of great ideas that never quite work out.”
“I’m honored to be compared to the glorious Confederate States of America.”
To his dismay, she smiled her sweet smile. He’d wanted to make her mad, prod her into helping him. Why couldn’t she just do as he asked?
Then he realized she was baiting him, as she had for years when they were young.
“Fine. Carry out your plan. But I don’t want any part of it.” He stuck his foot in the stirrup, swung himself onto Dixie’s back and guided her out of the stable.
Just as he was about to tap the horse’s flank and take off, Ellie slipped out of the stable and closed the door, leaving the dog inside. She climbed the marble carriage steps and then took him by the arm and started to hoist herself right up there in front of him.
“What are you doing?” Against his will, Graham helped her mount. He’d left this woman here eight years ago, and she’d gone crazy while he was away. Now he not only had to get five girls out of his house, but he had to get another one off his horse.
“Ride up to the front of the house and pass as close to the south parlor windows as you can. You put the girls in the parlor, right?”
“Where else would I put them? The cellar?”
She leaned back against him. “Get the horse moving, and act as if you like it.”
“Ellie, we’re not children anymore. This isn’t one of your schemes. Noreen could be in trouble.”
“The sooner you stop talking and ride up there, the sooner you’ll be gone to look for her.”
How did she always make everything sound so logical? But in his situation, what else could he do? He nudged Dixie with his heel and she took off.
“Slower. We’re supposed to be enjoying this.”
He gritted his teeth so hard, they might break, and he slowed the horse. When they were ten yards from the window, Ellie began to giggle.
She really had gone crazy.
Turning back to look at him, she stopped the laugh cold and spoke through her teeth as she smiled. “You’re scowling like an old schoolmarm. Smile and act as if you like me.”
After all those years of war and responsibility, he wasn’t sure he remembered how. He tried a rather tentative grin but it felt like a grimace.
“Better but not good. Think of something pleasant.”
“Be glad you get this much. I’m out of practice.”
As they passed the windows, Ellie primped a little and giggled again. “They’re looking right at us. Smile.”
This was ridiculous. He urged Dixie across the side yard and to the front hitching post, although he didn’t exactly want to advertise the fact he was home. He didn’t need any more women showing up. “Now what?”
“Help me down.” She gave Dixie a good pat on the head and then held on to Graham as she slipped to the ground, her white hoopskirts twirling.
He dismounted and secured the horse. Then they ambled up the walk, Ellie clasping his arm as Susanna had done earlier. “I’m surprised you can stand being this close to me,” he said.
She looked up at him, her eyes blue as the sky and almost as wide. “You’re not that bad.”
“I was referring to my hygiene—or lack of it.”
“I admit you don’t smell like a crape—” She cut herself off and lowered her head, a flush across her cheeks.
But he knew what she was going to say. Crape myrtle. He’d wanted to cut down that tree eight years ago, and he would have, if Father hadn’t stopped him.
She remembered too. And since he didn’t know what to say to break this sudden, awkward silence, he let it remain.
Actually, after the first few seconds, it wasn’t so bad. Quiet was a rare thing around Ellie.
On the gallery, he opened the door for her as he had for those girls. And the quiet stopped.
“Graham, how nice of you to give me a ride. I’d been counting the days until your return.” Ellie tugged at his arm and pulled him along with her until they stood outside the parlor doorway. Then she looked up into his face and batted her lashes at him, smiling like a debutante. “I can’t believe you’re finally home. Now we can—”
She pulled her gaze from him and turned to the parlor. “Oh, dear. You have guests.”
Graham ventured a glance into the parlor. If Ellie was trying to get their attention, she’d accomplished her goal. They all sat motionless as sharpshooters, and a few had their mouths open.
Then, before he could figure out what she was doing, she took his hand and nudged him toward the parlor. Now what? Holding Ellie’s hand in front of these girls was more awkward than the silence had been.
“Graham was on his way upstairs to freshen himself after his journey.” She looked at him with those big eyes again. “Go ahead, honey. I’ll serve refreshments.”
This time she pushed him toward the stairs. Whatever she was trying to do, at least he’d get a quick sponge bath. Nothing else was going the way he wanted today, so why shouldn’t he take ten minutes to get cleaned up? It would have taken a lot longer than that if he’d had to wait for those women to decide to leave. Come to think of it, he couldn’t very well go out to look for Noreen as long as he smelled like a horse. A dirty, sweaty, dust-covered horse.
Although it was hard telling what he’d have to deal with when he got back down here.
* * *
“Ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll fetch some cookies and tea.” Ellie started for the hall, knowing full well she wouldn’t get out the parlor door, acting the hostess this way in Graham’s home. Immediately, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see the group rushing toward her, hoopskirts dancing with the motion.
“We appreciate the offer, but we must decline,” Susanna Martin said, making the decision for the whole group as usual. “We came to see the colonel, and since he will be occupied for a time, we’ll come back another day.”
Ellie moved farther into the room and perched on the edge of a gold damask settee. She took a white lace handkerchief from her day-dress pocket and flicked an imaginary fleck of dust from the gas lamp next to her. “Whatever you say, Susanna.”
She needn’t have wondered about the effect of her actions. The girls, all from her Pearl Street neighborhood, sat back down as well and began asking questions all at once.
The charade was rather enjoyable, and Ellie let them answer their own questions for a time. Then she held up one hand. “Ladies! Your mothers would be appalled at your manners.”
“Colonel Talbot was right here in this room with us just minutes before the two of you came in. How did you end up riding with him?” Not surprisingly, Susanna took the lead.
