ROSEDALE IN APRIL
Chapter Fourteen

Rated NC-17 for Content

The full luminescent moon still held center stage refusing to relinquish its universal starring role to the early morning sun. In a stand of treetops, dozing peacocks and roosters were perched high and safe from the ominous threat of predators. On a hilltop in the far distance, a pack of wild dogs howled their mournful songs to the perpetual beaming globe of night. Nocturnal raccoons scampered through Rosedale’s corn patch like black masked bandits squalling at possums in nature’s struggle for survival of the fittest. On Caddo Lake, as alligators slithered through her black waters, a flock of loons sang their haunting tunes warning unsuspecting fowl of the imminent danger lurking nearby. Thick vines of climbing moonflowers and azure morning glories unfurled their fragrant blossoms catching the last glimpse of starlight before shriveling after the first hint of dawn’s dew. Despite the bleak darkness, intermittent flares of candles and kerosene lamps peaked out every other window in the neat rows of slave huts heralding the first actual evidence of human alertness anxiously preparing for the binding vows at dusk of two of their own.

Union Army Captain Jack Dalton was roused out of a deep peaceful slumber with a sudden jarring of the massive bed followed by a low tirade of feminine swearing. Raising up on an elbow, he drowsily cocked a dark inquisitive brow at the copper headed spitfire down on her hands and knees frantically hunting for an elusive object in vain under the elevated mattress.

"Damnation and hellfire…where is that other shoe?" Rose exasperatedly declared.

"What are you doing now, Rose? Why it’s not even dawn yet! Come back to bed like a good little girl!" Jack silkily insisted.

"No time, Captain Dalton! I have a million things to do today and not enough time! Lizzie is getting married this evening and she needs my help making everything perfect. Now either go back to sleep or help me find my damn shoe!"

Jack chuckled deep down in his chest at her impatience and unladylike cursing. He could just imagine her working in a bawdy saloon somewhere with that voluptuous body and tantalizing foul mouth! Shaking his tousled head in wry amusement, he lithely sprang out of bed and began intently searching with her. In what seemed like only seconds, he held the lost article up and teasingly exclaimed, "Is this it?"

"Oh thank you, Captain!" Restlessly snatching the shoe from his outstretched hand, Rose spontaneously albeit appreciatively kissed him on the cheek before flouncing down into a chair to slip it on a tiny bare foot. Jumping up, she yanked down her full skirts and skipped off across the room. At the door, she abruptly stopped and whirled around, "Captain, I need to borrow Tommy and Fabrizio today. Can you spare them?"

Jack turned as green as Rose’s emerald eyes. Desperately trying to hide the flared nostrils and the harshness in his tone, he relented enough to answer her beseeching request. "Sure, I guess. Can I be of any assistance?"

"You really wouldn’t mind, Captain? There’s a list a country mile long and if you’re willing and able, Nanny and I would deeply appreciate a strong back. There’s no work today in the fields and we have to hurry to get the plantation’s chapel ready. There’ll be at least a hundred guests with all the workers and their families. Let’s see, there’s decorations to make, food to be prepared, chairs and tables to move and arrange, a couple of pigs to slaughter…oh, want to help Sam bar-b-q some hogs, Captain?"

"No…I think I’ll pass on the swine killing, Rose! But if you think of anything else a little less bloody, I’ll be glad to lend a helping hand. I’ve seen my share of blood and gore to last a lifetime lately!" Jack disdainfully rejected her teasing suggestion.

"Well, I’m sure there’s plenty of other things a big, muscular, strapping man like yourself can do…now get out of bed before the roosters crow and that damnable bugle boy of yours blasts us into next week! By the way, Captain, is that the only tune the lad can play? It’s so boring and redundant!"

"Perhaps you’d prefer he play ‘Dixie’?" Jack sarcastically flung.

"Can he? That’d really be nice! Yes, Dixie it is then! Thanks, Captain Dalton…I’ll make known my request!"

Slinging his boot at the teasing hellion, Jack lowly chuckled and listened as her musical laughter muffled on the other side of the door as she escaped down the stairs. Sinking back into the goose down pillows, Jack closed his gleaming blue eyes and slung an arm across his face. Yet, he suddenly felt so alone and the bed became increasingly too large and hard…even to the point of being downright uncomfortable! Unable to cope with the disturbing notion, he disgustingly threw back the covers and relented by getting dressed for the day.

Later as he was descending the double sweeping staircase, Jack heard Nanny hollering and fussing loud enough to wake the dead. "Come back dere, Miz Rose. Youse sits down and eats yo’ breakfast likes a lady! Come on back, yo’ hear…come on! Umpf…umpf…umpf."

"No, Nanny, I don’t want to! Besides, I’m not hungry right now!" As a streak of copper lightning bolted down the hallway nearly colliding into the Yankee Captain, yet not even stopping long enough to make her apologies.

Nanny stood puffed up like a banty rooster with flour dusted hands braced on broad apron hips. "Dat girl acting like a spoiled brat…never minds her Nanny…Iza gonna switch her goods when she gits back in dere!" Out the corner of a baleful eye, Nanny espied the Yankee Captain snickering under his breath. But she wasn’t through with her tantrum yet and this was just the culprit to redirect some of that anger on. For if it hadn’t been for that sweet Sergeant Ryan the first night the soldiers arrived at Rosedale, she’d already made known her boiling displeasure at the trashy way he was treating her coddled honey chile. "Come on in dere, Cap’un Yankee…I gotza a leather strap jest itchin’ to be used on somebody…and youse needs it mo’ than Miz Rose do!"

"Sorry, Nanny. Catch you later…got chores to attend to and men to order around. I’ll be back later to help you with your baking…how’s that sound? And maybe you’ll allow me to escort you to the wedding ceremony this evening? A lady needs a proper escort." Jack charmingly soothed trying to squelch and soften the black woman’s blatant ire.

"Cap’un Yankee…dis should bees a double weddin’…if yo’ knows what Iz means. I thinks youse will sits by me tonight. Yassaw, sonny boy…I sho’ nuf gotz me a ax to grind wid chu! So bees ready fo youse comeuppance!"

Gallantly bowing and tipping his hat, Jack smoothly replied, "The day can’t pass swift enough, Mistress Nanny."

And Jack hastily spun around, tucked tail, and ran. Stepping outside onto the raised verandah, the plantation grounds were already verily bustling with activity. Rose was darting from one side of the yard to the other, pointing and directing like an accomplished field commander. Lanterns were being strung up in the ancient tree limbs and a deep pit was being dug to roast the hogs for the wedding supper. Even some of his own soldiers were up in the trees hanging decorations and following each and every order that the enchanting mistress of Rosedale requested. "No, not that limb…that one…too high…too low!"

Damn, you would think they were decorating Christmas trees! And to top it off, Fabrizio, the whipped pup, was ridiculously picking baskets of wildflowers of all things like a besotted little wimp! And was that Tommy gathering up pecans, cracking and shelling them like a hen pecked idiot? With a silly grin pasted on his countenance popping every other nut into his mouth? Shit! What the hell…they were Union soldiers for God’s sake…didn’t they have an ounce of honorable male pride? Nonetheless, Jack was never able to keep Rose in his desirous sights for long. She literally seemed to have ants in her shimmies…never standing in one spot but for a wink of his appreciative starved eyes.

Noon arrived with the sweet delicious mouth watering smells of cakes, cookies, pies, and pastries wafting throughout the manor house. Jack hadn’t eaten breakfast and his stomach was loudly growling in protest. Sauntering into the kitchen, he mischievously tried to steal a sugar cookie, which promptly awarded him with a stinging swat on his backside from a grumbling black Nanny. "Git Cap’un Yankee! Git fore Iza gits me a peach switch to dat sweet hind end of youse!"

Jack’s mouth flew open in shock, blushing ten shades of scarlet. This time it was Nanny’s turn to blatantly snicker at the Captain’s obvious embarrassment. "All right…all right…I’m leaving but not before…" as he sneakily swiped up a handful of cookies before sprinting for the door just out of reach of a wet towel popping a mere inch from his retreating bottom!

Upstairs, Rose was helping Liz prepare for the grandest day of a girl’s life. Lizzie had already bathed in rose scented water and her dark black hair was twisted up on top of her head with pearl studded pins. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Rose was diligently arranging flowers for the bridal bouquet. Yellow daffodils, gardenias, baby’s breath, Easter lilies, and English ivy were gathered in a vase awaiting their special place. She had already entwined yellow Carolina jasmine into a garland to wear in her own red locks. Of course, Lizzie was to adorn the dainty white lace veil that Rose had purchased in Jefferson as a gift for the momentous occasion. A simple yet elegant white gossamer empire waist flowing wedding gown with short puff sleeves hung on the armoire door. A pale yellow dotted Swiss dress with cotton eyelet edging was thrown over a chair to be donned by Liz’s maid of honor, her dear sister Rose.

But poor Lizzie was skittish as a newborn colt and couldn't seem to sit still for a full minute. Nervously wringing her slender hands, tucking an invisible wayward strand of hair back into place, pacing like a caged animal, then sitting for just an instant before starting the routine all over again. After what seemed like the hundredth time, Rose raised an amused brow.

"Liz, sit down and relax…you’re gonna be exhausted before we even make it to the church!" Rose teasingly chided.

"Iza skered, Miz Rose!" Lizzie nervously stammered.

"Whatever for, Liz? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?"

"It’s not dat…I loves my Charles wid all my heart but…"

"But what, Liz?" Rose curiously interjected.

With a furrowed brow, Lizzie dropped her eyes to the floor and haltingly explained. "Iz knows how dat Cap’un Daw’un hurts youse dat first night. He nearly rips you apart and…Iz sees all dat blood!"

Flabbergasted at her sister’s fear and hesitation, Rose encircled a comforting arm around the frightened girl and tried to soothe any future misgivings. "That’s different, dear sister! Charles loves you and he’ll be tender and gentle…I promise! I’ve had a talk with the lucky fellow and he worships and adores you Liz! He’s assured me that he’ll treat you like a princess! So don’t you worry your pretty little head! You and Charles will make beautiful babies together! And lots of them, too!"

"Do it stills hurt, Miz Rose? When da Cap’un…does dat?"

"Only my pride, Liz. You see, Captain Dalton takes me out of simple lust, not in spiritual love. I mean, we satisfy each other as lovers physically…all too well…but I find myself wanting more from him. Needing more and I know it’ll never be. I’m just his temporary whore while he’s at Rosedale…nothing else…nothing more."

"Miz Rose, dat jest breaks my heart…youse of all peoples deserves true love."

"You know, Lizzie…we can’t control our destiny. We have to accept what fate allows us. Not everybody is fortunate enough to marry their own special soul mate…like you and Charles. So be grateful and blissfully happy because both of your lives will never be the same after today."

Secretly standing on the other side of the slightly ajar door, Jack closed guilt-ridden eyes and blanched a sickly shade of white. A huge lump formed in his constricted throat and a curtain of shame lowered over his dark troubled conscience. Taking a deep breath, Jack knew he had to leave before really messing things up, therefore silently slipped back down the stairs undetected. "Miz Rose, you is a hero arounds here. You knows dat don’t chu? Even ifn by being dat Yankee man’s bed pardner."

"You’ve got to be joking, Lizzie. Let me tell you about a real heroine. Your mother Rose…my namesake...the ultimate Texas legend!"

"My mother, Miz Rose? I knows hardly nuthin’ bout hers ceptin dat youse was named fo her. She’s been passed on so long ago, I cans barely remember her sweet face!"

"I know, Liz and it’s about time you heard your own family’s heroic legacy. And I can’t think of a more appropriate time than as you start your new life as Charles’ wife. Something to pass down to your own children about their famous grandmother. Just don’t tell Nanny that you know! She’d thrash me good for telling you, she’s so stuffy sometimes! But seriously, Liz, your Mamma was someone to be very proud of. Now come sit down beside me and let me tell you the tale…for once upon a time, there was a beautiful young woman named Rose Anna Burnet. You remember your Texas history lesson that I’ve taught you regarding the Battle of San Jacinto and our fight for independence from Mexico?"

Lizzie nodded her dark head suddenly curious of the coming revelation of a long deceased mother that had always been such an elusive mystery. Crossing their legs, both young women sat in the middle of the over sized soft bed like little girls sharing secrets at a slumber party.

"As you recall, the rag tag Texan army led by General Sam Houston was vastly outnumbered by Santa Anna’s powerful military force. It was March of 1836, when all hell broke loose for the Texas patriots. The Mexicans had captured and marched out Colonel Fannin’s men at Goliad and shot them all by firing squad with only a handful fortunate enough to escape. And, of course, everyone remembers the Alamo at San Antonio. March sixth, a day that will live in infamy, all one hundred eighty-five heroic men were viciously annihilated and their bodies stacked in layers of wood, then a huge blaze was lit and they burned to ashes…all on the orders of that bastard Santa Anna! The Texans were given no quarter…of course, they wouldn’t have accepted any even if it’d been granted in the first place. In fact, Travis had written a last sublime appeal for help phrased in language forceful and dramatic which read, "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World…we shall never surrender or retreat…VICTORY OR DEATH!" In my mind, I can just see Travis, Bowie, Bonham, and Crockett flipping the entire Mexican army the middle finger in contempt as they scornfully hollered from atop the mission’s walls…come and take it! You Santanista bastardos! You remember that story, Lizzie?"

Liz couldn’t help but hilariously cackle at her sister’s comical animation, the way her green eyes dreamily danced as if she had been there all those years ago herself! Of course, Lizzie adamantly refused to believe that the honorable Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis or the other Texas heroes at the doomed Alamo would actually succumb to such vulgar gestures. But nevertheless, Rose just had an uncanny natural ability for story telling that made a person want to believe her outrageous fantasies! Rose literally captured people’s attention and held them spellbound, hanging on to her very last word. Lizzie could just imagine her talented mistress as an accomplished stage actress performing for entranced audiences across the country. A wonderful gift of gab and a magnifying persona that mystically drew people to her…charisma at its best!

"Yes’sum, Miz Rose. It was terrible, dey was all kilt but dey was brave and never gave up! Even thoughs dey was so outnumbered, dey fought and died honorably as heroes."

"That’s right. They are heroes. March the sixth was an awful black sad day in Texas history. But then April arrived, my most favorite month of the year, and a spring for miracles. Despite the grief, despite the atrocious perils that swept the new born republic, God looked down smiling and declared, I have seen your suffering, my children, and I will deliver you! And he did, he really did! For it was April twenty-first on the banks of the San Jacinto River near Harrisburg, General Houston and his small army came across Santa Anna and his massive army camped out on the prairie surrounded by flooded swamps with no escape possible. From the lay of the treacherous terrain, there was no possible retreat for either army…so it was to be a fight to the death. Victory or death…the only plausible options. From a distance of a mere three-quarters of a mile, General Sam patiently waited for just the right moment to spring a surprise attack. His men were becoming increasingly impatient…wanting desperately to exact their revenge on Santa Anna for the horrendous slaughter at Goliad and the Alamo. The Mexicans were taking their customary afternoon siesta and…"

"But, Miz Rose…I jest can’t figure out what dis has anything to do wid my Mamma! Dair weren’t no womens dat fought in dat battle! I remembers dat!"

"Patience, Lizzie, patience! I do declare, you are a true Texan!" Rose suddenly leapt off the bed and peaked outside the cracked door making sure that Nanny was nowhere in hearing distance. Softly shutting the door, she energetically jumped back in the middle of the mattress and excitedly clutched Lizzie’s hands. Clearing her throat uneasily, Rose hesitantly began anew. "Lizzie, there’s more ways of fighting a war than with just guns and artillery, you know. There’s a technique during wartime called ‘covert operations’. For you see, Santa Anna was not alone in his tent that particular April afternoon. He had company and was being…uh…entertained by a very heroic mulatto woman. Her name was Rose…she was and is our Yellow Rose of Texas. Miraculously, your Mamma was Texas’ secret weapon! Let me try to explain. Due to Santa Anna’s utter contempt for the Texans, he honestly didn’t think the upstarts would attack such an awesome overwhelming Mexican military force. But moreover, it was his fortunate love for feminine companionship that provided the perfect distraction for the Texans! So, in a roundabout way, your Mamma was mainly responsible for General Houston defeating the Mexican Army at San Jacinto and for our winning Texas Independence from Mexico in just eighteen minutes! How’s that for real heroism?"

"Youse means…my Mamma…was jest like youse, Miz Rose? You both iz heroes…in a roundabout way! Sleepin’ wid the enemy fo’ those you loves!"

Hysterically laughing, Rose shook her copper tresses in doubtful humility. If only she knew what a sacrifice she had really made! "Liz, do you feel better now? Are you still nervous?"

"No, Miz Rose. Youse always knows hows to makes me feel mo’ better! Youse tooks my jitters alls away!"

"Good…now you take a nap and stay calm while I’m gone. I’ve got only a few more things to attend to and I’ll be back to help you dress and escort you to the chapel. You still want me to play the piano for the ceremony?"

"And sing a song, too?"

Nodding her head in agreement, Rose waltzed over to the bedroom door and simultaneously blew Lizzie a kiss and winked an adoring eye.

With an armload of fresh linens and a basketful of special gifts, Rose sprinted towards the garconiere, the perfect secluded paradise for the future honeymooners. Suddenly a sentimental thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, and she unexpectedly detoured for the rose garden. From across the lawn, Jack just so happened to observe her abrupt change of destination and purposefully followed.

"Ouch! Damn those thorns!" Rose pitifully cried.

"Yes, the unsurpassed beauty of the rose but with vicious thorns that can rip the hide to shreds of an unwary soul!" Jack philosophically revealed as he silently came up behind her.

"Captain Dalton! Where have you been today?"

"Around…let me see your hand. Does it hurt?" The white hot feral gleam in his eyes set Rose back on her heels as he gently took her pricked finger and placed a tender kiss to the tiny droplet of blood. Rose swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to desperately halt the wild racing of her heart. Jerking her hand out of his disturbing grasp, she uneasily met his heated stare.

"I’ll be all right, Captain. I was trying to pick a bouquet of yellow roses for Lizzie to put in the garconiere for their…"

"For their what, Rose?" Jack sensed the awkward embarrassment that surprisingly crossed her lovely countenance.

"Nothing, I’m on my way to ready the place for Liz and Charles tonight," Rose hastily finished.

"Can I come with you? Do you need a helping hand? I’d be glad to give it to you," Jack silkily offered with double meaning heavily emphasized with suave persuasive intent.

"I can just bet how you would, Captain." Rose shot him a flirtatious smile before suddenly grabbing his massive hand and leading him down the path. Stopping just outside the garconiere’s door, Rose crooked a delicately arched brow, "Now Captain. These are clean sheets…let’s keep them that way, all right?"

"I ain’t making no promises, Rose." And he gallantly held the door open for her before purposefully locking it shut behind them.

"Captain, we don’t have time for this. Please!" Rose anxiously implored as she heard the latch secured.

"For what, Rose? What’s on that naughty mind of yours?" Jack began to dominantly back her against the wall. "We don’t even have to use the bed, so you see…we won’t mess up the sheets in here…again."

"I couldn’t possibly, no, Captain, no! Captain, we can’t do this!" Rose weakly protested as Jack slowly began to unfasten the laces at the back of her dress.

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way, Rose. And I definitely have a will…how about you?" The sensual desirous mask that he wore instigated the uncontrollable fluttering sensations in the pit of her belly that ran like hot molten lava throughout her veins. Her resistance was weakening with each touch of his demanding hand. She had to stop this or she would be lost…again!

"Captain…please…we can’t…there’s no time…oh God!" As Jack lowered the dress to her waist the chill spring air whispered against soft alabaster skin.

"I won’t take me long, mia. Not long at all." As Jack bent his knees while his hungry mouth clamped around a hardened throbbing rose peak and simultaneously his purposeful hands tugged the dress down around her ankles. Rose could only thread her hands through overly long blonde hair and arch her back with each forceful stroke of his wet tongue. Moaning, she grabbed his uniform jacket and yanked him back up to stand directly in front of her. Her shaking hands found his pant’s buttons and in a mere second, she anxiously released him to spring fully erect and free.

Groaning deep in his hoarse throat he took her with the all the penned up passion of a love starved savage beast. Quickly reaching the soul-searing apex of a sweet painful release, he kissed her long and hard just as he spilled himself up inside her. The pinnacle shuddering went on and on. The quick little death that suddenly stopped his pumping heart in mid beat. Yes, Rose would be the death of him…if not in the physical sense then surely spiritually and emotionally. How was he ever to let her go? He could never forget her! But he knew he had no choice…his duty to his country demanded it. But dammit all to hell…he couldn’t go a full day without taking her with his body...like an uncivilized animal re-staking its claim on conquered territory. How would he ever adjust to her forthcoming absence…she would always be in his heart and mind…punishing him for all his sins here in Texas as coveted spoils of war. With that revolting conclusion in his tortured soul, he hastily pulled out, arranged his clothes, and stalked out the door.

Chapter Fifteen
Stories