Moonwitch

When Felicity asked the peddler if he had any more ribbons to show them, he gave her a gap-toothed grin and shuffled over to his swaybacked mare, where he proceeded to search through his saddlebags. Felicity followed, dragging Selena along with her.

The peddler had to dump a number of items on the ground to find what he was looking for, and the young girl grew impatient. “What is this?” Felicity asked, picking up a small earthen jar.

“‘Tis a pot of kohl, and not for a young lady like yerself.”

“Why not?”

“Felicity,” Selena said gently, “kohl is a cosmetic for the eyes.”

“Oh, paint.” The girl nodded wisely. “You mean it is only for females of questionable virtue.”

Selena was relieved that she needn’t respond, for Felicity was already examining the other wares. With a curious look, the girl held up a small packet of dried leaves. “Is this a cosmetic, too?”

“‘Tis a dye called henna,” the peddler answered. “Guaranteed to turn the hair red.”

“So that is how it is done.” Felicity made a face and let the packet drop. “Personally, I don’t see why anyone would want red hair.”

Her disdainful words struck an aching chord in Selena. When Felicity turned away to show her sisters the new ribbons, Selena eyed the henna leaves with a bitterness she couldn’t repress. Perhaps if her hair had been red, Kyle would have found her more appealing.

The thought sent an irrational surge of anger whipping through her, slicing through her despair. One last effort, she thought with wounded fury. She would make one final attempt to win Kyle’s interest before she gave him up to Danielle.

Clenching her jaw, Selena picked up the packet of hair dye. “I should like to purchase this,” she told the peddler, not allowing herself time to reconsider. “What is the price?”

The old man’s shaggy eyebrows drew together in a startled frown. “You want to buy the henna?”

“Yes,” Selena said defiantly, meeting his puzzled gaze.

And when he told her the price, she didn’t hesitate, but counted out the required coins with a determination born of desperation.

* * *

The sun was nearing the horizon as Kyle returned to Montrose. Saul came out of the smithy to meet him as he drove into the stable yard.

“Yes, Clay’s fine,” Kyle answered in response to the slave’s question. “A few scratches, that’s all.”

Saul shook his head. “Amazin’ the way chil’ren can git bounced on their heads and come up askin’ for more.”

“I know.” Their gazes met in agreement as Kyle handed over the reins. “Saul, I’m grateful for the help you gave me today. I won’t forget it.”

The black man grinned. “You already done enough for me, Massa Kyle. But you oughtta do somethin’ ‘bout that bluff.”

“Tomorrow we’ll fence it off,” Kyle said wearily as he climbed down from the carriage. He had spent the past several hours fetching a doctor to examine Clay and comforting both the child and his mother. Now all he wanted was to find Selena. “Do you know where I can find the mistress?”

“She was here more’n two hours ago, but I ain’t seen her since,” Saul replied. “You want I should see to the hosses?”

“Please. Give them a rubbing down, and then go back to your supper.” He turned to go, but then hesitated. “I understand congratulations are in order. A boy, was it?”

Saul’s mouth split into a wider grin. “Yassuh, Massa Ramsey. A fine boy. An’ the best part is, he’s gone grow up to be a free man.”

Kyle essayed a smile before making his way to the house, his urgency communicating itself in his long stride.

Inside the stable, Selena nearly panicked. She had been saddling her mare when Kyle arrived, so she had overheard most of his conversation. When she heard Saul coming into the stable, she dashed to the far end of the barn and slipped into an empty stall. She couldn’t face Kyle. Her attempt to turn her silver-blond hair to a fiery auburn had ended in disaster, while the desperate courage that had driven her to douse her head with the henna dye had totally deserted her. Now all she wanted to do was weep—and hide. She intended to seek refuge with Bea, if Bea would take her in.

She waited with feverish impatience for Saul to finish tending to the horses. If Kyle was intent on finding her, he might return at any moment. She had left a note for him—which seemed foolish now—saying she was visiting Bea.

Finally, though, Saul completed his task and left the barn. Selena returned to struggle with the heavy sidesaddle, all the while listening for the sound of familiar footsteps.

They weren’t long in coming. Desperately, Selena glanced around the stable, searching for a safe place to hide. Catching sight of the ladder that led to the loft, she scurried up it with a speed she hadn’t believed herself capable of. She had barely scrambled through the straw to the far corner when Kyle entered the barn.