Words Heard in Silence (107 page)

"Trust me," Rebecca grinned and moved to a cabinet where she retrieved a bottle of Charlie’s best rum. "It is missing something."

Elizabeth's eyebrows rose. "I take it you want me to go to my own wedding with a hangover?"

"Well, my dear, you can drink slowly. However, if you should be in need, Sarah has a remedy that will take care of you." And with that, she poured the bottle into the punch. "I simply do not see why the men should have all the fun."

Elizabeth looked at her friend with wide eyes. She knew what Sarah used as a remedy for the hangover. It worked, but just trying to get it down one's throat was, in her opinion, probably worse than the hangover itself. "Oh, well, what the devil. Let us emulate our masculine partners on this one night. And Rebecca Redmond - if I am miserable tomorrow and need Sarah's cure, you have to drink one with me."

Rebecca ladled two cups out and handed one Elizabeth. "It is best enjoyed with a friend." She took a healthy drink of hers and coughed just a bit. "Very smooth." She choked, hoping her eyes would not tear up.

Elizabeth, having been involved in drinking contests with the gentlemen when out in the field, had the good sense to sip hers. "I think I will wait until the rest of our guests arrive before I indulge to the point of senselessness."

A moment later the parlor doors opened and the rest of the ladies entered escorted by Reg, who was trying desperately to be polite but make a quick retreat from this den of ladies. Ladies of any color in a bunch made Reg nervous.

Rebecca was kind enough to warn the ladies of the punch and told them she would be happy to provide other resources if they desired. She was not truly amazed when her offer was declined and each of the three pulled their own cups from the bowl.

"It is a party. Let us celebrate." Mrs. Cooper lifted her cup to her friends.

C
harlie quietly closed the door and headed up the stairs, using his left hand on the banister to steady himself. He was by no means completely drunk, but he was nicely tight and, for the first time in a very long time, the pain in his body was all but forgotten.

He took the steps slowly, carefully then at the top he walked down the hall to their bedroom. He noticed the light was on and filtered under the door. Quietly he pushed the door open and immediately noticed something was not quite right. Just inside the door at his feet was the top of Rebecca dress. A foot or so past that was her skirt. He grinned like an idiot and began following the trail of clothing, which consisted of the layers required to make Rebecca’s dress look so full.

He stopped when he finally saw her, sitting up on the settee, near the fireplace. She was naked from the waist up, clad only in her pantalets, she had one shoe on and one bare foot, the other shoe and stocking had somehow managed to find their way to the center of the bed.

Quietly, he divested himself of his coat, tie, vest and boots. Clad only in his shirt, britches and socks, he padded over to the settee and stroked Rebecca's hair. "Rebecca, dear," he whispered.

"Hmm……" She opened rather bleary eyes, and then she smiled. "Charlie you are home."

"Good evening, darling. Um. Did you... wear yourself out this evening?"

"Huh? Oh no, the ladies and I had a delig……deligh……a good time."

The unmistakable aroma of rum hit Charlie straight in the face. Since he had been drinking brandy that night, the difference in aromas was unmistakable. "Um, Rebecca, darling, have you been indulging in the rum?"

"Not just me." She giggled. "I think Mr. Cooper is in for quite the surprise tonight." She began giggling harder to the extent that she fell over on the couch, continuing to laugh.

Charlie had a vivid image suddenly spring into his head, of five very outspoken women sitting around the parlor, with every inhibition they owned erased by the power of his Demerarra rum. It was a frightening image. "Darling, you need to get to bed. Let me help you finish undressing."

"Ooo Charlie, are you going to undress me and take me to bed?" She opened one eye and graced Charlie with an almost predatory look.

Charlie knew that look. He had first seen it on the last night they spent at the Willard. He checked in with his body and decided that yes, perhaps he was finally ready for the... exertion that satisfying that look required. In a low, slightly husky voice, he responded. "That, my dear is exactly what I am going to do."

"Oh good." She sat up and pulled Charlie to her. "I love you, I have missed making love with you." She gave Charlie a kiss he would have felt to his boots had he still been wearing them. As it was, his toes were very warm.

The ladies spent the night at Redmond Stables. The plan was to prepare as much as possible, then withdraw to Mrs. Cooper’s for final touches. However, the effects of the previous evening were having a definite impact on the speed with which the ladies started their day.

Elizabeth staggered down to the kitchen, looking for Sarah and her magical hangover cure. The cook had taken time from her labors out in the summer kitchen to come into the main house to prepare breakfast for the family. "Lord a mercy, Miss Elizabeth. What happened to you?"

Rebecca appeared at that moment, using the doorjamb to support her rather shaky frame.

Elizabeth very slowly turned her head to Rebecca. "She happened to me."

Rebecca shaded her eyes against the morning glare as Charlie breezed in from the mudroom and opened the shades. "Good morning, ladies. It is a beautiful day. In fact, I would say a perfect day for a wedding." He smiled benignly, knowing full well that Rebecca had a head that could define the term ‘‘morning after.’ He suspected Elizabeth and the other ladies were in no better shape. "Sarah, I think a pair of poached eggs on toast would be just the thing today –– light enough to save plenty of room for your lovely dinner, but enough to stick to your ribs and stay with you. Why, let us make your morning simple. The same thing for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Rebecca."

Rebecca groaned and let her head drop to the table. "You are an evil man, Charles Huger Redmond."

"But, darling, last night you told me how wonderful you thought I was."

She raised her head and gave him an insincere smile. "Anything said in the heat of passion cannot be held against me."

Charlie leered. "My dear, I would happily hold anything against you that you wish." He took pity on the two sad figures in front of him. "But for right now, Sarah, I think you need to mix up a major batch of your hangover cure. These two definitely need some, and I suspect there are three more candidates for your remedy. Oh, and while you are at it, please bottle up a dose. Colonel Polk is not at his best this morning either."

"Did you get my fiancéé drunk, Charlie?" Elizabeth managed to ask from between her hands, which were currently holding up her head.

"No more than my wife got you drunk, dear Elizabeth. And to be absolutely precise, I believe it was the drinking contest between your husband-to-be and Jocko that was the final straw for our rather bilious friend."

"Oh, he should know better than that." She grinned, somehow happy in the knowledge Richard was no better off than she was.

Sarah sat two glasses filled with a thick black fluid in it in front of the two sufferers. "Drink up, ladies. It will cure what ails you."

Rebecca paled a little when the odor hit her nose. She looked to Charlie, "Darling, would it be easier just to kill me?"

"I had to drink that stuff before I married you, dear. Turn about is fair play."

Rebecca nodded and picked up the cup. Closing her eyes she said a quick prayer, then downed it. Making a face reminiscent of Em when she had to take medicine, she slammed the glass down. "Oh, please do not ever let me do that again."

"Shall I lock up the rum, dear?"

The day remained clear, and by three in the afternoon, the ladies were all prepared for the great event. Elizabeth was lovely in ecru silk and ivory lace. Rebecca’s lavender and dove gray was sedate and understated. They were ready. Earlier that day, the gentleman who would give Elizabeth away joined them. He was an old friend of Elizabeth’s father, as well as having been an advocate for Elizabeth when she first entered service with the Army before the war began. Knowing that he would be recognized, with his close clipped beard, gray hair, and sad eyes, General Robert E. Lee donned his Confederate dress uniform for perhaps the last time. They were ready.

Charlie managed to get Richard put back together and both men had put on their dress uniforms in good form. Charlie had discarded his crutch a week before and was almost dapper with his new Malacca cane. The two men took their place before the altar. Reverend Williams signaled for the processional to start and everyone in the church turned to await the arrival of the bride. Mrs. Williams played the first chords and Elizabeth and her party stepped into the doorway.

Then suddenly the music stopped as the organist fainted dead away. Seeing her reaction, the entire crowd turned to see what had caused Mrs. Williams to stop playing. A few rushed to her side, fanning her and looking hastily in their reticules for some smelling salts. The rest of the congregation looked more closely at Elizabeth and the man who was her escort. Without a word, the assembled crowd stood in respect of the General. Mrs. Cooper smacked the now revived Mrs. Williams on the shoulder and the music began again.

Elizabeth walked in stately grace up the aisle to the eagerly waiting Richard. She took her place beside him, and her escort glanced over at Charlie. "Redmond," he nodded a graceful greeting.

"General Lee, Sir." Charlie smiled, and both men, along with the rest of the congregation turned to witness the marriage.

The guests assembled in the hall and reception room at the house. A gentle buzz went around the room, as they waited for the wedding party to arrive. Finally, Charlie’s larger carriage appeared. The best man and matron of honor dismounted first, followed by General Lee, representing Elizabeth’s family, and then the groom and his lovely bride. The five of them entered the house amid much laughter and applause. Richard and Elizabeth were occupied for quite a while greeting all of their guests; Charlie took the opportunity to retreat to a quiet corner, a comfortable chair. and a nearly private chat among the three attending generals.

Rebecca took the time to go and check on the children. The boys were sleeping, having just been fed and bathed, but Emily was sitting in her own little chair in her Sunday best waiting patiently for her Mama. "Em go to pawty?"

"Certainly, my darling girl. Come along, we can show Aunt Elizabeth what she can anticipate."

Mother and child slipped back downstairs, where Em immediately located her father. "Papa!" was a well enough known cry to clear a path for the very active child to make a beeline for her father. Charlie caught her and lifted her up in his arms. "General, may I present my daughter, Emily."

The older man smiled and offered his hand. "Miss Emily, how are you today?"

"Vewy well, tank you. How you?"

Charlie beamed. His little girl was becoming quite the little lady of the house. His smile faded a bit when he saw Mrs. Williams standing not to far off, obviously waiting for an introduction. Charlie sighed.

"General, may I please introduce one of the leading ladies of the community, Mrs. Williams?"

The General turned to the lady Charlie indicated. General Sheridan nodded to the woman coldly as Lee looked at his old students with a twinkle in his eye. "Ah, yes, the wife of the minister, I believe. Madam, perhaps you need to get your organ repaired. Sheridan, do we know anyone who repairs organs? I would be happy to send someone to you." Lee turned back to Charlie and Emily. "Redmond, she is a lovely child. Somehow I always knew you would settle down."

"Thank you. She is the apple of her Papa's eye." Charlie said with the pride that only a father could have.

"A fine child. I am glad to see her Papa survived to see her grow into womanhood." The older man paused, and then went on, addressing both Charlie and Sheridan. "I understand we faced one another head on in those last few days. I commend you both. It was an excellent tactic."

Charlie could only nod politely. "I am just grateful it is over and I pray my sons never have to face the same challenges. I hope we have learned from our mistakes."

The party progressed with few social gaffs and much joy. The General Lee excused himself early. He had a train to catch to take him on to Lynchburg and the position that waited for him at Washington College. It was also a very good excuse to escape from Mrs. Williams, who had shadowed the man for most of the evening, proving she could be as obsequious with her social superiors as she was contentious with those she thought beneath her.

The last toast was drunk, the last dance ended, and more food consumed than was probably good for folks. Elizabeth and Richard departed in a lovely little basket trap amid flying flowers and rice, laughter ringing though the air. Very shortly after the bride and groom left, the last of the guests followed them down the road.

Rebecca stood there watching everyone leave with her arm wrapped securely around Charlie's waist. She looked up and smiled. "A lovely beginning, do you not think so, love?"

Charlie looked down at the blonde head resting on his shoulder and smiled. Standing together in the silence of the evening, he could almost hear her heart speaking to his. "Yes, a lovely beginning."

The End