The Rebel Spy

by April London

  “They are concerned about you. Or more specifically your activities. Particularly your behavior regarding your prisoner, Mrs. Moody.” Grant stopped his pace and turned a hard stare on James. “Several of them seem to believe you are engaged in some sort of romantic affair with the woman.”

  James clenched his jaw.

  “Are you?”

  “Friends close, enemies closer.” James forced a smile. “I don’t believe the woman to be a threat, General. Her dead husband made a dying request she tried to carry out.”

  “You don’t believe she’s involved otherwise?” General Grant resumed pacing.

  “No, sir, I don’t.”

  “All right, I release you from your responsibility to her.” General Grant nodded. “Put the woman on a train with her brother. Take the next train home to Boston. I’m sure your mother is eager to have you home.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ve signed the order to disband your regiment, effective immediately.” Grant went on. “My assistant is taking care of the payroll now.”

  “You’ve announced the disbandment to my men?”

  “Yes.” Grant nodded. “Right after I told them about President Lincoln’s assassination.”

  “What?” James’s heart plummeted. He bowed his head. He’d met Lincoln once just after the start of the war. “No, that can’t be.”

  “Shot in the head at the theater on Friday eve.” Grant sighed. The two men shared a moment of silence. “Several of your men have already started to make their way to the train station in Lynchburg. They are eager to depart for home.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Grant moved past James toward the tent flap.

  “James, when I made you responsible for the woman…” General Grant chuckled. “I didn’t mean for you to take her to bed.” The general pushed the flap aside and stopped again. “But, that Mrs. Moody, she’s got backbone. I hope when you leave her at the train station it’s on good terms.”

  ****

  Tamsyn paced in front of the fire. Her fingers twisted in front of her. Elizabeth had long since fallen asleep and lay twisted in the blankets on the bed. Davis disappeared with the rifle onto the porch after a meager supper. Knowles declined their invitation to join them for the meal and she knew the soldier paced somewhere on the property.

  Deep voices from outside stopped her in her tracks. She moved toward the door. Relief washed over her when she recognized James’s deep baritone talking to her brother. She grabbed her thick shawl from the wooden hook and opened the door.

  “Tam,” Davis sounded angry. “General Steele was just giving me some interesting news.”

  She stepped onto the porch. “What is it?” She closed the door behind her, pulled the shawl around her shoulders and crossed her arms.

  “My regiment has been disbanded.” James remained on the bottom step.

  She could feel his gaze on her even in the dark and fought the urge to close the gap between them.

  “Go on,” Davis demanded.

  “I need to get Davis on the first train out of Virginia.” James paused. “Some of my men aren’t happy with me. I’m afraid they may try to take it out on one of you.”

  She knew which men he referred to and shivered. She’d told Davis about the men at the creek in a roundabout way.

  “Davis, that’s wonderful news.” She touched his shoulder. Tension hummed in her brother’s body.

  “What about Tamsyn and Elizabeth?” Davis questioned for her. “I meant to stay until I could take them home to Tennessee.”

  “Tamsyn remains my responsibility,” James reminded them. “She must remain with me.”

  She touched her hand to her stomach in a vain attempt to control the flutters.

  She must remain with me.

  “I’m not going.” Davis growled from the rocking chair.

  “Tamsyn, may I speak with you, in private?”

  “Go inside, Davis.” She touched her brother’s arm. “It will be all right.”

  Davis grunted his displeasure but stood and hobbled into the house.

  He’s getting better on the peg.

  Tamsyn turned to find James smiling up at her. His smile made her knees wobble. “Is Davis in danger?” She descended the steps.

  He waited until she stood on the step just above him before he responded. “Honestly, I don’t know.” He pushed a loose curl away from her face. “But I’d like for him to be safely on his way to Tennessee soon.”

  She nodded. The men only made threats against her but there was no way to know what they might do to Davis or Elizabeth given the opportunity.

  “So what will I do?”

  He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her lips. Her body trembled and he tossed her another smile. “You will return to Boston with me.”

  “What?” She took a step back.

  “My regiment has been disbanded, but I am still responsible for you.” He reached for her hand. His warm fingers intertwined with hers. He tugged her forward until her body pressed against his own. “I’d like to go home. See my family. Will you go home with me? To Boston.”

  “If I say no?”

  He leaned back to stare at her. “I could force you, but I’d rather not put you in chains.” His dark eyebrow lifted and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Silken bonds sound interesting though.”

  Her jaw fell open. His soft laughter filled the silent night air around them. “Please, Tamsyn. I haven’t seen my family in three years. Go with me to Boston, so I can uphold my word to General Grant concerning you and remind myself what civilized life is again.”

  She thought for a moment, searching his face for any sign that his threat of chains was mere jest. She sighed. “All right, Elizabeth and I will go with you to Boston.”

  He dropped his head.

  “What is it?”

  He remained silent.

  “Out with it, General.”

  “I think you should send Elizabeth with Davis to Tennessee.”

  The words ripped the breath out of her and she dropped down into the rocker. “What? No. I can’t.”

  In five years, she’d never spent one day away from her daughter.

  “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think she was in danger.” James climbed the steps and dropped to his knee in front of her. “I’ll send you on the first train out of Boston when my promise to Grant is fulfilled.”

  “I can’t.” She closed her eyes and shook her head.

  “Boston is a big place, love.” He gripped her hands. “I can’t promise there won’t be people like Waxman. She’ll be safer with your brother and your family in Tennessee.”

  “Tam, he’s right.” Davis whispered from the doorway. He’d been listening. “Send Elizabeth with me to Ma. He’ll put you on a train out of Boston before the summer is over or I’ll come and get you myself.”

  James sucked in a breath and nodded. “You have my word.”

  Tears dripped down her face and onto James’s hands.

  “Tam?” Davis pressed her for an answer.

  She was left without a choice. “Promise me, Davey, you’ll read to her every night. Tuck her in.”

  “I’ll even ask Ma to start teaching her letters,” Davis whispered.

  “I’ll pack her things.” Tamsyn pulled her hands away and covered her face, muffling the sobs that shook her shoulders.

  Chapter Eleven

  Friday, April 21, 1865

  “We were lucky.” James folded the ticket and slid it into the pocket inside his jacket. They stood on the station platform waiting for the man to bring their luggage off the train.

  He really does look handsome in his uniform. The image of him naked in the creek flashed in her mind and she bit back a smile. Handsome out of it too.

  “How so?” For the last two days she’d been in close quarters with the man. On the train they’d laughed and talked well into the night.

  “You haven’t travelled much by train, have you?”

 
The Boston train station was packed with people who scurried by, bumping into one another without much thought.

  “No.” She smoothed her hand over the dress. In Philadelphia there’d been a wait before changing trains. James had taken her shopping.

  Tamsyn smoothed the dress again. He’d insisted she needed new gowns. Needed.

  They’d put Davis and Elizabeth on a train to Johnson City early on Wednesday morning. Elizabeth had merrily kissed her mother’s cheek and bid her goodbye.

  Tamsyn stood on the platform crying long after the train had gone. James promised her again he’d arrange to have her on the first train he could manage.

  The first leg of their trip to Boston left Lynchburg just before noon on the same day.

  “Are you sure, James, your family won’t mind?” She’d asked the question a dozen times already but she needed to hear him reassure her again.

  “James! James Steele!”

  Both of them turned.

  “Lars.” James grinned.

  The family resemblance was uncanny.

  A tall man made his way through the crowd. He sported the same black hair, cut much shorter, and the same squared jaw. He wore a small moustache that Tamsyn thought gave him the look of a scoundrel.

  “My message was received.” James stuck out his hand. His brother ignored his hand and wrapped James in a hug.

  “Your message was received.” His brother grinned back. “Mother is in a tizzy waiting for you at home. I thought we’d have to call the doctor for a sedative last night. Now, who do we have here?”

  “Lars, this is Tamsyn Moody.” James offered the introduction with haste. “Tamsyn, my brother, Lawrence Steele.”

  Lars inclined his head at her.

  “I think James should have been less vague in his message when he mentioned bringing a guest.” Lars lifted an eyebrow at James.

  “The man is here with the luggage.” James ignored his brother. “Let’s be on our way.”

  Lars offered the man a few coins to follow them to the coach where a driver waited.

  “James, is there a problem?”

  “Not at all.” He helped her inside.

  She sat on the plush seat.

  Lars could be heard speaking to the driver before he joined them inside. “Mother is already planning your welcome home dinner party.”

  The horse drawn coach jerked to a start. James groaned. “Are Mother and Father well?” James ran his hand through his hair.

  “They are.” Lars nodded. “Parkman and Billy are eager for you to get home.”

  “My nephews,” James offered. “They were babies when I left.”

  “Parkman is eight and Billy is six.” Lars smiled when she tried to hide her yawn behind her hand.

  “Have you and Hester added to the family?” James asked.

  “No.” Lars looked at Tamsyn and ignored his brother. “I’d like to know how you came to be in my brother’s company.”

  “Circumstances at Appomattox brought her under my…” James struggled for the right word. “Protection.”

  Lars lifted a dark eyebrow, and she bit her bottom lip.

  “I’ll explain in detail later, Lars.” James shifted in the seat and ran his hand through his hair again.

  “It must be a good story.” Lars’ eyes twinkled. “Perhaps one for everyone to hear at dinner.”

  The coach turned onto a residential street and jerked to a stop. “We’re there,” James said.

  “The coach driver’s son is learning the ropes.” Lars grunted. “If I’d known more about your guest, James, I’d have asked for a smoother driver.”

  Lars opened the door. The wave of voices crushed in around them. Lars moved out of the coach first.

  James leaned forward and pressed the back of his hand against her knee. “Everything will work out,” he offered before following his brother out.

  The voices ground to a halt, and James’s hand appeared, ready to assist her out of the coach. She took a deep breath and grasped his hand. Clutching her skirts with one hand, Tamsyn descended the step with care and looked up. A large brick town home towered in front of them.

  The group ceased talking. She pressed closer to James for support.

  “May I present Tamsyn Moody.” He squeezed her hand.

  She forced a tight smile while the members of the Steele family gave her a very hard once-over. Her gaze stopped to rest on the strawberry blonde head of a girl in the back of the group.

  Tamsyn followed James’s broad uniform-clad shoulders into the house. She fought the urge to reach out to him and smoothed the front of her dress once more.

  “You’ll stain it if you aren’t careful,” the girl with the strawberry blonde hair whispered from behind her.

  Tamsyn turned and the girl smiled at her. “I’m Abigail.”

  The younger sister.

  James had gone over the various members of his family during the train ride.

  “Thank you.” Tamsyn returned her bright smile and reached to tidy her hair. She’d been surprised by her bright appearance amongst all the dark hair.

  “It looks nice.” Abigail moved closer to Tamsyn when the family stopped in the foyer.

  “Have all the trunks sent to my room,” James told the butler who held the door for them.

  “James, I tidied up the room on the end for your guest,” Mrs. Steele called over her shoulder from the dining room.

  “Thank you, Mother,” James said.

  “Lawrence,” a tall woman called from the top of the stairs. Only the bottom half of a very dark dress was visible. “The boys would like for you to tuck them in.”

  “Coming, Hester.” Lars smiled and excused himself.

  “Won’t the boys join us for dinner?” James asked.

  “Hester fed them earlier.” Abigail smiled at her brother from next to Tamsyn.

  “Abby.” James reached out to hug his younger sister. “You’ve turned into a beautiful young woman.”

  Abigail blushed under her brother’s attention.

  “Come along,” Mrs. Steele called from the dining room where the staff was already setting dinner on the table.

  “Yes, Mother.” James offered Tamsyn and Abigail each an arm. “Shall we? I’ll be flanked by the most beautiful women in the Boston.”

  “You better hope Hester doesn’t overhear you.” Abigail giggled.

  Tamsyn allowed James to lead her into the dining room. The room glowed in the soft candlelight. Her gaze rolled over the silver lining the table and she drew in a sharp breath.

  “Are you all right, Tamsyn?” James asked.

  “Um.” Tamsyn wasn’t certain why the silver shocked her. It was a common silver setting.

  James pulled out her chair. He touched her waist before he moved to seat her. “What is it?” he asked softly.

  “The silver.” Tamsyn ducked her head. “It’s the same as my mother’s.”

  “Ah.” James smiled and moved aside while Tamsyn settled into the cushioned chair.

  “James, I must confess, we are a bit shocked.You should have been more clear in your telegram about your guest. We thought it might be George.” Mr. Steele smiled.

  Lars sauntered into the room, a tall, thin woman sharp on his heels. “Abby hoped it was George, anyway. Mrs. Moody, allow me to introduce my wife, Hester Steele.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Tamsyn inclined her head and smiled.

  Hester’s lip curled upward, her teeth visible with her snarling smile. Her eyes narrowed and Lars urged her to her seat while a creamy clam chowder was poured into their bowls by a petite maid.

  “I didn’t have much time when I jotted the message down. I apologize.” James smiled at his mother.

  “Very well. Robert sends his best.” Mrs. Steele picked her spoon and it seemed to signal to everyone else so dinner could begin.

  Tamsyn tasted the chowder while the conversation carried forward around her. She sipped, trying to recall every lesson on dinner etiquette her mother had taught h
er.

  James’s leg pressed against hers under the table. The family talked about Robert, the sole Steele missing from the household.

  “Did you whip the dirty rebels into submission, James?”

  The question caused Tamsyn to jerked her head up. Hester tossed her a smug look across the table and the other’s fell silent.

  “Hester, dear, I don’t think that’s appropriate dinner conversation.” Lars coughed and reached for his wine.

  “But they are dirty, are they not, James?” Hester pressed forward. “Everyone in town says they don’t bathe and very few of them can read.”

  “James.” Mrs. Steele ignored her daughter-in-law’s comments. “I’ve planned a dinner party for Wednesday evening.”

  “Mother, you shouldn’t have.” James pushed his bowl away.

  “She’s invited everyone.” Hester smirked, her faded blue eyes focused on the bowl in front of her.

  “I wanted to officially welcome you back home.” Mrs. Steele smiled. “I didn’t imagine you might not be ready for it. I’d cancel but I sent the invitations out yesterday.”

  “Ms. Moody.” Mr. Steele smiled down the table at her. “How did you come to meet our James?”

  Tamsyn’s breath caught and she turned to James. They fell silent as a pastry dessert was served and coffee poured.

  “Yes, Ms. Moody, tell us.” Lars’ eyes sparkled with humor once the help slipped out of the room.

  “James was there when I needed someone.” She wasn’t sure how much to tell them. “I was attacked in the forest and he rode to my rescue.” She offered a smile.

  “One of your own attacked you?” Hester pressed.

  James groaned with pleasure. “Mother, the coffee is wonderful.”

  Tamsyn sipped her coffee. The strong flavor washed over her with a jolt. “It is very good,” she admitted.

  “Mother makes her own blend,” James bragged. “She ruined me for other coffee.”

  Tamsyn hurried to cover her mouth, losing her battle with the yawn trying to come out for the last few minutes.

  Mrs. Steele rang a small bell by her side and the help appeared, ready to clear the dishes away.

  “James, will you join us in the study?” Mr. Steele rose from his chair.

  “In a moment.” James nodded and stood. “I’ll show Tamsyn to her room first.”