by Diane Wylie
“No, Jennifer. Now that you two are married, this concerns you both.” Jeffrey sat across from them on the edge of a stuffed armchair looking very tense.
David took a swallow of tea and put his other hand out searching for hers. “Stay, my love.” Their hands linked, and his thumb began caressing her fingers.
Clearing his throat, his father began. “I need to go back to Philadelphia in a few days, and I would like to take you both with me. There are wonderful doctors in Philadelphia. Maybe one of them can help David. The latest medical advisors can be found in the city. Will you come home?”
“Father…I…no, not just yet. There is something I need to do first.”
Mr. Reynolds jumped to his feet in agitation. “David, please, this is ludicrous. Your sight is more important than anything else right now. You owe it to Jennifer—”
“Father,” he interrupted firmly. “I must remind you that you said you would support me in my decisions.”
“Yes, but that was before—”
“I have not changed my mind because my sight is gone. My mission is still clear.” He raised his face to Jenny, his need for her understanding obvious in his sightless green eyes. “Please, this is something I must do. When Jack has recovered his health, we are going back together. Perhaps I will regain my sight by then, perhaps not, but I must expose Lieutenant Miller as a spy and traitor before he kills more men in my company.”
Jenny looked at Jeffrey helplessly then down at her husband. The vows had said, “For better or for worse…” She tightened her grip on his hand. “I understand, David. Perhaps when the issue is resolved we can go to Philadelphia. If your sight is not restored by then, maybe they can help you. Even if you can see again, I would still love to be able to go to the city to visit your father and perhaps learn a little from the medical doctors there.”
He smiled and raised her hand to his lips then pressed a gentle kiss on her fingers, which sent a tingle skittering through her belly. “Jenny, I know that you have a great interest and talent for the healing arts. Perhaps you would be interested in knowing that we have the first medical school for women right there in Philadelphia, the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. They opened their doors back in 1850.”
“Really? There is a college that teaches women how to be physicians?”
“If you wish, we can see what you would need to do to attend when things have settled down and the war is over.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she squeezed him tightly. Her shoulders shook, and tears ran down her face, transferring to his bearded cheeks.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart,” he kissed her and hugged her close.
“Oh, David, I love you so much. Would you really allow me to go to college to be a physician?” The pride and love on his face told her the answer before he even spoke.
He smiled. “Yes, my Jenny. We can go to Philadelphia and look into the matter.”
“I can learn more about the school when I go back, Jennifer, and write to you with the details,” Jeffrey put in. Even her father-in-law seemed pleased with the idea. How exciting it would be to study medicine, especially in a big city like Philadelphia!
Something David had said during his time in the abandoned cabin suddenly flashed through her mind. “Oh, but David, you wanted to get a farm and raise horses. You can’t do that in Philadelphia.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she remembered how his career choice that had met with such disapproval from his father in the past. Her gaze darted to Mr. Reynold’s face, but she could detect no disappointment.
Perhaps because of all that had happened, David had the courage to acknowledge his dreams once more in front of his father. “There are some wonderful farms on the outskirts of the city, honey. We will work out something...after the war.” Then he cocked his head listening.
“Father?”
“I’m here, son.” With a few quick footsteps, Mr. Reynolds was at his son’s side, a hand on his shoulder. “I-I surely hope that you will be able to start that farm you want so badly, son.” David put his hand over his father’s.
“Thank you, Father. When this entire nightmare is behind us, we will come.”
* * *
It was with mixed emotions that Jennifer stood on the wide veranda to bid farewell to Mr. Reynolds and Nate on the cool autumn day. Kizzie had been overjoyed to see her grandson, and they had spent many hours together talking of their family up north.
Isaac and Luther had both found employment in a kind blacksmith’s shop. Patsy and Cordelia were taking in washing, ironing, and mending for the wealthier folk in Philadelphia. Little Madeline was in training as a lady’s maid, just as she had been for Jenny, with a very nice lady. They all came home at night to a modest flat in a three-story walkup. They were free, and they were happy. Jenny really hoped to seek them out when she and David went to the city.
Nate wanted to take his grandmother north to stay with them, but she insisted her home was on Pleasant Run. Jenny rather thought that it was Jeb that Kizzie didn’t want to leave behind but didn’t say a word.
Now Nate was heading north. He and Jeffrey Reynolds would travel together until Nate found the main body of the Union army. Then Jeffrey would continue on to his newspaper and home alone.
Jack was well enough to be on his feet again. Mother Kizzie and Jenny were both seeing to his care. Apparently malaria was an illness well known in Kizzie’s native Africa, so she had been treating their friend with her own potions and herbs in addition to the quinine.
“You have the letter, Nate?” David asked.
“Yes, suh, Captain. I have it.” He patted his breast pocket in a gesture David couldn’t see.
“Remember, say nothing about Lieutenant Miller being a Confederate spy. He is a dangerous man. He has the power to hurt you or get you thrown out of the army or worse. Jack and I will take care of Miller…and soon.”
“That’s right.” Jack put in cheerfully. “As captains, we can make the case against Miller all the stronger. Besides,” he patted David on the shoulder affectionately, “This Yankee deserves to be the one to bring him down.”
Nate saluted first one officer then the other. “Don’t worry, sirs. I’ll give the highest ranking officer Capt’n Montgomery’s letter.”
Jenny knew that Jack, with David’s input, had written to tell the army of their escape from Andersonville. To explain their delay in rejoining the regiment, he had written that both officers were indisposed at present due to health infirmities as a result of their imprisonment.
Papa smiled at Nate and reached out to shake his hand. “You have always been smart as a whip, Nathaniel. Good luck to you and my thanks for all of your help. You are welcome here as our guest at Pleasant Run anytime, anytime at all.”
Jenny hugged the young man and kissed him on the cheek, embarrassing him nicely as she bid him farewell. She stepped back to watch everyone else step up in turn to bid individual farewells to the two who were leaving.
Mr. Reynolds and his son embraced for a long time, talking in low voices, and when they finally pulled apart, she saw tears sparkling in her father-in-law’s eyes. She moved forward and embraced him. “Don’t worry, Mr. Reynolds, we might be able to get a doctor out here in a few weeks for David. I know he’ll recover, and we will come to visit when we can.”
“Oh, daughter, I pray this war will soon come to a close, and we can all live together again in peace. Take good care of my son, Jennifer, as I know you will.”
Jeffrey turned to Phillip, pumping the larger man’s gnarled hand. “Thank you, sir. I feel that I have a friend here now. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the help you have given so selflessly to rescue my son.”
“You have raised a fine young man here, Jeffrey. He rescued me from my prison; it was the least I could do to return the favor. I am glad that my daughter has found herself a wonderful husband with a father such as yourself. I feel very much as though I have gained a second son.”
“Am I th
e first son, Papa?” Benjamin asked, looking up at them.
“Yes, you are, Benji…” Phillip laughed and bent to lift the boy into his arms. “…and now I have two sons.”
“And now I have a brother. Don’t forget.”
“Yes,” David told him. “We are family now, Ben.” Holding a hand out in the direction of the voices, he took the child’s small hand in his. Jenny’s heart swelled a bit more with her love for her men.
The two men, the older and the younger, mounted their horses, turned them due north, and rode away. They all stayed on the porch until both figures disappeared into the trees.
“Jack?” David asked, turning his head to search for his friend.
“Here, Dave,” he responded, touching his arm.
“Now we wait.”
“Now we wait,” Jack echoed.
Jenny wasn’t sure what exactly they were waiting for; they had been discussing something earlier today. She took David’s arm and turned him toward the door of the house. Then she took Jack’s arm, too and turned him.
“Inside, both of you. Time for medicine and rest while you wait to recover,” she said in her best no-nonsense voice. “David is beginning to see some blurry shapes. We are not going to risk losing that.
“That be right,” Kizzie agreed. “You-uns had ’nuff ’citement fo’ one day. Inside y’all, you too, Master Ben.”
The two men laughed as Benjamin groaned.
“The women are not taking no for an answer, fellas. We had best do as they say,” David acquiesced as he leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, brushing her nose instead when she turned toward him at the same time.
Things are definitely improving, she decided, laughing at his near miss and correcting his aim. A familiar tingling grew and swirled inside at the soft caress of his lips. Most definitely improving.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jennifer woke the instant the feather-light kiss touched her skin. Lying still she kept her breathing even as she listened to the faint creak of the bed, released from David’s weight. He was good at keeping quiet. She wouldn’t have heard him had she still been asleep.
Lying on her side, she watched him cross to the clothing draped over the chair as a distant flash of lightning lit the room. Every curve of naked, magnificent muscle was illuminated with silver for a brief second before the room was plunged into total darkness once more. Savoring and holding the image of her powerfully built husband in her head, she suppressed a sigh of womanly appreciation. What a seductive lover her husband was. Her breasts tingled anew at the remembered pleasures of the night and the many nights they had shared during his gradual recovery.
Seconds later, the bedroom door clicked shut quietly. Slipping out of bed, she located her nightgown and robe. She gave him a few minutes head start as she dressed then followed. Whatever was going on, she was not going to let him handle it alone, although he was strong and capable again.
The noise built and grew rumbling and grumbling to a crescendo before splitting the sky with a loud crack and flash. For a few moments she could see that the hall was empty. He must have gone downstairs. She headed that way, her slippers making a quiet swishing noise on the plush carpet.
Approaching the library door, she heard two male voices speaking. One was definitely David, but she couldn’t make out his words. Quickly darting to the opposite side of the hall, she pressed herself into a corner in the shadows of a large cabinet directly across from the open library doors. Now most of the room was visible in the brief streaks of light.
David was facing the cold fireplace with his back to the door. He was talking to a large shadowy figure standing in front of him. She could see a gun in the man’s hand pointed right at her husband. Who was the man? He was larger than Jack, Papa, or Jeb, the only men left in the house. Jenny strained to hear what they were saying.
“Your luck has run out, Reynolds,” the man said, making no attempt to speak quietly. “This time you will not be so fortunate. I should’ve finished you off when I had me the chance. But me ‘ol Irish heart developed a soft spot for you, boy. You’ve heart and courage, I’ll grant you that. The lassie you married is a fine one. It is a cryin’ shame that she’ll soon be a widow. It was damned nice of you to bring me here when you returned her daddy so ol’ Thomas could take a gander at the sweet little filly.”
As soon as she heard him speak, Jenny knew the voice belonged to Lieutenant Miller. Her blood ran cold at his words.
“I figured to break in, catch you by surprise, and do what I should have done in the first place. Too bad you heard me. Hmmm, maybe I’ll be coming back here fer your funeral, full o’ sorrow at yer passin’ at the hands of some unknown intruder, and court the gal myself. She’s a taste fer Yankee cavalry captains. Now that I have a well-deserved promotion, she’ll be takin’ a shine to me, too,” he continued.
She shuddered at the very idea of even being nice to the man who had rendered David blind, and had him thrown in Andersonville Prison. It took all of her willpower to remain here and listen, rather than kill Miller now with the tiny pistol she held hidden in her robe pocket.
Something she sensed, rather than heard, had her drawing her little gun. She stifled a sigh of relief when a flash of lightning lit up the golden locks of Jack Montgomery.
He slid into the shadows beside her noiselessly; his now solid bulk was reassuring. Jack was as physically fit as David once more.
“Miller?” he breathed in her ear.
She nodded.
“David tapped on my door. We thought he’d come back here and planned for it. Stay here,” he breathed again.
She nodded again and watched him flow noiselessly beside the open library doors, out of sight of the men still talking inside.
* * *
“Give it up, Thomas,” David’s voice was harsh. “You are going to answer for what you’ve done. You’re a traitor, a spy, and a cold-blooded murderer. I will see you brought to justice.”
Miller threw back his head and laughed. A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminated in the windows behind him and momentarily bathing the room with white light. The man both sounded and looked like a lunatic. His eyes were wide, cold pools of black, and his plumed cavalry hat was drooping and ruined by the rain.
“See? See? You poor blind bastard, what can you see? Nothing, you see nothing now and you never did. You saw nothing when I borrowed maps and orders from your saddlebags over and over again for my Southern friends. All you saw was loyal, trustworthy Thomas Miller, you fool!”
Rising slowly, David moved to the table. Miller didn’t react.
“Oh, you were good at leading men, I’ll give you that. Brave, upstanding, righteous, and fair for all who served under you. A champion for the enlisted men—that was Captain Reynolds. All the men loved you,” he sneered. “But they can’t help you now!”
“Oh, yes, they can!” Jack stepped into the doorway with his gun trained on Miller and moved into the room. Phillip stepped in from library door that led to the yard, his Winchester rifle in his hands.
Time to shed some light on this problem. David struck a match, lighting the oil lamp.
“You are mistaken, Thomas,” he said. “I can see you rot in hell!” Now three guns were pointing at Miller’s big, soft belly.
The lieutenant turned, surprise written all over his ruddy, whiskered face. “Why those blaspheming Yankee liars! I heard you was blind and come to see it meself and get you out of the way so’s that fine lassie could be mine…and I see ‘twas all a lie.”
David smiled grimly and stepped closer. “No, it was not a lie. I was truly blind but no longer. Maybe you did me a favor by sending me to rot in Andersonville, Thomas. Thanks to you, I have my best friend back. I found Captain Montgomery alive in that death camp and brought him back with me. But he is not the only ace up my sleeve. You see, I knew you would come back so I took a few precautions. Right now my father is delivering a letter from me to Colonel Josiah Kellogg detailing all that you did wit
h a corroborating letter from Captain Montgomery. You will be delivered to General John A. Dix, commander of the Department of the East, to stand trial and most likely hanged. Throw down your weapon!”
The big, red-haired head shook slowly, negatively. Bright white teeth gleamed in his full russet beard. “I dunna think so, gentlemen. You see, I have the luck of the Irish on m’side,” his brogue thickened.
Suddenly there was the sound of a scuffle in the dark hallway, and Jennifer was pulled roughly through the doors, held by a smiling, gap-toothed Private Silas Forrester. The knife he held to her throat glinted in the amber glow of the lamplight.
“Jenny!” David gasped. “So you’ve turned traitor too, Forrester? If you hurt my wife, I swear I will cut the skin from your body inch by inch!” he snarled. A red-hot rage, the likes of which he had never experienced in his life, seized him at the sight of Forrester’s grimy hands on his wife’s creamy skin. Wearing her full-length white nightgown she looked like an angel in the hands of the dirty weasel working with Miller.
“Money is a powerful draw, Cap’n Reynolds, but you ain’t in charge no more,” Silas replied, spittle flying from his loose lips.
“He’s right, Captain Reynolds…” Miller turned to Jack, “…and Captain Montgomery. If you wish to have this pretty lady’s neck unmarred, you will kindly hand over your weapons. You too, Mr. Winston, sir.”
Jack put his gun on the floor in front of the big Irishman and moved carefully to stand beside David. Phillip, with an anguished look at his daughter, followed suit.
Rain battered the windows in a fresh assault, and thunder rumbled angrily somewhere miles from the manor house. A shrill whistling noise filled the room as the wind steadily fought for entrance.