“I thought we might get blown all the way down to old Mexico last night,” Banks said as they maneuvered their mounts around several fallen branches from a copse of live oak trees. Leaves littered the road until it was almost indistinguishable from its surroundings.
Levi surveyed the mess. “I don’t suppose riding out the storm in a tent was much fun.”
“No, sir. I’m sure I heard a few of the boys crying for their mamas at the worst of it.”
Levi chuckled. “It’ll take the better part of the day to get things in order back at camp. I’d hoped to send units to the farms north of here, but I suppose that’ll have to wait.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. Bringing news of freedom to Texas slaves was their first priority. The joyful cries of hundreds of Negroes who’d heard the proclamation still echoed in his memory, but there were many more who had yet to receive the good news. The unexpected delay brought on by the storm meant one more day in bondage for those men and women.
Despite the damage around them, the rain-washed countryside looked fresh and bright, bathed in early morning sunshine. Sweet air filled their lungs while birdsong met their ears. Although he wasn’t pleased about the delay in their mission, he couldn’t help acknowledging that a valid excuse to visit Rose Hill—and its mistress—had been delivered to him during the night.
“I remember a bad storm rolled through while we were waiting to attack Fort Wagner,” Banks said, gazing off toward the east, a solemn look on his face. “Some said it was a sure sign we were going to lose.”
Had someone else been listening, they might have thought the comment strange. But Levi knew memories from the war often sprang up at odd times, as this one just had for Banks. Sometimes he and his fellow soldiers shared them, sometimes they didn’t.
Levi knew the battle he spoke of. The Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts, an all-black company, penetrated the fort after a brigade of Federal troops unsuccessfully assaulted the strongpoint guarding Charleston Harbor a few days prior. Their victory, however, was short-lived. Reinforcements were slow in coming, and the Confederates retook the fort. Banks’ unit suffered enormous losses. Levi could only imagine the carnage the corporal witnessed in the surgical tent.
“Colonel Shaw was a good man,” was all Levi said. He’d never met Shaw, the son of an abolitionist who’d organized and led the Union’s first black regiment, but he’d heard much about the man. Shaw fell during the battle for the fort. The newspapers said the Confederates stripped his body and threw it into a grave with dead Negro soldiers in a mark of contempt for this white officer’s championing of blacks. But Shaw’s father said it best when he declared he could imagine no holier resting place for his son, nor better company.
Neither said any more about the battle, but unspoken memories of the war hovered on the edge of the silence, always there. Levi wondered how many years it would take to forget what they’d seen and done the past four years. Perhaps they’d never forget.
The gleaming white plantation house came into view, but even at a distance, Levi saw that Rose Hill had undergone far more damage than the Langford place. Pieces of roofing were scattered throughout the yard, and tree branches lay about. A giant oak had fallen, barely missing the barn and leaving its tangled roots exposed. Farm equipment that usually sat in neat rows was now a jumbled heap. The two soldiers he’d left at Rose Hill stood with Wash Ingram and a group of hired workers, but no one seemed to know where to begin the cleanup.
Banks gave a low whistle. “They sure got hit.”
Levi scanned the chaos, already formulating a plan of action, but first, he had to make sure Natalie and Samuel were safe. He galloped the rest of the way and drew up in front of the porch. The main door stood open, but silence came from inside the house. He dismounted and took the steps two at a time.
“Natalie?” His voice echoed in the empty foyer. Too late he realized he’d used her given name in his worry.
The hasty tread of footsteps sounded from the floor above. A moment later, she appeared at the top of the staircase.
Relief washed through him. She was safe.
“Colonel Maish.” Her voice revealed her astonishment. Descending, she paused to glance behind her before hurrying down the remaining steps. “I’m surprised to see you here so early this morning. I hope you haven’t brought news that Langford Manor was damaged by the storm.”
“It’s minor compared to what I’ve seen here.”
They walked onto the porch. In the brief time Levi had been inside, Banks had assembled the men. They stood in the yard awaiting instructions.
“We hid in the cellar during the worst of it,” she said, looking at the destruction. “Moses feels certain it was a tornado. He’s gone to check on the crop.”
“A tornado? I hadn’t thought of that.” He whispered a prayer of thanks the damage wasn’t worse.
“They aren’t terribly common this time of year, but it is possible. Everyone in the house is still asleep since we stayed in the cellar nearly until dawn.”
A smile inched its way to his face. “I must say, Mrs. Ellis”—he remembered to address her properly—“your calmness in the face of such a frightening experience is … unexpected.”
“I will take that as a compliment, Colonel.” Her blue eyes sparked with teasing.
He bowed slightly. “If it suits you, I’ll have my men assign the field workers to cleanup details. From the looks of things, the roof of the house, as well as those of some of the outbuildings, will need repair. Preferably before another storm rolls through.”
She frowned. “The only carpenter we had departed the day you brought the proclamation. I’m not sure Moses or the others know how to make the repairs, and I haven’t the funds to hire someone.”
Levi weighed his next words—and the consequences they would bring—before speaking. “As luck would have it, I possess some carpentry skills. I’d be glad to assist Moses and show him what needs to be done.”
She stared up at him, her eyes searching his face. “That is very kind of you, Colonel. Thank you.”
Their gazes held a long moment before she looked away, a faint blush staining her cheeks.
Corporal Banks approached. He nodded politely to Natalie before addressing Levi. “Sir, we’re ready for your orders.”
Before Levi could respond, however, the barrel of a rifle poked out the open doorway behind Natalie. Ever so slowly, the rotund woman who’d stopped at Langford Manor the previous day emerged from the shadowed room, her narrowed eyes on him, the weapon trained on his gut.
“Don’t move a muscle, Yankee. The judge taught me how to shoot, and I’m not afraid to pull this trigger.”
Natalie whirled around to see Cousin Eunice step onto the porch in her dressing gown, her nightcap askew, holding a gun pointed at the colonel. “Eunice, put that down,” she exclaimed, fear causing her pulse to race. A sideways glance revealed Corporal Banks already had his revolver out of its holster and aimed at her cousin.
Eunice’s gaze flitted to Natalie. “Why are these Bluecoats here?” She used the barrel of the rifle to indicate Colonel Maish. “He’s the one I found making himself at home in Langford Manor.”
Terrified the woman might accidentally shoot the colonel, Natalie took a careful step toward her. “Cousin Eunice, this is Colonel Maish. He and I have a business agreement that involves the use of Langford Manor.” She took another step. “Now, put the gun down before someone gets hurt.”
Several tense moments passed before Eunice lowered the weapon. Her glower, however, remained fixed on the colonel. “What kind of business could you possibly have with a Yankee? They aren’t to be trusted.” She looked at Natalie. “I am disappointed in you, Natalie Ellis. If your mama and daddy could see you now, cavorting with the enemy …” She tsk-tsk’d. “Well, it seems I have come just in time. Whatever your agreement is with this man, we’ll end it immediately. The judge taught me a thing or two about the law, too.”
With the gun lowered, Natalie stole a peek
at the colonel. She found him as she’d expected, his gaze narrowed on Eunice and his fists in tight balls. They twitched several times before his eyes flicked to her.
“Mrs. Ellis.” The words were said through clenched teeth. Had she only imagined him using her given name when he arrived, his voice full of concern? “Kindly inform your relative that it is against the law to point a weapon at a Union officer.” He returned his glare to Eunice. “If she so much as looks at that gun in my presence, I will have Corporal Banks arrest her. Is that understood?”
Natalie nodded.
The colonel turned and stomped down the steps. He and the corporal made their way to the waiting men, who’d all witnessed the incident.
Eunice muttered a foul word before turning to Natalie. “What on earth has gotten into you? You said the army took over your land without your permission, but you never said anything about an agreement with them.”
Inhaling a deep breath, Natalie fought to remain civil. “Langford Manor and Rose Hill are my property. I am doing everything I can to see that they remain so. If allowing the Union Army to set up their camp in a fallow field keeps us fed and clothed, then that is my business.”
Eunice’s eyes widened. “You dare speak to me in such a tone! Your mother and I were practically sisters growing up.”
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful.” Natalie tempered her frustration. “I’m simply doing the best I can to manage the plantations and see that my son’s inheritance remains intact.”
The older woman seemed mollified. For the moment, anyway. “You would be wise to keep your eyes on them—especially that arrogant colonel. You mark my words. Thieves and miscreants, all.” With that, she huffed noisily and disappeared into the house.
Natalie closed her eyes. Could things get any worse?
A glance toward the men told her they’d received their instructions from Colonel Maish and were now setting about cleaning up the debris left from the storm. He and Corporal Banks stood apart from the group, talking. At one point, they both looked in her direction, and heat rose to her face. What must they think of her outlandish cousin?
She turned to go inside.
“Mrs. Ellis, a word, please.”
Colonel Maish’s deep voice stopped her. He strode toward the house, an unhappy look on his face.
Before he could commence with his scolding, which surely was his intention, she shook her head. “You needn’t subject me to your chastisement, Colonel. I apologize for my cousin’s behavior. It was ill-mannered and completely inappropriate of her to point a rifle at you. But you must understand, she’s been through a great deal at the hands of unscrupulous men wearing Union uniforms.”
He’d reached the bottom of the steps but didn’t make to ascend. “How so?” Skepticism reverberated from the two simple words.
“They burned her home before she was allowed to think through the consequences of arguing against the proclamation. It was unnecessary. I am certain she would have, like the rest of us, come to terms with giving the slaves their freedom. Now she, a childless widow, is homeless. Surely you can see how she would be distrustful of anyone wearing a blue coat.”
He eyed her a long moment. “While I am sorry your cousin’s home was burned—for that has never been something I approve of—it is no excuse for endangering people who had nothing to do with her loss. I may need to confiscate your weapons while she is in residence.”
Natalie’s back stiffened. “Sir, you would leave us completely defenseless because of an inconsequential incident? I apologized for her behavior. That should be sufficient.”
“I don’t find having a gun leveled at me inconsequential.” He glanced into the house then back to her. “How long will she stay with you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t really know. Her arrival took me by surprise. She retired early last night, claiming exhaustion from the long journey. Then the storm arose. We haven’t had much opportunity to discuss it.” For certain, she would discuss it with Eunice. While she wanted to help her cousin as much as possible, the idea of Eunice remaining at Rose Hill indefinitely was simply too unbearable to consider.
His dark gaze narrowed. “Then my advice to you is, keep your eye on her. And your guns. She isn’t to be trusted.” He turned and strode away.
The warning was nearly identical to that of her cousin’s regarding him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
With afternoon sunshine beating on his back, Levi stopped to mop his brow with his rolled-up shirt sleeve. High on the roof of Rose Hill Manor there wasn’t an ounce of shade or even a lone cloud to offer a respite from the oppressive heat. July in Texas was not for the faint of heart—that was for certain. He hoped his men were following the instructions he’d left with Banks and his staff and not taking advantage of his absence. The hot days made it all too easy to get lazy, especially for the younger men who weren’t as disciplined as he’d like.
Glancing at Moses, who continued hammering shingles into place, he marveled at the older man’s stamina. They’d been working the better part of the day, measuring and cutting pieces of wood to replace the damaged ones. Climbing up and down the ladders, first onto the kitchen wing roof, then up to the main house, where the two buildings were joined by a covered walkway. Levi wasn’t ashamed to admit he was worn out, but Moses kept right on going.
Sitting back on his haunches, he gazed at the view around him. From their lofty vantage point, he could see for miles. Fields, woods, and plains. Far in the distance, following the sun’s path, the landscape gave way to gently rolling hills covered in trees. He’d been told they weren’t far from the edge of the frontier, where various Indian tribes still made their home. Years ago, he’d longed to head to the wildernesses to seek adventure and excitement. But after four long years of war, boyhood dreams seemed part of another lifetime.
Gazing at the landscape, Levi felt the tug of home pull on his heartstrings. Like many soldiers, he had yet to return to his family despite the war’s end. He’d been ordered to Texas soon after Lee surrendered, although skirmishes had continued west of the Mississippi until mid-May and delayed their arrival in Galveston. His brothers, Matthew and Joshua, had both returned to their wives and children. Matthew would have to learn how to walk with only one leg, but he was alive, for which they were grateful. Letters from Ma and Pa and his sisters and brothers all spoke of their eager desire to have Levi home, but that would have to wait until his mission in Texas was complete.
Looking down to the tools that surrounded him, he couldn’t help but smile. He’d always had an interest in carpentry, but it hadn’t been more than a hobby before the war. Soldiering was what he’d believed he was destined for. His time at West Point only served to confirm it. Now, with the world such a different place than it had been four years ago, even his dreams had been altered. All he wanted was to buy a piece of land not far from his parents and brothers and set up a carpentry shop. He’d build dining room tables where families could gather over meals and laughter, or cradles for newborn babies whose innocence would help heal a nation torn by hatred and war. A simple life, far from the battlefields, was what he yearned for.
The kitchen door hinges squealed from below. A few moments later, Natalie entered his view, walking toward the chicken coop with a basket swinging from her hand. Samuel ran after her. When he caught up with his mother, he held something out, to which Natalie gave a little shriek. She shooed it away. Levi saw a toad leap from the boy’s hands and hop across the dirt, Samuel chasing after it. Natalie said something to her son, although Levi couldn’t hear the words, and the boy left the toad and followed her around the corner of the coop, out of Levi’s view.
He took up his hammer once again and banged a shingle into place, his thoughts not on the roof but on the widow who owned it. Natalie Langford Ellis. The woman was confounding. One minute she was helpless and needy, the next she was standing in defense of her shrewish cousin. One day she was a pampered slave owner, the next she was feeding chickens and hogs. He didn’
t know what to make of it. Of her. He admired the tenacity it must have taken for her to keep the plantation operating during the war. Despite his deep hatred for the institution of slavery, he had to admit only a strong-willed woman could have accomplished such a feat without a husband or male relative to oversee things.
He glanced at Moses. Natalie had freely admitted the slave— former slave—was the reason the plantation hadn’t fallen into ruin. That he’d seen to the planting, harvesting, and upkeep of things for four years, despite there being no person of authority to keep him on the property, baffled Levi. That the man continued to serve Natalie, now as a paid employee, further confused him.
“I ’spect I’s gonna need a few mo’ shingles cut, Colonel,” Moses said, wiping his face with a handkerchief. He removed his hat and ran the cloth over his short-cropped graying hair. “After that, this section o’ roof be just like new.”
“You’ve done well, considering you’ve never patched a roof before.”
Moses’ smile revealed his pride. “I ’ppreciate that, suh. It’s good to learn to do somethin’ new, even when you’s as old as the hills.”
They climbed down the ladder and headed to the barn. Using a fallen tree practically outside the door, they’d taken a two-man crosscut saw and created several drums of timber that morning. While Moses had worked on removing the bark, Levi’d located the tools they’d need to slice the hunks into shingles.
He watched the other man take the froe and mallet to the wood, as Levi had taught him earlier, and his curiosity got the best of him.
“How long have you been at Rose Hill, Moses?”
Without glancing up from his task, Moses said, “Been at Rose Hill six years, but I’s at the Langford place ’fore that.”
Levi hadn’t anticipated that revelation. Had Natalie or her husband purchased the slave from her family? There wasn’t a tactful way to ask.
The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2) Page 12
