Sarah turned slowly and looked to Rebecca. "Miss Rebecca, they say there were some other men with him."
"Yes."
"And that General Redmond let them go from the Army."
"Yes, Sarah, but he did not know then what had happened."
"Yes, Ma’am, I know. But I am worried about them running around here. The folks over in colored town cain’t protect themselves."
"I know. General Redmond has men keeping an eye out for them, but he thinks they are long gone from here."
"I sure do hope so."
"We all do."
--*--
Sunday, January 1, 1865
The group that made its way to Church from Gaines Cove, or more appropriately Redmond Stables, that day was smaller than the previous Sunday. The visiting officers had left, and since Constance was having a very difficult day, both Elizabeth and Beulah had stayed behind to tend to her.
The congregation filed in quietly, but there was an underlying buzz of anticipation. Today was the first time since before the beginning of the war there had been celebrations planned for the New Year. How the Yankee General would handle Southern hospitality was a matter of intense curiosity and anticipation.
Mrs. Williams had chosen music that was vaguely patriotic in tone, perhaps to remind the residents they were still Southerners and they were still at war. The Reverend ignored it completely. He mounted the steps to the pulpit and began his sermon.
"Our lesson today is taken from Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes, verses 1 through 8."
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
"We have seen our time of death, our time of killing, our time when everything in our lives was broken down, and we were left with nothing but ashes. I do not believe there is a single person in this room who has not had their time of weeping and mourning."
"We have had our time of hating, our time of war."
"That time is coming to an end. We have had our enemies come among us and found them to be men of compassion, of honor, and kindness. It is true some of the enemies have not been able to let go of the past, to let go of the time for hate and war. For those poor souls, we offer our prayers and condolences."
"The year before us will be a time of great change. It is my prayer we find that it is a time to heal, a time to build up, a time to plant, a time to love, and a time of peace."
The sermon continued. Mrs. Williams sat at her keyboard with a look on her face that would make sour pickles seem sweet. One could only imagine the atmosphere in the Williams’ home, as the Reverend continued his message of peace and cooperation. Charlie speculated it probably made Vicksburg look pleasant.
--*--
Rebecca stood near the mantle in the large front parlor. She was gingerly holding a glass of wine in her hands and was on the verge of seething. Charlie was standing in the center of the room surrounded by all the available young ladies of Culpeper.
Elizabeth wandered over and tried to hide the smile on her face as she sipped her own wine. "You may rupture something very important."
Rebecca swung her eyes reluctantly from Charlie to her friend. "Excuse me?"
"If the green-eyed monster grips you any tighter, your eyes will pop out."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"I am talking about the fact that your husband-to-be is standing there surrounded by all those young ladies of the community and you do not like it much."
Rebecca nodded, ashamed of her feelings. "Yes, you are right."
"Rebecca, my dear friend. You need not worry about Charlie. He adores you. When you are away from him, all he talks about is you. I do believe he will see to your sainthood himself."
Rebecca chuckled and blushed. "I know he loves me. It is just that they are so……so……"
"Utterly charmed by the newly minted General." She elbowed her friend. "Think how jealous they will be when you and Charlie are married. My dear, you will be the envy of them all."
Elizabeth watched as Rebecca tried to do the proper thing and not gloat. It was obvious that Rebecca found it very difficult.
"Oh, enjoy it, Rebecca. It does not make you a sinner to be happy with the way your life is turning out. Especially since it came so close to falling apart."
"I do not want to seem too prideful, but you have to admit that if I were prone to it, Charlie would be a good reason."
"He would be the best reason. I think the good Lord will forgive you for feeling pride in the one you love."
As the two women chatted, Charlie broke away from his group of admirers and went over to the buffet where Jocko was standing in service. The two men whispered together for a moment, and Jocko nodded, then quietly left the room.
Charlie moved slowly across the room, stopping several times to chat briefly with some of the gentlemen in attendance, both from town and from among his own command. He kept looking over his shoulder, as if he expected something to happen.
As he drew near to Rebecca and Elizabeth, Jocko returned and nodded to him.
An odd mixture of mischief and relief washed over Charlie's features as he turned to his bride-to-be. "I have a little surprise for you and the guests."
"A surprise? General, what are you..."
Charlie smiled. "A surprise. Tell me, Mrs. Gaines, do you dance?"
She smiled back. "Why yes, General, I do."
"Ah, then the boys and I have done well. It happens we have several excellent musicians in the regiment who have consented to play for the guests today. They are ready, so, as our hostess, would you care to open the doors to the ball room and begin the proceedings?"
She took Charlie’s arm. "We shall host the first dance of what I hope will be many dances at Redmond Stables," she paused and smiled, "together, my dear Charlie."
Charlie stepped to the buffet and picked up a glass and spoon, tapping the crystal to get peoples’ attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Gaines and the men of the 13th Pennsylvania have a treat for you." He nodded to Jocko, who threw open the doors to the ballroom. The room was decorated with evergreen and holly, and fires were burning brightly in the great fireplaces at either end. In the musicians’ alcove, a small band, mostly violins, was softly playing. "Let us dance in the New Year."
Rebecca stepped forward and claimed her General. "Your dances are mine, General."
"My dear, I will have to do my duty to the matrons, but for you, the first and last dance." He nodded to the musicians and the strains of one of Mr. Strauss's scandalous waltzes were heard. "Mrs. Gaines, will you do me the honor?"
"Oh, indeed I will, General Redmond."
Charlie extended his left hand to her, and then wrapped his right hand around her waist. Standing for a moment, he waited to catch the beat of the music then led her into the whirling pleasure of that most scandalous dance. "I love being able to hold you in public, my dear. And before this day is over those who do not already know will know why."