Riverbreeze: Part 2 (35 page)

“Prudence?”

“ Heavens no!”

“Temperance?”

“Definitely not!”

“Lettice?”

She giggled. “Robert would like that, I’m sure.”

Jamie laughed with her. “He probably would. Yes? No?”

She shook her head adamantly. “No!” She said firmly.

“Mercy?”

She shook her head again.

“Hope?”

“Mmmm.” She sing-songed.

“Grace?”

“Possibly.”

“What was your mother’s name?” He asked very gently.

“Jeannette.”

“You say that so beautifully.”

“What was your mother’s name?”

“Sarah.”

“Sarah Jeannette.”

“I like that.”

“That shall be her name then.” She said softly.

“Sarah Jeannette, our first-born daughter.” He said with wonder in his voice. “And she’ll be as beautiful as her mother.” He added, gazing at her lovingly.

“And our son will be as handsome as his father.” She said, looking into his gentle blue eyes.

At her remark though, they didn’t stay gentle. His eyes opened wide in delight. “That’s right!” He exclaimed joyfully. “You said she’s a twin! So, the other will be a boy?”

“Yes, a son.” She smiled back at him, gratified that he seemed to be accepting her dream.

“What shall we name him?”

“James, of course.” She said simply.

He grinned a huge grin. “Of course!” He readily agreed with her. Then he laughed. “I can just imagine it. Sarah singing and dancing and playing the viola right beside you and James beside me riding, training and raising our horses. Incredible!”

He went on and on with his vision of their future and she didn’t interrupt him, afraid of breaking the mood. It was still questionable whether he believed her or not. This could just be wishful thinking on his part, like a child daydreaming of his future. She allowed him this daydream, contributing her own ideas here and there. Not once did she bring up the other three children they would have. She didn’t want to push her luck.

Finally Jamie quieted. He looked embarrassed. “That was silly of me, wasn’t it?” “Not at all.” She said, smiling affectionately at him. “I enjoyed hearing you speak of the twins and dreaming of their futures. ‘Tis fun, isn’t it?”

“It is. But now I’m dreaming of a big bowl of venison stew and corncakes with honey.” And right on cue his stomach growled.

They both laughed and laughed again when Evelyn’s stomach growled. “That does sound good.”

Jamie looked up at the sun peeking through wispy clouds. “I think if we leave now, we’ll be back just in time for supper. Shall we go?”

She nodded, although she could have stayed in that bucolic setting forever, talking and daydreaming of their children and their future. She made a mental note to herself to ask him to bring her back here during a more advantageous time. This was the perfect place to conceive a child, she thought.

Jamie gathered up the blanket and helped her mount Penny. She settled herself much more confidently this time, proud of herself for overcoming her fear of riding and actually enjoying it. Now she understood why Queen Henrietta Maria and Diane de Poiters felt such passion for this activity. It was quite exhilarating!

Jamie mounted Pisador and with a warm smile, he asked, “Ready?”

She nodded, smiling back. She reached out her hand and he clasped it for a tender minute, before the both of them kicked their horses into a trot and together they rode back home, content and at peace.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Robert Takes Matters into his own Hands

Robert finished tying his hair back with a dark green velvet ribbon and took one last look at himself in Elizabeth’s hand mirror. Today was Sunday and he and the entire household were going to church. He really didn’t want to go to church, but Elizabeth had insisted, and finally he had agreed, realizing it would be a good opportunity to visit with Adam Cooke and possibly see Peter Burnett too. If he did see Burnett he had a plan to obtain his handkerchief which he then planned to give to Thomas Warren as proof that Burnett had been at Beatrice’s cottage. It wasn’t a complicated plan, but it could be effective.

He turned to see Elizabeth fastening a new double layer collar made of French-pointed lace around her neck. She also wore a new sleeveless bodice over her blue gown to cover the suggestive embroidery. Evelyn had spent the last two days sewing the garments for both Elizabeth and herself from fabric that their governess had left to them. The garments were perfectly stitched and very pretty. Robert thought that Evelyn could hire herself out as a seamstress if she wanted to. Because of the lack of tailors in the colony, people would probably be knocking down her door.

“All ready?” He asked, eyeing her appreciatively. She looked especially fine in her blue gown and newly sewn collar. Her freshly-washed hair had been pulled back into a coil at the back of her head and secured with a gold and pearl hairpin making her look very regal.

Surprisingly, he realized he couldn’t wait to show her off.

“Are you?” She asked in return, a twinkle to her eye.

He tugged his doublet down and smoothed the front of it, feeling the small packet of ragweed needed for his plan. He had picked it yesterday and bundled it into a small piece of linen. Normally the weed didn’t bother him, but if he purposely breathed in the stuff, it could cause him to have a nice allergic reaction. “I’ll survive, I guess.” He grumbled good-naturedly.

Yesterday at breakfast she had asked him if they would be going to church today and when he said he hadn’t thought about it, she immediately stated that she thought they should. Because Jamie and Evelyn agreed with her, Robert didn’t have a chance after that. He was outvoted and now here he was, dressed in his Sunday best.

At least he hadn’t been part of the massive preparations. For the first time since he had lived on this farm, he hadn’t been the one to haul bucket after bucket of water from the well to the large iron pot used for laundry and to carry armloads of firewood to feed the fire. The poor servants had done all that while he and Jamie had spent the better part of the day hunting. How nice it had been too; and he wouldn’t have to do it tomorrow either, the normal day for laundry.

Perhaps he should consider obtaining more servants; perhaps even a girl to help the women in the kitchen and with the household chores.

Elizabeth certainly wouldn’t mind. Yesterday she had been the one to supervise all the work just like a mistress of a plantation should, but she had also done some of the work herself! All the men’s shirts had been washed and hung to dry in the sun; wool coats and breeches had been brushed, mended and aired out. The women’s cloaks had received the same attention as the men’s coats and Elizabeth’s and Evelyn’s good gowns had been sponged and refreshed. Elizabeth had wanted everyone to look their best for their first appearance at church as a family; and after a late dinner of roasted rabbits and ducks, (courtesy of Robert’s and Jamie’s hunting trip), pumpkin, squash, late season peas and cornbread, everyone was directed to bathe and wash their hair, even the servants.

By bedtime everyone had been exhausted, but Elizabeth had been quite pleased with her accomplishments.

“Of course you’ll survive!” She laughed lightly. Then in a lower voice, added, “You look very handsome.”

“Do I?” Robert teased her, but he had to admit to himself that he did look rather good and he didn’t smell too bad either!

She laughed again. “You know you do!” She said, picking up a pair of the perfumed leather gloves she had found in her governess’ trunk. “I’m going to have to fight off all the other ladies with my bodkin.” She lightly patted the back of her hair and the hairpin to make sure it was still secure.

“I doubt that. Abby and about a dozen little girls under twelve are the only single females in the county.”

“Are you serious?” Elizabeth asked, shock on her face.

“Yes, I’m serious. As soon as any single women arrive in the colony, they’re snatched up like that.” He snapped his fingers.

“But there were several single women at the party at Uncle Francis’.” Elizabeth commented.

“A widow or two, yes, and Alicia and Jane, your
rivals
…” He teased her with a smile.

“Oh, you!” She swiped at his arm. “My point exactly. They’re not married yet.”

“Only because their parents are still considering offers from several gentlemen.”

“And they still had the nerve to flirt with you?” Elizabeth gasped. “How vulgar!”

Robert chuckled. “They’re only girls yet. I never took them seriously.”

“Good!” Elizabeth said, with a single nod of haughty approval.

Robert chuckled again. He grabbed her and gave her a quick kiss. “I’m glad you approve. Now enough of this talk. We should leave or we’ll be late. Shall we?” He offered his arm to Elizabeth; she took it and they started to walk towards the door, but before they even went three steps, Elizabeth stopped. She turned to look at Robert, her forehead pinched in deep thought. “Why has Abigail not re-married?” She asked seriously.

Robert sighed, wondering if he should speak his mind. If they didn’t leave right now, they probably would be late to church, not that he cared. If Elizabeth wanted to tarry and discuss this now, he wouldn’t object. “I think she doesn’t like men.” He said quietly. “And now that she’s been attacked, I doubt she’ll ever let a man get near her again.”

“Doesn’t like men?” Elizabeth asked, frowning. “Whatever do you mean by that?”

Robert looked Elizabeth right in the eye. “I mean, she doesn’t like men.” He said directly. “You know, she likes women.”

Elizabeth huffed. “Well, of course she likes women! She’s a woman. I like women too.”

Robert shook his head. “No, you do not understand. Sometimes a person likes someone of their own sex, as in falling in love and having relations.”

“No!” Elizabeth gasped. “That’s sinful! Abigail would not do that!”

Robert shrugged his shoulders. “You may be right. I only said I think she doesn’t like men.”

Elizabeth frowned again, thinking fiercely. She stared at a spot some place over Robert’s shoulder, quite disturbed.

Robert hoped he hadn’t upset her too much. He didn’t know if she knew about this kind of person or not, or if she did know, whether she objected to the concept. Of course the Bible stated that it was an abomination for men to lie with mankind and for women to lie with womankind, but Robert didn’t care one way or the other. Of course this lifestyle was not for him and he truly couldn’t understand anyone who had those feelings, but he had decided to adopt the views of the Powhatans who accepted everyone equally.

Robert gently put his arm around her and tried to guide her towards the door. “We’ll talk about this later. We should go.”

“Wait.” Elizabeth said, shrugging off his arm and facing him. “You may be right, after all. The first night I stayed with her she looked at me very strangely and made me feel quite awkward. And then that morning she was teaching me to make that compress, she again acted too familiar with me. She even asked me if our governess had ever told Evelyn and me about the joys of female companionship.”

“She what?” Robert gasped.

“She asked me if we knew about the joys of female companionship and I...” Elizabeth started to giggle at the memory. But then she clapped her hand over her mouth when she remembered that Abigail was downstairs and could possibly hear her. In a quieter voice but still smiling in amusement, she continued, “…I told her that Evelyn and I had always known the pleasures of female companionship.”

Robert’s eyes widened in shock. “You and Evelyn?” He gasped.

Elizabeth gave him a dirty look. “No! I only meant that Evelyn and I have always been especially close because we’re twins.”

Robert looked contrite. “Sorry.” He smiled apologetically at her. “What did she say?”

“Nothing, but she let out a cry as if I had wounded her.” Elizabeth let out another giggle. “Oh Robert, I didn’t know what she had meant at the time, but now…” She covered her mouth again, trying to stifle her mirth. She looked up suddenly. “Is that what you meant when you told me that you thought Abigail was strange?”