by Mary Ellis
“Yes, I was. Twins shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. Please, Jackson, what did you hear about our troops?” Amanda’s eyes were glassy with unshed tears.
“Very little good news, I’m afraid. The fighting continues west of here. Cooper’s regiment was under General Bragg’s command. When Bragg retreated from Wilmington, he headed toward Goldsboro to join up with General Johnston. They need more men for a final stand against the Yankees.”
“You make it sound hopeless,” whispered Amanda.
“It is hopeless and has been for some time. There’s talk of General Grant offering terms of surrender to General Lee. Apparently, those terms haven’t been to Bobby Lee’s liking thus far.”
In a rare burst of temper, Amanda knocked a jelly jar of water lilies off the railing. The jar landed in the murky water below with a loud splash. “You Americans are so blasted stubborn! The South will keep fighting until not one man remains to plant a seed, or harvest a crop, or sire a child.” She punctuated the tantrum with a stamp of her foot.
Abigail hoisted the baby to her shoulder so she could slip an arm around her sister. “Aren’t you glad we were born in a rational, civilized nation?” She angled a wry smile at Jackson.
“If not for our stubborn streak, ladies, we Americans would still be under Queen Victoria’s thumb. Opportunities for citizens to rebuild the city or start fresh elsewhere would be sharply curtailed.” Leaning back against the rail, he crossed his legs at the ankles. “Try not to worry, sister. Cooper’s desire to forge a life with you exceeds the sovereignty of states’ rights. I believe he’ll dodge any bullet shot in his direction.”
Amanda looked from one to the other, miserable. “When do we leave for the city?”
“Tomorrow at first light. I’ll send Thomas to the coach this afternoon with a bucket and scrub brush to give it a thorough cleaning. That man will truly be glad to see his wife again. Amos and Salome returned from Oakdale days ago, apparently with my mother’s blessing. Why don’t we start packing up our things here?”
“What about the Lady Adelaine?” Abigail asked. “I’ve grown fond of the old girl. Can’t we sail her upriver when the tide lifts her from the sand?” She ran a finger along a brass filigree molding.
“Not if we wish to keep her. The Yankees may not be looking to confiscate Confederate ships any longer, but if we dangle this plum under their noses, they won’t be able to resist.”
“Will the boat be safe here?”
“For now, yes. I’ll keep Mr. Campbell and his guards on my payroll. Let’s pray this war ends and the Yankees go home before I go bankrupt. When they leave us in peace, Henthorne and Sons will start over with one ship—a decidedly smaller fleet, but far less risky.”
“When we can use the Lady Adelaine without fear of confiscation, I want to travel to England to see my mother. And I wish you to come with me.”
He considered her request for only a moment. Then, smiling at her, he said, “I delight in granting your every wish, my dear. Of course I will accompany you. My father can run things until we return, and then he wants no part of the business. He wishes to become a real peanut farmer, not a gentleman planter.”
She giggled at the idea. “I can’t wait to see your mother in the fields come harvest time. It will be a sight worth the long drive to Oakdale.”
“Physical labor does a body good. Perhaps she will invite you to join her among the rows.” Jackson pulled opened the door to their stateroom. “Come draw me a bath, dear wife. I want to hear all about Jacky’s exploits in my absence. What new mischief did he discover?”
And so Abigail and Jackson left Amanda alone with her fears and concerns. Until the war ended, there wasn’t anything she or anyone else could do.
Despite the fact Robert E. Lee had signed terms of surrender with Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia, on April 9, hostilities continued in North Carolina for seventeen more days. How very sad for the unfortunate souls who died after the War Between the States officially ended.
But such an end would not be the case for Nathaniel or Joshua. Although bone-tired, hungry, tattered, and in need of a bath, both men remained sound of body and mind when Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army on April 26. With newly inked parole papers and two days’ worth of rations, they paused at a crossroads of two dirt roads. The rutted lane ran east and west—one direction toward their home in the hills, the other to Nate’s new life on the seacoast.
“I take it you’ll be heading east to that sassy Miss Dunn, whom I’ve heard so much about,” Joshua said before taking a long swallow from his canteen.
Shading his eyes, Nate peered in that direction. “As fast as my legs can carry me. I truly wish I had money for train fare.”
“There are no trains in this section of nowhere.”
“Money to buy Amanda a nice gift, then. I hate to arrive empty handed.”
“If the woman has tolerated you this long, I suppose she’ll be glad to see you without presents.”
“What about you? Will you head back to Balsam?”
Joshua faced west, as though his beloved blue-misted mountains could be seen on the horizon. “Nah, there’s nothing for me there. The county would have claimed the land for back taxes by now. Besides, that land wasn’t much good for farming, and I wasn’t much of a farmer. That’s one reason I left Uncle John’s hog operation.”
Nate felt a surge of excitement, his first since the war’s inglorious conclusion. “Which way will you go, then? North? Or perhaps farther west to stake a claim in Nebraska Territory?”
Joshua turned back to him. “Reckon I might visit this Wilmington you seem so fond of. After all, unless the lady has come to her senses, I smell an end of your long-standing bachelorhood.”
Nate scuffed his toe in the dust. “I don’t plan to buy another store. Maybe I’ll try my hand at fishing.”
“You can support a family sitting on a bank with a line thrown in the river?”
“Not exactly,” he said with a laugh. “I plan to buy a boat—a trawler. The sea is full of fish ripe for the taking. People in cities love the taste of seafood, same as we did back home.”
“I can still taste that pickerel and trout.” Joshua rubbed his belly in a circular motion. “You got money to buy a ship?”
“A boat, not a ship. And yes, long before my store burned I sold the inventory at a fair price. I’ve also been saving for the past five years. I can afford a small trawler, but what I need is a partner. I can’t run a fishing business by myself or manage the boat alone in rough water.”
“What about Miss Dunn? Doesn’t she wish to become your first mate on the high seas?”
“Not hardly. I intend to fish only along the coastline and come home each night to my bride.”
“Where would I live? I saved a little money, but I haven’t received a pay envelope in quite a while.”
“I’ve started building on property I own along the Cape Fear River. If Miss Dunn agrees to marry me, I will build a grander cottage than two boys from the hills ever saw.”
Joshua slapped his cap against his knee. “I could never impose on newlyweds.”
“You could sleep on the boat until you find a wife of your own. Most trawlers have a right-fine cabin for a man for your discerning tastes. What do you say, Josh? Will you be my partner?”
Without hesitation, Joshua threw his arms around his brother and squeezed. “I’d love to go fishing with you for the rest of my life, Nate. Maybe I can find me a sassy British lass too.”
“A Carolina belle would be more likely. Now, let’s whittle away some miles between us and the coast.”
Two weeks later and ten pounds thinner, Nate approached the oyster shell drive of the Henthorne home cautiously.
“What’s wrong?” asked Joshua. “Isn’t this the house?”
“Yes, but perhaps they’re still living aboard the Lady Adelaine.” Nate dug his fists deep into his pockets.
“We’ll never find out this way. Perhaps a knock on the door
is in order.” His brother started up the walkway.
“No, not the way we look. Let’s at least wash our faces and hands around back.”
“Suit yourself, but let’s not stand in the street all night.”
It took ten minutes for Nate to scrub off every bit of road dirt he could reach and dunk his head into a bucket to wash his hair. With wet strands dripping down his neck, he drank several dippers of wonderful-tasting water. They had yet to see a single person; the slaves from before the war were gone, perhaps on to better lives.
“We have spring water in the house for weary travelers.”
The voice behind him nearly stopped Nate’s heart from beating. Cobblestones shifted beneath his feet, while the stone wall seemed to wobble. Perhaps an earth tremor shook the Carolina lowlands…or maybe Amanda simply had that kind of effect on his equilibrium.
He turned to see a vision in lavender silk in the doorway—yards and yards of flowing silk, but the ridiculous hoop was nowhere in sight. “Good evening, Miss Dunn. I didn’t wish to jar your delicate sensibilities with my ungentlemanly appearance.”
She opened her mouth to speak but not a sound emanated. Instead, her face crumpled with emotion as she ran into his arms. “Oh, Nate, sometimes your clever wit vexes me to death!”
If not for the quick reaction of Joshua, they both might have toppled headlong into the well. “Steady on there. Let’s not have your reunion become a swan song,” he said, laughing as he pulled them back from danger with a firm grip.
Amanda hugged Nate harder than he thought possible for a woman. “Careful now. I will get your pretty dress wet,” he whispered next to her ear.
Unbeknownst to anyone watching, she pinched his back through his shirt in reply. Then with great effort she extracted herself from the embrace. Patting her hair into place, she turned from Nate and said in her most charming accent, “You must be Joshua. Nate was supposed to save your life, not vice versa.” She held the backs of her delicate fingers up to his face.
Unaware of polite conventions, Joshua grasped her fingers and pumped her hand high in the air. “Yes, ma’am, that’s me. Pleased to make your acquaintance. This is your sister’s place?” He gawked unabashedly.
“It is. Tomorrow you shall receive the royal tour, but tonight let’s find you both something to eat.” Amanda clung to the crook of Nate’s elbow as they entered the kitchen. “We use this room more than the dining room these days.”
Nate recognized Salome, Thomas, and Amos sitting at the table. “Good evening.” He couldn’t hide his surprise that they would continue to work here.
“Hullo, Mr. Nate.” They chimed in unison.
“Salome, would you fix plates for our guests?” asked Amanda. “I would like to first introduce them to Mr. and Mrs. Henthorne and then bring them back to eat by the cozy fire.”
“No need to look for us.” Abigail glided into the room with Jackson at her heels. “We spotted Mr. Cooper from the parlor window and couldn’t wait to welcome him home.” Without hesitation, she brushed a kiss across Nate’s cheek.
“Thank you, Mrs. Henthorne.” Nate knew the color of his face matched the bowl of ripe cherries on the table.
“Well done, Cooper. I didn’t think Johnston would ever give up.” Jackson slapped Nate on the back.
“Word travels substantially slower without the benefit of ladies and neighbors.” Nate felt inclined to give some excuse for Johnston’s waiting two weeks following Lee’s surrender. “May I present my brother? Joshua, this is Mrs. and Mrs. Jackson Henthorne.”
This time Joshua shook only Jackson’s hand before offering a small bow to his hostess. “Nate forgot to mention you two were identical,” he said.
“We’re not. I’m a smidgen taller,” corrected Amanda.
“And I’m infinitely more beautiful.” Abigail’s jest filled the room with laughter.
Later, after they had eaten their fill of stewed chicken and dumplings, the Henthornes rose to their feet. “Allow us to show you to your quarters, Mr. Cooper,” Abigail said. “I’m sure Amanda and Nathaniel would like a few minutes alone.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Joshua jumped up and trailed them up the steps. The servants also discreetly disappeared.
Alone with the woman he had dreamed about for months, Nate found his mouth dry as the Sahara Desert. He cleared his throat. “With the port reopening, have you given thought to returning to England? I’m sure your mother will be eager to see you. And you must be anxious to see if your changes have been implemented at Dunn Mills.”
“I’m surprised you remembered my mentioning some plans. We were embarking on a heated row at the time.” She refilled their cups from the teapot.
“I remember every word you said that night.”
“I am planning an Atlantic crossing this summer, perhaps in July. That should give me adequate time to prepare for my departure. After all, my duties in America are finished.” Amanda twirled a lock of hair around her finger.
Nate cleared his throat. “July should offer fair weather for sailing.”
“And what plans have you made? Do you still plan to try your hand as a sea captain?”
“A fisherman, yes. Joshua has agreed to become my partner.” He wasn’t sure he liked the direction this conversation was going. Salome’s delicious dinner began to churn in his gut.
“Splendid. Then our futures have been decided.” Amanda’s tone sounded a bit shrill.
“Uh, regarding your voyage abroad…do you intend to return someday?” He was afraid to meet her eye.
“Yes, Mr. Cooper, I do.”
Nate chanced a glance at her. The queen of an invaded beehive couldn’t look any angrier.
Amanda slapped her palms down on the table. “My plan was to sail to England on my honeymoon. My new husband and I would implement changes, find a suitable buyer who agrees with our vision for Dunn Mills, and then establish Mama in a flat in London—a place she has always yearned to live.”
Nate ran a finger around his collar to relieve a sudden tightness in his throat. “That…that sounds like an outstanding agenda. What has vexed you now?”
“There appears to be a fly in the ointment. Thus far no one has asked me to marry him!” The thundercloud hovering over her head turned ominous.
Nate slowly pulled the silverware out of her reach. “Easy, Miss Dunn. I’m sure you were taught patience as a child.” He let the words roll off his tongue, using the accent favored by coastal residents. “Can’t a man relax a few minutes after a meal before getting down to business?”
She pushed up from the table, but he moved quickly. “Oh, no, you don’t.” He took hold of both of her wrists. “Miss Amanda Dunn, after careful consideration I have a matter to discuss that cannot wait a moment longer. Seeing that I’m awfully fond of you, and considering you tolerate me fairly well, and if I promise never to go to war again, would you agree to be my wife?” Grinning, he released her wrists. “What do you say?”
She narrowed her eyes into a glare. “That’s it? That’s your question?”
“It is, and I shall hold my breath until you answer.”
She shrugged with consummate British indifference. “I say yes.”
“You do realize I’ll never be as prosperous as your papa.”
“I never wanted to be an heiress, Nate. I want my children to have parents who love them and who love each other.” She gave him her glorious smile. “Now let’s see what Salome has for dessert.”
Amanda walked the length of her suite in Abigail’s house for the last time…at least as a semipermanent resident. In the future, when she and Nate came for a week over the holidays or a long weekend in the city, it wouldn’t be the same. She would no longer be an Englishwoman on holiday, sent to mend fences with an estranged sibling and restore shipping lines with an antiquated society. She would also no longer be a wealthy heiress trying to find common ground with an oh-so-attractive grocer with a heart for righteous causes. Should Amanda Cooper ever lay her head on Abigail’s expensi
ve silk sheets again, it would be as an American fisherman’s wife who tended her flower and vegetable gardens by day and fed her husband gourmet meals prepared by her own hands. Or something to that effect.
Since their simple church wedding two weeks ago, Amanda had begged Nate to take her home…their home along the Cape Fear River. She didn’t care if it wasn’t large or even finished yet. It would be theirs, built entirely by the Cooper brothers with a little help from Mr. Campbell. But Nate had refused, insisting she would see the cottage in due time. Or when pigs take flight, whichever happens first.
“Having second thoughts?” From the doorway, Nate interrupted her woolgathering.
“About what? Leaving Wilmington? You know I want to show you off to Mama and dazzle you with the famous Red Rose County. The sooner we board the Lady Adelaine and raise the sails, the sooner we can return home to North Carolina.”
“No, not about leaving.” He came up behind her and encircled her waist with his arms. “And it’s ‘fire up the boilers,’ not ‘raise the sails.’”
Amanda gently pinched him. “No need to get picky.”
“Maybe you’re worried about entrusting such a grand sum of money with my brother for a fishing boat,” he murmured as he nibbled on her earlobe.
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s my wedding gift to you. If Joshua squanders it foolishly, you two will be stuck fishing from a rowboat.”
“Have no fear. He has been crewing for weeks on trawlers and spending his free time with Captain Russell. Besides, he’s far more practical with money than I am. I might be tempted to donate the entire lot to the Confederate Widows and Orphans League.”
Turning in his arms, she laid her head against his chest. “Once we sell Papa’s mills, there will be plenty to fund all the charities you want. What kind of second thoughts do you mean?”
“Do you ever regret marrying me after meeting those eligible Wilmington bachelors?”
Amanda thought about Jackson’s friends and burst out laughing. “Not so far, but perhaps you’re still on your best behavior. Ask me again in twenty years. Besides, why would I regret marrying a man who promises me fresh oysters, soft-shelled crabs, and flounder every night of my life? Someone who doesn’t expect more than simple cooking and a steady supply of tea from all over the world? A man whom I will love until the day I die. What fault could a woman find with those terms?”