The Rebel Spy

by April London

  “Easy, Mrs. Moody,” General Steele whispered in her ear. “I’ll leave her in your care, Doc.” He motioned for Knowles to join him and they slipped out of the tent.

  “Davis.” Tamsyn hurried to her brother’s side. She dropped next to the cot and wrapped her arms around her twin. “Oh my God, why didn’t you get word to us? We’ve been so worried.”

  “Mama! It’s Uncle Davey!” Elizabeth clapped and giggled.

  “I see that.” She let go of her brother and wiped the tears from her eyes. “How did you know?” She aimed her question at her brother. Uncle and niece had never met.

  “The general talked with me last night,” Davis said. Elizabeth climbed up onto the cot next to him. “He told me you were here.”

  “Mama, look.” Elizabeth pulled the thin blue blanket away from Davis’ legs. “The doctor cut it off!”

  Her gaze dropped to her brother’s legs. She gasped. His right leg was missing from the knee down.

  “Doc tried to save it,” Davis hurried to explain. “It went gangrene. He said my only chance was if he cut it off.” Davis smiled while Elizabeth tugged the blanket back over him.

  “You told the general where I lived last night.”

  Davis nodded. “What the hell was Ben thinking? Dragging you and Elizabeth into his twisted spy game?” Davis gripped Tamsyn’s hand.

  “Did you know he was spying?” she asked.

  “I heard rumors. Tam, what the hell were you thinking? They could hang you. You should’ve just burned the damn letter.”

  “He died on the front steps of our house.” Tamsyn lowered her head. “He did so much for me…”

  “Tam…”

  “It was the only thing he’d ever asked of me, Dave. How could I say no? I thought about burning it, after he died.” She shrugged. “How are they treating you?”

  “Good.” Davis glanced at the doctor, who stood packing his medical supply bag and winked at Tamsyn. “Steele is a good man, as far as Yankees go.”

  The doctor shot them both a hard look. “I told you, young man.” The doctor pointed a sharp scalpel, his bushy white brows met in the middle as he reprimanded his patient. “I’ll not tolerate that sort of talk in my tent.”

  “Yes, sir, Doc.” Davis’ green eyes twinkled. “I apologize.”

  “Now, try these.” The doc brought Davis a pair of crudely carved crutches. Davis eyed them with suspicion. “Would you rather I call one of the soldiers to help you?”

  “No.” Davis took the crutches.

  “Show your sister and the little girl where the wagon is.” The doctor went back to his tasks.

  Tamsyn moved to help her brother stand, but he waved her aside.

  “How long have you been here?” she asked.

  Davis swung his legs to the ground. Pulling up on the crutches, he grimaced.

  “About eight months,” the doctor answered for him.

  “Surely not that long, Doc.” Davis adjusted the crutches under his arms.

  “Yes, it has,” the doctor grumbled. “You were touch and go for a while, son. I’d hope you don’t remember much of it.”

  Davis nodded before leading Tamsyn and Elizabeth out of the tent. “He’s an excellent doctor,” Davis said.

  They walked out into the busy activity of the camp and Tamsyn clutched Elizabeth’s hand. The wagon sat next to the tent.

  “He told me my cough would be gone soon,” Elizabeth said.

  Tamsyn lifted her into the back of the wagon. She looked to her brother for an explanation.

  “She started coughing.” Davis handed Tamsyn the crutches and pulled himself backside first into the wagon. “Doc took a listen and said she would be okay in a few weeks.”

  Tamsyn closed her eyes in relief.

  “Well, come on, Tam.” Davis took the crutches from her hands. “Doc doesn’t like to dillydally.”

  She stared at the back of the wagon and frowned. Without a stool, there was no way to maneuver into the wagon while keeping her ankles covered and her dignity intact. To hell with it. Tamsyn gripped her skirts and crawled up.

  Elizabeth giggled and Tamsyn settled her skirts back over her legs.

  “Miss, you were welcome to ride up front with me,” the doctor called over his shoulder as he stepped into the driver’s seat.

  Across the camp, General Steele ordered the regiment to march out before trotting his horse in their direction.

  “Are you comfortable, Mrs. Moody?”

  Tamsyn tucked her legs beneath her and pulled Elizabeth into her lap. The wagon jerked to a start and Tamsyn toppled backwards. Elizabeth’s laughter mingled with her brother’s. She pushed herself back up. She clenched her jaw, her face burned with embarrassment, and nodded.

  The general chuckled and urged the horse into a canter, blending into the line of moving soldiers.

  “Sorry about that,” the doctor called back. “Ole Jack-mule never did master the art of a smooth start.”

  “Or stop,” Davis added.

  “Are you hurt, miss?”

  “Just a bit startled is all,” Tamsyn replied politely. She tossed a dirty look at her brother. She brushed only the swiftest of gazes over the stub of Davis’ leg. “How did it happen?”

  “Did a Yankee shoot off your leg?” Elizabeth asked.

  Tamsyn wrapped her arms around her daughter, grateful the wagon trailed behind the Union soldiers.

  Davis reached over and ruffled Elizabeth’s hair. “Sis, that’s an image you don’t need in that pretty little head of yours.” Davis pinched Elizabeth’s nose. “I wish it weren’t in mine.”

  Chapter Five

  They marched slowly. A line of Union soldiers dotted the road ahead of them. Near midday they were still on the move.

  “Are we almost there?” Elizabeth shifted, uncomfortable in Tamsyn’s lap and rubbed her eyes.

  “Davis?” Tamsyn nudged her brother awake. “Are we almost there? It shouldn’t take this long to get to Appomattox.”

  “Doc is at the back of the line. General Steele kept the march slow, I suspect to keep the soldiers from being exhausted if they had to fight.” He reached to pinch Elizabeth’s nose.

  Elizabeth giggled and swatted Davis’ hand away.

  “Dave, are you the only prisoner?” Tamsyn asked.

  “Until you were caught, yes. General Steele sent the others ahead weeks ago. They were all fit enough to be sent on to the prisoner’s camp.”

  Tamsyn shuddered. She’d heard rumors about the prison camps.

  “Tell me, sis, what did you do to the General?” Dave took Elizabeth from her. His gaze slid over her shoulder.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Did you use one of Lavinia’s love spells on him?” Davis smirked.

  Tamsyn gaped at him in horror. Lavinia Jackson was her childhood friend from Tennessee. The two were inseparable until Tamsyn left with Ben for Virginia.

  “I-I d-didn’t do anything.” She remembered his lips and felt her face flush.

  “Did he do something to you?”

  “No!” Tamsyn shifted away from her brother. “Why would you suggest anything so improper?”

  “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we started to march. I do believe the Yankee General is smitten.” Davis saluted the general, who’d maneuvered his horse next to the wagon.

  “Circle the wagon to the east side of the McLean farm,” General Steele ordered the doctor. “Stay at a safe distance.”

  “Yes, sir.” Doc nodded.

  The wagon turned away from the line of soldiers, who continued to march toward the white farmhouse.

  “Grant and Lee are inside,” Steele added.

  Tamsyn swallowed.

  The doctor jerked hard on the reins to stop the mule. “You jest, sir?” Doc stood in the wagon and looked back at the two-story farmhouse.

  “I jest not.” General Steele urged his horse back in the direction of the house.

  “Please let this be over,” Davis whispered.

  ****<
br />
  General Steele brought hardtack. “Supplies are low.” He offered the rock-hard biscuits and frowned when Tamsyn set hers aside. Her stomach growled in protest.

  Elizabeth puckered her face and tried to bite into her share. “There’s no butter? Or jelly?”

  “Sorry, Little Bit.” He ruffled her red hair.

  “That’s okay, Mr. General.” She grinned up at him and wiggled her finger to draw him closer. He leaned down. “Mama has jelly at the house.”

  “She does? What kind?”

  “Most of it’s apple, but there’s a little strawberry left. Strawberry is my favorite!” Elizabeth swung her legs on the edge of the wagon and went back to her biscuit.

  “Well, strawberry is my favorite too.”

  She giggled. “If you’re nice, maybe we’ll share the strawberry with you, Mr. General.”

  General Steele nodded. “Sounds like a deal.”

  He thought about his nephews in Boston. Parkman was just walking when the war began and little William still a newborn. He could only imagine how much they’d grown in the years he’d been absent.

  He strolled around the wagon to where Tamsyn leaned against the wheel. “Thinking of making a run for it in the wagon, Mrs. Moody?” His fingers itched to push the rebellious curl from her face and he locked his hands behind his back.

  She blinked and her eyes focused on him. “I’m sorry, excuse me?” She shook her head. Honey blonde curls caressed her shoulders and he again fought the urge to reach out and pull them through his fingers.

  “I interrupted you.” General Steele wondered if she daydreamed about her husband. “What were you thinking about?”

  “Home.”

  The emotion in her voice tugged at him. Home. A longing he could identify with.

  “General Steele, sir!” Knowles hurried toward them. He gasped for air when he stopped in front of the general. “It’s done,” he choked out between deep breaths.

  “Done?”

  “Yes, sir, the treaty is signed. Lee surrendered the army.”

  The soldiers around them buzzed with the news.

  Lee and Grant have shaken hands. There will be no battle here today. General Steele welcomed the news.

  “General Steele?” A young boy approached the group with caution. “Are you General Steele?”

  “I am.”

  “You’re asked to bring your recent prisoner and present yourself by the porch to General Grant. He’d like a word with you, sir.”

  General Steele stiffened. His jaw worked and his teeth ground together. He’d ordered his men to keep silent about Tamsyn Moody. Someone in his regiment defied his orders.

  The color drained from Tamsyn’s face. “He means me?”

  General Steele nodded. “Leave Little Bit with Davis.” He offered his elbow.

  “This is your captive?” The messenger waited to escort them.

  General Steele nodded. Tamsyn took his arm. Her hand trembled and he placed his on top to steady her.

  “No one reported it was a woman,” the messenger said before turning to lead the way.

  They stopped at the bottom of the steps. Generals Lee and Grant stood against the rail making small talk. Their conversation ceased when they took notice of General Steele.

  General Steele passed the letter confiscated from Tamsyn’s bag to the young messenger who jogged up the steps and handed it to General Grant. Grant skimmed over the letter, his face hid any emotion. He folded the letter and handed it to the gray haired man who towered next to him. Grant turned his gaze back on Tamsyn.

  Her hand gripped his arm. Her strength surprised him. She shook hard next to him and General Steele suppressed his urge to smile. He liked the rebel spy pressed tightly against his side.

  “This is the spy?” General Grant asked.

  General Steele opened his mouth to speak.

  “You’re Ben’s wife?” General Lee looked her over.

  Several moments passed before General Steele nudged her.

  “Yes.”

  Tamsyn’s eyes closed and General Steele readied himself in case she fainted.

  “Yes, sir.” She spoke louder and opened her eyes. Green eyes glittered with fear and unshed tears.

  “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?” General Grant frowned down at her.

  “Sir.”

  General Steele bit his cheek when he realized he and General Lee spoke in unison.

  A twinkle flashed through Grant’s eyes. Grant turned his attention to the southern general first.

  “I would ask you to grant a pardon for this young woman,” Lee offered. His eyes rested on Tamsyn. “Her husband is the traitor. Ben Moody spied for the Confederacy for months. If the young Mrs. Moody possessed this letter, her husband is dead.” He turned his sad eyes to Grant. “Let there be no more bloodshed today.”

  “Are we certain her husband is dead?” Grant asked.

  “Yes, sir.” General Steele replied. “My men buried him this morning.”

  Grant nodded. “Do you have something to add to the young lady’s defense?”

  “I humbly ask your pardon for her, sir, a personal favor.”

  ****

  Tamsyn’s knees buckled. She bumped against General Steele and fought to remain on her feet. His arm stiffened in a silent effort to hold her up. Fainting won’t help.

  “Mama!” Elizabeth’s voice rang out.

  Tamsyn turned. Several soldiers stepped aside and Elizabeth wove through them. She skipped along, a bright smile on her face.

  “Look what Mr. Knowles gave me.” She opened her hand with pride and held out a pearl white seashell about half the size of her palm.

  “It’s beautiful, Elizabeth,” Tamsyn whispered. “But right now, I need you to stand quietly.”

  “But, Mama, Mr. Knowles said it’s for good luck. And Uncle Davey said you needed luck right now!” Elizabeth’s voice carried even when she whispered.

  Tamsyn sighed and pulled Elizabeth against her. She found Grant’s gaze intense and her face burned.

  “James, how are your parents?” Grant asked.

  “Last letter said they were both in good health, sir,” General Steele answered.

  “Good, good. I hope to visit with your father soon.” Grant rocked back on his heels. “May we have a private word?”

  “Yes, sir.” General Steele squeezed Tamsyn’s hand before he pried it away from his arm.

  She met his gaze and swallowed.

  When he winked, she thought her knees would give way.

  General Steele walked away from her.

  “Mrs. Moody, I offer my condolences for your loss,” Lee said. “Ben was a good man.”

  “Thank you.” Tamsyn clutched Elizabeth.

  “He should not have put the message in your hands.”

  “Would it have mattered?” Guilt over her failed mission for her husband plagued her. The only thing he’d ever asked from her, and she failed. “If I’d gotten the letter to you, I mean?”

  Lee pulled his gaze back to her. “Ben could be foolishly stubborn at times.” Lee dropped his head. “He was a good man but a poor soldier. He couldn’t see the whole picture. I told him so, many times.”

  She nodded, uncertain how to respond to the raw honesty the general gave in his description of her husband.

  “No, Mrs. Moody, it would not have mattered,” Lee answered. “I’ll do all I can for you here.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Grant and Steele emerged from their private conversation on the corner of the veranda.

  “Thank you, sir,” General Steele said to Grant. He continued down the steps to join Tamsyn.

  “You are a very lucky woman,” General Grant said. “And given the circumstances, I am in an obliging mood this afternoon. I’ll grant your pardon.”

  Tamsyn sagged with relief. “Thank you.”

  “There are conditions, Mrs. Moody.” Grant went on. “General Steele accepted these conditions on your behalf. If you find yourself
unwilling to accept them, he is ordered to escort you in chains to the jail in Washington and charge you with treason.”

  Tamsyn clutched Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Yes, sir.” Tamsyn nodded and closed her eyes. She heard General Grant rip the letter.

  “This never happened,” General Grant said with authority. “General Steele, I have your word?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Keep her out of trouble, James,” Grant said sternly. “Until this is over, she is your responsibility.”

  “Yes, sir.” General Steele gripped Tamsyn by the elbow. They’d been dismissed.

  Tamsyn allowed him to lead her and Elizabeth through the soldiers. Her mind rolled over the last few minutes.

  Conditions? What conditions?

  “We have to talk.” General Steele kept his eyes forward while they moved. Ahead, Davis hobbled through the crowd with his crutches.

  “Elizabeth!” Davis stopped. “I’m so sorry, Tam. I looked away for just a moment and she was gone.”

  “It’s all right, Davis.” Tamsyn touched her brother’s arm.

  “What happened?” His anxious gaze landed on General Steele. “What is going to happen to Tamsyn?”

  “Knowles!” General Steele barked.

  Knowles moved out of the crowd. “Yes, sir?”

  “Give the men the order to march back to camp.”

  “The doctor is busy with patients from another regiment.” Knowles passed on the information. The soldiers began to move around them.

  General Steele moved to the wagon where his horse stood tethered. “Give Doc the horse.” General Steele tossed the reins to Knowles. “I’ll start back with the wagon.”

  Knowles nodded.

  “General, I’ll take whatever punishment is given to Tamsyn. She’s my sister. I’ll take responsibility for her,” Davis pressed.

  “Davis, the general pard—”

  “Get in,” General Steele ordered. He lifted Elizabeth into the back of the wagon with Davis and offered his hand to Tamsyn, urging her to the front.

  Once they were all settled in the wagon, General Steele snapped the reins and started the mule on the path back to the camp.

  “The soldiers will take a bit longer to fall into line and march back.” General Steele glanced over his shoulder at Davis. “General Grant offered your sister a pardon with conditions.”