It seems like the best option.

Dear Diary, (May 23rd)

It's been two days since my last entry and so far, my decision to invite my cousin to help me run Havenhall has brought new life and optimism to the plantation.

Yesterday, Priscilla and I took the carriage to the Henderson's plantation. With Miss Manton to make the introductions I was greeted with stoic politeness and invited into their parlor to share some tea and cakes. Conversation was restricted to the elderly couple expressing their condolences about the **** of their good friend Mr. Heyward. The fact that the now deceased man was also my father, and the circumstances of my birth were not discussed, but as we rode home after that short visit, Miss Manton was pleased with the visit.

“That was the best possible outcome we could have hoped for, dear sweet Bianca.” Already, I have become used to the way she refers to my youth and pliable nature. In addition to 'dear' and 'sweet', Priscilla has added 'lovely', 'naïve', 'little' and 'darling' as prefixes to my name both when referring to me when speaking to others and when she addresses me directly. I find it annoying, but both times I've mentioned this to her she just laughed at how sensitive I was being and how I had better learn to adapt to Southern customs. After some consideration, I have resolved not to let this condescending habit of hers bother me.

“There is another matter that I've been meaning to address, my dear cousin.” Even though Priscilla's words seem harmless enough, I've learned already that I'm not going to like her suggestion. “I think we need to settle the manner of your father's preferred fancy ****, Angelica.”

“What?” I remember being more than a little surprised that Priscilla even knew the pretty ****'s name.

“You know that horny little vixen was your father's, ah ...” Priscilla clears her throat meaningfully, “special companion.” When I nod, trying not to blush, my cousin continues on with the main point. “A negro female like that needs a man to keep her in her place.” There is a smile on my cousin's face that is hard to read, but she continues on without hesitation. “Surely, you've noticed the way she has been eying poor young Mr. Thornton.” I nodded silently, wondering where this is leading. “That man is going to be eaten alive if we don't find some way to keep Angelica's primitive animal desires under control.”

At the time I did not think about it this way, but now that I am transcribing the private conversation into this journal I wonder if Priscilla thinks that I too have those same primitive animal desires because of my mother's blood.

“I think it would be best if you assign ownership of the little hussy to Sean.” I stared at Priscilla in confusion. She wanted me to give away a valuable ****? It seemed like a drastic solution to a problem that I wasn't sure existed. Furthermore, I was not comfortable with the idea of giving one human being to another as property. I could hardly say this to my cousin, so instead I resorted to a safer argument.

“In his will, my father stated that it was his desire that Angelica always have a place in Havenhall.”

“Of course, darling Bianca.” Priscilla's smooth answer was accompanied by her taking my hand in hers and squeezing it softly. “But she will still be here at Havenhall, and it's not like she's going to be sent to work in the fields. Besides, more than any other employee, it is essential that we keep Mr. Kyleson a firm advocate of our interests.”

“Can I think about this, Priscilla?” I asked, pleading for a chance to think this through, maybe even ask the pretty **** in question what she thought of this arrangement.

“Sooner is better in a matter like this, darling Bianca.” I could feel my will starting to weaken under her unflinching gaze. “Don't you think?” Again, I couldn't find the words I needed, and Priscilla nodded as if the matter had been settled.

“I will write up the official transfer ownership papers when we get home.” Priscilla squeezed my hand once more before releasing it and then, perhaps sensing my discomfort she patted me gently on the thigh. “You are doing very well, Bianca; I'm so proud of you.”

The rest of the journey back to Havenhall was filled with idle chatter as she tried to fill me in on as much local gossip as she could. I'm afraid, I was not as attentive as I should have been, because my mind continued to struggle with the decision that had just been made.

Of course, I could still change my mind and refuse to sign the paperwork, but was it worth the fight that I was sure to get just to protect a **** that I barely knew?