1 comments/ 8284 views/ 5 favorites Captured (In Love) Ch. 01 By: arcadia00 A/N. So normally I would do more research while writing a story but since this is online and I'm not writing it as a midterm (smiles), I've been more lax. I apologize in advance if something is way off base or inaccurate. The prologue is a backdrop with not much dialogue. It picks up though. I promise. ***** Light Heart "Yes mother," Light Heart repeated again for what felt like the fifth time just that morning to her mothers interrogation before her usual walk into town. She knew her mother was even more worrisome because of the upcoming storm that was soon approaching and wouldn't have allowed her eldest daughter to travel into town alone without her if it weren't for her growing belly that carried her third child and Light Hearts younger sister or brother. Her mother, Quiet Star, waddled awkwardly from her seat to once again make sure her daughter had packed enough food in her satchel for the four hour trip. Her husband, John Granger, was away with most men from the tribe hunting for more food. The winter proved to be harsher than expected and with the white men coming to hunt just for sport, finding meat wasn't as easy as it had once been. Quiet Star, along with the rest of the woman from the trip, were strong and able to take care of the children with the older men who were too aged to hunt, but from time to time, she needed supplies from town. This time, she needed medicine for Song Jay, her second oldest, who had run a slight fever that the medicine woman in the tribe could not break. With Quiet Star seven moons with child, the best option she had was Light Heart to get the medicine. Light Heart tucked her long plait into her bear skin hood and turned to her mother with a smile. "Mother, you'll worry yourself sick and then the medicine woman will have to look after you and Song Jay," she admonished while giving her a kiss on the cheek. She glanced past her to look at her little sister who lay near the small fire asleep. "Give her a kiss for me when she awakens." Quiet Star nodded and gazed at her daughter who she still thought of as a young girl but was now a young woman standing before her with the same personality as her father. Her husband, John, was an African man who had purchased his freedom and had met her on his way to California looking for gold like all the other souls trying to find luck. The only difference between them and him was he never made it. One look at Quiet Star and he had fallen in love. John made it as far as Texas and never thought of going anywhere else after laying eyes on her. Her quiet spirit and strength and captured his heart and after a few months of courting, they had married and he had engrained himself fully into her tribe. A year later, they brought Light Heart into the world who was named after the joy that she gave them; bringing light into both of their hearts. Like her father, she was quick to laughter and had a smile that lit up enough to make the sun envious. Her eyes were intense and her mind sharp and she had a voice that could soar as high as the clouds and make the angels weep with its sweet melody. She favored her mother but there were hints of John here and there that couldn't be denied. Her stature was small with Quiet Star's cheekbones and lithe body that had the curves of a young woman. Her lips were full, courtesy of her father, with two dimples that pooled in her cheeks whenever she smiled, which was often. Her hair was black as night and fell down to her waist. From her father, she had ringlets that disobeyed every brush and from her mother, the silken softness and shine. "Mother, I have to leave or I'll make it back by nightfall," Light Heart said, impatience tinting her voice. Her mother embraced her. "Off with you then. May the Spirit guide your path and walk with you on your journey." Light Heart straddled her horse bareback, Walking Light, a present from her father when she was ten seasons, and waved to her mother before riding off away from her tribe in the snow. ~~~~ Light Heart had made it into town around midday. The owner of the shop, Mr. Reed, made his usual joke of how old Light Heart was getting and how she was turning into a "lovely young lady," and offered her a sweet just as he had when she was a little girl. She tossed the sugary concoction around her mouth with her tongue as she saddled up Walking Light to make the journey back home with her sisters medicine in her satchel. Light snowflakes fell softly on her person as she swung herself onto Walking Light's back. The clouds were looking darker by the minute and she debated making the trip home but she didn't want her mother to worry anymore than necessary. Unbeknownst to her, two men had been watching her ever since she had bought the medicine and laughed with Mr. Reed at the shop. The two men stayed a pace behind her, plotting their move when the time was right. In an hour, she had trouble seeing anything in front of her but doggedly pushed Walking Light on, determined to make it home to her mother and sister. The wind howled and blew the now huge snowflakes with mixed rain in a whirlwind all around her. She knew the path well and trusted Walking Light's instinct to spot any danger. Just at that thought, Walking Light abruptly stopped and stamped her hoof on the snow covered ground. Light Heart leaned down and stroked her mane. "Shh. Easy girl. I'm here." Walking Light pounded her hoof again with a shrill "ney" this time and alarmed, Light Heart's eyes darted around her. All was silent except for the cry of the wind echoing throughout the maze of trees. The snow silently fell in an eerie calm and Light Heart felt the hair at the base of her neck stand on edge. She didn't see anything but knowing the land, she knew that something... or someone was out there. She struggled to listen for footprints or any abrupt noises like a twig being broken, but nothing came to her. Walking Light's ears suddenly perked up and instantaneously, she heard it. "Help, please! Help me!" The voice was male and not too far from where Light Heart was. Light Heart stayed with Walking Light, waiting. Her father had taught her not too be a blind fool in no circumstances. "Hello? Is anyone there? Please. My horse threw me and I think I might have broken my leg." At that, Light Heart was inclined to help. "Sir, please, where are you so I can help you?" she called out. "Oh, thank God," the voice said, sounding relieved. "I'm over here. Just follow my voice," they said eagerly. Light Heart walked Walking Light closer to the sound of despair. "Please hurry," the voice pleaded. "It hurts something dreadful." Light Heart came upon a young pale skinned man in travelers clothes leaned up against a sturdy tree. He clutched his leg and his face was twisted in agony. Hastily, she jumped off her horse and went to him. Leaning, she examined his leg with worry etched on her face. "Do you think you can walk?" she asked him, glancing at his face that was riddled with pain. Aside from the contortion of his face, he was a reasonably good-looking man who had to be at least twenty seasons. From his mannerism and the way he spoke, she knew he was a gentleman who had apparently had unfortunate luck. "I don't think I'll be able to miss," he answered pitifully. "Perhaps, I can lean on you for assistance?" "Of course. You can ride on my horse and I'll take you back to town," she offered. "I cannot begin to show you my gratitude. Thank you," he told her, while trying to brace himself up with the help of the tree. Light Heart bent over close so he could latch onto her neck with his right arm and steady himself. "Just lean on me... that's it," she coached. She heard him gasping in pain until he was standing up as much as he could, towering over her. "Ah, thank you. Thank you," he repeated. "You my dear lady are a saint." "It's no inconvenience," she assured him. "No, you are nothing short of a saint," he breathed, while slowly walking to her horse with his arm around her neck. "A stupid saint." At that, she froze and felt a sharp object, most likely a knife, jutting her in the back. Miraculously, her young crippled traveler was healed, as he seemed to be standing just fine. With a loud whistle, another man materialized from the snow-covered trees and tried to grab Walking Light. She whinnied furiously and reared up on her hind legs trying to fend him off. "Run Walking Light! Run!," Light Heart screamed in a panic. Walking Light was near and dear to her and if anything happened to her, she didn't know what she would do. Thankfully, she rode bareback and didn't have a saddle or reins on Walking Light for the other man to grab. Walking Light could sense the danger her mistress was in and seemed to refuse to go without her. Furiously, she tossed her head to and fro, stamping her feet and rearing up showing off her impressive height. The older man obviously had enough because in a few minutes, he pulled out a pistol. "No!," Light Heart cried, struggling against the younger man who tightened his grib and jabbed the knife into her back . "Come on Harry. I wanna get back in time to catch me a wench and have a tumble in the hay." The cultured tones in his voice were now gone. Another ruse to gain her trust. The older man, identified as Harry, shot a round into the air. She figured it was to calm Walking Light. She met her horses' gaze and knew at that instant, she might never see her again. "Go," she whispered intently, a lone tear sliding down her cheek. Harry thought it was his chance to capture Walking Light in her moment of calm but she darted out of his reach and dashed through the spattering of trees. He fired at will, determined to kill her if he couldn't make a profit from her. "Don't hurt her," Light Heart begged. "Run girl! Run!" She heard her race through the trees and out of her life to safety before her own life changed forever. Captured (In Love) Ch. 02 A/N: This dialogue is used to reflect the time period and make it as realistic as possible. It is not to offend people the wrong way. If you still feel offended after reading it, please don't write me about it because I'm warning you before reading the passage. Thanks! ***** -Light Heart- Light Heart had been captured in that snowy forest about two weeks ago. It was hard for her to keep track of the days or the time. She ached for her mother and wondered how her sister had fared. She was almost certain Walking Light would have made it home but unfortunately, the medicine had been on her person and she didn't know if Song Jay's condition had gotten better or worse. After being pawned from one buyer to the next, she had ended up somewhere down south. It was the place her father would rarely speak of and she figured it was probably too horrific for him to relive. All she knew was that she feared everything and everyone. It was all so foreign to her. So many pale skinned people. It frightened her. Most of them looked at her with disdain and hatred and the few that didn't, didn't seem to notice her all together. She had been grouped with her father's people in cramped cages with very little to eat and even less to bathe with. It had only been today that she was given water to bathe... if one would call it that. She was stripped of all her deerskins along with the other girls who had been captured and had to stand there while a man threw river cold water on them. She waited for someone to give them something to wear but they never received anything except for a large block of metal that fastened around their necks. Each collar linked with a chain that could be used to pull at will by the pale skinned man. Light Heart tried to be strong and not let her fear cause her to fall into hysteria. Other girls were silently crying and some were speaking in a language in hushed tones that she couldn't decipher. Her father had learned English and later the language of her mother's tribe. Light Heart had learned both from respective parents. "Come on girl. Move," a man snarled, yanking at her chain. She felt vulnerable in her nakedness and tried to hide her body but the tug at her neck led her out of the makeshift tent that housed the girl slaves. The sun shone brightly and the birds chirped happily belying a pleasant day. It was unusually warm for this time of year and it made her wonder exactly how far away she was from home. She followed the man up the wooden stairs, feeling her face heat up from embarrassment from the dozens of eyes gazing at her. Her head hung down, too ashamed to raise it until her father and mother came to mind. Her tribe. Her family. She would never be ashamed of who she was. She was her father's daughter. A man, who had been a slave, paid for his freedom and became his own man. Light Heart raised her head just has she came to the middle of the platform and looked straight on into the distance, ignoring the leers and jeers from the crowd. The sun beamed on her naked form and the humidity caused a small sheen to form on her caramel skin. The collar made her neck itch and a pesky fly was buzzing incessantly around her ear but she remained still as a stone, looking straight ahead in all her naked splendor. "Now right hea, I've got a fine chickadee," a voice to her right stated, his voice dripping in some accent she hadn't heard before. "I've got a half injin beauty that's never been plucked that's right for the pickin. She'd be good for some fun and I guarantee you, if my name ain't Jimmy Jones, she'll give you some good chil'lin to help with them crops if you pair her with a strong buck. Them hips are made for child bearin', I guarantee it." Light Heart continued to look ahead, trying to ignore the stammer of her heart in her chest. Child bearing? And what kind of fun was he talking about? She struggled to stay calm and wished she could fly away like birds were off in the horizon. "Let's start this biddin' at $500. Can I get $500?" he started. "$500," a man's voice to her right called out. "$550," another called. The crowd murmured with the sounds of light talk of the "injin beauty" before them and the fluttering of southern ladies fans to ward off the heat. "$575," one competed. "$600," another man wagered. The bidding had a pregnant pause and the seller stepped up closer to her right and gestured down at her body. "Come on folks," he tried to persuade, while mopping his brow with the soiled handkerchief in his hand. "This gal has no markings on her, nice set of teeth, and no signs of sickness. She'd be good as a lady's maid or help in them kitchens. Don't let this catch go by now." "$650," the first voice countered. "$800," another man fired. Women twittered and fluttered their fans harder. "$1000," the first man called easily. "$1000," the seller repeated happily. "Well Tom, I reckon that boss of yours needs a new wench huh?" Light Heart couldn't help but turn her eyes to the man named Tom who had just offered $1000 for her. He wasn't much to look at with a wide rimmed black hat, a white loose shirt and dark pants. He lazily had a cigar hanging from his mouth and glanced around to see if anyone else would counter his offer. No one objected and after all the necessities were out the way, she soon found herself in the possession of Tom, bought and paid for in the sum of $1000. The cost of her freedom. Light Heart had been given a brown burlap oversized shirt to wear but her collar was left on. She was now at a huge estate that she could only gaze at in wonder. She was left standing at the front of a massive house on the steps while Tom went inside to fetch someone. Moments later, she stood face to face with an attractive pale faced woman in a concoction of laces and silks and a fan attached to her hand. "Is this her then Tom?" she asked, eyeing her up and down. "Yes ma'am," he answered, holding his hat in his hands. The mistress of the house stepped outside from the see-through door and stepped closer to her. She circled around her until she was facing her again. "How old are you?" she demanded to know. Light Heart debated whether to answer or not. She was undecided if she should cooperate or refuse to do anything but thinking that refusing would only cause her more pain and heartache and interfere with her plans of escaping, she decided to make the most of what she was given and worry about escape when the moment presented itself. "Nineteen seasons," she answered. The woman stared at her some more. "You could've gotten someone uglier," she told Tom. "My apologies Mrs. Carlton," Tom said, bowing his head. "What do they call you?" she asked her. "Light Heart." The woman tsked. "No no no. We won't be having you walking about without a good sound Christian name, will we?" Light Heart knew that wasn't a question directed to her, so she kept quiet. "Of course not," Mrs. Carlton answered herself. She was quiet for a few moments and then smiled the most insincere smile Light Heart had ever seen. "We shall call you Ruth, because wherever I go, you will go." Light Heart had no idea what that meant but she hated the name. She hated everything it stood for. It meant even more that she wasn't home. That this was not her land or her people. "Come Ruth. You are to be my maid. I'll take you to Ms. Patricia so she can see to your things." Light Heart followed her and was taken aback when Mrs. Carlton's hand struck her cheek. "When I address you, you will always say 'Yes Ma'am.' Do I make myself clear?" Dazed, Light Heart nodded. "Yes ma'am." "That goes for my daughter, my son or my husband." "Yes ma'am," Light Heart acknowledged, following her again down a hall and ending up at a kitchen where a tall older woman stood near a counter kneading what appeared to be dough. Silver streaks ran through her hair that was tied neatly in a bun and hinted at her maturity. Her black clothes were starched underneath an apron that was riddled with flour and some other stain that Light Heart couldn't distinguish. "Ms. Patricia, this is Ruth. She'll be my new maid. See to it that she gets the proper clothing as well as all of her duties explained to her," Mrs. Carlton told her. Light Heart noted that when she spoke to Ms. Patricia, the coldness wasn't in her voice anymore. "Yes ma'am," the older woman said, wiping her hands on her apron and eyeing Light Heart. "Alright then. Dinner at six," Mrs. Carlton reminded her before making her leave. Light Heart stood in the kitchen alone with Ms. Patricia, who looked her up and down and then gave her a warm hearted smile. "Have you been a personal maid before child?" she asked gently. "No ma'am," Light Heart answered, relaxing under Ms. Patricia's warm friendly gaze. "I would've been Mrs. Carlton's maid but working here in the kitchen and following her around all day was too much for these bones to take. She finally didn't want to see me working so hard, so she persuaded Mr. Carlton to come out his pockets and get her a new girl." Ms. Patricia motioned for her to follow as she made her way through the house and fetched Light Heart her clothes. "Have you been here long?" Light Heart asked. "Most of my life. I was Mrs. Carlton's nanny when I was twenty and she was five. When she got older, her mama passed away and she didn't want me leavin' too so her daddy let me stay on. After she got married to Mr. Carlton, she had me come here with her in this big house to run things." That explained why Mrs. Carlton's tone changed when she talked to Ms. Patricia. "Ms. Patricia-" "Pat," she interrupted. "The rest of the folks call me Pat when she's not around. You best do the same." "Pat," she started again, "Don't you ever want to leave?" Pat stopped walking and sighed heavily. Light Heart noticed the fine lines on her otherwise smooth rich brown skin. "Child, I've been on this earth for sixty years. If the good Lord didn't see fit me for to leave all that time, I don't recon I'm supposed to." She started walking up a long flight of stairs. "Besides," she continued, "my Samuel is here with me and I'm better off than most. We were promised never to be separated. He's Mr. Carlton's driver." Pat stopped at the top of the stairs and pulled down a ladder that led to an attic. "You'll be staying up there." "But where will you be?" "Most of us stay outside in the shacks you might've seen out yonder on your way here. You have to stay here if'in Mrs. Carlton needs you." "Oh," she said, disappointed to be away from her only friend so far. "Don't worry. I'm here before the sun comes up every mornin' to make breakfast," Pat assured her. Light Heart started up the stairs to put her clothes on and dreaded being alone with Mrs. Carlton. --Jack-- Jack lay in bed with his eyes closed listening to the sounds of the south outside his bedroom window. He has been in New York the past few months and missed the quietness from time to time. He also missed not having his ears and nose frozen from the bitter cold. He had come home for his last break before graduation from college. Two more months and he could call himself a lawyer. The day couldn't come soon enough. In the meantime, he spent his days working at a prestigious law firm gaining incredible insight and soaking up as much as he could from the more seasoned lawyers. Now he lay in bed awaiting a gathering his stepmother was throwing to welcome him and his father home who was returning from Washington DC. His father was heavily into politics and with the talk of slaves becoming free; it became the subject matter in most conversations. His father was at the forefront trying to preserve the way of life for the south. After living in New York for so long, Jack wasn't certain his father was on the right side on this one. A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts and before he could answer, his half sister Sophia opened the door, her blond curls bouncing as she bounded into his room. "Papas home," she said gleefully. Jack knew the glee was moreso aimed at the gift that she undoubtedly would receive from their father than actually seeing him. "Hurry. You know he's been dying to see you." With a heavy sigh, knowing that she wouldn't be that easy to get rid of, he followed her down the hall and the flight of stares to greet their father. On his way down, he observed how his younger sister, seventeen years old and nine years his junior, was growing into a lovely young lady and he realized that before long, she would be off married and starting her own family. It suddenly made him feel older than his twenty-six years and wondered how and when the time flew by. "There's my son! Come on now and give your ol' man a hug," Derrick Carlton boomed jovially, embracing his only boy. He was tall and sturdy with dark blond hair the color of wheat that had shocks of gray at the temples. He had gained a few extra pounds around the midsection, thanks to Ms. Patricia's pound cakes and sugar cookies, but he was still a handsome man and he knew it. "Goodness Derrick, you'll startle the horses with all that noise," his stepmother chided. "Nonsense woman. It's not everyday a man sees his son on the threshold of his career into the law. I'll startle the horses if I want to and I'll have no word out of you about it," he said, smiling at his son. "It's good to see you too father," Jack said, after his old man released him from his embrace. He honestly meant it too. Before his mother died from influenza, he had a close relationship with his father and after her death; it was just the two of them, which made their bond grow even stronger. After hugs were given and Sophia squealed over new bauble their father had purchased in Washington, they all headed to the dining room to have dinner. Ms. Patricia came out of the kitchens with a ham topped prettily with pineapples on the good china. "Now this looks like food fit for a king. You outdid yourself Ms. Patricia," his father praised, tucking a napkin under his chin. "Thank you Masta," Ms. Patricia said with a smile. "Mighty fine indeed," Derrick Carlton went on, as she sliced a chunk of ham and laid it carefully onto his plate. She went around to do the same for the others while another slave girl came out with a tray of biscuits. Jack was pouring more gravy onto his mashed potatoes when his father spoke again. "What's youre name girl?" He was asking the slave girl who had brought the biscuits to everyone's plate. She stood by his father with her head down. "Speak up," his stepmother snapped. "Ruth," she said quietly, not raising her face. "Let's have a look at you Ruth," he said. Jack didn't miss the way his father's eyes trailed along the curves she had underneath the black maids uniform she wore. It was common knowledge that his father admired the opposite sex and fulfilled his sexual lusts outside his marriage. If his stepmother knew, he wasn't sure but if she did, she turned the other cheek and didn't speak of it. The slave girl who called herself "Ruth" looked up and Jack could feel her embarrassment from where he sat. She was nothing short from beautiful. Her eyes were almost as black as night matching the color of her silken hair that was braided down her back with soft curls framing her face. He couldn't get over her lips, the second best feature on her besides her raven hair. They were full and soft looking and he marveled that he had never seen lips such as hers on anyone before. "Mighty fine indeed," his father murmured for the second time that evening, gazing her up and down. "Derrick, please say grace," his wife cut in, clearly breaking his trance. "Yes, yes, of course." Ruth made her escape back to the kitchen while his father led grace over their meal. "How many slaves do we need Loretta?" Derrick asked after prayer. "You said I could get a personal maid, remember dear," she reminded, slicing her ham into smaller pieces. "I guess I did, didn't I... Well, anything for my Lovely Loretta," he said, trying to appease her with a winsome smile. At that, she blushed and continued to eat, basking in his attention. The meal continued uneventful with no sign of the pretty slave girl from before. In a way, Jack was a little sorry she didn't come back out. Captured (In Love) Ch. 03 --Light Heart Hours later, Light Heart found herself doing her nightly ritual of brushing Mrs. Carlton's wheat colored hair sprinkled with strands of gray. "Do you find my husband attractive?" Light Heart paused from brushing her hair confused. "...Ma'am?" "Do. you. find. my. husband. attractive?" she snapped, whirling around to face her. Light Heart didn't know what she was getting at and wasn't sure what to say. "I-" "Oh, don't you play coy with me. You know very well what I mean," she said frustrated, snatching the brush from her and placing it on her vanity table. "He thinks I don't know about his little conquests... about his affairs. I tolerate it because a woman in my position has to take the good with the bad." She straightened in her chair and looked at herself in the mirror. "I am Mrs. Derrick Carlton, the mayors wife. I know a man has needs and those needs must be met." Loretta Carlton whirled around in her chair again and stood up, her index finger jutting Light Heart in the chest. "But if you think to sleep with my husband under my own roof, you're sorely mistaken," she warned. Light Heart rubbed her chest where Ms. Carlton's bony finger had jabbed her and watched as she walked away in a whirlwind of outrage and frustration while continuing her rants. "I saw the way he looked at you. I hear all about women who have some nigger slave bedding down with their husbands in their own house and worse, ending up pregnant with some bastard nigger baby in her. I'll not have that happen in my own house, ya hear! " she shrilled. Light Heart was taken aback and shook her head violently. "I won't ma'am." The thought of sleeping with Mr. Carlton as husband and wife was enough to make her nauseous. Mrs. Carlton stood still for a moment, the energy seeming to drain from her body, then flopped down on her bed and gestured to the door. "Get out. I won't be needing you for now." Light Heart couldn't get out fast enough. She closed the door behind her and made her way downstairs to see if Pat or the other slaves needed help in the kitchen before she went to bed herself. On her way there, she passed the parlor only to see the young master sitting in a chair reading. She tried being quiet passing, but as her luck would have it, he happened to look up at the right moment and see her. "Ruth," he called. She stood frozen on the spot and wondered if she should keep walking and pretend that she didn't hear him. "Come here Ruth," he said in a voice that expected to be obeyed. Slowly, she walked past the double doors of the parlor and stood a few feet away from him. "Sir?" He didn't speak, only looked at her. In the growing silence, she became nervous and started to wring her hands. "Is there something you wanted Sir?" "You don't talk like a slave," he observed, pouring himself a drink from a decanter. Of what, she wasn't sure. Light Heart didn't answer to his observation; just stood still waiting to meet his request. She loathed standing there in the middle of the floor, waiting on a spoiled pampered brat. She was to obey any request he made on a whim, and she could do nothing about it. "There's a book I can't find. I need you to retrieve it for me. It's called The Canterbury Tales by Geoffery Chaucer." He motioned to the books stacked on the bookshelf. Wordlessly, she walked towards the bookshelf and studied the titles on the fat volumes. She wasn't sure how he could not find it, considering most of the titles were in alphabetical order. She figured it was just another asinine request from a man used to getting whatever he wanted. Once she found it, she extended the novel out to him only for him to glance at the title, then sharply say, "Close the door." "I'm sorry," she apologized, thinking she had angered him and wasn't looking forward to being punished by this dark featured family member, who the other slaves said had a temper and was not to be messed with. "Do it," he snapped with more force. Light Heart quickly turned around and shut the double doors, her hands trembling. She was now enclosed in a room alone with this man who could do anything to her. "Sit," he ordered, pouring himself another drink. She obeyed, not wishing to make him any angrier than he already was. The pale skinned people seemed to have unstable emotions. One minute they were fine and the next, they were snapping at you over something. "You can read," he stated once she sat down. He ran his fingers through his dark hair. "How long have you been a slave?" "... I was captured almost two moons ago." "So you weren't born a slave?" he asked. "No sir." She was puzzled by his questions until he shook his head. "You're lucky you didn't do that in front of anyone else." "Do what?" Now she was really puzzled. "Read," he said exasperated at her lack of understanding. "Slaves don't read. Slaves can get hanged for reading... or worse." Light Heart stilled and gulped, her heart hammering in her chest. How could she have been so stupid?! Inwardly, she berated herself. Hadn't her father told her how he wasn't allowed to even try to read before he had taught himself? Hadn't he told her how the pale skinned people wouldn't tolerate a slave to even look at a book? Would he tell? Would she be hanged? What of her family? How would they know? The thought of never seeing her father, strong and wise; her mother, beautiful and serene; nor her sister or baby sibling brought tears to her eyes. "I... I wasn't thinking. It was habit," Light Heart said, wringing her hands in her lap, then looking at him pleading with her eyes. "I'm sorry. Please, I didn't mean any harm." "I'm not going to tell, so stop crying," he said roughly, looking away from her. "Thank you," she told him, relief coating her voice. "Just be more careful," he warned, playing with his glass and looking at her. "Yes sir." Light Heart was about to stand when he ordered her to sit back down. Now what did he want? "What books have you read?" Was he trying to start a conversation with her? Why? It didn't seem like that was the way things were done in this part of the country. Upon her hesitation, he swept his fingers through his hair again and sighed heavily while relaxing back into his chair. "I can't seem to fall asleep, hence the brandy, and I'd rather have a pretty face to look at than rereading—" he paused to glance down at the book in his lap then back at her, "—Mr. Alighieri's Inferno for the umpteenth time," he explained. "Now... what books have you read?" At first, conversation was stilted, with her hesitation preventing her to answer most of his questions, but after two hours, they had conversed about books and authors and eventually, his childhood. The brandy helped loosen his tongue and he started talking about his younger days, before his stepmother, when his mother was still alive. "I miss her," he was saying, staring off into a memory. "She was... perfect. I suspect any man would say that about their mother...but she was. She was soft and gentle and she and my father would laugh until the sun rose and the moon blanketed the sky." He shook his head, and gulped more brandy. "I miss my mother too," Light Heart heard herself saying. There was a pause as he looked at her and she looked down, trying to keep the tears at bay. They both knew it was different to loose a mother from death, than be forced to be away from her. If she wasn't at the Carlton's house, and if it hadn't been for her capture, she would be safe and sound at home this very moment. He cleared his throat to break the awkward pause and asked her, "What's she like?" Light Heart smiled as her mother came in her minds eye. "She's perfect," she said, using his word from before. "I favor her in looks but ... she's everything I'm not. She's patient and understanding and always knows what to do or say..." Light Heart felt his eyes intently on her and she felt uncomfortable again. "I'm sorry. I speak too much," she apologized. "It is late... I should go to bed." ----Jack By now, his mind was somewhat foggy and he knew the hour was late, but he was enjoying himself too much in her presence. There was a comforting quality about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on and he didn't want her to leave just yet. "What's your name?" he asked, the question hitting her back since she faced the door. "Ruth," she answered without turning around. "Your real name." His curiosity wanted to know what kinds of name was bestowed upon the beauty before him. "Light Heart." "Light Heart," he repeated, tasting the name in his mouth. She started for the door but before she could open it, it opened in front of her to reveal his father in night clothes. Even from where Jack sat, he noticed the recognition and then delight on his fathers face at seeing Light Heart standing there. "I just came down for a glass of warm milk," he explained, glancing at Jack and then giving his full attention back to Light Heart. "I can get it for you Master Carlton," she said softly, trying to go past him and make an escape. Instead of leaving the room, she was stopped by his hand that snaked out to grab her arm and pull her close. He smelled her hair and let out an audible sigh. Derrick Carlton had over eighty slaves to his name, and though he wasn't downright cruel to them, he could be in the blink of an eye if he felt like he was being disobeyed. He expected obedience and if his orders weren't carried out, he was swift with punishment. Light Heart was pressed against his body, helpless as his father road his large hands over her person. "Very nice," he said appreciatively, once he came down to her rear. Another hand pawed at her breast and squeezed slightly, causing her to gasp and look away. Only Jack saw the tears forming in her eyes and looked away. He hated seeing women cry. "Now you don't want to get me upset now, do ya girl?" his father was saying. Light Heart was struggling against him with little success. "You're my property and I aim to do what I please with ya." Jack probably wouldn't have been bothered by it so much if it were a slave he hadn't just discussed Shakespeare with, but it was; and seeing her mauled this way didn't sit well with him. "Come have a drink with your favorite son," he said, raising the decanter to his father trying to distract him. The older man laughed and glanced at him. "You're my only son." "All the more reason to have a drink with me." Jack watched as Light Heart's body trembled in his fathers clutches. He seemed mesmerized by her beauty and trailed a finger down her face, even after she looked away. "Ain't she a purty injun gal? I'm gonna have to thank Tom tomorrow for bringin' her to me." "Please," she begged quietly. "I-" She was cut off by a strong slap across the face followed by being yanked by his father in a tightening grip. Watching the exchange made Jack sick to his stomach and he tried wracking his liquor filled brain with a way to get her out of this mess. "You don't seem to get it, do ya girl?" he was saying through clenched teeth with a hand on her throat. "I own you. You belong to me. I'll not be talked back to, do you understand?" "Yes Master Carlton," she managed to say before he pressed her against a nearby wall and grinded into her. "Come on Jack. Let's teach this whore who runs things 'round here," his father said, pulling on her braid and laughing when she cried out. For some reason, Jack was getting extremely upset. He didn't have time to evaluate his feelings and he knew he could easily get a temper, but this was beyond test to his temperament. He was white hot angry to the point he was seething and loathing his father. "Leave her alone," he ground out evenly. Both his father and Light Heart looked at him bewildered but for different reasons. "What're you talking boy? You never had a nigger gal before? We can both do her," he said, starting to pull down his night pants. Jack went up to her and pulled her away by the arm. "Go to bed," he ordered, still trying to keep his anger in check. "Now wait just a minute," his father sputtered. "Have you forgotten who you're talkin' to?" Jack once again couldn't come up with a logical reason to his sudden fierce bout of anger and concluded that it may have been the brandy that had some part to it. In any event, his only mission at the moment was to ensure Light Heart was able to go safely into her bed alone. "Go to bed Pop," Jack said still keeping his gaze on the frightened slave girl before him. "You better not move a muscle gal," Derrick barked. Light Heart stood stark still, glancing between the two, not sure of who to listen. "Ruth," Jack said, careful not to use the name she had given him, "Go upstairs to bed...now," he growled. Without looking back, she made a hasty retreat. Momentarily satisfied to see she had gone, Jack turned back to his father to find him standing there with a scowl on his face. "What's the meaning of this?... In my own home? Don't forget who's boss here boy," his father said angrily. "I know they treat 'em all different up there in the north, but you're in the south now." "I was doing you a favor," Jack snapped, wondering how a slip of a girl, a slave no less, could be the cause of friction between himself and his father. "She's your wife's maid and you're trying to fuck her right here in the parlor," he hissed. "And that's my own business," came the retort. "Not like you give a damn about your stepmothers feelings anyway." Jack didn't have a response to that because he spoke the truth, but being that it was late and he was disgusted with the matter, he headed upstairs to go to bed. -----Light Heart It had been two days since the incident in the parlor and it gave Light Heart more fuel to her plans to escape. Pat shook her head whenever she told her of her plans and said she was talking foolish and to be grateful she ended up at the mayor's house and not somewhere worse doing unmentionable things that a young girl such as herself usually found herself doing. Today though, she sat outside in the grass along with the other slaves, listening to the pale skinned preacher give a sermon on how God said in the Bible that some people were meant to be slaves and, by obeying the slave masters, you would gain favor and see the Kingdom of Heaven when the day finally came to meet the Heavenly Father. There was a slight chill in the air and she wrapped the tattered shawl Maby had given her earlier that morning. Maby worked as one of the housekeepers, cleaning many of the numerous rooms in the house. She only just started talking to her recently and thought that perhaps she had found a friend closer in age, but it became apparent why Maby had befriended her after the service when the slaves were allowed to gather and socialize for the next hour. "Ruth... Ruth," she waved, walking by with a large man in step with her. She smiled a winsome smile and two dimples formed on either side of her cheeks. "This hea's my brother, Big George. He's been wantin' to meet you ever'n since he seen you come out that carriage wit' Massa Tom." Light Heart looked up at the man Maby called Big George" and felt incredibly small standing in front of him. He was atleast three heads taller than her with a complexion just like her fathers; dark and rich. On his arms though, there were a multitude of scars. Unlike his sister, who had angular features and thin frame, he was solid and muscular. A small smile graced his lips and Light Heart knew a lot of girls would consider him attractive. "Nice to meet you Miss. Ruth" he said in a deep and full voice with his hand extended. "Same to you," she said, putting her small hand into his. His eyes penetrated her and she squirmed under its intense gaze. She looked away only to realize that Maby had mysteriously vanished leaving her alone with her brother. "I was wondering, if you wouldn't mind comin' to the dinner tonight with me," he asked her. The "dinner" he was referring to was the one the slaves had on Sundays. In the middle of all the cabins, they ate and sang and talked and laughed, and all the while, she remained inside being that she was to be at Mrs. Carlton's side. As if reading her mind, he tried persuading her. "Now, I know the missus likes havin' you like a fly on a hog, but... maybe you could ask Pat to ask her into seein' if she could take you wit' her. Mrs. Carlton has a soft spot for her." Light Heart didn't know what to say. She desperately wanted to escape the house and be around anyone else beside the pale people in the house, but she wasn't sure if she liked the way Big George was looking at her. "I can't make any promises but I'll see," she offered, taking her hand back. A wide smile broke on his face and he nodded. "Jest try. I hope I'll be seein' you tonight." Hesitantly, she smiled back and made an exit back to the house seeking out Pat, who was assumedly in the kitchen. Once there, she put on an apron and helped her snap peas knowing she had atleast another hour before the family came back from church and she'd be at Mrs. Carlton's beck and call again. "Pat, do you think you could ask Mrs. Carlton if I can go to dinner with you tonight?" "Sho' honey... I didn't think you was ever wantin' in goin'... Pass me that slab of butter ova there on the table." Light Heart searched for the butter and after handing it to her, grabbed some more peas. "Well, I figured she wouldn't let me go since she likes calling me to do things for her all day... and a man named Big George asked me to go." At that, Pat looked up and stopped kneeding the dough for the meat pie she was preparing. "What business you got with Big George?" "Nothing. He just asked me to go after the service and-" "Now you listen to me," she huffed, going about her work again. "Big George is a nice young man, but he's done got it in his head to gone up to the north. That type of thinkin' can get you whooped... or worse," she trailed off, stopping once more to glance at Light Heart. "Listen sugar, you's a nice gal and I just don't want you findin' trouble when Lord knows you don't need it." "I understand," Light Heart said solemnly, but inside, her heart was racing. Escape? To the north? Maybe meeting him wasn't a mistake after all. She really needed to go to this dinner now, if to only talk to him about his plans to leave this place. "Please," she started again, trying to sound forlorn. "I just want to meet other people... I don't like being cooped up in the house with no one to talk to half the time." She put her head down for more effect and hesitantly glanced up to see Pat roll her eyes. "Chile, please. Don't think I don't know what you're up to," she cackled to herself. Then, she got serious and shook her head, placing the dough into the pan. "Don't say I didn't warn you."