by Sharon Drane
Chapter 5
New Orleans – December 1865
Wilcox House
“You scheming hussy! You stole my only son and murdered him for his fortune!”
“Mama Wilcox, you’re tired this afternoon. If you’d like to go to bed, I’ll bring your tea up to you.”
Amelia’s once aristocratic mother-in-law lived in the past, unaware that her position in the world had descended from the heights of society to the level of the defeated.
Amelia leaned down to take the old woman’s hand. “Let me help you.”
The harridan spat fully in her face. “Get away from me!” When Amelia recoiled in shocked silence, her vengeful mother-in-law took another opportunity to vent her anger. She grabbed the book on her lap and flung it as hard as she could at Amelia.
The book found its mark, knocking her backward. Only by grabbing a chair did she manage not to fall.
“Get out of my sight, you slut! I order you and your misbegotten mongrel out of my home!”
Amelia stood aghast, her hand over her mouth.
“Leave my room immediately, you bloodthirsty harlot, and keep your little whelp away from me!”
She did not linger, but turned and ran out of the room. Jo Beth met her in the hallway.
“Amelia, I am so sorry about Mother. She’s very confused today.” Jo Beth put her hand on her friend’s shoulder.
Amelia swallowed her tears of humiliation and pain. “I don’t want Dougie exposed to Mama Wilcox when she’s in this mood.”
Jo Beth nodded. “We’ll keep him busy with Mariah.”
Union Headquarters
Major Hawthorne answered the salute of the posted guards as he left the headquarters. General Grant had sent him to New Orleans to gather information about the situation of the occupied city. Joshua smiled as he walked down the bustling street. The General never forgot an important fact. He sent Joshua here to search for the love of his life. Smiling in anticipation, he felt sure he would soon find Amelia. He had waited so long. Now that the war was over, he planned to find her, get married in short order, and begin their life that had been delayed. He had years of things to say, to speak of his feelings that never died.
He hurried to the address of the seminary, where he had sent letters to Amelia. When he arrived, the building was deserted, the windows boarded. Now what could he do? As usual in moments of crisis or indecision, he pulled out the miniature portrait that he always carried. Joshua smiled as he looked at Amelia’s laughing eyes. He brushed his index finger down the length of the tiny likeness. It was so like the Amelia he remembered down to the ruby ring on her hand. In the picture, Amelia posed with her hand at her throat, doubtless to show the ring.
He glanced around. He would have to go through the packet of letters and locate the name of her best friend.
It was Jo Beth something. She lived in New Orleans. Maybe she would know of Amelia’s whereabouts. He moved quickly down the sidewalk intent to retrieve the treasured letters at his hotel.
Joshua stopped to allow a lady to pass, ignoring her outraged sniff as she hurried by. Something glinted in the merchant’s window beside him. He looked in the window and forgot all about the rude woman. There in the window display was a glittering ruby ring, the center stone surrounded by diamonds.
There could not be two identical rings of that quality. Joshua looked down at the miniature and back at the ring in the window. This had to be Amelia’s ring. He hurried into the jewelry store.
The man at the counter looked up as Joshua entered. “May I help you, Major?”
“Yes, you have a ruby and diamond ring in the window. I want to see it, please.”
The man took the ring from the window and set it on the counter. “This is an exquisite piece. You have excellent taste, Sir.”
“How did you acquire this ring?” asked Joshua.
“I’m afraid I cannot say.”
“Perhaps the store owner could tell me. Is he here?”
“I am Henri Duchesne. This is my shop.”
“Mr. Duchesne, I am looking for the previous owner of this ring.” Joshua held out the miniature of Amelia. “We are old friends from before the war. I know she was here in New Orleans at one time. Is she still?”
Duchesne looked at the miniature and then at Joshua. “Very well, Mrs. Wilcox sold me this ring yesterday.”
Wilcox! That was the name of Amelia’s friend. Surely she is here staying with Mrs. Wilcox.
“I would like to buy the ring to return it to its rightful owner. How much do you want for it?” Joshua concluded the purchase of the ring, paying the quoted price.
When the transaction was done, he put the ring in his pocket with the miniature.
“Now, if you would, please give me the address for Mrs. Wilcox?”
Duchesne smiled at the major. He did not think a Yankee would be so generous. He hadn’t haggled to lower the price. Mrs. Wilcox was a nice woman, who like many, had suffered during the war. “Certainly, Major. The Wilcox home is located at 849 St. Charles Street. It is five blocks down and one street west of here.”
“Thank you for the information.” Joshua walked to the door, eager to be on his way, knowing he would find the woman he loved.
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Major. Please come back if I can be of further assistance to you.”
Joshua walked with purpose, swiftly arriving at the Wilcox home. He knocked on the heavily carved door. Certain he would find Amelia at last, his heart raced.
A maidservant answered the door, neatly dressed in black with a freshly pressed white apron and tignon. “May I help you, Sir?”
“Is Mrs. Wilcox at home?”
“Yes, she is, Sir. Who shall I say is calling?”
“Major Hawthorne.”
“If you will kindly wait here, Sir, I will see if Mrs. Wilcox is accepting callers.” She started to close the door. A toddler with blond curls peeked around her skirt.
He scooted out the door and slapped Joshua’s knee as hard as he could. “Damn Yankee!” he shouted, as he scurried back inside the house. The door closed behind him.
Well, that was quite a welcome. Joshua rubbed his knee where the small hand landed, wondering what his reception would be from Mrs. Wilcox herself. He could hear the murmur of voices coming from inside the house. He straightened his posture, ready to smile at the woman who could lead him to his beloved.