A Forbidden Time

By Anna Daly-McCabe

He had power, money and a privileged life but he was trapped in a loveless marriage to a woman who was as cold as ice.

She was young, innocent, and a victim of her customs but she was everything he ever wanted.

They shared stolen moments of love and craved to be together but that was a tragic dream as life dealt the fated lovers a cruel deal.

A Forbidden time is a beautiful story of forbidden love set against the back drop of the apartheid regime in South Africa. Pierre Kroeger has it all, wealth and power but what he wants is to be free to love Sadie, a young Xhosa woman that works for him in his mansion.

Apartheid law forbids the sexual relations between Afrikaners and coloureds, such a union would be considered criminal and both parties sent to jail. But it was a risk that both Pierre and Sadie were willing to take because of their love for each other.

Tragedy strikes the star crossed lovers as South Africa begins to implode on itself, rioting every night spreads across the country and a State of Emergency is declared. As the riots become more hostile and police action more sinister Pierre is forced to protect his family but at what cost?

A forbidden time is about love in a time of political and civil unrest in a country as diverse as the Continent itself....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mizen Publishing
• Release date: Jun 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781533791115

Book preview

Chapter One

The mournful neighs of the mare filled the stable.

Easy girl, the manager said as he rubbed the neck of the pure black mare. Good girl. He said in a soothing voice.

Here come the legs. The vet announced as he pulled firmly on the rope.

Quick, Sonta get Master Kroeger. The manager barked at the older stable hand and turned his attention back to the thoroughbred.

With a drawn out neigh from the mare and an encouraging pull from the vet the long dangly legs and body of a beautiful black foal fell to the straw bedding on the stable floor.

Immediately the foal tried to stand up, its legs were stick like and uncoordinated but it managed to stand up.

Its mother quickly took charge and began to lick the face of her newborn foal.

Mr Kroeger, The manager said as the tall figure of a man wearing a casual shirt and pants strode purposely over to the mare.

Congratulations, Pierre, it's a stallion. The vet said as he wiped his hands on a piece of cotton.

Pierre Kroeger went over to the mare and patted her on the neck. A smile crossed his face as he admired the sleek black foal with the prominent white star on its forehead. He had spent a lot of money in stud fees to get his prize mare in foal and it had proven worthwhile, as her first born was a stallion.

Mother is fine? Pierre asked his long time friend and vet.

It was a straight forward birth. Lankle Hennet assured him.

Good. Pierre said smiling giving the mare a final pat on the neck and he smirked when he saw the newborn nuzzling at its mother and began to suckle. Come up to the house, Lankle and have something to drink. Pierre encouraged and then to the manager he said. Fritz, make sure the hands that attended have a bottle of beer. He turned and walked out of the stable and back up to the large colonial mansion.

Pierre removed the crystal cork from the decanter and poured two generous glasses of whiskey into tumblers and handed one to his friend.

To the latest addition, Lankle Hennet toasted. Pierre wore a wry smile as he took a sip of the 26 year old whiskey. He was a very happy man.

What is all the commotion about? The dainty voice of a woman asked as she came into the lounge smiling. Pour me a gin and tonic, Pierre. The beautiful blonde ordered as she came over and gave her husband an air kiss on the cheek. Nightlight has had her foal, Pierre announced as he handed his wife a glass.

How charming, Cassandra Kroeger said smiling sweetly as she took a sip of the gin. Lankle it has been too long since you dined with us.

Forgive me Cassandra but I have been busy. Lankle said and then put his glass on the sideboard. Pierre, I shall call in tomorrow to see how mother and baby are doing. He said and bid them both goodnight.

Pierre poured himself another drink and glanced at his elegant wife as she sat on the crisp white couch, sipping daintily from her glass. She looked at him.

I can assume by the second whiskey you will be sleeping in the guest room, Pierre. Cassandra stated as she put her glass down. I have a headache. Goodnight. She said and left the lounge.

Pierre went over and sat down on the couch and let out a long sigh. He was annoyed by his wife's attitude but not surprised by it. They had been married for eight years and in that eight years they had made love perhaps half a dozen times. She had given Pierre a son as was expected of her and there wouldn't be another child for some time yet.

Cassandra came from old stock and her values did not include satisfying her husband in the bedroom but as for her social duties, Cassandra was the perfect wife.

The door to the lounge opened and he looked over as the young servant girl approached. What is it Sadie? Pierre asked as he raised the glass to his mouth.

I'm sorry sir, Sadie said. I thought you had gone to bed. Pierre sneered at that.

You can leave this room for now. He said in a strong manly voice. As Sadie was about to leave he relented. Come sit down and have a drink with me, Nightlight has foaled. Sadie stopped, turned and stared at him. He could see the frightened look on her face but he just smiled. She always made him smile with her shyness.

Master Pierre, what about Mistress Kroeger? Pierre stood up and walked over to the young woman and smiled down at her. She was stunningly beautiful with her soft mocha skin and eyes so dark and mysterious that he drowned in them every time he gazed into them. Her lips were soft and voluptuous, and her hair was the colour of night and smooth like silk.

Pierre reached out with his finger and gently stroked her cheek, her skin felt soft to his touch. She is as we speak already sleeping. He smiled gently at Sadie.

But the other servants' sir, Pierre tilted her chin and drank in the beauty of her face as she tried hard to resist him.

Sadie, Sadie, my beautiful dark beauty, Pierre whispered as he took a strand of her hair between his fingers. Come to my room tonight, when the lights are turned out. He said and then handed her the glass and left the lounge.

Chapter Two

Everywhere that there was standing room had revellers occupying it. The party was one of the major social events on the calendar in Cape Town.

Pierre watched his wife circulate and ooze sophistication and grace as her social training was on show. He took a sip of whiskey and glanced around at the other socialites in his home.

They were of course from the right class, either English or Afrikaans. They were the crème de la crème of South Africa, distinguished by their position and tongue.

It amused Pierre that he was part of such an elitist group yet he knew that if the choice were at hand he wouldn't want to live anywhere else. His family came to southern Africa in the early part of the 19th century as prospectors from Europe. At a time when it was deemed that the southern lands of the Dark Continent had nothing more to offer than vast tracts of worthless ground.

What do you make of these riots in Soweto, Pierre? The thick guttural voice of Ernest Kaaploth asked from beside him. Dreadful, dreadful business. Ernest answered his own question. I hear congratulations are in order. Pierre looked at him blankly for a moment. Then he realised that the man was talking about Nightlight's foal.

Yes, a great time indeed, Ernest. Pierre said as he saw Sadie bringing a tray of caviar and crackers over to them.

She looked strangely like an angel as she moved almost as though she were levitating.

How is your father? Ernest asked taking a cracker from the Stirling silver tray. Pierre held Sadie's gaze for the briefest of moments.

He is well, Ernest. Pierre answered quickly. He and my mother are away on a cruise in the Mediterranean.

Indeed, indeed. The older man nodded. I dare say you will take the delightful Cassandra away from us too. Pierre smiled and glanced over at his wife. She was angry and having stiff words with Sadie. Then Pierre saw her lash out with her hand and slap the young servant hard on the cheek.

Excuse me Ernest. Pierre said politely and strode over to his wife. Cassandra, please stop this. He said as several people that were standing around in a circle stared at him.

This lazy no good, has spoiled the caviar. Cassandra was close to tears. Pierre looked around at the people close by. He couldn't show any kind of remorse for what his wife had done toward Sadie.

I'm sure the caviar is just perfect, darling. Pierre said diplomatically as he put his arm around his wife and led her away from the fallen tray of caviar and crackers.

It was difficult for him to keep his temper under control but he had to. They were difficult times and he couldn't show Sadie any kind of civility. In his home it was Cassandra that was in charge of the servants and she deemed it that Sadie had somehow done wrong.

Pierre, that savant has ruined my party. Cassandra cried as he led her upstairs. It was getting harder and harder for him to remain calm around his wife's outbursts.

The party is not ruined Cassandra. Pierre said as he closed the door of the bedroom behind him. Everyone is enjoying themselves. She looked up at him through tear filled eyes. There was a time when a glance from her set his soul alight but that had been a long time ago. Now all she did was make him angry about his life.

Of course you would take her side. Cassandra growled at him. I've seen how she looks at you. She's poisoned you against me Pierre. He sighed audibly and went over to the door. There really was no point in talking to her when she was like this. Where are you going? Cassandra demanded angrily.

Pierre stood with his back to her and sighed as he said. I'm returning downstairs to our guests Cassandra.

You're going to her, aren't you? She demanded. Pierre turned around and smiled at his wife.

You know that that isn't true. He said trying hard to control his anger. We have guests waiting. Pierre turned his back to her again and opened the door and left.

Pierre listened to the men on the verandah as they discussed politics, his mind was cast back to the morning that he first kissed Sadie in the drawing room...Sweet memories.

What do you think of this state of emergency that has been placed on some parts of the country? Milton Krooes, a doctor asked. Pierre shook his head. It was the topic of conversation on everybody's lips since the president had imposed it after the anniversary of the Soweto riots of '76. Pierre had seen it before when the country had been thrown into turmoil but it usually returned to normality after a brief heated exchange. This was South Africa it was how the country worked.

I don't think much of it. Pierre said confidently. Simply a lot of bluster to keep belligerent students in line. Several of the men agreed with him.

How very blasé of you Pierre, Ernest Kaaploth said slapping him on the back. It is up to us to keep the dream of our forefathers alive and it is the youngsters like you who benefit from our endeavours to keep peace amongst the savages. The other men laughed heartily and Pierre grinned but inside he was not