Princess Ces'alena (18 page)

By six, all those that would be attending were arriving. One carriage after another rolled up for unloading fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, southern belles, dandies and bachelors galore. This was a perfect time for all to do a little hunting, viewing and planning of who would be best for whom.

Jordan, Amos and Henry were in charge of driving the carriages to their holding area as Samuel, Leon, Johnnypoe and Daniel were escorts to the families leading them to the back field where everything was set up. It wasn’t long before the back yard was teaming with guests. By the turn out, the lawn party came to be a success…and there was plenty to serve to all.

The quartet was present, in place and began the first musical arrangement. It wasn’t long before the platform filled with those attending beginning to enjoying themselves as laughter and calls of greeting filled the air.

Lena stood elegant and graceful in her ensemble; the cream blouse and lace accenting her caramel smooth skin, brightening her gold eyes all the more. She’d folded her bandanna to look like a head band and tied it in the back, leaving her hair to fall loosely into a full lace net down her back. As they served up the meals, Lena looked out among the crowd hoping to spot Manny, she was missing him.

She regretted rejecting him, slapping him – it had hurt to do it, but she knew she was doing the right thing. She spotted Mike helping Ferrus serve refreshments and beamed with motherly pride. He walked proudly in his uniform; he was a striking image to be so young, sure to be a handsome young man someday. His hair had been neatly cut, slicked down and parted at the side and combed back with a quiff on top. He must have felt her eyes on him, because he turned to see her smiling at him; he waved at her beaming brightly - enjoying his part in the gathering.

The O’Brien’s showed up with the exception of their daughter, Josephine; Charles Wilson joined them, having conducted business earlier with Jordan Lee, then followed them to the Webster’s. As they approached for refreshments, Charles smiled at Lena and nodded, a peculiar look in his eyes. Before this, he’d never given her much thought, nor had he ever really made eye contact with her to speak. His friendliness was usually extended to Ferrus and Kayleen only. He had little to say to the others. Lena couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind to look at her as he’d just done.

Peeling her eyes from his tall presence, she scanned the crowd once more looking for Manny. She recognized other families from town and the surrounding area; having encountered some from the many times the fair came and Manny would take her and Mike, as well many other slaves. There he would look over live stock for purchase and enter various competitions. She would stand back watching him, secretly cheering him on, feeling that same pride as one would for her husband. Often they grinned when she played the docile slave girl giving aid to her master as she followed behind him from one event to another. None suspected that all the prizes he’d won, went to her, their son…or Kayleen. After the events were over and night had fallen with dancing and celebrating, Jordan and Leon would take charge of Mike so that she and Manny could disappear for their own celebrating.

He was standing and talking to Charles Wilson…he must have just arrived from the mansion…his size nearly dwarfed most of the men present except for a few and Charles, who stood Manny’s height. Her heart squeezed in her chest…he was so handsome … wearing a midnight blue suit, with a royal blue silk waist coat of dark imprint of some kind. Beneath, he wore a white shirt with the ruffled front and sleeves, a neatly arranged stock tie and carried his cutaway coat over his arm.

From his neat combed back and tied hair, with his full moustache and sideburns…down to his tight fitting black trousers tucked into knee high black boots – he was a masculine presence just short of perfection. The pain in her heart was as much as she could stand when he took the hand of a young belle, escorting her to the dance floor as another round of music started up.

“You insolent wench! I’m talking to you! How much longer am I to wait to be served!?” An older woman snapped, bringing Lena’s mind back to what she was doing. She looked at the plate in her hand, failing to remember when she’d picked it up, next she looked up at the woman. “I’m sorry…excuse me…what is it, you wish?”

“Had you been paying attention…you would know…now wouldn’t you? Obviously by the looks of you, you are accustomed to serving in another capacity!” The woman insulted; her meaning very clear. “What is your name wench?”

Lena looked her in the eyes, suddenly squaring her shoulders - duplicating the older woman’s look of disdain, turned eyeing Kayleen - whose eyes grew huge in warning. Ignoring the woman, Lena sat the plate on the table and walked away from her. “Why?! - did you see her? Did you see what she did?” The woman turned in shocked disapproval to those that stood behind her. Ruby seeing it all, quickly walked over grabbed up the plate and started filling it.

“I’ah take care of you ma’am. You have to excuse Lena, she ain’t in a good way lately.” Ruby tried to explain to placate the woman.

She only grumbled the more as she nodded yes and no to various selections Ruby pointed to; once completed, the woman moved on promising, “I will be having a word with your master, you can mark my words. Looks to me what’s ailin’ her is a need for a sound whipping!”

“Yes ma’am.” Ruby nodded.

Kayleen sighed shaking her head as they continued serving the others in line with the help of Cora and Mazie.

Morris inhaled for control, following Lena from the serving table. The offended woman noticed, smiling in satisfaction that matters would be handled. Lena was walking towards the wooded area when Morris called out sharply to her.
“Ceś alena!”

Hearing him, Lena stopped…not bothering to turn around.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you…but it better leave, and soon. You will conduct yourself with our guests as expected! Do you understand?” He demanded. Lena looked up at him, making sure there was eye contact. Morris swallowed, her eyes did something strange to him; they made him feel uncomfortable. It was as if Lena possessed some knowledge of black magic.

“Don’t you dare look at me that way! Bow your head when I’m speaking to you!”

Raising one insolent brow, slowly she looked down away from him.

“One of these days, you’ll get what’s coming to you. Left up to me, you’d get a sound slapping…but my son indulges you…don’t think I will wench. Now get back to that table, and do as a slave aught to!” Turning obediently away, she returned to her duties…but made sure to square her shoulders and walk with the grace she’d always done. Morris followed slowly behind scanning the crowd for his son.

Joining the others once again, the guest having thinned out at the serving table, Lena arrived as Cora commented, “Goodness, I’m glad that’s over with.” Wiping the sweat from her brow, she added. “For a while anyway…you okay?” She asked Lena as she stepped up. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you all with the serving.” She apologized.

“Well I musta fixed a hundred plates or more.” This from Ruby, “But it don’t matter…what’s got to be, got to be. You need to get that through your head.” She reasoned with her.

“She right you know. Ain’t a thang you can do t’stop it. You musta known it was gone happen sooner or later.” Cora added, “Don’t let these folks get to you. Let’s just get through this night, it’ll soon be over. Then you can get on with your life.”

Lena knew they were trying to help… but she could not ignore the way she felt, or the fact…that in her mind, and heart - he was hers — a part of her life. “Honey, why don’t you go for a little walk and cool off.” Kayleen advised sympathizing with her.

“I tried that, but Morris caught up with me and ruined it.”

“Well, its slow now…go on.”

Nodding softly she strolled off the platform, enjoying the cool evening breeze, she removed the lace netting, letting the gentle wind blow through her hair. The music sounded wonderful, making her tilt her head and close her eyes; she lifted her skirt as though she were on the dance floor and began dancing and twirling to the music, swaying smooth with an exotic rhythm that carried her away.

Manny sighed, “My friend,
you’re
single…you’re more than welcome to her.” He offered leaning against the banister lifting his drink to his mouth.

Charles leaned back also, taking a good look at his friend he impulsively said. “Why do I get the feeling that no matter who you meet tonight, she will either be too young; too old; too skinny; too plump; and too whatever else you might conjure in your mind?”

Manny feeling uncomfortable with Charles scrutiny fidgeted and turned to lift his hip to one side over the banister in a half sitting position. Asking a question in answer to Charles’s question while lifting his drink to his mouth. “I don’t know? Why do you get that feeling?” Taking a sip of his drink, he caught movement from the side of his eye, turning to it he saw Lena twirling and dancing in time with the music.

He froze, mesmerized…as if under a spell, he saw and heard nothing else that moment. The rate of his heart picked up in beat… it seemed that the last rays of sunlight left, waited for that moment to shine…right down on her, lighting up her tawny colored hair. It glowed like dark honey gold, against skin smooth and gleaming. The cream color blouse she wore accented her rich coloring. The skirt she wore bellowed out around her as she twirled, then she swayed with the swing of her hips one way, then the other; all done as she danced in the setting of the sun. The lust in him sang thick and hot for her…the last thing on his mind, was this gathering…he wanted to follow her into those woods, trap her against a tree, fling that skirt high while staring long and hard into her eyes the very second before he…

“Manny?! Manny!” Charles called again; Manny dragged his eyes away back to his friend. “You know, you really should be more careful my friend. The desire you show, when you look at her is much too obvious.”

Refusing to comment one way or the other, Manny took another sip of his brandy. Taking a deep breath, Charles tried advising him. “Just a word of advice, you really should give consideration to selling her before it’s too late. Keep your son, but-…” Charles stopped, swallowing hard. The look from Manny at that moment blocked all further advice within.

“Excuse me, Mr. Webster…may I have a word with you?” A young man of twenty or so interrupted as he approached the two bachelors. Manny, happy for the diversion turned to him. “Sure…how may I help you?”

“Well this is not an easy thing to ask of you. You see, I’m aware of the turn downs from the past, but seeing that you will soon be taking a bride, perhaps you might consider it.” He began. Manny stiffened, feeling it coming…it wasn’t the first time.

“Consider
what?
” The question was coarse.

The young man cleared his throat somewhat nervously… taking in the sudden dangerous gleam in Manny’s eyes. But he’d been watching her most of the evening after his family’s arrival. He wanted her, and every man had his price, especially one about to marry, and his father had the money to pay.

“I wish to purchase a wench in your possession.”

“Which?”

“Your fancy…Ceś alena…ah ah…before you turn me down.” He held up his hand to stop Manny who was definitely about to. “You must consider the fact that you will soon be taking a bride. A new missus … she won’t appreciate your having a fancy like that one. Save yourself future problems, sell her to me, I’ll treat her good. Set her up real nice, I’m willing to offer you five thousand for her… or more. She won’t have to lift a finger with me, if you know what I mean?” He winked while grinning.

“Are you done; anything else?”

“No…that is it…other than coming to a price.”

“I see…so let’s not waste your time - nor mine; neither today…nor tomorrow - will Ceś alena be for sale; not now…not
ever!
Neither you nor your father will ever come up with an amount I would consider. So, in other words…” Manny bent down close to his face and snarled, emphasized by a two finger jab to his chest. “…
fuck off!”
Returning to his full height - his eyes warned not to be brazen enough to ask again. The young man stood frozen a moment, then spun, wincing from the throb of the jab to his chest, it hurt. With head down, he disappeared into the crowd.

Manny looked up at Charles only to see his father standing behind him. “You should have taken him up on the offer…that wench is too insolent because of you. She insulted one of our guests; I had to set her straight.” Morris informed him.

“What do you mean…set her straight?”