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would bring out truths and honesty now. Elizabeth had ruined his last night at home, and any sympathy he may have felt for her had disintegrated into a desire for cold and determined declarations.
    “Handel, you and the others go have some pie. I’ll call you when I need you, and tell Master Hendry I’ll be with him shortly.”
    “Yes, sir, Massa Jacob,” Handel said. He ushered the servants from the room and then threw a disapproving look in Elizabeth’s direction before he closed the door behind him.
    “Did you see the way that nigger looked at me? Why it’s shameful! Sometimes he looks at me like he’s white! You’re weak, Jacob. He needs to be given a good whupping.”
    “You will not lay a hand on my slaves. Do you hear me?”
    “That’s what they need. Why, anyone would think you liked them.”
    Jacob banged his fist on the table and then breathed deeply. He would get nowhere if he didn’t calm himself. “My God, what is wrong with you? Why did you have to ruin my family’s last meal together? Couldn’t you have waited until we were alone?”
    “How dare you ask me what’s wrong. You’ve been perfectly horrid to me, and you know it. I’m ashamed to call myself your wife. You’ve ruined my reputation. Why, I can hardly look at anyone in the street anymore.”
    “I doubt that’s true,” Jacob said sarcastically.
    “It is true! Folks I’ve known all my life pity me. I can hear them whispering about me behind my back, saying you know where that Carver bitch is – so tell me, is it true? Have you seen her?”
    “Yes, it is true – I have seen her. I love her, Elizabeth, and I can say that to you without fear of causing injury because you, madam, have made it abundantly clear that you have no measure of affection for me. You don’t love me; you never have. You wanted to be mistress of Stone Plantation, but even this isn’t enough for you …”
    “Of course it’s not enough! How can I be the rightful mistress when my husband is hankerin’ after another woman, and Belle, taking it upon herself to challenge my orders around here? It’s quite apparent that she’s favoured by the house niggers.” Elizabeth’s pale cheeks were flushed, her eyes flashed dangerously, and her shoulders were hunched forward. “So you finally admit, she’s still alive – and you dare to ask me why I don’t love you or lie with you.”
    “That’s enough, Elizabeth. I don’t want to talk about Mercy,” Jacob warned.
    “I’m not finished. Any fool knows that a well-used prostitute is filled with disease. Shame on you, Jacob Stone! You’ve broken every wedding vow the good Lord gave to man. I feel as if I’ve been stabbed in the back by your entire family. How dare you bring that English whore here. Margaret, that dear woman, is not even allowed to come to tea with me. She told me all about Mercy Carver.”
    “I very much doubt that …”
    “Carver was a prostitute in Liverpool – and don’t you go telling me that you didn’t know, Jacob Stone. Don’t you dare! I knew she was a bad influence on Belle the moment I saw her prance into your drawing room as if she owned the place. Dear Lord, to think I could have had any man in the county and I chose you. I don’t believe I could have lowered myself any further when I married into your family.”
    Jacob struck the table with his fist again, vibrating the plates and condiments. “Enough. Enough! I’ve done all the listening I’m going to do. You obviously regret marrying me, so why don’t we dissolve the marriage, such as it is? I’ll have papers drawn up in the morning before I leave.” He now sat in a relaxed pose, breathing deeply and trying desperately not to display the depth of his rage. The conversation would lead him to a satisfactory conclusion, he thought, but only if he remained calm and respectful to the irate woman sitting across from him.
    “Why, I do believe you would like that. Divorcing me would give you the freedom to marry