All That Time Allows: The James Saga, #1

By Annette Austin

Lies, passion, and intrigue – welcome to Havers End!

This enthralling historical fiction prequel begins The James Saga.

Edward James has a firm grip on the Havers End slave plantation.

From the outside, the James family is a respectable, wealthy Southern family but away from polite society,

there are deep-seated divisions.

 

His son, Lawrence James, is set to take charge of the plantation. Yet, his son's refusal to accept slavery

as part of his birthright leaves Edward exasperated, and leads to frequent clashes between them.

His youngest daughter, Madeleine James, is never happy unless she is meddling in other people's affairs and Edward

wonders whether she will ever be able to function as an adult without him.

His biggest concern is his eldest daughter, Belvedere Rossiter, whose marriage to her husband, Nicholas, is in turmoil.

Edward wants Belvedere to be happy.

Can she resolve her differences with her husband or will she be able to find true happiness?

 

 

   

   

• Language: English
• Publisher: Annette Austin
• Release date: May 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224651030

Book preview

ONE

February 1860

Sitting at her vast dressing table, Belvedere Rossiter pulled the hard brush through her limp, brunette hair. Staring wistfully outside, she craved to be somewhere else. As the slaves toiled in the huge cotton fields, their sweat falling off their bodies, the sound of the lash a constant companion to their pain. Turning away, Belvedere did not want to witness anymore. Similar to an orchestra playing, there were some parts more enjoyable to her than others.

Inwardly, while she continued her staunch belief that her family could not survive without being a part of the slave trade, Belvedere realised she could no longer ignore the appalling plight of the Negro slaves who worked for her father, Edward James. Their bodies permanently scarred from the beatings they received. All hopes of a better life were extinguished long ago. It hurt her soul to see such suffering.

However, without slaves, Havers End would not be able to operate. Their labour was a key component to the James family’s success. The reins of power would loosen if they were no longer slave owners.

While Belvedere felt conflicted by the fact her family continued to be involved in the slave trade, she deemed it necessary. The James family name must continue to be one to be admired and respected. It would be lost if they failed to take part in the slave trade. Besides, her father, Edward, would never support such a move. Slavery made him a very rich man. It was too lucrative for him to walk away from now.

On this subject, Belvedere kept her own counsel, knowing that her father would be unhappy at any suggestion they were acting in an improper manner. A lady wasn’t allowed to voice her opinion openly, not when it related to business matters.

As for speaking to her husband, Nicholas Rossiter, about it, Belvedere recognised it would be words falling on ears unwilling to listen. A huge believer in slavery, Nicholas would not dare to go against Edward’s wishes. He had far too much to lose.

With a slight shake of her head, she glanced down at her yellow dress, which failed to conceal her enlarging body. Unlike her siblings who inherited their parent’s good looks, Belvedere did not. Her features were plain with alert brown eyes and full lips. What Belvedere possessed was intelligence, a quick wit and a deft way of handling business matters. Noticing his eldest daughter’s restless spirit, Edward put her in charge of the stables. She managed to turn the stables from one that made very little money into one of the best-run and most profitable stables in the South. Placing the brush to one side, Belvedere played with her fingers. At times, there seemed to be very little for her to do. Once she undertook her work in the stables, usually in the mornings, Belvedere’s afternoons were free to do what she wanted. Her husband was seldom around and when he was...

Belvedere raised her brown eyes skywards. She wanted not to dwell too much on him. Her marriage should have filled her with happiness, not sorrow. Belvedere recalled her mother once saying to her,

‘Marriage is not how folks say it will be. The woman always gets the straw while the man finds much hay. Don’t expect a slice of the rainbow with a man, Belvedere. You will be sorely disappointed.’

She thought it an odd statement at the time. However, strange behaviour used to be her mother’s speciality. Alas, for Belvedere, Alice’s words now rang true. Whenever Belvedere thought about Nicholas, she pondered how everything had dissolved so quickly. Why couldn’t the union be a joyous one? A private person, Belvedere had few friends and the ones