Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond (Books 1 & 2 in the Bregdan Chronicles) by Ginny Dye - HTML preview

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Carrie breathed a sigh of relief as the carriage pulled away from the plantation. She had been waiting for a break in the weather—one long enough to dry out the roads. She felt if she were on the plantation even one day longer, she would go crazy. The weather had been intolerable since the beginning of the year. Cold rain had kept her indoors for days at a time. She had read huge stacks of books and had made considerable progress through the medical texts, but the loneliness of no one to talk to was eating at her heart and spirit. As soon as the roads were passable, she had asked Sam to take her to Richmond.

Carrie snuggled deeper under the heavy load of lap rugs Sam had laid across her. It was typical February weather. The sun struggled to make itself felt, but the biting wind and the bone-gnawing cold reigned supreme.

Stark, barren trees stood out in glaring relief against the blue sky. There were still patches of snow hiding in shadowed areas of the woods, but the rest had melted away, leaving brown grass to stretch before her. Carrie tugged her hat down a little further over her head and prepared to endure the rough road winter had designed.

“You all right back there, Miss Carrie?” Sam called.

“This here road be a little rough.”

“You will not hear one word of complaint from me,”

Carrie called back cheerfully.

Sam grinned at the sight of just her eyes peeking above the rugs. “I’m glad you’re going to Richmond, Miss Carrie. It ain’t natural for a young girl like you to stay cooped up all alone on that plantation. You need to be with other young folks.”

Carrie couldn’t have agreed more. The four walls of her house had begun to close in on her. She wanted to sit down and talk to someone about what was going on in the world. She wanted to tell someone what she was learning. But she was basically leaving the plantation to

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run on its own. She was handling everything now that Moses was gone. Not that she expected any trouble from her people, but there would be no one there if a serious need arose.

Yet, she knew she had to go. She was emotionally on edge and would be good for no one if she didn’t take this opportunity to get away. She would be back in plenty of time to take care of the final preparations for spring planting. Once she had something she could throw all of her heart into again, she would be fine.

Carrie could feel the heaviness in the air as soon as they reached Richmond. The streets were as crowded as ever, but there seemed to be a pall covering the whole city. She heard very little laughter and saw few smiles.

Tight groups of people wearing frowns and concerned expressions gathered on every corner and around every light post. Carrie stared at them. What had happened?

The last letter from her father had come a few weeks before. In it, he had told her of Jackson’s successful campaign against Romney. Had the tide changed since then?

Carrie was anxious to get to the house. She resisted the urge to tell Sam to go faster, knowing he was doing the best he could. Finally, they inched their way down Broad Street and broke out of the traffic somewhat. She counted the streets impatiently and almost cheered when they reached Twenty-Sixth Street.

A raindrop splashed onto the rug covering her. Carrie looked up and groaned. She had been so deep in her thoughts, she had not even been aware another bank of dark clouds had swallowed the sun.

“Looks like you timed your trip just right, Miss Carrie.”

“It certainly looks like it,” Carrie agreed, “but what are you going to do? How are you going to get back to the plantation?”

Sam shrugged and cast a practiced eye at the sky.

“That rain ain’t gonna get too serious about things for a while. I reckon I got time to make it home ‘fore the roads get too bad.”

“You’re going back tonight?” Carrie asked, surprised.

“It will be dark before you get there, and the roads will be

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horrible.” She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. You should stay at Father’s.”

Sam looked down at her with a smile. “Are you orderin’

me to stay here, Carrie girl?”

“No,” Carrie said quickly. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you.” She didn’t know how to tell her faithful slave that she thought he was getting too old to endure such bad conditions anymore. She understood male pride—black or white.

Sam laughed. “Then don’t you be worryin’ none ‘bout me. The sky is going to spit for a while, but these here clouds ain’t moving very fast. I got me a plantation to look after. I reckon I’ll be headin’ on home sho ‘nuff.”

Carrie said nothing. She recognized that look in Sam’s eyes. She knew he felt responsible for making things run smoothly while she was gone. “Thank you, Sam,” she said softly as the carriage rolled to a halt.

Sam nodded, stepped lightly down, and picked up her two bags to carry inside.

Just then Thomas Cromwell strode out onto the porch.

“Carrie! I was hoping you would come soon. I figured the last few days would be your best chance to beat the soggy road conditions.” He reached down to envelop her in a big hug. “It’s wonderful to see you, dear. Come inside where you can get warm.” He turned to the old black man standing to the side. “It’s good to see you, Sam. Thank you for bringing Carrie into the city. Is Charles still sick?”

Carrie thought quickly. She had counted on her father being at the Capitol when she arrived, so she wouldn’t have to explain about Sam driving her. “No, Father,” she said. “I asked Charles to stay behind to watch for Jewel’s foal that is due any day. I thought that was most important.” She was relieved when her father gave a pleased nod. At the same time, she felt that familiar nausea that came from lying so blatantly. It was becoming harder and harder to deceive this man she loved so much.

“So it’s Jewel’s time, is it? She was always one of my favorite mares. I hope all goes well.”

“I’m sure it will,” Carrie said, glad to know her story had been so easily accepted, yet heartsick at the non-questioning trust it represented. “She’s very strong and

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healthy.” She had wanted to surprise him with the news of the beautiful colt Jewel had dropped just the week before in the middle of a horrendous storm. Carrie had known the mare’s time was soon, so she had gone out late at night to check on her. She had arrived just in time to witness the birth. Never would she forget that miracle.

She was excited to tell her father. Now she would have to wait longer, and the story would have to be substantially different.

Carrie turned to exchange a conspiratorial look with Sam. He touched his hand to his hat. “I reckon I’ll be on my way now, Miss Carrie.” He moved to get in the carriage.

Carrie frowned. “You will do nothing of the sort,” she said. “Not without something hot to drink and eat first.

You’ve been sitting on that seat for over three hours. It won’t take you long.”

“Yessum, Miss Carrie,” Sam said meekly.

Carrie wanted to laugh. She knew this show was for the benefit of her father, who stood on the porch listening.

She watched as Sam climbed onto the carriage seat and drove around to the back of the house. Then Carrie turned and ran up to stand beside her father.

“It’s wonderful to be here, Father,” she said with a bright smile. She stepped back and looked him more fully in the face. She had not seen such a strained look since he had met her on the porch of the plantation house with the news that her mother was ill. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Thomas managed a weak smile. “Come inside, dear.

We can talk in there.” He paused. “Let’s just say there is much going on in our country right now.”

Carrie followed him into the house, grateful for the warmth reaching out to her. Fires blazed in every fireplace. She heard the back door open and close, and then the murmur of voices. She knew May would fix Sam something to eat.

Thomas moved forward to stir the fire, and Carrie studied him from the back. Every line of his body spoke of deep tension and fatigue. He had just turned from the fire when she heard the back door again and then the

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rattle of carriage wheels. Sam was obviously more concerned about the movement of this new storm than he had let on.

Thomas walked over to his chair and settled into it slowly. He reached for his pipe and began to tamp it.

Carrie could not stand the suspense one moment longer. “Why aren’t you in the office, Father? Why are you home in the middle of the day? Are you sick?”

Thomas shook his head. “I didn’t reach home until early this morning. The governor insisted I get some rest.

I will head to the Capitol shortly.”

“What has happened? The whole city seems to be covered with a blanket of gloom. I haven’t seen you look this bad in a very long time.”

Thomas tried to smile. “The South has taken some very hard hits, I’m afraid. The news from all directions seems to be nothing but bad.”

“The last letter I got from you said the news was good.

Jackson had taken Romney, and northwestern Virginia was once more in our control.”

Thomas nodded. “I did write that, didn’t I? Seems like ancient history,” he mused with a frown. “I’m afraid our forces evacuated Romney a week or so ago. I did receive some good news, though. General Jackson has withdrawn his resignation.”

Carrie stared at him. “Maybe you should start from the beginning.”

Thomas managed a real smile this time. “I’m sorry, dear. You’re right. I’ll start from the beginning. Maybe it will help me make some sense out of it myself.” He stared into the fire for a few moments. “Jackson did indeed occupy Romney, just as he planned. He left some of his men to hold that area, took some of his troops to Bath, and returned to Winchester himself.”

Carrie had only one question at this point. Her father correctly interpreted the look on her face and saved her from having to ask.

“Robert returned with General Jackson to Winchester before he was sent back to Richmond. We spent several hours talking about the campaign.”

“Robert is all right?” Carrie asked, managing to keep her voice casual.

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Thomas nodded. “He and his men had a rough time of it, but they came through. There are a lot of men, though, who I fear will not fight again.” He described the sickness and injuries that had plagued the winter campaign.

Carrie shuddered. She could imagine how the men must have suffered. She had tried to envision herself out in the mountains like that, but it had been impossible.

She had been anxious about Robert ever since the night she had been so certain he was in danger. It was wonderful to know he was all right.

Thomas continued. “Jackson left General Loring and his men in Romney to hold it.”

“What happened?”

Thomas shrugged. “Seems the general and his men didn’t like the conditions there very much. Said they had suffered quite enough for one winter, and they saw no reason to hold Romney because they didn’t see that it had any strategic value. They started a letter writing campaign. To make a long story short, Secretary of War Benjamin ordered Jackson to have them withdraw from Romney.”

Carrie stared at him. She didn’t pretend to fully understand military matters, but she knew something wasn’t right about that. “Wasn’t Benjamin’s action a little unusual?”

Thomas laughed, the first genuine sign of amusement he had displayed since she had arrived. “Ever the diplomat, aren’t you?” he asked. “Benjamin’s actions were indeed unusual. He claims he was working under President Davis’ orders. Anyway, General Jackson obeyed his orders and then promptly sent in his letter of resignation, explaining that with such interference in his command, he could not expect to be of much service in the field.”

“What about Romney?”

Thomas’ face hardened. “Federal forces occupied the city on February seventh. We also had troops south of Romney in Moorefield, but they were driven out three days ago. Yesterday, the Federals surprised our men at Bloomery Gap, capturing seventeen officers and three

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times as many men.” He paused. “The Romney campaign is indeed over.”

“So all those men suffered for nothing,” Carrie said.

“It would seem so.”

“And General Jackson?”

Thomas sighed. “His letter of resignation created quite an uproar. He has a strong support system. It took some powerful persuasion to change his mind, but a final plea that his resignation would harm the country finally swayed him. He withdrew it.”

Carrie nodded. “I can understand why you are upset.”

This time, Thomas’ laugh held no mirth. “Oh, that’s just the beginning of our troubles, my dear.”

“What else?” Carrie asked, startled.

“I’m afraid Forts Henry and Donelson have fallen. The Tennessee River is now open to Union gunboats, and Nashville to the Union armies. Their loss is a crushing blow to the Confederacy.”

Carrie listened, trying to analyze her own feelings.

That her father was terribly distraught was obvious. She opened her mouth to comment, but he wasn’t done.

“Roanoke Island has fallen to the Yankees as well. It was a humiliating defeat. Our men didn’t stand a chance against the superior forces arrayed against them.”

Carrie thought for a moment. “Wasn’t that where Virginia’s ex-Governor Wise was stationed?”

Thomas nodded. “He became quite ill before the attack, so he wasn’t on the island when the Union struck.” His face saddened. “I’m afraid his son was, though. He will not return to retake his position as editor of the Enquirer.”

Carrie gasped. “He’s dead?”

Thomas nodded gravely. “His funeral was several days ago at St. James Church. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.”

Carrie was now certain of her feelings. She was furious at a war that was destroying so many of the nation’s finest men. Slowly, she shook her head. How should she respond to her father? Thomas, however, didn’t seem to need for her to say anything. He continued to talk.

“Roanoke Island was a serious loss. The Federals now have control of North Carolina’s inland seas and the

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rivers that come into them. They have also been given a backdoor approach to Norfolk.” His voice was grim.

“Why has all this happened? After Bull Run, I thought our troops were superior.”

Thomas shrugged wearily. “The Union has not sat idle since then. They have worked endlessly to build up their forces so they would not face the same humiliation. I’m afraid the South became rather lazy after their easy victories. But it’s more than that,” he continued. “It’s really a matter of a simple lack of resources. The Confederacy is just too big for us to defend adequately.”

He paused. “I think the South is getting the reality check that has been needed. Part of our problem is the expiration of so many short-term enlistments. We are being forced to reorganize under terribly difficult conditions.”

“Because the South was sure it would be a very short war,” Carrie stated.

Thomas nodded. “The only good that may come out of this—if it can happen in time—is what happened in the North after their early defeat. I believe the people of the South will draw new determination out of their humiliation and defeat. I believe they will discard their unthinking arrogance and prepare to see the war as it really is, not as it has been ignorantly imagined.”

Carrie tried to introduce a lighter note. “Is there any good news in the midst of all this bad?”

Thomas frowned and thought for a moment. Then he shook his head. “You are sitting in my parlor. That is the only good news I can think of.” His face softened. “I’m sorry to dump so much on you just as you have arrived.”

“Nonsense,” Carrie said immediately. “I felt isolated on the plantation. I’ve been dying to know what was going on in the rest of the world. I know now, however bad it may be.” She smiled. “And I wanted to be with my father, whom I miss very much. I’m here,” she said firmly. “I have the two things I wanted.”

Thomas smiled affectionately, then jumped when the hall clock chimed. “I’m afraid we’ve talked longer than I thought. I must leave immediately to go to the Capitol.”

He glanced quickly out the window. “The rain seems to

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have stopped for a while. I think it will begin in earnest again tonight. I have secured another carriage so you will be free to roam the city, though I urge you to be very careful. If I thought it would do any good, I would order you to stay inside where you’re safe.” He smiled. “I trust Spencer, though. I will stop on my way to the Capitol to tell him you’re in town. Would you like for me to send him up for you this afternoon?”

Carrie thought for a moment. “Tomorrow morning will be fine. A long hot bath sounds wonderful after the cold ride here. Then I’m going to bury myself in your newspapers and catch up on the world.”

The sun filtered weakly through a hazy sky as Carrie stepped into the carriage. “Good morning, Spencer.”

“Good morning, Miss Cromwell. Where to today?”

Today, she was going to visit Opal. Carrie had spent the day before just roaming the city. She had wanted to see for herself how the war was affecting Richmond. Her father had warned her that prices had risen, but she had not been prepared for what she had found. Many food items could simply not be found. Those that could had skyrocketed. Fancy dresses were non-existent. Clothing of any kind was ridiculously expensive.

Earlier that morning, she had attended church with her father, but he had gone back to the Capitol after lunch. She was on her own for the rest of the day. She gave Spencer the address and settled back against the seat.

She was deep in thought when she heard someone scream. “What was that?” she asked, as she sat up and looked around. A sudden movement to her right caught her attention. “Stop the carriage,” she ordered.

“I don’t reckon this is a good place to be right now,”

Spencer protested. “Your daddy told me to keep you safe.”

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“And I said to stop the carriage,” she ordered. She leaned forward and tried to determine where the scream had come from.

As the carriage rolled to a halt, she heard a slurred, deep voice. “Now come on, little lady. Don’t you know how to keep a soldier happy in this city?”

Carrie was horrified at what she saw. A burly soldier with a whiskered face and bloodshot eyes, obviously drunk, was holding tight to the hand of a struggling, well-dressed woman.

“Let me go!” she screamed again.

“I just need me some loving,” the soldier protested.

“Don’t you ladies around here know how to do that?” He raised his hand and reached for the top of her dress.

“No!” The lady writhed violently in her attempt to break away.

Carrie gasped and looked around desperately for some help. There was no one in sight but other women and children. “Spencer, we have to do something,” she cried.

“The police will probably be along soon, Miss Cromwell.”

Carrie was furious at the casual tone in his voice. She whirled on him. “How would you feel if it was your wife?”

she demanded.

“If it was a white soldier going after her, I don’t reckon there would be a thing I could do but watch,” he said bitterly.

Carrie jumped from the carriage. “Well, I don’t intend to watch.” She had no idea what she could do to stop the drunken soldier, but she began to run forward.

Suddenly, a large hand stopped her. “What you think you doing?” Spencer demanded.

Carrie wrenched away. “Someone has to do something,” she snapped.

Spencer rolled his eyes, resignation on his face. “I’ll stop that soldier, Miss Cromwell. Leastways, I’ll try.”

Another deep voice sounded behind him. “I’ll help him, Miss Cromwell. You go back to your carriage.”

Carrie spun around at the sound of her name. “Eddie!

You’re Eddie, aren’t you? Opal’s cousin?”

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Eddie nodded and dashed off to join Spencer. The two men approached the struggling pair.

The soldier didn’t even seem to notice that he was the center of attention. He was too drunk to care, anyway.

Suddenly, he became aware of the two black men moving toward him. With no warning, he whipped a pistol out of his belt and began to wave it wildly in the air, all the while holding on to the still screaming woman.

Carrie thought of Rose the year before. She would give anything to have her rifle now. She looked around desperately, afraid the two men trying to help were going to be seriously hurt, possibly killed, yet, they couldn’t walk away.

She jumped when a pistol shot exploded several feet behind her.

A policeman, even bigger than the inebriated soldier, rushed past her. “Take your hands off the lady, soldier boy,” he yelled. The soldier, stunned by the sound of a pistol other than his own, had already dropped the lady’s arm and was staring around stupidly. The policeman moved in quickly, secured his arms, and pocketed the pistol. “Seems to me you need some time in the city jail to cool off and dry out,” he said.

He turned to the now weeping woman. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Did he hurt you?”

The lady shook her head, struggling for control.

Carrie rushed to her side. “Are you all right?” she asked anxiously. “What a horrible thing to happen. And here in the streets of Richmond in broad daylight.”

The policeman turned to look at her. “Everyone in this city needs to be real careful, ma’am. We’re trying our hardest to keep things under control, but things have gotten out of hand. Too much alcohol and too many guns around this place.” He turned his prisoner roughly and marched away.

Carrie watched him go and turned back to the lady.

“You must be terribly shaken. My carriage is here. Can I take you somewhere?”

The lady managed a shaky smile. “That is very kind.

Where are you headed?”

“Wherever you are,” Carrie responded.

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That brought a genuine smile. “My name is Janie Winthrop, and yes, I would very much appreciate a ride.

I saw you send the two men to try and help me. Thank you,” she said, tears shining in her eyes again.

With those words, Carrie remembered Eddie. She looked around and saw him standing next to Spencer by the carriage. She took Janie’s arm and led her over.

“Thank you very much for trying to help.”

Spencer nodded gravely. “You’re welcome, Miss Cromwell,” he said, and climbed back in the carriage.

Then Carrie turned to Eddie again. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Eddie. How is everything?”

“Things be just fine, Miss Cromwell. It’s good to see you again, too.”

“We were headed to your house, Eddie. I was hoping to see Opal.”

“You won’t be finding Opal there just now, Miss Cromwell.”

“Oh?” Was that a flicker of alarm in his eyes?

Eddie shook his head. “She and Fannie have gone visiting. They won’t be home till later. I’ll tell her you asked about her, though. I’m sure she would love to see you.”

“She is doing well?” Why was she feeling uneasy? She couldn’t shake the feeling that Eddie was hiding something, yet she didn’t want to pry.

“Yes, ma’am. She be doing real well.”

Carrie nodded. “Tell her I’ll try again another time.”

She turned to Janie. “Now. Where is it you were going?”

Janie smiled. “I was on my way to visit a friend, but I seem to have lost any desire for that. I would really love to go home.”

“Of course you would,” Carrie said quickly. “Where is home?”

“I have a room in a house on Church Hill. Twenty-Second Street. Is it terribly out of your way?”

Carrie smiled. “You live only a few blocks from where I am visiting my father. My plans to visit a friend have ended, so I am going to head back home. It won’t be out of the way at all.”

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Silence fell on the carriage as Spencer clucked to the horses. As they rolled forward, Carrie shuddered, wondering what would have happened to Janie if they had not happened along. True, it had been the policeman who had saved her, but she was sure Eddie and Spencer’s presence had distracted the man from his immediate agenda. She took time now to study the woman across from her. Janie could not be more than twenty-two or twenty-three. Her slender, soft hands still shook in her lap, and her bright blue eyes were still slightly swollen.

Brown hair, once carefully pulled back in a bun, was now mussed all over her head.

Janie reached up a hand and straightened her hat.

Then she lifted her shoulders, and when she spoke, the tremor was gone from her voice. It was at once calm and slightly cheerful. “I am really most grateful for what you’ve done. There were other people around, but you were the only one to step forward to try to help. At first I felt angry toward the people who merely watched, but now I find I feel nothing but pity. I hope I never reach the place where I am so hardened that I could watch such a thing, even if it meant my own safety could be in jeopardy.”

Carrie nodded. “I couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t done something to help.” She leaned forward. “Are you from Richmond, Miss Winthrop?”

“Please, call me Janie. I shall call you Carrie. Surely your helping to save me should move us beyond formalities.” She waited for Carrie’s nod, then continued.

“No, I’m not from Richmond. The war has brought me here from Raleigh, North Carolina.”

“The war brought you here?”

Janie nodded. “I understood there was need of medical help here. I arrived just after the Battle of Bull Run, but I have chosen to stay. I am helping to prepare Chimborazo Hospital.” She paused. “I am trusting my instincts that you are not another Southerner who believes a woman in a military hospital is a shameful thing because of the atrocities against our feminine delicacy that abound in such a setting.”

Carrie smiled. She had known instantly this was a woman she could be friends with, and she had been right.

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“I think that’s wonderful. I understand Dr. McCaw has big plans for the place.” She and her father had discussed it just the night before.

“Yes, he does,” Janie said enthusiastically. “He is a wonderful man. It is exciting to work with him.” Again she paused, and then laughed merrily. “Not that I’m doing much of what I would call real nursing. The men who run the place seem to think the few women there can be best utilized cleaning and cooking. Matron Pember tells me I must be patient.” Carrie looked at her blankly. “Matron Pember came to us from Georgia. She is the head matron in charge of one of the divisions. She keeps telling me it is going to be women who save the day for Confederate medical care. She believes that soon all the men will be on the battlefront. Then women will get the chance to show what they can do.”

Since Carrie had not gotten far from home when the unpleasant incident had occurred, the carriage was already approaching Twenty-Second Street. She leaned forward impulsively. “I know you’ve had a harrowing experience, but I would love to have you join me for some tea. Would you care to?”

Janie’s eyes lighted. “That would be lovely, Carrie. I really am feeling much better. I have learned one has to be tough to survive in Richmond now.”

Carrie frowned. “It has not always been like this. There was a time when a lady was perfectly safe to roam the streets at will.”

Spencer spoke up from the driver’s seat. “That time ain’t now, though, Miss Cromwell.” He turned as the carriage rolled up in front of the house. “I’ll be around back when Miss Winthrop be ready to go home. You just give me a call.”

“Thank you, Spencer,” Carrie said as she led the way up the walk and into the house.

There was no more talk until Micah had delivered hot tea and biscuits.

Then Janie turned to Carrie. “Did you know that black man who tried to help your driver?”

Carrie nodded. “He is the cousin by marriage of one of my father’s slaves. I was on my way to visit her.”

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Janie looked at her quizzically, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, then shut it again.

Carrie smiled. If this was going to be a friendship worth having, and she sensed it was, she needed to be honest from the first. “Opal, Eddie’s cousin, is not just my slave. She is a friend. I visit her whenever I’m in town.”

Janie looked at her closely. “You are friends with your slaves?”

“My father’s slaves,” Carrie corrected. “I’m one of those evidently rare Southerners who believes slavery is wrong.

I find my views make me extremely unpopular with some people, especially during these times.”

“Yet, you are so open with me. Why?” Janie asked bluntly.

Carrie chose honesty again. “Because I sense you and I could be good friends. I’d just as soon be open from the start. If my beliefs repulse you, it could save us both a lot of time.”

Janie laughed. “You’re right. You and I are going to be good friends. I have found no one in this city as refreshingly honest as you. And, no, your beliefs hardly repulse me. I feel the same way you do. I, too, have lost friends because of my beliefs.”

Carrie smiled in delight and moved forward to squeeze Janie’s hand.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze of conversation and laughter, until finally, Janie looked at the clock.

“Oh my goodness, I really must be going. My landlady will think something horrible has happened.” She paused. “I would love for you to come for tea tomorrow.

Where I live is not as grand as this—I have only a room—

but I would love for you to come.”

“And I would love to do so,” Carrie said, delighted.

She walked out to the carriage with her new friend, waved goodbye, and then returned to the porch. She smiled as she stared up at the darkening sky. “Thank you,” she whispered. Her heart was light as she went inside. She had been so lonely for a friend. She knew she had found one.

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Carrie was resting by the fire when the front door slammed open and her father strode in. She knew instantly something was wrong. “Father!” she exclaimed.

“What is it?”

Thomas scowled and threw his hat into the nearest chair. “I want you here in Richmond, Carrie.”

Carrie stuffed down her alarm and tried to be casual.

“I am in Richmond,” she said with a smile. Her father’s scowl did not diminish.

“It’s simply not safe for you on the plantation.”

Carrie was confused. “What are you talking about?”

She tried to keep her voice calm.

“I’m talking about the confirmed intelligence we received today. We have heard rumors that McClellan had plans to take Richmond, but there has been no action on his part. I had begun to believe the Union was going to focus their efforts elsewhere and leave us alone.”

“You no longer believe that?”

Thomas shook his head. “Lincoln is getting impatient for action. There has begun to be a great deal of criticism leveled at his administration, as well as at McClellan, for doing nothing with the huge army sitting outside of Washington. Our sources tell us something will have to happen soon.”

“What does McClellan plan to do?” Carrie asked carefully. If she could keep him talking, she knew it would diffuse some of the stress exploding within him.

Thomas sighed and leaned back in his chair for the first time. “No one knows for sure, but reports say he is planning an offensive on the coast and then overland to Richmond.” He frowned again. “That would take him right past the plantation, Carrie. I simply cannot allow you to return there.”

Carrie struggled to control herself. She had to give her father time to calm down. As much as part of her yearned to be in Richmond, she also knew she had to return to

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Cromwell Plantation. It wasn’t time yet. “No one knows for sure what he is going to do, do they?”

“No,” Thomas admitted, “but I’m sure President Davis is going to order Johnston back to the vicinity of Richmond. We simply cannot lose the Capitol!”

Carrie hated conflict with her father when he was upset, but she knew she had to face this now, before he assumed she was in agreement with him. “No one knows for sure what the North is going to do. It could be nothing.

It could be McClellan decides to attack from a different direction.” She paused. “Regardless, no one can move an army that size without being detected. Am I right?”

Thomas nodded reluctantly, opening his mouth as if to interrupt, but Carrie pushed on. “The plantation is only three hours from the Capitol. In case of danger, you will be able to notify me.” Her voice became firm. “I am returning to the plantation, Father. I’m sorry if you will worry about me, but I have a job to do. We have talked about this before. I am no longer a little girl. I promised you I would leave the plantation if things became too dangerous. So far there is only talk, but I will promise you again.” She leaned forward, looked him in the eyes, and spoke softly but firmly. “I will leave the plantation if it becomes too dangerous. I promise.”

Thomas sighed and shook his head. “I didn’t really expect to have my way.”

His look of resignation and agony tore at Carrie’s heart, but she felt she was doing the only thing she could.

Carrie prepared to leave Richmond one week later. She had already told her father goodbye before he left for the office, and Janie had just arrived to see her off.

“You’re really not afraid to be on the plantation by yourself?” Janie asked.

Carrie shrugged. “I try not to think about it. I just know I have to go back.” She and Janie had talked it through already, and she knew Janie was just making

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 864

conversation to avoid saying goodbye. Carrie stepped forward and gave her new friend a big hug. “Take good care of yourself.” Then she stepped into the carriage.

Janie waved until she was out of sight.

Carrie could not remember a time when it had been so hard to return to the plantation. Janie was the first friend her age, other than Rose, who she felt truly understood and accepted her for all she was. She had shared with Janie her dream of being a doctor. Her friend had done nothing but encourage her ever since. She had told of her heartache with Robert. Janie had shared secrets as well.

They had agreed to exchange letters, but still it wouldn’t be the same. They had spent time together every day since they first met. She would miss Janie sorely.

Carrie shook her head and tried to force her thoughts back to the plantation. It would soon be time to start plowing and planting the fields. She had a job to do. She was determined to do it well.

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 865