It had happened then. She was the one.
From that moment onward, he had tried to keep her close to him, going so far as to suggest she become a part of his family…as his sister, of course.
But, despite her obvious wish to gain a family, she had been prepared to remain a servant for several more years, even though she could have run away to his people. No, her sense of the duty, the keeping of one’s word would not permit her to take advantage of becoming a part of a family…his family, even though she wished it.
The moment he’d understood her commitment to the Creator and to His law, he’d fallen even more deeply in love with her. Indeed, in the present moment, most of his thoughtsconcerned her and how to sway her toward considering him to be her life’s partner.
Yet, she was white. Perhaps she might prefer a husband from within her own society.
But, no, this couldn’t be so; her excitement at realizing she would become a part of his family had been too real, showing she was not in any way prejudiced due to culture or skin color.
Abagail suddenly grabbed hold of his arm, causing him to cease his musings and return to the present moment. She whispered, “I am terribly nervous. What if someone here knows I was once an indentured servant?”
“It will not be. Most, even if they knew the details of your servitude, would not mention it, and those who would take you to task over it, if the person be a man, would have to face me on a field of honor.”
“A field of honor?”
“Nyoh,” he replied, but he did not explain.
“Oh Skenan, you are too good to me. And, so kind are you, I am not certain I can live up to the position of being your sister. But, I will try. I promise you, I will try.”
Skenan smiled, although he was certain there was not a single bit of happiness in his eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” exclaimed Colonel Peter Gansevoort. “We have come here tonight to honor two guests who currently are at residence in this fort, and those people are: Skenandoah, The Deer, and Miss Abagail Densbury, who both braved the wilds of the Oneida woods on foot in order to bringus the first news of the Battle of Oriskany. Had it not been for these two people, the siege might have continued until we might have been forced to surrender. And so, because of their courageousness, we honor them tonight.”
There was a round of applause, and Abagail was certain her face filled with color.
“And now,” announced Colonel Gansevoort, “Skenandoah and Miss Densbury will lead us in the first dance of the night.”
So saying, Colonel Gansevoort waved the two of them onto the dance floor.
Skenan stood up first, offering his arm to Abagail, and as soon as she placed her hand upon his coat, she felt his arm contract beneath her touch, as though he welcomed it. But, neither mentioned the incident. Instead, they stepped out of the sidelines and onto the ballroom floor.
Aware of every eye being upon them, Abagail felt her knees buckle. But, as soon as the music began, they faced one another. Skenan bowed to her and she curtsied to him, and then they began the same steps of the minuet they had practiced for these past three days.Bring hands together, step together, then back; step to the side and back. Turning, they joined hands in front of their bodies, and, arm and arm, they stepped forward, then, letting go of each other’s hands, they stepped back into place.
Other couples who knew this particular dance soon joined them on the ballroom floor, and soon two lines facing each other were formed.Step together, step apart, join hands and promenade forward. Step together, join hands, face partner andbring joined hands upward. Glance into the eyes of one’s partner.
Step apart. Step together. Join hands, glance up at each other,look into each other’seyes once more.
Longingly, she stared up at Skenan. Did she see love there in his glance at her? Did he share her affection? No, it couldn’t be, and yet she thought that perhaps…
She looked up at him again as they came together in a handhold causing them to step up close together. Did he love her? Or was the affection she witnessed in his eyes the amusing glance of a brother to his sister?
The music ended rather suddenly for Abagail, since she wished to share a touch with him. But, she couldn’t continue the dance when the music had ceased. And so, placing her hand on Skenan’s arm, she walked beside him as he escorted her back toward the crowd of people standing on the side of the dance floor. But, she had no more than faced forward when a young soldier, looking handsome in his Continental uniform, trod up to her and asked her for the next dance.
Abagail didn’t really wish to dance with anyone else but Skenan, and so she looked up at him as though she were seeking his permission; when he inclined his head, she reluctantly accepted the dance. However, as soon as the one dance was done and the young man had walked her to the side of the room, another young man strode toward her and asked for her hand in the dance.
And so, in this way, the night progressed as one young man after another asked Abagail to dance. Now and again, she caught Skenan’s glance—he who was watching her from the side of the dance floor. During these times, she smiled at him, but he never returned the gesture. Instead, he stood apart from the others, not dancing with another, but watching her.
At last, the orchestra announced a break, and Abagail rejoined Skenan.
Perhaps because most of the women in the fort were married, she was one of the few young women available to dance with these officers, and possibly because of the exquisite way inwhich she was dressed, none of these gentlemen realized she was a common indentured servant.
The room was hot, and as she fanned her face with her gloves, she said, “I can’t remember ever being so much in the center of attention.”
He responded, saying, “I am happy for you. You deserve to be looked upon in a good light by these people.”
“Perhaps,” she said, “it is the way I am dressed. I look like a lady of influence dressed as I am. But, if I were to don my usual clothing, I doubt any special notice would be taken of me.”
