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Chapter Four
A Little Bit Closer To Home
Mamie heard a curse from inside Will’s room, followed by several loud bangs. “Will? Are you all right?”
“Fine! Please, Mamie, don’t come in!” There were a couple more bangs, accompanied by several more four-letter words.
She drummed her fingernails on the doorframe. “Well, breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. And you may want to stop swearing before you come downstairs.” Answered only by another loud bang and cuss, she turned and went back downstairs to the front room. There was no indication of the previous night’s meeting. Looking around, she admired her mother’s handiwork – not a stray glass or a chair out of place.
As this thought occurred, her mother and the two little ones emerged from the kitchen, carrying trays. “Mamie,” her mother said, “will you please yell upstairs for the boys?” She paused. “William – will he be joining us this morning?”
“By the racket in his room, I assumed so.”
“Then a simple call up will suffice, if you please.” The three retreated back into the kitchen, and Mamie turned back to the stairs.
“Papa! Boys! Breakfast!” Satisfied only when she heard the sound of four sets of footsteps – at least two running – she turned and went to sit at the table.
Seated once again next to William, she was distracted all through the meal. I know they’re talking about what they’re going to do if they catch William Morrisson, but I almost feel sorry for him. Being a soldier can’t be easy – all that fighting, watching men die all around you, knowing you could be next. I wonder if Michael felt that way before he… She let the thought wander off as she reached for a little more syrup. Touching the pitcher, she felt flesh instead of glass. She looked – Will’s hand was touching the handle as well.
“So sorry, Mamie,” he said, moving his hand and smiling. “Ladies first.”
“Oh, no, please,” she said, feeling her cheeks start to burn, “guests first. I shouldn’t be so rude.” Why are his eyes so piercing? And that smile… As he passed the syrup to her, their fingers brushed again, and she almost dropped the pitcher.
“Do you have it?”
“Yes,” she said, giggling a little. “Thank you.” She poured a dollop of syrup onto her plate and replaced the pitcher on the table – and was aware that every eye was on her. No one else was moving or saying a word.
“Marguerite,” her father said, no smile on his face, “is there something you’d like to share with the rest of us? Something you find amusing, perhaps?”
Her fingers shook. “N…no, sir.”
“Then perhaps you’d like to add to the discussion?”
She was silent for a moment. “N…no, sir.”
His glare said she’d given the wrong answer. “That wasn’t a request, young lady. I will say this so that you may understand: the next words out of your mouth at this table will either be directed to myself or your mother. They will be about this discussion. If they are not, I will see to it that you spend the rest of the day in complete silence.” His smile was one of malicious delight, and she knew to what her father was referring. “Do you understand me?”
He’ll beat me if he sees me speak to William again. He saw me flirting. “Yes, sir.” The family went back to eating, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Will’s face. He looked concerned.
She paid more attention to the discussion this time, and when she felt certain that she could contribute, she caught her father’s attention. “Something to add, Marguerite?” The room went silent again, and Will was wise enough not to look at her.
She gulped, not sure it was wise to say this in a room full of Gledhill supporters. You know you’ll be arrested if they ever find out you want to leave and go over to the Winslow side of things. “I don’t think it’s our place to kill Captain Morrisson. I think if we capture him, we should let the military take him.”
There was silence at the table for a moment. Mamie felt her hands start to shake, and as she opened her mouth to retract her statement, someone else spoke.
“I don’t trust the military any farther than I can throw them.” Now every eye – including Mamie’s – was on William. “They’ve allowed Morrisson to escape no less than five times when they have had a more than ample opportunity to capture or kill him. He’s allowed to live while good men like Bellamy Regan are dead.” He snorted in disgust, picking up his fork again. “Frankly, Mamie, I think Morrisson would be lucky to set two feet in this town – he sets one foot here and he’s a dead man.” Will picked his glass up in his free hand, tipping it toward Mamie’s father. “Vincent and the other villagers have taken measures to make sure of it.”
“They have?”
He flashed a patronizing smile. “Some of us were paying attention.”
Mamie looked at her plate and listened to the rest of the discussion, silent and embarrassed. He’s so arrogant – probably showing off for Papa. He almost sounded like Nick. As soon as she was excused, she escaped into the garden for some fresh air – Nick, Will, and her father were still at the table talking. Walking out the door, she glanced over her shoulder. Will was smiling at her – her father and Nick were so engrossed in their discussion they didn’t notice. She smiled back, and with a small toss of her head left the room.
But Mamie seemed to want to get closer to him. Every single day she was flirting with him. He could read signs – he was getting better and better at noticing the not-so-subtle “come-and-get-me” hints she was dropping. A burst of chill wind kicked up, and Will pulled the light coat tighter around him. How can it be this cold in Salem? It’s not this cold in Dannecker, and it’s full of nothing but mountains! He buried his neck – right up to his mouth – inside his scarf. Sweltering heat in daylight, frigid nighttimes…this had to be the protesting Colters. Only they could and would muck up the weather this way.
He paused in his walk, near the pub, debating whether or not to go inside. A beer wouldn’t hurt tonight, and he hadn’t had one in a couple of days. Deciding it was acceptable, he started toward the door.
He was about ten feet away when Ben exited it, leading a staggering Vincent Jeandeaux. A small blonde girl followed behind them, holding her cheek. “I’m cutting you off,” the bartender said to the drunken man. “No one hits my sister in my pub.”
“She was askin’ for it!” Ben tossed him on the ground and went to the girl. “Your sister’s nothin’ but a harlot anyway!”
Even from where he stood, Will knew Ben was furious. “I see you near my sister again, Jeandeaux, I’ll beat you black and blue! Now get out of here!” Vincent walked away, and Will went to the door. Ben looked at him. “Oh, hi, Will. Sorry you had to see that. I’m usually a lot calmer than that.”
“What happened?” He could see now that the girl was crying. She couldn’t have been much older than Mamie’s sisters. “She all right?”
“She’ll be fine,” Ben said, tipping her chin up. “He’s gone, Amy girl. Dry those tears. I won’t let him near you again.” She nodded and went back inside. “I should never have let her work here. Coming in?”
Will sighed. “I was, but I think I’m going to just go lay down. It’s been a long day.” Ben nodded and went back into the rowdy pub. Will turned and jogged back toward the inn. He had a feeling something was going on or would be – with Vincent that drunk, nightmares of his first night were coming back to him.
As he came into the vicinity of the Blue Devil Inn, he could hear shouting – a lot of it – and his heart started racing. He raced up the porch steps and threw the front door wide. The scene that met his eyes was chaos.
Evelyn was trying to drag Vincent up the stairs. Nick and Rob were shielding the younger girls in a corner. Mamie was lying on the floor, her arm up to protect her. Vincent was trying to bring his hand down to hit her – it looked as though he’d already done so several times.
In five strides, Will was at his side. He grabbed Vincent’s arm and stayed it. The shrieking stopped, and the drunk looked at him. “I think it’s time you went to bed, sir,” he said. Cold as it was outside, Will’s tone could have given the man frostbite. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds as the two men locked eyes – Will’s furious gaze burning a hole through Vincent. Releasing Vincent’s arm, he stepped back a fraction of an inch, and watched as Vincent put his arm down and allowed his wife to lead him up the stairs to bed.
As soon as the drunk was out of sight, Will turned to Mamie and extended his hand, his expression much softened. “Are you all right?” She grabbed his hand and pulled herself up, almost pulling him over, and as soon as she was on her feet again, she embraced him, leaving him startled. “I…I…”
Nick’s eyes narrowed at them across the room. “Mamie, get off of him. You’re acting very inappropriate.” He sent the other three up to their rooms with a wave of his hand, then walked over toward them and detached Mamie’s arms from around his middle. “You are sickening, flirting with him. This is what Papa beat you for! He’s not interested, so knock it off!” They started into the garden.
What?! She got in trouble because of me? And…wait, who is he to tell her my thoughts? Who said I wasn’t interested? “Uh, Nick, wait.” They turned. “Who said I wasn’t interested in your sister?”
“I did.” He puffed his chest out a bit. “You’re not good enough for her. She can do better.”
Oh. Right. Because disguised nobles just drop into her lap every day. “She’s the daughter of a drunkard innkeeper. I’m a farmer. I think I’m the best she’s going to do, Nick.”
The boys walked toward each other, but halfway, Nick realized Will stood a few inches taller and was just more imposing, so he stopped. “You’re still not good enough for her.”
Will shook his head, a sardonic smile playing at his lips. “Well, aren’t you just the arrogant little thing? Look, Nick, it’s me or Ben.”
Nick’s nose wrinkled. “She’ll never marry that scum.”
“Then I don’t think you’ve got much choice here. Besides, it’s not up to you. Far as I know, it’s her parents’ decision – and since your father is incapable of making any decision when he’s plastered, that leaves it up to your mother.” He grinned. “And she likes me.”
He never saw the fist till it connected with his jaw, but a moment later he was lying flat on his back and Mamie was shrieking. “Is the name William tainted? All men cursed with that name think they’re entitled to be arrogant jerks?” He heard footsteps storming up the stairs, and Mamie’s face appeared over him.
“Oh, Will, are you all right?” She brushed a stray strand of hair from his eyes. “I’m so sorry. He’s never like that.”
“I’m fine.” He pushed himself to a sitting position on the floor as a door slammed upstairs. “Your mother won’t be too pleased with me, though, will she?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” He turned to her. Her smile was wide again. “You fancy her daughter. You’re the first man to ever say that other than Ben.”
“I don’t understand what’s so wrong with Ben, though.”
She sighed. “My father’s a drunkard. Ben’s a bartender. Are you that blind?”
Of course, Will. One craves the drug, the other supplies it. His son-in-law would be his supplier. Never a good scenario for a marriage. “I guess I am that blind,” he said, chuckling. “I feel very stupid right now.”
As Mamie was helping him to his feet, Evelyn came down the stairs. “What did that boy do to you?” she yelled. “Oh, I will roast him alive in the morning if he’s hurt you.”
“I’m fine, Evelyn,” Will said. “He didn’t hit too hard.”
“Well, lucky for him,” she called up the stairs. She rushed over to Will, taking him by the shoulders and looking him over. “You look half-frozen through, William, you poor dear. Sit down and take that coat off.” As he complied – Mamie assisting – she headed for the kitchen, muttering, but he couldn’t tell what she was saying.
Mamie looked up at him as she took his scarf. “What is going on with this weather? First it’s hot, then it’s freezing – next thing, we’ll be fanning ourselves to keep cool while it’s snowing outside!” She giggled as he sat, and he couldn’t help but let out a laugh too. Just the thought of a hot day with snow falling – only the Colters would do that to the weather. “Was the weather doing this in Dannecker?”
“A little, yes,” he admitted. “Nothing near what these temperatures are, or I’d have thought to bring a heavier coat.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m still freezing.”
Before he could speak again, she took both his hands in hers – a difficult task to begin with – and began to rub them. “Don’t worry, you’ll be warmer in a bit. Mama’s gone to make us some cocoa, I’m sure of it.” She smiled at him. “So…you are interested in me?”
Oh, no…here we go…best just be honest, Will. He sighed, smiling a little and looking at his feet. “Yes.”
“You look embarrassed.”
“Part of me thinks I should have said something earlier.”
There was silence for a moment. “Should I not have been so obvious with the flirting, Will?”
He looked up at her. “No, you were perfect. You were…” His words were cut off by the sound of clinking china – Evelyn was coming back into the room, carrying a tray with three cups and a gilded chocolate pot. “Evelyn, do you need help?”
“You sit, William.” She smiled. “What did I tell you? You don’t help. You’re a guest.”
As she went to pour, Will heard rowdy singing from outside. “Oh, boy,” he said as the girls shared worried glances. “Ladies, I do believe Ben has closed for the night.”
“But it’s still early yet!” Mamie said, panicky. She clung to his hand. “He can’t have. It’s a trick.”
He went to speak again, but as he did, the door flew open, and several of the newer arrivals entered, staggering and drunk. Before he could move, Evelyn leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I can handle myself. Will you take Mamie into the garden?”
“Why?”
“After what you did for her tonight, I trust you with her.”
Without another word, he nodded and took Mamie’s hand. Motioning for her not to speak, he led her toward the garden, casting a wary eye in the direction of the men still staggering into the inn, laughing and just being rowdy.
Once they were out in the garden, he couldn’t stop Mamie from opening her mouth. “What’s going on, Will? Why are we out here?”
“Because your mother bade me bring you out here, and I don’t feel like being involved in any more drunken fights tonight.” He sat down on the bench, patting the empty space next to him. “Come sit by me. I have a feeling we’ll be here for a bit – it seems to have gotten a little nicer out here.” As she sat down, he took a deep breath. The scent of roses reached his nose, carried on a small breeze. “As I was saying before we were very rudely interrupted, I was fine with your flirting.” He smiled at her. “I don’t think I’ve ever been flirted with in my life.”
You haven’t, you dolt. Cissy wouldn’t flirt with you if you were money. All she cares about is marrying you and getting the money and title; whether or not you’re happy is another matter altogether, and she’s not interested in that.
She smiled, staring at her feet. “I just feel like it was…excessive.”
“No. Excessive would have been trying to get me to do something highly inappropriate. Giggling and getting me alone to speak for a few stolen minutes – that’s not excessive.” Why can’t I take my eyes off her? Shaking himself a little, he looked inside. The drunks seemed to have retired to their rooms. “I think we can go back inside now, if you’d like.”
“I’d like to stay here for a few more minutes,” she said, putting her hand on his arm. He felt his skin shudder under her hand, and they locked eyes for a moment, both smiling. They leaned toward each other as the air started to chill again. “Will?”
“Yes?”
She leaned in a bit farther, her nose brushing the tip of his. “Are you sure I wasn’t too annoying?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as she stared into his eyes. “No…no, not annoying at all…” Will, don’t be a coward. Just go for it.
This is so not the time! But as he looked closer at her, he realized that it was exactly the time. Well…just to make sure… “Mamie?”
“Hmm?”
“What is it you want?”
She giggled. “I want to kiss you, William. I thought it would be obvious.” She shifted on the bench as Will put his arm around her, pulling her a little closer to him. “It isn’t obvious?”
“Hush,” he said, dipping his head lower. The minute his lips touched hers, he felt strange and pulled away. “Mamie, no. I…we shouldn’t. Not yet.”
“Why not?” Her pout made her look so much younger. “What’s wrong with it? It’s not hurting anything, Will.”
“It’s just not right.” He looked away from her as she sighed. “I…I just…”
Aw, come on, you sissy! She’s beautiful. She’s sweet. She’s so much better than Cissy. It doesn’t get much better than this. Just lean over and kiss her. Just lean over… He looked at her again. Her face was still upturned, lips still reaching for his. Just lean over… “Oh, what the hell,” he muttered, and pulling her close, he pressed his lips to hers again. Immediately, he felt a calm wash over him. This…isn’t so bad. His eyes drifted shut, and he could feel his heart racing.
After a few minutes, he pulled back, his eyes lingering shut. “Will? Are you all right?”
“Hmm?” They fluttered open and focused on her face; a small smile, her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes staring at him. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. You?”
Her smile widened, and he had to fight an urge to scoop her into his arms and carry her upstairs to his room. You aren’t here to get laid, William. “That was wonderful,” she said. Then the smile fell. “But that won’t happen again, will it?”
“What makes you think that?”
“You’re leaving in a week. Less. There’s not enough time for anything to happen.”
See? You didn’t come here to fall in love. There wasn’t time enough for anything to get off the ground, William. And now you’ve gone and had to break her heart. You didn’t fall in love. Just say it. You didn’t fall in love.
He was silent for a few minutes, thinking. Too late. I’m in love with her. Now what? He spotted Evelyn bustling around inside, and not a moment too soon; she was on her way out the door. “What are you two still doing out here?” She motioned them back inside. “They’ve all gone to their rooms, it’s safe to come back in – though after what you did tonight, William, I doubt you’d have had much trouble with them.” Chuckling, she walked inside.
They followed her, Mamie not looking at Will. He felt awful – to have raised her hopes like that and then have her feeling that nothing could come of it. He looked over at Evelyn, who was now cleaning up the hot chocolate. “Well, so much for that idea,” she muttered. “Mamie, dear, give me a hand.”
“Evelyn,” he said. She turned, the chocolate pot in her hand.
“Yes, William? What is it?”
Oh, you idiot! Don’t you dare. There isn’t time. She’ll never say yes. “Evelyn, I was wondering if I…” Why is my face going red now, of all times? “I was wondering if I might have permission to court Mamie?” From behind Evelyn came a small gasp, and although he was sure it was Mamie, he didn’t dare look away from her mother, who was busy gaping at him. “I know I’m leaving in six days, but I assure you, I’d come back for her. This wouldn’t be all there is. I…”
She held up her hand, and he silenced at once. “William, are you being honest with me? If I give you permission to court my daughter, you’ll come back for her? No hassling required?”
“I swear it,” he said, stepping forward a bit. “I’ll come back for her, no hassling needed.”
Evelyn was silent for a few moments, and Will’s hand began to shake. She’s not going to say yes. You know that. “William…”
“Yes?” Too quick. Too eager. You’re going to blow it.
She put the chocolate pot down on the table, then looked back at him. “You have my permission to court Mamie on one condition.”
He sighed in relief. “Name it.”
“You must not take her away from here before the end of the war if Dannecker is your intended destination.” She walked over and took him by the shoulder. “As much as I trust you with her, I know the war is not a safe place for either one of you. I realize that it is your home, and you must return there, but I cannot and will not allow my daughter to go there while the war rages. When the war is over, she may go, but not one minute before. Am I understood?”
He nodded. “Yes, madam.” She walked back to the table and picked the chocolate pot back up, dismissing Mamie to Will with a wave of her hand. With a smile, Mamie ran to him, and he caught her as she flew into his outstretched arms.
“Oh, Will,” she murmured into his ear. “I’m yours.”
“You’re my girl,” he whispered back. “See? You didn’t have to worry after all.” With one hand, he tilted her chin up, gazing into her eyes. “See? You didn’t have to worry after all, did you?” She shook her head, pulling him toward the stairs. He followed her, laughing a little. “What, Mamie?”
“Come on,” she said, leading him upstairs and into his room. Once inside, he shut the door, and as she sat on the bed, he decided it would be wise if it were locked. As soon as he finished locking the door, he heard her voice. “Will…?”
“Yes?” He turned and found her sitting in quite a seductive position on his bed. “Uh…Mamie, should you…should you be sitting that way?”
“Why don’t you come over here and sit with me?” she said, beckoning him over with one finger. Her lopsided smile and giggle underscored her inexperience. “Please, Will?”
Well, you don’t need to ask me twice! In three strides, he was sitting on the bed next to her, arms wrapped around her. “Hi,” he said as she gasped.
“My, you’re quick.”
“Should you like me to be slower? Take my time, make you wait?”
She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer – their lips were nearly touching. “No. I should like you to be faster, if anything.” They laughed together, brushing noses. Will let his eyes drift shut again, and let his lips meet hers.
“Mamie?” She turned as she heard Nick’s voice from behind her.
I’m caught! I’m caught! “Nicky, what are you…” She silenced as she caught sight of her brother. “What are you doing?”
Nick was at the top of the stairs, poised to go down them. He was dressed in the uniform of a Gledhill soldier, saber and all. “I’m going to prove I’m actually capable of protecting someone. I’m going to prove I’m not completely useless. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.” He turned on his heel and started down the stairs.
Mamie flew to his side, catching his sleeve. “No, Nicky, don’t do this. Don’t leave. How do you think Mama and Papa will react to this? And Robert, Adrienne, Giselle? Think of them, Nick.”
He shook her hand off his sleeve, staring at her. “I don’t want to anymore. I’m tired of this family. I’m tired of the little ones being scared of the war, and Mama being too sheltered to realize it’s here. Not in Dannecker, Moulton, and DeMarre, but here, Mamie!” He gestured around wildly. “It’s in Wright, Racine, and yes, even in our own backyard in Salem! It’s coming to Gobran whether we admit it or not!”
“Nick…”
“Shut up! I’m tired of our drunkard of a father beating us all till we’re black and blue. I’m tired of all of it. And mostly,” he said, moving toward her, his voice strangely calm, “I’m tired of you flirting with that boy. You came out of his room, and I heard Mama give him permission to court you. That’s the last straw. I thought about not going tonight, but now my mind’s made up. You’re so damn happy with him, you go right ahead and delude yourself that he’s so great.” He started for the door.
“Nicholas, please don’t go…”
He turned to her. “Don’t you speak to me like that anymore, like you mean something to me. You’re nothing to me, you understand? The daughter of a drunkard innkeeper, indeed…a drunkard, maybe, but Mama’s the innkeeper. You’re nothing, and he’ll get nothing, and when he realizes that, he’ll forget about you so quickly you’ll wonder what you ever saw in him.” And with that, Nick opened the front door and walked out, shutting it behind him.
Mamie sank into one of the chairs at the table, tears rolling down her cheeks. He didn’t mean it about Will. He loves me. He has to – he wouldn’t have asked Mama to court me if he didn’t.
Would he?
Enjoy them, my friend. You don’t have too much time left before you return to camp. Luckily, the rest of her family was out. Her father was getting drunk with the rest of the inn patrons, her mother was at a friend’s house, and her siblings had been pawned off on friends. They didn’t have to worry about being caught.
Will figured it was the perfect time to bring up something he’d been contemplating. He broke off a kiss and looked at her. “I do remember what your mother said,” he whispered, breathless, “but I want you to come with me when I leave.”
“What?” She sounded shocked.
“I know, I know, but I don’t really see myself lasting too long there before I have to come back and stay here with you.” And I can’t afford to do that – I don’t fancy a court-martial. “Please, Mamie, run away with me when I leave.” He smiled. Just wait…maybe she’ll take…
She slapped him lightly across the face. “I don’t think my family would be able to bear it. First my eldest brother dies in the war. Then, my eldest sister dies of pneumonia. Now Nick’s run away to join the war, and we’ll probably never see him again, the way he’s angry at us for everything. What do you think would happen to this family if I were to run away now?”
He looked at her, ashamed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you felt that way about it. I’ll keep my mouth shut about it.” They started kissing again, but as Will went to shift on the bed, he missed.
THUD! “Will?” He heard her voice before he saw her face looking down at him. “Are you all right?” She had trouble not giggling.
“Oh stop laughing at me,” he said, holding his head. That smarts. And it’s not even my pride that’s wounded. I could take that. “There’s a small bandage in my trunk. Can you get it for me?”
“You keep bandages in your trunk?”
“I’m a farmer. I’m used to getting hurt and thought it might be easier just to throw a few in rather than having to fetch the doctor for every little thing now would you please just get one out for me?” He knew he sounded angry but she immediately moved toward his trunk. I’m sorry to lie to her, but it did seem like a good idea to get some from the corpsman…
As she opened the trunk and started pawing through his things, his mistake dawned on him. He sat straight up, both hands on the floor, heart racing.
The corpsman.
My uniform’s in that trunk! “Mamie, wait, I don’t need…” But it was too late. As her eyes went wide, he watched in dumbstruck horror as she pulled out first a white sleeve, then his entire uniform coat. The rest of the sentence died in his throat as she turned, coat still in her hands, opened her mouth, and shrieked.
