Indigo

by Beverly Jenkins

Her name is Hester. Greaton's ledgers say she has been sold to the Sea Islands of the Carolinas to a man named Weston. Find her, Katherine. Move heaven and earth, but find her.

"The catchers who ambushed me boasted of a snake being in Whittaker's garden."

He had noticed her hands, however. Indigo. He'd only seen hands stained like hers a few times. He'd be willing to bet she'd been a slave in the Sea Islands of South Carolina

where he knew the few existing indigo plantations operated. Working the plants to extract the dye turned the palms and backs of the hands of the slaves permanently indigo.

Was the Black Daniel correct? Did her community indeed harbor a traitor?

A combative woman is usually a passionate woman,

Galen thought the name Indigo fit her well. Her hands were the only parts of her he could see without real difficulty.

She found his gentle regard for her feelings surprising, though.

"Love must be a terrible thing."

"Smells female."

...pardon?

"My mother did this a few days after I was born. She and my father hoped it would make me distinctive enough to be found by my aunt."

"Not many more, but enough where we can always get a head start, hopefully,"

Foreshadowing?

Galen had met women all over the world but none drew him like this woman with her diamond-black eyes and indigo hands.

Galen was well accustomed to flustering women, but Hester made him feel differently about his prowess. Unlike the calculating women he sometimes attracted, Hester's show was no act. She drew him to explore what else that innocence might encompass. Had she ever been kissed?

"Never go without for my benefit again."

Ugh king

God she was beautiful. Even with his limited vision, he had no difficulty discerning that fact.

She found him lounging in her grandfather's big black porcelain bathing tub.

FORCED PROXIMITY LETS GOOOO😤😤

In spite of her previous denials, she found herself attracted to Galen.

Hester glanced over at Lovejoy's Folly as if it might provide a clue to what Galen had been thinking, but of course it could not.

Foreshadow?

"Does he love you?" "You're an awfully curious man," she pointed out with a smile.

the plain truth was that she was afraid of love, he realized.

"I won't let it be. There's not a portion of your body that isn't beautiful, Hester Wyatt."

😩

Now come on over here and play with me."

👀

"These are serious times." "Yes, they are, which is why it's important to seek out humor and beauty whenever possible. If we don't, we'll all be buried beneath the weight of the misery."

"You're supposed to be sleep!" "And you're supposed to be in your bedroom, not down here ...nude..."

MORE FORCED PROXIMITY. YEAHHHH👏👏

His mouth brushed her lips, and he gathered her in closer. She came willingly, rising up on her bare toes to meet his lips.

He didn't want her to be afraid of this—or of him.

"This is only adieu. I'll be back soon."

She doubted she would ever see him again.

An unknown side of herself had been brought to life by Galen's spell, and Hester had no desire to free that woman ever again. The real Hester had no time for mud pies and men who whispered passion in steamy, shadow-filled kitchens.

Hester gently peeled it open and read: "My dear Indigo. Thank you for the land. Galen."

That night, Hester lay sleeping in her bed unaware that Galen sat in a chair in the shadows watching her sleep.

Okay, Edward.

Why would he willingly waste valuable time and money trying to track a traitor in a place like Whittaker when there were far more important issues in need of his attention in other parts of the country? He knew the answer—Hester.

dragon.

Power, strength, hidden knowledge

The idea of wearing them for his eyes alone was as thrilling as it was inappropriate.

In Hester's mind, it was just one more tragic example of the painful side of love. Marrying Foster for companionship seemed to be a much better choice.

"Hester, I've taken a wife." Hester's eyes widened.

Good. Fuck off Foster.

For the first time, Hester noted that the seats were the color of indigo.

That night, as she prepared for bed, she knew that above all else she was going to have to avoid Galen; if she didn't she'd be in love with him before her summer flowers bloomed.

"I fell victim to an accident this past fall. The woman who nursed me was a Free Producer. I developed a fondness for the syrup, and for her."

He kissed her fully and Hester was unable to deny him anything.

A small smile lifted his thin moustache.

Nooo😭 not the thin mustache

From all you've told me of her past, and after seeing her here tonight, I say either offer to marry her or leave her be.

she knew deep in her heart that she did love him.

And as for her fear, she told herself that during her years on the Road she'd faced numerous real dangers: slave catchers, dogs; being afraid of her feelings was silly. She was a full-grown woman, and if Galen broke her heart, she'd undoubtedly survive.

A heartbeat later, Galen Vachon stepped smoothly through the portal and into her room.

YEAHHH

"Of course you do. You will always have a choice."

Ugh feminist king

After we marry, it will be different." Hester sat up and blinked. "Galen, I'm not marrying you!" "Yes," he said, "you probably are." "No, I'm not."

"I'll have Raymond order you a new mattress. This one feels as if it's filled with rocks."

I love that we still have the gift giving, vague CEO trope in the 1850s.

Gail smiled. "We are. I came back here to get some clothing. There's a coach outside waiting. We didn't get much sleep either."

Plz tell me they fucked.