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La Belle Christiane

2011 copyright by Lyn Cote

All rights reserved

Chapter Ten, Scene 3

Outside the worshipers gathered informally in groups. The Richardsons paused to talk to several, introducing Christiane as they went. Christiane made little attempt to remember names, but she tried to be cordial to all.  She loved the Richardsons and these were the people that they loved. The talk meandered around babies, harvests and livestock. Just as they were about to leave, the “rebel” John Mark came up to be introduced.

He smiled down at her. She knew that a Friend would never be forward enough to give a flattering greeting, but his smile said volumes. She did not wish to encourage him, but because he had spoken in favor of the Revolution Christiane gave him a polite curtsey and smile in return.

Sarah Anne spoke up brightly, “John Mark, why does thee not come and have dinner with us?”

He smiled again. “Sarah Anne, I would never turn down an invitation to sit at thy table. Please let me go over and tell my aunt Patience and then I will follow thee home.”

Sarah with Jean Claude in her arms, Christiane, and Josiah got into their wagon and soon John Mark was riding beside them on a fine black gelding. He did not speak to Christiane, but he whenever he caught her eye, he smiled. Sarah and her husband kept up a friendly exchange with him and Christiane maintained her cordial, though formal demeanor.

Back in the kitchen Jean Claude ran happily over to his small wooden box of toys in the corner. While the routine of First Day might be a mystery to his mother, he knew it well. Over an hour of stillness left him ready to play. Soon wooden horses were galloping across the bare floor. Sarah chuckled while she watched him as she busied herself over the hearth.                                                 “John Mark is very well thought of hereabouts,” Sarah offered.

“Oh.”

“He inherited quite a large farm from his father a few years ago and runs it quite well.”

“Yes.”

“Everyone thought he was going to marry Katherine Smith last year, but the engagement never took place.”

“I see.” Christiane did not like the drift of these comments.

Then a burst of brisk fall air rushed in. The men came in from the stable, silencing any further talk. The two farmers sat by the fire while Sarah put the final touches on the meal and Christiane set the table. Christiane surveyed the table with its white linen cloth, the pewter plates, heavy china cups, old silver, and the bouquet of fall wildflowers that Josiah had brought his wife the day before. The set table reminded her of the family here: plain, solid, pure.

“Come to the table,” the cook announced as she arranged the large steaming bowls and platter.

Hearing Sarah’s summons and smelling the aromas of roast and corn, the toddler left his horses and climbed up on the bench across from Christiane. As always, he kept the table between him and the newcomer. Christiane was stabbed with a longing to hold her son. The men took chairs at each end. A solemn grace was performed and the eating began.

“Thee has not come to meeting before, Christiane?” the guest asked.

“No,” Christiane answered stiffly.

“But we are hoping she will attend with us each week,” Sarah put in quickly. Christiane looked down to hide her negative reaction.

“That will be up to Christiane,” Josiah moderated.

“I understand thy husband was a soldier,” John Mark continued.

“Yes, I appreciated your position this morning. I hope some aid can be extended to soldiers’ families. I know, from personal experience, how great the need can be.” It cost Christiane something to say this. She still did not want to remember the days in which she had been in dire need, but she could not forget them.

“Many people offered contributions after meeting,” the young man said. “I do not think it will be too difficult to locate those in need and provide for them.”

“We should help all who are in need regardless of politics,” Josiah commented firmly and Sarah smiled in agreement.

“Thee would even help a redcoat if he came to thy door, wouldn’t thee, Josiah?” John Mark said in an admiring way.

“Of course. A uniform makes no difference.”

“That is something I admire about thee, Josiah. Old Nathan today questioned whether I was being seduced by this conflict. I don’t know. All I know is that sometimes I am so angry at London for putting us all in this position….” His voice went on and Josiah responded periodically, but the conversation proceeded without Christiane.

Anger and disbelief welled up in her. The British were the enemy! They had killed her Jacob and caused her terrible hardships. She despised them and she was not ashamed of her feelings. The Revolution must succeed or all her future plans were for naught and all she had suffered would be in vain! She glanced at the two men and Sarah. She thought she knew them so well, but did she? Their “meeting” this morning baffled her still.

“Christiane, is something wrong with thy food?” Sarah asked. “Thee has stopped eating.”

“No, no, I was just thinking,” stammered Christiane. Sarah Anne smiled in such a way that Christiane could not miss her meaning. Inwardly Christiane gasped. She thinks I am interested in this man!

With as much aplomb as Christiane could command, she resumed eating and the conversation around her began again. Christiane and Sarah locked eyes briefly. Evidently it was about time that the Richardsons were told that she was engaged to Captain Henry Lee of the Virginia Lees and that she intended on taking Jean Claude back to Washington’s headquarters soon.

At last the meal ended. Jean Claude, full of potatoes and gravy, laid his head on his grandmother’s lap. She lovingly stroked his hair and almost immediately, he sighed and was asleep. Carefully she gathered him in her arms and carried him upstairs for his nap. Christiane followed and watched as Sarah gently tucked him into his little trundle bed next to Sarah and Josiah’s huge four-poster. Sarah left and for a few moments Christiane let herself admire him. He was so precious, but when would he let her show him how she cared?

When she came downstairs, John Mark and the Richardsons were waiting by the door for her. John Mark spoke up, “Christiane, it has been good to meet thee.” She offered him her hand, curtseyed and murmured some indistinct pleasantry in French. He shook her hand honestly and said his thank-yous and farewells. Josiah went out with him. Sarah began to clear the table.
“Sarah Anne, about John Mark–” Christiane began.

“Oh, I am sorry, Christiane, for being so obvious,” Sarah interrupted. “It is just that….” Christiane waited, surprised at Sarah’s quick apology. Sarah shook her head absently and pressed her lips together and continued her cleaning up. Finally she motioned Christiane to sit with her by the fire. “Christiane, I think it’s time that we talked.”

Christiane agreed silently and sat down. Gently Sarah’s wrinkled and spotted hands took Christiane’s small, white ones. “Thee does not know what thy coming into our lives has done for us. We did not know we were sitting in a dark room till thee came in and brought the sunlight–thee and thy son. We had no kin left. And our sons had died so young and so long ago that we had forgotten the joy of children, the joy of looking forward to the future. Except for thee and Jean Claude, Josiah and I are all alone.”

Josiah had come in, unnoticed. “I thought we would tell her together, Sarah?” he queried softly.

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