good-natured shrug, Thad offered his arm to Camellia. “Don’t think this means you can join us for dinner.”
Lieutenant Baxter’s infectious laughter drifted back over his shoulder.
Captain Watkins chuckled and leaned his head toward Camellia’s. “I hope you don’t mind. The poor fellow has had a rough time.”
“Did he lose his arm in battle?”
“Yes, he fought with the Army of North Virginia at Manassas.” The captain’s face tightened. “All teasing aside, he is a good man. He and I have become fast friends since we met.”
Lieutenant Baxter was helping Jane into one of the three seats as they reached the square table covered by a snowy tablecloth. A waiter dragged a fourth chair toward them, a sour look on his face.
Camellia moved toward the chair opposite Jane’s, but the captain redirected her footsteps with a slight pressure on her arm and pulled out the chair on his sister’s right. Then he took the seat opposite Jane, leaving the chair on his sister’s left open for the lieutenant.
“Afraid to let me sit next to Miss Anderson, are you?” Lieutenant Baxter winked at her. “I can understand your fear. I’m so much more handsome than you.”
His joke set the tone for the evening. Camellia could not remember ever giggling so much. Their meal was delicious, too: rack of lamb with sprigs of mint that reminded her of the meals Jensen prepared on her sister’s first riverboat.
Lieutenant Baxter leaned back and sipped from his water goblet as the waiter removed his empty plate. “I still can’t believe any finishing schools are still operating in the city or that your families will allow you to attend.”
Camellia looked away. This conversation made her think of the time and effort she’d had to expend to convince Lily that she would be safe.
“Why not, Lieutenant Baxter?” Jane asked. “My parents believe it’s important for us to continue ordinary life as much as possible.”
He raised his sandy-white eyebrows. “I thought we were on a first-name basis since we’ve broken bread together.”
“Harry.” Jane looked down at the table as she spoke.
“Much better.” He grew serious. “The city is filled with people who want to help the North destroy our way of life.”
“Really?” Jane looked at her brother for confirmation.
Thad cleared his throat. “Let’s not frighten the ladies. We don’t want them to worry.”
“I’m not worried.” Camellia summoned a confident smile for Jane’s benefit. “Not when we have such fine men defending us.”
“You may rest assured that both of you will be safe no matter what happens.” Thad’s smile was aimed at both of them. “I promise.”
Camellia finally felt a shiver rush through her at his words. How exciting to feel protected. She reached under the table for Jane’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Everything was going to be just fine.
The lieutenant tried to include himself in the carriage ride to La Belle Demoiselle, but Thad sent him back inside with a wave of his hand. Camellia wouldn’t have admitted it to Jane, but she was relieved. Although Harry was an entertaining dinner companion, she had no desire to listen to any more of his tall tales.
Remembering to leave her gloves in her reticule, Camellia sat next to Jane, leaving the opposite bench for Thad. She pleated the folds of her cloak and wondered if he would try to take her hand.
Darkness and silence intermingled as the carriage left the lights of town behind. She searched her memory for some interesting topic to introduce, not wanting to bore Thad with conversation about the weather or their studies.
“Spring will be here before we know it.” So he couldn’t think of anything either.
Then an idea came to her, sparked by his mention of spring. “Mrs. Dabbs told us this morning that we are going to host a gala as soon as the weather warms a little.”
She couldn’t see Thad in the dark, but she heard the rustle of his coat as he nodded.
Lieutenant Baxter’s infectious laughter drifted back over his shoulder.
Captain Watkins chuckled and leaned his head toward Camellia’s. “I hope you don’t mind. The poor fellow has had a rough time.”
“Did he lose his arm in battle?”
“Yes, he fought with the Army of North Virginia at Manassas.” The captain’s face tightened. “All teasing aside, he is a good man. He and I have become fast friends since we met.”
Lieutenant Baxter was helping Jane into one of the three seats as they reached the square table covered by a snowy tablecloth. A waiter dragged a fourth chair toward them, a sour look on his face.
Camellia moved toward the chair opposite Jane’s, but the captain redirected her footsteps with a slight pressure on her arm and pulled out the chair on his sister’s right. Then he took the seat opposite Jane, leaving the chair on his sister’s left open for the lieutenant.
“Afraid to let me sit next to Miss Anderson, are you?” Lieutenant Baxter winked at her. “I can understand your fear. I’m so much more handsome than you.”
His joke set the tone for the evening. Camellia could not remember ever giggling so much. Their meal was delicious, too: rack of lamb with sprigs of mint that reminded her of the meals Jensen prepared on her sister’s first riverboat.
Lieutenant Baxter leaned back and sipped from his water goblet as the waiter removed his empty plate. “I still can’t believe any finishing schools are still operating in the city or that your families will allow you to attend.”
Camellia looked away. This conversation made her think of the time and effort she’d had to expend to convince Lily that she would be safe.
“Why not, Lieutenant Baxter?” Jane asked. “My parents believe it’s important for us to continue ordinary life as much as possible.”
He raised his sandy-white eyebrows. “I thought we were on a first-name basis since we’ve broken bread together.”
“Harry.” Jane looked down at the table as she spoke.
“Much better.” He grew serious. “The city is filled with people who want to help the North destroy our way of life.”
“Really?” Jane looked at her brother for confirmation.
Thad cleared his throat. “Let’s not frighten the ladies. We don’t want them to worry.”
“I’m not worried.” Camellia summoned a confident smile for Jane’s benefit. “Not when we have such fine men defending us.”
“You may rest assured that both of you will be safe no matter what happens.” Thad’s smile was aimed at both of them. “I promise.”
Camellia finally felt a shiver rush through her at his words. How exciting to feel protected. She reached under the table for Jane’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Everything was going to be just fine.
The lieutenant tried to include himself in the carriage ride to La Belle Demoiselle, but Thad sent him back inside with a wave of his hand. Camellia wouldn’t have admitted it to Jane, but she was relieved. Although Harry was an entertaining dinner companion, she had no desire to listen to any more of his tall tales.
Remembering to leave her gloves in her reticule, Camellia sat next to Jane, leaving the opposite bench for Thad. She pleated the folds of her cloak and wondered if he would try to take her hand.
Darkness and silence intermingled as the carriage left the lights of town behind. She searched her memory for some interesting topic to introduce, not wanting to bore Thad with conversation about the weather or their studies.
“Spring will be here before we know it.” So he couldn’t think of anything either.
Then an idea came to her, sparked by his mention of spring. “Mrs. Dabbs told us this morning that we are going to host a gala as soon as the weather warms a little.”
She couldn’t see Thad in the dark, but she heard the rustle of his coat as he nodded.
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