by Leigh Lee
Gritting his teeth to suppress a grin, he swept the giggling miss up into his arms and carried her inside sporting a fake frown. “No doubt Miss Johnson is delirious again. I suggest tea for her after she is settled back in her bed.”
Later, after Eugenia fell asleep, Jeff leaned against the doorjamb of her bedroom watching her. Now that she was improving and no longer needing constant care, he was not going to be able to spend all his evenings with her without raising suspicious on all fronts. He was just now realizing how much he would miss that.
Over the past months, he had thought her to be many things, from an impertinent young sergeant to a misguided boy, to a woman who might be a spy, and today—he had discovered her passionate nature.
Jeff had fought a battle with the Army of the Potomac on Eugenia Johnson’s behalf—specifically with the provost marshal. It had taken some fast-talking and good arguments on his part, but he had convinced the man that she was not involved with espionage. He had pointed out that if she were spying for the Confederacy, she would never have delivered the letter to her captain. After he had presented her excellent service record, it had been easy to persuade the military authorities not to press charges. It seemed foolish, even to his commander, to punish the young woman for choosing to serve in the Union Army while men were deserting and fleeing at every opportunity. However, his Surgeon-in-chief had insisted he follow the proper military procedures concerning her.
In the meantime, the agent sent from Washington, who had been investigating Miss Victoria Winfred, recently informed Jeff that she had disappeared. After notifying military officials, the agent put her description in the local paper along with a bulletin asking for knowledge of her whereabouts. However, with so many civilians traveling to and from Gettysburg each day looking for wounded relatives, Jeff doubted they would ever find Victoria Winfred.
He sighed remembering the day Eugenia fell ill. He had brought her here, knowing Mrs. Stewart would take good care of her. When Eugenia’s condition had worsened, and it appeared that she might not survive, Mrs. Stewart had sent one of her farm hands to apprise him of her condition. Immediately, Jeff had asked to attend to her. When his commander found out how ill the plucky woman was, he had granted Jeff permission to return to the Stewart home each evening after taps. The major had commented that if half the men under his command were as brave and dedicated to their posts and duties as the woman sergeant had been, the war might already be over.
Jeff shook his head. It still stunned him that his lovely Eugenia could fool an entire army into thinking she was male.
Still, there were many questions concerning her past that needed answers. Jeff Bradford was not only a patient man, but also a determined one. Even now, a courier was on his way to Eugenia’s hometown to gather facts he needed to know. Regardless of the outcome, Jeff swore he would protect her. Anyone wishing her harm would have to go through him first.
Eugenia sighed in her sleep and turned on her back. Her face in slumber—so sweet and devoid of worry—drew him to her bedside. He bent and kissed her forehead.
Good—the outing tonight had not caused the fever to return. As her doctor, he would have never sanctioned such a passionate pursuit. As a man, he had not been able to stop himself.
He would leave orders with Mrs. Stewart to continue the laudanum through the next day. A few drops in her nightly tea had been a neat trick and an excellent way to administer the medicine without calling attention to it. He knew his patient would be anxious to get up sooner than was good for her health and would no doubt over extend herself. He also knew she would not want to keep taking medicine if she knew it was going to make her sleep. Yet sleep was her best ally—the surest way to heal body and mind.
~*~*~
“Good morning, miss! Wake up. Today is going to be a busy day for you.”
The cheerful voice of Maddie Stewart interrupted Eugenia’s peaceful dreams. If that was not enough to awaken her, the terrible clanking and thumping coming from the stairway did. Two boys followed Maddie in, struggling with a large metal tub.
Maddie pointed to a spot on the floor. “Place it there, boys,” she ordered. Once done, she instructed them to begin bringing up buckets of hot water.
Eugenia sat up and smiled with excitement. A real bath? The closest to such a thing had been the pond. But steaming hot water? It had been too long to remember when she had last enjoyed such luxury. Mrs. Stewart was beyond wonderful!
Soon, she was soaking in the tub, relaxing while the older woman coiled the strands of her freshly washed hair around strips of cloth. Once the lock of hair was rolled to the scalp, she secured the curl by tying the two ends of the fabric together. By the time she was done, Eugenia had a head full of knotted tresses. Mrs. Stewart assured her once her hair dried the effect would be pleasing and the curls would mask the shortness of her hair.
All the while, Mrs. Stewart chattered on about the plans for the day. Her friend, Miss Barnes, a seamstress in town, would be bringing a few garments for Eugenia to try on.
When Eugenia protested, Mrs. Stewart placed her hands on her hips in a scolding manner. “You will need something to wear, my dear. You can hardly continue to go about in my old nightgown. It is so large it will not stay on your shoulders. It would cause a scandal if someone saw you.”
“But what of the clothes I wore when I arrived?”
Maddie wrinkled her nose. “Those nasty things? I burned them as soon as they were removed from your body. I can tell you, none of it was appropriate attire for a young lady such as yourself.”
The issue of clothing was an immediate concern. “I have no money, Mrs. Stewart. I cannot pay for new clothes.”
“Oh child, Captain Bradford ordered these things. They are paid for.”
Eugenia shook her head. “No, I cannot accept his charity.”
Mrs. Stewart harrumphed. “Child, if I owned anything that could be altered small enough to fit you, I would have already done it. At this point, lass, you must accept the charity, unless you intend to go about in nothing but your birthday suit. I can think of only one occupation in which a woman so clad could earn a living, and somehow I do not see you as that type. When you are well, you can worry about how to repay the doctor. For now, you do not have a choice.”
Repaying the doctor was less her concern than what his desired method of payment might be. After the bet he proposed to win a kiss from her, she had to wonder at what sort of playful banter he may concoct in payment for the clothes. She could only imagine.
Her next worry involved what people would think if they learned that a captain of the army, not a relation of hers, was clothing her. She knew he meant well, but still, people gossiped. It would not do to begin her life as a woman only to be labeled a harlot by citizens that are more pious.
Of course, all this would make her even more beholden to Captain Bradford. Already she owed him her life, a debt she could never repay. Now, this? No, she did not like it. She needed the clothes, but at some point, she had to put her foot down. Despite her deep feelings for the man, she could not allow him to provide for her. Nevertheless, as Mrs. Stewart had stated, she could not go about naked, either. Therefore, when Miss Barnes arrived with trunks, brought up by the same two youths from earlier, Eugenia kept her thoughts to herself.
The doctor had ordered far more than she needed, but she managed to convince Miss Barnes and Mrs. Stewart that she could get by with only a few changes of attire. Even so, there were skirts, blouses, under britches, camisoles, stockings, and shoes to try on. When Miss Barnes brought out a formal evening gown made of the finest emerald green taffeta, Eugenia caught her breath. It was the single most beautiful garment she had ever seen. Lace and ribbon accented the gown making the whole concoction a pleasure to behold.
Eugenia did not want to try it on, for she knew if she did, it would be impossible to pass up. Nevertheless, Mrs. Stewart insisted, and it was not long before she was dressed in the gown and the necessary undergarments, including a large hoo
p skirt. As she viewed her reflection in a full-length mirror, she realized that there could be no comparison between her image now and that of Sergeant Eugene Adams. In fact, it was probable no one would make the connection between her and Eugene—the difference in her appearance was that striking.
Miss Barnes and Mrs. Stewart both clapped their hands with approval. “Oh miss! You are lovely! Your doctor will be smitten!” Miss Barnes exclaimed. “He was quite adamant on the color of this gown.”
The reality of that statement hit hard, and with great disappointment, Eugenia began to remove the dress. “I will have no need of it. Please loosen the stays.”
“But, miss—it is already paid for. It is yours to keep,” Miss Barnes cried.
Eugenia would not be swayed. “I am very sorry, but I must refuse. Please take it back and return the captain’s money.”
In the end, Eugenia agreed to keep many of the blouses, a few skirts, stockings, two pairs of shoes, along with one day dress to wear for special occasions. Of course, Mrs. Stewart insisted that she also needed underthings, including the hoop skirt. A nightgown, wrapper, shawl, and bonnet completed the wardrobe.
Miss Barnes began packing away the rejected garments as Mrs. Stewart ran down to get the boys to help with the trunks. Eugenia took one last look at the shimmering green evening gown.
Miss Barnes noted the sober expression on her face and fanned the fabric of the skirt out for Eugenia’s view. “Are you certain you wish to send this back?”
Fingering the splendid cloth, Eugenia knew she had to refuse. “Yes. It is too much. Besides, I would never have an occasion to wear such grand extravagance. It is best that you take it away.”
“Very well, as you wish.” Shaking her head, Miss Barnes folded the massive skirts of the gown into the last trunk.
The rest of the day was rather uneventful compared to the excitement of the morning. Mrs. Stewart brought up a novel for Eugenia to read, hoping it would help her pass the boredom of confinement in bed. It was entitled, The Wide, Wide World by Elizabeth Wetherell. It had been a long time since she had had an opportunity to read and she soon became engrossed in the novel. She was still reading when Mrs. Stewart brought up tea later that night. They talked about the book until Eugenia felt fatigued. Mrs. Stewart saw one yawn, put the teacups on the tray, and wished her a good night. Before the older woman could put out the light and leave the room, Eugenia was asleep.
The next morning Mrs. Stewart gave Eugenia a note from Captain Bradford. In it, he invited her for a picnic lunch on the front lawn. Ecstatic, she untied and removed all the knots of cloth from her hair. Running her fingers through the silkiness of her hair, she hurried to the mirror. Dozens of ringlets adorned her head. She was amazed at the change it made in her appearance.
After breakfast, Mrs. Stewart brought two small combs and secured the curls on each side of her temples. Then Eugenia dressed with care. She had not worn clothes such as the chemise, the corset with stays, or the emerald green skirt and white lace-trimmed blouse since she had left home three years ago.
As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she found the whole effect shocking. For the first time in years, she was dressed like a woman. Except to comb her hair or apply fresh soot to her face, there had been little need to view her image the past few years. Now here she was in all a woman’s finery and the person in the mirror seemed a stranger.
The soft, frilly blouse buttoned to her neck, and the skirt accenting her waistline was such a shock to behold. She had lost much of the roundness to her midsection during her illness. The indentation of her waist drew attention to her bust line and hips. Turning to the side, she wondered with a nervous laugh if Captain Bradford would notice. As soon as the thought occurred, she banished it. It was better not to speculate on his opinion.
Chapter 17
The sound of hooves galloping up the drive signaled the return of Captain Bradford, and Eugenia walked as fast as she was able to the open window, arriving just in time to see him ride up. She leaned on the windowsill as he dismounted.
Standing next to the grand stallion, he looked debonair in his deep blue Union frockcoat with sharply creased black pants. Her heart thudded in her chest, and as if he could hear it, he looked up.
Catching her gaze, he flashed a gleaming smile, swept the hat off his dark head, and gave a gallant bow. “Good afternoon, Miss Johnson. I arose this morning to a glorious dawn. Yet your radiance framed in the window makes it pale in comparison. I trust you are feeling up to some fresh air?”
The rich, deep baritone of his voice thrilled and Eugenia prayed he did not hear the catch in her own as she replied, “W—why, yes, I am. I shall be right down.”
Concern creased his brow, and he held up his hand. “No—please stay where you are. I will come up.” A moment later, his boots were stomping up the staircase to her room.
He paused in the doorway. As if stunned by what he saw—his jaw went slack. His eyes roved over her feminine curves, now much more evident than when she had worn Mrs. Stewart’s borrowed gown.
Eugenia fidgeted with the folds of her skirt. After wearing pants for so many years, she felt awkward dressed in a woman’s garb. The way his attention adjusted up and down made the experience even more disconcerting.
A few moments ticked by, before he seemed to realize he was making her uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and managed a hasty apology. “Forgive me for staring, but I find it impossible to imagine how such beauty could have been disguised and hidden. The transformation is nothing short of amazing. My God! Can this truly be the Sergeant Adams of the past?” he exclaimed. “Miss Johnson, you amaze me with your beauty!”
His comments sent a pleasant wave of heat over her body. No other man had ever looked at her like this. In recent years, she had become unaccustomed to having compliments lavished upon her. Quite the opposite had become a way of life, for she never wanted to call undue attention to herself and tried to go unnoticed.
Remembering her manners, she fanned her skirt out and bounced a curtsey—another thing she had not done in years. “I wish to thank you for the garments. They are gorgeous.” She rolled her eyes as she floundered for words. “Your charity—well—this is very—very thoughtful of you. I shall repay you as soon as I am able to find employment.”
“Nonsense!” he argued, his eyes still staring with open fascination.
Her blush deepened. “I am most insistent on the matter, Captain. I shall repay you.”
“Ah, stubbornness. Some aspects of the lad do remain. Very well, we will discuss it later.” Dismissing the topic with a snap of his fingers. “Now, shall we be off?”
Before she could even nod, the captain swept her up into his arms. The sudden intimacy sent a jolt of pleasure radiating through her.
Their eyes met, and he looked at her the same way he had just before he kissed her. His lips inched nearer and the dizzying closeness made her head spin. How was she supposed to keep a clear mind against such seduction—and herself not willing to put up one ounce of resistance—if she could not even maintain her composure? “Really, Captain,” she implored hoping to prove she still had some semblance of a backbone. “I am capable of walking on my own. Please, I beg you, put me down!”
His appraisal swept from her white blouse all the way to the dainty slippers that peeked from beneath her skirts. He smiled in appreciation. “Hush your protests. I am not certain you are ready to manage stairs yet. God forbid that you should stumble and fall. I would never forgive myself!”
Eugenia was forced to rest one hand on his chest with the other arm wound around his neck. She had to admit that the extra activities of preparing for his visit had left her more winded than she had been in days. Yet if anything was going to cause a relapse, it was the overwhelming excitement pulsing through her body right now. “I am sure I can manage,” she argued.
With eyes that lingered upon her mouth a bit too long, he vetoed her appeal. “I am most adamant. We shall not move from this spot unle
ss I carry you.” As if he had nothing better to do with the rest of his day other than to await her decision, his gaze wandered about the room as he hummed a little ditty.
Eugenia sighed submission. “Very well, Captain. I am at your command.”
“I thank you for the speedy surrender,” he teased, a wicked glint lighting his eyes. “With all your days lazing abed and Mrs. Stewart’s excellent cooking, I fear your increased weight might have forced me to drop you upon your fetching little bottom.”
“Added weight? I’ll have you know I have lost—” She noticed his taunting grin and pouted. “How rude!” she quipped. Tempted to say more, Eugenia decided it advantageous to take the higher road as he currently held the upper hand. She smiled sweetly. “The sooner one begins a miserable task, the sooner one shall be done with it. So, shall we be off?”
He laughed and headed for the stairs. “I never said I was miserable, my love.”
My love. To think he might consider her as such caused a rush of excitement.
The ease with which the endearment tripped off his tongue was a stunning surprise. As she pondered his choice of words, she held on tightly to his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. How odd, he had spoken the words with such ease.
The captain carried her down the stairs and out of the house. Once they were on the porch, he gave her a squeeze just before he set her back on her feet. “Now, if you will wait here a moment, I have a surprise for you.”
The hug had also been unexpected. As Eugenia watched him go, she smiled with delight and prayed there would be more such tender displays of affection.
Toting a covered basket and a blanket, he hurried back. Offering his arm, he indicated a spot only a short distance away. Eugenia welcomed his aid, thankful for his tall, muscular frame to lean on, as her legs were still quite weak and too much exertion left her breathless. They walked to a large shade tree where he then spread the blanket on the grass.