by Tammy Lynn
Tammy Lynn
The Yankee Gentleman and His Southern Belle
The Yankee Gentleman and His Southern Belle
Prologue
“Joshua, you know what today will bring. Do you think she will be strong enough to handle it?”
Joshua Chamberlain stood behind his true love, Miss Victoria Chambers, his hands resting around her waist and smiled. “Oh, my precious Tori, I know today will bring her a love like she has never known. This will be the last generation that will be separated. Everything that comes their way, they will be able to handle it. But just in case, my love, let’s be sure we are there for them every step of the way.”
“She is the epitome of gracious Southern Belle, Tori. Your daughter and granddaughter taught her well.” Joshua left Tori, knowing she would be coming soon.
“Kitten, I hope you know what you are getting into with your Yankee Gentleman. It will be a hard road, but in the end love is worth any price.”
Chapter One
Miss Kitten Chambers was indeed the epitome of a gracious Southern Belle. She lived on a Southern Plantation called Tara in rural Albemarle, North Carolina. Tara was a former tobacco plantation. The days of the flourishing tobacco industry had come and gone. To adapt to changing times the plantation had been converted to harvesting Sunflower seeds for the oil they contained. Instead of slaves harvesting tobacco by hand. Large cultivator's and harvesting machines were used to efficiently harvest the 500 acre plantation's crops. Miss Kitten ran the plantation with the help of her foreman Randall. Randall did the hiring and directed the operations. Miss Kitten was in charge of the household staff of six that kept Tara in pristine condition. Miss Kitten daily had her water on the veranda, as had been a tradition of hers since childhood. On a warm hazy humid summer day. Miss Kitten was relaxing on the veranda when she noticed a car coming up the long drive to the plantation. Miss Kitten asked her gardener Avery to see what the person wanted. As the car pulled in front of the house Miss Kitten noticed that the cars’ license plates were from Maine. Such a distance for a person to travel, she thought. What on earth would bring this person here? The gentleman stepped from his car and addressed the gardener.
“Sir, my name is EJ Chamberlain and I ask that you'd please announce to the owner of this fine plantation that I am here to see them.”
Miss Kitten had heard the conversation and stood to her feet. “Sir, I am the owner. What can I do for you?” Miss Kitten noticed the gentleman was very handsome. Gray hair, gray moustache, broad muscular physique, about six feet tall. He looked like the embodiment of a Civil War General. Even dressed in dark blue jeans with a dark blue polo shirt. He reminded her of her favorite actor Richard Gere. By now EJ was at the foot of the veranda.
Miss Kitten put out her hand and EJ took it gently and kissed her white glove. Miss Kitten always dressed eloquently, except for when she was working, then it was jeans and tank tops. Her blonde hair meticulously cared for. Her summer dress elegant but casual enough to be comfortable. She was a breathtaking lady. EJ seemed to be taken by her.
Never at a loss for words, EJ stared at her beauty for a while so he could collect his thoughts. “Madam it is my pleasure to know you.” said EJ.
“Why, thank you, sir.” Kitten smiled.
“May I explain to you why I am here madam?” EJ was entranced by her already.
Miss Kitten asked EJ to join her on the veranda for something to drink. As he sat down he began to tell Miss Kitten a story that intrigued her.
“Back in 1863 my great-grandfather, Josh Chamberlain, had served as a General in the Civil War.” EJ had done much research to follow his Grandfather's story as he moved through the South back in those trying years of war and sorrow. “My great-grandfather was wounded in a battle not far from this plantation. It seems through historical records that this very plantation served as a makeshift hospital for wounded Southern soldiers.”
“I remember my grandmother telling me stories as a child. Stories of a handsome Yankee soldier that my great-grandmother had met during the war. He had been brought here in the middle of the night by a couple of cavalry soldiers. He was bleeding severely and near death. It seems my great-grandmother nursed this man back to health. Even to the point of changing his uniform to a Rebel uniform to keep him from being shot as a Yankee. She told me this General was very charming, educated, articulate and a romance bloomed between the two. He was here for over two years. As soon as General Chamberlain was able to travel, they both knew their time together had to end. They came from two different worlds. Time, history and fate had brought them together for a brief but life changing romantic relationship. My great-grandmother had hoped one day that General Chamberlain would one day return. In fact she waited on her veranda for many hours hoping he would ride or even walk up the driveway and fulfill her dreams. But it was not meant to be, as far as I know. General Chamberlain went back to Maine and became Dean of Bowdoin College. My great-grandmother eventually met my great-grandfather and they were married. After he died, there was talk that she met General Chamberlain again, but to this day I don’t have any proof of that.”
EJ looked at Miss Kitten, knowing more secrets, but not wanting to spill them just yet. When he knew her better then maybe he would tell her, just to see how she reacted. He wondered if she looked like the wonderful lady his great-grandfather had fallen in love with. He knew he looked like his great-grandfather. He wondered briefly if Miss Kitten wondered the same thing, thinking she looked like her great-grandmother.
Miss Kitten stared at EJ. From the descriptions in the journals and diaries she had read, she knew that he was the exact replica of the General her grandmother had spoken about. In her great-grandmother’s journals there was eloquent entries about how they would spend time talking and laughing, and, though it was unheard of in her day, long hot kisses in the room the General had. One entry that had always made her lose her breath was the day they first kissed. General Chamberlain had been in the room he stayed in, rebel soldiers had just left and her great-grandmother, Miss Victoria, had been scared they were going to find her out for harboring a Yankee. After they left, Miss Victoria went into the room, tears in her eyes, fearing the worst. General Chamberlain lay on the bed, his eyes closed, until he smelled the faint smell of verbena. Opening his eyes he saw Miss Victoria standing in the doorway, her lavender colored skirt clutched in her hands. Holding out his hand, she came forward and placed her gloved hand in his. He pulled her forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Not bothering to protest, she leaned into the kiss and deepened it, taking his hand and placing it on her breast. Even through the fabric of the dress, the corset wires and petticoat underneath, she could feel the heat of his hand and wanted more. The General had lay back on the bed and looked with pride at his southern belle as she took his other hand to place it on her other breast. Miss Victoria had whispered please and leaned her head to one side as the General sat up completely in bed, wrapping her in his strong embrace, while gently biting her neck. Miss Victoria moaned softly and again whispered please. Before The General could do anything else, there was a knock on the door and Miss Victoria stood up before admitting the person. Miss Kitten looked at EJ and wondered if he had the same spell on her that The General had on Miss Victoria and there was only one way to find out.
“Excuse me, “ she said, “but I need to find out something. You might find this a little forward of me, but I have to know.” Miss Kitten took off her white gloves and placed her hands on EJ’s face, running her fingers slowly and lightly down his cheeks and barely touching his lips with her fingertips. A yearning sensation filled her stomach and an urge like she had never felt before came
over her. Closer she stood to him, letting her finger go to the back of his neck, his hair brushing her fingers, and she nudged his head down to hers. Her cool lips, which still had the coolness from the water, met his firm lips, which softened with surprise.
EJ’s arms came around Miss Kitten as the kiss deepened. Never had Miss Kitten felt this way. Never had she been so forward with a man, but she couldn’t stop. Her lips opened as her tongue touched the seam of his lips, which jerked EJ into reality again. Looking at her he smiled and said, “Not that I didn’t enjoy that, but are you sure you should be doing this on the porch where anyone could see?”
Miss Kitten looked at EJ and smiled brightly. “I had to know. You’re just the same as he is, just as I’m the same as she. I have the same overwhelming feelings she did. Like the sharpness of a knife as it pierces the skin, it’s a feeling you can’t describe unless you feel it. I want to feel the same things, experience what she had, but the question is, will you let me? Will you let me act out what I’ve read over and over again, to see if she has been reborn in me like The General has been reborn in you? Will you let that passion they shared take over and not worry about what tomorrow may bring? If I never feel love again, will you let me feel it with you right now?
EJ was a bit taken back by Miss Kittens words. Although he knew exactly what she was feeling. He had long wondered about Josh and Victoria's love affair and was envious of such a torrid love for a woman. He also wondered why it ended so abruptly. Was Josh exposed as a Yankee and forced to flee the woman he loved. There were many lingering questions that he had no answer for. The one thing he did know was that when Kitten touched his face and kissed his lips, there was a magnetism that seemed so right and yet so wrong. He truly wanted to give himself to Kitten at this very moment and let withstraint be thrown to the wind, but being raised a gentleman he decided to take some time to get to know Kitten and make sure his heart was in the right place. He thought it was strange that a place he just drove up to a few minutes ago suddenly felt so much like home. Kitten was indeed a stranger, yet she seemed so familiar at the same time.
"Miss Kitten could you please call me EJ," he said. "I want us to be on a first name basis".
"Why of course EJ" said Kitten. "Please, call me Kitten. Would you like me to show you around Tara?" said Kitten.
"Why yes I'd love that," replied EJ. Kitten took his arm and they entered through the front door and into the parlor. "This is exactly how I'd pictured it" said EJ. "I've read some of my Grandfather's diary where he described Tara as alive with hospitality and elegance."
Kitten slowly walked arm and arm from the parlor to the dining room, pantry, kitchen and ballroom. Then they began to climb the winding staircase to the upstairs bedrooms. Suddenly they both stopped. On the wall halfway up the staircase was a portrait of Miss Victoria. It was astonishing how much she looked liked Kitten. The same soft ivory colored skin. Same beautiful Gold spun colored hair. It was as if she had never died.
"She was beautiful" EJ said.
"Yes she was" replied Kitten. "She was beautiful inside and out. She was such an inspiration to me," replied Kitten. "Filled with compassion and enough love for 10 people.”
"Would you show me the room that my great-grandfather used while he was here?"
"Why yes, it's right up here to the right. In fact I've got a surprise to show you," said Kitten. Slowly they walked to the top of the staircase and to the right. As they entered the bedroom where Josh had stayed, EJ suddenly stopped in awe of what he saw.
On the bed was Josh's military jacket and his Yankee hat. On the jacket and hat was the General's star. Suddenly EJ felt a strange sensation. It was as if he remembered wearing the jacket and hat. The room looked warm and familiar to him also. Kitten put her arm around his neck and asked him if everything was alright. As tears began to fill EJ's eyes he turned to Kitten and looked into her eyes. Their eyes locked and they both reached up and softly touched the others face. They indeed had transcended time and space and were together once again.
As they embraced, EJ softly kissed Kittens lips. "I know that kiss," Kitten said with a smile.
EJ began to take off his shirt and exposed his strong biceps and chest. Kitten kissed his chest and a strong irresistible passion arose within both of them. They undressed one another all the while never taking their eyes off the others face. Their bodies were warm and throbbing for one another. They embraced in a long passionate kiss as their bodies came close together. EJ picked Kitten up in his arms cradling her like a fragile porcelain doll. He took a long gaze at her lovely breasts and ivory colored skin. Then, laying her upon the same bed that Josh and Victoria had once lay on together, he laid on top of her. Kitten spread her legs and EJ entered into her as passion overwhelmed them both. It seemed like they made love for an hour or more. Time stood still. The past and the present intertwined. They felt one with Josh and Victoria.
EJ looked down at Kitten, her glowing face, her hair a halo around her head, and saw the smile on her face, along with a tear making it’s way down her cheek. He took his finger and trailed it down smearing the tear.
“Why are you crying?” EJ was worried that he had overstepped the boundaries of a gentleman, even though she had wanted him as much as he had wanted her.
“They’re tears of happiness. I feel like I should say welcome home. It feels like you’ve come home to me, but do you know how crazy that sounds?” Kitten traced EJ’s face and smiled. “Do you want to know something, EJ?” EJ looked down at Kitten, her nipples coming to life, along with her breathing that was coming more and more shallow, and he came to life.
His deep voice answered slowly, “What Kitten?” He kissed her swollen lips and closed his eyes, knowing he wanted her again, with such an intensity that he had never felt before.
“I didn’t think I would ever feel this way. So much passion, so much that it’s on the brink of pain.” Kitten prayed that EJ knew what she was talking about.
EJ knew that the time for talking was over. “Just feel Kitten.” He lowered his head and took her nipple in his mouth, feeling her arch under him. Her gasp drove him forward and he suckled there like it was his last meal. Kitten’s hands roamed his back sometimes her nails digging into his skin, sometimes the fingertips barely touching. EJ lifted himself and smiled at the sight. Her ivory skin was flushed pink, the blonde hair in stark contrast. Nipples standing straight up and he had to have another taste, but before he could, Kitten flipped over and straddled him.
Her hands touched his solid chest, the flat stomach, and then taking her fingertips and tracing those gorgeous lips of his. So soft with passion and ones she had to kiss again. Leaning over, she did just that. Her breasts teased his chest and he took his arms and banded her to him, like a vise holding her as close as she could get. His mouth opening wide and his tongue touching hers as she gasped in much needed air. Wrapping his hands in her hair to hold her in one place he knew much more and he would explode, so he let her go and watched as she raised up to lower herself back down. “You feel like velvet steel, EJ.” Kitten balanced on her hands that were on his chest as she lowered herself slowly and rose back up, teasing them both. Whispering words that were too low for EJ to hear, she leaned her head back, the ends of her hair touching his thighs. Just that light touch made him crazy and he flipped her on her back, eliciting a soft laugh from Kitten.
“Kitten, I can’t handle too much play right now. I’m going to explode.” EJ growled his words, which made her shudder. If only he knew how voices excited her.
“Then don’t hold back, EJ, give me all you have and then some.” EJ knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t stop. Kitten arched up harder each time and when he finally had his release, she was right there with him. He had never known someone who affected him in this capacity. EJ rolled off of Kitten, but held her in the circle of his arms, her head in the space of his shoulder. “I’ve never felt this way, about anyone, EJ. My heart pounds a mile a minute and I can see all of these small clips of you an
d me in my head, although I know it’s not us.” Kitten snuggled deeper into his embrace and closed her eyes. Just before she went to sleep she whispered in a soft, southern accent, “My love, you have found me.”
EJ closed his eyes too. It felt so right to be with her. His hands tracing the smooth soft cheek of her face and he whispered back, “Yes, my love, and this time, it’s forever.” EJ took Kitten in his arms and pulled her tight to his body. He just held her there drinking in the feeling of her warmth. After a few moments he looked at her face, seeing the tears stream down her cheeks. He traced them with his fingers and looked into her eyes with a kind smile. Cradling her rosy cheeks in his hands and stroking her soft skin ever so tenderly with his thumbs. EJ kissed her closed eyes softly. Longingly he looked at his Kitten as if trying to hold her image in his mind forever. How could two people have so much passion for one another in so short a time? How unlikely should they even meet. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe it was much like Victoria and Josh would have felt. Would destiny be cruel once again or would their fantasy yet come true?
Chapter Two
Kitten felt the caress on her cheeks knowing that it was the caress of good-bye. She kept her eyes closed, her breathing regular and deep, but it was hard to keep the tears from falling as EJ kissed her softly on the cheek. She didn’t rest completely until she felt him relax against her. Kitten knew he was hers, at least for the night. Sometime during the night, Kitten woke up to look at EJ, smiling that he was still there, but knowing he would be leaving soon. Her fingertips traced his cheek and lips and a peace settled in her heart when she heard a soft southern accent speak,
“Go ahead, Kitten, have him one last time, then you can let him go.”
Before Kitten could say anything EJ woke up, looked at her and said in his deep, sleep roughened voice, “One last time, love. You and I can be together one last time.”