AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I had no idea,” I remarked, noticing the cavalier way Elizabeth regarded the slave. She hadn’t even so much as looked at him. He didn’t exist to her. This bothered me, but it was just another reminder of the Southern rules of engagement.
“I can’t remember when a man moved so many,” she added.
“I dare say the gossip has been relentless since my return.”
“Yes...gossip,” she said with the wave of a hand. “It’s always so incomplete, isn’t it? I find it much more interesting to go directly to the source for information.”
“And here I am.”
Elizabeth’s face reddened. “Yes, here you are,” she said. “Of course, a lady can’t afford to gossip like Brigitte Papier. There are some things in life that must be approached with discretion.”
I smiled. “Ms. Papier tells secrets for a living,” I said, referring to the infamous reporter who loved to reveal the titillating details of the rich and famous. “Surely, you aren’t comparing yourself to her?”
“No, not at all,” Elizabeth said. “I’m not as free as she is.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed,” she said firmly, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “Life is very different for women in my position. Surely, you must know that.”
“To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it.”
“You’ve never been in a situation where you had to consider a woman’s position?”
I paused, knowing that any answer I gave would have me defending the next one. “It depends on what you mean by ‘position.’ Are you referring to a woman’s status or her philosophies on the meaning of life?”
Elizabeth smiled but her body language spoke something else. “I was referring to status.”
“I can’t say I’ve thought much about a woman’s status when it comes to matters of the heart.”
Elizabeth’s body stiffened. “But it matters to you,” I quickly remarked, regarding her closely. “Is there something you want to ask me Elizabeth?”
“Not here,” she said, turning away. “There is much I want to say. Frankly, I didn’t know how I would react when I saw you. And now that you’re here...well, it’s very difficult to explain.”
I leaned into her and took her hand. “I’m open to talking about anything you’d like,” I said sympathetically. “Past or present.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “That’s very kind of you.”
Before either one of us could say more, we were summoned to the dining room for dinner. Aunt Rachel had strategically placed us next to each other, but we intentionally kept the conversation light. Throughout the four-course meal, I had come to learn a great deal about Elizabeth. She was well-educated and to a degree, well-traveled. She spoke with confidence about her life and what she wanted for her future. Underneath the openness, however, was a mask, a realization of things yet to be spoken. I recognized this about her because I had been wearing the mask for so long myself.
Chapter Nine
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
January 15, 1856
Dear Cousin,
I have been reflecting on your visit this week past and have been thinking about you more often than I care to admit. It’s as if we were new lovers separated by time and distance. In truth, memories of you have remained in my soul ever since you left Bellevue all those years ago. I was very sad during those initial years and nothing could seem to console me. For a girl of twelve years old who spent her days recreating fairy tales, the news of your departure was devastating. And the longer you stayed away, the more I needed you. Over time, the sorrow left me, but it was replaced with something quite close to emptiness. We didn’t spend many private moments together, but what we did experience was deeply felt. Seeing you again has reopened those old wounds and caused me to reflect on things I had forgotten. The circumstances as to why you left were whispered about in private by mother and Uncle William, but they refused to give me details. From what he told my mother, it had something to do with you being with that nigra wench. Yet, I find that story truly hard to believe. Surely, you would not ruin your relationship with your father and that of your reputation by succumbing to something so vile. But then, I think back on those times and realize that there was, indeed, a noticeable closeness between you and her, one that often made me quite jealous and uncomfortable. Yet, as with all things, you grow out of your childish ways and gain perspective, and it is with this new understanding that I reach out to you. Upon reflection and maturity of heart, I realize our betrothal was simply a promise to marry. We were young and unaware of the meaning of true love. Now, as mature men and women who have moved beyond those tumultuous years, perhaps we can open our hearts to one another and find, at the very least, friendship and comfort. For fate, as life has shown me, has its own plans and all you can do is take her hand and pray for something more.
Your loving cousin,
Elizabeth
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
January 28, 1856
Dearest Cousin,
