The Browning of 'Eleanor'
by
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Another Christmas season brings with it the annual Christmas party at ‘Eleanor’. The mansion is beautifully decorated in the spirit of the occasion. People are happy and excited and everyone brings with them special gifts for their loved ones. The Guests have a chance to mingle and catch up on all of the gossip that they have missed out on during the course of the year or last affair. Businessmen gather to discuss their profits and losses. Young single gentlemen are given another opportunity to dance with the single ladies that are still available to call on.
Jock is speaking with Catherine’s uncle William Baker about distributing goods up North when Catherine enters the party from upstairs. Dressed in a strikingly beautiful gown, she slowly descends the staircase very carefully not to make any mistakes. Her petite waste that was distorted by childbearing had returned and she was by far the most beautiful woman at the party. This was her first Christmas as Jock’s wife. It will no longer be appropriate for her to stand in the corners laughing with the single girls. Instead she took her place along side the married woman who discussed things of a different nature: Children, illnesses, and recipes. Although they had very little to do with either, no matter what, they must appear to be happy and gay regardless of how much their hearts was hurting.
Jock noticed Catherine sitting in the midst of all the other married women. She was laughing, talking, and she seemed to be enjoying herself. She fit right in and everyone loved her. She made excellent conversation, and she was the center of attention. Jock was very proud to see how well she was getting along, and for a brief moment he was overwhelmed by the way she carried herself. She caught Jock watching her, and she could tell that he was pleased. She smiled and looked away remembering the conversation that she had earlier with Lorraine. Jock was intrigued. Catherine’s demeanor had taken on a shy and non-aggressive persona and he could hardly keep his eyes off of her. “Jock the party will be over soon enough, and you’ll have plenty of time to spend with Catherine. Ha! Ha!” William said. “She is a beauty Jock. You’re a very lucky man.” Jock excused himself and walked up to Catherine and asked her to dance. When they began to dance, everyone watched in amazement. They danced beautifully together and Lorraine was very proud.
Bess was sitting around the fire waiting for Jock’s return. She wondered if he was having a good time, and again began to regret that she could not attend. Feeling sorry for herself, she wondered if Jock missed her as much as she was missing him. Mattie brought her a cup of tea and waited with her for a while. Bess continued to wait for Jock and he didn’t return, she fell off to sleep.
After the last guest had left the party at the mansion, Lorraine went up to bed and Catherine told Jock goodnight and went up to bed. Jock watched her as she ascended the stairs. When she was out of sight, he followed her up to her room. He knocked on the door. “Who’s there?” She asked. “May I come in Catherine?” Jock requested. “One moment.” Catherine stalled. “You can go now Sadie and thank you.” She excused her. Jock was happy to hear Catherine talk to Sadie politely, and that made him even more attracted to her. Sadie opened the door to leave and Jock walked in. “You’re look wonderful tonight.” Jock told Catherine. “Thank you Jock, that’s very kind of you to say.” She replied. Jock walked over to Catherine. He looked deep into her eyes without saying a word. He unhooked the catches on the back of her dress and it fell to the floor. He untied her undergarments and removed them gently. A quick breeze from the window passed over her breast and called them to attention. Jock picked her up and carried her to the bed. Catherine cried tears of joy induced by her hopes and excitement. “I’ve been waiting for you Jock.” She sighed. “I know, I know.” He replied between passionate kisses and caresses. This was a night that Catherine had been waiting for. This was the first time that she and Jock had made love since they were married. And after tonight, Catherine had fallen hopelessly and helplessly in love with her husband. And from that moment on she had hope that she would finally have the perfect family.
Jock stayed with Catherine until she fell off to sleep. He remembered what Lorraine told him about showing his wife her due courtesies, but he knew in his heart that duty had nothing to do with it. He wanted Catherine for his own selfish pleasures. This night made Catherine feel that she had won, and it felt great to her. Jock knew how she would feel if he made love to her. But it didn’t matter; he was really only thi
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About the Book
Introduction
In the 1800’s the South was a place where North
Americans migrated to for more opportunities to become financially
independent. Others were exiled from
the Northern Colonies for one infraction or another against religious laws and
statutes that had been put into place.
The land in the South was vast and fertile. It had a longer growing season than the land
in the North. The temperature was
milder and slave labor kept the cost of overhead to a minimum.
The Civil War, better know as the war between the
North and the South was instrumental in the demise of the Confederacy. The separation of people was simple. It was based solely on color, creed and
religious background. But race played
the most intricate part. It was unheard
of for Blacks and Whites to marry.
There were plenty of sexual relationships between the races, but when
the situations occurred, it was not made public to most. It was only a suspicion.
Well, Jock and Bess were in love. She was not only his lover but also his
confidant. He was powerful and she was
BI-racial. His family owned her as
property, and he vowed to make her his equal in every way. They knew they could never marry and have a
normal family, but they were closer to it than most conventional families
anywhere and in any time period.
Jock eventually married Arletta Lee Baker, a woman
from Boston. His relationship with Bess
continued and his marriage to a woman that he could never love was insufferable
for the three of them.
The War tore throughout the South and placed it in
ruin. The return of the Soldiers,
mainly Negro, began the transformation of the White owned plantation, into the
Black community.
After Jock was killed in the War, Arletta Lee sought
refuge at the home of Bess. They realized
all they had in common and grew to depend on each other. Arletta Lee eventually returned to Boston
only to realize that the only life that she really knew was on ‘Eleanor’, so
she returned, and she and Bess lived out their lives as best friends.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to
one of my closet and dearest friends who encouraged me to write as a way to
escape all of the pain that I was going through. He sacrificed his own commitments and responsibilities so that I
could keep my sanity.
Thank You Todd Miguel Merchant
Copyright 1993
All rights reserved to Valerie Davis Upton
About the Author
I grew up in New York City. My Grandparents, the late Rev. & Mrs.
Dewey Douglas Stephens lived in Knoxville, Tennessee where I spent most of my
summers and holidays. I graduated from
the University of Tennessee in Knoxville thanks to my parents Mayor and Mrs.
James L. Usry who said I would need an education.
My nephew Daniel Hassler Jr., was the first child in
our family to make me an aunt. I worry
about him everyday and miss him dearly.
He is in the United States Air Force and stationed in Alaska.
I wrote my first poem when I was fifteen years old,
and have written several poems since then.
I began writing The Browning of ‘Eleanor’ when I was going through a
very stressful time in 1990. I was
inspired to write my book by my Grandfather.
He talked with me for hours under his big shady oak tree about the way
‘It’ was.
I enjoy writing very much and I have a lot to
say. I am currently working on another
novel that will let us know what happens to my main characters in ‘The Browning
of ‘Eleanor’.
So...Wish me luck!!
Valerie Ann Davis