Dark Chaos (# 4 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series) (86 page)

She wasn’t surprised when Janie followed her up the stairs and then cornered her as soon as the door was closed.  “Why were you so shocked to see Jeremy?” she demanded.

Many possible responses ran through her head, but Carrie knew Janie would see right through all of them, so she merely shook her head.  “I’m afraid I can’t tell you,” she said simply.  She had not given Pastor Anthony her word, but she
had
told him she didn’t know what she would do with the information she had gained.  She owed it to him to go to him first once she had decided.

Janie looked at her for a long moment, then simply nodded her head, and turned around to wash her hands.

Carrie sprang forward and wrapped her in an impulsive hug.  “Thank you.”  It was so wonderful to have a friend who wouldn’t press for information.  Hardly a day passed that she didn’t feel immense gratitude for the friendship that had developed when she helped save Janie from a drunken soldier early in the war.

“You’re welcome,” Janie responded.  “If you ever need to talk about it, you know I’ll listen.”

Thomas and Jeremy were deep in conversation when Carrie and Janie joined them at the table, along with Hobbs and the five other men, all her father’s associates, who were living with them because of Richmond’s crowded condition.  There was hardly a home in Richmond that was not also operating as a boarding house.

Thomas had bought the elegant three-story brick home before the war began, thinking it would be a haven for his family if it were ever needed.  After his wife’s death it had become
his
haven from the painful memories of the plantation, and he had buried himself in Virginia politics. 

Conversation continued as Carrie and Janie took their seats and reached for the platters of simple food that was now their steady diet.  Everyone was tired of beans and cornbread, but few complained because there were many more who had nothing at all.  Thousands had died during the winter from malnutrition.

“Surely things can’t be as bad as all that,” Stiles, one of the boarders protested, his round face flushed with disbelief.

Jeremy shrugged.  “Richmond’s finances are dire, as are the finances of Virginia, as well as of the entire Confederacy.  When we decided to become a nation, we were not planning on three years of war.  We also hadn’t planned on losing the income from most of our crops because of the blockade.”

“What do you know?” Stiles scoffed.  “You’re just a boy.”

Jeremy merely looked at him and smiled slightly, making it obvious that he was used to being dismissed because of his age, and had ceased to let it bother him.

“This
boy
,” Thomas said strongly, “has the fullest confidence of our government.  Governor Letcher counted on him until he left office.  Now Governor Smith does the same.”

“I’ve found that age has nothing to do with it as long as one has the skills and talents for the job.”  Carrie spoke into the quiet, well aware she and Jeremy were just weeks apart in age.  “Since Jeremy has been
serving Virginia for the last three years, obviously he is well qualified.”

“But we have all the munitions plants here,” Stiles protested. Realizing he was getting no sympathy or support, he had decided to change the subject.

“That’s true,” Thomas conceded, “but right now there are too many drains on the money for that to make up for the losses.”

“People in Richmond are starving,” Janie said darkly, “but it’s mostly because of the speculators.”

Jeremy nodded.  “Sadly, that is completely true.  The speculators are greedy and ruthless.  It’s not that food isn’t available; it’s just not being
made
available.  They are buying up huge quantities of flour, sugar, bacon, salt, and other supplies, but they are merely storing them in warehouses.”

“Knowing that the longer they hold onto them, the higher they will go in price,” Carrie said with disgust.

“President Davis has tried to stop it.  Governor Letcher abhorred the practice, and now Governor Smith is making an attempt to stop it,” Thomas said, “but the greed is too great.”

“People are afraid there will be nothing left after the war, so they’re making all the money they can now,” Janie observed.

“Not realizing that if their greed means we lose the war, their money will have no value whatsoever,” Jeremy said wryly. 

“People like that don’t look at the long-term effects of their actions,” Thomas replied heavily.  “It’s enough for them to live the high life right now. They don’t realize that every choice they make has an impact on someone else – usually
many
others.”

Carrie remembered something she had seen coming through town.  “I thought you said a law had been passed this winter against the importation of nonessential luxuries, Father.  I’m sure I saw new gowns in some of the store windows.”

Jeremy nodded.  “Your father was right.  Unfortunately, it is very often Richmond’s leading citizens who are engaged in the importation of things like perfumes, silk stockings, dresses and liquors.  The profit is rather enormous.  We haven’t found an effective way to stop them.”

“Perfumes and silk stockings,” Janie mused, “while our men are in agony because we can’t get medicine and drugs.”

Silence fell over the room as they absorbed the irony, and the impact, of people’s choices.

Daring to broach the subject all of them were avoiding, James Crater, another of the boarders, broke the silence.  “Dare I ask if we stand any chance against the 100,000 Union troops sitting on the other side of the river?”

Thomas scowled.  “General Lee has worked miracles before.  I have hopes he can do it again.”

“With an army that is outnumbered, underfed, and exhausted?” Crater asked.

Thomas shrugged. “Those soldiers are fighting for their home.  I can only determine the Confederacy has lasted so long in this war because we are fighting
for
something, not against something.”

Carrie pondered that for a moment and then said, “I daresay the Union would say they are fighting
for
the continuation of our country.”

“That is true,” Thomas agreed, “but so far very few of their soldiers have had their homes and family destroyed or threatened.  That reality brings out a passion that is hard to conquer.”

“How long though,” Carrie protested, “can we afford to lose tens of thousands of men in every battle?”

Thomas settled back in his chair.  “I don’t know,” he admitted with a deep sigh.  “It can’t continue.  We are running out of men, and there is no one else to fill the troops.”

“I know General Lee proposed that slaves be recruited to fight, in exchange for their freedom when the war is over,” Janie said.

“It’s a ridiculous idea!” Crater snorted.  “Arm the slaves?  We might as well give up the fight right now. We’re fighting for the right to keep our slaves, and now we’re going to arm them and promise them freedom.  Preposterous!”

Carrie sat back, waiting for her father to reply.  She knew it would do no good to point out to Crater that if they lost the war all the slaves would go free anyway, and she didn’t have the energy to defend her position that she believed all the slaves
should
be freed now.  She was quite sure Crater was aware of her beliefs, anyway.  She was used to being a topic of discussion in Richmond.  It had long ago ceased to bother her.

Thomas just shook his head.  “I know Lee believes it would be a good thing.  I also know there is far too much opposition for it to happen. At least for now…”

“It will quite simply
never
happen,” Crater stated vehemently.  When Thomas did not reply, he looked at him more closely.  “It will never happen.  Right?”

Thomas shrugged.  “I simply don’t know.  There have been so many things that have happened since the beginning of this war that I could never have imagined, that I’ve given up trying to read the future.  I find that just getting through today is enough.”

Carrie gazed at her father, took his hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.  She knew how far he had come to let go of the bitterness and anger that seemed to swallow him for the first three years of the war.  Her heart swelled with love for the man who had always supported his headstrong daughter. 

The war had exacted a heavy toll from him.  He was still tall, handsome, and distinguished, and his eyes were still a glorious blue, but his salt and pepper
hair was now solid silver, and his face was heavily lined. 

Carrie knew that in spite of the conversation, his mind was solidly with the army lined up to fight Grant’s army waiting on the other side of the Rapidan.  She was relieved when all the boarders pushed back from the table and left, leaving just her, Janie, Jeremy and her father.

No one said anything for several long minutes with the warm spring air pushing through the curtains and causing lantern light to dance around the room.  It was far from a peaceful feeling, but for just a moment there was stillness and even relative quiet in a city that seemed to be collectively holding its breath. 

Thomas finally turned to Jeremy.  “I’m sorry, but I shouldn’t have expected our meal would be any different.”

Jeremy smiled briefly, white teeth flashing from his tanned face topped with blond hair, and lit by vibrant blue eyes.

Carrie stared at him, stunned by his good looks, and
wishing she could…

“It was more than enough to have a good meal,” Jeremy said cheerfully. 

“You call beans and cornbread a good meal?” Thomas asked with disbelief.

“It’s more than what my father has right now.  Everything I bring home he pours back into his congregation.”

“Do you resent it?” Thomas asked carefully.

“Not at all,” Jeremy replied quickly.  “The free blacks of Richmond have so little, and the war has made it even harder.  Carrie helped them get through the winter by insisting they all plant gardens last year, and by turning the land behind the church into a huge garden, but it’s run out.  It will be a while before the new gardens will produce.” 

Carrie’s heart warmed as she listened to him and saw the genuine caring on his face. 

“My father has given his life to his congregation,” Jeremy continued.  “The least I can do is give a few meals.”

Thomas smiled at Jeremy.  “Your father is a lucky man.”

“As are you, sir,” Jeremy replied.  “Carrie is well loved by many people who owe their lives to her.  And to Janie, too.”

“I’m well aware how lucky I am,” Thomas agreed, his face lighting with a genuine grin.  “I hope you’ll join us more often.”

“I would like that, sir.  Now that the days are getting longer my father is usually gone, working with his parishoners.  I eat most meals alone.”

“It must be lonely for you,”  Carrie observed thoughtfully.  “All the men your age are fighting.”

Jeremy shrugged.  “I suppose I get lonely at times, but I also find it rather positive to have a skill that keeps me from being someone’s target.  I never agreed with this war from the start, so I’ll admit I’m glad I don’t have to fight.”

Thomas smiled.  “I see I have several young people in my home who have no trouble speaking their mind.”

“Does that bother you, Mr. Cromwell?” Jeremy asked.

Carrie grinned at Janie, her liking for Jeremy growing by leaps and bounds. 

“Not at all!” Thomas responded quickly.  “I have discovered that I find complacent people who go with the flow to be rather tedious.”  He smiled over at Carrie.  “My headstrong daughter has probably shortened my life from fear many times, but she certainly has made it less boring!”

Thomas leaned back in his chair and lit his pipe, something he saved for special ocassions because of tobacco shortage.  “There
is
one thing that bothers me though, Jeremy.  I know I’m old enough to be your father, but I have already gained a tremendous respect for you.  I would appreciate it if you would call me Thomas.”

Jeremy grinned easily.  “I’ll be happy to, Mr…  I mean, Thomas.  I have tremendous respect for you too.”

Carrie watched them, her insides churning with her secret.  She pushed back her chair and stood, “I hope you all don’t mind, but it’s been a long day, and I suspect tomorrow will be even longer.  I’m going to say goodnight.”  She leaned over to give her father a kiss on his cheek.