"Ruin and Redemption"

Taking Leave of Josiah and Izzie

“Josiah, how are you?” Lizzie and Derrick, ensconced in their carriage, had just met Josiah on the road.

“Fine, Derrick Where are you off to?”

“Lizzie and I are going to Charleston,” Derrick announced proudly, hugging her to him.

Lizzie smiled over at Josiah, wishing she had more time to talk freely with him. She hardly dared to say anything in front of her husband unless it was relevant to some business they had. It wouldn’t be seemly simply to start a social encounter.

Josiah looked longingly at Lizzie, wishing he were the one escorting her to Charleston. Well, at least she was getting to go. And she looked happy.

The new cabin for Scarlett had been built, along with a wall separating the slave quarters from Lizzie and Derrick's home. As a reward for her cooperation, Derrick was taking Lizzie to Charleston to pick up a few new things. Derrick hated to leave the plantation, except for business. He didn’t trust that it would function properly for long in his absence. Nevertheless,  he supposed Lizzie could use a vacation away from the plantation and Scarlett.

“How are Celia and Izzie?” Lizzie asked. It seemed an appropriate thing to say, and she was curious.

“Oh, they’re fine, Lizzie. They’re fast friends. Neither one of ‘em wants to get married now. I guess they’ll be around the house for a long time.”

Joe couldn’t say he was entirely happy with their arrangement. He wasn’t sure that he wanted to be protecting his sister and Celia for the rest of his days. He’d decided he might be more attractive to a wife if his sister and her best friend weren’t living right there. Not every woman wanted to walk into a full house. He was extremely fond of Rebecca, and he didn’t mind her little girl, either. But he had to be realistic and accept that she might like him, but it was still an economic arrangement for her. He couldn’t go to her unless he had the money. He had to miss seeing her for a full two weeks recently, because of a mcu needed purchase for the farm.

A wife of his own would be much cheaper and more satisfying. He wouldn’t need a pocket full of coins whenever he wanted to see his wife. He had a decent house and land already, which he was more than happy to share. And he had the money for the occasional gift or new dress, once he stopped seeing Rebecca--- Which he supposed he would be willing to do for the right woman. Most women preferred a faithful man, and he supposed he could be that man--- if the right woman required him to.

“Oh, that’s good. I’m glad to hear they’re getting along, and everything is fine,” Lizzie answered.

Everything wasn’t fine, but Joe saw no reason to tell her so. Lizzie had never had any female friends that he knew of besides his own sister,  Celia and Patsy. There wasn’t anyone she could introduce him to. He hoped he wouldn’t have to spend the rest of his days as a batchelor... There was Derrick with a wife, probably a Mistress, and who knows what else, and he couldn’t even get a wife!

“I’m glad you’re doing alright, Derrick,” Joe said. It was a good thing he hadn’t murdered Lizzie’s husband. They seemed to be doing O.K. now. And Celia was safe, too.