Apalachee

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

‘‘But you must not rule it out.’’ ‘‘Very well. If you wish me to say it, I will not rule it out. But I cannot imagine it.’’ They stopped now at the edge of the garden. Beyond was the lanternlight of the dooryard. Isaac looked at her, wanting to hold her again, but hesitating , aware of the proximity of the house and the danger of being seen. ‘‘I will not sleep tonight,’’ he said softly. ‘‘Nor I,’’ she whispered. He looked at her face, so soft and fair, her eyes intent on his, her lips slightly parted. He bent his head and kissed her, tasting her sweetness. For a moment she returned the kiss, and then she pulled away. ‘‘Forgive me,’’ he said quietly. She made no reply, but lingered there beside him. Then she whispered, ‘‘Good night,’’ and turned and walked quickly across the yard to the house. Isaac watched her until she was out of sight. Then he followed her across the yard. As he passed by the kitchen, he noticed the Indian cook standing silently in the doorway. 228 chapter twenty-seven Lucia drew the brush through Charity’s hair, concentrating on making the crown smooth without destroying the curl beneath, trying to do it as she had seen Venus do it. Charity was paying little attention in the mirror, but Venus was standing by watching intently, waiting for the slightest excuse to criticize. Lucia pinned the hair carefully at the nape of Charity’s neck, then reached for the blue ribbon on the dressing table. Venus shifted slightly, and Lucia stiffened. She stood for a moment, holding the ribbon, studying the job she had done so far. Unable to see anything wrong with it, she slipped the ribbon beneath the curls and tied it in a careful bow. Then she looked into the mirror at Charity. ‘‘You like?’’ she asked in her faltering English. Charity turned her head slightly one way and then another, inspecting herself in the mirror. ‘‘It’s very neat, Lucia.’’ Venus shook her head contemptuously. ‘‘If you could see the back, Miss Charity.’’ Venus’ English had a Jamaican lilt, rich with African intonations. She stepped up brusquely and untied the ribbon and pulled out the pins. ‘‘Let me do it over. Best make Lucia a kitchen slave. She’s never gonna learn how to take care of you.’’ ‘‘You should have let me see it, Venus, before you took it down. I’ll be the one to judge her progress.’’ ‘‘It was nothing but a mess, Miss Charity. Take my word.’’ Lucia stood back with her lips tight. Venus was supposed to be her teacher but everything she learned was in spite of the woman. And Lucia wanted to learn. She wanted them to think her a good slave. She wanted to be trusted and sent out into the streets on errands. At night she pestered Bella to help her with her English. Charity was impressed with her progress , and Lucia herself was pleased, for she knew she would need to be able to speak English in order to make her way back to Carlos. She could only pass through the settlement if she appeared to be a free Indian, perhaps a basketmaker like those she had seen selling their wares at the waterfront. ‘‘There now,’’ said Venus, stepping back to admire what she had done with Charity’s hair. It was no different from Lucia’s work. Venus picked up a lace headdress from the dressing table, but Charity reached out and took it from her. ‘‘Let Lucia do it. You have to let her practice or she’ll never learn a thing.’’ ‘‘And everything takes twice as long,’’ grumbled Venus, stepping back out of the way. As Lucia worked with the headdress, smoothing it in place, there came a knock at the chamber door. Venus stood sullenly while Lucia went over and opened the door to Abraham Hawkins, who was dressed in a morning gown with a silk turban on his shaved head in place of his cumbersome wig. ‘‘May I come in?’’ His tone was stiff. ‘‘Certainly, Father,’’ Charity answered, she, too, keeping a distance in her voice. The tension was an old one now, as familiar to the slaves as to the family. Charity’s defiant refusal of the proposed match with Henry had gone on for more than two months. Abraham came in and stood just inside the door. ‘‘I’ve a message from Captain Little...