Mississippi Brides

by Diane T. Ashley,Aaron McCarver

  The pianist struck a chord, and a tall man, accompanied by his wife and family, walked down the aisle to the front of the church. Luke’s attention was first centered on the man, who had to be Nathan Pierce. Why did he look so familiar? His gaze fell on the pastor’s children, and recognition dawned. The beautiful blond girl. She was the pastor’s daughter. Miss Pierce. He settled against the back of the pew. As soon as the sermon was over, he would make sure they were introduced.

  Brother Pierce stepped up to the pulpit and opened his Bible. “I’m glad to see so many here this evening. As I look out on all of you, I see some who are hurting, some who are lost, and some who are simply counting the minutes until I am done speaking.”

  Guilt straightened Luke’s spine. He was not here to meet females, no matter how alluring they were. He had come to hear a man share his insight about the heart and mind of God.

  “ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ” The pastor lifted his hands above the pulpit. “This is the promise of Jesus for all of us. But what good does that do me today, Pastor? The kingdom of heaven is not here. I am hurting. I am lost. I don’t know how I’m going to survive the pain.”

  Luke was disappointed. Was this the man who had such a mighty reputation? He should have known the message would be useless. He was not hurt or lost. He was young and strong, and he knew exactly what he was doing. He’d come to Mississippi to help his grandmother keep Shady Oaks running after Grandpa’s death. He’d been transferred from Knoxville at his father’s request due to the questions surrounding the arrest and escape of a known Union traitor, the notorious Mockingbird.

  A sigh filled him once more for the trouble he’d experienced because of Amelia Montgomery’s wrongheadedness. If only he’d realized what trouble she would cause him, he never would have allowed himself to become involved in her life.

  He glanced at his grandmother from the corner of his eye. She was completely immersed in what the pastor was saying, so he returned to contemplation of his past. Luke’s life may have taken some unexpected twists and turns, but he had no doubt he was on the right road. God willing, he would still have a chance to serve the Confederacy and achieve a respectable rank before this war was over. And he would find the right girl to marry, someone whose beliefs were more in line with his own, someone like Marianna Lister.

  A smile touched his lips. In a few years, he would be as successful as he’d always dreamed. He would have a house full of children, an adoring wife, and a thriving sugarcane plantation. He would probably have earned several battlefield promotions. Who knew? He might even attain the rank of general one day. No, this sermon had absolutely nothing to do with him.

  Luke’s attention was brought back to the church service by the sound of women’s voices singing “O Worship the King.” He glanced toward the pulpit and saw the two girls he’d noticed before. Their voices harmonized, weaving in and out to form a tapestry of images in his mind. He sat enthralled by the performance, saddened when they reached the last note. For a moment, nothing but silence filled the large room, as though all in the congregation were holding their breath.

  When Brother Pierce once again took the podium, he bowed his head and spoke in low tones, exhorting God for a quick end to the war and suffering. He mentioned several families by name who had lost fathers, sons, or brothers to the fighting. He went on to call on God to bless those who were far from home, men on both sides of the battle.

  Luke felt his shoulders tighten. Should the man be praying for the enemy? It didn’t seem right to him. The pastor ought to limit his supplications to the Confederate soldiers. He raised his head and looked around. No one else seemed particularly concerned at the prayer, so he closed his eyes once again and counted to fifty while waiting for the man to utter Amen. Luke stood immediately and held out his hand to his grandmother.

  “You’ll have to wait a minute. These old bones don’t move as well as they used to.” She gathered her cloak and reticule and leaned forward.

  He reached down to help her rise. “Let me help you.”

  “What’s the matter? Is there a fire outside?”

  Feeling like a corrected youngster, Luke held his tongue. But he couldn’t quite keep his sigh inside his chest.

  “Oh, all right.” She twisted her arm away from him and grasped the pew in front of her. “I’m coming.”

  The other churchgoers were now crowding the center aisle, greeting each other and discussing the sermon, the war, or whatever other subject came to mind. Luke would have liked to avoid getting stuck, but it was too late to worry about it now.

  “Mr. Talbot, there you are.” A hand touched his shoulder.

  Luke’s frown became a smile as he realized Miss Lister was standing behind him. Perhaps his grandmother’s slowness was for the best after all. “Hello. I saw you come in with your family.”

  “Did you enjoy the sermon?”

  What could he say? Did he dare tell a lie in God’s house? Would he be struck by lightning? Paralysis? “I know his words must have been comforting for those who have lost loved ones.” He was pleased with the answer. It was not a lie. In fact he had no doubt that many of the people here had been touched by the man’s words. Just not him.

  “Yes, I thought so, too.” She gazed up at him, her hazel eyes showing admiration and hope. Her gaze moved past him. “Good evening, Mrs. Darby. Did you enjoy the sermon, too?”

  “Of course I did.” She cleared her throat. “Brother Pierce is a talented speaker with a prodigious understanding of the Bible. I hope to hear him again before he returns to his church in Jackson.”

  Miss Lister’s parents caught up with them then, and the conversation turned general. Finally they began to move to the front of the church. But Luke’s sense of urgency faded away. He doubted he’d get the chance to be introduced to the lovely blond singer. Not while Miss Lister was hanging on his every word.

  The pastor was still greeting members of the congregation and receiving their compliments. He was flanked on one side by his wife, an auburn-haired woman whom Luke would describe as striking rather than beautiful. On the pastor’s far side stood the two girls. Once again Luke’s gaze clashed with that of the blond. What was it about her that drew his attention? Her cheeks reddened, and she looked down toward her feet.

  Grandma must have realized something had happened. Her gaze swiveled from him to the pastor’s daughter, and her lips tightened into a thin, straight line. “It’s time for us to get back to the hotel, Grandson. Say good night to Marianna and her parents.” Her grip on his arm tightened enough to resemble a pinch as she stepped past the preacher and his family with a nod. “Words to live by, Pastor.” The woman who’d been so slow inside the church practically pulled Luke down the steps to the waiting carriage.

  “Good night, Mrs. Darby, Captain Talbot.” He heard the wistful note in Marianna’s voice and turned to bow to her.

  She was standing on the bottom step, directly in front of the blond he’d wanted to meet. Marianna was all poise and sophistication, exactly the type of girl he’d always thought he would one day marry. But next to the simple, self-effacing young lady whose name he had yet to learn, Marianna seemed too polished—almost an imitation of what a real lady should be.

  “Come along, Luke.” His grandmother’s querulous tones pulled him out of his thoughts. She looked out from the carriage and waved to Marianna’s mother. “I assume we’ll see you at the Lancasters’ ball, Georgia.”

  “Of course,” Mrs. Lister answered her. “We wouldn’t miss such an important gathering. Dare I hope to see you and Captain Talbot there?”

  “I imagine so.” Grandma leaned back against the seat. “We’ll be here all week to hear Brother Pierce, so there’s no reason for us to miss the biggest ball of the new year.”

  Their attendance was news to Luke, but he supposed he shouldn’t mind. It would give him a chance to see all the single young women that Vicksburg had to offer, perhaps even the girl he had missed meet
ing this evening.

  As the driver pulled away from the curb, Luke caught one more glimpse of her. She was looking away from him as though he had not made nearly the impression on her that she had made on him. He could not believe it. Not that he was particularly vain. But females usually fell over themselves to draw his attention. He was definitely going to have to visit the pastor’s shy daughter.

  Chapter 3

  Ma, did you see that man who was looking at me and Caroline?”

  “It’s ‘Caroline and me,’ Tory. I wonder if you learned anything from that private tutor in Jackson.” Caroline’s mother shook out her napkin before placing it in her lap. “No, I did not see anyone looking at either of you, but then the church was rather crowded.”

  Caroline took a bowl of creamed potatoes from her father and put some on her plate before handing them off to her younger sister. She bent a warning frown at Tory and shook her head slightly. Casting about for a change of subject, she cleared her throat and turned her attention to her father. “It was crowded because of Pa’s sermon.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Her father smiled at her. “But what is this about a young man ogling you? Did you notice anything odd?”

  The temptation to say no was very strong, but Caroline knew she could not lie. “I wouldn’t say odd, but I did see a man who seemed to enjoy our duet.”

  Tory rolled her eyes. “A very handsome man and very well dressed. He was tall, with flashing black eyes and a mustache. I first noticed him while we were standing out in front of the church. He was escorting an older lady, probably his mother, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of us.”

  A wave of heat rushed up and burned Caroline’s cheeks. “I don’t know about that.”

  “Why shouldn’t a young man be interested in you?” Ma took a steaming biscuit from a cloth-covered bowl and reached for the dish of butter. “You are beautiful, poised, and talented. The only reason you don’t have a bevy of suitors is because your father and I have not been very diligent about attending social occasions. But that is about to change.” She glanced toward Pa, who nodded his encouragement. “Your father has received an invitation to a ball at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster this coming Friday, and we have decided to attend. Of course you will join us.”

  Caroline’s mouth dropped open. A ball? “But you know I don’t like those ostentatious parties.”

  “I’ll go with you, Ma.” Tory was so excited her voice came out with a squeak.

  Pa shook his head. “You’re too young to go to a ball. Don’t be so anxious to grow up.”

  A pout replaced Tory’s hopeful expression. “It’s not fair.”

  “I’ll tell you every detail.” Caroline sympathized with her sister’s disappointment even though she would have gladly stayed home and let Tory go in her place. “Everything from the decorations to the gowns to the music. You’ll feel like you were there with me.”

  “It won’t be the same, though.” Tory sat back in her chair, crossed her arms over her chest, and sighed loudly.

  “You will get your turn in a few short years.” Ma’s voice was pragmatic. “As your pa says, you should not be so anxious to take on the responsibilities of adulthood.”

  Caroline pushed her plate away. “I don’t know why anyone wants to have a ball right now anyway. Don’t they realize we’re at war?”

  “Yes, dear.” Ma reached for the salt cellar. “It’s an attempt to ignore the truth.”

  Picking up a serving dish of sliced roast, Pa nodded his agreement. “We know things are not going well for the Confederacy. The only hope they ever had was that the North would allow secession after a few token battles. But that has not been the case. The longer the fighting continues, the less likely the South will emerge victorious.”

  Silence fell as they considered his words. Caroline wished the Confederate leaders understood the situation as clearly as Pa did so they would negotiate a surrender before the death toll rose even higher. How many more families had to lose loved ones before the war was brought to an end?

  Ma cleared her throat. “I’ll need the carriage for an hour or so tomorrow, Nathan. We are almost completely out of sugar and flour. And we’ll need to see if we can find any lace to spruce up Caroline’s blue dress.”

  She allowed her mind to wander as her parents worked out the details of their shopping excursion. Maybe they would even see the stranger from church while they were at the market. Butterflies tickled her stomach at the thought. He was so handsome and as tall as Pa. Her head would probably fit under his chin.

  A shiver made its way down her spine as she remembered his pitch-black eyes and the distinguished side-whiskers that gave him an air of authority. The embodiment of every hero she’d ever dreamed of meeting, he might have stepped directly from the pages of a romance novel.

  She might not have formally met him, but Caroline felt like she knew so much about the man. He cared about family as evidenced by his escort of his relative. His presence at Pa’s service proved he was a man of faith. She had no doubt he was a man she could lean on, someone on whom she could rely, someone who would take care of her and protect her from all harm.

  But what was she thinking? Caroline could never draw the admiration of such a hero. He had probably been looking at Tory, the real beauty of the family. Gloom and doubt gathered around her shoulders. Besides, hadn’t he been talking to another young lady right before he left? He hadn’t made the slightest attempt to introduce himself to her parents, the first step he would have to take if he was interested in meeting her.

  Notwithstanding Tory’s opinion, it was obvious he had not been attracted to either of them. What did it matter anyway? It was unlikely she’d ever see him again. And if she did, she’d probably discover that he was nothing like she imagined.

  He may have already left the city, returning to his home or even to a stint with the army. Her heart thudded against her chest at the thought of his riding into danger.

  “Caroline, have you fallen asleep at the table?” Her mother’s voice interrupted her melancholy thoughts.

  She looked around to find she was the center of attention. “I’m sorry. I guess my attention wandered.”

  Pa chuckled. “I believe she may be dreaming of Friday’s party.”

  Caroline would have disagreed, but then she would’ve had to explain what she had been dreaming of…or rather whom. So she glanced down at her lap and said nothing at all.

  “I cannot wait until I get to be eighteen.”

  Glad her sister’s statement had drawn their parents’ attention, Caroline stood and began stacking the plates to take to the kitchen. “You’ll be much better at this than I ever will.”

  Tory picked up the napkins while Ma gathered the silverware. “I don’t know why you shouldn’t be the center of attention on Friday.”

  Caroline couldn’t imagine an eventuality more frightening than the image her mother’s words conjured. The only way she’d ever become the center of attention would be if she did something incredibly clumsy, like trip on the dance floor or spill punch down the front of her dress.

  Dread filled her as she carried the dishes to the kitchen. She could only hope her mother’s words were not prophetic.

  “You need to get over the girl who broke your heart, Luke.” Grandma’s voice penetrated the dark cloud around him.

  Luke turned to her. “How did you know?”

  He felt cold and exposed even though it was warm enough in their private sitting room. The homey sound and smell of a crackling fire filled the room.

  Grandma smirked. “It’s not very hard to figure out what’s going on in that thick head of yours. It’s the same thing that goes on in any man’s head when a woman has spurned him. But I’m saying this from the wealth of my experience—no woman is worth spending your time mooning over her.”

  A thought burst into his head with the suddenness of a lightning bolt. “That’s really why we came to town, isn’t it?”

  His grandmother had bee
n looping thread into an intricate weave she called crochet, but now she put the handwork in her lap. “Nonsense. We came because I wanted to hear Nathan Pierce preach. Surely you’ve seen the flyers posted all over town.” She waited for his nod. “One was delivered to me at Shady Oaks. It piqued my interest. So I thought it would be a good idea for both of us to come to Vicksburg. It’s as simple as that.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. Somehow her explanation was a little too glib to be believable. “And my parents didn’t write to you about my recent betrothal?”

  She tried to hold his gaze, but her eyelids fluttered. She looked down and reached for the hooked needle and yarn. “They might have mentioned something about a girl from back home. But they said you were better off without her.”

  As he had expected. “So which of you came up with the idea of finding me a wife? I doubt it was Pa.”

  “Your parents want you to be happy, Luke.” Her fingers poked the needle and twisted it deftly. “And so do I.”

  “What about what I want?” He blew out a disgusted breath. “Did either you or my mother consider the fact that I will most likely be called back into battle? What do you expect me to do? Abandon a new bride on our wedding night?”

  “Of course not.” She glanced up at him for a moment before concentrating on her hands once more. “No one knows what is going to happen with this war. Perhaps you won’t even have to face those Yanks. Perhaps they’ll give up and go away.”

  Luke pushed himself up from his chair and walked to the fireplace. “You cannot believe such drivel. The Unionists are desperate to control the Mississippi River, and capturing Vicksburg will secure their goal. I met with Colonel Autrey this morning. He informed me of a large contingent of enemy soldiers apparently led by General Grant that is still bivouacked only a few dozen miles on the other side of the Mississippi. As soon as the weather allows, they’ll probably march on this very town. Pemberton is going to need all the men he can muster. War is coming here sooner rather than later.”