Dark Chaos (# 4 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series) (71 page)

             
“Meat is not available for anyone,” Whipple protested.  “Surely they can’t expect us to manufacture meat from nothing.”

             
“There is plenty of meat,” Robert snapped.

             
Carrie watched him compassionately.  She had talked with him right after he had returned from a two day trip to visit General Lee’s troops on the Rapidan River.  He had been both angry and depressed.

             
“There is meat.” Robert continued in a more reasonable voice.  “Plenty of it in the border counties of our state, but the farmers refuse to take Confederate money for it.”

             
“Surely there must be a way to obtain it,” one man responded indignantly.

             
“There is,” Robert agreed.  “General Lee has suggested the government obtain it by barter.  The farmers will accept cotton.” 

             
“But what if the cotton makes its way to the enemy?”  Whipple asked cautiously.

             
“I’m afraid it won’t matter if our army is incapable of fighting a battle.” Robert snapped, his patience obviously stretched to the limit.  “It is simply imperative we do whatever is necessary to make certain they are equipped for battle.”  His voice roughened.  “In spite of some people’s belief that our army can fight on passion alone, they also require blankets, food, and clothing to keep them from freezing to death.”

             
Carrie reached out and took his hand to let him know she supported him.  He glanced down at her and squeezed it gently.

             
Whipple looked over at her.  “Is your husband always so indelicate about how he states things?” he asked snidely.

             
“My husband speaks the truth,” Carrie said clearly.  “I believe that can be readily understood, no matter how it is said.”  She cleared her voice, angry herself now.  “How long did you serve in the army, Mr. Whipple?”

             
Mr. Whipple reddened, his eyes flashing with indignation.  “I have been busy here in the Capitol serving my country,” he snapped, his angry look clearly saying he didn’t think she should be speaking.

             
“Well, then,” Carrie continued, “since you’ve obviously never been hungry,” she stared at his stomach, “and you’ve never been a soldier, you’re hardly in a position to determine what the men in our armies need or don’t need.”  She turned to Robert.  “May I have the next dance, please?”  Nodding her head slightly, she began to move away.

             
“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen,” Robert said, not bothering to hide the laughter in his voice.    He was laughing outright when he caught up with her.  “You should have seen his face!  You definitely put the old windbag in his place.”

             
“Oh, he’s just bent out of shape because a woman dared challenge him on something,” Carrie scoffed.  Then she smiled.  “He’d better get used to it.  The women of the South are changing.  When this war is over, they’re going to know they can do things on their own - because they’ve had to.  They aren’t going to be content to play the helpless female any longer.  They’ll have to learn to stand up for their rights.”

             
“And I have no doubts you’ll be right in front volunteering to teach them,” Robert said thoughtfully.

             
“Does that bother you?”  Carrie asked quickly, looking up for his reaction.

             
“Bother me?”  Robert mused.  “I’m proud of you.  Not only are you smart and talented, you’re also the best dancer in Richmond.”  He held out his arms.  “May I?”

             
Carrie blinked away sudden tears and moved into his arms.  “You’re wonderful,” she whispered, a catch in her voice.

             
“And don’t you forget it,” Robert grinned. 

             
They danced for another hour before Robert begged for a reprieve.  “This old man can’t keep up with you,” he pleaded.

             
“You’re not old,” Carrie said, then looked at him appraisingly.  “You just act old,” she teased. 

             
Robert scowled playfully.  “Would you like to drink the next water I bring, or wear it, Mrs. Borden?”

             
“You don’t have the nerve,” Carrie said lightly.  The glint in Robert’s eye told her she was wrong.  “All right.  All right.  You do.”  She laughed.  “I guess perhaps you don’t act so old after all.”

             
Robert leaned close to whisper in her ear.  “Let’s see how old you think I act when I get you home tonight.”

             
Carrie blushed brightly and pulled away.  “Didn’t you say something about a glass of water?” she asked unsteadily.

             
“Coward,” Robert teased, then moved away to blend in with the crowd.

             
Carrie moved to the back of the room and found a seat, content to sit in silence.  The long day at the hospital, combined with the hours of dancing, had worn her out.  Ten minutes later Robert found her there.  He approached with an apologetic look on his face. “Sorry I took so long.  I ran into someone I’ve been trying to schedule a meeting with for a long time.”

             
Carrie looked at him closely.  “And did you schedule one?”

             
“He’s leaving town tomorrow.”

             
“But he can talk tonight.”  Carrie interpreted the look on her husband’s face. 

             
“Yes,” Robert replied.  “I told him I was occupied,” he added quickly.

             
“No, you’re not,” Carrie said firmly, rising to her feet.  “You’re the night person of this family.  I’m almost dead on my feet, and you’re still going strong.  You stay here and talk to your person.  I’ll have Spencer take me home; then he can come back for you.”

             
Robert opened his mouth to protest but then nodded.  “It really is very important.  Are you sure you don’t mind?”

             
“I’m positive.  All I want is a soft bed right now.”

             
“You’ll keep it warm for me?”  Robert said quietly. 

             
Carrie flushed but met his warm gaze directly.  “I’ll be waiting,” she promised, then added.  “Not that I won’t probably be sound asleep,” she teased. 

             
Robert laughed then grew serious.  “Thank you.  I have hopes this man can help with the army’s food shortage.  And don’t worry about sending Spencer back,” he added.  “It’s far too cold for him to be out so much.  There are plenty of people going in our direction.  I’m sure someone will have room in their carriage.”

             
Carrie nodded, kissed him quickly, and then went in search of Spencer.

Carrie was shivering in spite of the warm blanket when Spencer finally pulled up in front of the house.  “You’re sure you won’t come in and get warm before you go home?” she asked.

              “No, Miss Carrie.  I be just fine.  My bed be callin’ my name right loud.”

             
“I hear you. Goodnight,” she called as she walked up the sidewalk.  The house was completely dark except for one small lantern glowing in the foyer.  Her father, expecting her to come home with Robert, had gone to bed. 

             
Carrie had just reached the bottom step to the porch when she heard a rustling noise in the bushes.  She tensed, straining to see whether someone was there.

             
“Hello, Carrie.” 

             
Carrie gasped as a tall, emaciated figure, clad only in pants and a shirt, stepped out of the bushes toward her.  She drew back instinctively.  “Who is there?” she asked sharply.  The voice had sounded familiar. 

             
The figure moved closer.  “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

             
Carrie stared in disbelief.  “Matthew?” she whispered. 

             
“Yes,” Matthew replied.  “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

             
Carrie shook her head, trying to think through the shock.  “What in the world are you doing here?”

             
“I need your help,” he said simply.  “I’m afraid I may be putting you in some danger.”                           

             
Carrie glanced around and then pulled Matthew farther into the shadows of the porch.  Only then did she realize he was shivering violently.  “You’re freezing,” she exclaimed.  “I’ve got to get you out of the cold,” she said suddenly.

             
“I have someone with me.”  Matthew coughed violently, covering his mouth to stifle the sound.

             
Carrie knew now was not the time to ask questions.  Quickly she stepped to the edge of the porch.  “Come out,” she commanded softly.  “You’re safe here.” 

             
Another man, not quite as thin as Matthew, stepped out of the bushes.  “Thank you, ma’am.”

             
Carrie stared at him.  The New York accent was unmistakable.  Grabbing Matthew’s hand, she pulled him from the porch and started around the back of the house, making sure they stayed in the shadows.  “We’ll go in the back,” she whispered, almost inaudibly.  She knew the thick door between the kitchen and the dining room would deaden any noise.

             
Robert stood at the window and watched Carrie leave, then turned back to his companion.  “I’m sorry you’re leaving town tomorrow, Mr. Crutchfield.”

             
Crutchfield shrugged his bony shoulders and ran a finely tapered hand through sandy hair flecked with gray.  His dark eyes burned with intensity as he spoke.  “Lee’s men are starving.  It sickens me that we are surrounded with farmers who are hoarding their feed in hopes they can get even more money for it.  My heart goes out to the people in Richmond as well, but I can’t help having more sympathy for the soldiers.  They are starving while living in tents under rather brutal conditions.”

             
“Do you really think you can talk some of the farmers into releasing their food?”  Robert envisioned the haunted looks of hunger in the eyes of the soldiers he had visited two weeks earlier.