In His Eyes(33)

“I do not understand, Sibby. You wanted me to help.” She followed Sibby out of the library.

“No. I just wanted you to keep away them soldiers,” she snapped.

What had happened to the woman who had only moments ago shared painful things of the heart? The one who seemed to be open to reason?

“As I am trying to do!” Annoyance flared, and Ella struggled to keep it down. So long as Lee had a place to live and milk to nourish him, well, that was what mattered most. But now Sibby’s stubbornness could undo it all. Ella took a deep breath and rubbed the baby’s back. She needed some fresh air. “What about the crops?”

“What about ’em?”

Ella hoped the woman would see reason. “If we plant something, then perhaps the army will be satisfied that we are providing living space and work for freedmen, and the Yanks will grant leniency on the taxes until we can produce a harvest.”

Sibby fanned herself with her hand. “You know that ain’t nothin’ but foolish hope.”

Ella set her teeth. Why must this woman be so difficult? With the prospect of losing everything, she had no choice but to put aside her efforts at meekness. “Fine. Then I shall begin selling off plots of the land so the taxes can be paid.”

Sibby’s mouth fell open. “You gonna do no such thing!”

“Why not? It seems a perfect solution.”

Sibby continued to stare at her, and Ella moved past her to go up the stairs. It took a moment longer than expected, but the woman soon followed. “You ain’t got no right to be sellin’ what ain’t yourn.”

A smug smile Sibby couldn’t see tugged Ella’s lips. “Don’t I? Why, there are carpetbaggers aplenty looking for land to buy, and since everyone knows I am mistress here, who would think twice about my ability to sell it?”

“You…you….” Sibby began to stutter, and Ella could nearly feel the frustration pouring off of her.

Ella walked to the end of the upper hall and opened the door to let in the afternoon breeze. “You think on it, then ask your people. You will see that I am right.”

Sibby pressed her lips and refused to say more.

Satisfied she would win the argument, Ella stepped out onto the upper front balcony to let the mid-May breeze wash over her. Bold words, indeed. Would the state of the country allow for her to sell land that didn’t belong to her? It would be worth the try.

Movement drew her attention to the end of the drive where a carriage made the turn off the river road. A carriage she had seen before. She frowned. “Sibby, did you invite the Martin women over again?”

“Now, listen here. We can talk ’bout you askin’ women to tea later. Right now we gots to….” She slowed as she noticed Ella’s pointing finger. “What they doin’ here?”

“That’s what I just asked you.”

Sibby scoffed. “What? You think I invited ’em?”

“You did last time.” Ella lifted her shoulders.

“Did not.”

“Then how…?” Ella shook her head. She didn’t have time for this. Guests were arriving, and she was in her work dress. She began tugging on the strips of cloth around Lee. “Here, hurry up and take him so I can get into another dress.”

Sibby took the baby in the crook of her arm, and they scurried into Ella’s room. She crossed to the wardrobe. “They is gonna expect you in the black ’un.”

Ella had already thought the same. Sibby tossed the simple frock to her, and by the time the carriage wheels drew close enough to hear, Ella had donned the cotton dress and started to tie a ribbon about her waist. “Will it do?”

“I reckon. Get on with you, then.”

Ella reached for the baby. “I’m taking Lee with me.”

Sibby shied back. “What for?”

Ella lifted her chin. “Because he’s my child, and I wish it.” And if he cried she might be all the sooner to get rid of her uninvited guests.

They stared at each other for a moment, then Sibby handed over the boy before grumbling something under her breath and stepping out of the room. Sibby hurried down the stairs, and Ella followed her at a slower pace. She had just taken the first two steps when the front door opened.

Ella frowned. Sibby had not had the time to make it to the door, so the Martin women must have opened it on their own. The nerve! What kind of people had the audacity not only to come over uninvited but to let themselves in as well?

Another thought occurred to her, and Ella’s heart began to flutter. Had her ruse been found out? Did the Martin women come bearing accusations that made them bold?

Just then Sibby let out a squeal, and Ella clutched the baby tighter. Had the sound seemed born of fear rather than delight, she would have hurried back to the second floor, but curiosity continued her to the landing.

“Mr. Westley! Oh!”

Ella came to a halt midway down the staircase and stared. It couldn’t be. Her heart thudded so furiously in her chest she thought it might burst from her. Lee began to squirm, and just then did she realize she had squeezed him too tightly.

“You is alive! Oh, have mercy. I just….” Sibby’s words came to a tumbling halt, and she spun around to look up at Ella, who still stood transfixed on the stairs staring at the scene before her.

Sibby stood beside a man whose presence filled the entry—a man who was supposed to be dead. Mahogany hair topped a stern face that was all the more handsome for the masculine set to his jaw. Wide shoulders and a lean physique, he looked very much the warrior Sibby had described him to be. All except for the cane at his side, which he leaned upon heavily.