Honor Bound (Shades of Gray Civil War Serial Trilogy Volume II) Page 22

  Andrea stared out the window.

  “Have you nothing to say?”

  She swallowed hard and looked up at him. “Only that the cost of doing what is right cannot be measured.” She stared into his eyes, refusing to look away. “Not in pain. Not in sacrifice. And certainly not in the loss of gold.”

  She turned and walked out the door, leaving Hunter to mull over the fact that he knew she was right.

  Chapter 42

  Though she be but little, she is fierce.

  – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare

  Andrea sat staring absently at the rolling hills from her chamber window when she heard the front door close loudly below her. In a few minutes the back of Hunter came into view as he strolled purposely toward the barn, buttoning his great coat as he walked.

  Andrea let out a sigh of relief and stood. Finally. She had been waiting since early this morning for a chance to peruse his library for a book, but fearing the consequences of running into him or Victoria, had decided to remain in her room.

  Hurriedly she grabbed her cane and headed down the stairs. Hunter had received a visitor earlier in the day, and by the way he was dressed now, Andrea assumed he would be riding out soon. Still, when she got to the door and saw it was closed, she knocked hesitantly. When no one answered, she stepped inside and hurriedly re-closed the door behind her.

  In the time that it took for the door to click closed, she discovered that the room was not empty after all.

  A low growl from behind Hunter’s desk was Andrea’s first indication that something was amiss. The sound was followed by the appearance of a huge wolfish-looking dog.

  “Hello, puppy.” Andrea stood perfectly still, wondering if she should slowly back out the door or stand her ground and use her cane as a weapon. The two stood eyeing one another, neither moving, so Andrea spoke again. “Nice puppy. What’s your name?”

  The animal stopped growling and was no longer baring its teeth. It stood with its head cocked to the side, as if confused by the kind voice and lack of fear.

  Andrea hoped the dog’s initial reaction had been caused by being surprised. She decided to take her chances, and patted her leg as an inviting gesture. “Come here, you. Did one of the men drop you off here?”

  The dog stood its ground but appeared curious, sniffing from a distance as if to distinguish whether she was friend or foe. Andrea lowered herself down slowly into a nearby chair, as much from her injury as from caution, and watched the animal take a few hesitant steps forward. At last he reached her outstretched hand, and after a few more guarded sniffs, seemed to accept her.

  “Aren’t you cute,” Andrea said as she tentatively rubbed between his ears.

  The door opened just then and Hunter stepped in before quickly closing it behind him.

  Seeing who it was, Andrea laughed and went back to scratching the dog’s head. “Why didn’t you tell me you had two dogs? I heard about Grizz, but you didn’t tell me about this one.”

  As if on cue the dog dropped to the floor and rolled over onto its back. Andrea patted its stomach and then looked up curiously at Hunter when he didn’t answer. She looked back down at the dog and back up again, confused as he stood silently staring at the dog with a bewildered look on his face.

  “Wait. Is this Grizz?”

  Hunter, apparently unable to speak, just nodded.

  The door swung open again and Victoria swept in, her shrill voice arriving across the threshold a few moments before she did. “Dar-ling—” In an instant, the dog was on its feet, rushing at the door with teeth bared, the hair on its neck standing on end. The woman screamed and fled, slamming the door in its face.

  Andrea looked at Hunter, working hard to suppress a smile, as Hunter continued to stare at her. She knew he was waiting for some sort of explanation, though she wasn’t sure she had one.

  “I’ve always had a way with animals.” Hoping that would suffice, she patted her leg. The dog came obediently back to her, placing its head on her leg and staring up at her with large, docile eyes.

  “So it’s only human beings you have trouble with.” Hunter stood with his hands on his hips, his head cocked to the side, a bewildered look on his face.

  Before Andrea could respond to his analysis, a knock on the door interrupted them.

  “Massa suh.” Mattie called from the other side as if she had been forewarned about the animal inside. “De cobbler man here.”

  “Ah, at last. The cobbler.” Hunter’s gaze went down to the floor, and the look in his eyes when he raised them from her bare toes peeking out from beneath her dress was one of exasperation. “Miss Evans, if your new friend doesn’t mind, please come with me. Mr. Johnson is here to measure you for a pair of shoes.”

  Andrea’s forehead narrowed at the tone of his voice and at his unmitigated arrogance in arranging for a cobbler. She had not asked for, nor requested new shoes. Just because the ones that Elizabeth had left were much too small, didn’t mean she needed—or even wanted—a new pair.

  She would have told him so, but Hunter was already out the door. By the time Andrea made it to the back of the wagon, he was already engaged in conversation with the cobbler at the front. Deciding not to interrupt, she began eyeing the many displays. Her outlook on the whole affair brightened as she ran her hands over a pair of fine leather boots. They were the most beautiful things she had ever touched, soft and supple, unlike anything she had ever seen…save those on Hunter’s feet.

  “Not boots.” Hunter’s voice came from directly behind her, just before he took her by the arm and guided her to the front of the wagon. “Mr. Johnson is going to make you a pair of shoes that you’ll love to wear.”

  Andrea frowned at him, but sat obediently while the man measured her foot.

  When he was finished with his notetaking, he nodded to Hunter. “I’ll drop them off next week.”

  Andrea climbed up the porch steps as he flicked the reins and trotted away.

  There would be no more excuses now. Thanks to Hunter she would have a pair of shoes that fit properly, and she would obviously be required to wear them at Hawthorne.

  Chapter 43

  Thine anger like a pointed dart shall pierce the foes of stubborn heart. Or words of mercy kind and sweet, shall melt the rebels at thy feet.

  Psalm 45, Isaac Watt

  Hunter came home to an unusually quiet and seemingly empty house. Wandering through the halls he finally came across Andrea in the kitchen, completely absorbed in her task of pouring tall glasses of lemonade. He watched silently for a moment, a slight smile crossing his lips as she concentrated on the task at hand.

  “Where is everybody?” he finally asked.

  Andrea jumped, causing a river of the fluid to flow onto the serving table. “What are you doing here?” She glanced nervously at him and then out the window.

  Hunter cocked his head. “Last time I checked, I lived here.” He glanced down at the dog that lay obediently on a rug at her feet. Grizz stared back at him with, what appeared to be, casual indifference.

  Andrea forced a laugh. “I mean what are you doing back? I thought you were to be gone a few days.” She moved stiffly to stand in front of the window as if to block his view.

  “What’s going on out there?” Hunter leaned sideways to look around her.

  Andrea bit her cheek. “Um, nothing.”

  Nudging her out of the way, he studied the view. Mattie, Izzie and the new servant, Gabriella, were sprawled under the shade of the large oak tree, fanning themselves and talking contentedly.

  “Perhaps you’d like to explain that to me.” He nodded toward the women, but was more curious than angry as he moved his eyes from the window back to Andrea.

  “Well…” Andrea swallowed hard and seemed to have trouble speaking. “I-I gave the ladies the afternoon off.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I lost a bet, and so I had to give them the afternoon off—just a few hours
.” Andrea scurried around the kitchen as if busy with the tasks at hand.

  Instead of getting angry, a playful smile spread across Hunter’s face. “I see.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. “And by giving them the afternoon off, do you mean you switched places with them?” He narrowed the distance between them as he talked. “You have agreed to do their work?”

  She nodded. “Such were the stakes.”

  “Yes. And high ones they were.” Hunter stood with his hands on his hips in the middle of the room, looking around questioningly. “And Victoria has approved of this scheme?”

  “N-not exactly.” Andrea stood wringing her hands in a way he’d never seen her do before. “She’s abed with a headache. Mattie checked on her earlier.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Hunter took yet another step toward her, and she took one step back. “As a result of this...arrangement, am I to assume you are my servant for the rest of the afternoon?”

  “W-w-e-e did not know you were returning…s-s-o soon.”

  “But that was your agreement, correct?” The smile lifted higher. “You do not wish to back out of the bet on my account.”

  Andrea did not answer with words, but her eyes were large and curious as she stood with her back against the wall. She could retreat no farther.

  “Having lost a bet,” Hunter continued, “I would think it is therefore your duty to indulge me.”

  Andrea blinked now as if finally grasping his intended meaning. Her breath grew quick and short as her eyes flicked across his face. “But…I…”

  Hunter did not give her time to continue. “I confess, this leaves many possibilities open to me that I have never before considered.” He tried to hid the amusement that tugged at his mouth.

  Andrea’s face turned red. She moved evasively but he countered her move. “I-I-I order you to stop this,” she stuttered.

  “Then I countermand your order,” Hunter said teasingly, “and feel privileged to give some of my own…”

  He placed one hand on the wall beside her head, and when she sidestepped, placed the other hand there to block her escape. She was breathing hard now, her chest rising and falling within inches of his own.

  “You…you take improper liberties, sir.” Andrea’s voice quivered as she looked up at him like a startled fawn.

  He sighed deeply. “But Miss Evans, surely you understand, that being a soldier, spending long days and nights out in the field, I have appetites.”

  Hunter watched her swallow hard, but she made no effort to dispute the case. Either she could not form words or could think of nothing appropriate to say. Either way, it was an unusual state of affairs. He decided to take advantage of the situation, certain as he was that it would not last long.

  “Raiding and risking my life as I do, and going without certain necessities, creates within me a sort of…hunger.”

  He watched her blink repeatedly but since she still didn’t speak, he continued. “Therefore I must make a request of you.”

  Hunter paused when he realized that her rapid breathing had stopped. She was holding her breath in a state of apparent nervous alarm.

  “How about you bake me a pie?”

  “A pie?” Andrea exhaled.

  “Yes, as I said, I have appetites…I can think of nothing more satisfying than one of your pies.”

  Andrea stared at the floor. “Yes. I suppose…I can…do that.” She started to push him away. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get started.”

  “Wait. Tell me something first.” He put his hand under her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Are you relieved, Miss Evans? Or disappointed?”

  “You are an impertinent, insolent rebel,” she said, pushing him out of the way. “Go away, and let me do my work.”

  * * *

  Early that evening, Hunter walked into the dining room, rubbing his hands together as he saw Andrea enter from the other door.

  “Where is that pie I have been waiting for? You didn’t renege on our agreement, did you?”

  She looked at him distastefully, then turned toward the kitchen. “It has been cooling.”

  When she re-entered with the pastry, Hunter had already seated himself at the table. He watched Andrea place the pie in front of him, and turn to leave.

  “Wait,” he said. “You are planning to serve me, aren’t you? I believe that was part of the agreement.”

  Andrea snorted and shot him an irritated glare, but she squared her shoulders and turned back around. Picking up a knife, she cut the pie carelessly, slapped a piece onto his plate, and set it noisily in front of him. Again, she turned to walk away.

  “No.” Hunter yanked her back by the skirt, almost causing her to fall into his lap. “I mean, serve me.”

  Andrea gasped in surprise at his audacity, then smiled smugly. “The bet is complete at six o’clock. I’m sorry, but I’m afraid your reign of terror has ended.”

  Hunter pointed to the clock. “My dear, you have five more minutes. Surely you do not intend to back out of your bet early, do you?”

  As her smile turned to a scowl, Andrea picked up the piece of pie roughly with her fingers and placed it, none to delicately, in his mouth. “There. I have served you, my lord. Will that be all?”

  “Not quite.” He wrapped one hand around her waist to bring her closer and prevent her from getting away. “It was so good, I don’t want to miss a crumb.”

  He lifted her messy palm to his lips, and removed the globs of pie that remained.

  Andrea watched, big-eyed, barely breathing, apparently too consumed with astonishment to resist. When his gaze met hers, Hunter was astonished to see that the green orbs were no longer flashing with anger. They were deep and inquisitive, like that of a curious colt. And the more Hunter looked into them the more he found himself being drawn into their spell.

  He felt Andrea stiffen then, her fingers pressing into the firm muscle of his arm as if contemplating escape. But seeming to sense that flight was futile, she loosened her grip, her fingers instead grasping his shirtsleeve as if for support.

  Hunter unconsciously stared at her lips, unable to fathom how he had ever mistaken her for a boy. He was suddenly, more than ever, mesmerized by both the beauty and danger of the beast.

  Complete silence filled the room. Neither set of eyes blinked, until the clock on the wall chimed. Ding. Ding. Ding.

  Andrea stiffened and pushed herself away, and was nowhere to be seen by the time the last three peals announced the top of the hour.

  Chapter 44

  Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.

  – Boris Pasternak

  With her pulse pounding in her temples, Andrea pushed her way out the front door to the porch to get a breath of fresh air. But as soon as she made it to the railing, she was approached by an excited and out-of-breath Izzie.

  “Miz Andrea. Mattie need you. Hurry!” The young black girl turned without another word and ran, leaving no choice for Andrea but to try and follow.

  Upon opening the door where she had seen Izzie disappear, Andrea found the reason for the girl’s hasty departure and strange behavior. As soon as she stuck her head in the door, she was greeted with the words “Happy Birthday!” being shouted from every corner of the small cabin.

  Zach, Mattie, Gabriella sat on chairs, while Izzie came forward with a small package wrapped in cloth and tied elegantly with a bow of twine.

  “Remember that time you told me when you was bawn?” she said shyly. “So we made somethin’ for you.”

  Andrea looked around the room at the smiling faces. She vaguely remembered discussing birthdays during a conversation about the changing seasons. She’d never expected Izzie to remember—or care for that matter. It was not a day she had ever really celebrated herself.

  Feeling overwhelmed and shaky, Andrea opened the package and then quickly flicked a tear from her cheek. “How wonderful!” She held up the shirt and pair of
men’s trousers that had been lovingly tailored to fit her. “What a wonderful surprise.”

  “Remember you told me once you used to ride like the mens do?” Izzie clapped her hands excitedly.

  “Yes, I remember, but I did not know you were listening so carefully.” Andrea went around the room bestowing kisses upon each cheek, inwardly wondering if she would ever have the courage to ride like that again. When she got to Gabriella, the newest slave, she gave her an extra hug. “I know you had a lot to do with this. Thank you for—”

  “Ah, there’s one more thing.”

  The deep voice coming from the doorway startled Andrea and caused her to whirl around.

  Hunter stood awkwardly in the threshold as if he had arrived at a party to which he was not invited. He leaned forward and handed her another package, this one bigger and more ornately wrapped.

  Andrea looked from the package, to his eyes. “Take it,” he said.

  She accepted the box, then turned and allowed helping hands to aid her in opening it.

  Inside she found the lacking piece of her new wardrobe—a pair of boots, soft and supple, made of the finest English leather. Somehow, she knew they would be a perfect fit—just like the shoes that had arrived earlier that day.

  “I cannot accept…such an extravagant gift.” Andrea ran her fingers over the smooth quality leather.

  “Then think of it as a payment—not a gift, for all that you’ve done at Hawthorne.”

  Andrea looked up, overwhelmed, knowing he was trying to make amends for his lecture to her after the purchase of Gabriella. As it turned out, she was an excellent seamstress, and had become a great asset to him in making and mending clothes.

  “Thank you,” she said turning to everyone in the room, whom she had come to regard as family. “Thank you all for being so wonderful.”

  Izzie clapped her hands excitedly. “We done surprised you, didn’t we?”

  “You most certainly did.” Andrea gazed again around the room, and couldn’t help but wonder how long the event had been planned. She glanced at Hunter. And how long had he been in on the secret? Perhaps his unexpected early return and his subsequent delaying tactics were all part of the conspiracy.