Saraphine

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

November 1845

Samuel had only been living on the plantation for one month and already Saraphine could see that life was only going to get worse with his presence. He had placed himself in charge of determining punishments and Mr. Levenworth was training him tirelessly so he could one day run the entire plantation.

Saraphine simply did not trust the man.

While he hadn't made any further attempt to be inappropriate toward her, Saraphine sensed an evilness and dishonesty in him. His every move seemed planned, as if he had a constant ulterior motive.

Tonight, he and Mr. Levenworth were taking several hounds out hunting.

"Do you wish to accompany us, Daniel?" Samuel offered as the men donned their hunting jackets.

Saraphine had been sweeping the foyer but she looked up quickly at the sound of the request. Her gut twisted. She couldn't explain why but she did not wish Daniel to leave. She sensed that something bad was going to happen tonight—though she couldn't say what that something was.

Feeling his eyes on her, Saraphine was glad when Daniel shook his head. "Naw, I reckon I'll stay here and get to bed early. I've not been feeling real good."

"You better rest then, Daniel," Mr. Levenworth warned. "We have to start plowing up the fields and readying them for fertilizer."

Daniel snorted. "Yes sir. I'll be ready to spread some bull shit bright and early."

Mr. Levenworth's eyes rolled upward. "Please watch your language. There really is no need for such cursing."

"It's hard to overcome a raising such as the one he received in the mountains," Samuel noted.

Saraphine's eyes widened and she greatly feared what Daniel's temper would cause him to say. "God only blessed a few," Daniel agreed with a mischievous grin. "The rest he cursed with a pampered raisin'."

"That's quite enough," Mr. Levenworth warned. "It's probably for the best that you don't wish to come."

Daniel crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes sir. I agree."

Saraphine busied herself with her sweeping until Mr. Levenworth and Samuel were gone. Then she leaned the broom against the wall and faced Daniel with her hands on her hips. "Must you always push and test your limits where they're concerned?"

Daniel grinned as he took her by the elbow and pulled her close to him. "Don't worry, Saraphine. That's what they expect from me. If I were to suddenly stop doin' it, they'd probably think somethin' was wrong."

Saraphine simply rolled her eyes with defeat. Her man would never learn.

***

It was late in the night, nearing twelve, before Saraphine finished with her chores. She returned her cart to the closet and was on her way to the stairs when she saw the light shining from beneath Ellen's door.

It seemed strange for the woman to still be up at this late hour. Then Saraphine heard the weeping.

Ellen was crying.

Saraphine shouldn't care. She should simply go on to her own room and pretend to have never heard a thing. Honestly, Saraphine probably would have been punished if she had interrupted Missus' privacy.