A Tapestry of Hope

Bethany House Publishers

Chapter One

The temperature was unseasonably hot, insufferably repressive.By all accounts, springtime had scarcely arrived in Mississippi, butnature's cruel trick was going unnoticed by no one, including theresidents of The Willows plantation.

Jasmine Wainwright flattened herself against the bedroom wall,her right arm wedged against the red oak window frame. Shewriggled in protest when a tickling bead of perspiration inched itsway down her narrowed shoulders. Taking great care, she lifted thelace curtain between two fingers and peeked below. "I see a carriagearriving, Mammy. It must be Papa's houseguests. I'mtempted to pretend I have a headache and remain in my room. Iknow he plans to show me off like prize cotton from the season'sfirst picking."

Mammy stood by Jasmine's dressing table with her arms foldedacross her ample bosom. "Um hum. Well, you don't know fer surewhat your papa got in mind, but iffen you don't set yourself down,supper's gonna be over and dem visitors be gone afore I get achance to fix your curls."

Jasmine glanced at the plump servant who had been her caregiversince birth and knew she could remain a few more momentsbefore provoking Mammy. The old woman's gaze had not yetgrown stern. "Just let me get a glimpse of them first. I'd like anidea of who will greet me when I descend the stairs. Oh, look,Mammy! One of them is nearly as old as Papa, but the otherappears much younger-and more handsome."

"I thought you weren't lookin' fer no husband."

"I'm not! But Papa seems determined to marry me off." Shepulled the curtain back a bit farther and continued spying on thetwo men. "The younger one has a kind face."

The familiar sound of Mammy slapping the hairbrush on heropen palm captured Jasmine's attention. "Oh, all right. I onlywanted one more look," she said while scurrying back to thedressing table. "The older man looks rather austere and rigid. Perhapshe's the younger man's father."

She plopped down and stared into the oval mirror as Mammyplunged her thick fingers in and out of Jasmine's heavy golden-brownhair, coaxing the strands into perfectly formed ringlets. Perspirationtrickled down the sides of the black woman's face anddripped onto her bodice, leaving her cotton dress dotted with wetspots.

"Chile, I ain't, never gonna get these curls fixed proper if youdon't quit flutterin' that fan back and forth. Jest when I think I gotone curl fixed all nice an' proper, you go whipping that fan aroundand stirring up a whirlwind. And quit that frowning. Them creasesyou's making in your forehead is gonna turn into wrinkles. Yougonna look like your grandma afore you turn twenty if you don'stop making dem faces."

Jasmine giggled.

"Ain't funny, chile. When you's gone and got yourself all wrinkledand can't find no man to marry you, what you gonna dothen? Come runnin' to Mammy, 'spectin' me to make you lookyoung and purty?"

Jasmine met Mammy's stern gaze in the mirror's reflection."I'm sorry," she said while grasping the servant's roughened handand drawing it against her own soft, powdered cheek. "But sinceI don't want a man, I don't suppose it matters very much if I wrinklemy face," she added with another giggle.

"You bes' get that out o' your mind. 'Sides, I's hoping to seeyou bring some little babes into this house one day. Maybe I'll betakin' care o' them too."

Jasmine flushed at the remark. "Whatever would I do withoutyou, Mammy?"

"Don't know, chile, but ain't no need to worry 'bout that. Iain't made plans to meet my Maker jes' yet. 'Course, He may havesome different ideas. But if so, He ain't told your ole Mammy. Andsince I ain't never plannin' to be parted from you any other way,I's thinkin' we'll be together for a spell o' time" The servant gavea hearty chuckle, her ample figure jiggling up and down in tempoas she laughed. "We better hurry or you gonna be late to supperfor sure. Then we both be in trouble. Anyways, that's as good asthem curls is gonna get for now. This hot, damp weather makin'everything limp, including your hair."

Jasmine checked her appearance in the mirror one last time,patted the ringlets, and rose from the cushioned chair. "You won'tget in trouble, Mammy. I'm here to protect you." She pulled thewoman into a tight hug, her slender arms barely spanning the oldservant's broad waist. "Besides, after all these years, you know Papais all bluster and bristle. He'd never lay a hand on anyone."

"Um hum, you jes' go on thinkin' that, child."

Jasmine loosened her hold and leaned back. She looked deepinto the old woman's eyes. "Whatever do you mean?"

"You never know. Your pappy might jes' decide you're stillyoung enough to turn over his knee." The words were followedby another deep-throated laugh. "Now get on downstairs and benice to your papa's visitors."

"You know they'll bore me. Papa's visitors always want to talkabout business matters instead of entertaining topics."

"Well, hot as it is this evenin', you know your pappy's boundto be in bad humor. He don't like this heat-never has."

"He complains about the heat every summer. I don't understandwhy Papa doesn't move us north with Grandmother."

"How he gonna do that? Can't move this cotton plantation upthere where it's cold. 'Sides, your papa stays here 'cause this hereis his home. He wouldn't live nowhere else. Even if he could, can'tnobody get your mama out o' this house anymore."

Jasmine's brown eyes momentarily clouded. "I convinced herto go to White Sulphur Springs two years ago."

The old servant's head bobbed up and down. "Um hum. Andshe convinced all of you to return home only three days after yougot there. Your mama doin' some better this past year, though."

"It's her headaches," Jasmine commented.

"It's her fears," Mammy corrected. "I don' know-maybethat's what causes her headaches. But your mama's been full offears ever since I knowed her. Yes, sir. Being afraid, that's her realproblem. Don' know what she thinks is gonna happen outside thishere house." The old woman shook her head back and forth. Herforehead creased and formed a deep V between her wide-set eyes."Um, um, it's a terrible thing to be so afraid of life."

Jasmine knew her father wouldn't care for Mammy's forthrightness,especially in regard to the mistress of the plantation. ButJasmine wouldn't forbid Mammy to address the matter. At leastMammy was honest with her, saying the things that others thoughtbut refused to confide.

Jasmine shook her head at the frustrating situation. "But she'sbeen doing much better managing the household this past year.I've not been required to help her nearly so much."

Mammy patted Jasmine's narrow shoulder. "You's right, chile.She is doin' better." Mammy seemed to realize Jasmine neededencouragement. "'Sides, the Good Lord, He done give us Hispromise to never leave us or forsake us. He won't be desertin' usnow."

Jasmine smiled. Kindness shone in the devoted servant's eyes astheir gazes locked. "What about you, Mammy? Wouldn't you liketo live somewhere besides Mississippi?"

"Don't reckon I need to be givin' much thought to such anotion. The Willows is where I been livin' most all my life, andit's where I'll die. Don't know why we're even talkin' 'bout such athing, 'specially when you need to go get yourself downstairs.You's jes' tryin' to avoid going down to supper."

Jasmine flashed a smile that brightened her whole face. "Younever know where God might take you, Mammy. You're alwayssinging that song about meeting Jesus." Her words grew distant asshe raced down the stairs with her blue silk gown swaying inquickstep rhythm while she descended the spiral staircase. However,one stern look from Madelaine Wainwright slowed Jasmine'space.

All eyes were focused upon her as she entered the parlor. Shelooked at her father. His normal pleasant demeanor appeared tohave escaped him this evening. He pulled on his fob and removedthe gold watch from his vest pocket, giving the timepiece a fleetinglook. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to joinus."

"I apologize for rushing down the stairs-and for my tardiness.I hurried only because I didn't want to further delay dinner."

Her lips curved into what she hoped was an apologetic smilebefore her gaze settled on one of her father's guests. He was grinningback at her.

"Jasmine, I'd like to introduce you to Bradley and NolanHouston. They've come from Massachusetts."

The words brought a broad smile to her lips. "Massachusetts?Oh, but this is wonderful. Do you live in Lowell? My grandmotherlives in Lowell. Perhaps you know her? Alice Wainwright?"

Malcolm Wainwright cleared his throat and moved to hisdaughter's side. "I believe we would like to go in for supper, Jasmine.You can interrogate our guests once they've had somethingto eat. You'll recall that we've been awaiting your arrival."

Jasmine's three brothers were all smirking at their father'sriposte when Bradley Houston stepped forward and drew near toher side. He didn't appear quite so old as she had first thoughtwhen she spied him from the upstairs window, and when hesmiled, the sternness temporarily disappeared from his expression."Miss Wainwright, I'd be happy to await nay supper every eveningif it afforded me the opportunity to keep company with someoneof your beauty and charm."

"Why, thank you, Mr. Houston. You are absolutely too kind."Jasmine grasped Bradley's arm, graced him with an endearingsmile, and permitted him to escort her into the dining room. Themoment he glanced in the other direction, Jasmine turned towardher three older brothers and, with a great deal of satisfaction, stuckout her tongue.

"You must be careful if you ever visit up north where theweather is cold, Miss Wainwright. You wouldn't want your lovelyface to freeze in such a position," Nolan Houston whispered as hetook his seat next to her at the table.

Jasmine looked up in surprise, then leaned slightly closer andgrinned. "Thank you. I shall make note of your kind advice, sir."

Nolan laughed aloud at the reply.

Bradley furrowed his brow and turned his attention to Jasmine."Pray tell, what advice has my brother given you?"

"Cold weather. I was merely explaining how easily one canfreeze when the weather turns frigid," Nolan replied.

Jasmine gave a quick nod of agreement to Nolan's reply beforewhispering a brief thank-you to him. Although she knew herbrothers would have enjoyed listening while she attempted to wiggleout of such inappropriate behavior, it appeared Nolan Houstonhad been amused rather than offended.

Malcolm Wainwright pulled a freshly pressed white handkerchieffrom his pocket and mopped the beads of perspiration fromhis forehead. "I could do with some frigid weather right now. Thisheat is stifling, and it's barely the end of May. I don't know howI'm going to make it through another summer in Mississippi.Once the cotton crop has been laid by, I'm hoping to convinceMadelaine we should make a return visit to White Sulphur Springsin Virginia or perhaps journey to Niagara Falls."

Jasmine's mother flinched at the suggestion but neverthelessremained the epitome of genteel womanhood. "I don't think weneed to weary our guests with such a topic just now," she said andsmiled. "After all, they've known nothing but travel these pastweeks. They must be anxious to settle in for a time."

"I wasn't asking them to make further journey, my dear,"Jasmine's father stated evenly, the tension evident in his tone.

Jasmine listened with interest to her parents' exchangedremarks. Perhaps over the next two months she could influenceher mother to travel east. Certainly such an excursion would dothem all good.

A wisp from a large feather plume floated downward, interruptingher thoughts, and she glanced up at Tobias. The youngslave was perched on his small swing secured to the ceiling abovethe dining table. Tobias gave her a toothy grin as he swung backand forth above them while brandishing his oversized plume todeflect any flies that might enter through the open windows andhover over the dining table.

"If you don't stop distracting Tobias, he's going to fall off thatswing one of these days," Samuel said.

"And a fine mess that would make. I don't believe Fatherwould be quick to forgive you if Tobias dropped into the middleof the dining table," David agreed.

Malcolm glanced back and forth between his two older sons."Gentlemen, please forgive the behavior of my children. It appearsas if we're having a jousting match rather than dinner conversation."

"I believe McKinley should be applauded for his behavior. Hehasn't said a word all evening," Jasmine commented while givingher youngest brother a bright smile.

Her father shook his head. "I'm going to hire someone toteach all of you proper etiquette if this sparring doesn't ceaseimmediately. Ring that bell, Madelaine, and let's get this mealunderway."

The jingling bell signaled two servants into immediate action.They entered the room carrying heaping platters of ham, biscuits,and roasted potatoes. Jasmine daintily helped herself to a biscuitbefore turning her attention to Nolan. "I'm still anxious to discoverwhere you live in Massachusetts and if you might possiblyknow my grandmother. She lives in Lowell," Jasmine eagerlyexplained.

"Although I've visited Lowell on several occasions, I continueto make my home in Boston. Were I ever to move, I believe itwould be to Cambridge rather than Lowell. I have far more friendslocated in Boston and Cambridge," Nolan replied. "Bradley, however,has numerous contacts in Lowell. In fact, he recently relocatedfrom Boston to Lowell in order to expand his business ventures."

"Truly, how interesting. I thought Boston was a much largercity than Lowell. How is it your business will expand by movingto a smaller city, Mr. Houston?" Samuel Wainwright inquired.

Bradley straightened in his chair, obviously pleased by thequestion. "I'm a member of a prestigious group of men known asthe Boston Associates. Perhaps you've heard of them?"

Jasmine's father gave a brief nod. "I've heard some vague referencesto the group. Seems I've been told they're intent uponmonopolizing the entire textile industry in this country."

Bradley shifted in his chair and riced Malcolm. "Actually, theBoston Associates are the textile industry in this country;" Bradleysaid with authority. "There are others, of course, but they areinconsequential. However, the Associates are anxious to see thiscountry achieve industrial independence from England rather thanattempting to monopolize trade for themselves.

Continues...
Excerpted from A Tapestry of Hopeby Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller Copyright © 2004 by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller. Excerpted by permission.
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