Patricia Hagan (7 page)

Holly took the crystal cup from him. Taking a sip, she told him politely how delicious it was. There were platters of fried chicken smothered in pineapple; sliced ham basted in a honey and brown sugar glaze; colorful salads; fancy pastries adorned with candy flowers. There were even silver dishes filled with delectable chocolates, which Jarvis had imported all the way from Switzerland.

“Perhaps one day you’ll go there with me,” he said amiably to Holly.

Had she heard him correctly? “You are inviting me to go to Switzerland with you?”

He nodded, pleased with himself. “You and your mother. I have a chalet near Zurich. Such a beautiful country. The snows make the mountains look like giant clouds. And in the summer, the wildflowers are glorious.” She had no idea what to say. “I have a house in Jamaica, also, near Ocho Rios,” he went on. “The house isn’t all that luxurious, but the view of the bay is breathtaking. I own a large banana plantation there.”

“Jamaica?” Claudia interjected brightly. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there. I’ve heard the water is like glass.”

Jarvis gave her his full attention. “When the sun is high, the water looks like blue silk from horizon to horizon. It’s always warm there, too. I’m sure you’d love it.”

Claudia smiled demurely and fluttered her eyelashes. “You plan to export bananas?” she pressed him, hanging on his every word, every nod.

“That isn’t the only promising crop, either. I expect to get involved in coffee, sugarcane, and coconuts, as well.”

Claudia laughed. “Well, when you decide to visit Jamaica again, Holly and I would love to be invited.”

Holly could restrain herself no longer. “Mother!”

Claudia giggled. “You didn’t inherit my adventurous spirit, I guess.”

“Come along.” Jarvis escorted them toward the other guests. “I want to speak to everyone and introduce you to anyone you don’t already know.”

It was mostly the renewal of old acquaintances. Most of the guests were people who had attended lavish balls at Magnolia Hall before the war. Encountering them at a social event hosted by a Yankee was ironic and sad, and she found herself becoming incensed again and again. She told herself sternly that it would all be over in a few more hours, and she could leave Vicksburg.

She was well aware of the admiring glances she received from the many young Union officers, but she did nothing to encourage any of them. Maintaining a cool demeanor, she managed to maneuver away from them without appearing rude.

She was standing alone to the side, having escaped her mother and Jarvis, when Roger Bonham suddenly appeared. He did, she acknowledged, look quite handsome in his white suit.

He bowed, kissed her hand, and said truthfully, “I’ve been looking for you. Will you honor me with a dance?”

Holly shook her head. “I believe you brought someone with you, and I doubt she would like me taking any of your time.”

He laughed and leaned over to whisper, “May I be honest with you, Holly?”

“Of course,” she said.

“It wasn’t my idea to escort her. Her father asked me.”

Holly shrugged. “Well, she considers herself yours for the evening.” She couldn’t resist adding, “It wasn’t
my
idea to come this evening at all. My mother asked
me
.”

Roger roared with laughter and she laughed along with him. “You are a delight, Holly. I would like so much to get to know you better. May I call on you? Please?”

Holly was about to tell him no when Lisa Lou Pollock sailed into view. Her bright blue silk gown set off her golden hair, which hung about her face in ringlets. There was an angry fire in her eyes. “So this is where you are being detained, Roger. Did you forget that you are my escort?”

She whirled on Holly. “My dear, when one comes alone to a party, she should be dignified enough not to throw herself at other girls’ escorts.”

A spoiled girl, used to having her own way, Lisa Lou never cared who she hurt. The urge to angrily respond was strong, but Holly held herself in check. “Excuse me. I’ll leave you two to enjoy yourselves,” she said, knowing Roger would understand the gentle irony.

Roger protested quickly, “No, don’t go. I’d like to dance with you.”

Lisa Lou stomped a foot in exasperation. “Roger Bonham, how dare you humiliate me this way? How dare you ask this”—her eyes flicked over Holly contemptuously—“
swamp rat,
to dance!”

Holly stood her ground and eyed Lisa Lou for a moment. Enough was enough. Then she turned and walked away, leaving the two of them to argue without her.

Jarvis found her moments later. He had in tow an anxiously smiling young man wearing the full-dress uniform of a Union officer. Tall, slender, with dark blond hair and happy blue eyes, he might have been attractive had he been dressed in Confederate gray. A single row of brass buttons ran down the front of his coat. Gold epaulets adorned his broad shoulders. His collar was high, and his wide shiny belt was trimmed with red cording. A red-fringed sash hung at his waist beneath an ornate scabbard and gold sword. The trousers were a shade of blue lighter than the coat. He looked handsome, professional—and Northern.

When Jarvis introduced her to Captain Neil Davis, the officer held out a white-gloved hand, clasping hers and bestowing the obligatory kiss on her fingertips.

With unsuppressed enthusiasm, he admitted, “Like every man here, I’m captivated by your beauty. I insisted Mr. Bonham introduce us. You’d make me very happy if you would honor me with a dance.”

“Captain Davis has been in charge, pending the arrival of the new commander,” Jarvis explained. “I must say, he has been quite effective.”

“And most anxious to relinquish command,” Captain Davis promptly informed him. Then he addressed Holly again, his eyes pleading. “If you refuse me, I will hound you all evening. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”

Holly laughed. “Very well, Captain Davis, but if I step on your toes, remember that you forced me into dancing with you.”

He rolled his eyes in mock surprise. “I don’t believe it. The goddess has consented to dance with me, though she turned down every other man. I am truly blessed tonight.”

Enjoying his foolishness, Holly was led onto the dance floor. They began to waltz, and immediately he began to talk. “Were you born in Mississippi?”

She nodded, aware of the envious stares of the other young women. “And you, sir?”

“Pennsylvania.”

He went on, “I must admit I came to this assignment with trepidation. Being part of the Reconstruction Army makes me uneasy. I feel as though I’m surrounded by the enemy.”

“You are,” Holly said flatly.

So, she thought, not all of her neighbors were welcoming the Yankees with open arms. “A defeated people don’t welcome the presence of the conquerors,” he informed her. “The war’s over. We’re one nation now, and everyone has to work together to rebuild. We must put resentments aside. Don’t you agree?”

Why did we have to start a conversation like this one? “No,” she said, “I don’t. I’ll never see that war as anything but a war of Northern aggression. I’ll always be bitter.”

He gave a low whistle. “The lady has spirit. I like that. You have a right to your opinion.” A moment later, he asked, “May I call you by your first name? I’d like to be your friend. You’ll see that not all of us Union soldiers are monsters.”

Smiling, Holly said, “Showing me that would take more time than either of us has, Captain Davis. Yes, you may call me Holly.”

“And you call me Neil. But,” he said with a frown, “what’s this about time? Don’t tell me you’re leaving Vicksburg.”

He was so easy to be with that Holly found herself telling him her plans.

Frankly amazed, he exclaimed, “That’s admirable. I’m afraid I’ve suffered under the delusion that Southern women are raised to be delicate fluff, and here you are talking of farming, starting your own small fishing fleet. I’m impressed. You’re quite a woman, Holly. Perhaps you’d allow me to call on you. I’m fascinated with the river and the land around it. Is it far from here?”

“An hour by carriage. Less on horseback, if you know the shortcuts through the woods.”

“You’ll allow me to call on you?” he persisted.

Attempting to make her voice gentle, so as not to hurt him, she began, “I really see no purpose—”

“I honestly just want you to show me around,” he interrupted. “I don’t have any ulterior motives.” He winked mischievously. “At least, not right now. Can you refuse to be hospitable to a lonely soldier far from home?”

“Perhaps when I’m more settled,” Holly hedged. “I’ve got a lot to do. I have no free time just yet.”

“All right then, I’ll make a pest out of myself. I’ll keep after you, I promise.”

He led her from the dance floor and offered, “I’ll get some champagne. You wait right here for me. I don’t intend to let you out of my sight. I can see there’s not a minute to lose if I’m to convince you I’m irresistible.”

He disappeared in the crowd. Yankee or not, he was enjoyable company, a very nice man. She liked his sense of humor. She had probably smiled more in the past five minutes than in the past year.

Roger found her. “I really hated that scene, Holly. The young lady is…difficult. Please tell me you aren’t angry with me.”

Holly shook her head. “I’ve no reason to be upset with you, Roger, and you can’t tell me anything about Lisa Lou’s disposition that I don’t already know. Don’t worry about it.”

Captain Davis returned, and the two men regarded each other warily until, after a moment had passed uncomfortably, Roger gave him a curt nod, bowed to Holly, and left.

“Can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I?” Neil teased as he handed her a cup of champagne. “I better take you into my protective custody. I’ll start by escorting you home when the party is over.”

Holly stared at him. “I really don’t know about that.”

“By the time the evening is over, you’ll be so smitten by me that you won’t be able to refuse.” He glanced around. “I wonder where our new commander is. Probably waiting to make a grand entrance.”

Holly couldn’t resist a barb. “I really don’t care if he doesn’t come at all. I hear he’s quite a war hero, and I don’t think I’ll be impressed by the heroics of a Union officer,” she said dryly.

Neil could not hold back a sudden wave of defensiveness. “He may have been fighting with what you consider the wrong side, Holly, but he won the respect of both Union
and
Confederate commands. His bravery is legendary. General Lee was heard to say he wished he’d fought on the Confederate side.”

“I don’t wish to be rude,” Holly sighed, “but do we have to keep discussing the war? It’s not a good idea.”

Neil agreed. The uniform he wore was already a major barrier between them, and dwelling on the subject added bricks to that barrier. “The champagne is delicious, isn’t it?” he asked. “Mr. Bonham is a man of taste. Being a simple farm boy from Pennsylvania, I don’t know the first thing about champagnes and wines.”

Holly was watching her mother dancing with Jarvis. “Yes, I agree he has good taste.”

Neil followed her gaze. “I’ve only been here a few weeks, but it’s obvious he’s taken a fancy to your mother. She’s a lucky woman. He’s very wealthy.”

“He got his money bleeding Southerners,” she declared flatly. “He’s a carpetbagger.”

His voice took on an edge for the first time. “That isn’t fair, and I’d be doing you an injustice to allow it to pass. He’s a businessman, with many interests that he had
before
the war. He came to Vicksburg to help the rebuilding here. He’s provided scores of jobs already.”

Holly wouldn’t argue and wouldn’t give in, so she remained silent. He got the idea.

Suddenly a murmur went through the ballroom, and all heads turned toward the entrance. A crowd gathered there, and Holly saw Jarvis pushing through the throng, pulling Claudia along with him.

“That can only be our new commander.” Neil extended his arm. “Come along. I’d like you to meet him.”

Holly resisted, but Neil chided, “Now don’t be stubborn. He’s the guest of honor.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, pressed it tightly against his side, and guided her through the throng.

“Holly, come meet our guest of honor,” Jarvis called.

Neil drew her through the crowd and she kept her gaze on his face until she heard Jarvis say, “I’m pleased to present the new commander of the United States Army in Vicksburg.”

She turned from Neil to Jarvis, and then to the stranger.

Dear God, it couldn’t be.

She was gazing up into dark eyes mysteriously framed by sleepy lids and thick, sweeping lashes. A powerful hand caressed her trembling fingers. The voice that penetrated the fog surrounding her was confident, husky, and warm.

“Colonel Scott Colter, at your service, Miss Maxwell.”

Chapter Six

A week had passed, but hot waves of humiliation still shot through her whenever she thought of that horrible evening. She tried to blank it out, but the memories came at night, to keep her from sleeping, and all during the day, too. How could he have made such a fool of her? To let her believe he’d fought for the South! Damn him, she whispered to herself a hundred, no, a thousand times a day.