The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 53
A noise came from the trees lining the lane.
Natalie stood, listening, poised to grab the gun and dash inside.
“Mrs. Ellis, it’s Colonel Maish.” His hushed call came through the darkness.
Colonel Maish?
Her body practically sagged with relief when he came into view. It truly was him. As if dreaming, she watched him dismount, tie the reins to the porch rail, and then climb the steps, his eyes never leaving her.
“Corporal Banks told me what happened.” His voice was gentle and full of concern. “I came the moment I heard.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. More than anything, she wanted to fall into his arms and let him hold her, protect her, love her. She was tired of being strong. She was tired of being alone.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” When she shook her head, he glanced around the dark yard. “We will assign more men to your plantation tomorrow. I don’t expect Jezro to return, but I will feel better when there is a stronger military presence on the premises. At least until the man is caught.”
“You plan to pursue him?” This news surprised her.
“Of course. He assaulted you, Mrs. Ellis. The Union Army will do everything possible to ensure your protection.”
“Corporal Banks was incredibly helpful. I hope you’ll convey my appreciation to him. I’m afraid between my own emotions and those of my cousin, he had his hands full.”
“I’m sorry. We should have taken more care to keep an eye on the workers.” He shook his head. “This is my fault.”
“You couldn’t have known something like this would happen.”
“I should’ve anticipated it and taken measures to prevent it. That’s my job. You and everyone else at Rose Hill are my responsibility while the Union Army works here.”
The words stung. Was that how he saw her? A temporary responsibility?
“Why did you come?” She turned away, hurt and vulnerable. “You could have waited until morning to check on your responsibilities.”
He closed the gap between them with purposeful strides. She saw his feet just inches from the hem of her skirt. When she didn’t look up, he gently lifted her face until their eyes met and held.
“I came because I had to know you were safe.”
The softly spoken, honest words washed over her like spring raindrops, filling her with hope. “I am now,” she whispered.
With more tenderness than she dared imagine, he lowered his mouth to hers. Her eyes closed, savoring the feel of his lips, tasting, then possessing hers. When his hands moved to capture her face, she leaned into him, aware of only her desperate need to be in this man’s arms.
Far sooner than she wished, he lifted his head, separating their lips but still cradling her face with his warm hands. She opened her eyes to find his dark gaze studying her.
“That was unexpected,” he said, his voice husky.
With reluctance, she nodded and took a step back. His hands fell away. “Very.”
The corner of his mouth tipped. “But nice.”
“Very.” Her face warmed with his smile.
Looking out into the starlit night, he sighed. “It gets complicated from here.”
When he looked at her again, she saw his longing ran as deep as her own. “Yes, but it doesn’t have to be impossible, does it, Colonel?”
His eyes crinkled. “After a kiss like that, don’t you think we should dispense with formalities, Natalie?”
“I quite agree … Levi.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
He cupped her cheek, his thumb smoothing her skin. “Are you willing to explore this? To see where it leads? If you are, there are things you need to know.”
Before she could answer, a distant noise in the still night—was that glass shattering?—made Levi straighten. Had it come from the quarter? The barns?
“What was that?” Natalie asked, her heart thrumming against her ribs. Had Jezro returned?
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Reaching for the lantern, he said, “I’m going to wake my men. You go inside and lock the door.”
“I’d rather come with you,” she whispered, suddenly more afraid of the dark than she’d been as a child. “We can wake Moses and Harriet. She can stay with Samuel.”
“All right.”
Levi reached for her hand. When his strong fingers closed over hers, he gave them a squeeze. Together they hurried along the porch that surrounded the lower floor of the house. When they arrived at the walkway to the kitchen, Levi stopped. He jerked his head up and sniffed the air.
She did the same. Smoke! Far stronger than a simple cook fire in the quarter would produce. Something was burning.
“Get Moses!” He pushed the lantern into her hands and sprinted to the bachelor’s quarters.
While he roused his men, Natalie hurried to the kitchen. Thankfully, Moses had not locked that door.
“Moses! Harriet!” she hollered up the narrow stairs. “There’s a fire! Come, quick!”
She didn’t wait to see if the couple awoke but rushed back outside. The smoke was heavier now and hung in the still night air.
“It looks like one of the smaller barns is ablaze.” Levi ran toward her. “Have Moses wake the others and bring buckets. We’ll lose all the barns if we can’t put out the fire.”
He was gone an instant later, tearing across the lawn with the two privates trailing, both tugging on shirts as they ran.
“Miz Natalie!” Moses hurried from the kitchen, Harriet following close.
“The grain barn is on fire. Levi and his men have gone to put it out. We’ll need everyone’s help and all the buckets you can find.”
Moses tore off toward the quarter.
“We got buckets out by the garden,” Harriet said, already on the move in that direction.
Natalie flew into the house. She had to see Samuel’s sleeping