He had missed her when he’d been away at school. He knew that it had been a childhood crush. But when he had returned from school, Theo had been struck anew by her beauty and grace. He couldn’t seem to keep her eyes from her as she went about her duties in the house. Henry had rolled his eyes when he’d caught Theo gawking at her. Theo grinned and moved faster, leaving the revelers behind.
SIX
Ida watched the by play between Patina and Theo and nudged Liza, both snickered as they watched the young master being led by his nether regions. All young men were alike, whether black or white, when it came to pretty young women, they always lost their heads. It looked as though Theo was floating along the grass, the soft laughter of the mulatto drifted back to him, pulling him irresistibly to her, like a compass to true north.
The older women rolled their eyes and laughed good and hard. Lawd, he’s just like his daddy, Ida thought. John had come to see her when Victoria had been pregnant with Megan. It had been so long ago. They were old now, John, Victoria and she. Where had the time gone? When had she gotten so old? Looking over to her lovely daughter, she watched as Dark Henry took her hand and led her to their cabin. Ida would be staying with Liza tonight, giving the couple some privacy. Mary had wanted to stay in their cabin, she wanted her mother to live with them.
Ida had been reluctant, but Henry had insisted, his own mother had been sold years ago, and he lived with the bachelors.
“I couldn’t think of it. Mary would grieve if she didn’t have you near. You’ve always been like a mother to me, after my own mother was sold.” Henry had told her. It had been a hard day for Henry when his mother had been sold. The master’s gift for the couple and their children never being sold was something. Ida didn’t know if it would last out the generations, but they could hope so. Their lives were lived in a precarious state. It was a fact of life and none of them could escape it. Their lives had very few choices and no autonomy.
The music and lights were left behind as Mary and Henry walked hand in hand to their cabin. The women had fixed it up for their wedding night. Garland and wildflowers were scattered about the cabin, filling it with a heady floral fragrance. Bright clean sheets had been placed on the cornhusk bed; beeswax tapers lit the cabin. It was like a fairyland in the small cabin, cozy and intimate. There were covered dishes on the small table, piled with food.
Mary didn’t know who was more nervous, she or Henry, who was shaking and sweating. Quietly closing the door, Henry stood quietly, not sure of what to do next. He shifted from foot to foot. Mary smiled gently; her mother had explained to her what would happen that night. She told her not to be afraid and if she were patient, she would enjoy being loved by her man.
“I don’t rightly know what ta do next.” Henry said softly, his eyes luminous. Mary grinned and took his large hand in her small one.
“I know Henry, momma told me what to do.” Mary almost laughed out loud when the look of profound relief washed over Henry’s handsome face. She pulled him toward the bed, whispering the instructions her mother gave her. Henry’s smile grew brighter and all of a sudden, the small cabin seemed mighty hot inside as they helped each other undress.
Winter struck early, well before Thanksgiving. A bitter blizzard had hit and sent everyone in doors for three days. It was such a rare occurrence, many seeing snow for the first time. The subsequent days and weeks seemed to be endless white. It was bitter cold outside, but inside the cabin was warm and snug. Henry had fixed the chinks in the cabin earlier that fall, putting waddle, mud and straw between the cracks. He also put a bit of lard in the concoction, to waterproof the mixture.
Henry brought numerous skillets, pots, cauldrons, and utensils that he had made. The mistress had given them linens, though they had been patched, the linens were embroidered and very pretty. Henry had also made a pallet for his new mother-in-law, and hung a curtain up between the beds. He placed her pallet near the fire, so she would stay warm during the cold winter.
Mary was already pregnant; she was entering her third month when Christmas came. January was bitter and harsh. Mary went up to the house every morning, while Henry went off to the smithy. Liza came over to spend the long winter day carding cotton and gossiping with Ida. They sewed baby cloths for the new baby coming, speculating on its sex.
Ida was getting weaker, her cough becoming more pronounced. She had been losing weight steadily, and Ida was almost skeletal. Mary hovered over her mother tempting her with soups and teas. Cookie sent down some of her treats, in hopes that Ida would eat more. She didn’t. Ida knew her time on this earth was getting short, she knew it was only a matter of time now. Mistress Victoria had declared that Ida had no more
