, or – if they

could afford it, book a room at Ramsey Manor, or

reserve one of their eight chalets on the magnificent

grounds of the estate; the preferred choice of many

of the aristocracy. The wealthy, those traveling for

business and various merchant captains of the

Ramsey fleets stayed there for their stopovers.

Travel weary, Quinton and his entourage final y

arrived; driving their wagons onto the grounds and

down the lane to the large stable block, set up to

hold numerous carriages, wagons and their horses.

They were more than eager to shake off the

road sludge and mud, in need of a hot bath, a meal

and rest from their journey from Cincinnati. Once

they pul ed up, there was nothing for them to do but

turn their wagons over to the young men waiting and

point out which of their trunks should be brought

inside; they had a two or more day wait before their

journey down south to Virginia – so al were brought

into the mansion, where they were given a suite of

rooms on the west wing – the chalets were al

occupied. With Moose on a lead, and Quinton

holding it loosely, he led the way down the long path

from the stables to a back entrance of the mansion,

Sarah directly behind him, Evan fol owing her, the

Murrays and their servants made their way into the

grand sun room where they met their host; a lovely

black woman, with the most engaging gold eyes and

hair coloring either had ever seen. She wore an

elegant day dress and smiled bright and gleaming.

With those eyes of hers on their dog, she

opened greetings, “Welcome to Ramsey Manor, I

am Lena, helping out; your regular hostess is

otherwise occupied and wil be with you later… if you

are in need of anything, there wil always be

someone around to assist…” pausing, she pointed

at Moose. “He is a real y
big
dog.” She pointed out

with emphasis on big. Quinton smiled, “I assure you

madam, he is wel trained and under our ful control,

he wil not be a problem, we shal see to his ful

care.”

She smiled, asking him, “And you are?”

“Lord and Doctor, Quinton Caine, Earl of

WhistHirst.” He responded, “We are in need of

double bookings, one south, and fol owing that,

another home, to England.” He explained. “That

won’t be a problem.” Lena responded, her eyes

once more on the dog, who was sitting obediently by

his master’s side, tongue hanging out, panting –

content and at ease.

She glanced back over al those who stood

with him, and couldn’t help her eyes going to the very

wel dressed, incredibly pretty, black woman

standing directly behind him. Their eyes met – both

of them smiled, and gave a nod which spoke

volumes.

Directing her attention back to Quinton, “My

only concern is that your dog is kept under control,

he appears to be wel behaved – as long as he is,

there won’t be a problem, fol ow me.” She smiled,

leading the way, explaining as they went. “We shal

have baths sent up for you shortly, dinner shal be in

another hour – if either of you are in need of

something now, we can arrange to have a trencher

sent to your rooms.” She informed them, leading

them down a corridor and then up rear stairs that led

to the west wing.

“Once you’ve been made comfortable and

have settled in, you may book passage at the office

in town, or see Mr. Webster, who just so happens to

be in attendance;

he can arrange your double bookings.” She went on,

opening the doors to one suite, “This one is yours,”

She smiled at Quinton, noting that Sarah walked in

taking control of the dog from him. His brother Evan

fol owed her with Quinton doing the same. To those

fol owing him, she led the way to their suites – al

together, they took up four of the spacious

accommodations.

Much later, after the weary group had bathed,

rested and eaten, the day was stil early enough for

some of them; the Murrays, Col een, Orla and Owen

to head into town for supplies, picking up odds and

ends to be used while traveling.

Sarah, wearing one of her new day dresses,

accompanied by her brother-in-law, took Moose for

a walk on the vast grounds and woods surrounding

Ramsey Manor. To Evan’s surprise, she was

carrying the bow and arrows she’d made while

they’d traveled.

He hadn’t real y thought she might use the

hunting weapon, only that she’d made it to stay

occupied. However, as she carried the quiver

harness over her left shoulder, fil ed with arrows, her

bow in hand, it amused him to see that she actual y

might try and use them. He didn’t understand his

brother, he, after al had seen her making the crude

instruments, what if she was to hurt herself with such

weapons? Trying not to interfere with his brother’s

wife, he went along hoping that if she did use them,

they were pointed wel away from him and that

Quinton hurried along with his meeting with Maynard

Webster – owner of Ramsey Fleets.

The snow was melting, leaving the gardens

soaked; to avoid the same happening to the hem of

her skirts, Sarah gathered them up in one hand to

strol while the dog romped and played ahead of her,

not daring to leave off too far ahead but scampering

and working off the pent up energy of their traveling.

Evan thought it interesting that she was so

comfortable with exposing her legs from the knees

down; something most ladies would not do; if the

hem of their gowns became muddy and soaked, so

be it. She obviously treasured her clothing over the

modesty of showing off her lovely legs encased in

the pale stockings. Her smal feet were protected by

leather high lace boots. He was supposed to be

keeping an eye on her for his brother – it was the

least that he could do as he was doing nothing else

at that time. However, keeping an eye on her would

turn out to be not as easy, as commanded. She was

heading for the woods, fol owing her dog, “Ah,

Milady – the woods, can be rather dangerous.”

She smiled, “Em, I suppose - might I then

suggest you sir, stay behind, for your own safety I

mean.” And giving little attention to his warning,

continued on scanning the area, smel ing the air,

looking for hidden treasures.

A smirk passed over his features before he

picked his way through slush puddles, trying to catch

up with her.

Yet, it seemed, that she was going faster and

further from him in her need to keep up with the dog,

he never knew of any woman who could move so

fast, no hesitation, no fear, was she running? He

thought aghast, “Lady Caine! Wait!” He cal ed out,

having lost sight of her. No matter how fast he tried

to move, he could find her nowhere, nor the dog for

to move, he could find her nowhere, nor the dog for

that matter; he began to panic, thinking that she

would surely be lost if he didn’t find her and soon, he

began running wildly about, searching for her, cal ing

out for her or the dog.

Unused to running, Evan stopped – leaning

back against a tree, trying to catch his breath,

wondering where she could have gone so quickly.

He also feared consequences from his brother;

would he think he’d deliberately lost her? Quinton

was very protective of her and would tolerate not

even the tiniest slight or joke; because Evan was

completely dependent upon Quinton, finding her was

a must. The mist was thick in the air; his breath could

be seen on the cool air like steam from a kettle. Al

seemed quiet around him as he wondered which

way he should go? He cal ed her name once more,

“Lady Caine!” Out of nowhere, the sudden loud and

piercing squeal of a wild boar fil ed the air, echoing

amidst the damp and fog - immediately capturing his

attention and then, just as suddenly the animal’s

squealing went dead.

Evan stood, looking around him; he was

starting to feel the chil in the air with the mist

seeming to close in on him. He stood, turning one

way and then another; his vision short sighted due to

the grey foggy day, looking down at the ground, he

tried to find her tracks.

“LADY CAINE?!” He shouted, at the top of his

lungs, scratching his head, “C’mon lass – WHERE

THEE’BE?!” He yel ed once more. It was growing

dark, with little choice in the matter, he turned back

fol owing his tracks to where he’d come from,

wondering what he would tel his brother, praying he

would not be blamed.

Meanwhile…

Final y, he stood before Maynard Ramsey

Webster, this would be the first time that Quinton had

met the man in person. He and others who traveled

abroad would have heard of him, especial y if they’d

ever traveled on one of his seven ships; Quinton had

the privilege of having traveled on two of them, the

Carolina Mist – which had taken him to Africa and

the Windcutter which had taken him to the Orients.

The man that stood before him with his hand

extended for a shake stood no less than 6’4 to

Quinton’s 6’, powerful y built, rugged features, hair

more grey than blonde, with vivid sea green/blue

eyes; he figured him to be somewhere in the region