Shay grinned. “Perchance I shall become so brave a warrior the Powhatans will adopt me!”
Ustis groaned his displeasure. “No warlike talk, aye? You are there to learn their language and their ways, not train to make trouble.”
“Very well. What will Watseka do?” he asked.
“She won’t mind the store in your place, if that’s whatyou’re thinking. Rather, she’ll work alongside your mother and sister, learning our faith, housewifery and gardening, and how to speak English.”
“I expect she knows quite a bit about growing things, like Mattachanna did, helping Xander with his crops.”
Aye, all too well.Selah forked another bite. She’d begrudged him that too. Making a field hand of his bride, ’twas said. But what if Mattachanna hadwantedto work alongside him? What if such reminded her of home, her people, and eased her homesickness? Had the wags ever thought of that? Had she?
Selah smiled. “No doubt we shall learn a great deal from Watseka too.”
Candace looked a bit relieved that their conversation took a more pleasant path. “If she’s anything like Mattachanna, she’ll be a delightful addition to our household. And even if she is not—for no one can hold a candle to the pearl we remember—we shall do our best to make Watseka welcome and at ease here.”
Shay winked. “Perhaps I, too, shall find a Powhatan princess to marry.”
Selah rolled her eyes while Candace gave a chortle of amused exasperation. “At twelve years of age, you are entirely too young to be matrimonially minded, Powhatan princess or otherwise.”
“I second your mother, of course.” Ustis aimed a pointed look his son’s direction. “If I hear of you chasing through the woods after girls and not game, you shall be returned home posthaste.”
“Aye, sir,” Shay said, still smiling.
Given his amiable bent, he was likely to attract all mannerof friends among the Naturals. Had that been one of the reasons Xander had recommended him before the council?
As Izella served a favored pudding, she gave Shay an extra helping. How would it be with just the three of them at table?
“Selah, are you prepared to go visiting with the physic on Monday next?” Ustis fixed his gaze on her, a note of distress in his tone. “I am unhappy about the arrangement, but Governor Harvey dismissed my concerns and would only assign a servant to accompany you.”
“Fret not, Father.” Selah forced a smile to allay his worries. If he refused the plan, he’d no doubt incur the governor’s wrath. Determined to make the best of it herself, she tried to stay atop her dread. Surely the small gifts she was taking each new bride would sweeten the task. “’Twill be good to learn how the tobacco brides are faring. I suppose we shall even call on Cecily.”
“Be prepared to give the council a report.” Ustis rose from the table to seek the comfort of the parlor. “The colony’s success depends on the happiness of these unions. And take anything else from the store that you think might be of benefit to the new couples. The Almighty has blessed us materially, and we must be generous in return.”
13
For once in his tobacco-sated life, Xander was more concerned about the affairs of his household than his fields. How could he not be when his aunt went about the house nearly clucking her pleasure, certain the nurse accompanying Oceanus to Virginia would add more life and color to their spartan existence?
“What a lovely name she has. Electa Lineboro. I wonder if she is as fair? No doubt Oceanus is fond of her.”
“Aye, aye,” he said, a bit testy from a poor night’s sleep.
She pursed her lips in displeasure. “Since learning that Selah Hopewell’s heart is taken, I am at loose ends.”
Shewas at loose ends? He raked his mind for a proper reply as she continued.
“One person in particular paid her a great deal of attention at the wedding feast—Helion Laurent. I wonder if he is the gentleman she favors?”
“Laurent is no gentleman.” Though he rarely naysayed anyone, the truth would not be denied. “I was unaware he spoke with her.”
“Oh, indeed. They spoke at length. I believe you were preoccupiedwith some of your fellow council members, or ratherformercouncil members.”
“Former, aye,” he murmured, a sinking in his chest.
What had the physic to do with Selah? Inquiring about her father’s ill health?
They stood on the second-floor landing as the house underwent a thorough cleaning ahead of the arrivals. Duster in hand, his aunt was now staring at his dusty boots resting upon the newly scrubbed floorboards.
“Tell me again when you think their date of departure was.”
