Levi returned his gaze to Natalie. “Corporal Banks informs me you wish to document the contents of the house. May I ask why?”
“I imagine my reasoning is the same as yours, Colonel.” She swept the room with her eyes. “I can’t take everything of value with me. In the same way you wish to ensure my trustworthiness with a list of what I take, I feel compelled to do the same. It seems only fair.”
As much as he hated to admit it, she had a point. Scrutinizing the small pile of belongings, he conceded. “I find that I agree with you, Mrs. Ellis.”
Blue eyes rounded. “You do?”
“I do.” Levi allowed the trace of a grin. “However, it would take too long and too many sheets of paper to document everything. I believe the simplest solution is for me to accompany you into each room where together we will observe the items of value you are leaving behind. Your servants and Corporal Banks will act as our witnesses.”
A long moment passed. She seemed to weigh the offer. Finally, she inclined her head. “Very well. We have already removed most of what I wish to take with me.” She gazed about the room, sadness filling her countenance. “Mama would be aghast to see her room like this.” Her eyes grazed Levi. “With a Yankee standing in it, no less.”
Ignoring the slight, Levi looked about the space. “Is there anything worth noting in this room, or shall we move on?”
Walking around the large bed, Natalie pointed out a few pieces of art, an ornate lamp, and a chair said to have come from King George II’s summer palace.
Levi made a mental note of the items, enjoying her narration of her family’s history. For the next hour, the group went from room to room while Natalie pointed to portraits, porcelain vases, small tables, and one very old, very large, and very ugly embroidered face screen near the main parlor’s fireplace that she seemed to think was quite valuable. Levi thought it would make good kindling.
When they arrived in the kitchen wing, the last room on their tour, she rattled off the name of the fine china dishes and noted a silver tea service and silver utensils, all in desperate need of polishing. That people spent vast amounts of money on everyday items like plates and cups left him dumbfounded. Give him a tin of beans and a mug of hot coffee, and he was happy.
In the middle of her speech, Natalie gasped, her eyes wide.
Drawn out of his woolgathering, Levi feared she had discovered a crystal goblet or brass candlestick missing. “Is something wrong?” He followed her gaze to a long table in the middle of the room. His men had stacked crates of food supplies there. Was she upset that he was making use of the kitchen?
“You have an entire crate of … oranges.” The last word was spoken with near reverence.
It took only a moment for him to understand. “I gather you haven’t seen a fresh orange in some time.”
She looked at him as though he were daft. “Colonel, it has been over three years since any shipments made it into the ports. Lemons, oranges, grapefruit. It has been an age since we had any.”
Levi walked to the crate, picked up an orange, and handed it to her. “For you.” He smiled as her gaze went from him to the fruit then back. “Please, take it. A shipment arrived from Florida before we set sail for Galveston. My men have had their fill.”
The tip of her pink tongue moistened her lips before she accepted the fruit. “Thank you.”
But she didn’t remove the peel. Instead, she tucked it into a hidden pocket in her gown, the bulge making one of the large ruffles stand out.
“You are welcome to enjoy it now, Mrs. Ellis. As you said, it’s been some time since you’ve tasted one.” For some reason, he wanted to see her reaction when the sweet juices first touched her lips. To know that something he had given her brought her pleasure was suddenly important.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll take it home and share it with Samuel and Isaac.”
Her son. How could he have forgotten the little flaxen-haired boy and his companion?
“Of course.” Without another thought, he reached for two more pieces of fruit. “Here, take one to each of them.” His glance captured the servants watching the exchange, and an idea sprang to life. “In fact,” he said, picking up the crate, “take them all.” He handed the load to Moses, whose hands were free after leaving the rifles near the front door during their tour. That man looked startled now to find a box of sweet fruit in his arms.
Every occupant in the room, including Corporal Banks, stared at Levi.
“While that is very generous of you, we can’t take all your oranges.” Natalie cast a longing look at the fruit then back to Levi. It was obvious she wanted them.
His mind made up, Levi gave a slight bow. “Consider it a small token of the Union Army’s appreciation for allowing us use of your home.”
Natalie seemed to struggle with the offer. When her questioning gaze met Moses’, he simply lifted his brow. Finally, she faced Levi again.
“I appreciate your generosity.”
Satisfaction swelled his chest as he looked into eyes the color of the sky. “You are welcome.”
The group made their way to the front porch. While Moses carefully descended the steps to the wagon with the crate of oranges balanced on one broad shoulder, Carolina and Corporal Banks carried the remaining items that had been stacked near the door. Levi noticed Banks sneak surreptitious glances at the young servant. Carolina, in turn, giggled and ducked her head when he came near.
“I will be waiting anxiously to hear news from your commander, Colonel.”
Levi turned to find Natalie focused on him
