Riverbreeze: Part 1 by Ellen E. Johnson Page B

a
leather thong, small, squinty hazel eyes, a bulbous nose and small,
round ears that stuck out like little bear cub ears, but he was one
of the best stable boys that Jamie had ever known. Walter was also
wearing buff breeches and a course linen shirt, but his looked
newer and cleaner. And he was wearing an old pair of boots,
considerably worn and scuffed, but at least they afforded him some
kind of protection around the horses. Now he stood apart from
everyone else, trying not to show his excitement, waiting eagerly
for them to near.
    The brothers also noticed Roger Wentworth,
their good friend, who was the county court clerk of Charles City
County. He had just emerged from the back door of the house,
staggering and removing his linen collar and waving it in front of
his face. His skin was flushed, and he looked like he was about to
expire from the heat, but then he spotted the brothers and stood in
silent awe for a moment, taking in the sight of them on the horses,
before smiling and waving enthusiastically.
    Jamie laughed, but Robert said grimly, “We’re
not going to get in unnoticed, are we?”
    “Did you think we would?” Jamie asked,
returning the enthusiastic wave. The rest of the crowd all turned
to watch them ride in, impressed and excited by the magnificent
horses.
    “I was hoping.” Rob responded, but he was
also smiling at Roger, whom he hadn’t seen in several weeks.
    The crowd stayed back as the boys rode to the
back of the house. They needed to be as close as possible to the
back door because of Robert’s bad leg and the sleeping little boy.
Robert said he wanted to take Robin directly upstairs without
having to maneuver through the guests in the front rooms.
    Once at the back porch, Walter moved in to
hold the horses’ bridles as Jamie dismounted first. The young
servant was successful in being as inconspicuous as possible,
keeping his gaze directed at the horses, not at the gathering
guests. He was also successful at keeping the horses calm which
both Jamie and Robert noticed with satisfaction.
    Everyone was smiling and oohing and aahing,
and Robert watched with pride as Jamie was immediately
congratulated with hearty pats on the back and quick hugs and
kisses. They had all known how hard Jamie had worked to obtain
these horses and all were genuinely happy for him.
    “Jamie, my boy, these are magnificent
animals!”
    “They are just beautiful, Master
Bassett.”
    “James, my lad, congratulations, you must be
very pleased. They are quite wonderful.”
    “When do we get to see them race?”
    “Will you race them against Francis’
horses?”
    Jamie just smiled politely and thanked them
for the compliments but inside he felt like he was ten feet
tall.
    All the attention was not for Jamie and the
horses however. The crowd hadn’t overlooked Robert and Robin. Jamie
chuckled silently to himself knowing how Robert hated all that
attention.
    No one had seen Robert or Robin in over a
month and all were so pleased to see them. The women especially
commented on how big Robin had grown and showed satisfaction at his
obvious sound health.
    “He is quite the big boy, isn’t he?” Cathy
Bennett commented. She was a mother herself, a demure woman wearing
a sedate gown of cobalt blue.
    “Such a sturdy looking lad.” Cornelius
Clements added.
    “And almost as handsome as his father.” Eliza
Williams commented suggestively. She was a widow at thirty but
still quite attractive with platinum blond hair and an unmarked
face. She wore a revealing, low cut gown of ruby red embroidered
with gold thread, obviously meant to attract the opposite sex. She
had already buried two husbands, increasing her wealth with each
marriage, making her a highly desirable choice for an ambitious
man, and while she suspected Robert would not be interested in her,
it never hurt to try. A young man might live long enough to take
care of her in her old age.
    Just as Jamie had done, Robert gritted his
teeth, smiled politely and