Somewhat mollified they had temporarily cleared the air between them, Alice and Uncas lingered in the park, admiring the bountiful shrubs and flowers. It was lovely to be able to stroll in such colourful, pictureque surrounds. Alice recalled the last time she had indulged in something similar - Nicholas had picked her from her residence in his carriage and they had gone to Hyde Park for a picnic. After indulging in sandwiches and iced tea, they had taken a slow walk, laughing and gossiping about the latest rumours circulating the ton...
"Going elsewhere?" Uncas' question interrupted her trip down memory lane. Was it only a few months ago I was having the time of my life in London? Alice blinked and faced Uncas distractedly, "I beg your pardon?" He reiterated his question and Alice shared she was planning to explore the shops along the main street.
"And you?" she inquired amicably as they made their way out of the park. His lips quirked in a self-deprecating half-smile, "I've got things to do." " I will see you back at the house then." He flicked an errant lock of hair off her face, "Be home before dark." Alice nodded with a smile and they parted ways.
"Does it not matter that Alice is unaware that Uncas is seeking a woman to settle down with?" Cora wondered aloud. She and Nathaniel were in a bookstore. Nathaniel, who was flipping through a book on sonnets, arched a dark brow at her, "It only matters if Alice is planning to be that woman." Cora glared at him haughtily, "Sir, my sister had no lack of suitors back in England. Do not assume your brother is the only man she has ever set her eyes upon."
Nathaniel rolled his eyes at her pompous statement and drawled sarcastically, "I'm sure my brother is the only man who is willing to be hacked to death for your dear sister." Cora couldn't argue with that proven fact so she sniffed derisively in response, "Are you quite done?" Nathaniel snapped the book shut, "Buying this." Cora gaped, "You like sonnets?" "No. But my father does."
Alice traversed the main street aimlessly, stopping at almost every shop, be it a bakery or a florist. There were Indians milling around, obviously hailing from different tribes. She didn't buy much, mindful that her pockets were light. She passed an inn with a quaint little restaurant in its courtyard. It would be wonderful to have supper here.
Sighing, she trudged away from it. Dusk was falling. If she didn't return to the house before dark, she didn't have a doubt that Uncas would set out to comb every nook and cranny of Albany until he found her. At that thought, Alice's heart skipped a beat.
When she arrived at the house, Cora was picking vegetables from the garden with Chincachgook. "Hello." Alice greeted politely. Cora waved her towards the house, "Have your bath before supper." Alice entered the cool interior of the house and was about to go up the staircase to her room when she heard an annoyed grunt. Uncas. The men's room was on the first floor next to the sitting room and she hurried in its direction.
She had guessed right. Uncas was sitting on the bed in the room, changing his bandages in a very awkward, stilted manner. "May I?" Alice offered helpfully. Uncas glanced at her sheepishly, "Nathaniel fell asleep. " True enough, his older brother was snoring softly next to him. As much as Uncas appreciated Alice's concern, he wasn't comfortable with her playing nursemaid, especially under the watchful eyes of his family and her family. Thus, Nathaniel or his father usually helped him if he had difficulty.
Alice disregarded his evident reluctance and plopped herself next to him. Brushing his hands away, she began to unravel his old bandages with efficiency. There had been instances during their journey that she had assisted him so she was quite familiar with the process. As she put in place fresh bandages, she asked curiously without looking up, "Did you find everything you need?" There was a slight pause before he responded casually, "Think so."
When Alice was done, she surveyed the stack of brown packages against the wall. "More supplies?" Uncas shrugged, "Yeah. And some clothes. Bought my father a few shirts." Alice got to her feet, as a wave of shyness washed over her. As much as Nathaniel was present, it felt a little too intimate to be conversing with Uncas in the bedroom. Alice almost snorted at her misguided modesty: she had spent almost every night cuddled close to him during their travels and here she was fretting about being with him with Nathaniel sprawled larger-than-life behind them. " I will see you at supper."
Alice padded into her bedroom and saw a flat package and a silk jewellery pouch on the bed. Her name was neatly written on a plain white card stuck to the package. Mystified, she flipped open the card and in it was scrawled : They are yours. It was signed off with a singular 'U'. Confused further by the cryptic message, she jiggled the pouch open. Her bracelet and necklace tumbled onto the bed. He had redeemed her jewellery.
Touched, she grabbed the package quickly and tore it open. An immaculately folded square of emerald silk greeted her. Alice knew immediately what it was even before she delicately shook out the fabric. It was the dress she had wanted to buy so very badly at the dressmaker's earlier but it had been too expensive for her meagre budget. Uncas must have spotted her through the windows of the shop, pacing in front of the mirror, agonising whether she should make such a frivolous splurge in view of her current financial status.
Alice gazed speechlessly at her jewellery and new gown, hot tears threatening to spill as she considered the unmatched generosity and overwhelming sweetness of his gesture. She had received numerous gifts before but none had moved her so deeply in meaning. They are yours. He hadn't want her to feel indebted; in his opinion, he was simply giving her what he thought was rightfully hers. She loved the dress - so it was hers. And because it was hers, he gave it to her. She was the original owner of the pawned jewellery - so he redeemed them for her. It was that simple.
Alice's soft voice floated across the dining room as she bade Daniel and Marianne good evening. Uncas noticed she was wearing the dark blue gown, her only purchase (besides the shift), from the dressmaker. He had seen her pay for it while looking longingly at the elegant but unaffordable green gown. She had looked stunning when she had tried it on. Thus, Uncas thought it should belong to her. Not that she didn't look fetching in the simpler gown she was wearing now - it was just a different look altogether. Her still-damp hair was swept into a loose chignon and he could smell her rose-infused soap from where he was. It was intoxicating. She was intoxicating.
Alice felt Uncas' gaze from across the dining room. She turned her head into his direction and their eyes clashed: hers bright with emotion, his sparked with admiration. He sauntered around the table to her. "Thank you." She enunciated gratefully. All he did was tilt his head slightly in acknowledgement but the arresting warmth in his eyes told her he thought her beautiful. He didn't need to articulate the compliment and Alice figured he was not in a habit of doing such. But she felt the compliment with every flicker of his eyes, every feather-light touch of his hand as he guided her to her chair and sat her down.
Supper was a light-hearted affair as everyone traded personal anecdotes over steak and potatoes, with Chincachgook updating Daniel on the latest happenings with the Reverend. Marianne asked Alice how she spent her day and Alice mentioned the charming little restaurant in the inn courtyard she had chanced upon. Marianne giggled, "I know exactly which restaurant you are talking about! It is a favourite with courting couples and lovers. Rather romantic with the candlelight." Alice laughed good-naturedly, "It is not a place for me then." The other woman eyed her shrewdly, "If you ask Uncas to go with you, he would. He definitely can afford it." Alice choked on the piece of steak she was munching on and blushed furiously.
Marianne tittered knowingly," One would have to be blind not to notice the way he looks at you. I trust you don't find him repulsive?" Alice gulped in embarrassment, unable to come up with a witty response to that. Fortunately, Uncas was absorbed in a debate with Daniel on the French so he paid no heed to the ladies. Something struck Alice and she figured Marianne would know the answer. Alice cleared her throat tentatively, "Do those sort of establishments...welcome Indians?" Marianne cocked her head ruefully, "Some do, albeit very, very reluctantly. Tons of Indians pass through Albany to trade so even if you do not conduct business with them, it wouldn't be wise to offend them either. But sadly, the grander, fancier hotels turn them away on the spot."
"If you ask Uncas to go with you, he would." Would he? Alice pondered, feeling conflicted. He would have to stomach rude comments and even ruder stares throughout the meal. Can I stomach the stares and comments? Even since Marianne had made the suggestion, Alice felt increasingly inclined to having supper at that inn with Uncas. She admitted to herself she wanted to enjoy something deemed normal to her with him. They had moved to the sitting room to have coffee and tea, when Alice remembered she had a present for Uncas too.
Minutes later, she carefully placed a package on his bed. She turned to leave and let out a squawk when he swaggered through the door. His gaze dropped to the bed briefly before travelling back up to her face. "For me?" He looked adorably astonished. Alice sputtered weakly, "Er... yes. I saw it in a shop and thought it would suit you." Uncas snagged the package and glanced at her, " May I?" At Alice's nod, he ripped the paper to reveal a butter-soft, caramel-hued buckskin shirt. He ran his fingers reverently along the seams. Alice squeaked hesitantly, " Do you like it?"
She had bought him a gift, choosing to sacrifice her own desires. The buckskin shirt was well-made and probably cost almost the same as the green dress he had bought for her. Uncas didn't what to say or how to respond to her stirring gesture. "Thank You" did not seem to suffice. He reached out and grasped her hand. Caressing her wrist affectionately, he replied gravely, "Love it." Alice sighed in happy relief. She didn't pull her hand away but instead tugged his sleeve unconsciously. Her mind seemed faraway.
Alice took a deep breath and announced with finality, "I want us to have supper at the inn." Uncas perused her with narrowed eyes and responded bluntly, "Won't be pleasant." Alice gripped his sleeve tighter, "I'll be fine." Uncas contemplated his decision. He never got affected by racial slurs. Long ago when he and Nathaniel were boys, Chincachgook had said to them, "Do not try to understand them. And do not make them try to understand you. Because they are a breed apart and make no sense."
But it was different for Alice. From being wholly accepted into society, she was going to be treated as a pariah once she stepped out together with him in town. He couldn't imagine how the white people would react if they were seen sharing a meal together at a public place. And there were the Indians to contend with too. They disapproved of such behaviour as much as their pale-skinned counterparts.
Uncas checked her soberly, "Might get nasty." Alice slipped her small hand into his trustingly, "You're here." He felt humbled by her faith in him. If she could summon the courage to make such a decision, it would be cowardice on his part to refuse her. He crushed her delicate fingers in an iron-clad grip, "We'll go tomorrow."
