Princess Ces'alena (Webster Fields) Read online

  Somehow, he’d gotten off track and now he wondered how he might get him back on it.

  “Well father, do I have your attention or not?” Manny asked noting his father’s thoughtful hesitation. “I’m listenin’.” Morris shot wanting it out and over. “Without interruption?” Manny pressed.

  “Yes, yes, yes, just like you said!”

  Manny decided to get straight to the point, there was no sense in beating around the bush. “I’ve thought this through long and hard…my minds made up. I’ve decided to claim Michael as my legal son, and-…”

  “The hell you will!! Have you lost your bleeding mind? Good God in heaven!! You go too far! You’re crazy if-…” Morris bellowed and was cut off, “Father - you’re interrupting!” Manny called up to his father who had bolted up from his chair with the shock of his decision, his disapproval clear. “You damn well know I am!! Do you know what the talk will be, it’ll never end!?”

  “You promised to listen!”

  “Listen to your madness!! Hell Manny, they’re talking behind your back right now! Why? Why in heavens name make it worse!?” Morris yelled dramatically, his arms flying in gestures of disbelief. “Do you think your yelling this at me is going to cause a change in how I think? How I feel?!” Manny tried to reason with him.

  “Well I can only hope! I can tell you now - I will not stand for this! I will not have that bastard, nigger mutt, carrying my name!!” Morris quieted, but was no less angry.

  “That bastard, nigger mutt - as you call him, is my son! Your grandson!” Manny came to his feet feeling his own anger rise. “You being my father, or not! You will not stand before me degrading him!!” Manny heatedly returned. His knuckles braced against the table as he worked to calm himself once again.

  Morris stumbled back, moving the chair a bit. He stood straight without aid of his cane and looked at his son as though seeing an alien. “My God…you have really lost your mind. Where did I go wrong?” Morris muttered in confusion as if talking to himself. Manny shook his head softly as he turned from his father. He swore this was not to be a shouting bout, yet it was going in that very direction. Taking a moment, he needed to calm down and get his thoughts together. Doing so, he walked over to the side window peering out across the distant yard at the cabins that sat yards from the mansion.

  “Look son, don’t do this. Do you know what this will do to you? People are already cutting you over this, don’t you care?” Morris tried to reason with him.

  “No…I don’t.” He stated still peering out the window.

  “Well I do. Manny, that boy came from a Negro sla-…”

  “I am very much aware of where he came from. I’m the one who put him there and I was there at his birth, and so were you…if you only cared to remember. You are the one who fails to realize where he came from…he came from us father, my-…”

  “Now Manny boy, you just listen here. I’ve had enough of this nonsense-…” Morris shot off regaining his steam once more.

  “No! You listen…and this time, you let me finish.” He walked from the window back to the table to continue, “I know what you’re going to say. I am well aware of your reasons for saying and feeling as you do. However, no matter what, I have no intention of changing my mind.”

  “Son…Manny, you’re not thinking straight, you’ve got to-…”

  “Because I’m not thinking as you wish! I’m doing this because it’s right to me father…me! Just as you did what felt right to you all those years ago leaving England to live here. That was against everything your father asked of you. You saw Royal, you wanted Royal…and Royal you had! -…”

  “Hold on now! What are you telling me?”

  “I want my son. He’s mine, and I want him. That’s what I’m telling you. You did what you chose in your life. Now I wish the same freedom and courtesy. Don’t deny me something you refused to be denied.”

  “Manny you can do anything you want with your life but claim that boy as your son!”

  “He is my son, blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh, more me than her! And I will not deny him! Neither I nor you can refute me as his sire. Your way is to cast him off and forget what has been done and the fact that he exists because of me! But that is not my way! You don’t get it do you!? I love my son! He is a part of me…just as I am a part of you. Not you, or this sick world and all its hatred, will make me turn my back on him. It is not within me to do so, and again, I stress — I will not! That is all I have to say!”

  Morris took his seat at the head of the table, leaning one elbow on the edge as he ran his hand through his hair, letting his forehead rest in his palm. He turned his head to look at the strong willed man that was his son. As much as he hated to admit it…the fact was, once his son made up his mind on something, it was permanently made up. Nothing would deter his decision.

  Morris could argue to the end with him, but in the end…he knew he’d eventually give in, even with this. Having to face that right here…right now, it was his turn to make the best of it. To wring out of it what he wanted. If he was going to claim the boy, he would do it under his terms.

  Now that Morris knew the extent he was attached to the boy, he would use that knowledge to his advantage. “Okay Manny…you’ve had your say. Now I want mine, have a seat.” Morris patiently waited for his instructions to be followed. After Manny reluctantly did so, Morris began. “I see you’ve made up your mind, I’ve decided not to stand in your way.”

  Manny’s eyes widened in shock, but then narrowed suspiciously. “What are you up to Morris Webster?!”

  “Come now, I’ve agreed to allow you your way, but-…”

  “Ah yes! The but…knew it was coming. You had me worried for a moment there Morris.” Manny quipped in expectation. Morris smiled wryly. “As I was saying son, I’m allowing you your way…but under one condition, and a favor. You follow through, and there will be no problems from me. Will you abide?”

  “It all depends ol’man. Let’s hear it.”

  “I assure you…it’s quite fair. Since you plan to claim him, all I ask is that you do so secretly; through Charles of course. Ceś alena, yourself, Charles and I are the only ones to know. That way you get to claim the boy, and no added gossip — will you agree?”

  Manny hesitated, sad to say…he didn’t trust his own father when it came to Lena and his son. But the condition was harmless, so finally he gave a slow reluctant nod. Morris again cracked a sly smile. He was up to something; Manny knew this…but what? He knew his father could be a top rank shyster if he chose to be. “And now, the favor…let’s have it.”

  “W-e-e-ell,” Morris drawled the word, “…son, maybe it’s not exactly a favor, maybe more of a condition. This condition you may be a tad reluctant to agree on. So to help you make your decision in a positive way, my way…I’m forced to this end.” Morris sobered completely; his expression serious…Manny braced himself. Morris leaned toward his son with piercing eyes, “I will remove you from the holding title of this land…I will strip you of all self support…and …I will sell Ceś alena and the boy so far out of your reach, it would take two lifetimes to find them, if - you don’t agree to my last request!”

  “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “You willing to gamble their lives to see?”

  “Why! Why are you doing this?!”

  “To make sure you follow through on what I ask! It is as simple as that.” Morris waited, his expression stern. Manny sat staring and brewing…not saying another word. So many scenario’s going through his mind. Everything he had came from his father and this plantation. His father had every means and right to do as he’d stated. There was no way he could endanger Lena and his son to the unknown…he couldn’t lose them now.

  Whatever his father asked of him, at least they would be there where he knew them to be safe. “On one condition, you must promise me…that they will never be sold from here! No harm will ever befall them! Webster Fields will always be their home! You give your word on that…and I will do thi
s favor you ask!”

  “Done! You have my word on it!!”

  “What is it that you want of me!?!

  “I want you married before the year is up! A nice decent white woman of course! And I do mean what I say. Or you could try and take Ceś alena and the boy and run off. But then, where you gonna run with no money and your bed-wench and bastard? If you left her alone for one minute wherever you went to work, you’d have to keep her and the boy well hidden. She’s a fancy Manny; you know what she’s worth! How many now that want her. She’d be in a brothel selling her favors before you could blink an eye. You know there are men out there who would not give a second thought to snatching her from you. I’m sure you remember what happened that last time she tried to runaway - when she first got here. She’s a rare beauty, one that would make some one – one helluva profit on the market. Here at Webster Fields, she safe…and so is the boy. But take them out-…”

  “I know! I know it damn it!!” Manny blasted…running his hands through his hair in anguish. This is the last thing he expected his father to throw at him. He didn’t want to marry. He was quite satisfied with his life the way it was.

  “Well…what’s it gonna be?”

  “Why can’t you just leave things as they are?!”

  “Because I don’t like the way things are! There are some things gone have to change ‘round here!” Morris finished smugly, knowing he’d covered all possible avenues of escape for his son. He knew Manny would not endanger his son’s life, nor the wench’s out in a world that would eat them alive. Manny stood from the table walking towards the window with a view to the cabins along side the house. The first to be seen was Lena’s. He stood there a moment in silence. His gut churning… ‘I don’t want to do this…I don’t want to! God why can’t they just leave us alone!? Why?’ He thought bristling at the notion of being forced into marriage.

  “I’m waiting.” Morris reminded him.

  “Are you aware that what you ask, takes more time than I have?” Manny inquired fuming as his anger simmered. His father never failed to twist things to his advantage and further control his life. “I’m very much aware of the time you have. A lot can happen in nine months. So, if I was you, I’d get moving…this year Manny! Times awastin’ as we speak; yep, times awastin’.”

  Morris preened, considering how things turned out better than he’d expected. Standing, he grabbed his cane, heading for the kitchen, when Manny’s voice stopped him. “Wait…I may be forced to this…but we have one last thing to settle between us.”

  Morris turned back to his son.

  “Don’t you ever do - what you did today…again. In any way ever …or I promise you…you’ll be sorry you did.”

  Morris stood stunned and staring…hurt by his son’s threat. Though he had no fear of physical danger from Manny…he could only wonder what that threat entailed. “Have you forgotten that I’m your father? And she’s just a slave I won in a poker game?! Weren’t for me…you’d never have laid eyes on her.”

  “No matter…the fact is…you did, I have and she’s here. Keep your hands off of her.”

  Morris stared a bit more, then finally nodded, “You keep her in line. Won’t be no problems then.” Turning away, having heard enough…he entered the kitchen. “Kayleen, where the hell is my dinner? Does a man have to be on the verge of collapse from starvation around here before he gets fed? My goddamn stomach thinks my throats cut.” He called out, leaving his son to stand and stew, fighting the inevitable.

  Chapter Three

  When Lena reached her cabin with her son, she quickly latched her door, dropped to her knees and tearfully gave him a relieved hug, so frightened that Morris would whip him. But that was over and they were in the safety of her cabin now. Murmuring softly, with tender care, she stripped him of his clothes, wiped him down, and massaged him with a salve for his aching body. She bound his ribs just in case, donning his night shirt, and put him to bed. She joined him there cuddling him close to her; lightly stroking his hair, lulling him to sleep. “You all right mama?” He asked in a soft concerned voice.

  “I’m all right baby.” She whispered in return. Mike swallowed his tears. “I’m sorry mama.” She kissed the top of his head. “No need baby, now go to sleep. Everything will be just fine.”

  “I love you mama.” Lena smiled. “I know, I know…sleep now.” Sore and exhausted, he did just that. Lena held him, with so many thoughts running through her mind. One being, how sorry she was for doing as Kayleen had accused. Instead of protecting her son, she was exposing him to dangers because of the way things had been in her early childhood. But this was a different world from the one she’d lived in on Makia Island; a world where her father ruled; where she was revered by many. She closed her eyes remembering the clean white sandy beaches where she and her brother were forbidden to run if those appointed to protect them weren’t around.

  To get around that, they dressed as peasants and did so anyway. She missed her brother Catamon… tears came to her eyes. Lost in the dreams of Makia Island, she dozed off to sleep. Unaware of the time gone by, Lena sat up when the light rap at her cabin door stirred her awake. She took one look down at her sleeping son, and slowly eased herself from the bed so as not to awaken him, then pulled the long screen across his section of the large cabin closing him off. Silently, treading gracefully across the floor, she reached the door asking softly, “Who is it?”

  “It’s me…Manny.”

  With heart pounding, she opened the door looking up at him feeling sorry for the problem she’d caused. Manny stepped in as she closed the door behind him. “Where is he?” He asked immediately. “Sleeping, I bathed him, and put him to bed.” She answered as he made his way to the other end of the cabin to check on him. A few moments later, he came out walking back towards her as she remained by the door with her back to it. “Are you all right?” He asked softly. She nodded. He stood before her a moment gazing down into her eyes as they watered up. “Man - Manny…I – I am so sorry. I never meant to … cause-…”

  “Shhh, I know.” He returned huskily with a finger to her lips. Lena’s heart pumped heavily from the look in his eyes. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel devoured whole; a look of total possession. Just the nearness of him made her senses soar. Manny took a deep breath to gain control of his body’s response being so near her.

  “I need to talk to you, it’s important.” She smiled weakly and nodded…leading the way to the table that sat by the door. It’s long side against the wall, with three chairs at its open sides. Lena sat in the center chair and Manny in the one near the door. His head fell back exposing his strong thick neck; he blew out, as if relieving pent up pressure. Looking back at her, he began. “Morris and I had a talk. He’s agreed to certain things and I’ve been forced to agree to certain things as well. One of them being a decision I’ve made concerning Michael.”

  “What about my son!” Lena sat forward with wide eyes…fear racing as she immediately thought the worse. Manny quickly relieved her fears. “I’m not talking about sending Mikey away…nothing of the sort. Never worry over that…I thought you knew that?” She nodded agreeing, feeling better already. “Then what else could it be?”

  “I’ve decided to claim Michael as my legal son Lena. I want him to carry my name. He’ll be registered free, as Michael Ramsey Webster…I’m going into town tomorrow to have it done.”

  Lena sat back stunned…staring at him. When realization struck that he was serious and what this would mean for her son…both hands flew to her mouth one crossing the other as tears of joy welled up…she couldn’t believe her ears. Manny smiled, nothing yet felt quite as good, as seeing joy on her face, knowing that it was something he did to put it there. He never once questioned why pleasing her, brought him such pleasure. There had never been any reason to question it, things were kept simple… and he liked them that way. But now…that would all change. The look on his face was an indication of more to come, and whatever it was, it would not be
good. Lena sobered up as she wiped her eyes readying herself. “There’s more, tell me…what is it?” She asked hesitantly lowering her hands to her lap. He swallowed down the lump in his throat, this was going to hurt her, but he had no choice. “In order to keep you and Mikey here, safe…and to have some sort of control and say about the way things are run at Webster Fields, I … I have to … to marry…before the year is up.”

  Silence…

  She stared, trying her hardest not to show the true impact of that kick to the stomach. She fought back tears of hurt and humiliation. Her chest felt as if something was rapidly growing there…and she couldn’t get it to stop. ‘Marry… he will marry another… marry.’ Her mind agonized. Manny stood from the table, he wanted to comfort her, but he thought it best to leave. As he reached the door, he turned to look at her. That was his undoing; she was looking at him with those eyes, hurt, full of pain. He went back to her, pulling her from the chair, crushing her body to his as if to absorb it himself. She clung, trying unsuccessfully to hold back sobs; her head to his chest, his fingers tangled in her hair as the other stroked her back, he begged that she understand.

  “There’s nothing I can do Lena, I don’t want to do this…but there’s nothing I can do! I have no choice…” He pulled her head back gently by the hair to look down into her face. Her tears ran freely from the corners of her eyes, disappearing into her hairline. “I have no choice!” He groaned, suddenly attacking her mouth with his own; pulling her slender frame up against his as he ravished her mouth. Her arms went around his neck as he rained kisses over her face, down her chin onto her throat as she threw her head back exposing all to him. A feeling of hopeless abandonment washed over them like a tidal wave, intensifying the need one had for the other. Manny walked with her to the bed, laying her there, he laid down upon her…and for the moment…all was forgotten.