The black swan Read Free Page B

amusement. Edmund said, "I'll see you to the staircase."
    "Sleep good!" Ross called, still smiling.
    At the foot of the stairs, Tom turned. "You'll send her up, Edmund?"
    The taller man clasped Tom's shoulder. "I've never left you wantin', Tom."
    Half an hour later Edmund summoned Ullah. He motioned her toward the stairs and watched as she climbed slowly, gracefully, her head with its pale brown curling hair held proudly, her breasts and full buttocks moving provocatively under the cotton shift. A handsome wench, he thought. Why had he never thought so before now?
    Ross was sprawled comfortably across the leather sofa. "I made myself at home in your liquor cabinet." Airily, he waved a glass of absinthe at his host. "My God, Edmund, I've heard of men being faithful to their wives— but to a quadroon slave? How long has it been this same nigra?"
    Edmund shrugged. "Three years . . . maybe four."
    "Why don't you give him a different one? You gettin' miserly, Edmund?" Ross grinned, holding out his empty glass to be refilled.
    "Tom can have any wench he wishes. He doesn't want anyone else. What about you? Is there one you haven't tried, Ross?"
    Ross's face grew still. "Just one,"
    Edmund sat back in his chair.
    Ross prompted him. "Aren't you goin' to ask who?"
    "I already know."
    Ross jerked his thumb toward the ceiling. "Tom won't share her. But damn my eyes if I wouldn't like to try that Uttle nigra."
    "You'll have to ask Tom, since he's buyin' her."
    Ross sighed. "Well, I guess I'll never know what Ullah's got."
    Revanche smiled slowly. "Tonight she still belongs to me."
    Ross sat up, excited. "What a joke on old Tom!"
    His host shifted irritably in his chair, his good humor suddenly soured. His anger was back, anger at Tom for

    making a complete fool of him. "If you want her, take her. I haven't seen Tom's money yet."
    "You're gettin' het up at the wrong person, Edmund. It wasn't me that fast-talked, you into sellin' her. Besides, this is a joke . . . somethin' to laugh about in the morn-in' . . . among three old friends—"
    "She's a slave! Property!" Revanche snapped. "If you want her, take her! Good night, Ross."
    "Ahh, Edmund, don't be like that. I didn't mean to insult you. Have a nightcap with me. Like you said, she's of no account. Sit down, now."
    In his room Tom Pierson was trembling with anticipation. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tight, his heart pounding in joy and rehef. Edmund had given his word to sell Ullah. Tom hadn't mentioned the child. Surely Edmund would realize that if he wanted Ullah, he would want Angela, the child that was his out of her.
    Abruptly his mind veered to Ullah. What words does a man use to tell his woman that she was free now—and his?
    Tom shivered, glancing anxiously at the door waiting for the moment Ullah would appear there, knowing that with her securely in his arms the right words would come. Somehow then, close to her, one with her, he'd know how to tell her. To him she was a woman, neither black nor white, slave nor free, but a woman he loved with all his heart.
    Lost in his dreams of her, he didn't hear her light steps across the room, didn't know she was there until she knelt before him, her eyes wide and love filled.
    "Sleepy, Tom?" she teased. Her voice, like all the rest of her was soft, gentle, inviting.
    Tom stood, catching her up into his arms and whirling around the room holding her, laughing until she laughed with him. 'Til never be sleepy again!" he declared, and laughed again. His breath grew short as her scent flowed into his nostrils. He buried his lips in her neck, her hair, and felt her warmth against him.
    Quickly he untied the cord that bound her shift, and slipped the rough garment over her head. She stood proudly before him, knowing how he loved to gaze at her naked body. Almost reverently his hands lifted her small breasts. Hungrily he kissed each one until the dark nipples became erect.

    "Shall Ah draw yo' boots off, Tom?" she asked. It