He stopped when he finally saw her, sitting up on the settee, near the fireplace. She was naked from the waist up, clad only in her pantalets, she had one shoe on and one bare foot, the other shoe and stocking had somehow managed to find their way to the center of the bed.
Quietly, he divested himself of his coat, tie, vest and boots. Clad only in his shirt, britches and socks, he padded over to the settee and stroked Rebecca's hair. "Rebecca, dear," he whispered.
"Hmm……" She opened rather bleary eyes, and then she smiled. "Charlie you are home."
"Good evening, darling. Um. Did you... wear yourself out this evening?"
"Huh? Oh no, the ladies and I had a delig……deligh……a good time."
The unmistakable aroma of rum hit Charlie straight in the face. Since he had been drinking brandy that night, the difference in aromas was unmistakable. "Um, Rebecca, darling, have you been indulging in the rum?"
"Not just me." She giggled. "I think Mr. Cooper is in for quite the surprise tonight." She began giggling harder to the extent that she fell over on the couch, continuing to laugh.
Charlie had a vivid image suddenly spring into his head, of five very outspoken women sitting around the parlor, with every inhibition they owned erased by the power of his Demerarra rum. It was a frightening image. "Darling, you need to get to bed. Let me help you finish undressing."
"Ooo Charlie, are you going to undress me and take me to bed?" She opened one eye and graced Charlie with an almost predatory look.
Charlie knew that look. He had first seen it on the last night they spent at the Willard. He checked in with his body and decided that yes, perhaps he was finally ready for the... exertion that satisfying that look required. In a low, slightly husky voice, he responded. "That, my dear is exactly what I am going to do."
"Oh good." She sat up and pulled Charlie to her. "I love you, I have missed making love with you." She gave Charlie a kiss he would have felt to his boots had he still been wearing them. As it was, his toes were very warm.
--*--
Saturday, June 17, 1865
The ladies spent the night at Redmond Stables. The plan was to prepare as much as possible, then withdraw to Mrs. Cooper’s for final touches. However, the effects of the previous evening were having a definite impact on the speed with which the ladies started their day.
Elizabeth staggered down to the kitchen, looking for Sarah and her magical hangover cure. The cook had taken time from her labors out in the summer kitchen to come into the main house to prepare breakfast for the family. "Lord a mercy, Miss Elizabeth. What happened to you?"
Rebecca appeared at that moment, using the doorjamb to support her rather shaky frame.
Elizabeth very slowly turned her head to Rebecca. "She happened to me."
Rebecca shaded her eyes against the morning glare as Charlie breezed in from the mudroom and opened the shades. "Good morning, ladies. It is a beautiful day. In fact, I would say a perfect day for a wedding." He smiled benignly, knowing full well that Rebecca had a head that could define the term ‘‘morning after.’ He suspected Elizabeth and the other ladies were in no better shape. "Sarah, I think a pair of poached eggs on toast would be just the thing today –– light enough to save plenty of room for your lovely dinner, but enough to stick to your ribs and stay with you. Why, let us make your morning simple. The same thing for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Rebecca."
Rebecca groaned and let her head drop to the table. "You are an evil man, Charles Huger Redmond."
"But, darling, last night you told me how wonderful you thought I was."
She raised her head and gave him an insincere smile. "Anything said in the heat of passion cannot be held against me."
Charlie leered. "My dear, I would happily hold anything against you that you wish." He took pity on the two sad figures in front of him. "But for right now, Sarah, I think you need to mix up a major batch of your hangover cure. These two definitely need some, and I suspect there are three more candidates for your remedy. Oh, and while you are at it, please bottle up a dose. Colonel Polk is not at his best this morning either."
"Did you get my fiancéé drunk, Charlie?" Elizabeth managed to ask from between her hands, which were currently holding up her head.
"No more than my wife got you drunk, dear Elizabeth. And to be absolutely precise, I believe it was the drinking contest between your husband-to-be and Jocko that was the final straw for our rather bilious friend."
"Oh, he should know better than that." She grinned, somehow happy in the knowledge Richard was no better off than she was.
Sarah sat two glasses filled with a thick black fluid in it in front of the two sufferers. "Drink up, ladies. It will cure what ails you."
Rebecca paled a little when the odor hit her nose. She looked to Charlie, "Darling, would it be easier just to kill me?"
"I had to drink that stuff before I married you, dear. Turn about is fair play."
Rebecca nodded and picked up the cup. Closing her eyes she said a quick prayer, then downed it. Making a face reminiscent of Em when she had to take medicine, she slammed the glass down. "Oh, please do not ever let me do that again."
"Shall I lock up the rum, dear?"
--*--
The day remained clear, and by three in the afternoon, the ladies were all prepared for the great event. Elizabeth was lovely in ecru silk and ivory lace. Rebecca’s lavender and dove gray was sedate and understated. They were ready. Earlier that day, the gentleman who would give Elizabeth away joined them. He was an old friend of Elizabeth’s father, as well as having been an advocate for Elizabeth when she first entered service with the Army before the war began. Knowing that he would be recognized, with his close clipped beard, gray hair, and sad eyes, General Robert E. Lee donned his Confederate dress uniform for perhaps the last time. They were ready.
Charlie managed to get Richard put back together and both men had put on their dress uniforms in good form. Charlie had discarded his crutch a week before and was almost dapper with his new Malacca cane. The two men took their place before the altar. Reverend Williams signaled for the processional to start and everyone in the church turned to await the arrival of the bride. Mrs. Williams played the first chords and Elizabeth and her party stepped into the doorway.
Then suddenly the music stopped as the organist fainted dead away. Seeing her reaction, the entire crowd turned to see what had caused Mrs. Williams to stop playing. A few rushed to her side, fanning her and looking hastily in their reticules for some smelling salts. The rest of the congregation looked more closely at Elizabeth and the man who was her escort. Without a word, the assembled crowd stood in respect of the General. Mrs. Cooper smacked the now revived Mrs. Williams on the shoulder and the music began again.
Elizabeth walked in stately grace up the aisle to the eagerly waiting Richard. She took her place beside him, and her escort glanced over at Charlie. "Redmond," he nodded a graceful greeting.
"General Lee, Sir." Charlie smiled, and both men, along with the rest of the congregation turned to witness the marriage.
--*--
The guests assembled in the hall and reception room at the house. A gentle buzz went around the room, as they waited for the wedding party to arrive. Finally, Charlie’s larger carriage appeared. The best man and matron of honor dismounted first, followed by General Lee, representing Elizabeth’s family, and then the groom and his lovely bride. The five of them entered the house amid much laughter and applause. Richard and Elizabeth were occupied for quite a while greeting all of their guests; Charlie took the opportunity to retreat to a quiet corner, a comfortable chair. and a nearly private chat among the three attending generals.
Rebecca took the time to go and check on the children. The boys were sleeping, having just been fed and bathed, but Emily was sitting in her own little chair in her Sunday best waiting patiently for her Mama. "Em go to pawty?"