In His Eyes(82)

“Oh?” Ella smoothed her skirt. “Perhaps I may be able to assist. Major Remington has been called to return back to duty, and I am afraid he has been rather busy these last days in preparation. Unfortunately, it may have slipped his mind.”

Mrs. Martin’s nose twitched. “Oh, well. It is no bother, really.”

“Please, I wouldn’t mind helping.”

The older woman lowered the teacup that was partially lifted to her lips, looking resigned. “Well, we just needed a couple of bags of flour and sugar.” She waved her free hand. “You know, things that have been harder and harder to come by.”

The poor woman obviously didn’t want to admit to her need. “I will see that it is done. I know Major Remington would not wish for his promise to go unfulfilled. That would hardly be appropriate as you have already upheld your side of the exchange.”

Mrs. Martin seemed to relax and began to sip her tea again.

Ella smiled. “I am certain Sibby still has some of her stores remaining, so I shall have it for you today.”

Mrs. Martin’s eyes flashed. “Am I to understand you’re suggesting that your slave…”

“Freedwoman,” Ella corrected.

Mrs. Martin narrowed her eyes. “That your freedwoman has stores of supplies on hand?”

Ella plucked at her cuticles. “It would seem that Sibby had a way of hiding away all of Belmont’s supplies, and she has managed to keep everyone fed.”

“Hmm.” Mrs. Martin tapped her chin. “Odd that those supplies wouldn’t have run out by now.”

“Now, Mama, you’ve been reading too many novels,” Opal gently chided, lightening the suddenly heavy mood that gathered in the room. She glanced at Ella. “Thank you for your generosity.”

They settled into the mundane and polite conversation expected of ladies of stature until Ella could no longer stand the tension in her nerves. She set down her now tepid teacup. “Ladies, I fear there is a matter of importance I must discuss with you.”

“Oh?”

“Oh?”

The Martin women spoke in unison, both of them leaning forward in their seats. Whereas Opal looked concerned, her mother practically dripped suspicion. Ella withheld a groan. This wouldn’t be easy.

“First, I must ask your forgiveness.” Ella took a steadying breath. “My dear ladies, I fear I have lied to you.”

“Ha!” Mrs. Martin set down her teacup with a clink. “I knew it.”

“Mama!” Opal scolded. “You are being churlish!”

Mrs. Martin ignored her. “That boy was conceived out of wedlock, and Mr. Remington sent you here to hide your shame.”

Ella gaped at her. Good to know what they thought of her. Ella stiffened her spine. “No, Mrs. Martin, that is most assuredly not the case.”

“Mama!” Opal admonished, her face growing pale.

The older woman lifted her shoulders, seeming far from apologetic. “What, then?”

Ella drew a deep breath. No matter how she went about this, any esteem she’d had in their eyes would be gone. How foolish of her to think that she would be able to let them see the real her and she not be scorned. Her temper flared, and she struggled to keep it in check.

“I am not a harlot, ma’am, nor am I someone’s leman. Certainly not Major Remington’s. Lee’s mother died during his birthing, and I brought him here because I had heard the late Mrs. Remington was known for helping children find orphanages. Of course, at the time, I had no idea that Mr. and Mrs. Remington had passed on.”

Mrs. Martin scowled and Opal pressed her lips together. Nothing for it but to move forward.

“When I arrived, there were Federal soldiers demanding that Sibby get the master and lady of the house.” She lifted her palms. “Forgive me, but Sibby seemed so distraught that I pretended to be the lady of Belmont. Everything else…sort of happened after that.”

“Oh, my!” Opal exclaimed, her eyes bright. “What a tale of intrigue.”

Mrs. Martin stared at her, but thankfully kept her lips sealed.

“So you see, we kept up the ruse so that the Federal soldiers wouldn’t confiscate Belmont and Sibby could be a wet nurse for Lee.”

Silence. Well, except for the sound of her pounding heart and the blood pulsing in her ears. The Martin women stared at her, and Ella could feel her cheeks flaming.

Then surprisingly, Mrs. Martin chuckled. “Well, that certainly explains why Mr. Remington seemed somewhat confused when we saw him in town and we asked after his wife and son.”

Ella wrinkled her nose. “I’m sure it came as a shock.”

Opal leaned forward. “Why do you suppose he didn’t say anything?”

Ella shrugged. “I think it was because he wanted to see what was happening at Belmont first.” She looked at the patterned rug, a pang of something unwelcome piercing her heart. “But then, after I told him my plight, he let the ruse slide.”

Mrs. Martin steepled her fingers. “In the times we saw him after that, he never once mentioned you were not really his wife. Why is that, do you suppose?”

Ella tried to smile. “He was protecting me. Which is what brings me to the next issue.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “Major Remington and I are to speak vows in front of an army chaplain tomorrow, and we would like to ask for the two of you to stand witness.”