Return to Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Author:Carrie Fancett Pagels [Pagels, Carrie Fancett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Books & Bibles, Literature & Fiction, Historical, Romance, Two Hours or More (65-100 Pages), Religious & Inspirational Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christian Fiction
Amazon: B01AFHP0DE
Publisher: Hearts Overcoming Press
Published: 2016-01-25T16:00:00+00:00

Matthew wasn’t proud of his behavior, but he’d hidden in the widow’s quarters at Angelina’s request. Although he’d tried to convince himself it was to protect her, he’d also grown concerned as more and more wounded soldiers, union soldiers, had been loaded onto the boats departing up the James River. What was going on? He’d received a private message from Hill Carter, delivered by Angelina, to meet with him as soon as the sun rose the following morning.

Inside the Great House, he tapped lightly on Hill Carter’s office door, just to the left as one entered the first floor.

“Come in.” Mr. Carter’s distinctive voice boomed through the office door.

Matthew entered and removed his hat.

“Have a seat, Mr. Scott—but first close the door.”

Mister Scott. Not private Scott. Matthew’s hands began to tremble.

“Do you enjoy the newspapers where you’re from, Mr. Scott? In Ohio, I believe.”

Matthew slid into the offered Windsor chair. “Yes, sir, I do.”

The older man rubbed his chin, his green eyes sad. “Ever read the Richmond paper since you’ve been south?”

“No, sir.” Where was he going with this conversation?

“Do you know I’ve had 17 children…” He paused as though recollecting something. “with my beautiful wife?”

No, sir.” This sounded like the beginning of one of his father’s lectures. Matthew had no siblings. No cousins. No aunts or uncles. He was alone in the world, save for his parents. But with Angelina, he’d begun to hope for a future. The beautiful Southern widow had given him hope. Dare he think it possible? Perhaps this was the topic on which the man wished to commence.

“We lost half our children.” Moisture glistened in the man’s eyes.

“I’m sorry sir. I pray one day, I too, will know the privilege of having a family.”

“Pray you never experience the losses I have had.”

“Yes sir, but I also hope to have a long marriage such as you’ve been blessed with.” Why today had his tongue become unhinged? Because if he didn’t say something to Angelina’s uncle, he might never know if another marriage was in her future. And when? Was he already considering a Southern gentleman for her?

He fixed his eyes on Matthew as though looking through him and seeing someone else sitting there.

“My sons are all gone except Warrington. Thank God his services have been helpful here, to your northern comrades.”

He believes me. He knows. Matthew rubbed the crick forming in his neck. “Dr. Carter has been most proficient.”

“Mr. Scott, there is a notice in the Richmond paper.” Hill Carter pulled a newspaper out from beneath a stack of ledgers.

He tapped at what appeared to be classified ads. “Your mother’s name would be…”

Green eyes gazed at him, expectantly.

“Constance Merriweather Scott.”

“Wife of Congressman Theodore Scott.”

The dizziness, which had subsided, resumed and Matthew gripped the chair arms. “Yes.”

Carter’s surprisingly sympathetic eyes met his. “Your mother placed an ad in the Richmond Gazette. Perhaps hoping with the peninsula campaign finished that you or someone knowing of your location, might read this notice.”

His heart squeezed. Carter pushed the paper toward him but Matthew’s blurred vision made it hard to read.

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