The Forgotten Debutante (Cotillion Ball)

by Becky Lower

  “Are you saying if, for instance, we get attacked by a grizzly bear, I should not shield you from him?”

  She placed her hand on his chest at the spot where she’d speared him three years earlier. “As you will recall, I’m pretty handy with a pitchfork. We’ll take on all grizzlies together.”

  They stood quietly, wrapped in each other’s arms, for a few minutes. Time lost all meaning as Zeke reveled in her sweet, young, floral scent with just a hint of spice to tickle his nose. He touched her bold red dress, luxuriating in its silky feel. Finally, he lifted his chin from the top of her head and leaned down to caress her lips, which were every bit as silky as her gown.

  “Halwyn told me we were to appear for dinner tonight to talk about where we go from here. And he said we needed to marry soon.”

  Saffron laughed. “I’m glad he finally sees in you what I did all those years ago. But I’m sure Mother will have something to say about the wedding.”

  “If I was able to get through a court-martial, I can face your mother.”

  “Ah, but you haven’t met my mother.”

  Saffron laughed again, and the sound was better than any orchestra. He had assumed for a brief, black moment that he would never be able to hear her laughter again, since all he’d seemed capable of doing was making her cry. He’d spend the rest of his life making her happy each day and full of laughter every evening.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Dinner at Halwyn and Grace’s home in the evening was a noisy affair, reminding Saffron of days past when her siblings were all still at home. Halwyn and Grace’s children joined the group for the celebratory meal of savory chicken, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and green beans. The dinner smelled divine, but Saffron’s stomach hadn’t yet completely unknotted from the day’s events so she doubted she would do the meal justice.

  Saffron gazed at the children across the table. George already showed signs of being his siblings’ protector. But the bridge of freckles across his pert nose negated some of his position’s seriousness. Rose and Emily were miniature versions of Grace, with their dark hair and porcelain complexions. Saffron’s mind went to her promise to Zeke that they’d try to have four boys, each named in honor of his brothers. She couldn’t wait until she could sit at her own dinner table with her own little ones. She reached over and latched onto Zeke’s hand, her eyes brimming over with tears.

  “I’m so glad we can all be here tonight.” She choked on her words as the tears slid down her cheeks. Zeke gently brushed the wetness away. Then he leaned over and kissed her damp cheek. George made a smacking sound imitating a kiss, which made the young girls laugh.

  Grace stopped cutting up the meat for Emily. “Hush, children. Behave yourselves, or I’ll have the nanny take you to the nursery for your meal.”

  Halwyn cleared his throat, and the children finally stopped their noise. They had no wish to spend the rest of the evening in the nursery, so they were poised to listen to what their father was about to say. So was Saffron, since she had a feeling Halwyn was going to say something profound with regards to her and Zeke. She turned her gaze from Zeke to her brother.

  “We need to talk about your immediate future plans.” His eyes slid from his children to Zeke. “Now that you can make future plans.”

  “Yes, sir. Saffron and I discussed things earlier, and now, since I can’t join the military, we had a notion we’d head out west next spring and meet up with my family in Oregon.”

  “Oregon is a good choice, although I still can’t see Saffron chopping firewood and cooking meals over a wood stove.” He shifted his gaze from Zeke to Saffron. “Forgive me, Saffy, but one pie does not a pioneer woman make. You do have other alternatives you should also explore.”

  Saffron stared at Halwyn. “What do you mean?”

  Halwyn smiled. “You need to first of all announce to Mother and Father your marriage plans. I’m sure Father will have some ideas about your future. They’ll come here to inspect the potential groom and Mother will begin planning the wedding.”

  Saffron placed her hand on Zeke’s arm. “So you’ll meet Mother and Papa soon.”

  She noticed Zeke’s Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he gulped. Poor man. He was more frightened at the prospect of meeting her parents than he was at the idea of being hung. She touched his arm, soothing him as if he were a stray kitten who’d wandered into her yard. And in a way, he was.

  Halwyn nodded in their direction before he continued. “I’m certain Father will try to convince you to join him at the bank, Zeke, since I plan to stay with the military. But before he can woo you away from DC, you have a job to finish here.”

  Zeke turned to Halwyn in surprise. “What are you saying?”

  “What I’m saying is you are still a valuable asset to the Initiative team, since you were at Chancellorsville during the fighting. You can tell us where the standoffs happened, where the most fierce fighting took place, and you can provide valuable information on where the majority of the bodies are.”

  Saffron glanced at Halwyn. “But Zeke’s not allowed into the military anymore. And the only reason he was hired in the first place by you was because of his military background.”

  “You’re not military, and you’re working for us, aren’t you?”

  Saffron nodded, finally grasping what Halwyn was saying.

  “You can be a civilian employed by the military, the same as Saffron. Once Chancellorsville is cleared and your brothers are reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery, you can decide which option to consider next.”

  Saffron’s tears began again. “You can still honor your father’s request and see your brothers properly buried.” She wrapped her arms around Zeke and placed her head on his shoulder. It was now Zeke’s turn to comfort her.

  The children began to titter again. Halwyn grinned as he spoke, negating the reprimand. “All right, you two. My children aren’t used to such displays of affection at the dinner table. I’ll send a telegram to Mother and Father tomorrow morning. And judging from the way you can’t keep your hands off each other, we need to get you married as soon as possible.”

  • • •

  A few days later, Zeke followed a step behind his intended as they hurried to the train, which had come to a stop and belched black smoke. If he weren’t so worried about meeting her parents, he would have enjoyed the view of Saffron’s shapely backside in her bright yellow day dress as she hurried down the platform. His mouth might be dry, but his hands were clammy. He wiped them on his shirt and tried to swallow as he and Saffron waited for her parents to disembark.

  Saffron bounced up and down in excitement as she held on to Zeke’s arm.

  “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Mother and Papa. Not since Christmas. A lot has happened since then.” She tore her eyes from train’s occupants, who were streaming off, and turned toward Zeke. “You’re the biggest surprise of all. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”

  Zeke tried for a big smile but could only muster a corner of his mouth turning up. “Halwyn makes me nervous, but he was only the warm-up for meeting your folks.”

  She turned back to the passengers and patted him absent-mindedly on the arm. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. I love you, and so will they. Ooh, there they are.”

  Saffron waved frantically to get their attention, and ran forward. Zeke had no choice but to follow. An image of the gallows from which he’d narrowly escaped rose in his mind. When Saffron’s parents were enlightened by the whole story of how they had met each other and the danger he’d put Saffron into, not only on the night she helped him escape but then also at the trial, surely they’d send him packing.

  Saffron seemed oblivious to any potential outcome other than the one she wanted. She assumed since she loved him it would be enough to sway her parents. He shook his head as he trailed behind her, but held himself in a perfect military stance, hoping to make a good impression.

  Saffron was swooped up and sandwiched between her parents in a huge,
welcoming hug. Zeke stood to the side, observing. Mrs. Fitzpatrick was an older version of Saffron, with blonde hair and laughing blue eyes. George Fitzpatrick had dark hair sprinkled with gray but the same humorous expression in his eyes. Maybe the meeting wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Saffron stepped back from the hug so she could look at her parents. “It’s so good to see you both.”

  Charlotte ran her hand over her daughter’s hair and then down her arm. “My baby. Oh, it’s wonderful to see you again. Home hasn’t been the same since you left.”

  Her father kissed her cheek before he asked. “Now, where is this young man who’s stolen your heart?”

  She turned from them to Zeke, who had surveyed the reunion without making a sound. She pulled him forward.

  “He’s right here. This is Zeke. Ezekiel Boone. The man I’m going to marry. Zeke, meet my parents.”

  Charlotte grabbed him in a fierce hug, stealing his breath. Mr. Fitzpatrick waited for his wife to let go of Zeke before sticking out his hand. “Good to meet you, son.”

  Zeke got a lump in his throat at the greeting. He hadn’t been called “son” in a long time.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Saffron’s told me so much about you.”

  To cover his rioting emotions, Zeke grabbed their luggage and made his way to the waiting carriage, giving Saffron time to be alone with her parents.

  Before Zeke formed any ideas as to which direction their talks should take, they were in front of Halwyn and Grace’s home. Zeke jumped down and grabbed the luggage, taking it inside himself rather than waiting on the staff. Saffron hadn’t stopped talking since the ride began, and she kept up her steady stream of words while they all climbed down from the carriage and moved inside to the parlor, where Grace, tea, and sweet breads awaited the travelers.

  “I need to see my grandchildren before I can even sit down to a cup of tea. Where are you hiding them, Grace?” Charlotte stepped back from her embrace of her daughter-in-law.

  Grace laughed, put her arm around Charlotte, and escorted her to the nursery, where the children waited. Zeke was alone with Mr. Fitzpatrick and Saffron, who quieted in front of her father. Zeke noticed her hands were shaking a bit. His heart sunk when he picked up on how nervous she was. Maybe things weren’t going as well as they seemed if Saffron was afraid of this audience with her father. A sense of foreboding skittered up his spine. Things were not going to go well.

  George made a big production of filling his pipe and then lighting it. Zeke inhaled the scent of burning tobacco, which usually had a calming effect. But not today. Nothing could quiet his riotous emotions. Saffron and Zeke sat absolutely still as if they were recalcitrant children waiting for their punishment. George cleared his throat, obviously now ready to talk. Zeke wished it had taken longer to get George’s pipe in order.

  “Zeke, you seem to be a very admirable young man, but your engagement to my daughter is very sudden. Saffron, I’m aware of your tendency to dive headfirst into things, but this is quick even for you.”

  George’s gaze flickered from Zeke to Saffron. Sweat began to bead on Zeke’s brow. He inhaled a long, slow breath. It was time to reveal their past.

  “On the contrary, Papa. It’s time for us to tell everyone the whole story. Halwyn’s already been made aware of it, so now we must reveal it to you. We met each other three years ago.”

  George’s eyebrow rose speculatively. “How is that possible?”

  “Surely you recall how I disappeared one afternoon during the draft riots?”

  “Of course. Two months’ worth of confinement for you wasn’t nearly enough, given the fright you caused your mother and me.”

  “Well, there was a very good reason why I hitched up Biscuit and made a madcap ride around town. I was helping Zeke escape the city so he could get back to his farm.”

  George stared at his daughter, then at Zeke. “This makes no sense. Where did you come into contact with him?”

  “He was hiding out in our carriage house. He’d followed his brothers into the Civil War, even though he had only been thirteen at the time. Before the battle at Chancellorsville, they received a letter from home saying their father was ill and needed one of them to return to the farm.”

  She reached over and clung to Zeke’s hand. “He was the only one left at the end of the battle. All four of his brothers perished during the week, and Zeke had to bury them before he left the battlefield. The Confederates were rounding up everyone who was still standing to take to their prison, so it was either escape or be placed in jail for the remainder of the war. He chose to honor his father’s request and return home.”

  George’s gaze bounced back and forth between Saffron and Zeke, stopping at their joined hands, where his gaze morphed into a glare. Zeke dropped Saffron’s hand and straightened in his chair. “I made it as far as New York City on my own, but got stuck when the riots broke out and soldiers were stationed at every exit. I was still in uniform, and would have been sent back to the front lines if I had been caught.”

  “So you deserted the army? And placed my daughter in peril?”

  Saffron propelled herself to her feet at her father’s question and began to pace the room. “No, he did neither. He never enlisted; therefore, he never deserted. The court-martial nightmare we just went through cleared him of any wrongdoing. And it was my decision to help him get out of town, not his. He didn’t threaten or force me at all. He’s a good man, Papa, and I love him.”

  Zeke’s heart raced, both from Saffron’s declaration and from her father’s relentless gaze. He waited for Mr. Fitzpatrick’s final judgment.

  “Has Halwyn approved of your union?”

  Saffron turned to her father. “Not only does he approve, but he also provided the testimony that cleared Zeke’s name during the trial. He even went so far as to say Zeke should be given a medal for his service.” She walked back to Zeke, her head held high and her beautiful, blue eyes filled with tears. She again reached for his hand, holding it so tightly he couldn’t have disengaged if he’d been forced to. But he hoped he never had to.

  “If Halwyn has given you his blessing, then I suppose I should as well. Although I’ll have to ponder a bit further how in the name of God you two initially met. You took some very big chances, both of you.”

  Saffron raised her tear-filled eyes to her father. “Yes, we did, Papa. But just as with Joseph and Ginger, this was inendaagozi. It was our destiny to meet each other and then fall in love years later.”

  George shook his head. “I can see that, and I suppose you’re right.” He faced Zeke. Welcome to the family, son.”

  There it was again. Son. Zeke finally smiled and inhaled a deep breath. His future once more seemed bright.

  • • •

  George may have steered the conversation over tea, but at dinner, Charlotte reigned. And the conversation was not about Zeke’s suitability as a husband but all about the impending wedding and what type of gown Saffron would wear. Charlotte seemed to accept him unconditionally, for which Zeke was grateful. He had already been impressed by her, since her blonde hair and blue eyes reminded him of Saffron, but her complete acceptance of him made him appreciate her even more.

  He ran a finger around the neck of his dress shirt. He helped himself to generous quantities of the tender roast beef, tangy asparagus spears, and velvety mashed potatoes with brown gravy, since his stomach no longer had a knot in it. He had passed inspection, and he and Saffron were to wed within weeks. He could spend the remainder of his life with her by his side.

  Charlotte’s excited voice broke into his musings, and Zeke turned his gaze to her.

  “I sent a telegram to Jasmine this afternoon, Saffron, and told her to start working on your gown. She has your measurements on file, so she can make it without you actually being there.”

  “Well, if it will speed things along, I’m all for it. I don’t really care about the gown. I’m certain if Jasmine makes it, it will be lovely. Zeke and I hope to marry
as soon as possible and get started on our lives together.”

  George cleared his throat, and everyone at the table glanced his way.

  “And speaking of your future together, have you any ideas as to what you will do to make a living, or where you hope to live?”

  “We have to stay with the program until Chancellorsville is cleared. Both Zeke and I have too much knowledge of the battlefield to entrust digging it up to someone else.”

  Saffron’s hands moved as she talked, and the lace on the sleeve of her sapphire gown dragged through the gravy. Zeke noticed her small mishap and reached for her hand, wiping the gravy from her cuff with his napkin. She may still resemble a young colt at times, but she was all his.

  Zeke continued to hold on to her hand. They locked gazes and grinned at one another before Saffron glanced at her soiled sleeve.

  “I may never get over being clumsy, but if you’re there to mop up after me, I’ll be fine.” Saffron leaned over and kissed his cheek. George harrumphed again.

  “Let’s get back to the question, shall we, you two? After Chancellorsville, what do you plan to do?”

  Zeke tore his gaze from Saffron and addressed her father. “We haven’t come to any conclusions yet. We could go to Oregon by wagon train next spring and meet up with my family, but I’m afraid the harsh life of the wagon train will not be to Saffron’s liking.”

  Zeke nodded in Halwyn’s direction and glanced at his immaculate uniform before he continued. “Halwyn suggested coming to New York and working with you at the bank, since he plans to stay with the military, but without a proper education, I fear banking would not be to my liking.”

  “So you are at an impasse, then.” George summed things up neatly.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “With either scenario you’ve outlined, one of you will be uncomfortable. Might I suggest a compromise?”

  Saffron’s grasp on Zeke’s hand tightened.