The Vacant Chair (19 page)
The lieutenant snapped his fingers, his face suddenly brightening. “Taylor,” he said. “That’s her last name.”
Justin whipped around, frozen in the act of shrugging into his jacket. His pulse jumped, fingers tightening on the wool. For a moment he couldn’t breathe. “Are you sure?”
“Yessir, I’m quite sure. Is everything all right?”
Justin ignored him.
Brianna? Here?
He yanked on the jacket, tore out of the room and all but ran down the hallway.
Brianna barely heard the footsteps descending the stairs over the pounding of her heart. Gleaming black knee-high boots appeared, then a pair of long muscular legs, followed by a spotless blue tunic over wide shoulders. And then Justin’s face came into view. He froze when he saw her, staring like she was an apparition. The sight of him took her breath away.
“Brianna,” he said hoarsely.
Tears welled up. Her heart beat so hard it made her dizzy. “Hello, Major.” Her voice was a near whisper, but it seemed to unfreeze him. In three strides he was down the stairs and hauling her in his arms, holding tight. Pressing her face into his throat with a soft cry, she clung to him, aware of the thudding of his pulse beneath her cold cheek and the strength of his arms around her. He felt amazing, better than she’d dreamed. That he seemed so happy to see her made more tears blur her eyes. His grip was almost bruising but she didn’t care, absorbing the feel of him, real and whole as she let out a soggy laugh against the dark blue wool of his frock coat.
Justin breathed in deep and murmured her name, pulling back to study her with glistening eyes. He touched her cheeks, wiped her tears away and kissed her, his lips hungry and warm. With an inarticulate sound of need she stood on tiptoe to slide her fingers into his thick hair and opened for the hungry glide of his tongue. He tasted of coffee laced with sugar. A shockwave of sensation rushed through her body, hitting her low in the belly like a fist.
He pulled away far too soon and crushed her to him once more, his face pressed into her hair. Smiling, she leaned up to kiss his temple and closed her eyes as she cradled him, reveling in the moment. She’d dreamed of this for so long, she could hardly believe it was actually happening. When he finally straightened, his hands came up to frame her face, warm against her skin.
“You’re really here,” he murmured. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“I would have come sooner, but I only got your letter about your brother a few days ago.”
His eyes clouded. “You just received it? I sent it in October.”
That didn’t matter now. “I’m so sorry about Mitch.”
“Thank you.” He kissed the bridge of her nose, his voice turning rough. “It’s been…difficult for me.”
“I came as soon as I could. If you hadn’t already gone into winter quarters, I may never have found you.” She didn’t want to ever let go of him.
He shook his head. “You came all the way from Fredericksburg in this weather just to see me?”
“Richmond.”
“Richmond! That’s where you’ve been all this time? Oh, angel, you’re freezing. Come here.” He curved around her, rubbing his hands over her back to warm her. Though she was already warm to her toes from seeing him, a shiver rippled through her. He cursed. “Come on. Let’s get you in front of a fire with something hot to drink.”
“Not yet,” she whispered.
His hands stilled on her back. “No?”
“I don’t want you to let go.”
He chuckled and buried his face in her hair. “Damn, I’ve missed you, Bree.”
“Missed you too,” she mumbled against his shoulder. As his breath warmed the top of her head, the spicy scent of his soap reached her nose. She sighed and burrowed closer, could have stayed that way forever and died happy.
Justin continued stroking the length of her spine, at once soothing and arousing. “How about some tea?” he finally asked.
She glanced around the room, noted how quiet it was. She didn’t want to wake anyone up just to make her a drink.
He wrapped his fingers around hers and brought them to his mouth to blow on them. A tremor of need snaked up her spine at the intimate act. He smiled. “You don’t have anywhere to stay, do you.” It wasn’t a question.
“Not yet.”
“I’ll take care of it.” He led her into a dining room and sat her in one of the high-backed chairs at the long table. “Be right back.”
She felt badly for disturbing anyone, though she supposed it wouldn’t be proper to sleep on the sofa in the parlor.
He returned a few minutes later and gave her that slow smile that did funny things to her insides. “You can stay in my room. I’ll bunk with Williams tonight. He’s not half as beautiful as you, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to know you’re safe and warm in my bed.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Even if I’m not in it with you.”
His words sent another shaft of longing through her. She would love to have him beside her throughout the night, preferably naked. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. You hungry?”
“No, I ate earlier.”
He ignored her and rummaged through one of the cupboards, filled a plate with bread and butter. “If you want something else, I can find the cook.”
“This is plenty. Thank you.” Her eyes drank him in. He was even more handsome than she remembered. He looked bigger, too. He’d regained the weight and muscle he’d lost after being wounded. It seemed so long ago now. Years instead of months. Her voice was rough when she spoke. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He dropped into the chair next to hers and rubbed a thumb across her lips. “Me, too. More than you could ever imagine.”
“Not possible. I wrote you dozens of letters. I guess they never made it to Lexington for my friend to pass on.”
“No, and I was sure something had happened to you.” Justin cupped her cheek in his broad palm. “What were you doing in Richmond?”
“My brother’s there. In Libby.”
He winced. “I’m sorry.”
“He’s all right. Hungry and crowded and dispirited, but otherwise healthy.” At least he was alive. Unlike Mitch. She wanted to ask Justin about it but decided to wait until he brought it up.
He tilted his head and eyed her. “You’ve lost weight. Your face is thinner. Have you been getting enough to eat? I understand times are hard there.”
Brianna picked at her bread and butter. Did she look that bad? “Yes, times are very hard right now.”
His eyes were guilt-stricken. “Jesus, the whole time we were stripping the Shenandoah, I never dreamed I was affecting you.”
“I get by. I’m staying with a fairly well-off family, so we have more than most.” She didn’t want him blaming himself for her going hungry. And she didn’t dare tell him she’d lost some of the weight because she skipped meals to make sure Morgan was fed.
His expression was so absorbed as he watched her eat, she laughed and demanded, “What?”
“I hate the thought of you going hungry. I hate even more that I had a hand in it.”
She swallowed the mouthful of bread. “It’s war, Justin. What you did in the valley weakened the Confederate army, too.” In addition to leaving many citizens starving and homeless. How awful for him to have had to do that kind of work.
The simple meal filled the grinding void in her stomach. Warm, happy, replete, she smiled up at him. Neither of them had declared their love this time. They’d been apart for too long, yet she had no doubt of his love for her now. She saw it glowing in his eyes.
“Want more?” he asked.
She shook her head, not wanting to keep him up any longer because he had to be tired. It was almost one in the morning.
He rose. “You must be exhausted, angel.” The endearment slid through her, wrapped around her heart. “If you’re done here, I’ll show you to your room.”
She stood. “Will I see you tomorrow?” He had duties to fulfill. She didn’t expect him to drop everything simply because she’d shown up on his doorstep. She’d been so focused on getting to him, she hadn’t put much thought into what would happen when she arrived. She hoped she wouldn’t be in the way.
His cheek creased as he smiled. “I’ll go up and rearrange my schedule right now.”
“Oh, no, don’t—”
He stopped her by taking her face between his hands. “You think I wouldn’t move heaven and earth to spend every possible minute with you? When we’ve been apart for six months and you’ve traveled halfway across the state in the middle of winter to find me?”
The longing behind the words hit her like a blow. She slid her arms around his waist and leaned up on tiptoe to kiss him, not caring who saw them. His arms felt like steel around her, his kiss almost desperate as he took her mouth and swept his tongue inside to taste her. Her heart squeezed at his unspoken need, the lingering grief she longed to soothe.
“I’ve missed you so goddamn much,” he whispered unsteadily.
The vulnerability in him rocked her. She trailed her fingers through his hair. “I’m here. We’re together now.”
The clock chimed one, and he raised his head. “I’d better get you to your room.” Taking her hand, he led her up the carved staircase to the second floor hallway, lined with doors on both sides. He stopped at the fourth one on the left, opened it and stepped back. A fire blazed in the hearth, no doubt courtesy of his lieutenant. The bed was neatly made against one wall, covered with a red and blue patchwork quilt. Justin’s clothes lay folded in a pile on the bureau in the corner next to the washstand and dressing screen. Her carpetbag sat next to it. She glanced at him in question.
“I’ll be across the hall, two doors to the right,” he said. “Need anything before I go?”
You. I need you.
“This is perfect.” She only wished she could pull him down on the bed with her and not let him go until morning. But maybe that might still happen someday.
Justin kissed her again, this time slow and sweet enough to drag a moan from her when he pulled away. “Goodnight, then.” She could see in his eyes how much he hated to leave her.
“Sleep well,” she whispered.
His smile made her tingle all over. “You too.”
She closed the door behind him, leaned against it, and sighed to relieve the disappointment inside her. After undressing and changing into her nightgown, she crawled into the large bed. Justin’s scent was everywhere, imprinted on the pillows and sheets. With the cozy fire crackling beside her and a bright new day to look forward to, Brianna hugged a pillow to her chest and breathed in its smell deeply, wishing she were cradling him in her arms instead.
Outside her bedroom window next morning the snow fell in thick flakes, forming drifts along the streets and sidewalks. Shortly after she’d risen, Lieutenant Williams had shown up with a breakfast tray and told her Justin would come for her around noon.
She remembered him instantly. “You came to see him when he was in the hospital, didn’t you? And you were with him the day our wagon broke down on the road to White House Landing.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m flattered that you remember me.”
She liked Williams. His brown eyes were kind. “Thank you for sharing your room with him. I hope I’m not too much of an inconvenience.”
“Not at all, ma’am. Lucky for me he doesn’t snore, though I wouldn’t have complained. There’s not much I wouldn’t do for Major Thompson.” His smile made his eyes warm as a mug of chocolate, and just as sweet. “He’s real glad to have you here, ma’am.”
“I’m glad to be here, lieutenant.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him smile. Really smile, I mean.”
The words made her ache. “I would have come sooner if I could have.”
Williams held up a hand. “At least you’re here now. That’s about the best late Christmas present I could think of for him.”
She waited a beat before speaking. “Is he… How is he? Really.”
“He’s a trooper, ma’am, gets the job done no matter what. Doesn’t talk much about what happened to his brother.”
No, he wouldn’t.
“The men and officers hold him in the highest regard. You’ll see what I mean if you spend a bit of time here. He’s one of the most respected officers in the Michigan Brigade.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least. I only hope I can earn half that much respect while I’m here.”
“Already done, ma’am.” Pausing in the doorway, he grinned. “After all, you came all this way to be with him, didn’t you?”
Bolstered by the comment, she passed a few hours reading in her room so as not to get in anyone’s way. When the knock came at her door, she sprang to her feet and opened it, and her heart skipped at the sight of Justin filling the jambs.
He gave her a knee-melting smile and bowed at the waist. “Good afternoon. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.” She tucked her hand into his.
“Dream about me?” His eyes smoldered.
“I did.” She smothered a pang at the yearning on his face. “Are you sure you want to take me out? I don’t mind waiting until later.”
He laid a finger on her lips. “I’ve got a sleigh all rigged up outside.”
A sleigh ride? How wonderful! “I’ll get my coat. Should I bring a blanket?”
“No.” His eyes glowed with a sensual light. “I’ll make sure I keep you warm.”
Her body tightened at the prospect. Brianna took the arm he offered, aware of all the men staring at her as they walked passed, those beneath him in rank saluting.
Outside, two bay horses stood harnessed at the front of the sleigh, the ground covered in a blanket of pristine white. Crisp air filled her lungs, tingled her cheeks. She had butterflies in her stomach when Justin helped her into the seat and climbed in beside her to tuck a heavy blanket around her before setting her feet on some warming bricks. For some reason, those simple gestures made tears prick her eyes. It had been so, so long since anyone had taken care of her, even in such small ways. She cherished his thoughtfulness.
“Warm enough?” he asked her.
So happy her heart was about to burst, she laughed. “What if I said no?”
His eyes heated. “I’d think of something.”
“Then the truth is, I’m freezing.”
He laughed and set an arm around her to pull her into his side.
The flirting felt so good. She hadn’t done anything like it years.
Justin tugged his hat lower on his forehead. “All right, before you distract me enough to make me drive us into a snow bank, let me show you some of Winchester.”
With a snap of the reins, he urged the horses forward. Brianna snuggled into him, reveling in his nearness as he named the buildings and churches they passed. The icy breeze felt exhilarating. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back to let snowflakes drift down and land on her wind-kissed skin. A smile curved her lips.
“You’re so beautiful,” Justin murmured. “Even more beautiful than I remembered.”
“Thank you.” She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible for you to be more handsome than you were, but seeing you with that healthy glow in your cheeks proves me wrong. You look even better with your weight and muscle back on.”
“Speaking of weight, I’m taking you someplace where I can feed you something to stick to your ribs.”
She raised her brows. “You want to fatten me up?”
“I want to make sure you’re not hungry,” he corrected.
His voice had an edge to it. Was he still blaming himself? She touched his forearm, the muscles hard beneath her gloved fingers. “I really am fine.”
“You’ll be even better after your stomach’s full.”
Sensing it was pointless to argue, she leaned against him and enjoyed the ride. The runners made a quiet hissing sound as they glided over the snow, and the horses’ hooves punching through the frozen crust on top with a crunch. At a building a few blocks off the main road, they stopped and Justin swung her down, his hands lingering on her waist. Right there in the street in front of anyone who cared to witness it, he kissed her slow and deep, making her toes curl in her boots. Then he led her inside the cozy restaurant, decorated with garlands and a Christmas tree set in the corner by a roaring fire. More men smiled and saluted him while he ushered her to a table near the hearth.
Charmed, she studied him as he ordered them glasses of mulled wine and beef stew with a crusty loaf of bread. His profile was bathed in the firelight, the golden flicker caressing his face. When he asked about her family’s business, she told him about the stock she’d acquired and her plans with Morgan to turn it into the best property in Lexington.
His brows lowered. “Is that something you want? Or is it more to help your brother?”
“For him, mostly. It would pay the taxes and other expenses, anyhow.”
“So what do
you
want?”
A husband and children of her own, but… She toyed with her wineglass, wondering how he would react to her answer. Only one way to find out, wasn’t there? “Part of me misses treating patients. To be honest, I sometimes dream of being able to study medicine at a university one day.” When he didn’t say anything, she shifted in her chair. “To become a doctor.”
He waited to respond until she glanced up at him. “I think you’d be an amazing doctor.”
He did? He wasn’t scandalized by the idea? “Thank you.”
“You probably know more about medicine than half the practicing physicians out there right now. Dr. Healey seemed to think highly of your knowledge and skill, and I know I certainly benefitted from it.”
Brianna bit back a smile, warmed by the compliment. “At the risk of sounding arrogant, I think I do too.”
He laughed into his glass before setting it down. “What about the family you told me you wanted?”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Do you still want children?”
Was he offering? She stared at him, her lower abdomen tightening in reflex. She would love to marry him and have a family. And the making of them—she could hardly wait for that with Justin. “Yes, I’ve always wanted to have children of my own. You?”
One side of his mouth tipped up, his eyes lit with an intimate glow. “I’m warming to the idea, especially if I had them with you.”
His answer surprised and delighted her. “Oh.”
“I own part—well, now
most
of a lumber mill back home, so I have the means to support a family, but…”
He owned most of it now because Mitch had died. She waited for him to go on, worried if she mentioned his brother he would close down. “But what?”
His gaze dropped to his fingers, which toyed with the silverware. “I’m not sure I want to go back there. Not to stay, anyhow.”
Why
, she wanted to ask.
Because your brother is buried there?
Or was it something more than that?
He seemed relieved when the waiter arrived with their food. They tucked into their meals, sharing occasional smiles. She loved the simple intimacy of being with him like this.
Over a dessert of spice cake with lemon sauce, she told him about her position in the Lancaster household and her visits with Morgan at Libby, the conditions there. He seemed like he was about to say something when a voice spoke up behind them.
“Major Thompson.”
Justin glanced over his shoulder, and Brianna’s eyes went wide. The man coming toward them was dressed for snow but even with his uniform hidden, his curly gold locks and moustache were instantly recognizable. General Custer stood at their table.
Justin rose. “Sir,” he said, shaking the hand offered to him.
The general smiled at her. “I wanted to meet this mysterious woman the whole Brigade is talking about.”
She flushed. They were already talking about her?
“Sir, this is Mrs. Brianna Taylor.”
“Your fiancée. I heard.”
She tried not to gape. His fiancée? Is that what he’d told everyone?
“I can’t recommend marriage highly enough,” Custer said. “Better put your furlough to good use, Major, and marry the girl right here in Winchester.”
Justin was spared a reply when someone across the room called out to the general. With a warm smile and a polite goodbye, Custer took his leave.
When Justin sat again, Brianna laughed in awe. “I just met General Custer.”
He grinned. “You did. Now that’s something to tell the grandchildren.”
She hoped he meant theirs. When he’d paid the bill he took her outside, where a young sergeant waited with the sleigh. Justin handed her up again. “Want more warming bricks for the ride back?”
“No. You do a better job than they do.”
He grinned and kissed her, then carried on with the tour. The snow had stopped and the wind had ceased. The naked trees lining the streets and squares were frosted white. The city looked like something out of a painting under its wintry veil. She could only imagine how pretty it would be in the spring when all the buds and flowers came out. Would the war finally be over by then? She didn’t want to be separated from him again.
“When does your furlough start?” she asked.
“In a few days. I’ve got a month before I have to report back for duty.”
And head back to the front.
No, don’t think about that.
“Are you going home then?” If he was, she would return to Richmond. Morgan would be hungry without her visits.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
She understood. Going home had been scary for her, too.
He stopped the horses in a park, took her hands and tucked them in the crook of his arm. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I am, too.” Being with him was worth every cold, bone-jarring mile she’d traveled.
“So, apparently the whole town already thinks of you as my fiancée.”
Her heart tripped. “Yes, I heard that.”
Don’t get your hopes up. Don’t you dare.
Justin glanced away. When he met her eyes again she saw the longing there, the love. “Want to make it official?”
“Do you?” she countered.
“More than anything.” He framed her face with his hands. “I love you, Brianna. Will you be my wife?”
“Yes,” she whispered, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Was she dreaming? If she was, she didn’t ever want to wake up.
Justin hugged her tight and let out a ragged breath.
She pushed back until she could meet his gaze. “When?”
His deep blue eyes twinkled at her eagerness. “Is tomorrow too soon?”
“I’ll see if I can find time in my busy schedule, but yes, that sounds perfect.”
Surprise flashed across his face. “You would marry me tomorrow?”
“Yes.” She’d marry him right now if they could find someone to preside and a couple of witnesses. Right here in the snowy park in front of their sleigh. “I love you and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
His arms closed hard around her and he pulled her into his lap to cradle her against his body. “Angel, I love you too.” His soft laugh ruffled her hair. “I don’t know if I can wait until tomorrow.”
She rained kisses across his face, down to his lips where she lingered. “You can spend tonight thinking about all the ways to keep me warm after the ceremony.”
“God,” he whispered, tensing beneath her hands. He set a gloved palm around her nape and sought her mouth, making her gasp and tremble as his tongue slid into her mouth. She leaned closer and pushed her breasts against his chest, moaned at the immediate tightening in her body. As his mouth burned a path down her throat, she tipped her head back on a sigh.
It was snowing again. She savored Justin’s heat and strength, the dizzying trail of his tongue against her neck making her shiver in delight. He sucked at a sensitive spot and she jerked, but his strong hands held her steady, making her melt as fast as the snowflakes on her burning skin. Her eyes drifted closed. She loved him so much it hurt.
