Sweet Deception Regency 07 - The Divided Hearts by Karla Darcy Page B

fantastic
waterfalls and mountains that would take your breath away.”
    Judith was fascinated by the deep tremor of
pride in Nate’s voice. Even though his emotions were controlled
there was a glow to his eyes which spoke of a deep love for the
country. Once more she wondered if his loyalty was given to
America. But she also realized that he might love this country, yet
still desire to return to the traditions and privileges of his
English forebears.
    “What has surprised you most since your
arrival?” Nate asked, breaking into her thoughts.
    “The people,” Judith answered without
hesitation. “As you may know, my mother hated it here. From what
she said I did not expect that the people would be so educated. I
know that sounds dreadful,” she apologized, “but I had expected an
unsophisticated town of farmers.”
    Nate liked the blush of color that rose to
her cheeks at her honest answer. He longed to follow the path of
the pink tint with a caressing hand. Groaning inwardly, he sought
to control his mind from concentrating on her beautiful face.
    “I’ll have to take you to some of the
farms,” Nate said. “Even our farmers will surprise you. They are
not like the tenant farmers you are used to in England.”
    “I’d like that,” Judith said and meant it.
There was so much that intrigued her about America. Then as another
thought crossed her mind, she blurted out, “And the black servants.
I know that Newport was heavily involved in the slave trade but I
had not realized there were so many of them here. At Priscilla’s
houseparty, I near disgraced myself for gawking at the servants
wearing those old fashioned white wigs and that ridiculous
livery.”
    Nate’s sharp bark of laughter indicated his
agreement. “The Woodbridge’s are not the trend setters of our
society, thank the Lord. Priscilla, as you could tell by her house,
tends to prefer the patterned traditions of a bygone era. Most find
it offensive but put up with it. Besides, aside from the farcical
livery, she is amazingly good to her servants.”
    “Perhaps I am being missish, but I am
uncomfortable around slaves,” Judith said, her mouth tight with
disapproval.
    “Many are,” Nate said. “Interestingly enough
it was the Rhode Island Quakers who initiated much of the movement
to suppress the slave trade in this part of America. They were
active well before the war for independence but here in Rhode
Island their job was made particularly tricky because of the heavy
involvement in the actual trading of slaves. The slavers had the
money and therefore wielded a great deal of power.”
    “But if so many people were against the
idea?” Judith questioned.
    “Slavery is a necessity on many of the
plantations. It’s a base for a standard of living that is not easy
to give up. The federal act of 1794 abolished the slave trade on
paper, but the traders themselves were not prosecuted sufficiently
to be a threat to anyone. A new statute was passed in ’07 but that
rendered the law nearly unenforceable.”
    “But the whole idea of slavery is immoral,”
Judith argued, not sure where Nathanael’s loyalties on this issue
lay.
    “My dear, I trust you are not naive enough
to believe that wars are fought for ideals.” Nathanael’s tone was
amused but beneath the lightness there was a sarcastic sting. “Man
talks of the bold ideology of purpose but underneath there is
always an easily discerned economic reason. Man goes to war to
preserve his purse.”
    “How dreadful that sounds.” Judith hated to
believe his words, yet she had heard as much from her father. “Will
it never end?”
    “Eventually,” Nate said. “Many in Newport
disavow the trade and have freed their slaves. More will follow.
The blacks of Rhode Island are valued highly and not just for their
commercial contributions. The First Rhode Island Regiment was
organized during the war. It was called the Black Regiment because
it was made up of black soldiers. They had a fine record.