Forbidden Plantation Passions Ebook, Parts 1, 2, and 3

by Victoria Night

  Lucy goes back into the kitchen and Savannah is now sipping the rest of her tea. Lucy says Miss you feeling much calmer now? Savannah replies Yes Lucy the tea is helping. I just wish I knew what was going on in there and with that word Savannah yarns. Lucy knows the tea she gave her was to relax her to the point of sleep. Miss why don’t you go up, lay down, and if I hear anything about what’s going on inside I shall come fetch you? Savannah replies No I shall stay here until I know something. Lucy shakes her head and says Well shall I pour you another cup of tea then? Savannah looks into her teacup and says Yes that would be good Thank you Lucy.

  Lucy pours another cup a tea this time a bit stronger. Lucy figures with William almost dead or already dead she going to need her rest. Just as Lucy places the fresh tea into of Savannah, the door opens and it is John he looks mislabel and does not speak he just stands there and takes a deep breath he looks at Savannah and Savannah begins to cry. Lucy walks over to John, says is he dead John speaks nothing, and then says he needs more towels. Lucy goes to the cupboard and gets more white towels for John. She walks over to John and hands them to him. John says to Lucy, you should take Savannah up to bed no good can come from her sitting here like this.

  Lucy agrees. Lucy goes over to Savannah and says Here Miss sip this then I take you upstairs to lay down. Savannah sobbing barely gets the teacup to her lips, takes a big sip of the tea, and drops the cup. Lucy picks it up and says that’s ok Miss, I will clean it up later. Let’s get you upstairs now. Savannah barely stands on her feet Lucy has her leaning against her as she brings her up the steps and into the bedroom. Lucy places Savannah onto the bed, throws a blanket over her, and sits with her while she waits for her to fall asleep.

  Meanwhile downstairs the doctor is working hard to keep both men breathing. The Northern General says Doctor will my son be ok? The doctor says it is hard to tell right now. The head soldier walks to the doctor and say doctor please save him. The doctor says I am doing all I can. The Northern General cant take the waiting and walks to the porch where John is standing.

  The Northern general says John this was not suppose to happen like this he is too young to die. John replies William is to strong headed to die Sir he will make it. Just then, the doctor comes out, looks at the men in the eyes, and walks back into the house. John and The Northern general look at one another and walk back into the house. The look at the doctor and He says I am sorry I just could not save him. The Northern general says we shall have an honorable funeral for him at dawn.

  John says He will go tell Lucy to have Savannah ready when she awakes for it. The Northern General says Yes its best you do. John goes through the door to the kitchen and begins up the stairs just as Lucy is coming down the hall. Lucy John says Can you please make sure Savannah is dressed for the funeral that will be held at dawn. Lucy cries and says Yes, I shall go arrange her cloth now while she sleeps. John hugs Lucy and says it will be all right my dear. Lucy smiles softly and goes back to Savannah room.

  Miss Lucy says. Please Miss you must get up and get dressed now. Savannah cries and says Why? This was not supposed to be this way. Lucy goes over to the bed and hugs her. Miss we all knew there was risk and William kept his promise to you and kept you safe. Savannah replies Yes he did Lucy. He was also suppose to be here with me. Lucy holds her closer and says Miss lets get you dressed and lets go say good by to him. Savannah shakes her head yes and begins to dress.

  Chapter 17

  As the women continue to get ready, John is down stairs sitting with William’s father. Sit he says Are you ok? The Northern General says John he was not supposed to die today. He was supposed to be here and marry Savannah. I have let her down and my late wife down. I made a promise to her to always keep him safe. The night before we carried out the plan I promised her nothing would happen to him. I have failed them all. John puts his left hand on the General’s shoulder and says Sir you did all you could and no one blames you for what has happen.

  Yes, John I understand but I blame me for what has happen and that cannot be erased. The Northern General gets up from his chair and picks up his hat to place on his head. He then turns facing the door and says I will go outside to make sure everything is ready. Thank you John for listening to me. The Northern General walks out the back door and John is standing there with nothing to say. He is overwhelmed by losing his best friend. He sits down and tries not to shed tears but cannot help to do so. He keeps playing the night over and over in his head. He keeps trying to figure out how it went wrong and if there was anyway he could of stop it.

  Lucy comes down the stairs and sees John sitting there weeping. She walks over to him and hugs him. She says John is you ok? John wipes his eyes and says Yes I am thank you. Lucy replies you do not look ok. I just cannot get over he is gone. I did nothing to stop him or to prevent what happen he tells Lucy. I did not save him this time he says. How do I forgive my self for letting my best friend die as he did? Lucy grabs his hand and says You did all you could my dearest. You could not have stopped what happen, there was just no way.

  You can go and remember him as he was and never forget him with time. Always know he knows you tried and did your best last night. John looks over at Lucy and he kisses her for the first time. After they kiss he says you are right my dear and thank you for talking to me. John then asks her Is Savannah ok? Is she ready? Lucy replies She is a mess and is ready but I don’t know how she will be. John tells Lucy, Go ahead, and bring her down now. We are ready to begin the funeral. Lucy says ok dear, but are you going to be ok? He replies Yes I shall be.

  Lucy begins to go back upstairs when she pauses for a moment to think of how all this happen. She cannot help but shed her own tears for the lost of her Misses love. She knows she must stop crying and be strong for Savannah. She wipes her eyes and continues on to Savannahs room. She opens the door and asks Savannah if she is ready. Savannah sitting at her table in front of the mirror replies Is one ever ready to say good by to the one they love Lucy? Lucy says No Miss no one is ever ready but they must. Savannah gets up from her chair and table and walks over to get her veil. Lucy goes over to help her place it over her hat and face. Savannah turns to Lucy and nods her head that she is ready now.

  Lucy takes Savannahs hand and begins to lead her out of the room and down the hall to the stairs. As they get to the stairs, Savannah begins to cry again and Lucy says It is ok Miss you cry all you want to. Here let me help you down the stairs. Savannah leans on Lucy as the walk down the stairs to the back door. John comes to greet them. He says Savannah I am so sorry this happen. Savannah sniffles and says John its not your fault. You did all you could and William knows that. John replies Yes, let me help you to the tree. Savannah holds on to both Lucy and John as they continue to walk down the path to the big oak tree.

  Once at the oak tree Savannah sees William’s father standing to the right of the grave they have dug and made for William. The Northern General walks over to her and says Savannah my dear I am so sorry he died. I had promised you he would be safe and I failed you. Savannah replied Sir you did all you could. Do not get mad with your self about this. This happen on no fault of anyone. It is, the way it was suppose to be. Savannah hugs the Northern General and they stand still listening to the preacher’s words of good by for William.

  When the preacher asks If anyone has any words they like to say? John steps up to the grave and says William buddy, We have grown up together and watch each other chase girls and drank to much till we passed out he laughs. We have always watched each other’s back and last night I fell short of being there. I only hope you can forgive me friend. I hope you rest in peace and know you will never be forgotten. John walks away from the grave and stands back over near Lucy. Then The Northern General walks up to the grave.

  He begins to say My dearest son, I am so sorry you had to die. I had made a promise to your mother I would always protect you. Last night I failed her, you, and your love Savannah. I do not know how I shall be able to go on in this war or world wit
hout you my son. I never told you how very proud of you I was. You grew up to be a brave soldier and a strapping fine man. I only wished I said that to you before you died. I am so sorry my son. I hope you rest in peace.

  The Northern General walks back to Savannah and wipes his eyes with his hands. Lucy says to Savannah Miss if you like I can bring you up to the grave. She replies No Lucy I can do this. Savannah lets go of Lucy’s hand and begins to step forward towards the grave. She only pauses for a moment. She then leans down to the grave and picks up some dirt in her right hand. She looks at it and then looks up to the sky and then at the tree and back down to the grave.

  She speaks softly, My love you gave your life for me. You kept your promise to me. You went and died on me. This is not how it was suppose to be. Why didn’t you just let him have me? Why did you stand in the way of his gun? It should be me here not you. I never thought my heart would find love. When I first seen you hurt in the barn, I never thought of falling in love. I only thought about how to save your life. As you stayed here with Lucy and me, I began to see more then just a Yankee soldier. I saw a man with a heart of gold and a soul who was perfectly matched to mine.

  The night of pure blissful passion we shared will always be etched into my soul forever. The words of love we spoke to one another will always remain in my heart. I do not know how I shall get through each day not seeing your smile or hearing your voice. I do not know how I will go on without feeling your touch. I am at a loss right now my love. I feel so empty inside. As I am here by your grave, I do not know what to do. You have been my first and only love of my life. The love we did share will last through out the ages.

  You will always be in my heart and soul and I shall miss you something dearly. This day does not just mark your death but marks your life in my mind, heart, and soul. I shall never forget you my love. Savannah begins to cry and losses her balance. John and Lucy rush over to catch her and help her up from the fall. Lucy tells John I must go put her back to bed. John and the Northern General agree. Lucy takes Savannahs hand and tells her I am going to bring you back to the house Miss so you may rest. Savannah nods her head yes and walks with Lucy.

  As they walk back to the house, John and William’s father thank the preacher, toss dirt onto the grave, and say goodbye one last time. They look to the left down the road, where they see the head soldier having a funeral for the Southern General. The head soldier has just finished putting the last shovel of dirt upon the Southern Generals grave as the preacher walks up to them. Hello, my son I am here to give a proper ceremony for your Southern General. The head soldier unable to speak words cause of his tears nods his head to say yes.

  The preacher begins to say his words of good by for the Southern General then pauses to ask the men if they have anything they would like to say? The head soldier steps up to the grave and bends down. He looks at the Southern Generals hat and says Sir you where a brave soldier and one tuff man. You commanded many men and saved many men in this war. You took me in as not just a soldier but a good friend whom you trusted and I know deep down respected. I am so sorry Sir that I did not find out sooner about this plan.

  I am sorry you had to die and I am sorry I was not able to avenge your death. The Northern General was right. There had been enough blood shed last night and I did not want to see more. General Sir you were my mentor and best friend. I know you never realized how much I did for you, but I do know how much you did appreciate me being there when needed. I am not sure Sir what I am to do now. I know I have to try to make it home in one piece. I only hope you forgive me for letting you down. I hope you find peace Sir. Goodbye My Sir General you will be missed.

  The head soldier throws dirt on the hat and continues to shed tears as he gets up and walks back to his spot. The preachers says his final words over the grave then walks over to the head soldier and asks What shall you do now my son? He replies I am not sure but I know I must find my way home now. The preacher says Why don’t you go up to the house and join with them. The Northern General will make sure you make it home safe. The head soldier upset by this yells NO! he killed my General. The preacher says Listen son everyone is grieving right now and sometimes you find hope and comfort with others in a time of need. The head soldier says nothing. The preacher says I am off and I wish you well my son.

  The head soldier stands there thinking about what the preacher told him. He begins to walk towards the house. As he gets closer a northern soldier tells him to stop right there. The northern soldier says what you want here? The head soldier replies I wish to see your General. The northern soldier says ok come with me. They walk up to the back door of the house and John comes to them. What do you want here asks John. I want to see your General says the Head soldier. John leads him into the house where the Northern General is sitting.

  Sir says John. This boy wishes to speak to you. The Northern General says yes what is it? The head soldier walks up closer to the northern general and says We have both lost much on this day and grieve for our losses. I ask if I can join you on your journey with hopes of making home safely to my family Sir. The Northern General stays quiet for a moment and then says Yes you may come along with us. I promise you, you will make it home safe to your family boy. Be ready in an hour. Yes Sir, thank you Sir says the head soldier.

  John not knowing what to say watches the head soldier go and get ready for the journey. The Northern General looks at john and says I might have been able to save my son but at least I can save someone else’s. John nods his head in agreement with the northern general. John says I am going to go have the troupes pack up and be ready to move out Sir. That is a fine idea John, when you are done come back in so we can say our good bys to the women. Yes Sir says John and goes off to tell the troupes.

  Upstairs Lucy is finally getting Savannah to rest and sleep. Lucy hangs up her dress and closes the window as she leaves the room. She begins down the hall and towards the stairs. As Lucy goes down the stairs, she meets up with the Northern General. The Northern General looks at Lucy and says Is Savannah ok? No but she is a sleep Sir. I gave her some tea with a sleep aid to help her rest. I see you and your men are getting ready to leave Sir. Yes, we are Lucy. John is telling the men to pack up. He will return shortly.

  I wanted to say goodbye to Savannah but I see now I cannot. Lucy, will you tell her good by for me? Tell her that if she ever needs anything she can come to me. Lucy replies Yes Sir I shall make sure she gets your message when she awakes. The Northern General goes over to Lucy and takes her hand. Lucy you are a good women and you have done a good thing here. Take care of your self and Miss Savannah. Lucy does not speak. She just stands there looking at the Northern General with a smile. As the Northern General let’s go of her hand John returns and says Sir the troupes are ready to move out. That is fine John. We shall start to leave and you catch up. Yes, Sir says John and the Northern General leaves the house one last time.

  As he and Lucy hear the Northern General bellow out, On ward men! Move out! John reaches for Lucy’s hand. He says to her Lucy, I am not sure what to say right now. I did not intend for my feelings for you through all this. I do not want to leave but I must. The Northern General has no one now but me. I must look after him. Lucy’s eyes tear up and she says John I did not think it possible to fall in love with a Yankee soldier whom be white and nor did I think through all this I would fall in love with you. I did but I do understand why you must go. I must stay to take care of my Miss. I also know this love is not allowed anywhere in the south and would not be wise. You go now John. I shall never forget you and shall miss you.

  John leans in and kisses Lucy one last time. He turns from her and walks towards the door. As he leaves, Lucy cries into her hands and John is no longer in the doorway when she looks up. Lucy walks to the door and watches as John goes off to meet up with the others. Lucy turns away and goes back into the house where she puts some water on for tea. She goes over to sit down and dry her eyes As she does she hears Savannah screaming NO!NO!NO!

/>   Lucy jumps up from the table and rushes upstairs. Just as she enters the room, Savannah sits straight up and starts to cry and scream. William sits up and puts his arms around her. Shhhhh Love it is all right. I am right here with you. Savannah in a cold sweat from her nightmare snuggles up closely to William. He says come lay back down with me love. Lucy comes running through the door. Is she ok Sir? Yes replies William she will be ok Lucy. Thank you for checking on her. I can help her from here. Ok Sir I shall be down stair if you need me.

  William, are you real? Are you here with me? Yes replies William. Savannah says But I seen you dyeing on the floor and be shot by the Southern General. I went to your funeral and cried for you. That was just a bad dream my love says William. No, it was not she replies. I know what I seen. She sits up in the bed and is confused. William sits up and says Let me explain my love. He puts his arms around her and pulls her close to him.

  I was shot you did see me bleeding on the floor. The Southern General died not me. You had passed out while holding me in your lap while I was unconscious on the floor. Lucy and John brought you up to the room and placed you into bed. Meanwhile, the doctor patched me up and I was staying in my room down hall so not to bother you. The funeral you must have heard outside your window going on was for the Southern General.

  You did awake for it but before anyone could tell you, what was going on, you passed back out and have been in and out of sleep for weeks. The tea Lucy had made for you mostly caused it. She was so worried when you awoke on the day of funeral and seen how upset you were she made you drink some to calm you. She just did not realize how strong it was. Therefore, while you slept I got better and came to lay with you here. So when you woke up I would be the first thing you seen. Savannah still confused says I cannot believe that whole thing was a dream. It felt so real. I saying goodbye to you at your grave and watching you die.