Riverbreeze: Part 2 (16 page)

“Yes, sir.” Dolnick bowed his head once.

“What can I do to help?” Elizabeth said, eyeing the ham. Even before Dolnick had placed it on the table, she could smell the smokiness of the meat. Her stomach rumbled just thinking about how good that ham would be. She was really hungry and she realized anew that her old life of waking up to a ready-made breakfast was not going to happen here…unless…She glanced at Robert. Maybe she could convince him to keep Dolnick as the cook. But no, she told herself on second thought. She had vowed to be a competent wife and that included learning how to cook and clean.

As it was, Elizabeth first just watched every move that Dolnick made, memorizing everything that he did. She stood over him while he stoked the fire and divided the coals into separate piles, then set two cast iron three-legged skillets over the coals to preheat them. He also added a hanging griddle to the crane over the fire. Then he respectfully set her to work cracking eggs into a bowl while Nathan sliced the ham. He showed her how to add a half cupful of goat’s milk to the eggs, some salt and then whip them up. Next he prompted her to remember the recipe for the corn cakes and when she couldn’t, he gently reminded her. And before she even had time to think, there were three separate dishes cooking over the coals, battered eggs, ham and corncakes. The smell was delicious and Elizabeth was quite proud of herself.

In the meantime, Robert went out to bring in more wood and then went down to the cellar, he said, for a jug of apple cider. Nathan, finished with slicing the ham, set the table with pewter plates, cups and knives and spoons with bone handles. He also placed a pot of honey taken from the sideboard in the center of the table.

The first batch of food was almost ready and Elizabeth looked around for Robert. She was confused as to why he hadn’t returned; she couldn’t imagine what he was doing down in that root cellar. Telling Dolnick to keep the food warm, she went to find her husband.

At the top of the cellar stairs, Elizabeth took a deep breath and gathered her courage. Last night when she and Evelyn had gone down into the underground room, she had found the place dark, dank and creepy. The floor was hard-packed dirt, the walls were made of big stones and there was only one small window high up and at the opposite end of the stairs. There was barely enough light to see. Last night when she and her sister had only one candle between them, they had clung to each other while they had searched for the vegetables, jumping at every imagined creak and cringing at every wavering shadow. She hated the thought of going down there again but resigned herself to it. She ducked her head and peered down. She saw him standing in the middle of the space, his back to the stairs. Slowly and carefully she descended the creaking, wooden steps, holding her skirts up to her knees. When she felt the cool, damp air, she shivered.

Robert turned at the sound of her footfalls. “Is our breakfast ready?”

“Yes, Dolnick is keeping it warm for us.” She said, moving beside him. “I thought you were getting a jug of cider.”

“I was, but…” He sighed, putting his arm around her and kissing her temple.

“But?” She asked, seeing him frown. “Is there anything wrong?”

“I’m worried.” He answered, surveying the foodstuffs.

“Worried about what?”

“I’m afraid that our store of food won’t last through the winter.” Elizabeth shot him a startled look. “I hadn’t planned on four extra mouths to feed.” He flashed her a quick smile and pulled her against him. “Worry not though. I’m glad you’re here.” He added quickly, easing Elizabeth’s fears. “But this food will not feed eight people through the winter and into spring. Oh, Jamie and I can always go hunting so there will always be meat, and we can buy cornmeal and flour from Phillip’s store, and the chickens will give eggs, but fresh food…” He shook his head. “We have four barrels…” He pointed to them against the back wall. “…of carrots, turnips, parsnips and potatoes but they won’t last.”

Elizabeth remembered going through the barrels last night and being shocked at how the vegetables had been layered in dirt and straw. But when she thought about it, how they grew in the dirt in the first place, perhaps keeping them packed in the cool soil would keep them fresher longer.

Robert continued, “Then there is this one barrel of apples which I have to go through every day to pick out the ones going bad. We have a good supply of onions and there are still late peas and cabbage in the garden and the second crop of corn, but…” He trailed off, deep in thought.

“Will you be able to buy food from anyone?” She asked. Growing up in London, she remembered the shopping trips she took with her governess and her sister. There had always been an abundance of grocers, butchers and bakers from whom they could buy their food. The thought of going hungry had never crossed her mind. She had also never had to worry about feeding members of a household. She realized that her responsibility as mistress of this plantation would be to provide for all concerned, family and servants alike. It was a daunting thought and too much, too fast for her to take in. She decided that for now she would leave the job to Robert.

“Perhaps. When the time comes, I’ll ask around.” Robert said.

“I trust we’ll be all right. So our diet may be limited from time to time, but we won’t starve.”

“No, we won’t.” He smiled down at her. “But I had wanted to fatten you up a little, in more ways than one.” He said, placing his large hand on her stomach.

She placed her hand over his, feeling the warmth of his skin and held it. She leaned her head against his arm. “’Twill happen. In time.”

He held her for a quiet moment and she wondered when it would happen. She had thought that she had wanted to start their family as soon as possible, but now realized that there were other matters to tend to. Little by little she was learning that this farm life wasn’t so simple.

“Well, let me get that jug and let’s have some breakfast.” Robert finally said, his somber mood passing. He gave Elizabeth one last squeeze. “I, for one, am really hungry and while we have the food, I’m going to eat it! How about you?”

“Me too.” She laughed, responding easily to his lightened spirits.

Elizabeth led the way back up the stairs and Robert followed behind, a large jug of cider in his hands. When they arrived back in the kitchen, Nathan immediately took the jug and started to fill mugs with the slightly alcoholic liquid while Dolnick formally bid them to sit down at the table, as if he were the butler in a fancy manor house, rather than a mere field hand in a simple farm house. They did, side by side, exchanging playful smiles, but in reality expecting this kind of treatment.

With quick, precise movements, Dolnick served them, putting loaded plates of food, first in front of Robert and then in front of Elizabeth. Elizabeth didn’t mind being served second; the master of the house was always served first, but there was something not right about the food. She eyed it suspiciously; everything was piping hot and looked deliciously fresh, from the crispy fried ham to the saffron-colored scrambled eggs. She looked askance at Dolnick, wondering how he could have kept this food so hot. When she caught his eye he turned away, turning slightly red, and she knew. He had eaten the first plate himself, and this food was freshly made.

She turned back to Robert, intending to say something, but he hadn’t noticed. He was too busy chewing happily on a piece of ham, making noises of appreciation in his throat.

Swallowing, he leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek, whispering in her ear, “You did a fine job, Lady Bassett. I’m very proud of you.” Under the table he squeezed her thigh.

The unexpected praise scattered her thoughts. She really hadn’t done anything, just scrambled the eggs. “Thank you.” She whispered back, pleased nevertheless.

Just then, however, as Elizabeth was about to taste the eggs, she froze, a subtle warm rush of exhilaration going through her. She had never felt anything like it before, but immediately knew that she was feeling a milder version of whatever Evelyn was experiencing. She carefully set her spoon back on her plate of eggs, closed her eyes and sat motionless, her heart pounding. She didn’t try to block the feelings but luxuriated in them. And then the surge of adrenaline ebbed away, leaving her feeling limp and euphoric. She breathed in and out several times, deeply and slowly.

“Are you all right?” She heard Robert ask her, close to her ear. When she opened her eyes, she saw that he was studying her. He was looking all over her face and neck, a puzzled expression on his face.

“I’m fine.” She whispered, a small smile on her face. “I just need a drink of cider, if you please.”

Even though she could have reached for her own mug, Robert got it for her. He handed it to her, continuing to scrutinize her face. “What happened? You looked like…”

He suddenly stopped, his eyes widening. “No.” He said, shaking his head. He quickly looked away, a deep frown on his face. “Nevermind.” He muttered.

“What did I look like?” She asked in a whisper, touching her neck and her cheek with her free hand as if she could feel the flush on her skin. She glanced nervously back at the servants. She had forgotten about them for that moment. What had they seen and how had they interpreted her strange behavior? Holding the mug with two hands now, she sipped her cider, hiding her face in the mug.

“You looked like…did you just…? Robert stammered, looking queasy. “No, that’s impossible…
isn’t it
?” He sounded as if he were pleading for her to deny what he was thinking.

She slowly shook her head, holding the mug close to her mouth. She was afraid to look at him; she was afraid to see the
fear
on his face. She had successfully hidden the small pinch of pain she had felt when Evelyn had lost her virginity earlier, but now…how could she explain this connection she had with her sister without alienating him?

And then confirming her fears, she sensed his withdrawal. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him poking absently at his food. He stared straight ahead, deep in thought.

Thusly they sat, side by side, awkwardly quiet. The intermittent clink of a spoon or a knife on the pewter plate was loud in the silence. The sounds of frying ham and corn cakes sizzled in the background. Elizabeth nibbled at her eggs, her stomach in knots, but not wanting to waste the food. Robert continued to clean his plate but without any of the enthusiasm with which he usually devoured his meals. The servants wisely pretended not to notice and kept themselves busy frying up the last of the corncakes.

Just when Elizabeth didn’t think she could stand the silence any longer, she heard footsteps on the stairs along with bursts of giggles from both Jamie and Evelyn. Her head came up and she noticed that everyone else had heard them too. Everyone froze, listening to the sounds of two people in love. Elizabeth chanced a look at Robert and much to her surprise, he smiled, although he was trying his hardest not to. He rolled his eyes at her, seemingly tickled by the sound of his brother’s laughter. Elizabeth returned the amused smile, breathing a sigh of relief.

Soon the newlyweds appeared in the doorway, draped all over each other. They had eyes only for each other and they looked drunk with love. They were oblivious to everything around them as they continued to smile foolishly at each other.

Jamie looked surprisingly well for a person who had just spent the last twenty-four hours sick in bed. He was still pale and had dark shadows under his eyes, but nothing could hide the fact that he was a man in love and that he had made his wife his own. He was wearing nothing but a wrinkled nightshirt which came to his knees. His legs and feet were naked and looked cold on the bare wood floor. Elizabeth found the sight of his skinny and bony feet quite amusing and she exchanged another look with Robert, nearly starting to giggle herself. Robert was grinning as well; he had always gotten a good laugh seeing Jamie’s long and skinny toes.

Evelyn was in her chemise and a pastel, calico wrapper that didn’t quite fit right. But it warmed Elizabeth’s heart so see her wearing it because Elizabeth had been the one to sew it for her and had given it to her on their last birthday. Evelyn’s feet were also bare and her glorious hair was spread out over her shoulders and down her back, unbound. Her face was aglow and it was like looking into a mirror to Elizabeth; she realized she must have looked like this last night…
and
only moments ago, the same radiant flush to her cheeks, the same rapt look in her eyes.

Robert loudly cleared his throat and the two lovebirds jerked apart as if they had been stuck with straight pins. Evelyn blushed, realizing they had an audience, and immediately pulled her wrapper closed at the base of her throat. But Jamie wasn’t as embarrassed. “Oh, good morning!” He said cheerfully. “Mmm, that smells delicious.” He added, taking a deep breath. “I’m so hungry I could eat a bear!”

“Take my seat, Jamie.” Elizabeth said, quickly getting up. She couldn’t wait to talk to Evelyn about all that had happened.

And before Robert could draw a breath to protest, she hurried to her sister in the doorway, passing Jamie along the way. He, never one to reject food and ravenous anyway, eagerly took Elizabeth’s place. But before he sat down, he clapped Robert on the shoulder. “I’m a new man, Rob.” He declared happily. “Yes, indeed, a new man.”

And he started shoveling the remaining eggs and ham into his mouth as if he hadn’t eaten in a week.

Robert just laughed, regaining his appetite and finishing off his own breakfast. Dolnick slipped a second plate of eggs and ham in front of Jamie while Nathan poured him a mug of cider.