| Kate crouched. She could hear the hoof-beats of Starlight, her father’s favorite riding mare. She could only hope that her gray cape and its hood camouflaged her in the surrounding darkness of night and the cotton bushes. Finally, she heard the hoof-beats fade, heading back toward the main house. Kate ordered her heart to slow down before she got up. She peeked out over the bush. She couldn’t see anyone, therefore no one could see her or so she hoped. Finally, she arrived at Manguel’s slave cabin. Kate shoved the door aside. Manguel made sure that it didn’t make any kind of noise so that she could slip in and out without anyone else knowing. Her father would have been especially strict about these visitations. He’d sell Manguel, or worse, kill him! If her father found out that his daughter, his PRINCESS had fallen in love with one of his slaves, he’d make sure to engage her and soon! Kate had already gotten herself out of one loveless engagement. She could only pray that her father wouldn’t arrange another. But none of that mattered right then. She was with Manguel and he was all that counted to her now. But sooner or later she’d have to go back to her own home. That would have to wait until later. She made her way back to the grand plantation’s main house, she thought about her mother. Had she been this in love with William J. Smith the third? Had she even seen Kathryn Rose, her one and only daughter before she died? Kate often wished she had a mother. As she entered the house, Kate got a sudden chill. “ Murses Kate! Something’s wrong with your dadno! The doctor’s already here, but him don’t expect he to live much longer!” “What do you mean, Flora? What’s wrong with Father?” “ I doesn’t know Murses! Him’s terrible hot and he’s tosses and turn.” Just then, Dr. Baird came down the stair. “ I’m so sorry Ms. Kate. He’s gone.” Kate nearly collapsed. Now, SHE would be in charge of the plantation. Her father was dead, she had no brothers, and she had yet to get married. And she certainly had no idea of what needed to be done on a plantation. Suddenly realization hit her. She could now marry Manguel! Father was gone, Manguel knew how to handle the money since he had helped Father and he’d know how to keep the slaves happy. From then on, there were no more sneaking visits to Manguel’s cabin. Manguel lived in the main house with Kate, and finally they got married. And though she missed her father dearly, Kate loved the rest of her life. She was with the only man she loved and she felt that was all that counted. |
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| Forbidden Love |