The Fancy (35 page)

about her were the motivation I needed to seek

adventures elsewhere, to further my medical

knowledge – because – I knew the words your

mother spoke were true.” He led the horse slowly,

speaking softly, and though she gave no response,

he knew that she listened.

“She let my sister die – I’m certain of it. She

was sickly, weak and needed extra care and

attention – my mother was irritated by her needs;

she could not divide her time between trying to get

my father and caring for a sick child that she did not

want. She – sent my brother and I off one day on an

errand, and – when we returned – it was over – she

had passed. So, when I say, that she let my sister

die, I cannot help but wonder – if in truth, she helped

her along.” He said nothing more as they rode.

Sarah wrapped her arms around him, and held him

close – keeping al thoughts to herself; there was

nothing to be said.

Weeks rol ed by with husband and wife, Lord

and Lady busy on the estate, everyone there made a

contribution towards improving and the spring

weather helped towards that end.

As for the monstrosity that was her home, it

took days for Sarah to see al the rooms of the

mansion. At the end, she, her mother and El en

counted exactly one hundred eighty-five rooms in

total. They could not believe it. Neither could see why

it was necessary for one family to live in such

ostentatious opulence. Because they found the

excess over the top, they discussed an idea with

Quinton. The idea was, to build a dividing wal so

that the larger portion of the mansion could be used

as an infirmary while keeping the other side as their

home, stil more than adequate for a family, with

ample rooms for al their needs even if everyone they

knew dropped in on them.

He thought the idea to be excel ent and

gathered a crew to work with him and Erwin on what

would be needed in case some or a few grew sick.

They joked about al the space and how there was

no way it could be fil ed – at no time ever would there

be a cal ing for such a large accommodation, but

they had it just the same.

Evan it would seem, for whatever reason, went

to live with his mother at Wil bourne house, located

at the very opposite end of the land Quinton owned,

more than two vil age lengths away.

With so many activities going on, no one real y

expected to see anyone visiting WhistHirst and so

when the Marquis, Sir Fitzal an appeared with his

daughter Lady Jemima Fitzal an by his side – it was

quite a surprise.

Shown to the parlor to await their hosts, the

father and daughter sat noticing the changes taking

place. Their visit had also been prompted by rumor –

one being, the Earl had returned, and with a Lady

bride. Not just any Lady, but one in which al the

servants had been singing the praises of – by the

description given – a Moor.

There was more of course, and that was, that

the Moor was treating many of the servants, with

more or less similar medical skil s as Lord Caine.

Even though Sarah struggled with nausea and

exhaustion, she stood next to Quinton in greeting the

Marquis and his daughter.

Lady Jemima could not believe her eyes;

however once she moved beyond the color of the

woman before her, she could see that not only was

she eloquent, but refined, graceful, gentle and wel -

spoken.

They invited the father and daughter to have

dinner with them, and it was during that repast that a

question from the Marquis stunned Sarah, “I find

myself very intrigued by your wife, wherever did you

find her?” of al the things they’d prepared, neither

had discussed what to say should someone ask

such a thing, and so, Sarah left it to Quinton to give

whichever answer he felt suitable.

Unwil ing to lie, as he was not in the frame of

mind to try and impress anyone, at the same time he

would not insult his wife’s heritage he stated, “She

was a gift – one of great value with much to offer. A

descendent of strong African blood as wel a

daughter of the Powhatan tribe -…”

“I’ve heard of that tribe…” the Marquis broke in,

perking up to nudge his memory.

“I’m certain you wil have; Pocahontas is the link

you seek.”

“Aaah, wel of course! She was very interesting

to say the least.”

“According to the tale; in either case – my wife

has honor of her own; already many here at

WhistHirst do al they can to show gratitude for the

changes she’s commissioned since our arrival. If

interested, I’d like to take you on a tour to see what

ideas are hers that we’re putting into effect even

now.”

The Marquis agreed, after eating, the four went

on a tour.

They were astounded by the idea, but couldn’t

be sure if such a large facility for the sick would be

needed. It wasn’t long before the men separated

from the ladies, with Jemima dying to ask more

questions of Sarah.

“You, read, as wel write?” She asked.

Sarah smiled, “Yes, don’t you?”

Jemima sighed, “No – not as I sometimes wish

I could. There is no need that I do such things.”

“No need? How so? Surely there is a need.”

“Not when everything is done for you. I pen

letters, invites, things of that nature – but – writing,

reading to know what you know, there has never

been a need. Perhaps if I had such an ability, he –

Lord Caine, might have been more inclined to

entertain me as a wife.” She smiled, speaking

honestly.

Sarah wasn’t sure how to take that, and so left

her words to flow by.

“He is, very pleasing to the eye – Lord Caine.

You are fortunate; my inability to gain his interest

could very wel put me in position for a marriage of

convenience to someone I cannot abide.”

“Can you not refuse? Can you not wait for the

man who moves your heart; your soul?”

“Rebel? Refuse? Hmmm, it has often crossed

my mind, but matters such as that depend on what

my father is to gain by such a union, or the man who

chooses me. I often dream of the new land, the

Americas. There, I am told, such traditions no longer

exist – one is free to marry the choice of the heart.”

Sarah declined to comment, it wasn’t entirely

true. They strol ed, speaking softly, Sarah thinking of

the things she was hearing.

“You were a gift to Lord Caine, were you a

slave?”

“Yes.” Sarah did not deny it.

They fel quiet once more, and then Jemima

nodded and admitted, “So am I – freedom is not

mine to choose the direction I would take in life, that

makes me a slave.”

Sarah wasn’t sure how to respond to that

either, and after some thought stated, “At least you

wil be treated wel .”

Jemima smiled, “Wil I? To be a spinster is an

awful thing, yet – in a way, it is what I long for, if I

cannot marry a man that I desire. Quinton was my

only hope – now – time is running out, it won’t be

long before my father secures my future by choosing

for me.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I came with the intent of hating you for taking

my only choice from me. However, I find that I cannot

– your disadvantage was far greater than my own.”

Once more, words were trapped within; Sarah

didn’t know what to say. They were at a standstil

when suddenly Jemima asked her, “Help me

runaway. Surely someone like you, understands –

there is no hope for me, if not even you wil assist

me.”

“How can I possibly help you?”

“Teach me. Maybe, if I can read, write like you, I

can escape, to the Americas where I can be free.

Please – help me Lady Sarah, otherwise – my life

wil not be worth living.”

Sarah stood in a world of disbelief, never had

she imagined being in such a position. Once more,

Lena’s words, her teachings, her wisdom came to

her. Her husband, Manny was coming to do

business with Quinton and right away she knew that

she could help her.

“You real y wish to leave here and al that you

know, this life of privilege?”

“I want to be free.”

“What if the man your father chooses for you, is

one that you can live with?”

“I want to be in love, with the man that I marry. I

want to choose him, not have him chosen for me.”

She was on the verge of begging Sarah.

“Why me?” Sarah asked, baffled.

“The servants al speak of your kindness, your

heart, your compassion. You – more than anyone,

wil know what it means to be a slave and have no

say in your life. Yet, you are free – I beg you – help

me to be free.” Jemima looked away before the

gathering tears in her eyes fel .

Sarah knew in that instant – she would do al

that she could to help her be free. She needed to get

her to Lena and Manny – and they would help her in

her pursuit to be free – as wel as in her education.

Before rejoining the men, Sarah made eye

contact and gave her word, “Okay, I’l do whatever I

can.”

Jemima hugged her, “Thank you Lady Caine,

thank you.”

Later that night, as Sarah lie in bed with her

husband, she told him of their conversation and her

promise to help.

“You what? How could you have given such a

promise?” He asked incredulously.

Sarah stared into his eyes as if he’d lost his

mind for asking her such a thing. That look from her,

as wel the plain visual fact of what she was and

where she’d come from was al the answer he

needed to that question.

He reached over and caressed her cheek. “You

are beautiful, to everyone you meet. Perhaps I have

done you an injustice by changing your name.” He

slid down into their bed, pushing her along with him,

kissing her mouth, touching her in a way that always

led to them making love. After a gentle session that

brought them both blissful pleasures, he gave his

word that he too, would help.

In a little more than a fortnight, Manny and Lena

arrived at WhistHirst; after he and Quinton

conducted business concerning him supplying

Manny with iron – they discussed Jemima – while

Sarah did the same with Lena. Of al people to

understand, it was Lena, little needed to be said –

as one, they al agreed that upon their departure,

they would be taking Lady Jemima with them, where

she too, would learn to read and write and start a

new life; one of her
choosing
.

She was sent an important missive with the

express urgency that it should go to her, and her

alone – no one else.

Within, were instructions.

Within, were instructions.

Jemima received her missive and with a

gladdened heart, did as was directed. A few days

later, before she departed in the night to rendezvous

with one of Manny’s men, she left her father a letter

with few words –
I cannot live this way, I must be

free… Love always, Jemima.

Making her way from their estate in the deep

foggy night, running with her cloak about her, she

barely entered the grounds when a man stepped into

her path.

“Lady Jemima, I have been sent by Manny.”

She gasped in surprise, hand to her breasts, “I

thought I must go further.”

“What gentleman leaves a lady to wander

about the woods alone? Come – we must be on our

way.” A large cal oused hand grabbed her smal er

one, holding on firmly and off they rushed into the

night. Jemima’s heart fluttered and quickened in her

chest, al previous doubts and misgivings of earlier,

disappearing - already the world was a new and

different place, one that she was now free, to

explore.

As weeks went by, it would seem that Jemima

had escaped just in the nick of time, because

suddenly, there was a spread of Cholera that caused

more devastation than a forest fire – no one knew

where the epidemic had started – what was certain

was that many became victim to it.

Talk of it spread, as the deadly infection hit one

place and then another. Each estate frantical y took