Defiant Hearts Page 23

  “Forrest was ordered to harass Sherman’s troops and supply line, and he’s doin’ a mite of damage and annoyance in Tennessee.”

  “What does that have to do with my father and brothers?”

  “If Forrest stays in Tennessee, Schofield’s or Thomas’s troops will be sicked on him. Your family’s most likely to be in on the chase.”

  Laura knew that Forrest—a leader dreaded by the North—was wily and daring, so she hoped it would be Thomas’s division that went after him. “You’ll keep me informed of their actions and location, right?”

  “It’s a promise, Miss Laura.”

  When Laura learned that Forrest had entered Alabama and taken Athens on the twenty-fourth, she wondered if her family was moving farther away from her and Virginia and toward greater peril. She was distressed when Sheridan began burning crops, homes, land, and buildings of the upper Valley that same day, so it would “no longer be a granary and sanctuary for the enemy.” Also occurring on Saturday, Lincoln—in an astonishing action to her—approved cotton buys from the South, from states “declared in insurrection.”

  She spent Monday helping other women waterproof new capes for overcoats for Rebel soldiers by dipping them in melted white wax and spirits of turpentine, then hanging them to drip dry, one perhaps going to the man she loved and missed terribly. She continued to volunteer at several hospitals, becoming more dismayed at each visit by the number of wounded men.

  As the days trudged by like weary and battered soldiers themselves, Laura met with Ben again on the twenty-ninth.

  “I guess you’ve heard Stannard captured Fort Harrison today; that location’s so important to both sides, Grant and Lee themselves gave battle orders. That gives the Yanks a stronghold just ten miles from town.”

  “I know, Ben; news of that event spread fast. People are scared.”

  “It was a cunnin’ two-fold plan: the attack on Fort Harrison to weaken Richmond’s defenses and take Rebel eyes off another move goin’ on west of Petersburg; that second one lengthened the Federal lines: they’re aimin’ for the South Side Railroad.”

  “Is it true Rebels held on to Fort Gilmer, two miles above Harrison?” Where are you, my love? Are you alive and safe? she cried inside.

  “Yep. For now. But Harrison was more important to take.”

  “Was there a lot of cavalry involvement? Heavy artillery?” she asked to draw attention from her first query.

  “About as much as usual. From what I hear, most of them are stayin’ pretty close to Petersburg. They can move about faster and easier on horses than infantrymen can afoot. They keep tryin’ to lickety-split in front of the Yanks to slow down their advances west and northwestward of town.”

  Laura dared not press him and risk creating suspicions that might cause Ben to drop her as a trusted contact; if that happened, she’d lose the information link to her family and about Petersburg. If only she knew where Jayce was and if he was safe, she would feel better. “Anything else you knowbefore I have to hurry home?”

  “Wouldja believe that crafty Hood has drawn Sherman and the bulk of his army outta Atlanta: he has Sherman chasin’ him like a crazed hound after a fox, backtrackin’ like a nervous crawfish toward Tennessee!”

  “You have to admit, he’s clever and persistent, and it will give that city’s residents a breathing spell. I’m sure Davis is pleased with him.”

  “I imagine so, Miss Laura. Maybe that’s why he let Hood send Hardee to command the departments of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.”

  “Are you still keeping up with Davis’s movements in Georgia?”

  “Yep, but we get news after the fact and too late to be of use. He was in Palmetto on Sunday and at West Point yesterday.”

  “What about Forrest, Ben? Who’s after him?”

  “Thomas was sent to Nashville yesterday to lay a trap for him. He’s headin’ in that direction, so Schofield will be called in to help.”

  Laura realized that was Ben’s way of saying her family would be heading for Nashville soon to help confront and defeat the awesome Nathan Bedford Forrest.

  On the first day of October, Laura was informed by Carl Epps that Lee had ordered Ewell to retake Fort Harrison the day before and had viewed the general’s foiled attempt. It was no secret that the Rebel lines had been “strained by two-pronged attack” which had “forced rapid shifting of troops from one threatened front to the other.”

  How, she fretted, could Ben claim things were relatively quiet down that way? Was he afraid she would stop meeting him if she was intimidated by perilous goings-on in that direction? Even as she questioned his recent words and actions, she scolded herself for doubting his honesty and honor, as he’d never given her a reason she could prove for doing so.

  Rain continued to fall that Saturday and Sunday along with heaving news pouring in about the war. Price was savoring more Confederate victories in Missouri, a hazardous situation which was beginning to worry the Union. Lee returned Kershaw’s division to Early, creating a force twenty thousand strong of troops and leaders who were inflamed by Sheridan’s destructive actions. Trouble was brewing in the Arizona and New Mexico territories from Indian and Rebel threats, problems of grave concern to the Union, which lacked sufficient forces to handle them. Confederates thwarted a Federal attack at the salt mine at Saltville in her state’s southwestern tip. Hood was successful in severing the Chattanooga-Atlanta rail lines being used by Sherman to transport supplies. President Davis put Beauregard over Hood and Taylor while in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday. Later that day, he said in Columbia, South Carolina: “I see no chance for Sherman to escape from a defeat or a disgraceful retreat.” The infamous Confederate spy Rose Greenhow who operated brazenly in Washington drowned on the coast of North Carolina while smuggling dispatches and two thousand dollars in gold.

  As newspapers and citizens proclaimed Rose a heroine and mourned her tragic death, Laura didn’t have to imagine what she would be called and how she would be treated if her spy activities were exposed; and the chance of that occurring increased with every risk she took…

  Before meeting with Ben on Thursday, Laura read that the Confederate ship Florida had been attacked in the Bahia harbor, angering the Brazilian government which was protesting that outrage and had fired on the Federal sloop involved before it retreated with its prize. The Richmond Enquirer also featured an article favoring the enlistment of Negro soldiers, a topic being heatedly debated by several factions.

  Ben related that Custer had beaten Early at Harrisonburg and Grant had ordered Sheridan to defeat Mosby, a thorn in the Union’s side who had cut the Manassas Gap Railroad lines on the fifth and who raided with daring and consistent success. He also told her that Thomas had reached Nashville and was awaiting Schofield’s reinforcement and Hood’s assault.

  Laura rushed through the rendezvous with Ben. The weather was cooling down each day, and all she wanted to do was to curl up on her sofa with a cup of hot tea and a good book to distract her from her worries over Jayce and her family.

  By the eleventh of October, days and nights were getting chillier, and General Lee was still agonizing over Ewell’s failure to retake Fort Harrison. After Lee commanded battles at Darbytown and New Market roads close to town, the South’s leading military officer had been compelled to abandon efforts to regain that site. Now, Confederates were rapidly building outer works for a new defense line west of the enemy-held fort, a post located only ten and a half miles from the Capitol.

  Laura had witnessed the funeral of General Gregg from a distance since she didn’t know the man. The sad event brought a huge turnout of mourners at the Broad Street Methodist Church and Hollywood Cemetery.

  As she set the two tables for dinner, Laura was in deep and dismaying thought over the many losses of lives and properties, of cruel fate’s theft of so many great men who should be leading the Nation toward progress and prosperity and not bringing about its destruction. After hearing the front door open and close, she looked up to see J
ayce smiling at her. Her heart leapt in joy and relief after enduring four weeks without him.

  Chapter Twelve

  As Laura helped serve the meal of sliced cured ham, black-eyed peas over rice, canned green beans, and biscuits, she listened as Jayce talked with the other men about the events close to Richmond and Petersburg and those in other states. It sounded as if Jayce was speaking about episodes that had been related to him, not ones he had experienced. Perhaps, she reasoned as she poured more coffee, he just had his emotions under tight control. Or perhaps his thoughts were preoccupied by her and their impending rendezvous. Or maybe it was her imagination playing mischievous tricks on her because she felt guilty about deceiving him in several important areas of her life. Still, she observed him closely but furtively to avoid having her interest noticed by the others.

  After the meal concluded and clean-up chores were finished, Laura told Lily, who sent her a knowing smile, that she was taking off the rest of the evening and leaving Lily in charge of the hotel. She went home to await Jayce’s stealthy arrival. She had prepared herself in advance for this occasion, having taken the herbs and inserted the pessary as Lily taught her, and having donned her prettiest robe with nothing on underneath the floral garment. In case she was needed next door and was summoned by the ringing of the passageway bell, she had clothes and shoes ready to yank on in a rush.

  After the door was locked, they simply gazed at each other for a few moments before they embraced and kissed.

  As passion’s flames ignited and licked at his loins, Jayce murmured, “We shouldn’t be doing this, Laura; it’s risky, with big consequences.”

  She caught his meaning. “It’s safe, my love; I…took precautions.”

  “Precautions?” he echoed, noticing her stained cheeks.

  Laura took a deep breath and said, “I should tell you the truth about my business, though it may cause you to think badly about me.”

  Jayce smiled and ventured, “You mean, about the women who work for you seeing customers upstairs.”

  Her gaze widened. “You know? Did you guess or did somebody tell you?”

  Jayce caressed her warm and rosy face. “Both, but rest assured that you handle it discreetly and the hotel’s reputation isn’t in jeopardy.”

  “That facet of the business was in practice before I inherited it,” Laura explained. “I would stop providing it, but with war going on, I don’t earn enough from rooms, food, and normal entertainment to pay my bills and my staff. I can’t let them go because I can’t do all the work myself or with only one other person helping, and they’d be in dire straits without the income their work provides them. I know that doesn’t excuse my actions, but I feel responsible for them, and I don’t want them going to work in horrible and unsafe places.”

  “Times are hard, Laura, and you don’t want to risk losing the hotel and your earnings. Your girls are clean and healthy and willing, so don’t stop because you think it will come between us; it won’t, I promise.. I love you and think highly of you. Besides, it does give us an advantage with your knowledge and possession of those…precautions.”

  “This is the first time I’ve used any, but it was safe for other reasons those other times. I recently had proof I’m not pregnant.”

  Jayce smiled and hugged her when her cheeks went rosy again, as he comprehended her implication. He had a sister and mother in Missouri and had been around other females, so he knew about such things. “You’re such a treasure, Laura, and I’m so happy you belong to me.”

  “So am I, Jayce, because you’re a valuable prize yourself. I love you, and I’ve missed you terribly. It’s been four long weeks of worry.”

  “I’ve counted every day and night since we last saw each other. I’m just sorry you had to hear all that bad news at supper. Much as it pains you and everybody to hear it, the South might lose this war. It just seems to go on and on as if nothing any of us does makes a difference. Lordy, those battlefields are bloody and vicious sites. It riles my soul to see wounded and dead men stretched out for as far as I can see at times. Some are so bad off they beg to die. I see men crippled or blinded for life who’ll never be able to take care of their families again. I see land that’ll be scarred for years to come, and some that’ll never recover from the damage inflicted upon it. I don’t know how we’re going to get out of this mess.”

  Laura hugged him and entreated, “Just get out alive, Jayce; that’s all that matters to me.”

  “No matter what happens to either of us, Laura, we belong together.”

  Jayce scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He untied the ribbon laces at her neckline and unfastened the buttons of her robe, then let it slide down her naked body to the floor. He cupped her face, kissed her lightly, and said, “-You’re so beautiful.” He inhaled deeply as his fingers drifted down her throat, over her shoulders, down her arms, and grasped her hands. He brought them to his lips and kissed each knuckle before releasing them.

  Laura removed his jacket and discarded it. She unbuttoned his shirt and peeled it over broad shoulders with strong muscles. She knelt and pulled off his boots, then got rid of his pants and underwear. She let her enthralled gaze journey his splendid physique, and Jayce stood still and silent to allow her enticing study. Dreamily her fingers grazed through the ebony waves on his head, deserting that location only to roam a supple terrain of lean and hard flesh in a heady bronze tone. Her hands wandered over bony ridges and firm valleys, a masculine and magnificent landscape. She adored the smooth and strong body she touched. Yet, she was painfully aware this could be the last time she enjoyed such a sight and glorious union. She didn’t know how she could exist without him and didn’t want to envision that horrible event, not tonight, not ever.

  “You’re tempting beyond resistance, Jayce.”

  “You’re the one who’s irresistible, Laura. I never see you enough, or taste you enough, or hear your voice enough to satisfy me. You’re like an unquenchable thirst, a ceaseless need. I think I fell in love with you the moment my eyes landed on you. When I’m with you like this, I forget everything outside this room. I love you.”

  Laura’s heartbeat increased with his intoxicating words and tender gaze. “I couldn’t have described your effect on me any better. I love you.”

  They exchanged smiles before each used a hand to part the net draped over a square wooden frame held above the bed by four carved posts. They lay down, and Jayce adjusted the cloudy material which enclosed them in their special and romantic setting. They kissed, caressed, and stroked each other as they gave, took, and shared enormous pleasures.

  Jayce trailed his lips and hands over her face and throat, returning time and time again to her tempting lips. He had never taken such a perilous risk during a mission, but he could not help himself. His kisses became deep and greedy, as were hers. She was like a white-hot heat searing over his flesh, a ravenous creature devouring his heart and emotions. She had become a vital part of him. His hand cupped a breast and teased its taut nipple before sliding past her hip to grasp her buttocks to lock her groin snugly against his. He savored the way her legs imprisoned him and the ardent way she surrendered to him. Love her? his mind asked. Yes, his heart replied, with all his being. Trust her? Yes, because she had proven herself when his last fabrication hadn’t been reported to Grant and when she confided in him tonight.

  Laura writhed in exquisite delight. As a great hunger for him attacked her, she knew his restraint was stretched tightly, precariously, and she soared with the joyful knowledge that he wanted her so much. She-kissed him deeply as the sensations mounting within her waxed achingly sweet and potent. Her hands pulled him closer. Her lips teethed at his, and she worked to match the sensual pattern of thrusts that grew swift and deliberate.

  Jayce’s mouth fastened to hers as their passions burned higher and hotter until they were engulfed in rapturous flames. He felt her tense, arch her back, and cling to him as she moaned her glorious release. Without delay, he rushed to j
oin her. When the last spasm faded, he rolled to his back and carried her with him, cradling her in his strong arms and never wanting to set her free even for a moment.

  Laura didn’t know how it was possible, but each union of their bodies was better than the last.

  “Lordy, I love you, Laura Carlisle.”

  Laura hoped she didn’t wince from guilt when he spoke her false name. She did not know how her lover would react if she were exposed, but she hoped he would believe she loved him and had done what she thought was right for peace. “I love you, too, Jayce,” and I hope your luck and mine hold out.

  Spent and satisfied, they cuddled for a long while in dreamy silence, drinking in the heady nectar of mutual love and passion’s aftermath.

  When Jayce rolled to his side and gazed at her, Laura said, “I don’t know how much news you get on the battlefront, but there’s a great deal of trouble in Missouri. Price is alarming Unionists in and around St. Louis and other places where you might have friends living, but I hope not. May I ask what happened to your family?”

  Jayce rolled to his back and looked up at the off-white netting. “Would it upset you if I said I didn’t want to talk about them tonight? I promise I’ll tell you everything about them and me at a later time.”

  Laura realized her rash query had opened the door for him to ask about her family, which would force her to tell him more lies; so she was relieved he squashed the subject for now. “I understand, because I feel the same way about mine. I wish our families were here so we could each meet the other’s. War demands a lot from us, doesn’t it?”

  “Yep, Laura, it does, too much, it seems, at times. Well, I best get going; it’s late, and the hotel’s doors will be locked soon. I can’t risk getting caught while trying to sneak in so late.”