Rosey Dawn
Rosey Dawn is the haunting prequel to Lady of the Manor.
​
Born into privilege, but starved of love, Rosey Dawn is a young immigrant daughter in a fractured household ruled by secrets, silence, and sin. The Prescotts immigrate to the U.S. in the early 1900's and settle in Charleston, South Carolina. As she triggers the slow unraveling of her family, Rosemary harbors a truth too evil to speak: her twisted hold over her brother is warping their lives beyond repair.
​
But in a world where propriety masks cruelty, no one can salvage a girl like Rosemary. A sudden move to Savannah dismantles the relationship with the love of her life. Hardened by betrayal and shaped by the darkness that surrounds her, she begins a transformation that will cost her everything soft, tender, and true.
​
Rosey Dawn is dying.
​
And in her place, the Lady of the Manor is born.
​
​
But, Rosemary couldn’t stay away from him. Every possible chance, she stole a moment to watch him, talk to him, and even touch him. Several times, Walt nearly caught her. She would sneak off to meet him secretly at night. Mary grew increasingly concerned because she could see the look in her daughter’s eyes. She thought to herself; how had Walt not seen it? But, he didn’t. A year passed by and he never said a word about it. Another summer had arrived and Joe began working half days for fifty cents as there wasn’t a great deal to do since he had everything working properly. Walter considered having Joe do work from the afternoon on at his saw mill.
So, it happened that one Friday afternoon, Walt took Mary and Issachar into town. Rosemary feigned sick to stay at home. Joe was out back painting the fence. When she saw the buggy roll out of sight, she sauntered her way out to the back porch.
“Come here for a minute, Bumpy. I need you to fix something.”
“You sure, Rosey? Your folks just left for town. They might be back anytime.”
“They’ll be gone for hours. Mother has to see Doc Shepherd and they have to get Izzy some new clothes since he’s outgrown his others. It should take a while.”
“Okay.”
She led him up the stairs, nervous and excited. They closed and locked the door before sitting on the bed. He began to kiss her and rub her body for twenty minutes or so until she stopped him.
“What’s the matter, Rosey?”
“Can I see it?”
“See what?”
“See it,” she giggled in embarrassment. “I’ve never seen one before.”
“Oh,” he laughed. “Okay.” He stood up, dropping his britches and undergarments.
She touched it, then pulled away. “Is that big or small?”
“I don’t know,” he smiled. “It’s the only one I’ve ever seen. Do you like it?”
She nodded, “Take your shirt off. I love your body.” He did. “You’re a knockout.”
Joe laughed, “I can’t be a knockout.”
“Why not?”
“Cause you have to be a female to be a knockout. So, are you going to make me stand here naked all by myself?”
Rosemary took her nightgown and pulled it over her head. She wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
“I definitely like this,” Joe kissed her again.
She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist, “I want you to make love to me, Joe. I want you to be my first, last, and only.”
“Okay.”
He laid her on the bed and tried to be gentle. It hurt her a bit, so he eased her into it. Once she got adjusted to him, the pace quickened and Rosemary enjoyed Joe fully. She rolled him over so she could be on top for a while. About forty-five minutes into their session, Rosemary heard voices outside. She stopped and ran to the window.
“Oh, no. They’re back early. Get dressed!” Joe threw on his clothes and ran to the window.
“What do we do, Rosey?”
“When they come in, you go out this window. Go to the old outhouse. If father asks, the ham sandwich I gave you made you sick to the stomach.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll stall them. Don’t make any noise on the way down.”
When they all stepped onto the porch, Bumpy stepped out of the window. As they heard the screen door close, she pulled him to her face. “One last kiss.” She planted her lips on his and slowly let him go. He lost his balance and rolled backwards, crashing to the ground. She wanted to yell and see if he was okay, but she didn’t dare. There was a knock on her door and she opened it.
“Why was this door locked?” Walt barged in with Mary behind him. “And where is Bumpy? He should be out painting that fence. You better not have had him up here. I told you that a Negro will rot your eggs and your womb if you let him have sex with you.”
“Father, don’t be ridiculous. That’s an old wives’ tale. I had the door locked because I was changing clothes. I haven’t seen Bumpy since I took him his sandwich earlier. Stop thinking the worst of him. He’s a decent guy and you know it!”
“But, he’s still a Negro, Rosey Dawn, and they’re capable of anything.”