Free To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

a hug Olivia, and Olivia held on to Elizabeth Harding like a buoy in a storm. Over four years had passed since she’d seen the woman. Olivia knew she was probably imagining it, but Elizabeth felt thinner. Frailer. Considering what she’d been through, what she’d suffered in light of General Harding’s imprisonment at the hands of the Federal Army, it was to be expected. Olivia didn’t realize she was crying until she pulled back. Tears pooled in Elizabeth’s eyes too.
    Elizabeth reached up and brushed back the hair at Olivia’s temple. “It’s so good to see you, Livvy. And it’s been so long. Too long. It feels like another lifetime, my dear.”
    Olivia gave her another hug. “It’s so good to see you too, Aunt Elizabeth,” she whispered. “Thank you for allowing me to come and live here. I don’t know where I’d be right now without your kindness. And the general’s too, of course.”
    “Oh, my dear …” Elizabeth drew back and framed Olivia’s facein her hands. “You are family now, and we’re all grateful to have you with us.” Her brow furrowed. “You’ve been through so much, Livvy. Just this past week alone. I can’t begin to imagine. I’m so sorry —” She gave Olivia’s hands a gentle squeeze. “About Charles, about the newspapers … And then the accident on the way here today. Jedediah told me about it. I’m so glad you’re all right. You’ve been given far more than your fair share, Livvy.”
    Determined not to cry again, Olivia tamped down the emotion rising inside. “I hope my coming won’t cast you and your family in a bad light, Aunt Elizabeth.”
    “Nonsense.” Elizabeth waved aside the comment. “We’re no strangers to gossip. One doesn’t live with a strong-minded man for twenty-six years without becoming accustomed to such things. Besides” — she leaned closer — “I’ve explained the circumstances of your marriage to the general again. He understands.”
    Olivia smiled her thanks, the meaning of what Elizabeth had said not lost on her. Elizabeth had explained it all to the general
again
, meaning General Harding had inquired about her. Which Olivia took to mean he likely hadn’t been in favor of her coming to live here — before Elizabeth persuaded him. Olivia didn’t find the news comforting.
    “Ah!” Elizabeth glanced to the side. “Here are my girls. They’re eager to welcome you.”
    Olivia lifted her gaze. But instead of seeing the Harding daughters she remembered, she saw two decidedly more mature young women making their way toward her.
    “Olivia, you remember Selene and Mary.” Elizabeth’s countenance shone with motherly pride. “And girls, you remember Mrs. Aberdeen, the daughter of my dearest friend, Rebecca.”
    A very womanly looking Selene — her dark hair arranged elegantly atop her head and her figure having blossomed in all the right places — offered a genteel curtsey. “Welcome to Belle Meade, Mrs. Aberdeen. How very nice it is to see you again. And” — her voice lowered — “may I offer my sincere condolences, ma’am, on your recent loss.”
    Olivia dipped her head. “Thank you, Selene. And please, call me Olivia.” She looked next at Mary, who at sixteen — four years younger than her sister — was attractive as well, though perhaps a tad plainer and lacking the poise and grace of Selene.
    Olivia smiled, remembering the clinging awkwardness of youth only too well. But Mary merely curtsied and looked away.
    “Mary.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft but instructive. “I’m certain you have a word of welcome for Mrs. Aberdeen as well.”
    With the slightest hesitation, Mary looked back. “Of course … Welcome, Mrs. Aberdeen.” Her smile was as abbreviated as her curtsey had been. “My heartfelt condolences on your loss, ma’am.”
    Elizabeth gave the girl a look, but Olivia acted as though she hadn’t seen. “Thank you, Mary. I’m grateful to you and your family for allowing me to come and live with you. And