ROSEDALE IN APRIL
Chapter Sixteen

The early morning mists still wreathed the plantation’s sumptuous lawns and gardens as Rose languidly stared through the glass-paned portal opening out onto the upstairs verandah, morosely pondering her life’s unexpected shift of fate. Barely a week ago, she had been unhappily betrothed to a man she thoroughly despised yet one that intended to marry her…maybe not specifically for her per se but still…Cal had wanted her as a wife. And now, she found herself tragically in love with another but one that obviously couldn’t abide the thought of binding himself to an unconventional enemy female such as herself. Wasn’t that just the way of life? For all the Captain had to do was touch and she burned. A hard fact for her pride to accept especially after the disturbing events of yesterday. He had made it apparent that he only desired her body…nothing else. Disconcertingly, she recalled some of the last words of advice that her mother had given her, "Nothing easy is ever worth having my angel, Rose." Yes, Cal would have been obnoxiously simple but then, he definitely could never come even comparatively close to the blissful euphoria that she experienced when in the Captain’s strong comforting arms. Yet, it was so poignantly painful as she helplessly drowned in blue moonstone eyes that recklessly prompted her heart to thud in a wild, frantic beat. Unrequited love that was so hopeless…why me? Pensively sighing, melancholy green eyes suddenly glimpsed a fast approaching lone rider. Straining, she finally realized it was that same messenger of barely a week ago barreling down the oak alleyway, horse lathered and panting. Now what?

The pony express rider had been extremely swift in his sudden approach; therefore, the Union soldiers currently on ground patrol barely had time to halt the unexpected messenger before he agilely dismounted his winded mount. Rose overheard the heated arguing and purposefully whirled around slipping on an emerald green overdress before swiftly descending the sweeping staircase.

"Urgent message for Miss Rose DeWitt Bukater. It’s personal and private, sirs. An official missive from Confederate President Jefferson Davis himself. Sorry, I’m honor and duty bound; therefore, I can’t hand it over to anyone but the lady herself!"

"Good morning, sir. It’s a pleasure seeing you again. As you recall, I’m Rose DeWitt Bukater!" Rose hastily intervened trying to divert the inevitable ruckus threatening to erupt.

"But, Miss Rose, we can’t allow a confederate post to enter through Union headquarters before initially reading the contents beforehand!" Private Fabrizio di Rossi beseechingly begged. "Captain Dalton would have us court-martialed!"

"I understand, Fabrizio. Go ahead…but I can assure you it holds no military secrets. Of course, I can’t imagine what it could reveal for President Davis has no reason to write me unless…" Then Rose blanched as she suddenly realized what the fateful letter might possibly contain.

Guiltily, Fabrizio di Rossi opened and skimmed the official contents before doleful eyes reluctantly ascended to meet anxious orbs of jade; however, a heartfelt sympathizing glance was all he was able to construe. Nonetheless, that one fleeting glimpse removed all uncertainty. Shakily grasping the weathered and worn official letter with the CSA Presidential wax seal torn in half, Rose hastily spun around leaning heavily against the massive ivory column for support. A delicate slightly trembling hand involuntarily came up to her gulping throat as she hesitantly read:

Dearest Miss DeWitt Bukater,

It is with deepest regrets and a heavy heart that I am writing this sorrowful letter to grievously inform you of your father’s, Confederate Colonel Sterling Bukater’s, untimely death. As for the unfortunate details, he was tragically discovered on the outskirts of Baton Rouge, Louisiana brutally slain before arriving at his final destination to again dutifully join up with our military forces in Richmond. Although the murderous culprit has neither been identified nor apprehended, rest assured Miss Bukater, that this heinous crime will be avenged and justice to the full extent of the law will be served as soon as humanly possible.

Although it was not practical in these war torn times of continuing woe to bring the Colonel’s remains back to Texas, he has been respectfully interred as an honored and brave son of the Confederacy in Vicksburg which I’m sure will make you extremely proud. Let me reiterate, I will make it my personal duty to earnestly strive to do our best to bring his murderer to justice…for justice will prevail in the swiftest possible manner in these horrid times of war and strife that has split our once loved united nation into North and South.

Respectfully and with deepest condolences,
Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America
April 10, 1863

"What’s going on here, Rose?" Jack worriedly glimpsed the pale face and watering gaze as a quivering hand lightly brushed across colorless lips. Without turning or responding, Rose hypnotically thrust the letter into the Captain’s hands. Hastily scanning the contents, Jack shifted his empathetic gaze just enough to catch Rose cast enlightened albeit suspicious green eyes in the direction of the lake before softly whispering, "Rafael!"

Although it was lowly whispered, Jack sharply heard the faint sound. For the second time, he bore witness to Rose fondly rolling that particular mysterious name off her tongue in such familiar endearment that it literally sickened his insides.

"Captain, I have to make a trip into Jefferson right away. Would you be kind enough to drive me in the landau?" Rose blandly implored yet refused to meet his pitying albeit narrowed eyes as she reflectively and continually stared off into the distance.

"Of course, Rose. We need to pick up some supplies and now is as good a time as any. Can you be ready in an hour?" Jack solicitously complied.

"I’ll be ready in half an hour, Captain," Rose softly replied.

Not giving him the opportunity of making known his likewise condolences, Rose abruptly flew back in the house racing up the stairs.

They rode in companionable silence. Each lost in their own deep thoughts. Jack stared straight ahead but his mind was back at Rosedale hearing again the mysterious name that Rose spoke with such affectionate reverence. Was this trip just a devious excuse to finally meet up with the elusive Rafael? And who exactly was the man? And furthermore, what was he to this enchanting woman that had unintentionally become such a permanent unbidden obsession in his heart and soul? That special woman he had been desperately searching for his entire life. And now to have found her, yet tragically he knew it was just a matter of time until he lost her as the highest price to pay for this horrendous damnable war! Or worst…to another man! Jack’s stomach twisted in knots and that familiar tightness in his chest grew tighter…almost unbearable. Out the corner of his eye, Jack glimpsed the grave solemnity that had griped her usual vivaciousness and heaved a deep sigh. On one hand he was sympathetic to a fault; yet on the other hand, he was shocked again at the outrageous so-called mourning garb that she now unabashedly wore. A deeply plunging neckline but for once her silky russet mane was artfully swept up into a very stylish bonnet with black netting cascading down her slender back. A golden medallion that he had seen her wear on numerous occasions tantalizingly lay in the valley of her voluptuous exposed breasts. He couldn’t help himself and lightly chided with a crooked smile marring his distinguished countenance, solely attempting to break the awkward quiet, "Some widow’s weeds, Rose. I can’t say that I’ve ever run across a more attractive grieving woman…and so scandalously attired. Tsk-tsk-tsk!"

"Well as you know, I’m no widow, Captain Dalton. Besides, the dress was my mother’s."

"Your mother was a widow at one time?" Jack curiously probed yet mindful of her sparkling peridot eyes staring off into the passing thick pine forests. God, those mirrors to her soul were more beautiful than ever at that moment as the sun’s glare unmercifully bore down into her magnetic eyes causing the irises to be brighter and larger with just tiny onyx dots in their centers to barely distract from the contrasting shades of green. And the long dark thick curling lashes that accentuated the femininity of her creamy beige complexion heaped a tremendous weight on his pounding heart.

"No, she just liked wearing black. I suppose she felt like black married to the Colonel and all." Her voice came to his ears in a flat, toneless drone.

"Then I take it they weren’t happily married?"

"Hardly, Captain."

Rose sat in brooding tenseness desperately trying to keep from ogling the Captain’s scowling brow silhouetted in bold profile from the brim of his hat as he casually struck a sulfur match to the cigarette held between two full tempting lips. Damn, how I would love a drag…to calm these nerves! Wonder what he’d say if I just took it right out of his sensuous mouth? Better not…not now at least!

Rose nervously twirled a strand of copper hair around a slender finger before brushing it lightly across her full scarlet kissed mouth. The absentminded habit fascinated the Captain for some reason and he diligently tried to focus on the rocky road ahead. However, Jack knew she wasn’t in the mood to reveal any more personal information so therefore decided to change the current topic of conversation. Although inwardly, he was more than curious to find out if this Rafael person was to be found at their final destination.

"Why the urgent necessary trip to Jefferson, Rose?" Jack’s curious cerulean eyes considered her through the wraith of smoke that curled into the air.

"I need to see our family’s attorney to probate the will. It’s just that simple." Rose gingerly laid her head on the back of the seat and closed her eyes against the beaming sunrays but mainly trying to shut out the Captain’s beckoning eyes. Eyes so thoroughly blue and intense that when they locked on her, he emulated a remarkable likeness to a rakish and worldly riverboat gambler especially with the cigarette dangling from his mouth.

"So soon? No time for proper mourning first?" His voice betraying an overtone of satire.

"I have important plantation business to attend to, Captain Dalton. And it won’t wait for fictitious grieving. And I don’t give a damn what polite society thinks is proper."

"You’re not disheartened or saddened about your own father’s death, Rose?" he incredulously interrogated as the scowl become more prominent.

"That’s none of your damn business, Captain. Now hurry up and quit dallying," she harshly rebuked with a decisive hard and crisp tone.

"All right, I understand…at least I think I do. But I’m truly sorry for your loss, Rose. I honestly am…" And the hard lines marring his handsome face smoothed to the graceful mold of male beauty she so despairingly admired and coveted.

"Why, Captain? The Colonel is just one less Johnny Reb for you to have to kill."

Tight lipped, Jack contemplated her blank visage trying desperately to read any discernible emotion flickering behind the jade hooded orbs. He surprisingly found none and inwardly shrugged at the sudden realization. Maybe she was in shock. That was it! Just non-acceptance of the cold hard fact of death so suddenly thrust upon her and consequently the monumental responsibility that was being unceremoniously heaped upon her small, delicate shoulders. Many lives now counted and relied on this very young woman. Barely seventeen with the weight of the world crushing down upon her. Crops to plant, tend, and harvest…so many mouths to feed and in the midst of wartime, no less. Overwhelming for even the most mature, strong, capable, and responsible man to endure.

Secretly, Rose was in fact incredibly anxious and her stomach felt like it was being viciously spurred by twists of fate. Feeling a bit guilty for not feeling remorse for her stepfather’s death. Or at least not as sorry as she should be. But more so for the uncanny premonition of just who had murdered the Colonel for she instinctively knew it had to be her true father, Rafael Bouvier. Because Rafael had solemnly promised during their last visit at the gypsy camp that he would make everything right for her. She inwardly reasoned that by permanently disposing of the Colonel, Rafael probably deemed she wouldn’t be forced to marry Cal and thereby sparing her a damned life like that of her mother. Maybe not solely for that reason she allowed, but to finally avenge the murder of the love of Rafael’s life. For Rose knew deep within the confines of her heart that the Colonel had directly caused her mother’s death. On one hand, she couldn’t help but feel guiltily relieved for the man’s demise, yet on the other hand, increasingly fearful for Rafael’s subsequent arrest. Furthermore, Rose was actually comforted that the murdering son of a bitch wouldn’t be buried on Rosedale soil next to her mother, for then Sable would never be able to truly rest in peace with her vicious killer lying beside her in death. And to add to her incessant worry was the mysterious contents of the Last Will and Testament. Please God, don’t let me lose Rosedale! Her taunt nerves were stretched as tight as a bowstring. Biting down on her lip and deeply sighing in impatience at the snail paced journey into Jefferson, Rose suddenly, without warning, grabbed the reigns from a startled Captain’s hands, and started to whip up the speed of the buggy.

"Hiiiiyyyyyaaa…"

"What the hell are you doing, Rose? You’re gonna get us killed!" Jack furiously screamed above the loud squeaking racket of the speeding carriage.

"Sit back and relax, Captain Dalton. With your slow poking around, we’d be dark before getting into Jefferson."

Shrugging, Jack sat back and let her have her way for once. Bracing himself against the continual bone jarring bumps and holding on to this hat for dear life. Relenting and allowing her to get it out of her system even if it did cost both of them their necks. Whatever this wild outrageous emotion she was experiencing would most likely be the death of him! But of course, he had to feel a strange kinship for her grief. In a way, Mel had been indirectly murdered by the cold-hearted actions of Henley. What must Rose be feeling to have her own father killed by an unknown murderer? At least he could put a face to the one responsible for Mel’s demise…regrettably, Rose didn’t have that luxury.

Pulling up in front of the Culbertson Law Firm, Rose abruptly drew reign and threw the reigns into Jack’s hands and hastily jumped down before he had the chance to disembark and gentlemanly assist her alight. The two-story red bricked offices wreaked of obvious wealth and sophistication. Black shutters adorned the numerous lead paned windows while white massive Corinthian columns marked the front entranceway. Dark green awnings and polished brass plates professionally announced the partners and address of the impressive Georgian style building.

"Captain, I’ll probably be awhile. I’ll meet you at Diamond Bessie’s later."

"Diamond Bessie’s? What and where is that?" Jack confusedly inquired yet with a very suspicious edge in his tenor.

"Down at the riverfront…it’s my cousin Marie’s…uh…tea room. Remember?" With a mischievous twinkle in her magnolia leafed eyes and a bland smile tugging on her ruby red lips.

"Aw, yes, I did promise the lady that I’d pay her fine establishment a call whenever I came to town. After the other wagons arrive, we’ll pick up the supplies at the mercantile and meet you there. Maybe she’ll have some of those ‘magic dreams’ prepared."

Rose couldn’t help but slightly snicker under her breath. Of course, she knew once the Captain finally realized the truth of the notorious locale, ‘magic dreams’ would be the last thing on his shocked mind!

"Later, Captain." Clutching the polished brass doorknob, Rose silently offered up a prayer.

"Rose…good luck and I truthfully hope all goes well for you," Jack sincerely offered.

"There’s only one way it can go which will afford me some relief, Captain. Keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer." And she twirled around and purposefully entered the brass plated mahogany door without a backward glance.

Stepping out onto the boardwalk some hours later, Rose DeWitt Bukater leaned heavily against the massive door closing misting celadon eyes and took a deep heavy breath of the refreshing spring breeze. Suddenly, without warning, she spiritedly yanked off the black bonnet and threw it high into the air, whooping and hollering like she had just single-handedly won the war!

"YeeeeeHaaaawwwwwwwww! Thank you, God! I’m free…thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!" Reverently, she kneeled, clutching her mother’s St. Mary’s pendant and made the sign of the cross across her chest. Her tear streaked elated face emitted a perpetual glow as if she were Moses himself and had just seen the glorious face of God.

Lighting out for the saloon, pedestrians stared in harsh disapproval at the scandalous copper-headed hellion of Rosedale. However, Rose never gave them a second glance for she was so ecstatically happy thereby picked up her black full skirts above her knees and tomboyishly ran as fast as her legs would carry her. This time she audaciously burst into the front door of the brothel and instantly realized she had arrived before the Captain or his soldiers. Not that it mattered in the least right then, but it would give her some time to talk with Marie in private. And she had a lot to reveal!

"Rosa! What in the world are you doing? Blatantly coming through the front door!" Marie surprisingly exclaimed shaking her head in amusement.

"To hell with what anybody thinks! I can finally do what I damn well please. I’m free, Marie! I’m free!" And she excitedly grabbed her cousin by the hands and began to childishly spin around as if they were two little girls playing ring around the Rosie.

"What do you mean, Rosa? You’re free?" Marie dizzily asked after Rose had finally stopped and plopped unladylike onto a nearby bar stool with her ankles crossed resting on the counter.

"First things first, Marie. Let’s have a smoke and a double whiskey…on me! And I’ll tell you about the miraculous pot of gold that I just had fatefully dumped in my lap!"

"You got a deal, Rosa. I take it this is some life altering news, huh?"

"The best, Marie! Rosedale is finally all mine. Solely Rose DeWitt Bukater’s. To do with what I want and how I want! Mine…mine…mine!" And with a cigarette dangling out the corner of her mouth, she agilely hopped up on the bar, hiking up her skirts and bawdily danced down its length kicking her legs up like a vaudeville show girl.

And in that precise moment, Captain Jack Dalton busted through the swinging doors.

After Rose had gone inside the attorney’s office, Jack had parked the carriage under a shade in front of Jefferson’s Mercantile and patiently waited for the heavy military wagons to arrive. It took them over an hour to finally catch up. Recollecting their recent irresponsible breakneck speed to get there, Jack wryly shook his head for Rose had really pushed their luck flying down the dusty rough roads like the demons of hell were nipping at their heels! After Jack and the few accompanying Union soldiers purchased and loaded all the needed supplies, he curiously asked the shopkeeper where Diamond Bessie’s tearoom was located. The man had strangely looked at him like he had just grown horns but eventually slanted a knowing grin and pointed him in the right direction before hinting, "Can’t miss it, course you won’t be served no tea at Bessie’s place, sir."

That was Jack’s first real clue that something wasn’t exactly as it seemed. Later as he made his way down the elevated boardwalk on foot, he overheard the Jeffersonian gossipmongers in full force. Several staunch gray hair matrons were fairly buzzing the latest news. "That Miss Bukater…did you see where she just went? Like she didn’t have a proper scruple in the world! Blasphemous, simply shameful! Exposing her ankles and chest so! No parasol, no bonnet, and her supposedly in mourning. Yes, I heard the Colonel has passed…such a pity! Good thing he’s not alive to be burdened with the awful manner in which she so disgracefully conducts herself!" And with a tidbit here and a little more there, Jack had heard plenty to begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together. In front of Culbertson’s Law Firm where he had left the lady, he found Rose’s bonnet carelessly discarded in the middle of the dust-covered street! Now, what the hell? And as he rounded the bend at the riverfront and read the gaudy sign that proclaimed Diamond Bessie’s Saloon, his jaw literally hit the dirt!

Bursting through the saloon’s swinging doors, he couldn’t believe what met his stunned gaze! On top of the oak polished bar was the object of his desire bare foot with her black skirts and scandalous red petticoats pulled up nearly to her hips with a cigarette hanging out of the corner of her mouth, swirling around kicking out her legs doing a bawdy jig, squealing like a besotted tramp! The brazen little shameless hussy!

"Have we had a little too much to drink, Rose?" Jack outrageously scoffed.

"Oh, Captain Dalton! You’re here! Catch me!" Suddenly Rose leaped off the raised countertop into a thunderstruck and dazed Yankee Captain’s strong muscled arms.

"Does all this mean everything went well or did it go the other way? Are we celebrating or crying in our cups? I’m totally confused!" His sapphire eyes suddenly impishly taunting.

Excitedly kicking her legs up and down, Rose took the cigarette out of her mouth and kissed the Captain soundly on the mouth simultaneously lacing her fingers behind his neck. The kiss lingered on and on pumping soft moans from the lovers’ throats before the few establishments' patrons started hooting and hollering for more. Finally, Rose relented and reluctantly released the Captain’s kiss bruised lips.

"We’re celebrating, Captain Dalton! Rosedale is all mine! I’m free! No overbearing man to tell me what, when, or how to do anything! I’m my own woman, now! And I feel like I’m floating on air!"

"And you can do this? I’m not sure you realize what a huge responsibility this really is, Rose." Jack raised a skeptical brow.

"You don’t think I’m capable, Captain? Put me down this instant. You and all the other male chauvinistic domineering cads can just kiss my ass!" Turning up her glass, she finished off the amber contents in one long gulp before plopping it back down on the bar motioning for the barkeep to top off again.

Astounded, Jack met Marie’s amused countenance and cocked the proprietress a silly little grin. "And here I was thinking you could rub off on her! Was I ever the butt end of the joke, huh? Maybe it was the other way around. Did Rose rub off on you, Miss Dupuis?"

Everybody howled in shared fun and merriment, a round of drinks were served and congratulatory toasts were made. Giddily lifting her glass up, Rose crawled back on top of the bar and held it high, "To freedom!"

"To freedom!"

"So, Rose…tell me what all this entails. Being the sole heir to Rosedale. Now what?" Jack curiously asked yet completely baffled and disgruntled as to her complete lack of grief. Perhaps she still hadn’t realized the dire consequences and what they meant. Or refused to allow herself to accept the fact that her father was in actuality deceased. Maybe this was just her way of fleeing stark reality? Or he supposed she might be so disgustingly greedy that money and wealth held first priority over everything in her life. But, that was so hard to believe…maybe at one time he wouldn’t have had a problem with that false assumption but…not now…or would she? Maybe he didn’t really know her at all. Perhaps everything had just been a mystical illusion…a fairy tale that he had been enchantingly living since first arriving in the midst of the fair mistress of Rosedale.

"Well, Captain Dalton, it means I can now choose my own destiny. I don’t have another man to order me about like I don’t have a brain of my own. If I someday choose to marry, I will. And if I don’t, I won’t! I have thousands of acres to plant and harvest with whatever crops I wish to grow. I plan on expanding into fine registered stock of steed and cattle husbandry. Fortunately, I have adequate funds to accomplish this. The Colonel did have enough sense to convert our cash and bonds into gold and silver. So that’s not a problem. And there’s something else but I choose not to reveal its secret at this time. Not to a high-faluting Yankee blue belly at least."

"So you got it all figured out. Just that easy…just that smooth and with a war going on. No fear! And why is it, Rose, you don’t even mention your poor helpless slaves? You realize after this war, you’ll have no one to work those fields. No one to order about and to be at your beck and call. That is, if Rosedale is still standing!"

"Like I said before, Yankee, that’s none of your God damned business! We’ll just see who comes out on top after this war is over. The South will prevail! Because it damn sure won’t be you dirty Yankees! And furthermore, the next fucking Yankee I see with a torch…this time I won’t think twice before blowing his damn brains to kingdom come!" And she furiously sloshed the contents of her glass into his taunting face before haughtily stalking out of the suddenly quiet saloon.

"Captain Dalton, I believe you have your hands full with Rosa. She’s a pistol, no?" Marie chuckled in amusement as she handed him a clean cloth to dry his dripping face.

"A real pistol, Miss Dupuis. Hot, smoking and deadly," Jack sinisterly allowed before a slight grin tugged at the corners of his tightly clasped lips.

They were just on the outskirts of town when Rose unabashedly requested despite the present brooding and tenseness that enveloped the quarreling pair, "Captain, please halt the horses in that secluded grove of trees. I need to relieve my bladder. I think I drank a little too much whiskey at Marie’s." As she softly rubbed her temples with slender manicured fingers.

"To hell you say." Jack cast her an impishly teasing grin as the obvious testiness instantly evaporated from his stoic demeanor.

"Sorry about the whiskey in the face, Captain. That wasn’t very gracious or proper of me, was it?" Twin emerald orbs danced mischievously in apology.

"That’s all right, Rose. Never known you to be ladylike about anything yet." As his lips twisted into another half grin, he bent down and struck a match from his boot to set the cigarette alight while puffing it aglow.

They both interlocked blue and green gazes, which confirmed what the Captain said as truth. Smiling eyes that teased…laughing eyes that soothed…admiring eyes that desired.

Returning to the landau, Jack gallantly placed his large hands around Rose’s tiny waist and lifted her back in before shaking his head in amusement. "Captain, do I shock your gentile sensibilities?" Rose sweetly simpered.

"First, Rose let me remind you that this bloody war has annihilated any gentile sensibilities that I ever possessed. And secondly, I admit that you do at times seem to blatantly flip your nose at what’s deemed proper and polite. Of course, you’re well aware of that, aren’t you?" As Jack cast her a slanted knowing leer…a sensual grin that caused the butterflies to furiously flutter inside her stomach.

"Would you prefer it if I were more of a lady, Captain Dalton?" Rose coyly smiled.

"I never said that I particularly cotton to ladies, Rose. As a matter of fact, they don’t necessarily tickle my fancy." As he shifted his taunting grin back to the road ahead as if that might satisfy her curiosity.

Sliding closer across the velvet-cushioned seat towards the Captain, Rose brazenly ran her questing hand to the crotch of the startled man’s uniform and gently squeezed. In a breathy murmur, "Do I, Captain?"

Swallowing hard, Jack unsuccessfully tried to concentrate on the question she was asking.

"What?" Jack managed to nervously stammer, heat radiating from the sensitive area she was shamelessly fondling.

"Do I tickle your fancy, Captain Dalton?" Rose teasingly whispered a mere fraction of an inch from his earlobe causing a full blown sexual heat rush throughout his aroused body.

"Quite often, Rose. Quite often indeed." Jack huskily admitted while trying to shift to a more comfortable position as his loins threatened to burst out of the confines of his overly tight breeches.

Giggling in jest at his hardening predicament, "Have you ever been seduced before in a carriage, Captain Dalton?"

Forcefully exhaling, "Can’t say that I have…are you about to remedy that misfortune, Rose?"

Shamelessly sliding into his lap, Rose ran her wet tongue along the confines of his ear. "Most certainly, Captain Dalton. A man your age and to have never been touched like this…those northern girls must be cold as ice!"

From the distance, a Union soldier could be heard exclaiming to a comrade in arms, "What’s wrong with Captain Dalton and Miss Bukater’s buggy? Sure is swaying crazily from one side of the road to the other. The Captain can’t seem to hold it in a straight line on these rough roads! Must have a busted wheel…hope they make it back in one piece!"

Chapter Seventeen
Stories