Touching the Sky (13 page)

I
t was more than two weeks after the wedding before Laura saw her sister again. When Carissa showed up at the house, Laura thought her rather pale . . . perhaps even sick. Their mother had gone with Esther to visit Mrs. Cole and would likely not return for a few hours. Laura felt a deep sense of God’s providence that Mother had allowed her to remain at home.

“You should have let us know of your plans to visit,” Laura told her sister. “Mother has gone out for the afternoon.”

“I am sorry. It was a last-minute decision. A neighbor was making a trip to this part of town and I asked for a ride.” Carissa followed Laura into the music room.

“I was just practicing a few pieces. I’ll send for refreshments if you’re hungry.”

“That would be nice.” Carissa took a seat near the window and sighed. “I do love it here. Our place is so tiny.”

“You are fortunate, however, to have a place of your own,” Laura said. She rang for the galley maid and instructed her to set lunch for two. With that accomplished she turned back to find Carissa distracted by the crocheted doily that covered the arm of her chair.

“Are you all right?” Laura asked.

Carissa startled at this. “What do you mean?”

“You seem . . . well . . . as if something might be troubling you.”

A forced laugh escaped her sister. “Goodness, but you do go on. I’m perfectly fine. I suppose I’ve changed now that I’m a married woman.”

“It’s only been two weeks,” Laura countered. “You couldn’t have changed that much.”

“Married life is much different than that of being a maiden daughter,” Carissa said with a sigh. “So how is Mother? I presume if she’s out calling she has completely recovered from the wedding.”

“Yes, she’s been making calls and attending social events. I believe she’s quite concerned about being excluded from the upcoming Christmas season.” Laura smiled and took a seat in a tall walnut chair near Carissa. Laura studied her sister’s face for a moment. She felt almost certain something was wrong, but knew she could never force Carissa to admit it. She thought for a moment of commenting about Malcolm’s friends and the fight at the wedding, and then thought better of it.

“Have you begun to arrange the house as you like it?” Laura asked.

Carissa nodded. “Mother and Father were very generous, as I’m sure you know. They arranged for workers to assist us as soon as I felt up to having them. I plan to order the front sitting room papered. I thought something with a white background would make the room seem brighter and perhaps larger.”

“I’m sure it would. Mother said the house has three bedrooms. Are they very large?”

“Large enough,” Carissa replied. “Two are upstairs and our bedroom is one of them. Malcolm has taken the downstairs bedroom for an office. He says there is much that he must be responsible for.”

“As a flour mill worker?”

Carissa shrugged. “I have no idea. I really don’t know what he does. He leaves in the morning and returns in the evening. Sometimes he comes home quite late.” She smiled, as if fearful that she’d said too much. “So you must tell me all the gossip. What did people say about my wedding?”

“Miss Laura, the table is set for you and Miss Carissa,” the maid announced.

Laura looked to her sister as she rose. “Come, we can talk while we enjoy some lunch. I’m quite famished.”

The ladies made their way to the dining room and seated themselves to plates of cold chicken, fresh melon slices, and a bevy of other delights. Laura offered grace, then began to choose from a selection of cheeses.

“I know that the guests enjoyed your wedding very much,” Laura said without meeting her sister’s watchful eye. “Everyone thought your gown quite lovely. They thought it rivaled those imported from France.”

“I’m so glad,” Carissa said, cutting into a piece of chicken breast. “I felt beautiful. Mother’s choice of that Chantilly lace made the perfect veil. I’ve packed it all away for my daughter to use one day.”

“Your daughter?” Laura questioned. “You’re already making plans for a daughter?”

“Well, I suppose we could have boys instead,” Carissa said absentmindedly. She let her shawl slip from her shoulders. “It’s rather warm today.”

“Yes.” Laura glanced up and noticed a dark bruise on her sister’s arm. “You’re hurt. What happened?”

Carissa seemed surprised. “What?”

Laura pointed to her arm. “You have bruises.”

“Oh,” Carissa replied casually. “I suppose I got it moving the furniture around. As I told you, I’ve been busy arranging.” She refocused on her plate and ate for several minutes without saying another word.

Laura too fell silent. Carissa hardly seemed herself. Sipping her lemonade, Laura wondered what was really going on with her sister.

A knock echoed through the otherwise quiet house. Laura could hear the butler’s muffled talk. She prayed none of her mother’s friends had come to call. She wanted this time with Carissa—not a gathering of gossips.

“Miss Laura, Mr. Reid has asked to see you. Are you in?” Mr. Gaston announced.

“Oh yes,” Laura replied. She hadn’t seen Brandon since the wedding and was beginning to worry about him. “Have him join us here.”

When he strode into the room, however, her fears were all dispelled. “It’s good to see you,” she said, getting to her feet.

“Please remain seated. I didn’t mean to interrupt your luncheon.” He nodded toward Carissa, then returned his gaze to Laura. “I can return at a better time.”

“Nonsense. Join us, please. I’ll have another place set.”

“No, I’ve just eaten. I would be happy to sit and share your company, however.”

His smile warmed her, and Laura nodded her approval. “I think that would be wonderful . . . don’t you, Carissa?”

“Of course, Captain Reid. It is perfectly acceptable for you to be here even if our mother and father are out. Since I am a married woman, no one would frown upon Laura receiving you.”

Brandon chuckled. “Well, we wouldn’t want to shock society.”

Laura reclaimed her chair as Brandon assisted her. Once she was secure, he took his place between them.

“I thought perhaps you’d fallen ill,” Laura said, trying not to sound overly concerned. “You didn’t come to church as you had said you would.”

“I know, and I do apologize. Something came up at the last minute.”

“Well, this is the first time I’ve seen either of you since the day of the wedding,” Laura replied. “It’s definitely the best thing to happen all week.”

He chuckled. “So have you ladies been enjoying the lovely weather? I thought we were most fortunate to have cooler temperatures.”

“Yes, but today has been quite warm,” Laura stated. “Though not unpleasantly so.” She cut a piece of melon. “Do tell us what you have been doing, Mr. Reid. Are you making plans to return to Indiana?”

“I have considered it.” He smiled in a teasing fashion, adding, “But I find myself rather intrigued by Texas. Corpus Christi in particular.”

“I don’t suppose my sister has anything to do with that,” Carissa said, giving him a coy glance.

“She might,” he replied with a wink. “I’ve also had the good fortune to spend some time learning about ranching and horse breeding in Texas. It would seem that there are a great many parcels of land available for purchase. My good friend Major Armstrong is trying to convince me to purchase one near him. I believe the ranch he has chosen is near Dallas.”

Laura nodded. “I have heard it’s quite beautiful there.”

“But you’ve not seen it for yourself?” he asked.

Shaking her head, Laura picked up her glass. “I was born in eastern Texas, but other than that, I’ve not seen much beyond Corpus Christi. Not that I wouldn’t like to. In fact, I think I would very much enjoy traveling. Things have changed so much here.” She paused and sipped the cool liquid. “Do you suppose it will ever return to as it was before?”

“Would you want it to?” Brandon asked casually.

Laura studied his expression for a moment. “No, I wouldn’t . . . but perhaps I should have asked, do you suppose things will ever get better? People are so angry. You know that as well as anyone, after serving in the army. But I continue to be amazed at the anger and ugliness spewed by women I once considered the epitome of gentility and civil society.”

Brandon nodded. “Maybe it’s because we have some expectation that men will act that way, but when the ladies take on that role, it comes across as more shocking and distasteful.”

“I think the women feel betrayed,” Carissa said, surprising Laura.

She looked at her sister. “Why do you say that?”

Carissa shrugged. “Well, they figured that their men were capable of keeping them safe. They thought life would go on in the same manner as it always had, but then it was taken from them. The only life they’d known was gone. Food and supplies were cut off, and people suffered and died.”

Surprised by her sister’s sudden depth of thought, Laura pressed her to continue. “I suppose Malcolm speaks against the Union constantly?”

“He seldom says anything. He is troubled by nightmares sometimes.” She seemed to lose herself momentarily in thought. “He saw so much death.”

“As did the soldiers on both sides of the war,” Brandon countered. “However, I think you make a valid point. Betrayal is a difficult thing to endure. I think that’s part of the anger the North holds against the South. They feel betrayed by the Southerners who so quickly cast off their American ties to form their own nation.”

Carissa looked at him oddly but said nothing. Laura couldn’t help but wonder at her sister’s sudden silence. “Well, this has certainly made our conversation gloomy.”

“Then let us consider something more positive,” Brandon said with a smile. “My original purpose in coming here was to invite you and your family to a musical performance tonight. I realize this is very late notice, but I only got back to town yesterday.”

“You were out of town?” Laura said, shaking her head. “I don’t recall your mentioning a trip.”

“I was on army business,” Brandon said, shrugging it off. “It came up without warning and I didn’t have a chance to let you know I’d be gone. However, upon returning I learned of this musical diversion. We have a group of soldiers who are quite talented. They have entertained before, and I have to say they are as good as any musicians I’ve ever heard back East.”

“That does sound like a wonderful distraction,” Laura declared.

“The invitation is for you and your parents.” He looked to Carissa. “And you and Mr. Lowe are welcome to join us, as well.”

“We already have plans,” Carissa said. She got up rather abruptly from the table and Brandon too rose. She waved him back down. “I need to go. I was supposed to meet my ride back in town by one. I’m afoot so I must allow for the time.”

“Nonsense,” Laura said. “Wait until Mother returns, and we will drive you home ourselves.”

Carissa shook her head and grabbed her shawl. “No. I need to go now.” She came and embraced Laura. “I’m sorry.”

Laura stared after her sister’s retreating form. “I’m worried for her.”

“Why are you worried?” Brandon asked.

Laura considered the situation for a moment. She trusted Brandon and needed to share with him the things she’d overheard. “I think her husband is up to something . . . dangerous. In fact, I believe he means to commit murder.”

———

Brandon’s eyes widened. “Murder?”

She nodded. “I overheard him the night of the wedding party. He was talking to his friends—I don’t know for sure which ones, but there were several gathered—and they were talking about powder. Someone said something about having enough to blow the Yankees to kingdom come. Malcolm replied that with the way things were going, they might be able to move their plans up to the early part of November. I really don’t know much else.”

Brandon frowned. “That’s enough, don’t you think? Why didn’t you tell me that night?”

“I wanted to, but one thing led to another and then there was the fight. I figured to let you know at church the next morning. When you didn’t show up, I presumed I could tell you the next time you came to visit, and I suppose I have done just that. I’m very worried, Brandon.”

“And well you should be. Worried for your brother-in-law.” He wondered how much he should say. “I know that the army has been concerned about a plot. I’ll check in with my friends and let them know what you’ve said.”

“A plot? With Malcolm involved in it?” Laura questioned. “I didn’t realize the army was involved.”

Brandon felt momentarily panicked. “Well . . . that is to say . . . your brother-in-law is very vocal in his feelings about the war and how things turned out. I wouldn’t be surprised if the army hasn’t been watching him since the war ended.”

This seemed to satisfy her. “I do hope you’ll be careful.” Laura wrung her hands. “I think Malcolm is dangerous. I noticed Carissa had bruises on her arm. She told me it was from moving furniture, but I don’t believe her.”

“You think he hit her?”

“I do. The bruises looked like fingerprints.” She met his eyes. “Like he had grabbed her hard. Carissa was not at all herself. I really don’t know what to think.”

“Do you suppose she knows about Malcolm’s exploits?”

“If she does, she isn’t saying anything. Carissa has never been overly interested in anything but herself, so I doubt she is a part of this or even knows about Malcolm’s conspiracies. I just asked her about his work, and she knows nothing of what he does.”

Brandon felt horrible for what he was about to do. “Laura, this is most grave. A great many men could lose their lives if what you’ve overheard is carried out to completion.”

“I know,” she whispered. “That’s why I felt it important to tell you. I don’t know what else to do.”

He nodded. “I have an idea, but it will mean a bit of a risk to you.”

She raised a brow. “I’m not afraid of that. Tell me how I can help.”

“Do you think you could get your sister to answer a few questions? Maybe assist the army in observing what Malcolm is up to?”

Her eyes widened, and Brandon feared he’d gone too far. This would all be for naught if she decided to warn Malcolm that the army was watching him.