Spring Will Come (25 page)

             
Carrie watched as the anger in Louisa’s eyes turned to desperation.  Her one-time friend knew she was being made to look ridiculous.   In the past that had only served to make her more dangerous. 

             
“Oh, really,” she drawled.  “And do you call setting all her daddy’s slaves free the act of a genuine Rebel.  I even understand she wants to see
all
the slaves set free.”

             
Robert ignored the rising swell of comment from the growing circle of observers.  “I understand,” he replied firmly, “that when you own slaves you are free to do with them what you want.  Is that not why we’re at war, Miss Blackwell?  To guarantee ourselves the right to run our lives and affairs the way we see fit - without intervention?”  He paused but gave her no opportunity to reply.  “What Miss Cromwell does with her family’s people is hardly any concern of yours.  And her personal feelings about slavery are not anyone’s business.  She is giving everything she has to aid the suffering in our city.  I would think that is all anyone would need to know.”  Robert smiled slightly and took Carrie’s hand.  “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

             
Louisa wasn’t done however.  “Well, of course.  I would never want to stand in the way of anyone who wishes to escort a nigger lover!”

             
Carrie gasped and straightened, the sudden surge of fury clearing her thoughts.  “Louisa Blackwell, I’m ashamed of you.  You can accuse me of loving anyone you want to.  I will consider it a compliment.  God forbid I should ever be consumed with as much hatred as you!”   Just as quickly, a flood of compassion replaced her anger.  Her voice became gentle.  “I’m sorry for you, old friend.”   She watched the sudden look of surprise battle the fury on Louisa’s face.  Carrie smiled up at Robert.  “May I have this dance, sir?”   The quick light in Robert’s eyes told her he was proud of her.

             
“I would be honored, ma’am,” he said gallantly. 

             
Carrie fought to control her pounding heart as they swept across the floor.  Part of her wanted to beg Robert to take her home.  A bigger part told her if she left she would be granting Louisa the victory she wanted.  Determined not to give her old friend the satisfaction of running her away, she plastered a smile on her face and danced. 

             
Three songs had followed them around the floor before Robert stopped and pulled her to the side.  He took her hand without a word and pulled her down a hallway.  Carrie followed willingly, glad to escape the suddenly stifling confines of the ballroom.   She breathed a huge sigh of relief when he swung open a set of double doors onto a balcony overlooking the city.  Carrie moved to the edge of the wrought iron railing and leaned out, taking in deep breaths of fresh air.  Towering trees blocked any view of the stars, but a gentle breeze caressed her hot face.  Long minutes passed before Robert turned her to him. 

             
“I was very proud of you back there.”

             
Carrie pulled back, astonished.  “Proud of me?  I thought I looked like a fool.  I could barely think of what to say.”

             
“Exactly.  I wouldn’t have been surprised if you had slapped her in the face.  She certainly deserved it.”

             
Carrie giggled at the idea of slapping Louisa in the face.  Then she sobered.  “Why is she like that?  What have I done to make her hate me so much?”

             
“Nothing,” Robert said firmly.  “Some people are just like that.  It’s easier to be hateful and jealous of other people.”

             
“But why in the world would Louisa be jealous of me?”  Carrie asked in genuine surprise. 

             
Robert smiled softly.  “That’s one reason I love you so much, Carrie Cromwell.  You don’t know how incredibly beautiful you are.  Oh, Louisa is attractive too, but her beauty is all on the outside.  Your beauty goes down to the very core of your being.  It’s who you are.”

             
Carrie gazed up into his eyes, warmed by the love and admiration she saw there.  “Thank you,” she finally murmured.  The scene in the ballroom faded away as the night reached out to wrap them in its embrace.  Suddenly she remembered the knot of men standing next to the fireplace.  “You’re leaving again, aren’t you?”

             
“How in the world did you know that?”

             
Carrie shrugged at his look of astonishment.  “The look on your face earlier.  When you were talking with the other officers.  I’ve seen it before.”

             
Robert nodded heavily.  “I leave in the morning.  All I know is I’m heading out with General Jackson.  Beyond that, I have no clue.  General Jackson is not one to reveal his plans to anyone.  Most of the time his closest staff has no idea what is about to happen.  He tells them just enough to move them from one point to another.”

             
“I see.”  Carrie could think of nothing else to say.  She supposed she should be getting used to the uncertainty war brought, but it didn’t seem to be getting any easier.  Each parting was like a ripping of her soul.  She knew countless thousands of women were dealing with the same thing every day, but knowing it didn’t make her own pain any easier to bear. 

             
Robert stood quietly for a long time, staring out into the darkness.   Finally he turned.  “I’m going to do something I vowed I wouldn’t.”

             
There was something in his voice that made Carrie’s heart race.  Breathlessly, she waited. 

             
“I told you I was not going to speak of marriage until this war was over.”  His voice took on a note of desperation.  “But I have no idea when this war is going to end.  It could go on for years.  I suppose it’s selfish to want to marry you while I am still fighting, but...” his voice trailed off. 

             
Carrie moved closer and took both of his hands in hers, her heart swelling with tenderness.  “But the knowledge someone loves you enough to commit her whole life to you is a wonderful thing.  It can carry you through a lot of hard times.”

             
Robert stared down at her.  “Exactly.”  Then, “You don’t think I’m selfish.”

             
“I think when you finally ask me I will be the luckiest woman in the world.  Whether I’m married, or simply in love with you, will not change, one iota, the amount of time I spend worrying and wondering about you.”

             
Robert seemed incapable of words as he swept her into his arms.  “I love you, Carrie Cromwell.  Will you marry me?”

             
“Yes, Robert Borden, I will marry you.”  An explosion of joy made her laugh with delight.  “May I ask when this wondrous occasion will take place?”

             
“Right now!”  Robert laughed.  Then he sobered.  “How about when I come back from this mission?  I don’t know what is happening, but I hear no word that General Lee is moving the entire army.  I have hopes I won’t be gone too long.”

             
“I will count the days until you return, Lieutenant.”  Carrie opened her mouth to say more, but she was silenced by a long kiss.

Thomas watched Carrie and Robert disappear down the hallway with relief.  He had seen and heard Louisa Blackwell’s attack.  He thought they had handled it beautifully.  He had been angry
, of course, but pity was a much stronger emotion.  Louisa was such a beautiful girl.  What had happened to turn her into such a shrew?  Surely she could not love Robert Borden that much - could not be that jealous.  He had seen her with swarms of admirers ever since she arrived.  Perhaps it was just that she was hungry for the kind of love his daughter and Robert shared and feared she would never have the same. 

             
“So is it true, Thomas?”

             
Thomas turned his attention back to the group of men he was conversing with.  “Is what true?” he asked pleasantly even though from the look on their faces he suspected what was coming.

             
“Did your daughter let all your people go free?”

             
“No, it is not true,” he stated simply.  He was relieved to be able to tell the truth.  He knew many of his people were free, but he also knew some had chosen to remain on the plantation.

             
One man edged a little closer.  Thomas edged back slightly, trying to cover his distaste.  Edgar Jackson had moved to Richmond a few months ago from South Carolina.  Thomas respected the job he did in the War Department, but he had no taste for the man personally. 

             
“You mean to say there is no truth to the things that young lady said?  Why would she make accusations like that if there was no basis for it?” Jackson demanded.

             
Thomas could feel his anger rising, but he managed to maintain a pleasant smile.  It would do no good to rise to the man’s bait.   He had struggled with his own anger over Carrie’s actions.  Their love for each other had been strong enough to help them weather their differences, but in his honest moments, he acknowledged there was still some hurt in him.  When this war finally ended, would he have anything to return home to? “There is no understanding why people say the things they do sometimes,” he said with a slight smile then turned to the man next to him before Jackson could continue his questioning.  “I understand you saw a full report of the meeting between Colonel Key and General Cobb.  I’d very much like to know what happened between them.  I’ve only heard rumors.” 

             
“Yes.  I did see it.  I think you’ll find it very interesting.”

             
Thomas felt a surge of relief as the conversation began to flow in another direction.  He had known Carrie’s pro-slavery feelings might become known in the city.  He hoped it would not cause trouble for her, and he would do what he could to help, but she was a woman now.  She would have to handle the consequences of her actions.  That was one reason he loved her so much.  She was willing to take responsibility for her own deeds.   He turned to listen to his friend, Allen Bristow.

             
“Evidently McClellan got the remarkable notion that President Davis and General Lee might be willing to participate in a truce.  He thought the time might be right for settling the war by conference.”

             
Thomas frowned.  “Didn’t McClellan arrange the meeting just after General Stuart made him look like a fool by riding all the way around his army?”

             
Bristow laughed.  “Yes.  I think it made him a little anxious.  Anyway,” he continued, “he led us to believe we were discussing an exchange of prisoners.  Davis sent out General Cobb.  McClellan sent his aide-de-camp Colonel Key.   They met on the bridge crossing the Chickahominy on Mechanicsville Turnpike. McClellan had his troops throw up a little hut for them to talk in.”

             
“How hospitable,” someone laughed. 

             
When the laughter died down Bristow continued.  “Key told Cobb he was pleased they could meet on a peaceful mission and then told him he desired nothing more than a permanent peace.  Cobb’s response was that peace could be established at any time in half an hour if the North were to give the South our freedom.  He made it very clear the Union invasion that has resulted in so much slaughter and waste has created such animosity and resistance that the end will only come when the North either gives us our freedom or destroys us.”

             
Thomas listened carefully.  He was aware of a growing uneasiness within his heart.  He agreed there would be no backing down by the South.  It was too late to undo all that had been done.  However, his confidence was diminishing.  Yes, Lee had pushed back McClellan - at the cost of twenty percent of his army.  Bristow broke into his thoughts.

             
“Key’s response was typical of the Northern sentiment.  He hopes the Confederate leaders are realizing our struggle is hopeless because of the greater numbers, money, and resources of the North.  He believes there is great Union sentiment throughout the South.  He rattled on about the hopelessness of foreign intervention, the blockade, the losses we have suffered recently in the west, and the invincibility of McClellan’s mighty army.”