by Mary Ellis
She’d still had to wait some months longer in her cell before she was eventually released, but at least her suffering was alleviated. Mrs. Bennington and Mrs. Hunt had been permitted occasional visits, and they brought with them good food, books to read, and warm blankets and clothes.
When Emily was finally set free, the Benningtons had taken her back to Mrs. Cabot’s, where Margaret and Anne fussed over her, insisting she eat every few hours as though she were dying of starvation. Considering her deception, her employers could have provided train fare and sent her back to Ohio. Even if they preferred not seeing her hang, they didn’t have to allow a liar and thief to remain in their home.
Alexander had been conspicuously absent during these long months, disappearing right after the military tribunal. As kind as the family was, no one would answer any questions about him. Emily couldn’t get the truth until she was alone one day with Margaret. The girl relented and said that she knew only that he’d joined the regular Cavalry and was presumed to be somewhere west of Petersburg, providing a screen for infantry during their retreat. Her mother and aunt hadn’t wanted Emily to worry while locked away and unable to do anything but fret.
That had been months ago. Everything changed when newspapers announced what everyone had been anticipating—and Southerners dreading: Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse to Ulysses S. Grant. At long last, the war was over. That spring, when surrender seemed inevitable, Dr. and Mrs. Benningtons returned to Front Royal to help the Hunts restore what was left of Hunt Farms. With few alternatives, Emily had tagged along like a burr stuck to a dress hem.
Emerging from the dressing room bathed and refreshed, Emily heard a second rapping at the door. “Shall I get it?” she asked.
Lila appeared wearing her beautiful gown. “No, I’ll answer the door. You wait behind the screen.”
Emily stepped around her. “You are not supposed to be seen on your wedding day.”
“Only not by William, and that man knows better than to peek at me ahead of time. You can’t very well open the door dressed in your drawers and shimmy.” Lila bolted in front of Emily, blocking her path with arms akimbo.
“It’s probably another maid with a tray of coffee—”
“Let me work on my last day as a lady’s maid.” Lila insisted. “Tomorrow I become a horse trainer’s wife.”
“Heaven help that man if he goes through with this.”
“Heaven will.”
“As you wish.” Emily relented as the pounding grew more insistent.
“Someone open this blasted door.” A furious voice permeated solid oak. “I wish to speak to Miss Harrison.”
Recognizing the voice, Emily froze where she stood on the thick Oriental carpet.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, sir.” Lila sounded sugar sweet.
“I need to see her and I’m not leaving.”
“But she is indisposed, Mr. Hunt.”
“Espionage charges were dropped based on my word that Miss Harrison will cause no more mischief in the South. She may have climbed out a window and be halfway to Ulysses S. Grant once she saw me ride up.” Alexander changed his voice to match Lila’s tone.
This is too much. Emily flew to the door like a swarming hornet. “Even in Front Royal, we’ve received word that the war has ended.” Emily nudged Lila to the side and threw the door open wide. “General Lee signed Articles of Surrender with General Grant in Appomattox.”
Alexander’s eyes roved from Emily’s bare feet up to her damp curls in disarray around her shoulders. “Goodness, Miss Harrison. Where are your clothes?”
Realizing she wore only a chemise and pantaloons, Emily tried to slam the door, but his boot was too quick. “Please, Mr. Hunt. You have no right in a lady’s boudoir.” She reached for the long wrapper Lila was holding out and knotted it tightly around her waist.
“Not even when the lady happens to be my wife?” Alexander pushed his way into the room.
Recovering some of her composure, Emily replied in her best finishing school voice. “Yes, I haven’t had the opportunity to thank you for your ruse in court. If not for you I would have been hanged or at least still be in that loathsome place. I am truly grateful.” She extended her hand politely.
Alexander glanced at her hand but shook his head. “A thank-you will not do, Miss Harrison. The way I see it, you have to marry me or I’ll be made a liar. Everyone in that courtroom heard my testimony. And thanks to a reporter in the gallery, everyone who can read a Virginia newspaper believes you’re my wife. I don’t wish to bear false witness in so public a fashion.”
Perplexed, Emily remained mute for several moments. “But the war is over. A Confederate military tribunal has no power to reinstate charges against me. The Union will be restored.”
“Do you think it’s all right if I appear a liar now that your lovely neck has been saved?” He lifted his chin as he placed a hand over his heart. “What about my honor?”
She scoffed, moving to increase the distance between them. “Yes, there is your famous Southern honor, but I’m sure a slight smudge would be infinitely better than being saddled with a lying, Yankee infiltrator for a wife.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Perhaps, but it would be no slight smudge now that I’ve returned to the Christian flock. I would be breaking a Commandment, and I would rather not. So instead I’ll take the lying, Yankee infiltrator, if you don’t mind.” Alexander winked at her just before a grin overtook his face.
“I made up my mind this morning about my future.” She met his eyes squarely. “I cannot impose on the Benningtons’ hospitality forever. Because their daughters are too old to need a governess, I’ve written to several female academies for possible positions. So please, Alexander, do not tease me.” Feeling color flood her face, she stared down at her bare feet. “I owe you and your family so much, including my life. Must you demand my humiliation in return? The pain of leaving those I’ve come to love should be punishment enough.”
“I would not tease you about a matter so important.” He closed the gap between them and gently drew her against his chest. “Nothing has changed for me since the night I told you I loved you.” He lifted her chin to meet her gaze.
Pulling away, Emily walked to the open French doors. Workers, slaves no longer, were erecting a tent in the back garden next to the pasture fence. Although the Hunts had grown fond of Lila, setting up something so fancy for an employee’s wedding surprised Emily. “That was long ago. Much has happened since.” She didn’t turn around even when she sensed him behind her. “I won’t have you marrying me from some misguided sense of honor.”
“Tarnation, Emily. Do you really think I would marry you to protect what people think of me?”
Not daring to answer, she stared at the floor with eyes awash in tears.
“Let me ask three questions and you must tell the truth. You owe me that much.”
“What haven’t I already confessed?”
“Did you feign passion for me in the garden during the ball?”
“Certainly not. I couldn’t possibly pretend something like that.”
“Did you come to Middleburg that night to warn me of something you had no part of?”
“On my honor, I never would hurt you or your family.” Emily bit her lower lip to stop it from quivering.
Unfortunately, his third question remained unasked as Margaret and Anne marched into the room with youthful exuberance. Margaret carried a gown draped over one arm, and Anne waved a pair of embroidered slippers.
“What on earth is that?” Emily demanded, pointing at the garment.
“It’s your wedding gown, of course.” Margaret answered as though her governess had taken leave of her senses.
“Lila is getting married, not me. If you will look, she already has her dress.” Emily flourished a hand at Lila, who had been standing silently as she watched the proceedings in her fancy dress.
“You look lovely, Lila. Best wishes to you.” Margaret smiled at her
former maid before turning back to Emily. “No, Miss Harrison. You are both getting married today.”
“Papa said he wants to ‘rid himself of both thorns in his foot in one fell swoop.’ Begging your pardon, Miss Harrison.” Annie added a demure half curtsey.
“Both thorns in his—”
“Please stop fussing and feast your eyes on the couture Mama ordered six months ago.” Margaret held up the most magnificent gown Emily had ever seen.
“Ordered six months ago?” The room felt overly warm as Emily stared in amazement. Made of satin with a full lace overlay, it had a tight bodice, a sweetheart neckline, fitted lace sleeves to match the overlay, and a full skirt. An elaborate bustle would catch the sweeping lace and satin train.
“It arrived and not a moment too soon.” Margaret ignored Emily’s bewilderment. “Look at all the delicate seed pearls the seamstress added.”
“It’s breathtaking, but it certainly isn’t for me. How on earth did you get such an idea, besides what your father said? I can’t blame him for being angry with me.”
“Oh, he’s not angry with you, Miss Harrison. He’s pleased as punch. He plans to walk you down the aisle if you’ll have him.”
Emily wasn’t getting through to her. Margaret must have discovered yellow-backed novels while in France that filled her head with romantic nonsense. She turned to Lila. “Does this make sense to you?”
“Of course. I have Papa to walk me. You can’t very well skip down the aisle by yourself.” Lila smiled sweetly.
“He got the idea from me.” Alexander replied in a quiet voice.
Emily turned to face him as something stuck in her throat. “You had better explain yourself, sir.”
He had been leaning against the wall during the discussion like a spectator. “I asked my parents and Aunt Augusta to arrange a wedding as soon as I got home. Because William had already told me his plans, I thought why not go to our certain doom together? According to my mother, everyone invited has arrived. Even your former teacher, Miss Turner, and Reverend and Mrs. Ames from Marietta are downstairs. Because the blockade has been lifted, I will arrange a wedding trip to Paris so you can see for yourself if the Eiffel Tower was worth the money. The press says it wasn’t. And you certainly can’t blame Uncle Porter for wanting to give you away. That’s one less person on his pay register. My well-paid cooks have prepared a feast, and my cousins are eager to be bridesmaids for both lovely brides.” Anne and Margaret nodded in agreement. Then he inhaled a deep breath and said, “As you can see, no detail has been overlooked.”
“Except for the fact I never agreed to marry anyone, mainly because no one has bothered to ask me. Perhaps my accommodations at Castle Thunder are still available.”
“Alexander, do you mean to say you never properly proposed?” scolded Margaret. She thrashed his arm with her fan.
“What woman wouldn’t want to marry a fine catch like me? Now, if you’ll excuse us a few minutes, I’m sure we can straighten this out.” Alexander spoke with exaggerated politeness as though it were a simple misunderstanding. The three women filed out, each casting sympathetic glances at Emily.
“No one can possibly be this arrogant.” Emily railed the moment they left. “Not even you, a blue-blooded son of Virginia aristocrats with your land grant stemming directly from King Charles himself.”
“You would hold my family’s heritage against me? You would refuse to marry me because of circumstances regarding my birth?”
“No, of course not.” Emily stomped her foot in exasperation.
“Then what is your reason? All our slaves are free. Those who have chosen to remain are paid fairly for their work. I’m no longer in the Confederate Army. And the Commonwealth of Virginia has been restored to the Union.” He closed the distance between them and grasped her upper arms. “I love you more than anything in the world. I will honor you and cherish you forever if you agree to become my wife.”
She swallowed hard as his face sobered, all her clever or sassy retorts gone. “You never asked your third question.”
“What?”
“Before we were interrupted, you said I must answer three questions.”
“You’re absolutely right.” He tangled his fingers in her hair. “Do you love me, Emily? I need to know if you love me.”
The question wasn’t what she expected. But it was the one she would treasure the rest of her life. “Yes, I love you, Alexander.” Emily wrapped her arms around his neck. “And considering that someone went to a lot of trouble making this dress and people have shown up expecting a big party, I suppose I will marry you.” Emily heard giggling at the open doorway, where three women stood unashamedly watching them. “Besides, I need to be right there to make sure William doesn’t come to his senses and dash off at the last minute.”
“Splendid, an excellent choice—one I’ll see you never live to regret.” When he bent to kiss her, his eyes caught the sparkle of something gold. Curiously, he drew the delicate chain from beneath her dressing gown. “I see you still wear your locket,” he murmured. “The gift from your parents upon graduation from Miss Turner’s.”
“Well, why wouldn’t I? It’s truly a lovely heirloom, don’t you think?” Pulling the locket from his hand, Emily pressed it to her lips. “But I’m no longer a woman of subterfuge.” She opened the clasp to display the locket’s interior.
Alexander peered down at his own likeness. “That’s me.”
“I asked your mother for a daguerreotype. I would have preferred one in your uniform with your dashing plumed hat instead of this drab suit of clothes, but alas, it was the only one she had of the correct size.” Snapping the locket closed, Emily briefly kissed him and then said, “Now hurry and get changed. I want to make sure you have no time to come to your senses.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why did Emily Harrison have difficulty adjusting to life on opulent Bennington Island?
2. Porter Bennington frees his slaves before moving his medical practice to Martinsburg. What factors led to this decision?
3. How could Emily better serve the abolitionist cause if she moved further west in Virginia?
4. Emily forms an almost instantaneous bond with Lila Amite. What life experiences provide common ground for the friendship, and which ones put them at odds with one another?
5. Initially, Emily has little respect for Alexander Hunt because he didn’t enlist in the Confederate Army. Why would she want him to join enemy ranks?
6. The Gray Wraith’s ethical code adversely affects his effectiveness as a cavalry officer. How does he circumvent his decision not to bear arms?
7. Even in the midst of war, the bloody carnage in Middleburg shocks and shames Alexander. How had he remained insulated up until now?
8. Emily views the privation among the residents of blockaded Richmond with mixed emotions. Why is she troubled by the decline of the Confederacy?
9. Alexander changes dramatically during the course of the story in several ways. How was his faith impacted by the war?
10. Both sides, North and South, believed God was on their side. How did this help the individual soldier but hurt the overall progression of the Civil War?
Discover the exciting, brand-new story of a woman of beauty and courage in Book 2 of The Civil War Heroines Series by bestselling author Mary Ellis
THE LADY AND THE OFFICER
LATE JUNE 1863
Cashtown, Pennsylvania
Gentlemen, please take heed to what your horses are doing to my flowers!” Madeline Howard spoke with as much authority and indignation as possible after two long years of war.
Four blue-clad officers paused in their conversation to gaze down on her heat-wilted ageratums and hollyhocks. Beneath their horses’ hooves the flowers were trampled beyond recognition. The soldiers offered faint smiles and then resumed their postulating and pointing, affording her as much attention as a gnat.
Except for one officer, who straightened in his saddle and removed his broad-brimmed
hat. Tugging gently on his reins, the man guided his mount out of the flower bed toward the road. “Good afternoon, miss, General James Downing, at your service. I apologize for the damage.” He tipped his hat and then turned his attention back to the others.
“Madeline Howard, General. Mrs. Howard.” She marched down the porch steps. “Now, if you would kindly move your meeting to someone else’s yard, I shall be forever in your debt.”
A thin, gangly officer mounted on a sorrel mare was quick to retort, “See here, madam. In case you’re unaware, the war has come to the fine Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the arrival of Robert E. Lee’s infantry. Your posies are of no importance to the Union Army.”
“I’m well aware of the war, sir. My husband died on the banks of Bull Run Creek, leaving me alone to run this farm.” Madeline settled her hands on her hips with growing indignation. “Those Rebs you’re chasing marched through last week, stripping every ear of corn from the fields and every apple from my orchard. They stole my chickens, killed my hogs, and led my milk cow away on a tether. So if I request that you not to trample my flowers for no apparent reason, I would think you could oblige me.” Maddy completed her diatribe with a flushed face and sweating palms. After months of privation, she had lost her temper.
For several moments silence reigned as the officers stared at her in disbelief. Then General Downing addressed the wiry, haughty officer. “Major Henry, order the troops to remain within the confines of the road and not damage civilian property.” Along the highway, enlisted soldiers trudged in formation toward town, raising a cloud of dust that would linger for days.
Saluting, the major and the other officers spurred their horses and rode off in different directions, leaving her garden ruined.
“Please accept my apologies, madam. And thank you for your husband’s sacrifice to our country.” General Downing pulled off his leather glove and extended his hand down to her.
