The Novel
A Forgotten Love Story
Throughout the first decade of the 1800s, Richard Mentor Johnson lives a charmed life. Anything he desires, he gets. He has property, education and such a brilliant political future he has already come to the attention of President Jefferson. When he meets the independent, worldly-wise Suzanne Bayton, he knows he has found the woman who will help him become president. That is, until his ambitious family manipulates Suzanne out of his life because she’s a working-class northerner, unfit to belong in Kentucky’s society. Now he’s out to defy not only his family, but all of American society as well, with his new choice of a bride.
Everything in Julia Chinn’s life has gone better than she dared to hope. She has the face of a bewildered angel, as Suzanne puts it, musical talent and a gift for healing. Richard’s family loves her as nearly one of their own. But she can’t indulge in hope, because she is their slave. She clings, however, to the one freedom even a slave can claim as a birthright: to dream, and she dreams of loving Richard.
Something in James Theobald’s life has to change. His wife wants more than he can give. His country medical practice spreads him too thin and wastes his talents. He finally proves his skill when he saves Richard from the butchery he incurs during the War of 1812. James alone understands how Richard could enter into the forbidden love with Julia after losing Suzanne, and also break the law to make her his wife. But how can he maintain their bond as comrades-in-arms when he cannot overcome his own feelings for Julia?
Based on the true story of Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson and Julia Chinn, GREAT CROSSING evokes a time when love that dared to cross barriers faced cruel and relentless obstacles.
Excerpts
October 1804
NEITHER SPOKE. Minutes passed in silence. He felt his shirt grow wet. She was crying without a sound, and when he bent to kiss the part of her hair, she shook with sobs.
“You are gone from me, my love, and I cannot bear it.”
He had never seen his Suzanne weep. The barrier was down. It was the moment he had waited for. “I have a suggestion, then. Marry me. My inheritance comes when I turn twenty-five, and Blue Spring will be signed completely over to me. Think about this: we will be inseparable this time next year.”
Suzanne tightened her grip around him and shook her head yes. She kissed his chest. He pulled her chin up, bent and kissed her slowly, feeling her muscles unloose until she relied entirely on his arms to hold her up.
When they untangled, she fussed over the wet spots on his vest and shirt. He unbuttoned the vest, flapped it to get it dry, and noticed a dark spot on the inside. She had appliquéd a hummingbird on the lining that lay over his heart.
“Lawzoo moose.” His terrible French always made her laugh.
“L’oiseau mouche, mon amour,” she corrected him, although she did not laugh.
July 1807
WHEN RICHARD walked up the porch, the soft scuffing of his boots on the boards stirred Julia, who had taken refuge in a dark corner of the drawing room. How was it that he should arrive when grief for her mother and this unbidden connection to Theobald had made her need for him so great?
She called his name softly when he stepped into the foyer. Relieved to see that the draperies would hide the sight of them together, Richard entered the dark room and carefully closed the door. They embraced until the dampness of their clothes forced them apart. He lifted her hand to his lips and as he kissed it, she kissed the back of his hand before moving it to her face.
“I am truly sorry you have lost your mother, Julia.” He stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb, alarmed by the redness and swelling of her eyes.
“She’s free now. But God forgive me, I cannot grieve as I ought because you are home. Why are you here, in this room, with me?”
In answer, Richard kissed her slowly, softly, repeating her name and holding her gently until she felt her restraint give way. Her lips parted and she allowed herself to wonder at the taste of him: the dust of the road, the salt of his sweat, anise seed from the little funeral cake.
Mama, I am so, so sorry to have such joy in the shadow of your grave.
Excerpts
October 1804
NEITHER SPOKE. Minutes passed in silence. He felt his shirt grow wet. She was crying without a sound, and when he bent to kiss the part of her hair, she shook with sobs.
“You are gone from me, my love, and I cannot bear it.”
He had never seen his Suzanne weep. The barrier was down. It was the moment he had waited for. “I have a suggestion, then. Marry me. My inheritance comes when I turn twenty-five, and Blue Spring will be signed completely over to me. Think about this: we will be inseparable this time next year.”
Suzanne tightened her grip around him and shook her head yes. She kissed his chest. He pulled her chin up, bent and kissed her slowly, feeling her muscles unloose until she relied entirely on his arms to hold her up.
When they untangled, she fussed over the wet spots on his vest and shirt. He unbuttoned the vest, flapped it to get it dry, and noticed a dark spot on the inside. She had appliquéd a hummingbird on the lining that lay over his heart.
“Lawzoo moose.” His terrible French always made her laugh.
“L’oiseau mouche, mon amour,” she corrected him, although she did not laugh.
July 1807
WHEN RICHARD walked up the porch, the soft scuffing of his boots on the boards stirred Julia, who had taken refuge in a dark corner of the drawing room. How was it that he should arrive when grief for her mother and this unbidden connection to Theobald had made her need for him so great?
She called his name softly when he stepped into the foyer. Relieved to see that the draperies would hide the sight of them together, Richard entered the dark room and carefully closed the door. They embraced until the dampness of their clothes forced them apart. He lifted her hand to his lips and as he kissed it, she kissed the back of his hand before moving it to her face.
“I am truly sorry you have lost your mother, Julia.” He stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb, alarmed by the redness and swelling of her eyes.
“She’s free now. But God forgive me, I cannot grieve as I ought because you are home. Why are you here, in this room, with me?”
In answer, Richard kissed her slowly, softly, repeating her name and holding her gently until she felt her restraint give way. Her lips parted and she allowed herself to wonder at the taste of him: the dust of the road, the salt of his sweat, anise seed from the little funeral cake.
Mama, I am so, so sorry to have such joy in the shadow of your grave.
A Forgotten Love Story
Throughout the first decade of the 1800s, Richard Mentor Johnson lives a charmed life. Anything he desires, he gets. He has property, education and such a brilliant political future he has already come to the attention of President Jefferson. When he meets the independent, worldly-wise Suzanne Bayton, he knows he has found the woman who will help him become president. That is, until his ambitious family manipulates Suzanne out of his life because she’s a working-class northerner, unfit to belong in Kentucky’s society. Now he’s out to defy not only his family, but all of American society as well, with his new choice of a bride.
Everything in Julia Chinn’s life has gone better than she dared to hope. She has the face of a bewildered angel, as Suzanne puts it, musical talent and a gift for healing. Richard’s family loves her as nearly one of their own. But she can’t indulge in hope, because she is their slave. She clings, however, to the one freedom even a slave can claim as a birthright: to dream, and she dreams of loving Richard.
Something in James Theobald’s life has to change. His wife wants more than he can give. His country medical practice spreads him too thin and wastes his talents. He finally proves his skill when he saves Richard from the butchery he incurs during the War of 1812. James alone understands how Richard could enter into the forbidden love with Julia after losing Suzanne, and also break the law to make her his wife. But how can he maintain their bond as comrades-in-arms when he cannot overcome his own feelings for Julia?
Based on the true story of Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson and Julia Chinn, GREAT CROSSING evokes a time when love that dared to cross barriers faced cruel and relentless obstacles.