Erin's Rebel (14 page)

He retreated to the, now empty, carriage house. Isaac must have taken Snicker out for some exercise. He glanced through the window toward the creek and found Mrs. O’Connell had left the house, too. She stood a few yards from him, gazing out at the rushing water. In the borrowed gown with her hair elegantly styled and confined in a matching blue ribbon net, she made an enchanting picture.

Drawn to her, he left the carriage house and approached from behind. When he was a few feet away, she turned, sensing his presence. The corners of her lips curved into a smile.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, “but I felt awkward around your parents.”

“I’m afraid they can be quite intimidating.”

She laughed. “Jenny would agree with that. I’m surprised she isn’t out here, too.”

“I see you’ve been talking with my sister.”

She nodded.

“My parents are not the easiest people to get along with,” he said. “They have certain...expectations.”

“I understand.” She glanced up at the house. “I hope Jenny and Amanda will be okay when you leave.”

Will sighed. “I hope so, too, since I have no choice in the matter.”

“I suppose there’s no way you could take them with you.”

He shook his head. “Army life wouldn’t suit those two.”

“From what I’ve seen, I would have to agree.”

His pulse raced when she gazed at him. She displayed both strength and vulnerability. He edged closer, catching the scent of lavender. “When I return to the army, will you be going with me?”

“I have nowhere else to go.”

The fear and sorrow in her voice made him long to take her hand and comfort her. He restrained himself. “Doc could use your help in the medical tent, I’m sure.”

She eyed him with obvious suspicion. “And what about you? Do you want me to come?”

“It makes no matter either way to me,” he lied.

Her gaze dropped.

What he wanted to do was take her in his arms, kiss her senseless, and carry her to his room for a night of lovemaking. Now that he had her under his roof, he had to control his feelings, so as not to bring scandal on his family.

But he doubted he’d catch a wink of sleep tonight.

Chapter Fifteen

From a window, Will watched Emily saunter up the walkway. He turned to escape when his mother entered the parlor.

“And where do you think you are going?” She blocked his exit.

“Anywhere, but here.”

“It would be impolite for you to leave with your guest arriving.”

“I don’t recall inviting her.”

Will overheard voices in the hallway. Tillie escorted Emily to the parlor.

“Welcome, Miss Courtland. Will and I were just talking about you.”

“I hope it was all good.” Emily flashed him an innocent smile and batted her eyelids.

“Have a seat, Emily. I’ll find Tillie and have her bring some refreshments for you two.” Madeline eased out of the room.

Will sat opposite her but hoped he could have left as his mother had. For a brief moment, he was relieved when Tillie served tea and molasses cookies. If it hadn’t been improper, he would have asked the servant to join them.

After being served, Emily took a sip of the tea and gazed candidly at Will. “I had hoped to spend more time with you while you’re still home on furlough. The last few times you were home, your visits were so brief.” She placed a gloved hand on his arm.

Will glanced down. He needed to be honest but didn’t wish to hurt her feelings. He removed her hand. “Emily, I—”

“Is there something wrong, Will? Is your wound still plaguing you?” Concern shown in her eyes.

“I’m recovering just fine. It’s just that…” He hesitated. “My feelings for you are not as strong as yours are for me.”

“It’s that Yankee woman you’ve brought home with you—you’re in love with her.”

Will glared at Emily. “She’s not a Yankee.”

“Well, whatever she is—” Emily sat down the cup and waved her hand. “I can tell you have feelings for her.”

He couldn’t deny her accusation. “I’m sorry, Emily,” was all he managed to say.

Her eyes flashed. “But why? What can a woman like that offer you?”

Before he could utter a word, she shook her head. “Oh, no, I’m not that naïve. I do realize what that type of woman can give a man.”

“Mrs. O’Connell is not
that
type of woman. She’s had a hard set of circumstances. We’re friends.”

“Friends?” Emily’s mouth gaped. “I do not understand you at all, Will Montgomery.”

“I never intended to hurt you.”

She pulled out an embroidered hanky and sniffed daintily. “Well, you have. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

He escorted her to the door and watched her depart through the iron gate. Although Will felt a bit guilty for the way he’d handled things, Emily’s departure brought relief, until his mother appeared and joined him in the parlor.

“Where has Emily gone?”

“She had to leave.” Will didn’t want to explain any more than that to his mother.

“I declare, William. It must have been something you said. I’ve watched your actions with Miss Courtland over the past weeks. How dare you treat that poor young woman like that!”

“I’m sorry, Mother. I don’t have any interest in Emily, and it’s cruel to keep her hopes up.” He glared at his mother.

Her eyelids narrowed to slits. “Nonsense. She’s the perfect match for you.”

“Perfect! In whose eyes, may I ask.”

“Why, anyone’s.”

“I’m the one who would have to marry her. It should be my decision alone.” Will dropped onto the settee.

“You’ve upset Miss Courtland,” Madeline sputtered, “and her parents will be outraged by your behavior as well. I demand you apologize.”

“I will not.” He caught her gaze and held it. Madeline huffed and left the room.

****

Aside from the debacle with Emily, Will savored the months spent recovering at home with Amanda and Jenny. The days preparing for Christmas were a comfort to him.

Mrs. O’Connell proved to be a total distraction. Away from the camp wearing the refined clothes Jenny had loaned her, he couldn’t imagine the past she’d led. She no longer resembled the rough-edged Irish woman who’d entered camp six months ago. The fall from the horse had changed her. His judgments about her character could have been wrong.

Over the past few months, his initial attraction for her had grown. Since the dinner where he’d spurned Emily, his parents had been reserved toward Mrs. O’Connell but hadn’t been unkind, although they’d questioned his motives for bringing her here. He’d told them she possessed excellent nursing skills and had been in a bad situation. He helped her as she helped him. He then refused to discuss the matter further. Although his parents were far from pleased with the situation, they’d wisely remained genteel hosts to his guest, while he healed.

Christmas Day had been a joy, watching the bright, blue eyes of Amanda when she unwrapped the porcelain doll Mrs. O’Connell helped him choose and wrap. The year prior, he’d been at Fredericksburg and unable to get a furlough to be with her on the holiday. Mrs. O’Connell bought his daughter a rag ball with the bit of money she’d made doing laundry in camp. Delighted with both gifts, Amanda gave him and Mrs. O’Connell a sweet kiss on the cheek.

Today, the morning after Christmas, he brought a pine wreath, adorned with red ribbons and pine cones, to place on Anne’s grave. Since she’d died, he’d had a few furloughs to pay a visit, but since the war had escalated, he’d had fewer chances to return home.

After placing the wreath on the thin crust of snow at the base of her headstone, he paused to read the inscription.
Anne Eugenia Montgomery, Beloved Wife and Mother.
His mind drifted back to that Christmas, the second one they’d celebrated as man and wife, when she’d told him he was to be a father.

****

Will had entered the house, arms loaded with packages wrapped in brown paper. Anne’s sweet voice echoed from the parlor, the strains of “Deck the Halls” sounded loud and clear. She sang like an angel.

Carefully, he deposited his parcels on the mahogany table in the entry, brushed snow off his greatcoat, then slipped the coat off, hanging it on a peg by the door.

As he stood in the parlor doorway watching Anne’s trim form, he couldn’t keep the smile from his lips. Her tiny waist was accented by her burgundy hoopskirt. Her back was to him as she worked the twine of popcorn onto the spruce he’d brought home the night before, her auburn hair shining in the candlelight. She’d twisted her locks into an elaborate braided style adorned with velvet ribbons. When she turned to find him in the doorway, she gasped in delight.

“Will, I didn’t expect you home so soon.” She raced into his arms. The scent of lilac, vanilla, and bread greeted him.

“You’ve been baking,” he said.

She flashed a smile. “Of course, silly. It’s Christmas Eve.”

He gazed a moment into her clear hazel eyes. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

Grinning, she patted her stomach. “And I’ve got one for you.” When his eyebrows rose in question, she added, “It’s what you’ve wanted since our wedding day.”

Comprehension dawned on him. Since they’d married over two years ago, they’d talked about having a child, but so far, it hadn’t happened.

“Darlin’, are you telling me...” He didn’t finish.

She nodded eagerly. “We’re going to have a baby.”

He’d never been happier since the day they’d wed.

****

Kneeling by the stone, Will pressed his lips against it. The taste of cold granite brought the pain back anew. All he had left of her now was Amanda. Their stillborn son rested by Anne’s side.

He left the small, church cemetery and strolled home as his thoughts filled with Anne and Mrs. O’Connell. Each woman was so different. Anne had been refined and well-mannered. He hardly recalled a complaint coming from her lips. She’d been the perfect wife, mother, and hostess.

Mrs. O’Connell, on the other hand, could be bold and sometimes brash. She often asked direct questions of a personal nature, causing his father’s eyebrows to rise and his mother to shake her head. She was curious about everything, and he’d often catch her scribbling in a journal Jenny had given her to pass the time.

He found her unpredictable, but at the same time, she intrigued him. Anne had been gone two and a half years. And Mrs. O’Connell
was
a lovely distraction. He caught the glances Jenny gave the two of them. She, no doubt, had matchmaking on her mind.

When he arrived home and entered the parlor, the scent of fresh pine and wood burning in the fireplace greeted him.

Jenny, wearing a forest green frock, stood by the tree lighting candles set in the branches. She wore her hair in a braided ring around her head with a black ribbon hairnet for adornment.