Page 23 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
Fair Weather Heaths’, Virginia, United States of America, December 1813
“What did you mean yesterday when you said that Jake needed to be with the people he loves?” Amelia had spent half the night thinking about it.
Jonathan cleared his throat. “Follow me.” He heeled his stallion in the flanks. The great obsidian-colored beast surged forward like a behemoth from the netherworld.
Amelia did not hesitate for a heartbeat. She too coaxed her horse forward. In moments, she was galloping behind him, crying out with glee as she coasted across the snow-covered land. It was exhilarating to feel the icy wind rush past her cheeks that burned with heat in retaliation to this arctic onslaught.
It did not take them long to reach the houses she had seen earlier from atop of the hill. They were built of whitewashed stone and looked to be in mint condition like their greater sibling the manor house at Fair Weather Heaths’.
The sun had reached its zenith, reminding Amelia that they had been riding for more than two hours. The sun tickled her skin with its warm, benevolent rays, countering the cold she had felt during the dash of flying hooves.
“Can you answer my question now?” she asked when she brought her horse to a halt next to Jonathan.
He smiled. “Well, it’s like this. Jake grew up here and among the people that live here. As I already mentioned, his father served my father as a foreman. But he was different to the others that run the plantations around here.”
“How so?” asked Amelia.
“Jake’s father was not cruel. So, when his father died, Jake followed in his footsteps. He treated the workers or the slaves as they are referred to with kindness and not the lash. Like his father before him, he learned of their old customs, like their songs and tales of the lands from where they came.”
“So, they are a bit like family?”
“You could say that. Jake’s father raised me as a son. Through him, I too got to know the people here. Jake and I played with the boys while we were growing up. Of course, mammy showed me how proud her people are. But she is different to the rest of them.” Jonathan smiled wanly.
“How so?”
“She’s whiter than a white woman. Her manners are impeccable and without fault. She’s a Christian through and through. She once told me that she had a very kind woman as her master who taught her all that before she was sold to my father when her former owner died.”
“Then why do you continue to keep her as a slave? Couldn’t you just free her and let her still work for you?”
“If I did that, nobody would understand and least of all the slaves.”
“Then free them all or would that not be profitable for you?” Amelia could imagine how lucrative the holding of slaves was; she abjured the act of further enrichment by bondage. However, she also knew that societies pursuing the act, like the Roman Empire, fell into inevitable decline at a certain point in their development. The holding of slaves just did not go well with technological and societal advancement.
“I could in theory.” Jonathan pressed his lips together briefly. “And yes, at this juncture, the holding of slaves is far more profitable than workers earning fair wages. However, in practice, it would be impossible to free them and still maintain the plantation in direct competition with the others – I’d be priced out of the market for tobacco. Also, you see, they love to talk. If a slave from a neighboring plantation traveling with his master came ‘round here and spread the news of what was happening, it would cost a lot of lives.”
“Why?”
“Because other slaves would demand the same and the masters would crush that sentiment with violence. After that, they would come for me. I am sorry, Amelia, but it’s just a dream.”
Amelia pleated her brow. She believed in his sincerity and humanity. Jonathan was no regular land and slave owner – so much was evident. He was different in that he was compassionate to his fellow man.He said dream– it made her think of Anna.Maybe they do come true?I am here in astrange land that is both beautiful and new.I am with him, the man that captured me. Could it be that Anna was right? Are Jake and Jonathan the men fate has chosen for us?And will dreams free these people one day?
“Welcome…how was your ride?” asked Jake, walking up to them.
“Wonderful. I showed Amelia the land, and now we are here to meet the people,” said Jonathan. “What are you doing here – aren’t you supposed to be fishing?”
“I am afraid Anna hasn’t got the patience for it and the inurement against the cold. So, I decided to bring her here.” He winked. “It was the right decision. She is having a merry time inside a warm house.”
“Oh?” Amelia’s curiosity was piqued.
“‘Ol’ Salomon is telling her about the tales of his capture in Africa. He is one of the older slaves here. Nowadays, all of the workers are born at Fair Weather Heaths’. Good thing if you ask me. Nothing would get through due to the blockade anyway, and also the practice of importing slaves was abolished a few years ago.” Jake indicated with his hand in the direction of the center of the buildings. “Why don’tyejoin her?”
Amelia looked at Jonathan who nodded. “I think I shall.” She spurred her horse forward. When she looked back, Jonathan headed in the other direction. Occasionally, he waved at some of the people as he went. She wondered where he was going. Seeing him ride off, Amelia felt a pang of loss, a sort of empty feeling as if something had been taken away from her.
Jake guided her to a structure. Before it, children played. They were in the middle of a snowball fight. Older women watched them like hawks. The younger women were all busy with their chores that consisted of the laundry, preparing the food or sewing tasks. Their clothing impressed Amelia. Jonathan had obviously made sure that they had ample warm garments for this time of the year.
Yet, something intrigued her. There were no young men. The men she did see were of advancing years. “Where are the young men?” she asked Jake.
“Oh, they work the fields.”
