“I’ll walk back to the house with you.” Hunter opened the door as Andrea turned and hugged everyone again. They walked silently back to the house, neither speaking until they arrived at the door.
“That was a wonderful surprise.” Andrea looked up at him shyly. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Hunter shifted his stance and appeared suddenly uncomfortable. “Mattie told me about her plot some weeks ago.” He paused and cleared his throat. “But strangely enough I couldn’t get anyone to tell me what that bet was about.”
Andrea felt her cheeks turning red. “It was nothing.” She turned toward the door and put her hand on the doorknob. “Just a silly bet to let the ladies have some fun.”
“You can tell me.” Hunter’s voice was more lighthearted now, yet insistent. He even put his hand on her arm and turned her around.
Andrea’s heart thumped twice, and then settled into a more normal rhythm. She knew he wasn’t going to allow her to get away with a vague answer, so she steeled herself to tell the truth.
“If you really wish to know…I bet that Victoria would have you betrothed by the end of the month.” She stared into his eyes. “As the month is over, and I have heard no announcement, I conceded that I lost.”
Hunter eyed her with a look of bewilderment. “Surely you don’t believe that I’m fool enough to be trapped by Victoria?”
Andrea looked at him innocently as she unlatched the door and began to back through it.
“Surely you do not believe that I make wagers with the intent of losing.”
Chapter 45
Courage and strength do not come from physical capacity. They come from an indomitable will.
–Mahtma Gandhi
The days sped by as Andrea’s strength returned in seemingly slow degrees to her, though others could easily see the progress being made.
As she spent as much time as possible outside the house, it was therefore not surprising that she was the first to see a pony cart come storming up the lane, driven by a young girl with flowing brown hair.
“Is the Major here?” The girl leaned back to pull the one horse to a stop and did not bother to introduce herself.
Andrea calmly grabbed the lone horse’s bridle to quiet him before she answered. “No. Is something wrong?”
The girl was breathing heavily and appeared completely panic-stricken.
“But where is he?” she groaned.
“I do not know Miss…”
“I’m sorry. I’m Laura Talbert from the neighboring estate.” She nodded over her shoulder as if Andrea would know the house. “I overheard something…and I’m afraid the men are…in great danger.” She heaved in great breaths as she talked.
Andrea let go of the horse and stepped closer to the girl. So this was the Laura Talbert she had heard Johnny talk of so often. She was indeed beautiful. “What did you hear? What do you mean?”
“There were some Yankees just at our house. Oh they were so rude. I hid under the stairwell, and I overheard them say they had an ambush set up for Hunter and his men. Somehow they know that he is close by.” She looked over her shoulder. “But where? I can’t find them.”
Andrea saw the terror on Laura’s face as she spoke and realized the soldiers had probably gone into horrific detail about their plan. As evidence of that fact, Laura raised both of her hands to her face and began crying.
“Do you know where these Yankees are?” Andrea didn’t know why, but her heart felt like a large hand was squeezing it at the thought of such a massacre occurring.
Laura nodded slowly. “I think so. They said they were going to hide in the woods by the big meadow because Hunter often camps there.”
By this time Zach had come out to greet the visitor.
“What horse is the Major riding?” Andrea asked Zach as soon as she saw him approach.
“Dixie.”
Andrea put her hands on her hips as her eyes swept the fields.
“Saddle that white horse for me.” She nodded toward the paddock. “It’s the closest thing to gray that is here. And can you saddle the bay mare for Laura?” Andrea turned and started walking toward the house.
“But Miz Andrea—” Zach began to argue until he saw that Andrea was already heading up the steps of the porch. He muttered under his breath as he took off toward the barn to follow the orders.
Before the two horses had even been saddled, Andrea appeared in her new boots, wearing one of Hunter’s red-lined great coats and an old tattered hat. The coat was much too large, the sleeves altogether too long, and the hat she had found sat overly low on her head.
“Do I look like the Major?”
The two stood dumbfounded, and then laughed.
“Maybe from a distance,” Laura answered. “A long distance. What are you going to do?”
“Distract them…hopefully.” Andrea answered as she checked the girth on the large-boned horse that had only arrived at the estate a day earlier. In her excitement and anxiety for what was about to transpire, Andrea completely overcame any hesitation about being unable to handle an unruly horse.
“You go on ahead,” Andrea instructed Laura. “I’ll catch up. When we get close, point the way, and then hightail it back to wherever you came from. Zach, you take the cart back to Miss Talbert’s and bring the mare back.”
“I don’t like this,” he said as he lifted Andrea easily into the saddle. “Maybe I should go look for Massa and you should—”
He didn’t have time to finish explaining his plan. As soon as Andrea touched the saddle, the horse took off at a gallop. Had she wished to restrain him, Andrea doubted that she would have had the strength to do so. Apparently weary of his new home, the horse flew down the lane, exhibiting an eagerness for a run that was impossible to arrest.
Within moments, Andrea was in sight of Laura on the bay mare, and it seemed like only minutes more before she saw the dim figure of the girl in the soft twilight pointing toward a vast open field surrounded by woods.
Andrea entered the meadow and pulled the heaving, rambunctious stallion to a halt, cautiously eying the terrain. She could see no sign of a foe lying in wait as she gazed thoughtfully at the peacefulness of the forest. If there was danger there at all it was hidden from view, making the threat seem completely unreal.
Still, Andrea remained cautious, her eyes sweeping the pasture from left to right, her head up, listening intently for any sign of danger. When she heard only the calming twitterings of birds as they prepared for nightfall, she somewhat relaxed her grip on the reins.
From which way will they strike? she wondered as she swept again the outline of the trees.
Will they fall for the bait and strike at all?
If they do attack, what is the most convenient route of escape?
Her mount, tiring of his idleness, pawed the ground and stretched his neck, pulling the reins out of Andrea’s relaxed hands. Though she instantly tightened her grip and fought for control, the horse took full advantage of the release, galloping out of control deeper into the field. Standing in the stirrups and sea-sawing the reins with all her strength, Andrea was finally able to bring him to a halt on top of a small knoll.
Taking a deep breath of exasperation, as he continued to dance and toss his head in rebellion, Andrea noticed out of the corner of her eye a shadow of movement near the tree line. Within moments, the shadow became a moving wave, and then the moving wave manifested itself into a gleaming array of weaponry, flowing silently and ominously toward her. In the dim light it appeared like giant arms advancing around the sides of the field to embrace her.
Everything was silent for just another moment as Andrea stared at the phenomenon, and then the full fury of the attack was unleashed. Neither Andrea nor the horse was prepared for the onslaught of lead that accompanied the deafening roar of the muskets, as the enemy began firing before completing their trap.
The horse needed no encouragement, yet Andrea kicked him in the sid
es and leaned low across his back. Paying no heed to her earlier plan of an escape route, she simply spurred the steed in the opposite direction from whence the firing came.
“Run now you crazy beast,” she said leaning over his neck and giving him free rein. “I’ll not hold you back now.”
Chapter 46
The Army of Northern Virginia was never defeated. It merely wore itself out whipping the enemy.
– Confederate General Jubal Early
Colonel Hunter’s horse jumped at the first sound of gunfire, almost loosening him from the saddle. He had just pulled his new mare to a halt to light his pipe and was sitting leisurely in the saddle with the reins slack on her neck when the roar of musketry cascaded toward him.
Discarding the tobacco, he kicked the horse into a canter and motioned for his men to follow. Two of his men broke off to scout to the right of the action and the rest pulled up at the crest of a hill that gave them a bird’s eye view of the terrain. In a distant field where they often encamped, they saw Union sharpshooters, backed up by a few dozen cavalry, all firing away at an unseen foe.
“I don’t know what we did to deserve this, but it looks like they want to fight, boys. Let’s give em what they asked for.”
With a yell, his men came up behind him and covered the distance in a matter of minutes, scattering the sharpshooters with their pistol shots and running them back into the cavalry.
It was all was over in a matter of minute, as the cavalry, unable to shoot for fear of hitting their own retreating men, surrendered without a fight.
Hunter and his men came away with forty horses and thirty-five prisoners in a raid they had not even planned, on the very ground where they had intended to encamp. When the prisoners were questioned later, Hunter was delighted to hear he had succeeded in swallowing his foe in the very trap that had been set for him.
“You tricked us on that damn white horse,” one of the prisoners said.
Hunter looked confused. “My mare is gray, gentlemen, but as you can see I am not mounted on her now. She came up lame last night.”
The Yankee officers continued to tell the story of the white horse and of the officer in a scarlet-lined coat who had lured them from their trap. The story of this mysterious phantom did nothing but elicit laughter from Hunter’s men, who believed it to be the product of over-active imaginations, or a questionable excuse for the enemy’s shameful flight.
* * *
By the time Andrea re-gained control of the stallion, she had no more idea of where she was than if she had been dropped off on the moon.
The gunfire from behind her having long since faded away, Andrea was afraid she would have to wait until morning to try to find her way back to Hawthorne. To make matters worse, the muscles in both her legs and her arms were screaming with pain and trembling, making them essentially useless in trying to control the horse.
Letting the exhausted stallion have his head, he continued to trot as if he had a purpose and destination. Unexpectedly from out of the dark night, Andrea caught sight of a light twinkling in the distance. Cautiously she let the horse continue, and his pace picked up to a smooth canter. Her eyes scanned the darkness, and soon she recognized that she was on the long, winding lane of Hawthorne.
“You beautiful, wonderful horse,” she said slapping his neck.
The light she had noticed from a distance was coming from the barn. It appeared Zach had used every available lamp to illuminate the building. As soon as Andrea drew rein in the doorway, he appeared from within.
“Miz Andrea. Is dat you?”
“Yes, it’s me.” Ecstatic to see a friendly face, she slid from the horse’s back as soon as he grabbed the horse’s bridle.
“Blazes and thunderation…this bloody cursed leg.” Andrea had to grab onto the stirrup to keep from falling down, and let out a string of oaths as she doubled over in pain. In her haste she had forgotten the height of the stallion and the lack of strength in her injured limb.
“Miz Andrea, that no way for a lady to talk,” Zach scolded her.
Andrea continued to hold onto the saddle inhaling long deep breaths. Hard to believe there had been a time when she’d spent days in the saddle. Now, just those few hours had every muscle on fire—and she knew tomorrow would be even worse.
Her heart thumped with a disappointment that was almost as painful as the physical torment. Though she had proven to herself she could handle a strong horse, her body was not yet able to handle the rigors of riding.
She looked back on what she had done—and why—weighing again her reasons for the excursion. Politics and opinions collided in her mind, draining her convictions and causing a state of confusion. She hadn’t really thought about her own motives for the venture, only the consequences of a successful ambush.
Anyway, no harm had been done. She was back safe and sound, and Hunter had no doubt been alerted to the presence of the opposing force.
Noticing Zach’s sudden silence, Andrea glanced over her shoulder and found him staring at her with white, saucer-sized eyes.
“What’s wrong?” She followed his gaze down to her side, to the gaping hole in the fabric of the coat.
Andrea gasped too as she examined the coat.
“I hope Gabriella can mend it.” She looked up horrified, more concerned about the condition of the coat she had borrowed from Hunter than the fact that the bullet had missed vital organs by less than a horizontal inch.
Chapter 47
Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
– General George Washington
Hunter heard a blood-curdling scream from the direction of the porch and flew through the house to discover its source. He found Andrea standing perfectly still, a look of complete panic on her face. Grizz stood just behind her with the hair on the back of his neck standing up, but whether it was a result of Andrea’s scream or an unseen menace, he couldn’t tell.
“Miss Evans. What’s wrong?”
Andrea grasped his forearm in a powerful one-handed clutch. “Spider.” She pointed toward the ceiling and whispered as she thought the creature might hear her.
Hunter knew she wasn’t joking, because not even the sight of a hangman’s noose could equal the terror that radiated from her eyes. He watched as she shook her hair, then her hand, as if she had touched something vile.
“A spider, Miss Evans?”
“Yes, it dropped—” She gasped, barely able to finish the sentence. “In my h-hair.”
Despite the obvious seriousness of the matter, Hunter put his head back and laughed. “You, Andrea Evans, are afraid of a little spider?”
“It wasn’t little!”
Hunter suppressed another laugh because he felt her trembling, yet he hardly believed what he heard and saw. The daring, dauntless Andrea Evans had a weakness.
“You don’t understand!” Sighing with obvious exasperation at his mirth, she checked her hair one last time and picked up her skirts to depart. But before taking a step, she stared warily at the porch floor as if to make sure the creature was not about to attack her from the ground. Then she peered up to the beams in case it, or any of its many relatives, was preparing to launch an aerial assault.
As she took a step toward the door, a loud voice startled them both.
“Well, I’ll be!”
* * *
Andrea turned to see a pony cart making its way into the turnaround at the porch. She snapped her fingers at Grizz who sat down obediently, though he eyed the newcomer warily.
“No wonder I never see you any more, Alexander Hunter.”
“Mrs. Fox.” Hunter left her side and strode down the steps. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Pleasant indeed.” The woman looked at Andrea and winked. Heaving her robust figure out of the seat, she stood and waited for Hunter to help her down.
“I’m Emma Fox,” she said after she’d dusted off her skirt and ambled up the steps. “The Widow Fox is
what the boys tend to call me.”
“I beg your pardon…Mrs. Emma Fox, I’d like you to meet Andrea Evans. Miss Evans, my neighbor, Mrs. Fox of Hawk Shadow Farm.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Fox.”
“I had no idea you had a beautiful young woman hidden away up here.” Mrs. Fox turned her attention back to Hunter.
Victoria, who must have heard the sound of the earlier screaming, appeared in the doorway and cleared her throat. “Oh, and of course, you know Miss Hamilton,” Hunter said hurriedly.
The newcomer gave Victoria a sideways glance. “Yes, I do.” She offered no further comment.
“Well, what brings you to Hawthorne?” Hunter stepped forward. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“No, no. I just came to deliver a message from the Talberts.”
“The Talberts?” Hunter took a step closer to her. “Is something wrong?”
“My gads, boy, no.” Mrs. Fox laughed. “Quite the contrary. I’ve come to invite you to a celebration next Saturday.”
“A celebration? For what? I was just at the Talberts two days ago and there was no mention of such an event.”
“Mrs. Talbert and I and some of the boys just decided today. It’s a celebration party in honor of your recent promotion.” She leaned closer and pretended to be talking only to Hunter. “Though to be honest, the ladies are more interested in rejoicing the fact that Colonel Hunter survived an intended ambush last week—thanks, of course, to the white phantom.”
Hunter scoffed. Victoria squealed. And Andrea suppressed a gasp. She did not know Hunter had been promoted to Colonel. Nor had she heard any mention of the intended ambush—as if he’d considered the event nothing out of the ordinary. How much does he know of the decoy that prevented the awful carnage that could have transpired?
“Oh darling, a party! Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve attended a party?” Victoria’s excitement apparently did not stem from news of the promotion or the ambush. “It’s next Saturday? Why that’s just four days away,” she said to no one in particular. “How will I ever find something to wear by then?” She talked excitedly and hurriedly, as if the announcement was of far greater significance than the current state of the country at large.
Honor Bound (Shades of Gray Civil War Serial Trilogy Volume II) Page 23
