Fields Run Red

Chapter 1

"August 17th, 1786.

My name is Sarah Elliot. I am the wife of William Elliot and I have borne two sons: Thomas, my eldest and Jonathan. My husband owns a flourishing plantation near Charleston, South Carolina and we have been blessed to have a profitable establishment that lasted through the War for Independence. It has been a hard year for us all but hold fast! The deserving will prosper under God's giving hand.

My grievance for this day is my youngest son, Jonathan. He insists on running about with the slave women! He is hardly interested in finding himself a wife but he cannot keep this up. He must settle down before it is too late! His father and I are growing older and I fear we might perish soon. We must guide him towards true courting before it is too late for either of us but alas, I am unsure of what to do! William suggests he should talk to Jonathan himself and convince him to find a woman but I fear that would scare him away. But, if a gentler approach is used, my dear son could ignore our input completely!

I am torn. If only there was a way to inspire him but not force his hand! I have pray'd day and night for him to follow in his elder brother's footsteps and find a sweet, sweet woman. Thomas's chosen mate is so lovely and I treat her as if she's my own daughter! My husband opposes such treatment but I cannot help the care I hold for her. I have been acquainted with her mother for many years and Martha always took the time to imprint proper behavior onto her dearest. I can't help but wonder if Jonathan would've been more accommodating if I'd had the chance to influence his life like Martha had to her daughter, Jane.

It was so wonderful how they had met! Thomas had begged William and I to allow him to attend the Havershim's banquet and we had acquiesced to his request, only chiding him mildly to remember his manners. That night, they had come home together - he and Jane - with Abraham and Martha's consent, and he introduced us to her and oh, she was so lovely. We could hardly wait for them to court to give them our blessing! I would be more than elated to welcome another girl like her into my family. Perhaps that is the key! If I were to hold a party of my own, perhaps the women would flock to him instead of the reverse! Jonathan is attractive to the eye and he remembers his manners for the most part - he is surely a perfect suitor for many women! He must only meet them! Yes, that is what I will do! I will petition my husband immediately!

                                                                                                                                     Sarah Elliot."

I couldn't have thrown my quill down more quickly as I finished the last letter of my signature. I had only decided to take up journaling for the sake of having something for my children to remember me by. I was certain I would reach my end soon - I had just had passed my forty-third year, after all. In all of my years, I had never seen someone pass fifty! Ah, the mere idea saddened me - to think I might not be able to see my youngest's children. As I walked to my husband's study at a hurried pace, I prayed to the good Lord that this would succeed. Oh, if it did, I would be so pleased!

I arrived at the door to his study and brushed a lock of hair from my face. I didn't think he had a meeting with anyone today. I wondered if I ought to bring some tea, just in case. I didn't want to interrupt an engagement, after all. I stood for a few more moments before coming to a decision: I would bring some tea, just to be sure. I didn't want to be rude, after all. I was sure William would've wanted a nice, hot drink after a full day's work.

I turned and headed into the kitchen instead, pondering what I would serve with it. Would he prefer bread? I had some biscuits left as well. I wasn't sure he was alone so I decided to use a mix of both. I put the water on to boil and went to arrange the platter, arranging three teacups next to the teapot and piling some bread and biscuits on beside those. By the time I was finished, I heard the water begin to boil behind me. "Perfect!" I exclaimed under my breath, praising myself for my timing. I had done this a thousand times and never once had I finished my arranging in time with the water boiling. Perhaps it was a trivial thing but it brought me joy.

It took me a few minutes to make the tea itself but when I finished, I took the platter in my hands and walked back to my husband's study. Upon reaching the door, I shifted the platter to one arm and knocked on the solid, mahogany. From inside, I heard my husband call out, "Enter," from where he was - I assumed his desk. I carefully balanced the platter as I turned the door handle and entered his study. As soon as my eyes adjusted to the significantly darker room, I noticed he had no company. I was secretly relieved since him having company would've meant I'd need to postpone my discussion. Looking towards my husband who might as well have been buried in stacks of papers, I insisted, "Dearest, you must break for a few moments and take tea with me. I wanted to discuss something with you."

I watched him lift his head, dark brown eyes scanning the situation he was presented with. William was always a calculating type of man. He had gone to a wonderfully distinguished college, of which I could never remember the name of, and he had always been so interested in mathematics. I remember him fondly insisting on doing our duties and managing the counts of our slaves, our income and our expenses. I was never interested in such things so I gladly refused to protest. Instead, I did the household chores expected of me. I love a clean, tidy house and I can't stand any mess. I never let my boys come home from their schooling and ruin my cleaning.

His response pulled me out of my reminiscing. "Very well, my dear. Come, sit," he had said as he stood up, as tall as I remembered him to be, and made his way over to a side table. I followed suit and placed the platter onto the surface before taking a seat myself. "I was unsure if you had company," I confessed as I poured us tea. "So I brought three cups. I didn't want to be impolite." My statement invited a laugh from him, though it sounded more worn out than usual. Perhaps work was taking a toll on him? "That's quite alright, don't dwell on it," my husband insisted before taking a sip of his beverage. I, being that I had noticed his weariness, decided to wait to bring up her suggestion - at least until they had finished their tea. William had a similar idea since as soon as he finished his cup, he spoke again, "Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?"

I placed my cup back on the platter and smiled at him, pleased he seemed interested at least. "It's about Jonathan," I began, folding my hands in my lap. "I wondered if, perhaps, we could hold a party. If we were cautious about who we invited to the gathering, it's possible we could finally find him a wife! Don't you agree?" As I finished my explanation, I noticed his expression morph from genuine curiosity into one of pensiveness. "At least he seems to be considering it," I thought to myself, intent on making sure I focused on being optimistic. After all, he hadn't disapproved of it just yet.

As if reading my mind, William suddenly spoke up with, "Alright. We try it just once. If he doesn't have a potential suitor by the end, you leave this matter to me." After hearing it, I supposed it was a fair proposition. After all, parties were costly and throwing one had to have a purpose. Otherwise, it was money wasted. I was pleased, though, and quickly nodded. "Very well. I'll begin the preparations immediately!" I declared in response, hardly able to contain my excitement. I watched him smile, certain he knew exactly how thrilled I was. I spent the rest of that night with him, eagerly discussing plans for the event.