Words Heard In Silence / Xena Uber

by T. Novan

  Charlie flushed. In the fracas surrounding the arrest of Davison and his henchmen, he had totally forgotten about the doll he had bought her in Washington. "Yes, little one. You have been very good." He turned to Mrs. White. "Madam, I believe our young lady has demanded some attention from her Papa. So if I may excuse myself?"

  Esther White nodded, and Charlie excused himself with a small bow. She watched as the tall man carried the daughter of his heart off to his room and the promised gift.

  --*--

  The day had been a long one, stressful in different ways for all members of the household. Most significantly, it had been a day where Charlie had no time alone with Rebecca. Other than the period when all had wondered over the fate of Davison and his men, the women had been occupied with wedding plans. As a result, the small ring box in his breast pocket was burning a hole in his chest.

  By dinner, everyone was tired, and by mutual agreement, all withdrew for some quiet time in their rooms and an early bedtime. Charlie slipped up to their sitting room ahead of Rebecca, with a bottle of champagne and two glasses in hand. He built up the fire and dimmed the lamps. He was ready.

  He joined Rebecca in the hall, and they both went to tuck young Em into bed for the night. Then, with a gallant bow, he swept open the door to Rebecca’s personal bower.

  Rebecca smiled at him as she looked into the room before entering. "What has gotten into you tonight, Charlie?"

  "I not only bought Em a present, I also got a couple of things for you, dear, and I wanted to give them to you."

  She looked at him very carefully. He was in a rare, playful mood and she found she rather enjoyed this side of her normally reserved General. "Is that so? And what may I ask, have you found?"

  "Well, there is the mundane. I went to my bank, put my accounts in both of our names, and opened a fund for you. Here, my love. It is the paperwork. I think you will find you are a rather wealthy woman in your own right. Consider it my engagement present." With a flourish, he laid the paperwork on the small table beside her. The top page noted Rebecca’s personal account of fifty thousand dollars. She riffled through the other papers, seeing the total sum in their joint accounts that made her eyes widen. The last documents were Charlie’s will and his military pension.

  She turned to him, not quite knowing what to say. "I...I...Charlie it is too much..."

  He took her in his arms. "No, dear. It is just a fraction of what I wish I could give you. To me, you are worth more than all the money in the world. While I am gone, you will have a great many issues to deal with. This gives you the financial freedom to do so. In just a few weeks, I will stand up and pledge "And all my worldly goods I thee endow." I just got a head start on it."

  She smiled and kissed him. "Thank you, Charlie," she sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. "Are you as nervous as I am?"

  "About marrying you or about the wedding?"

  "Both?"

  He laughed and settled on the davenport in front of the fire with her in his lap. "I am always nervous about public events and ceremonies. I worry about falling over my sword; I worry my jacket will get tucked into my trousers; I worry I will say or do something stupid; I worry I will give myself away. But as to marrying you," he stopped and tenderly kissed her under the curve of her jaw, his lips whispering just below her ear. "As for marrying you, it is the best thing I have ever done and will ever do. I am joyous, excited, can barely wait, but no, I am not nervous about it." He slipped his hand inside his jacket. She had felt an odd little lump under her shoulder where it rested against his coat. They adjusted their position a little as he pulled the small box out. "I thought you needed something of your own, so I got you these. One is for now, the other two are for later."

  Rebecca looked at the rings in Charlie's hand. "Charlie, they are beautiful."

  Charlie extracted one ring. It was an emerald, cut in a fine square and surrounded by a rosette of diamonds, all mounted in white gold. In the firelight, the stones flashed and sparkled. "Give me your hand, my love."

  Rebecca tried to stop her hand from shaking as she presented it, but was not as successful as she would have liked. All she could do was give Charlie an embarrassed little smile.

  Charlie carefully slipped the small garnet ring she had been wearing off her left hand ring finger. He then just as carefully placed the emerald at the tip of her finger and asked again, "Rebecca Gaines, will you marry me? All of me. The man and the woman? Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives, and share with you all that I have and all that I am? Will you raise our children with me, and build a life filled with love and laughter together?"

  Words were far beyond Rebecca's reach at this very moment in time and all she could do was nod and try to hold back the happy tears that threatened to escape. Finally she drew a deep breath and managed to whisper, "Yes."

  Charlie slipped the ring on her finger. It settled firmly, as if it were a part of her hand. Then he gathered her close in his arms and they sat, holding one another, until the need for sleep overtook them.

  Chapter 26

  Friday, January 27, 1865

  Mr. Cooper drove the big wagon behind the house and pulled the tarp back to show Charlie the lovely rosewood spinet piano in the back. Mrs. Cooper sat up on the box, waiting for the men to figure out how to move the heavy instrument.

  It was unusual for Mr. Cooper to deliver anything personally; it was far more unusual for Mrs. Cooper to accompany him, but today she wanted to have a word with the General, and then assist Rebecca in the final preparations for the wedding.

  Charlie, Jocko, and Duncan sweated in the cool air, carefully moving the piano and matching stool off the wagon and into the house. They stashed it in the musicians’ alcove in the ballroom, from which they could move it into the front parlor quickly and relatively painlessly on the morning of the wedding.

  Charlie then invited the Coopers to join him in his office for a cup of tea. Mr. Cooper declined, citing the need to return to his store. Mrs. Cooper accepted, after Charlie assured her one of his men would be happy to drive her home later.

  "Mrs. Cooper, I do appreciate what you and your husband have done to get Rebecca’s wedding present. I am sure that dealing with Mrs. Williams in my behalf was…… challenging."

  "Well, Mrs. Williams would certainly have not accommodated you if she had known what Mr. Cooper’s plans were. I am sure she will be irritated when she finds out." She sipped her tea then said, "General, I am glad we have this few minutes together. There are a few things I wanted to discuss with you privately."

  "Of course, Ma'am any thing I can do to be of assistance to you or Mr. Cooper."

  "I was Rebecca’s mother’s very closest friend. We were almost like sisters, and I have always held Rebecca in a very special place in my heart. So, with her mother gone, there is no one but me to speak with you as a mother would. I hope you do not mind the presumption."

  Charlie smiled. Then he sat up very straight in his chair. "No, of course not."

  Mrs. Cooper paused for a moment and then began with a question. "What has Rebecca told you about her first marriage?"

  "She has told me bits and pieces of her marriage to Mr. Gaines. Enough for me to surmise that she was treated very badly."

  "She was treated very badly indeed. I personally believe he beat her, although she has never said anything directly."

  Charlie nodded. "Yes, he did. She has confided that to me."

  "I also believe he abused her…… conjugally."

  Charlie swallowed hard. "I know from what she has said that he did. However, I am not sure Rebecca sees it for what it was."

  Mrs. Cooper looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean, General?"

  "I think Gaines had her convinced it was her duty and his right. She knew he was wrong and he was hurting her, but I do not believe she equates it with what happen to Mrs. Adams, because Gaines was her lawful husband."

  Mrs. Cooper looked at the man before her with some surprise. She knew the Gener
al was a sensitive man, but this perceptiveness was more than she thought any man capable of. "Well, sir, you seem to have a good grasp of what she has been through. In addition to being violent and controlling, he was unfaithful, and unfaithful in ways that were very insulting. I know Rebecca tolerated it in silence, but I could see how much it pained her."

  "I hope you know I would never insult her in that way."

  "General, may I be perfectly blunt with you?"

  "Of course you may."

  "I have never known a gentleman who did not stray at some point in his marriage. I just ask that you be discreet about it. Furthermore, Sir, if you ever hurt her like Gaines did, I will personally see to it that you are called to task. She is a sweet woman; she does not deserve that kind of treatment."

  Charlie nodded, "I would hope so. I can see how much you care for her and I am pleased she will have you to rely on when I am called back to service. But rest assured, when I return home I will be faithful to Rebecca as no man has ever been faithful to a woman before."

  "I hope so, General, I truly hope so. I assume you have also heard the rumors that Rebecca is…… unable to bear children?"

  "Yes, but that does not concern me. As you know, Rebecca has decided to take in every waif that passes through Culpeper, and..." Charlie shifted knowing now was the time to fix this particular problem before more rumors got started. "You see, Ma'am, I was injured. I am afraid I cannot father children."

  "Oh, my, sir. That is most unfortunate. If it is not too personal, may I ask how extensive the injury was? I mean, I know Rebecca is a passionate woman and I……" She trailed off, embarrassed to ask the question that was floating just out of reach, past the boundary of her Southern propriety.

  "I assure you. I am capable of satisfying Miss Rebecca, just not fathering children."

  Mrs. Cooper blushed, rather becomingly for an older woman, and smiled. "I am sure you will extend yourself to the limits of your capabilities, sir. I just do not want to see Rebecca hurt again."

  Charlie could not help but smile. He gave Mrs. Cooper a little wink. "I give you my word, ma’am. I will not hurt her."

  --*--

  Charlie escorted Mrs. Cooper upstairs. Entering the back parlor, he announced, "Darling, look who has come to help you through the day." Rebecca looked at Charlie and Mrs. Cooper with an odd lack of comprehension.

  "What?"

  "Honey, Mrs. Cooper has come to help you today." Rebecca was wandering around the room, aimlessly toying with the flowers, the carefully sorted dishes for the following day, the ribbons for the ballroom and various other items that were carefully staged in the parlor for deployment the following morning. She rather reminded Charlie of a lost lamb, milling around looking for its ewe. He looked at Mrs. Cooper. "Perhaps, ma’am, I should send a messenger to your husband asking him to join us here for the evening."

  "Ah, yes, I suspect you are right. She looks a little…… disoriented. Mr. Cooper and I can take her to our home to dress for the wedding in the morning. Thank you, General."

  Rebecca looked up from a flower arrangement. "Hello, Charlie."

  "Hello, darling." He went to her and gave her a soft hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Mrs. Cooper is here to see you, dear."

  Rebecca looked from Charlie to the woman across the room. "Hello, Grace." She looked back to Charlie. "We are getting married in the morning."

  "Yes, dear. We are getting married in the morning. At least we are if you still want to." Charlie looked over at Mrs. Cooper, a silent plea in his eyes. He was starting to panic. Had the stress finally gotten to Rebecca? Had his beautiful, strong lady finally snapped? "Darling, are you all right? You seem so…… distracted."

  She looked at him, not fully understanding what he was saying, but understanding the look of concern on his face. "I am fine…… really."

  Charlie was at a loss. She seemed totally removed from him, from the events going on around her, from the bustle of the day. "Are you sure, darling? I do not want our wedding to put you back in bed, as you were before Christmas."

  "General, I think you will find that your bride is merely suffering from a severe case of nerves." Mrs. Cooper joined them and placed her arm around Rebecca's shoulder. "She will be fine. I will take care of her and she will be at the church in the morning. You need not worry. Everything is fine."

  "Perhaps I should take her up to her room? Maybe a nap and some quiet time together?"

  Mrs. Cooper smiled. "General Redmond, I realize that over the last few months, you and Rebecca have had a rather unique situation as far as sleeping arrangements are concerned. But for today and tonight, I think it would be best if you made arrangements to sleep elsewhere."

  Charlie looked at her with his mouth hanging open. It had never occurred to him that he would have to observe that particular tradition. He and Rebecca had slept together every night since he had come to Culpeper, except for the few days he had spent in Washington. Spending the night on the chesterfield in his office was not exactly what he had planned for the night before the wedding. He had had visions of cuddling and wooing his lady. They evaporated with a snap before Mrs. Cooper’s gentle but firm presence. To make matters worse, he had just invited her to spend the night, so she was there to enforce this token gesture to proprietary.

  "So, I assure you that Rebecca will be fine, General. Perhaps you should go enjoy your last night as a bachelor with a few of your men. If you are of a mind, I am sure Mr. Cooper would like to celebrate with you."

  Meekly, Charlie acceded to her instructions. "Yes, ma’am. I will see you at dinner, and will send a messenger now to inform your husband of your presence here tonight."

  "Thank you, General."

  --*--

  Banished from the main part of the house, Charlie wandered down to his office. He summoned Duncan and asked him to send a messenger to Mr. Cooper. Then he walked through the stables to see Jack, who was far more interested in Shannon. Charlie made a note to have Tarent mate them, as it was clear Shannon was coming into season. He then wandered through the camp, which was eerily quiet and seemingly deserted. Finally, he went back to the house and up to Em’s room. Tess was keeping her in her room, playing with her quietly to keep her out of the way of the final day’s preparations. Charlie sat on the floor, playing blocks with her, until it was time for supper.

  That was not much better. Samantha Carter was running the house for the day and had rustled up some cold ham and a pot of soup for supper. It was simple; it was easy for everyone to take what they wanted, and it meant Sarah could focus on the wedding banquet. Charlie fed Em and gave her to Tess for her bath then wandered back to pick up something for himself. He was really hoping to see Rebecca.

  Mrs. Cooper flashed into the morning room, gathering two plates. "How is Rebecca, Mrs. Cooper? Is she coming down for dinner?"

  "No, General, she is resting in her room. I told you to go out with the other gentlemen. Now git."

  Richard strolled up, overhearing Mrs. Cooper’s side of the conversation. "Come on, Charlie. The boys and I will keep you occupied for the evening. You need to escape from this hive of feminine activity."

  Charlie followed Richard. He had no other options available.

  Richard nudged his friend. "Buck up, Charlie, it is only one night."

  "That is fine for you to say, but……" Charlie could hear himself. "God, I am whining. Get me out of here, Richard."

  "With pleasure."

  --*--

  Richard threw Charlie’s greatcoat at him. "Come with me to the Officers’ Mess. Surely we can find something to do down there."

  As the two men strolled down to the encampment, they chatted about the order of tomorrow’s event. The wedding was scheduled for three in the afternoon; then the guests were coming back to Redmond Stables for a festive banquet. Charlie and Rebecca would spend their first night as a married couple in their own bed, leaving on Monday for a week in Washington.

  They arrived at the Officers’ Mess to find the timbered
tent alive with voices. Richard threw the door open and literally pushed Charlie through it.

  There were more men in the tent than usual and some of them were civilians. All of Charlie’s senior officers were present, as well as Cooper and Frazier and a couple of other local men of Charlie’s acquaintance. But there were also several unexpected gentlemen present. Sheridan, McCauley, and Merritt were over by a large punch bowl where Duncan presided. In the corner with Mayor Frazier sat a stubby man with three stars on his shoulders and a cloud of cigar smoke above his head. Charlie was overwhelmed.

  It may have been his bachelor’s party, but Charlie’s training took over spontaneously. He snapped to attention and saluted. "General Grant, sir."

  "Take the stick out of your arse, Redmond. This is your party." Grant grinned and went back to his conversation with Frazier, who he had met and befriended when he had used Culpeper as his own base of operations the previous spring.

  Whitman handed Charlie a mug. Charlie immediately took a large mouthful and nearly choked. He had expected coffee, perhaps laced with brandy. What he got was hot rum punch, and by the intensity, one made mostly of rum with only a nod to the other traditional ingredients.

  The officers stood in response to Richard tapping on his mug. "Gentlemen, I give you our beloved friend and commander, General Charles H. Redmond. Charlie Redmond, the model soldier, ‘‘til green eyes smiled and made his blood smolder. Now Charlie’s a groom, Rebecca’s in charge and together, we pray, they shall grow older. To Charlie and Rebecca."

  The men duly drank the toast then pummeled Richard for his atrocious poetry.

  The officers brought out their gift to Charlie, with Swallow, as the senior officer of the company commanders presenting it. "General, as much as we regret it, we understand that you intend to return to civilian life when this war is concluded. Therefore, we have decided that you need to learn to ride in something other than a cavalry saddle. So we got this for you." He unveiled a beautifully tooled hunt saddle that had the distinctive mark of Crosby Leatherworks. Charlie ran his hand over the butter soft leather. Young Dewees spoke up. "We tried it on Jack, Sir. Fits him like a glove." Charlie was deeply touched; he went to each man in his command with a word of appreciation.