Free Mistress of Darkness by Christopher Nicole

were not prepared to contemplate my belonging to James, and Papa Nicholson was not prepared to work for him, either; he had in fact already decided to retire from the West Indies to England, having by his careful habits accumulated sufficient savings to be placed at interest and guarantee his livelihood. Their passages were booked on a ship leaving Nevis the day after Papa was buried, and before James could properly take over the plantation, and on the morning of their departure, when they came to me to say goodbye, they informed me that I was going with them. I left with only the clothes I was wearing, without a single other thing.'
    'You mean they absconded with a slave?' Matt cried, his planter's instincts forcing him to break his promise.
    Gislane nodded. 'So you see, I am not only of Negro blood, I am also an absconded slave, no doubt with a price upon my head.'
    Matt scratched his head. 'But... no one has ever sought you out?' 'Until you.'
‘You don't suppose I ...'
    She laughed, a delicious ray of sunshine breaking through her habitual solemnity. 'Of course I don't. But you can understand the reaction of Papa and Mama Nicholson. The first young man who seriously comes courting is himself a West Indian. There was a stroke of bad luck. In their opinion.'
'And in yours?'
'I am surprised to find you still sitting here beside me.'
'That is not an answer to my question, Gislane.'
    She was again serious. 'I do not know. You are a handsome man, Mr. Hilton. You are a pleasant one, and I would estimate that you are an honourable one. I am told on all sides that you will one day be an extremely wealthy one.'
    'But I am a slave owner, and therefore must be tainted with the same tastes as James Hodge.'
    'I did not say so,' she said, quietly. ‘I just find it impossible to believe that you can regard me, especially after what I have just told you, as more than a plaything.' She paused, and the deep red flush spread upwards from her neck. 'Now I have exceeded propriety, and no doubt offended you.' She got up.
    'Wait.' Matt caught her hand once more. 'No. You have not offended me. I believe you are justified in everything you say, in everything you believe. I know you are right, and it would be quite impossible for you ever to return to the West Indies. But here in England you have lived in perfect happiness for some years, and could no doubt continue to do so for the rest of your life.'
    'Indeed, Mr. Hilton, I hope to accomplish that. At least in contentment.' But she was frowning.
    "Then neither will I return to the West Indies, Gislane. I too have grown up here, and Green Grove or Hilltop are no more than memories, and not all of them pleasant,'
'You would renounce your inheritance?'
'If you would marry me.'
    The frown deepened for a moment. 'Mr. Hilton. Is this not but the fourth occasion on which we have spoken?'
    He scrambled to his own feet. 'Gislane, in our circumstances there can be no normal behaviour. Be sure your foster parents will now be anxious to marry you off to some - some ogre, as rapidly as possible. And if you did not know

    I sought your hand why did you humiliate yourself by recounting that tale?'

    Again the flush. 'Why, I ... I thought you had a right to know the truth of me, Mr. Hilton. Lest you permitted yourself to engage your affections.'
    'My affections, my mind, my heart, my soul, Gislane, were engaged from the moment I saw you.'
    She was shaking her head gently. 'It is too hasty, sir. And I could not permit you to sacrifice so much for me.'
    He smiled at her. 'I would be sacrificing nothing save my whip and my sunburn, Gislane. Oh, Robert would shout and threaten and then he would continue my allowance. Beneath that facade of grimness he is a very pleasant fellow, certainly to those he loves.'
    'To those he loves,' she said, half to herself. ‘I doubt that embracing protection could ever extend over a person of colour.'
'But it is not Robert you are marrying, Gislane. It is me.'
She freed her hand.