"Ruin and Redemption"

Josiah Protects CiCi and CiCi Turns Down a Proposal

Josiah had just made it about fifteen miles from his house. Izzie and CiCi were in the back of the carriage. It had been over a year since he had last seen Lizzie. Izzie was twenty-two and CiCi, they had all decided was fifteen. They had celebrated her birthday along with Izzie’s this year. Joe suspected she might be closer to sixteen, but she was nowhere close to marriage. She had only recently started to let down her guard a bit when they were alone together.

Josiah had only realized recently that he wouldn’t mind being the one, if she ever did get over her fear of the baby making stick, as she called it. She was pretty, and intelligent, and at least part white. It would certainly be a lot more honorable to marry a black woman than just have one as a mistress, the way so many men did. He was beginning to wonder why he had thought marriage to a black was so horrible, when everyone he knew, almost, seemed to have a black lover. It sure would be strange when people came over, but maybe in time they’d get used to it… But he suspected Celia would have her own ideas about who to marry. He’d be thrilled if she got so used to him she didn’t want to leave and wanted him, but that hadn’t been what Lizzie had intended when she’d brought Celia to him, he reckoned, although it would be a good way to protect her, if she ever wanted it.

The dust was flying up on the road in front of him; It looked like another carriage was approaching. From the way whoever it was was driving, he suspected they were eager to get home.

He stopped and pulled his horses over to the side, to let the other carriage pass. He was surprised when the carriage stopped in front of him. When the dust cleared, he could tell it was Derrick driving. He must be bringing some things back for Lizzie.

“Hello, Derrick,” Josiah greeted, confused. What did Derrick have to say to him?

“Hello, Josiah,” Derrick greeted him, a faint smell of wine on his breath. The bottle sat beside him on the seat. Derrick was looking towards Josiah’s back seat and squinting at the occupants. He grimaced, “I see you brought CiCi along with you and your wife,” he said disapprovingly.

“That’s my sister, Derrick.” Josiah answered. “You remember Izzie, don’t you?” He asked bitterly. Josiah could not help being upset when he remembered how Derrick had given him the opportunity to help Izzie get well by bribing him to go against his conscience. If he’s been in Derrick’s place, he reckoned he would have helped him out with his sister, just given the money if he could. He hoped so anyway. He hoped he wasn’t thinking too well of himself.

“Oh, hello, Isobel,” Derrick answered charmingly, removing his hat.

Izzie smiled her broad smile at him, and leaned forward, flattered at being spoken to by such a handsome man. CiCi looked frightened and disoriented. Izzie put an arm around her now, to console her, though she had no idea what was wrong.

“We’re on our way to Charleston for the weekend, Derrick. Was there anythin’ ya needed?” Josiah asked, eager to be on his way, and get Isobel away from Derrick before he had a chance to charm her any further. After what Lizzie had told him about Derrick, he wondered if he could trust Derrick with any woman.

“No, Josiah. I just noticed your wagon, and I thought I’d have a look at my slave while I’m here.”

“What d’ ya mean, Derrick? Lizzie brought her over to my house, and she’s been with me ever since. Nobody’s ever asked for her back.”