Riverbreeze: Part 3 (14 page)

Thomas Paulette also announced he would not ride any of his four horses, leaving that privilege to his grandsons, Hugh and Harry. They chose to ride the two stallions, both of them thoroughbred type horses named Paulette’s Pride and Paulette’s Perfection. Sheriff Huett was given permission to ride the third, a chestnut mare named Honor, and after much debate and much pleading on Richard’s part, the Matthews teenager was given permission to ride the fourth, another mare, golden chestnut in color and named Glory. His parents had tried to convince him not to participate, afraid for his safety, but he ignored them. Jamie wasn’t afraid for his safety remembering how well Richard had ridden Penny, but he was doubtful that Richard would even come close to winning. Knowing how excited Richard was though, Jamie had encouraged him, also ignoring his parents’ wishes, not wanting to deny the boy this special moment.

The weather remained clear and pleasant all day with the temperature rising to 20 degrees centigrade by four o’clock. Jamie eagerly stripped off his doublet as did most of the other men. He handed it to Evelyn to hold for him, asking, “A kiss for luck?” She readily gave it to him, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes. “I’ll be fine.” He told her confidently, smiling widely.

Everyone mounted up and lined up at a place indicated by Thomas Paulette. The course was the path from his side yard to the church and back again, approximately a mile and a quarter. The guests were divided in two groups, lining each side of the course, each of them rooting for their favorite. If any bets were being made, Jamie didn’t notice, but he imagined there would be a little wagering going on amongst the more affluent citizens.

The horses were restless, anticipating the race. Jamie was in the middle with Robert at one side and Nick at the other. He liked this position because he could keep an eye on both of them. “Easy, boy.” He soothed Pisador with a warm hand on his neck when the stallion started to fidget. KingArthur, Nick’s horse was prancing in place, trying to plunge forward, but Nick was able to hold him back. Ned Huett, riding Honor, was next to Robert and suddenly the mare danced sideways, bumping into Robert’s horse, but both men were able to quickly take control of their mounts without further incidence. The Bolton brothers, riding their stallion and mare, Thunder and Lightning, were next to Nick, and Richard was at the end of the line, looking eager and breathless. On the other side of Huett was Adam Cooke on his stallion, Sterling. And at that end of the line were Hugh and Harry, trying to control their eager stallions who were both tugging at the reins.

Finally Paulette called out, “Ready! Steady!” And as he shouted “Go!” he waved a large white handkerchief.

There was a moment of frenzy as the horses responded to their master’s commands to go. Jamie leaned over Pisador’s neck as he kicked his heels into the horse’s side and lengthened the reins. Pisador responded beautifully and shot out with a tremendous bound, but others weren’t so lucky. Hugh’s horse reared and almost dumped him, but he managed to hang on and finally get him under control to start galloping along with the field. Richard had trouble controlling Glory who skittered sideways and around in a circle. After a split second of hesitation, Nick gained command of his horse and sprinted after Jamie, urging him on with his arms and legs pumping. Behind him Jamie could hear Harry pounding at his heels and Robert, surprising everyone on Midnight, kept pace with the other front-runners. Jamie lost sight of the others and didn’t really care.

He kept his eyes on the path ahead and balancing his body forward, he drove Pisador on with his body and his voice. “Go, Pisador! Go!” He cried. The horse’s ears flicked back, listening, and responding perfectly, lengthened his stride and surged ahead.

They flew past mulberry and sycamore trees, sumac and sassafrases, bayberry and holly bushes. Jamie felt the wind on his face and in his hair and his heart pounded with each powerful stride. Pisador felt so strong and powerful beneath him, there was no doubt in his mind that they would win.

Leading the field, they reached the end of the trail first at the churchyard and Jamie then had to slow Pisador to turn him in a wide circle. Now he could see how close Nick was behind him, then Harry, Hugh, Robert and Adam. Huett, the Bolton brothers and Richard brought up the rear of the field.

Jamie kicked Pisador again, bringing him back up to speed, but Nick’s horse was gaining. Leaving the rest behind, they raced neck in neck until right before the finish line Jamie’s horse leaped forward in a burst of speed to cross the finish line first.

The crowd roared with cheers and shouts. Jamie jumped off his horse, elated. He was so happy and proud he didn’t know what to do with himself. He gave Pisador a huge kiss and hugged his lathered neck. Nick came over and congratulated him, bearing no hard feelings. Harry came in third, Hugh fourth, Robert, then Adam, but after Adam, there was a long delay. Everyone wondered what could have happened to the others.

Thomas Paulette sent Harry back down the trail to find out. He came back seconds later, reporting that Glory had stumbled and fallen, throwing Richard forward. Richard had hit his head on a rock and had a bad cut at his temple, but after a few minutes of feeling dazed, now seemed to be all right. Unfortunately as a result of the fall, Glory had pulled a muscle in her left foreleg and couldn’t be ridden back.

Richard’s mother burst from the crowd, crying out when she heard the news and rushed down the path to tend to her son.

Ten minutes later, the final four men arrived, walking their horses. Glory was limping and Thom Paulette immediately took her reins from Richard and led her to the stable. Richard’s mother was fussing after her son and he clearly didn’t like it. He had blood running down the side of his head, over his ear and down his neck, but he didn’t seem alarmed by it.

Jamie went over to him, feeling a little guilty. “Are you badly hurt?” He asked, eyeing the wound. It was quite ugly, a large gash over his ear.

Richard shrugged a shoulder dismissively. “I’ll be fine.” He said. Then he suddenly grinned. “That was the best time I ever had!” He declared, his eyes sparkling. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t finish it.”

“Maybe next time.” Jamie said, placing a supportive hand on Richard’s shoulder.

“There won’t be a next time.” Annabelle said firmly, taking a hold of Richard’s hand and pulling him towards the house. Alison was already hurrying to their side, leading them towards the kitchen where Richard could have his wound cleaned and bandaged.

The reception ended after that. It would be dark soon, and everyone wanted to get home before sunset. Normally at the end of a wedding feast there would be the public bedding when the bride’s unwed maids would undress her and put her to bed and the unwed men would bring the undressed groom to his new bride. Then the girls would take a stocking of the groom’s and the men would take a stocking of the bride’s and each would throw the stocking over their shoulder and whoever hit the groom or bride in the nose with the stocking would soon marry. But this tradition was abandoned this evening. There were only two unwed girls among the guests compared to a score or more of unwed men, and the girls were only twelve and thirteen years old, too young to participate according to their parents. And even though this was William’s first marriage, it was Alison’s second and she was against going through it again. William yielded to her wishes and both were happy to skip this old, embarrassing ritual.

Jamie didn’t care one way or the other; being a married man now would have eliminated him from the affair anyway. And he certainly wouldn’t have wanted to see Barber’s naked body! Yeeuck!

What he did want to see was Richard before he left. He found him outside the stable, being dragged away by his determined parents. Jamie spent a few minutes saying goodbye to them and reassuring himself that Richard was still all right. Richard’s wound had been cleaned and bandaged and he appeared to be fine. That made Jamie feel infinitely better and he could go home now with a clear conscience.

* * *

Two days later though, the Bassetts received a visitor, Harry Wyatt actually, who gave them bad, bad news. Jamie was devastated. Richard Matthews had died overnight. Jamie couldn’t understand it. Richard had seemed fine except for the large cut, and he didn’t believe the wound was bad enough to kill Richard so quickly. But Harry had told them how Richard had developed a headache that night after the fall which had worsened with time until finally he fell unconscious and ultimately died. There wasn’t anything that could be done for him.

“I must go see his parents.” Jamie said to Evelyn, moving quickly to grab his coat and hat.

“But you’ll see them at the funeral!” She said, trying to reason with him. “There will be a funeral, won’t there?” She asked Harry.

“Tomorrow, there will be a small service and burial at the church.” Harry said.

“You see, Jamie? You can wait until tomorrow!”

“No! I’m going now.” He said firmly. And he walked out of the house without another word.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Christmas Blessings

For the next two weeks, Robert watched his brother drown in guilt over Richard’s death. It all started that first day after the poor lad had died. First there was Richard’s funeral, a very simple and somber affair, held at the church and without a grand reception afterwards. Naturally, numerous folk brought covered dishes and most everyone ate a little of the cold food, but there was no firing of guns or celebratory drinking. Richard’s family was embraced and comforted by the community, but Jamie stood alone, bottling up his grief, almost as distraught as Richard’s parents.

Immediately after the burial, Jamie went home with the Matthews, abandoning Evelyn. Her sister was the one who had to comfort her and soothe her all the way home.

Then every morning after that, Jamie would ride off to the Matthews’ place to help them with whatever chores that needed to be done and every evening Robert watched him come home exhausted, almost falling asleep at the supper table and neglecting poor Evelyn. Day after day he tried convincing Jamie that he wasn’t to blame for Richard’s death. And day after day, Jamie wouldn’t listen, either to him or to Evelyn. “If I hadn’t encouraged him to ride, he wouldn’t have ridden in the race and he wouldn’t have fallen and died.” He would cry, distress in his voice and sorrow in his heart.

Neither Robert nor Evelyn could change his mind.

But finally on Christmas Eve, Jamie came home three hours late, missing supper. The meal had been planned for two o’clock and everyone was looking forward to the venison stew and real wheaten bread that the three women had prepared. But Jamie didn’t show up on time; they waited and waited, hoping he would arrive at any minute, but one hour passed, then two. Robin was screaming for food; Elizabeth and Abigail couldn’t keep the stew palatable much longer and Robert was fuming. He declared that he wouldn’t wait any longer, and with apologies to Evelyn, supper was served and eaten, but it wasn’t the festive occasion they had originally anticipated.

Robert was enjoying a second piece of apple tart along with Elizabeth, Robin, Evelyn and Abigail, (the servants had already been dismissed and were back in the small cottage enjoying some rare leisure time), when at five past five, Jamie finally came home. The dogs were at their place in the hall and they barked up a storm when Jamie rattled the door knob and came through the back door. Robert yelled at the dogs to be quiet, and stay, and surprisingly they obeyed, recognizing his stern voice of authority.

Evelyn stood up and looked worriedly towards the doorway, wringing her napkin in her hands. Jamie appeared, looking hollow-eyed and haggard. “You’re late.” Evelyn said, not angry, but disappointed, very disappointed.

“I’m sorry.” Jamie said, staggering into the kitchen, barely able to stay on his feet. He collapsed onto the bench and put his head down on the table. He pushed his hands through his hair, knocking his hat off and letting it fall unheeded to the floor.

Robert stood up, angry as hell, leaned over the table and shouted, “You’re sorry! Is that all you can say? You’re sorry?”

“I
am
sorry.” Jamie muttered tiredly without lifting his head.

“Jamie, this has got to stop! Look at you! You’re killing yourself!” Robert scolded.

Evelyn was already at Jamie’s side, brushing his hair back from his face. She herself looked exhausted with worry.

Jamie barely lifted his head to look at Robert. “There is so much to do.” He said. And then he yawned hugely and put his head back down. “Is there anything to eat?” He mumbled.