Love in Three-Quarter Time by Dina Sleiman

later that she had come, then so be it.
    Springing her mare back to action, Constance headed in the direction of a group of workers. As she passed the house, it seemed eerily quiet, although smoke puffed from the outbuilding she guessed to be the kitchen. All the structures needed a good coat of paint, but otherwise they seemed to be in sound repair. Robbie had mentioned not wanting to inconvenience the servants. More mystery.
    â€œHello, there,” she called to a barrel-chested Negro who barked out orders to his peers. “Excuse me, sir. May I enquire where your overseer is?”
    â€œâ€™Fraid I’m the overseer round these parts, ma’am, though most days Mr. Montgomery is about.”
    â€œOh.” Unusual, yet Constance understood the choice. She would have put Sissy in charge of her own home if she’d ever had the chance. “I see you’re nearly ready to plant. Isn’t it a bit early for that?”
    â€œWe ain’t planting no tobaccy, ma’am. Not this year leastwise. We’re tryin’ us some corn and wheat.”
    â€œTruly?” Constance slid off the horse. “That’s rather odd, isn’t it?”
    â€œWell, seein’ as Mr. Montgomery gave all his workers emancipation papers and half moved away, we had to get mighty resourceful mighty fast.”
    â€œEmancipation papers?” She hadn’t realized Robbie held abolitionist leanings. Perhaps this was a new occurrence. Or perhaps he hadn’t felt free to share that side of himself with her. Little wonder he hesitated to call this a plantation.
    â€œYes, ma’am. Thought everyone round these parts knew about it. It was all folks talked about for weeks. People weren’t none too happy. Although now I think of it, I don’t reckon I’ve seen you ’round these parts before. Maybe I shouldn’t be tellin’ you all of this. I’m still learnin’ the ropes of this here new job.”
    â€œYou need not fear, Mr.…I’m sorry. I haven’t caught your name.”
    â€œJimbo, ma’am.”
    â€œWell, you need not fear on my account, Mr. Jimbo. I’m an old friend of Mr. Montgomery come to visit the Beaumonts. It looks to me as if you’re doing a fine job running the place.” Constance swept her hand in the direction of the field.
    Jimbo’s chest lifted. “I’d have to agree, if I do say so myself. Not every day a fellow like me gets a chance like this.”
    â€œNot at all. Perhaps you and Mr. Montgomery might set a precedent for the area.”
    â€œI don’t know if I’d go that far, ma’am. Mr. Montgomery is one exceptional human bein’. Been a good friend of mine since childhood. I guess I can say that now that I’m free and because you seem such an understanding sort and all.”
    So Robbie had been friends with Jimbo just as Constance had been friends with Sissy. That explained much.
    â€œThank you for taking time from your busy day to speak with me, Mr. Jimbo.”
    â€œNo trouble, ma’am.”
    â€œGood day to you, sir.”
    â€œYou take care of yourself now, ma’am.”
    With a wave, Jimbo headed back to his workers.
    Constance turned her horse toward the wooded trail leading to the neighboring White Willow Hall.
    An abolitionist?
    Robbie had insisted they didn’t suit each other. That he hadn’t known her well enough until it was too late. Perhaps herein lay the reason. But, of course, she’d never considered releasing her slaves. Her father made those decisions, and she assumed her husband would as well. Being a slave owner had never been her choice, and she never expected it to be. Robbie should have at least discussed it with her.
    She always held to the typical belief that slaves were safest with their masters. Their owners supplied protection and provision. But she might have been open to Robbie’s ideas. Might have told him about Sissy and her own