Remy hoped his marriage would turn out to be the same. He was willing to work for it.
“Now, to the reason for my visit,” the general said, interrupting Remy’s thoughts. “EJ has been hurt.”
“EJ? Hurt? What happened?”
The general explained the details while Remy listened, his heart hammering in his chest. He knew EJ—Ewell Junior—and admired the young man’s determination to follow in his father’s footsteps, but to do it on his own, without any special privileges. “Right now, he’s in a hospital in New Orleans. I left him a few days ago, but Honor is still there. She’s staying with friends in the city.” He sighed as he gently stroked his mustache, a motion he performed whenever upset. And there was no doubt the man was upset now. Seeing his son injured had to have been devastating.
“The next time you make a run for supplies, I’d like for him to be brought here, to Natchez. I don’t trust the trains, and going over land in a carriage or wagon would not be what’s best for EJ.” He continued stroking the bushy hair on his upper lip, dragging his fingers down along the sides of his mouth to stop at his chin. “Doctor Watson at the hospital has been notified and is awaiting further instructions, so the sooner, the better.”
“Of course, General. I’d be happy to make the arrangements.”
Shaelyn swept into the room, balancing a silver tray in her hands. “I thought you might like some coffee.” She stopped short, her eyes opening wide, the lovely blush staining her cheeks most becoming. “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t know you had company.”
“It’s all right, Shae. Come in. Please.”
Both men rose from their seats to watch her cross the room and place the tray on the table between them. Remy noticed there were two cups along with the coffee service. Had she intended to join him? The thought pleased him, especially after this morning. “General, I’d like to introduce you to my wife. Shae, this is General Ewell Sumner.”
“General.” Shaelyn gave a quick curtsey then extended her hand.
The older man bowed and took her hand in his. “A pleasure, my dear,” he said as he kissed her knuckles. “And my warmest congratulations on your marriage. You’ve got yourself a fine man.”
Shaelyn’s blush deepened as she nodded and quickly left the room, closing the pocket doors behind her. Remy stared at the doors for a while then poured coffee for both of them.
General Sumner added whiskey to his and took a sip. His face dissolved in an expression of pure pleasure. “Good coffee,” he said, then gestured to the door. “I see why you were so taken with her, my boy. She’s a beauty.”
“Yes, she is.” And it occurred to him that he had the power to make her happy. More importantly, he wanted to, for suddenly her happiness seemed vital. “I wonder if I could impose upon you, sir.”
“It’s only fair, Remy. I’m imposing on you. Whatever it is, son, just ask. I’ll do anything I can to help. Remember, I owe you my life.”
“My wife hasn’t heard from her brother since he joined his regiment.” He passed the general a white linen napkin, which the older man placed across his lap. “She is, understandably, worried about him. I think it would ease her mind tremendously if she knew he was safe.”
“And you’d like me to look into his whereabouts?” Sumner helped himself to several shortbread cookies, dipped one into his coffee-whiskey mixture, and took a bite. Again, a momentary expression of pleasure appeared on his face as he chewed and swallowed. “Of course. What’s his name? When did he enlist?”
“Ian Alexander Cavanaugh. He joined a Union company out of Natchez two years ago. No one has heard from him since.”
“Nothing?”
“No, sir. Nothing. He enlisted with a young man named James Brooks and they marched off together. She hasn’t heard from either one, doesn’t know if they’re alive or if they’ve perished in battle.”
“I see.” He placed his plate and cup on the table then rose from his seat and dug through the pocket of his coat. He produced a small notebook and a stub of pencil, then asked for the name again and quickly wrote it down. “I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Thank you, General. I appreciate it. And if you wouldn’t mind, please don’t mention anything to Shae. I don’t want to get her hopes up in case…” He didn’t finish his statement, but the general understood. All too well.
“Of course, my boy. Anything for you.” He tucked the notebook away and took his seat once more to indulge in the shortbread cookies. “By the way, I’m not sure if you’ve been told, but I’ve been permanently assigned to Rosalie. Honor will be joining me once you can bring EJ here.”
“That’s wonderful, sir.”
“Natchez is a lovely city.” He finished all the shortbread on the plate and wiped his mouth with the napkin. “We’re renting a little house not too far from here. She’d love to see you once we’re settled. You’ll have to come to dinner. And bring your lovely wife. I’m certain Honor would love to meet her.”
“Thank you, sir, we’d love to.” He poured more coffee into their cups then passed the bottle of Harte’s Private Reserve to the general, who liberally added the whiskey to his once again. “Speaking of dinner, would you like to stay this evening? Brenna Cavanaugh is a fabulous cook.”
“Thank you for the invitation. I’d love to,” he said as leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, the picture of a man comfortable enough in his surroundings to relax. “Since I’ve come back from seeing EJ, I’ve been taking my meals at the King’s Tavern or Rosalie. Neither place is up to Honor’s fine standards. I could do with a meal that isn’t burnt to a crisp or half raw.”
• • •
Shaelyn did not serve dinner. Young Private Connors did the honors and did it very well. Even with an unexpected guest, as well as the sudden return of Captains Becket and Williams from another successful trip, the young man performed his duties graciously.
She sat at the table while the private waited on her, and enjoyed the general’s company, actually enjoyed the company of all the men, most especially Remy. Every time he glanced in her direction with his smoldering eyes and knowing smile, the flames of desire curled in her belly and she couldn’t wait until they were alone again.
He’d been most charming this evening, sharing stories of his time at the Academy, as did the others around the table. The only one who didn’t share was Captain Davenport. Though he chuckled when amused, he never did so aloud, and his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Several times, she caught him staring at both Remy and the general with something akin to disdain—and superiority?—in his expression. The same expression he sometimes gave her.
Curious, she watched him from the corner of her eye, but made sure his attitude didn’t spoil her mood. The dampening of her good spirits came as coffee and dessert were served and the talk turned to the general’s son and the special request he’d made.
“Can you be ready to leave again by Friday?” Remy addressed the captains sitting across from him. “That’ll give you two days to rest and recuperate from your last trip.” He turned to the general and asked, “Is Friday all right with you?”
“I prefer right now,” General Sumner admitted, “but I understand you need a few days.”
“Friday it is then,” Captain Beckett replied for both himself and Captain Williams as he dug into his dessert. “I’ll notify the other captains.”
“Supplies, Vince?” Remy directed his attention to Davenport. “Since our ultimate destination is a hospital, perhaps we could bring extra medical supplies aside from what we normally do.”
“Consider it done.” Davenport removed a small leather-bound notebook from his pocket and jotted a quick note. “I’ll have a list prepared from our inventory for your consideration shortly.”
Shaelyn listened to the plans being made and the more she heard, the more her stomach tightened. She pushed her dessert away, unable to take a bite over the constriction in her throat and the fear building within. This would not be the first time the Sweet
Sassy had delivered supplies, nor would it be the first time she transported passengers. The men who guided her, Captains Williams and Beckett, as well as the other captains who shared the duty, all experienced and competent, brought her back safely to Natchez after each trip, but this time something felt different. No matter how she tried to convince herself it would be all right, dread and doubt grew.
“Shae?”
She realized Remy had asked her a question and waited for her answer. Her gaze rose to meet his and she wanted to blurt out a warning, but couldn’t get the words out. Not now, with everyone watching her. “She’ll be ready. I’ll see to it.”
• • •
Later, when they were alone, after the general had taken his leave and the house had settled for the night, Remy watched Shaelyn as they readied for bed.
“I like him,” she said as she unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it free from the waistband of her skirt before slipping behind the ornate screen in the corner. She still hadn’t become so comfortable that she’d undress completely in front of him, but she’d made progress.
“That pleases me,” he replied, and he meant it. General Sumner was an important person in his life and he meant to retain the friendship. “He was quite taken with you as well.”
“How long have you known him?”
He could see the top of her head over the edge of the screen as he removed his trousers and folded them neatly on the chair, then doffed his undergarments and socks, pushing them into a small wicker basket beneath the same chair. “We met my first day at the Academy. He was my favorite instructor, not only teaching me mathematics, geography, and strategy, but French as well. You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but he speaks the language fluently. His wife taught him.”
He limped to his side of the bed, placed his cane in the space between the bed and the bedside table, then slipped beneath the blankets. He settled against the pillows behind him, waiting for Shaelyn to reappear and wondered, briefly, when they’d begun to act like an old married couple. “I think you’ll like her as well. Honor Sumner is a gracious lady,” he said, “and very much like you.”
She stepped out from behind the screen a moment later, her nightgown buttoned up to her neck and down to her wrists, which lifted the corners of his mouth in a grin he tried to hide. What pleasure it would give him to undo all those buttons and expose her creamy skin to his view. The material billowed around her as she moved to the small vanity and sat in front of the mirror.
Watching her pull the pins from her hair had to be the most erotic sight he’d ever seen. Her light auburn curls slowly fell down around her shoulders to glisten in a multitude of shades in the lamplight, a sharp contrast to the virginal white of her nightgown. He thought of nothing more than inhaling the fragrance of her hair as he buried himself deep within her warm, welcoming body. Blood rushed through his veins and the grin he had tried to hide, as well as the words he was about to say, simply disappeared.
Shaelyn ran her fingers through the glossy tresses and then began to brush the long, shimmering locks. Remy watched every move she made and when she hesitated in the midst of sliding the brush through her thick, luxurious mane, he noticed immediately.
“Is something bothering you, Shae?”
She turned on the small stool and raised luminous eyes toward him. He saw the concern shining in their violet-blue depths. “It’s just a feeling,” she said as she put down the brush, leaving her hair loose instead of braiding it as she usually did. “I can’t explain it, but I don’t think the Sweet Sassy will come back.”
Her voice held a certainty he couldn’t deny, as well as pain and fear. He did the only thing he could do. He moved the blankets aside and then opened his arms wide in invitation. “Come here.”
Shaelyn rose from her seat and crossed the floor in her bare feet, coming to a stop beside the bed. He reached out his hand. She placed hers in his and crawled into bed, snuggling within his embrace, laying her head on his bare chest. Her breath fluttered against his skin as he adjusted the quilt to cover both of them. When she spoke, her voice trembled. “I know it’s silly, but I can’t help it.”
“It isn’t silly, love. These are dangerous times and you’ve already lost so much.” He stroked her back through the flannel of her nightgown and inhaled the fragrance of her hair, the scent uniquely hers, sending a rush of desire hurtling through him once more, but whatever thoughts he had about making love to her faded as he tried to comfort her. “What makes you think this trip will be different than all the others? Captain Williams and Captain Beckett regard the Sweet Sassy as their own, as do Captains Peterson and Simpson. They’re knowledgeable and skilled and have made the run to New Orleans several times.”
“It has nothing to do with how competent or experienced they are, Remy. Or how many times they’ve successfully made a run.” She sighed against his chest and snuggled a little closer. “In my heart, I know something will happen. Don’t let them go. Postpone the trip for a few days at the very least.”
“I don’t think the general would appreciate that.” He continued to caress her back, feeling the tautness of her muscles beneath her flesh. “He’s anxious to have his wife and son with him. I can’t say I blame him.”
“Would you try? Would you ask him? For me?”
“Yes, I’ll speak with him. I don’t promise to change his mind, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you.” With his promise, she relaxed against him.
Remy held her until her even breathing told him she slept, but he remained awake for quite some time, thinking about what she’d said. Was there merit in her fears? Of course. These were dangerous times as he’d said, and anything, as he well knew, could happen. Anything at all.
• • •
A strange, strangled noise woke Shaelyn from a sound sleep before an arm was flung wide, nearly hitting her in the face. Remy’s hand slammed into the headboard instead, the sound of his knuckles hitting wood sharp. Shaelyn quickly scrambled out of bed…and out of reach before Remy kicked out.
Deep in the throes of a nightmare, he kept pushing—at what, she didn’t know—and emitting the most pitiful, desperate, and heart-wrenching sounds she’d ever heard. He spoke in his night terror as well, calling out names and orders to take cover.
She raced around to his side of the bed and reached out to shake him, but his arms were flailing about so much, she couldn’t get close enough.
“Remy! Wake up!” she commanded. Her words did little good. He remained asleep, trapped in a battle she couldn’t see or hear…and didn’t want to either.
Shaelyn struck a match, lit the lamp on the bedside table and tried one more time to shake him awake, but again, she couldn’t get close enough.
Sweat gleamed on his face and his expression showed fear and pain and made her heart ache.
Dear God, what is he dreaming about?
She spotted his cane and grabbed it, grasping it tightly in her hand. She tried speaking his name one more time and when that didn’t work, she poked him with the cane. Hard.
He awoke with a stifled scream, his eyes wide and unfocused. And glistening with tears.
“Remy! Look at me!”
He faced her and his expression turned from one of confusion to one of horror. “My God, Shae! Did I hurt you?” He reached out and grabbed her, skimming his hands along her arms as if seeing for himself he hadn’t.
“You didn’t hurt me, Remy.” She kept her voice even in tone though concern rushed through her.
Shaelyn placed the cane back where it belonged and climbed into bed beside him, enfolding him in her arms, offering comfort as he had done for her earlier. His entire body trembled. She laid her hand over his heart on his bare chest and felt the thundering beat beneath her fingers. “What were you dreaming about? You were shouting names, telling them to take cover, to get down.”
He drew a deep, shuddering breath. “I haven’t had one that bad in a long time.”
“Tell me,” she whispered as she blew out
the lamp, casting the room into semidarkness once more, then held him tight, her fingers stroking through his soft, thick hair.
“We were ambushed, as you know.” Slowly, hesitantly, he began to speak, his voice low and hoarse. “We were scouting ahead along a path surrounded by old growth trees and bushes. The path, if you could call it a path, was a ribbon of mud that sucked at our horses’ hooves.” He stopped and drew in his breath. Shaelyn squeezed him a bit tighter and kept stroking his hair until he continued. “Sunlight dappled the ground through the canopy of leaves over our heads, but cast shadows everywhere else. Mist rose from the earth from recent rains. Everything looked…otherworldly, if you know what I mean. Eerie. Strange.”
“Is that when you were hurt?”
He nodded against her and shifted slightly so he could get closer, his arms wrapping around her as if she were an anchor, holding him steady. “There were six of us—myself, the general, Beau Ryland, Landry Hopkins, Richie Streuble, and Big Jim Piper. You would have liked Big Jim, Shae. He could make us laugh about anything.” He sucked in his breath and let it out slowly.
“He wasn’t making us laugh that day though. We were all on edge and cautious as the path seemed to sink lower. It was like being in a tunnel.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “It was so odd…there were no sounds except for the steady thud of our own horses’ hooves—no birds chirping from the branches of the trees around us. No animals moving through the dense underbrush.”
He shivered, his entire body shaking as if he were cold despite the warmth of the blankets over him and her arms around him. “I didn’t like being there. I remember thinking, if I were planning an ambush, this is where I’d do it and as soon as I had that thought, I heard the crack of a rifle being fired. The sound came from my left, I think, but I couldn’t be sure because after that first shot, there were hundreds more. I didn’t know if there were ten sharpshooters or fifty or a thousand. Bullets came flying from all around us, from all sides.”
Mischief and Magnolias Page 18