The Fancy Read Free Page A

chosen to live - which proved,
    that nothing had been established or set firm as of
    yet concerning slavery and the treatment of those stil
    bound by it.
    Obviously, if one could obtain a slave, there
    was no strict law set yet to bring them before a judge
    or court. With his jaw set, and his nostrils fil ing once
    more with stench, Quinton marched onward with his
    burden.
    burden.
    As for the man onboard commissioned to
    watch over her, he stood whimpering in misery - his
    plans for how he would spend his evening, dashed.
    Careful of each step and mindful of the cold
    slippery deck, Quinton made his way down the plank
    and walked past the carriage.
    "Wait!” Henry shouted to him, “…surely you
    don't intend to walk al the way with her?"
    "My intent is to keep her downwind and the
    wind at my back. Thank you and good evening!"
    Quinton cal ed out, each step quick and precise, a
    couple of times he had to heft her upward against
    him, she was heavier than she looked, solid in her
    build while smal in stature.
    He was strong and had endured much, so to
    walk with her in his arms was something he had little
    choice but do, she was too weak to walk after al .
    Making his way along the docks, heading towards
    town, he was content with the breeze coming up from
    behind him, which kept him in clean fresh air, there
    was no way he would have been able to sit in the
    carriage with her on his lap in such a tight space -
    her odor would have fil ed it in no time. Moving along
    at a steady and direct clip, he nodded to those in
    town who turned to look at him and at the bundle held
    before him. He gave no concern to anyone but to the
    one in his arms.
    "Speak to me, can you talk?" He asked, trying
    to ascertain how bad a condition she was in. "Are
    you able to understand what I am saying?" There
    was no answer, just more shaking and teeth
    chattering. "Bloody-hel ! I haven't a clue of what to do
    with you, however, it was certain you could not be left
    in such a state!"
    He smiled, "I must admit, I have never seen
    such an act, slinging rats! In truth, I would confess
    this to no one, nor shal you repeat it…” He informed
    her, despite her silence, stil grinning at the thought,
    “… they frighten me, rats!" He shivered, "... while you
    showed no fear, it was not the place for you, and,
    wel – here we are. No, it would not have gone wel
    for me walking away; I am a man after al , but you, ah
    - you are something else altogether, tossing rats -
    and I might add, not a shriek from you, no - not the
    slightest." This time a chuckle shook his body, the
    more he revisited the act, the funnier it became, so
    that he laughed out loud, having seen the shock on
    Henry and the slave keeper's faces, how wide their
    eyes had been. He carried his gift for three more
    blocks away from the docks - down a bit of a road
    and another block, and then final y up to his door.
    "Due to your silence, I can't know if you understand
    me; but if either of us is to get any relief, I have no
    choice but put you on your feet to gain entry to my
    home. Do try to keep alert." He went on, leaning her
    to the corner of the door, lowering her feet and
    pressing her backward.
    "Here now, stand - stand..." He brought his
    hand away slowly, palm flat to her while holding his
    breath, praying she was able to remain on her feet.
    Palm in air, midway between them – he watched her
    head slowly, suddenly shift upward to reveal her
    forehead, clearing the opening of his cape and next -
    a noble ful brow and almond shaped cognac
    colored eyes, looking feverishly at him; the whites a
    bit of pink, her focus hazy, and up more, as if the
    head of a turtle was coming out of its shel , her
    features cleared his cape to show a long narrow
    nose and then chapped ful , dry lips.
    His next breath caught in his throat at the sight
    of her.
    "I wil ...stand." She barely gasped out in her
    whispered delirium.
    Quinton blinked, his hand - palm towards her
    was stil up in the air