Southern Style

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

The creature, whoever she is, dozed off again. Deciding to wash up, I walk down the back steps to the pump. Stripping off my shirt, I fill the bucket and begin to wash my face and chest. The angry scar on my stomach reminds me of that day when a Yankee ball knocked me from my horse at Manassas Junction. An inch or two either way and, I suspect, I would not be here. As it was, I was sick for two months before the wound finally healed.

Voices from around the corner - happy voices. It must be Miranda and Katie.

 

[Merelan]

OOC: I just realized I was using Thor instead of Beau... so very sorry. See what the two of you do to me?

Amanda:
We both trembled as we walked back, her legs weak still. Mmm. I could smell her on my lips, and licking them, I found I could still taste her. I felt like I was glowing. Then she pulled me aside..
Could she do that? Yes, I wanted to pull her to me and let her taste me now. I was so worked up it was soaking my panties.I squeezed her hand and continued on. Nanny stopped us to let us know Master Beau was home, and that he had found the girl and brought her back.
"Found her?"
It turned out she had woken and left, or tried to. She had risen and dressed. Okay, enough. If she was strong enough to do that, she was strong enough to answer a few questions. I wanted to make sure we didn't have a fugitive from the law here. But before we could decide we turned the corner.
There was the General, stripped to the waist, washing. His body, toughened by the fighting was so masculine though. I stopped, not knowing what to say. Here I was, smelling of lust, and sweet Katie, and there wasn't any way he wouldn't notice, was there? I noticed her blushing too. What had I done. I should have left her alone, gone away and let them live a normal life. But she squuezed my hand again, and I knew it was her way of helping me settle.
I wondered then, no, he wouldn't notice. He was a man, too wrapped up in his needs to sense what we had done.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

A smile lights my face as I see Miranda and Katie rounding the corner. They seem to be glowing - perhaps they had a chance to take a dip in the creek. Miranda has a glitter in her eyes that was not there last night. I suppose that she is happy that she will be able to stay - it never crossed my mind that she would leave - after working so hard, and, of course, being close to my dead brother.

I wonder what women talk about when they are alone? Probably baking and cooking and such........

 

[catlover]

Col Beaver

ooc: resurrected from page two on ll/17- waiting for you three to enjoy your evening and night.

ic: There the three of them were around the pump in the yard, as Carrie and I rode in. I needed to get busy, but didnt want to leave Carrie alone, so I needed to have her where she had company and some protection. I greeted them all and made introductions, then asked Katie if Carrie could stay with them during the day until I could get back.

I then rode out looking for the military commander in the area. I found a group of soldiers up near the town, and they were molesting a young southern girl when I jumped off my horse, grappled with a grubby bluecoat, and finally had to shoot one before the rest of them ran off before I could even ask if there was any officer around. Obviously there wasnt or they wouldnt have been trying to rape this sweet young thing, whom I took safely home on my horse.

Finally I found a group of presentable troops and was directed toward the headquarters to find the local commander.

[Edited by catlover on 12-04-2000 at 09:46 AM]

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I blushed when I saw Beau. He looked so handsome and so masculine standing there by the pump, his face, arms and chest wet from a washing. His damp hair curled around his forehead, reminding me of the previous night when his hair had looked that way...wet with sweat from our passion.

I was unsure how to act now. Could he tell? I wondered. Could he tell that my legs were unsteady. Could he see the electricity between Miranda and I? Was he immune to the sparks between him and I? I so wished I were calm and collected like Miranda. Sometimes I felt like an awkward youth, but I covered it. For now, I held my head high and pretended a calmness I did not feel.

I blushed again when Beau met my eyes with a knowing gleam. My pulse quickened at the memory of last night. Was he remembering the same thing?

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

As my eyes met Katie's, sparks seemed to jump across the gap between us. Throwing the towel across my shoulders, I met them as they rounded the corner. With a courtly bow I said, "Ladies, the morning is far brighter than before you arrived. I wonder if one of you might show me how 'Fairview' has come through the war. We must plan to restore it - and survive in these new times."

As I spoke, I flashed back to the evening before. Katie's lush body, her passion as I made love to her..."My god, things moved fast during the war, but this...." Turning my attention to Miranda I asked, "It is settled then? You will stay on at 'Fairview'?"

 

[Merelan]

I flushed, wondering if he would extend such an invitation if he knew. But her smile shone into my soul.
"Yes, if you will have me. I would like to stay, at least for awhile." Katie grabbed me and hnugged me, smiling her delight.
That smile of hers was wreaking havoc on me, and the General. I could see either one of us would do anything to keep her smiling it. I hugged her back and then playfully pushed her away.
"I need to check on our visitor. General, I hope you don't mind we let her stay. It isn't Katie's fault, it was my doing. She was unconcious. I hope she didn't cause any trouble. I will tend to her now." And hustled off before they could react, needing to get away and think. The quiet of the girls room would give me what I needed.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

Stepping very close to Katie, I cupped her chin and kissed her softly on the lips. Then I stepped back and drank in her beauty.

"Katie, lovely Katie, you outshine the sun." Before I lost myself in those eyes, I took another pace backward and said, "Katie, I must look over the property - to see what we have left to build on. Is there a horse that I might ride?" There will be no more cotton, of course. The field hands are long gone - and we could not pay them anyway. Perhaps there are other cash crops we might raise - people always have to eat.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

OOC: can anybody say "Yeah!! It's finals week!!!!" ? No, I didn't think so...

IC: Beau's compliments made me blush furiously. Compliments always did that to me.
"Certainly, sir," I said quietly. "Take the new stallion. He's full of heart, but not fully broken in yet. I'm sure you can handle him though," I blushed again at the mention of handling. It stirred memories of last night and this afternoon. I wanted to go to him right now and kiss him. I wanted to feel his strong arms around me once again, but, I supposed that sort of thing was only appropriate for the night time...
I sighed and watched him go off toward the half-burned barn, then went in search of Miranda.

 

[Merelan]

I quietly went into her room, and settled next to her. She looked much better, though still so thin and bruised. I held her hand for awhile, but she started fretting and mumbling in her sleep. I reached over and stroked her cheek, soothing her with gentle words.
"Shhh. It's okay. You are safe, warm. Home. Shhh. I am here. Just rest. Rest." Then softly hummed a lullaby as I stroked her hair, brushing it back out of her face. I hadn't really looked at her before, but she was beautiful, in an exotic way. Without warning her hand reached out and tried to slap me away, but I caught it and easily held it down, she was still so weak. Her eyes were open, and filled with a little girl lost look. She looked so scared and hurt.
I smiled and tried to look comforting, though I was still worried as to who she was.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I found Miranda with the girl. I stepped through the door with a bowl of rich broth Nanny'd handed me just in time to see the girl try to slap Miranda. I felt a tremendous anger swell in my bosom. How dare...
I took a deep breath and relaxed when my eyes met Miranda's. There was no danger. I helped her calm the frightened little thing, although I was certainly never as gentle and loving as Miranda. I blushed at the image that brought to my mind. Later...

"Let's see if she wants to try to eat," I suggested. Miranda took the bowl and I helped the girl sit up. She leaned back in my arms while Miranda spooned the delicious broth.

 

[Merelan]

Katie had brought some broth with her and then helped hold the girl up while I tried to get her to eat some. At first she resisted, then tried to take the bowl and devour it. I held tight, and fed her slowly. She stuttered and tried to speak.
"Shhhh. it's okay. Rest, relax. Katie and I are here. no one will hurt you again. You are safe. here at Katie's." I tenderly stroked the poor childs hair, or woman... it was impossible to tell her age. Nanny said that someone had hurt her, beat her. And more then once. Possibly even raped her. My mind wandered back to when I first met Katie. She had also wandered in here, beaten and raped. Abused and angry. Uncaring about her looks, or her body anymore. I thought maybe that was a natural reaction, to hide her beauty and lushness, to keep the men from taking her again and again. My blood boiled and I flushed as I watched Katie softly holding her. It was impossible to not get angry when I thought of what men, from both sides had done to her. Filthy animals. Men. I hated them when I looked at her, and saw that lost look glaze her eyes. The General had better never hurt her, or I would kill him. Henry's brother or not. it wouldn't matter.
We finished feeding her and laid her back, I braided her hair off her face, and watched as she drifted off again. I wouldn't let anyone hurt her. My anger galling me. The tears sprang to my eyes and slipped down my cheeks as I thought of how lucky I had been with Nanny and Samuel. He had beaten and, I think, even killed men who had come to where we hid. To protect me they had given up a couple chances of going North, where they would have a better life. If they had, he would still be alive. He had been her last living child. Possibly my brother, I often thought he looked like Daddy, but would never ask, never know. It didn't matter, blood or not, he had protected, and given his life for me. I know I would never have been strong like Katie. I would have died if ... I stopped my thoughts, and tried to stop the tears. The anger vanished as I felt her soft hand on mine. Looking up I saw her concern. Shaking my head I felt better, her simple touch a calming to the storm that raged within me. Her love would guide me, her strength support me, and her beauty inspire me.
It was time to put the past behind me. I would take the General to Henry's grave and give him the family ring, and his mothers wedding set. Not even Katie knew I still had that. Anything else we had found, we had sold, but somehow, I hadn't been able to part with them. now he might want them back.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I watched as a storm of emotions played across Miranda's face. She, too, had experienced such pain brought on by this senseless war. Sometimes, when I was alone, I cursed the men who had started it, participated in it and prolonged it. And even though it was now over, I knew in my heart - looking at Miranda and the girl - it would never be over.

I held out my hand and touched Miranda's hand. Most of the time, she was the strong one. Most of the time, she was the one who I felt safe and protected with, but once in a while, she let her guard down and I saw the frightened woman inside. That always made me want to hold her and comfort her and tell her everything would be okay. I had never acted on that impulse, but now I did. I held my arms out tentatively, and she came to me. We sat on the bench by the wall together, holding each other, letting each other cry for the lives we had lost; for the lives we would never have. I let my lips press against her brow softly.

 

[Merelan]

Her arms wrap around me, and i am comforted. Sheltered. We sit and cry, letting our anger, our loss flow away with the tears. Her lips kiss my forehead, so soft and gentle. Like the brush of a butterflies wing. My hand slips to her lap, and strokes her thigh through her dress. Even in pain, I love her, need her.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

"Enough of these tears!" I declared. "We are going to do something special for Beau today."
I stood up and pulled Miranda to her feet. She looked at my curiously, "What do you have in mind?"

"Well, that's the trouble," I said with a girlish giggle. "I don't have anything in mind. I just wanted to do something special for Beau and with you. I don't really know what we could do. Maybe we could clean out one of the bedrooms for him? That big one at the end of the hall? At least we could clean it and launder the bedding. I don't really want him to have to sleep on the sofa again tonight."
I paused for a moment, then looked into her eyes. "We could spend some time together..."

 

[Merelan]

I know my face went red...
"I have a couple things I need to give him, special things. And I need time .." I paused, hoping she wpould understand. "I need time alone with him. At Henry's grave. Why don't you go ahead and clean up the room, Nanny can help. I want time with you. All time." I pulled her close, reveling in her body, her closeness, her love for me. I kissed her soft mouth, and moaned as I had to tear myself away from her.
"This must be done though. I will have Nanny roast the last of the pig. And cook a big feast. I should think though, that he won't want to sleep alone in that big bed.." Letting my voice trail off, and watching her closely, with a sly smile on my face.
"Is that okay?" I spun as I heard a noise. It was the girl, laying there, but watching us. She smiled and closed her eyes and drifted off again. We would have to be more careful.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

We both giggled as our eyes met over the girl's head. Almost got caught, her eyes seemed to say. And that might not be a good thing.
"Okay," I sighed. "I'll go get started on that room. But you know how much I LOVE housework!" Sure enough, my little remark brought a smile to Miranda's lips.

I trudged upstairs after putting a scarf over my hair and started cleaning out the master bedroom. My heart did flip flops in my chest when I took the bedding off the bed and wadded them up to wash. Perhaps even this evening, Beau and I would....

I didn't dare finish the thought. I felt my heart well up with intense emotions for both Beau and Miranda. No matter what happened, I knew I would be happy.

Sighing, I took the dusty sheets outside and started scrubbing them.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau (back)

Saddling the stallion took more time than I had imagined. The spirit of the horse was something to behold. When I mounted him he reared - testing me. Sitting easily in the saddle, I nudged him in the flank with my heels. Pulling the bit firmly but not harshly, I pointed him across the fields. He snorted, and then began to run. The sheer joy of riding such an animal made my heart sing. I surveyed the fields - mostly fallow - as I rode.

 

[Merelan]

I went up and got the rings, wrapping them in a scrap of velvet. I brushed my hair, and washed my face. I didn't want to. Katies scent still lingered. I know it was also in my hair, but he wouldn't notice. I stopped by and told Nanny our plans, and she agreed. There wasn't anything she liked better then serving a huge feast. When she was with us before the war, she never got to cook. I had never known how good she was till the war.
I wandered out looking for him. I knew he had headed for a ride. Down at the stables I saw the stallion still gone. It would give me time to think. I fingered the packages in my pocket and hoped he would be pleased. I had almost given the wedding set to Katie, to help with the deception. Now I was glad I had waited. I also wanted to make sure he wasn't using her. It had to be clear to him that if he hurt her, caused her pain I would retaliate.
I sat under the old tree by the edge of the pond where we had bathed earlier. What a day. had I dreamed it? Had she really given herself to me. My body still felt her touch, and my heart her love. I turned as I heard him enter the yard, watching him. He was a fine horseman. Strong and virile. Handsome. I wondered what a man was like? To have someone take me and make love to me like they had last night. But those eyes, torn and sad. Katie would have to change that for him. He glanced over and saw me, and smiled. I blushed, feeling he could tell my thoughts.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Katie

I struggled with the wet sheets, but - thanks to Miranda - I knew how to have fun with even the most mundane tasks. I had once thought myself above such labor, but that was before...
The sheets blew in the wind and soaked me while I pinned them to the line to dry. With the breeze, it wouldn't be long before they were dry. That accomplished, I went back upstairs to the master bedroom and, dustrag and bucket in hand attacked the layers of accumulated dust on every horizontal surface.
When I was done, the woodwork shown, but I was an utter mess. I went to mine and Miranda's room and washed at the basin then stripped out of my filthy dress. I stood in my underthings and took my hair down in front of the mirror and began to brush it out. I looked at the faint scar where a Yankee sword had cut me while cutting my dress off. It was barely visible and as the days passed, the scar it left on my heart was fading as well.

I put on a clean and dry dress, then went out to the front yard and started weeding the flower beds in front of the wide porch. I wanted Beau's house to be beautiful again.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

Gently spurring the stallion with my heels, I trot across the yard to where Miranda was watching me. Half bowing from the saddle, I ask, "How are you today milady?"

The ride has been a tonic; a flashback to the days when 'Fairview' was the center of this part of Georgia. Brushing the prespiration from my brow, I await her answer.

 

[Merelan]

"Wonderful, General. How was your ride? I hope you weren't too disappointed in your home. It will live again, I promise you that." I took a deep breath as he sat down next to me. I had thought to take him to Henry's grave, but decided the past was just that. I could smell his masculine scent, and it made me tingle. he was so handsome, so strong. I sighed, and turned to him, taking his hand.
"May I speak freely?" He nodded, a puzzled look crossing his face.
"When Henry died, he left me the estate to look after. he never believed you were dead. I did, but he said you were hard headed, and stubborn as a mule. And that there wasn't a yank alive that could fell you." The sight of a fleeting smile was enough to let me continue.
"There isn't much left of the estate, and less of the fortune you once held. But he also left this." I handed him a small packet, with the family ring in it. I waited while he unwrapped it. "He told me you would return, and that it would be a sign of your good fortune to wear this, as the rightful heir and only survivor."

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Beauregard Thor

I opened the packet that Miranda handed me and looked, in awe, at the ring that appeared as I unwrapped the packet. I held it aloft and the sun glinted from the gold. I turned it in my fingers, the family crest prominent, and thought of the several generations of Thor's that had worn the ring - a symbol of family leadership. I slid the ring on my left ring finger. For the first time since I was a child tears sprang, unbidden, from my eyes. Turning my back to Miranda, I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

"Miranda, you are truly an honest person. Most all would have sold the ring to keep bread on the table - and I would have not blamed you if you had."

Turning back to her I lifted her hand and kissed it, my back bent in a deep bow. "Thank you, Miranda, from the bottom of my heart. I do have one request. When you are up to it I would like to see where Henry is laid to rest. Somehow, I need to see the spot to put his spirit and my own to rest."

 

[Merelan]

"I couldn't sell it General, Sir. It was Henry's wishes, and not mine to sell. Neither was this." Again I handed him a bundle, the ones with the wedding set of his Mother's. "I kept it safe after Nanny found it. We almost had to sell it, but made do. I thought, now that you and Katie. Well." Suddenly the anger flared in me. "So help me God General. If you ever hurt her, abuse her, make her cry, I will personally kill you. Don't think I can't. I have seen and learned terrible things. I might seem like the shy little girl. But no one living through the war could stay that way. I was luckier then her, much luckier. If you ever, ever." I couldn't speak, and was unaware of how hard I was squeezing his hand. "I saw you last night, and we talked today. I love Katie, Sir. Love her more then my own life. If you don't protect her and cherish her then, then... You will see Henry's grave from the wrong angle." I jumped up and tried to storm away, but he wouldn't let go of my hand. I tugged and pulled, but he held tight. I swung out and clocked him on the chin. Instantly my anger was gone. Oh my God. I had hit him. Bursting into tears I sank to my knees.
"Please, please. I am so sorry. Don't hurt her, please. I will leave, today. You..." But I couldn't stop crying, even after he lifted me and held me. I kept mumbling as he held and rocked me, his face buried in my hair which had come lose.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Beau

Miranda's outburst took me by surprise. The gift of my mother's wedding set pulled at my heart. What a gift - and one that she need not have done. Her threat to bury me almost made me laugh...but then, I sensed a steel beneath the surface - a strength that one would not expect in such a slip of a woman. The war has hardened all of us in different ways.

Miranda's blow glanced off my chin, but her tears were poignant. I pulled her up from her knees and held her close, rocking her in my arms. The raw emotions that are near the surface are powerful indeed."

Her hair had a sweet, fresh scent. "You shall not leave, Miranda. You are welcome here for as long as you wish to stay. I will never hurt Katie - she is a precious jewel. I am glad that you protect her. Although she appears strong, she is not versed in the ways of our society - such as it is.

I cradled Miranda close - trying to calm her and have her know that she is one of the family....