The Shadow Conspiracy by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Babbage Engine, ebook, Ada Lovelace, Book View Cafe, Frankenstein
Publisher: Book View Cafe

On Sunday Marie went to Congo Square, where folk gathered after church to greet their neighbours and exchange news of the week. Years ago she had led weekly dances in the square—demonstration dances, meant to gain the goodwill of the police, whom she invited—but the city had outlawed them during one of the voudon scares. A fear of witchcraft ran through the privileged classes, resulting in repeated bans and a few actual arrests. Marie knew that the Americans’ true fear was of the negroes gaining any kind of power.

After church, it was her custom to stroll through the square and visit with neighbours. On this Sunday she had brought five of her children with her, who dispersed at once to find their friends. The youngest uttered squeals of glee as they were absorbed into games.

As usual, Marie was quickly surrounded by people eager for her blessing or her advice. She answered them patiently, and slowly worked her way across the square to where Adele stood beside a tall pyracantha hedge. Marie greeted her, and after an exchange of pleasantries inquired about Mignon.

“She has sent me good report of Anthony,” Marie added, “though I fear it is too soon to move him.”

Adele shrugged. “The doctor said the same. Mrs. Ramsey was willing to leave him in town, but Mr. Ramsey will not be parted from him.”

Marie pressed her lips together, thinking it was Mignon from whom he did not wish to part. She watched Adele’s face, but if the woman knew of her employer’s relations with Mignon, she hid it well.

“Your household will miss the Easter celebrations,” Marie remarked.

“It cannot be helped. We will do something at Laurel Grove. The field hands will dance, if they are given leisure for it.”

“Mr. Ramsey permits it?”

“Yes. His overseer has persuaded him the dancing improves morale.”

“How wonderful. I have missed our dances.”

“Come to Laurel Grove, then.”

Marie smiled as if she thought the notion mildly pleasant. “An interesting idea.”

Adele’s eyes lit with hope. “Would you perhaps be willing to lead the dances? And a ceremony perhaps? I am sure the slaves would pay you however they could.”

Marie waved a hand. “The pleasure of the dance would be enough. It is the journey that concerns me.”

“It is not difficult, merely tedious. I would give you a room in the servants wing, next to my own. There is plenty of room.”

Marie concealed the delight this offer gave her. “I will consider it. If I come, though, you should perhaps call me Madame Paris before your employers.”

She took two tiny bundles from her pocket, one of red cloth and one of white. “I have made a gris-gris for the boy, and one for the maid. You will deliver them?”

Adele hesitated. “Anthony will not understand.”

Marie held up the red gris-gris. “Place it beneath his mattress, and instruct Mignon to keep hers in her pocket.”

Adele glanced up at her, looking sceptical, perhaps at the thought of giving a charm to a machine, but she nodded. “Very well, madame. Thank you.”

They kissed and parted, each strolling on to meet others.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.