The Last Heiress (44 page)

Nate withdrew from Amanda, but only to arm's length. “Yes, ma'am, I believe we are. By the way, congratulations on your new son.” He bowed in Abigail's general direction.

“Thank you,” she said as Jackson herded them outside. “We'll have plenty of time to catch up once we reach the
Lady Adelaine
.”

“Then let's get started,” Nate and Amanda replied simultaneously.

Nate left the mansion with his hand wrapped around Amanda's. Although he was still a private in the Confederate army, getting the woman he loved safely out of a burning city was more important than anything else.

Amanda paused to pick up her valise on their way out the door. In a fortuitous turn of events, it had arrived by teamster wagon that morning. Mr. Bobby Waite had been true to his word.

“Let me carry that,” Nate said as he pulled the handle from her fingers.

“Much obliged,” she murmured, her stomach tightening from his touch. Considering the events of the last few weeks, Amanda feared the gentle shopkeeper with a knack for turning a phrase would never be the same. Nor would she.

Out in the courtyard, Jackson took charge. “The women will ride inside the compartment with Jacky and the food we're taking. You and I will ride topside with Thomas,” he said to Nate.

“
Jacky?
” asked Nate, strapping Amanda's valise to the back.

Abigail paused on the coach's step and smiled over her shoulder. “Jackson Jr., but Jacky seems appropriate for now. You look exhausted, Mr. Cooper. We could make room for you inside.”

Nate shook his head. “Your husband needs me to guide us to the river trace, assuming that the roads I remember are still open. Are you sure we can't reach Oakdale?” he asked Henthorne.

“I am. The Yankees will confiscate the horses, carriage, and food, leaving us along the road to fend for ourselves. You, they will shoot with that uniform. Why not change into civilian clothes?”

The two men locked eyes. “I will not,” said Nate.

“Suit yourself. We'll head in the direction the Yankees came from, hopefully
not
on the same roads. Do you agree, Cooper?”

“I do. Let's get going.” Nate climbed up beside the coachman.

Jackson latched the door closed behind Amanda. “You ladies keep the windows shut and the curtains closed. I don't know how rough the road will be or what sights we'll pass along the way.”

“As you wish.” Although Amanda was happy to help Abby with little Jack, she yearned to be near Nate—to hold his hand and assure him that one day this madness would be over.

They rattled over bumpy roads for hours. When the sun set and they could no longer see ten feet in front of them, they stopped for the night. Amanda jumped down the moment the wheels stopped spinning. “What can I do to help?”

“Can you bring water from that stream for the horses?” Nate handed her a wooden bucket. “I'll hobble them so they can graze without wandering too far.”

“Of course I can.” Amanda sprinted away as though her chore held great importance. To feel useful in any fashion pleased her. Once both horses had drunk deeply, she went in search of Nate.

He was exiting the woods with an armful of branches. “This is all fairly dry. It should get us through the night without creating much smoke.” He dumped the pile near the small fire Jackson had started with newspaper and twigs.

Abigail pulled food from the hamper, and soon they were gathered around the blaze, munching sandwiches. Amanda passed around jars of cistern water from home. With everyone tired and sore from the rough ride, there was little conversation during the meal. Longing to get a few things off her chest, Amanda tried to catch Nate's attention.

The moment they finished eating, Jackson ordered the women back to the coach for the night. “Cooper, Thomas, and I will sleep by the fire,” he said.

Abigail rose with the baby to comply, but Amanda held up a hand in protest. “No, brother-in-law. I believe I'll spend the first half the night out here while you rest.” She pointed at a rock close to Nate. “Midway through the night, I'll go to the coach while you keep watch. Nate can sleep then. In the meantime, he and I have catching up to do that won't wait.” Her tone of voice brooked no argument.

“A splendid idea.” Abigail hoisted the baby higher in her arms and reached for her husband's hand. “If you recall, my dear, we were once young and in love.”

Jackson helped her across the uneven ground. “You and Miss Dunn are
exactly
the same age, and I love you just as much as—” The closing coach door obscured the remainder of his protest.
Thomas looked at the two of them, and he then turned and discreetly walked off.

Amanda prayed her courage wouldn't abandon her. “I hope you don't mind staying awake a tad longer, but I wanted to explain why I'm still in America.” Settling primly on the rock, she smoothed her skirt over her ankles.

Nate plopped onto a log and moved his boots toward the heat. “I can remain upright long enough to listen to a few things I already know.” A grin tugged at his lips.

“And what would those be, Mr. Cooper?”

He stuck out his left thumb. “You were worried about your sister and refused to leave until her baby arrived.”

“Go on,” she encouraged.

Nate extended his index finger. “You were also worried about
me
and wouldn't leave while the fighting continued.”

“Absolutely the truth on both counts. Have you a third conjecture to add? Perhaps you wish to venture a guess regarding my heart?” Amanda held her breath as she waited for his response.

His grin faded, replaced by a somber expression. “I hope you love me so much you will wait on the
Lady Adelaine
until I return, Amanda. That's what I yearn to hear more than anything.”

“
What
? Surely you're not going back to the army…that would be suicide! Everyone whispers that the Confederacy will soon be defeated. What difference can one man make now?” Tears collected in her eyes. “But
your
life makes all the difference in the world to m-me.” Amanda choked on the final word.

He knelt next to her and folded her hands in his. “If God is merciful, the war will end soon. It can't last much longer. Then we can be together for the rest of our lives—”

She pushed him away, along with his condescension and willingness to gamble with their future. “Jackson burned his Rebel uniform in the fireplace. Burn yours here, Nate, before some
Yankee shoots you.” She pointed imperiously toward the dying fire.

“I don't judge Henthorne or any man, but I must make my own choices. Before God I gave an oath to remain loyal until the end.” Nate tossed a handful of sticks into the fire, the flickering light reflected in his eyes.

“
Oooooh
! You are an obstinate man!” Amanda jumped to her feet. “I had planned to beg forgiveness for
my
narrow-mindedness. I intended to tell you about changes I implemented at Dunn Mills and the village of Wycleft. But there is no talking to you, Mr. Cooper!” Overcome with hurt and anger, she stomped to the carriage and yanked open the door. A moment later, Jackson stumbled out, hastily buttoning his frock coat. Her brother-in-law would simply have to adjust to the change in plans because if she spent one more minute in Nate's company, she would forget she was a well-bred, genteel Englishwoman.

The next day they found the
Lady Adelaine
anchored in an idyllic little cove. Because the ground was soft and muddy, they carefully concealed the coach behind briars and walked to the ship. Abigail refused to mount the horse, so Amanda rode carrying little Jack. Nate led the way, clutching the gelding's reins tightly, followed by Jackson and Abby. Thomas brought up the rear with his double-barreled shotgun.

Several armed guards patrolling the deck looked rather surprised when they emerged from the cover of foliage. “Mr. Henthorne, I didn't think you would arrive on foot,” called a pink-faced man with red hair. “Come aboard, sir. All's well here. The
Lady
lists to the side in low tide, but she floats nicely in high.”

When Nate lifted Amanda off the horse, she murmured an embarrassed, “Thank you,” and approached the gangplank without hesitation. He followed at her heels after handing the reins to Thomas.

“Mr. Campbell, you're a sight for sore eyes,” said Jackson. “May I present my wife, Mrs. Henthorne, and her sister, Miss Dunn?”

“How do, ma'am, miss?” Campbell doffed his cap and bobbed his head. “I trust you will find the
Lady Adelaine
comfortable.”

“My husband expresses everyone's sentiments, sir. We are all glad to finally arrive from Wilmington.” Abigail extended her hand.

Campbell kissed the back of her gloved fingers lightly. “If I can be of any service, ma'am, do not hesitate to ask.” He dropped his gaze politely.

Amanda smiled at Campbell as Nate stepped past the introductions and onto the ship. “Shall we explore
my
new home for the foreseeable future?” she asked him. Sarcasm dripped from the question, but she couldn't help herself. Now that they had found each other again, why did he insist on returning to the battlefield?

Although not as large as the steamer that brought her to North Carolina, the
Lady Adelaine
was beautifully trimmed with brass, well stocked with food, and had several cisterns of fresh water for baths and washing clothes. Jackson's guards took turns on watch and seemed to be a responsible lot. That night the weary travelers dined on fresh trout, sweet potatoes, buttermilk biscuits, and canned peas. She and Nate made polite conversation during the meal and passed the night counting stars on deck. She slept in a feather bed with a down pillow, lulled to sleep by the night sounds.

But on the morning of the third day, he crept into her stateroom, kissed her softly on the lips, and whispered goodbye. Amanda didn't speak or return the kiss. She was too terrified for their future to do anything but pretend she was asleep.

Eighteen

March 1865

A
bigail stood on the deck of the
Lady Adelaine
, her attention focused on a blue heron fishing for lunch in the shallows. She'd grown accustomed to the boat canting to the side during low tide. She'd adjusted to the confining size of even the largest of the staterooms. She'd learned to tolerate the mosquitoes feasting on any exposed skin now that spring had arrived. But what she couldn't stand was Jackson sneaking off while she and little Jack slept.

Sometimes he rode to Wilmington alone. On other occasions he took Thomas when they needed food for his family and crew. How could he be so certain Yankees wouldn't shoot him just for sport? The boat's inhabitants could manage without supplies from town. With the fish caught by Mr. Campbell and the game snared by Thomas, they had enough to eat. She knew Jackson worried about their house. Blessedly, the fire had not spread past the waterfront. And thus far, Jackson's clever plan to keep Yankees
from inhabiting had worked. Few men were brave enough to enter a home marked:
Plague patients. Enter at your own peril.

Abigail could live without the Henthorne mansion on Third Street. She could survive splendidly without ever crossing the threshold of Oakdale again. But she couldn't live without her beloved husband. He had grown even more doting and tender since Jacky's birth.