Mrs. Fox frowned at the outburst and turned to Andrea. “You will attend won’t you, dear?”
“Miss Evans is recovering from an injury,” Hunter said before she had time to respond. “She’s in no condition to attend a party.”
In fact, Andrea was in such pain at the moment, she had serious doubts that she would even be able to walk on Saturday. But she looked at Hunter scornfully for answering on her behalf. Why should he care if she attended the party? And why was he always so concerned about the Talberts anyway?
“She looks fine to me,” Mrs. Fox insisted with relentless persistence. “I’ll stop by and pick her up myself. I can see you will have your hands full.” She shot an unflattering glance toward Victoria and turned back to the wagon, indicating the conversation was over.
Before Andrea had time to decline the invitation, Hunter spoke again. “She has nothing appropriate to wear. Not even shoes.” He nodded toward Andrea’s feet. “Show her, Miss Evans.” Andrea grimaced. She’d been faithfully wearing the new shoes since Hunter had made the effort to get them for her. But the muscles in her legs burned and her feet were swollen. She’d neglected to put them on today.
“Oh, come now,” Mrs. Fox said, not even glancing down. “She’s about the same size as Elizabeth. I’m sure she left a thing or two lying around here.”
Andrea’s eyes rose in obvious surprise at the mention of Hunter’s wife, but he successfully masked any emotion other than a slight tightening of his jaw.
“You’ll inform the other men.” Mrs. Fox’s statement sounded like an order, not a question, causing Andrea to smile at her abrupt and dominating nature. Then the woman turned to Andrea at the exclusion of the other two.
“He’s always been such a worrier. Wait and see. Everything will go without a hitch.”
Andrea’s eyes flicked over to Hunter as he began to release the rein from his grasp. Though he didn’t say a word, she had no trouble reading his mind.
Yes, everything will go without a hitch as easily as a wagon goes uphill without a horse.
“I’ll be by about six o’clock Saturday.” Without waiting for a reply, she slapped the horse and disappeared down the drive at a brisk trot.
Chapter 48
There is no armor against fate.
– Unknown
The jostling of the carriage did nothing to ease the pain in Andrea’s leg once she and Mrs. Fox were on their way to the celebration that Saturday evening. Despite the joviality of her new friend and the enchantment of a festive evening, she had a bad feeling about tonight.
But the conversation with Mrs. Fox soon took her thoughts away from her nagging instincts and anxiety. The topics they discussed were light and impersonal—until Hunter became the focus of the banter.
Mrs. Fox leaned toward Andrea. “So how is it that you came to know the king of the land?”
“The king?” Andrea laughed.
“My dear, certainly you know the authority and influence the Colonel holds in this province.” She sighed deeply. “Such a warrior, yet such a gentleman. Commands the affection and respect of all who meet him.”
Andrea looked at her hands. “No, I was…really not aware—“
“And handsome, of course. Perfectly striking. Certainly, you are aware of that.” The widow turned and looked directly into her eyes.
Andrea felt herself blushing. “I suppose he is somewhat attractive.”
“Somewhat attractive?” Mrs. Fox bubbled over with laughter. “The Greeks have their gods, and we Virginians have Colonel Hunter. If there is a soul who can exceed him in manliness or grace of character, I’ve yet to meet him. Gracious me!”
The widow shook her head and babbled on. “He’d make a wonderful husband, yet he shows no sign of desiring to settle down. Who could blame him really with his mother deserting him the way she did, and then that business with Elizabeth. Certainly every eligible woman in Virginia and beyond has made him aware she’s available. And then, of course, there’s Victoria.”
The conversation began to make Andrea uncomfortable. She brushed some imaginary lint off her skirt and then repeated the unnecessary task.
“He’s changed a lot since then,” Mrs. Fox continued, talking in a low voice as if she feared being overheard. “Not that he was ever that sociable. But when Elizabeth was at Hawthorne there were visitors and entertaining all the time. He’s a regular recluse now, and seemingly perfectly content. Yet everyone’s convinced he’ll eventually marry someone with a pedigree. You know, take a Virginia bride.”
Mrs. Fox looked over at Andrea. “Oh, I really shouldn’t be gossiping like this. Anyway, you never answered my question. It’s such a rare privilege to be honored with his intimacy. How did you meet?”
Andrea took a deep breath. “We met…well . . .it was quite by accident.”
“Oh, the war, I suppose,” Mrs. Fox finished for her.
Andrea nodded, glad she did not have to go into more detail.
“If that is the case, then I’m glad to hear some good has come out of this terrible state of affairs,” Mrs. Fox said wistfully. “They say it’s all right to give your only son to the Cause—”
Andrea heard the woman’s voice tremble.
“But I wish I had mine back.”
Andrea looked up into Mrs. Fox’s eyes. “I’m sorry. You lost a son?”
She nodded. “He served under Colonel. . .Captain Hunter, at the time.” Her voice was raw with emotion. “He was a lieutenant.”
Andrea’s heart stopped beating and a wave of dizziness swept through her. She closed her eyes and grabbed the edge of the seat for support as she recalled that terrible day at Thoroughfare Gap.
“What’s wrong, dear? You don’t look well.”
Andrea looked up at her. “I, um…it’s nothing.”
“It’s a hard thing to talk about. Matthew and Alex were inseparable friends…grew up together.” She looked over at Andrea sadly. “He took it hard, Alex did. Felt responsible, I guess. But I never blamed him. How could I? He’s always been like a second son to me.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Andrea’s voice was just a whisper. “Was anyone else killed that day?”
Mrs. Fox looked at her curiously. “No, dear. Alex would draw blood with his teeth before he would let the Yankees get too close to his men. But there were some prisoners taken, I believe.” She shook her head sadly. “I think Alex took it even harder than I. He swore to me he’d extract in Yankee blood the value of my loss.”
Andrea gulped. “I’m sorry, I-I-’m not feeling very well. Can we go back?”
“My dear, we’re almost there. It’s all this talk about Matthew, isn’t it? I’m sorry to have upset you. It’s been more than a year now. I should not have brought it up.”
Andrea felt nauseous. The incident at Thoroughfare Gap had been a little more than a year ago, when Hunter was still a captain. If Matthew Fox had died there, it was because of her. She may have caused the death of the only son of the only friend she had in this wretched land!
Andrea tried to breathe without gasping for air, but she felt like she was drowning as Hunter’s words from that night echoed in her ears. “My loss was severe, more so in the worth than the number slain.” She swallowed hard, felt the blood draining from her face, and tried to concentrate on the moonbeams adorning the meadow.
“Ah, here we are,” Mrs. Fox said, turning the team into a tree-lined drive. “Feeling better?”
Andrea took a deep breath at the sight of a house gleaming from afar. She looked around then, and thought the drive looked strangely familiar. Searching her mind, she could think of no reason for such a reflection. As they ascended a long, covered ally of trees, the house appeared again, ghostly in the light mist, but luminous with twinkling lanterns. Already the sounds of music and laughter floated in the breeze, and Andrea tried desperately to turn her thoughts to other things. She was here. There was no turning back now.
As they crowned
the last small rise, the house appeared in full view. Horses, dozens and dozens of them, all meticulously groomed and looking sleek and swift, stood tied indiscriminately throughout the yard, along with drays, carryalls, traps, coaches, and carriages.
It seemed that all of Virginia had been seeking an opportunity to celebrate, and Hunter’s escape from an ambush had provided it. In the fashion in which the house was lit—and from the noise emanating from its depths—this party was fit to do honor to a king.
Chapter 49
Fas est ab hoste doceri.
It is allowable to learn even from an enemy.
Hunter had just taken a sip of punch, which he almost discharged onto the man next to him, when Andrea came through the doorway. Dressed in a deep lavender, with candlelight flickering off her hair, she appeared as magnificent as nature itself. Although holding the hand of Mrs. Fox for support, she gave the impression she was entering on the arm of royalty.
Pretending not to be interested, he allowed his gaze to drift a moment, before focusing back on the entranceway. Andrea stood smiling demurely at one of his men, Lieutenant Pierce, who apparently had not bothered to wait for the proper introduction. Pierce bowed and kissed her hand with his usual pugnacious chivalry, examining her in such a way that made his intentions obvious to anyone who knew men such as he.
Hunter shifted his weight uneasily as he thought about what could happen should the tall, broad-shouldered lieutenant discover the true identity of the one whose hand he held so lovingly now. He knew how quickly that expression of lust would turn to loathing.
Pierce was well known for his skill with women, and was equally renowned for his ability with a gun. Hotheaded and temperamental, he was a man who relied heavily on bullets and fists—whichever was the most convenient to use at the moment. Hunter would have dismissed a lesser man in a minute, but Pierce was considered among the bravest in his ranks.
Taking a sip of his drink and nodding mechanically at Victoria’s incessant chattering beside him, Hunter watched Andrea turn and fix her attention musingly on the crowd. He thought he saw strong admiration and a flicker of wonder cross her face before a shadow of deep regret crept into her expression.
Following her gaze to the far side of the room, Hunter blinked in surprise when he saw it was the Southern Banner that had evoked the remorseful expression. By the time he turned back to analyze the gaze, it had disappeared. The charming, innocent smile had returned.
A movement in a side doorway suddenly attracted Hunter’s attention, and he nodded in acknowledgement as Carter gave him the “all’s quiet” sign. Yes, all’s quiet, he thought, as his gaze rested again on the woman at the door. As is a powder magazine, until a match is lit.
* * *
When Andrea entered the room on Mrs. Fox’s arm, her heart beat wildly and her stomach flipped and churned. When she glanced around the room, her emotions overwhelmed her even more. The men gathered before her were not officers wearing new costumes of gray and brass like those in Richmond. Here were soldiers wearing uniforms that showed signs of heavy wear; men who looked accustomed to hard living—and harder fighting.
But Andrea found she was not frightened or angered by what she saw. She gazed upon the bronzed skin, calloused hands and weather-beaten faces, accepting what they were—noble, brave, tenacious warriors. Their weapons and their manner attested to their familiarity with desperate combat, and their raucous laughter and merriness demonstrated their acquaintance with lively parties. Yet, despite their martial appearance, they did not seem to be the ruthless horde she had imagined. Rather, all had eyes glowing fervently with patriotic devotion.
For a moment, Andrea stood and stared. These were her enemies, yet now they had faces and names. Now she was close enough to know they had families and homes, girlfriends and wives. Her gaze drifted to the Confederate banner hanging on the wall. How pitifully tragic this war has become. All hate suddenly drained out of her, replaced by sorrow and confusion. Virginia and her inhabitants had begun to affect her heart in a strange and mysterious manner.
Mrs. Fox’s hand pressed hers in reassurance, as if she somehow recognized her fears. She was just beginning to relax when Laura Talbert came running up and grabbed her hand.
“Andrea,” she giggled. “So nice to see you!” She leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “When are you going to tell them? Everyone is talking about the white phantom.”
Even though she’d made Laura swear to silence, Andrea was terrified the young lady would divulge her secret. She tried not to look overly concerned as she bent close and whispered so that only she could hear. “Can we talk privately somewhere?”
Andrea had just straightened back up and taken a deep breath when she sensed someone watching her. Scanning the room, her eyes sought his—and all to soon they were found. That penetrating gaze was impossible to miss, and it was locked on hers like an animal watching its prey.
Even with all the distance between them, the look made Andrea tremble. Though his expression changed to one of curiosity as they moved slowly from her to Laura, there was no mistaking his intent when his gaze returned. He may as well have been firing at her from across the room so unfriendly was the look. It was one she remembered…the glare of an enemy.
Andrea placed a smile upon her face and pretended to take no heed, but inside she was panicking. She turned her attention to Johnny who was waving at her from the other side of the room. His cheeks appeared redder than usual and she wondered if it was caused by the drink he held in his hand or the excitement of the event.
“Miss Evans?” Andrea half-jumped and turned toward the sound of the soft voice.
“My name is Fannie…Fannie Mae Madison. I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Andrea looked into the soft, warm eyes of a woman several years her senior. She appeared more shy and reserved than many of the others in the room, her fingers nervously toying with the sleeve of her gown.
“Mrs. Fox told me about you,” she said, apparently noticing Andrea’s confusion.
“Not too much I hope.” Andrea smiled at the woman while glancing at Mrs. Fox.
“Oh, no, don’t worry. Not too much. Only that you reside temporarily at Hawthorne.” Fanny cleared her throat. “I suppose…I suppose you have occasion to see a good deal of Major Carter.”
Andrea followed the woman’s gaze to Carter, who appeared intent in conversing with a young recruit across the room. “Yes.” Andrea nodded, surprised that it was Carter she asked about and not Hunter. “Enough to know that he is quite a fearless soldier…and a gentleman.”
“Yes, I think so too.” Fannie’s words and her longing eyes revealed her feelings clearly. Before Andrea could say anything else, Fannie pointed over her shoulder. “Oh, it looks like Laura Talbert is trying to get your attention.”
Andrea turned to follow the girl, relieved that she was going to be able to talk to her alone.
Chapter 50
All’s fair in love and war.
– Francis Edward Smedley
Andrea gave one quick glance over her shoulder before she left the room, and was relieved to see Victoria leaning on Hunter, keeping him occupied. By the look on his face, it appeared she was sticking to him as closely as camp smoke clings to a coat long after its owner expects to be rid of it.
Having lost sight of Laura, Andrea paused in the dimly lit hallway trying to see where she had disappeared.
“Miss Evans.” Laura appeared out of the darkness and grabbed her wrist. “This way.” She unlocked the only closed door, hastened Andrea through, and then closed it behind them. In the pitch-black room, Andrea waited for the lamps to be lit.
“No one will bother us in here. It’s so exciting that everyone is talking about the phantom—and no one knows it’s you.”
“Miss Talbert.” Andrea turned to face Laura when the room at last became illuminated. “You must not tell—” Andrea stopped and gazed around the room, then down at her hands that
rested on the back of a chair. She jerked them away and took a step back as if the chair had turned and bit her.
“Miss Evans,” Laura said. “Is something wrong?”
Turning slowly, as if excessive movement would make her fall, she looked over her right shoulder. Yes, there was the map on the wall, and beside it, the door to the outside where they had brought her in. The room even smelled the same, the sweet odor of pipe smoke, mixed with the scent of freshly oiled floors.
Andrea’s heart stopped beating for a moment as recognition slowly sank in. This was the same room where she had been brought when captured by Hunter’s men. The room where Hunter had, she thought, committed her to prison. The Talbert house was his headquarters, and he did not want her to find that out—even now. This was his command post for carrying out war on the shadowy fringes, a place where decisions were made and councils of war were held.
The door opened with a loud groan. “Miss Talbert, Miss Evans, what a surprise.” Hunter wore his customary expression of composed nonchalance, yet he appeared and sounded cold, like an intimidating stranger to Andrea. The room seemed suddenly smaller. The atmosphere charged.
“Colonel Hunter,” Laura said, looking nervous. “We came here to talk in private and get acquainted. It is so loud out there.”
“I see.” He stared at Andrea with a cold smile that matched the cool glint of ice in his eyes. “Why don’t you have a seat?” He nodded toward the very chair where Andrea had sat while being interrogated. “You look a little pale.”
Andrea stared at the chair as if it were already taken. She knew Laura was waiting for her to do something or say something, but she was too dizzy with confusion. “No. No thank you. I believe I’ll stand,” she finally muttered.
Honor Bound (Shades of Gray Civil War Serial Trilogy Volume II) Page 24
