Rob didn’t turn around. “But I was done with you.”
A slurred oath, and a fist came flying towards Rob’s head. Travis was quicker, blocked the punch expertly. He grabbed the arm as it tried to withdraw, then spun the man about and gave him a little boost with Air to send him skidding across the yard, scattering his friends like ninepins.
“Hey Rob, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that fellow didn’t like you much.”
“That’s his problem.”
“No, it’s our problem now. Hope you’re as good with your fists as you used to be,” Travis said, forcibly turning his brother about to face the onrush of angry men.
“Damnation,” Rob muttered, then waded into the fray.
It wasn’t a long fight—being sober seemed to carry a distinct advantage. It was down to three on two, and with a well laid fist there were only two left. Travis had spotted their fellow officers far down the street, hurrying to join them, when he heard a familiar voice shout.
“Behind you, Travis!”
He twisted about automatically, the knife aimed for his back slicing along his arm instead.
“Why you worthless piece of—” he snarled at their original assailant. With his good hand he wrapped cords of Air about the man, then stuffed an invisible gag in the foaming mouth. “I’ve put up with enough of your damned nonsense.”
The man’s eyes bugged out, and he looked about ready to faint from shock. Travis decided to help him along, banged his head up against a tree, and watched him fall into the dirt before sitting down heavily himself.
By then the others had arrived and the situation was under control. Rob reached down, helped Travis up from the ground.
“Thanks,” he said shortly, wincing.
“I think that should be my line,” Rob returned with a wry grin, fingering a gash above his eye gingerly. “How’d you know he was going to attack?”
“I’ve spent more time with their type, Captain Black, sir. Besides, I know from experience how aggravating you can be.”
His brother shook his head. “You know, I really don’t understand what it is that I do that annoys you so. So, how bad is that?”
Travis held out his arm, stared at the thin line of blood. “Would have been a lot worse if you’d not warned me to turn.”
Rob gave him an odd look. “I didn’t warn you. I didn’t even see the man until after you’d knocked him down.”
“Really? I could have sworn I heard somebody yell, and you were the only one nearby. Oh well,” Travis shrugged the discrepancy off for the moment. “I guess I’ll have Mum take a look at it when we get home.” He paused, then smiled. “Better yet, I’ll ask Star to work some of her magic on it. Shouldn’t take too much out of her….”
His voice faded.
A knocking sound at the door brought her up out of the dream world. Star stood up from the bed, pushing dark, sweaty strands from her face. What a peculiar dream. It had felt odd, like….
She didn’t get a chance to think on it further as a voice called, “Starla? Are you awake, lass?”
“I’m awake, Caro.” Well, I am now.
“It’s approaching time for the guests to be arriving. Would you be wanting help with your dress and such?”
“Yes, please.” The door swung open as she spoke. “Especially this mane of mine.”
Caro took a closer look at her. “You’ve been crying, my dear, have you not?”
A too bright smile. “It’s nothing. Just over tired.”
The expression on the older woman’s face informed Star that her lie was as obvious to Caro as it would have been to Will.
“As you say.”
Star tried her best to be upbeat and responsive as Caro helped her dress. But as she sat quite still, Caro’s deft fingers working magic on her unruly curls, the thought of leaving tomorrow, of leaving this happy place, brought a shadow over her once more. Caro kept up a steady flow of conversation, curling here, pinning there, before stepping back with a satisfied “there now”.
“Well, lass, have a look at yourself.”
Starla got up off the stool carefully, shaking knees making her hoops wobble as she walked over to the mirror. Caro smiled at her gasp of amazement.
“Mercy, Caro,” she breathed. “Is that really me?”
Caro surveyed her handiwork with great satisfaction. The dress was absolute perfection. Star’s already small waist looked even tinier than usual, with the hoops belling the satin fabric out in tiers to the floor. And while most ball gowns did bare the shoulders, the higher neckline on this one hid the scarred skin that marred the lass’s shoulders and back. Her dark hair was far too long to curl in fashionable ringlets, but Caro had woven an elaborate knot of curls at the base of her slender neck. The snowy collar was pinned with Gran O’Donnell’s cameo brooch; the matching earbobs dangled and spun as Star twisted her head from side to side.
“Indeed it is, a cailín. Quite the beauty you are too.”
Star stood there in front of the mirror, swishing her skirts to and fro. She seemed lost in the wonder of it all. Then she turned, took Caro’s hands in hers, squeezed them tight. Her eyes were even bluer than usual and sparkled bright with unshed tears.
“Caro, no matter what may happen, I shall never forget this. Thank you.”
As they came down the stairs the major let out a low whistle. “I shall be the envy of the county, with not one but two beauties to escort.”
His wife blushed prettily, knowing she did look quite the thing, the deep blue of her dress turning her gray eyes to silver, her dark hair arranged in ringlets above each tiny ear. A lapis pin gleamed in the midst of the lace that frothed from her bosom. Sam’s gaze lingered appreciatively on his lovely wife.
“Guests are arriving already,” he finally said, offering an arm to each woman. Star gripped it tightly, sudden fear washing over her face. He looked over at her, concern evident in his dark eyes. “Starla, don’t be afraid. You’re safe here. Remember? Try to enjoy yourself, my dear.”
She nodded, swallowed hard, and released her grip on his sleeve. He watched her summon a smile and then hold her head a little higher. “Good girl. That’s the spirit.”
When Starla finally took a break from the dancing, she collapsed gratefully in a chair next to Sam.
“Enjoying yourself after all?”
“Quite,” she answered. “I’d forgotten how much I love dancing.”
“You seem to have no lack of partners,” he said, waving a hand at the swirling dance floor. “I don’t think I’ve seen you sit out a set all evening. And I’ve seen more than a few jealous glances sent your way by those girls who haven’t been so lucky. I told you the local belles would have to look to their beaus.”
She shrugged, but the small smile playing about her lips said that for once she wasn’t totally averse to the attention that had been heaped on her. “They’ve nothing to fear from me. I’m not in the least bit interested in anything more than a dancing partner.”
Sam looked at her carefully. The dancing had flushed her cheeks a pale rose, wisps of dark hair had already escaped from their confinement and were curling prettily about her face, eyes sparkling with excitement, lips parted slightly as she caught her breath. I wonder what my son would think of his young friend, were he to see her now.
She stiffened, head tilted attentively, listening. “Do you hear that? There’s a large group of people outside.”
“Probably just latecomers.”
She shook her head. “No, I heard somebody say ‘Yes, captain’. They’re military.”
He didn’t question her certainty. “Then let’s go see what they want, shall we?”
Grabbing her shawl from the back of the chair where she’d left it, she followed him out onto the porch, much more nervous than her calm face showed. Although it was April, the wind blew cold; she clutched the shawl tighter about her shoulders. The full moon showed only a half dozen men or so out there.
Far too few to mean any real danger, she t
hought with relief. Plus, they were laughing. And then she heard a very familiar voice from the stable, directing them to head towards the house. Her heart expanded and contracted all in a single moment.
“Travis?” Sam exclaimed from her side, rushing out into the yard to clasp his son in a firm embrace. “What are you doing here? And Rob!” They had moved into the lamplight streaming from the house, Sam flanked on either side by his taller sons.
“On furlough, Da,” Rob announced. “Wanted to surprise Mum for her birthday. Hopefully you don’t mind if they join the party.” He cocked his head towards the group of troopers coming back from the stables. “We came this far together, and Trav and I offered them a place for the night before they head on further north.”
“Of course, of course,” Sam said, calling over his shoulder, “Please, come in. Join the celebration. The local ladies will be more than happy to welcome you,” he continued with a knowing smile.
Star saw them approaching and left the porch hurriedly, ducking into the dim sitting room, hoping to compose her racing heart before facing Travis.
“Let me show you where you can freshen up. There’s a buffet supper laid in the dining room, and I’m sure Ellen can find you anything else you’ve a hankering for,” she heard Sam say, the click of his wooden leg followed by the thunder of many boots going down the hallway past her. She dipped her head out of the doorway and watched the blue coated men walk towards the kitchen.
“Starla?”
She spun around with a gasp. Travis stood by the front door, frozen in the act of peeling off his heavy gloves. Unconsciously tucking the gloves in his belt, he took a step forward, captured her cold hands.
“Mo Dhia, Star, you look spectacular….” He trailed off, eyes taking on that peculiar silver sheen that did such strange things to her insides.
“Hello, Travis,” she said, voice husky, not sure if she should be singing for joy, or weeping her heart out. He was here, and she was leaving. They just stood there, silent, staring at each other.
A cough behind Travis brought them both back. “Pardon me, brother dear, but are you going to introduce us or not?”
“What? Oh. Sorry, Rob. Miss Star, this is my brother, Captain Robert Black. Rob, Miss Starla Anderson.”
She offered a hand shyly, but left the other trapped in Travis’ grip. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir,” she murmured as she managed to curtsey without collapsing, her legs were shaking so.
Why does he look so familiar? she wondered.
There was a small cut just above Captain Black’s right eye. When she saw it, Star let out a faint cry, her strange dream rushing back into her mind. She twisted her hand and Travis’ and with the other hand pushed up his sleeve, exposing a long oozing cut running from wrist to elbow. Without another word, she ran her fingers up the wound, closing it until only a slender line of pink skin showed.
Travis’ eyes were round with shock. “How…?” He stopped, shook his head in disbelief. “How did you know I had that?” he demanded in a low voice.
She was spared a response by a squeal—Caro, caring not a whit for dignity, swept down the hallway and into her sons’ arms. Star backed away into the sitting room again.
“What are you doing here, lads? Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”
Rob grinned down at his mother. “We veterans of the Fourth are free until the end of April.”
“First we weren’t sure they were going to let me go. Then we weren’t sure we’d make it here in time for your birthday,” Travis added. “We didn’t want to disappoint you, so we said nothing.”
A full month’s furlough? Starla hugged herself tight. Oh Lord, why now? Why does he come home after I’ve decided to leave?
Over his mother’s head, Travis looked at Star. “I need to talk to you,” he mouthed.
She nodded, eyes wide, hope springing up like a flame.
“Travis! You’re home!”
Starla cringed as Kitty’s voice echoed in the entryway. Travis and Rob were surrounded by girls with bright dresses and glittering eyes. They look and sound like so many twittering birds, Star thought. And just about as intelligent, too.
“We’ve missed you so!”
“I am so glad to see you home safely.”
“Might I beg a dance? It’s been forever since I’ve seen you.”
“Ooo, you look so dashing, Captain!”
The butterfly bright crowd bore the two brothers away, leaving Starla forgotten in the shadows. Quietly she went back to her seat by the window, the tiny flame battling the darkness in her heart.
She was immediately besieged by men asking for a dance, but she pleaded tiredness. “Just let me rest a while longer yet,” she begged, while on the inside her thoughts churned madly. He said he needed to talk to me. About what? It must not be that important, she thought with dismay, watching him guide yet another girl through the patterning of a reel.
A tall figure in blue hovered over her; she shrank back as she had not all evening before realizing it was Rob Black.
“Would you care to dance, Miss Anderson? If you don’t mind the outraged expressions of the local busybodies, that is.”
As if from a great distance she heard the first strains of a waltz, the new dance still seen as scandalous by many. But all she noticed was that Travis was partnering Kitty, pale, perfect Kitty. She managed the semblance of a smile.
“I’d love to dance, thank you. And I’m quite used to such expressions.”
Dancing with Captain Black was easy. Perhaps it was because he was a superb dancer. Perhaps it was because the brothers shared many mannerisms. However it was, she found herself relaxing into the music, into his lead without having to think. He was very polite, and obviously knew something of her background, for his questions were phrased with great care.
I think I like you, Robert Black, she thought, and favored him with a real smile.
Then Travis and Kitty drifted by, her soft pink skirts like rose petals, her face flushed with laughter. Travis looked over at them, shook his head with a tolerant smile, and bent his dark head back down to hear what his diminutive partner was saying.
“Quite the couple, aren’t they?”
Star stumbled at his words, too close to her own thoughts. “They do dance well together,” she said in a faint voice.
“They should, considering they’ve been dancing together their entire lives. I think Travis was her first partner at the very first dance Katherine ever went to.”
“How are things at the front, Captain?”
Rob blinked, startled at the sudden change in topics, but she was not looking at him. He followed her eyes. So that is the way of things, he thought. Not surprising, considering everything.
“It goes, Miss Anderson. It goes.”
He thought he saw a spark of annoyance in her eyes.
“Captain,” she said dryly, “I know more about this war than most of the people in this room. Now, would you kindly catch me up to date on what has happened recently? In as much as you can without spilling any secrets, that is.” Her twisted expression told him that she knew such a request might be construed as spying.
“I do beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to imply that you couldn’t or shouldn’t hear what has been going on. It’s just that I personally am sick of the war and while on furlough I wish to think only on more pleasant things. For example, after this mess is finished, I plan on going back west.”
She looked at him with interest. “Really? My uncle was in Texas. Actually, now that I think of it, two of my uncles were in Texas. And they both absolutely hated it. Uncle Kit said that Texas looked like God had gotten bored while creating it, and hadn’t bothered to finish.”
Rob laughed. “That’s a very accurate way to put it. Texas does indeed look half finished. But I spent most of my time in Colorado Territory, where the mountains kiss the sky and the stars hang so low you could pluck them out of the night. The plains stretch for hundreds of miles without a single mark of man,
like a great grass ocean. After spending time out there, the East feels somewhat cramped, like you can’t breathe deeply enough.”
“You sound almost poetic, Captain. Colorado must be beautiful indeed to make you rhapsodize so over it.”
“It is. If the army won’t take me back, I’ll go out on my own. Who knows, maybe I’ll turn prospector or trapper. Or not,” he added with a smile, as she raised an eyebrow at that remark. “But what of you? Have you any wonderful plans for your future?”
“I’m not sure,” she stammered, caught off guard by his question. Do I have any plans at all? “I’ve never let myself think that far ahead. I can only think of the next few—” she broke off suddenly as the music stopped.
Across the room, Travis was bowing to his partner. Starla could not see his face, but she saw all too clearly the kiss Kitty planted on his cheek. The Yankee girl shot her a look of triumph and kept a possessive hand on his arm.
Star’s vision grew dim for a moment.
“Come now,” Rob pressed, bringing her back to herself. “Surely you must have an idea of what you’d like to do. Everyone has dreams of some sort.”
But my dreams lie in ashes, she thought, feeling her last flame of hope die and go cold. My heart has only Virginia now, wherever she may fight.
She curtsied, allowing Rob to bow over her hand. Rising gracefully, she looked up at him with a somber face.
“Dreams, Captain Black, are a luxury of the victorious.” Then in a husky, off key voice, she sang softly, “In Dixie land, I’ll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie,” and walked from the room with her head held high.
Rob watched her leave with lips pursed. What is she up to? he wondered, stroking his moustache thoughtfully. He glanced back over where Travis and Katherine stood, took in the girl’s animated face, the toss of her golden head, the hand on his brother’s arm. His eyes narrowed as his very logical mind put two and two together. Striding across the room, he interrupted the couple.
“Pardon me, Katherine, but something has just come up that I need to discuss with my lieutenant.”
An Uncivilized Yankee Page 29