Corn Silk Days: Iowa, 1862 by Linda Pendleton

Author:Linda Pendleton [Pendleton, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781453876510
Amazon: 1453876510
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2010-10-05T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-one: Lawrence Taylor

Madeline was in her bedroom when she heard dogs barking outside, followed shortly by a commotion downstairs. As the loudness of the voices increased, her husband’s among them, she walked down the hall to the head of the stairs. In the front foyer were several Confederate officers, including Lieutenant Edson. Close behind Edson an officer held Sadie by the arm.

She panicked and broke into a cold sweat. For a split second, William Edson’s eyes caught hers. And in that moment, she read in those eyes that all was not well.

A captain, whom she did not recognize, was standing with Lawrence Taylor, and in deep conversation. Her husband’s back was to her, but she saw anger displayed in the tenseness of her husband’s body.

The front doors were standing open beyond the foyer and in the yard she saw Nicholas standing motionless, with slumped shoulders and deep concern on his face, with one of the dogs near.

At that moment her husband swung around to face her and she saw a look she had never before seen on his face.

Her heart sank.

His voice was loud, angry, and tense, “Madeline, get down here!”

All eyes were on her as she slowly descended the stairs. Sadie watched her, but not with fear but with a determination that seemed somewhat out of place to Madeline, considering what was apparently happening.

As she reached the last step, she took a deep breath and set her countenance with all the confidence she could muster.

The captain stepped toward her. He held a paper in his hand. “Mrs. Taylor, I am Captain Sylvester Southerland. We have arrested and retained your neighbor, Mrs. Montgomery, and your housemaid here.” He turned and motioned toward Sadie, and then returned his gaze to Madeline. “They are being charged with aiding and abetting the enemy.”

Lawrence was giving her a cold stare.

Southerland continued, “I have questions for you, Mrs. Taylor.”

“Yes, what is it.”

He held the paper up toward her. “Is this your handwriting, Mrs. Taylor?”

She knew there was no use in denying it. It was the letter she had written a short time ago. She answered calmly, “Yes, I believe it is.”

Before Captain Southerland could say another word, Lawrence lunged toward her and grabbed her arms, shaking her. She had never seen that kind of anger in his eyes, ever. “How could you!” He was holding her arms tight and it hurt. “How long has this been going on?” he demanded.

“Let me go, Lawrence.” She tried to move away but his grasp on both arms tightened, holding them close to her body.

His face was a mask of rage. “You bitch!”

Madeline pulled away, trying to break his grasp, but he would not give it up. “Let me go!”

About the time she saw Lawrence Taylor’s right arm pull back in an attempt to hit her in the face, she caught the movement of Lieutenant Edson. “Mr. Taylor, stop that!” He moved swiftly forward and caught Taylor’s arm.

Taylor barked, “Get your hands off me!”

“Not until you take your hands off your wife,” Lieutenant Edson said firmly.

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