“Josiah, I want to be honest with you. I don’t want this any more than you probably do. My father is desperate. I’m not a good match for marriage. He thinks you’re the only solution. But if we’re going to do this, I need to know. Are you dangerous?”
“No, miss.”
“Are you cruel?”
“No, miss.”
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“Never, Miss. I swear it on everything I hold sacred.”
His sincerity was undeniable. He truly believed what he said.
“So I have another question. Can you read?”
The question took him by surprise. A flash of fear crossed his face. Reading was illegal for slaves in Virginia. But after a long moment, he said softly, “Yes, miss. I taught myself. I know it’s not allowed, but I… I couldn’t help it. Books are gateways to places I’ll never visit.”
“What are you reading?”
“Whatever I can find. Old newspapers, sometimes books I borrow. I read slowly. I haven’t learned well, but I read.”
“Have you ever read Shakespeare?”
His eyes widened. “Yes, miss. There’s an old copy in the library that no one touches. I read it last night, when everyone’s asleep.”
“What plays?”
“Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest.” His voice grew enthusiastic despite himself. “The Tempest is my favorite. Prospero controlling the island with magic. Ariel longing for freedom. Caliban treated like a monster, yet perhaps more human than anyone else.” He stopped abruptly. “Excuse me, miss. I’m talking too much.”
“No,” I said, smiling. I was smiling genuinely for the first time in this strange conversation. “Keep talking. Tell me about Caliban.”
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