Charlie carefully slipped the small garnet ring she had been wearing off her left hand ring finger. He then just as carefully placed the emerald at the tip of her finger and asked again, "Rebecca Gaines, will you marry me? All of me. The man and the woman? Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives, and share with you all that I have and all that I am? Will you raise our children with me, and build a life filled with love and laughter together?"
Words were far beyond Rebecca's reach at this very moment in time and all she could do was nod and try to hold back the happy tears that threatened to escape. Finally she drew a deep breath and managed to whisper, "Yes."
Charlie slipped the ring on her finger. It settled firmly, as if it were a part of her hand. Then he gathered her close in his arms and they sat, holding one another, until the need for sleep overtook them.
Chapter 26
Friday, January 27, 1865
Mr. Cooper drove the big wagon behind the house and pulled the tarp back to show Charlie the lovely rosewood spinet piano in the back. Mrs. Cooper sat up on the box, waiting for the men to figure out how to move the heavy instrument.
It was unusual for Mr. Cooper to deliver anything personally; it was far more unusual for Mrs. Cooper to accompany him, but today she wanted to have a word with the General, and then assist Rebecca in the final preparations for the wedding.
Charlie, Jocko, and Duncan sweated in the cool air, carefully moving the piano and matching stool off the wagon and into the house. They stashed it in the musicians’ alcove in the ballroom, from which they could move it into the front parlor quickly and relatively painlessly on the morning of the wedding.
Charlie then invited the Coopers to join him in his office for a cup of tea. Mr. Cooper declined, citing the need to return to his store. Mrs. Cooper accepted, after Charlie assured her one of his men would be happy to drive her home later.
"Mrs. Cooper, I do appreciate what you and your husband have done to get Rebecca’s wedding present. I am sure that dealing with Mrs. Williams in my behalf was…… challenging."
"Well, Mrs. Williams would certainly have not accommodated you if she had known what Mr. Cooper’s plans were. I am sure she will be irritated when she finds out." She sipped her tea then said, "General, I am glad we have this few minutes together. There are a few things I wanted to discuss with you privately."
"Of course, Ma'am any thing I can do to be of assistance to you or Mr. Cooper."
"I was Rebecca’s mother’s very closest friend. We were almost like sisters, and I have always held Rebecca in a very special place in my heart. So, with her mother gone, there is no one but me to speak with you as a mother would. I hope you do not mind the presumption."
Charlie smiled. Then he sat up very straight in his chair. "No, of course not."
Mrs. Cooper paused for a moment and then began with a question. "What has Rebecca told you about her first marriage?"
"She has told me bits and pieces of her marriage to Mr. Gaines. Enough for me to surmise that she was treated very badly."
"She was treated very badly indeed. I personally believe he beat her, although she has never said anything directly."
Charlie nodded. "Yes, he did. She has confided that to me."
"I also believe he abused her…… conjugally."
Charlie swallowed hard. "I know from what she has said that he did. However, I am not sure Rebecca sees it for what it was."
Mrs. Cooper looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean, General?"
"I think Gaines had her convinced it was her duty and his right. She knew he was wrong and he was hurting her, but I do not believe she equates it with what happen to Mrs. Adams, because Gaines was her lawful husband."
Mrs. Cooper looked at the man before her with some surprise. She knew the General was a sensitive man, but this perceptiveness was more than she thought any man capable of. "Well, sir, you seem to have a good grasp of what she has been through. In addition to being violent and controlling, he was unfaithful, and unfaithful in ways that were very insulting. I know Rebecca tolerated it in silence, but I could see how much it pained her."
"I hope you know I would never insult her in that way."
"General, may I be perfectly blunt with you?"
"Of course you may."
"I have never known a gentleman who did not stray at some point in his marriage. I just ask that you be discreet about it. Furthermore, Sir, if you ever hurt her like Gaines did, I will personally see to it that you are called to task. She is a sweet woman; she does not deserve that kind of treatment."
Charlie nodded, "I would hope so. I can see how much you care for her and I am pleased she will have you to rely on when I am called back to service. But rest assured, when I return home I will be faithful to Rebecca as no man has ever been faithful to a woman before."
"I hope so, General, I truly hope so. I assume you have also heard the rumors that Rebecca is…… unable to bear children?"
"Yes, but that does not concern me. As you know, Rebecca has decided to take in every waif that passes through Culpeper, and..." Charlie shifted knowing now was the time to fix this particular problem before more rumors got started. "You see, Ma'am, I was injured. I am afraid I cannot father children."
"Oh, my, sir. That is most unfortunate. If it is not too personal, may I ask how extensive the injury was? I mean, I know Rebecca is a passionate woman and I……" She trailed off, embarrassed to ask the question that was floating just out of reach, past the boundary of her Southern propriety.
"I assure you. I am capable of satisfying Miss Rebecca, just not fathering children."
Mrs. Cooper blushed, rather becomingly for an older woman, and smiled. "I am sure you will extend yourself to the limits of your capabilities, sir. I just do not want to see Rebecca hurt again."
Charlie could not help but smile. He gave Mrs. Cooper a little wink. "I give you my word, ma’am. I will not hurt her."
--*--
Charlie escorted Mrs. Cooper upstairs. Entering the back parlor, he announced, "Darling, look who has come to help you through the day." Rebecca looked at Charlie and Mrs. Cooper with an odd lack of comprehension.
"What?"
"Honey, Mrs. Cooper has come to help you today." Rebecca was wandering around the room, aimlessly toying with the flowers, the carefully sorted dishes for the following day, the ribbons for the ballroom and various other items that were carefully staged in the parlor for deployment the following morning. She rather reminded Charlie of a lost lamb, milling around looking for its ewe. He looked at Mrs. Cooper. "Perhaps, ma’am, I should send a messenger to your husband asking him to join us here for the evening."
"Ah, yes, I suspect you are right. She looks a little…… disoriented. Mr. Cooper and I can take her to our home to dress for the wedding in the morning. Thank you, General."
Rebecca looked up from a flower arrangement. "Hello, Charlie."
"Hello, darling." He went to her and gave her a soft hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Mrs. Cooper is here to see you, dear."
Rebecca looked from Charlie to the woman across the room. "Hello, Grace." She looked back to Charlie. "We are getting married in the morning."
"Yes, dear. We are getting married in the morning. At least we are if you still want to." Charlie looked over at Mrs. Cooper, a silent plea in his eyes. He was starting to panic. Had the stress finally gotten to Rebecca? Had his beautiful, strong lady finally snapped? "Darling, are you all right? You seem so…… distracted."
She looked at him, not fully understanding what he was saying, but understanding the look of concern on his face. "I am fine…… really."
Charlie was at a loss. She seemed totally removed from him, from the events going on around her, from the bustle of the day. "Are you sure, darling? I do not want our wedding to put you back in bed, as you were before Christmas."