A slight blush crept up his neck, into his face. "Yes."
"Will it keep them from trying the same thing?"
"More than likely."
"Then let them think it. Go back out there and tell them that if you want to."
"Now why would I do that?" He asked a little indignantly.
"Would any of your men dare touch a woman you have claimed?"
"Probably not."
"That would be the reason, Colonel."
"I see."
"As a matter of fact, if it will keep them from my door, I will be happy to let you sleep inside."
Charlie’s eyes dropped shut for just a moment as a soft sigh left his lips.
"How long has it been since you slept in a real bed, Colonel?"
"Do they still make real beds?"
"I am not sure if they still make them, but I do have one here if you would like to use it."
"No, thank you, Miss Rebecca. That really is too much."
"Why? You are going to be here for at least a little while. I can offer you simple comfort, and you can offer me protection. Actually, it sounds like the perfect arrangement to me."
"A soft bed?" Brows lifted momentarily as he considered the offer.
The blonde rose from her chair, offering Charlie her hand. "Let me show you. Then you can decide."
The Colonel stood, taking the offered hand, instantly enjoying its warmth. Rebecca’s hands were not as soft as a lady’s hands should be. Charlie knew it was because she had been forced to work her own land. He realized at that very moment what a determined spirit this gentle lady must have. Most women the Colonel knew would have simply given up and fled to someplace far safer and easier to get by.
Rebecca lifted her skirts just slightly as they began climbing the stairs. She felt herself tightening her hold on Charlie’s hand. She was amazed at how much larger they were than her own. They were strong and rough from years of hard work, yet she could feel gentleness in them.
At the top of the stairs, they turned down the hall with Rebecca leading the way. She opened a door at the very end of the hall, gesturing for Charlie to enter the room. It was a small sitting room, with another door opened to the bedroom beyond. Although Charlie did not know it at the time, it was the only room in the house with a complete bed remaining.
Charlie entered the bedroom and looked at the large, inviting four-poster bed. The hand made quilt covering the feather filled mattress only made it look that much more inviting. Rebecca gave the reluctant officer a bit of a push. "Go on, Colonel. Try it out."
Taking a seat on the edge of the big bed, a look of pure pleasure swept across Charlie’s face almost immediately. Rebecca crossed the room. Standing before the officer, she gave her a little push at the shoulders. Charlie lay back on the bed, his booted feet planted firmly on the floor. "Ahhh……" Any other comment he might have wanted to make, died on his lips as he sank into the thick down filled mattress.
"Nice, is not it?"
"Oh, yes." He nodded then sat up. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. Spend as much time as you like, Colonel Redmond. I will also enjoy having the company. I am afraid I have taken to talking to myself. Sometimes I fear for my own sanity."
"Do not, Miss Rebecca. I also talk to myself. It becomes a habit after awhile. I am sure some days my men think I am truly insane. How long have you been alone here?"
"Nearly three years now. My parents had both passed over before the war started. That left my younger brother, my husband and I to tend to the place. We had a few servants of course, but they all either ran away or were taken to help with the war effort. A few stayed for a time, until after both my brother and then my husband were taken. After that, they fled as well." Rebecca knew she sounded angry and bitter but she could not help herself. Everything that had been her life was gone. Everything but the land she fought so hard to keep, but she knew with the end of the war coming, she would no doubt lose that as well.
"Do you have any news of your bother or husband?"
"Both dead."
"I really am sorry, Miss Rebecca."
"I just pray to God this horrible mess ends soon."
"I have a feeling it will be over soon." He looked to Rebecca as his hands ran across the bedspread. "My men and I are eventually headed toward Charlottesville, and then, perhaps on toward Richmond. I have a bad feeling about it all. I am afraid it will be," he paused, refraining from using to descriptive a term to relate the horrors of the battle. "Like the Wilderness was, but I do believe it will be over soon, Miss Rebecca. And this area should remain fairly quiet for now."
"The South has lost this war?"
"Long ago. It is only a matter of time now."
Rebecca nodded. She had known in her heart that the end was near. "I will probably lose the house and the land when the dust settles."
"Why?"
"Taxes most likely will be the cause. I have no resources and no hopes of funds to take care of these things when the time comes. Besides what chance does a widowed woman stand against anyone who wants to……?" She stopped and shook her head, taking a deep breath. Charlie could tell she had no desire to consider such things.
Suddenly she smiled at the officer. "Colonel, could I possibly interest you in joining me for dinner tonight? With the fresh bread and fruit you brought, I believe I could managed a filling meal that would suit you."
"Again, Miss Rebecca, you honor me with your kindness. I would be delighted to join you for dinner. I assure you that anything you may offer would be better than field rations. My Mess Sergeant is a very talented man, but when he has had no time to set up a proper kitchen, there are only so many ways he can prepare beans and rice before it grows very tiresome."
With a grateful smile and a few words about having to check on the troops, Charlie left the house, promising to return in time for dinner. Rebecca watched as Charlie settled the jacket that had been loaned with the rest of the clothing. Suddenly the woman was gone and the diligent army officer had returned.
Chapter 2
October 28, 1864
Colonel Redmond returned to the temporary camp that stretched from the nearby railroad yards in Culpepper, across Gaines Cove Farms and almost to the house. As he began his inspection of the facilities his men had set up, his mind strayed to the lovely lady he had left back at the main house. Charlie had not been in the company of a woman for many months. And unlike the sweet Rebecca Gaines, Lizzie Armstrong could not be considered a lady. She was notorious among the officers and Washington political society, a little bit whore, a little bit mother confessor, and as far as anyone ever knew, totally, completely, utterly reliable. She never spoke of the secrets she knew.
That was the main reason Charlie had visited her most recently. To relive the stress and the tension that had settled deep in his body and soul after the horrors of Vicksburg. He was sure that his ability to feel had finally been torn away by the nightmare of yet again watching men and horses torn to shreds, leaving the ground stained dark with blood. But Lizzie had proven to Charlie that he could feel, and for a few short hours even feel alive again. The Colonel had not only been satisfied in matters of the flesh, but also in matter of soothing a raging soul. The woman had passed no judgment; she had listened with an intent ear, even allowing concern for the officer to show through her normally cool demeanor. And in the morning as Charlie dressed to leave, pulling several bills from his wallet, Lizzie had pressed them back into his hand, refusing the money she so readily took from the others who paid her visits.
Although the good Colonel did not realize it about himself, the one thing that could be said about him was that he inspired kindness and compassion in the most unlikely souls. But his last visit to the sanctuary that was Lizzie’s arms and bed had been many months and many, many miles ago.
As he rode through the camp, he was pleased to see that the boys had done their work well and efficiently, as he knew they would. When he had taken over command there had been many changes in the way things were done. And while the men had balked at first, it did not take them long to realize that their new commander did indeed know the art of war, how to prepare, how to fight, and how to survive.