“Ha!” Shay returned to his cards. “Harvey and his cohorts make religion their color when all their aim is nothing but present profit, as has been said.”
“John Smith said a great many things.” Candace made a wry face. “And you have a remarkable knack for remembering the knave’s utterances.”
“Let us ponder the matter of our faith.” Ustis rubbed his brow. “Save for Mattachanna’s unusual conversion, we seem to be alienating the tribes instead of fulfilling the Great Commission to introduce them to the gospel. Needs be we make missionaries of these heathen children by way of the proposed peace exchange.”
“What do you mean, Husband?”
“By hosting them in our homes, we shall reveal the truth and then return them to their people to share the same.”
“The Naturals have resisted our faith till now, understandably.” ’Twas Selah’s ongoing lament. How could they do otherwise when men failed to practice what they preached? “Perhaps prayers are at last being answered and a way is being made.”
But what a sacrifice, with both Indians’ and colonists’ kinfolk at stake. Yet if things progressed amiably and an end was in mind to return the children in good faith, all would be worth the personal cost.If.
More laughter came from the parlor, distracting Selah momentarily. She had no wish to be a naysayer, especially if Xander approved of the plan, but her faith in James Towne’s governing body had been shaken and nearly destroyed. There had been so many years of bloodshed and double dealing betwixt the Naturals and whites, and ceaseless quarreling among themselves as colonists jockeyed for position and power. The truth was she didn’t trust Virginia’s officials if they were to become involved in so weighty a matter.
Unable to concentrate, Selah set aside her handwork. “I’ve heard Oceanus might return to us.”
A smile softened Candace’s strain of a moment before. “Isn’t that just like the Lord, blessing us amid fresh uncertainty?”
Ustis gave an affirming nod. “The lad is on his way, aye, Xander told me. He’s set sail on theBonaventurewith his nurse.”
Confirmation at last. If the winds were favorable and no accident befell them, theBonaventurewould dock and deliverOceanus and a host of other passengers to their shores. Father and son would be reunited. That alone was reason to rejoice. And somewhere in that mix, Xander Renick would take a bride.
Selah waited for another announcement, something more that her father might have forgotten that would settle the affair once and for all. But no more was heard save the loud ticking of the clock. She checked a wistful sigh lest her mother take note, then looked toward the parlor, where Cecily and Phineas were seated like lovebirds on the sofa.
At least their tobacco bride was well on her way to matrimony.
10
At sennight’s end Xander entered the council chamber in James Towne, unsurprised to see nearly every seat taken. In matters with the Naturals, every goodman and official wanted to lend a voice or at least an ear. With their very lives at stake, who could blame them?
All eyes were upon him as he removed his hat, awaiting Governor Harvey’s entrance. The chair reserved for the leading official was large and ornate, something a prince or lord might require, and seemed the focal point of the musky, oak-paneled room.
He had come prepared for one last battle before resigning from the council. On behalf of the Powhatans, some would say. His allegiance to the colonial government was continually in question. Some here had even accused him of spy. His foremost adversaries—Helion Laurent and Nicholas Claibourne—were missing, their empty places conspicuous.
The last council meeting had turned forge-hot in mere minutes over the fate of forty settlers marrying Indian women and abandoning the settlement during the last decade.Under old martial law, the penalty for such desertion was death, though most had eluded capture and assimilated.
He’d pleaded like a barrister for his fellow Virginians’ right to marry and live as they desired, undeterred by law or king. But the council had instead appointed a sheriff and sent out a posse to round up those living among the “infidels and savages” and incurring the wrath of the Almighty. The archaic penalty remained unchanged.
“Renick, you bring out every man in the colony, even the shirkers and sots.” A wry smile worked itself across the face of his friend and fellow planter Emanuel Murray. “’Tis said Governor Harvey rues commanding a lesser audience than you, vainglorious as he is.”
“I would rather the meeting be limited to select men, as all this has the feel of theater to me.” Xander’s gaze traveled to the doorway as more latecomers arrived. Laurent entered, Claibourne just behind. For a few seconds all attention shifted to the two peacocks.
Murray took a seat beside him. “Is it my imagination, or did Helion Laurent just cast you a murderous look? And the proceedings have not yet begun.”
“’Tis his usual stance,” Xander replied quietly.
Few knew that he and the physic fought a far more personal war whenever they met, be it here or beyond James Towne. Their rancor ran like a scarlet ribbon beneath the more obvious matters at hand, as if they’d crossed swords.
Governor Harvey entered at last, all stood, and a lengthy prayer was said. But not to the God Xander knew and worshiped. Unbidden, a timely Scripture filled his bowed head.
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
At their collective “amen,” the irascible Harvey brought the meeting to order with an address that tested Xander’s patience. True, Harvey had done a great deal to establish the colony, though many of his enterprises and industries had failed miserably and he’d made a great many enemies. While a movement was afoot to depose him, the list of offenses growing, Xander wanted nothing to do with it. His business was straight as an arrow and concerned the Naturals first and foremost.
At last he stood and faced the assembly. “I make a motion that two or more royal commissioners investigate and handle any and all disputes between Indians and English.” Sweating from the closed room, a fly bedeviling him, he was as succinct as Harvey had been long-winded. “The authorities must establish accountability and rectify wrongs done.”
Barely were the words aired before Claibourne leapt to his feet, a look of utter contempt on his swarthy face. “Wrongs done? May I enumerate for you the base deeds done to us by the savages since Virginia’s founding?”
