April in Port-au-prince wasn't much different than any other time save for late summer when the threat of hurricanes was more prevalent. With the threat of the Bright Star pirates around Hispaniola gone, trade was abundant. Merchant ships came and went with impunity and even increased their slave trade with Jamaica and Cuba. Peru and Brazil were also interested and took a considerable number of African slaves. The slavers were in their glory.

Alicia stood in the kitchen of her father's house and watched as the food supplies were delivered and organized in the fruit cellars. Two muscular Africans carried the crates of foodstuffs under the scrutiny of Tandy, the Francorte housemaid. When they left, Alicia asked Tandy if they could talk.

"When Missy Francorte wants talk, I talk."

"That's kind of what I wanted to talk about, Tandy. I would dearly love to have you just start a conversation with me. Tell me something about yourself or your family."

"Not my place, Missy, an I hain't got no family anymore. My daddy was killed on the boat coming here when I was jest a chick. My momma was sent someplace else."

"Oh, I'm truly sorry to hear that. Why do you not try and leave?"

Tandy looked a little shocked at the question then answered truthfully. "No place to go, Missy. Runaways gets strapped if they's women. Men gets hung."

The tone of hopeless acceptance made Alicia cringe. She thought back to Hollick's sarcastic toast when they first met and wondered, if the tables were turned, what would she do. She said a brief goodbye and left the kitchen, holding her skirts as she ran up the stairs to the front hall and out the door.

******

Private Daniel Benson tugged at his uniform jacket, straightened his hat and squared his shoulders as he watched the Governor's daughter come down the hill. He had just been relieved of guard duty and was taking his free time to the tavern in town. He quickened his step, hoping to arrive at the intersection at the same time as the woman.

"Good morning, Miss Francorte." He said, fast stepping the last few feet.

"Good morning, Private."

"Daniel Benson, ma'am."

"Good morning, Private Benson." She smiled to herself, quite aware of the strategy he was trying to employ.

"Are you going to town, ma'am?"

"Yes, I wish to see Captain Woodcuffe." She slowed a bit, allowing him to keep up without running.

"Ah. May I escort you?" Daniel was all over himself hoping for more time with the beautiful young woman.

Alicia thought for a moment then decided, any connection within the marines or the navy could only be beneficial. "Certainly, and thank you for your chivalrous offer."

Beaming, Private Daniel Benson offered his arm, and to his everlasting gratitude, Alicia gave him hers.

"Ah- uhm- glorious day, is it not?"

"Lovely. The blooms are magnificent and the garden smells delicious."

He fingered his collar feeling a strange effect from her words.

"Do you have business in town, Private?"

"No... uh well not really, I'm on relief from duty."

"I see. And you chose to spend that relief escorting me."

He pried his collar away from his neck and tried to moisten his dry mouth. "I- well..." Spit it out you clumsy fool! "I cannot think of a more pleasant way to spend relief- my relief, ma'am- Miss Francorte."

She laughed musically and squeezed his arm. "You may call me, Alicia... Daniel."

******

Captain Woodcuffe had just returned from sea and Alicia wanted any news he might have about Hollick. There was none, and the news about the hurricane was upsetting. She thanked him and left. Outside the Captains quarters, Private Benson was pacing nervously and when Alicia appeared he approached awkwardly.

"Private Benson, why are you still here?"

"Miss Francorte... Alicia, I- would you do me the honour of sharing a small lunch at the Dock Inn?" His face was the colour of a Caribbean sunset .

She considered the young man, finding him not unattractive and actually rather pleasant company, compared to the house servants and her father.

"The honour would be mine, Private Benson. "

The lunch was pleasant, Benson the perfect gentleman throughout and the interest shown by some of the other ladies dining gave Alicia a secret thrill.

"Uhm, the Governor's annual ball is next month..." He paused, swallowing. "I- would it be amiss if I was to- to uhm, ask if you would accompany me to uh-?"

"Oh, Daniel, that is sweet but I cannot. My father expects me to be attentive to his guests and I would have no opportunity to enjoy your company."

"I see." He sagged inside.

"If you do attend, I will endeavor to save you a dance." She was a little sorry but then she was also stirred by the sincere interest. Her mind jumped to Hollick and she felt a pang of loss. Was he alive? Was he even coming back? If he did, would he still want her? She took Benson's hand and smiled into his sad face. "I have quite enjoyed this lunch, Daniel, and your company. Should you wish to call sometime... for another lunch or tea, I would be most graciously inclined to accept."

"You would? I mean- that is most kind. I will most certainly avail myself of your invitation... perhaps a day from now?"

Alicia smiled again and he leaped up to hold her chair.

******

Weeks passed and almost daily trips to elicit news from Captain Woodcuffe proved fruitless. Alicia was finally beginning to face the fact that Hollick was not coming back. He may not even be able to, she thought many times, reflecting on the hurricane Woodcuffe had reported. Daniel Benson was proving to be a welcome distraction and even a consideration. Chaste pecks on the cheek and hand were developing into moderately more intimacies and Alicia began to loosen her ties on Hollick's memory.

When the night of the Governor's Ball arrived, Alicia was pleading with her father to allow the Private to be her escort for the evening but he was adamant.

"You would have me held by all those fat and smelly old men that make up the island's so called elite and that is accepted, but a young swain, with the most honourable of intentions is refused my company." She stomped about the room, her voice filled with anger and self pity.

"Swain? Am I to understand there is more to this relationship than mere acquaintance?"

"Private Benson has been-"

"Private Benson! This young man is not even a officer?"

"Titles don't make the content better, father."

The implication was not missed and Governor Jean Francorte had the courtesy to redden.

"This night is a political exercise, my dear, not the flighty romantic event you envisage. The, smelly old men you refer to, are a source of great enterprise for Hispaniola and this family. The attention they receive from a young, beautiful woman such as yourself can, and does aid in securing that same enterprise."

Alicia stopped pacing. "So, my own father spends me like capital for political gain."

"I'm sure it can be interpreted in a more-"

"Interpreted, indeed. Call it what you will, sir, it nothing less than- than usury." She turned and fled from the room, ignoring his demands to stop.

Alicia went directly to her mother's chamber and fell to her knees by the bed. The maid asked if she could help and was dismissed kindly.

"You are distressed, daughter."

"Oh mother, why can't you get well and help me make father understand?"

Her mother chuckled softly. "I've spent a lifetime trying to achieve that, Alicia. Your father's ambitions have always preceded personal relationships. He once was a very good, kind man..." Her words trailed off as her mind turned inward.

"You know what he wants of me tonight."

"Hmmm? Oh, yes, yes I do. At one time it was my function as well."

"He used you? His wife?"

"Is that any worse than his own flesh and blood?"

"But- but it's not right."

"Child, the world is not right. You move through your life with chosen footsteps. If you trip and fall, you remember the lesson and move on." She patted Alicia's hair. "I'm very tired now, dear, I need to rest."

The maid returned, drew the window drapes and adjusted the cover on the bed.

"How is she, really?" Alicia whispered as the two left the room.

"Mrs. Francorte is very ill, ma'am. The doctor says just to keep her comfortable and see that she eats, drinks and takes the medicines he left."

"And is she?"

The maid looked down, twisting her fingers. "No ma'am, not regular like."

"Well don't you tell her she has to?"

"Mrs. Francorte gives the orders, ma'am, I can't force her."

"When does she get them next?"

"At supper, ma'am."

"You come and find me then, I'll see that she takes them."

"Yes'm."

******

Lanterns lined the drive in front of the Governor's home. Marine guards in their crimson finery, brass button glinting in the lantern light, lined the route. As each carriage pulled up, a guard stepped forward to escort the guests to the front entrance. The sound of music from a quartet drifted into the night air, swirling away in the slight breeze. The men arriving, for the most part, had donned powdered wigs for the occasion. Satin pants and stockings that displayed the most peculiar array of legs, were also de rigueur.

The ladies competed in the latest silks and satins from Europe. Gowns of extraordinary complexity, strung with pearls and other jewels. Fashion wigs were also worn and each woman fluttered a decorative fan, although it was neither warm nor were there any insects. Inside the house, chandeliers and wall sconces with flaming candles cast the room in a brilliant glow and the music was much louder. Governor Francorte stood regally inside the entrance, receiving each guest with a polite bow and handshake. Alicia stood obediently to the side, smiling when necessary but saying nothing.

Waiters, in their uniform livery, passed among the guests with glasses of the finest wines imported, again, from Europe. Some bore trays of small hors de oeuvres, hastily gobbled by even the most reserved of the attendees. Governor Francorte signaled Alicia to follow and he set off to garner accolades for his extravagance.

"Miss Francorte." The hissed request came from the housemaid near the room's entrance. Alicia slipped away from her father and joined the maid in the hallway.

"Is it time for her medicine?"

"Miss Francorte-" She began to sniffle.

"For heaven's sake, what is it?"

"She's gone and died, ma'am. Your mommas dead."

Alicia stared in disbelief. That couldn't be. She spoken to her only a few hours earlier.

"What are you saying?" Her temper flared and she became harsh with the maid.

"It's true , ma'am. I wa- I was getting her medicine ready and I- heard her call. When I got to the bed all she could do was stare at me. Then she just closed her eyes."

"Take me to her." Alicia pushed the maid ahead and they hurried up the long staircase to her mother's chamber.