Riverbreeze: Part 1 (24 page)

Him
? Robert thought.
“What are you talking about?” He asked, completely confused.
Him, the servant or him
…Then he understood.
“Oh, Jamie, you could never be like him.” He reassured Jamie. “How
could you think that?”

“I beat him, damn it, I got angry and I
whipped him!” Jamie cried, his hands in fists at his sides.

“Who?”

“Blockhaws…he was in charge of the dogs and
he let them go. They chased a rabbit into the stables and
frightened the horses.”

“Were any of the horses hurt?” Robert asked
quickly.

“Just some scrapes, but I was so afraid for
them and then I….” He shook his head. “I just blew up. I dragged
him over to the oak tree behind the stables and I whipped him in
front of everyone.”

“Jamie, you had a legitimate reason for
punishing him. You are not like Wesley at all. Do not ever think
that.” Robert said, squeezing his shoulder.

“I didn’t think I could ever do that, after
what he did to us.” Jamie still sounded dejected.

Robert consoled him with a gentle hand
cupping the side of his neck. He looked into his eyes. “You are not
like Wesley.” He said in firm, measured words. “You will never be
like him so do not worry yourself over it. All right?”

Jamie just nodded him head, his expression
thankful.

“Good.” Robert said. Then eyeing his brother
thoughtfully. “You know, I saw you with Mistress Evelyn and how you
seemed to be rather…ah…” He grinned, waving his hand around. “… I
do not know…friendly I guess?”

Now Jamie did blush. “Yes, we have become
friends.” He said vaguely, avoiding Robert’s eye.

“Uh huh…” Robert prompted him, purposely
peering into Jamie’s face. “And…?”

“Oh Jesus! I cannot hide anything from you,
can I?” Jamie complained. “Well, if you must know...” He said, with
a growing smile. “We kissed. Down by the river. And more than
once.”

Robert laughed, then clapped his brother on
the back. “You little devil, you!” He teased Jamie. His little
brother, at nineteen and still a virgin, had found himself a
sweetheart.

Jamie continued, sighing, “I have never
kissed a girl like that. I have never felt so…so…” he searched for
the right words.

“So….what?” Robert asked, pleased for his
brother.

“So captivated. There is something different
about her, not like any of the other girls I’ve met before.”

“Yes, there is something different about
them.” Robert agreed, speaking musingly. He turned his head to look
over the holly bushes that they were using for cover. Elizabeth was
still there with Evelyn and the children and the dogs. She looked
radiant in the sunshine, her hair sparking copper and gold and
amber. Evelyn looked even more radiant, if that were possible, but
she had been kissed by Jamie.

Jamie noticed. “You feel it too!” He
exclaimed in wonder and growing excitement. “For Elizabeth?”

Robert looked back at Jamie with a reluctant
smile on his face. “I feel it too.” He said, admitting it finally.
He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh through his nose. “We
are doomed, I believe, Jamie, we…are…doomed.”

Jamie grinned all the more. “If we are
doomed, Rob, then at least I’ll go with a smile on my face.”

Chapter Seven: Fateful Words

It was not to happen again! Just when Robert
thought he would be able to spend some time with Elizabeth and his
son, Maureen came out through the front door and approached him and
Jamie. He was immediately concerned. It was obvious that she had
been crying and she was still dabbing her eyes with a fine,
lace-edged handkerchief when Robert and Jamie rushed to her
side.

“What happened, Maureen?” Robert immediately
asked. The question seemed to renew her tears and she shook her
head, unable to speak.

Jamie put his arm around her and held her
while she wept quietly against his shoulder. The brothers’ eyes
met, both of them worried now. They hadn’t seen Maureen cry like
this since the death of her sister, wrenching, silent sobs that
shook her shoulders and tore at Robert’s heart. He felt useless as
he gently rubbed her back and waited quietly for her to
recover.

Finally spent, she wiped her eyes and blew
her nose. “I’m sorry.” She said, her voice high and wavering on the
edge of cracking. “I’ve just been to see father…”

Robert felt a jolt of fear. He and Jamie
exchanged another look of dread. Not wanting to voice the horrible
thought, Robert stuttered, “Is he…? Is he…?”

“No, he’s not.” Maureen said, sniffling. She
took a deep breath and her voice deepened with sadness as she
continued, “But I’m losing hope and I think he is too. He and his
solicitor have just spoken to me and Phillip; and now he wants to
see you two.”

“Oh no.” Robert moaned.

Maureen continued, “I’m also to send the
twins to see him shortly. Worry not, Robert, I’ll tend to
Robin.”

“But surely he’ll be finished with Jamie and
me before he sees the girls. I’ll be able to watch Robin myself.”
Robert said, frowning.

“No.” Maureen said gently. “Do not be
alarmed, but he wants to see you and Jamie first, then he wants to
see all four of you together.”

“Together!” Robert gasped. He stood there as
if he had been shot through with an arrow. In his mind that could
only mean one thing and he wasn’t sure if he could handle that
right now.

But the implication of that statement didn’t
affect Jamie in the same manner. “He’s saying good-bye to everyone,
isn’t he?” He asked somberly.

“Not only that.” Maureen said, ignoring
Robert for the moment. She couldn’t meet his eyes. “He has
rewritten his will. He wants everyone to know…” she stopped short,
another sob escaping.

Jamie pulled her close again, his worried
look meeting Robert’s. Robert frowned, not liking at all what he
was hearing.

Sniffling, Maureen continued, “You must go
quickly. The doctor said father is going to need his rest
tonight.”

* * *

Robert and Jamie walked in silence to the
house, dreading the upcoming visit with their adoptive father. It
was almost as if voicing their fears would make them come true.
Both young men recalled the scene in the bedroom earlier: Francis
Tyler, specter-like, standing in the doorway, the doctor supporting
him on one side, his claw-like hand on the other side clutching the
doorframe so he wouldn’t fall down. Robert knew eventually that
this day would come upon them, death was a frequent visitor to the
young colony of Virginia, but he had hoped with all his heart that
God might have waited many more years before calling this
kindhearted man home.

So it was with great shame that Robert also
couldn’t get over what Maureen had said about Tyler wanting to see
the four of them together. In his mind he had already deduced that
Tyler had put it in his will that he and Jamie would become
responsible for Elizabeth and Evelyn, most likely as their
husbands.

He was truly surprised at the anger he felt
towards his father after all Tyler had done for him and his
brother. The man had done everything for them and had given them
everything they ever needed, including unconditional love, support
and compassion. Everything he and Jamie knew about life in this
colony they had learned from him; how to survive off of the native
plants and animals, how to hunt and fish, and how to run a
prosperous plantation. They had also learned how to behave like
proper gentlemen; they had learned how to read and write and do
simple math, how to keep accounts and how to bargain and trade and
barter to their advantage. They had learned discipline, but they
had also learned to love and trust again, something they had once
known, but had forgotten after the death of their real father.
Surely Robert could give something back. Surely he could honor
Tyler’s request and look beyond his own personal needs.

He didn’t believe Jamie was having a problem
with the prospect of possibly having to marry one of the twins.
Despite the fact that Jamie had been very busy these past few
years, preparing for the horses and then taking care of them when
they had arrived, he, at times, had been very lonely. Robert knew
that every Sunday before and after church, Jamie sometimes flirted
with several of the single girls, but nothing serious ever came out
of it. The right woman had just not been there for Jamie, but just
minutes ago Jamie had confided in him that he had kissed Mistress
Evelyn and had felt affection for her. Could it be that fate had
brought the twins here for them?

There was no one in the hallway when they
entered the house for which both brothers were grateful. Neither
one of them was feeling very sociable. They did hear a few voices
in the two main rooms, both men and women talking and laughing
together, but most everyone was still outside enjoying the last
warmth and sunshine of the afternoon.

Once Robert and Jamie approached the door to
Tyler’s bedchamber, the two brothers embraced before entering.
Robert had propped his stick up against the doorframe so he could
hug Jamie with both arms. It just seemed appropriate to make the
effort. They clung to each other in silence for a moment, taking
comfort and finding strength from each other. Whatever their fate
may be, they were about to find out.

The bedchamber was dark after the brightness
of outdoors and if it hadn’t been for the roaring fire in the small
fireplace at one end of the room, it would have felt like a tomb.
All the shutters on the windows had been closed, making the room
very dark and warm. Robert was glad that he was only wearing a
shirt and breeches and not the heavy wool doublet and breeches he
originally had planned to wear. But Jamie was wearing his new
doublet and breeches and out of the corner of his eye, Robert could
see little beads of sweat forming on Jamie’s upper lip.

“Gentlemen, do come in please.” The solicitor
said, waiting for them right inside the door. His name was John
Arnall and he was a thin man of average height with a long, thin
face, a pointy little chin and closely set eyes. His clothing, a
fine doublet and breeches made from black genoa cut velvet with a
floral pattern worked into the fabric and a startling white cambric
shirt, bespoke of his prosperity. His long black hair had been tied
back into a tail at the back of his head to keep it out of the way
and he smelled strongly of ink. Most likely he had been writing the
new will all afternoon.

The boys stepped in, side by side, Robert
holding on to Jamie’s forearm for balance. Robert had left his
stick out in the hall not wanting to alarm his father with his
injury. Slowly they moved closer to the bed and saw their first
sight of Francis Tyler since they had seen him in the hall. They
were more shocked than they had been then. They had always
remembered him as being healthy and full of life, striding
purposefully over his land, riding his horses commandingly, serving
proudly in the militia, enjoying the fellowship of his neighbors
and friends, devoutly worshipping God, and wholly loving his
family. But now he was propped up on several pillows in his bed,
covered with several quilts, looking small and wasted. His face was
gaunt and tired-looking, his reddish-brown hair had been severely
pulled back, accentuating all the bones in his face. And if it
hadn’t been for the ruddy glow from the hickory fire, his skin
would have been as white as the sheets he now lay upon.

But his eyes were warm with the love he felt
for these two ‘sons’.

“Robert; Jamie.” He said in a raspy voice,
beckoning them with a limp hand. “Do come closer; sit here.” He
indicated two stools that had been positioned next to the bed,
close to the head of it. His voice was so soft Robert and Jamie had
to strain to hear him.

Robert’s heart was pounding too fast and he
was afraid someone might actually hear it. He stole a glance at
Jamie and noticed that Jamie looked stricken with fear. He was
staring at Tyler, afraid to move.

“We came as soon as Maureen told us.” Robert
said, his voice low and shaky. Tyler smiled serenely. He held out
his hand to Robert and Robert had to pull a little on Jamie’s arm
to get him to move right up to the side of the bed. So far Robert’s
leg was holding up well and he could stand steadily enough as he
clasped his father’s hand.

“Do sit down.” Tyler said. After the boys had
settled themselves on the stools, he continued, “I’m hugely glad
you came today, Robert. It has been too long since we’ve seen you.”
He chided, making Robert feel as guilty as a sinner. “Did you bring
Robin with you?”

“Yes, he’s outside now with Elizabeth and
Evelyn.”

“Good, good.” Tyler said as if it were a
normal occurrence. His mind didn’t seem to be as sharp as it used
to be.

“Would you like to see him?” Robert asked,
trying his hardest to keep his voice steady. He didn’t want it to
be known how afraid he really was. “I could bring him in later
after you’ve rested some.”