The Southern General is sitting at his desk and looking at a picture of Savannah that he had taken from the house the first time he was there. He looks at her and is entranced by her. He says to her Tonight my love you shall be wife and mine forever more. I shall have a beautiful wife and many children and we will live out our days here on this beautiful plantation. He cannot help but feel over powerful love for her. He calls out for the head soldier. The head soldier come rushing into the Southern Generals tent and says Yes Sir what is wrong? Wrong says The Southern General What is wrong is I have not a preacher yet and time is growing short. Where is that boy of yours with my preacher?
The head soldier says He should be returning any moment now Sir. The Southern General says Good he had better be. I was looking at my beautiful bride to be and was just imagining our new life together and how she will be all mine finally. The Southern General goes on to say he is also looking forward to their wedding night to feel her, touch her skin, and breathe her in. The head soldier looks at the Southern General and smiles a bit. He says Yes Sir I bet she is thinking the same as you right now. The Southern General most happy with what he heard says I am going to finish up and when I do the boy best be here with my preacher and then we shall go and get my bride. Yes Sir says the head soldier. The head soldier goes back out to the fire, keeps a watch on the road, and says I really hope this boy gets here soon.
Lucy places the veil upon Savannah head and brushes her down. Savannah turns and looks into the mirror. as she does Lucy says softly You look as beautiful as your mother did on her wedding day. Savannah eyes tear up and says to Lucy this should be William’s day and mine. Lucy says Now, now Miss no tears or you shall mess your face .When all this is over it shall be your day. Have faith Miss. Savannah sniffs her nose and wipes her eyes and replies Your right Lucy soon this will all be over and me and William will be doing this for real. Lucy smiles and says ok Miss you ready to go down stairs? Yes replies Savannah. Lucy hands Savannah her bouquet of flowers, opens the door to the hallway Savannah steps into the hallway, and makes her way down to the stairs for the kitchen.
As Savannah ascends the stairs to the kitchen, the Northern General looks up from his table and focuses upon Savannah descending the stairs in her beautiful white satin-laced gown. The Northern General gets up from his chair with his eyes widened walks over to the bottom of the stairs to meet Savannah as Savannah approaches the last step The northern General holds out his hand to her Savannah reaches her hand out as well and grabs the Northern Generals hand and smile at him. The Northern General almost speechless says Oh my dear girl you look beautiful Thank you Savannah replies.
You have taken this old mans breath away and surly will take any mans breath away. Savannah blushes at the compliments from the Northern General. Savannah walks to the table and asks Where is William? The Northern General says well there was a slight change in plans my dear and William has dressed in the preachers outfit and has gone to meet a boy from the southern camp to be invited back there to speak to the Southern General about performing your fake wedding this evening. Savannah worried says strongly You sent him off to be killed! What if the Southern General decides he is a fake and kills him or what if he just goes crazy and kills him Savannah begins to cry The Northern General goes over and places his hand upon hers and says My dear If I thought for one moment my son was in any danger I would of never sent him. Please trust in me things will be ok. Savannah sniffles again, wipes her eyes, and replies I trust you Sir. I just do not trust the Southern General.
My dear I have scouts and many men watching every move William makes. He is well protected. Savannah says Where is John? The Northern General says John is out in the living room at his post waiting for this night to begin. Lucy walks over to the stove and says Sir would you like another cup of coffee? Yes Lucy, which would be great thank you. Lucy asks Savannah Miss would you like a cup of tea? Yes, replies Savannah I would like that a lot thank you Lucy. Lucy goes about getting a cup for both of them.
Out side, the scout spots William’s arrival in the southern camp and climbs down from the tree to go report this news to the Northern General. He rushes into the kitchen General Sir I have news Yes what it is soldier says the Northern General The scout replies I have just spotted William entering into the southern camp Sir. The Northern General says good now go back out and keep a watchful eye and let me know the moment they leave for the house Yes Sir General states the scout and off he goes out to climb back into the tree.
At the camp, the boy finally shows up. The head soldier gets up from the fire and says you have returned and I hope with a preacher? Yes replies the boy here he is this is preacher, um, um , I am sorry preacher I forgot to ask your name William replies it is William my son The boy says to the head soldier this is preacher William Sir. The head soldier puts out his hand and says a pleasure to me you preacher William Has the boy here caught you up on all that has been going on here and why we have asked you here tonight? Yes replies William I am to wed the Southern General to his beautiful bride on the plantation Miss Savannah if I remember correctly? Yes replies the head soldier.
William goes on to say and the Southern General is completely crazy and almost lost his mind all together. Yes replies the head soldier. The head soldier goes on to say The Southern General is not well at all. he has vowed to marry Savannah and all this other crazy stuff I was so worried I broke his trust and went to warn her but she says she will go forth with the wedding tonight and Southern General is getting worse by the minute. I fear this night wont go off as planned William walks over to the head soldier and says my son this night will be just fine no worries. The head soldier says I hope so preacher for all our sakes. He then says over there behind me is the Southern Generals tent he is waiting for you in there. Thank you replies William I shall go and talk to him now.
William goes into the tent and the boy says so Sir did I do a good job? Yes boy you have How did you ever find him? The boy replies that he was walking toward some trees when he came upon him wandering around. The head soldier for a moment thinks something is not right but shakes it off. The head soldier says well done. If you had come back here without a preacher the Southern General was going to have both our heads and he was not kidding. The boy gulps and says softly then good thing I did find him Yes replies the head soldier and they both walk over to the fire and sit down next to it to have a meal and wait for the Southern General and the preacher to be ready to go.
William goes into the tent and says excuse me General You requested a preacher? The Southern General gets up from his chair and shakes William’s hand and says yes please come and sit down preacher. Thank you William replies. The Southern General goes on to say I am going to marry this evening the love of my life and I almost forgot I needed a preacher present to make it official the Southern General chuckles. William says well good thing I was wandering around in the woods then huh General? The Southern General says Yes it is By the way why were you in the woods may I ask? William replies I was just coming from the battle field twenty miles to the west. I was on my way back to my perish. The Southern General say I didn’t catch your name preacher William says My name is William General pleasure to meet you The Southern General smiles and says Well William will you be able to marry me and my love this evening? Yes replies William
May I ask where you and your love met? The Southern General says We met awhile ago when I had come to her home looking for the scoundrel Yankees. One look at her beauty took my breath away and I knew she would be my wife William gets up from his seat and walks to the water table to pour a cup of water for him self as he does he says yes her beauty could captivate anyone The Southern General says with a bellow What was that? William says Yes she must be beautiful as you say for you to be captivated by her with just one look. The Southern General replies of yes she is preacher. William asks When is this wedding to be held and where? The Southern General says It is to be held shortly and at her home up the road there. William says do you have a r
ing and a best man? The Southern General replies Yes I have my mothers ring right here and my best man you met already my head soldier.
The fine young man I met out side here earlier? Replies William Yes says the Southern General he is my most trusted soldier. The boy is a scout and a gofer. William sits back down and looks at the Southern General finishing up his dressing and thinks to him self this guy is crazy. The Southern General announces he is now ready to go marry his beautiful bride and places his pistol on his hip as he grabs his hat. William says General is it necessary for you to bring that with you? The Southern General says Why yes preacher you might need the protection but I do and I will kill any man who comes between my bride and me this evening. William says ah I understand. As they leave the tent, William thinks to himself this person is as crazy as dangerous.
Chapter 14
The Southern General looks at his men and says ok men it is time to go get married. Fetch my horse boy! Yes Sir replies the boy. As he goes to get the Southern Generals horse the head soldier says Sir you look dashing she will not be able to say anything else but yes. The Southern General smiling replies Yes I know that. I want to ask you to be my best man soldier. the head soldier looks at the Southern General confused and then says Yes Sir I would be honored.
The Southern General says great here is the ring and do not lose it, it is a family air loom and I would hate to have to kill you. Yes The head soldier replies. The boy returns with his horse and helps the Southern General to mount it William stands next to him and the Southern General says ok preacher lets start our journey to the house and get this wedding started. William replies yes let go and start this wedding.
The scout that was up in the tree for the north climbs down and runs into the house and is captivated by Savannahs beauty The Northern General says what is it boy? The boy replies Oh Sir William, the Southern General, and his two men are on their way to the house. Good job. the Northern General replies Go back out and watch let me know when they are 20 feet from the house Yes Sir replies the boy The Northern General looks at Savannah and says ok my dear its almost time and they are on their way to the house now Savannah replies How is William is he ok? The Northern General says He is fin my dear do not worry just concentrate on the task at hand and it will all be over soon.
The Northern General says he must go and inform John and that she should just sit and have some tea. Just as he leaves the room, Lucy comes down the stairs and sees how worried Savannah is. She walks over to her, sits next to her, and says Miss you will be fine all this will be over soon. Then you and William will be wed she goes on to say you must relax some Miss why don’t I make you a cup of fresh tea to help you Yes replies Savannah that will help thank you Lucy. Lucy gets up from her chair and goes over to make the tea Savannah sits looking up at the sun setting and thinks to herself please let this all go ok and don’t allow any blood shed here this night Lucy places a cup of tea in front of her and Savannah grabs onto the cup and sighs.
In the living room the Northern General says to John ok they are on their way to the house now make sure you are well hidden from plane sight but able to react fast if needed John says Yes Sir lets just hope I don’t have to. I hope the same thing John. The Northern General replies. I am going to go sit with Savannah who is very nervous and worried right now I am going to try to calm her some before they get here. I hope William knows what he is doing?
John says He does replies the Northern General if he didn’t he wouldn’t of been able to get into the southern camp at all. That is true replies John. I am going to go wait and talk to Savannah. The Northern General walks back into the kitchen and John lays down, hides, and sets his riffle up for a good shot. John thinks to himself William better know what he is doing the fool and when this is over we can all laugh at him. He will never live this down John chuckles.
In the kitchen, the Northern General walks over to where Savannah is sitting and sits beside her. He looks at her hands trembling and says My dear it will be ok they are almost here and soon this will all be over. Savannah replies Yes I know that I am just worried about all this going wrong. The Northern general replies It will be ok that I promise so no worries my dear. Now let’s get our selves ready and go great your husband to be. Savannah takes one last sip of her tea and places the white china cup back down upon the table she gets up from her chair and walks over to Lucy grabs her hand to reassure her all is going to be ok and nods at Lucy as to show it is time. The two begin to walk into the living room as they leave the kitchen the Northern General sets up his position in front of the kitchen door watching carefully.
Out side, William, the Southern General, and his head soldier come upon the front door finally. The Southern General says halt loudly to his men and William. He says we are here and he dismounts his horse. He hands the rains over to the boy and tells him to watch out for any Yankees. The boy replies Yes Sir and walks the horse over under the tree where he sits in the grass scouting the area. The Head soldier and William walk up to the house and The Southern General says You two knock on the door and I shall be right there.
They both say ok and walk up to the great oak door with beautiful trimming and knock upon it As they do so Lucy answers the door and greets them Oh Sirs yes do come in Miss Savannah is waiting for you all in here then Lucy asks is The Southern General going to come in as well? William replies he will come along in a minute he just needed a moment before he marries the women of his dreams.
Lucy trying not to chuckle closes the door behind William and the head soldier and asks them if they would like a glass of cold tea? The head soldier and William say no thank you. Savannah enters the room to greet them both. As she does, William’s heart skips a beat as he sees her in her beautiful long southern wedding dress white lace trim with beads across the waist a v-neck line, which ascents her beauty even more. He looks at how her long golden hair is up and full of curls, and how beautiful her face is right at that moment.
William is completely blown away by her. He walks over to her and says you look ravishing my dear. Absolutely breathe taking. Savannah and William’s eyes lock and for a moment are lost in each other’s gaze until Lucy clears her throat Hmm, mmm. Miss this is Preacher William he will be performing your wedding ceremony tonight. Savannah steps back and shakes William’s hand, it is a pleasure to meet you Preacher William. William smiles and says the pleasure is all mine Miss. The Head soldier says Hello Again Miss. You look beautiful. Thank you Savannah replies. Savannah looks around and doesn’t see the Southern General She asks the head soldier Where is the Southern General? The Head soldier replies He is out side just taking a moment before making his entrance. Oh replies Savannah then shall we sit and have some cold tea before we begin while we wait? William and the head soldier reply Yes would love some.
Outside the Southern General is nervously pacing the grounds. He begins to talk to himself. I can do this. This is what I wanted. I want to marry this beautiful woman. I want to make her my wife. She loves me like I love her I have watched how she looks at me each time I have shown up. I see how she looks at me with love in her eyes and heart. I am doing the right thing. The Southern General takes a deep breath, walks up to the front door, and knocks upon the oak door. Lucy goes to answer it and says Ah Southern General Sir please come in your bride and the preacher and your head soldier are all waiting for you in the living room. The Southern General walks into the room and sees everyone sitting down waiting for him. The Southern General glances over at Savannah, sees how beautiful she looks in her wedding gown, and is spell bound. He walks over to her and takes her hand then lifts her to her feet and says to her My dear You look amazing tonight. You have taken my breath away. Will you still do me the honor of marrying me tonight? Savannah nervously replies Yes My dear I wouldn’t want anything else.
The Southern General Then walks over to the preacher and says ok William lets get married. William is up and says ok then I shall go set up over there by the window and we shall start the ceremony. Lucy hands Sa
vannah her flowers and The Southern General makes sure he has given the rings to his head soldier and they walk over to where William is standing. William says when we are ready? The Southern General looks around to make sure everyone is in the right place and says Ok preacher lets do it.
Outside the boy notices a Yankee soldier moving about and goes to investigate. He walks a bit closer to the bush to hide behind it He looks over to his right and sees a Yankee soldier making his way toward him. He does not know what he should do he takes his stance and holds his ground. Just as the Yankee soldier comes upon him another is behind him with a musket to his back and tells him don’t move the other Yankee soldier from the front says you will be ok just stand up and quietly come with us. The boys does as he is told and is now very worried about the head soldier, the southern general and miss Savannah inside the house. The Yankees soldiers ties his hands together and his legs and sit him upon the grass next to them they begin to talk among them selves and the boy begins to wiggle a bit trying to get lose from his restraints so he can go and warn thee others inside the house.
In the house preacher William starts by saying dearly beloved, we are here on this night to join these two people in marriage. The Northern General watches from the kitchen door and John is carefully watching from behind the couch. Savannah is nervously standing next to the southern general and head soldier is thinking to him self I hope this goes ok and all goes well. I still cannot believe that Savannah would still want to marry the southern general after what I told her. To me it does not make sense but if she loves him that much maybe, it does. I still cannot believe what luck we had finding the preacher as we did. I will just stay quiet and hope for the best.
Forbidden Plantation Passions Ebook, Parts 1, 2, and 3 Page 15