Princess Ces'alena (73 page)

And he was black, like Lena.

He knew it was that one singular ingredient about him that rankled Manny the most. It was that he
could
give her all that Manny knew he couldn’t at the time being; marriage, respectability and a new life. He suddenly grew angry at the idea - that had his daughter not come to him, Lena might have actually attempted marrying him and leaving; and would have taken his Golden Hope with them. The sun was rising with its warm rays starting to filter in through the window. It was going to be a lazy Sunday, his new day. Manny heard a few slaves up and about. Quietly he rolled from the bed not to awaken Lena. Standing he pulled on his breeches and went to the door opening it to look out, taking a deep breath to inhale the fresh morning air. He then looked toward the mansion - conjuring an image of Thomas there.

He had no desire to go back there just yet, so he grabbed Lena’s bucket from the corner, stepped outside towards the back, behind some trees and urinated. That morning call seen to he walked to the well, drawing fresh cold water, he drank a lot of it and then splashed his face and body. He filled her bucket and turned walking back to the cabin, watching the mansion’s kitchen door as he went. Back onto the porch, he went back in and sat at the table against the wall.

He leaned forward with his elbows at his knees and his fingers interlaced between his open legs, as he brooded. Staring across the cabin where Lena lay in bed, concealed behind the wall partition. He couldn’t see her with the physical eye, but the image of her laying there was strong enough that he might as well be looking at her.

“I want this done with. I want it done now.” He mumbled to himself, thinking about Thomas and his proposal. Voices pulled him from his pensive mood, he turned looking out of the window by the table to see Thomas standing out on the kitchen porch, inhaling the morning air and stretching joyously. Manny’s face drew up into a snarl, he could see the man’s white teeth from there, he smiled so brightly; as if the day held something wondrous for him as he called to Leon.

Leon’s eyes widened, darting a look toward her cabin. He knew, as well as half the slaves who had a cabin anywhere near Lena’s that Manny was there. Their night of re-uniting had not been a very quiet affair. Ben and Caesar laid bets on how long it would take before Manny got her into bed…Ben won. Of the events from the day before, Thomas would not have heard, neither the events that took place in the night sleeping in the mansion as he did, nor was he warned, because he was also a part of the gossip and bets.

“Leon?” Thomas asked again, as the young man stood inattentive to his question. “Umm umm…I - I don’t know.” He finally answered nervous, “I got to go, Jordan been looking for me.” He blurted and took off. Thomas stood shaking his head at Leon’s peculiar behavior.
‘oh well.’
He thought with a shrug.
‘That lil’sleepy head should be up by now, and if she’s not, I’ll just have to go and wake her.’

Manny sat watching as Leon talked to Thomas. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but by Leon’s quick glance his way, Manny knew Thomas must have been asking about Lena. Then it came to him, the devious side, making him crack a crooked smile. “All is fair my friend…all is fair.” He muttered before he jumped to his feet, opening the door back up enough for
‘anyone’
to just stroll right on in. He then rushed back to the bed, shucking his breeches and kicking them away as he climbed in pulling Lena’s sleeping form to him, turning her, he shook her. “Lena - wake up.” He shook her some more pulling her on top of him as he attempted to wake her. “Nooo, Manny - God…not again…please.” She whimpered, her eyes closed from heavy lids.

He pushed the sheet down her back to show they were naked, then grabbed her head and brought her mouth to his, kissing her passionately.

Thomas stepped up on the porch whistling happily, day dreaming about how he would spend it with the woman he loved, his beautiful Ceś alena. He skipped a step back dancing gaily, the sun was bright, the day was young, and he was in love. He went to knock on the door when he noticed it was open.
‘Oh so she is up. Emm, I’ll just have to sneak in and see if I can catch her unaware.’

Smiling and feeling mischievous, he pushed the door carefully open, and snuck quietly in, looking for her as he entered. Suddenly, the sounds within registered and the smile on his face slid as he moved further into the cabin.

First, seeing the end of the bed and rumpled sheets; then naked intertwined feet, legs, honey brown and white, until finally he was close enough for the full view.

They were both naked, so caught up in the throes of passion in their love making, they were unaware of his presence. Thomas felt sick to his stomach. His throat went dry as his world crashed down around him. He must have made a sound, because suddenly Lena pushed back from Manny grabbing the sheet up to cover her breast, fearing someone in the cabin.

She turned her head to look and their eyes met.

Smug and satisfied with the events played out, Manny placed his hands beneath his head looking Thomas right in the eyes saying, “Excuse us, but you might want to knock first, before you barge into someone’s cabin uninvited.”

This was said so smooth and calm, Lena snatched her eyes from Thomas to look down at Manny. Who had dismissed her for the moment, while his glare sent a message to Thomas that could not be mistaken. Trying to swallow his humiliation, Thomas nodded in a fashion as if to say,
‘Touché’

“No. I usually don’t…sorry to disturb.” He turned and left as quietly as he came, closing the door securely behind him.

“Thomas wait!!” Lena shouted; scrambling to get out of bed. Manny’s hand snaked out and grabbed her arm in an instant. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” He asked sharply as if daring her to leave his side. “Let go of me! I have to explain to Thomas!” She retorted trying to pull her arm free.

“To hell with Thomas! He needs no explanation. He has eyes that see, now get back here!” He bit out. Lena glared down at him, there was a look about him close to that of a cat swallowing the canary, and proud that he’d done so.

“Maynard - Ramsey - Webster! What have you done? That door was firmly closed and latched when I came in last night. How is it, that it came to admit Thomas all of a sudden?!” She asked secure in her accusation.

“I opened it to get some fresh air. I guess I forgot to close it back all the way.” He stated calmly, “Now get back here.” He ordered pulling her down next to him.

“Oh no you don’t!” She pushed herself up from him, pointing at the door. “You deliberately opened that door so he could walk in here and catch us! That’s why you woke me all of a sudden for a kiss!”

“That did not hurt! And - you make me so mad sometimes! I told you I’d talk to him. I didn’t want to hurt him like that! He didn’t deserve what you did to him! I know you did that!” She scolded standing from the bed, snatching the sheet from him to wrap around herself. Manny looked stunned, hurt and angry all at once as he sat up swinging his legs around to sit facing her.

“Ah - I’m understanding now. You can hurt me without a second thought! Just shovel me off like too much horse shit! But him, you worry about. Well thank you very kindly Ms Lena!!” He snapped. Lena sighed as she turned to him, her tone gentling. “Manny what and why I did what I did to you is totally different. You know it. Also, you know I didn’t want to hurt you…you know that.”

“Do I?” He asked gruffly.

“Yes, you do. There was no need for you to do what you did. You should have let me handle it. What you did was crude, insensitive and tacky, and quite uncalled for.”

“What I did was to make it clear! No misunderstanding - no -
“hmm, well maybe?”
There is no way for him to hope beyond what he saw! Now leave it at that. He’ll get over it, he’s a big boy!” Manny announced standing to retrieve his own pants. He didn’t bother with his shirt; he’d ripped it in his hurry to remove it. Lena stood staring at him as he stepped into his pants, buttoning the front. Watching as he went looking for his shoes.

“Where are you going?” She asked him, the question was followed by a yawn. “To take a bath, then I’m going to get my daughter, who is probably up and looking for us now. Just so you know it - we’re spending this day together. The whole day, so when I’m ready and come back for you…you best be ready.”

“Yooou.” He growled, rushing her, taking her in his arms to imprison her against his body. “I’ve ruined you; giving you the power I have, indulging you, spoiling you. Letting you get away with murder! Talking to me the way you do…one of these days, I swear you’re going to get what you truly need; a sound slapping to your ass!” He threatened, looking down into defiant eyes, as if she dared him to hit her, even in form of a spanking.

“You sir, may get your daughter. I am going to talk to Thomas. Then, I’m going to take myself a long nap. The two of you will have to keep each other company until I wake.”

She informed him with a daring slant of her brow as if to say, she would do as she pleased.

Manny sighed, “Very well, I haven’t any energy left to argue with you.” He admitted.

“Well it’s about time. Now, if you will let me go…I wish to wash and dress as well.” She announced regally, a bit of a smirk lurking and a twinkle in her eyes. But still he held her, staring down at her. “Manny - let go.” She pushed at him.

“Don’t ignite my anger Lena. You are mine, say what you will to him, then leave him…I mean it, do not push me where he is concerned. I’ve tried hard to be mindful concerning him, but I will only be strung along so far.” He warned her.

“I don’t know what it is you expect to happen now? After what he saw this morning, he’ll probably not want to see my face.”

“My intentions exactly.” He grumbled, then leaned down and kissed her hard and fast, releasing her he headed for the door.

* * *

NEW YORK CITY

EARLIER THAT SAME YEAR

He was in an impatient mood as he entered his office closing the door behind him. At his desk he rifled through paper work and appointment reminders. Frustrated he tossed on the stack of papers the missives he’d picked up on the way in. Reaching for his pipe, he opened his tobacco pouch and stuffed the empty pipe, then sat back after lighting it to smoke it as he slipped into deep thought.

Pressure was building up to a choking point of late. The forty something shipping president of Greyson’s shipping sat motionless as smoke swirled and billowed drifting up from his pipe before him. He’d been in the trading business since his father sailed to the colonies more than twenty years ago, establishing the business…died, and willed it on to him.

It had proven to be a profitable business despite the competition from the one other merchant business, and those profits had gone to his head. Too many times he’d indulged himself in a little gambling that grew to more, and then more still. While he gambled his profits away, sneaking up on him was a new shipping line, Ramsey Shipping and Passage. It seemed to have sprung up out of no where over night. His solution had been to gamble more to regain his loses, and in the meantime - Ramsey shipping began moving in on his contracts. Right now because of Ramsey Shipping, he had crates upon crates of cargo that should have been auctioned and sold to interested buyers.

Ever since this new company came on the scene, his business was feeling the squeeze; his gambling was aiding in his descent. Problem was, Ramsey Shipping, offered a better contract deal as a permanent supplier. He didn’t understand how the business could grow with the rumored contract bids he offered. Yet it was growing, making his asking fees seem outrageously high and unreasonable. Not only did he have to contend with that, but the lack of manpower as well. He’d lost many of his ship crewmen to Ramsey shipping, as that business took on more fleets. The last bone of contention was his seemingly endless supply of silver, gold and precious gem stones.

“Damn it to hell!” He cursed the new merchant business, not understanding how he’d grown so fast, and then he cursed his own failing luck. Every time he’d managed to discover a vein of gold for mining, it soon ran dry. He ended up having to withdraw his obligations in supplying gold under contract. Again he wondered where and how was it this Ramsey could be so totally dependable and consistent? If he could find just one rich source overseas to excavate, that would promise him gold and jewels endlessly, that would be the end of his dilemmas. He could pull himself back over the top.