Counterfeit Courtship by Christina Miller Page A

to his heart.
    â€œI’m sorry to surprise you so early in the morning,” Noreen said, “but Ellie brought these bells over. She thought you and I could ring them when we need each other, to save me from climbing the stairs with Betsy in my arms.”
    Noreen and him, ringing bells in the house? That was absurd. Why did they need such a thing? They’d never done this before, and they didn’t need to now. Ellie and her ideas...
    â€œYou can keep one on the walnut table on the upstairs landing, and the other down here in the hall.” Ellie placed a bell on the receiving table by the stairs. “Uncle Amos rings his all the time.”
    â€œOr we could make it easier and just shout up or down the staircase.”
    Ellie’s laugh tinkled like a bell, but not like those giant ones. “You’ve lived in army camps too long. One simply does not shout up the staircase in Natchez.”
    She may have been right about that, but—
    â€œYou have a letter, dear.” Noreen held out an envelope. “That’s why we rang the bell.”
    Graham took the letter from her and immediately recognized the handwriting. “It’s from General Lee. He must have news about Father.”
    Noreen turned a shade paler and handed the baby to Ellie. “Let’s all sit down. You too, Graham.”
    She swayed a bit, her hands trembling, and Graham took her arm. “Stay calm, Noreen. It’s as likely to be good news as bad.” He helped her to the sitting room and seated her on the stiff blue settee. As Ellie sat beside her, he pulled up an ottoman for Noreen’s feet. Unable to sit, he ripped open the envelope and read aloud.
    June 2, 1865
    G. P. TALBOT:
    I have received word of your father and my friend, James P. Talbot, on this date. For the sake of his health, he was detained at the home of Colonel E. W. Banwick, of Galveston. Colonel Talbot suffered much in the many battles in which he was engaged, and he collapsed after attending the surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Army in Galveston. Colonel Banwick, former West Point classmate of both your father and myself, notified me of your father’s departure from his home, after having tried in vain to keep him there. The only clue Colonel Banwick has of James’s intention is his repeated request to visit his daughter. That makes me wonder if James is headed for your mother’s family home—River Bluff Hall, isn’t it?—to see his daughter’s grave. It is my earnest hope that you are able to locate him. Please inform me of his wellbeing at such time. May God be with you as I pray for his return to your home.
    R. E. LEE
    â€œFather—wounded in battle?” Now that he knew his father was still alive, Graham suddenly realized he’d always imagined him riding back to Natchez, unharmed. “I should have expected something like this, but I guess I didn’t want to face the possibilities.”
    â€œPoor James.” Noreen’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “He struggled so with this war and the issues behind it.”
    â€œI wish General Lee had given us some details about Father’s condition.” Graham studied the letter again. “This is dated June 2. He could have been on the road for weeks now.”
    â€œDo you suppose he’s headed for River Bluff Hall?” Noreen asked in a tiny, childlike voice.
    For a moment, Graham had to turn from the pain in her eyes. He felt a twinge of betrayal for her, as well. Why wouldn’t Father want to come home to Noreen, his beloved wife since Mama and Daisy passed? It didn’t make sense.
    He raised his head and met his stepmother’s teary-eyed gaze. “I’ve seen similar situations after battle. All the afflicted men wanted was to go home. Since Father was talking about Daisy, he might have gone to her grave.”
    Noreen’s eyes cleared and took on a steely acceptance, the likes of which he’d