The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 31
Copyright 2015 & 2021
"Saskia," Pieter’s voice boomed. "I have never tolerated insubordination and I have no intention of starting with Donte."
"Oh Pieter," Saskia said. "He's your grandson. You broke his heart. He was trying to make up to you."
"He’ll get over it." Pieter growled.
Donica looked at Rianne. She was taking his temper tantrum very well, especially considering it was her mate that Papaw was roaring about.
Pieter followed Donica’s gaze to Rianne. "This has nothing to do with you." He said in a gruff voice.
Rianne’s smile was sweet. "I understand, Monomi. Donte would be the first to agree that insubordination should not be tolerated." She lifted her shawl from the peg and started for the door.
"Where are you going?" Pieter barked; his bushy brows crouched over cold eyes.
"Pieter!" Saskia gasped.
Rianne gave Pieter a level look. "I am going for a quiet walk."
Donica never knew what to say when Pieter acted like this. Why couldn't he handle things in a calm and collected manner like Quade did?
Rianne opened the door and walked out, calmly throwing her shawl around her shoulders.
Pieter watched her leave and spoke in a grouchy voice. "That girl has more courage than any woman I've ever met. Donte could learn a lot from her."
"Pieter!" Saskia scolded him again. "Donte is courageous."
"Donte is spoiled." He snarled. He turned his chair around and headed for his office.
Donica grabbed her shawl and left the room. She caught up with Rianne in the lobby downstairs.
"I'm sorry about the way papaw acted." She said as she fell into step with Rianne.
Rianne looked at her. "It must be difficult for you and Saskia."
"He isn't the easiest person to live with." Donica replied.
Rianne nodded. "I’m sure that's true, but I meant it was difficult for you because you felt the need to apologize for him."
"Someone needs to."
"Why?" Rianne asked.
Donica looked at her in surprise. "Because he's rude."
"Yes, he is. He has been for as long as I've known him, but he's also a good ruler." She opened the lobby door and stepped outside. "I don't know what happened in there, but I do know that Donte lost control of his emotions. Donte can be strong-willed when you try to push him into something." She smiled. "He can be a little like his grandfather and I suspect Pieter recognizes that in him. Perhaps it scares him a little."
"I hope Donte comes back." Donica shrugged. "Of course, he has you now."
Rianne pulled her shawl closer against the icy wind. "They had a fight. It happens. They'll both get over it."
Donica wasn't so sure. Donte and Pieter had never fought before. But then, Donte had never been a subject of Bergen before. He had always been a guest. Now he was in training. Hopefully he wouldn't learn to act like Papaw.
***
Donte didn’t stay the night in Cuna. He got an equine from their stables and crossed the border into Lochfowk that night. He camped in a grove of trees and started out again in the morning at first light. He rode into the main colony of Lochfowk two days later – one day ahead of schedule. He was exhausted, but didn't want to waste a moment of negotiating time. He bathed in the lake and changed his clothes before going to the complex. He could only hope that they would talk to him without making him wait for days.
He left word at the desk in the lobby that he wanted to see Sima and found a chair to wait for however long it took. There were several books on a table and he started reading one. The book was written in the language of the Lochfowk but it was interesting enough.
"Donte?"
He glanced up to find Sima watching him. He stood and replaced the book on the table. He reached a hand out to Sima, palm up. Sima gripped his forearm, her gaze studying his face.
"No guards…no uniform…no smile. What's happening?"
He forced a smile. "I need your help."
She smiled up at him. "Well, come to my office and we'll see what we can do."
He followed her to her office and she shut the door. He waited for her invitation to sit. She walked around behind her desk and eyed him head to toe. "Donte, every time I see you, you look better. How do you do it?"
Warmth flooded up his neck. "It must be lack of sleep."
"Sit down and tell me what is keeping you awake nights."
His smile was genuine at that point. "Mostly traveling."
She sat behind her desk. "Pieter is keeping you busy, is he?"
He nodded. "Except this time, I'm here for Nyumbani."
She leaned forward and put her forearms on her desk. Her voice fairly dripped with sarcasm. "And how can we help them?"
He leaned back in his chair, giving his temper time to settle. Sometimes it seemed that the people of Lochfowk had no compassion at all. All of the colonies had been affected in some way by Farasi, but why was it that Lochfowk was the only one who couldn't see the benefit of helping people who wanted to stand on their own and do the right thing?
Sima squirmed in her chair. She was uncomfortable under his gaze. Maybe if he approached her from a personal standpoint, she would see things in a different perspective. Finally, he leaned forward and spoke to her.
"My children are there and one of them is sick. They have no medicine except herbs; and little knowledge of that. They are starving, but I'm not asking you to send them food. Libertad, Bergen and Bosvrouwen are providing that. All I'm asking you for is permission to ask for volunteers to teach them medicine."
She met his gaze for a few moments before responding. "Donte, you are, by far, the most desirable man I have ever met."
He didn’t know what to say. He was baring his soul to her and all she saw was that he was physically attractive. It was hopeless talking to her. He rubbed the back of his neck and tried to think of some way to get her attention on the subject at hand. He half expected her to suggest some kind of inappropriate bargain, and maybe it was on her mind, but if it was, it never crossed her lips.
She finally stood and put her hands on the desk. "You must have a love."
"I have a mate."
Her brows shot up and she drew in a quick breath. "Oh, I see." She picked up a pencil and tapped it on her desk absently, staring at nothing in particular. Finally, her gaze came back to his face. "I’m not without heart, Donte." She smiled. "Perhaps a little distracted, but that's to be expected." She sobered. "I was listening to your request."
He said nothing. The fact that she was listening didn't imply that she would grant him permission. Neither did the fact that she had a heart.
She finally tossed the pencil on the table. "You have my permission to ask, and they will be permitted to go, but I will not force anyone to go."
He smiled as he stood. "That’s all I need."
She walked around her desk and put a hand on the doorknob. "I didn't mean to insult you."
"I'm not insulted."
She opened the door and smiled up at him. "Your mate is a lucky woman."
He looked at her. "No. Believe me; I'm a lucky man."
She stepped through the door and led him back to the lobby. "Bring your mate sometime. I'd like to meet her."
He stopped and looked down at her. "Why don't you come see her?"
She laughed. "I might do that sometime."
Donte walked out of the complex with a feeling that the hardest part had already been completed. He walked down the lane to the hospital and entered. He wasn't sure where to go from that point, but it would probably come to him. He glanced around and saw a nurse walking toward him. He walked toward her, hoping to get some information. The nurse was examining a paper in her hand and when she looked up, he realized it was Akira.
She smiled a genuine welcome. "Donte! How nice to see you!"
He hugged her. "It's nice to see you too."
They talked for a few minutes before he told her why he was there. He explained about the boat at Playa and the time period. It was so much easier talking to Akira – probably because she had some source of reference.
"How many people do you need?"
"I don’t know. As many as I can get, I suppose. I’ve already talked to Sima and she has given her consent. Anyone who goes needs to understand they will be going into a very primitive colony."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I don’t think I need to tell you that I wouldn't miss this opportunity for anything."
"That's one, then. How do I go about talking to the staff without interrupting their schedules?"
She turned and pointed down the hall. "See that light at the end? There is a waiting room on the left. You go have a seat and I will see who I can send you."
Donte stayed at the hospital all evening and throughout the night. By morning he had two doctors and two nurses, including Akira. It was probably all they could spare and he was glad to get them. They agreed to meet him at Akira's cottage the following morning. There was nothing more he could do, so he accepted Akira's invitation to sleep at her cottage.
The next morning, everyone arrived early and, to his surprise and delight, they had a pack equine loaded down with medical supplies. They left that morning and stopped only to rest their equines. The days were getting longer and they used every minute of daylight. They reached Cuna after dark on the second day, exhausted. They stayed the night in Cuna and took the morning tram to Playa, arriving on the evening of the eighth day.
On the morning of the ninth day, Quade arrived with Kwasi. Donte took care of the introductions, all the while wondering if Pieter had forbidden Rianne to come. If that was the case, he would have a talk with Pieter and get one thing straight. Rianne was not part of his cabinet. He was getting a good mad going when a voice spoke behind him.
"You really didn't think anything could keep me away, did you?"
Donte swung around. "Rianne!"
She ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "I’m sorry. I wanted to be here when you arrived, but I was so hungry."
He pulled her close and kissed her. When he finally released her, he glanced up to find everyone watching them. Warmth surged up his neck. Such behavior in public was inappropriate.
He detached Rianne and turned to the others. "This is my mate, Rianne."
Quade grinned. "They only exchanged vows ten days ago and he has been traveling ever since."
Donte looked at Rianne. "We arrived yesterday."
She smiled at him. "I knew you could do it."
"Did Papaw give you any trouble about meeting me here?"
She shrugged. "He told me not to come."
Donte frowned. "I'll have a talk with him."
"No need. I reminded him that I was a representative of Bosvrouwen and your mate. That was all the commitments I felt capable of handling at a time."
Donte grinned. "What did he say?"
She drew her brows down and lowered her voice to a grouch, imitating Pieter. "Then go, if you wish."
Donte laughed and hugged her with one arm. "Rianne, you are amazing."
Later, Quade informed them that food and the farming equipment that Kwasi had suggested had been loaded on the boat. An Anialwch ship had dropped by and delivered fruit for the Nyumbani. It and some livestock had already been loaded on a ship that left a few days before. Every colony had contributed something. Only Kwasi and the doctors and nurses were going to Nyumbani.
Donte looked at Quade. "I thought maybe I could go and see my children."
Quade shook his head. "No, Pieter was adamant about that part. You and Rianne are not to go. He wants you back in Bergen on the next tram. He wants to talk to you."
Donte and Rianne looked at each other. She shrugged. "Maybe that's a good sign."
Quade looked from one of them to the other. "I gather there is a point of contention there."
Rianne wrinkled her nose. "A little family disagreement."
Quade looked at Donte, but he said nothing. It was best that no one knew that there was disagreement in the way Bergen was handling things; especially not Lochfowk.
***
Akira sat in the eatery watching Donte and Rianne with some degree of envy. It wasn't that she wanted Donte. What she wanted was what they shared. They didn't merely love each other. They genuinely liked each other. Times like right now, when Rianne was looking up at him, talking seriously and he was totally absorbed in whatever she was telling him. Then suddenly he smiled – a smile that engaged not only his lips, but his eyes as well. He adored her and was entertained by her.
Akira wanted to be adored, to feel like she was important to someone she loved. Sometimes she felt…maybe Quade. But Quade didn't feel that way about her. He was simply a kind and loving person – to everyone. She wanted to accept his invitation to work at the hospital in Libertad, but his offer wasn't born of any desire to have her close. He wanted the benefit of the training. Not that there was anything wrong with that. She simply wanted more. Eventually he would realize why she was there. He'd regret inviting her and that would hurt both of them.
She glanced up and realized Quade was watching her. He probably thought she was jealous of Rianne. Donte needed and deserved someone like Rianne.
"I wonder how Celyn is taking this," she said.
Quade turned and looked at Donte and Rianne. His confused gaze came back to Akira. "Celyn? Isn't she a little girl?"
Blood pushed a hot wave up Akira's neck. She had forgotten that Quade didn't know about Celyn's vision of vows with Donte. She forced a smile.
"She’s pretty taken with him."
He watched her for a moment. Finally, he leaned forward and put his arms on the table, his gaze riveted on her eyes. "I know there is more. Why are you all hiding it from me?"
She shrugged. "I honestly don't know why Donte doesn't want to tell you. Maybe he doesn't care if you know, but I get the feeling he doesn't want me to say anything."
He nodded. "But you did; so out with it."
She wanted to comply, but she didn't want to betray Donte's trust. She leaned forward as if she were going to divulge a secret. He came closer, and when he did, she kissed him on the lips. It was a quick kiss that no one noticed, but it flustered him enough that she was able to get away. She stood and looked down at him.
"Ask Donte. I’ll see you later." She turned and walked to her room without looking back.
It was a cowardly thing to do and she would probably regret it later, but it was done and she'd be feeling his lips for a long time. If he was interested, he would pursue it. If not, he had been forewarned.
Tomorrow morning, she would be on that ship heading for Nyumbani. Lochfowk owed them something for the years they had held Kwasi captive. She and the others were going to pay that debt. Maybe then she could feel like a worthy person.
Soft Science Fiction
