by Leigh Lee
“Very well, Lieutenant. I shall entrust you with my life. You are such a fine gentleman to aid me in my time of distress. I consider this kindness as one that I shall not take lightly. Perhaps you will afford me the opportunity to repay you—in some—small way.” She raised thin brows in a coquettish manner and giggled behind her fan.
The floozy was throwing herself at the captain. Surely now the man would see through the act and not be fooled by this fast trick of a woman. Eugenia looked toward the captain with happy anticipation. Her eager smile dropped to a grimace. It was the worst kind of disappointment to see the overgrown buzzard so smitten.
Miss Winfred’s thinly veiled proposition hit its mark. “Uh—allow me to remind you, it is Captain Bradford.” He stammered, verifying his rank for the third time. “I am delighted to do whatever I can, Victoria. May I return the honor and request that you call me Jeffery?
Victoria’s ruby lips curved into a broad smile. “Why thank you, Jeffery. You are most kind. I will anxiously await our next meeting. Until later, ta-ta!” She curled her fingers in a flirtatious wave.
Enough was enough! After casting a scoffing look the captain’s way, Eugenia gave an unceremonious gesture in the direction of the surgeon’s tent. “This way, Miss.”
~*~*~
Jeff frowned. It was evident that the young sergeant did not approve of the exchange between himself and Miss Winfred. The stinging, derisive glint in those clear emerald eyes had been proof enough of that. He was beginning to see an impertinent streak the imp seemed hell-bent to unleash upon him. He sniffed with increased irritation and decided it would not hurt his young subordinate to be reminded a thing or two about the chain of command, and who was in charge.
The sway of hips in the peach gown brought his mind traveling back to Miss Winfred and the delicious sight of her breasts swelling above her bodice. It was a painful reminder of how long it had been since he had been with a woman. The camp followers—harlots who traveled with the army—held no interest for him. Though he condoned it, turned a blind eye to the practice, he found little appeal in a woman who sold her wares for profit.
His frown deepened as he watched Sergeant Adams leading the lovely woman. The poor woman held up her skirts, skipping over ruts that covered the hospital grounds while Adams rushed ahead heedless of the lady’s dilemma. The lad needed to learn the gentler ways of treating a woman. Instead of leaving her on her own to navigate the holes, he should be offering his assistance. Jeff shook his head in disgust. He would have a talk with the Sergeant about his lack of manners, as well.
Heading off to scour the record books, he could not help smiling. Perhaps a woman as beautiful as the alluring Miss Winfred would find him to be a suitable mate. Yet even as he tried to envision that possibility, a pair of large emerald green eyes mocked him in his mind’s eye. He tore his hat off in frustration. What the hell! That impish sergeant invaded his every musing.
~*~*~
After settling herself into the chair behind the captain’s desk, Victoria batted her eyes. “Sergeant Adams, how long have you known Captain Bradford?”
Pouring cool water into a glass, Eugenia glanced up to find Victoria stroking the arms of the captain’s chair.
The jezebel’s eye-flapping tactics would not work with her. Handing the glass over with stubborn determination, Eugenia decided that if Miss Winfred wanted to learn more about the captain, she would have to do so on her own. “I do not know much about him. Captain Bradford has not been here long,” Eugenia answered, delighting in the miffed expression her response brought to Victoria’s ivory face.
With lids drooping in a designing fashion, Victoria pressed on in a sugary tone. “Surely, you would know if the captain is married or not.”
“Surely, I would not. The captain has not seen fit to discuss his personal life with me. Perhaps you should direct that question to the captain, himself.”
Her abruptness gained Victoria’s immediate attention. Chilling brown eyes studied Eugenia with renewed interest. “I see.”
To avoid the hard perusal, Eugenia turned away and began straightening the captain’s belongings. It was a needless effort, for the captain was a tidy person, but a distraction was in order. She was running out of things to do and feared she was going to have to face the woman who was no doubt glaring daggers at her back.
The sudden lack of sunlight from the opening of the tent told Eugenia the captain had entered. The familiar knotting in her stomach commenced when she turned to meet his steel blue eyes. She saluted. “Captain.”
~*~*~
Jeff frowned when he entered the tent. “At ease, Sergeant.” He sensed the tension between the two and scowled at Eugene before turning to Victoria, “I trust my sergeant has been attending to your needs to your satisfaction?”
At the affirmative bob of Miss Winfred’s head, Jeff pressed his lips into a tight line. What little information he had gained from his search for the woman’s brother had not been good, and he agonized over how to impart the grievous news. Anxious, he paced, unsure of how to best proceed.
An awkward silence filled the limited confines of the tent. He was acutely aware of the two pair of eyes following his every move. It was not as if he hadn’t performed this duty many times before. Indeed, in the recent past, the occasions had been too numerous to count. Yet, somehow, this time seemed more difficult.
Deciding it was best to be out with it, he cleared his throat and faced Miss Winfred. “I am afraid I must be the bearer of tragic news, my dear. There is no way to soften the blow I must deliver. I am so very sorry, Miss Winfred. My records indicate a confederate soldier, named James Winfred, was here but has passed away.”
Victoria sat still for a few moments as if trying to process the words. “When?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper, her hand pressed to her mouth.
Jeff hung his head low. “It just never gets any easier having to be the one to bring such sorrowful news. He died on July 2nd.”
Victoria nodded, her stare vacant. “Do you know where he is interred?”
With a shake of his head, Jeff answered softly. “No, I am sorry. The record only states his name, rank and date of death.”
Miss Winfred dropped her face into her hands and wept. Jeff moved awkwardly to her side. Desiring to give comfort, he reached out to touch her shoulder. “My condolences.”
The young beauty surprised him by bolting from the chair, winding her arms around his neck and pressing her body to his, all the while heaving violent sobs. Unprepared for the sudden intimacy, Jeff held his hands out from her body. However as she nuzzled even closer, he felt obliged to pat her back in a soothing manner. Victoria calmed somewhat, but still did not move away.
All too aware of the precarious press of her soft form, the embrace became a painful, bittersweet reminder of just how long it had been since he had held a woman in his arms. It shamed him to acknowledge how susceptible he was as he allowed the pleasurable experience to continue far longer than was appropriate.
He was vaguely aware of Sergeant Adams edging his way around them, heading for the opening of the tent. He was about to order the lad to stay when the woman in his arms lifted her tear-stained face to his and without the slightest warning, kissed him on the mouth.
Chapter 5
Eugenia watched the scene playing out in front of her wishing she was anywhere else than where she was at this moment in time. Unexpected sadness swept over her as she looked toward Captain Bradford’s face, almost hidden by the mass of blond curls as he breathed in the scent of the curled tresses.
Seeing the captain’s arms around another woman brought on strange new feelings she was unprepared to define. However, a desire to be the woman he held was closely followed by a strong urge to snatch handfuls of yellow hair from Victoria’s scalp.
The scourge of jealousy was an overwhelming canker that would threaten her existence if she did not gain control and fast. Yes, it was best to remove herself before she did or said something, which would on
ly create more question in the captain’s mind about who she really was. She thought back to the speculative look in his eyes after they had collided. Certain the proximity of their bodies could have revealed her gender, it now seemed wiser to concentrate on her own troubles than to care about whom her superior chose to fondle. Maybe Miss Winfred would supply the diversion she needed to get the man off her back.
Eugenia was about to leave, but chanced a single glance back. Anger swept through her like wildfire when she saw the captain kissing the woman in his arms. Her hands curled into balls at her sides as she fought for control. Confused by the new animosity coursing through her, she focused her wrath on the only one she could at that moment.
In a voice dripping with sarcasm she spat, “If there will be nothing further, Captain, I will leave you to your—er—duty, sir!” Without waiting for a response, she spun around and fled the tent.
Later that evening, Eugenia spied Captain Bradford and Miss Winfred together again. The sight of Victoria with her possessive arm tucked through the captain’s brought back all the earlier jealousy. All she wanted to do was rip out the witch’s hair, right after punching the captain in the gut.
Oh, that would not be a wise move. She turned away from the painful sight knowing she would have to control these feelings or she would give herself away.
Eugenia made a valiant effort to avoid the captain as much as possible over the next week, but he appeared hell-bent on keeping her at his side. Fortunately every time they happened to be alone, someone would interrupt, and the captain never managed to get to the point of his concern. Just knowing he was seeking her out made her try harder to avoid his presence. In the mornings, she skipped out of her quarters early to attend to her duties, and at meal times, she would avoid the mess hall and hide behind the massive tent to eat alone.
One day as she slipped away with her lunch to her usual hiding place, she was shocked to find the captain awaiting her behind the mess tent, arms akimbo. Sporting a monumental scowl of he marched toward her with frightening purpose. He stopped right in front of her and leaned forward, his face within inches of hers. “In my office in five minutes, Sergeant,” he boomed.
Eugenia gave a barely audible, “Yes, sir,” as he stomped off without so much as a backward glance. The rigidity of his spine told her she was finally going to reap his wrath for her outburst the day she saw him kiss Miss Winfred.
After returning her tin plate, she dragged her feet as long as she dared, praying that someone would come to her rescue and demand the captain’s time. Five minutes later, with no such luck, she stood at attention in front of his desk.
Something more serious than her disrespectfulness seemed to be bothering him. Dark circles under his eyes gave him a fatigued look, suggesting that he was not getting much rest. Since the chaotic and long shifts at the field hospital were ending, and everyone was now getting much-needed time off, his appearance was at first baffling. Then an activity that might be keeping the captain up at night occurred to her. She berated herself. Funny, she had not thought of it before. After taps, Captain Bradford was not accountable for his time at the hospital. Perhaps he looked so haggard because he had been spending his evenings with Miss Victoria Winfred.
The image of Miss Winfred and the captain wrapped in a passionate embrace brought more torment. Despite how attracted Eugenia was to him, it was ludicrous to continue entertaining these thoughts. Yet once there, the image would not depart from her mind.
Nor could she still the wild beating of her heart whenever he was near. She knew her obsession was foolish and would only cause her more grief. Nothing would ever come of it. Stifling her agony, she waited with tense silence for the captain to look up and speak his mind.
Captain Bradford scanned an official-looking correspondence, and Eugenia could tell by the furrowed lines on his brow, he was not pleased by what it contained. As he continued to read, his face paled. A look of shock was followed by what appeared to be anger. At last, he threw the page down on the desk as if it had burned his fingers. Eugenia could only pray that the correspondence had nothing to do with her.
When he looked up his eyes bore into hers. “Where have you been, Sergeant Adams?” he growled. “The only time I have managed to even catch sight of you this past week was when I was too busy to deal with you.”
Eugenia scuffed at the floor with the toe of her boot. “Uh—per your orders, sir, I have been interviewing the men, trying to verify the accuracy of the hospital records.”
The captain’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed? If I were to venture a guess, I would say you have been avoiding me since the disrespect you displayed the last time you were in my presence.”
“About that, sir—” Eugenia began.
His fist pounding the desk silenced her. “Damn it all, Sergeant! I have had just about all I can stand of your impertinence!”
Eugenia opened her mouth to answer, but he held up his hand for silence. “Spare me. I do not have the stomach to listen to your gibbering today. For future reference, if you ever speak to me like that again, you are looking at a court-martial. Trust me, Sergeant. I will personally kick your ass from here to Old Capitol Prison. I mean to make this very clear. Do we understand each other?” The adamant look in Captain Bradford’s eyes left little doubt. He would do it.
Eugenia gulped. If the captain wished a reply, she was without one. Fortunately, a salute and simple bobbing of her head sufficed.
“Good, then we shall move on to other matters.” He glanced again at the letter on his desk.
When he spoke, his tone was low as if he did not wish to be overheard. “While performing your duties in the dead house, do you remember treating Miss Winfred’s brother, Lieutenant James Winfred? Have you any knowledge of his death or burial?”
Confused as to where the captain was going with this line of questioning, Eugenia answered with caution. “I thought you said that you found his name in the record. Nevertheless, I do not remember treating a confederate named Winfred. I may have without knowing it. Many men, unconscious and close to death, arrived with no papers to identify them. Many unknown soldiers were buried.”
The captain drummed his fingers on the desk. “Hmm. I did find his name, but nothing more. The record is incomplete. There is no mention as to how he was injured, or where he was buried.” He opened the record book to the page in question. Spinning the book around, he shoved it across the desk toward her, pointing to the entry. “I know that the burial crews were overwhelmed and not always as dedicated to finding the identity of the enemy, but you have no knowledge of a soldier by the last name of Winfred having died on the second of July?”
Eugenia hesitated as she looked at the record. “No, sir, I do not. Prior to Miss Winfred’s visit, I had never heard the name. I did not make this entry and the handwriting does not look familiar. However, things were so disorganized and chaotic that day that this is not surprising. In working to verify the records, I have been finding many such incidents. July 2nd was one of the fiercest days of combat, and thousands died. All the medical staff was working around the clock.” She handed the record book back. “I am sorry, sir. There is nothing more I can offer.”
Jeff glanced at the letter on his desk once again. “Very well, Sergeant Adams. If you happen to learn anything, either from your interviews or as you go over the other records, please let me know at once. You may proceed with your duties.” With a brisk salute, he dismissed her.
~*~*~
Jeff continued to contemplate the letter on his desk after the sergeant left. He had convinced Victoria to remain in Gettysburg while he did some research into her brother’s death. It was very possible one of her brother’s fellow Confederate soldiers had witnessed how he had died in battle. Such knowledge would at least give the poor Miss Victoria Winfred closure.
It was with that hope he had written an old acquaintance, a captain in the Confederate Army. Using the Flag of Truce route maintained by both governments for diplomatic exchanges for the benefit
of prisoners of war and reporting of deaths, he had asked about Victoria’s brother.
The response he received to his letter was most unexpected and shocking, to say the least. The Confederate captain had written back to inform him that there was no record of a Lieutenant James Winfred having enlisted in the Third Corps of Northern Virginia, and for that matter, there was no one with that name ever recorded as having served anywhere in the Confederate Army.
Jeff was at a loss to make sense of this information. For the life of him, he could not understand how this could have happened. His thoughts then focused on a more devious possibility. What if this brother had pretended to be a soldier and was, in fact, a spy? His lack of official papers might account for the incomplete entry in the record book. He might have only been posing as a Confederate soldier.
Grimacing, Jeff considered an even more troubling scenario. What if Miss Victoria Winfred was also involved in the deceit? If she was a spy, then she had ties to the Union Army at the highest level, for she had gained a pass containing General Meade’s signature.
Jeff sunk back in his chair not liking his next thought. Protocol dictated that he alert Army intelligence if espionage was suspected. Yet he had no way of knowing how high up the chain of command the deception went. One fact remained. With the pass in hand, Miss Winfred was capable of moving behind Union lines without question. Because of that, he had to be discreet in how he handled the situation. He must find a way to learn all he could about her without alerting her or the person who had obtained the pass for her.
Tapping a finger on his chin, Captain Bradford considered his next move. His first order of business would be to question Miss Winfred, and he would need a witness to all his discussions with her. Yes, someone who would not draw too much attention.
However, whom should he muster for such a duty, whom could he trust? A high-ranking Union official might be involved, and if that were the case, Jeff did not want to make his investigation public by using regular military channels. One possibility came to mind, but he banished it to the straits of hell as soon as the name formed in his mind. Still, that boy was someone Miss Winfred would never question.
