Under the Oaks: A French Colonial Soiree

The three-storied, French Colonial Mansion rose nearly fifty feet into the air and was double that in width. Eight, huge Corinthian columns held up the roof- two sets of wide stairs graced the front of the house; they rose, curving gracefully to the second floor. The two porches along the front were filled to capacity with guests. In the yard, several tables were set up to accommodate the overflow; each was topped with a giant punch bowl and foodstuffs; a bandstand graced one end of the yard near a thicket of live oaks- a band played softly, the music she had heard before at other functions.
Allie had not known the event was going to be so large, she wished she had worn the other gown, the one she made for the upcoming May Day Ball. She grabbed her cousin Eli’s arm, wondering where they went from there- there did not appear to be a clear path to go inside- she wondered if they’d spend the entire event standing there in the yard. Shortly, a footman arrived and told them to follow him. They followed him along the portico to the double front doors- he led them inside to the foyer, and then told them to wait there a moment. After what seemed an hour to Allie, but was probably only a few minutes, he returned and led them through to the

ballroom, where the Colonel and his wife were receiving guests. They were announced to the hosts. They then bent over the hands of their hosts a moment, thanking them for inviting them and exchanging pleasantries, before going into the ballroom to mingle with other guests. After they each had a cup of punch in hand, her grandparents left them to go and talk with someone they knew. Allie turned to look up at Eli, who was still by her side; he was gazing around as if looking for someone.
“Why did we get escorted inside and others are still waiting out in the yard? That doesn’t seem fair; they arrived before we did.”
“It’s just as it is in any circle, Allie. The more well-off people, or elite as some call us, are welcomed into the fold; the others will get accommodations according to their station.”
“Then, why do they come if they’re to stand in the yard all night?”
“They are guests, just as we are- tables have been set up outside with punch, food, fruits and nuts, and there is a band and an area for dancing setup out there for their entertainment. They come to be a part of the celebration.”
“Oh… Back home, everyone mingles the same - planters alongside merchants; they don’t treat people differently.”
“Not that you would know, but there is always a division of classes. You can bet your father turned down any unwanted advances of poorer people, such as store merchants and sharecropping farmers, if any were brave enough to ask to pay court to you when you debuted. He would never accept them; he’d only entertain those worthy of your position, your status.”
“We’re not rich are we- our house is not anywhere near as big as this one- it’s not even on par with Grandmother and Grandfather’s house; theirs is much more extravagant in its furnishings.”
“Your parent’s home might not be as lavishly decorated as our grandparent’s house is, but you can believe your father is not poor by any standard; neither is your husband, why else would your father approve your marriage to him- or rather insist on it.”
“So, you’re saying that I am rich?”
“Yes, you are.”
“I don’t feel rich- I just feel like me.”
“Well, don’t go getting your nose in the air; people will shun you the way they do some others here in town if you put on airs. It‘s alright to be rich but stay humble, dear cousin; it suits you better.”
»
While Allie was sipping fruit punch and chatting with Eli at Colonel Andrews’s birthday party, Thomas and his crew, left Kiawah Island then lowered sail, manned the riggings, and slipped into the Stona River. Several tributaries ran off it into Charleston Harbor. One tributary that ran into the harbor was Elliott Cut- that was where Thomas planned to enter Charleston. He had gone through there before several years earlier just to check it out. In his line of work, you never knew when you would have to outrun a pirate ship that was trying to chase you down, corner you up in a cove or backwater bayou somewhere, hostilely board your ship, and then rob you of your cargo; it happened all the time; Thomas had just been lucky so far.
Besides worrying about Pirates, he thought he spied a Yankee warship north of Kiawah Island through his spyglass early that morning; that was one reason he had decided to go up the Stona to Elliott’s Cut- that way he would bypass the Yankees, and any pirates that might be lurking near Charleston. It would take longer and was more treacherous because in some places, the water was not as deep nor was the river as wide as he would like it to be.
About an hour upriver, they nearly ran aground on a sandbar that jutted way out into a bend of the river. After another hour and a half, trying to sail upriver, Thomas realized they would not be able to do so… When he came through there previously, they had sailed out of Charleston Harbor, through Elliott’s Cut and then downriver to the Atlantic Ocean without a bit of trouble. This time, he was going in reverse. He told the crew to anchor out and he would decide what to do- it was nearly dark.

Later that night, it was so quiet on deck that Thomas could hear an owl hooting from miles away. Its call to its mate caused him to long for Allie. Although they had only been husband and wife a week now, he felt as if they had always been together… she was the breath in his lungs… the blood in his veins, the beat of his heart… she was all those things and more. He did not want to endanger her by moving her out of Charleston, but he would have to figure a way for them to be together more often. As he stood, staring out into the darkness, the quiet, stillness of the night resonated deep within him. In the distance, he thought he heard the low thumping rhythm of a drum and then the sound of a flute trembling through the night; its soothing sound wavered upon a light breeze that blew from the west…
Thomas knew there were still Indians that lived in the mountains that surrounded Charleston; he had seen them in several ports looking to trade goods with the men that had been out at sea for a while. Some even had women to trade for gold, not goods… Thomas was a long way from being virginal- the Captain had bought him his first whore when he was fifteen; after that, he did not need any help from the Captain… His thoughts caused his loins to ache from need. “Allie,” he whispered into the night wind…
»
Allie had not noticed, but Eli had noticed that in the short time they had been there, she had gained a lot of attention from the male gender, and nearly as much from the females at the party.

In the male’s eyes, he saw an appreciation of Allie’s beauty and a smidgen of lust. In the females’ eyes, he saw envy and resentment. Allie was beautiful, in a young woman sort of way- He knew that she would only grow more beautiful as she matured. While watching the males watching Allie, he was surprised to see one that was actually watching him. When their eyes met, he smiled and raised his cup of punch- Eli smiled back. As they mingled with the guests, off and on he would look for the man- each time he found him, the man would be watching

him.
“I think I have an admirer,” he whispered to Allie.
“Where, who,” she asked, glancing around.
“Don’t look, silly, you might scare him away!”
“Okay, I won’t look, but promise you’ll point him out to me later.”
“I will,” promised Eli.
Watching all the couples dancing, Allie wished her husband were there. Some of the men wore the uniform of the Confederate Army, some, were dressed normally. Allie noticed how all the younger women were flaunting over the younger men in uniforms- she wondered if they were hoping to snag one before they left to join up with their regiments. One that caught her eye was maybe about twenty year’s old- he was slim and fair-haired with the bluest eyes she had ever seen. After smiling at her several times, he worked up the courage to come over and ask for a dance. She did not think anything of it as she accepted his invitation. She did not notice Eli’s quick, almost imperceptible tug at her dress as she walked away with the young man. After twirling around the dance floor several times, he whirled her out onto the porch. When they stopped dancing, he breathlessly introduced himself as Christopher Andrews. She wondered if he were the Colonel’s son or grandson.
“You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen,” said Christopher, taking her hand and kissing it. Allie blushed at his brazen ogling of her mouth and cleavage, as she introduced herself as Allie Maples of Savannah.
“When I saw you across the room, I simply had to come and ask for a dance. Is that your betrothed with you; I surely hope not for I could not bear the thought of losing you so soon.”
His unabashed adoration dumbfounded Allie- she had never been made to do over the way this young man was. She stared into his intense azure eyes a moment before her eyes traveled to his lips; they pouted playfully. His hair- was a little long; it draped his broad shoulders, nearly concealing several adornments sewed to his waistcoat. When Eli suddenly appeared at her side, she was a little perturbed- she did not need babysat, she was a grown woman.
“I see you’ve met my cousin, Mrs. Thomas Jackson,” said Eli, taking her elbow. “You may not remember me, Christopher- you were just a boy when your father sent you off to West Point, but we’re acquainted through your older brother, Joshua. He and I used to be great friends before he left for New York.”
Allie had not heard much past Eli calling her his cousin, Mrs. Thomas Jackson. How could Thomas simply slip from her mind in the presence of this young man? Because you’re attracted to him, a voice in her head whispered. Allie felt so ashamed that she could not look at Christopher Andrews. She feared if she did, she might forget her vows to Thomas, and kiss Christopher Andrews pouting lips! What is wrong with me, wondered Allie. I’ve never felt this way before, not even when I met Thomas. Oh, Thomas, I am so sorry- Allie turned her back to Eli and Christopher. She wanted to run away. Eli relaxed somewhat; he had done what he came to do- remind Allie that she was a married woman. However, his interruption and announcement that Allie was married had not dampened young Andrews’s lust for her one bit.
“I’m sorry, but no, I don’t remember you,” answered young Andrews tartly, “Now, if you will excuse us, we have some unfinished business; we were just introducing ourselves.”
Allie finally turned to face them. She looked first into Eli’s eyes and then she looked at Christopher. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. It was… nice to meet you.” Christopher’s mouth slightly dropped. “Eli, can you escort me home,” asked Allie, her voice slightly atremble.
“No, please don’t go,” begged Christopher.
“I’m sorry,” whispered Allie. “I have to.” Eli gathered her elbow in his hand to steady her and quickly led her away. Christopher Andrews watched the walk away through the ballroom. He stood on the balcony and watched as they exited the house and walked across the front yard. He saw a young woman start toward them and then stop as they continued to the street. Quite like Cinderella, he thought to himself. Instead of a glass slipper, he had a name- three of them in fact- Allie Maples of Savannah- Mrs. Thomas Jackson- and, Eli Harris. He would be able to find her when the time came…