In His Eyes(9)

“All the same, we will speak to someone in charge here to be certain United States laws are being carried out.”

The woman began to wring her hands and a sinking feeling gathered in Ella’s stomach. If the owners were dead and no one else had claim to the house, then the Yanks would surely seize it and claim some kind of outstanding taxes or make up a violation to one of their ordinances. She’d heard the like plenty of times before. Her jaw tightened. Then what would happen to the people living there? Would they be dispersed? What would that mean for her babe?

Her mind froze. The babe. Not hers. No. He wasn’t, couldn’t be, hers. She clutched him tighter all the same. She had made a promise.

“Mister Remington the elder has gone, but these lands were given to his son.” She bobbed her head, sending tight, dark curls shaking. “He was in the Federal cavalry. Yes, suh. Went all the way to that military school, just like his papa and grandpapa did.”

The men seemed interested in this. The leader stroked the blond hair on his chin. “West Point, you mean?”

She bobbed her head again. “Yes, suh. That’s the one.”

The man glanced at the men around him. “Well, that is good to know. We would like to speak to him.”

The woman shifted her weight. “Well, he ain’t here…”

“Then when shall he return?”

Ella watched the scene before her and a wild, maddening plan began to form. She had to be out of her head even to think such things, but intuition told her that if she did not do something, then all hope for the boy would be lost. She straightened her shoulders and did her best to put on a confident air.

Still, she hesitated.

“Well, we don’t rightly know. They sent a fella sayin’ he was missing…” The man stiffened and the woman hurried on. “But….we don’t know anything for sure. He could be back any moment and…”

Her words trailed off as all of a sudden the child at Ella’s chest let out a shrill wail. Ella startled. Knowing she had but one opportunity, she stepped from behind the tree and did her best to look as though she were just walking up the drive and had not been hiding.

She caught the look of surprise on all the faces on the porch before looking down at the babe and cooing to him, partly to calm him and partly to simply avoid the stares of those at the house.

Calm. Be calm. Oh, Lord, help me. I’ve lost my mind.

Ella lifted her gaze and planted confusion on her face, her eyes sliding over the men and landing on the woman on the porch. She glanced down at the child, who continued to whimper, and let as much pleading as she dared show in her eyes. The other woman’s brow puckered, and her gaze darted between Ella and the child.

If this doesn’t work…

She ground the thought beneath sheer determination and put on her best haughty look. “Cindy, what is going on? Do we have guests?”

The other woman’s mouth worked as Ella ascended the steps and tried to position herself so that only the woman could see her face.

Please, she mouthed.

The woman’s surprise disappeared beneath controlled features. She indicated to the three Federal men by the door. “These here soldiers done come to be sure Belmont is doing right with the freeman stuff….” Her voice trailed off.

Ella gave her best reassuring look before turning to face the men. The baby squirmed and let out a piercing wail again. She looked back at the woman she’d called Cindy after the child’s mother and smiled sweetly. “It seems I took too long in my walk, and he is dreadfully hungry. Perhaps you could feed him…?”

Something sparked in the woman’s eyes and they flew wide, revealing the whites around her black pupils. “Oh, yes, ma’am. I reckon he sure is! I’s going to take him inside to nurse.”

Relief washed over Ella so strongly that her knees nearly buckled. She untied the shawl, keeping her back to the soldiers and wrapped the ends around the screaming child. She passed him to the other woman’s waiting arms. “Thank you.”

The woman seemed to catch the sincerity in Ella’s words and offered a tight smile. “Of course, ma’am. We be in the nursery when you finish talkin’ with these here soldiers.”

Ella watched the woman disappear inside, trying to ignore the ache that settled on her as soon as the little bundle slipped from sight. She forced herself to remain composed and turned to the men staring at her, pulling the fine cloak around her to hide the scullery maid’s clothing beneath. Thank goodness she’d worn it.

“May I help you, gentlemen?”

“Your maid said that all of the Remingtons are dead?”

Ella’s heart pounded, but she simply arched a brow. “Did she? My husband’s parents have passed on, but I am certain my husband will return soon.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “He promised me he would return to see our child.”

The officer glanced at the others at his side and they shifted their weight, clearly uncomfortable. “Do you speak for these holdings in your husband’s absence, then?”

“I do.”

“And you understand freedmen’s laws?”

Ella tilted her head. “If you are referring to the abolition of slavery, I certainly do. We have never owned another person here, sir. To do so is against our faith in the Lord, who loves all men as he created them.” At least that part wasn’t a lie. Papa had been too poor to own a slave, and Ella didn’t think it was right. Besides, the wet nurse had said there were no slaves here, and Cynthia had claimed that the Remingtons were Christian folks. It seemed to be near enough the truth.