MULATTO (Iyila) (Editing)

chapter thirty one

Anne did not stop smilling even as they left the theatre and headed back to their carriage. They managed to struggle through the crowd of lovers and families to their carriage yet Anne couldn't stop giggling at everything. Inside the carraige she continued to laugh at a scene that had occurred back at the theatre. A desperate lover had climbed on the stage while the play was still on just to confess his love to a girl whose mother immediately sprang out of the crowd and without hesitation threw him to the ground with all her weight on him.

Gabriel couldn't help but join Anne, although he considered the boy's behaviour to be stupid. But that was how people behaved when they were in love. On the ride back home, Gabriel kissed her more times than he could count. She appeared more loving that evening and the urge to have her was immense, but he had to suppress that feeling. She was not like any woman he had laid with in the past. She was only in a matter of days the woman he would call wife.

He stared at her as she threw her head backward while she laughed. Anne was not like all the highly bred women he had met. Though she cared about etiquette which was normal for every respectable woman, but Anne was genuine. She never tried to pretend, she was exactly as Collete's letters had said.

The carriage stopped at his father's plantation. He then helped her down from the carriage.

"Will you take me to the theatre again?" she eagerly asked like a child who had been promised a jar of honey. Gabriel laughed, "Of course I will. I suppose I will be doing that for the rest of my life," he cheerfully said as he planted a kiss on her forehead. Her laughter quickly occupied the warm evening.

" I suppose so," she added and sighed. "Isn't the evening lovely," Anne said, looking at his dimples.

"But not as lovely as you," Gabriel said.

Offering her his arm, they walked towards the house.

"Why are we here?"

"I have a surprise for you?"

"What is it?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I were to reveal it's form," he said, staring at her face. She nodded and they both walked in. A male negro opened the door for them.

"Goo evening massa, good evening miss" the negro greeted as Gabriel and Anne walked in.

"Evening to you," Gabriel responded. "Evening mister how are you?" Anne concernedly asked. Bowing slightly the negro answered. "Figh miss."

Gabriel smiled at her gesture. She wasn't only beautiful and true, she was considerate with negroes. He admired that but the house was empty. He wondered where his relatives had all gone. It was barely nine so they couldn't already be asleep.

"Your home is awfully quite," Anne whispered.

"Surprisingly, yes" he answered. At this time, his father and Zachary usually occupied themselves with liqour in the study. Most times he buried himself in his books when their noise became unbearable. His books were his only solace in this dreadful place. He wondered how Collete and Susan survived since it was a repeated occurrence.

"May we go up?"

"To where?" She asked, quite reluctant. He saw the sly doubt on her face. "To my chamber."

"Your chamber!"

"Trust me Anne," he said.

"I trust you but isn't it rather improper," she groaned.

"Just trust me Anne," he repeated and kissed her cheek. She followed him to his chamber. When he opened the door, Iyila was inside, arranging his bed.

"Liya, are you are still up?" he said in a chuckle. He was surprised to see her.

"Good evening Sir. Good evening miss," Iyila quickly greeted bowing slightly, her eyes on the floor.

"The mistress demanded that I change the covers," Iyila added.

"My mother," he said, straightening his curls.

"How are you?" Anne pleasantly asked. Gabriel caught the surprise on Iyila's face before she answered, as though she didn't believe Anne concern.

"Fine misstress."

"That is good," Anne declared. "Sir. I have already done everything that is needed to be done, however is there anything else you wish for me to do sir?"

"No, no, you may leave Liya, thank you very much?" he said. With a nod and slight bow Iyila walked out.

"Your negro's English is quite interesting," Anne reported. "Yes it is."

"Can she read?"

"No," he answered although he had his doubts.

Anne nodded. "She is beautiful."

Gabriel sensed jealously, and he could believe she was jealous. "You shouldn't be worried Anne. I am a respectable man."

"I never said anything, and I know you are a respectable man. Morever I do not think you brought me here to discuss your Negro."

Gabriel laughed, "Of course not, wait," he said and went to his small box and searched inside. He brought out a necklace.

"What is that?" She curiously enquired. "A necklace," he said, turning to face her. It was an old necklace that belonged to his mother. Though a wobbly thing and quite rusty, the iron pendant had a red ruby carelessly jabbed in the middle. He had collected it when he visited his grandmother in England. It was a sentimental thing and he had never given it to any woman because he had never considered any worthy of it, until he met Anne. He had guarded it for so long and now he was going to give it to her.

"It seems old," she said laughing. "Yes it is. It once belonged to a very important person to me. I want you to wear it," he said. She eagerly nodded and he turned to place it on her neck.

"Thank you," she said, smiling at him. He was satisfied to see her wear it. "Oh, before I forget," he quickly rushed to the box and brought out a book. "I collected it on my last trip to England. I am sure you will enjoy it. Collete did, but I want you to have it," he said.

Anne took the book. "Thank you again," she said. Smiling Gabriel kissed her cheek. "Let me see you to the carraige," he suggested.

"Yes, yes please," she answered. He led her out to the carriage. He kissed her one more time before he helped her onto it. "Will I see you in church?" she asked.

"Perhaps," He answered.

"Perhaps!" Anne exclaimed.

"I will try to. It is already late Anne, you need to be on your way, I will visit you tomorrow," he said.

She pouted. He wasn't moved by it. "Ok then. Have a good night's rest."

"Same to you Anne," he answered. The carriage rushed off. He smiled as he watched the carriage until it went out of sight. With a glad heart he turned to his bedchamber.

But Gabriel didn't know that Anne threw the necklace out of the carraige. She didn't like the ugly thing and she felt irritated by it. Of all the things in England that he could have brought her, he brought her an aged-ugly-disgusting necklace?

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