Free Undaunted Love by Jennings Wright Page B

she knew would please him. She removed the silver backed brush from her valise and brushed out her chestnut hair until it shone, then wound it up into a bun and secured it. Moving back to the looking glass, she nodded in satisfaction.
    Pulling open the door, she walked confidently out into the narrow hall. An elderly couple was exiting the room opposite, and smiled in warm greeting. They all made their way to the public room, and sat together at a polished walnut table.
    “What brings you to Charleston, my dear?” the woman asked.
    “My husband has joined the 1st Infantry,” she said, and was proud that her voice didn’t waver when she said it.
    “Marvelous!” boomed the man, his bald pate glowing slightly with perspiration. He was large and dressed in a heavy dark wool suit, much too warm for April in the South. “More men should heed President Davis and volunteer! Keep Lincoln on his toes, make him think twice before he attacks.”
    Livvie smiled and stirred sugar into her coffee. “And what brings you here?” she asked them.
    “We’re coming home!” he said, his loud voice carrying all over the downstairs of the inn. “I was born here, moved to New York with my parents when I was a but a lad. But with this nonsense about the Confederate States being in rebellion, and with most of my family still down here, well, I said to the missus it was time to come home, throw our support behind Mr. Davis and South Carolina.”
    Turning to the woman, she asked, “And are you from South Carolina, too, ma’am?”
    Smiling weakly, she shook her head. Her white hair was in a tidy bun, and she was dressed very nicely in dark blue velvet. “My family has lived in New York since before Independence,” she said quietly.
    Shocked, Livvie looked at her husband. “Do you have children?” she asked.
    “Never did, never did. So what was to keep us in the North, I ask you?” He turned to the young serving woman standing by the kitchen door. “Miss, I require a large breakfast! Bacon, buttered toast, eggs, milk… Whatever you’ve got back there, tell them to send it out.” He patted his bulging stomach.
    “What… what will your family do if there’s war?” Livvie asked the woman.
    “Fight,” she answered sadly, glancing at her husband.

Chapter Thirteen

    J ORY ARRIVED AT THE INN at precisely ten o’clock, and was surprised to see Livvie come into the foyer alone, carrying her carpetbag. He quickly took it from her, but looked behind her and up the stairs.
    “He’s not here. We went to the headquarters for him to join up, and once he signed the papers they made him stay.” She started towards the door, not meeting the man’s eyes.
    Six foot four and the color of hazelnuts, Jory stood in front of the desk with his mouth open for a moment before turning to follow her outside. He had asked the stable boy to harness the horse and cart, and it stood in front of the inn. Livvie had already taken her seat and was staring straight ahead. Tossing her bag in on the rough wood planks, he hauled himself up and took the reins.
    “Ma’am, I’m mighty sorry and all…” He petered out, unsure how to proceed.
    Livvie looked at him and tried to smile. “No, Jory, it’s perfectly all right. God has a fine plan, and we’re gonna have to learn to bend to His perfect will, is all. I left a letter to be delivered to Rafe at the barracks, and he’ll be writin’ me soon to tell me all about his training. And it’s only six months, that’s what they said, and maybe they’ll let him come home once or twice. Do you think they will?” She looked up at him hopefully.
    Unable to lie to her, Jory just shrugged. “Right unkind to make a man stay on his wedding day, I mean to tell you. So we’re just headed on to Byrd’s Creek then, ma’am?”
    She sighed unhappily. “Yes, that’s right. I’m going home, to my daddy’s. And Jory, please tell no one we eloped, no one in Byrd’s Creek, will you? With Rafe gone, I think it’s