Page 19 of The Sweetest Season
“We have heard that thy business opted to avoid both sugar from the Indies and fruit from plantations.”
Beatrice took a steadying breath, not sure what was coming.“That is true, sir.I recently decided that I could not countenance supporting an institution I find immoral.”
He smiled at her, nodding.“I am glad to hear thee confirm it.I am on the committee of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.Our goal is to end the practice, and we hope to do this not just by electing leaders who will advocate for a change in law, but also by lessening the power of slaveowners by avoiding the products they sell through the efforts of the enslaved.The committee hopes thee will speak at an event we are holding soon, to help convince others that it is possible to thrive as a business while still following moral principles given by God.”
“I have only recently made the change,” Beatrice warned.“So I am not sure you wish to hold me up as any sort of authority.My morals are not perfect in any way.And I know my prices will increase, especially due to using more honey and less sugar.I may yet suffer if I cannot convince customers that the cost is worth it.”
“Allow us to temper thy fears.”He proceeded to place an order so large that Beatrice wouldn’t need to bake a thing until the last week in January.
“I marvel that you can afford this, sir.”
“We came to the New World to do good,” he acknowledged, “and in the course of that work, some of us have done very well.And it is a season of joy, is it not?Thy confections will bring joy to many.”
“I do hope so, sir.”
After the gentleman left, Bea tried to take heart.If she truly could prosper by cooking and baking with ingredients that didn’t use slave labor, she could continue to work in the city.As indeed she would have to, since it didn’t seem like she’d ever find love, let alone a man she’d trust enough to marry, giving him control over her whole life.
In the kitchen, she poked angrily at a bag of flour.She couldn’t bake anything in such a foul mood.Her emotions would surely sour the final product.
Ivy poked her head into the kitchen.“There’s no customers at the moment, so I could help out back here.Did you want to make the caramel this afternoon, miss?”
“No,” Beatrice muttered.She glared at the sugar on the counter.She still had plenty of sugar from her old suppliers.The slave sugar.It was stupid to waste the ingredient, but how was she supposed to make anything delicious with it when she knew how it was harvested?
And if Noel hadn’t asked her to cater his silly party, she never would have heard from Emmanuel and Ivy and Noel about the practice.She could have remained blissfully ignorant.
“Miss?”Ivy asked, concern in her dark brown eyes.“Is something wrong?”
“No.”Bea sighed.“I’m tired, is all.You stay out front and tend the counter.I’ll be all right.”
“Why not nip upstairs and take a nap?”her assistant suggested.“You don’t have to make any of your special treats for Mr Forrest anyway, since he’s traveling.”
“Thank you for the reminder,” Bea muttered.
The bell on the door jingled, forestalling any more heartfelt meddling.
It was Mr Marley, of course.He couldn’t seem to stay away from Ivy.At least someone had a loyal admirer.
Moments later, Ivy showed her face again.“Mr Marley has word from his employer.The item he requested from you…he wants to know if it can be ready on Christmas Eve.”
Bea shrugged.“Why not.”
Ivy gave her a strange look, but left the kitchen.
Beatrice managed to complete some of the most basic tasks she needed to do, but she was still so angry at Noel, it was hard to concentrate.If only she could tell him how shereallyfelt.
* * * *
Beatrice was about to walk into the front part of the shop when she heard Emmanuel Marley’s voice.He was still there!She stopped short, loath to interrupt what she guessed was a very personal conversation between him and Ivy.
“I hope to buy a plot of land in the Northern Liberties,” Marley was saying, almost bashfully.“I’ve saved as much as I could from my earnings since Mr Forrest hired me, and I believe that within a few years, I could afford the payment.”
“I have faith that you will achieve your aim, Mr Marley.”
“You look a little upset, Miss Shepherd.Do you not approve?”
“What?Oh, no!It’s a very wise investment.I was only thinking of my own dream, which is likely to stay a dream only.”
“What is your dream?”
