7. Repercussions

1863 JULY 8, WEDNESDAY

7

Woodhue lay silent in the twilight, the sky's golden hue blazing the receding, black clouds. Every window was alight, making the stars appear dim in comparison. The smell of roast ham and fresh-baked bread drifted through the open door, cooling the house for the night. My heart surged at the sight of home, and my stomach growled with hunger. The closer we approached, however, the tighter my nerves clenched. I was not prepared for what awaited me.

I sidled Sumter up to Mathis's mount. For a silent moment, John eyed me as I mustered the courage to go inside.

"Please, let's just be still for a moment."

John nodded, leaving me to my thoughts.

We were both soaked through, having ridden through heavy rain since the early morning hours. Sumter shifted beneath my weight and gave a headshake. She was the only one eager to return home. I was not ready to face any of this. Part of me wanted to turn back down the road. I could follow the army, take on the occupation of nursing. Anything to avoid this.

But we were here now. Inhaling deeply, I squared my shoulders.

"I'll take the horses to the barn," John began, "to give you time with your family. Do you want me …"

Yes, I wanted him by my side, but I had to talk to Mother and Pa on my own. And he needed to tell Mr. Moore about his son. John had packed his saddlebags with Robert's personal effects to return to him.

"You go ahead to the Moores. I'll be well enough. You'll be welcomed to rest here for the night. I'll make sure of it."

He gave a curt nod. "That's appreciated." Shadows cast over his face. He dismounted, coming around to Sumter's side. His hands wrapped around my waist. My skirts were weighted down with moisture and the revolver, and I felt every inch of John's body brush against mine as he lowered me to the ground.

I wanted to ask him not to go, to hold my hand while I endured my consequences, but we both had separate obligations tonight.

John did not seem to release me easily either, one hand remaining on my waist while he took Sumter's reins.

"Thank you for everything, John. I owe you a debt of gratitude for allowing me to say goodbye to Robert. I will forever be grateful." I hoped this wasn't goodbye.

The whites of his eyes flashed, blinking in the dark, busy scrutinizing and pondering. "I'm glad I could fulfill his wish before he was gone." He stepped away then, and I felt the absence of his heat drench me like the cold rain from earlier.

Mother came rushing from the dining room, her skirts rustling. Her arms wrapped around me, pressing her wet cheeks to mine. I didn't know until that moment I needed my mother's embrace. I buried my face into her shoulder, taking in her scent—bergamot and apples. The grief burning inside me tumbled out.

"Hush, you are home now. Hush," she soothed, her thumbs swiping beneath my eyes. "You are home safe, darling. Hush now."

"I'm so sorry," I managed to say.

She nodded. "There will be time to discuss everything later."

Mother examined me from head to toe, making sure every part of me was safe and sound.

"You're soaked!" she exclaimed. "Anna!" she called.

Anna rushed down the hall at Mother's call, her eyes like huge saucers. Fresh tears rolled at her comforting presence.

"Take Ella upstairs. I'll inform Fanny to put on a pot of hot water. She needs a bath and supper."

With a purpose, Mother moved into action. Her job was to take the helm and right the ship.

"Yes, ma'am." Anna wrapped her arm around me, and I leaned into her soft warmth.

Robert's last letter, the one John had delivered a few days ago, sat open on the vanity in front of me. My room smelled of vanilla-scented soap and roast ham. I brushed out my damp hair, losing myself in my stroke count. I almost felt human again, as tired as I was. Fresh undergarments and a warm dressing gown made all the difference.

Now late, the room was bright with gas lamps. Anna's face was as white as my chemise when I explained everything that had happened. She gathered the skirts and bodice from the floor but stopped. Letting the soiled clothing fall, she held something heavy in her hands—the pistol. I confided what drunken Ethan had attempted.

Her fingers tracing JPH on the ivory grip, she did not ask questions but tucked it in the trunk beneath the dowry quilt.

With what food I could consume, I gazed out the window, waiting for the imminent confrontation with Mother and Pa. A bright moon peeked through the high clouds.

Mother looked tired when she and Pa came into my room.

"We concluded speaking with Sergeant Major Mathis," Pa explained. He was here? A thrill coursed through my body. "He told us about Gettysburg … about Robert Moore and his wishes."

Pa's eyes were creased with lines. His brow furrowed with concern.

"We read the note you'd left on your father's desk," Mother interjected.

"I'm so sorry. I just could not go through with the marriage. And I know leaving—leaving you both to deal with the guests and with Ethan—was selfish."

"Ethan did not take it well." Pa confirmed my fears. "Your mother was greatly concerned."

"Not only was I worried, but I was mortified, Christopher!" Mother exclaimed, unwilling for her husband to put words in her mouth. "Embarrassed to notify our guests the wedding was canceled and to listen to idle gossip about my own daughter!"

"Adellia!" Pa rebuked, gritting his teeth. "Remember yourself. Recall our agreement?"

"Yes, Christopher, but she's an adult now. She must know the consequences."

Pa gave her a pointed look, silencing her.

"I'm so sorry to put you through this." A sob broke from my chest.

"We know you are." Pa cleared his throat. "Now, I'm afraid there is more we must discuss."

Mother took my hand, her palm sweating.

"Concerning Ethan." Mother's gaze hardened on Pa.

Pa itched his chin. "When Ethan heard you were gone, he came straight here," Pa explained. "Your mother told him everything. She told him about the note, about canceling the wedding, about Robert Moore, about everything."

I sucked in a breath.

"Don't fault your mother. She did not know he'd … Well, when I arrived home, Ethan was in a rage. Your mother was terrified, not knowing what to do. Not one of us could pacify him. It took your uncle Eugene, Harold, and myself to escort him off the premises."

"It was distressing." Mother shuddered at the memory.

Pa ignored Mother's comment. "Mr. Pocket came to fetch me later when Ethan was found drunk in the tavern, slandering your name and talking nonsense. We dragged him out of there. It turns out he knew about your relationship with Robert long before his proposal."

The ham rolled in my stomach.

"Ethan threatened Robert. He threatened to ruin his father, leave his baby sister to fend for herself if Robert did not leave you alone. When Robert did not heed his warning, Ethan paid him to enlist. Told Robert he would turn his father in to the authorities for harboring a runaway slave, his sister would be taken and sent west on the orphan trains. So Robert took the money and?—"

"He wouldn't!" Robert's words came back to me. Forgive me, he had begged. He had practically pushed me into Ethan's arms when he left to enlist.

"I don't know what he did with the money, but he took it and enlisted," Pa said. "Mr. Pocket confirmed it. Ethan received draft papers and paid Robert to substitute. Since then, Ethan has put himself in the way of trouble. Thus, Mr. Pocket and I have devised a plan for him to leave Pennsylvania."

"What kind of trouble?" I struggled to make sense of all Pa was divulging.

"That's nothing for you to worry about at the moment. Mr. Pocket and Ethan have made arrangements to travel out of the state, and I'm to close Etherton Estate and continue firearm production for the troops, per Ethan's contract with the army."

Mother shook her head, aggravated with Pa. Fire burned in her eyes. Pa was not telling me everything.

"Ethan and Mr. Pocket are leaving tonight. I'll take the sergeant major with me to ensure it," Pa explained. "We must let you sleep. Your mother has invited the sergeant major to stay the night."

"He's still here?" My heart leapt.

"Yes," Mother said, frustrated and weary. "It's late. We'll speak with him in the morning."

"Everything will be put to right," he said. "Good night, daughter."

I suffered a smile for Pa, and Mother kissed my forehead. "Good night."

Once in the hall, Mother and Pa exchanged harsh whispers.

"You'll ruin this family!" Mother's words were sharp enough to cut iron. "You did this."

"Adellia!" Pa chided.

"No. Do not follow me, Christopher!" Mother's heels clicked as she marched down the hall, her bedroom door slamming behind her.

A beat later, Pa's own heavy footsteps walked away. What had Pa done?