Defiant Hearts Read online

  “No, Father, it was for your eyes only, so we should honor her dying wish. She was good to me; she treated me like a daughter. I loved her and respected her, and I miss her.”

  “I shall miss her and mourn her, too, Laura, but only as a friend. Perhaps this misunderstanding was Fate’s way of saving your life.”

  “How sad to love someone who doesn’t love you back,” she murmured.

  “That’s true, my child, but mutual love, like your mother and I shared, is special and powerful. That’s the kind I want you to find one day.”

  I already have, Father, but I’ll reveal that shocking news later. “You should go to your meeting before you’re late. I’m sorry I detained you with this matter. I was just confused and worried.”

  “We’ll discuss it further after dinner tonight, if you wish.”

  “Perhaps, but it might be better to let her rest in peace.”

  Howard embraced her and kissed her cheek. “It is good to see you again, Laura, and we have much catching up to do. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Father, and I’m glad we’re together again.”

  As she rested and later groomed herself for dinner, Laura thought about how sad Clarissa’s unrequited love was and how the woman had clung to a golden fantasy until her death. She decided she shouldn’t tell her father that she and Clarissa had been Union spies, as he might be furious with the woman for endangering her life. She didn’t want to stain the woman’s memory in her father’s eyes, so she would withhold that secret from him.

  As she dressed, Laura recalled that her father had said they were not going home and he hadn’t been released from his duty, so she was eager to hear his explanation. If he was being reassigned in a safe location, was he taking her with him? She doubted he would want her to return to the Rebel-held Richmond, and he might not want her staying home without family protection, despite the fact their manager and fieldhands were guarding and working the place. That meant, if she couldn’t retrieve her wardrobe from Greenbriar, she would have to shop for items she needed there in Washington.

  Laura glanced at the rather plain flounced dress she had donned. To explain her simple appearance tonight, she could say she had just reached town and her baggage had not yet arrived. No matter, the Greeleys were too well mannered to remark on her less than fashionable garment.

  She wondered what Lily and Richard were doing and how the couple was reacting to being new home and hotel owners, another secret she might not tell her father, since she had given away what would have been expensive pieces of property if not for the war.

  Most of all, Laura wondered if Jayce had come to visit her in the last three days. If so, how had he taken the news of her mysterious departure? Even if he searched for her as she had searched for him, she would be as impossible to find as he had been. At least he would be given a letter vowing her love and repeating her promise to meet him at the hotel following the war. She prayed he believed those claims and felt the same way.

  She could not believe her father had deluded Clarissa by intention; nor could she believe Jayce had deceived her about his love for her; her defiant heart wouldn’t allow her to doubt him, not in those two areas. Discovering that love and marriage were only Clarissa’s dreamy wishes explained why her father had never mentioned the woman to her and her brothers. No matter, she would always love and respect Clarissa Carlisle and be grateful for all the generous woman had done for her. If not for Clarissa, she would never have met Lieutenant Jayce Storm. She—

  A knock at her door interrupted Laura’s thoughts. She answered the summons to find her father standing there, dressed in fine clothing.

  His gaze roved his daughter. “You look lovely, Laura.”

  “Thank you, Father, but I fear my wardrobe is sorely lacking the proper clothing for tonight or a stay in Washington.” After Laura finished her explanation as to the reasons for this, she asked, “Will I embarrass you tonight?”

  “No, my child, and you look lovely as I said. I’m sorry you’ve had such a difficult time since I left home, but I shall make up for it. Tomorrow, we shall go shopping.”

  “Thank you, Father. And yes, at times life was difficult, but it was nothing compared to the sufferings of others, so I was fortunate, thanks to Clarissa.”

  “If she were alive, I would show my gratitude and I would repay her for her expenses. Now, if you’re ready, we shall proceed to dinner.”

  In Richmond, a nervous Lily recognized Benjamin Simmons when he made a bold visit to the hotel and requested a room for the night. Since there was a guest reading in the parlor, she leaned forward and lowered her head and pretended to write as she whispered, “What are you doing here? Laura is gone; she left you a message in the tree.”

  Ben whispered in return, “I know, Miss Lily, but I have news about her. Come to my room when you can sneak away. I’ll be waitin’ there.”

  Without lowering her voice, Lily assigned him to a room and took his payment in gold coins. She told him she hoped he enjoyed his stay, then gave him a key and the eating schedule. Pointing the way to the room, she whispered, “I’ll be up soon.”

  While Richard was in the stable with Alvus and the others were busy with their chores, Lily hurried to Ben’s room and told him to speak fast before she was missed downstairs and her whereabouts were questioned.

  “I came to warn you, Angel, not to do any more spyin’ or attempt any reportin’ to me. It’s too dangerous these days. I also wanted to warn you to be on the lookout for anybody askin’ ques tions about Miss Laura. All I can tell you is she’s with her father and she’s safe, for now. Trouble is, some cunnin’ Rebel spy learned about Vixen’s work for us and he’s out to find her and do away with her. We don’t know what report he got his hands on, but we hope the information he got can’t be traced back here. You know from experience, the best agents disguise themselves as friends. Don’t tell nobody nothin’ about her, no matter who it is. If he’s nosy about her, you should suspect him as bein’ an enemy, a threat to her. Understand?”

  The frightened Lily nodded. “I won’t tell anyone anything about her.”

  “If you do, Miss Lily, it could cost Laura her life if she’s tracked down, and a smart agent can find anybody most anyplace if he sets his mind to it.” Ben was panicking the female on purpose because he had to protect Laura’s past work and true identity, as she was needed for another crucial mission, an assignment about which she would be told next week, a difficult and personal one that probably wouldn’t sit well with her. Yet, he had no doubt she would honor an urgent plea from President Lincoln himself.

  Christmas Day arrived, and Laura was showered with gifts from her father. She hugged and thanked him, appreciating every one; but the only present she truly wanted today was Jayce Storm, since she had her father with her and knew her brothers and home were safe.

  “You shouldn’t have done this, Father, not after all the things you bought for me yesterday while we were shopping.”

  “They’re to make up for the many birthdays and holidays we’ve missed sharing while we were separated, and you deserve them. Besides, you want to look your best when we reach our destination.”

  Laura concealed her tension. “Where are we going? When?”

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow after my last meeting, and in two weeks if everything works out as we’ve planned.”

  “Is it far away? At least tell me that much,” she wheedled.

  “Yes, and I think you’ll enjoy where we’re going.”

  Far away…How could she “enjoy” putting more distance between her and Jayce? Should she tell her father about him? No, she decided, not yet. Would she spend next Christmas with her beloved? She hoped so. As his wife? She prayed so. “This is what I got for you, Father.”

  Howard opened the package and lifted out a green wool smoking jacket. “Ah, a much-needed item, my dear, for the cigar room downstairs.”

  “I noticed you didn’t have one with you, and I know how you hate for your garments to
smell of cigar and pipe smoke.”

  “That’s true. With a purchase like this, Laura, you can’t have much left of the money I gave you to spend on yourself.”

  “When I’ll be with you, sir, what do I need with money in…where did you say we were heading soon?”

  Howard chuckled. “You shan’t trick information out of me, girl.”

  “It was worth a try,” she quipped and laughed. “And it used to work years ago when I was younger. You’ve gotten too sly for me, Father.”

  “How you’ve changed and grown, my girl, and I’m sorry I missed seeing it occur. I so enjoyed our long talks yesterday; you’ve been busy while I was gone. I knew you were intelligent, but still I’m amazed you ran a business all by yourself. Truly you are an Adams bone deep, and I’m proud of you. Your mother would have been proud, too. A girl needs her mother for guidance, so I regret she did not live to see this day.”

  “So do I, Father.”

  On Monday, Laura pored over the local newspapers while Howard was in his meeting. Her gaze searched for any news about Petersburg and Richmond where Jayce might be, but nothing about those two cities was included. She learned that Butler was making a joint Army/Navy assault on Fort Fisher at Wilmington, which had begun on Saturday, but the Rebels were still holding out there. Hood continued to retreat before Thomas and Schofield in Tennessee. Price had been pushed from Missouri into Union-held Arkansas, and Sherman’s conquest of Georgia was almost finalized. She read his message to President Lincoln, and thought it perhaps printed publicly for Southerners to see: “I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.”

  Why, she fretted, had Sherman been the man chosen to besiege Georgia or any state when it was a known fact he made ruthless war on civilians as well as enemies? Reports said his men burned and foraged more than they killed foes and his soldiers “generally refrained from rape.” “Generally refrained?” she fumed, when that brutality should be punishable by imprisonment or death whether it occurred during times of war or peace! Perhaps Sherman allowed his men that unconscionable behavior because he was a womanizer himself with a well-documented dark side. He seemed to despise almost everyone and everything, except fame and destruction. A war hero? her mind scoffed. Never.

  During lunch, served in Howard’s suite for privacy, he disclosed, “It’s settled, Laura dear, I’m being assigned to Fort Whipple near Prescott in the Arizona Territory for the rest of the war. We leave on the ninth of January.”

  As Howard worked on his meal, Laura’s heart pounded in dread and dismay. Arizona, almost clear across the country from Jayce…Her appetite vanished, but she sipped tea to moisten her constricted throat. “Why, Father?”

  “They’re having problems with straggly bands of Rebels and with Indians, so I was chosen to resolve those troubles. I suppose they came up with my name because that’s where my brother is assigned. I doubt Jacob will be happy to learn I’ll be his superior officer.”

  “I haven’t seen Uncle Jake since I was fifteen. Do you think he’s still angry at you over that business dispute?” She watched him chew his baked chicken and drink coffee before he responded to her question.

  “Probably. Jake isn’t one much on forgiveness. He was a fool to unroot his family after our quarrel and move them beyond the Valley. All he had to do was admit he was wrong, take the necessary loss, and let me tide him over to the next planting season. He was too proud and stubborn to accept my help after I had to step in and call him on that bad deal.”

  “Maybe he’s calmed down by now and views the matter differently. At least he sided with the Union when war erupted; that speaks highly of him.”

  “Yes, it does, my dear, but Jake never was one to change much. I suppose we’ll learn if he’s accepted the past when we see him soon. For certain, we can’t allow the Rebels and Indians to take control of Arizona; with the gold, silver, copper, timber, and ranch land available there, she’s too valuable.”

  To mask her apprehension, Laura forced herself to eat a few bites of food while her father enjoyed rice and gravy and steaming biscuit. “You said we leave on the ninth of next month. That means you’re taking me with you? You don’t want me to stay here or at home?” Don’t make me go!

  “There’s no way, after what you’ve endured for years, that I would allow you to be left alone again. I want my daughter with me, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy this adventure. Besides, I doubt we’ll be there for more than a few months since the war will be coming to an end soon. There is no way the Confederates can hold out much longer. Peace is looking favorable to everyone, and terms for it are being discussed on both sides and between negotiators from each. Sherman and Butler will put down the Rebels in the Carolinas within weeks. It’s obvious Hood and Forrest are finished, though I must admit they fought us well. Alabama is practically in Federal hands, thanks to Farragut’s victory. With the Shenandoah captured, Sheridan can go assist Grant and complete matters in that area. This war has lasted far longer than anyone imagined, but its termination is approaching fast.”

  Not fast enough to suit me and not with my beloved Jayce still in peril. “What will happen to the South afterward, Father?”

  Howard pushed aside his empty plate and put his coffee before him. “That, I don’t know, my dear, but I pray the Union will be kind and forgiving. If not, more trouble will result. What concerns me, from the things I’ve heard since arriving in Washington, is the Union’s reconstruction plan. Except for abolishing slavery, those in power haven’t decided how to handle the southern states’ returns to the fold. Many look upon them as deserters and criminals, people to be punished and subjugated. The problem with that thinking is that innocents will be harmed and a beaten nation, if one can call the Confederacy that, has more than enough to deal with without having to endure spiteful revenge and humiliation. There’s been too much destruction; it’s time for those things to be cast aside so healing and recovery can begin. I remained loyal to my country, but I am a Virginian and Southerner, so I would be compelled to argue loudly against further cruelties and deprivations during peacetime.”

  Before Laura could comment or ask questions, her father stood and said he had to go to another appointment and would pick her up at seven for a dinner whose guests would include the President, military officers, and others.

  She was resting and reading at three o’clock when she received an astonishing visit from Benjamin Simmons. She stepped backward as he urged her inside where he closed and locked the door in a hurry. “What are you doing here?” she asked in alarm. “This is perilous; you could endanger both of us.”

  “Don’t worry, Miss Laura, we’re in Union territory now, but secrecy is still wise under the circumstances. I’m here on behalf of President Lincoln and General Grant to beg a favor of you.”

  Trepidation filled Laura. “What kind of…favor?”

  “They want to send you on a crucial mission for our country.”

  Her consternation increased. “I can’t go anywhere, Ben; I’m here with my father. He wouldn’t allow it and I can’t sneak away from him.”

  “That won’t be necessary; the mission is in Arizona where you’re headin’ soon. That’s why he was chosen for his new assignment, to get you there.”

  “What are you talking about? I’m utterly confused.”

  “News of a problem there fell into my hands. Since I know all about your family, you’re the perfect choice to handle it for us. Your uncle is a traitor to his country and must be exposed. He—”

  “Wait a minute! You’re asking me to spy on my uncle and betray him?”

  “If you don’t, Miss Laura, the Confederacy will be strengthened and this war will go on longer. The problem is that serious.”

  “How is that possible? My uncle sided with the Union; he’s a Federal officer, a high-ranking one, and he’s a long way from the South.”

  “Ex-Confederates at the fort are stealin’ money, g
old, and silver from mines, banks, payroll shipments, and wagontrains; and they’re plannin’ to send it to the South for buyin’ ammunition, weapons, and supplies.”

  “What does that have to do with Uncle Jake, a Union officer?”

  “The thieves are Rebel captives who were released on the condition they work for the Army in that area, mostly fightin’ Indians and protectin’ settlers and such. Their boss is your uncle, or so we’ve been told. I know what you’re wondering: why? Well, he either turned traitor after his wife and small son were killed accidentally by Union soldiers at Carrick’s Ford or he’s greedy and keepin’ part of the loot for himself.”

  “Those are terrible things to say about him without proof, and I assume you have none since you haven’t mentioned any to me.”

  “That’s why we’re sendin’ you there, to get evidence.”

  “What if he’s innocent? Or I can’t gather any evidence?”

  “If he’s not guilty, that’s good, ain’t it? And won’t you be glad you’re the one to prove it to us?” He didn’t give her time to answer before he said, “Your contact will be Major Jim Wright at Fort Whipple; you can disguise meetin’s with him usin’ a friendship with his wife; she’s about your age.”

  “You’ve certainly worked out all the details, haven’t you?”

  Ben noted tinges of sarcasm and anger in her tone, but he understood why she would feel that way. “Yep, that’s my job and duty. Sometimes I don’t like what I hafta do, but, like you, I don’t have any choice. I hate this war and what it’s doin’ to people and our country; I want it stopped soon.”

  “So do I, Ben. How did you know I was kin to Jacob Adams?”