Standing out even in a sea of similar faces, Jackson Wellington Burgess III - the richest man in Virginia as well as the governor - was barely able to stand the intrepid heat of this land. The only reason he had come here today at all was the need for financial acuity, and he didn’t trust anyone else to find good stock at a price he was willing to convey. Only his being here in person would assure him that. His man Talbert (or Bert, as the slaves called him) was standing leisurely at his side just as cool as a cucumber, not a drip of sweat. He on the other hand could wring the salty brine out of his clothes, and pour it from his shoes. He mopped his face for what must have been the hundredth time; his handkerchief had never gotten such a workout, not to mention his hands were sore from wringing it out so many times - dreadful weather! He was really beginning to wish he had sent his nephew William; he could picture himself sitting on the veranda sipping a luscious, iced mint tea…which was probably where his nephew was right now.
Talbert was telling him something so he tried to pay attention in this blathering throng, but all he caught was the last word, “...stunning!”. He glanced over to see him gazing at the podium, enthralled, so he followed his gaze and beheld the most amazing creature that God had surely ever made. He really couldn’t see much other than her form; she had her head cast down to let her hair cover her breasts and body, and was looking directly at her feet. But it was that humility, that innocence and purity that made her stand out. He could not tear his eyes from her and stood there as if in a daze.
Talbert tried to get his attention and ascertain whether to begin a transaction for her, but his master’s rapt attention told him all that was needed. He slipped away without Jackson even noticing he had gone. Next thing he knew, Talbert was standing next to him, saying “She is yours, Sir”. Jackson’s breath ripped out of his chest; he hadn’t even known he had been holding it until now. He turned to his servant and smiled, almost in gratitude - almost. Mentally shaking himself at the idea, he was turning away from the auction when Talbert asked, “Sir, don’t we want some good men as well?” He responded “Of course, of course!”, but he thought, ‘I had better not go home without them after the fuss of having to be here in person!’ So he turned back around and bade his time by picking out the best of the men and a few more women to round it out. They could always use more help in the kitchens and laundry, which made his wife happy. And he would do anything to keep her happy. God forbid her father should think otherwise! Of course he was capable of repaying her dowry, but he would be damned if he wanted to. With that in mind, he sent Talbert into town to pick up the new material she had ordered for gowns so he would be sure not to forget that, of all things. He wished to avoid her tongue at all costs; let her lash the servants with it if she must, but By God he’d had his share of it.
Turning on his heel he nearly ran over a notable citizen, hurriedly apologized (much to the surprise of the victim), and walked as fast as he could to the seller's accountant to pay for today's purchase. He asked for the price, nearly forgetting to finesse the sale and work out a more equitable agreement - for himself, of course. He then told the handlers to take his new slaves to his carriage and wagon, and gave them an extra penny to be quick about it. He thought again about the African treasure he was taking home; but not to be a slave, no, he had other plans for her. Yes, indeed. Whistling, he set out towards his waiting bounty and packages in hand, Talbert fell in beside him.
As they approached the set-up, Talbert opened the carriage doors and held them for his master, then closed and fastened them when he was comfortably seated and had deposited his wife’s things safely. He then went to the back and checked on everyone, saying some kind words in the various languages he had picked up. Some of them appeared to understand at least some of it and murmured back, which would make things easier once they got to the plantation and they were sent to wherever the master or mistress needed or wanted them. He gave The Woman his outer jacket and she immediately took it and covered herself, saying ‘thank you’ in her native tongue, all without looking at him. He smiled and told her “You are welcome” in Zulu, and then she glanced up at him in surprise and sincere gratitude. In that moment he fell hopelessly, completely in love with her even as he realized she could never be his. He turned slowly away and took his station at the reins, put on his riding hat and headed them towards their new home, as his heart broke into a million pieces.
Sitting in the cabin of his grand carriage, Jackson now had some idle time to consider his situation with a little more clarity, and glancing across the gangway to the other bench, his wife’s bundle was looking at him in disdain. What on Earth was he even thinking about? There would be pure Hell to pay if she ever found out he had a mistress, especially a slave woman. Dear God, he could lose everything he had worked his whole life for, and he hadn’t even seen this woman’s face. For all he knew she could be plain, hideous, toothless and bad tempered to boot. But in his heart he knew better. Now, where was he going to keep her? That was the tough question. He pondered it on the way home, having no clearer idea when they arrived.
As he stepped out he quietly told Talbert to have her taken to the kitchen and put her in Maggie the cook’s capable hands. Talbert nodded and said in a low voice, “ Don’t forget My Lady’s packages, sir” as he went back into the cabin and fetched them,then handed them to his master. Striding towards the house, Jackson thought how pleased he was to have such a servant, and not for the first time he congratulated himself on being such a keen master. Coming through the great doors he was met by the butler, Joseph, who took his packages and set them on a nearby table. He handed Joseph his waist coat and told him to have it laundered and to send his personal servant to draw a bath and fetch the rest of his clothes. Joseph nodded, and Jackson went upstairs to get ready for a much needed bathing. His wife wouldn’t see him until he did, nor would he be allowed to sit at the dining table, which time was nearing and his stomach was growling.
He started peeling off the rest of his clothes as soon as he entered his suite, putting his personal belongings in a heap on the dressing table knowing that Alfred would take care of them when he gathered his clean clothes. He got into the tub and lay back, even though there wasn’t any water in it yet, and let the coolness of the metal take the heat out of his body and was quite ready for some good hot water when it came soon after. As usual Maggie had plenty of water ready and a line of slaves brought in pot after pot until it was up to his neck. Alfred put some salts and lavender flowers and left him to soak as he went to lay out his master’s fresh clothes and clean up the pile of belongings on the dressing table.
Jackson luxuriated in the bath until the water had gone lukewarm and his body was as wrinkled as a raisin, letting his mind wander and feeling his muscles loosen and relax. He called for Alfred, who was there immediately with a pile of thick towels which he used to thoroughly dry off - with Alfred’s help, of course, who proceeded to assist his master in getting dressed for dinner. Laid out in order of donning were a complete set of clean clothes, from undergarments to a new waistcoat. Starting with a fresh pair of white cotton boxer-like underwear, he then put on an undershirt of the same material, white silk stockings, white neck frill, silk shirt, blue silk short pants, black buckled shoes and lastly a blue silk waistcoat, which had just come in a ship from England last week. He declined a wig and had Alfred pull his hair back and tie it with a black silk ascot to match his hair. He did a pirouette and asked for Alfred’s opinion, knowing full well that even if he looked like a pile of dung he would tell him he looked ‘very good, sir’. That was fine, because he knew for a fact that he could turn an eye, and with a smile he headed for the parlor to find Elizabeth and have a drink before dining.
All in all, Jackson was feeling great and looking fine and he smiled as he greeted his lovely wife, giving her a kiss on the cheek she turned to him. This was her custom, and yet she blamed him for the lack of children in their marriage, he thought. Elizabeth was telling him about a party she was organizing for his nephew as a way for him to meet some eligible young women from around the area. She was determined to find him someone to marry so she could have some babies around the house, but he was just as determined to remain single. No wonder he stayed out of the house as much as possible! William entered the parlor and had a drink with them, telling his uncle about his latest conquest and making Elizabeth blanche and frown at him in disgust. Then she smiled at him and told him about the gala she was planning for him, to which he shrugged indifferently. It was all Jackson could do not to laugh at this interaction, and thankfully a servant came to let them know dinner was ready and held the dining room door open for them.
His wife dominated the conversation during dinner as usual, which was just fine with the men. They nodded and made assenting sounds while they tried not to wolf down the food that was set in front of them in a succession of dishes from green beans, riced potatoes and a grand main course of roasted chickens from their butchery with fresh baked bread and finally fresh fruit pie and custard. They retired to the parlor for a cup of cognac to finish off the delightful meal and let it settle. Jackson felt like he could burst and at the same time felt completely satisfied. He smiled indulgently at his wife and let her know he had brought her packages home, to which she inclined her head slightly with no change in her countenance and said in a condescending tone, “Of course”, successfully wiping the smile and any thoughts of intimacy he might have out of his mind instantly.
Jackson had another cognac before he excused himself and retired to his suite to once again examine his relationship with his wife and what had caused its failure, only to surmise as he often did that he hadn’t a clue as to what or why it had happened. He disrobed with the help of Alfred, who carefully folded and hung his clothes up for his master, and Jackson crawled into the down bed to stretch his feet towards the heated brick and pulled his thick covers up to his chin. The fireplace had been lit an hour ago to give it time to warm his bedroom, and with the flames dancing on the ceiling Jackson slipped into a deep sleep in which he dreamt of African beauties dancing around a fire while he lounged on a bed and watched them with a lazy smile on his face and a drink in his hand.