Banks gave a low whistle. “They sure got hit.”
Levi scanned the chaos, already formulating a plan of action, but first, he had to make sure Natalie and Samuel were safe. He galloped the rest of the way and drew up in front of the porch. The main door stood open, but silence came from inside the house. He dismounted and took the steps two at a time.
“Natalie?” His voice echoed in the empty foyer. Too late he realized he’d used her given name in his worry.
The hasty tread of footsteps sounded from the floor above. A moment later, she appeared at the top of the staircase.
Relief washed through him. She was safe.
“Colonel Maish.” Her voice revealed her astonishment. Descending, she paused to glance behind her before hurrying down the remaining steps. “I’m surprised to see you here so early this morning. I hope you haven’t brought news that Langford Manor was damaged by the storm.”
“It’s minor compared to what I’ve seen here.”
They walked onto the porch. In the brief time Levi had been inside, Banks had assembled the men. They stood in the yard awaiting instructions.
“We hid in the cellar during the worst of it,” she said, looking at the destruction. “Moses feels certain it was a tornado. He’s gone to check on the crop.”
“A tornado? I hadn’t thought of that.” He whispered a prayer of thanks the damage wasn’t worse.
“They aren’t terribly common this time of year, but it is possible. Everyone in the house is still asleep since we stayed in the cellar nearly until dawn.”
A smile inched its way to his face. “I must say, Mrs. Ellis”—he remembered to address her properly—“your calmness in the face of such a frightening experience is … unexpected.”
“I will take that as a compliment, Colonel.” Her blue eyes sparked with teasing.
He bowed slightly. “If it suits you, I’ll have my men assign the field workers to cleanup details. From the looks of things, the roof of the house, as well as those of some of the outbuildings, will need repair. Preferably before another storm rolls through.”
She frowned. “The only carpenter we had departed the day you brought the proclamation. I’m not sure Moses or the others know how to make the repairs, and I haven’t the funds to hire someone.”
Levi weighed his next words—and the consequences they would bring—before speaking. “As luck would have it, I possess some carpentry skills. I’d be glad to assist Moses and show him what needs to be done.”
She stared up at him, her eyes searching his face. “That is very kind of you, Colonel. Thank you.”
Their gazes held a long moment before she looked away, a faint blush staining her cheeks.
Corporal Banks approached. He nodded politely to Natalie before addressing Levi. “Sir, we’re ready for your orders.”
Before Levi could respond, however, the barrel of a rifle poked out the open doorway behind Natalie. Ever so slowly, the rotund woman who’d stopped at Langford Manor the previous day emerged from the shadowed room, her narrowed eyes on him, the weapon trained on his gut.
“Don’t move a muscle, Yankee. The judge taught me how to shoot, and I’m not afraid to pull this trigger.”
Natalie whirled around to see Cousin Eunice step onto the porch in her dressing gown, her nightcap askew, holding a gun pointed at the colonel. “Eunice, put that down,” she exclaimed, fear causing her pulse to race. A sideways glance revealed Corporal Banks already had his revolver out of its holster and aimed at her cousin.
Eunice’s gaze flitted to Natalie. “Why are these Bluecoats here?” She used the barrel of the rifle to indicate Colonel Maish. “He’s the one I found making himself at home in Langford Manor.”
Terrified the woman might accidentally shoot the colonel, Natalie took a careful step toward her. “Cousin Eunice, this is Colonel Maish. He and I have a business agreement that involves the use of Langford Manor.” She took another step. “Now, put the gun down before someone gets hurt.”
Several tense moments passed before Eunice lowered the weapon. Her glower, however, remained fixed on the colonel. “What kind of business could you possibly have with a Yankee? They aren’t to be trusted.” She looked at Natalie. “I am disappointed in you, Natalie Ellis. If your mama and daddy could see you now, cavorting with the enemy …” She tsk-tsk’d. “Well, it seems I have come just in time. Whatever your agreement is with this man, we’ll end it immediately. The judge taught me a thing or two about the law, too.”
With the gun lowered, Natalie stole a peek at the colonel. She found him as she’d expected, his gaze narrowed on Eunice and his fists in tight balls. They twitched several times before his eyes flicked to her.
“Mrs. Ellis.” The words were said through clenched teeth. Had she only imagined him using her given name when he arrived, his voice full of concern? “Kindly inform your relative that it is against the law to point a weapon at a Union officer.” He returned his glare to Eunice. “If she so much as looks at that gun in my presence, I will have Corporal Banks arrest her. Is that understood?”
Natalie nodded.
The colonel turned and stomped down the steps. He and the corporal made their way to the waiting men, who’d all witnessed the incident.
Eunice muttered a foul word before turning to Natalie. “What on earth has gotten into you? You said the army took over your land without your permission, but you never said anything about an agreement with them.”
Inhaling a deep breath, Natalie fought to remain civil. “Langford Manor and Rose Hill are my property. I am doing everything I can to see that they remain
