Flirtation Walk

by Siri Mitchell

  That was exactly like him! But this time I wasn’t impressed. I was horrified. “I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you. I’m doing fine here.” And I would continue to do so, if he would just leave.

  “We’re a team, you and I. We’ll work it out.”

  I didn’t want to be part of his team anymore.

  “You don’t look like you’re happy to see me. What’s happened?”

  What’s happened? I’d discovered the world wasn’t at all like he’d taught me. What happened is that I’d discovered good, honest people—and I’d decided I wanted to be one of them. What happened is that I’d finally found my place. I wanted to stay in Buttermilk Falls with my aunt. With Phoebe and Bobby and Milly and Ella. With Campbell and Deacon and Dandy and Otter. And Seth. How would I ever be able to look him in the eyes again?

  “I see what’s happened!”

  “You do?” He did? Relief suffused me with warmth. He understood. Maybe now I could convince him to leave.

  “Of course I do! My little girl is growing up. You’re running a swindle of your own, aren’t you.”

  The relief that had just taken wing settled back into my stomach. “No—I’m not! I thought you’d died. I thought I was on my own. I came here to start a new life. I’m Lucinda Hammond now. No one knows about my past.”

  “So what’s your plan?”

  Plan? Hadn’t he heard anything I’d said? Frustration and anxiety pushed tears toward my eyes. I shoved back my bonnet so I could see him clearly. “There is no plan. I have no plan. I’m trying to be respectable.”

  He looked at me, his gaze searching mine. His lips curved into a smile, settled back, and then curved again as he laughed. “You don’t want to be respectable! Respectable people are . . . They’re tedious. And boring.”

  “I do want to be respectable. I want to be an honest, upstanding citizen.”

  “But you can’t be.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you aren’t—that’s why.” He laughed again.

  “I am. Did you know there’s an order of merit at the military academy, and—”

  “Oh, yes. I’d heard.”

  Of course he knew about it. “The top cadet in the graduating class has displayed a very flattering interest in me.”

  “So you’re hoping . . . ?”

  “I told you. I’m trying to be a normal person.”

  His brow twitched.

  “I want to marry a normal person. The most normal, most respectable—”

  “That’s your plan?”

  “It’s not a plan.”

  “No. It is. And that’s a good one. A very good plan. Much like what we were working toward when I so inconveniently died. So who is this cadet? What’s his family like?”

  I was the one who had brought up talk of marriage. I couldn’t refuse to speak about it now. “Campbell Conklin. His grandfather—”

  “His grandfather was a senator. And his father was a graduate. You’ve set your cap for quite a fine young fellow. He could come in very handy.”

  “He’s not going to come in handy. He’s not going to come into anything. I’m not trying to take money from him. I plan to marry him.”

  “Which is perfect. How can I help?”

  “You can’t.”

  “Why not? I can be anyone you want me to. Your uncle? Your brother?”

  “You can’t help because I won’t be able to marry him if they find out who you are.”

  “So you are planning and scheming. You are pretending.”

  “I’m not pretending. This is real. I want a real life.”

  “A real life? Pretending to have a respectable background? And an honorable father, I suppose?”

  Tears pricked at my eyes. He didn’t understand. He wasn’t going to leave.

  “I think this could be the best swindle we’ve ever done, you and I. If you can manage it.”

  “I don’t want to swindle anyone. I want to marry Mr. Conklin and be . . . normal! Why can’t you understand?”

  “Because you’re not. And you never will be. Why can’t you understand? So let me help, and I’ll see how we can turn his interest in you to our benefit.”

  “I don’t want your help. I don’t want you.”

  His smile disappeared. “That’s not exactly what I was hoping to hear, having traveled so far to find you. Having spent all these years training you. Knowing just how deeply involved you’ve been with my schemes. Why do you think I sent you to all those schools? Why do you think I’ve bought you the best of everything money can buy?”

  “I know you only meant—”

  “I need you; you need me. So if you do as I say, we’ll both come out of our time here well.”

  I brought us to a halt in front of the house.

  “Is this it?”

  I nodded.

  He offered me his arm.

  There was nothing I could do but take it.

  40

  Seth

  After a long morning of recitations in military engineering and ethics, I met up with the fellows at the mess hall. Halfway through dinner, Deacon nudged me with an elbow. “Dandy’s making hash tonight. Early. Right after supper.”

  I raised a brow. Dandy didn’t cook often, but when he did, he made a hash to admire.

  “He traded at Benny Havens last night for some bacon. I’m bringing bread. You get some of those potatoes. Otter’s good for the butter.”

  Just the thought of it made my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten well since I’d stopped being invited to Professor Hammond’s. Furtively, I pulled a handkerchief from my coat, spread it atop my lap, and dropped globs of potatoes onto it. Across the table from me, Otter was portioning off a good chunk of butter. After casting a glance up and down the table, it disappeared into his lap. Beside me, Deacon had reached out for what was left of the bread and overturned the platter into his own lap.

  I tied my handkerchief into a knot as the fellows did the same. The trick of it would be to transfer our prizes to our hats and then clap them on before anyone noticed. We were drilling in cavalry tactics down at the riding-hall that afternoon, so we were expected to visit the barracks to change into our riding jackets.

  It’s just that we did so on the run.

  Deacon opened up his hiding hole, and we dumped our handkerchief-wrapped food into it.

  After changing into our riding jackets and reinforced trousers, we strapped on our spurs and buckled on our heavy cavalry sabers. Grabbing our buckskin gauntlets, Deke and I met the others out in the hall.

  As we left the barracks we started to divvy up the hash-making tasks.

  I glanced at Deacon. “You get a lookout?”

  “I got one. A yearling. Offered him a serving in exchange for keeping an eye on the tactical officer.”

  “You have anyone watching for Campbell Conklin?”

  “The adjutant’s ready to report some mischief going on outside if need be. That should keep him away from the room.”

  I eyed Dandy. “Got your utensils?”

  “Took a fork and a knife the other night. Sure would like a spoon, though.”

  “I’ll get you one at supper.”

  “Much obliged.”

  As we’d been talking, one of the second classmen fell into step with us. “Heard you’re making hash tonight. I got a wild onion I found down by the river.”

  Deke considered the offer. “An onion? I don’t know. It’s Dandy’s hash.” He leaned forward to speak around Otter. “Dandy? You want an onion?”

  “Who’s offering?”

  Deacon nodded toward the cadet.

  “How big is it?”

  The cadet held up his thumb and forefinger in the shape of a C. “’Bout that big.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  The cadet flashed a grin. “Then I’ll bring it.”

  As he left, another second classman came abreast to take his place. “Heard Mr. Delagarde’s making hash. I think I can get you some eggs.”

  Dandy
frowned. “Eggs? This time of year? From where?”

  “I, uh . . . I got a girl . . . in the Falls.” A flush was spreading across his face toward his ears.

  “I can’t do much with one or two, but I sure could use four.”

  He nodded. Saluted. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  One of the plebes in our company was dragging his feet, sending looks in our direction. It was clear he wanted to talk to us, so I finally nodded him over.

  “Mr. Westcott, sir. What if I could get me a rabbit?”

  Deke answered on my behalf. “You? How?”

  “I run a snare up in the hills above the academy.”

  The cadet, short and smooth-chinned as he was, looked about twelve years old. Deacon scoffed, but Dandy held up a hand. “Wait. You have a rabbit?”

  “I might could have one. I got to check. But if I do, you can have it. If you want it.”

  “I’d want it.”

  He broke out into a grin before he remembered he was talking to upperclassmen. “Yes, sir. I’ll bring it. If I got it.”

  There were two other men from our company who looked as if they wanted to have a word, but we had to consult first on how many servings we’d given away. “There’s the four of us,” Otter offered.

  “And the two lookouts.” Deke added.

  I nodded. “That’s six. And one for the onion and another for the rabbit and a third for the eggs. We’re looking at nine.”

  Deacon winked. “Maybe eight, if there’s no rabbit.”

  “I sure hope there is one.” Otter sighed. “Mother makes the best rabbit stew I ever ate.”

  “I think that’s all we can take, then?” I glanced round at the fellows.

  They all nodded.

  I gestured the other men over. “We got what we need. Sorry, men. Maybe next time.”

  Everyone who attended that evening brought a candle. That was the rule. And then we rigged some plates we’d borrowed from the mess hall atop them. There was, in fact, a rabbit in that plebe’s snare. He skinned it before he brought it, leaving only its bushy, white tail. The man with the eggs brought us six. And the onion turned out to be a bit bigger than we had expected.

  Dandy cooked in his shirtsleeves, taking his time over the onions, mixing them into the eggs. He directed Otter to make buttered toast with the bread and had Deacon fetch his flask so he could add a splash of whiskey to his concoction. By the time the rabbit was frying and the eggs and onions were cooking, my mouth was starting to water.

  Otter was toasting the bread on the tip of his saber when the lookout cracked open the door and stuck his head in. “Better do something about that smell. Won’t be able to help you much if you give yourselves away.”

  We placed the candles and the cooking apparatus nearer the window and stationed the plebe in front of it with one of Professor Mahan’s books. He fanned the rising steam toward the window for all he was worth.

  Once Dandy finally pronounced it done, we partook of it in friendly fashion. A man could down his food at the mess hall in three minutes flat. But Dandy’s hash wasn’t food. It was a meal. We all stayed for over an hour, eating and laughing and trying to forget the humiliations and the petty slights we’d suffered during the day.

  Deke finally collapsed on the floor, hand on his belly. “I bet, out on the frontier next summer, we’ll be able to scare us up some antelope. Maybe even a bison. Bet the eating’ll be real good out there.”

  Otter and Dandy murmured consent while the second classmen and yearling listened on with envy.

  Deke sighed. “You got to admit, don’t you, isn’t anything finer than partaking of a feast with the fellows.”

  Dandy raised his flask while Otter kept gnawing on his rabbit leg.

  “No place I’d rather be, this minute, nothing I’d rather do than this. No, sir.”

  The rest of the men nodded their agreement, and I raised my fork, though I didn’t really agree. I could think of something better. I could imagine someone I’d rather be with. Thing was, I didn’t know if she would say the same for me.

  It was a good thing I’d taken the time, earlier in the day, to clean my musket and put my books in order. And then sweep the floor. And fold my clothes. That evening’s room inspection was especially thorough because Campbell Conklin was trailing the tactical officer. At least the scent of our hash was gone by then.

  Conklin sauntered around our room, adjusting the sleeve of one of Deke’s coats and running a gloved finger along the spines of our books. “Dust.” He held up a finger so we could see the smudges. “Two demerits to the cadet charged with the keeping of the room this week.”

  That was me. I lifted a hand.

  “Mr. Westcott. I expected better of you.” The glee in his voice belied him, told me failure was exactly what he’d expected of me. There was no point in saying anything. The sooner he was finished with me, the sooner he’d leave.

  “But I suppose a man like you can’t be bothered with such things.”

  As the tactical offer went on to the next room with the orderly, Deke stepped forward, stopping Conklin from leaving. “You aren’t making any friends here.”

  “I know I’m not liked, by you or anyone else.” He tilted a book away from its place on the shelf and then shoved it back. “Does that surprise you? I’ve watched you and Seth and Dandy and Otter and wondered a time or two what it might be like to have the corps really admire me. Look up to me. Want to be me. But it looks like Westcott has taken things a bit too far, doesn’t it?” He shifted his attention to me. “That’s the trouble with you. You’ve taken your eye off what really matters. For which I suppose I ought to thank you. How does it feel to watch it all slip away?”

  Behind my back, my fingers clenched into fists.

  “Miss Hammond is very pretty, isn’t she? A delightful companion, though somewhat lacking in sophistication.”

  “If you so much as touch one—”

  He put up a hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not planning on doing anything to her.”

  “If your intentions are anything but respectable—”

  “Sorry? Oh!” He smirked. “My intentions aren’t respectable . . . or otherwise. I’ve no intentions at all. You see, the best thing about Miss Hammond is something you seemed to have forgotten rather quickly. She’s the niece of Professor Hammond.”

  What was he trying to say?

  “And Professor Hammond has quite a bit of influence with the Corps of Engineers. The cadets he recommends are just about guaranteed an assignment, by my calculations. Saturday afternoon, I’ll take her down to Flirtation Walk. Saturday evening, I’ll see her at the hop. I’ve even been invited to Sunday dinner. For the next few months, we’re going to be practically inseparable.”

  “And then what?”

  “Then what?” He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Then I’m afraid she’s destined for a broken heart. You see, my father would never let me marry her. My mother would never deign to even speak to her. I’m practically engaged to be married. Didn’t you know that? I have one of the Phillips girls in Boston ready to run down the aisle with me after I graduate. The only thing I lacked was the assurance of a slot in the Engineers. That’s what Lucinda’s for. If I do it right, her uncle will vouch for me when the time comes. I have to tell you that it doesn’t hurt that she’s so pretty. I might as well have some fun while I can.”

  As I swung a fist at Conklin, Deacon caught my arm. “Don’t do it. He’s first captain. If you hit him, you’re as good as dismissed.”

  “I’ve always been a step behind you, ever since I got here. But now . . . ? I feel like I am you. I’ve become you. I have the rank. I have the grades. I have the girl.” Conklin sneered. “Why don’t you hit me? You’ve been flirting with dismissal all term. Why don’t you just get it over with?” He lifted his chin and turned his cheek toward me. “Take a swing.”

  I buried my fist beneath an arm as Deacon stood in front of me. “No. You’re not worth it.”

  41

 
Lucinda

  As I entered the house, my father with me, Phoebe called out from the sitting room. “You’ve returned! We were so worried. You haven’t caught a chill have you? The wind is all but howling.”

  I took my father’s coat and hung it on the hallstand. Took his hat and gloves and set them on the bench. Then I did the same with my mantle and bonnet and gloves.

  Motioning him to come with me, I went into the sitting room.

  Phoebe was waiting for me, head turned toward the hall, an expectant smile on her face.

  “Phoebe, I’d like you to meet . . .” How I wished I didn’t have to say it.

  My father stepped forward, nodding at her. “Lucinda’s father. At your service.” He extended his hand.

  Phoebe, not seeing his gesture, turned her head in his general direction. “Lucinda’s father? But . . . ?”

  Gesturing for him to sit, I left him in Phoebe’s care as I went to find my aunt.

  She was tugging at a crock. “Lucinda! I’m so glad you’ve finally returned. Your uncle’s late in coming home tonight. If I could just get some help with—”

  “We have a visitor. He’s in the sitting room.”

  “Now?”

  I nodded, not willing, not wanting, to tell her it was my father.

  “At this hour? It’s nearly time for supper.” She sighed, pushing a tendril of hair from her forehead with the back of her hand. “I suppose I’ll have to greet him, then. Perhaps he’ll want to stay and eat with us.” After wiping her hands on her apron, she undid the pins that secured it to her bodice and unfastened it.

  I tried to come up with the right words, I truly did, but I still hadn’t settled on any by the time we reached the sitting room.

  My aunt stopped when she caught sight of my father. “Oh!” The color drained from her face as she put out a hand and felt for a chair. Then she turned to me, betrayal and confusion rippling across her face.

  Father stood as she sat with a thud.

  Madame Mercier would have been proud. We engaged, the four of us, in polite if banal conversation, as we completely avoided the obvious: My father had returned from the dead.

  My aunt started as the front door opened. She pushed to her feet and swiftly walked into the front hall. There was a murmur of voices, both hers and my uncle’s, and then a long silence.