The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 58

“Miz Natalie,” Carolina said, hesitation in her voice. “Harriet wants to know if she ought to make up some sandwiches for the soldiers befo’ they head out.”

“Of course not,” Eunice said before Natalie could answer, her tone indignant. “We can’t spare a morsel of food now that the grain barn has been destroyed.” Her accusing eyes landed on the corporal. “I’m still not entirely convinced those Bluecoats didn’t have a hand in it. It would not surprise me if they bribed that Jezro to do it, just to keep the attention off the true culprits.”

Corporal Banks’ brow furrowed, but he remained silent.

“Carolina,” Natalie said, determined not to let her overbearing cousin make decisions that were hers alone to make. “Please ask Harriet to use the bread she baked yesterday and what’s left of the ham in the smoke house to feed the soldiers. While Cousin Eunice is correct—we will need to begin rationing immediately—we also can’t neglect the very men who helped save the barns and who are even now going in search of the man responsible.”

Natalie watched the couple retreat in the direction they’d come from.

“Perhaps we should go inside to discuss the news I have discovered,” Alexander said, glancing at the handful of soldiers who still remained in the yard. Levi was nowhere to be seen.

Exhausted by everything that had happened, Natalie agreed, needing the tranquility of her favorite room in Rose Hill Manor to help sort things out. She allowed him to lead her inside, wishing she could send Eunice away while Alexander revealed whatever it was that had him upset. She couldn’t imagine anything he’d learned about Levi would change her feelings. She loved him. When the dust settled from all the events of the past twenty-four hours, she would explain about Alexander and her fears for the future, and, if she were brave enough, admit her love for him.

When the two women were settled on the parlor sofa, Alexander stood near the ornate fireplace and took a deep breath.

“I am sorry I must bear such disturbing news, Natalie.” His dark eyes conveyed his distress. “Suffice it to say, my concern is only for you.”

“Please, Alexander.” Natalie was ready to have this conversation over with. “Tell me.”

He nodded, frowning. “I have just come from Austin, where I ran into an old friend. We enjoyed a good visit, discussing the many changes in Texas. When he learned I had business at Rose Hill, he shared a most interesting tale.”

Natalie’s patience thinned. “Such as?”

“Because he is a Tejano and a respected business owner, the Union Army General—Granger, I believe his name is—has sought my friend’s advice on many occasions over the last weeks. Just a few days ago, Colonel Maish met with the general, and my friend was there. Later, when he asked about the colonel, he was told of the man’s fierceness in battle, and how countless Confederates died by his hand.”

Natalie shuddered. She didn’t want to hear stories from the war. She and everyone else in the country still struggled to put the pain it wrought behind them. “He fought for the North, Alexander. That is no secret. What he did in those battles is between him and God, the same as any other soldier, including my husband. I don’t see how this information has anything to do with me.”

“You once told me your husband died at Manassas Junction at the hands of a Yankee officer on horseback.”

“Yes.” A knot of trepidation began to form in her belly.

Satisfaction flashed across his face before he grew sober again. “Maish was in that battle, as a captain. He received his promotion to colonel because he boldly rode into the fighting, killing dozens of Confederate soldiers with his saber as he went.”

The implications of the story settled over Natalie like a dark, ominous cloud.

Alexander knelt before her and took her hands in his, his eyes showing his deep concern. “There is a strong possibility, my dear Natalie, that Colonel Maish is the very man who murdered your husband.”

She stared at him, unable to believe it. Surely Alexander’s friend was wrong. Of course, Natalie knew Levi had killed men, Southern men. War forced a man to do things he would never do otherwise. She thought back to the night they sat on the porch swing together. He’d asked about George’s death, and she’d conveyed to him the same details she’d disclosed to Alexander several months ago. If Levi had been in that battle, he would have mentioned it, she was certain.

A sound from the foyer drew her attention.

Levi filled the parlor doorway a moment later. When she met his solemn gaze, what she saw in his eyes sent a chill racing through her, ending when it reached her heart and the tender shoot of love that had just begun to blossom.

He’d heard Alexander’s accusations.

And he wasn’t there to deny them.

Levi hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but when he’d come in search of Natalie and heard Lopez use his name, he’d stood outside the parlor, listening. Everything the Tejano said was true, of course. When he’d learned how and where George Ellis died, he’d wondered the same thing Lopez seemed certain of. Had he killed Natalie’s husband, Samuel’s father? They would never know, but the look of betrayal shining in her eyes now, staring at him as though he’d slain Ellis there in the parlor, sufficiently snuffed out any hope he had of explaining himself.

“Is it true?” She stood, her voice full of distress.

Lopez rose to his feet, a sneer on his face when Levi glanced at him.

“That I was in the battle at Manassas Junction? Yes, I was there.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lopez and Eunice stared at him, satisfaction in their eyes.

“I believe this is a conversation we should have in private.”

“Absolutely not.” Lopez stepped closer to Natalie. “I will not allow the man who may very well be responsible for making her