Malaki

By Mardi Marsh

1900.
Twin boys: one black, one white - brutally separated when they were babies.

On her deathbed, Malakis mother Beth reveals to her son that he has a white twin brother called Isaac. She asks Malaki to promise to find him.
He leaves his new wife Izzy and his idyllic life at Pendragon Hall in Somerset, to set sail to America in search of Isaac.

Malaki encounters racism, hardship, corruption and cruelty; on his journey across America.
His reunion with Isaac is not what he had hoped, and he returns home a broken man. Will he ever find redemption?

2014.
Joe Houghton - owner of Cotton Wood Plantation and a high - flying business man in New York.
His life seems cursed by his ancestors which engulfs his family and future.

In this gripping novel, Malakis quest, and its repercussions, echo down the generations.

Praise for The Legacy.
A fast-paced, captivating and unforgettable must-read story.
Mardi Marsh is a truly inspiring writer.
I am looking forward to reading her next book Malaki.
Emma Poppard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524629076

Mardi Marsh

Mardi Marsh author of – ‘The Legacy,’ has now published ‘Malaki’ - the sequel. Mardi has always loved telling stories; taking people into another world. She loves the process, from first writing down her idea - to holding the first printed copy in her hand. Mardi lives with her husband Bob (they are both twins.) She lives on the south coast and enjoys walking along the beach: where she gains inspiration for her novels. Mardi and her husband enjoy spending time with their three grown up children and grandchildren, Jessica, Ewan, Sam & Ellie.

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2016 Mardi Marsh. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/08/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-2906-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-2907-6 (e)

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either

a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

The main characters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

For my Husband Bob - with all my love.x

Malaki meaning – messenger of God (variant of Malachi – biblical a prophet and writer of the final book of the Old Testament.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

F irstly, I would like to thank the patience, help and support of my dear husband Bob - thank you darling for staying on the journey with me.

And my amazing children Lissa, Emma and Steven - who I often bounce ideas off and who always have an encouraging word for me.

Thank you to my enthusiastic supporters - my grandchildren:

Jessica, Ewan, Sam and Ellie.

My twin sister Mary; who always gives me her support and valuable feedback on my novels.

A big, big thank you to Amanda my editor/proof-reader. For supporting me with understanding and patience throughout my second novel Malaki.

A big thank you to my local community:

Portchester, Stubbington and Fareham Libraries for their support as a local author.

Radio Solent

The News

Mayor of Fareham 2013 – 2014 Mr David Norris and his wife Pam for inviting me to speak about my novel - The Legacy.

Also to my local towns - Stubbington & Lee on the Solent.

Rick - The book shop.

Also thank you to the ladies of the ‘Fareham writers group,’ who all have a love of writing and where we critique each other’s work - which is so very valuable.

All who would win joy, must share it;

happiness was born a twin.

Lord Byron

Also by Mardi Marsh

The Legacy

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Malaki is the sequel to - The Legacy. For those who have not read the earlier book, the following backstory may be useful:

W ith the death of the Duke of Pendragon, Beth’s protection has gone. Her mother Eliza had been the Duke’s favourite black housemaid and Beth – now sixteen – his illegitimate daughter. The Duchess wants rid of them from her home, Pendragon Hall in Somerset, where she lives with her son James and her daughter, Charlotte.

Worrying that the Duchess might sell Eliza and Beth into slavery, a local minister - Reverend Logan - takes them with him to Africa to spread the word of God. They settle in a village of the Setae tribe, but it is attacked, both women are captured and Beth is raped. Reverend Logan is powerless to help. Traumatised, and put into chains, they are force-marched through the interior, the slave master buying more slaves on route to the harbour. Beth’s mother dies on the arduous journey.

Pregnant, Beth boards the slave ship The Camberley, bound for America, but gives birth early and the baby dies in the appalling conditions of the ships hold. Abel, another slave, helps Beth survive the horrific journey. In the slave market in Charleston, South Carolina, they are both bought by Theodore Jackson, who owns Cotton Wood Plantation. Because she is lighter-skinned, Theodore places Beth as a chambermaid to his daughter Emma. And because Abel can speak and write English, he is put in charge of the stores. Abel and Beth marry and have a son, Will.

While Theodore is away, Emma – heir to the Plantation - is killed by Sebastian, the son of Theodore’s former wife. Sebastian blames the murder on Abel who he has held a grudge against for some time. Believing Sebastian’s story, Theodore hangs Abel for the murder of his daughter.

Sebastian hates Theodore and wants the plantation for himself. He is having an affair with Theodore’s beautiful new wife Persia and together they hatch a plan to poison him. Persia wants both Sebastian and the plantation, but Sebastian is using her. The plan goes wrong – Beth alerts the authorities and Persia is imprisoned, the authorities believes Sebastian had nothing to do with it.

Although Theodore is blind to how evil Sebastian is, Sebastian fears that Beth will enlighten him, so he threatens her. Theodore promotes Beth to the position of teacher to the other slaves: he and Beth fall in love, are married, and she gives birth to twins – Isaac, who is white and Malaki, who is black. Theodore’s intention is to change his will in favour of his twin sons. Now Beth is married to Theodore, she feels safe, so tells him what Sebastian is really like.

Civil war ravages the country. Sebastian, returning from Charleston, is chased by army deserters – and Cotton Wood is under attack. Despite knowing the truth about his stepson, right now Theodore needs Sebastian’s help to defend the Plantation. Theodore is wounded in the leg and calls for Sebastian’s help, but instead his stepson shoots him dead. Confederate troop arrive, Sebastian tells them that Theodore was killed by deserters - and that they have taken Beth and her children as hostages. It is a lie, but one that serves his purpose well: he fears that Theodore might already have changed his will, cutting him out of his inheritance.

Sebastian orders Rufus, his most trusted slave, to help him smuggle Beth, Will and Malaki at dead of night to Captain Kelly, a man to whom he owes a large gambling debt, the Captain is due to sail at dawn to England. However, Sebastian decides to keep Isaac, the white baby, because if Isaac has indeed inherited, then at least Sebastian can retain some measure of control over the estate through Isaac.

The Captain sells Beth and her children in the slave market at Bristol Docks to a Doctor Richardson. But soon, wrongly accusing Beth of stealing, he turns them out onto the streets. It is mid-winter. Reverend Logan finds her just in time. He tells Beth that the Duchess and her son have both died and that Beth’s sister Charlotte has inherited Pendragon Hall: she also has the hereditary heart condition that has blighted her family, she is being treated by the very same Dr Richardson who had turned Beth out onto the streets. The doctor tells Charlotte about Beth and Charlotte begs him to find her and bring her home. On Charlotte’s death Beth inherits Pendragon Hall and raises her family there, living with the pain of losing Isaac, but not telling Malaki that he has a twin, as she wants him to have a happy childhood.

Malaki’s childhood sweetheart is Isabella, Reverend Logan’s niece, who Malaki calls Izzy. After the death of her parents, she had moved to live with her uncle on the estate. When they grew up, Malaki and Izzy got married. On her deathbed, Beth needs to impart the truth to Malaki about his lost twin, Isaac.

Malaki leaves his new wife and home Pendragon Hall to search for him. A year later, he returns a changed man and the story begins …

THE MAIN CHARACTERS

Theodore Jackson - white owner of Cotton Wood Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, America.

Sebastian Pike - stepson of Theodore Jackson by his second wife Sophia.

Beth (Bethany) Pendragon - a mulatto freed slave, illegitimate but recognised daughter of the Duke of Pendragon of Somerset and his black maid, Eliza. Beth becomes Theodore’s fourth wife.

James and Charlotte - legitimate offspring of the Duke of Pendragon, and therefore Beth’s step-siblings.

Abel Tukowunu - Beth’s first husband, a black slave, by whom she has a son, Will.

Malaki and Isaac -, twin sons of Theodore and Beth: one white, one black.

Izzy - who Malaki marries: they have a daughter, Rose.

The Houghton’s - African-American businessmen into whose family Rose marries when she weds John Houghton.

Matthew Houghton, son of John and Rose.

Ebony Houghton, who becomes Matthew’s second wife.

Joe Houghton, son of Matthew and his first wife.

Page, Ted and Billy, children of Joe and his first wife, Sara.

Other key players

Emma Jackson – Theodore’s only child by his first wife.

Lilly Ross - a child who captures Malaki’s heart.

Daniel Magnus - an American who is left a Textile Mill in Manchester by his grandfather and moves to England.

Dr James Middleton - an American who becomes a good friend of Malaki and his father.

Professor Middleton – a wealthy physician with connections, who mixes with the upper classes of New York.

Esteban and son Felipe - vaqueros who become good friends of Malaki as he crosses America searching for Isaac, his twin brother.

Angelica and Tobias Pike - Sebastian’s children, who cross Malaki’s path and leave their mark.

The Shanks family - generations of loyal friends, who work on the estate for the Pendragons.

Chapter 1

The year 1901 - Pendragon Hall, Somerset, England.

‘I t can’t be mine!’ Malaki shouted, the flicker of the gas light reflecting across his distorted black face. Izzy shrieked as he lunged forward, violently grabbing her red, long hair and dragging her out of the room.

‘Husband, you must believe me - this child is yours,’ she said as she clasped her stomach to protect her unborn child. She managed to stand but lost her footing at the top of the stairs. The shadow of her body as she fell flashed round the wall of the stairwell and she landed at the foot of the stairs. Unsteady and still in the black fog of drunkenness, Malaki descended, shouting at his wife’s motionless body, ‘Woman you have deceived me!’

‘Stop, brother!!’ Will screamed in horror at the scene.

Malaki grabbed him by his jacket and pinned him against the wall. ‘We know who the father is - don’t we?’ shouted Malaki, throwing a punch. Will slid down the wall. Malaki staggered off down the hallway thinking how, since his return six months ago, everything had been a blur.

He knew Will loved Izzy and believed that they had betrayed him while he was away searching for Isaac. As far as he recalled he had not been near his wife since his return, for he had retreated into himself, burdened with guilt. He felt he was not worthy of any love; he was now a shadow of the man he once was.

‘Mistress Izzy!’ screamed Meg as she rushed to her side and tried to revive her. Will anxiously lifted her.

‘Meg, fetch the doctor, quickly girl.’ The maid scurried away as Will took Izzy to her room and laid her on the bed.

‘Izzy! Izzy!’ Will cried as he tried to revive her. Her body jerked and as she opened her eyes he could see the pain reflected in them. ‘My baby,’ she cried as she cradled her stomach.

‘It’s alright, Izzy - its Will. You are safe now – rest. I have called the doctor.’ He was relieved that she was conscious.

Will had never told Izzy that he loved her; it was his secret. He always lived in hope that one day she would come to her senses, leave her husband and marry him instead.

‘Izzy, why do you stay with him?’

‘He was drunk, Will - don’t think badly of him.’

‘Why do you make excuses for him? This isn’t the only time that he has assaulted you. Look at your arms and legs - they are bleeding. I could kill him for doing this to you.’

What was he thinking? This was not the time to express his feelings. What she needed was to be kept calm and rested. Quiet descended except for Izzy’s sobs. He moved to the window, anxiously looking for the arrival of Doctor Collins.

Izzy watched him and thought how easy her life would have been if she had married dependable Will - but she knew that she had always loved Malaki.

Meg entered the room with Doctor Collins.

‘Well, my dear, how did this happen?’ asked the small, plump man, his face flushed from the cold night air. With an assuring smile he proceeded to examine Izzy; she cried out as he moved her injured limbs.

‘I was clumsy, doctor, and fell down the steps leading from my room. Please tell me my baby is alright?’

Will could not believe she was lying to protect her husband.

‘Well there are no bones broken. You will, however, have bruising. Nothing seems to have been disturbed but I cannot say whether you will keep your baby - only time will tell. You must be confined to your bed for two weeks.’ The doctor turned to Meg ‘I want you to place this ointment on your mistress’s arms and legs and change the dressings regularly - they must be kept clean.’

He then turned to Will: ‘I will visit again in a couple of days.’ The doctor picked up his battered brown leather bag and left.

‘I will leave you now - you must rest,’ said Will, smiling at Izzy. He rushed down the corridor to catch up with Dr Collins.

‘Izzy will be alright –won’t she, doctor?’

‘She’s strong and healthy, but whether she will hold onto her baby - we will have to wait and see.’ He patted Will’s shoulder, trying to reassure him. ‘Good night sir.’ he said as he tipped his hat and left by the front door.

Will was worried and swore he would do everything he could to protect Izzy from his brother.

Izzy cried herself to sleep, praying her baby was alright, but was worried about Malaki, for he had changed dramatically since his return – this was not the kind, loving man she had married. They had made plans to have a family on his return; he had told her how much he loved her before he’d left.

Apart from the night he came to her bed drunk with only one thing on his mind, he ignored her. He spent his time locked in his study with a bottle of whisky for company, or was found on the estate drunk by the farm hands. It hurt her greatly that he could think she would be unfaithful? Besides what Will had told her she knew no more; for Malaki would not speak to her – Izzy was devastated.

Chapter 2

W hen Reverend Logan - Izzy’s uncle and guardian - died, Malaki’s mother Beth, had taken Izzy to live with her at the Hall; in fact, she had become almost a mother to her.

Izzy reflected on her youth and how happy they had all been living together. The fact that Will and Malaki were black had never seemed to matter - her uncle had always said that the colour of one’s skin was of no consequence, because we were all God’s children.

She had been ten when she’d lost her parents and had come to live with her elderly uncle at the rectory on the Pendragon estate. She remembered the first day she met Will and Malaki in the churchyard. Malaki was the brother she was attracted to; he had a sparkle in his eyes and a free spirit and his sense of adventure was so alluring - he was so different to his studious older brother Will.

Now, since his return, Malaki had been more often drunk, though in the brief moments he was sober he would feel remorse for his behaviour towards Izzy, for she had been the one constant that he had clung to while he was away. But he felt betrayed. In sheer frustration he struck his fist several times against the wood panelling in the study and cried, ‘Oh God, please forgive me and ease my torment.’ Malaki looked out the window and in the distance saw his mother’s grave. He had not visited her grave since his return, as he had promised her; for he could not face it.

Malaki locked the study door and took a bottle of whisky from his desk drawer and settled down in his favourite armchair by the fire. He began to drown his sorrows as he swigged from the bottle; his mind took him back to his childhood, when he thought he had lost Izzy.

It was a cold winter’s morning; he was thirteen. He had awoken and blinked his eyes. It was as if the world outside his window had been painted white overnight. He had excitedly jumped out of bed.

‘Quickly,’ he’d shouted to his elder brother Will as he pulled his bedding off onto the floor of their bedroom.

‘You - brat,’ Will had shouted, irritated at being awoken so abruptly and trying to retrieve his bedding.

‘It’s snowing!’ Malaki had shouted as he’d hurried along to Izzy’s room, pulling on his coat.

‘Get your boots and coat on, Izzy - it’s snowing. Look!’ he’d said, as he pointed to the snow falling outside her window. She’d sleepily climbed from her bed, followed by her pet dog Farley. He had been the runt of the litter from one of the sheepdogs on the farm that her father had once owned in Yorkshire. Izzy loved any chance to be in the company of Malaki, so she’d dressed and pulled on her coat and boots quickly and had followed Malaki down the stairs, pursued by Farley.

They’d trudged through the snow, excited at the footprints they made, laughing at Farley as he tried to navigate through the deep snow. They had run and run across the fields, the wind biting at their hands and faces, turning them red.

‘Look, the lake has frozen,’ Izzy had said, pointing. A boat had been tied to the bank, and was encased by ice.

Malaki and Izzy had climbed on board. Farley had scampered onto the ice.

‘Farley, here boy,’ Izzy had shouted but her dog had not heeded her calls.

Oblivious to Malaki’s calls to return, Izzy had stepped onto the ice and chased after Farley.

‘Izzy no!’ he’d shouted. ‘Stop - it’s not safe!’

There had been no stopping her; Farley had not just been her pet dog – he’d been more than that because he’d been the only link with her parents and her past. As Izzy had come within reach of him she’d lunged at him and missed, he’d then scampered off to the bank on the other side of the lake.

As she lay sprawled on the ice she had felt it crack around her and had screamed as she felt the cold water cover and devour her.

‘Help, help!’ Her voice resounded in Malaki’s head, as if it was only yesterday. Recalling the moment triggered the deep pain he felt, fearing he would not get to her in time. As he carried her to the Hall he knew he loved her then and always would.

He was abruptly brought out of his drunken stupor by the loud noise of his brother Will banging on the study door, angry that he found it locked.

‘Malaki, you have become a monster since you have returned home,’ he shouted.

‘Speak to me, brother, for I will not tolerate your behaviour towards Izzy. Sort yourself out - or leave.’

In temper, Malaki threw his pewter tankard at the door.

His sight blurred through drink and the warmth from the fire sent him into a deep sleep; his mind wandered back to his mother’s last words to him.

As he had held her hand, Beth his mother had gazed at him with love; he was the only link to her life with Theodore and the past.

‘Son, you have a twin brother - Isaac,’ she’d whispered. Malaki had reeled at the revelation. Breathlessly, Beth had continued: ‘He was just a baby when I was forced to leave him with my devious and scheming stepson Sebastian at Cotton Wood Plantation.’ Beth had paused, struggling to form her words. Malaki had leant in closer to hear his mother.

‘I know I will never see him again, but tell Isaac that I never stopped loving him. I need to go to my maker knowing you are going to find him.’ With her last ounce of strength Beth had pulled herself up by grasping her son’s arm and - looking into his tear-filled eyes – had implored for his forgiveness.

He’d kissed his mother’s forehead.

‘You have nothing to forgive, Mama - I promise I will find Isaac.’

His mother had fallen back, relieved she had imparted the truth to her son. Malaki had stroked her hair, trying to calm her. The love she felt for him had showed in her eyes - then the light had faded from them as she’d left this world. His elder brother Will, rushed through the door, pushing Malaki aside.

‘Mother! Mother,’ he’d cried.

Malaki awoke, his face wet with tears, the pain still strong even though it was over a year since his mother had died and he had departed in search of Isaac. How he wished he could turn back the clock. He just wanted to rid himself of the guilt that had engulfed his very being.

A year earlier.

An atmosphere of sadness descended over Pendragon Hall. Their mother had always been their rock and now she was gone.

Izzy was heartbroken, for she was very close to Beth. Malaki comforted her and they grieved together. As he dried her red, swollen eyes he said, ‘My mother’s last words to me were that I have a twin brother called Isaac, who she wants me to search for. I promised her I would find him.’

‘You have a twin brother! How wonderful! Of course, I will hate you having to leave me but you must search for him - I understand.’ She stroked his concerned face. Malaki held her tight, feeling blessed.

Will, Beth’s eldest son, now inherited Pendragon Hall. As they stood at their mother’s grave after her funeral, Malaki turned to his wife: ‘I need a moment,’ he said and kissed Izzy’s hand. She walked back to the house with Will.

Malaki stood by the freshly churned soil, looking at the cross bearing his mother’s name and said emotionally: ‘As you have taught me, Mama, I will believe in myself, be honest and kind to others and follow God’s teaching. Thank you for the gift of a twin brother. I will find him, I promise you. I cannot wait to meet him. We will get you a beautiful headstone, Mama.’ Leaning over, he kissed the cross. ‘I will visit you on my return and tell you all about Isaac.’

The next morning Malaki put his bags inside the carriage.

Will placed two letters in his brother’s hand.

‘Mother said I was to