have his way. He usually does. So, you were at West Point, I understand."
Christopher nodded glumly. "I am ashamed to admit that I have been dismissed from the Military Academy."
"Well, it's not the end of the world, young man, I assure you."
"It certainly seemed so at the time."
"But already you perceive new vistas of opportunity before you. You must roll with the punches, Mr. Groves. Yes, I heard all about the events surrounding your departure from the Point."
Christopher sighed. "I guess it must be common knowledge by now."
"Ah, but I had a special source for the details. A very dear friend of mine happens to be Piet Inskilling."
"He must be gloating right about now. He said I wouldn't amount to anything."
"You shall prove him wrong. I have no doubt of that. Do not judge him too harshly. Rare indeed is the father who does not find something to criticize about his daughter's beau. To be precise, it was Greta Inskilling who wrote me a letter which provided all the details of your duel with Adam Vickers and your subsequent dismissal. She pleaded with me to intercede on your behalf, if I could. Alas, I am unable to influence Superintendent Thayer, beyond the point of presenting your case, and darling Greta's request for leniency, to the secretary of war. Which I have done, and gladly. But I have a hunch you are not the type of fellow who expects or even desires special treatment."
"Absolutely not, Mr. Secretary."
"I thought not. You were well aware of theconsequences of your actions, and were willing to accept them. Frankly, I can see why Greta is so fond of you. She is a dear, sweet, beautiful child, and she has a good head on her shoulders. Surely you weren't thinking of going to Texas without at the very least saying goodbye to her."
"I'm not sure I'm going to Texas."
"Ah. Well, you and she will have an opportunity to discuss it."
"We will?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Greta is on her way to Washington even as we speak. I would expect her no later than tomorrow afternoon."
"Greta? Coming here? But why?"
"To see the President on your behalf. She will be staying with me. And I'm certain she'll be delighted to see you."
Chapter 9
Christopher was invited to a Jackson "family" dinner that evening. Present around the table in the White House dining room were the President, Jack Donelson, Secretary of War John Eaton and his wife Peggy, Major Andrew Lewis and his daughter Mary Ann, Martin Van Buren and Christopher. Emily Donelson, the unofficial hostess of the White House, and the wife of Jack, the President's private secretary, was ill, as she so often was these days. This did not dismay the crusty Major Lewis, a longtime associate of Jackson's, who was promoting his daughter as Emily's replacement. Mary Ann's chief rival in this instance was none other than the infamous Peggy Eaton, the pretty, brown-haired, rosy-cheeked young woman who was causing a stir in the capital's social circles these days. Jack Donelson was noticeably cool toward Peggy, because Peggy and Emily just didn't get along, but he couldn't be too cool, because Old Hickory wouldn't abide any disrespect shown the persecuted wife of his old friend, the secretary of war.
All this Christopher learned from Martin Van Buren. "It is quite an entertaining little circus," said the Fox of Kinderhook with a sly wink. The secretary of state looked altogether different in appearance from that afternoon in the flower garden. He wore an impeccable snuff-colored broadcloth coat complete with velvet collar, an apricot cravat with lace tips, a pearl-colored vest, white duck trousers, and shoes of Moroccan leather. Hehad arrived wearing yellow kid gloves and a broad-brimmed beaver hat. "Jedediah Smith's welcome contribution to my wardrobe," he joked, invoking the name of the famous fur trapper and mountain man.
The President prefaced dinner with a blessing. At the "Amen" the servants, clad in spotless white livery, went to work. There was one servant assigned to each
Christopher nodded glumly. "I am ashamed to admit that I have been dismissed from the Military Academy."
"Well, it's not the end of the world, young man, I assure you."
"It certainly seemed so at the time."
"But already you perceive new vistas of opportunity before you. You must roll with the punches, Mr. Groves. Yes, I heard all about the events surrounding your departure from the Point."
Christopher sighed. "I guess it must be common knowledge by now."
"Ah, but I had a special source for the details. A very dear friend of mine happens to be Piet Inskilling."
"He must be gloating right about now. He said I wouldn't amount to anything."
"You shall prove him wrong. I have no doubt of that. Do not judge him too harshly. Rare indeed is the father who does not find something to criticize about his daughter's beau. To be precise, it was Greta Inskilling who wrote me a letter which provided all the details of your duel with Adam Vickers and your subsequent dismissal. She pleaded with me to intercede on your behalf, if I could. Alas, I am unable to influence Superintendent Thayer, beyond the point of presenting your case, and darling Greta's request for leniency, to the secretary of war. Which I have done, and gladly. But I have a hunch you are not the type of fellow who expects or even desires special treatment."
"Absolutely not, Mr. Secretary."
"I thought not. You were well aware of theconsequences of your actions, and were willing to accept them. Frankly, I can see why Greta is so fond of you. She is a dear, sweet, beautiful child, and she has a good head on her shoulders. Surely you weren't thinking of going to Texas without at the very least saying goodbye to her."
"I'm not sure I'm going to Texas."
"Ah. Well, you and she will have an opportunity to discuss it."
"We will?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Greta is on her way to Washington even as we speak. I would expect her no later than tomorrow afternoon."
"Greta? Coming here? But why?"
"To see the President on your behalf. She will be staying with me. And I'm certain she'll be delighted to see you."
Chapter 9
Christopher was invited to a Jackson "family" dinner that evening. Present around the table in the White House dining room were the President, Jack Donelson, Secretary of War John Eaton and his wife Peggy, Major Andrew Lewis and his daughter Mary Ann, Martin Van Buren and Christopher. Emily Donelson, the unofficial hostess of the White House, and the wife of Jack, the President's private secretary, was ill, as she so often was these days. This did not dismay the crusty Major Lewis, a longtime associate of Jackson's, who was promoting his daughter as Emily's replacement. Mary Ann's chief rival in this instance was none other than the infamous Peggy Eaton, the pretty, brown-haired, rosy-cheeked young woman who was causing a stir in the capital's social circles these days. Jack Donelson was noticeably cool toward Peggy, because Peggy and Emily just didn't get along, but he couldn't be too cool, because Old Hickory wouldn't abide any disrespect shown the persecuted wife of his old friend, the secretary of war.
All this Christopher learned from Martin Van Buren. "It is quite an entertaining little circus," said the Fox of Kinderhook with a sly wink. The secretary of state looked altogether different in appearance from that afternoon in the flower garden. He wore an impeccable snuff-colored broadcloth coat complete with velvet collar, an apricot cravat with lace tips, a pearl-colored vest, white duck trousers, and shoes of Moroccan leather. Hehad arrived wearing yellow kid gloves and a broad-brimmed beaver hat. "Jedediah Smith's welcome contribution to my wardrobe," he joked, invoking the name of the famous fur trapper and mountain man.
The President prefaced dinner with a blessing. At the "Amen" the servants, clad in spotless white livery, went to work. There was one servant assigned to each
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