“It may just be a coincidence, but Mrs. Ellis introduced herself as Natalie Langford Ellis. You think she might be related?”
How, Levi wondered, had he not noticed the similar names when the blond-haired, blue-eyed woman revealed her identity? He would like to blame it on fatigue from the long journey from Galveston, but a need for honesty prevented him from lying, even to himself. The truth was, he’d felt an immediate attraction to the woman, despite her being everything he loathed—a southern slave owner. Her delicate appearance awakened long-dormant feelings deep inside, feelings he’d thought dead and buried like the thousands of men he’d seen perish in battle. That he had allowed himself to be distracted by a pretty face reminded him he wasn’t the eager soldier he’d been four years ago when the war had broken out.
“Good observation, Banks. I expect we will learn the answer to that question soon enough.” He turned to mount the steps, but the approach of a barking dog, with two little boys chasing after it, stilled him.
“Ebenezer, come back here!” called the white boy. Levi guessed him to be four or five years old, close to the same age as Levi’s own nephew back home in Pennsylvania. The boy’s companion, dark skinned and of similar size, hung back, his eyes round and fearful as they neared the soldiers.
The dog made a beeline for Levi. Before he could decide what the best course of action was to avoid an attack, Corporal Banks, who hadn’t gone far, removed his revolver from his holster and leveled it at the charging dog.
“Don’t shoot!”
Levi turned to see Mrs. Ellis rush onto the porch, her bell-shaped skirt swinging as she dashed down the steps.
“Ebenezer, no!” The big dog skidded to a stop at her command, mere feet from Levi. His spotted tongue lolled to one side, and his tail swished in a friendly manner. Mrs. Ellis turned angry eyes to Levi. “He wasn’t going to hurt you. He’d probably lick you to death before he’d think to bite.” Her fury settled on Corporal Banks next, who was still aiming his gun at the dog. “Put that thing away. There are children present.”
Levi nodded to Banks. The young man replaced the gun in its holster then proceeded to take his and Levi’s horses by the reins and follow the others toward the creek.
“Mama, was that so’dier really gonna shoot Ebenezer?” The white boy ran to Mrs. Ellis and grabbed a handful of her skirts. She received him in a warm embrace, her features softening.
“No, Samuel, he wasn’t. He didn’t understand that Ebenezer was welcoming them.” She smoothed his sandy hair then glanced at Levi. “Isn’t that right, Colonel?”
Levi met her gaze. Banks most certainly would have shot the dog. The men were trained to protect their commander, no matter the enemy. But Levi understood her desire not to upset the child. He looked down at the boy. “Corporal Banks just wanted to keep me safe. Is Ebenezer your dog?”
The boy nodded.
“Well, he is a fine watchdog. With a little training, he’ll learn to mind you when you give him an order. Keep working with him.”
Samuel offered a shy grin.
“You and Isaac go on to the kitchen now,” Mrs. Ellis said, giving the boy a little shove toward the black child, who’d stopped some distance from them. “Harriet found a jar of peaches in the cellar this morning. Tell her I said you and Isaac may have some. Take Ebenezer with you.”
“Yes, Mama.” With one last peek at Levi, Samuel scampered off to the back of the house with his companions in tow.
“Thank you, Colonel.” Her softened voice drew his attention. “A dead dog would be of no consequence to the Union Army, but my son’s heart would have been broken. He has experienced enough loss in his short life to last through the ages. I appreciate you sparing him another.”
Her sincere gratitude surprised him. “You’re welcome. My brother’s son is about the same age as Samuel. I can imagine how Lucas would feel if his pet were killed right in front of him.”
Her expressive blue eyes studied him for a long moment before she turned away. “If you will join me in the parlor, we can attend to business so you may be on your way.”
Levi followed her into the airy foyer of the big house, taking notice of the marble floors, grand staircase, expensive furnishings, and a rug he guessed came from the Orient. A large vase containing roses of various colors sat on a polished table, filling the space with a sweet aroma.
The parlor was situated to the right off the entry, and she led the way into it. Several sofas and horsehair chairs graced the spacious room, while four large windows let in an abundance of outdoor light. Artwork filled the walls, and a sizable hand-painted medallion on the ceiling circled the base of a crystal chandelier. Dominating the wall between two windows was a fireplace adorned with an ornate mahogany-and-marble mantel that held porcelain frippery, silver candlesticks, and two framed photographs.
Levi’s ire rose as he took in the room, far more lavish than any he’d seen in Texas thus far. Any compassion he may have felt toward the widowed mother evaporated at the sight of such luxuries, all bought with proceeds earned from the labor of enslaved men and women. How could a woman so concerned about her child’s dog justify keeping human beings in bondage, all for the sake of maintaining her excessive lifestyle, fully on display in this room?
When his observations ended, he found Mrs. Ellis seated on the edge of a sofa, watching him. Her gaze flicked to the trinkets on the mantel, and alarm swept her features. Did she think he meant to steal her valuables?
“You mentioned a proclamation of some sort,” she said, a tremor in
