Words Heard In Silence / Xena Uber

by T. Novan

  "Of course, my dear. Whenever you are ready."

  With that, they were seated and the meal that Sarah and her aides had labored over for so long was served. It was a jovial meal, laced with laughter, good food, good wine, and not a little bit of teasing. In the midst of so many people, Em glued herself to Charlie and would not let go, so he found himself with his hands full indeed. Two women to attend to, two women who loved him, each in their own way. Much of the teasing he got that day was about starting his family early.

  With stomachs replete, Charlie invited the guests to join them in the ballroom, where the musicians of the regiment had formed their band, this time with a piano player to round out their melodies. Charlie had planned to let the strains of the piano playing the first dance, a waltz, announce his wedding gift to Rebecca. The two took their place at the center of the ballroom, waiting for the first notes.

  Rebecca looked at Charlie as the music started, then turned her head to make sure of what she was hearing. Then she saw it. Tears formed in her eyes as she looked back to her husband. "How did you find it?"

  "Mr. Cooper had kept track of it, and we managed to get it back."

  At the same time, Mrs. Williams heard the notes from the spinet. Again, her face reddened. Under her breath she muttered, "Why, Edward Cooper, you will pay for this."

  Rebecca caressed Charlie's cheek, not caring that everyone they knew surrounded them, and she bestowed him with a very sincere kiss. "Thank you," she whispered as she looked at him again. "I love you, Charlie."

  "I love you, Rebecca. Now dance with me, wife, or I will have to embarrass you in front of all of these people." Charlie was already eager for Rebecca’s touch. Her kisses just made waiting that much worse. He was feeling rather like a cat in heat.

  "As you wish, husband," and with that, she let him lead her around the dance floor.

  The second dance began with Mr. Cooper, representing Rebecca’s father, and Mrs. Cooper, in place of her mother, dancing with Rebecca and Charlie, respectively. As their dance progressed, the officers and gentlemen of the community solicited the hands of various ladies of the community. Richard found himself holding Elizabeth in his arms, a pleasure he always anticipated. Mrs. Williams was stiffly dancing with her husband, who proceeded to use the intimacy of the dance to scold his wife.

  "Now you listen to me, Margaret Williams, it is time for you to stop being cruel to General and Mrs. Redmond. They are good people, they have done much for this community and people are talking about how you are acting with them. It is shameful. And from this moment on it will stop."

  "James, it is impossible. How can you expect me to welcome this Yankee carpetbagger into our community? He represents everything our glorious boys have fought against. He and those like him have destroyed our Virginian culture, our lands, our youth, and our future. How dare you ask me to accept him and his like?"

  "I am not asking you, Mrs. Williams, I am telling you. As your minister and your husband, I expect you to listen to me and stop this nonsense."

  It was unheard of for the Reverend James Williams to command his wife like this. How dare he do this to her, embarrass her like this publicly and demand she accept this interloper? She was so angry with both Rebecca for accepting this –– enemy –– into their community, and with her husband for ordering her around as he had never done before that she was sputtering. "James ––"

  "Margaret, there is no room for argument here. You will cease in your public condemnation of Charlie and Rebecca. You may feel how you will in private, because I cannot change that, but I am demanding that you stop speaking out against them in the community."

  It finally penetrated Mrs. Williams’ stubborn skull. She had crossed the line one too many times and her husband had more backbone than she thought. "Yes, husband."

  The dancing continued until it was time for the cake and the toasts. Charlie had been anticipating this moment eagerly, as it signaled the time when he could take Rebecca off to their room. Richard had been dreading it, for it was up to him to deliver the first toast.

  Duncan and Raiford carried in the wedding cake, while other troopers passed more champagne. Charlie and Elizabeth stepped behind the cake, while Richard stood before them with a raised glass.

  Richard grinned. Charlie looked concerned, having a vague memory of the toast at his party the previous night. "Today," Richard began slowly, looking at Charlie, "I lost my position as the first person best friend turns to when things are difficult. He has found a lovely lady to spend his life with and I am exceptionally happy for him. I hope that Miss Rebecca finds him to be not only a wonderful husband, but also the best friend she has ever had. To Charlie and Rebecca Redmond, may they only know happiness for a very long time to come."

  "Charlie and Rebecca!" rang through the room as the guests joined Richard in his good wishes.

  General Grant stepped forward. A normally retiring, soft-spoken man, those at the farthest corners of the ballroom had to strain to hear him.

  "Just about eighteen years ago, when I was a second lieutenant serving in Mexico under Zachary Taylor, I had the honor of serving with a young Captain from Virginia, Robert Lee. After the horrors of the Battle of Buena Vista, Captain Lee and I had observed the valor and skill of a young recruit who rose to command with a field promotion to second lieutenant. Both of us endorsed this young man to our commanders as true officer material. Over the years, we watched Charlie Redmond rise through the ranks, always the model of a soldier and a gentleman. I, for one, never thought he would find a place in the world outside of the Army. It gives me great joy to be here at his wedding. I am just sorry my wife could not join us in wishing you, Charlie and Rebecca, all of the best. We will be sorry to lose you from the Army when this war is over, but I can tell you folks of Culpeper, and I think our old friend General Lee would agree, you are getting one of the Army’s best."

  To hear Grant, who, to Mrs. Williams, was the devil incarnate, speak of his friendship with the hallowed General Lee was incredible. The woman was overwhelmed; first her husband had chastised her publicly, and now she discovered that the abominable Redmond was a friend of Lee’s. It was too much. She fainted dead away, creating quite a stir in the room.

  Charlie looked over at the woman with a raised eyebrow. "Looks like she finally exceeded her limit."

  Chapter 27

  Saturday, January 28, 1865

  Finally, Charlie and Rebecca had escaped the wedding party. Tess had taken Em up to bed before the dancing began, much to Charlie’s relief. The local guests left in varying degrees of sobriety. Mrs. Williams had spent the last part of the evening reclining in one of the small sitting rooms, supported by an elderly cousin. Richard had been hard pressed to relieve Elizabeth of her vial of pepper oil and replace it with smelling salts when reviving the offensive woman. Reverend Williams remained downstairs for the rest of the toasts and the cake.

  Charlie stood regarding his bride, who was still flushed with the excitement of the last few minutes of the evening. Following tradition, she had tossed her bouquet from the top of the stairs. Her aim had been good; Elizabeth was hit squarely in the chest.

  "You know, darling, marriage seems to be bringing out the imp in you. You certainly managed to embarrass our dear friend the doctor this evening. Did you know that Richard asked her to marry him tonight?"

  "Elizabeth made a comment about it. She is very nervous."

  "You think she is nervous? Richard may have left bruises on my arm from hammering on it as he told me. It was actually funny. He kept saying, ‘‘My God, Charlie, do you know what I have done? I really did it –– right in front of Sheridan and Grant. If I back out, Sheridan will have my ass for breakfast, I think.’ The babble level was amazing."

  "Oh yes, Elizabeth certainly did not expect him to propose tonight, Charlie." Rebecca made small talk as she prepared for bed. She turned to him offering him the buttons of her dress. "Would you please?"

  Charlie’s hands were shaking. They had slept toge
ther every night for several months. They had made love frequently after his return from Washington and that first fantastic night. But tonight was different. Tonight he was going to claim her as his own, his wife, his love, his future. Carefully, he began unbuttoning her bodice. The soft skin at the back of her neck was too tempting; he leaned down and tenderly kissed her shoulder.

  "Charlie, if you finish the buttons, I can get out of this dress," she reminded him even as her hand went back and caressed his cheek.

  Charlie tore himself from the tender skin and turned more of his attention to her dress. This night of all nights, he was enjoying being her lady’s maid. He had more than enough of waiting, of being with other people. He just wanted to be with Rebecca. The bodice came off, and Charlie untied the laces of her full skirts, letting them pool at her feet. She stood before him, wearing her pantaloons, chemise and jewelry. He turned her to face him. "You are beautiful, my wife."

  She reached out for the buttons of his vest. "And you are overdressed."

  "That can be remedied. Which side of me do you want tonight, darling? The man or the woman?"

  "I just want you, Charlie, all of you. Tonight is our night to explore and learn."

  Charlie shed his sword belt and sash, then his coat and the unbuttoned vest. Slowly, teasingly, as if he were performing a dance, he eased his cravat off and began unbuttoning his shirt. Soon he was standing before her in boots, britches and open shirt, with the bindings showing through the placket. It was a halfway point in his mind, presenting Rebecca with both the male and female aspects of who he was.

  Rebecca approached slowly. She pulled Charlie's shirt from his trousers and slipped it from his shoulders. As the shirt dropped to the floor, Rebecca wrapped her arms around Charlie and started working the bindings free. "I love you, my handsome gentleman." When the bindings fell the way of the shirt, she continued, "and I adore you, my beautiful woman." She then began working the clasp on the trousers, all the time leaving soft kisses on Charlie’s shoulders and collarbone.

  Charlie ran her hands under Rebecca’s chemise and slowly slid it up her body. Rebecca briefly broke off her attentions to Charlie to let him lift it over her head.

  Rebecca smiled at her. "I think we should go to bed." She slowly stepped out of her shoes as her hands went to her hair, removing a few pins and letting it drop around her shoulders. She turned her back on Charlie, removed her necklace and then, very slowly, she pushed her pantaloons to the floor, making sure to bend over slowly as she did so.

  Charlie stopped breathing. This beautiful woman wanted her, desired her, and was clearly seducing her, offering Charlie everything she had ever dreamed of. Softly, Charlie caressed Rebecca’s back, running her fingertips down the strong muscles on either side of her spine, over the firm globes and down the backs of her thighs, as if reading her own future with the touch.

  Rebecca turned around, smiling shyly, holding her hands in a position of false modesty. After all, they had already made love several times and she was not sure there was anything left undone between them. But she wanted to give Charlie the image of the nervous bride.

  Charlie tipped her face up to look into her eyes and tenderly kissed her. Slowly, thoroughly, she made it clear to Rebecca that this night was going to be devoted to sensual love. As the kiss continued, Charlie’s hands slid back and tangled in Rebecca’s long, blonde locks. They were both breathing hard when the kiss ended. Charlie swept Rebecca up in her arms and carried her to the bed, laying her down on the soft cotton sheets then stepping away to finish undressing herself. As she pulled her boots and britches off, she wondered how Rebecca would respond to what she had planned for the evening.

  Rebecca was presenting the image of a nervous bride, but Charlie really was one. Rebecca had asked for both the man and the woman. Earlier in the day, Charlie had gotten Lizzie’s gift and cleaned and oiled the leather. It was in the drawer of the bedside table, ready for use.

  "Charlie, come to bed. Come to me. Please."

  Charlie turned, and walked toward the bed. Her movements were feline; her eyes were hooded with desire. As she slid into bed beside Rebecca, she whispered, "I love you, my darling wife."

  "And I love you," she paused and grinned, "wife."

  "Wife?" Charlie pulled back to look into Rebecca’s laughing eyes. "You really do like it that under all the trappings, I am a woman."

  "Yes," she traced her fingers slowly, gently over Charlie's arm. "I love it. With you, here, like this, there is only love and tenderness. It is wonderful and something I have never experienced before. You gave me this gift, Charlie. There is no way I could love or trust another man. Not after what he did to me. You, my love, are perfect, everything I need and desire."

  Charlie propped herself over Rebecca, looking deep into her eyes to gauge the truth of what she had just heard. There in Rebecca’s eyes, she found nothing but honesty and love. It was a blessing. Then Rebecca twined her hands behind Charlie’s neck and pulled her down into another heated kiss.

  Charlie nuzzled into Rebecca’s neck and whispered, "I have a bit of a plan for tonight, if you agree. You remember I told you that Lizzie had sent us a wedding present? I thought, if you liked, we would use it."

  "Use it?" Rebecca pulled back and gave Charlie a quizzical look. "What could she possibly have given us that we would use now?"

  "Well, remember me asking you if you would like me to get a…… prosthesis? Let me show you." Charlie pulled the velvet-lined box from the drawer in the bedside table.

  "Oh my Lord!" She blushed bright red before snapping the lid shut. "Charlie that's a……a……"

  "Yes, dear?"

  "I know this is probably a silly question, but do you know how?"

  "Yes, dear. I do understand the basics."

  "Charlie, I was married. I know the basics. But you have to admit that this is 'different'. I understand how I might get pleasure from this, but how could you? Because that is very important to me, that we both enjoy our time together, especially this time on this night."

  "Ah, look. There is a wide soft strap that passes right over the most sensitive parts of my body - and the base sits just above it. So every time I move, I am caressed just as you are."

  Rebecca opened the box, feeling very curious and slightly intrigued. "And you think you would enjoy this?"

  "Yes. If you enjoy it, I know I will."

  She looked to Charlie and grinned. "Well, I suppose we could……" she blushed and chewed her lip. "We could."

  "My desire, darling, is to make love to you however you want me to. I want to make you experience all of the passion and love and desire I feel for you. To make you feel, if only for a while, as if you are not alone inside your skin."

  "I would like to try everything with you, Charlie. You have already shown me love. Now I think we can explore passion." She caressed her cheek. "I love you so much, oh my husband and wife."

  "You keep a part of me always, love."

  Rebecca’s curiosity took over. She removed the present from its box and placed it in Charlie's hand before dropping the box on the floor. Turning back to her partner, she ran a nail over Charlie's very erect nipple.

  Charlie's body arched up, offering herself to Rebecca. She inhaled sharply.

  "So?" Rebecca gestured. "I am eager for another lesson, my darling."

  Charlie smiled and set the phallus aside for the moment. "Then first we must prepare ourselves. Do you agree?"

  Rebecca smiled cautiously. "Yes?"

  "Then let me kiss you, beloved. All of you."

  She smiled, still a little unsure of what Charlie was suggesting. "All right."

  Charlie rolled up over her and began loving Rebecca with her lips, teeth and tongue, covering her shoulders, throat and neck with kisses and gentle nips before she moved on to the woman's breasts.

  Rebecca drew her nails through Charlie's hair and she squirmed a bit. "Oh, I like this."

  Charlie spent a long time kissing and loving Rebecca's breasts. She
wanted to make sure that the smaller woman was as relaxed and excited as possible.

  Rebecca was slightly shocked and just a tad embarrassed by the way her body was responding. Her hips seemed to have a life of their own and her hands were holding Charlie's head firmly in place. Stars swam behind her eyelids as her body caught fire.

  Charlie waited for that ancient rhythm to take hold of Rebecca's body before she moved lower, tracing fanciful paths over her ribs and stomach with her tongue and lips. She teased Rebecca's navel, then her tongue traced the fine line of almost transparent hairs down to the lush forest of blonde curls.

  "Oh Charlie!" Rebecca’s head lifted from the bed as she opened her eyes to find her lover moving slowly and steadily down her body, until her head was resting between her legs. "What? How?" She could not figure out how to ask and she was not even really sure she wanted to. Everything Charlie did felt so good, she had no reason to believe this would be different.

  Charlie blew a fine stream of warm air over Rebecca's center before her head descended and lips made contact with lips, and tongue with tender skin and sensitive nerves. Rebecca was certain that Charlie had managed to grow fingers on the tip of her tongue, the sensations were so varied.

  "Oh God!" Rebecca’s hips lifted off the bed as her hands shot immediately to Charlie's hair. "Yes!" It was a combination of hiss and groan. "Oh Charlie!" Her body quivered in ways she had not believed possible before this wonderful woman had come into her life.

  Charlie lavished careful attention on every part of Rebecca's most intimate area. Each fold, each curve was caressed and licked. As quickly as Rebecca's essence flowed down, Charlie was right there to capture it with her mouth. Finally, that talented tongue curled around Rebecca's node. She scraped her teeth along the hood lightly then sucked hard on the key to Rebecca's satisfaction.