Embers of Anger (Embattled Hearts Book 1)

by Anna St. Claire

  Her anxiety level was climbing. Her brother was home, but he was very sick, and she had the Union Army camping on her lawn. Dang it! How much more complicated could this get?

  If Nolan didn’t want her to know he was home, there had to be a reason. She fought back a scream of frustration. Aiden said Nolan knew about the colonel and was hiding down there. How long had he been here?

  Well, there were many questions she needed to get answers to, but they would have to wait. Right now, she wanted to get Nolan out of there before Colonel Ross arrived.

  Ella felt slightly frantic. She stepped outside to go to Nolan, but she realized she needed assistance.

  “Lizzy, Carter, come quickly.” She hollered into the hall; she knew one would be nearby, but would they hear her? The wind was so loud. Deciding not to take the chance, she pulled on the old house bell.

  That cord had not been pulled since both her parents lived here. She shivered at the thought. Surely hearing the bell, they would realize this was urgent.

  Footsteps running through the hall calmed her worries. Carter and Lizzy both arrived before the bell stopped ringing, concern written across both faces.

  “Miss Ella, you is all wet and gonna catch a chill.” Carter’s voice cracked with concern.

  “Come, please come with me.” Running to the root cellar, she pulled on the door, finally pushing it open against the wind. The lamp-lit cellar clearly surprised Carter and Lizzy.

  She latched it open and carefully lowered herself inside and moved down the steps. Carter and Lizzy followed.

  Nolan was lying on a pile of dirty quilts in the corner. As they approached, he moaned. His body trembled violently.

  Ella started to put her hand on his head, but Lizzy jerked her back. “Stop.”

  “What?” she asked, indignant. “We have to get Nolan out of here. Colonel Ross is coming, and so is the storm. This root cellar will collect water and it’s too cold for him down here.” She pointed at Nolan’s shivering form on the cot.

  “Miss Ella, he may have the fever. I’ve seen this before. We need to move him, but we need to have someone that has survived the fever already move him.” They both turned to Carter.

  Ella suddenly felt queasy. “Oh no! Aiden and Bo, they have been down here with Nolan for days I think. I didn’t know he was here. Oh, dear Lord!”

  “Now you just relax Miss Ella. The young Massa isn’t showing any sign of it yet. We got time to get him help.”

  “Lizzy, please call him Aiden.” Ella retorted, barely covering the irritation in her voice. “You are family. You know how I feel about you and Carter.” She gripped the wall for support, fighting the bile that was rising in her throat. Nolan was home, but had he brought something so horrible that it would take both him and her little brother away from her? “Lizzy, what can we do?”

  “We need to get Ol’ Indie.”

  Carter stepped around his wife and picked up Nolan. “Miss Ella, my mamma, you know dat she can fix dis up, but I got to go get her.” He reached over and hoisted Nolan over his shoulder. “I sorry, Massa Nol’n, but dis is de only way I can carry you. My! I figured you to be heavier den dis.”

  Nolan only emitted a groan.

  “Where do we put Massa Nolan, Miss Ella?” Carter mounted the steps, pulling himself up carefully so his precious cargo didn’t slip off. “Lord-y, if I can say so, I ain’t never been ‘round anyone needs a bath more!”

  Ella stopped and sniffed the air. “Oh, my Lord! Truly, it is horrible.” She pinched the end of her nose closed. Her brother smelled vile. The ludicrousness of the situation hit her, and she began to laugh. “Oh, he stinks… the worst I think I’ve ever smelled.”

  Lizzy and Carter looked at each other, not wanting to insult their mistress, but they couldn’t help it. It stunk. The three of them laughed. No one could hear them because of the storm. It was so freeing to be unafraid of being overheard.

  “Glad you find my sit-u-a-tion so amusing, d…dear sister,” Nolan managed to squeeze out with quiet emphasis.

  The laughter stopped, and they looked at Nolan, who had woken up from the noise of their mirth.

  “Nolan, you are awake!”

  “Stating the ob-obvious, Sis.”

  “Always the jokester. We are sorry, it’s just that you uh… well, you need a bath. But you are a sight for sore eyes. I’ve missed you so! I’d hug you, but you could be very sick. We’ve got to get you to a different shelter. When you are better, we are gonna talk about how many years you just took from my life!”

  Her brother tried to pull the cover to his chin, his efforts exposing his feet.

  “Scaring me to death like this.” Ella pulled the cover back over his feet. “Aiden thinks you are dying like his frog. He is quite upset. Nolan Whitford, how could you try to keep your visit from me?” Her voice got louder with repressed anger. “Let’s get going, Carter. Where will we put him if he has the fever?”

  “The fever?” Nolan’s voice was weak.

  “Hush. Don’t you worry none. We’re gonna get you better.”

  Carter shifted his load and Nolan groaned louder this time. He seemed to be in pain. “I think we need to put him in the tunnel room and I will bring Ol’ Indie here. She can get in from the kitchen if I just distract Cook, and you can get in from behind the cloak closet.” Hearing no objection, Carter took a breath and continued. “Lizzy and I keep the passageway clean of spiders and other critters. We were preparing in case the Yankees come and we got to hide you and little Massa Aiden in there. There’s a stash of food in there, too.”

  Unprepared for this revelation, Ella felt a little humbled at the two servants that were more friend than anything to her. They had been with her family for most of their lives. They met and married here. This was their home as much as hers. “Yes, thank you. That is… so good of you two to have taken care of us like that.” Her throat felt suddenly full. “Let’s move him quickly.”

  Chapter 9

  Ella blew out the lamp and closed the cellar door behind them. They trekked against the rain and wind and entered from the side of the front porch, moving slowly, hoping not to draw any attention. The Union troops were just on the other side of the house.

  Once inside, they quietly opened the door and entered the secret tunnel that led to the safe room. Wall sconces provided light to the room that her ancestor had built a hundred years before when the first house was built on this site.

  Her ancestor had been a privateer, and the room served as a hidden storeroom for gold, brandy, and other treasure he’d bring back. Of course, that bootee had long since been removed. During the revolutionary years, the room served as a place to hide on more than one occasion. The family safeguarded the room and, outside of the few slaves that were close to them, no one was aware of its existence.

  The warmth of the room was the first thing she noticed. Insulated by earth on all sides, it maintained a constant temperature. The doors to the tunnel were well hidden.

  No one had ever found them as far as she had been told. Had the knowledge not been passed to her, she would have never known it existed.

  A small corner pantry was full of food. A cedar chest nearby was kept relatively clean and stocked with candles, blankets, and other items that would not spoil easily.

  It was furnished with things that had been gradually replaced over time in the house, lightweight furniture that could be easily transported through the tunnel so that some comfort was available.

  A table and chairs, two beds, and a chest of drawers dominated the space. The walls were stone and covered with heavy woolen tapestries to help insulate and maintain a comfortable feel. Area rugs that could be easily removed and cleaned from dust and other things covered the bricked floor.

  A small stove with a chimney sat towards the back corner. The chimney was expertly vented through the wall, channeling the heat and fumes out through a side flume of the chimney. It was fashioned to allow heat and provide some level of light cooking. A second ventilation system
diverted smoke through the rock and outside to the cookhouse.

  The cookhouse had been relocated many years before to conceal the room. This was primarily used in the summer when smoke from a chimney would be suspect. There was an outside entrance to the tunnel, and that was hidden within the cookhouse itself.

  Cook didn’t even know of the existence of this room. It was for the family. Lizzy and Carter were family; they knew all about the secret room.

  “Nolan, we are going to get you through this. Ol’ Indie will soon be here. And you need to listen to her, please. I will be back when I can go check on you.” Pausing, she looked back at her brother lying down on the small bunk and smiled. “I love you, big brother. I wish I could hug you. We’ve missed you so very much!” Quickly, she turned and left through the tunnel, heading back before she was missed. She left Carter behind to settle Nolan before he left to get his mamma.

  Ella and Lizzy got back in the foyer just in time to hear the jangle of boots coming up the front steps of the house.

  “Lordy, Lizzy. I’m a mess. My face, my hair. I am drenched—and so are you! Do you think he might stay occupied in the library? Come on before he asks why we are all wet.” Lizzy followed her up the steps. Ella wondered about her little brother, hoping she could count on his discretion. But then, she might not need to worry. He had kept Nolan’s secret, had he not?

  Ella ran up the stairs to her room. On the top of the stairs, she realized she was trembling. The shock of seeing Nolan, finding him sick, and then having to move him so rapidly had been hard enough. Now with a storm bearing down, the stress consumed her. This day—was it still day, even? —surely couldn’t get worse, could it?

  Chapter 10

  Jackson shook the rain off his hat and stomped his boots hard as he approached the door, hoping to shake the water and mud from them. Once inside, he opened his trench coat and breathed a sigh of relief. His clothing had managed to stay dry underneath.

  The wind was blowing hard gusts of rain, making it difficult to tell if that had been the case. It blew sideways half the time, and with such force that he barely managed to see. It wasn’t supposed to be night yet, but it was already so dark, it was as if dusk had fallen over this area early.

  Marshall should be right behind him with the cook wagon, but he wondered if they would make it. Now he wasn’t sure that it was the best idea to have the cook wagon come in this tempest.

  This storm was worse than anyone thought it would be, and it had rained for a day and a half, with little break. The wind was picking up. He noticed the huge limb that had fallen right by Miss Whitford’s front porch. That could have been dangerous.

  Almost fifty tents had assembled out there already. He needed to do something with the men that were here now. The storm was getting worse. He wasn’t quite sure what he would do at the moment, but he couldn’t leave them out in this mess.

  It was just the luck of timing that the rest of the troops hadn’t mustered here yet. He expected them here by the end of the week since they were moving in groups. Thunder and lightning joined in with the storm, the combination spurring on the wind and rain.

  He raised his arm to knock, but the door opened up before he could. Now, that seemed a little strange—were they expecting him? Lizzy stood before him, her right hand holding open the door and her left hand nervously opening and closing by her side. Her hair was damp and glistened from the rain.

  “Hello, Colonel Ross, suh. If you are looking for Miss Ella, she will be down directly. You can wait for her in the parlor.”

  “Lieutenant Colonel Jameson is coming up behind me with a contingent of men and a cook wagon, but this storm is bad and is getting worse.” His smile helped hide his surveillance of her wet appearance.

  The housekeeper turned to leave, but Jackson stopped her.

  “Lizzy, I don’t want to put you ladies out, but I must do something for the men that are already here. Could there be any place besides the barn that you can think of that could shelter about seventy-five men?”

  Lizzy looked at him for a long moment before answering. “Well, Colonel, we have some homesteads from the folk that left. They are just simple cabins, but they are built good and betta than the tents, I expect. There are right many that are empty now. And the barn, well, it’s full of what little livestock we got. Miss Ella, she had Mista Jason, de overseer, bring the cattle and horses in there. We hoping they be all right. It’s sturdy.”

  “Thank you for that information. I’ll wait in the parlor for her. I’d like to speak to her before I move the men.”

  “Yassuh, Colonel.” Lizzy left him in the entry hall at the door to the parlor. As he entered the room, he heard a sudden energetic rustle.

  “Colonel Ross!” The boy bounded off the sofa dragging a pillow, with his puppy coming up behind him.

  “Well, young man. What you doing down here? I thought you would be… well, I’m not sure where you would be.” He laughed. “It’s been a while since I was a boy and had to suffer through a bad summer storm such as this.” He roughed Aiden’s hair affectionately.

  “Your dog is one handsome fellow. I just noticed he has two different colored eyes! That’s very unusual.”

  “Yes suh, he does. The blue one shines when he’s happy. The brown one shines when he is upset. I just figured that out.” Pleased, he petted Bo.

  “That’s quite an observation, young man. I noticed your sister’s shine when she’s angry!” They both chuckled. “So, what are you and Bo doing down here?”

  “My sista told me to stay put while she changed clothes. She was mighty wet.” As if he had been told to, he quieted very quickly.

  “Oh? Wet?”

  Soft footsteps sounded behind him as Ella walked into the room. “Yes, Colonel. I was quite…wet.” She smiled sweetly at them then gave a level look to Aiden. “I had to go out in this…weather…and find this little rapscallion.”

  “You were outside in this storm, Aiden?” He regarded the little boy, whose expression changed from excitement to embarrassment and something more. He wasn’t quite able to discern what it was. A look passed between the brother and sister that he couldn’t help but notice. Something was up here, but Jackson couldn’t fathom what it was. He glanced from one to the other. Nothing.

  “Yes,” Ella continued, seemingly unaware of Jackson’s scrutiny. “Aiden and Bo were soaked clear to the skin. They were playing, um, pirates, I think, but they didn’t notice the storm until it was upon them. It frightens me to think how they could have been hurt or worse in those high weeds out there.”

  Ella walked over to Aiden and kneeled. “Come here. Let me check your head. You too, Bo.” She moved her hands carefully through his hair.

  “Are you checking him for lice?” Jackson was curious. The child seemed clean.

  “Ha! Well, you see, we live in an area that is known for these bugs that latch onto the head. I don’t like to have them on my brother. I usually check him after he comes inside.”

  “Bugs that latch on your head? I’ve not really heard of that too much. Are they dangerous?”

  “I don’t know, really, but you surely have seen them with your men out in the fields so much. They attach themselves with a bite. Their poison gets into the blood. Yes, it’s quite disgusting.” She shuddered. “I don’t even want to think about lice.” She shook her head and then erupted in laughter.

  “What’s funny?”

  “I’m sorry. Here we are, suh, discussing the unseemly topic of bugs in the hair.” She turned away, grinning.

  “Yes, well, it seemed that the conversation just took us there.” Jackson couldn’t help it. Her smile was contagious. He almost forgot what he needed, something that seemed to happen a lot lately when she was around him. “Oh. There is something I want to discuss. How could I forget? The men. They need shelter. Miss Lizzy mentioned that there might be empty cabins that we could take up—the ones that the Negro folks have abandoned. I have to get these men out of the wind.”

  “Ye
s, that is a great idea. You need to help your men. Don’t let me hold you up. Please. I’m just sorry I had not thought to offer that. I noticed their situation earlier and was concerned.”

  “Marshall should be here about now. I’ll get him and the sergeant to help me move the men.” He started to leave but turned. “Aiden, you must listen to your sister. These tall weeds are not the best place for you to play. We will cut them down shortly but stay close to your house.”

  “Yes, suh. I will!” Cheerful once more, Aiden bounced up from where he was sitting on the sofa. He offered to walk Jackson to the door, and the colonel readily agreed.

  Once outside, Jackson looked around. The storm had calmed down. The wind was barely noticeable, but the clouds were getting even blacker if that was possible.

  There was a feeling of eeriness in the atmosphere. He needed to get the men in the shelters as quickly as possible. Grabbing the reins to Mason, he pulled himself up on his horse and cantered into the camp area. Marshall and the cook were already there. They were just standing, waiting. Irritation at the veiled jab rushed through him.

  Marshall flashed a wide grin as he rode towards them,

  “Hello, Marshall.”

  How is the lovely Miss Whitford?” Marshall couldn’t help stirring Jackson up, but just seeing him smitten did something to him.

  “She is fine. Stop the innuendos.”

  Jackson could deny it, but Marshall sensed the attraction. His game was to always protect his heart, but this time, well, this time it looked like his friend’s effort to keep his heart out of the way wasn’t going to work. He saw the sparks passing between them, even if the two of them didn’t see it yet. He wanted his friend to find someone—especially after what had happened with Maria. No man should suffer that humiliation. She lost out in that exchange. Nate would never be the man Jackson was.

  Jackson jumped down from Mason. “Look, Marshall, this storm has just given us a breather. Let’s get these bedrolls and tents pulled up and moved to better shelters. Miss Whitford says there are a number of cabins on the backside of the house. They are empty except for a few of the Negroes that decided to stay. We can use the rest of them. The men will have to double up, but let’s do it. Move them out. This break won’t last, I fear.”