The Lady and the Officer by Mary Ellis Read Free Book Online

leaving town at daybreak, please come to supper tomorrow night. You may also bring your staff. We have food to cook and eat that won’t travel well.” The minister beamed at Mrs. Howard and then at him.
    James spoke without a moment’s hesitation. “Yes, I accept. Thank you.”
    Climbing the steps, she angled a smile over her shoulder. “Before tomorrow night, I’ll assess the weather, observe the harvest, and eavesdrop on the neighbors. I shall be ready for you, sir.” She entered the house and let the screen door slam behind her.
    James was left speechless in Cashtown once again.

    Madeline awoke with an odd sense of confusion for the third morning in a row. She glanced around the austere furnishings of the Bennett guest room trying to regain her bearings. The memory of her home burning to the ground returned with a bit less pain than the previous two days.
    When God closes one door, He opens another.
    She wondered about her mother’s favorite saying in light of her recent acquaintance with General Downing. Would he be her newly opened door? How could he be? The Union Army would only be in Pennsylvania as long as Confederate troops remained on Northern soil. Then the general and his corps would undoubtedly go to where the war took them, while she remained in Adams County where she’d lived her entire life.
    But where exactly would she live? Certainly not in her cobwebby, mice-infested barn. And she couldn’t live here when the Bennetts moved to Gettysburg. Not for the first time in life Madeline yearned for brothers and sisters. A large family provided a place to go when disaster struck, or at least someone to lend a sympathetic ear with well-intentioned advice. Her parents’ untimely deaths had left her bereft of close relatives. Madeline thought back to happy childhood summers when her mother took her to visit her sister in Virginia. How she’d enjoyed playing hide-and-seek with her younger cousin, Eugenia. But angry words between the two brothers-in-law had put an end to their yearly visit.
    Shaking off pointless reminiscences, Madeline washed, dressed, and headed downstairs to be useful. After all, with any luck she would see General Downing again tonight.
    â€œGood morning, my dear.” Mrs. Bennett’s smile couldn’t get any brighter. “Did you sleep well?”
    â€œLike a lamb. What can I help you with, ma’am?”
    â€œThere will be plenty of time for work. Sit. Try my cornbread and tell me your plans,” Mrs. Bennett said invitingly as she filled two porcelain cups with coffee.
    Madeline laughed with little humor. “I was just pondering my limited options while getting dressed.”
    Mrs. Bennett set a plate of cornbread in front of her along with her coffee. “Don’t think you wouldn’t be welcome with us. Every able pair ofhands can be put to good use at the hospital. Mr. Bennett has already ridden there to work, but he’ll return in time for supper.”
    â€œWhen will you join him in Gettysburg?” Madeline asked as she slathered her bread with warm butter.
    â€œDay after the morrow. But he’ll seek permanent accommodations for us and apply for a position at the seminary. Cashtown residents won’t have money to rebuild their church for many years. You may live with us once we find a house.”
    Madeline knew this poor woman in a faded dress with one cloak to her name didn’t need another mouth to feed. “You are so kind, ma’am, but I decided to write to my favorite aunt. I’ve always been fond of her and she of me. I know that under the circumstances she will insist I make my home with them.”
    â€œ Your aunt? ” Mrs. Bennett sounded skeptical. “You haven’t spoken of her in many years.”
    â€œAunt Clarisa and Uncle John live in Richmond.”
    Mrs. Bennett’s disbelief changed to shock. “Richmond is the capital of the Confederacy! You would