The Ruby in the Storm

Chapter 8: Dining in Memoriam

Chapter 8: Dining in Memoriam

Charlestown, South Carolina

Revealing James's death to his mother had caused her too much grief, causing her to stay home for the dinner at Fitzgerald Thornton's home. John couldn't blame her; she had worked many years in the Boatwright home, and had practically seen James grow before her very eyes.

"He was such a little thing when I first came to work at Dawn-Bridge," his mother had said, tears still leaking from the corners of her eyes. "God, are you certain he is gone, John?"

John wished he had not been so sure, but Thornton swore on his life that his contacts were reliable. "Yes, mother."

He had held his mother while she wept, though he could not bring himself to find the same misery as she, for he knew the sort of man James really had been. Or, at least, he had had an idea, only Lucy knew the extent of his evils, and now the question remained as to whether or not it was those evils that caused his death.

A carriage came for John and Eliza a half an hour before the dinner was to start. When the both of them were settled and the carriage was off towards Thornton's grand house that overlooked the market and the ports, John took that moment to admire his wife, who was dressed in a beautiful green gown with her hair arranged in a lovely bun that his mother had assisted her with. Though there was a lack of servants in his house, John respected and adored the fact hat Eliza continued to get on, as though nothing much had changed... Except, of course, for his child growing inside of her.

"How are you feeling?" John asked her when she shifted a little. "Honestly, Eliza, you didn't have to come. Fitz would have understood, given your condition."

Eliza smiled at him. "John, I'm fine, really! I'm pregnant, not dead. I should still be allowed to live my life as much as I can, which means avoiding house arrest at any cost."

John laughed. "Of course, my apologies. I just worry is all."

"And you should, if I do something foolish," Eliza replied. "If our baby is anything like us, it will weather whatever foolishness I get myself into, of that I am certain."

"If our baby is anything like your brother, you mean," John muttered under his breath so Eliza wouldn't hear. He had to admit to himself at least that he was not particularly fond of the pressure Samuel was putting on his sister. John only wanted Eliza to be happy, and that would only happen when she was allowed to live on her own terms, not by the demands of others. But John also knew that Eliza loved her brother, despite what she said about him, so under pressure she would probably consider his pleas, and that was what John feared. He had already possibly lost a sister he had come to love a great deal, losing his wife and unborn child would prove his undoing.

"What is on your mind, my love?" Eliza asked, reached over to take his hand in hers.

He stroked his thumb across the back of her hand and shook his head. "Nothing."

"You are going to endeavor to lie to the woman who is carrying your child?" Eliza raised an eyebrow.

John looked at her and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I would never do such a thing."

"Then what's on your mind?"

John shrugged. "Your brother, I suppose."

Eliza scoffed. "John, rid your mind of that absolute lunatic immediately. I already know I have."

"Eliza, he's your brother."

"And? He wasn't considering the fact that I am his sister when he strictly told me that I had no say in him marrying Leila. It's high time he realizes that it works both ways, or it should. I've lived my life by his decorum, but he was gambling with my life too, and that is something I cannot accept."