Chapter Fourteen

                                    

                                          

Elijah held Jacqueline's hand as they made their way to the house. He stopped and called out to her, "Ayo, please return to your room, I shall be calling on you shortly to fulfill your duties."
                          
'That Bastard!' Ayo though as she watched them leave, to think that she was so easily set aside. She could tear his heart out, but anger would do no good at this moment. She returned to the house stomping all the way back to her room. She was seething. His moment of kindness was false. The most terrible thing about it was that she believed him. What a fool! She would no longer buy into his lies; she would see that he was justly rewarded for his treachery.
                          
Meanwhile, Elijah sat in the dining room in his own personal hell. Surrounded by enemies on all sides. His family and Jacqueline's all pressuring him, all planning for him to take a leap, right off a cliff... into a marriage with Jacqueline. He could not quite figure out which of the two was worst. Personally, he would rather the cliff. Jacqueline was quiet most of the evening, which was rather unlike her. Perhaps it was something about seeing him with Ayo in a way he never was with that her, that set her off. She was plotting; he could almost see the wheels spinning in her devious little head. Thankfully, it all ended quickly and Jacqueline's family left not too long after dinner was over, but something Jacqueline said haunted his thoughts into the night.
                          
As he walked her to the door, she whispered to him and with each word her nails dug deeper into his exposed skin on his arm, "I do not expect that next time I visit, you will shame me again. I will not play second fiddle to an ape." Her voice was full of malice and prejudice. A woman she had but seen and never spoke too or knew nothing about. She was sure to tell her family of this and then they would speak to his. He would have to reign in his activities with Ayo, keep them more subtle. He had admitted to himself that what he did this afternoon was not well thought out. Yes, he knew Jacqueline would be coming to dinner, but he did not care. He wondered what major consequences such a small action would cause.
                          
He sat with his father by the fireplace in the parlor; his mother and sister had already retired for the evening. He wondered if he should tell him. What good would it come to? He decided it was worth trying.
                          
"Father, I must speak candidly with you."
                          
Thorne sat cross-legged on the armed chair opposite Elijah sipping some wine and enjoying the quiet of the evening. He knew ever since the start of this evening's supper that his son was not well.
                          
"Have you ever spoken to me any other way? What is that matter my boy?"
                          
"Father, Jacqueline saw me with Ayo this afternoon," Elijah said with eyes cast to the fire.
                          
"Caught you kissing her did she?" Thorne asked.
                          
"No, we were playing with the children. She seemed quite disturbed to see it. I fear Ayo too at this moment also despises Jacqueline... and particularly me."
                          
"Well son, you cannot expect your wife-to-be and mistress to get along. A man would be in heaven or hell I dare say if such a thing were to occur. Keep Jacqueline away from Ayo. She will try something unseemly I just know it. She has never been one on steady moral ground."
                          
"Speaking of the fairer sex, I have heard from Marco Delrina, my old friend from the embassy, you remember him? He is investigating the disappearance of Chief Tau's daughter. Tau is a high Chief of The Gambia. He is a very important dignitary to the British because of his wealth in gold and ivory. They believe she has been kidnapped and sold into slavery. They believe she may be here in this state. From their reports, this is a very rare and beautiful woman, whose looks would immediately give her away. They are offering an enormous sum for her return. Do you have reason to believe Eli that Ayo could be this girl? She fits the description after all. If Ayo is this girl, are you prepared to do what is necessary?"
                          
Elijah gave a forlorn look to his father. His face only said one thing, he would never let Ayo go. "I am not sure father; we will cross that bridge when we come to it."
                          
"In that case, take your father's advice for once and go straight to bed."