My Brown-Skinned Southern Belle
"Marianne what's taking so long?" Connor demanded, getting ready to leave, the two planed on going out but it's taking a rather long time for his date to get ready.
He probably couldn't tell his men this, but he enjoyed their moments together even if they couldn't show their affection in public. It was this or be killed by his own people. It was hard to be the Confederate States of America and to love a woman who is a slave-in his 'country's' eyes- without anyone knowing.
Tonight he had something important to tell her, but he couldn't until they got to their destination soon.
"I'm sorry it took me so long," Marianne said as she ran down the stairs "I couldn't decide what to wear." That's great now she was out of breath. Connor just stood there admiring her thinking 'Even in a simple dress she looks beautiful'.
She had decided on a royal blue long sleeve dress-she made herself- with a white sash around her waist. Since it would be colder than normal that night she also wore her favorite white coat; that's only because he bought it for her. Her long hair was put into a neat braided bun held in by a white ribbon, with some parts of her hair hanging out. And so her feet wouldn't be cold, a pair of black boots with a two-inch heel that only brought her up to his shoulder.
"Ready to go?" he asked, staring at her, making her stutter "Y-you're staring at me." She said covering her face, feeling it heat up, and looking away. He walked towards her , "I can't help it, you're too beautiful not to look at", he stated brushing her hair, making her face him.
"Come on, I want to tell you something but we have to get there first." She nodded and followed him out the door.
At the Docks
"Connor, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Marianne asked. His back was turned so she couldn't see his somber expression. So he tried to be as calm as he could be and took out a butterfly knife. All the while he was shaking.
"Connor what's that for?" Marianne asked nervously as he walked toward her. He then placed the knife in her hand and closed it. "It's for protection", he told her, "and to remember me by". He motioned to the ships docked "That ship there is going to Africa…" he paused trying to keep his composure "I want you to get on it".
Marianne was too shocked to say anything. "I know what you're thinking, but it's the only way", Connor started, "but things are going to start getting dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt". "If that's the case" Marianne started and smiled "then I'll go, but first." She then took the white ribbon she always wore out of her hair, letting it fall loosely around her. "Here….to remember me by." She said handing him the ribbon. She got on the boat and never saw him again.