"Oh my dear, that sounds like you are planning something to set them on their ears." She glanced around the room to find all eyes were upon them. "Something other than this I assume?"
"I plan to announce to them that you have done me the honor of consenting to be my wife, love, and that the wedding is set for the 28th."
"Yes, my dear, please do. But make sure someone is standing behind Mrs. Williams."
"I assume Mr. Williams will attend to his wife." Charlie smiled an evil little smile.
Rebecca moved just a shade closer and whispered. "My darling Charlie. You may assume too much."
"Then, darling, let her fall. The only woman I wish to attend to is you."
"I am very glad to hear that." She smiled sweetly at Mrs. Williams as Charlie guided her to the music. "I think she is ready to faint now. There goes my reputation." She teased, her hand moving up and down Charlie's arm.
After the initial surprise, Polk led Elizabeth out onto the dance floor. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper soon followed, and then Charlie's officers played the gallant to several of the younger women. Soon the room was swirling with men in dark suits and lovely women in gentle colors.
"You throw a wonderful party, General. We will be the talk of the county."
"We throw a wonderful party, darling." Charlie was relishing the feel of holding the smaller woman in his arms in front of everyone.
Rebecca took notice of the look. "Charlie Redmond, you are gloating," she smiled.
"Yes, Rebecca Gaines. I am gloating. I am holding the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms, I am dancing with her, and I am going to announce to the world she has consented to be mine for the rest of our lives. Of course I am gloating."
"Well, good. Then I will not feel guilty for doing it over you earlier."
Charlie pulled back a bit so he could look into her eyes. "You were gloating?"
"Like the evil thing I am, yes I was."
"Well, darling, I wish I could give you more to gloat over." He smiled anyway. It was so wonderful to feel her possessive, proud love.
"Please Charlie. I am going to be married to the most charming, handsome person in the world. I have plenty to gloat over."
Charlie grinned as the waltz came to an end. He bowed to her, as was appropriate for a gentleman after such an intimate dance, and escorted her over to the Reverend Williams and his wife, whispering as they walked, "You know, dear, we must play the proper host and hostess. So dance the quadrille with the Reverend and I will see if I can further scandalize his wife."
"That will do it." She chuckled as she moved to the good Reverend. He smiled and escorted Rebecca back to the dance floor.
Mrs. Williams hesitated when Charlie offered her his hand. A quick glance told her everyone was watching and it would not do to snub him in front of nearly the entire town. "Thank you, General Redmond."
Charlie led her to the head of a group of younger dancers, primarily local girls dancing with Charlie's junior officers. "Gentleman, may we complete the square?" Shy nods and one 'yes, sir, please, sir' came back promptly. They squared up and the dance began with the obligatory bow and curtsey. "Thank you for joining me, Mrs. Williams."
"One must be polite, General."
"Indeed, ma'am. I have always found if one takes the time to come to know one's neighbors, frictions can often be reduced."
"General, right now I have no desire to know you. But if Rebecca intends to live this immoral life after the war, then I will probably get used to you."
The steps of the dance took them apart for a few moments. When they returned, Charlie dropped his bomb. "Madame, as you know, I intend to make an honest woman of Mrs. Gaines, and very soon. I would be deeply appreciative if you would assist in preparing for our wedding on the 28th."
The minister’s wife nearly stumbled when the words sank in. "The wedding? You have set a date?" She had not expected the Yankee to follow through on his promises to Rebecca. She had expected him to ride away to war in the spring and be gone for good. But with a firm date set, it seemed clear that the General would return to Culpeper. She was going to have to put up with this sorry excuse for a man for a long time. The thought repelled her.
"Of course, Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Gaines is a wonderful woman. Although a number of people already know of our plans, we will formally announce it tonight. I am, I do believe, the luckiest man on the face of the planet tonight." Charlie fairly beamed with pride and anticipation - the perfect image of the eager bridegroom.
She could only shake her head. For the first time in her opinionated, small-minded life, Mrs. Williams was speechless.
Gently, Charlie looked at the thunderstruck woman. "Mrs. Williams? Are you all right? Has the heat and exertion tired you?"
"I rather think I would like to sit down," she nodded.
Solicitously, Charlie escorted Mrs. Williams to one of the chairs at the side of the room, and signaled to one of the troopers who were serving the guests to bring some punch. "Ma'am, shall I call Dr. Walker?"
"No, General. I only need rest."
"Then, ma'am, at least let me keep you company until you are feeling more yourself."
Rebecca and Reverend Williams noticed the small disruption Mrs. Williams’ departure from the floor created. They quietly left the dance floor so the minister could attend his wife. Rebecca smiled as she watched the haughty woman squirm at Charlie’s proximity.
"Ah, Reverend Williams. I fear your wife has been overcome by the excitement of the afternoon. Mrs. Williams, I look forward to meeting with you to coordinate what I hope will be a small, but elegant affair."
Rebecca tugged on Charlie’s sleeve. "General, I believe this dance is mine."
The band had started up a sprightly reel. Charlie smiled at her and led her to the floor, after bowing politely to Mrs. Williams.
"You are going to rot in the pits of Hell for that, Charlie." She admonished playfully.
"No, dear, I am going to back our most vocal opponent in the community into a corner she simply will not be able to get out of."
"Oooh, what have you done?"
"I have asked her to assist in planning the wedding. As the minister's wife, she cannot back out of it, and as one of the sponsors of the wedding, she cannot continue to condemn me and retain her credibility."
"You expect me to work with that hateful woman to plan our wedding? Oh Charlie, I will go fight the war and you can stay here for that."
"Darling, I assure you, you will never have to face her without me being present."
"One word out of her, Charlie, and I will not guarantee what will happen."
"Beloved, trust me. I have just backed her so far into a corner that by the end of the evening, she will be too busy saying 'I knew it all the time' to be any trouble to us."
Rebecca laughed. "I am marrying a very wicked man."
"You are, indeed. I would say, my dear, you and I are well matched."
And so the afternoon wore on, with dancing interspersed with singing. It was close to suppertime when the band struck up the waltz again.
"My love, dance with me."
"Of course. Now and forever."
The two danced as if there were no others on the dance floor, lost in one another’s eyes, in the flow of the music and the sensual joy of the dance. Charlie maneuvered them so at the end of the dance, they were standing at the head of the room, before one of the great fireplaces.
After the music ended, the guests honored the band with a robust round of applause for their contribution to the day's festivities. Then Charlie's voice rang out over the assembled guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is suppertime, and we have prepared a buffet for you in the dining room. But before we adjourn, I have an announcement."
Rebecca smiled and looped her arms through Charlie’s.
The room stilled. Curiosity was a powerful motivation for focusing attention. Charlie signaled to the staff who were rapidly circulating glasses of white wine to all of the guests. Charlie waited patiently until each guest had a glass. The troopers also took glasses of wine for themselves, as Charlie had ordered.