by Diana Ballew
“He sounds nice.” Eden stifled another yawn.
“Joseph said we may use the carriage all day if we wish, but it has to be back at the Spotswood Hotel by six o’clock sharp.” Lucy flashed a playful smile. “He said he has to take Rayce and yet another one of his lady friends to some grand charity ball at Laurel Grove.”
Lucy moved in closer and looped her arm within Eden’s. “Have I told you how warm and wonderful he is? It’s been several years since I last saw him. I think it was at his granddaddy’s funeral, if I remember correctly, but he still sends me letters and little gifts. I guess we feel close because we both love our Aunt Martha so much.”
“And now you’ll be part of our family, too.” Eden squeezed Lucy’s gloved hand.
“Maybe we can visit his home while you’re here, honey.” Lucy’s eyes widened. “It’s down along the James River, and it’s positively a mansion. I doubt he’ll ever be there as busy as he is, but I know you’d just adore him.” Lucy cupped her hand and whispered in Eden’s ear, “He does have a scandalous side to him I’ll—”
“CON-SID-ER-ING Eden has no bosom to speak of!” Ann blurted. “There, I said it.”
“My bosom,” Eden snarled, suddenly wide awake, “is none of your business!”
“I don’t know why the two of you get so upset about it.” Ann pushed her back against the seat and stuck her chin out. “You know it’s the truth, Lucy.”
“Hush,” Lucy interrupted in a whisper, gesturing toward the front of the carriage. “All of Richmond does not need to hear about the state of Eden’s bosom.”
“Well, she had better look like she has one if she’s going to catch a husband. I swear, Eden, you would stay unmarried just to spite me.”
“I just might,” Eden rejoined, “but that would entail living with you the rest of my life, and even marriage couldn’t be worse than that!” She twisted in her seat, planning to signal the driver to stop and let her out.
Lucy seized Eden’s hand. “Oh, Eden, please don’t make a scene. Not with half of Richmond coming to my reception. It would upset Isaac.”
Lucy turned to Ann. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Eden has a lovely bosom, and I won’t hear another word about it.”
At the mention of her brother’s name, Eden settled down. Isaac’s opinion mattered to her more than anyone else’s in the entire world. She turned away from the two women and gazed out the carriage window. My bosom, indeed!
She thought of the stranger she had met earlier at Mr. Johnson’s shop. He certainly seemed quite interested in her...charms. Nevertheless, he was an arrogant cad. What woman could ever know what truly occupied his mind? She recalled the amused look on his face as his deep brown eyes appraised her body. As much as she hated to admit it, he was incredibly handsome in a dark and mischievous sort of way. She wondered what it would have felt like had he kissed her and wrapped his strong arms around her in a passionate embrace.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, hoping the flush in her face did not reveal her ridiculous fantasy. “The arrogant skunk,” she muttered.
“Did you say something, dear?” Lucy asked.
“Ah...no...I mean, yes—look!” Eden pointed outside, relieved at the chance to divert their attention.
They turned onto Franklin Street and came to a sudden standstill. Up ahead, a cavalry regiment in the midst of a drill filled the road in front of an excited crowd. Carriages, civilians, and swarms of soldiers blocked their way, and the sounds of “Dixie” and the “Bonnie Blue Flag” echoed through the street. A mass of women and children stood tall, waving colorful handkerchiefs and scarves at the cavalrymen. To their left, a group of men raised their hats, chanting “On to Washington!” and the crowd roared and rumbled in applause.
“What a lovely gathering,” Lucy whispered, her eyes misting.
Eden nodded. She noticed the handsome cavalry leader, General J. E. B. Stuart, at the head of his men, looking particularly striking in his high boots. His attractive smile and dark reddish-brown beard gleamed under his famous wide-brimmed hat.
She bolted up to get a better look at the general who had been a long-standing family friend. Years had passed since she last laid eyes on him, but he was certainly not an easy man to forget. Rugged and dashingly handsome, women were drawn to him like bees to honey. If she remembered correctly, he was also an incredible flirt...
Ann and Lucy flinched at Eden’s sudden movement.
“Oh, Jeb ...General Stuart! Yoooo hooooo!” Eden called.
Shocked at her sudden overzealous appeal for the general’s attention, Ann and Lucy gasped and stared wide-eyed at each other.
Eden managed to catch his eye. General Stuart looked toward her for a brief moment, and then a smile of recognition lit his face. He pulled the reins of his mount and trotted over to the side of the carriage.
His blue eyes sparkled. “My very dear Miss Blair, what an unexpected pleasure to see you here, and looking as beautiful as ever.”
After a lacy flutter of her lashes and a teasing bite upon her bottom lip, she summoned up a demure performance worthy of the finest Southern belle. “Oh, how you do run on, General. I must say, when I saw you looking so dashingly handsome riding through town with your men, I just knew I had to stop and say hello. It simply has been too long.”
He nodded, his gaze wandering over her, clearly taking appreciative notice of her Southern charms.
Eden blotted her neck with a handkerchief and smiled. “Isaac wrote me you would try to come to the reception. I know with the war and all, it’s hard to make any plans these days, but it just wouldn’t be a party without you. Please say you’ll come.”
He lifted an eyebrow and smiled. “Although your charming company is enough to save any man from the miseries of war, Miss Eden, I’m afraid I’m unable to give a definitive answer at this time. There’s much going on now, as I’m sure you’ve heard.”
A young girl appeared from the crowd and timidly held out a crisp daffodil. “Mr. General, sir. I mean, Mr. General Stuart, I would be honored if you would accept this flower for your hat.”
“Thank you, young miss. I surely appreciate your thoughtfulness and patriotism. Call me Jeb.” He flashed a generous smile.
“Why, thank you, Mr. Jeb!” The child blushed and skipped away.
“General Stuart!” a cheerful officer called out.
“Oh, General,” Eden chimed in, “I can see you’re a terribly busy man. We won’t keep you any longer. Please give Mrs. Stuart our kindest regards from the Blair family.”
“I certainly will, Miss Eden.” His gaze shifted between his troops and her. “I wish I had more time—”
Ann rose from her seat and stuck her head out of Eden’s window, almost knocking her over. “Hello, General—remember me?”
“Oh...yes, ma’am, I believe I do.” He nodded. “Well, safe passage, ladies. I must get back to my men.” He bent down, peered into the carriage, and tipped the brim of his hat. “Miss Lucy, best wishes to you and Isaac. It’s indeed been a pleasure seeing you all again.” With a kick to his mount, he trotted off to rejoin his troops.
Lucy giggled. “Why, Miss Eden, did I see General Stuart stare in the direction of your bosoms?”
“Why, Miss Lucy,” Eden smiled, “we all know I have no bosom to speak of.”
The two laughed and settled back in their seats.
“Oh, laugh if you will.” Ann pouted. “I wash my hands of both of you. Unlike you, Eden, I’ll have no trouble attracting male attention at the reception.”
“Well, that’s obvious, considering the display I was forced to witness at Mr. Johnson’s shop.”
“You two stop, for pity’s sake,” Lucy pleaded, squirming to see if the street had finally cleared.
“What? He was a very nice man,” Ann defended. “He was quite enamored and extremely cultured. He even complimented me in French.”
“French!” Eden sneered. “Why, you wouldn’t know French if a waiter read it to you from a wine label.
”
“I most certainly would know French if I heard it. I’ll have you know, the husband of my mother’s cousin spoke fluent French.”
“Then tell me, what did he say?” Eden prodded.
“He said,” Ann paused, then continued triumphantly, “he said I was obtuse.”
“Oh, my goodness...are we there yet?” Lucy muttered.
Eden sat mute as a church mouse for fear she would burst
into uncontrollable laughter.
Chapter 3
“They’re getting closer. Can you imagine—Yankees taking Richmond? I can’t bear the thought.” Lucy bit down on her bottom lip.
“You know as well as I do, our soldiers won’t go down without a fight.” Still, with the news that the Yankees now occupied Fort Monroe, only seventy miles away, she couldn’t help but wonder the same.
Lucy’s eyes welled with tears. “Oh, Isaac...”
Joseph pulled the horses to a stop in front of Aunt Martha’s large, two-story brick house and stepped down. Eden leaned forward and stretched.
“Miss Lucy.” Joseph opened the carriage door and held out his gloved hand to escort her to the walkway.
He turned to help Eden, and his eyes widened at the sight of Ann crammed to the opposite side of the carriage, her hands firmly planted on both sides of her skirts. “Ma’am?”
Ann shook her head, not budging an inch.
Lucy peered into the carriage. “Land sakes, Ann. What are you doing, honey?”
“Ah, well...um...you two run along inside, now.” She fidgeted with her handbag, refusing to look at them. “I see no sense in wasting this fine carriage. It doesn’t need to be back until later, anyway.”
Lucy sighed. “But, Ann—”
“Oh, for pity’s sake.” Ann stuck her chin out. “You two stop lookin’ at me like that!”
Eden whispered in Lucy’s ear, “Let her go. We’ll have more fun without her, anyway.”
A gentle smile tipped the corner of Lucy’s full lips. “Well, I’m sure Ann could use the carriage for her errands.”
“Ah—yes,” Ann said. “That’s it...I have errands.”
Joseph’s gaze darted between Eden and Lucy.
“Take Mrs. Blair wherever she desires to go today, Joseph,” Lucy commanded.
“Yes’m.” He managed a graceful bow.
Eden walked arm-in-arm with Lucy up the walkway. “You’re a clever girl.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Lucy asked with a coy smile.
“You do realize she plans on paying unannounced calls to everyone she knows to flaunt that carriage?”
“Yes, but she won’t be bothering us.” Lucy opened the door and called, “Aunty? I’m here.”
Aunt Martha’s servant, Eliza, scurried from the back of the house. “Lawdy, lawd, Miss Lucy. It sure is nice to see your smiling face again.” She reached for Lucy’s satchel, “Let me get this upstairs for you.”
Lucy handed the leather bag to Eliza. “I’m guessing Aunty’s out and about today?”
Eliza lifted a raven brow. “Oh, yes. She’s been down at the hospital again. You know her. Always helping those boys out best she can.” The elderly negro ambled up the steps and called, “Why don’t you girls go on out on the porch. It’s warm and sunny out there. I’ll bring you some molasses cakes soon as I finish up.”
The two women headed outside to the covered veranda. Eden sat on the porch swing, and Lucy occupied the rocker next to her. After months of miserable weather, it was nice the delayed spring had finally burst forth.
Eden inhaled the lovely fragrances of a trailing honeysuckle vine embracing the scrolled iron awning, mingling peacefully with the large clay pots of jonquils, violets, and narcissuses scenting the balmy April air.
Eliza emerged from the house with plates of freshly baked molasses cakes and tall glasses filled with herbal tea and a large shopping bag dangling from her arm. A soft, sensibility radiated within the older woman’s dark eyes. “I’m off to market. Now, you two mind yourselves. There’s more of them cakes if you real hungry, but remember, you need to fit in them pretty dresses soon enough.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Eliza.” Lucy took another bite and set her plate on the thick iron railing.
Eliza marched down the steps. “Miss Martha’ll be back soon, I reckon, so don’t you two get in any mischief. Oh, and if you need anything...” She cocked her head toward the front door. “...just ask Sarah, or...ah—Fifi, or whatever her name is now. Lawd have mercy.”
“We surely will,” Lucy called back.
Lucy sighed and rubbed at her waistline. “I don’t know about you, Eden, but I think I’m going to have to squeeze the living breath out of my lungs to get back into my stays after these sinful cakes.” She sniffed at a wild honeysuckle flower trailing up the porch column next to her. “Look around us. I hope the weather is this nice on my wedding day.”
“Even if it rains, you’re going to be marrying one of the finest men ever. He loves you so much, Lucy, and I’m happy to gain a sister.”
She really did like Lucy. With her own family so small, she had grown eager to welcome Lucy as a sister. A nice, even-flowing chemistry existed between the two of them, and a quiet confidence embraced their friendship. Of course, the fact that she would soon replace Ann as mistress at Oak Hill gave her the most pleasure. No wonder Ann treated Lucy as sweet as apple-pie; she knew all too well, one wrong move and she could be turned out on her pointy, obtuse nose.
Lucy dabbed her lips with her napkin. “You know, I need to say something.”
Eden furrowed her brow at the sober tone in Lucy’s voice.“Isaac told me what a wonderful job you’ve done at Oak Hill since your daddy’s death. He is...well, I mean, we are so proud of you—and grateful, too.”
“You’re being too kind. I’m just—”
“No, it’s the truth.” Lucy fiddled with her fingernails and her eyes grew moist. “I have a confession to make. I’ve always wanted to be more like you. Lord above, Eden, I know absolutely nothing about running a family business or becoming a mistress of a plantation. I mean, here you are, already an accomplished nurse and midwife, and after your daddy died, it turned out you had a head for business, too. And me...well, I’m just a plain girl. I’m afraid of being a disappointment.”
Her heart went out to Lucy. Although quiet and rather timid, Lucy truly was one of the kindest people she had ever known, but she lacked confidence in herself and her abilities.
“Nonsense. You’re a wonderful governess, and children absolutely adore you. Don’t be silly, honey. You could never be a disappointment. Not ever—”
“Joseph!” A screeching voice echoed from around the corner.
Both women swung their heads just in time to catch a glimpse of Ann hanging her head out the carriage window, yelling at poor Joseph as they passed by the intersection, her dark hair spilling from her twisted chignon.
“Sakes alive!” Lucy placed a hand to her mouth. “That’s Ann.”
“No matter where I go, the woman insists on embarrassing me to death.” Eden snatched her plate and glass and headed inside the house, with Lucy following close behind.
Eden barely noticed the hours tick by as she sat with Lucy in the well-appointed parlor. The door opened, and in walked Eliza.
“Mm Mmm. Got some oysters and rockfish for supper for you girls. I just saw your aunt coming up the street, Miss Lucy. Let me get this bag to the kitchen. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Lucy rose from the divan and parted the lace curtains at the front window. “I can’t wait to see her.” She craned her long neck. “Here she comes.”
The elderly woman entered the door with a bright smile. “Hello, Lucy.” She extended her chubby arms as she approached her niece. “Come give me a big ol’ hug. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Lucy slid into her aunt’s embrace.
She pushed Lucy forward at arm’s length, gripping both her hands, and smiled. “I’ll bet my boots you two have e
njoyed yourselves while I was out. Ann’s not here?”
Eden shifted her feet and sighed, blowing a loose strand of hair clear over the top of her head.
Eliza entered the room. Aunt Martha sat on the divan and gestured to the servant for her afternoon tea. Her gaze snapped toward Lucy and Eden, who sat opposite her. “Oh, before I forget. I saw Rayce a bit ago. Eden, I’m so anxious for you to meet him. I think you’ll find him special.”
Likely, a special bore.
“I’ve been trying to tell her that, Aunty,” Lucy chimed in. “Where did you see him? He said he wouldn’t be free this afternoon.”
“Actually, he did look busy. I was walking with my friend, Fanny, near Capitol Square this afternoon, and I spotted this handsome fellow, and I said, 'Fanny, I think that’s my nephew, Rayce Hampton, talking with the governor.' Then, I called his name, and he looked over at us and smiled. Well, Fanny saw him and got the vapors. Heaven help her, she all but fainted right there.”
“The vapors?” Lucy giggled, “Well, my, oh my.”
Aunt Martha sighed, and her full cheeks took on a rosy hue. “Ah...the effect that man has on women.”
“Is Fanny all right?” Eden quizzed, taking note Lucy’s cousin now had “handsome” to add to his growing list of fine attributes.
Lucy’s aunt gestured dismissively, “Oh, yes, Fanny’s really a tough old thing. Luckily, I had a little something with me.” She lifted her thick collage of taffeta skirts and pulled out a small flask, strapped to her meaty calf. “I just sat her down on a bench and poured a little from this baby down her throat. Soon, she was singin’ like a magpie.” She shook the silver flask. “I guess it’s a good thing I’d been at the hospital today, or I wouldn’t have had it with me.”