“There is word that the woods are not safe. Indians have taken two from the road, one was found slaughtered, the other not found. That is why I came as soon as I heard. Promise me you will not venture on the roads alone.”
“Indians or no, I must get some goods to Lexington where I have promised thread to a shopkeeper.” I was already imagining opening my trunk, dancing in fine slippers left from my days of being a desired guest of the Roberts family. He watched me with the delicacy of a cat drooling over a wounded mouse, so I said instead, “Look at this.” I unfolded the linen upon which I had labored these weeks. I felt the same as I had the day I ran to Ma with my picture of Allsy and me running across the beach, showing my work for his approval.
He reached for it, then drew back his hand. “It looks soft. Very fine.”
“Thank you. It is all right, you may touch it.”
“No. My hands are rough. I would hurt it. You should not sell this. You should wear it yourself. The color suits you.”
“Do you think so? I should love it. But, I could sell this for several pounds more than my own gowns cost.”
“You think too much of money. There is more to life. I, I would buy this cloth and give it to you if you would promise to make yourself a bonny gown and wear it.”
“Oh, I could not accept that.”
“Why? Is my money not sound?”
“There are laws. Sumptuary standards. This cloth is for nobility.”
“I have it on good authority that your family includes a couple of earls and a duke. Peers of the realm.”
“Who are all rotting headless in a midden outside of Newgate.”
“Sell me this cloth, then.”
“I cannot, Cullah.”
“I will pay good money for it. Three pounds and seven.”
I wanted to lead him away from this subject and my plans. “I have a gown to wear. Perhaps you are insulting me that my own garment is not good enough to suit you. Besides, how do I know you know how to dance?”
“I have all the latest steps. Five pounds. I shall give you five pounds.”
“Oh, la!” I was shocked. That was what I expected to ask for the cloth, not what I expected to get for it. “You are persistent, sir.”
Cullah smiled a genuine grin that showed his well-set teeth and sparkling eyes.
Then I smirked and said, “You do not have five pounds.”
“I am known for my persistence, but honesty, too, Miss Talbot. Now, do we have a bargain? Will you wear it? I have bought the cloth and given it to you as a gift.”
“There is not time to make a gown in two weeks. I have other work to do. I must, as you know, make my own living. Perhaps I should not go to any dance. My hands are rough. I have no ladies’ gloves. I have no one to dress my hair but must depend upon myself. My bonnet is old. I have too many freckles.”
“I have something for you besides the haunch of beef, then. But, I will give it only if you promise to wear this cloth on November twenty-fourth. You will be taken by coach, and no drop of rain will dare fall upon you. I was told this might be something a lady would use.” He pulled from his box a parcel wrapped in leather. In his hand the leather wrapping sprang wide and within its folds nestled a great length of ribbon of deepest forest green. It was one of the colors of my embroidery on the lavender linen. There was enough to trim my bonnet and a gown, so that it cunningly set off the colors of the embroidery. I felt myself near swooning with longing to wear something so elegant.
“You, Mr. MacLammond, are attempting to buy my condescension to your plan.”
“Is it working?” The boyish charm in his eyes belied other things I knew of him.
I smiled. When I smiled, he did, too. I reached for the ribbon and said, “I will say this, then. I will accept your gifts of ribbon and beef. I will trim my bonnet with one and my table with the other. As to making myself a gown of this cloth, I know not whether I am able to do such sewing in but two weeks. I would need hoops for a proper farthingale and cords for the back and the stomacher. Lace for the sleeves. But, I will consider it. If I am able to get it done in time, I shall. I will have to have muslin for a pattern. I will need to go to Lexington, then, to purchase the goods to do it and you said it is not safe to travel. Will you take me there?”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“If I return to Concord today, it will be late before I can arrive again the morrow.”
“You could sleep at Goody’s house.”
“Not alone.” When I said nothing, he said, “Now she’s dead, the fairies scurry in the joints of the place. I could barely stand it with my pa there. That place does not rest easy. I could sleep here.”
“I would be ruined if you slept here.”
“I would make you my bride this day, Miss Talbot.”