This Time Forever by Linda Swift

Author:Linda Swift [Swift, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prairie Rose Publications
Published: 2018-05-23T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Oswego, July 1863

Virginia read the letter a second time, then lowered it and scrutinized the bedraggled slave who stood before her in the office of the Oswego Daily News.

"And how did you come by such a fine recommendation from my brother-in-law, Napoleon?"

He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, his lanky frame swaying slightly as he moved. "I done work for the Cap'ain, ma'am."

"What kind of work?"

"Work for him and Miss Clarissa in the hospital, ma'am."

"Such as?" Virginia persisted.

"Taking stuff to the wash house and emptying the, uh, waste and...burying the...body parts the Cap'ain cut off—"

Virginia waved her hands to stop the words. "I see." She drew her brows together thoughtfully. "And who is this Miss Clarissa you spoke of?"

"She the nurse heps Cap'ain Burke."

"I see," Virginia said again. She looked at the tall young man, meeting his dark, intelligent eyes before he quickly lowered his head. "And what did you do before the war—before you worked in the hospital?"

"I drove the carriage for Masta Wakefield, ma'am. He be the one owns Whitehaven."

"You can handle horses, then?"

"Yes'um."

Virginia smiled. "Well, Napoleon, I think you've got yourself a job. How would you like to drive a carriage for me?"

"Jes fine, ma'am."

"Now I want you to go to my house—I'll send one of our helpers here to show you the way—and take this note and another I'm going to write for you. My housekeeper will feed you and get you some suitable clothes. Then, I want you to rest, because we'll be going to New York City as soon as I can get ready."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"The thanks go to Captain Burke." Virginia quickly scrawled the note and dispatched the slave and helper to her home. As she closed the back door after their departure, Edward came in the front.

"Virginia, darling," he came to kiss her, and together, they walked toward their private office. "I'm sorry that took so long but the soldiers who have come back from Gettysburg had little new to tell me that we haven't already written about."

"That's quite all right, Edward. I'm sure you've gotten the best information possible for our editorial tomorrow." She sat down to avoid the impression of being anxious to rush away and said casually. "But now that you're here, I think I'll be going back home to pack my things."

"Pack?" Edward looked at her blankly.

"For my trip to the city."

"New York?" Edward frowned. I know we discussed the possibility, but I thought we'd agreed it was out of the question."

"For you, yes. But not for me."

"Virginia, it wouldn't be safe for a woman alone to go into that inferno."

"I won't be alone. I've hired a new carriage driver. A strong, young black man who is quite capable of protecting me." She stood and gathered her things."

"You hired a driver? When? Who?"

"His name is Napoleon. And your bother Philip sent him to me."

"Philip? He's a runaway slave, then?" Edward looked worried.

"Napoleon assisted Philip at the hospital in Chattanooga where he's been practicing." They never referred to the fact that he was a prisoner when they spoke of him.

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