ROSEDALE IN APRIL
Chapter Seventeen
Rated NC-17 for Content
It was late afternoon before the carriage and
heavy-laden army wagons finally drew reign back at Rosedale. Rose’s first order
of business as the newfound sole proprietress of the vast stately cotton
plantation was to purposefully take off for the secluded garconiere leaving her
Captain and the Union soldiers to strenuously unload and meticulously
distribute the goods that were purchased in Jefferson. A distant repetitive
hammering drifted through the April spring winds as a group of Negro men
diligently worked to construct a new structure for the newlyweds to call home.
A row of huge, sprawling live oaks created a vague rampart of blurred darkness
across the backyard, obscuring everything beyond them as they separated the main
grounds from the slaves’ quarters which consisted of a collection of
white-washed cabins, ranging in size from small to large, that resided in the
sheltering shade of various other lofty trees. Rose proudly espied the pitched
rafters rising above the new timbers that now formed the outer shell of the
rapidly developing dwelling.
Concentrating on the momentous task at hand,
Rose was hesitantly descended upon by Sam who wore a conspiratorial albeit
sheepish expression on his furrowed brow.
"Evenin’, Miz Rose!"
"Good evening, Sam! I see the
construction is coming along very quickly. I’m sure Lizzie and Charles are
quite excited and thrilled!" Rose vivaciously beamed.
"Yessum, ‘spect so. Deys doin’ a mighty
fine job fo’ sho’! Miz Rose…ahem…Iz gots a message from Missah Rafael."
Sam cast a slightly uncomfortable look at the dearly loved young girl.
"Rafael? When did you see him,
Sam?" Rose anxiously asked as a slender expressive hand came up to rest
lightly at her throat.
"Last night, Mame. He needs to talk wid’
yo’ at midnight down by boggy slough. Missah Rafael sez to comes by
yo’self." Fidgeting with his worn straw hat, Sam dipped his head and
heaved a deep breath.
"Alone? Of course, thank you, Sam."
Rose worriedly wiped the beading perspiration from her brow and attempted a
fake smile at the big timid man before suddenly remembering something else as
if an afterthought.
"Sam, when everyone has finished work
for the day, we need to call a meeting at the chapel. And don’t alert the
Yankees. This is strictly to be amongst ourselves. No foreigners allowed."
As she disarmingly smiled trying to divert the sinking feeling threatening to
engulf her and to put the man at ease.
"Sho’nuff, Miz Rose. Iz tells dem all.
We’z be dere bout dusk den."
"Thanks, Sam…again." A thousand
jumbled thoughts were swirling around in Rose’s head to the point that she
couldn’t keep a single one straight. Standing outside the turret style
building, a strong sudden breeze blew across the lake as if a mystical entity was
nearby prompting and caressing the young girl as she lightly knocked on the
garconiere’s French doors.
"Lizzie! You in there?" Rose
excitedly bellowed.
"Miz Rose! Where yo’ bees today? Nanny
sez yo’ takes off wid Cap’un Daw’un and some dem Yankees to Jefferson. Why yo’
not takes me along?"
"Lizzie, this is your honeymoon in case
you’ve forgotten. Besides, we left quite early and I’m sure you and Charles
were still…well, you know…now invite me in before I melt out here." Rose
lightly chided with an impish twinkle in her soulful green eyes.
"Course dear sistah. Youse knows yo’
never needs invitin’ ins…this bees yo’ hawse."
"Lizzie, I need to check under the bed
for something. Could you help me move it?" Rose anxiously requested with
an important urgency evident in her tone.
After some united difficult efforts of
heaving and shoving, under the floorboard in a secret hidden compartment, Rose
arduously removed an oak planked door before finally reaching in and pulling
out some ancient yellowed documents carefully wrapped in a dusty leather
casing. Relief instantly flooded her visage as she replaced the boards and set
everything straight as it was beforehand. Amazed and bewildered, Lizzie
confusedly perused the mysterious aged papers before curiously inquiring,
"Miz Rose, what in de world iz dose?"
"My mother told me about these before
she passed, Liz. The Colonel was never aware that they even existed. Be patient
and their secrets will be revealed at the meeting this evening in the chapel.
Now don’t you and Charles be late. I realize you two can’t keep your hands off
each other right now. But precious Liz, you just can’t even begin to imagine
how everybody’s lives are about to be changed by these most valuable documents.
I need to get some signatures first but then…they’ll be official." Rose
affectionately hugged a baffled Lizzie and purposefully set off to find
Sergeant Tommy Ryan and Private Fabrizio di Rossi.
Tommy and Fabrizio were resting under one of
the huge pecan trees when Rose unexpectedly approached. Hastily coming to their
feet, Rose motioned for them to keep their places.
"Tommy…Fabrizio…I don’t wish to disturb
you, but can you both write your names?"
"Sure, Miss Rose…don’t know if the pup
here can, though." Tommy teasingly ruffled Fabrizio’s dark hair before the
young private shot his superior officer a derisive glower before turning
besotted eyes back to the gorgeous girl of his boyish dreams.
"I have you know Sergeant that I can
write both Italian and American…I mean English." Rose and Tommy
couldn’t help but cackle at this harmless albeit comical error.
"Excellent, I need you both to extend me
a huge favor and witness my signature on these papers. Would you mind?"
Rose sweetly requested.
"Of course, Miss Rose, we’d be glad to
help in any way we can," Tommy enthusiastically agreed.
As the waning sun began its final descent
over the western vermilion horizon, the plantation chapel began filling up for
the second time as in as many days. Everyone was sure that something important
was about to happen and in the next instant, their mistress stepped up onto the
podium and nervously cleared her throat. Sudden tears of joy sprang into her
emerald green eyes as she lovingly caressed each face cramped shoulder to
shoulder inside the tiny structure. Even the smaller children sensed the grave
significance of the moment and respectfully remained quiet for once.
"Tonight, we’re here again to celebrate
another monumental occasion my friends and family. First, let me say that I
dearly love, respect, and deeply appreciate each and every one of you and my
fondest hopes and dreams are to make all of your lives better…no matter what
that entails. I wish you all the very best that life has to offer and with that
in mind…I’m here tonight to release you from the horrendous institution of
slavery…to grant your well deserved and belated freedom."
Gasps of surprise and a rumbling of murmurs
drifted throughout the church while disbelief mixed with confusion was etched
in every familiar face.
"But hows ken yo’ does dis, Miz
Rose?" Nanny’s teary eyes bade as her plump wrinkled hand pressed across
her awestruck mouth.
"Let me explain. President Davis
notified me this morning that the Colonel was killed outside of Baton Rouge a
few days ago; therefore, I am now the heir of Rosedale and consequently can do
as I please as its rightful owner. And like I said before, my heartfelt wish is
to free every one of you from the evil barbaric restraints of humanistic
bondage. Anyone that wants to stay on can work here as sharecroppers. I’ll deed
everyone ten acres of land as their own to do with as they want. It’s yours…you
deserve it and more for the wrongs that have been inflicted upon you and your
ancestors in the past. We can work this plantation together and make her
greater than she’s ever been before. It’s time we celebrate all of our
newfound freedom…mine included. Those that wish to leave, can of course go but
with my sincerest hopes that they succeed and find true happiness. That’s all I
want for each and every one of you. And if you ever want to return,
we’ll be here with arms wide open to wholeheartedly welcome you back. I deeply
care for all of you and it’s time now to make your own decisions. These are
hard times right now with this bloody war going on and I realize it won’t be
easy for any of you. But I’ll do my dead level best to help in any way I can.
Your papers granting your freedom are all officially signed and witnessed;
therefore, all they require is for you to make your marks. Regrettably, we must
make this meeting short for the Yankees will begin to suspect something and I
think it’s in our best interest that we keep this amongst ourselves for now.
For this miraculous moment is our celebration…this is our
victory…not theirs! Now, let us bow our heads and hold hands while our dear Sam
leads us in prayer to thank almighty God for this gracious gift to us all and
to bless each and every one of us along the paths we choose to follow."
Afterwards, everyone walked around like they were
in a hypnotic daze until they finally realized the truth of their freedom as
they stared at the revered papers held in each of their perspective hands. Then
reality set it and with it victorious glory. These people were Rose’s extended
family…people that had always been there for her every single day of her
life…in good times and in bad. Rose poignantly hugged them all…crying
intermittently…gingerly kissing each loved face…for some tragically the very
last time. It was harder than she initially thought it’d be. Letting go of
someone was the hardest feat humanly possible. Setting them free like captured
butterflies. Vicariously like a mother awkwardly permitting beloved children to
leave home naturally brought the incessant worry…the longing to see them again…and
the missing…always the separation. Yet realizing unfortunately that she would
never see some of them ever again. For some would flee up north, some to
larger cities, while some would stay behind. But one thing was for
certain…Rosedale Plantation would never be the same again…gone like
ashes scattering in the wind. And Rose smiled as she cried.
A few of the bravest mostly male souls lit
out directly after the gathering with just their papers, clothes on their
backs, and a burlap tow sack filled with hastily rounded up food. The Union
Army guards on patrol cast upraised wondering brows at their Captain as he
casually leaned against a massive oak tree as the small group of Negroes
excitedly made their getaway down the long oak alley. Curiously watching their
retreat for a short while, Jack jammed a cigarette in his mouth, flicked the
sulfur match alight with his thumbnail, and tendered the flame to the end,
drawing deeply. All the time his observant eyes never left Rose as she sat down
at the edge of the upraised veranda tentatively waving at the fleeing men while
her heart soared and ached at the same time. The Captain couldn’t help himself
and leisurely sauntered over to stand beside her overly curious of the
developing situation.
"See Rose…they’re escaping you before
the war is even over!" Jack snidely commented.
With misting eyes, Rose cast him a secretive
sad smile and sarcastically quipped, "Is that what you intend to do
before the war is over, Captain Dalton? Escape me?" And she
suddenly sprang to her feet and waltzed inside the manor house slamming the
door.
"Aw, mia, my fondest desire is to never
leave you behind…escape you? Not a snowball’s chance in hell!" Jack
reverently whispered under his breath with a slight catch in his throat as he irritably
flipped the lit cigarette into the rustling evening air.
Darkness had settled over the plantation and
Rose was becoming increasingly nervous and apprehensive with each breath she
drew. How was she ever to "escape" the Captain in the dead of night
to secretly meet with her father? She admitted she had never really tried to
leave his comforting embrace during the late hours for they were usually still
locked in the throes of heated passion at that particular hour. At the
disturbing memory, she prettily blushed self-consciously. Perhaps the sleep
deprivation they both had experienced lately might possibly lend a helping
hand. Yet, Rose had the uncanny knowledge that the sharp, alert Captain was not
a light sleeper! How could she make sure he never woke up while she was gone?
She could never explain herself if she was caught. Maybe a sleeping potion?
No…too dangerous if given in the wrong dosage and she regretfully possessed no
knowledge of medicinal herbs or plants. She’d never want to harm him in any
way. It was in the next instant, that Jack silently slipped up behind,
encircling her waist with massive questing hands causing Rose to unexpectedly
jump as the breath left her in a sudden gasp.
"Captain, you scared the life out of
me!" Rose lightly admonished in guilt.
"You? Frightened?" He skeptically
chortled along the sides of the ivory column of her throat as Rose became
immediately aware of his naked chest and the manly feel of his lean, muscular
body intimately pressed to hers.
Shirtless and barefoot, Jack wore only sleek
navy trousers that accentuated the muscular trimness of his hips and waist. His
overly long dark blond hair was wet; evidencing recent washing that was further
confirmed by the linen towel draped about his bronzed neck. Perhaps it was just
another dreamy fantasy Rose was having about the Captain, but she thought he
appeared especially virile tonight for the man had been truly gifted with a
most excellent physique along with stunning good looks. Standing just over six
feet tall, his shoulders were remarkably wide, his arms admirably wrought with
lithe muscles, a broad slick tanned chest tapering downward along firmly
fleshed ribs. His abbreviated garb showcased muscles well honed to a vibrant
hardness as a result of strenuous physical activity. But it was the translucent
smoldering aqua eyes that Rose fell prey to coupled with his roguish lop-sided
way of grinning which proved lethal at stripping away any resolve she ever
harbored. In all aspects, Union Captain Jack Dalton was an exceptional striking
specimen of the male gender…and the ultimate master of seduction. And then the
elusive answer to her current dilemma rang crystal clear…
Rose slowly turned to rise on slim toes,
reaching parted lips to meet his and sliding silken arms tightly around his
neck. She came to him with an eager desperation that astounded him, having no
thoughts of holding back…of course, not that she ever had. But with a
determined purpose, her lips blended with his in an impatient urgency and
locked in each other’s embrace, they were instantly caught up in the fierce
tide of passion’s fire.
Like two feathers caught on an airy breeze,
they drifted down to the soft bed, mouths clinging, sighs mingling into one
breath. Rose’s softness eagerly yielded to Jack’s hardness. In an economy of
movement, he stripped the thin batiste nightgown from her curvaceous alluring
frame. As he loved her with his body, Jack’s strong hands gripped hers on each
side of her head and with fingers interlaced squeezing tightly, they again
became one flesh…one heart…one soul. It was a merging, a coming together, two
beings wrapped in the pure bliss of their blending heavenly union. In uncaring
haste, they eagerly gave to the other and in return finding everything and
more. And with a final deep hard thrust of Jack’s loins, the waves crested to
their highest peak carrying them to ecstasy’s utmost paradise. Their fingers
remained entwined binding them both as each moaned their climaxes while mouths
slanted and hands remained interlocked tightly squeezing with each rescinding
shudder.
As if falling into a great precipice, Jack
heavily collapsed after that last violent tremor weighting Rose down deeply
into the sweat soaked sheets. Ever so slowly, he raised up and gently kissed
Rose’s honeyed nectar mouth still trying to regain his labored breath. Bracing
himself above her, he gingerly brought her slim fingertips to his mouth that
were still clasped within his own, reverently kissing each delicate digit. The
blue flame in his eyes flared brighter as he looked down at the beautiful woman
beneath him. His heart came closest to bursting at that poignant moment in time
than ever before. A fine film of sweat glistened on their sated bodies as they
lay in each other’s arms in the afterglow of love, their passions spent, their
muscles drained of strength. Jack’s eyes sparkled above a puckish grin as he
gave her a long, deliciously lecherous perusal that stole her breath away.
Rolling and bringing her willing body to his side, Rose nestled her head on the
slick sheen muscle above his male nipple and deeply sighed in total peace and
contentment. With one arm holding her close to his side, Jack unconsciously
wrapped a long silky copper strand of hair around his finger before burying his
face in the heady jasmine scented tresses spread out across the pillow deeply
inhaling the sweet fragrance that was Rose.
Jack suddenly chuckled which rumbled and
vibrated deep within his massive chest pleasantly breaking the silence of their
blissful aftermath. "You were such a saucy lil’ wench today to shamelessly
flaunt yourself at the saloon, mia. And then most certainly again in the buggy
ride home." Laying back on his pillow to stare at the vaulted ceiling as
if to ponder the importance of life, he lightly rubbed his finger with her hair
still threaded around it, across his kiss swollen lips. As if thinking out loud
to himself, he huskily declared, "I can’t help but wonder where that wild
spirit comes from. That inborn freedom of expression. Definitely not from southern
elitist's morals and standards from which you were reared. If I didn’t know any
better, I’d suspect my Rose had some untamed heathen blood running
through those hot veins of yours. Um?" Purposefully, Jack began nuzzling
her neck again stoking the flames, unwarily playing right into Rose’s sly game
of sedation by nature’s protocol of insatiable blazes of passion’s fire. The
most potent sleep-inducing drug of them all…and so very natural. Of
course, not that she minded in the least. She so desired and craved their
body’s excessive mating…and oh how she loved to give it to him…again…and again.
Just before the stroke of midnight, a
lingering lethargy came over Rose despite her determined efforts to stay awake.
Rose’s nose was nestled into the cording of Jack’s neck and all she desired was
to stay there for an eternity. For tonight he had inadvertently called her
his Rose. Her mind kept replaying the tender scene over and over again as
if rehearsing for an encore performance. Yet she suspected that even he
had not caught that particular slip of the tongue. But she had heard it
and her heart had taken flight. Listening carefully, his steady slow rhythmic
breathing signaled that the sleeping Captain was completely under the heavy
influence of sated bodily exhaustion for he had physically pleased them both
beyond any human endurance or capabilities. Reverently then urgently but always
completely. At the poignant memory of their intimate night together, Rose
deeply sighed at the man’s virile stamina and fleetingly smiled before
reluctantly easing out of the soft plush bed. Silently slipping on a white
gossamer overdress, Rose cautiously crept out of the room.
Rose’s tiny bare feet appeared as a blur as
she floated down the staircase. Although particularly dangerous at this time of
the season, both finding and wearing cumbersome albeit noisy shoes were not the
safest luxuries she could afford right then. Like a mystical ghost in the
night, Rose quietly raced down the portico’s steps.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
Rose froze. Shit! Damn Yankees! She
had completely forgotten the sentry watch posted upon the widow’s walk. Why
did I wear white of all things? Nevertheless, Rose thought she recognized
the authoritative tenor as that of Tommy Ryan. Perhaps all was not lost…at
least not yet. In a low, subdued whisper, she alarmingly responded,
"Tommy? It’s me, Rose." Oh, please dear God let this be Tommy,
as a feeling of dread and despair crawled up her spine.
"Miss Rose, what’cha doing out this
late…where are you off to?" Tommy bewilderingly probed.
"Ahem…I forgot my necklace at the
garconiere, Tommy," she lied in an obvious nervous stammer. Damn, what
a ridiculous excuse! He’ll see right through that one! Shit! Rose
gritted her teeth at the thought of her own foolishness.
"Can’t it wait till morning, Miss
Rose?" Tommy suspiciously rebuked.
"No, Tommy. I can’t sleep without it.
I’ll be back shortly. I promise." She vented a low groan of despair as her
heart accelerated to a hard pounding thud.
"All right. Be careful, Miss Rose. But the
Captain isn't gonna like this. Maybe I could get it for you, just tell me
exactly where it is."
"NO! Uh…Lizzie and Charles might feel
uncomfortable with you knocking on their door at this late hour." She had
thought she was free and clear until he offered to get it himself. If he let
her go, she knew she better make haste because all she needed was for Tommy to
follow.
"Go then. And hurry back or I’ll come
looking for you." Of course, Tommy wasn’t fooled in the least. Maybe for a
minute space of time there until she argued that the newly married couple would
feel strange with him coming to retrieve the necklace. Wouldn’t anybody
be not particularly welcomed at midnight? Something wasn’t quite right here and
there would be hell to pay if he didn’t alert the Captain before the lady got
into some serious trouble. Jack was very protective of the beautiful woman who
seemed to attract mischief and shenanigans like a powerful magnet…of course,
wasn’t everybody enraptured by the highly spirited lady including
himself? Hesitating a few seconds, Tommy determinedly repositioned the brass
telescope that was mounted on the railing and dutifully espied Rose’s hasty
departure. As soon as he observed that she never hesitated or stopped outside
the garconiere, Tommy abruptly left his post.