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

nervously patted down her hair and wiped a drop of sweat from her lip.
    The minister greeted the officers at the front door, ushering them into the parlor amid a flurry of handshaking and introductions. Madeline stuck to the wall like new wallpaper. General Downing had brought two lieutenants along with the insufferable Major Henry.
    â€œGood evening, Mrs. Howard,” the general said. “I apologize for our tardiness.” He removed his hat and closed the distance between them. “We received last-minute dispatches that required our attention.”
    â€œThink nothing of it. I’m… we’re pleased you were able to join us.”
    â€œShall we be seated?” Mrs. Bennett said as she bustled past with the platter of chicken. “I know you gentlemen must be hungry.”
    General Downing offered his elbow for the short walk to the dining room. When Madeline took his arm, the officers nodded respectfully as she walked by. All except for Major Henry.
    â€œMrs. Howard, you sit there, between the lieutenants—a rose between thorns.” Mrs. Bennett pointed at the opposite chair. “General Downing can sit here, across from you and next to me. The major and my husband will take the foot and head and shall be in charge of passing bowls.” She hurried out for the rest of the meal.
    When Madeline followed her to help, Mrs. Bennett ordered her back to the dining room. With five pairs of eyes on her, she sat down at the table feeling like a child. She noticed the table had been set with the Bennetts’ finest china and an Irish handmade cloth. The lace had been repaired several times, but in the flickering candlelight the room looked lovely.
    â€œDon’t be shy, boys,” said Reverend Bennett. “Let’s start on these biscuits.” He took one for himself and handed the basket to his left.
    Madeline spent the next few minutes buttering every nook and cranny of her biscuit, not daring to meet the general’s eye. When Mrs. Bennett returned with a tray of side dishes, the conversation turned to compliments about the fare as bowls changed hands and plates were filled.
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Bennett, for your hospitality,” said General Downing. “It’s been a long time since we dined at such a bounteous table.”
    â€œHear, hear,” chimed two of the soldiers.
    Mrs. Bennett blushed like a schoolgirl with the praise. “It’s our duty and pleasure to feed our soldiers in blue.”
    â€œIs there any word when the army will move out?” asked Reverend Bennett. “You still have much to do in town, I would imagine.” He placed a second piece of chicken on his plate.
    â€œWe’re awaiting orders from the commander,” General Downing said, glancing in Madeline’s direction.
    Major Henry slid three pieces of chicken from the platter and announced, “General Meade seems to suffer from the same malady as General McClelland—a bad case of hesitancy. Let’s hope it’s not terminal.”
    The lieutenants chuckled even as the general cleared his throat.
    Ignoring the subtle warning, the major attacked a chicken leg as though the enemy had arrived. “We could have ended this war if we had been allowed to follow Lee. We could have struck while his divisions were disorganized.”
    With a fork paused midway to his mouth, General Downing glared at his chief of staff. “Perhaps the commander has information you are not privy to, Major. And regardless of the situation at headquarters, let’s not spoil the evening for Reverend and Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Howard with talk of the war.”
    â€œBegging the pardon of the ladies,” Major Henry said, nodding solely in the direction of the minister’s wife.
    To fulfill his request for local news, Madeline had come up with several witty comments about the July weather and discovered news about a parishioner who just bore twins. But Major Henry’s thinly