Free Hearts Under Siege (Civil War Collection) by Kathryn Kelly Page B

past the guards with the dark of night as a cover…

Chapter Seven
    “How much further is it?”
    “At least a week at this rate,” Thomas mumbled.
    Though he would never admit it, his shoulder pulsed with pain. They’d had to stop and retie the blanket at least a dozen times. Eli fainted again.
    Did they haul a corpse?
    But each time they stopped, Alexandra woke Eli and made him swallow a few drops of water. Thomas studied the movement of the sun and could only hope they traveled in the right direction. The trees, dirt, and rocks opened up, forming a curving trail ahead of them. The Yankees might appear around the bend. Thomas shuddered. They would be taken to prison and would doubtless die within a month, Eli within a day. They would not take this path. They continued along the thicker, undefined way, dodging hanging branches here and there.
    Alexandra provided the worst discomfort, being in such close proximity to him. With each step of the horse their bodies shifted against each other. She smelled of the damp outdoors and horseflesh, as did he. Normally he liked his women with the clean scent of soap and perfume, yet Alexandra emanating her earthy aroma tugged on his desire all the same. Her soft, feminine essence lulled him to near insanity.
    “Thomas, we have to get help for Eli. Isn’t there a town nearby?”
    Thomas searched his memory. Natchez was considered the halfway point between Baton Rouge and Vicksburg. He didn’t think they’d reached it yet. There were several other little towns along the way. As to how many of them were occupied by enemy soldiers, he had no way of knowing. That wouldn’t stop him. “We’ll veer east a bit toward the river. We should come across something.”
    She relaxed against him. Not a good idea. Her body fit too well in his arms, and her head nestled too perfectly beneath his chin. He couldn’t remember when they’d become so familiar that this proper southern belle used him as a backrest and a pillow—not that she had much choice concerning propriety on the horse.
    “That’s not possible,” he grumbled.
    “What isn’t possible?” Alexandra asked.
    “Nothing. I was just thinking out loud.”
    “Do you think they’ve found Jeffy?”
    “I don’t know. ” He heard the scowl in his voice.
    She turned and looked at him. “Are you all right? Perhaps we should stop and rest for a while.”
    “I’m fine,” he snapped. “Thomas, I should at least check your bandages.”
    “No.”
    ****
    She turned and settled herself back in position against him. She didn’t blame him for being uncivil. She couldn’t even imagine the pain he was in. Despite his injury, she felt safe and protected and…fragile, a sensation she reveled in. Her heart beat an erratic pattern when his breath brushed against her neck or her ear. Oh, the way his arms held her steady in front of him.
    Did he think her brazen for accepting this physical closeness? The heat rose in her cheeks. They had little choice but to hold to each other on the back of the horse. He must know that.
    She closed her eyes and allowed her imagination to wander. She, wearing a flowing gown, watched for him from a castle window, and he, her knight in shining armor, rode a white stallion toward her, his sword in his hand dripping with dragon’s blood. But she had rescue d hi m —and from the Yankees. Her heart sank, and her brow creased in a frown.
    She opened her eyes, stared at the trees in front of them, and set her fantasy aright, closing her eyes once again. He save d her and carried her to his castle to live happily ever after. Once at his glimmering fortress, he would dismount and then hold his arms up to her. She would slide off the horse, her body pressing against his. He would hold her tight, and, placing his hand beneath her chin, lift her lips to his. Then…
    “Damn it,” Thomas said.
    Alexandra jumped in her seat, her eyes snapping open. The fantasy evaporated. She tamped down the urge to snap at him, for