Rebecca moved just a shade closer and whispered. "My darling Charlie. You may assume too much."
"Then, darling, let her fall. The only woman I wish to attend to is you."
"I am very glad to hear that." She smiled sweetly at Mrs. Williams as Charlie guided her to the music. "I think she is ready to faint now. There goes my reputation." She teased, her hand moving up and down Charlie's arm.
After the initial surprise, Polk led Elizabeth out onto the dance floor. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper soon followed, and then Charlie's officers played the gallant to several of the younger women. Soon the room was swirling with men in dark suits and lovely women in gentle colors.
"You throw a wonderful party, General. We will be the talk of the county."
"We throw a wonderful party, darling." Charlie was relishing the feel of holding the smaller woman in his arms in front of everyone.
Rebecca took notice of the look. "Charlie Redmond, you are gloating," she smiled.
"Yes, Rebecca Gaines. I am gloating. I am holding the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms, I am dancing with her, and I am going to announce to the world she has consented to be mine for the rest of our lives. Of course I am gloating."
"Well, good. Then I will not feel guilty for doing it over you earlier."
Charlie pulled back a bit so he could look into her eyes. "You were gloating?"
"Like the evil thing I am, yes I was."
"Well, darling, I wish I could give you more to gloat over." He smiled anyway. It was so wonderful to feel her possessive, proud love.
"Please Charlie. I am going to be married to the most charming, handsome person in the world. I have plenty to gloat over."
Charlie grinned as the waltz came to an end. He bowed to her, as was appropriate for a gentleman after such an intimate dance, and escorted her over to the Reverend Williams and his wife, whispering as they walked, "You know, dear, we must play the proper host and hostess. So dance the quadrille with the Reverend and I will see if I can further scandalize his wife."
"That will do it." She chuckled as she moved to the good Reverend. He smiled and escorted Rebecca back to the dance floor.
Mrs. Williams hesitated when Charlie offered her his hand. A quick glance told her everyone was watching and it would not do to snub him in front of nearly the entire town. "Thank you, General Redmond."
Charlie led her to the head of a group of younger dancers, primarily local girls dancing with Charlie's junior officers. "Gentleman, may we complete the square?" Shy nods and one 'yes, sir, please, sir' came back promptly. They squared up and the dance began with the obligatory bow and curtsey. "Thank you for joining me, Mrs. Williams."
"One must be polite, General."
"Indeed, ma'am. I have always found if one takes the time to come to know one's neighbors, frictions can often be reduced."
"General, right now I have no desire to know you. But if Rebecca intends to live this immoral life after the war, then I will probably get used to you."
The steps of the dance took them apart for a few moments. When they returned, Charlie dropped his bomb. "Madame, as you know, I intend to make an honest woman of Mrs. Gaines, and very soon. I would be deeply appreciative if you would assist in preparing for our wedding on the 28th."
The minister’s wife nearly stumbled when the words sank in. "The wedding? You have set a date?" She had not expected the Yankee to follow through on his promises to Rebecca. She had expected him to ride away to war in the spring and be gone for good. But with a firm date set, it seemed clear that the General would return to Culpeper. She was going to have to put up with this sorry excuse for a man for a long time. The thought repelled her.
"Of course, Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Gaines is a wonderful woman. Although a number of people already know of our plans, we will formally announce it tonight. I am, I do believe, the luckiest man on the face of the planet tonight." Charlie fairly beamed with pride and anticipation - the perfect image of the eager bridegroom.
She could only shake her head. For the first time in her opinionated, small-minded life, Mrs. Williams was speechless.
Gently, Charlie looked at the thunderstruck woman. "Mrs. Williams? Are you all right? Has the heat and exertion tired you?"
"I rather think I would like to sit down," she nodded.
Solicitously, Charlie escorted Mrs. Williams to one of the chairs at the side of the room, and signaled to one of the troopers who were serving the guests to bring some punch. "Ma'am, shall I call Dr. Walker?"
"No, General. I only need rest."
"Then, ma'am, at least let me keep you company until you are feeling more yourself."
Rebecca and Reverend Williams noticed the small disruption Mrs. Williams’ departure from the floor created. They quietly left the dance floor so the minister could attend his wife. Rebecca smiled as she watched the haughty woman squirm at Charlie’s proximity.
"Ah, Reverend Williams. I fear your wife has been overcome by the excitement of the afternoon. Mrs. Williams, I look forward to meeting with you to coordinate what I hope will be a small, but elegant affair."
Rebecca tugged on Charlie’s sleeve. "General, I believe this dance is mine."
The band had started up a sprightly reel. Charlie smiled at her and led her to the floor, after bowing politely to Mrs. Williams.
"You are going to rot in the pits of Hell for that, Charlie." She admonished playfully.
"No, dear, I am going to back our most vocal opponent in the community into a corner she simply will not be able to get out of."
"Oooh, what have you done?"
"I have asked her to assist in planning the wedding. As the minister's wife, she cannot back out of it, and as one of the sponsors of the wedding, she cannot continue to condemn me and retain her credibility."
"You expect me to work with that hateful woman to plan our wedding? Oh Charlie, I will go fight the war and you can stay here for that."
"Darling, I assure you, you will never have to face her without me being present."
"One word out of her, Charlie, and I will not guarantee what will happen."
"Beloved, trust me. I have just backed her so far into a corner that by the end of the evening, she will be too busy saying 'I knew it all the time' to be any trouble to us."
Rebecca laughed. "I am marrying a very wicked man."
"You are, indeed. I would say, my dear, you and I are well matched."
And so the afternoon wore on, with dancing interspersed with singing. It was close to suppertime when the band struck up the waltz again.
"My love, dance with me."
"Of course. Now and forever."
The two danced as if there were no others on the dance floor, lost in one another’s eyes, in the flow of the music and the sensual joy of the dance. Charlie maneuvered them so at the end of the dance, they were standing at the head of the room, before one of the great fireplaces.
After the music ended, the guests honored the band with a robust round of applause for their contribution to the day's festivities. Then Charlie's voice rang out over the assembled guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is suppertime, and we have prepared a buffet for you in the dining room. But before we adjourn, I have an announcement."
Rebecca smiled and looped her arms through Charlie’s.
The room stilled. Curiosity was a powerful motivation for focusing attention. Charlie signaled to the staff who were rapidly circulating glasses of white wine to all of the guests. Charlie waited patiently until each guest had a glass. The troopers also took glasses of wine for themselves, as Charlie had ordered.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you a toast this evening." He turned to face Rebecca, his heart in his eyes, his voice ringing with the sureness of total conviction and devotion. "To our gracious hostess and, as some of you know, after the 28th of next month, my most beautiful and beloved wife, Rebecca."
There was an instant of hesitation, and then the room resounded with one word. "Rebecca."
She turned, a bright smile on her face, as she once again clung to Charlie’s arm and said, "Yes, General Redmond and I are going to be married."
Charlie took her hand and bowed deeply, drawing her fingers to his lips. He looked into her eyes and smiled, silently mouthing one word. "Mine."
Her quiet response was simply, "Yours."
Charlie turned back to the assembly of guests, most of whom were applauding politely, some of whom were grinning broadly and a few of whom were looking rather pole axed. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us adjourn to supper. And for this one night, forgive me my manners, but I would like to escort my bride-to-be."
Rebecca walked slowly next to Charlie as they made their way through the crowd toward the dining room. As they approached the door, Jocko’s eyes met Rebecca’s. He gave her a little wink.
--*--
Monday, January 2, 1865
R
ebecca sat in her parlor, making one list from the several that had been made by the ladies who were helping her with the wedding. She was pleased to see they were willing and even excited about helping her. Most of them had gotten over their initial shock of seeing her with Charlie and were beginning to see them for what they truly were; a couple in love. The differences between North and South were becoming very blurred for these ladies.
She looked out of the window from her place at her desk; she could see Charlie with a couple of his troopers. They were working with one of the horses that had received a nasty bruise during the competition. She watched as Charlie took the lead and put the beast through various paces to determine if and when it would limp on the injured leg.
A light knock at the door brought her attention away from the window. "Come in." She turned in her chair and was surprised to find Jocko standing in the doorway. "Sergeant Jackson, come in. What can I do for you?"
"Well, ma'am, I think it is more a matter of what can I do for you. I understand you are making plans for the wedding. I thought you might like my assistance."
"That would be wonderful." She rose from her seat and poured him a cup of tea. "Please come sit with me so we can talk."
Jocko looked a little uncomfortable as he sidled over to the chair and tucked his cap in his belt. "Thank you, ma'am. I know you want to do this wedding right and all, and I thought maybe my knowing the military side of things would be helpful."
"Very helpful, Sergeant. It is important to me that Charlie has a wedding proper for his standing in the Army and his future standing here in Culpeper. I want everything to be perfect." She placed his cup on the table in front of him then retook her seat. "I would be grateful for your support."
Jocko took a sip of tea. "Good tea, ma'am. Dark like the stuff I had as a child." He cleared his throat. "Well, ma'am, I am not sure what you want. Military weddings can be anything from very, very quiet and private to very formal. I think General C would prefer to go to the more private end."
"Then that is what we will give him. Perhaps you would be willing to work with Mrs. Cooper, as she is handling the details for the ceremony? I know I am having a devil of a time getting any information from Charlie about what he wants. I ask him a question and he says, ‘‘Whatever pleases you, dear.’ I swear to you, Sergeant, there are some days I want to choke him." Her chuckle with the statement made it very clear to Jocko it was a threat made with love and a goodly amount of frustration.
"Ah, as you may know, ma'am, getting married was not something General C thought about very much, as he was not one who, ah, was on the list of available gentlemen, if you know what I mean? So I think he may be a little stymied here. As a single gentleman, he has not had much experience with planning parties and such."
"I am sure." She looked seriously at Charlie’s friend and companion. "You do know that I love Charlie dearly?"
"I know he thinks you do. I know he is head over heels with you and I know if you hurt him, I swear I do not know what I will have to do to keep him together."
She reached out and laid her hand over his. "Jocko, I promise you, I do love Charlie. I would never hurt him. I will spend the rest of my life caring for him and protecting him."
Jocko stood up and walked over to the window. Looking out, he could see Charlie and several other troopers working with a couple more injured horses. Charlie, the officer, the soldier and the man he knew, was in his element. But Jocko knew what lay underneath. He turned back to Rebecca. "And what about her –– the woman? How do you feel about that, Mrs. Gaines?"
"I love her."
Jocko thought for a few minutes. "Well, so you say." He walked back over to the chair. "So, ma'am, here is a list of the officers I think should attend, and a copy of the standard protocols for a small, second marriage to a man of Charlie's rank. I checked the protocol manual before I came."
She took the list and tucked it away. "Thank you." Then she looked at him with a look that only a frustrated Southern woman could muster. "You do not believe me, do you?"
Jocko looked the woman in the eye. "Ma'am, this has all been really quick. General C's been alone for a long time - in fact he thought he would always be alone and always be in the Army. Then you came along and all of a sudden, he is ready to settle down, marry you and be a da to these bairns from who knows where. So I am wondering, when he comes back from the last battle, with his heart on his sleeve, will you be here? What if he is injured or maimed? Will you still want your beautiful boy?"
"Yes, I know it has been quick. But sometimes, when two people come together, there is just something that compels them to be with each other. My parents were that way. My father fell head over heels for my mother the first time he saw her and courted her diligently for two years before she finally agreed to marry him. But my father always said, he knew from the moment he set his eyes upon her face there was no other in this world for him."