1785.
Barnabas is embracing his mistress, Angelique. He says that in spite of what his father or his uncle Jeremiah wants, he will marry her. The problem is his mother whose health is fragile, and who may not bear the possibility of scandal in the family. Angelique says that she understands, but we catch a glimpse of desperation in her eyes.
Naomi and Abigail are preparing the house to receive Jeremiah and her new wife, Josette. Naomi laments that Jeremiah is marrying so soon after the deaths of his wife and daughter. Abigail mutters that those deaths were God's punishment for harboring an enemy of religion.
"What do you mean?"
"That Papist that you hired to teach the children"
"Phyllis Wick is a good woman, and a good governess."
"She is a Papist, and brings pestilence where she goes." "Just remember that Jeremiah's new wife is also a Catholic."
"More wickedness under this roof."
Nathan Forbes is courting Millicent Collins who is beguiled by his words.
"I wish I could believe that your beautiful words are true."
"Believe it, Millicent."
Joshua comes by.
"She is not the great heiress you think she is. She may get SOME money, but if I was chasing fortunes I would look somewhere else."
"Sir, I truly love your niece, and money does not enter in my considerations."
"In marriage, money always enters into consideration. Never trust a man who denies it."
Angelique is alone, and we see a figure form in her mirror. It is Nicholas Blair who smiles at her.
"You know of the price."
"He will marry me."
"Men are fickle and another woman may cross his path. "
"He is not! He loves me."
Nicholas smiles "Ah, you water nymphs, always ready to fall in love with a mortal man, and to gain an immortal soul. And always failing."
"He will marry me!"
Phyllis Wick is weeping silently in a corner, as Barnabas passes by.
"Was Aunt Abigail unkind to you again?"
"She... she took my rosary. Tore it from me, saying that she would not have idolatry in this house!"
"I will see that she gives it back."
Joshua and Abigail have a spat.
"You can go to your backwoods preacher all you like, and spend hours on your knees praying but you will not insult Jeremiah's wife! Not if you want to keep a roof over your head!"
"He would not dare!"
"He would if you provoke him."
"He has no right!"
"By our Father's will, he has the right, as he has that of throwing me out, along with my wife and children. So, be pleasant to Josette when she comes."
Angelique is weeping, trying to tell herself that Nicholas is wrong, that Barnabas loves her. She takes out the potion that he uses to make her love him.
"So little left...And when it is gone, so will his love. Why can't he love me for myself?"
"Daughter!"
She turns to see the Spirit of the River, who looks at her with sad eyes.
"Father!" she runs to him.
"My daughter. I see you going to your ruin, and cannot help you."
"He loves me! He will love me!"
"If he does not, if he brings you harm, he will be punished."
He gives her a glass globe. "There is revenge there, my daughter. It will not change your fate, but you will know that thosee who did this to you will suffer for it."
Daniel and Sarah are playing under the eyes of Phyllis Wick. She has her rosary back, and begins praying.
"You should not do that, Miss Wick. Miss Abigail will see you. She has eyes on the back of her head." Ben Stokes says to her.
"You are right." Phyllips puts it away. "I heard that Mr. Joshua emanciapated you, that you are a free man."
"No, not free yet. I am an indentured servant." He sighs, a bit cynical. "It is not well seen to own slaves, even if you buy and sell them oversees. But he is not willing to part with my labor, nor pay me wages, so I am an indentured servant."
"Indentures run out. My own grandparents were indentured servants. And before that, we were slaves. Our family was sold into slavery by Cromwell, cursed be his name, when he invaded Ireland. We were slaves, then, after a while indentured servants, and now I am a free woman. As free as a woman with no money can be. Maybe my children, if I have them will be better off."
"Maybe I can be really free if Mr. Barnabas convinces Mr. Joshua to let me go..."
"Really, Barnabas, I have put up with your nonsense long enough!" Joshua shouts at his son. "What is it this time? Encourage your friend Forbes to court Cousin Millicent? Release Ben Stokes from his bond and pay him wages, as if he were a white man? Marry your blonde strumpet? And let's not talk about all the abolinionst literature you bring in. Have you forgotten that the slave trade is our bread and butter? Do you think that Jeremiah will put up with more of your nonsense? I will not be turned out of this house because my son has no sense in his stupid head."
"Father!"
" I don't want to listen to your speeches. I do not want to know about how Forbes is a brave gallant officer who fought for our country. I do not want to know what a stalwart fellow Ben Stokes is! And I do not want to know about your strumpet! Bed her if you wish, but you will NOT marry her. Not unless you want to kill your mother."
"You refuse to listen to reason!"
"It is you who refuse to listen! This is not your house. This is Jeremiah's house, and we live by his rules... And when he comes back, you will be pleasant to his wife, and make no snide comments about the slaves in her plantation. It is no concern of yours!"