Doves Migration (2 page)

Just then Thomas glanced at them and nodded politely. Returning his
nod, Joshua quickly continued. “Don’t you think it troubles me that I can
go home and step back into my life in the North with only my personal
demons and nightmares to remind me of all that has occurred? What does
he and others just like him do? With no family, no home to come back to?
Where does a man like him, with so much rage inside him, even begin to
build a new life?”
“Oh Joshua,” she whispered lovingly. “Is it any wonder why I love you
so?” Feeling a tug around her waist, she softly whispered, “As far as
Thomas goes, don’t worry about him. Michael has offered him a position
as overseer of Doves Landing, as well as helping at Glenbrook. I told you
that Glenbrook has been converted to an orphanage for girls, didn’t I?”
“Yes. I recall you saying that when you explained how Mr. Brown and
Miranda found their way to Washington and New York too. Wasn’t it?
Lucas Brown in New York? By God, now that’s something I cannot
imagine.”
“Well it’s true. Miranda and her father are in Washington right now,
actually. From what I understand, Miranda travels from Washington to
New York quite regularly. Seems Mr. Brown is quite active with old
colleagues of his. I believe they call them the War Democrats. So we will
join them for a visit . . . that is, if it’s alright with you darlin’.”
“That works out perfectly, since I have business to attend to in
Washington myself. That is, if we ever get on the road today!”
Elise turned to face Joshua, hearing the frustration in his voice. “Don’t
fret dear, I’ll go and see if I can move Mama along. Now wait here, I’ll be
just a minute . . .” Before he had a chance to stop her, Elise was off, her
hoop skirts swaying back and forth. “Mama.” Her voice trailed in the wind.
“Please do try and hurry, it’s getting quite late.”
Hearing Elise, Noah and Gweneth Crenshaw looked over at Joshua and
smiled. Then turning back to Elise, Noah said, “God has indeed blessed
you, Miss Elise.”
“Yes, sir. He certainly has,” she replied, politely.
Realizing Joshua was standing alone by the rig, Michael took
advantage of the opportunity to edge his way closer to the carriage while
Gwyneth was giving Sarah one last hug.
“God speed, to you Michael. I will miss you all terribly,” Noah said,
following closely behind Michael. Upon reaching Joshua he added,
“You’re one mighty lucky man, Major Carmidy. You take real good care of
her, now. Elise is a rare and precious pearl who needs to be loved and held
dear to your heart to retain her luster.”
“I’ll remember that, sir.”
“Good. You do that son, and you won’t regret it.” Turning back to
Michael, he said, “Now take good care of our dear Sarah and say hello to
Lucas for me when you see him. It’s so hard to believe that all our friends
are leaving.”
Ignoring his last comment and to avoid any further delays, Michael
said, “I will, Noah. With the war behind us, perhaps we will all see one
another again, one day soon.”
The two men shook hands vigorously and Noah slapped Michael on
the back. “Even if we don’t, it was a pleasure and a blessing to have you
amongst us these past few years. I shall keep you all in my prayers.”
“Thank you, friend.” Turning back toward his wife and daughter,
Michael called to them anxiously, “Ladies, are we about ready to go?”
Sarah and Elise, arm in arm, stopped to look at Doves Landing one last
time. Overcome with emotion, they embraced. “Well, my darling daughter,
are you ready to begin a new life with the man you love?”
“I could ask you the same, Mama. Are you?” Smiling at each other and
with a nod of their heads, mother and daughter chimed in unison, through
their tears. “Ready!” As they walked together, still arm in arm, Joshua and
Michael stepped closer to their loved ones.
Playfully, Joshua extended his arm and then dramatically bowed to
Elise, as if addressing royalty. “Come my precious pearl. Your chariot
awaits you.”
“Pearl? I rather like that,” Elise retorted, smiling as she stepped into
the carriage.
“I thought you might,” Joshua said, winking at Noah, who gave a
knowing nod as Joshua assisted her into the back seat of Lucas’s old
carriage that they were taking to him for his stay in New York.
Sarah, who had been watching the two young lovers, smiled as
Michael came up behind her and placed his hand in the small of her back.
“Darling, we’ll be back soon. I promise.”
“I know, dearest. I just never thought I’d see the day when . . .”
Pausing, she stopped in mid-sentence seeing the worried look in her
husband’s eyes. Immediately Sarah changed her tone of voice to one of
enthusiasm and cheerfully said, “. . . when I would actually be excited to be
leaving my lovely home and starting a new life with my wonderful
husband.”
“You won’t be sorry. I’ll see to it,” Michael whispered.
“I know.” Realizing Elise was watching her intently, Sarah placed her
gloved hands before her and in a playful shrug asked, “What seems to be
the delay here, anyway? I thought we were in a hurry.”
Michael glanced at Joshua and shook his head in disbelief. “What did I
tell you, they are definitely worth the wait.” Joshua winked and climbed up
on the buckboard with Michael.
Since Joshua was still an officer in the Union Army, it was agreed that
for the safety of all concerned, it would be wisest for him to ride up top in
plain view, until they reached Washington. So on this bright sunny spring
day, nearly four years from the first time Michael Honeycutt had come to
Fairfax, Virginia on assignment, he was now headed back home with a new
family.
With a broad grin, he looked at his future son-in-law, and said, “You
know son, I’m not one to borrow trouble, but if I were you I’d be a getting
while the getting’s good.”
Confused by Michael’s comment, Joshua said, “Why is that?”
“Well considering the fact that two Yanks are about to take two of the
finest treasures that the South has to offer, I’d say we had better be getting
a move on. Wouldn’t you?”
Chuckling knowingly, Joshua agreed. “Yeah, I see what ya mean.”
Needing no further encouragement, Joshua snapped the reins, leaving the
lives they had known in Fairfax behind them. As the carriage slowly pulled
away, Elise leaned slightly out of the window, holding on to her hat with
one hand and waving merrily with the other to their friends.

On April 14, 1865--Good Friday morning, as they rode into
Washington, an awestruck Elise gazed out the window of the coach.
“My goodness, Mama, look at all these people. Have you ever in all
your life seen so many folk all in one place milling about, like that? Just
look at the women in their lovely gowns and hats,” she said enviously.
Then excitedly, Elise pointed to the other side of the coach.
“Look at her . . . Why her parasol matches her gown.” Turning toward
Sarah, she asked, “Have you ever seen a lovelier ensemble in all your
life?” Then looking at her worn traveling suit, Elise pouted. “I feel like
some old strumpet, or worse, some farmer’s wife in these old rags! Can we
please go shopping before we go in search of Miranda and her friend
Felicity? Heaven knows, I would shrivel up in embarrassment meeting
them like this.”
“Now Elise, there’s nothing wrong with the way you look, and might I
remind you that some of our dearest friends are farmers. Why as I recall…”
Interrupting her mother, Elise said, “Oh Mama, no lectures today.
Surely, you agree that our clothing is outdated and terribly worn. What
kind of impression will either of us make looking like this?”
Hearing his daughter, Michael called down to her reassuringly, “Fear
not Elise, as soon as we secure acceptable rooms, we shall remedy your
shopping dilemma at once.” Looking at Joshua, he added, “The town looks
mighty busy. I hope they saved our reservations.”
As they pulled up in front of the Willard Hotel, at 14
^th
Street and
Pennsylvania, a gentleman in a top hat and coat, with a white silk scarf
above the lapels of his overcoat, came to greet them. “Will you being
staying with us, sir?”
“Yes, good man. I have a reservation, under Honeycutt--Michael J.
Honeycutt. Three rooms, sir. Kindly see to it that our trunks are taken to
our rooms.”
“Of course, Mr. Honeycutt. Good to see you again.”
Michael looked closer at the man before him as he stepped down from
the backboard and stretched his back. “Why Cromley, you old son of a gun.
How are you? How kind of you to remember me after all this time.”
“Darling . . .” Michael pulled on Sarah’s hand as she exited the
carriage under the assistance of Joshua. “. . .This is Cromley. Cromley, I’d
like to introduce you to my wife, Sarah Honeycutt, and my beautiful
daughter Elise Hamilton.” Stretching out his arm, Michael added. “And
this fine officer is my future son-in-law, Major Joshua Carmidy. While we
are here in Washington, please see to it that you give them all special
attention now, won’t you?”
“I’d be honored to, sir.” Bowing politely to the women first, he then
extended his white gloved-hand to Joshua. “Good to make your
acquaintance.”
Turning, Cromley blew his whistle three short bursts. Within seconds,
three men came scurrying out the main door of the lobby, all dressed in red
overcoats and black hats. Elise and Sarah glanced at one another, not
saying a word, just taking it all in, in amazed silence, having never seen
such formality as this.
“Will you be requiring your carriage, sir? Or shall I see that it goes to
the stables?”
Michael, putting his index finger in the air signaling he required a
moment, turned to Joshua. “How long do you think it will take for you to
clear things up at the war department?”
“Why, there’s no telling . . . I’m sure I’m not the only one trying to get
my discharge papers and back pay. I don’t know. Three, maybe four hours,
I’d guess.”
“Of course. Tell you what. How about if we all meet back in front of
Ford’s Theatre . . . You know where it is, right?”
“Yes, of course,” Joshua replied.
“Good. Then let’s say around eight o’clock, shall we? That should give
us plenty of time to do what we all have to do and I’ll send word to the
Browns’ and the Myles’ to meet us for a late supper. How does that
sound?” Michael asked, turning to Sarah.
“Fine. But darling, where are the shops? And what and where is Ford’s
Theatre?” she asked.
Michael, realizing the bellman was still awaiting orders, addressed him
first. “Cromley, it doesn’t appear we will be needing the carriage any
further at this time.”
“Very well, sir,” the bellman retorted, bowing politely.
Michael took Sarah by the elbow, smiling down at her. “I will take you
there straight away, after checking in. I certainly can’t have my wife
getting lost in Washington, now can I?”
After checking into their rooms, Joshua went in one direction while
Elise, Sarah, and Michael went in another. Just as promised, Michael
pointed out the Ford Theatre and other interesting sites in Washington as
they searched for shops that would be suitable for their purchasing needs.
After a short visit at his bank where Michael withdrew money, the three of
them were off again.
For the first time in their lives, Sarah and Elise went shopping in a
large city. Within hours, they were completely transformed into welldressed women, attired in the latest fashions direct from Paris, France.
With only a few coins left in Sarah’s new silk-beaded purse, she smiled at
Elise, and whispered, “My, I don’t recall ever spending this much money in
a month, let alone in one day.”
Stepping onto busy 10th Street, both women wrapped their parasol
cords around their wrist as instructed by the shopkeeper and clutched their
new silk purses in their lace-gloved hands. Feeling every bit as stylish as
any other woman on the cobblestone streets of Washington, Elise and
Sarah strutted proudly over to Michael, who had waited for them outside
the boutique.
Seeing them approach, he immediately stood erect and then in grand
fashion, took off his top hat and gallantly waved it in front of him
dramatically as he bowed. “Two visions of loveliness have graced my
presence.”
Sarah tapped her toe and tried to look crossly at him. “Be still Michael,
or you will have the entire town staring at us.”
Chuckling, he placed his hat firmly back in place. “I thought that was
the idea, Mrs. Honeycutt.” Winking at her, he turned and offered an elbow
to each of them. “Shall we go and find Joshua? I’m sure he must be
finished by now.”
As the three of them strolled down the street, Elise couldn’t help but
admire her reflection in the various shop and boardinghouse windows.
Leaning forward slightly to get her mother’s attention, she whispered,
“Mama, have you ever seen so many boardinghouses?”
“That’s easy to explain,” Michael said, obviously pleased to be their
tour guide. “You see, the majority of Congressmen and State
Representatives rent rooms rather than taking up permanent residence in
Washington.”
“Michael, is that also why there are so many shops and eateries?”
“Indeed.”
As a group of gentlemen passed them, tilting their hats and displaying
admiring smiles, Elise declared, “I think I rather like the North after all.”
Sarah responded by shaking her head at Elise being so predictable,
while Michael declared, “Ah yes, well judging by what I’ve just seen, a
certain Major Carmidy is definitely going to have to keep an eye on his
fiancée.”
“Oh pooh,” Elise scoffed, teasingly.
Just as Michael had thought, Joshua was already waiting on the corner
of E Street and 10th Street. Seeing them, he began to walk toward them, his
broad smile clearly exhibited his approval of his fiancée’s choice in
apparel. As soon as he was close enough to be heard, he complimented her.
“My pearl, you glow. Never have I seen you look lovelier.”
Pleased by his comment, Elise glided her gloved hand to the waist of
her tailored black skirt with large pleats in the back that ran from the back
of her knees to the hem of the long skirt.
Knowing that her attire accented her tiny frame, Elise casually adjusted
her parasol on the sleeve of her coat. The matching coat cinched in at her
waist and spread gently across her buttocks then gathered tightly again
around the front of her waist ending in a scalloped, velvet taupe lapel
collar. With the matching high-collared sheer taupe blouse, Elise felt
radiant as she curtsied at Joshua, being certain to show off her matching
narrow taupe felt hat.
Proudly placing her hand in the crook of his arm, Joshua nodded at
Sarah. “Ma’am, if I didn’t know better, I would think I was in the company
of royalty.”
“Oh, Major Carmidy, you do go on so,” Sarah blushed, looking at
Elise.
As the two couples continued walking toward the Ford Theatre, Elise
looked at Joshua with a concerned frown. “Joshua darling, why are you
still in uniform? I thought you were here to end your military career?”
“Indeed I did, but did you think the army would hand me over a new
suit?”
Michael, overhearing the two of them, chuckled softly and said, “New
suit . . . I like that.”
Noticing Elise pouting slightly at being teased, Joshua patted her hand
gently. “Darling, we will have time in the morning to shop for a new suit.
Perhaps you could look for another dress, as well.” At this suggestion, her
scowl turned to a broad smile.
“Well, if that’s an apology, I accept. I was wondering, does New York
offer such fine shops, as we’ve seen here?”
“Far more, I dare say. Washington is hardly famous for its shops, my
darling. Some believe Washington needs a complete revamping. I tend to
agree. The Capitol of such a grand nation as ours should hardly resemble a
quaint Southern town.”
This is a far cry from Fairfax, or Centerville
, Elise thought to herself,
taking offense at his comment, but deciding to ignore it for the time being.
“Yes, of course . . . in New York, there are more shops, you say?”
“You are relentless, aren’t you, dear? Yes, hundreds more. However,
darling, please do remember we are going to be just starting out. Such
luxuries will have to wait until I’m established in the law firm again.”
A slight frown crossed her brow and Elise pouted again.
Michael chuckled at his daughter’s reaction. “Now don’t fret, Elise.”
Smiling lovingly at Sarah and drawing her nearer to him, he said, “I
promise you and your beautiful mother an entire wardrobe, once we reach
New York. So you will have several opportunities to go shopping again.”
“Oh, thank you, Michael,” Elise cooed in delight.
Just then, the bells from a clock struck eight o’clock. Elise and Sarah
stopped and watched in amazement as men began lighting the lamps lining
the streets of Washington, leaving a warm, soft glow hovering over the
streets.
Engrossed in watching the sights and sounds of the city, Elise didn’t
notice a coach pull up on E Street alongside Ford Theatre.
“By God, it’s good to see you all again.” Hearing a familiar voice, she
turned to see Lucas Brown exiting his carriage.
Elise’s heart began to beat rapidly.
Oh, my, but doesn’t Mr. Brown look
gallant in his tailored suit with long tails and top hat.
Out stepped Miranda, followed by another couple whom Elise assumed
was the Reverend Myles and his wife, Felicity. As the four of them
approached, Elise brought her hands to her face.
“Oh, look how beautiful Miranda is,” Elise cried happily.
Then, without waiting to be properly escorted, the two old friends ran
toward each other, throwing their arms around one another and hugging
tightly.
“Miranda, I’ve missed you so. You look absolutely beautiful!”
“I’ve missed you, too. And just look at you! How in the world did you
manage to get such a beautiful suit as this, all the way in Fairfax?”
“Mother and I went shopping today . . .
here
in Washington. Do you
like it?” Elise exclaimed as she twirled around in the playful manner of a
child.
“Very much. Words just don’t describe how wonderful you look to me.”
“And to me, also.” Lucas boomed. “Come over here and give me a
hug, Miss Elise.”
Without hesitation, Elise went to Lucas, hugging him. “Oh Mr. Brown,
it’s so good to see you again.”
Elise, never having been accused of being shy, turned to Felicity.
“Why, Felicity Phelps, I mean Felicity Myles, I hardly recognize you. You
are truly lovelier than I remember.”
After they hugged each other politely, Elise turned to the bearded man
beside Felicity and said, “And you must be the good Reverend Myles that
I’ve heard so much about.”
Benjamin smiled broadly at the outspoken young woman standing
before him and extended his hand to her. Kissing her offered hand politely,
he said, “How delightfully enchanting and refreshing you are, Miss
Hamilton. I am indeed the lucky man who has won your friend’s heart. But
please, do call me Benjamin, since we are sure to be good friends.”
“Thank you, only if you call me Elise.” She smiled politely, trying not
to show her fascination with Reverend Myles’s English accent and his
polished mannerisms. Turning to Joshua and extending her arm, Elise
proudly said, “Felicity and Benjamin, allow me to introduce you to Major
Joshua Carmidy.”
Joshua shook Benjamin’s hand heartily before turning his attention to
Felicity. “Mrs. Myles . . . I don’t suppose you remember me?”
“Of course I do, Mr. Carmidy. How kind of you to remember me.”
“Yes, it’s been some time. I haven’t seen you since before you went
abroad.” Turning his attention to Elise and the others, Joshua quickly
explained. “Mrs. Myles’ uncle was a client of ours prior to the war.”
Redirecting his attention back to Felicity, he continued. “I trust your uncle,
Mr. Robbins, is well?”
Felicity’s smile faded, as she said, “We lost Uncle Edwin a few years
back in a tragic accident.”
Everyone listened with great interest to Joshua and Felicity’s
conversation, Elise taking particular interest in how lovely Mrs. Myles
was, feeling suddenly jealous of this woman who knew her fiancé.
Felicity looked at her husband, Benjamin, and explained. “The Major
is Mr. Carmidy’s son. Prior to my trip to England, Uncle Edwin had me
meet with his solicitor here in New York.”
“Right. Well, this is a small world isn’t it?” Turning his attention to
Joshua, he said, “As it goes, Felicity and I still use your father’s services.”
“I see. Well, then you have seen more of my father these past few years
than I have.”
“Indeed. He’s been most helpful. With my work calling me away for
long periods, it has been wonderful to rely on your father’s expertise. Do
you plan on returning to his firm, Major?”