On to Richmond (72 page)

             
Robert nodded grimly, once more realizing how desperately troubled Thomas must have been that day to reveal the secret to him.  Not that his knowledge was doing anyone any good.  Least of all Carrie.  He was too far away. 

             
A sudden roar from the city grabbed their attention.  They jumped up and strode to the porch.   From Thomas’ house they had a commanding view of the city.  They could see Broad Street, which resembled nothing more than a dark, moving mass.  The cheers and yells of citizens created the roar floating up to them. 

             
Robert watched for a moment.  “Eight thousand of Johnston’s men were scheduled to pass through the city today.  They are marching as fast as they can to join up with the rest of his troops.”

             
Thomas nodded.  “Here’s hoping they can do some good.”

             
Robert continued watching for a moment and then turned to his host.  “Will a great many people leave the city?”

             
Thomas shrugged.  “People with money will.  There are already a great many who have left to visit relatives in the country and in North Carolina.  Richmond seems to be losing its popularity,” he said wryly.

             
“Will you leave?”

             
“Never!” Thomas proclaimed resolutely.  “I have cast my lot with Virginia and Richmond.  The capital must not fall!”

             
Robert stared into his eyes and then turned to look at the troops moving down Broad Street.  He knew how tired these men were.  He knew how discouraged and disheartened they were.  Would they be able to stand against McClellan’s far superior force?  He knew he had said little to offer Thomas hope. 

             
Both men stared down at the city as blackness swirled through the streets, seeking to invade every crevice and every heart.   The country had carelessly allowed the dark clouds to descend.  But darkness is never content with where it is.  It always seeks to expand - to control everything, and everyone within its ever-growing reach.

Robert was deep in thought as he rode carefully down Broad Street.  Johnson’s troops had passed, but the street was still full of the throngs of people who had come to watch and cheer on their troops.  He had replayed every word of his conversation with Thomas in his mind more than once.

              “Robert Borden!”

             
Slowly, Robert became aware someone was calling his name.  He thought of ignoring the female voice.  He was not in the mood for small talk. 

             
“Robert Borden!”

             
This time the voice was much closer.  Robert sighed and turned around.  His lips tightened as he spotted Louisa Blackwell moving through the crowd toward him.  This girl meant nothing but trouble.  He well remembered her catty remarks about Carrie when he had run into her at the dance the year before. 

             
Somehow he managed to force a pleasant smile to his lips.  “Hello, Miss Blackwell.”              He made no move to dismount.

             
Louisa smiled up at him brightly.  “Why, Lieutenant Borden.  It’s so wonderful to see you.  I thought surely you must be on the front somewhere guarding our honor!  What a wonderful surprise to find you right here in the city!”

             
Robert nodded pleasantly.  “Duty deems I be here in the city for a while.”  He offered no more explanation.

             
Louisa continued to beam up at him.  “I find myself in somewhat the same situation.  My poor daddy couldn’t bear to think of harm coming to me on the plantation, so he insisted I come to live in Richmond with one of my aunts.  I have been here for two months now.   It looks as though I will be here in the capital until all this is finally over and we can all return to our homes. I don’t think I have ever been so busy.  My days are spent rolling bandages and knitting things to keep our soldiers warm in cold weather.  It is wonderful to be able to help.”

             
Robert looked at her carefully.  She sounded sincere.  Maybe the war was helping her grow up.  She would never be his type, but he couldn’t help feeling the guy who married her would be happier if some of her selfishness was dispersed.  Her next words dispelled his hopes. 

             
“I do hope those boys who marched through today will do their job.  I really don’t understand why they are taking so long to end this dreadful conflict.  It really is quite inconvenient to do without so many things.  And the prices have simply become ridiculous,” she said petulantly.   “Honestly, it’s time for our soldiers to quit playing around and take this war seriously.”

             
Robert frowned as he thought of the suffering his men endured during the Romeny campaign and of the pain he had seen so many men suffer.  Somehow he managed to keep his voice even.  “I can assure you, Miss Blackwell, the men are eager to end your inconveniences.  They are also eager to regain their lives,” he added in a hard tone.  “I can promise you each one of them is taking this war very seriously.”

             
Louisa seemed to realize she had gone too far.  She reached out a gloved hand and laid it lightly on his horse’s saddle.  “I’m sure you’re right, Lieutenant,” she said appeasingly.  Then she smiled brilliantly.  “Will I see you at the starvation dance for the officers at the Fielder’s mansion tonight?”  Her voice became coy.  “I hear they are going to allow the officers to nominate a queen tonight.  Maybe you would like the opportunity to follow your heart instead of your convictions...”  She looked up at him and then allowed her lashes to droop becomingly over her eyes. 

             
Robert struggled to control his laughter.  He also fought to stuff down his anger that Louisa would so subtly snub Carrie, who was placing herself in grave danger because of her commitment to what she believed in.  She might be acting foolishly, but she was acting out of the greatness of her heart.   He stared down at Louisa for a long moment and then decided to indeed follow his heart, instead of his convictions about the proper way to treat a lady.  He wasn’t sure Louisa fit in the category of a lady, anyway. 

             
He smiled pleasantly as he said in a cheerful tone, “I’m usually one to follow my heart, Miss Blackwell.  I’m afraid my vote tonight would do no one any good.  Carrie Cromwell is too far away to be aware of it.”   He stared down into Louisa’s furious eyes and then pressed his mount forward.   He felt her eyes boring into him.  The knowledge filled him with a deep satisfaction.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

             
Thomas was white-faced as he strode up the sidewalk and onto his porch, where he stopped for just a moment and turned to face east.  As he stared out over the city, he tried to penetrate the surrounding woods with his anxious eyes.  He felt as if there were hostile enemies viewing the city already.  Frustration rose up in him as he tried, in his mind, to see Cromwell Plantation.  To know if Carrie was safe. 

             
He raised a clenched fist and slammed it against the porch column, completely ignoring the pain that shot through him.  Not knowing was about to drive him crazy.                “You haven’t heard from her yet?”

             
Startled, Thomas spun around to look at Robert who had just strode out onto the porch. 

             
“I got here a little while ago,” Robert said.  “I’ve been waiting inside.”

             
Thomas shook his head heavily.  “No.  I haven’t heard from her yet.”

             
“You are aware of the news from the front?”  Robert asked grimly.

             
“That we have not only lost Yorktown, but now Williamsburg has fallen as well?”  Thomas asked bitterly.  “Yes, I know.”  His face twisted in agony.  “Why does Carrie not come?  Why not at least send a letter?  Does she not know I am losing my mind with worry?”  He groaned.  “Is it not bad enough that I could be watching the death of all I have ever held dear?  Must I lose her as well?”  Once again he raised his fist but then let it fall to his side.   The agony welling up was too familiar.  He had lost Abigail.  He couldn’t lose Carrie, too.

             
Robert moved forward and laid his hand on Thomas’ shoulder.  “We don’t know yet why Carrie hasn’t returned your letters.  You said yourself she might never have received them.”

             
“Why doesn’t she write me, then?” Thomas cried.  Then he answered his own question.  “I know.  I know.  The mail may not be coming through here, either.  I’ve thought of that.  Then the question comes to mind - why hasn’t she come?  It is impossible not to think she hasn’t come because something has already happened to her.”  Once again he could feel his emotions building to a bursting point.  “And here I sit in Richmond!” he cried.  “While my daughter could be hurt or captured by those damn Yankees trying to destroy my home.”  Thomas knew he was becoming unreasonable, but he couldn’t seem to control it.  The last weeks of strain and crisis had driven him almost to the breaking point.  The worry over Carrie was about to send him catapulting over the edge. 

             
Robert grimaced and turned away to look over the city. 

             
Thomas knew he was torturing the young man with his thoughts.  He also knew he wasn’t saying anything Robert hadn’t already thought of.  When Robert finally turned back to him, the agonized look on his face told him he was right. 

             
“I would like to tell you Carrie is going to be fine,” Robert said in a troubled voice.  “The facts say something very different.  McClellan’s army will soon begin to move from Williamsburg.  I believe their route will take them east of your plantation, but already soldiers are scouting far to each side of the line in search of food for the army.  They are raiding and marauding every farm, animal, and crop they find along the way.”

             
Thomas groaned.  “I’m going to the Capitol to tell Governor Letcher I am leaving for the plantation.  I cannot go one more day without doing something to know Carrie is all right.” 

             
Robert shook his head.  “You can’t do that.  Richmond needs you too much right now.   I have talked to General Lee about going myself, but he insists I must stay here in the city even though he has much sympathy for my situation.”  He paused for a moment.  “I have a plan, though.”

             
Thomas heard the firm command in his voice and latched on to his last words.  He knew Robert was right.  He couldn’t leave the city right now.  He had too many responsibilities.  It seared his soul to think he was making decisions for the whole that might end up sacrificing Carrie, but so far he had seen no other course of action.  “What is your plan?” he asked. 

             
“I have spoken with one of my men.  He is young, but I would trust him with my life.  I have drawn him careful maps of the area leading out to the plantation.  The area is new to him, but he is a crackerjack in the woods.  General Lee has given me permission to send him out.  He can leave this afternoon.  That’s why I’m here.  To see if you agree with my plan.”

             
Thomas listened carefully.  “What is this man’s name?”

             
“Warren Hobbs.”

             
“The soldier whose life you saved?”

             
“Well, from Hobbs’ viewpoint, at least,” Robert replied modestly.

             
Thomas turned to look out over the city again.  He would have preferred an older man go after his daughter.  He knew Hobbs was just seventeen years old.  He also knew the young lad was intensely loyal to Robert and would do anything for him.  That kind of passion would serve him well in his current task to breach enemy lines. Finally he turned and nodded.  “Send him,” he said shortly.