"May I ask?"
"You may ask me anything, Colonel."
"What happened to her?"
"Ah well, she was taken from me when they started commandeering things to help the war effort. The Confederate soldiers took everything that was not nailed down. What you found me with is most of what I was left with."
"Oh, my dear lady, I am so sorry. I wish there were some way I could make all of the pains go away, as if it never occurred. Alas, I cannot. But my men and I will do what we can to at least leave you and this community comfortable when we leave."
"On a lighter note, ma'am, how do you find Shannon as a mount?"
"You are very kind Colonel, your company is very soothing. I do so enjoy it. And Shannon is a fine girl." She gave the mare a firm and loving pat on her broad neck. "She is very well behaved and I can tell she is a smart one as well. I am sure if given the chance we would find her tasting the sweet corn as well."
The Colonel laughed heartily, "She has a love of the tender shoots that will become the husks - very hard on a corn crop is my Shannon girl. She goes sweetly, ma'am. If you were up for it, I think you would find her gaits smooth and exhilarating."
"Colonel, with you as my guide, I believe I am up for almost anything."
"Well, ma'am - this is a lovely swath of pasturage we are coming on to the right. Shall we ride toward the mountains for a bit? And you can try her paces."
"That would be lovely, sir. I must admit to feeling a bit selfish in not wanting to return home. This fine animal and your gentle company are so delightful; I would so enjoy extending our ride. If you do not have business to attend to?"
"Miss Rebecca, I am at your service for the entire rest of the day and evening. Come, ma'am, your horsemanship is outstanding - I will race you to that copse of trees."
Without another word, Rebecca spurred Shannon to a gallop. Mane and tail floating, muscles rippling, the big mare showed her paces willingly. Rebecca reveled in the joy of the moment, the freedom, the wind in her face and a strong, responsive horse beneath her. Charlie just caught up as they reached the small copse of trees that surrounded Gaines Run. Rebecca was laughing with pure pleasure, her skin flushed from excitement and the crisp air. A strand of hair had come free in the rush of the gallop across the field. The sight was enough to make Charlie's hands tremble with the desire to reach out and smooth that lock of hair back into place.
Slightly breathless, Rebecca turned. "Colonel, I believe our mounts have earned a drink and a rest. Let us walk for a bit."
"I am at your service, Ma'am." Charlie swung down from his mount, dropping the reins to ground tie the well-trained beast. He stepped over to Rebecca and offered her his arms to help her dismount. She could have let him put his hands around her waist and lift her down. Instead, she placed her hands gently on the Colonel's shoulders, and allowed herself to be lowered to solid ground by sliding into his arms. She stood for a moment looking into blue eyes that went wide, startled and at a loss for what to do next. She lowered her own eyes, blushing just a touch. "Thank you, sir."
For a moment, that same endearing look of innocence that she had seen the night before when he stood at the door of the parlor, flowers in hand, flickered across his features. Then the Colonel returned, charming and polished.
"Ma'am, it is entirely my pleasure. Your company is a sanctuary such as I have not known before."
"You flatter me with your kind words." Looping her arm through Charlie's, she set them off at a slow pace.
Charlie gathered up the reins and led the horses with his free hand. In a very gentle voice, Charlie answered, "No madam, I do not flatter you. To me, this place, and your company is a little touch of Eden to a lonely soul."
"Then I am very glad you came. And I am even happier that you are staying for the winter. I have been alone for too long. Colonel, could I……I mean would you……you be available for dinner tonight."
"Ma'am, I would be honored to join you for dinner. I can think of no place I would rather be."
"That is wonderful, Colonel. Neither can I."
"Shall we ride again, ma'am? The afternoon is slipping away."
Rebecca nodded her agreement. If she was to host Charlie to dinner, she had to get back and figure out something worth eating. Charlie clinched his jaw a bit and stepped up to lift her into the saddle again. The warmth of her slender waist between his hands, the pressure of her hands on his shoulder sent ripples of wanting through his frame. Dear God, how this woman touches me, and yet I think she does not know...
The ride back to the manor was uneventful. They followed the winding course of the Run. Past the kitchen garden, with herbs and vegetables that were the mainstay of Rebecca’s diet in these hard time, past the small farrier’s cot and the overseer’s cottage. Finally, the run spilled out into the pond at the base of the long rolling lawn and gardens that graced the rear of the main house. They walked around the pond, admiring the mountains in the distance and the lovely colors of fall that were just beginning to paint the trees in brilliant oranges, reds and yellows. As they approached the house, Rebecca reminded Charlie that his services would be needed as a ladies maid once more.
Oh, Lord. Dressing her was hard. Undressing her is going to be worse. I am a gentleman. I am a gentleman. I am a gentleman.
Charlie rushed through unbuttoning the lovely, tight jacket of Rebecca’s riding habit. He slipped the ties of her skirt, and then backed away, trying not to look at the soft skin of her shoulders, the tender curve of her neck. "Uh, I forgot, I need to go and check on Montgomery. I will be back in time for dinner." He turned to go, pausing at the door. "Thank you for a truly delightful afternoon, Miss Rebecca. I hope we can repeat it soon."
As he rode away from the house, Charlie slumped in his saddle. How can I keep doing this? I have got to get that woman a ladies maid or I will die before the end of the year.
He hurried back to the camp, dropping the horses off with one of the troopers at the picket line, then making his way directly to the infirmary. He entered quietly, looking around to catch the medic’s eye. Samuelson moved to him quietly, and motioned for both of them to step outside. "I am sorry Colonel. There is been no change. He took a massive blow to the head, as well as to the chest and shoulders. One arm is broken, as are several ribs. I have set them. But I am afraid, with the swelling, that he may have a skull fracture. There is nothing that we can do but keep fluids going into him a little at a time, hope we do not drown him in them, and wait."
Charlie shook his head. "Well, do the best you can. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Gaines has agreed to let us winter over here, so we will be setting up a proper hospital. I will ask headquarters and hope Dr. Walker will be joining us."
Samuelson’s face lit up. Charlie was not sure if the pleasure his chief medic took in Dr. Walker’s company was because of the Doctor’s skill and kindness or because of her friend and sometimes medic, Mr. Whitman’s eminent arrival.
Working his way through the camp, Charlie stopped and talked with various members of his regiment –– a sergeant here, a trooper there, checking on his men as he moved through the camp, naturally reaching out to ensure that he had a personal relationship with each man within the regiment.
By the time he returned to his own tent, Jocko had been there before him. Obviously, he had been up at the main house and knew where the good Colonel was supping that night. Laid out on his cot was Charlie’s only suit of civilian clothing, a walking suit of soft wool in a dove gray. Lying beside the clothing was a small bouquet of flowers and a twist of coffee. Charlie smiled. Jocko was such a confirmed romantic. With the memory of the days gentle touches still tingling through his body, Charlie set off to see if he could be a gentleman without being a soldier.