Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia by Jessica James

Author:Jessica James [Jessica James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0019SW4DS
Goodreads: 10467604
Publisher: Patriot Press
Published: 2008-04-11T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter 37

“Even God cannot change the past.”

– Aristotle

Andrea lifted her eyes from a book to gaze at the rays of soft sunlight drenching the lawn in a rich golden blanket. She heard the front door close, then the familiar sound of Hunter’s spurs clanking across the porch. Seemingly unaware of her presence, he leaned one shoulder against the ionic column and gazed meditatively over the gorgeous panorama of the valley he owned.

Andrea could not draw her eyes away from the indomitable figure. With one hand wrapped around a cup of coffee, the other stuffed indifferently in his pocket, his image suggested little of the intrepid character she knew so well. Dressed casually, without his Confederate coat, he seemed tranquil and relaxed. Yet his large muscular frame, with his strong, tan forearms and powerfully built legs, showed evidence of his ability to put up a fight.

She lowered her eyes to her book, then lifted them once again. He was striking, she mused, irresistibly masculine and, she had to admit, very appealing. Tall, broad-shouldered, and vigorous, he was the incarnation of force and strength. A fearless soldier, he was likewise respected by others as a gracious and gallant gentleman, creating a puzzling veil of mystery that made him all the more captivating.

Andrea cocked her head and scrutinized him. Most officers dressed flamboyantly. Hunter, on the other hand, always wore a uniform that displayed nothing but hard usage. She could not help yielding him the tribute of admiration, for he was almost impossible to dislike.

Almost.

Andrea looked away as her thoughts began to disturb her, and a sigh involuntarily escaped her lips.

“Oh, there you are.” Hunter turned around.

He moved toward her with a brilliant smile, revealing a hidden handsomeness all the more enchanting. Placing his cup down on the table opposite her, he took a seat. Andrea detected an uncharacteristic twinkle in his eye and tried to decipher its cause.

* * *

“I forgot to mention that I had a chat with some fellows from South Carolina last week,” Hunter said as if simply making conversation.

Andrea lifted her gaze and then lowered it again, but otherwise did not respond.

“Yes, the Charleston area to be exact.” Hunter noticed that his houseguest stared at the book in her hands, but her eyes did not move, a hint to him that her thoughts were not on the words. “Maybe you know the area? Something-Crossroads, I think they said.”

Andrea closed her book and looked up at him with questioning eyes.

“Anyway, they can’t recall any Evans from the area,” he continued, “but they do know about this chap Charles Monroe”—Hunter emphasized the last name—“who, oddly enough, was married to an Evans—of Virginia.”

Andrea swallowed hard, but for the most part, her impassive face revealed nothing.

“Anyway, this Charles Monroe owns half of South Carolina.” He swept his arms to show the magnitude. “A place called MontRose.”

Hunter knew with certainty he had struck a chord now. Despite her best efforts to maintain an appearance of indifference, his young houseguest appeared troubled.

“I’d be somewhat surprised if you hadn’t heard of it with your knowledge of horseflesh.

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