Christmas at Carnton (Carnton 0.5)(47)

“Good morning, my dear. Isn’t the weather lovely? So warm for December. And so promising for a strong attendance on this first day!”

“I couldn’t agree more, ma’am.”

“Firstly, I want to reiterate what Tempy said she’s already told you. That you may take whatever time you need to rest. Delegate, Mrs. Prescott. And together we’ll all rally and get the work done.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do that.”

Mrs. McGavock briefly covered Aletta’s hands. “And if I haven’t told you often enough in recent days . . . the promise of this event’s success has been greatly increased by your tireless efforts. So I, along with the Women’s Relief Society committee, salute you. In fact”—Mrs. McGavock gestured to a handsome and well-dressed woman standing only feet away who joined them—“allow me to introduce my dear sister-in-law, Mrs. William Giles Harding of Belle Meade Plantation. Elizabeth is Mr. McGavock’s sister—”

Aletta nodded.

“—and she’s expressed a keen interest in thanking you personally for your work on the auction, Mrs. Prescott.” Mrs. McGavock finished out the introductions.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Harding.” Aletta dipped her head.

“Likewise, Mrs. Prescott. This auction promises to be the Women’s Relief Society’s most successful event to date, and I applaud your coordination. My sister-in-law, Carrie, here can only sing your praises, which I echo with full confidence.”

Aletta felt her cheeks growing warm. “Thank you both, but it’s been my honor to help. It’s also been my saving grace,” she added softly, glimpsing understanding in Mrs. McGavock’s eyes.

After Mrs. Harding took her leave, Mrs. McGavock leaned close. “What you may not be aware of, Mrs. Prescott, is that my sister-in-law’s husband, General William Giles Harding, is currently imprisoned in the North by the Federal Army. So truly, she’s most grateful for our assisting the soldiers.”

Aletta glanced back in Elizabeth Harding’s direction. That woman’s husband was in prison? Again she was reminded of how wrong it was—not to mention unwise—to make judgments based upon first impressions.

“One more thing I need to speak with you about, Mrs. Prescott.” Mrs. McGavock leaned close. “It’s something Winder and the Colonel mentioned to me this morning. I told them I’d need to secure your permission first before they said anything to Andrew. But I believe you know the boys are planning a sleepout in the spring.”

Aletta nodded.

“Their thought was, especially in light of how fair the weather is, that they might do the sleepout this weekend, on Sunday night. It’ll be chilly, I’m certain. But not overly so, and they can bundle up, build a fire. The Colonel will be with them the entire time. But I sincerely doubt they’ll want to stay out there the whole night.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Mrs. McGavock. And I appreciate your sensitivity to my son’s welfare. And to my own.”

“I’m grateful God brought you to my door, Mrs. Prescott. I only wish we could continue your employment after the New Year. But I’m already praying for God to guide your next steps in that regard.”

Aletta managed a smile, what hope she’d had of possibly staying on here meeting a swift and decisive end. “Thank you, Mrs. McGavock.”

“Oh gracious . . .” Mrs. McGavock glanced at the clock on a nearby table. “It’s time to meet with the committee, and I’ve forgotten my notes. I’d best run upstairs and get them.”

“Let me do that for you, ma’am.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to—”

“I’m fine, Mrs. McGavock.” Aletta gave a smile. “I’ll bring your notes right back down. Where are they?”

“Bless you, dear. They’re in my bedroom. On my bedside table. Thank you, Mrs. Prescott.”

Upon Mrs. Louisa McGavock’s official lowering of the rope, Aletta climbed the stairs to the second floor landing, a bit winded but fine.

She’d been to the schoolroom several times but never into the McGavocks’ bedroom. She opened the door and quickly found Mrs. McGavock’s notes. She turned to go when a portrait in an oval frame over the fireplace, of three girls, caught her attention. One of them resembled Hattie so much—the girl’s cute little button nose—that Aletta knew it must be her.

But the two others . . .

Two perfectly beautiful children, one brunette, the other blond, cheeks rosy, expressions so serene and happy. And both, she assumed with certainty, gone now. Carrie McGavock was, indeed, well acquainted with grief. Odd how the knowledge of another’s suffering helped at times like this, and Aletta drew strength from it as she hurried back downstairs to help get the auction officially under way.

She assisted the women in the barn as they finished pricing and arranging the baked goods. Then she checked with the older children who were hosting the hot apple cider cart, the smell of spiced apples and cloves, roasting pork, and popped corn setting the perfect festive mood.

She caught sight of Jake looking at her from across the way and saw him pointing. She turned and looked in that direction—

And even after all the preparation and all the work, she found herself unprepared for the lines of wagons and throngs of people coming up the drive.