No treason? I appeal to your Christian sympathy? Her heart continued to pound.
“And just why are you here, Doctor? Should we have reason to suspect your loyalty?”
The anger in Dr. Mackay’s eyes was unmistakable. Emily thought his voice alone would knock the soldier flat.
“How dare you, Lieutenant! My loyalty is beyond question, as is my service to the Union. I have patched up men like you more times then I care to count!”
No one moved. Even the soldiers stood like stone.
“You are an officer in the United States army,” Dr. Mackay said, teeth tightly clenched. “Haven’t you more important matters to deal with?”
Chest to chest, the two stared at one another. Emily wondered just how long the battle of wills would last. Finally, the undersize soldier relented. He gave orders for the men to be released but not without stipulation.
“Return to your homes, all of you, immediately. No meal. No wake. No congregating.” He then looked back at Dr. Mackay. “You can be certain that I will report this.”
The authoritative Scotsman was not threatened in the least. “Go ahead, lad,” was all he said.
The soldiers marched off and Emily breathed fully for the first time in minutes. As shock began to abate, the funeral party heeded the command. Dr. Stanton and Sam escorted their shaken wives to their carriages. Emily and Elizabeth walked Sally to hers. They each gave her the basket of food they had prepared for the afterward meal.
Elizabeth defiantly tossed back her red curls. “I don’t care what that man said,” she whispered to Sally. “I’ll be by to visit you later.”
Emily wished she could do the same, but she was due at the hospital within the hour. “I’ll come in the morning.”
Sally hugged them both. “No one could ask for better friends.”
When she and her father drove away, Emily turned back for her parents. Dr. Mackay was speaking to them. She cautiously approached. One moment he looked as though he was taking pleasure in their arrest; the next he was coming to their aid. Emily told herself she should be thankful for the latter, but suspicion prickled her skin. Just what was this man up to?
Her father turned to her and smiled.
“I understand this young man knows you,” he said.
“Yes, sir,” she replied. “I am his nurse.”
“Aye, and a fine one at that.”
To say she knew not what to make of his cordiality was putting it mildly. She thanked him politely.
“My daughter is on her way to the hospital for night duty,” her father said. “But then, you probably already knew that.”
“I suspected so.”
“Are you on your way there, as well?”
Before Emily knew it, her father was offering to give Dr. Mackay a ride back to the hospital.
Uneasiness rolled through her. This would be no pleasure outing. Emily just knew if Dr. Mackay accepted the invitation, he would find some element of their company unacceptable. He will reconsider what he has just done and report us all to the provost marshal.
He seemed to be hesitant about traveling with them, as well. His countenance darkened.
“Come now,” her father said. “I insist. It is the least we can do after the kindness you have just shown our family and friends.”
Dr. Mackay clearly looked uncomfortable but he thanked him. “I would appreciate that. It is a long walk back to the harbor.”
“Wonderful. Just over here...”
Emily gulped. Her mother took her father’s arm and they turned for the carriage. Dr. Mackay offered his. Anxiety pulsed through her as she slid her fingers around his blue wool. Even with her leather glove serving as barrier between them, his uniform was rough and scratchy.
Just like his temperament, she thought.
“Do you often take walks through this part of town?” she asked, doing her best to make polite conversation. What she wouldn’t give right now for a basket of bandages to roll or some other menial medical task to perform.
“No,” he said. “I was attending the service of a respected army officer.”
The word respected was not lost on her. No matter what he may have said to the zealous Federal lieutenant, he was letting her know, in no uncertain terms, he hadn’t come to honor Stephen.
She responded kindly anyway, reminding herself that he had just come from a graveside service, as well. “I am sorry to hear that. My condolences. You knew the man well?”
“Not really.” And that was the end of that.
They passed silently through the rows of granite and marble. Upon reaching the carriage, she promptly let go of his sleeve. Joshua was seated in the driver’s box and he nodded when her father introduced their guest. Dr. Mackay nodded back and much to Emily’s surprise, reached up and shook Joshua’s hand.
So he does believe in equality, she thought. At least when it comes to former slaves.
Mr. Davis helped his wife into the carriage, then turned to assist his daughter. Emily had just enough time to adjust her hoop and smooth out her skirt before Dr. Mackay claimed the seat beside her. His broad shoulders and long-legged frame left little room between them. Fire burned her cheeks. She wasn’t certain if it was the August heat or the Federal doctor’s close proximity.
* * *
Evan settled back into the seat but did not relax in his state of mind. What had he gotten himself into? What had he been thinking? Thinking of the past, no doubt. His impulsive need to rectify a wrong had driven him to make another.
When the lieutenant and his squad had interrupted the funeral, he’d first thought they must have good reason. However, when he saw Mrs. Ward, wide with child, turn pale and clutch her husband’s arm, he was compelled to intervene. He would not allow trouble to come to that woman, not if he could help it. Before he knew it, he was defending the lot of them.
Now he was riding in the rebel lawyer’s carriage. The man mistakenly believed Evan was lax concerning loyalty.
“It is unthinkable,” he said. “I spend the majority of my time advocating for men who have been denied due process of law.”
Evan’s anger was rising. Under no circumstances would he feel pity for the so-called innocent citizens of Baltimore who had been imprisoned at Fort McHenry.
The man continued. “They arrest our citizens without probable cause. There are those that say in times of war security is all that matters... But I say, at what cost? What good is peace if it is purchased at the price of chains?”
Evan’s blood was boiling. Without probable cause? This city’s history and the way that the local newspapers continued printing pro-Southern garbage was all the cause needed for him. He was just about to tell the rebel lawyer what he thought when the wife intervened.
“Dr. Mackay, my daughter tells me you are from Pennsylvania.”
So I have been discussed at home. Evan turned to look at Emily. Her cheeks were pink. Was it because she knew her father’s speech wasn’t winning any converts to the Cause? Or because she was embarrassed to admit that he’d been a topic of discussion for the Davis family?
“I am,” he said to her mother, doing his best to keep his tone civil.
“Are you from Philadelphia?”
“No, ma’am. From a very small town, a farming community. Though it is not far from the city.”
Emily now joined in, obviously trying to keep the conversation from returning to the subject of war. “I am told that is a beautiful part of the country, though I have never been.”
He nodded. “The countryside rolls from one low hill to another, and in the summertime the wheat fields move like waves upon the ocean.”
She smiled, her expression genuine. “That sounds lovely.”
“It is.”
“I suppose this time spent in the city must be dreadful.”
Evan could feel the darkness creeping in. “I manage.”
“Have you a family up in Pennsylvania?” Emily’s father asked.
Pain shot through him as though the re
bel lawyer had fired a derringer at his chest. “No,” Evan said. “I have no family.”
He heard Emily draw in a sharp breath, but he did not turn to her. It was bad enough that her mother was now looking at him as though he were a stray puppy in need of a home.
“Well, Doctor,” she said. “As long as you are here in Baltimore, consider yourself part of our family. You have an open invitation for supper anytime.”
“Indeed,” her husband insisted. “Our home is yours. Our church, as well. We would be pleased to have you attend services with us.”
The invitation struck Evan as odd to say the least. What was this? He was a stranger and a Northern man at that. Was this simply Christian charity or some Southern plot to weaken a Federal man? If that were the case he would not play into their hands. “Thank you but I would not wish to impose. Besides, my duties at the hospital keep me very busy.”
“You sound like my daughter,” the woman said. “I keep telling her duty is commendable, but it isn’t good to be constantly surrounded by the effects of war.”
Anywhere in this city I am surrounded by the effects of war, he thought.
“Someone must deal with the damage,” he heard Emily say. “There are so many, on both sides, in need of healing.”
He looked at her.
The expression on her face was one of fidelity, of quiet strength. Clearly she was not the prissy little socialite he had first thought. She ministered to loyal men as tenderly as her beloved rebs and he had to admit, he admired the fact that this wealthy Southern family treated former slaves as equals. Evan had never understood what supposed difference a man’s skin, ancestry or title made. Nobility was defined by character, not birthright.
Nurse Emily seemed to understand that.
As he continued to hold her gaze, her cheeks darkened to a deeper shade of crimson. Even in her black mourning dress, Evan thought her pretty.
The carriage came to a stop at the hospital’s main entrance. The American flag stood tall and numerous sentinels with muskets on their shoulders were stationed about. He breathed a silent sigh. He was glad to be back on familiar ground, yet he thanked the family for their kindness before exiting.
“You are quite welcome, Doctor,” the lawyer said.
Emily moved to step out, as well, her silk fabric rustling. Evan offered his hand to her. As she clasped it he took notice of how good she smelled. Lilac water, freshly washed hair, he would take those fragrances over the odors of the hospital any day.
“Thank you, Dr. Mackay.”
“Evan,” he said, although he wasn’t certain why.
She let go of his hand the moment her feet touched the ground, but for some reason he wished she had waited just a little longer.
Chapter Eight
The moment Dr. Mackay had escorted her into the building, he disappeared with barely a good-evening. Emily should not have been surprised. It was his nature to play the part of a gentleman one moment and an ogre the next. She found the man who had offered his arm and spoken so poetically concerning his home in Pennsylvania much more to her liking, but he never stayed around for very long.
She made her way to the women’s washroom, where she promptly traded her black silk for simple cotton. She stashed her carpetbag in a secure nook and stepped into the ward just as the evening bell sounded. Rebekah came to her immediately.
“How was the funeral?”
Emily told her the brief details. Even Rebekah, Unionist to the core, was horrified to know the Federal soldiers had disrupted the graveside service.
“Oh! How dreadful! Thank goodness that Dr. Mackay was with you.”
Emily could feel a tingle in her cheeks as the scene replayed through her mind, particularly the carriage ride. Why the memory provoked such a response, she was not sure. It wasn’t as though the Northern doctor stirred some romantic notion in her. Gracious, no. A Federal soldier? I would never think that way about him!
She may wish for the war to end, may agree with Lincoln’s proclamation granting freedom to slaves, but she detested the thought of her city being occupied. The Federal government had instituted martial law in Baltimore and many a citizen, including her and her friends, had been terrorized by the soldiers.
Today’s funeral was only one such example. Emily found Dr. Mackay’s involvement entirely disturbing. How had those soldiers known about the service? Did he send them? If so, what made him change his mind?
“Sergeant Cooper is much improved,” she heard Rebekah say. “Dr. Warren removed the tube to his lungs.”
Emily focused her thoughts on her duty. “Good.”
“Private Bush is taking solid food.”
“Wonderful. It will help him to regain his strength.”
“But Edward...” Rebekah paused, then discreetly nodded in his direction. “He hasn’t eaten a bite today.”
Emily looked to see him propped up in his bed, staring off into the distance. Once more, that lost look was on his face. Her shoulders fell with a tired sigh. Already they were aching and she had a full twelve hours to go.
“More than likely he’s thinking of Stephen. He knows the service was set for today.”
“Perhaps you should tell him about it.”
“Perhaps...” Emily would wait to see for herself how Edward was tonight. If she did give any details, she would leave out the part about the men in blue.
Rebekah bid her a good-night, then gathered up her basket and bonnet. Emily started across the ward. Edward saw her approaching and waved her over. She whispered a quick prayer. Give me wisdom, Lord. I don’t want to do or say anything that will hurt him.
“Did you attend?” he asked straightaway.
The decision had been made for her. She drew up a chair. “Yes. Stephen was laid to rest honorably. Sam and your father placed a Maryland Flag over his casket, and Reverend Perry gave the most beautiful eulogy.”
Edward nodded his approval, but his eyes showed grief. Emily’s heart ached.
“Did many attend?”
She told him who had come, minus the soldiers. After a long pause he then asked, “How is Sally?”
“As well as can be expected, but it will do her good to know that you asked about her.” She loves you, Emily wanted to add. And I believe she always will.
He was quiet again. She waited to see what, if anything, he would say next. A man from across the room, one who had been wounded in the leg, was trying out a pair of crutches. Emily watched him silently and offered an encouraging nod when he looked her way.
“Will you do something for me?” Edward asked her.
“Of course.”
“Keep Julia away. I grow tired of her.”
A hint of brotherly teasing showed on his face. Emily tried to coax more. Laughter would be good for him.
“Do you realize what you are asking? She will fight me tooth and nail. You know how stubborn she is.”
He smiled, but then his look darkened.
“They are about to send me on to prison.”
Emily felt her muscles tense even further. She knew now where Edward’s concerns truly were. This was the real reason he wanted his sister to stay away. Julia would have difficulty with his transfer. “Has the ward master been by?” she asked.
“Today. Not long before your arrival. I don’t want my sister to be here when they come for me.”
He was concerned for her health, especially now that her visits were getting shorter. Julia still came each morning but only for a few moments with Sam at her side. Her time of confinement was drawing near.
“I understand, Eddie. But try not to think of any of that. Just think about that little niece or nephew of yours that will soon enter this world.”
“I hope he’s smart enough not to make the same mistakes I have.”
Not knowing what to say to that, Emily simply squeezed his hand. When the orderlies came in to turn down the lamps, Edward rolled to his side. She stood and glanced about the room. Her heart was heavy. She wondered why Rebekah had not
mentioned the ward master’s presence this evening. She supposed she had been so busy with the evening medications that she failed to notice him.
Emily wondered how many of the men before her now would make the march to Fort McHenry tomorrow. What will conditions be like when they reach the prison camps?
She was well aware that the convalescing men had to move on. The field hospitals in Gettysburg were full of wounded still awaiting transport to the general facilities. Conditions here were better than there. She wanted the waiting men to receive proper care, but she shuddered at the thought of any of her current charges, especially Edward, being marched to prison.
Lord, give them each the strength to bear the transfer when the time comes. Give me the strength, as well.
When Josiah asked for his evening Bible story, Emily felt compelled to read the account of Christ’s crucifixion. She began with the time Jesus spent in the garden. She read on through the trial, the beatings at the hands of the Roman soldiers. When she reached the forced march to Calvary, a hush fell over the room. It took all she had within her to keep her voice steady. She could see it in their faces. They each grasped the relevance of the story in their own lives.
“That’s worse than Yankee soldiers,” John said. “And Jesus didn’t fight back. He could have, but He didn’t.”
“No, He didn’t,” Emily said. “He forgave them. Just like He forgives each one of us.”
“It’s them Yankees that need the forgivin’,” a man at the far end of the ward insisted. “They’re the ones who wouldn’t leave well enough alone. They brought about war.”
Her heart sank like a stone to the bottom of the Baltimore harbor. Before she could even whisper a prayer on the man’s behalf, John spoke again. “Them Yankees is just like us,” he said. “I didn’t used to think so, but I do now. As I lay in the pouring rain up yonder in Pennsylvania, do you know who the first person was to come to my aid?”
“Who?” the first man asked.
“A Yankee.” The corporal then looked at Emily. “It was a man from the Christian Commission, but he weren’t from Maryland. He was from Massachusetts.”
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