Embers of Anger (Embattled Hearts Book 1)

by Anna St. Claire

  Ella narrowed her eyes, trying to pull her gun away. “Suh, you have your hands on my property.” She jerked the gun back, forcing it up sharply. Her hip hit the stock and her finger accidentally pulled the trigger.

  An ear-splitting explosion sounded as the gun went off, blasting a hole in the ceiling. Chunks of plaster rained down from the doorway on top of all three of them. Colonel Ross threw himself over Ella as the three of them fell to the ground.

  For a few moments, all Ella could hear was ringing, but she could feel vibrations of footsteps that were getting heavier.

  Miss Ella, Miss Ella, you be all right?” Male and female voices spoke simultaneously, both pulling up shocked.

  “Oh, my dear Lord.” Lizzy looked first at the ceiling and the front door, and then at the large chunks of plaster and wood lying on top of a powdered white stack of bodies and let out a scream. “Miss Ella! Oh Lordy! Miss Ella, is you in there? Help me, Carter! Goodness! Miss Ella!”

  Lizzy slung plaster away from the bodies in a panic. The mound of bodies began moving, and she screamed again, falling onto her backside.

  She threw herself at the bodies and began pawing the plaster away, looking for her mistress. “Miss Ella. Where you be? Mercy! What done happened here?” Lizzy pawed furiously at the pile of rubble, as a man began rise, dressed in blue and covered in white powder. “Who is you men? And what has you done with Miss Ella?”

  “I’m… umph... uggh… here, Lizzy.” A muffled female voice came from under the mound. The top body rose up slowly to his knees. Almost at once, three white powdered faces looked up from the pile of white plaster and boards into the worried faces of Lizzy and Carter, Ella’s house servants.

  “Oh my! Here now, let me help you up, Miss Ella.” Carter bent down to help Miss Ella up from the floor. The two men pushed themselves up from the floor and began to dust the plaster off their uniforms.

  Lieutenant Colonel Jameson kicked the pieces of plaster to the side of the room and took in the damage. “I believe the lady made her point,” he smirked.

  Lizzy rushed over and began fussing over her, checking her from head to toe. She glanced back over her shoulder, casting a cold expression towards the two men still dusting themselves off.

  Ella waited a minute, trying to get her temper under control before she responded. When she stood up, she realized Colonel Ross had flung himself over her when the plaster fell. Again, with the brave man stuff! She was annoyed that the closeness of his body didn’t feel so bad. She wished Lizzy had waited just a moment or two more before rescuing her. His arms were corded with muscles; they were so strong. That tingling feeling emerged from her nether region—something she had felt once before. Warmth shot up her neck. She shook her head, trying to clear it.

  “You are hurt.” Before anything could be said to stop her, Lizzy lifted the edge of her skirt and ripped a piece of her slip. She held it to Ella’s head to stop the bleeding on a forehead cut.

  “Oh…I’m bleeding!” Ella glared at the men. Livid, she walked up to the colonel and poked him chest. “Now see what you caused? We were fine until you came to…save us.”

  Of course, she knew it was her loaded gun that went off, but it was still his fault.

  “What business do you have with us, Colonel?” She angrily turned to the other man. “And you can wipe that smirk off your face. This isn’t funny in the least.”

  Colonel Ross dusted off his hat. “Miss Whitford, we need to set up a perimeter post for the town and your plantation is the perfect site for our camp. We will primarily use the grounds and will take as good a care of it as we can, but we fully intend to set up camp here with at least four hundred men. Of course, we will also be conducting drills.”

  He looked around and nodded toward the fencing that was down. “We’ve noticed the overgrown trees and grasses, and the shrubbery is creeping over the tops of the lawn and completely covering parts of the fencing. I mention this because I want you to know that we will do our best to maintain your property.”

  “Suh, you are insulting. You are talking about my home.”

  Clearing his throat, he continued. “I will have my men help with house repairs, as well as repairs to the land, in an effort to ease some pain of our imposition, as part of our keep. We don’t intend to ruin your home.”

  “Suh, you just being here will ruin my house.”

  “Miss Whitford, these are perilous times. I share in the responsibility for the people here in New Bern. And I have a responsibility to the military. This is more than fair.

  “Fair?” She stomped her booted foot, hugging her arms folded tightly across her chest.

  “In addition, I am authorized to pay you a fair price for supplies and lodging. That is something I will insist on.

  Flabbergasted, Ella just stared. He was taking over her home, and at the same time offering her rent. She hadn’t heard of that happening in town. Of course, the homes that had been taken over had been abandoned. She opened her mouth to say something, and closed it, momentarily at a loss for words.

  This was stunning. She could certainly use the income. There would be little to no cash crops this year; she had limited help in the fields—there was only herself, her house workers, a few of the laborers, and an overseer that had stayed on when the Yankees came.

  This thought renewed her anger. She was being taken over, just like the town. It hadn’t worked to keep her head down. They discovered Silver Moon, anyway. “And what if I refuse?”

  “You can refuse, but we will be here, anyway.” Colonel Ross readjusted his hat, knocking off more of the dust. “We don’t mean to cause you any trouble, but there’s one more thing. We will need quarters and an office inside. We will periodically have meetings. May we look around?” He nodded towards the library behind her.

  Heat rose up to her neck and bile burned her throat. She wanted to speak but knew she would embarrass herself. Still, she needed to say something even though she realized that she didn’t have any recourse. She had to relent. “I won’t pledge.” She bit out her words and stared at him, waiting.

  Lieutenant Colonel Jameson stepped forward. “Miss Whitford, I know this is most inconvenient, but if you will allow this willingly, it will save us a trip out here tomorrow with more men.”

  Colonel Ross continued, “Your plantation is where we need to place our perimeter security post. And ma’am, it’s simply not safe for a… beautiful woman and a young boy to be unprotected in times such as these. You have no idea of the perils—”

  Ella shot him a look. “I assure you I can take care of myself and my brother.” She grabbed her shotgun. Her left hand comfortably cradled the barrel and her right covered the trigger and stock.

  Colonel Ross arched his brow. “Miss Whitford, just because you can handle a shotgun, that does not mean you can shoot one. Please hand over your gun, for your own protection.” He looked over at the damaged door and then up at the ceiling. His hands reached for the gun, grazing her arm.

  Warmth passed through his glove where it touched her skin and moved up her arm. Ella felt her body react to the intrusion of his touch and recoiled.

  “I will not! And you will not come here and demand my personal property, and squatter’s rights, too.” She raised her gun, determined. “My gun is for protection, and I will not turn it over to you or anyone. What happened... here.” Ella looked down at the mess on the floor and then glanced at the ceiling. “This is your fault. You, suh, overstepped yourself and grabbed my gun!”

  “Miss Whitford, you can either make this easy or hard. I propose we make a very equitable situation. To show you the earnestness of my offer, I will pay you for anything we use, including your supplies.” Jackson reached into his jacket and pulled out his wallet. He held out some crisp bills towards her. “Please accept this.”

  Ella made no move for the money.

  “This is for the damage. Of course, I plan to see this fixed. I will have men out here tomorrow to mend this—with me. We will be good tenants.”<
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  Ella felt the weight of his glare, instinctively knowing he wasn’t going to relent.

  “Now, Miss Whitford, I would ask you again to see the lower floor. We won’t require your upper floors. They will be left alone for you to use as living quarters for yourself and your family. My men that enter will be respectful that this is also your home. I will post a guard here at all times.”

  Tempted, Ella looked at the bills. It was more than she would make with six months of deliveries to The Griddle, but it was about pride. Just who did he think he was?

  “Suh, you can just keep your dollar bills. You won’t be staying.” She pointed the gun towards the door. “You men can see yourselves out.”

  Heat rose past his collar; Jackson was infuriated. He had never met a woman who did not respond favorably to him.

  Jackson studied Miss Whitford. Her reaction was one of anger. He was offering mollifications that were rarely given yet she just glared. He had smiled, cajoled, and even offered her payment for use of her property. The other homeowners weren’t getting that. He was determined to make this a peaceful coexistence but was running out of options. What was he missing?

  He could barely hide his irritation. “Miss Whitmore, I plan to take your home as my command post with or without your permission.” Jackson didn’t need her permission, but he wanted it. Moving closer, he lowered his voice. “Now, are we going to work together on this? Or will this be a hostile takeover?”

  “Suh, you have invaded my home, sought to steal my gun, and scared me and my family near to death. I would judge it a hostile takeover as if there was any doubt.”

  He fought to maintain his temper. Why was she so stubborn that she couldn’t see he was trying to help her? Her unwillingness to accept an opportunity to be protected irritated him. He was also angry that he was being told ‘no’ by a woman. This was new territory for him.

  He was too close. Ella could smell his sandalwood cologne. Her body shuddered involuntarily. She hated these men… didn’t she? Clenching her hands tighter around the shotgun, she took a deep breath.

  They aren’t leaving because I want them to leave. Perhaps there is some level of compromise I can create. Or at least, if she could have more time, she could find a way to get rid of them.

  Ella stepped aside. “Lizzy, please show the colonel… the colonels around the lower floor. And Carter, would you mind finding Aiden and bringing refreshments to the library?”

  “Thank you, Miss Ella.” Colonel Ross took off his hat and paused at the door, scraping his boots before entering the hallway.

  “Follow me, Colonel, suh.” Lizzy walked slowly through the hall with the two men in tow. As Colonel Ross passed her, his arm brushed Ella’s bare skin on her arm. A multitude of butterflies passed through her and her gaze followed him down the hall.

  She took full notice of him. How could she not? Those broad shoulders almost pushed out of his corded uniform. There were so many men in New Bern now, but no one that looked like him. He took her breath away.

  Now there would be over four hundred Yankees on her property, alone, but she had no interest in any of them. What was it about this one? Her traitorous body sent an answer tingling straight up her neck.

  Ella glared at the backs of the colonel and his friend, their voices and footfalls echoing through the rooms as Lizzy showed them around the first floor. They were in the dining room.

  Her arm still tingled from his touch when he brushed past her. If she had to have the Union Army here… no! What was she thinking?

  Ella took the few minutes the colonels were distracted to place her shotgun behind her desk in the library, hiding it before they returned. No way was anyone confiscating her gun. She stood next to the door, waiting.

  Footsteps with the jangle of spurs got louder as the two men approached the front entry hall where Ella stood waiting.

  “Miss Ella, I’d be happy to get some tea for everyone.” Lizzy’s eyes grew large, and she nodded her head subtly in the direction of the library.

  Caught off guard by Lizzy’s actions, Ella stumbled. “Uh… yes. Well, some tea would be nice. Let’s go to the library.” Ella wasn’t sure what Lizzy was about, but they had grown up together. She trusted her as she would a sister and followed her lead.

  Well thank you, Miss Whitford. That would be nice.” Jackson looked at Marshall and shrugged. “Lead the way.”

  “This was my papa’s library.” She paused. “Now, I guess it is Nolan’s, or will be whenever he finally gets back home.” She opened the doors and led them inside. A heavy oak desk sat in the middle of the room, facing the doors, its back to books. Intricate carvings laced the panels of the heavy wood. Two armchairs sat at angles in front of the desk as if waiting for visitors.

  Bookshelves lined three walls, from the floor to the ceiling, with a moveable ladder on runners hooked to the wall. To his eye, the books appeared to be dusted and well maintained for the number of staff that existed here.

  The windows alongside the fireplace were covered with thick burgundy velvet curtains although the velvet was rather worn. The ceiling was made of dark wood and matched the floorboards. A thick burgundy Wilton carpet covered the floor. A small gaming table sat in the corner of the room. Clearly, this was a man’s room of escape.

  “Yes, this room will serve my needs.” His tone turned solicitous. “I haven’t seen this many books in a while. Your father must have loved to read.” Jackson absently pulled a leather volume from the bookcase behind the desk. He examined it, turning the pages gently.

  “He did. And he encouraged us to read as well. We all have books in here and were always welcomed to come in and use his library.” Ella watched Colonel Ross put one book back and select another, and then another.

  “I can see that the books are well maintained. We will make sure that we are careful with the room. I like it. It will be a wonderful room to entertain the general and some other officials in though.” Clearly pleased, Colonel Ross was busy looking at the room and didn’t notice the look that Ella had on her face.

  Ella closed her eyes. Her lawn wasn’t perfect, but now she saw it full of tents and invaders everywhere. Her barns and the stables would no longer be hers. Their horses would be tied and corralled everywhere. Men would be coming in and out of her home at all hours. How had this happened?

  One minute this was home, and she was making do. And the next, he was here to save her? How was that, again? Oh yes! He planned to make this his perimeter camp. The words almost soured her mind just thinking them. She would become a prisoner upstairs in her own home.

  Aiden would be confined. Her little brother would no longer be able to play on the front lawn with his puppy. No, this wasn’t going to happen. Her outrage started building again.

  “You are quite serious. You think to take over my home?” She bit her tongue in an attempt to quell her rage. “This won’t be proper, suh. I am an unmarried woman. I am sure you can find another property that will better serve your purposes.” She bit the words out deliberately.

  Standing off to the side, Lieutenant Colonel Jameson was quiet. Tipping his hat, he gave Ella a slight smile and edged towards the library door. “Hey, maybe three is a crowd here. I think I will let the two of you finish discussing this. I’ll wait in the foyer, Jackson.”

  Leaving the doors open, he walked into the foyer but muttered just loud enough for Colonel Ross to hear. “This is your battle, buddy. I think I’ll let you handle it.”

  He smiled at her. “No, I am sure this will be perfect. And Miss Whitford, I assure you that your virtue will be secure.”

  He looked again at the large desk and the books behind it, seeming to Ella that he was lost in thought. He failed to notice her step towards the bookcase.

  A blue and white vase hurled past his head, crashing into the fireplace wall.

  Startled, Colonel Ross spun around to face the furious face of one Ella Whitford and the smirking face of his best friend.

  Chapter 7

 
Jackson felt lucky to get out of the house with his head intact. She had excellent throwing ability and a horrible temper, but he couldn’t help the smile that came over him.

  Mentally, he ticked off his list. The perimeter coverage had become paramount in his mind. He was pleased with his own timing. It had only taken him a day or two to get things pulled together.

  Jackson thought about the hospitals and realized they still needed more help and more space. That was another problem. Slaves were turning up in epic numbers, many sick and hungry. They had no home, no way to earn an income, and no education. This new freedom of theirs was not without a cost. Providing them hospital care was going to be a tougher problem to fix.

  No one seemed on the same page in this damnable war. Jackson didn’t want to waste any more energy being irritated by this problem. He needed to do something, now.

  “Marshall, come here!” he bellowed. He never spoke to his best friend that way. He would be apologizing. This day was not going well, already.

  Marshall slid back his chair slowly and walked into the backroom that served as the colonel’s office, a slight grin pulling his lips.

  The vision of Jackson Ross ducking the vase played over in his head. “So, when do we leave? The men are packing their bedrolls, and Cook has stocked the wagon. They can be ready in a quarter to a half hour.”

  “Yes, that is excellent. Yes. We will leave shortly.” Turning in his chair, Jackson faced Marshall, still rolling a nub of a pencil back and forth. “But we need to get some things set up quickly. Schools. I’d like to leave those under your guidance. Your sister is a teacher, and I am thinking that you can consult her for direction. I’ve been told we’ve got slaves and their children swarming into the area with no place to live. They need some help. Let’s organize shelter and schools for these slave children and their parents, too. Can you handle these items for me?”