CHAPTER 21—ARRIVAL

 

3 OCTOBER 1856

As the mother of the groom, it is my duty to look to certain preparations - even if I am a mere bystander in this whole affair.

Rufus and Miss Mattie’s engagement came with an inheritance from her deceased father, to be received on her 18th birthday. Mrs. Slayden is advancing funds from the estate to help with the construction of a new home and payment for the land. It touches my heart that Mrs. Slayden sees my son as not only a worthy husband for her daughter but also as a good man.

Though Mattie might defer to him in most matters, Rufus is disinterested in furnishing the house, primarily because he is preoccupied with his dental practice. This leaves him unmotivated to tend to the details. As a solution, Joe has taken charge of overseeing the construction while Miss Mattie handles furnishing and decorating. 

I have invited Rufus’ fiancee to stay with us during the building process because her family plantation outside of Montgomery is too distant for her to oversee the project. I am anxious to know her better. She seems like a refined young lady, yet I hope she has not lost the spunk I observed the last time I saw her. 

As I write this, the carriage bearing Miss Mattie is approaching. Then I see her delicate gloved hand emerge as the footman assists her descent. Her dark curls peek out from beneath a fetching bonnet, and her eyes sparkle as she takes in the facade of our home. I wonder if she will find it too rustic. Though nice for Greensboro, it does not rival the stately manse from which she comes.

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I settled Miss Mattie into the girls’ bedroom. Our two younger daughters are away at school, and our Annie is staying with a fellow Greensboro Academy teacher. I wanted her to experience the best we could offer, and a large bedroom to herself is a luxury from what I have learned.

I sensed a hint of nervousness beneath her poised exterior. Perhaps she, too, harbors uncertainties about this new chapter in her life. 

As I watched her servants Lucy, and Lucy’s daughter Louisa, unpack the young lady’s trunks, I could not help but notice the fine quality of her dresses and linens. Each piece was carefully folded and wrapped in tissue paper, speaking to a life of privilege and refinement. I wondered how she will adjust to the simpler ways of our household.

“Miss Mattie, I hope everything will be to your liking here. Please let me know if you need anything.”

She turned to me with a gracious smile. “Thank you, Mrs. LeBois. You are very kind. I am sure I shall be quite comfortable.” 

I placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “My dear, this must be a big change for you. Please know that you may come to me with any concerns or questions.”

“Louisa,” I turned to the younger Slayden slave, “you and I share the same name. Your parents gave you a suitable one, I dare say.”

She glanced shyly at me. Although only fourteen, she loomed over me.

“Missus, Miz Slayden named me.”

“Well, then, I cannot take credit for her naming you after me, since I had not yet met her when you were born.” She nodded.

I have yet to discuss with Miss Mattie what role her two servants will play while among our family. We do not need another cook. But I believe Louisa will be a great help to both Sally and Ellen in managing their children, while Lucy can tend to her mistress’ needs.

I watched as Louisa fidgeted with her apron, her eyes darting about the room. I sought to lessen her discomfort. “Do not be nervous. You will find our household to be a warm and welcoming place.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and a hint of a smile touched her lips. “Missus, I do my bes’ to be he’pful.”

“Come,” I gestured towards the door. “Let me show you to the garden. I think Sally is there, gathering herbs for our supper.”

As we stepped into the sunlit garden, the fragrant scent of lavender and rosemary enveloped us. Luckily, we have not experienced a frost. Several plants are still alive, and pears are still ripe for picking.

Sally was indeed there, her basket half-full of fresh herbs, her brow furrowed in concentration as she handpicked each sprig.

“Sally, dear,” I called softly, not wishing to startle her. She looked up, her face brightening as she saw us approach.

“This is Louisa.” I urged the young servant forward. “She has come with Miss Mattie and will be assisting you and Ellen with your children.”

Sally’s warm smile seemed to ease the young slave’s remaining tension. “Oh, how wonderful!” she exclaimed, setting down her basket and wiping her hands on her apron. “We can always use help with the babes.”

I felt a small sense of relief. It was heartening to see the two connect so quickly, especially given Louisa’s initial shyness. Perhaps this arrangement will work out well for everyone involved.

“Louisa,” Sally beckoned, “will you help me finish gathering these herbs? I can show you which ones we use most often in our cooking.”

Louisa nodded eagerly, her earlier nervousness seeming to melt away in the face of Sally’s friendliness. As the two bent their heads together over the herb garden, I could not help but smile at the scene.

I was pulled from my reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning, I saw Miss Mattie making her way towards us, her pale blue dress a stark contrast against the vibrant autumn foliage.

“Mrs. LeBois,” her voice called out, sweet as honey, “I hope I am not causing any inconvenience. I would like to take a walk in the garden if that is alright. There are things I must sort out, and walking helps me think.”

“Of course, Miss Mattie. Our home and gardens are at your disposal, as they practically belong to you.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Practically belong to her?

Images from the Jane Austen novels swirled in my mind, where family fortunes were at stake and everything hinged on the death of a relative and their subsequent inheritances. Would the protagonist be dependent on an allowance from the selfish eldest son and his controlling wife?

But of course, John and I are not planning on dying anytime soon. I just considered the Austen parallel because Samuel has no intention of returning to Alabama, while Rufus plans to stay in Greensboro. So, naturally, he will inherit the house.

Miss Mattie comes from a wealthier family than ours, but as the youngest daughter, she may not receive a significant share of her parents’ estate. Any potential inheritance from her mother’s side may be less than what she would gain as my son’s wife. He is not only a successful dental surgeon, but his father’s cotton gin business is booming, and our house and landholdings are quite valuable.

“Pardon me, Mrs. LeBois… Mrs. LeBois?”

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I wonder if this has always been a part of me. Do I have a tendency to drift away, ignoring those around me? It made me question whether I was truly present in my life or just a spectator, observing from afar.

“Oh, Miss Mattie, I was just thinking about Jane Austen.”

Her eyes sparkled as she replied, “Truly? We studied her works at the academy. While some dismiss romantic fiction as lacking in intellectual depth, we approached it as a social commentary.”

As we strolled through the garden together, surrounded by the scents of rosemary and earthy soil, I could not help but feel grateful for such a future daughter-in-law. Our conversations would surely be stimulating and thought-provoking.

I paused to gently squeeze her hand, conveying my appreciation for her. With the warm sun on our skin and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves, I felt as content as an Austen character after a satisfying meal, curled up by the fire with a good book.