Catching the Rose

by Belinda Kroll

  Veronica hesitated before replying, “To tell you the truth, it was quite dirty. Cub Run bridge fell through, and panic ensued, and I fell. But Mr. Williams was kind enough to help me to the carriage and safety.” She allowed a small smile in Brad’s direction as Madge burst, “Amazing, that a Yankee had to save a secesh like you.”

  Veronica stared at Madge in shock. What had she ever done for Madge to continually spout such mean things? Her anger rose as unbidden images of fallen men flew before her eyes. She had watched men die, and here Madge pettily complained that yet again Veronica had stolen Brad for another day’s worth of attention. Did the girl have no sense of propriety?

  Brad jumped into the conversation to defend himself: “I couldn’t have left her anymore than I could have left you, Madge. I went to the battle of my own accord, you know. I wanted to make sure they wouldn’t hurt themselves.”

  “You didn’t do that very well. I hurt my hand when I fell,” Veronica said.

  Brad solemnly took her hand and inspected it. “Didn’t you burn it as well?”

  “I burned both of them, thank you much. You didn’t warn me the warmin’ plate was so hot.” Tugging her hand away, Veronica shook out her handkerchief and dabbed the clotting blood. “I’ll use my own, thank you,” she said, noticing Brad had pulled his out. Glancing at his parents, Veronica was comforted by the discreet smile Mr. Williams threw. How she wished her own father had been so amiable. In a burst of frustration, Veronica murmured, “I hate this.”

  “What do you mean?” Brad asked, setting down his fork.

  With a smile, Amy realized her cousin had yet to taste a bite of the meal Emma prepared as her uncle said to Veronica, “Do not be afraid to speak your mind.”

  Veronica stared at her hand. “I should like to go home, is all.”

  “Home meanin’ where?” Amy asked, feeling Brad’s surprised gaze.

  “Mrs. Beaumont’s, of course. Where else would I go?” Veronica laughed. She glanced around the room, confused by the Yankees’ solemn faces. Was she no longer wanted, now that the Confederacy had gained a victory?

  “I find it odd you prefer Yankees to the comfort of your own family, Miss Vernon. Shouldn’t family be together in such times?” Madge ventured, feeling Brad’s eyes on her. Had he detected a hint of concern? Catching an ambitious glint in her eye, Brad shook his head, wondering when Madge’s bout of jealousy would cease.

  “I came to Richmond to find…someone. I can’t go back home without knowin’ what happened to him,” Veronica answered, feebly smiling as she felt Brad’s hand touch her elbow in consolation. She wondered if he knew at all how she felt.

  “What do you know of him?” Mr. Williams asked, eying his wife.

  Veronica paused as she tried to answer. “Well, he moved from South Carolina to Richmond, so that’s where I started. Rhett is lookin’ him up with all the Richmond circles while Amy and I are here. I just want to know what happened to him, before I get married.”

  “Marriage?” Mrs. Williams asked, surprised out of her anger. “How old are you?”

  “Seventeen. I’m practically an old maid by my hometown’s standards. I hate the man my daddy chose for my husband, but—but if I’m not married by twenty my chances of makin’ a good match are rather slim.” She spied a smile struggling across Brad’s face. “What is so amusin’?”

  “Don’t mind me, Nettle. I’m only an audience member.”

  “You don’t believe me, Mr. Williams. Why not?” Veronica demanded, catching the surprise in Amy’s gaze as she glanced in her direction. She expectantly waited for an answer, and was shocked when Brad replied, “Pardon my bluntness, but why are you following Daddy’s expectations if he’s dead?”

  “My momma is waitin’ for me to make a good match, so she can live comfortably.”

  “How would your mother live comfortably because you married well?” Brad caught Amy’s eye in confusion. He tried to read her lips and shook his head when he couldn’t.

  “My momma would live with us, of course,” Veronica said.

  “Your mother would live with you! I would think your husband want you to himself—” Brad interrupted himself as he shook his head. “Faith…I didn’t say that out loud, did I?”

  “I’m afraid you did,” Veronica replied, blushing as Amy laughed. No doubt Amy thought this was yet again another point to her little game of trying to win Brad’s love. With a slight frown, Veronica wondered if perhaps this game was becoming a little too personal?

  Madge winked at Brad, frowning when he dumbly asked if she had something in her eye. “Brother, I didn’t realize you wanted me to blush like Miss Vernon,” she said, slightly flinching as his gaze burned through her skull. Madge was, therefore, almost gratified as Veronica stunned Brad into silence when she suddenly chuckled.

  “Madge, really. I don’t know why you are jealous. I am not attracted to your brother,” Veronica sighed, setting aside her fork. She was glad for the distraction from dinner: she could hardly eat after the afternoon’s disturbing sights.

  “At all?” Brad demanded, glaring daggers at Amy. How dare she laugh at a time like this?

  “I’m not the tall, dark and handsome type,” Veronica lied.

  “And I suppose I should tell you I am not attracted to you by any means either?”

  Veronica hesitated as she made an effort to make it seem as though she truly pondered the idea. “If it would make you feel better, by all means.”

  “It would not hurt your southern pride?” Brad demanded, becoming much too emotional, his father thought.

  “Of course not. Why would I want a Yankee thorn, when I can have a Confederate?” Veronica quipped, throwing Brad’s earlier insult in his face. She watched the result with a pleased smile, as his countenance darkened to a point of contempt.

  “So, you string men along? Exactly what I would think of a Secesh…”

  Mr. Williams stared at his son in surprise. “Brad, calm yourself.”

  “She’s pullin’ your leg,” his mother said, finding she couldn’t resist forgiving Veronica.

  “What is it, Mr. Williams? Perhaps now that I rejected you, this rejection has made me somethin’ worth reachin’ for?” When Veronica saw this gained no smile, she reached for Brad’s hand. “I don’t mean to insult you. I did it purely for Madge’s sake. I don’t think I could ever try to be as mean as I have been…my life was in your hands, today, and I am much impressed by your actions. Though you are a…Yankee, I don’t mind you, for you are comfortin’ to be around.”

  A giggle escaped Amy.

  “I am thankful you took the time to tend after me. And Madge, I must admit that if I had a brother, I’d want him to myself. But I can’t help but tease your fervent appreciation and jealousy.” Veronica released her grip on his hand and turned to Amy, murmuring, “Don’t you think we should go to Mrs. Beaumont’s?”

  “Must we leave so soon, Ronnie?” Amy asked, startled by the sudden change in conversation.

  “You want to stay longer?”

  “This is my home,” she said, moving to share a seat with Brad.

  Blinking away tears, Veronica felt horribly jealous. If only she could find Jack! If Jack were here, this marriage situation would not be the problem it was. She would have been in a house of her own, perhaps sitting beside him as Amy did with Brad. They seemed so comfortable together… Veronica sniffled and wiped a solitary tear from her cheek.

  “What is wrong, Ronnie?” Amy murmured, throwing her arm about her friend’s shoulder.

  Veronica could not stand them staring. “I feel the need to lie down,” she said, leaving with a shake of her head. She blushed as Brad caught her hand, secretly offering her his handkerchief as she left the room. Rejecting with an inconspicuous shake of her head, Veronica dashed from the room amid tears and slammed her bedroom door behind her.

  “What was that about?” Madge demanded.

  “It isn’t fair for you to harass her,” Amy chided.

  “I’ve already
had a talk with you about this, Madge,” Brad said, attacking his food to help manage him temper. Had his parents not been there, he would have caught Madge onto his lap and given her a severe spanking.

  “She’s going to leave anyway, so why bother getting angry?” Madge protested, calmly helping herself to a side of potatoes.

  Mrs. Williams was astonished by her daughter’s behavior. This was not how she intended to raise her children, to be willful and unpleasant! “I had not realized how childish you have been towards Amy’s guest. This year, even, we decided you would be treated as an adult…and this is how you proceed! As your punishment…” Mrs. Williams glanced at her husband.

  “You will journey with us to Richmond,” Amy decided. “We leave at week’s end.”

  * * * * *

  “You are leaving today,” Brad said, leaning against Veronica’s doorframe. She squealed as she tripped into her trunk. Pulling her from the trunk, he smiled. “How will you get out of your scrapes without me available?” he asked as she quickly pulled away to check her appearance in the vanity mirror.

  She watched him from the safety of the looking glass as she wryly replied, “Pardon if I don’t agree.”

  “Would you like me to carry your trunk downstairs?”

  “I wasn’t plannin’ on carryin’ it, if that’s what you mean.” Brad’s steady gaze confused Veronica as he hefted the trunk in his hands. “What is it, Mr. Williams?”

  Setting the trunk to the floor, Brad took her hands and stared deeply into her eyes. Only when he realized he made Veronica uncomfortable by such staring, did Brad finally say, “After all I went through to keep you safe, I would think you would be comfortable calling me by name, at least.”

  This was the last thing Veronica had expected. The fact that he had avoided her gaze this past week was hardly surprising, considering she had teased him before his entire family. “I…if you wish to be friends, we could be.” Pulling from his soft grasp, Veronica held out her hand and laughingly said, “I am the Veronica Vernon. Wanted and loved by all but you, I believe.”

  Rocking on his heels, Brad reasoned he was going to miss Veronica very much after she left. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Vernon. I am Bradley Williams, though I am called Brad by my friends.”

  “I am called Ronnie, by my closest friends. Nettle by others.” She laughed as Brad kissed her hand. “A bold move, Mr. Williams.”

  “Brad, please,” he said, refusing to remove his grip from her hand. “Isn’t it southern custom to kiss a woman’s hand?”

  “Bow when first introduced, Mr. Williams, and kissed when better acquainted. Really, Brad, I thought you knew more about southern customs.” Feeling impulsive, Veronica stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Perhaps you will learn not to be so flirtatious. You are more interestin’ when you are yourself.”

  “The same could be said of you.”

  “Yes, I know. It is hard to break an old habit. Especially with one such as I, so practiced and proficient at flirtin’.” With a swirl of skirts, she wondered at his silence. “Don’t you agree, Brad?”

  “That question does not dignify an answer,” Brad said, petulantly pointing to the trunk. “Would you like me to take your trunk down, Miss Vernon?”

  She swept past him. “I could have sworn I told you my name is Nettle,” Veronica murmured, motioning he should follow her down the stairs. Smiling as Brad chuckled, she felt odd walking before him. Veronica straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin to disguise her discomfort, though it grew as she realized she had never thought of it when Nan followed.

  And as that thought dissolved, another suddenly jarred her as Veronica wondered if some of Brad’s imperious behavior hadn’t spurred from the fact that she was a rich southern woman. Never mind the fact that she figuratively owned slaves; she was rich and haughty, and he was of that mysterious Yankee middle class. Had Brad resented Veronica’s fancy dresses and stylish shoes? Sighing as she watched him leave for the carriage, she wondered if his opinion had changed.

  Walking into the parlor to witness Amy say her adieus, Veronica critically looked herself over in the mantle mirror. Her indigo bonnet with its pale feather was at a jaunty angle, and her ensemble, as usual, was perfect…the only problem was that her eyes seemed dim. Veronica reasoned she was much too upset by the fact that she had to leave Brad’s ready friendship. Determined to be amiable, she hailed his family with a smile. “Thank you for allowin’ me in your home,” she said, hugging Amy’s aunt fervently.

  “We are but half as glad as Brad evidently is that you met our Amy,” Mr. Williams said, eyeing Brad as he walked through the door.

  “What are you saying, Father?” Brad demanded, reaching Veronica’s side. With a smile he confidentially murmured, “He enjoys spreading rumors about which girl I am to marry—I am constantly under siege.”

  Veronica laughed, patting Mr. Williams’ arm as she said, “You need not worry about me, Uncle! I am made of hardy stock. I do not throw myself at any man…and especially not your son, if you will pardon my sayin’ so.”

  “Charming as ever, Nettle,” Brad muttered. Knowing he had to regain control of the conversation, he spun Veronica into his arms before she could walk away and laughed into her shocked face. “I would say I will miss you, Nettle, but I fear your southern mind will take my meaning all too far.”

  “Watch your son, Mr. Williams. He knows not where his mind is today!” Veronica cried, primly curtseying in reply to Brad’s stately bow. She smiled as Amy came forward to hug her surrogate brother, and found she could not be jealous as he murmured to Amy, “I shall miss you, Cousin.”

  Amy pulled away with tears in her eye though she laughed. “I am only your cousin? You have known Ronnie for all of a month, and she is your friend. You know me all my life, and I’m only a cousin. Hug me again, hopeless brother.”

  Veronica noticed Madge at the door, not participating in the farewells. Not wanting to leave with bad feelings between them, Veronica approached Madge and touched her arm. “I know we did not get along, Madge, but I admit, I shall miss your sharp tongue.”

  “That is very kind. But you need not miss me. I’m coming with.”

  Veronica jerked her hand from Madge’s grasp and snapped, “What?”

  “We thought this would be a good experience for her,” Mrs. Williams said, her gaze sliding to Amy as she discerned the shock and anger in Veronica’s tone.

  “You cannot be serious. Amy, you know she cannot come with us.”

  Amy frowned, and pulled away from Brad’s suddenly tight embrace. “She is my relative, and she may come if she likes.”

  “I don’t want to go either!” Madge interjected, stepping forward.

  “Hush, Sister. You need experience with others your own age,” Brad said, watching more for Veronica’s reaction than Madge’s. He found with slight surprise that she seemed to take the news well; it almost seemed as though Veronica pitied Madge, that her family forced her to something she did not wish to do. “I’m sorry if you are upset by this change of plans, Nettle. But we feel it is for the best.”

  “Why, of course.” Veronica tolerantly smiled, whisking her skirts as she stormed from the house to the awaiting carriage. Silent when the family came out to wish Amy and her cousin a pleasant journey, Veronica was shocked when Brad inconspicuously jumped into the carriage.

  “What are you…?” she paused when he awkwardly placed a rose, stripped of its thorns, in her hand. Brad watched her with a smile as Veronica murmured, “What is this for?”

  “An apology. It will be the last I shall ever have to make, for you leave today.”

  “Yes, I am leavin’ today. Astute observation, Brad.”

  Glad he would think of her smiling, Brad kissed Veronica’s cheek, murmuring, “Now we owe nothing to each other,” and jumped out the other carriage door as his sister and cousin stepped in.

  “Where did you get that?” Amy asked as Brad shook her hand in farewell.

  Veronica blushed as Brad braz
enly winked at her, hidden from Amy’s curiosity. While Brad stepped from the carriage with a bounce that reminded Amy of bliss, Veronica replied, “I found it in the nettle bush.”

  * * * * *

  “How was your trip, girls?” Mrs. Beaumont asked as Maum Jo poured the morning coffee. “I hear there was a lot to do in Washington, and I also hear that you met the illustrious Mister Brad, Veronica. What was he like? Did you two hit it off as well as Amy predicted you would?”

  Madge stared at Mrs. Beaumont in shock. The southern atmosphere was still rather new, and Mrs. Beaumont’s constant chatter was something she reckoned she would never get used to. And what be this news that Amy had predicted Brad and Veronica would “hit it off?” Certainly Mrs. Beaumont was mistaken!

  “We saw Manassas,” Veronica mumbled, rather put out that Madge happened to be sitting in her southern breakfast room, eating her southern breakfast and drinking her southern coffee. Not until Amy came from the library, politely yawning, did Veronica realize the house was missing a certain presence. “Where is Rhett, Mrs. Beaumont? We arrived so late last night I thought perhaps he merely slept and could not be roused for a homecomin’ greetin’.”

  “Oh, didn’t I tell you last night? I thought I did,” Mrs. Beaumont laughed, pausing to tell Maum Jo to get the letters. “Why, Rhett went off to war. I remember that he went to visit his parents, and he came back very angry and a little sad, I almost think. But yes. He went off to war. Seems everyone has it on the brain. Ah! —Here are the letters. Thank you Maum Jo, I’ll hand them to Amy and Missy Ronnie. Now, which is which…I never was the best a rememberin’ things. Oh, the dear wrote your names on the envelopes! Silly me. Well, here, Amy. This one’s for you and the other is for Ronnie.”

  Amy grabbed the letter and ran from the room, shocking Madge by her suddenly emotional expression. Why was it that she did not know this Rhett?