In His Eyes(10)
“Very well,” the officer replied after an extended pause that had sent Ella’s stomach to fluttering.
She almost opened her mouth to wish them good day and hurry inside to check on the baby when his next words stalled her.
“And I presume you know that they must be paid a wage, not just given the same amenities they have always been afforded. Such things do not make life any different.”
Ella blinked. “Of course.”
“So your people are paid, then?”
Ella fidgeted, searching her mind for any bit of information she had picked up that could help her. She seized on something that might avert this man’s scrutiny. “The house servants are paid from my husband’s earnings, of course. We have plans of letting out the land for planting, and will share the crops with the workers.”
The man seemed appeased, and Ella hoped she had stumbled on the right thing to make him go away. Then he frowned again. “And how many people do you have to work these lands?”
Ella’s heart thudded so loudly in her chest she felt certain the men could hear it. She drew herself to her full height and did her best to emulate the fine ladies she had sold lace to back home. “Sir, as you obviously noticed, I have just had a child and my husband has not yet returned to me. We plan on letting out the land, and as spring is upon us, those plans will be carried out soon. Now, if you will excuse me, my son needs me.”
The man had the good graces to look apologetic. “Certainly, ma’am. We won’t take up any more of your time.”
A genuine smile spread over her face. She dipped her chin. “Good day to you, gentlemen.”
The man tipped his head and donned his blue kepi, then lifted his hand to gesture the other two men off the porch. Ella turned and reached for the doorknob when his voice stopped her once more.
“You won’t mind if we return in a few weeks to check on the progress you’ve made with the planting, will you?”
Oh, dear. Well, at least that gave these people a little time to figure out what they would do. She clasped her hands at her waist, and faced him once more. “Of course not.”
“We may even have more to send you, should you require extra hands.”
Ella cocked her head. Odd. “I’m not sure if that will be necessary, but I will let you know once we see how to settle our own people.” She had no idea how many called Belmont lands home.
Seeming satisfied, the soldier gave a small bow and then spun away. Ella watched them mount their horses just to be sure they were leaving, then grasped the doorknob and hurried into the house to find the babe.
Ella leaned against the heavy door for just a moment to regain her composure. What had she been thinking? Had she made things worse for these people? What would they do when the soldiers returned? Pushing the worry away for another time, she stepped forward into the wide entry and put a hand to her throat. Thickly woven carpet cushioned her feet, and she lifted them to be sure she didn’t trail in any dirt. Overhead, a chandelier sparkled, and she imagined it would send shimmering light across the blue walls and decorative plaster work come evening. Everything about the place, from the wide doors cased in carved frames to the shining wood floors and grand staircase, spoke of wealth and luxury.
Even amid the destruction of war, this house seemed barely touched. Perhaps because the Remington man had been in the Federal Army. Ella took a step forward. Now, where to find the woman who had taken the child? The house stood quiet, the only sound Ella’s own erratic breathing.
“Hello?” she called tentatively.
A second later a young girl Ella guess to be around twelve darted from the doorway on her right. She skidded to a stop and smiled up at Ella, her teeth looking all the whiter against her ebony skin. “I’m Basil.” She reached out and grabbed Ella’s hand. “Sibby done said to bring you once you came in da house.”
Ella allowed the little girl to guide her to the stairs, then she dropped Ella’s hand and bounded up the staircase. “I saw what you did with them soldiers,” she said, grinning over her shoulder at Ella.
Ella smiled, not knowing what to say. The girl didn’t seem to expect an answer, though, and made the turn on the stairs to go up another flight. “She’s up here in the nursery with that little one you brought. He yours?”
Ella pressed her lips together. Did she lie and say he was? Her heart yearned to do so. Surely they would let her work here if the baby was hers, right? Ella let out a sigh. “No. His mother died having him.”
The little girl giggled. “Didn’t think so. You don’t look like you just had no baby.”
Had the soldiers thought the same? Ella declined to answer as they reached the second floor and Basil led her through the first door on the left. The room featured a large canopied bed with mosquito netting hanging against its rose-colored quilt, and beautifully carved furniture sat against the high walls of the same hue.
As though sensing her thoughts, Basil waved her hand at the room as she walked to a door on the left hand wall. “This here was the mistress’s room. It connects to the master’s room on the other side,” she said, pulling the huge door open, “and to the nursery on this ’un.”
Basil flung the door wide and motioned for Ella to enter. “I see you downstairs later.” Her narrow face scrunched. “Sibby said I can’t be botherin’ you until she’s had her time for talkin’”.