Love Stays True by Martha Rogers

Author:Martha Rogers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781621362371
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2013-03-27T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

* * *

St. Francisville, Louisiana, Thursday, April 20, 1865

AFTER SALLIE HAD prayed with Mama, cold and fear for Manfred plagued Sallie all night, making for a restless sleep. Would God listen to Mama’s pleas? Sallie couldn’t trust God to answer her own.

Now in the light of day the fear and dread disappeared. After dressing for breakfast with Lettie’s help, Sallie drifted down to the dining room for breakfast, where Mama and Grandma sat discussing the day’s duties. “Where’s Grandpa?” Sallie asked.

Grandma adjusted her round, wire-frame spectacles. “He went into town very early this morning. Your mother and I have decided we don’t need heavy meals at noontime with your father and brothers gone. We were planning what we might have instead.”

Sallie made no comment but ladled oatmeal into a bowl. Lettie would bring her eggs and ham if asked, but a big breakfast held no appeal this morning. Flora did bring in a glass of milk and a bowl of early strawberries from the patch in back of the house. Mama and Grandma left to take care of their duties.

After sitting alone for a few minutes, Sallie shoved her half-eaten bowl away, drained her milk glass, and pushed back from the table. She had plenty of time now to read and write in her journal, but the hours dragged by.

By late afternoon she’d tired of writing and even reading her latest novel. She entered the parlor and ran her fingers over the keys of the piano. Grandma had given her a new piece to practice, but Sallie had forgotten all about it.

Maybe she could play a few minutes and concentrate on the beauty of the music rather than the ugliness of the past. But before she touched the keys, Grandpa entered the room accompanied by Benjamin Elliot.

When had Grandpa come home, and when had Benjamin Elliot arrived? Neither of them had made their presence known before this minute. Sallie clasped her hands in her lap and smiled. “Good afternoon, Grandpa, I didn’t realize you’d come back from town. It’s nice to see you, Mr. Elliot.” She hadn’t seen him in two years, but she had no trouble remembering him. How handsome he looked in his deep gray coat and pants and white shirt.

He bowed and said, “I came to speak to your grandfather since your father is not here.”

Grandpa nodded. “Yes. I told him your father would be back the end of the week, but it seems he is anxious to take care of this matter as quickly as possible. Mr. Elliot has come to ask our permission to be your escort for his party on Saturday. I told him you’d be honored to join him.”

Sallie gasped and pressed her fingers against her lips. The invitation had come only yesterday, and she hadn’t even decided whether she’d go to the party or not, much less be escorted by Benjamin Elliot. How could Grandpa even think of accepting an invitation like that?

“Now, Sallie, I know you’re surprised, but this is a chance for you to attend the celebration and give him a charming companion too.

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