Camellia (43 page)

“Why don’t they surrender?” Lily tossed the newspaper on the table and pushed her chair back. She was so worried about Camellia. Why had she let her sister and Mrs. Watkins convince her that the area would be safe? If she ever got Camellia under her wing again, she would not let her out of her sight until the war was over … if ever.

Blake shook his head. “The Confederates know that losing Vicksburg will split their forces in two. They will be a house divided.”

“But they cannot win against Grant’s forces. They may have the upper ground, but he can starve them. And I don’t doubt that he will if he is forced to.”

Aunt Dahlia, sitting on the opposite side of the table, moaned. “You should have brought the girl back here to me. I always knew your traipsing all over the country with your sisters would come to no good end. And now poor Camellia is paying the price for your stubbornness.”

The words should not have come as a surprise to her. Aunt Dahlia would never approve of her unconventionality. Uncle Phillip was nodding his agreement with his wife’s condemnation. She supposed they had forgotten how her decision to operate a successful steamship had helped support their lifestyle here at Les Fleurs.

“You cannot blame Camellia’s situation on Lily.” Grandmother sent a disapproving glance at her daughter and son-in-law. “The girl was determined to stay with the friend she made at that fancy finishing school that you encouraged her to attend.”

“She’s in love with Thad Watkins.” Lily tried to push herself up from the dining chair, but her protruding abdomen made the maneuver impossible.

Blake and Papa both saw her difficulty and moved to assist her.

“Thank you.” She managed a shaky smile for their efforts. Taking a deep breath, she turned her attention back to her aunt. “While Captain Watkins is not the man I would have chosen for my sister, I know he and his family will do everything in their power to keep Camellia safe.”

Aunt Dahlia’s face was pinched with worry. Lily knew she should be more sympathetic. Camellia had always been her favorite of the sisters. Lily was too plain, and Jasmine’s black hair and violet eyes were too exotic for acceptance into the highest levels of local Natchez society. Camellia’s blond curls, creamy complexion, and cornflower-blue eyes made her the perfect candidate. If the war had not come along, she had no doubt Camellia would have been the most popular girl in the city.

“I think you should go after her.” Aunt Dahlia’s suggestion was like an arrow through her heart. “Put that boat of yours to good use for once.”

Blake put an arm around his wife’s shoulders while speaking to Aunt Dahlia. “I think you have lost your mind.”

Both Aunt Dahlia and Uncle Phillip looked shocked, but Lily could feel a bubble of laughter trying to escape her throat. Trust Blake to support her even though he’d argued against leaving Camellia in Vicksburg. She leaned against his shoulder and sent him a thankful look.

“The Confederate batteries will shoot at anything that is moving up or down the river right now. When we passed through that area in March, things were already perilous. The only thing we could accomplish by taking the
Water Lily
to Vicksburg is to get her rammed or shot to pieces.”

Grandmother cleared her throat to gain their attention. “Maybe her brave Confederate officer would escort her to Natchez if you sent a request.”

Now Aunt Dahlia looked scandalized. “I hope you’re not suggesting that she travel alone with a man. Her reputation could never survive such scandalous behavior.”

“I’m not as worried about her reputation as I am her life.” Lily rubbed her belly with a gentle hand as the baby inside shifted. “I would feel much better if she were here with us, but I don’t see how we can accomplish that right now.”

Papa returned to his place at the table. “We’ll have to leave it in God’s hands.”

Lily nodded. “You’re right as always, Papa. God will protect her as He does all of His children.”

She had spent a great deal of time talking to God about her concerns as the situation worsened over the past two months. He had not answered her prayer with words, but His peace brought her some comfort.

Still, it was hard not to worry as they followed the progress of the battles taking place to their north. According to the reports of the local newspaper, General Grant had burned a swath through the countryside, isolating Vicksburg from all hope of support. After two unsuccessful assaults, he had decided to lay siege to the city. Lily could not begin to imagine the conditions her sister was experiencing.

“I think you need to lie down for an hour.” Blake’s voice tickled her ear.

Wondering how she would ever relax enough to sleep, Lily allowed him to lead her from the dining room. “Do you think we could get word to Captain Watkins?”

“I doubt it.” His gaze was kind. “But I have thought of someone who might be able to help.”

Lily stopped walking. “Who?”

“The Thorntons’ youngest son, Jonah.”

“Jonah? I doubt he would be any use to us at all.”

The look in Blake’s eyes told her he knew something she didn’t.

Lily stomped her right foot. “Tell me.”

He shrugged. “Eli told me he joined the Union army. He’s currently with Grant’s army and may be in a position to reach Camellia.”

Excitement and hope coursed through her blood. Lily threw her arms around her husband, hugging him as close as she could with the baby between them.

A pang caught her by surprise, and Lily tensed.

“What is it?”

Blake’s voice seemed to come from a distance as yet another pain struck, stealing her breath with its strength. Lily doubled over and grabbed her abdomen, trying to keep her composure as the truth became apparent to her. “You’d better send for the doctor. I think the baby’s coming.”

J
onah Thornton! I have a message for Jonah Thornton.”

The voice called him from a dream, a dream of secret waterfalls and stolen kisses. With a groan, he rolled over and peeked out from the opening of his tent. “I’m Jonah Thornton.”

The messenger’s head turned as Jonah pushed himself up. He was young but carried his satchel with obvious pride. Reaching inside it, he produced a white envelope with Jonah’s name printed in bold black letters.

“Thank you.”

The boy’s salute was crisp. Then he looked inside his bag and read the next name. “Tom Waterford! I have a message …”

Jonah put his finger under the seal to break it.

“A love letter?” Cage’s drawl held a teasing note. “It’s about time for the ladies to catch up with you.”

His gaze dropped to the bottom of the letter and read the signature. His lips curled. “Yes, and her name is Blake Matthews.”

Both of them laughed at the suspicious looks from some of the nearby soldiers.

Jonah raised his voice to explain. “
His
wife and my sister are close friends.” He glanced at the stationery in his right hand:

Jonah rolled his eyes. If only Blake knew how closely acquainted he was with the middle Anderson sister, he would probably demand satisfaction instead of sending him a polite letter.

Jonah’s heart was beating so hard it felt as if it might jump from his chest.

“What’s the matter?” Cage touched his arm. “Your face is as white as a field of cotton.”

Unable to express the fear that had taken hold of him, Jonah shook his head. He had wondered from time to time where Camellia was. She had even told him she was planning to visit her friend and that pompous captain. But he’d never really thought her family would have allowed her to stay. Perhaps stop by for an afternoon visit, but then she should have gotten right back onto her sister’s boat and sailed away to safety. “I have to talk to Grant.”

Cage pulled his hand back as though he’d been burned. “General Grant?”

Jonah nodded. He had to sneak into the city and see Camellia to safety. In the past month, the situation inside the city had gotten bad. While the soldiers sniped at each other from their positions in the ravines and on the hillsides, no food had passed into the city for several weeks. The rumor was that the civilians and soldiers had been reduced to eating mule in place of beef and pork and that all the cats and dogs in the city had disappeared.

The townspeople had moved into caves to escape the shells falling into the city. He had to get to her, no matter the cost.

Camellia couldn’t remember ever being so tired in her life. Her hand went to the small of her back, and she massaged the area.

“How long has it been since you rested?” Sister Alice touched her shoulder.

Looking out the window, she was surprised to see the sun dipping low on the horizon. “I’m not sure.”

The nun frowned her displeasure. “You look ready to drop.”

“Where’s Jane?”

The nun pointed past the rows of cots. “The last time I saw her, she was sitting by some of the new arrivals.”

A sigh filled Camellia’s chest. Would the steady stream of sick and wounded soldiers never end?

“I’ll go find her.” Camellia checked the forehead of a soldier who had lost his left arm to a minie ball. It was cooler than yesterday. She pulled a notebook out of her bag and made a notation.

Sister Alice’s habit bounced as she tapped her foot. “You need to leave right now, or you’ll have to walk back in the dark.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Camellia smiled at the older lady. Sister Alice could be a tough drill sergeant, but her motives were always good. “I just have to tell Dr. Dickson I’m leaving.”

“I’ll tell him. You go on.”

She knew when she was outmaneuvered. Walking to the outer room, Camellia collected Jane. “Let’s go home.”

Jane made a face. “You mean to the cave.”

“It’s safer than staying in town.” As if to emphasize her statement, the whistle of a missile made both of them freeze.

The sound had become so common in the past weeks they could tell when it passed their location. The floor shook ahead of the
boom
as it hit another part of the city. Camellia hoped Willow Grove was unharmed.

“Let’s go.” Jane’s dark tresses were limp, and her eyes no longer held a sparkle. It had been ground out of her by the death and sickness they encountered on a daily basis, compounded by the heat of summer, the uncomfortable sleeping cots in the cave, and the lack of proper nutrition.

Obed, the large, quiet slave who had been assigned to accompany them back and forth from the hospital, met them as they stepped outside. Camellia wondered what he did all day while they were inside. She was glad to have his escort, as the soldiers who seemed to inhabit every street of the city might have been a problem otherwise.

Jane kicked a pebble ahead of them. “I wonder how long it will take before the Yankees give up and go home.”

“Is that what you really think will happen?”

“Either that or General Johnston’s reinforcements will arrive. Thad says if they come, we will squash them between the two legs of our army.” She slapped her hands together to illustrate the maneuver. “Vicksburg will never fall.”

Another shell whistled overhead. Camellia looked up and saw its arc. No danger. She continued walking. “I don’t know. They seem very determined.”

They finished their walk in silence. Camellia wanted to reach out to her friend, but she didn’t know how. It seemed they had grown in different directions. Jane still wanted the South to win. She didn’t see anything wrong with their old lifestyle and couldn’t wait to resume it.

Although Camellia deplored the war, she welcomed the change she believed it would bring. She wanted freedom for all slaves. She didn’t want to return to the past, not since her eyes had been opened. Balls and fancy gowns had lost their attraction, as had every other aspect of a life of privilege. She wanted to spend her life in more serious pursuits.

Mrs. Watkins greeted them at the entrance to the cave. “I have a wonderful surprise for you girls.”

Camellia and Jane exchanged a glance. All either of them wanted to do was eat a little and fall into bed. They’d both had a long day. And tomorrow wouldn’t be any shorter or easier.