The Fancy by Mercedes Keyes, Lawrence James Page B

Quinton
    answered it to find a young man waiting for him, “Sir
    – this is for you.” He handed him a ‘writ of Summons’
    a piece of folded paper; Quinton unfolded it within it
    simply stated.

    -You have been summoned to appear before
    a panel of your peers by request of the court – due
    to a complaint of blatant fornication. You are
    summoned to appear this day, at the hour of noon
    at the town hall. This summons includes your
    servant girl, Suga – who must also appear.-

    After reading it, he nodded to the young man,
    backed into his home and closed the door, turning to
    see Suga, staring wide eyed at him.
    Her heart was beating so violently she felt light
    headed from the fright of it. "I's time – they gone take
    me t'day." She stated as a matter of fact.
    me t'day." She stated as a matter of fact.
    He almost corrected her speech, but couldn't
    bring himself to do it; there was no guarantee
    because he too was unsure of the outcome. He
    knew what he would need to do, but he needed to
    tread careful y or lose al . He hadn't shared his plan
    for that reason, his gamble made him guilty of
    playing with their lives. He based it on his knowledge
    of people, their thinking – he also knew their disdain
    of what he represented, now that they knew his true
    identity. What he hoped most of al , was that things
    did not get carried away.
    "Suga, today you are to dress – in a proper
    gown – and I want you to come with me; I want you to
    trust me, wil you?"
    Rooted to the spot as if frozen by her fear, she
    searched his eyes, wondering where would she
    wake and find herself tomorrow. With little choice in
    the matter, she turned and made her way to the room
    he’d helped set up for her; her bedroom, where she
    combed her hair, washed herself and dressed. In
    addition to the built in bed, it was also furnished with
    a bench against the wal , a mirror; a wash basin
    stand, with a pitcher, a shelf where she kept her
    comb, head scarves and wash cloths; also on one
    wal were pegs for her bonnet, cape and scarf. Her
    accumulating clothing and stockings - were folded
    and stacked neatly in the chest he'd given her; lastly,
    on the floor were three pairs of shoes and her
    moccasins.
    Standing in the middle of the floor, she
    wondered if it was time to pack.
    Unwil ing to carry on thinking that way, she
    fol owed his direction and dressed in the best that
    she had. Not wishing to keep him waiting, she
    hurried out, meeting him before the barn and
    climbed into the carriage.
    Neither of them spoke as he drove down the
    center of the vil age towards the town hal , various
    ones along the way, stopped to look at them. A lone
    male stood leering and yel ed out, “Ge’aw back
    t’England ya’bloody cur!” He spat on the ground, “An
    take that wit’ya’ to the king, ya' bleeder!” obviously
    the man couldn't resist damning him, the monarchy
    and anyone he thought from the elite class, that he
    felt bled them until they were dry.
    Suga dare not look his way, but to say that she
    was being eaten alive by terror was putting it lightly.
    Accepting what they may have to face, Quinton
    armed himself with two pistols, a dagger and a
    rapier beneath the seat. Keeping his eyes forward
    and ignoring the man, he quietly attempted to soothe
    Suga, “Know this – I am prepared to harm any who
    might be so bold as to try me.”
    “You jus' one man, please, jus’ give me up.”
    She murmured with her heart beating heavily.
    “Not – without a fight. Remember, you made
    me give my word, I vowed, until the day, that I die.”
    He returned passionately.
    "Look like gone be today." She mumbled low.
    Quinton could not help the nervous chuckle at
    her words, "Hmmm, could be – it is certain that their
    hatred is directed at me - not you."
    “Why?” She asked in her soft spoken manner.
    “I have much to tel you, but I cannot do so now
    – now, we must carry on. If you should have a mind
    towards an aid for us, I bid you pray, for