Emily Collins stood looking from her

bedroom window, her thin frame pressed

tight against the pane. Beulah sighed, as

she watched her standing there. She was

young and beautiful with creamy white

skin, Rosy Cheeks, green eyes, and long

red hair that flowed past her tiny waist to

her slim hips. She remembered the first

time she saw her it was the first day on

the plantation. It Seems like only

yesterday, when in reality it has been 10

years. She was a woman now, 20 years

old. A woman who should have parties

and handsome suitors begging for

attention, but she had no one. Although

Beulah had no say so, she could

understand why her father was doing

what he was.

I know you're there Beulah, Emily said as

she turned and smiled. She could barely

make out the shadow of a figure that was

standing behind her but then she didn't

have to. She knew her distinct walk, the

way the floor sagged under her as her feet

hit, and the smell of the kitchen still in her

apron as she entered. Beulah was her

daddy's black slave. A heavy-set woman,

with large arms and breasts, and although

her Daddy had other slaves, none of them

was like Beulah. She could make her

laugh, and told her stories about her

family in South Carolina, before she was

taken away from them. Going blind didn't

seem so bad as losing your family like she

had. The war between the North and the

South was over, yet her daddy slaves

stayed on. Beulah said Mr. Collins was a

good master, who treated them all well.

Emily knew they were right. Her father

treated everyone with dignity regardless

of their color, which often brought him

problems from his white associates. But

everyone in Atlanta knew he was a kind

man.

" So what are you thinking about miss

Em?" Beulah place your hands on Emily's

shoulders leading her to the bed. Emily

could smell the fresh scent of pine she use

to scrub the sheets and pillows. It was a

scent she would miss after today, along

with everything else in the house. By

tomorrow she would be in another house,

it would be strange to her but she would

learn how to get around

. It would be what was expected of her .

"Just wondering about tomorrow." She

answered slowly stretching out flat on the

bed as she hugged her pillow as if some

how she could store the scent in her

memory.

It'll be okay miss Emily, Beulah, tried to

sound happy, but she knew the feeling of

being taken from your home to a strange

place. Something all slave shared alike.

Master Rawley, him have a big house, lots

of people doing and fix-in for you."

She loosened the back of Emily's dress

and helped her into her long lace gown,

then brush her hair with long slow

strokes. Emily pulled the quilt up close

around her. Come tomorrow she was

expected to be a woman and a wife.

Master Rawley's wife. Her body shiver at

the mere thought of giving herself to a

man she had never met.

Jake Rawley was also thinking about

tomorrow as he turned back the covers on

his old oak bed. He knew his life was

about to change. It was a change that he

was really looking forward to. It had been

eight years since his beloved Amelia died

in childbirth, taking his only heir with her.

He had resigned himself to the fact that he

would never fall in love, or marry again.

His friends and business associates on the

other hand didn't agree and we always

introducing him to eligible ladies they

thought would fill his empty existence. It

was on one such occasion at the mens

club that he was introduced to John

Collins. They had many things in

common, they both owned plantations just

20 miles apart and we're in the cotton

business . He often heard John speak of

his daughter Emily, and the sickness that

was driving her into blindness. The

doctors could do very little for her, and he

had little hope of any suitors who would

be willing to take a blind woman to wife

even if she was beautiful. Perhaps he

concluded as he got under the covers it

was the reason he listened when John

presented him the idea of marriage to his

daughter, a woman 15 years younger than

himself. But he could offer Mr. Collins

peace of mind by giving his daughter the

security that he was so desperately

seeking for her. He would make sure she

had a comfortable life, as much as was

possible for a blind person. Although

John Collins assured him that his

daughter was exceptionally beautiful, he

was just as sure that she was not. He had

no expectations except that she'd be

willing to accept his proposal of

marriage, show the common courtesy as

the mistress of his home to his friends and

business associates, and leave him to his

solitude. At least that was what he wanted

until he saw her. It happened quite

accidentally, he was riding past their

Plantation when his eyes caught sight of a

vision of loveliness sitting out on The

Veranda. She was having tea and holding

a book in her hand. Her long red hair

cascaded down over her back

As she sat in a pink lace dress, while the

wind played with the Hem of her

petticoats revealing slim shapely ankles.

She was beautiful, just as John Collins

had told him.. But she knew nothing about

him. Only that he was a stranger, who

would probably expect wifely duties that

usually cane with the conditions of love.

He knew she would never look into his

eyes, or see his face, or realize that he

was at one time thought to be a very

handsome man. That revelation would

come, if she would give him the chance.

As he rode away he watched her, the wind

playing with her hair. A smile crossed her

thin lips and he knew at a glance that he

loved her, and he wanted her to come to

love him too. But a marriage of

convenience only bound her to him on

paper, with what he wanted was to bind

her heart with his forever. As he closed his

eyes, he visioned her next to him. She

would be frightened of him, and he

understood that. He would give her as

much time as she needed, until she felt the

love he had in his heart for her. Then she

would come to him and love him willingly.

She didn't need eyes for that.

" You best be getting up Miss Em", Beulah

said as she opened the bedroom drapes.

Morning and come so quickly Emily,

thought, as she yawned, stretched, and

swung her slender legs over the side of

the bed.

"Today is your wedding day." Beulah

said in an anxious voice.

" I know," Emily answered her voice void

of any emotion. A woman's wedding day

was supposed to be special, with excited

girlfriends, gifts and dreams of the man

she loved crowding her thoughts. But not

for her. The only feelings she had were

ones of fear for what was ahead. She was

marrying a total stranger. She didn't care

if he was rich and could provide for her.

Her daddy wasn't poor and she could take

care of herself. She was well-educated,

knew braille, and ran her daddy's house

efficiently. It was the life she loved, why

did it have to change. But as she slipped

into the warm bathwater Beulah and

waiting for her, she knew why. Her daddy

was well up in years, and the thought of

his own mortality coming to an end, was

the real force behind his actions. He

wanted to secure his daughter's future

while he was still around to see it. Love

had never entered his mind. But it had

hers some time ago, when she was in

Boston. She remembered Charles

Langton, her braille teacher. He was very

attentive to her especially since it was

unusual for a sighted person to attend the

School for the Blind. And after she told

him about her retinas deteriorating and

that she would eventually be blind, he

spent many evenings tutoring her, and

telling her how brave she was. He seemed

to care for her. He was tall and lanky,

with curly hair and smooth hands that she

loved holding as I walked along together.

His warm smile gave her hope for the

future. It was hard to leave Boston but he

promised her that he would write and he

did but eventually the letters became less

and less until they were no more. Even

as her world became dimmer and dimmer

she had not forgotten Charles, his face

was etched in her memory.

"Sit still miss Emily, Beulah scolded to

her, as she proceeded to lace up the corset

around her warm pink flesh, that showed

her womanly bosom.

"I wish you were coming too," Emily said

anxiously, wonder what she would do

without Beulah. She had always been

there for her, to dress her when she woke

up or went to bed. She was the one person

she confided in. Beulah could see the

tears welling up in her eyes, she wanted

to comfort her, but it would only make

things worse. She quickly started fixing

her hair in a Cascade of curls that would

be fitting for a master's wife.

"Have you seen him,"Emily is anxiously,

pulling away from Beulah's dutiful hands.

She could feel the Silk curls as they fell in

ringlets around her ears and neck.

"Yes I see's him."

." What's he like?"

Beulah could see that worried look on

Emily's face and stopped and sat down on

the vanity chair beside her.

" I see him talking to your papa the other

evenin . Him real tall and handsome,

with hair as dark as molasses, and eyes

too. His face was right kind looking and

him have them long arms and legs good

for horse riding."

Emily smile nervously, as she leaned both

elbows on her knees. She knew Beulah

would not lie to her.

" Master Rawley, I hear's he's a good

man, lots of women be glad to be his wife.

Him have a big house like your Papa's

here, lots of rooms and servants to do and

fix for you."

Emily smile.

" I hear he had a wife long time ago. Her

die birthin his youngin, and baby died

too. Now we best get you ready Miss

Emily, Master Rawley, him sending

carriage for you and your papa this

afternoon."

As Emily yielded to Beulah's wishes she

felt sympathetic for master Rawley. She

knew how much a male heir meant to a

man. Her father and almost died himself

when her brother Jonathan was killed in

the war at Gettysburg, but she still had no

desire to be Master Rawley's wife. John

Collins sat erect in the Double Wing chair

in his study. His gray hair neatly combed

and parted to the side, as he puffed

relentlessly on his favorite cigar. For man

of 65 he still has features that would turn

a woman's head when ever he went into

town. His tall statues physique, broad

shoulders and chest, could hold their own

with the youngest of men. But today he

felt as if the wind had been knocked out of

him.

"Master Collins," Beulah voice caused

him to turn.

She was standing in the doorway, with

her head lowered and her hands clasped

together. He could tell that she was

disturbed about the whole affair although

she said nothing, and it bothered him a

bit. She and Emily were more like mother

and daughter. It had been that way from

the beginning when she came to the

plantation after Emily's mother passed

away of the fever. Emily had become an

extended part of Beulah's family. If six

children of her own weren't, enough for

her and Earnest to care for. And he knew

about the secret meetings at night when

Emily had taught them both to read and

write.

" Yes. What is it?" His blue eyes

deepened and as he looked at her.

"I had them trunks put on the front porch

for when that their Carriage comes."

John Collins nodded silently.

" There's something I'd like to say to you.

He walked over and stood by her. I know

you love Emily."

Beulah dried her eyes on her apron.

" Yes...um, I do."

He smiles. So do I."

"Him is a good man....Master Rawley I

mean. Him treat miss Emily good?"

John Collins patted Beulah's shoulder.

"Yes Beulah.....Jake Rawley is a good

man...and Emily will have a god life."

Beulah turned quickly and walked away,

but he could hear her silent crying as she

left.

As he watched her go out, his attention

Was drawn to Emily's figure on the stairs.

She looked so beautiful in her white satin

wedding gown with billows of petticoats

and Lace, that he almost staggered when

he saw her. For one moment it was as if

her mother Elizabeth was standing there,

and he was the captive groom.

"You look lovely Emily," he said walking

over to extend his hand. It surprised me

when she pushed it away.

John Collins could hear the tension in her

voice and he knew she was displeased

with him. The carriage would be coming

soon to carry them to Jake Rawley's

home. How could he let her go this way,

feeling that he was casting her out

because of her blindness. He followed her

out onto the porch, where she had taken a

seat in the old wicker swing that she loved

as a child. As he looked at the face of a

woman it was an image of the child that

he was remembering. The child that

clutch at his heartstrings. The warm

Summer Breeze they shared together, and

the Small Voice that question them about

life and love. He watched her as your

fingers move nervously to brush a

wayward girl from her forehead.

I love you Em," he said his voice cracking

with intense emotion. Emily looked

toward the image standing in the

doorway. It had been a year since she had

seen her father's face clearly, but you

knew he was crying. He never called her

Em,only Beauty did that.

"Oh Father," she rushed into his arms as

he covered her face with kisses, his strong

arms holding her as when she was a

child.

" I understand, really I do father," she

tried to assure him as he held her in his

arms. The Carriage was coming slowly

up the road to take her to another time

and place but neither of them saw it. It

was their moment. She wasn't a woman

or a bride,they were merely father and

daughter to suspended it in time.

Jake really never thought he would feel

this happy again and he anxiously

awaited their Carriage arrival that would

bring his future bride to him. But he also

knew that Emily Collins didn't share the

same anticipation as he. He felt remorse

knowing that she felt no love for him. She

was only fulfilling her father's wishes,

nothing more. In time he hoped that

would change, but there were no

guarantees in the matters of the heart. His

beloved Amelia had loved him from the

start. They were kindred spirits and had

been from their youth. Their Love and

marriage had been eagerly anticipated by

both their families and brought joy to all

in their hometown of Charleston Virginia.

Even when they move to Atlanta the

town's folk spoke of the love that shines in

their eyes for each other.

"Master Rawley....Master Rawley, Bessie

voice bellowed with excitement, as she

rushed into his study. They's come in the

carriage."

He tried to calm himself as he followed,

his her tall dark frame, and long legs

with his thick black hair and popping in

front of him.

Bessie she has been with him for what

seemed like a lifetime. She had nursed his

sick wife until the end. Although she was a

free woman she chose to stay on with

Lewis her husband who cared for the

Rawley's horses. Their twin boys Jacob

and Elijah had been born in his own

house and he's taken quite a liking to

them. It would be Bessie that he would

entrust the care of his wife, to make her

make her feel welcome and comfortable

and help her to learn her new home.

Passion Andrews

Was waiting on the porch along with a

few of Jake's business associates. Bob

Butler., Lou Myers, and Jake's only living

relative Jim Raleigh. He could see the

questioning glances passing between them

as the carriage came slowly to a halt. And

as he descended the stairs to meet it, he

felt the Cool June Breeze mingle with the

perspiration on his brow. His black

tailored suit and Tails, and ruffle shirt,

felt more like a straitjacket than a groom's

attire. The Carriage seemed miles away

with each step as his legs grew heavier

and his throat dryer. When he finally

reach the latch on the door that separated

him and his intended, he was aware of his

hand shaking nervously. He nodded to

John Collins as he stepped off, and move

to the side smiling. Emily carefully took

Jake's hand and he helped her out. Jake

was absolutely mesmerized by her beauty

and Grace. She could feel his strong grip

still holding your hand, and your eyes

could dimly make out his tall lean figures

as he led her by the arm to the steps.

There are eight steps you said Softly

His head was so close to her, that you

could smell the scent of his freshly shaven

face, as he secure her every step until they

entered a large room that was wonderfully

and smelled of peach blossoms and pine

soap

. It was a scent that was familiar to her,

and made her feel a little less

apprehensive, she could hear the voice of

her father, and the other gentlemen

talking in the hallway behind her

comment as Jake Reilly letter to a long

sofa with soft cushions and pillows. Emily

could feel him staring at her as he took a

seat beside her. Although her eyes were

Hazel she could see him looking carefully

at every inch of her body. Her eyes finally

his eyes finally settling on her face again.

As he looked at her he was stunned by her

beauty, and could not resist the impulse to

touch her delicate face, only to have her

pull away from his touch

"If you need anything, Bessie will be

happy to do for you," he said in a strong

voice, as he got up quickly. He could tell

that his touch was not welcome. He was

acting like a lovesick School boy

experiencing a woman's beautiful for the

first time, when in reality he had known

many women in his lifetime.

" If I could freshen up a bit? " Emily stood

to her feet their bodies facing each other.

She had intended to drop back when he

touched her it was just unexpected. She

knew that tonight he might even expect

more of her as a wife, and that frightened

her a bit since she had slept alone in her

own bed for so many years. Now she

would have a man in the bed with her...a

man who was now legally her husband.

As Bessie took her arm and she followed

her out of the room Jake Rawley watch

her until she faded out of sight, and down

the long narrow hallway. He knew he had

to control himself if he was to win her

heart, or he might lose her forever. He

Slumped down on the couch knowing how

much he wanted her to love him. It has

been a long time since he had a wife and

he hoped he could still make a wife happy

as much as he made his wife first wife

Amelia so long ago. As he arose to greet

the other guests that was filing into the

living room he tried to put the thought of

Emily out of his mind. The Parson was

now there for the ceremony, and he had to

concentrate on that.

Emily found Bessie very enjoyable to be

around. In minutes she had told her all

about her life with Jake Rawley, her twin

boys, and her husband Lewis, as she

cooled her face and neck with cold towels,

and refresh the curls Beulah has spent

time fixing. Emily listen to Bessie

carrying on about her wonderful Master

Jake Rawley, and how kind and gentle he

was, and how all the women long to be his

wife and marry him in her place. Emily

wished at that precise moment that she

could have granted those woman's wishes.

Emily had always dream that she would

have a large and elaborate wedding, but

she had seen only a few people on the

veranda when she and her father arrived.

Her father met her and Bessie met her

and Becky in the hallway, where he took

her arm, then escorted her the rest of the

way, until he placed her hand into Jake's.

Emily didn't hear the organ playing. All

she could hear was the pounding of her

own heart as Jake Raleigh walk silently

up beside her, then his footsteps stopped

right next to her.

They stood in front of a short man coming

with bushy hair. Emily couldn't make out

the shape of a book in his hands and knew

that it was the Holy Bible. And that they

were facing the minister, who in only

moments would pronounce them man and

wife. As Jake Reilly Stood beside her, he

could see the quivering of her full lips and

feel the shaking of her arm as he held it

firmly to steady her. He wanted to take

her in his arms and tell her that she had

nothing to fear from him, he only wanted

to love her even if she didn't love him. His

hand slid down her arm until his long

fingers entwined hers, and he rubbed

them gently. He was sure fate had brought

her to him. And when he felt her fingers

curled around his in return, he was just so

sure that one day she would love him

back.

As eager guests gathered around Jake

Rawley and his new bride, Emily was ever

aware of his warm hand around her waist.

Her thoughts still lingers on his kiss,

when they were pronounced man and

wife. She never expected his lips to be so

warm and soft, or her mouth to part so

instinctively. She had never before kissed

a man and what was that strange

sensation that she felt in your whole body

and made her feel weak in her knees. If

his arms hadn't been there to hold her, she

probably would have collapsed onto the

floor in front of everyone.

"Emily." she bared her thoughts with the

sound of her father's voice. Jake's arm

slid down from her waist as he stepped

away giving her a private moment with

your father. John Collins prayed that Jake

Rawley would be gentle with his daughter

tonight of all nights. There was so much

that she didn't know about a man, and he

had been reluctant to tell her. He had

always start on their her special wedding

day that her mother would share such an

intimacy with her.

" You look so beautiful Emily so much like

your mother, he said sadly giving her a

kiss on the cheek tonight he cleared his

throat struggled to find the right words to

prepare her. Tonight will be different than

any other night, things will be expected of

you by your husband."

Emily watch the shadow of the man that

she had loved and respected all her life,

who was never at a loss for words pace

nervously in front of her as if he was

trying to tell her about what was ahead.

"I know father," she said, her arms

suddenly tight around his neck. He could

still feel her shaking as he pulled away,

and walked out of the living room to the

awaiting carriage that would take him

back to his plantation but without his

daughter Emily.

Emily could feel the weariness of the

afternoon tugging at her, as everyone

went out on the veranda where Bessie

serve them wedding cake and a tall cold

glass of lemonade.

Se found Jake's cousin Jim Rawley to be a

fast talker, who took pleasure in telling

things they did as a child in Charleston.

As she listened to his stories she wished

her father had stayed longer but knew

why he hadn't.

" I'm really not that bad of a guy is my

cousin makes me out to be," the deep

voice of Jake Rawley remark.

He placed the tall grass and lemonade in

her hand as he took a seat beside her on

the swing. He could see the tiredness on

her delicate face, and took the liberty to

put his arm around her pulling her close

to him. He was overjoyed when she didn't

pull away, but slowly rest your head on

his shoulder.

" I'm sure you were an angel as a child,

he said, nothing like your husband."

Emily could hear the steady beating of

his heart in her ear as she rested her head

on his room chest. He referred to himself

as her husband. It sounded strange to

hear, but that's what he was and tonight

she would be his wife. She sat up easing

out of his arms, and turned sideways

facing him.

"Father says I was an angel, she smile but

I'm not sure, he's prejudiced where I'm

concerned."

"And he should be, he said, reaching over

over taking her hand in his. I could never

imagine you doing anything wrong."

She could see him closing the distance

between them, and feel his hand reaching

up to stroke her face.

Jake felt propelled by a force stronger

than he could control as he lifted her

mouth to his. her mouth to his. Her lips

trembled at his second kiss, then then

parted allowing him privilege to the

sweetness of her mouth. Emily such a

wonderful warm flood her body. How

could she feel such strange enjoyment

from a man he knew nothing about. But as

she open your eyes, he gave her no time to

think as he took her fully in his arms

again, kissing her deeply with no

resistance from her at all.

As Bessie led her to the upstairs bedroom

and Jake said his farewells to his business

associates and his cousin Jim Rawley,

Emily knew that tonight would be

different than any night in her life. As

Bessie open the door to a large room, she

could make out a huge four-poster bed

before her. She walks slowly to it and

seated herself on the satin comforter, as

she waited for Bessie to return and help

her undress.

The drapes were wrong and why and

there was very little light in the room

making an even more difficult for her to

see. When the door opened it wasn't the

figure of Bessie her eyes beheld...but the

tall lean figure of Jake Rawley himself.

"I was waiting for Betsy she said

nervously you said if I needed anything I

should ask Bessie."

He looked at her a long minute.

"what is it that you need," he questioned

as his hand move slowly over her back

and down her spine causing her heart to

beat wildly.

" I need help undressing that's all." Her

voice was cracking and she knew he

heard it as he move closer to her.

" That's what husbands are for," he said

softly as he started unbuttoning the

numerous buttons on the back of her satin

gown.

Jake could feel her shiver as his fingers

made their way down her back as his

fingers made their way down her back.

Ff nothing more he would lay with her,

feel your body next to his, and just hold

her in the night. With the last button

undone he slid the dress from her

shoulders and help her step out of it.

Emily heard his footsteps as he gathered

the dress in his arms and cross the room

with it, and then return. Then he

proceeded to unlace her corset, and help

her out of her pantaloons.

Her breath caught in her throat knowing

that she was naked before him.

"You have nothing to hide from me

Emily...nor I you."

Even with dim eyes she could see that he

was removing his clothes too. First his

suit coat, then his shirt, trousers, lastly his

shoes, until he stood naked before her too.

He lifted her into his arms and lowered

her to the bed. Emily could feel the satin

sheet beneath her as he laid her down,

then gently positioned himself next to her.

He felt a burning desire in his body to

love her, but knew in his heart that now

was not the time. as he looked at her.

She was everything he could ever want.

Beautiful. She was his second chance at

love. A chance he never expected.

"Oh Emily "he gasp as he smother her

with kisses on her face, neck and breast.

Emily had told herself not to be afraid

but she was.

Jake could feel the tears trickling down

onto his chest.

"Oh my love, he said softly, you have

nothing to fear from me, I would never

hurt you or take from you what you're not

ready to give. He kissed her sweetly, as he

wiped away her tears with delicate

Strokes. We're Bound in marriage, but not

yet in love. I have no right to love you

until you give me that right."

He kissed her sweetly on the lips as he

enclosed her in his arms where she laid

silently listening to the rhythm of their

hearts.

He had undressed, seen her naked, yet

took no husband privileges.

Her father, Beulah, and Bessie were right,

she concluded. Jake Rawley was a good

man.

And as she closed her eyes, she suddenly

felt safe and warm. There was so much

she didn't know about him, but she had a

lifetime to find out. And as she nestled

deeper, and closer to his warm flesh, she

knew she wanted to love him , and would

ultimately give him what they both

deserved....The Right To LOVE!

The End