In His Eyes(14)

Sibby regarded her with disbelief.

“Not all women of my color are wealthy, Sibby.” Ella bent her lips. “Some of us have to work.”

“No.” Sibby shook her head. “That won’t do.”

Ella pinched the bridge of her nose, then steered the topic. There would be time to convince the woman later. “What about planting and sharing the crops?”

“We can do that.” Sibby brightened, becoming excited. “It could be a good idea.” She leveled a steady gaze on Ella, her eyes brimming with meaning. “They will plant the fields as long as you promise them they’ll see something for they work.”

“Me? What does my word matter?”

Sibby regarded her as though she were daft. “Who else is gonna promise them?”

Ella opened her mouth to respond, but Sibby waved her hand. “Look here. We is able to keep our home cared for on our own. We don’t need no masters tellin’ us what to do. But Yankee or not, white folks don’t think so. They see a bunch of us here with no white masters—or even employers—and they will take everything from us.” Her hand fidgeted in her skirt. “Most of us don’t have no other place to go.”

Ella could not deny that truth, so she said nothing. It seemed unfair, but then such was the case with everything in life.

“Now, ways I see it, you and me can make a deal.” Sibby’s hands flew about, punctuating each word. “You need a place to stay and help with that baby. We need someone with white skin to speak for us.”

Ella considered the claim, which had merit. “So, I pretend to be the widow if any soldiers come by and the rest of the time I work here with you.” She brightened. “That will be good. You do what you need to with your people and the lands, and if….”

Her words dissolved under Sibby’s chuckle. Ella cocked her head. “What?”

“You still ain’t understandin’ what I sayin’.”

Ella stared at her.

Sibby looked up at the ceiling and then back at Ella. “It’s got to be more than just when them soldiers come by. If anyone even starts thinkin’ that you ain’t really Mr. Westley’s wife, then them tongues will get to waggin’ and we’ll be had.”

A good point, one which she could not counter. “Well, I suppose.”

Sibby strode past Ella and to the doorway. “No. This here town is going to have to believe you is his wife and that child is Mr. Westley’s son. There ain’t no other way.”

Ella followed her to the foyer, but found no words to refute her. Temptation stole away every sound reason she should speak. How nice would it be…? She could pretend the baby belonged to her and have a place to live that was far and away better than that rancid inn. As though sensing Ella stood on the brink of decision, Sibby gave her a moment to consider. The deception seemed wrong, but…would she find any better options? And she had arrived at this place at just the right time. What would one small lie hurt?

As soon as Ella gave a nod, Sibby gestured toward the stairs. “Then that little fellow has his name.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, ’um.” A sly smile slid onto her full lips. “He ain’t no other than Westley Archibald Remington the Forth, Master of Belmont Plantation.”





Sibby seemed rather pleased with herself. “Now, since we got that decided, let’s get you settled.” She eyed Ella. “Is you got any belongings?”

“Oh!” She’d forgotten all about the valise. “Yes. I dropped my things by that magnolia out in the yard.”

Sibby strode to a door at the rear of the foyer just as grand as the one on the front and poked her head outside. “Nat! You out here?”

A moment later a big youth nearing on manhood came through the door, his smile wavering as his ebony eyes landed on Ella. “Who’s that?”

Sibby smacked his thick bicep. “Boy! Where your manners?”

He rubbed his arm but didn’t hide his scrutiny of the intruder. “What? I ain’t got to cower for no strange white lady. What’s she doing here?”

Sibby pinched his ear and he let out a yelp. “Uh-huh. You keep right on spoutin’ that mouth, boy. I’m the one you’s disrespecting.”

This time the youth she’d called Nat looked apologetic, but Ella couldn’t be sure if remorse or the painful grip Sibby had on his ear caused his broad lips to turn down. “Ouch! I’s sorry, Sibby. I’s sorry.”

Satisfied, Sibby released him. “Now. This here is Eleanor…Remington. She’s the new mistress here.”

Nat’s mouth fell open and he cut his sharp gaze from Ella to Sibby. The look she gave him in return made Ella cringe, and he snapped his jaw closed.

Sibby straightened her apron and stood taller, her eyes daring anyone to disagree with her. “Least, that’s what everyone is going to say. You got it?”

Nat looked none too pleased, but nodded all the same.

“Good.” Sibby patted his arm. “Now, she done left her bag out by one of the magnolias. Go and fetch it for me, and then gather the…house folks up.”

He scowled at Ella as he passed, and the smile she tried to offer faltered on her lips. He let the front door slam, causing the chandelier overhead to quiver.