William looks up at John and says well I am not sending Savannah out there with that crazy man and allowing her to be in harms way. John replies but she was going to do that already with us watching the only difference is now he is more of a danger so how do we work around that? William heated by John words goes over to the stairs and sits down. Savannah walks over to William, sits beside him, and holds his hand. She say to William don't worry we will figure something out by this evening and I promise you with all three of you here and Lucy I know in my heart I will be alright. William hugs Savannah and says I know.
The Northern General says ok we must come up with a different tactic and then get ready for this evening. John agrees and asks Lucy to please bring them all some coffee. Lucy nods her head and goes to pour coffee for everyone. William gets up form the stair and walks over to the table to sit with John and The Northern General. John says to William I was not trying to throw her to the wolves William I was just pointing out some things. I did not mean for it to come off unfeeling. William replies I know my friend. It is ok. They all sit around the table going over plans and drinking coffee.
Meanwhile back at the southern camp the head soldier returns and sees the boy making food. The boy stands up and says I am so glad you came back in one piece. The head soldier chuckles and says thanks. How are things here? The boy replies the Southern General awoke once calling for you and wanting to get ready for his wedding. The head soldier looks nervously at the boy and says and what happen. The boy replies I told the Southern General that you were out scouting the area for enemies and he should continue to rest. I told him that you would wake him when you got back. The head soldier impressed with the boy says you did a great job thank you. The boy looks up at the head soldier and says so how did the Miss take it?
The head soldier says she took it not so well but at least now she knows and I can only hope tonight will go well. The boy replies Well I hope so too for all our sakes. Are you going to go wake the Southern General now? The head soldier replies not yet I am going to give him time to get more rest maybe that might help and it is only midday so no need to disturb him. The head soldier sits down next to the boy and they begin to have food and coffee.
The Southern General is sleeping but is dreaming of his wedding night with Savannah and the head soldier hears him speaking aloud. The head soldier gets up, walks quietly over to the tent, and listens as the Southern General mumbles away. The head soldier stands still and thinks How am I going to protect Miss if the Southern General losses it tonight? I am hoping all this rest will have cleared up his head and things will be ok. I fear for the safety of us all this evening. The head soldier then goes back to sit down near the boy and fire and sighs as he finishes his lunch.
Sitting around the table having coffee John says We have gone over and over different tactics and yet we find our selves no closer to a solution. Savannah looks up at the clock and says I must go and start to get ready for tonight. William looks up at Savannah and grabs her hand gently and says You go ahead and get ready and when we come to a solution I shall come and fill you in. Savannah smiles and say ok my dear, kisses William gently on the cheek, turns around, and begins to walk toward the stairs where Lucy is standing waiting to follow her up to her room to help her get dressed and ready. The Northern General says No worries we will figure this all out. Savannah replies I know Sir and walks up the stairs with Lucy to her room. William leans into the table and says General what are we to do?
The Northern General say We do the following, John sits up and listens carefully. The Northern General goes on to state We shall bring the men in closer to the house and plantation. We shall instruct them not to move with out orders and to take out any enemies they spot on the road before they reach us. We shall a scout looking out amongst the trees and send another a couple miles from here to make sure all is clear So John go and do that now and tell him to do it with speed and return with haste. Yes General Sir John replies and gets up from his seat and walks out the back door to fetch the scout’s. William sits and awaits the next part of his fathers plan. The Northern General sits down and says we shall wait for John to return before I go on.
William picks up his coffee, sips it finally John returns, and says General Sir your order has been carried out. Good replies the Northern General. Now here is the rest of what shall go on We three shall position our selves one in the living room behind the couch. One will play the minister and one shall stay here behind the door. William and John look at each other and then the chuckle The Northern General looks at them sternly They both say Sorry General but may we ask William goes on to say How is it one of us is going to pull off being a southern preacher? The Northern General says William you will be the preacher and use a southern accent, I have heard you make fun of them before you can do it. William says General Sir What about my clothing how do we change that? John interrupts and says we have some clothing in the tent we swiped from the southern army maybe there is something in there you can use.
The Northern General says that’s fine. William says then what ? The northern General says Then you shall stand in the living room near the back wall. Wait for Savannah to enter with the Southern General and keep watch on him. John shall behind the couch and I shall stand watch behind the door here. Once the Southern General and his head solider and boy show Our men shall over throw his camp while he is here and seize the boy The head soldier shouldn’t be any problems but we shall keep an eye on him as well. Let the Southern General enter the house and talks with you until it is time for the wedding
As times grows near We shall allow Savannah to enter the room and go forth with the wedding just as the vows about to finish we close in on him and disarm as quickly as possible. William and John look at him and John says sounds like the best plan we have. William agrees and says he is going up to fill Savannah in on the plan. The Northern General says good and me John shall wait here for our scouts to return.
Meanwhile back at the Southern camp, The head solider says to the boy well it is time to wake him and get ready for this night. He goes on to tell the boy Listen you keep your eyes open and keep a distance so you don’t get hurt if anything is to happen. The boy replies but Sir I could be of help . The head soldier says No you are more of a help by staying behind and packing things up If for some reason this goes wrong then at least you will get home safely. The boy not to happy agrees and does what he is told. The head soldier walks into the Southern Generals tenet and says to him self Here we go and god helps.
The head soldier say General Sir its time for you to wake up and get ready for tonight The Southern General awakes and say Yes I shall clean up and put on my best cloths and then walk over to my soon to be brides house and await our union in marriage. The head soldier looks at the Southern General and says Sir Whom will be marrying you? The Southern General says Oh my goodness I forgot the most important person of all a preacher. He bellows loudly FIND ME A PREACHER! The head soldier says where shall I find you one Sir at this time of day and this far away? The Southern General says he does not care where or how but he better by the time he is to wed his beautiful bride Savannah. The head soldier says Yes Sir and walks out of the tent leaving the Southern General to begin his preparation for this evening.
The head soldier looks at the boy and says We have a problem we must find a preacher quickly. The boy says I can go scout a few miles from here and see If I can find someone. The head soldier says we haven’t much time go now and return with haste but be careful. Of them realizing that neither the northern scout is listening to the whole conversation and takes off back at to the plantation to tell of what he has learned. The head soldier sits in front of the fire and says to him self I hope we find no one but if we do I hope I do not have to betray my general if he loses it this evening.
Back at the plantation house, the one scout flies into the kitchen and say General Sir I have information. Well speak up boy, say the Northern General The scout goes on to say Sir the Southern General has sent
his boy out to find a preacher for this evening and the boy just left the camp Good job says the Northern General back to your station now Yes Sir answers the scout. The Northern General says this works out just fine. He calls John into the room and asks where William is John replies he is upstairs with Savannah well give him a few minutes then we must change our plan a bit and get our plan into action. John looks puzzled but replies ok. The Northern General walks over to the table and looks at his plan again and sips his coffee and say to him self this plan is going to work I can feel it.
William knocks on Savannah’s door and Lucy answers it. William says can I speak to Savannah Lucy in private please? Lucy replies sure William I just leave this here for you to get into Miss I will be down stairs when you ready for me. Savannah replies ok Lucy thank you. William enters the room and looks at how beautiful Savannah looks just in her slip in the dusk of light coming from the window. He walks over to where she is sitting at the armoire in front of the mirror. He puts his hands gently upon her shoulders and says you look radiant and Savannah giggles and says I am not even completely dressed yet William replies That’s ok I think you radiant no matter your attire and leans down to kiss her on the cheek softly. Savannah turns toward him and says is there a plan? William replies Yes there is and it will all be ok He goes to explain the whole plan to her as she continues to get ready for the wedding.
Savannah chuckles at him being a southern preacher she says How you going to pull that off? William replies I have many talents you do not know about. He laughs and grabs her and pulls her close they smile at one another. William looks into her eyes deeply and says you know I wish this was our wedding night. Savannah smiles softly and says so do I my love. they kiss like it was the last kiss they would ever share again
Savannah then looks at William and says If it was you wouldn’t be allowed up here William replies true but it wouldn’t stop me from trying they both chuckle. William walks over to Savannah in the chair and says to her Are you ok with all this and Savannah says I am a bit scared but I know I am protected and I believe and trust in you and us. William smiles and kisses her again softly on the lips and tells Savannah he must go back down stairs now and he shall see her soon and that before she knows it this will all be over. William leaves the room and Savannah looks at herself in the mirror and whispers I have faith in you and us I just hope the fates are watching over us this night as well.
William returns down stairs where he finds John and his father sitting at the kitchen table going over things William sits down next to the northern general and says what’s up? The Northern General tells William we have information that the Southern General has sent his boy to go fetch a preacher. William looks surprised and says ok so now what? The Northern General replies this is where you come in John throws cloths at William and says here put these on quickly William says then what?
As William gets dressed the Northern General explains this is our opportunity to get as close to be to the Southern General all you have to do is go out to the road and allow the boy to find you and take you back to the Southern General and present you as the preacher he has found. This way you are now close to him and keep a better eye on him and his trust in you will already be in place makes our jobs much easier.
William is ready and says and this is going to work? His father says son if I did not think it would I would not be sending you my only son out there. John says no worries cause we will all be watching you to make sure nothing goes wrong. William finishes his dressing and says ok I am ready. Lucy hearing the conversation says Shouldn’t you tell Miss that this is part of it she will be wondering where you have gone. William replies Lucy its best that we don’t alarm Savannah she is nervous enough. Tell her I love her and it will all be ok. Lucy looks at William and replies that she will do as he asks. Good says the Northern General its time for you to go William. William picks up his bible, walks out the back door, and heads off to the road ahead to try to meet up with the boy.
Chapter 14
The Northern General gives orders to all men to keep a watchful eye on the road, William, and that at first sign of trouble to go in and get him. They have their orders and all the men are up and ready for anything. The Northern General looks at John and says This is now begun and soon this will all be over and the by the heavens above nothing will go wrong and all will be well. John replies I hope so too Sir. John tells the Northern General he is going to set up in the living room and get ready The Northern General replies Yes John you go ahead and I shall just go over a few things in here and await Savannah descend down the stairs.
Meanwhile back at the Southern camp the Southern General is getting nervous about his wedding and calls for his head soldier to come talk to him. The head soldier walks in and says Sir you need to relax tonight will go off without a hitch and soon Savannah will be all yours. The Southern General looks at him self in a mirror and says Yes she will be, all mine, I cant wait. He goes on to say I hope that boy can find me a decent preacher for this evening or there may not be a wedding. The head soldier tells him that the boy is a good scout and will find one in time for his big event this evening.
The Southern General says he better or heads will roll starting with his. The head soldier looks worried but does not speak .The Southern General says he is ok now and is going to finish getting ready for him to leave him now. The head soldier says ok Sir, walks out of the tent, and sits once again close to the fire. He looks up the road to see if he sees the boy yet, he does not, and sighs I hope he finds one soon because this is getting more crazy by the minute and if he comes back without one no one may make it to this wedding.
William has now reached the far end of the road and to the far right of a tree William spots the boy from the southern camp. William begins to walk down the road towards the boy. The boy notices William and runs to him and while trying to catch his breath says Excuse me Sir are you a preacher? William says yes son I am How can I be of help? The boy tells the preacher that the Southern General is wedding this evening and is need of a southern preacher and if he could please perform the ceremony? William looks down at his bible then looks at the boy and says Yes I shall wed the happy couple lead the way son. The boy tells the preacher all about what has already happen, as they continue there walk to the southern camp.
Up in Savannah’s room she is still sitting in front of the mirror just watching herself apply her makeup. She sits and begins to think about all that has happen and will happen. She sits and thinks she is one lucky girl to have such a man love her. She hopes that when all this is done that William and her can marry and start their own family. She goes to the window and looks out across the plantation. She leans into the gentle breeze of the wind blowing across her fair skin and through her hair. She leans against the window pain and remembers the first time she seen William in the barn.
She smiles and then turns her head and focus back to the wedding. She looks over at her gown, which makes her a bit sad. She hasn’t laid eyes upon this dress since her mother died when she was a little girl. She goes over to the dress and sits beside it. She reaches out with her hand and glides it gently across the dress and remembers the day she put it away so she could one day use it to wed the love of her life as her mother did when she was young to her father. She picks it up off the bed and moves to the mirror and places it up against herself to see how she would look as she does Lucy enters the room and states you look just like your mother Miss. Savannah looks at Lucy and smiles slightly and say thank you Lucy.
Savannah places the dress back down upon the bed and sits back into her chair at the armoire. She says to Lucy Do you think I am doing the right thing? Lucy replies Miss I cannot tell you if this is right or wrong your a women now and you know what you doing. I cannot say I am not scared for you Miss but I support whatever you wish. Savannah says Do you think this is what my parents wanted for me. Lucy replies as she begins to do Savannah’s hair for her Miss your parents would be so proud of the young women you have turned into.
You have grown to be a beautiful smart caring woman and you are just an amazement. I see so much of your parents in you each day I watch you grow. They would be worried about you as if any parent would but would know you are ok.
Savannah begins to have tears in her eyes, turns to Lucy, and gives her a great big hug. Savannah says Lucy you are so wonderful to me and you have been the best mother a girl could have all these years. Thank you for staying with me. Lucy says If I had any children of my own I would want them to be just like you Miss. Lucy hugs Savannah back and says now lets get you all pretty up for this fake wedding of yours so we can get to have a real one. The two women chuckle and begin finishing preparation.
Down stairs the Northern General goes into the living room and asks John how things are coming John replies very well Sir I am all set here. Good replies the Northern General. He then says John go out and ask the scout in the tree to come and report to me. Yes Sir says John and off he goes threw the kitchen and out the back door to get the scout. A few seconds later he returns with the scout The scout says Yes Sir I have news I have spotted the boy who has met up with William and has begun their journey back to the southern camp to meet up with the Southern General. Good work states the Northern General back to your post Yes Sir! Exclaims the scout.
John looks at the Northern General and says Well our plan is working so far. The Northern General says Yes it is Now it is all a waiting game from here out. Lets hope it isn’t to much of a wait Sir replies John. The Northern General nods his head and says he is going back into the kitchen and for John to take his position. John says Yes Sir and goes into his position. The Northern General goes back into the kitchen and sits at the table and sips his coffee and awaits Savannah and for this who plan to come together. He reaches into his pocket and looks at the picture of his loving wife and whispers I hope I am doing this right my love and I pray all goes well and we both get to see our son marry one wonderful strong women. The Northern General closes his watch, places it back into his pocket, and continues to sip his coffee and waiting.
Forbidden Plantation Passions Ebook, Parts 1, 2, and 3 Page 14
