Her Rebel Heart. Shannon Farrington

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СКАЧАТЬ Prissy, opinionated, Rebekah Van der Geld would not. Rebekah had recently expressed disdain for the growing secessionist movement.

       “It is treason,” she’d said flatly, “and anyone who fights for the Confederacy deserves to be hanged.”

       Julia sighed. She had once considered Rebekah a friend but did not any longer. She wondered how the girl continued to come to their group when she clearly held such an opposing view.

      Why must politics invade every aspect of life? Why can’t we just go on living?

       Her mother spoke. “I talked with Sally briefly yesterday at church. She told me she was hoping you would come today. I think she misses Stephen terribly.”

       Julia’s agitation was replaced with concern for her friend. She knew what Sally was feeling. She wanted to comfort her and perhaps, if they had a moment in private, she could tell her about Samuel. It would help to have a friend’s blessing when her guilt over the broken engagement came calling.

       “Perhaps I will go,” she said to her mother, “but are you sure you want me to?”

       “Life must continue, Julia, despite hardship, despite grief. The best thing we can do for Edward, for all of us, is to pray and then go on living.”

       When Julia arrived at the Hastings home, Sally met her at the front door. She gave her a hug.

       “I am so pleased that you came,” she said. “We must catch up when the others have gone.”

       “Yes,” Julia said. “I would like to.”

       Sally took her hand and ushered her into the parlor. The other girls were all there, sisters Trudy and Elizabeth Martin, Emily Davis and sour-looking Rebekah Van der Geld.

       The girls smiled. Rebekah stared. She sat with her back straight and rigid as though she was ready to pounce on any subversive political idea. The black bonnet she wore was too big for her head. Julia thought she looked ridiculous.

       “We weren’t certain that you would come,” Trudy said. “We heard about Edward.” Her voice was sweet and genuine.

       Julia liked her and her twin sister. Their older brother George was considering enlistment. She sat down next to them. “Has George decided?”

       “He wants to go,” Trudy said, “but fears what it will mean for Mother.”

       Elizabeth leaned forward. She looked exactly like her sister but for a few freckles on her nose. “George has been the man of the house ever since Father passed away. He feels torn between two duties.”

       “Both honorable,” Julia said.

       Rebekah huffed.

       Julia shot her a look. Sally stepped between them with a tray of cold tea. She smiled.

       “It is warm this afternoon, isn’t it?”

       Sally Hastings had a peaceful presence that could stabilize almost any situation. Julia envied her friend’s ability to do so. She wished she were more like her.

       “Thank you,” Julia said as she took a glass.

       “There are tea cakes as well,” Sally said. “Rebekah, will you serve them?”

       Rebekah got up from her seat and did as Sally asked, though not as graciously as her host. Julia took an orange-glazed tea cake from her tray if only to be polite.

       “How is your father feeling?” she asked, knowing he had been ill with stomach pains.

       Rebekah’s face softened but only a bit. “Much better, thank you.”

       When the refreshments had been served, the young ladies got down to business.

       “Well,” Sally said. “We have finished our other projects and given what has been happening these last few weeks, I thought that perhaps we might do something different today.” She paused, eyes sweeping the room. “We all know at least one man who has gone to serve. Perhaps we could take on a project for the regiment.”

       Elizabeth looked delighted by the suggestion. “I have heard that there is a group of ladies in Carroll County who are at this very moment sewing a coat for General Lee.”

       Trudy nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. Yes. Let’s do something of that sort.”

       “Why?” Rebekah grumbled. “Your men left in full uniform.”

       Emily Davis was an only child and had no relatives serving as of yet but she liked Sally’s suggestion as well. “What about sashes?”

       Sally nodded, though hesitantly. “Yes, but wouldn’t that be only for officers?” She looked about the circle.

       The women had no idea.

       “What about a regimental flag?” Elizabeth suggested.

       “That could get you arrested,” Rebekah announced. “Haven’t you read the paper? No displays of Confederate regalia, no Confederate music… Why I even read a notice concerning red-and-white-striped stockings.”

       “For goodness’ sake, what is wrong with striped stockings?” Sally asked.

       “Red and white have been deemed pro-secessionist colors. Anyone found wearing such could be arrested.”

       Sally blew out her breath and Julia’s face heated as she thought of her own red and white stockings which were tucked beneath her hoop and petticoats. Part of her feared catching the attention of some impudent Yankee rascal on the way home. The defiant streak in her wished to display the stockings proudly.

       “Well,” Elizabeth said. “If they insist on spying on our ankles then I suppose we will have to wear extra petticoats to hide them.”

       “Indeed,” Emily said.

       “Speaking of stockings,” Trudy said. “What about socks for our men?”

       “You mean ordinary, plain ones?” Sally asked.

       “Yes. Of course. Surely no one, even Yankees, could object to sending our men socks. They will need them for winter.”

       The thought of Edward still on the battlefield come Christmas time was too much to bear. Julia looked at Sally. She must have been thinking the same about Stephen. Her chin quivered.

       “Let’s hope it doesn’t last that long,” she said.

       “Why are we so concerned with the soldiers?” Rebekah asked. “Aren’t we supposed to be making lace?”

       The women stopped. They quickly looked at Julia.

       “Oh, my dear, I am so sorry,” said Sally. “Forgive me. I can’t believe I forgot.”

       Julia felt incredibly uneasy but it had nothing to do with Sally’s forgetfulness. “It is all right,” she said. “We have all had other things on our mind.”

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