Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (88 page)

“Do you know that song they sing ’bout Maryland?” he asked.

“I do. The one set to ‘O Tannenbaum’?”

“That’s the one.”

Just days after the Pratt Street Riot a poem began circulating among the Southern newspapers. A Maryland man, living then in Louisiana, had heard of the bloodshed. Outraged, he had written words to express his feelings. Rumor told he was a literature teacher named James Ryder Randall, although his name appeared on none of the copies of the poem, nor the song sheets, as it was later set to music.

Her father had once shown Emily a copy of the score but then burned it, saying he was certain anyone caught with the lyrics would be arrested. He was right. Newspaper editors who had published the poem soon found themselves in the custody of the provost marshal, but the battle cry would not die.

“The fellas and me in my regiment used to sing it as we marched,” Ben said with a fond smile. “Wonder if I’ll ever see them again.”

“This war must end eventually.”

He nodded slowly. “Well when it does, I know what I’ll be singing....” He started in, “‘The despot’s heel is on thy shore, Maryland, my Maryland!’”

Emily stiffened. His singing was barely a whisper, but Confederate music was against hospital rules.

“His torch is at thy temple door...”

She knew she should stop him, but Ben’s face was so proud, so happy. She didn’t have the heart to take the song from him.

Emily cast a quick glance in the sentinel’s direction. He was far enough away that the music could not be heard. She was further relieved to see the man was dozing. He was the same guard who had nodded off the night Edward had attacked her.

I’ll wake him as soon as I finish speaking with Ben. Perhaps a little nap will put him in a better disposition, as well
.

Ben continued. “‘Avenge the Patriotic gore that flecked the streets, of Baltimore and be the battle queen of yore, Maryland! My Maryland!’”

Emily glanced at Maggie. She appeared to be dozing, as well.

“This here’s my favorite verse,” Ben said. “Sing it with me. ‘Dear Mother! Burst thy tyrant’s chain, Maryland! My Maryland! Virginia should not call in vain, Maryland! My Maryland!’”

Emily thought of those soldiers who had interrupted Stephen’s funeral, how they had terrified her and everyone in her midst. As she then thought of her neighbors imprisoned unjustly, she was drawn into state patriotism. She joined him. “‘She meets her sisters on the plain—“Sic simper!” ’Tis the proud refrain—’”

“How
dare
you!”

The breath was ripped from her lungs. Hot coals of condemnation rained down on her the instant she heard Evan’s voice.

Heart pounding, Emily turned.
“Dr. Mackay, I—”

“Get outside!” he ordered. “Immediately!”

Ben lay as pale and still as a corpse. The guard at the door was now fully awake. Emily knew they would be the next to incur the doctor’s wrath.

I should have stopped this when I had the chance,
she thought.

She stepped into the hall. The light was dim but Emily didn’t need a lamp to see how angry Evan was. His face was as crimson as blood. That vein in his neck was bulging.

“What were you thinking?”

“Please let me explain—”

“There is no explanation which can possibly justify what you have done! A rebel battle song? You may as well have handed him a musket!”

“Please! It isn’t like that.”

“I heard you singing.”

“Yes, I joined in the song. I shouldn’t have, I know, but it isn’t what you think.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Then tell me what it is.”

Her mind was churning, her knees now trembling.
I told Maggie not to do anything to jeopardize her position as a nurse and yet I have done exactly that.
Emily desperately sought the words. She didn’t know what was worse, knowing she had indeed broken hospital rules or the disappointment she saw in his eyes. It cut her to the core.

“The man was troubled. He couldn’t sleep. He was remembering his fellow soldiers, how they used to sing—”

“And so you’d encourage continued sedition with a treasonous song?”

“No...it wasn’t like that, honestly.”

“Honesty? ’Tis a fine time for that. I
trusted
you!”

“Evan, please!”

“My name is Dr. Mackay. You would do well to remember that, Nurse Emily.”

She was desperate to make him understand. “He lost his brother in the Pratt Street Riot! He joined up just like you!”

His eyes burned with fire. Emily had never seen such a look of hatred before.

“That Johnny is nothing like
me.
”

Without further word, he snatched her arm. His grip was as tight as Edward’s, yet it hurt so much more for Evan was fully aware of what he was doing. She was no longer his nurse, his confidant. She was
his enemy
and would be treated accordingly.

He marched her through Dr. Turner’s wing. Heart in her throat, Emily feared she was going to be sick. Evan pushed through the doors and led her down another corridor. Ahead, four sentinels stood guard with muskets on their shoulders. They eyed her incredulously as Evan deposited her in front of them.

“Don’t let this woman out of your sight until I return.”

Shocked but obedient, the guards surrounded her. Evan stormed off. Emily then looked to the small window above one of her captor’s heads. The sun was rising, a new day dawning over Baltimore, but darkness had fallen over her. Her service as a nurse was over and any hope she had of knowing Evan Mackay’s love was gone.

* * *

He marched back toward the direction of his room. He needed to fetch his coat and kepi before appearing in front of his superior officers. He also needed a moment for his anger to subside. If he went in there ranting and raving they would think him a fool.

Yet that is exactly what I am. I am a fool for ever trusting her.

He told himself he should have known all along she was nothing more than a rebel. Her smiles, her cups of coffee and the secrets she carried for him were just a ploy to gain his confidence.

No telling what she was planning while weaving her web of feminine charm.

Yet as angry as he was, his thoughts betrayed him. He couldn’t help but think of the tears in her eyes, the sincerity of her voice when she’d tried to apologize, to explain. She’d admitted to breaking hospital rules and insisted she had only done so out of compassion, to ease a troubled man.

He couldn’t sleep. He lost his brother. He is just like you!

He had been run through with those words for he knew she had spoken truth. He was no different than that Johnny she had sung to. He also longed for someone to ease his pain.

Evan pushed his fingers through his unruly hair. Anger retreated as guilt charged forward.
I shouldn’t have handled her that way, marching her to the guards. What she did was wrong, but does it really warrant bringing it to the attention of my commanding officers? Has any real harm been done?

As long as she doesn’t do something like that again... As long as that reb knows his music will not be tolerated....

He pushed open the door to his ward and glanced about. The Johnny in question was stone-still in his bed. In fact, they all were. The presence of Nurse Rebekah and several scrutinizing guards had put fear into them all.

His heart slowed. That was good enough for him.

I’ll go back and tell the guards it was a misunderstanding. I won’t report her. I’ll warn her to never do anything so foolish again.

Just before he turned, Nurse Rebekah called out, “Dr. Mackay, a prisoner has escaped!”

The bottom dropped out of his stomach. His mouth soured as all charity toward Emily Davis drowned in a sea of hate. Evan looked to the bed of the Johnny convalescent. Lewis Thornton Powell was gone.

Chapter Eleven

A
great commotion seized the hospital. Federal officers were shouting orders through the halls, although Emily could not fully hear what they said. Their commands came in snippets as they passed from room to room, floor to floor.

“Look sharp!”

“...effective immediately!”

“Make certain...”

“...and be quick about it!”

Armed soldiers scurried about, their brogans heavy on the boards. Only two guards now remained with her. The others had been pulled for other duties by a foulmouthed major, cursing rebels from the Mississippi to the Mason-Dixon line. He glared hatefully at Emily and then clomped away.

Her shame great, she shuddered. What trouble her song had brought.
Surely every Confederate prisoner in this hospital will now bear the scourge of my indiscretion.

Just when she thought she couldn’t feel any worse, the click clack of boots signaled the arrival of more guards. To her horror, Trudy and Elizabeth had been rounded up, as well. Both of her friends were wide-eyed with fear.

“Emily!” Trudy quickly gasped. “What is happening?”

“We were pulled from our wards without a word of explanation!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Even Dr. Turner didn’t know the cause.”

Just as Emily tried to explain, Evan’s booming voice filled the corridor. “Sergeant, escort the women this way!”

She spun around before a guard could lay a hand on her and hurried toward him.

“Don’t do this!” she begged. “I am the one who broke the rules! They did nothing wrong!”

He was dressed in full uniform, blue frock coat, sash, vest, kepi, gloves. There was no doubt which side he represented. His chest stood out, much like that pompous young lieutenant at the cemetery.

“Don’t feign innocence,” he said. “You may have been the canary, but I know all of you are in on this.”

“In on what? I have no idea what you are talking about.”

His eyes were dark, narrow slits. “Where is that Branson girl?”

Emily blinked.
Maggie?
The last thing she knew the other nurse had been asleep in her chair. She told him so.

“She isn’t asleep now,” Evan said. “In fact, she isn’t anywhere to be found.”

Well, that wasn’t so surprising. By now the day nurses had come on duty—that was evident by Trudy and Elizabeth’s presence. “Then I suppose she has already left the building.”

“Aye. ’Tis convenient, isn’t it? I suppose you would have fled as well had I not come upon you when I did.”

Why on earth would he think she would leave her post before her duty was done? And why did he act as though her foolish song was equal to an assassination attempt on the president or one of his cabinet?

“It was
only
music!”

He crossed his arms. “Move them on, Sergeant.”

Emily was shuffled into the pack and marched toward the part of the hospital where the military leaders issued commands. A portly soldier with a scowl on his face opened a door. She, Trudy and Elizabeth soon found themselves in front of a panel of officers. Their faces were grim.

Emily gulped. She told herself there was nothing to fear, that they were just ordinary men.
They are simply husbands, fathers, brothers from cities and states not unlike my own.
But she was afraid, very afraid. Would she and her friends be the next women to occupy a holding cell at Fort McHenry? Would her father be able to come to their aid?

Evan stepped to the panel, exchanged words with the officers, then claimed a place at the wall, in perfect view of her. The look he gave was one of absolute disgust. Emily bit back tears.
Why won’t you listen? Why can’t you forgive?

The man at the center of the table introduced himself as Colonel Ezra Cole. Emily had seen him in passing around the hospital but had never spoken to him before. “Do you ladies understand why you are here?” he asked.

Trudy and Elizabeth glanced quickly at one another. “No, sir,” they said in unison.

Colonel Cole cleared his throat. “A rebel prisoner, a Florida man named Lewis Powell, has escaped.”

Cold dread washed over Emily. Regret coursed through her veins. Now she realized what Evan was accusing her of. It was far worse than a Confederate song.
He believed Lewis was planning something,
yet I dismissed his concern. I trusted Lewis. I thought he would
comply with present authority and await his exchange like the others.

Elizabeth leaned toward her. “Are they speaking of the convalescent in your ward?” she whispered.

“Yes.”

Trudy had no idea what anyone was talking about. Lewis had only been at the hospital for one week. She had never even met him.

Emily chanced a glance at Evan.
You were right. I should have listened to you.

If he read her expression, he offered no grace.
You are my enemy,
his stance said.
You will be defeated.

Heartbroken, yet determined, she squared her shoulders. He may seek punishment for her. She may even deserve such, but she would not allow it for her friends.

“Sir,” Emily said to the colonel. “May I speak?”

“Of course.”

Her stomach was rolling, but she took a deep breath. “None of us had any knowledge of this man’s escape until this moment. In fact, Nurse Trudy has never even met him.”

Colonel Cole leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused on her. “The prisoner was assigned to your ward?”

“Yes, sir. He was.”

“Then perhaps you would care to enlighten us. Where is he now?”

“I do not know, sir. The last I saw him he was asleep in his bed.”

“And when was that?”

She couldn’t remember exactly, but she thought it was sometime when she was sitting with Ben Reed.
I remember glancing about.... The guard was asleep
. Emily winced, realizing yet another mistake.
I should have woken him then! If I had, none of this would be happening.

She spilled the entire story to the colonel, holding nothing back. The man listened intently, making notes every so often on the paper in front of him.

“So you are saying that to the best of your recollection, the prisoner left the room sometime between the start of the song and Dr. Mackay’s arrival.”

“Yes, sir. It was only a matter of a few minutes.”

Colonel Cole looked to Evan. “Was the prisoner still in his bed when you arrived?”

Evan blinked as though he was surprised. “I did not think to look for him, sir. When I saw the blatant display of rebel pride, my only thought was to squelch it.”

“Indeed,” the colonel said dryly. “No doubt your ire was raised.”

Emily blushed on Evan’s behalf. His fiery temper must have been well-known to his superiors.

“And you ladies...” the colonel said as he looked to Elizabeth and Trudy.

“Sir,” Elizabeth said. “Neither I nor my sister had yet arrived at the hospital in the time of question.”

“Is that true?” he said to Trudy.

“Yes, sir.”

At that moment, Reverend Henry and Dr. Turner entered the room.

“Colonel,” Dr. Turner said. “If I may be so bold, I believe you are questioning the wrong girl.”

“And how is that, Doctor?”

“I would be looking for the Branson girl. It was quite obvious to anyone with eyes that she was sweet on the boy.”

Colonel Cole looked at Emily. “And where was she during your song?”

“Just across the room, sir. She was asleep in her chair.”

He grunted. “Or so you thought.” He looked again at Evan. “I suppose you didn’t notice her, either?”

The Scotsman’s face reddened as he admitted that no, he had not. In his anger toward
her
indiscretion, he had committed one of his own. Evan had failed to notice what was happening in his own ward.

Oh, Lord,
Emily thought,
please don’t let this bring trouble on him.

Colonel Cole motioned to the guard standing beside Emily. “Go and see about Nurse Branson,” he said. “Although I suspect if she is part of this, she is long gone by now.”

There was a pause. Emily held her breath while Colonel Cole fingered his mustache.

“Now, ladies,” he said slowly. “I am afraid we still have a problem.”

Emily had a feeling she knew what it was, for there on the table before him were several sheets of familiar paper.

“The three of you began your work here following the battle of Antietam. Correct?”

“Yes, sir,” the women each said.

“And each of you altered your oaths of loyalty.” The man smiled slightly, but Emily couldn’t tell if it was a look of satisfaction or pity.

“Yes, sir,” Elizabeth said. “We crossed out the line which said we could not give aid or comfort to the enemy.”

“And why, may I ask, did you do this?”

“We are nurses, sir,” Trudy said.

He stared at them. Emily knew he was waiting for a different answer.

“Sir,” Evan said, “each of these women has friends or family serving in the rebel army.” He cast her a cutting glance. He may as well have run her through with a sword.

Despite her pain, Emily agreed. “What Dr. Mackay says is true, sir. We each know someone serving in the Confederate army. We have nursed men on both sides of this conflict with equal compassion.”

“But you would give aid to rebel men directly if given the opportunity?”

She gulped before answering and looked at her friends. They nodded.

“Yes, sir, we would. We would not turn them away.”

The colonel leaned back in his chair. He sighed as if not knowing what to do.

Reverend Henry stepped forward. “Sir, I know and trust each of these women. They are fine nurses and have proved this time and again. Don’t punish them for their mercy.”

“I agree,” Dr. Turner said. “They are not responsible for the choices of others. They only wish to show compassion to all.”

“I am not punishing them for their mercy,” Colonel Cole insisted. “But they have each confessed rebel sympathy. And this one—” he gestured to Emily “—is filling the wards with illegal music.”

“Sir,” Emily said. “It was wrong of me to do so. I dare not ask you to forgive my transgression, but please do not punish my friends because of it.”

He sighed once more. “I do not wish to punish any of you. Your reputation for care is well known throughout this hospital.” He stared straight at her. “You say you acted out of compassion for the troubled man.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Given the fact that you were previously attacked by a rebel, it is understandable that you thought it necessary to use any means to keep him calm.”

Emily blinked. How did he know that? Had Evan reported such?

“However,” Colonel Cole then said, “we cannot have the loyalty of our nurses in question. Therefore, this is what we will do.”

He motioned to his right. The officer beside him straightened the stack of paper; he readied an inkwell and pen. Emily’s heart sank. She knew what was coming. Decision time was at hand.

“You will each sign a new oath. A
complete
one
. And
you will cut off
all
contact with your rebel men.”

A lump filled her throat. “Sir,” Emily said. “I appreciate your understanding. I wish to remain a nurse in this hospital but—”

He leaned forward. “But?”

“I cannot sign your oath as it is written.”

A look of incredulity filled his face. “Come now,” he said. “We are not barbarians. No one is asking you to deny care to a bleeding family member who comes to your doorstep. Only that you remain loyal to our Constitution, that you report such persons to the proper authorities.”

Her future as a nurse depended upon what she did next.
Be reasonable,
her mind told her.
Sign the paper. The army need not know what you really think. You can still tend to the wounded. Just give them what they want.

She looked at Evan. His face had softened to a look of concern. He was watching her intently, waiting to see what she would do. Emily’s heart squeezed. If she signed, she could remain. She could prove to him that she was not the stone-throwing rebel he thought she was.

But then she remembered Lewis and Maggie. They had each displayed a face of submission while secretly harboring an ulterior plan.

Emily realized if she signed Colonel Cole’s oath, she would be doing the exact same thing. She would never aid in the escape of a Confederate prisoner, but she would also never give information that would lead to the arrest of one of her friends. To sign an oath pledging to do so would be a lie.