Napoleon's Gift Read Online Free PDF Page A

bien-aimée douce . Although I have not always been able to show it, I have. Ye were born of a great love, even if some of the people here would not accept it. I have loved no other woman, but yer mother, and it shall remain thus, until I take my last breath, and I am with her again.” He said smiling, and I nodded.
    I was not sure what I was supposed to feel.
    He had always seemed so distant from me, that his revelation not only shocked me, but frightened me as well.
    What would the people here do, if they knew I was his only living relative?
    He went into a series of coughs, so bad that Abel leaned him forward, then began to hit him upon his back. I saw the blood, gasped, then looked up at Abel.
    Abel nodded towards the door, and I got up.
    “No, wait!” Mr. Jones wheezed, and I paused. “Know that I have loved ye always.” He commanded fiercely, I nodded, felt the sting of tears, and Abel waved me from the room.
    When I came out his bedchamber, Granny was there to embrace me.
    “ Pourquoi as-tu ne me dis jamais rien de tout cela! ” Why did you never tell me any of this, I yelled at my grandmother, and she frowned.
    “Because child, ce n’était pas mon histoire à raconteur. ” It was not my story to tell, my Granny wailed, and I sat down on the settee.
    “For twenty- six years, he says he has loved me? That is very hard to believe Grand-mère.”
    “ No it aien’t babé. He has, and I can bare witness to it. He loved my daughter, with a love only few in this world find. The minute you were born, he wanted you with him, and you were, until these white folks, mind you, not French, began to talk. Your father is a very wealthy man mon amour , and half of these people owe him plenty. You could never have what they want legally, but that still does not mean you would be safe to live that way. Especially, if he willed it to you. They’d sooner kill you first, which is the reason he’s sent for Ben.”
    “But wh y Benjamin Granny? I am not sure if I remember him.” I lied, and Granny frowned. Of course, I remembered him; he was the first boy I ever loved. However, he broke my heart, and I have wanted to loathe him ever since, on the contrary I cannot. Not to mention, it was 13 ½ years ago. I was sure he was a fine sort of a man by now though. I could not even imagine what he appeared like now; even then, he was very striking.
    I sighed as my Granny smiled.
    “You were approximately thirteen I daresay, when last Mr. Ben was here. Think back child, I know you recollect him.” She said as she motioned us towards the stairs.
    “My world, him!” I pretended, she nodded, and I smiled.
    Benjamin had the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. They reminded one of the skies on a clear summer’s day. The dark looks and light eyes made for a very fetching combination. I remembered all the neighboring plantation girls vying for him. However, when we first met, he struck me as very studious, and serious, because he was always carrying a book.
    “Yes, and Mr. Jones has willed everything to him, and he is to take care of this plantation, and its people. My only hope, is that he’ll agree to it.” Granny sighed, and I frowned.
    “You mean he doesn’t want to?”
    “I’m not sure if want is the word chil, he has a life far from here, so I have no notions how that will affect what Mr. Jones has done. I am not as young as I used to be, and someone will need to run this plantation, or sell it. Moreover, I hope above all hope, that it will not be that foul Mr. Charles. He has been after Mr. Jones to sell it to him for years now. However, I believe it is only to get to you chil.” Granny said, and I gasped.
    “You knew?”
    “Yes, I’ve been watching him for some time now. Why did you not tell me chil?” She wailed, and I sighed.
    “I didn’t want to worry you, anymore than you already were.”
    “This I needed to know.” Granny frowned. “Now, we need to make plans, encase this all goes to pot. I cannot go