As the men dismounted, a young Negro soldier separated himself from the group and approached the bottom of the steps. Natalie held her shock in check. She’d heard rumors both armies had begun to allow black men to join their ranks, but to see one in uniform was nothing less than startling.
“Ma’am. Sir.” He gave a polite nod to include Moses. “The colonel requests permission to speak with the man in charge of this plantation.”
Fear kept Natalie silent. To admit she was in charge would reveal her vulnerability. If only her father-in-law were still alive, no matter how unpleasant and cruel he’d become in those last years.
“You may state your business and move on,” she said, her chin rising, though she felt little of the bravado she hoped she displayed. “We haven’t many provisions and no money to speak of. You will waste your time searching for either.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw a tall man with a thick dark beard approach. While she’d never seen a Yankee officer before, he looked like she might have imagined. Broad shoulders filled out the dusty blue coat that reached nearly to his knees, giving way to equally dusty high black boots. A long saber hung from his belt, the handle tied with gold cord, while the emblem of two crossed miniature sabers on his hat reflected the afternoon sunshine. His very stride exuded power and confidence, and his dark eyes, when they met hers, sent a chill coursing through her.
“Ma’am.” The deep timbre of his voice held no warmth. “I am Colonel Levi Maish, commander of this company. Let me assure you we have no need for your provisions or your money. There is, however, a matter of great importance which I must insist on discussing with the man in charge of this plantation. We will not leave until I have spoken to him.”
For a brief moment, Natalie thought to tell the bearded man a lie. That her husband was simply away for the day, but upon his return, she would gladly relay any information the colonel wished to impart. But what if the Yankee chose to wait for the nonexistent husband?
In the end, his words and forceful tone left little choice but to reveal herself as the owner of Rose Hill. All she could do was pray he would treat her and the slaves with compassion. Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze without wavering.
“As I said, sir. You may state your business, and then you may remove yourselves from my property.”
CHAPTER TWO
Admiration stole over Levi at the blond beauty’s defiant attitude. He kept his expression stony, but he couldn’t help but be impressed that she’d stood up to an entire company of Union soldiers. He didn’t know whether to believe her or not. She looked far too young to be the mistress of a large cotton plantation, with her long curls flowing down her back and tied simply with a ribbon. But he knew the war had forced many women into roles they never would have assumed otherwise.
He asked, “Your name?”
“Mrs. Natalie Langford Ellis, mistress of Rose Hill plantation.” Her blue eyes sparked with pride.
“Mrs. Ellis.” He gave a slight nod before turning to Corporal Banks. Without a word, that man offered Levi a folded piece of paper, having played out similar scenarios multiple times over the past week as they’d traveled north from the port city of Galveston, stopping at farms and plantations along the way. After studying the map and reading the notation regarding this particular location, Levi returned his attention to the woman. “My records indicate this plantation is owned by Luther Ellis. You are his wife?”
“I was married to his son George.”
“Was?”
A long moment passed before she responded. “My husband was killed in the war. As for my father-in-law, Luther succumbed shortly after news of George’s death reached us. So you see, Colonel, Rose Hill is my property. I haven’t the time to stand on the porch, wasting away the day. You may state your business before you ride back in the direction you came from.”
If his mission hadn’t been so serious, he might have chuckled at her feisty attitude. Instead, he inclined his head. “Very well, Mrs. Ellis. If I might have a word with you privately, I am to make you aware of a proclamation from the Executive of the United States to all Texas slave owners.” Corporal Banks handed him a second folded sheet of paper.
A frown creased her smooth brow. “A proclamation?”
“I believe you will understand once I read it to you. In the meantime, my men need to water their horses.”
She glanced to the big Negro beside her. Levi hadn’t acknowledged the man before, simply because a slave was not the person in charge. But now he noticed how the man stood near her, legs braced, powerful arms stiff at his side as though ready to slay anyone who dared come near his mistress. When he gave a slight nod, Mrs. Ellis faced Levi again.
“Please join me in the parlor, Colonel. Your men may take their horses to the creek, just past the quarter.”
Natalie Ellis disappeared into the house with the big slave trailing behind. Inside, voices echoed in the foyer, though he couldn’t make out the words.
Levi turned to Corporal Banks. “Have the men take the horses to the creek, then I’d like you to join me inside. Once we’re certain Mrs. Ellis understands and complies with the orders, we should have plenty of daylight left to get to the abandoned plantation and set up camp. Hopefully, the supply wagons will arrive ahead of us.”
“Yes, sir.” Banks’ brow furrowed. “Colonel, wasn’t the plantation where we’re to make camp owned by a man named Langford?”
Levi glanced at the map in his hand and found the marked area where he’d been ordered to set up his command. Notes were written off to the side. “Yes. Calvin Langford. But according to the information we
