DEFYING THE DARK CODE
In the center of this saga is ex-Captain John Wilson—a textile magnate, doing well for himself. But John's life unexpectedly intertwines with Thomas Cane, an astute tobacco baron. The tension escalates when John becomes drawn to Minnie, a slave girl, personal housekeeper to Marci, Cane's wife. Their love story unfurls against a perilous backdrop. They confront the harsh Black Code. That code defined an era, slavery, and oppression. It is fascinating how this romance and drama unfurls in a dystopian thriller, where the civil war never happened, and what it meant for their world as two countries emerge, co-dependent enemies.
Minnie sat beside John, her heart racing as she caught Thomas’s eye at the table. At that moment, Thomas Cane showed all his colors as he stood and called out to John Wilson loudly and arrogantly, “Mr. John Wilson, do you always practice traveling with your wench?”
His look was not one of lust, but rather one of genuine curiosity, mirroring her fascination. John told her, “Don’t be afraid; I don’t mean to stare.” “Well, you are!” said Minnie. “I prefer to say I was gazing; it sounds much better.” “Just what were you gazing at, Captain John Wilson? I’m just property, bought and owned by Master Cane, forbidden by the Canes to be with any man,” & politely excused herself. .
“Of course,” he replied calmly. “I had it burned when the Confederates seized it. There was no way I was going to continue funding a lost cause. It was just like Haiti all over again. I’m done with farming, done with owning slaves.” Marci’s eyes widened in astonishment. “First, bravo! Second, that’s quite a change of heart! I never thought I would see you become an abolitionist.”