Free A Wolfish Tryst at Christmas by Twenty Or Less Press Page A

the crimson sash
at his waist set him apart from civilian guests and the Christmas
finery. His barrel chest and stalwart stature commanded attention,
as did the three lesser officers who trailed in his wake, all
talking at once. The buzz in the foyer dropped as attention jumped
to the military men, yet Uncle James ignored everyone except her.
His sharp gaze met hers and a wide smile split his face, lifting
the ends of his mustache.
    “ Mingle, girl! It’s a
party, not a wake.” His booming voice carried across the open
space. Several people turned to see whom he addressed. Elizabeth’s
cheeks heated from the sudden scrutiny. Her uncle continued on as
if he cared not that people looked their way. “Dance as if tonight
were the last night of your life. You never know what the future
holds, and I didn’t fund this beast so you could watch from the
stairs.”
    Elizabeth glanced briefly at the few
curious guests. A relieved breath escaped her when they turned back
to their own conversations. “I intend to try.” When she nodded, he
continued on his path, his officers trotting to keep up with his
long strides. Soon, he’d join his unit in Louisville, but he’d been
adamant about not missing this gathering. And when Major VanHaussen
spoke, people listened. Before the end of the war, he’d be a
colonel, she had no doubt.
    His annual holiday house
parties were famous in the area. Bless his heart for throwing it
regardless of the domestic difficulties the war had brought. The
guests, it seemed, took rationing in stride. It didn’t matter the
dresses weren’t in the latest style. Adorned with scraps of
leftover lace, beads and other little bits, everyone looked grand.
The expressions on their faces showed a certain gratitude to be
able to gather together without worry for one night. Elizabeth
murmured a quick prayer of thanksgiving for her uncle. He’s such a good man.
    Every member of the family
was in attendance—with the exception of her two brothers who were
God knew where at the moment. Twenty-three and nineteen, they’d
both signed on for military duty in the patriotic fervor to defend
the Union ideals. From all accounts, the fighting hadn’t claimed
them, but then mail was slow and word could have been delayed. She
bit her bottom lip. I need to stop
worrying about them, but I can’t. At times
it was hard being the eldest sibling. She’d always felt the need to
mother them.
    She pressed a hand to her cheek,
rapidly blinking to keep tears at bay. It wouldn’t do to indulge in
girlish vapors, especially now, when everyone she knew tried to be
so strong—and she was well past the age of being girlish.
Twenty-five and living during war time meant finding maturity and
making decisions outside of selfish considerations. Her family
wasn’t the only one who lent loved ones to the war effort. Hers
wouldn’t be the only one to potentially lose them
either.
    Elizabeth straightened her posture and
descended another few steps. How did Blake Harrison’s family handle
his absence? From his letters she knew he had one brother and one
sister. The brother—Alexander—had also gone off to war, but the
sister—Caroline—he’d left behind. Did Caroline worry about her
brothers like Elizabeth did George and Gregory?
    Elizabeth had no idea, though she knew
her worry had expanded to include Blake. Having him so far away
tore her up inside. She prayed daily that he was safe and would
come back to her in one piece. Yet—her stomach quivered—feelings
that had been cultivated while exchanging letters with the man
couldn’t possibly be enough to hope a lifetime might be in the
offing, could it?
    Her heartbeat quickened as her gloved
hand skimmed the polished banister. Would he be here? Surely if her
uncle was able to take a few days off, Blake could too. Tingles of
excitement wove through her body.
    A year ago, she hadn’t known he
existed. Then one letter written to a distant cousin went awry.
Blake had intercepted it and