Northern Star

Chapter 34

As the three old oaks came into view Perry felt a sadness engulf her. The memories of Noma's betrayal and Wade's beating suddenly and painfully returned. The place looked much the same as it had months ago when she'd first ar-ived. When her horse stopped beside Andrew's mount, she stared at the long French windows through which she'd made her escape, and all the pain of that night came back to her…

Andrew helped her from her horse, unaware of her hesitation. "I haven't properly welcomed you back to the living." He hugged her tightly. "When I rode to Ravenwood and found only ashes, I was disheartened. When I reached here and was told you had drowned, I thought life and this war had finally broken me. My only hope lay in the fact that they never found your body, and I remembered how strong a swimmer you were."

Sarah and James came out of the house shouting like sinners on the last night of a revival. When Sarah calmed down enough to speak, she mumbled between sobs, "We kept your room just as it was. Noma made us. Said there was so much sorrow in that room, nobody was ever goin' in there again."

"You've seen Noma?"

Andrew nodded. "She came by a few weeks ago. She works near town for a Union officer named Williams." His tone lowered as Wade's name flavored his voice with disgust. "Seems he was real nice to Noma after you 'died,' and Noma went to work for him. I invited her to come back here, but she said she couldn't stay at the place with you gone. I'll ride over and tell her you're back."

"No," Perry answered, wishing she had time to tell Andrew all that had happened. "Wait a few days." The last thing she wanted was Wade's entire household knowing where she was. There would be time enough to tell Noma after Hunter returned from Raleigh.

Andrew watched her, reading her sadness. "Come on inside. You must be tired. We can talk at dinner."

She was thankful he allowed her the afternoon alone. When she joined him in the newly decorated dining room, Perry felt she was finally ready to face his questions.

But to her surprise they didn't dine alone. An attractive widow, Victoria, whose husband had been Andrew's friend during the war, joined them. She was warm, and her voice was soft and friendly. She'd been helping Andrew redecorate the house and mend the wounds of war. As they talked, Perry watched her eyes and knew she would someday erase Andrew's scars of war with strokes of love.

When they moved from the dining room to the newly painted study, the thunder of horses silenced all conversation. Andrew patted Victoria's arm and excused himself. Perry moved to build a fire to warm the study. Her brother often had late visitors before the war. It usually meant someone was hurt and in need of a doctor. With the cold night his visitors would welcome a fire.

Just as Hunter lifted his hand to knock, Andrew opened the door. "Andrew"-Hunter's voice blew into the hall, along with the cold night air-"I know it's late, but I must see Perry."

Andrew stepped aside and held the door wide. He could see just beyond the porch that a huge black man waited holding the reins of their horses. Andrew indicated the study door. It never occurred to him to deny Hunter's request. In truth, Andrew knew Hunter was stating his plans and not asking permission. Despite Hunter's temper, Andrew liked him and had decided, after a day's thought, that the Yankee was probably an equal match for his headstrong sister.

Hunter stormed into the study and stopped in mid-stride as he watched the vision before him. Perry was kneeling beside the fireplace trying to add more logs. Her dress was a dark wine red, which made her skin seem even more lovely. Her hair streamed down her back in long waves the color of midnight. He wondered, as he moved closer, how she could grow more beautiful each time he saw her.

He was almost across the room before she looked up. "Angel," he whispered as he pulled her into his arms. His lips met hers as his name formed on her mouth. He held her close to his body, as if they had been separated for a long time. Her softness molded into his hard frame as his mouth whispered of his need. His hands moved over the velvet of her dress in hungry urgency.

After some time she pulled away slightly. "What are you doing here so late?"

"Trying to make love to you," Hunter answered as his hands roamed her back in caressing strokes.

"No." Perry laughed. "What has brought you?"

He released her long enough to throw his hat and heavy coat aside. "When I see you, I forget all else but my need to hold you." He reached for her, but she darted from his touch.

"Hunter, this is my brother's house."

He moved toward her slowly. "I'm aware of that fact. Why else would I be restraining myself?" A devilish twinkle danced in his gray eyes.

"You're a lost cause." Perry moved away, loving the way he followed.

"Agreed, lady, completely lost," he whispered before sobering to his duty. "I came to warn you of something. Abram arrived this afternoon and reported Wade may have reached North Carolina ahead of him. He said several people along the road reported having seen a man of Wade's description, traveling fast."

"Wade's here?" she whispered as she unconsciously slipped her hand into her pocket and encircled her knife.

"I've spent the past few hours looking for him but with no luck." Hunter walked to the window, as if searching the darkness. "He has a house between here and town, but he isn't there."

Hunter turned suddenly to face Perry. His voice was cold with determination. "I must go to Raleigh tonight. It's very important. I've come to tell you to stay inside and be careful. Go nowhere until I return."

"Ordering me?" she asked, placing her fists on her hips as she faced him. When would he learn to stop treating her like a child or a servant?

"Yes, damn it, I'm ordering you!" he shouted, suddenly tired and torn between staying with her and doing what must be done.

"Well, I'm through with running away from Wade. Let him find me. I'll shoot him for the dog he is!" Finally all the fear within her changed to anger. "I can't spend the rest of my life running from him."

Hunter raised his finger. "You will stay safe. I'll not have you confronting Wade alone." His anger set fire to his stormy eyes. He'd seen men freeze at his wrath, yet this little lady stood her ground.

She lifted her chin. "And who are you to tell me what to do? No one owns me, and I'll do as I please."

Hunter moved toward her, his frustration showing in the muscles along his jaw. The door to the study opened before he reached Perry.

"Oh," Victoria said, ignorant of the drama she had walked in on. "I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was in this room."

Perry introduced Victoria, loving the way Hunter fought to control his anger as he addressed the lady. "I hope you'll excuse us, Victoria," Perry urged. "We were in the middle of an argument."

Andrew stepped into the room just behind Victoria. He watched his sister and the Yankee closely as the widow politely said, "Oh, we can't have you two arguing. I'll bring tea and we'll talk over any problem."

Andrew almost burst out laughing. Gentle Victoria, who'd been sheltered from the war, would be unprepared for these two.

Hunter bowed politely. "I thank you, but I can fight with Perry quite successfully without refreshment. If you and Andrew will excuse us, I have a few things to say to her, and I feel they must be said without an audience."

Victoria looked at Andrew for direction.

"Does my sister wish us to leave?" He watched Perry.

"I'll be quite safe." Perry smiled at Andrew, wondering what he would have done if she'd demanded he stay.

Andrew nodded and took Victoria's arm. He closed the door behind them without another word.

"Safe?" Hunter raised one sandy eyebrow as he moved toward her.

"I'm not afraid of you or anyone else." She stood her ground by the fireplace. He seemed so tall in his black riding boots and dark gray slacks.

He put his hands around her waist, encircling her as he lifted her off her feet and stood her upon the brick hearth. Now her face was equal to his as he studied her in the firelight.

"Perry.' His voice was low, without anger. "I must go to Raleigh tonight. I would feel much better if I thought you safe. This morning you asked me if I cared for you." He was only an inch from her nose. "I care for you very deeply." His words came slowly, as though being pried from him.

Perry laid her arms lightly on his shoulders. "And you think your caring gives you permission to order me around?"

She loved his words, but she had to be honest. "I'll not be ordered or bullied by any man. Not even you. You can't take what must be given." He would accept her as an equal or not at all. She would not be one of those women who lived in fear of a man's orders.

He ran his fingers through his hair. He had to convince her of the danger she was in, but he found it hard to reason with her hands gently moving across his neck. Finally he shoved his fists into his pockets and looked deep into her eyes. He saw the warmth and fire of a woman he would hunger for all his life. "Come here," he whispered as she stood only an inch away.

Perry closed the space between them and lightly kissed him. "I'll not be ordered."

He closed his eyes in agony as she slowly moved her lips over his face. She ran her fingers through his windblown hair, yet he made no move to withdraw his hands from his pockets. He was waiting for her to agree to his request. It was unthinkable that she might try to face Wade alone.

"You'll stay in the house until I return?" he asked, not moving as she slid her hands along his shirt.

"And if I say no, what will you do?" she whispered as she kissed his ear.

"Will you take care?" His body stood in agony as she moved beside him, pushing her breasts lightly into his chest as she kissed his cheek. The vision of her dressing only hours ago floated over his mind like a fog.

"I will," she mumbled as she boldly kissed his face. Her velvety lips moved along his skin with maddening slowness. "You need have no thought of my safety."

"Thoughts and dreams of you are all I ever have," he whispered as she swayed against him.

"I'm not a thought or a dream now," she answered.

Finally he could stand no more of her torture. He pulled his hands from his pockets and broke his vow to talk without touching her. "You're driving me mad," he said, pulling her into his arms. Moving one arm under her knees, he lifted her against his chest and carried her to a chair. As he fell into the large chair he pulled her into his lap.

"I've never met the likes of you," Perry said with a giggle. "I'm beginning to think my brother's right-you are part madman."

"It's true, my love. I'm quite mad." He moved his hand up her bodice and began pulling at her blouse as he slowly kissed her neck.

"No!" Perry squealed. "Andrew is probably at the door."

"Then we must be respectable." Hunter laughed as she rebuttoned her blouse. "I have to go. I've a long ride ahead of me. But first I'll hold you once more, for your memory will warm this night."

"We will continue our argument when you return."

"Ah, lady, and more." He pulled her close. His kiss was long and deep, exciting her with its promised fire. His hand moved up her leg, under her skirt, and to her bare thigh. As her eyes opened in shock he moved his hand boldly up and down the soft flesh of her leg. Suddenly she was lost in a whirlwind of ecstasy. With each new touch her yearning for him deepened.

Finally he pulled away to study her face, glowing with the fires he had kindled. He knew he would never tire of her. He watched her eyes close in pleasure, and she leaned back against his arm as his hand moved slowly beneath her skirts. Her lips parted and he leaned to catch her cry of joy in his mouth. She was his as surely as he had lost his heart to her.

When he was able to break their kiss, he whispered, his voice low and thick with passion, "I must leave. Promise you'll wait in safety. I have much to say to you, and now is not the time or place." She pulled his face to her, and he was lost once more in her kiss.

She pulled away and whispered, "I'll be careful." Standing, she looked at him, her mahogany eyes telling him all that he needed to know about how she felt.

Hunter wanted to stop time's passing, but he couldn't. He wanted to stay with her forever, but honor and duty demanded he leave her once more. In silence he grabbed his coat and led the way to the porch.

They didn't say a word to each other on the porch but only held each other tightly for a moment. Then Hunter and Abram vanished into the darkness.

Perry stood staring into the night. Finally, when the cold had seeped into her bones, she returned to the house. She walked silently to her bedroom and curled up amid the covers and her thoughts.

The next few days passed like feather-light clouds over an endless sky. Andrew hired new servants and retired Old James and Sarah to a little house out back. They still came over every morning out of habit. Sarah planted herself in the kitchen and spent the day telling stories. James tried to make himself useful by sauntering through the house making announcements. He shuffled from room to room like a town crier, calling that dinner was served, or that the wind was changing, or other news everyone already knew. He often answered the door when folks came to see the doctor. He'd wander around announcing their ailments to everyone. Perry found his manner hilarious, but Andrew didn't share her opinion.

On December twelfth they heard that the election for governor went to Jonathan Worth by only five thousand votes. Perry knew Hunter would be coming soon.

James had just finished sweeping the porch the next evening when he stepped into the hall.' "Rider coming," he announced in his usual serious tone.

Perry jumped to her feet and ran to the door. Her heart was pounding in the hope of seeing Hunter again so soon. Far down the road, she watched a lone rider moving fast. The setting sun was shining in her eyes, so it took her several seconds to recognize the form drawing near. "Wade!" She whirled around and ran into the house.

Colliding with her brother in the hall, Perry tried to slow her words enough to make sense. "Andrew, it's Wade. I don't wish to see him."

"All right." Andrew didn't need to ask questions; he could read her eyes and find all the answers he needed. "Go upstairs and I'll take care of him."

As Perry climbed the stairs she wished shed told Andrew more about Wade and how dangerous he was, but the time had never been right to reopen all the wounds he'd inflicted.

Running to her room, she pulled her derringer from the dresser drawer and shoved it into her pocket, then moved to the top of the stairs. Here in the shadows she could see everything as she stood unnoticed.

Andrew answered the pounding politely. "Yes, may I help you?"

Perry froze when she heard Wade's voice: "I understand Perry McLain is visiting here. I wonder if I might have a word with her. We're old friends." His voice sounded casual, as if he had just dropped by for a visit. "I'm Captain Wade Williams." He extended his hand to Andrew.

Andrew took Wade's hand, knowing the Union officer didn't remember the bearded Confederate doctor he'd once insulted. But Andrew would never forget Captain Williams and the small Union camp. Wade had only been in charge of the prisoners for a few weeks, but during that time many of the wounded had died. Andrew remembered that if it hadn't been for the bargain Abram made for supplies, many more would have perished. At the time Andrew had wondered how Captain Williams could care so little for his fellowman. Not only didn't he value the prisoners' lives, but also he cared little for his own men. The only thing all the soldiers in camp had in common was their hatred for Williams.

"Captain, I'm sorry, but my sister is not receiving guests."

Wade's voice grew cold. "I've ridden a long way to see her. I'm sure she can find the time." He placed his arm on Andrew's shoulder and pushed slightly to make his point.

"I'm afraid not. Perry has no wish to see you, sir." Andrew's voice was nervous. "I'll have to ask you to leave."

"You can't stop me from seeing her." Wade's tone was sharp with rage. "I'll tear this house apart-and you along with it."

"No. I can't allow-" Andrew never finished his statement, for Wade's fists plowed into his face. Andrew was unprepared for the sudden violence and fell backward like a puppet whose strings suddenly had been dropped.

"I'm not in the habit of allowing anyone to stand in my way." Wade kicked Andrew with his boot. "Now, if you'll tell your sister I'm here, we'll avoid any more unpleasantness."

Andrew stood, swinging blindly toward Wade. The captain showed no mercy. He pounded into the doctor with the power of a trained soldier. Blood streamed from Andrew's nose and mouth, and still Wade drove his fist into the gentle doctor. Finally, as if suddenly bored, he stepped back, allowing Andrew to crumble into a puddle of blood.

Wade moved toward the stairs without a backward glance at the damage he'd done. He was smiling at his victory and looking forward to more of such pleasure to come.

As he reached the foot of the stairs a gun being cocked cracked the silent air. Wade froze, irritated at another delay.

"Back up, Captain!" Old James's voice rang from beneath the stairs.

Wade took several steps backward as James moved to block the stairs. The old black man stood taller than he was, an old rifle in his hands pointing directly at Wade.

Shock and rage blended in Wade's face. "You old fool. You don't want to point that antique at me. I doubt it would shoot, anyway." Wade would have laughed off the attempt to stop him, but the gun was pointed at his middle. At this range the old man just might hit him.

"It'll shoot." James's voice was solid, though his body shook with nerves.

"You'll hang if you shoot a white man."

"I knows that, but I figure I don't have much time to lose, anyway. I saw what you did to Miss Perry that night, and I have to stop it from happenin' again. I may die for killin' you, but at least the likes of you won't be around pesterin' good folks like these."

Perry pulled her gun from her pocket and moved down the stairs. "It will be hard to tell if my bullet or James's took your life." She stood on the steps just behind James. Her hand held the gun solidly and Wade knew her aim would be true.

He backed away. "Perry, I only came to say I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. If I'd known you were serious about not marrying me, I would have stepped aside. In Philadelphia I only wanted to talk. I didn't even hurt anyone at that restaurant. The guard you had only got a bump on the head. But thanks to your telling the law, I almost got thrown in jail. So it is I who should be angry." His movements reminded Perry of a snake as he backed to the door. "Luckily I have friends in government who owe me favors."

Andrew moaned from the corner, drawing Perry's glance for an instant. Wade darted from the door and disappeared. She ran around James to the porch, but he was already riding away. Lifting her gun, she fired, warning him never to return. If he did, he would find them prepared.