Erin's Rebel by Susan Macatee

poor.” Jenny sighed. “They won’t even allow me to see him.”
    “Then what will you do?”
    “I’ll run away. I’ll become an army nurse.”
    “What about Will? He won’t tell your parents?”
    Jenny hesitated. “He’d likely side with them and forbid me to do any such thing.”
    “It would be a hard life for you,” Erin agreed.
    “But I have to get away from them. If I stay here, Kevin will be gone, and they’ll marry me off to one of their choosing.”
    Erin felt sorry for Jenny. Her wealth, instead of freeing her, made her a prisoner in her home. She had to find a way to help her. “Aren’t all the men in the army now?” she reasoned. “That should buy you some time.”
    “Buy me time?” Jenny seemed mystified by the expression.
    “I mean they can’t force suitors on you when they’re all off to war.”
    Jenny smiled. “I wish you could stay here with me when Will goes back. What will you do? Will you travel with the army?”
    Erin hadn’t thought about that. Her choices of where she could stay were limited. “I suppose, when he leaves, I’ll have to go with him. I have nowhere else to go.”
    “Then, stay here,” Jenny said.
    Erin shook her head. “Your parents wouldn’t like it. I know you mother wouldn’t.”
    “You’re right. I wish I could go with you.”
    While Erin wouldn’t mind having a companion like Jenny in camp, she hardly thought Will’s sister would last more than a few days with the army.
    ****
    Will stood inside the carriage house stroking the muzzle of his father’s, gray dappled stallion. He fed the horse, named Snicker, an apple he’d picked from the tree growing beside the house. As Snicker munched the fruit, Will continued to pet him. He was able, for the first time since coming home, to relax and forget his problems, if only for a few minutes.
    Longing for freedom, he had none. His marriage to Anne had been arranged by his parents. Even though he could have dissented, he’d never considered doing so, because of his family’s expectations. He’d also taken the post of captain after his father had used his political pull to get him the commission. Now, they were trying to arrange a second marriage for the sake of Amanda. At least the army provided a temporary escape from his parents’ meddling.
    At the sound of Amanda’s voice, Will looked toward the house.
    “Tillie says dinner’s almost done,” she called.
    “I’ll be right there, darlin’.”
    He turned back to pat Snicker’s flank before heading up the path. The comforts of home didn’t outweigh his family obligations. Like a weight around his neck, they threatened to drag him down and choke the life out of him. Although he had obligations to the army, he felt freer there. Even though he had superiors to answer to, he commanded other men. Here, he felt thoroughly controlled by his family’s expectations. And one of them waited inside at the dinner table. Emily Courtland was a lovely woman, but she wasn’t what he wanted.
    ****
    Dinner lasted forever. Although he’d been hungry and the meal Tillie had prepared smelled appetizing, Will found it hard to digest any of the ham, cornbread, potatoes, and corn, followed by the Negro woman’s specialty, apple pie.
    The family sat at the long dining table, his father at the head, his mother opposite. Emily had been placed between Will and his father. Jenny, Amanda, and Mrs. O’Connell sat across.
    Normally Amanda dined in the kitchen with the servants, but his mother had made this concession. Amanda, however, showed impeccable manners for a five-year-old. No doubt his mother’s doing.
    Mrs. O’Connell seemed amused by his daughter. “My, what a little lady you are.”
    Amanda looked up at her, glanced at her grandmother, then looked down at her plate, saying nothing.
    His mother eyed Mrs. O’Connell. “The child is not permitted to speak at the table.”
    Mrs. O’Connell shot a glance at Will. He caught it, then cast his gaze down to the food