Wisdom of raven be thine,
Wisdom of valiant eagle.
Voice of swan be thine,
Voice of honey be thine,
Voice of the Son of the stars.
Sain of the fairy-woman be thine,
Sain of the elf-dart be thine,
Sain of the red dog be thine.
Bounty of sea be thine,
Bounty of land be thine,
Bounty of the Father of Heaven.
Be each day glad for thee,
No day ill for thee,
A life joyful, satisfied.
Jocasta paused for a moment, a slight frown on her face, as though listening for any backtalk from Fairyland. Evidently satisfied, she motioned toward the hearth.
Throw it into the fire. Then the wean will be safe from burning.
Brianna obeyed, finding to her fascination that she did not find any of this even faintly ridiculous. Odd, but very satisfying to think that she was protecting Jem from harmeven harm from fairies, which she didnt personally believe in. Or she hadnt, before this.
A thread of music drifted up from below; the screek of a fiddle, and the sound of a voice, deep and mellow. She couldnt make out any words, but knew the sound of the song.
Jocasta cocked her head, listening, and smiled.
Hes a good voice, your young man.
Brianna listened, too. Very faintly, she heard the familiar rise and fall of My Love Is in America, somewhere below. When I sing, its always for you. Her breasts were soft now, drained of milk, but they tingled slightly at the memory.
You have good ears, Auntie, she said, tucking the thought away with a smile.
Are ye pleased in your marriage? Jocasta asked abruptly. Dye find yourself well-suited wi the lad?
Yes, Brianna said, a little startled. Yesvery much.
Thats good. Her great-aunt stood still, head tilted to the side, still listening. Aye, thats good, she repeated, softly.
Seized by impulse, Brianna laid a hand on the older womans wrist.
And you, Auntie? she asked. Are you... pleased?
Happy seemed not quite the word, in view of that row of rings in the case. Well-suited seemed not quite right, either, with her memory of Duncan, skulking in the corner of the drawing room the night before, shy and wordless whenever anyone but Jamie spoke to him, sweating and nervous this morning.
Pleased? Jocasta sounded puzzled. Ohto be married, ye mean! To Briannas relief, her aunt laughed, the lines of her face drawing up in genuine amusement.
Oh, aye, surely, she said. Why, its the first time I shall ha changed my name in fifty years!
With a small snort of amusement, the old lady turned toward the window and pressed her palm against the glass.
Its a fine day out, lass, she said. Why not take your cloak and have a bit of air and company?
She was right; the distant river gleamed silver through a lacework of green branches, and the air inside, so cozy a few moments ago, seemed now suddenly stale and frowsty.
I think I will. Brianna glanced toward the makeshift cradle. Shall I call Phaedre to watch the baby?
Jocasta waved a hand at her, shooing.
Och, away wi ye. Ill mind the bairnie. I dinna mean to go down yet a while.
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Thanks, Auntie. She kissed the old womans cheek, and turned to gothen, with a glance at her aunt, took a step back toward the hearth, and unobtrusively slid the cradle a little farther from the fire.
THE AIR OUTSIDE was fresh, and smelled of new grass and barbecue smoke. It made her want to skip down the brick paths, blood humming in her veins. She could hear the strains of music from the house, and the sound of Rogers voice. A quick turn in the fresh air, and then shed go in; perhaps Roger would be ready for a break by then, and they could
Brianna! She heard her name, hissed from behind the wall of the kitchen garden, and turned, startled, to find her fathers head poking cautiously round the corner, like a ruddy snail. He jerked his chin at her and disappeared.
She cast a quick look over her shoulder to be sure no one was watching, and hastily whisked round the wall into the shelter of a sprouting carrot bed, to find her father crouched over the recumbent body of one of the black maids, who was sprawled atop a pile of aging manure with her cap over her face.
What on earth Brianna began. Then she caught a whiff of alcohol, pungent among the garden scents of carrot tops and sun-ripened manure. Oh. She squatted next to her father, skirts ballooning over the brick path.
It was my fault, he explained. Or some of it, at least. I left a cup under the willows, still half-full. He nodded toward the brick path, where one of Jocastas punch cups lay on its side, a sticky drop of liquid still clinging to its rim. She must have found it.
Brianna leaned over and sniffed at the edge of the maids rumpled cap, now fluttering with heavy snores. Rum punch was the prevailing odor, but she also detected the richly sour scent of ale and the smooth tang of brandy. Evidently the slave had been thriftily disposing of any dregs left in the cups she collected for washing.
She lifted the ruffled edge of the cap with a cautious finger. It was Betty, one of the older maids, her face slack-lipped and drop-jawed in alcoholic stupor.
Aye, it wasna the first half-cup shed had, Jamie said, seeing her. She must have been reeling. I canna think how she walked so far from the house, in such condition.
Brianna glanced back, frowning. The brick-walled kitchen garden was near to the cookhouse, but a good three hundred yards from the main house, and separated from it by a rhododendron hedge, and several flower beds.
Not just how, Brianna said, and tapped a finger against her lip in puzzlement. Why?
What? He had been frowning at the maid, but glanced up at her tone. She rose, and tilted her head at the snoring woman.
Why did she walk out here? It looks like shes been tippling all dayshe cant have been dashing out here with every cup; somebody would have noticed. And why bother? Its not like it would be hard to do without being noticed. If I were drinking leftovers, Id just stay there under the willows and gulp it.
Her father gave her a startled look, replaced at once with one of wry amusement.
Would ye, then? Aye, thats a thought. But perhaps there was enough in the cup that she thought to enjoy it in peace.
Maybe so. But there are surely hiding places nearer the river than this. She reached down and scooped up the empty cup. What was it you were drinking, rum punch?
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No, brandy.
Then it wasnt yours that pushed her over the edge. She held out the cup, tilting it so he could see the dark dregs at the bottom. Jocastas rum punch was made not only with the usual rum, sugar, and butter but also with dried currants, the whole concoction being mulled with a hot poker. The result not only was dark brown in color but always left a heavy sediment in the cups, composed of tiny grains of soot from the poker and the charred remnants of incinerated currants.
Jamie took the cup from her, frowning. He inserted his nose into the cup and took a deep sniff, then stuck a finger into the liquid and put it in his mouth.
What is it? she asked, seeing his face change.
Punch, he said, but ran the tip of his tongue back and forth over his teeth, as though to cleanse it. With laudanum, I think.
Laudanum! Are you sure?
No, he said frankly. But theres something in it beyond dried currants, or Im a Dutchman. He held the cup out to her, and she took it, sniffing furiously. She couldnt make out much beyond but the sweet, burned smell of rum punch. Perhaps there was a sharper tang, something oily and aromatic... perhaps not.
Ill take your word for it, she said, wiping the tip of her nose on the back of her hand. She glanced at the supine maid. Shall I go look for Mama?
Jamie squatted beside the maid and inspected her carefully. He lifted a limp hand and felt it, listened to her breathing, then shook his head.
I canna say whether shes drugged, or only drunkbut I dinna think shes dying.
What shall we do with her? We cant leave her lie.
He looked down at the slave, frowning.
No, of course not. He stooped andquite gentlygathered the woman into his arms. One worn shoe fell off, and Brianna retrieved it from the brick walk.
Dye ken where she sleeps? Jamie asked, gingerly negotiating his stertorous burden round the edge of a cucumber frame.
Shes a house slave; she must sleep in the attics.
He nodded, tossing his head to dislodge a strand of red hair that had blown into his mouth.
Verra well, then, well go round the stables and see can we get up the back stair without bein seen. Go across, will ye, lass, and signal me when its clear.
She tucked shoe and cup under her cloak to hide them, then ducked quickly out onto the narrow walk that led past the kitchen garden, branching to cookhouse and necessary. She glanced to and fro, feigning casualness. There were a few people within sight, near the paddock, but that was some distance awayand all of them had their backs to her, engrossed with Mr. Wylies black Dutch horses.
As she turned to signal to her father, she caught sight of Mr. Wylie himself, escorting a lady into the stable block. A gleam of gold silkwait, it was her mother! Claires pale face turned momentarily in her direction, but her attention was fixed on something Wylie was saying, and she didnt notice her daughter on the path.
Bree hesitated, wanting to call to her mother, but couldnt do so without attracting unwanted attention. Well, at least she knew where Claire was. She could come and fetch her mother to helponce they had Betty safely tucked away.
WITH A FEW CLOSE alarms and near-misses, they managed to get Betty up to the long attic room she shared with the other female house servants. Jamie, panting, dumped her unceremoniously on one of the narrow beds, then wiped his sweating brow on his coat sleeve, and, long nose wrinkled, began fastidiously to dust manure crumbs from the skirts of his coat.
So, then, he said, a little grumpily. Shes safe, aye? If ye tell one of the other slaves shes taken ill, I suppose no one who matters will find out.
Thanks, Da. She leaned close and kissed his cheek. Youre a sweet man.
Oh, aye, he said, sounding resigned. My bones are filled wi honey, to be sure. Still, he didnt look displeased. Have ye got that shoe, still? He took off the maids remaining shoe, and placed it neatly beside its fellow beneath the bed, then drew the coarse woolen blanket gently over the womans feet, grimy white in their thick stockings.
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Brianna checked the maids condition; so far as she could tell, everything seemed all right; the woman was still snoring wetly, but in a reassuringly regular manner. As they tiptoed cautiously back down the rear stairs, she gave Jamie the silver cup.
Here. Did you know this was one of Duncans cups?
No. He arched one brow, frowning. What dye mean, Duncans cups?
Aunt Jocasta had a set of six cups made for Duncan, for a wedding present. She showed them to me yesterday. See? She turned the cup in her hand, to show him the engraved monogramI, for Innes, with a tiny fish, its scales beautifully detailed, swimming round the letter.
Does that help? she asked, seeing his brow crease in interest.
It may. He pulled out a clean cambric handkerchief and wrapped the cup carefully before putting it in the pocket of his coat. Ill go and find out. Meanwhile, can ye find Roger Mac?
Of course. Why?
Well, it does occur to me that if yon Betty drank part of a cup of rum punch and was laid out like a fish on a slab, then I should like to find whoever drank the first part of it, and see if theyre in a similar condition. He raised one brow at her. If the punch was drugged, then likely it was meant for someone, aye? I thought perhaps you and Roger Mac might look round discreetly for bodies in the shrubbery.
That aspect of the matter hadnt struck her in the rush to get Betty upstairs.
All right. I should find Phaedre or Ulysses first, though, and tell one of them that Bettys sick.
Aye. If ye speak with Phaedre, ye might inquire whether yon Betty is an opium-eater as well as a bibber. Though I will say I think it unlikely, he added dryly.
So do I, she said, matching his tone. She took his point, though; perhaps the punch had not been drugged, but Betty had taken the laudanum herself, on purpose. It was possible; she knew Jocasta kept some in the stillroom. If she had taken it herself, though, was it for recreational useor had the maid perhaps intended to commit suicide?
She frowned at Jamies back, as he paused at the foot of the stair, listening before stepping onto the landing. It was easy enough to think that the misery of slavery might dispose one to suicide. At the same time, honesty compelled her to admit that Jocastas house servants lived reasonably well; better than any number of free individualsblack or whitethat shed seen in Wilmington and Cross Creek.
The servants room was clean, the beds rough but comfortable. The house servants had decent clothes, even to shoes and stockings, and more than enough to eat. As for the sorts of emotional complications that could lead one to contemplate suicidewell, those werent limited to slaves.
Much more likely that Betty was merely a toper, of the sort who would drink anything even vaguely alcoholicthe reek of her garments certainly suggested as much. But in that case, why take the risk of stealing laudanum, on a day when the wedding party insured there would be an abundance of every kind of drink?
She was reluctantly forced to the same conclusion that she was sure her father had already reached. Betty had taken the laudanumif thats what it was, she reminded herselfby accident. And if that was so... whose cup had she drunk from?
Jamie turned, lips pursed to enjoin silence, and beckoned to her that the coast was clear. She followed him quickly across the landing and outside, letting out her breath in relief as they arrived on the path unobserved.
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What were you doing there in the first place, Da? she asked. He looked blank.
In the kitchen garden, she elaborated. How did you find Betty?
Oh. He took her arm, fetching her away from the house. They walked casually toward the paddock; innocent guests bent on viewing the horses. I was just havin a word wi your mother, over by the grove. I came back through the kitchen garden, and there the woman was, flat on her back on the shit heap.
Thats a point, isnt it? she asked. Did she lie down in the garden on purpose, or was it only an accident that you found her there?
He shook his head.
I dinna ken, he said. But I mean to speak to Betty, once shes sober. Dye ken where your mother is now?
Yes, shes with Phillip Wylie. They were headed for the stables, I think. Her fathers nostrils flared slightly at mention of Wylie, and she suppressed a smile.
Ill find her, he said. Meanwhile, lass, do you go and speak to Phaedreand, lass
She had already turned to go; at this, she looked back, surprised.
I think perhaps ye should tell Phaedre to say nothing unless someone asks her where Betty is, and if they do, to tell youor me. He straightened abruptly, clearing his throat. Go find your husband then, lassand, lass? Make sure no one kens what youre about, aye?
He lifted one brow, and she nodded in reply. He turned on his heel then, and strode off toward the stables, the fingers of his right hand tapping gently against his coat as though he were deep in thought.
The chilly wind nipped under her skirts and petticoats, belling them out and sending a deep shiver through her flesh. She understood his implication well enough.
If it was neither attempted suicide nor accidentthen it might be intended murder. But of whom?
FLIRTATIONS
JAMIE HAD GIVEN ME a lingering kiss for encouragement after our interlude, and crashed off through the underbrush, intending to hunt down Ninian Bell Hamilton and find out just what the Regulators were up to at the camp Hunter had mentioned. I followed, after a moments interval for decency, but paused at the edge of the grove before emerging back into public view, to be sure I was seemly.
I had a rather light-headed sense of well-being, and my cheeks were very flushed, but I thought that wasnt incriminating in and of itself. Neither would coming out of the wood be inculpatory; women and men alike often simply stepped into the shelter of the trees along the lawn in order to relieve themselves, rather than making their way to the overcrowded and smelly necessaries. Coming out of the wood flushed and breathing heavily, with leaves in my hair and sap stains on my skirt, though, would cause a certain amount of comment behind the fans.
There were a few sandburs and an empty cicada shell clinging to my skirt, a ghostly excrescence that I picked off with a shudder of distaste. There were dogwood petals on my shoulder; I brushed them off and felt carefully over my hair, dislodging a few more that fluttered away like scraps of fragrant paper.
Just as I stepped out from under the trees, it occurred to me to check the back of my skirt for stains or bits of bark, and I was craning my neck to see over my shoulder when I walked slap into Phillip Wylie.
Mrs. Fraser! He caught me by the shoulders, to prevent my falling backward. Are you quite all right, my dear?
Yes, certainly. My cheeks were flaming legitimately at this point, and I stepped back, shaking myself back into order. Why did I keep bumping into Phillip Wylie? Was the little pest following me? I do apologize.
Nonsense, nonsense, he said heartily. It was my fault entirely. Deuced clumsy of me. May I get you something to restore your spirits, my dear? A glass of cider? Wine? Rum punch? A syllabub? Applejack? Orno, brandy. Yes, allow me to bring you a bit of brandy to recover from the shock!
No, nothing, thank you! I couldnt help laughing at his absurdities, and he grinned back, obviously thinking himself very witty.
Well, if you are quite recovered, then, dear lady, you must come with me. I insist.
He had my hand tucked into the crook of his arm, and was towing me determinedly off in the direction of the stable, despite my protests.
It will take no more than a moment, he assured me. I have been looking forward all day to showing you my surprise. You will be utterly entranced, I give you my word!
I subsided feebly; it seemed less trouble to go and look at the damned horses again than to argue with himand there was plenty of time to speak with Jocasta before the wedding, in any case. This time, though, we skirted the paddock where Lucas and his companions were submitting tolerantly to inspection by a couple of bold gentlemen who had climbed the fence for a closer look.
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That is an amazingly good-tempered stallion, I said with approval, mentally contrasting Lucass kindly manners with Gideons rapacious personality. Jamie still had not found time to castrate the horse, who had consequently bitten almost everyone, horse and man alike, on the journey to River Run.
A mark of the breed, Wylie replied, pushing open the door that led to the main stable. They are the most amiable of horses, though a gentle disposition does not impair their intelligence, I do assure you. This way, Mrs. Fraser.
By contrast with the brilliant day outside, it was pitch-dark in the stable; so dark that I stumbled over an uneven brick in the floor, and Mr. Wylie seized my arm as I lurched forward with a startled cry.
Are you all right, Mrs. Fraser? he asked, setting me upright again.
Yes, I said, a little breathless. In fact I had both stubbed my toe viciously and turned my ankle; my new morocco-heeled shoes were lovely, but I wasnt used to them yet. Just let me stand a momenttil my eyes adjust.
He did, but he didnt let go of my arm. Instead, he pulled my hand through the crook of his elbow and set it solidly, to give me more support.
Lean on me, he said, simply.
I did, and we stood quietly for a moment, me with my injured foot drawn up like a herons, waiting for my toes to stop throbbing. For once, Mr. Wylie seemed bereft of quips and sallies; perhaps because of the peaceful atmosphere.
Stables on the whole are peaceful, horses and the people who tend them being generally kindly sorts of creatures. This one, though, had a special air, both quiet and vibrant. I could hear small rustlings and stampings, and the contented noise of a horse champing hay close at hand.
So close to Phillip Wylie, I was aware of his perfume, but even the expensive whiff of musk and bergamot was overcome by the stable smells. It smelled of fresh straw and grain, of brick and wood, but there was a faint scent as well of more elemental thingsmanure and blood and milk; the basic elements of motherhood.
Its rather womblike in here, isnt it? I said softly. So warm and dark, I mean. I can almost feel the heartbeat.
Wylie laughed, but quietly.
Thats mine, he said. He touched a hand briefly to his waistcoat, a dark shadow against the pale satin.
My eyes adapted quickly to the dark, but even so, the place was very dim. The lithe shadow-shape of a stable cat glided past, making me wobble and set down my injured foot. It wouldnt yet bear weight, but I could at least put it to the floor.
Can you stand for a moment alone? Wylie asked.
Without waiting for my reply, he detached himself and went to light a lantern that stood on a nearby stool. There were a few faint chinks of flint and steel, then the wick caught and a soft globe of yellow light ballooned around us. Taking my arm again with his free hand, he led me toward the far end of the stable.
They were in the loose-box at the end. Phillip raised the lantern high, turning to smile at me as he did so. The lantern light gleamed on hide that shone and rippled like midnight water, and glowed in the huge brown eyes of the mare as she turned toward us.
Oh, I said softly, how beautiful, and then, a little louder, Oh! The mare had moved a little, and her foal peered out from behind her mothers legs. She was long-legged and knob-kneed, her tiny rump and sloping shoulders rounded echoes of her mothers muscular perfection. She had the same large, kind eyes, fringed with long, long lashesbut instead of the sleek hide of rippling black, she was a dark reddish-brown and fuzzy as a rabbit, with an absurd little whisk broom of a tail.
Her dam had the same glorious profusion of flowing mane I had noted on the Friesians in the paddock; the baby had a ridiculous crest of stiff hair, about an inch long, that stuck straight up like a toothbrush.
The foal blinked once, dazzled by the light, then ducked swiftly behind the shelter of her mothers body. A moment later, a small nose protruded cautiously into sight, nostrils twitching. A big eye followed, blinkedand the nose vanished, only to reappear almost instantly, a little further this time.
Why, you little flirt! I said, delighted.
Wylie laughed.
She is indeed, he said, voice filled with pride of ownership. Are they not magnificent?
Well, yes, I said, considering. They are. Still, Im not sure thats quite it. Magnificent seems more like what youd say of a stallion, or a warhorse of some kind. These horses are... well, theyre sweet!
Wylie gave a small, amused sort of snort.
Sweet? he said. Sweet?
Well, you know, I said, laughing. Charming. Good-natured. Delightful.
All those things, he said, turning to me. And beautiful, as well. He wasnt looking at the horses, but rather at me, a faint smile on his face.
Yes, I said, feeling a small, obscure twinge of unease. Yes, they are very beautiful.
He was standing very close; I took a step to the side and turned away, under the pretext of looking at the horses again. The foal was nuzzling at the mares swollen udder, scraggy tail waggling with enthusiasm.
What are their names? I asked.
Wylie moved to the bar of the loose-box, casually, but in such a way that his arm brushed my sleeve as he reached above me to hang the lantern from a hook on the wall.
The mares name is Tessa, he said. You saw the sire, Lucas. As for the filly... He reached for my hand, and lifted it, smiling. I thought I might name her La Belle Claire.
I didnt move for a second, stunned by sheer disbelief at the expression that showed quite clearly on Phillip Wylies face.
What? I said blankly. Surely I was wrong, I thought. I tried to snatch my hand away, but I had hesitated one second too long, and his fingers tightened on mine. Surely he wasnt really meaning to...
He was.
Charming, he said softly, and moved closer. Good-natured. Delightful. And... beautiful. He kissed me.
I was so shocked that I didnt move for a moment. His mouth was soft, the kiss brief and chaste. That hardly mattered, though; it was the fact that he had done it.
Mr. Wylie! I said. I took a hasty step back, but was brought up short by the rail.
Mrs. Fraser, he said softly, and took the same step forward. My dear.
I am not your I began, and he kissed me again. Without the least hint of chasteness. Still shocked, but no longer stunned, I shoved him, hard. He wobbled, and lost his grip on my hand, but recovered instantly, seizing me by the arm and slipping his other hand behind me.
Flirt, he whispered, and lowered his face toward mine. I kicked him. Unfortunately, I kicked him with my injured foot, which deprived the blow of much force, and he ignored it.
I began to struggle in good earnest, as the sense of stunned disbelief faded into the awareness that the young man had one hand firmly on my backside. At the same time, I was aware that there were a good many people in the vicinity of the stable; the last thing I wanted was to attract attention.
Stop that! I hissed. Stop it at once!
You madden me, he breathed, pressing me to his bosom and attempting to stick his tongue in my ear.
I certainly thought he was mad, but I declined absolutely to accept any responsibility for the condition. I jerked back as far as I couldnot far, with the railing at my backand fought to get one hand between us. Shock quite gone by now, I was thinking with surprising clarity. I couldnt knee him in the balls; he had one leg thrust between my own, trapping a wodge of skirt in my way. If I could get my hand round his throat and get a sound hold of his carotids, though, hed drop like a rock.
I did get hold of his throat, but his blasted stock was in the way; my fingers scrabbled at it, and he jerked to the side, grabbing at my hand.
Please, he said. I want
I dont give a damn what you want! I said. Let go of me this instant, youyou I groped wildly for some suitable insult. You puppy!
Rather to my surprise, he stopped. His face couldnt go pale, being already covered in rice flourI could taste it on my lipsbut his mouth was set, and his expression was... rather wounded.
Is that really what you think of me? he asked in a low voice.
Yes, it bloody is! I said. What else am I to think? Have you lost your mind, behaving in thisthis despicable fashion? What is the matter with you?
Despicable? He seemed quite taken aback to hear his advances described in this fashion. But Ithat is, youI thought you were... I mean, might be not averse
You cant, I said, positively. You cant possibly have thought anything of the sort. Ive never given you the slightest reason to think such a thing! Nor had Iintentionally. The uneasy thought came to me, though, that perhaps my perceptions of my own behavior were not quite the same as Phillip Wylies.
Oh, havent you? His face was changing, clouding with anger. I beg to differ with you, madam!
I had told him I was old enough to be his mother; it had never for a moment occurred to me that he didnt believe it.
Flirt, he said again, though in quite a different tone than the first time. No reason? You have given me every reason, since the first occasion of our meeting.
What? My voice went up a tone, in incredulity. Ive never done anything but engage you in civil conversation. If that constitutes flirtation in your book, my lad, then
Dont call me that!
Oh, so he had noticed that there was a difference of age. He simply hadnt appreciated the magnitude, I thought. It came to me, with a certain feeling of apprehension, that at Phillips level of society, most flirtation was indeed conducted under the guise of banter. What in the name of God had I said to him?
