Honor’s Reward

MARION MARSHALL

© copyright by Linda Slater, Sept. 2000
Cover Art by Eliza Black
ISBN 1-58608-028-8
Rocket ISBN 1-58608-291-4
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com

PART ONE

ATLANTA

CHAPTER ONE

Ashley Reynolds looked up in surprise as the huge grandfather clock in the front hallway struck four o'clock. She rose from the desk in her bedroom and closed the book she was reading. Where had the time gone? It seemed only minutes ago that she had picked up the book to read for a bit while her father-in-law Franklin Reynolds went to the stables to check on his prize Arabian mare who was due to foal at any time.

Ashley glanced out the window, smiling to herself when she saw Mr. Reynolds busying himself down by the stables, which stood several hundred yards behind the house. She leaned out the second story window to breathe in the sweet September fragrance of the jasmine and honeysuckle bushes that grew thickly around the house. It was a warm sunny day. The kind that made it easy to forget that only a few miles away a war was raging.

It was September 1864. Ashley had been hearing for weeks about the hoards of Union troops that were moving steadily toward Atlanta. Fernwood was roughly two days travel from the city but Ashley had not seen any Union soldiers since the beginning of the war.

She had caught the glimpse of an occasional dust cloud to the east, which Mr. Reynolds said was probably the Northern army but Fernwood had escaped the plunder so many of the local planters had experienced in recent weeks. Rumor had it that a large force under General William Sherman was forming around Atlanta and a massive battle for the city was imminent.

While Ashley was reluctant to believe the enemy was so near, the slaves were more inclined to heed the rumors. They had been disappearing in increasing numbers until last week when even the house servants had vanished during the night.

Ashley O'Riley Reynolds was born the only child of Jack O'Riley and his beautiful Mary, who had died shortly after Ashley's birth in New Orleans only a few months after their arrival from Ireland. Ashley's father was a tireless worker and in a few short years he had amassed a fortune from the shipping industry in the Gulf city. Still by Louisiana standards he was an outsider, and as such was not accepted into New Orleans society. And Ashley, though beautiful and educated, was not an acceptable mate for the rich sons of New Orleans aristocracy. So Jack O'Riley had gone elsewhere to find her a suitable husband when the time came for her to marry.

So it was that she came to Fernwood. Jack had arranged a marriage between Ashley and Jeremy Reynolds, the only son of Fernwood's owner. Only eighteen himself, Jeremy was everything her father had wanted for her in a husband.

Had it only been a year ago that she had become his wife in an extravagant ceremony downstairs in the drawing room? It seemed forever. She touched the ornately carved frame on her vanity that held Jeremy's picture.

Dear sweet Jeremy. He had loved her so much. It was so unfair that he had been killed so soon after their marriage. Only three days after the wedding his company had been called back into action and his leave canceled. Six weeks later she had received word that he had been killed in Virginia.

So she had become a wife and a widow at eighteen. Her life had not been unhappy at Fernwood however. Mr. Reynolds was a kind, generous man and Ashley had quickly become the daughter he'd never had. His wife had died in childbirth when Jeremy was born and now with his only son dead, he was left with a beautiful daughter-in-law and his memories.

Ashley shook herself to push the thoughts of the past into the back of her mind. With all the servants gone she had become very busy trying to take care of the big house alone. Having been raised with servants to do the cooking and cleaning, Ashley found those chores very troublesome. It was a struggle to make Mr. Reynolds' meals. Though the dear man ate everything without complaining, Ashley knew the food was awful.

With the first reports of Union troop activity in the area Mr. Reynolds had taken the valuables, as well as the extra food they had in reserve and hid it in the underground cellar behind the house. If the Yankees did come their food supply and most prized possessions would be safe.

Ashley glanced out the window again as her thoughts returned to the present. It was almost time to start dinner. Her brows knitted into a frown as she tried to think what she could cook with the least chance of disaster.

A heavy cloud of dust was billowing upward along the road that ran a half mile from the Fernwood drive. Ashley looked from it to see Mr. Reynolds hurrying toward the house.

She could see the alarm in his face. She rushed down the stairs from her room to meet him coming in the front door.

"Ashley, you must hide immediately," Mr. Reynolds said, gasping for breath. His face was red from exertion as he placed both hands on her shoulders.

"Papa Reynolds, what's wrong?"

"Yankees, coming up the drive. I couldn't tell how many but there must be at least a whole company. Come with me quickly."

"No, wait!" Ashley cried as she broke from his grasp to run back up the stairs. In seconds she was back in the hallway with Jeremy's picture tucked firmly under her arm.

Mr. Reynolds led her quickly toward the giant grandfather clock. He opened the door beneath the clock's face to expose an open space large enough to hide a small person and told Ashley to get inside.

"I don't want to hide, Papa Reynolds. I want to stay with you."

Mr. Reynolds shook his head as he tucked her skirts inside the clock cabinet. "No, Ashley, it's too dangerous. I want you safe when those men get here. Take this," he said as he handed her a large revolver. Ashley recognized it as the one the Confederate Army had sent her after Jeremy's death. "Keep this gun. Stay inside the clock and don't make a sound. Do you understand, Ashley? Not a sound. Don't come out no matter what you hear until I come for you. Now hurry, they're almost here."

Mr. Reynolds took a second to lean over and kiss her cheek before closing the cabinet securely. He gave it a final inspection before turning to greet his visitors. As he came onto the front porch a company of thirty-five to forty Union soldiers rode into the yard. The officer in charge came forward a few steps and touched his hat in greeting.

"Good afternoon, sir. I am Colonel Randolph Thompson, XV Corps, United States cavalry. I'm afraid my men ran into some bad luck a few miles back and are in need of replacement mounts."

"I'm sorry, colonel. There are no horses for sale here."

A cold smile touched Colonel Thompson's thin lips for a second before he replied. "I don't believe I said anything about buying horses, sir. You are the enemy and I have permission to take whatever I need from the enemy."

He turned to order a detail of men to go to the stables and take what they needed. Then he spoke to a small wiry soldier beside him and said, "Carpenter, take three men and search the house. Bring me all the food and any weapons you find."

Franklin Reynolds stepped in front of the soldier as he dismounted and began to climb the steps. "I cannot permit you to do that, soldier," he said in a tone that brought the man to a halt.

Carpenter turned to look at his commanding officer. Thompson stared thoughtfully at Mr. Reynolds for a few seconds, then nodded at Carpenter to follow his orders.

"Sir, I do not ask permission of Rebels. My men have their orders. Now stand aside."

"This is my home, Colonel. I am not a man of war but I will not allow you to desecrate my home in this manner."

"You heard me, old man, stand aside," Thompson said as an ominous glint came into his cold blue eyes.

Mr. Reynolds refused to move and again the soldier looked at Thompson for instructions.

The Yankee colonel and the planter stared at one another for several moments, their eyes locked together, neither man giving an inch. Then, slowly and deliberately, Thompson removed his pistol from its holster and shot Mr. Reynolds in the chest. The planter’s eyes widened in surprise and grasping the gaping wound, he slid into a huddle at the soldier's feet.

Inside the stuffy clock Ashley heard the shot. Her heart froze in her mouth when she heard the Yankee soldier's heavy boots in the hallway only inches from her hiding place. The gun twitched in her hand as the urge to fling the door open and shoot those murderous intruders washed over her, but a small voice in the back of her mind told her to be sensible. If Mr. Reynolds had just been shot down in cold blood, what would these men do if they discovered her?

So she clamped a lid on her temper and sat quietly, not moving for what seemed hours as the soldiers went through the house breaking mirrors and crystal vases, laughing as they destroyed what had taken Mr. Reynolds a lifetime to accumulate.

At one point she heard one of the soldiers come down the stairs and call to his companions, "Hey, look at this! Maybe there's a female around here somewhere!"

Bending down to peek out the key hole in the cabinet, Ashley glared in helpless fury when she saw the man holding up one of her gowns. He was holding it against him as he danced around the room, laughing gaily, until one of the others came to take his arm. They danced together for a time until they tired of the game and threw her dress down in a heap at the foot of the stairs.

"Probably some relative that's gone off somewhere to be safe from the Yankees," one of the soldiers said in reference to the dress.

"I'm real disappointed. There ain't even no nigger gals around here," another complained in a leering voice that sent cold chills down Ashley's spine.

Finally they left the house carrying whatever they had found that caught their fancy and Ashley breathed a sigh of relief. Her legs and shoulders were beginning to cramp painfully from huddling in this uncomfortable position for so long.

Outside, the soldiers mounted, awaiting their companions to join them from the stables where they came leading Mr. Reynolds’ fine horses.

Looking back at the grand old house for a moment Carpenter said to his commander, "What about the house, sir?"

A cold smile appeared at Thompson's lips as he glanced at Mr. Reynolds' body lying on the porch.

"Torch it. It's time we taught these damned Rebels a lesson."

A whoop went up from his men as they lit fires in the curtains fluttering inside the open windows. In moments the downstairs portion of the house was engulfed in flames as the soldiers rode away laughing at the blow they had struck for the Union.

Inside the clock Ashley began to smell the thick smoke that filled the house. She heard the horses thundering away above the snapping and crackling of the fire. She tried to open the cabinet. Terror blinded her for a moment when the door refused to budge but at last it swung open.

She found the house engulfed in flames and dropped to her knees, choking and coughing from the blinding smoke, and began to crawl toward the front door, still holding on tightly to Jeremy's picture and the pistol.

Outside she gulped in fresh air, then forgot everything when she saw Mr. Reynolds lying sprawled on the porch. Her hand went to her mouth in horror and she began to cry as she knelt beside him.

In the distance she could see the disappearing backs of the Yankee soldiers. Her heart turned cold in her chest. Wasn't it enough that the Yankees had taken Jeremy from her? There was no need to hurt this gentle old man. They had done it for sport. The Yankee colonel's name burned in her mind as the bitter taste of hatred scorched her throat. In eighteen years she had never hated anyone or wished them harm but in that moment a hatred came into her heart that she swore would never fade. She would hate all Yankees and do whatever was in her power to make them pay for their senseless cruelty.

She laid down the gun and picture and began dragging Mr. Reynolds to safety. It took forever to get him into one of the slave cabins located a few hundred yards from the burning house.

When he was at last safely inside the cabin she ran back to the house to retrieve the pistol and Jeremy's picture from the porch. The picture was covered with ash, beginning to curl from the intense heat but she snatched it up, blew the dust from it, and hugged it to her chest. She backed off a safe distance to watch in silence as the big house gave a giant moan, then caved in. Tears ran down her cheeks as enormous flames licked at the old timbers, sending black smoke spiraling into the sky.

After a long moment she shook herself and ran back to the cabin to see what she could do for Mr. Reynolds. She took a blanket from a cot in the corner of the small room and tucked it around his shoulders. Getting him onto the cot was impossible so she tried to make him as comfortable as she could on the floor. Then finding a pan, she went to the well behind the burning house and filled it with water.

The cellar door was standing open and she cursed the Yankees again for leaving them with no food or clothing. How would she take care of Mr. Reynolds without food? She went back to the cabin, opened his shirt, and began to clean the wound.

She knew little about nursing but the gaping wound in his chest told her there was little chance he could survive. Wiping tears from her cheek, she continued to clean away the blood but it kept pouring from his body faster than she could wipe it away. At long last the flow slowed to a trickle but his face was so white she was sure there couldn't be much blood left in his body and his breathing was rapid and labored.

Darkness had fallen. She rose from the floor to find the stump of a candle and lit it to lift the curtain of gloom that filled the small cabin. Outside the sky was orange with the flames that still raged from the house.

At some point during the long night Mr. Reynolds roused. Ashley was instantly awake when his cold hand touched hers. His eyes opened and he tried to smile as she leaned over to gaze lovingly into his face.

"Dear Ashley," he said softly. "I'm so sorry. I didn't do a very good job of protecting you, did I, child? Are you all right?"
Ashley nodded, wetting her dry lips with her tongue as she squeezed his hand. "Yes, Papa Reynolds. I'm fine. The Yankees didn't find me. You must rest now, don't talk."

"Ashley, you must listen to me, child, there isn't much time. I'm going to die, Ashley, we both know that, and there's something I must tell you. Go to my cousin Alexander Wallace, in Atlanta. He will take care of you. He's a doctor, he lives on Merrilee Street. Can you remember that?"

"Yes, Papa Reynolds," Ashley whispered as she bit her lips to still their trembling.

A weak smile touched the old man's lips. "Remember, Ashley, what a fine wedding it was? Remember how proud my Jeremy was when you became his wife?"

Ashley wiped a tear from her cheek as she nodded. "Yes, I remember. It was a grand wedding."

"I had so hoped for a grandson, Ashley. Someone to carry on the family name but now Jeremy's gone...there won't be a grandchild. That is my only regret."

Ashley was grateful for the darkness so the old man couldn't see the blush that warmed her cheeks. Her secret was safe.

Jeremy's father had become like her own after her dear father had died at sea during one of his business trips. After Jeremy's death they had become very close. As she sat on the dusty floor holding his hand, it was like losing her own father all over again. Silent tears fell down her cheek when she realized that Mr. Reynolds had died

She covered him up with the blanket and curled up into a ball beside his lifeless body, then cried herself to sleep.

CHAPTER TWO

Ashley awoke early the following morning, amazed that she had slept at all. She arose and stretched her aching muscles before venturing outside. Plumes of gray smoke still wafted into the sky from the ashes of the house. She paused for a moment to say a silent prayer of thanksgiving that Jeremy had not been a witness to this total destruction of his home.

Then she went to the stables to discover the Yankees had taken all the horses. There was not one left. How was she to get to Atlanta and Dr. Wallace without a horse? She felt a flood of panic as she realized fully for the first time how alone she really was. There was no food, no horses, or clothing. The clothes on her back were in a sad state from all the smoke and the dirt. First things first; she must bury Mr. Reynolds, then she would figure out a way to get to Atlanta.

She found a shovel in the barn and went to the family graveyard some distance from the remains of the house. She was unaccustomed to such manual labor. In no time at all both her hands were blistered raw from the shovel. Still she kept digging, trying to ignore the pain until she had dug a shallow grave.

She leaned against the shovel to catch her breath and wipe a trickle of perspiration from her brow. She brushed back a tendril of honey-red hair, then looked up when she heard something in the distance.

Dropping the shovel, she ran a few steps down the path toward the house. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the long blue line of Federal horsemen approaching. She froze in her tracks, her heart pounding in her chest. Oh God! Oh God! They had come back! What was she to do?

A calmness settled over her and she ran to the cabin and grabbed the pistol. She closed the door and peeked out the window. There must be hundreds of them, she thought. She took a deep breath while she waited to see what they would do.

***

Major Chase Kendall reined his horse to a halt and turned to the big man at his side. "Captain, tell the men to start watering the horses. We'll rest here for a while. And, Dan, take a couple of men and check the barn and the outbuildings. This place looks deserted but make sure."

The big captain nodded, then signaled for a patrol to accompany him to carry out the search.

At thirty two, Chase Kendall was a seasoned veteran of some of the war's bloodiest battles. Shiloh, Gettysburg, The Wilderness campaign; he had been through them all. He had been wounded twice and twice decorated for his service to his country. He had joined the army at the outbreak of the war much to his parents dismay. But Chase was determined and had proved himself a brave and intelligent officer. He had moved up quickly through the ranks and was now a major in the cavalry, in command of these five hundred troops.

He eased himself off the horse and stretched his tired muscles. Taking off his wide brimmed hat, he laid it across the saddlehorn, and ran a hand through his dark shaggy hair. Behind him, his men were dismounting and beginning to draw water from the well to refresh themselves and their animals.

He spotted the slave cabins and saw a curtain flutter in one of them. He reached down to unlatch his holster and began walking toward the cabin.

Inside, Ashley's breath froze in her throat when she saw the tall Union officer approaching. The man moved with a confidence in his stride that caused her to grimace in contempt. At six feet four inches tall, he was powerfully built with broad shoulders, a slim waist, and deep brown eyes that were busy scanning the area. She thought about Jeremy and Mr. Reynolds and what this man and others like him had taken from her as she raised the heavy pistol and pulled back the hammer.

There might be hundreds of them and only one of her, but for certain, the man who walked through that door was taking his last steps.

Chase approached the cabin warily, looking for any sign of life inside but the curtain did not move again. He opened the latch to swing the door open with a loud creak of protesting hinges and stepped inside cautiously. He was momentarily blinded and had to wait a second for his eyes to adjust from the bright sunlight outside to the dimness of the room. He heard a rustling in the darkness, and reached for his pistol.

"Don't move, Yankee," came a firm female voice from the dimness and let his hand drop.

As Ashley moved from the shadows into his line of vision, for a moment Chase thought he was seeing things. She was the most exquisitely beautiful creature he had ever seen, small and slender with long reddish-gold hair and a stunning face and figure. She was also holding a large pistol in both hands. It only took him a second to see it was pointed directly at his chest.

"Easy, Miss, we mean you no harm. We only want to water our horses and rest a bit. Then we'll be on our way."

"You take your men and get off this property, Yankee. There is nothing left here for you to destroy. You did all that yesterday," she said with a southern drawl dripping with scorn.

Chase quickly realized this girl was not the typical fainting southern belle. This girl was in complete control of herself. Furthermore, she was not afraid of him.

"Miss, I'm Major Chase Kendall. Believe me, my men and I mean you no harm."

"I don't care what your name is, Yankee. I want you off my property now." She motioned toward the door with the pistol.

"Why don't you give me the gun, Miss?" Chase suggested as he took another step forward.

"Stop right where you are, Major Kendall. I am very capable of using this pistol and at this moment nothing would give me greater pleasure than blowing your Yankee head off. Get your men and get out of here."

Chase shook his head. "I can't do that, Miss. I've got five hundred thirsty horses out there. I'm not moving until they have all been watered. Now give me that gun."

"I'll give it to you, you miserable Yankee," Ashley snarled as she pulled the trigger.

The gun exploded with the bullet slamming into the wall just above his head. Chase's gaze flew to the hole in the wall, then back to the girl who was struggling to bring the heavy pistol up for a second shot.

He leaped to grab her wrist, forcing her to drop the gun. Ashley kicked his shins and he cursed under his breath as the girl flew at him, her nails digging for his face. He jerked his head back as he caught both her wrists in one powerful hand to bring her under control.

All the anger and frustration of the preceding day came pouring out of her as she struggled. Unable to hit him, she tried again to kick him but he stepped back to avoid her feet. In doing so, he tripped over a stool and fell backwards, dragging Ashley down on top of him. She jerked her hands free and began hitting him again before he recovered her wrists.

He rolled over to pin her beneath him, her body still thrashing. After a few moments, Ashley realized she was no match for his strength. She lay motionless beneath him, her chest heaving with rage and frustration, her green eyes flashing with hatred.

As he lay on top of her looking down into her flushed, angry face, Chase was stunned by her beauty. He had seen many beautiful women in his life but none that compared to the girl who lay beneath him.

"Holy shit, lady! I told you we mean you no harm."

"You expect me to believe that, Yankee?" she hissed at him as she gasped for breath. "After what you did here yesterday?"

"My men were forty miles from here yesterday. Whatever happened, we had nothing to do with it."

"You're a Yankee, aren't you? Whether it was you or somebody else, it's all the same. You burned my home and killed Mr. Reynolds and stole everything you could find. What are you going to do now, rape me? That's the only thing your people haven't done to me and that's only because Mr. Reynolds hid me when he saw you coming."

A dry smile appeared on Chase's face as he stared down into her furious eyes. He admired her courage. Even now there was no fear in her, only contempt and anger.

"My men are not in the habit of raping women, Miss. And neither am I, even when I get shot at."

The door flew open as Captain Morrison burst inside with his gun drawn, but he began to grin when he saw the spectacle on the floor of the cabin. "I thought you might need some help, Major, but it looks like you have everything under control," he said dryly.

Chase got to his feet, pulling Ashley up with him. She jerked free and began smoothing her skirts while she glared at him. Chase stepped around her to pick up the pistol and stuck it in his belt.

"Major, there's a half dug grave out back," Morrison said.

"You said Yankees killed Mr. Reynolds...who's that?"

Ashley lifted icy eyes to stare at him. "My father-in-law. He's over there," she said with a motion toward the corner of the cabin. "He was murdered, shot down in cold blood. He didn't even have a weapon."

"Morrison, take a detail to finish that grave and bury Mr. Reynolds. I take it you're Miss Reynolds," Chase said to Ashley.

"Mrs. Reynolds," she corrected him stiffly.

"Are you alone here?"

"I was until you showed up."

"Do you have any family near by?"

"Mr. Reynolds' cousin in Atlanta is all. That's where I'm going when he's properly buried."

"I see." Chase dusted off his pants, allowing himself to steal another glance at her as he did so. She was a tiny little thing, at least a foot shorter than himself, but what she lacked in size she more than made up for in spirit. His gaze came to rest on her full bosom straining against the fabric of her soiled aqua dress before he took a deep breath and forced his attention back to her face.

"It so happens that we're heading for Atlanta. You can ride along with us."

"No thank you! I can make it on my own."

"Well, Mrs. Reynolds, there are a lot of soldiers in this area, yours and mine. You'll be a lot safer with me."

"I doubt that. I said I can make it on my own!"

"And I said that you're coming with me." Chase stepped backwards through the door. "Morrison, bring the lady a horse."

Fresh anger blazed in Ashley's eyes as she stared at him. "Don't you hear well? I said I'm not going anywhere with you."

"I hear just fine and since I'm in charge you'll do what I say."

There was a determined glint in his dark eyes that told Ashley he was a man who was accustomed to having his orders followed without question.

"I am not one of your soldiers, Major. I do not take orders from you or any other Yankee."

"Mrs. Reynolds, if you think I'm going to ride off and leave you here alone with no food, no horse, and no protection, you're mistaken," Chase said as he took the reins of the horse Morrison brought to him. "Now do you want to mount this horse on your own or do you need help?"

Ashley stared at him for a long moment, but he did not back down, but stared back at her, his dark eyes direct and inscrutable. Finally she strode past him to grasp the saddlehorn and swung up on the horse. She quickly adjusted her skirts to cover her legs.

"I do not need any help from you, sir. I can ride as well or better than any Yankee!"

Chase grinned as he caught up the reins of his own horse and mounted, moving with surprising grace for a man his size. He turned the animal toward the road when Ashley suddenly jumped down from the saddle and ran back into the cabin. She appeared a second later with Jeremy's picture which she tucked inside the saddlebag on the horse before mounting again.

"Do you mind if I say good-bye to Mr. Reynolds?"

"Of course not," Chase replied, then watched as the girl moved the horse alongside the fresh grave behind the house.

She sat quietly for a few moments, then made the sign of the cross in the traditional Catholic manner before coming back where he waited.

Her eyes were dry but filled with contempt as she stared at him. "If I'm to be forced to share your company, Major, then let's get started. The sooner I get to my cousin's house, the sooner I get rid of you."

"Yes, ma'am," Chase said as he gave the order to continue with their journey.

CHAPTER THREE

They rode all afternoon in the warm September sun. Ashley soon began to tire but did not complain. She kept her back straight and her head high as the long column made its way through the Georgia countryside. Chase had fallen into place beside her. Ashley sneaked a peek at him from time to time but he was busy scanning the area and did not notice.

He was a handsome man, she admitted reluctantly, as Yankees go. Tall, straight, and well built, he rode like a man born to the saddle. She observed his fine straight nose and full, sensual lips. Yes, he was rather handsome, she decided, but he was also arrogant, cocky, and altogether too sure of himself.

She was still studying him when he suddenly turned to find her staring. She blushed and looked away, feeling foolish.

"The boy in the picture...your husband?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

"He's dead, Major. He was killed six weeks after we were married," she said coldly.

"I'm sorry."

His voice held a ring of sincerity that Ashley found irritating.

Chase watched her for a moment, seeing the blush fade gradually from her cheeks. He smiled to himself for he knew she had been looking him over. He was accustomed to women looking at him in that manner for he'd learned at an early age that he was attractive to the opposite sex. He'd also learned how to use it to his advantage.

But the look she'd been giving him was unlike most he received from women. There was no desire in her eyes, merely a kind of curiosity. If her husband had been killed such a short time after their marriage she was most likely still yearning for him. He wondered if she had been comparing him to the boy in the picture. If she had, it was an interesting comparison. The boy in the photograph couldn't have been more than eighteen or nineteen, hardly old enough to shave. Perhaps with a little luck this beautiful creature at his side would warm up to him. It was a delightful thought.

The girl was different from any woman he'd met thus far in his life. Not only was she more beautiful, but she had a grace about her that demanded respect. She had tried her best to kill him a short time ago. He admired courage. How many women would attempt to shoot an officer accompanied by five hundred troops? Not many he was sure.

"Why are you going to Atlanta?" Ashley asked suddenly rousing him from his thoughts.

"To join General Sherman. Are you aware that Atlanta has surrendered?"

The shocked expression on her face told him that she was not. "I don't believe you! General Hood would never surrender Atlanta to Yankees."

"It's quite true, Mrs. Reynolds. Atlanta surrendered three days ago. Sherman's troops are now occupying the city. I'm on my way there to rejoin the rest of my regiment and reinforce Sherman's cavalry."

"Oh my," she said softly as she stared at him in dismay.

Captain Morrison appeared at Chase's side and said something to him that Ashley could not hear. A moment later Chase reined his horse around to ride back along the long blue column.

Chase turned to the captain and said, "Dan, I want a guard on that young lady every minute until we reach Atlanta."

"Yes sir," Morrison replied. A grin covered his face, at least as much as Chase could see beneath the heavy beard. "You think she might try to shoot you again, Chase?"

Chase grinned as he shook his head. "That's not unlikely, Dan, if she finds another gun. She's a most determined young woman.. Let's just say that I don't want to take any chances where she's concerned."

"She sure is something to look at, ain't she?"

"She certainly is that," Chase agreed with a smile but then his face sobered as he added, "But she's also Confederate to the bone. I wouldn't trust her as far as I can spit."

***

Ashley realized the horse beneath her was no longer moving. She roused from her doze to find the column had stopped and the men were dismounting in preparation of setting up camp.

She glanced around but the major was nowhere in sight. She got down from the horse and walked around the animal stiffly until the feeling came back into her legs. Her entire body ached and she felt light-headed as she realized that she had eaten nothing since early the day before.

From the swarm of blue clad bodies a soldier appeared to take the reins of her mount and lead it away. Shortly, another soldier approached but waited patiently until she noticed him before speaking.

"Mrs. Reynolds, if you'll follow me please, I'll take you to your tent."

She nodded and followed, every bone in her body aching from all those hours in the saddle. She was amazed the tents had been erected so quickly. Major Kendall's men were certainly efficient, if nothing else.

The young soldier led the way to a tent, then held the flap open for her. "Ma'am," he said, causing Ashley to turn back to look at him as she entered the tent. "Major Kendall says for you to stay right here until he returns. He'll be along shortly."

"What do you mean he'll be along shortly?"

"Well, ma'am, this is the major's tent. He said for you to wait for him here and that he would be back in time for supper."

"His tent? You mean...that...that…Yankee...expects me to share his tent? Well, you just tell him to think again, soldier. No, better still, I'll tell him myself. Where is he?"

Taken aback, the young soldier was trying to think of an answer when Chase appeared behind him.

"It's all right, Private," he said as the boy breathed a sigh of relief and disappeared after a brief salute . "Was there something you wished to tell me, Mrs. Reynolds?"

Ashley backed out of the tent to stand facing him, her hands on her hips. "Is this your tent, Major?"

"Yes, ma'am. Is that a problem?"

"It certainly is if you think for one minute that I'm going to sleep in there with you!"

Amusement danced in his dark eyes as he looked down into her angry face. "I don't think you quite understand, Mrs. Reynolds. This is my tent and I do expect you to sleep here but not in the manner you seem to think. You see, my men have been on this march for quite a long time. Some of them might forget they are gentlemen in the presence of such a beautiful young woman as yourself. So you're sleeping in my tent so I can protect you."

"I do not require your protection and I find your company thoroughly unpleasant. So you either provide me with a tent of my own or I shall sleep on the ground."

Irritation flared in his eyes. "Mrs. Reynolds, you will sleep in this goddamned tent, do you understand? And you will follow my orders to the letter or I'll tie you up and gag you. Have I made myself clear?"

Never in her life had she been spoken to in that manner. She glared at him for a long moment before she lifted her head, sniffed loudly, then stalked into the tent.

A few minutes later he appeared through the opening carrying a plate of food which he handed to her, then left as quickly as he had come. Even the meager army fare of beans, bacon, and biscuits seemed like a feast after being without food for so long.

When she finished she carried the plate outside to the campfire. One of the soldiers reached to take the plate.

"Would you like some more, ma'am?" he asked politely.

"No, thank you, but I will have some more coffee if there is any left," she answered, then took the steaming cup he held out toward her.

She took the cup back into the tent, ignoring the appreciative stares that followed her. Some time passed without the major returning so she finished the coffee, put the cup aside, and curled up on the blanket.

It was an hour later when Chase returned from meeting with his captains to find her asleep, curled into a small ball like a child. He sat down to take off his boots, then stretched out on his blanket, a short distance from hers. He glanced at Ashley and smiled to himself before closing his eyes and falling asleep almost instantly.

It was much later in the night when Chase was awakened by a whimpering sound. He raised up on one elbow, surprised to find the sleeping girl snuggled up against him. She had traveled the short distance separating their blankets to place herself against his body with her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder. The sound he'd heard was coming from her lips. As he watched, a tear slid down her cheek to soak into his shirtsleeve. It was obvious the girl was having a nightmare so he shook her gently, trying to wake her.

Through the fog of the dream, Ashley again saw the big house at Fernwood in flames and Mr. Reynolds dying in her arms. Somewhere through it all she saw Jeremy's sad face asking why she had let this terrible thing happen. Why she had been the only one to survive? She reached out to touch him, trying to make him understand it wasn't her fault, that she had done all she could to help his father but he kept moving just beyond her reach.

She cried out his name as her eyes flew open. It took a moment to realize she was not alone, that she was, indeed, lying next to someone. Her eyes widened in surprise as they traveled up the long blue clad body to rest on Chase's face. She gasped and tried to move away but his arms went around her, pressing her against him.

His hands were gentle as he smoothed her hair and whispered in her ear, "Go back to sleep. It was only a dream. Nothing is going to hurt you while I'm here. It's all right."

She relaxed against him and in moments was fast asleep again. Chase continued to hold her, her face close to his throat, her warm breath on his skin. It was a long time before he went to sleep again.

Ashley awoke later, horrified to find herself snuggled in his arms, her head cradled against his chest. She was sure she had been dreaming earlier. She looked at him as he slept, surprised that he looked younger in his sleep. The tiny lines around his mouth were relaxed now. He looked much less formidable than when he was awake and giving orders. Jeremy had looked younger in his sleep too, she remembered with a fond smile in the darkness. She supposed all men did. She eased herself out of his arms and crept the distance to her own blanket, praying he would not remember any of this when morning came.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dawn was scarcely breaking the following morning when Ashley was awakened by the sounds and smells of the camp coming to life. Her eyes fluttered open but for a few seconds she was unable to remember where she was. Then it all came back in a flash. She turned over to see if the Yankee major was still asleep. Much to her relief she discovered he was nowhere to be seen. She breathed a sigh of relief and rose to stretch her sore muscles.

A flush warmed her cheeks as she remembered waking up in the night to find herself snuggled close to Major Kendall. She could not imagine what had possessed her, even in her sleep, to creep across the tent and lie next to him. It must have been the terrible strain of the past two days, she decided, hoping he would be enough of a gentleman not to mention it.

She winced as she climbed to her feet to discover that every bone and muscle in her body was sore. After a few minutes of walking about on weak legs she ventured to the flap of the tent to peek outside.

Blue uniformed soldiers were everywhere as they broke camp and saddled their horses for the day's journey. A friendly fire was blazing not far from her tent. She inhaled the morning smells of bacon frying and coffee brewing, realizing she was starving. She smoothed her rumpled skirts, brushed her hair back from her face, and walked outside.

As though waiting for a cue, a young soldier approached with a smile. "Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds. Breakfast is ready. Would you like me to bring it to you in the tent?"

Ashley shook her head, trying to manage a smile. This Yankee looked too young to be very dangerous and he was trying to be polite so the least she could do was be pleasant. "No thank you. I'll eat outside if that's all right."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied as he indicated a stool beside the tent. "If you'll sit down, I'll bring you a plate."

Ashley nodded and sat down. A moment later the soldier returned with a plate of food and a cup of steaming coffee. He stood a short distance away while she ate and when she finished reached to take the plate.

"There's more coffee, ma'am, if you'd like some."

As she sipped the second cup of coffee, a detail of soldiers came to take down the tent. In moments everything was packed away on mules ready for travel. The young soldier came back, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"Ma'am, we'll be pulling out soon. If you'd like some privacy, I'll escort you to a safe spot," he said with a blush and downcast eyes.

It took a moment for Ashley to realize what he meant. She blushed profusely but followed him a short distance down the trail toward the stream where he stood guard while she went into the bushes to relieve herself.

When they arrived in camp again her horse was waiting so she forced her aching muscles to climb into the saddle. Within moments the long line of soldiers was again in formation moving briskly along the road to Atlanta. The young soldier stayed at her side but did not offer conversation. Ashley glance about her from time to time but there was no sign of Major Kendall.

Finally she turned to the soldier and asked, "Where is the major?"

"He's up front with Captain Morrison, ma'am."

Ashley noticed that she was riding about ten rows from the front. Looking over her shoulder, she saw an endless stream of men riding two by two behind her.

"Are we near Atlanta?" she asked her young escort.

"I couldn't say, ma'am. You'll have to ask Major Kendall."

They rode in silence again for some time until Ashley became restless. "Have you been with him long? Major Kendall, I mean."

When the boy nodded she saw the look of pride that came upon him. "Yes ma'am, ever since I joined the cavalry. Almost a year now. We've been through a lot of action together. We're mighty lucky to have an officer as smart as Major Kendall in command."

Ashley couldn't resist a small snort. "I could hardly consider it lucky to take orders from that man."

The boy stared at her in amazement. "He's a fine officer, ma'am. He's kept us alive. There's not a man in this regiment that wouldn't do anything he asked of us."

Ashley bit her lip to choke back the stinging retort that burned her tongue. It would do no good to argue with him. He was a Yankee after all. He could hardly be expected to be objective about that arrogant man.

Shortly before noon Ashley glanced up to see Major Kendall riding toward her. She looked away, holding her breath, but he reined his horse alongside her with a smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds. How are you making out?"

"Just fine, Major."

"We'll be arriving in Atlanta before dark. You'll be safe with your cousin in no time," he said, ignoring her sharp tone.

She did not reply, wishing he would go away.

A short time later they stopped beside a stream to water the horses. Ashley climbed down from the saddle, her aching body screaming for mercy. A soldier took the horse and led it to the stream to drink while she sat down on a flat rock to rest.

She was staring moodily into the water when Chase appeared at her side. "Here, put some of this on your hands," he said.

She turned to find him holding out a small jar toward her. "What is it?"

"Salve. It'll take the sting out of those blisters."

She took the jar and spread the salve over her raw, sore palms, surprised that he had noticed.

He dropped to his heels beside her and took off his hat. Running a hand through his hair, he watched her thoughtfully, amused at her stubborn determination not to show her discomfort when he knew the pain in her hands must be fierce.

"Mr. Reynolds…your father-in-law…you were very close to him."

"Yes, he was like a father to me."

"Tell me what happened."

Ashley stared at him coldly. "I told you already; Yankees came to the house and killed him. They wanted our horses and when he refused, that horrible colonel shot him down in cold blood."

"Mr. Reynolds didn't have a gun?"

Ashley shook her head, blinking back sudden tears that stung her eyes. "No, he didn't like guns. He hated the war. The only gun in the house was the one he gave to me when he hid me in the clock. It was Jeremy's gun."

Chase watched her for a moment as she kept her head bent to rub the salve into her hands. "This colonel...did you get his name?"

Her head snapped up, giving Chase a clear view of the hate that burned in her eyes. "I'll never forget it. Thompson, Colonel Randolph Thompson, XV Corps, US Cavalry."

Something flickered in his eyes and his lips tightened. He turned to stare into the water as though he had forgotten her presence.

"Do you know him?"

Chase nodded as he looked back to her. "I know of him. Believe me, you're very fortunate that he didn't find you. Your father-in-law was most correct in hiding you."

Then the tightness in his voice was gone and the hint of a smile touched his lips. "Do you have a first name, Mrs. Reynolds?"

"Ashley," she answered as she handed him back the jar. "My name is Ashley Erin O'Riley Reynolds."

Chase rose to his feet. "Your temper must surely come from your father's side of the family," he said with a grin.

She stared at him, not knowing whether he was teasing her or insulting her. He was a most difficult man to figure out. He took the reins of her mount from the young soldier and held them out to her.

Ashley mounted again, gritting her teeth against the pain in her buttocks when they touched the saddle.

Chase swung up onto his horse, then looked around to make sure his troops were mounted. When he gave the command to move out, Ashley heard it echoed down the long line of soldiers.

"This cousin of yours in Atlanta, is he the only family you have?"

Ashley nodded. "He's not really my cousin. He's Papa Reynolds' cousin but yes, he's all the family I have left," she replied, wondering why he was asking.

A while later Captain Morrison rode up with a big grin. "Atlanta is only two miles away, Major."

Chase urged his horse into a gallop toward the head of the column with the captain. "Dan, when we get there, I want you to find Mrs. Reynolds' cousin and tell him to expect her. I'll get the name and address for you."

A few minutes later the outskirts of Atlanta sprang into view. To Ashley it looked like the whole world was swarming with Union soldiers as they rode into the streets of the city. This was not the Atlanta she remembered. Many of the fine homes had been destroyed during the siege and they now stood empty and desolate with gaping holes in the roofs and debris strewn about in the yards. She could only hope Dr. Wallace's home had been spared this fate.

As the regiment moved down the street the soldiers called out to friends on the sidewalks, the atmosphere becoming almost festive. She swallowed against the hatred that filled her heart at the sight of so many blue uniforms. One of these man could be the one who killed Jeremy or his father. That thought made her seethe with fury.

When Chase and Captain Morrison rode up beside her, Chase saw the anger in her eyes as she glanced scornfully at him.

"Mrs. Reynolds, give the captain your cousin's name and address and he'll make the arrangements."

"I don't need your help to find my cousin's house, Major. I can manage nicely by myself."

"Mrs. Reynolds, just give the captain the name and address please. I will not have you wandering these streets alone. You're still in my charge until I hand you over to your cousin," Chase told her wearily.

Ashley glared at him for a second before looking at Morrison. Captain Dan Morrison reminded her of a big grizzly bear for he was a huge man with a heavy black beard and mustache and twinkling blue eyes. He looked almost comical in the blue captain's uniform.

"His name is Dr. Alexander Wallace. He lives on Merrilee Street," Ashley said after staring into Chase's unrelenting eyes in a silent battle of wills that she soon realized she would not win. Not now, not this time.

Morrison grinned as he turned his horse away to disappear into the swarm of troops.

"How many Yankees are there here?"

"Sixty thousand, give or take a thousand," Chase replied as he stopped the column to allow a wagon load of supplies to cross the street.

"Can I go now?"

"When Morrison gets back. You're coming with me to our camp for now. I'll take you to your cousin's later."

"That's not necessary, Major. I can find it myself. I have no need to be accompanied by you."

Chase gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. "Mrs. Reynolds, I am well aware of your feelings about my company but I'm afraid you're going to be stuck with it until I can deliver you to your cousin."

"Can I at least have my gun back?"

Irritation was quickly replaced by amusement as he shook his head. "I don't think so, Mrs. Reynolds. I believe General Sherman's troops have seen quite enough combat for awhile. They're safer if I keep your pistol for a while longer."

Ashley did not reply as he led the column through the streets of Atlanta to a large grassy meadow on the other side of town. Immediately the men dismounted and began erecting their tents beside the thousands of others already in place. Chase sprang down from his horse, watching in amused silence as Ashley painfully dismounted.

Her legs were so weak and cramping from so many hours in the saddle that she nearly fell when her feet touched the ground.

Chase pointed out a large oak tree and said, "Wait over there. When Morrison gets back I'll come get you."

The authority in his voice galled her but she told herself she would only be stuck with him for a short time longer. With that thought in mind, she limped toward the tree.

The afternoon sun was warm and the birds sang in the branches above her,. Combined with the knowledge that she would soon be safely with Dr. Wallace, she was lulled into an almost euphoric state of mind

It was two hours later when she awoke to find Major Kendall and Captain Morrison striding toward her across the open meadow. He looked annoyed.

"Mrs. Reynolds, I'm afraid there's bad news."

"Has something happened to my cousin?"

Chase shook his head. "No, that's not the problem. When Captain Morrison reached his home there was no one there. He learned from the neighbors that Dr. Wallace moved to Savannah some time ago."

Ashley's eyes widened with surprise. She quickly looked away but not before Chase saw the panic that filled her face. He and Morrison glanced at each other before he motioned for the captain to leave them alone. Morrison strolled away toward the sea of tents as Chase turned back to her.

"Mrs. Reynolds, I'm sorry about your cousin."

Ashley took a deep breath and forced herself to look at him. "Well, there's nothing to be done about it now," she said with a confidence she did not feel. "I'll just have to find a way to get to Savannah."

"That's out of the question, Mrs. Reynolds. There are two armies between here and Savannah. Anything could happen to a woman alone and I can't spare a detail to escort you there."

She stared at him, trying to control the trembling in her voice as she replied, "I have no choice, Major. I must get to Dr. Wallace so if he has gone to Savannah, then so shall I."

"As I said, Mrs. Reynolds, that's out of the question."

"Then what do you propose I do, Major? I have no money and nothing but the clothes on my back. How am I going to live if I don't reach Dr. Wallace?"

"I have another solution," Chase replied as he studied her thoughtfully. "But I doubt you're going to like it."

"What is it, Major? Would you like for me to join the army?"

He smothered a grin as he took off his hat to run a hand through his thick dark hair. "I've found you a place to stay, Mrs. Reynolds. There's a boarding house not far from regimental headquarters. I've arranged for you to have a room there. The lady who runs the place works for the army. She's an old friend of mine and she's going to let you stay there as a favor to me. However, you will be required to help with the work," he told her, watching the dismay in her eyes turn to amazement.

"You expect me to cook and clean like a servant?"

"Not only that but the place is being used as living quarters for several of General Sherman's officers. You will be required to help with the laundry and serving meals. Whatever Rosie needs."

"You want me to serve Yankees?"

"I know that seems totally unacceptable right now but given your choices, it's the best I can do."

"I will not become a servant for Yankee vermin!"

Her eyes locked with his in a battle of wills while she struggled to keep the panic that was building inside her from showing outwardly. She had never felt so totally alone as in this moment. It was only her fierce pride that kept her from bursting into tears.

"I'm afraid your options are very limited, Mrs. Reynolds," Chase replied, trying to maintain a rein on his temper. It had been a long day and he had overstepped the bounds of both military responsibility and friendship by asking Rosie to take the girl in. And after all that, the little vixen stood there glaring at him like a wounded lioness because she would have to wash a few dishes in exchange for a roof over her head. He wondered why he bothered, but looking deeper, he could see the despair building inside her and knew he was doing the right thing.

"It's that or sleep in the streets and as I'm sure you've noticed, they're crawling with Yankee vermin as well."

"I don't know the slightest thing about cooking or cleaning and I assure you, Major, that I have no desire to learn so I can serve Yankees."

"I can try to get a message to your cousin in Savannah. Perhaps he can come for you. In the meantime the boarding house is your only alternative," he said in a no nonsense tone of voice that warned her he was getting close to losing his patience.

She thought about it for a minute, then sighed. "I suppose I have no choice but do as you say, Major. Can I trust you to send word to Dr. Wallace for me?"

"Yes ma'am, I'll do my best," he replied as he signaled for Morrison to bring up their horses.

CHAPTER FIVE

It was almost dark when Chase pulled his mount to a halt in front of a large two story house near the center of town. It was ablaze with light and the sound of laughter drifted through the open door as they walked up onto the porch. Ashley could not help wondering what kind of woman would run a place like this.

When she stepped inside she saw a large dining room with one long plank table that ran the entire length of the room. Several Union soldiers were setting down to supper. Two Negro serving girls were running about bringing platters of food and pitchers of cold water to the men.

Ashley ignored the silence that began when the men saw her enter the room. Irritation made her brow pucker as she followed Major Kendall toward another room where delicious smells were originating.

A small chubby woman with a red face came barreling out of the kitchen. Her wide features broke into a big smile at the sight of them. She handed the platter of biscuits she was carrying to one of the serving girls, then hugged Chase. He leaned down to kiss her cheek. Then with her hand still on his arm, she turned to Ashley.

"And you must be the young lady Chase has spoken to me about," she said in a friendly tone.

"Rosie, this is Ashley Reynolds."

Rosie took Ashley's hand and looked her over. "Well, Chase you were certainly right about one thing; she is a beauty."

Ashley blushed while shooting him a glance that could freeze running water but he ignored it by smiling at Rosie.

"I'll wait out in the dining room," he said as he walked past them.

Ashley watched him, grimacing with annoyance at the respect with which his peers greeted him. They rose to their feet with smart salutes when he joined them. He returned the salute then took a seat among them.

Rosie took Ashley's arm. "Don't you worry about a thing, dear. Chase has told me about you and what a predicament you're in without any family close by. Just never you mind cause I'm gonna watch out for you. If you're worried about all these soldiers, well, don't be. I run a tight ship. None of these boys will bother you, believe me. Now, you run along upstairs with Penny and take a hot bath and get a good night's sleep. You can start to work in the morning."

As young colored girl approached, Rosie turned to her. "Penny, this is Ashley. Take her upstairs to room number two and get her settled in, won't you? See that she has a hot bath and some supper. She'll be helping us out around here starting first thing in the morning."

Penny stared at Rosie in astonishment. The aristocratic looking young woman looked incapable of dressing herself, let alone helping with the amount of work involved in the upkeep of the boarding house. However, seeing the determined gleam in Rosie's eye, she gave Ashley a shy smile and led the way up the stairs.

Rosie turned back to the dining room, motioning for Chase to join her in the little drawing room across the hall. She closed the door behind him and went to pour them each a liberal glass of brandy from the cabinet she kept stocked for special friends.

"Here...I'm sure you can use this after that long ride from Tennessee."

He smiled gratefully as he sank into a large overstuffed chair to stretch his legs while the yellow stripes down the seams of his trouser legs gleamed in the soft light from the lamp beside the liquor cabinet.

"I can use more than one, Rosie. It's been a long trip. The past few months my regiment has seen more action on our butts than from the enemy."

Rosie downed her drink in one neat gulp and poured them each another one. "I should think after Gettysburg you'd be glad for some time away from the fighting."

Chase nodded as he swirled the rich amber liquid in the glass, observing the rumpled little woman over the rim. "I don't know which is worse, Rosie, the fighting or the waiting. I just know I'll be damned glad when this whole mess is over with."

Rosie smiled, revealing a mouthful of crooked teeth but also warmth that was obvious in her direct hazel gaze. "Now, don't try to tell me that you don't get a certain thrill from riding around in that snappy uniform with all the brass and gold braid and having women swoon when you pass by."

"I haven't noticed too many women swooning lately," he replied dryly.

"That's too bad. If I were twenty years younger I'd show you a thing or two about swooning. It's a sin to let a man as good looking as you get too lonely."

"If I were twenty years older, I'd let you," Chase teased back, relaxing against the back of the chair to take another sip of the refreshing brandy.

"Which brings us to the subject of Mrs. Ashley Reynolds," Rosie said in a voice that was now business-like and crisp. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"It's the only thing I can think of, Rosie. She's got no family, no money, no clothes, no anything. I couldn't think of anything else to do with her. At least with you she'll have a roof over her head and three square meals a day."

"Well, don't you worry about a thing. She'll be just fine. I'll have her whipped into shape in no time."

"I suppose I ought to warn you. She's got an Irish temper that could make your dead husband shudder."

"And she hates Yankees."

Chase nodded. "I can't say I blame her after what happened to her family. Hell, Rosie, she's just a kid and now she's got nobody. Her husband was killed right after they were married and then two days ago Colonel Thompson killed her father-in-law in cold blood. That doesn't say much for the Union, does it?"

"Thompson? Is that cutthroat still running loose?"

"I'm afraid so. I hate to think what would have happened to the girl if he'd found her. By the way, Rosie, here's some money for her. She needs clothes and those lacy things I don't know much about," he said as he reached into a trouser pocket to produce two twenty-dollar gold pieces. "Tell her it's part of her board. Tell her anything you want but for God's sake, don't tell her it came from me."

Rosie grinned as she pocketed the money in an apron pocket. "Whatever you say, Chase. I take it the young lady is not too fond of you?"

"That is putting it kindly, Rosie. The first time I saw her, she tried to kill me. Probably would have too if she'd been a better shot. She is not your typical Southern belle by any stretch of the imagination."

"She's young, Chase, and she's been badly hurt by men wearing that same color uniform. I'm sure once she gets to know you and learns some of your sterling qualities her opinion will change," Rosie said with a teasing lilt in her voice.

He shook his head with a sigh. "I doubt that, Rosie. She's determined to hate Yankees and I think, me in particular.."

"Have you told her that you'll be living here?"

"No, not yet. I thought I'd let her adjust to being here herself before springing that on her."

He finished his drink and rose wearily to his feet, his tall, lean frame filling the tailored uniform to sensual perfection. "I'd better get back. I have a lot to do before morning."

He moved through the doorway into the dining room with Rosie following behind. When he reached the front door he stood for a moment with his hand on the knob. He turned to Rosie with a smile, his teeth a flash of ivory in his tanned face and said, "Thanks, Rosie. I really appreciate you taking her in. She's going to be a handful but she's a good kid underneath all that pride and temper. Take care of her, will you?"

Rosie patted his arm. "Don't you worry about a thing, Chase. I'll take good care of her. I'm sure she'll work out just fine."

Chase put on his hat, the silver sabers on the crown flashing in the light from the many lamps on the long dining table. "Don't expect miracles, Rosie. I'll be happy if she doesn't shoot someone."

***

Chase spent the next morning with General Sherman and his staff discussing plans of action for pursuing General Hood's army. Of major concern was Hood's cavalry under the able leadership of General Nathan Bedford Forrest whose wily military tactics were causing havoc with Sherman's lines of communications. It had become Chase’s responsibility to take his regiment into the field to thwart Forrest's repeated jabs at the railroad lines which provided a large portion of the supplies coming into Atlanta from the North.

Chase was not happy with the general's decision. His men were tired and in need of rest before they engaged the Confederates in what was sure to be a running contest of skirmishes that were as hard on the nerves as the body. He had managed to convince Sherman to give his men a week to rest and though it was not enough, it would have to do.

He entered the run-down boarding house after leaving his horse with an old Negro servant. The place could have stood a fresh coat of paint and a few new boards in the long porch that ran around three sides of the house.

The house stood on a half acre of land surrounded by a once white picket fence, now gray with age. Behind the looming house stood the stables, which Chase noted were in better shape than the living quarters. Southerners seemed to have a deep appreciation for good horseflesh and it showed in the well kept stalls and clean floors.

It was early afternoon. The smell of baking bread greeted him as he walked across the quiet dining room, his boots making hollow echoes in the stillness. He stuck his head in the kitchen door to find Ashley struggling with a mountain of bread dough. Streaks of flour were in her long auburn hair, her hands were sticky with dough up to her elbows, and her cheeks were pink with frustration and disgust.

Chase leaned against the door frame to watch as she brushed back a long tendril of hair from her face, leaving a trail of flour as she went. She was cursing under her breath and he could not resist a grin when she drew back one fist to punch the monstrous pile of dough viciously.

He saw that she was wearing a new dress. It was simple but lovely as it hugged her gentle curves. It was pale green with a modest neckline that accented the high firm mounds of her breasts.

He tried to imagine how she would look dressed in a fancy ball gown. With a low-cut neckline and a tight fitting bodice to accent her tiny waist and enticing bosom, the result would be staggering to a man's senses. The thought of such a vision made his blood race with a heat that brought a low, ragged breath from his tense lungs.

"Who's winning?" he asked as her head snapped up in surprise.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out burning and looting?"

"Not until later." He walked around the table to cut a piece of freshly baked apple pie from the windowsill behind her.

"Damnation!" she exclaimed, as the mountain of bread dough kept growing larger. "I hope this makes you happy, Major. I have never been so humiliated in my life. Look at me, I'm a mess! I've got this blasted flour all over me. It's in my hair and up my nose."

Chase grinned and munched on the pie while he surveyed her struggles. "What are you supposed to be doing with that? Kneading it or using it for a punching bag?"

"Don't you dare laugh at me!"

Chase finished the pie and dusted his hands on his trousers as he came up beside her. While she watched in astonishment, he unbuttoned the cuffs of his uniform tunic and began rolling up the sleeves. A moment later he began kneading the bread dough with practiced ease.

"You knead it gently, Ashley, don't fight it," he explained as he made one round firm ball of it, then kneaded it with the heel of his hands, easily and confidently, as though he'd done it all his life.

Ashley’s gaze flickered over him as he worked. His brows were drawn together in concentration, his lips curled upward in a half smile, the firm line of his jaw relaxed and confident, and when he glanced at her, his eyes were inscrutable, as though his thoughts were very private and he allowed no one to see beneath the surface unless he wanted them to.

His hair gleamed from being freshly washed and she couldn't help noting the clean masculine way he smelled. His broad shoulders rippled with strength as he moved the dough around on the table. She saw the muscles in his arms bulge beneath the close fitting shirtsleeves. His hands were brown and strong, his forearms covered with dark hair that gave them a sense of strength that she found unsettling.

He raised his head to meet her curious gaze and Ashley blushed, grateful that he had not seen the way she had been staring. She had never met a man quite so male. It was a bit unnerving.

"There, see how I did it? Now you try," he told her as he dusted his hands off again.

Ashley took a deep breath and plunged in again. It went smoother now and she smiled to herself at having conquered the task. She glanced up to find him studying her.

"Where did you learn to do that?" she asked, feeling suddenly shy and uneasy.

"From a cook my family has had since I was a little boy. I used to spend hours in the kitchen with her listening to her stories and helping her bake."

"I find it hard to believe you were ever a little boy, Major."

A smile crossed his face, revealing twin rows of straight white teeth and creating a deep crease in each cheek, almost like dimples.

"Well, I was. Regardless of what you may have heard, Yankees are born just like everyone else. We're not hatched out of an egg or left on the doorstep by a troll," he said cheerfully.

In spite of herself Ashley smiled as she glanced up at him. He leaned against the table while she kneaded the dough, still not as skillfully as he but a great deal better than before.

"Well, you can smile," he observed, causing her to drop her head and attack the job in front of her with renewed zeal.

His presence made her uneasy for some unexplainable reason and she found herself wishing he would move farther away. She felt uncomfortable with him towering over her. But at least he was trying to be pleasant.

"You still haven't told me why you're here."

"I don't go on duty for awhile yet so I thought I'd take advantage of the time to get moved in," he said, then awaited her reaction.

She glanced up at him sharply, a frown creasing her brows as she paused in the midst of the kneading. "Move in? You mean you're going to live here?"
"I have to live somewhere and this is the best place in town. Here I know the sheets will be clean and the food will be good. Rosie is a fine cook."

"Do you mean that I will be expected to wait on you hand and foot?"

"I'm a grown man, Ashley. I am capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it for years. In fact, you'll hardly ever see me. I imagine I'll be kept pretty busy."

"That's a relief. I will have plenty to do around here without being expected to jump every time you shout an order."

His eyes danced with amusement and his lips curled upward at the corners. "I haven't seen you jump yet when I've given you an order."

"And you're not likely to either, Major."

"Ashley, since we're both going to be living here for awhile, can't we at least be civil to one another?"

Ashley looked away while the events of the past few days flashed through her mind. Taking a deep breath, she renewed kneading the bread dough, deliberately keeping her gaze averted from his.

"I don't see how that could be possible, Major. I think I've made my feelings for you and your army quite clear. I am grateful to you for trying to bring me to Dr. Wallace and for finding me a place to live until he can come for me, even if it means having to work like a common house slave, but I do not like you and have no desire to be nice to you. "

His eyes darkened with irritation as he straightened up, his body tensing as he stood beside her with one hand resting on the table.

"I can understand how you feel about the army, Ashley, but not all officers are like Colonel Thompson. On the contrary, most of us are simply doing a job the best we can. Nobody likes this war. We all want it to be over."

She met his gaze defiantly and raised her chin. "Where were you in October of last year?"

"After the Wilderness Campaign I was in Tennessee until I got orders to join General Sherman here. Why?"

"Jeremy was killed near Richmond."

Chase let out a long breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. "And you were wondering if perhaps I could've been the man who killed him?"

Ashley nodded, her gaze still locked with his. "Yes."

"Well, at least that's one thing you can't blame me for." He walked around the table to pick up the bedroll he'd left in the doorway, then turned back to her.

"If you intend to ask every soldier who comes in here if he was in Richmond last fall, you're going to make yourself a lot more miserable than necessary. You'd be much better off to accept this situation and learn to make the best of it, Ashley. You might even find that Union soldiers are not that different from your Jeremy. We're all just men, Ashley, a long way from home and lonely and sometimes a little scared."

Her brows raised in surprise as she stared at him. "Scared? Are you scared, Major? You don't appear to me as though you've ever been afraid of anything in your entire life," she said sarcastically.

"I've been scared, Ashley, scared so bad I couldn't move. Any man who tells you he's rode into the mouth of two hundred cannons and wasn't scared is a liar. If I don't act like it, it's because I can't afford to.

"I've been put in command of a thousand men whose lives depend on my decisions. Most of those men are nothing but boys no older than you. Raw, half trained recruits that depend on me. If I let them know how my guts twist up into a knot when we go into battle, what do you think would happen to them?

"I'm an officer. I have to act like one no matter how I feel because it could mean the difference between winning a battle or having my men slaughtered. I hate this damned war. I hate seeing schoolboys splattered all over a battlefield because some stupid bastard made a rash decision that got them killed. I'm a damned good officer and my men are alive right now because I've got good officers under me, like Morrison and Daniels, and the others.

"You can hate me if you want because I'm a Yankee, that's your privilege, but don't ever make the mistake of thinking I stopped being a man when I put on this uniform."

He turned on his heel and disappeared up the staircase.

She clamped her mouth shut and went back to rolling out the dough. Unwillingly the thought came to mind that if Jeremy had been under the command of an officer like Major Kendall, perhaps he would still be alive.

One thing he'd said was absolutely correct. Underneath that blue uniform with its brass buttons and gold epaulets and startling yellow stripes down the trousers legs, was a man all right. A man like she had never met before and might possibly never meet again.

CHAPTER SIX

The next few days passed quickly as Ashley struggled to learn the duties Rosie assigned her. She was up at dawn every morning and in bed late at night, so tired by nightfall she was sure she would die from exhaustion

Her duties did not involve much time spent around the soldiers. She cleaned the rooms when the men were out, helped with the laundry and in the kitchen. Serving the meals and cleaning up afterward was left to the colored girls for Rosie wanted to keep as much distance as possible between Ashley and the Federal officers.

Ashley did not see Chase again for almost a week. He often did not return to the boarding house until very late at night.

While she was spared his company, Ashley also wondered where he spent his days. On one occasion when she went to the army supply depot with Rosie late one evening, she saw him going into a large two story house with two other officers. Several scantily clad women were hanging from the balcony waving and calling to the soldiers who rode by.

"What is that place?" she asked Rosie.

Rosie snorted while trying to hurry the girl past the building. "No place you need to know about, child."

Ashley looked back to see a dark haired woman come out of the house to greet Chase. While she watched, the woman embraced him with a long kiss before he picked her up and carried her into the house.

"Did you see that? That was Major Kendall."

"Yes, I saw him."

"Who was that woman?"

"I don't know, Ashley, and I doubt that he does."

"I don't understand, Rosie. If he doesn't know her why did he just kiss her?"

Rosie sighed as she shook her head. "Ashley, that house is what is politely known as a brothel and that woman you saw is a lady of the evening."

Ashley's expression was puzzled. "Lady of the evening? I still don't understand. What is a brothel?"

"Don't you southern girls know anything? A brothel, Ashley, is a place where men go to purchase a woman's company for the evening. And that is what you just saw Major Kendall doing."

"Purchase a woman's company for the evening? For what?" Ashley repeated in confusion. Then her lips formed an O as her cheeks turned bright pink. "Oh my, you mean he's going to pay that woman to..."

Rosie nodded curtly as she hurried Ashley along down the street. Ashley followed along with an occasional glance backward over her shoulder at the house with the strange women but her mind was busy trying to figure out why a woman would take money from a man to do that. She certainly hoped her Jeremy hadn't gone to such a place when he was so far from home.

That was unthinkable, she told herself. Only a Yankee scoundrel like Major Kendall could stoop that low.

***

The following morning after breakfast Rosie called Ashley into the kitchen and pointed to a large stack of clean towels. "Ashley, take a few of these to Major Kendall's room, please. He stopped by last night and asked me to send some up. Oh, and while you're there, see if he has any laundry."

Ashley took the towels and climbed the stairs. With any luck he would be gone already and she wouldn't have to see him. On the other hand, she was a little curious about what she had seen the day before. She wondered if he would be any different because of it. She remembered overhearing Mandy, her nanny in New Orleans telling one of the maids how cheerful those things made a man.

She paused in front of his room to tap on the door. After a moment she heard his husky voice tell her to come in. She opened the door and bravely stepped inside. A bright pink blush stained her cheeks when she found him standing in front of the mirror above the dressing table shaving, his face covered with soap, dressed only in his uniform trousers. She had never seen a man without a shirt except for Jeremy and embarrassment made her keep her eyes downcast as she waited for him to speak.

"Good morning, Ashley," he said with a glance in her direction.

"Good morning," she murmured, noting his complete lack of embarrassment at her seeing him half naked. "Here are the towels you wanted."

"Thank you. Just put them on the bed."

"Rosie said you might have some laundry."

"Yes, I do. Sit down and I'll get it for you in a minute."

She hesitated before going across the room to sit gingerly on the edge of the bed.

Chase glanced at her in the mirror as he went on shaving. She sat with her hands folded in her lap, trying to look anywhere except at him. She was especially beautiful, he thought, with her hair falling softly around her shoulders and her green eyes bright with curiosity as she stole a peek at him from beneath her long lashes.

His back was turned toward her so she could see the muscles ripple in his shoulders when he moved. His reflection in the mirror showed her a pair of heavily muscled arms and a broad chest covered with dark hair glistening in the sunlight that poured through the open window. She peeked again to see his flat stomach was also covered with dark hair that gradually formed a vee before disappearing under his belt.

Another blush warmed her cheeks as the thought of Jeremy's body darted into her mind. Jeremy had been much smaller than the Yankee, his body thinner and less muscular and his chest completely hairless. Jeremy had been such a lamb. She felt a stab of anger with herself for even momentarily comparing the two of them.

She glanced at him again, her cheeks flaming when she realized he was watching her in the mirror.

"Did you like to watch your husband shave?" he asked her to break the awkward silence.

Dropping her head immediately she murmured, "I didn't mean to stare."

Chase wiped the razor on a towel. "It's all right, Ashley. I don't mind."

She decided he didn't seem any different than before she had seen him going into that place. Perhaps Mandy had been exaggerating about the effects those things had on a man.

"I used to watch my papa shave when I was a little girl. I always wondered if it hurt."

"No, it doesn't hurt unless I cut myself. It's more of a bother than anything else."

"Then why do you do it everyday? Why don't you grow a beard?"

"I tried that a couple of times. I didn't like it," he replied as he reached for a clean towel to wipe his face.

"I think Captain Morrison looks quite nice with a beard," she said, then quickly added, "For a Yankee."

Chase turned toward her to pick up his uniform tunic from the back of a nearby chair. "When are you going to realize there is no difference between Morrison or myself and a Confederate except for the color of our uniforms?"

She stared at him for a second in surprise at the strange tone of his voice. She chose not to answer his question but rose from the bed and moved toward the door.

"May I have your laundry now, Major? I have a thousand things to do."

He studied her as he buttoned his shirt and tucked the tail into his trousers. "Was your husband different than me, Ashley, because he was a Confederate?"

Her chin rose proudly as her eyes began to flash. "Yes, Major, he was."

"In what way?"

"In every way. He was gentle and kind and thoughtful. You are none of those things," she said, meeting his gaze defiantly.

"You don't know me. How can you be so sure?"

"I know enough about you, Major. You're arrogant and bossy and thoroughly unpleasant."

"You think I'm like that because I'm a Yankee?"

"I suppose you can't help it," she answered, wanting to stamp her foot in vexation when he laughed.

"Anymore than you can help being willful and nasty tempered?"

"You only say that because I refuse to jump at your orders and obey you like a child."

"You are a child, Ashley. A very beautiful, willful child."

"I am not a child! I'm a woman!"

His lazy smile accented the deep creases in his cheeks as he buckled on his heavy gunbelt. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen! How old are you?"

"Old enough to know a little girl when I see one."

"I'm every bit as much woman as that creature I saw you with last night."

His brows rose in surprise as he stared at her while she felt a rush of satisfaction at having startled him. Yet there was no embarrassment in his face, only a touch of amusement.

"I wouldn't know about that, Ashley. I'll have to take your word for it."

Her face colored and she hurriedly glanced away from his dancing eyes. "I've been a wife, Major. That hardly makes me a little girl."

"Unless your husband was a little boy."

"You take that back! How dare you insult Jeremy!"

"I didn't mean to insult your dead husband. I'm merely pointing out there is large difference in being an eighteen year old boy and being a man. Your husband died before he really became a man. That's all I'm saying."

"My Jeremy was twice the man you are!"

"Really? Now how would you know that? You don't know me that well."

Her face flamed. Her fists clenched in fury. "You're the most conceited man I've ever met. Do you think every woman in Atlanta is waiting in line to jump into bed with you?"

"Is that what they're doing? I wasn't aware of it."

"At least the ones you give money to."

Chase's eyes narrowed as irritation flashed through him. "What I do with my money and my time is none of your business. What were you doing out there anyway?"

"I was helping Rosie with some shopping. You ought to be ashamed, paying some...trollop… to…well, you just ought to be ashamed. No decent woman would dream of doing that…for money...especially with a Yankee."

"Perhaps that's why women in that profession are not considered decent women but they do have a way of making a man forget how far away from home he is," Chase said easily, the irritation gone and mischief taking its place at her feeble attempt to embarrass him.

"Oh, you're disgusting! Just give me your old laundry so I can get out of here!"

Chase went to the small closet in the corner of the room and took out a bundle of neatly folded clothing.

She snatched it out of his hands, whirling to leave when she noticed a picture of a lovely young woman with pale hair in a silver frame on a table near the doorway.

"Who's that?" she asked as curiosity got the better of her.

"My fiancée."

She turned to stare at him in surprise. "Fiancée? Someone actually wants to marry you?"

"Does that surprise you?"

"It does indeed, Major. Does this lady know what a scoundrel you are?"

"Perhaps I have hidden qualities."

"Then they're certainly well hidden. I've seen no evidence of them."

"Perhaps when you get to know me better you'll discover them."

"I have no wish to get to know you better, Major," she snapped as she flounced out the door.

"Ashley, could you bring me some clean sheets later today?" he asked sweetly behind her.

"Get them yourself. I'm not your slave!"

Chase gave a low chuckle as he picked up his hat and followed her into the hallway. He caught up with her in a couple of long strides and leaned down to say in her ear, "If all slaves are like you, Ashley, I can understand why they get beaten regularly."

She whirled around to face him, her cheeks pink and her eyes flashing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It occurs to me that a sound thrashing might do you a world of good."

She drew herself up with a glare. "And I suppose you think you're man enough to give it to me," she challenged, then noted with some apprehension the hard set of his jaw and the way his lips tightened.

"I'm man enough all right. One day you may force me to prove it."

"If you dare lay one finger on me, Major, I'll scratch your eyes out."

"I think you overestimate your physical capabilities, Ashley."

"No man has ever dared treat me in such a crude manner, sir, and you will not be the first."

"I'm not a love struck teenager, Ashley. I'm not going to melt into a quivering mass of jelly at one of your uncontrollable fits of temper. Nothing would please me more than to take you over my knee and administer the spanking you so richly deserve. However, this is not the time. I have a staff meeting to get to so I must conclude this delightful conversation and say good-bye."

Ashley stood in frustrated silence as he moved past her down the stairs and out the front door. She stamped her foot, wondering why this awful man had the ability to set her temper off so easily. He was the most detestable creature God ever created. She sniffed as she went down the stairs into the kitchen. She threw his clothes in the corner near the back door and stomped on them, wishing it were his handsome face instead.

As he rode through the crowded streets toward General Sherman's headquarters, Chase shook his head in amusement. The challenge in her beautiful face set his teeth on edge. He wondered how he could be angry enough to box her ears one minute and amused the next.

He wondered if it was a spanking she needed or if throwing her across his bed and making savage, passionate love to her would improve her disposition more.

He couldn't decide which one would give him the most pleasure.

CHAPTER SEVEN

A few days later Rosie called Ashley into the kitchen shortly before it was time to serve dinner. Rosie was stirring a large pot of delicious smelling stew as she lifted a plump hand to wipe away the perspiration that beaded her forehead.

"Ashley, you're gonna have to help Penny serve supper tonight. Molly has come down with a chill. There's just no one else to do it."

Ashley sighed and brushed back a lock of unruly hair from her eyes. "All right, Rosie, I'll do it but I won't like it," she said sourly.

Rosie began scurrying about dishing up steaming bowls of the stew. Outside in the dining room Ashley heard the clatter of dishes as Penny set the table. Presently the sound of voices filled the room as the officers drifted in for supper. There were thirty men living in the boarding house and it sounded like they were all off duty at the same time.

As Ashley moved among them serving the food, most of the men were polite, even respectful. There was a quality about this girl that demanded respect. While she pointedly wanted nothing to do with any of them, they never doubted for a moment that she was a lady.

Ashley came out of the kitchen with a plate of biscuits in one hand and a pot of hot coffee in the other. As she neared the table she saw Major Kendall sitting down for supper. It had been days since she had last seen him. She had heard that he was out chasing General Forrest. From the weariness in his face, she assumed he had not been successful.

There was an air about the man that she noticed was lacking in the others. It was the way he carried himself, a self-assurance that caught one's attention. Ashley preferred to think of it as arrogance.

Chase made no attempt to speak to her. She noticed his dark hair was shining and freshly washed, laying in neat waves down the back of his head and she noticed how nice he smelled. When his gaze met hers for an instant as she poured his coffee, she saw the tiny lines of fatigue around his lips. He gave her a pleasant smile then turned to his food and promptly forgot her presence. Somehow that irritated her.

She moved down the length of the table, trying to manage a cold polite smile as the men thanked her, one after the other. When she arrived at the end of the table the young captain seated there gave her a bright smile and she ignored it. He tried to engage her in conversation, but she refused to talk. Finally, he lifted one hand and placed it casually on the curvy hip nearest him.

Ashley gasped in surprise. Her startled gaze flew to his face but he smiled again, an oily kind of smile that made her stomach lurch.

"Take your hand off me!"

"Don't be so unfriendly," the captain said. "There's no reason why we can't be friends."

Ashley's eyes narrowed. "I told you to take your hand off me, sir."

Up and down the long table all conversation stopped. All eyes were drawn to the encounter at the other end. Some of the men smiled, waiting expectantly to see what the girl would do. Captain Helms was quite a charmer among the ladies and they were curious to see if he could charm his way out of this.

"Why don't we take a walk after supper? I know a quiet little spot where we can go and get better acquainted," Captain Helms suggested with a self confident grin.

Ashley tried to pull back but he held onto her skirt, his hand moving lazily up and down her thigh. Halfway down the table Chase laid down his fork.

"Take your hands off me, you miserable Yankee trash!"

"Now, there's no need to get uppity. How about that walk?"

"How about this?" Ashley snarled as she turned the pot of scalding hot coffee up and poured it directly into his lap.

Helms bolted up from the table, howling in pain, while the others laughed and applauded uproariously and a napkin to dry the burning coffee from his crotch. After a moment he threw the napkin down in his chair and turned on Ashley. She drew herself up to meet his gaze with an unwavering stare.

"Why you hateful little bitch! You'll pay for this."

"Captain Helms, apologize to the lady and sit down!"

Ashley saw Chase rise to his feet. He made no attempt to move from his place but his cold stare caused the man to swallow hard.

"Apologize to her? Did you see what she did to me, Major?"

"It looked to me like you got what you deserved, Helms. You have no right to man-handle any woman in this town and certainly not one in this house. Now apologize."

Helms swallowed again, then looked at Ashley. "I'm sorry, ma'am," he mumbled as he sank back into his seat.

Ashley sniffed and flounced into the kitchen but returned a few minutes later to begin collecting empty dishes. As she passed his chair, Chase stood up to leave the table. She paused to glance up at him, thoroughly irritated to see the amusement in his eyes.

"I did not need any help from you, Major. I was handling the situation just fine on my own."

"I wasn't interfering on your behalf, Ashley. I was merely trying to rescue that poor unfortunate soldier from you."

***

Late that evening when all the dishes had been washed and put away and the table cleaned and a fresh cloth put over it, Ashley came out of the kitchen drying her hands on her apron. As she approached the stairway, the front door opened.

Her mouth fell open in astonishment as Chase crossed the room with a large breasted blonde on his arm. The woman was not particularly beautiful, but was pleasant looking and was wearing a very low cut gown of bright red silk. The neckline barely covered the tops of her breasts causing Ashley to unconsciously look down at her own chest in comparison.

As they approached her the woman placed a possessive arm around Chase's waist as she gave Ashley a smug smile. Ashley watched as they climbed the stairs together and turned down the hall toward Chase's room. She hurried up the stair case behind them to see him open the door, then stand aside to let the woman enter ahead of him.

Ashley stood in the hallway. She had seen several of the soldiers bring women into the house but somehow the sight of Major Kendall with one of those women was quite unsettling.

She went to her own room, and closed the door behind her. What she had just seen only proved what a scoundrel that man really was.

She undressed and got into bed but was unable to fall asleep. After turning and tossing and flipping from one position to another, she finally got up, threw on her wrapper and went downstairs for a drink of water.

As she approached her room after satisfying her thirst, she paused outside her door. Major Kendall's room was only two doors away so she tiptoed down the hall. She leaned an ear against the door to listen but the only sounds she could make out were low, soft moans coming from the woman. She knew she should be ashamed but whatever was going on in that room intrigued her. She wanted to know more.

She gasped in embarrassment at her carnal thoughts and hurried back to her own room. She flung the wrapper aside, jumped into bed, and pulled the covers up to her chin Still, the sounds coming from inside that room kept running through her mind. What was Major Kendall doing to that woman to cause her to moan like that? It hadn't sounded as though she was in pain. In fact, it sounded like she was enjoying whatever it was he was doing.

When she finally fell asleep she found her dreams troubled, filled with visions of Chase Kendall undressing slowly in front of her while she stood helpless to move. She saw his naked body, brown and strong, and felt his arms surround her, pulling her against his bare skin, his hands moving over her flesh while his mouth covered hers in a sensual kiss that made her dizzy.

She woke up sometime during the night feeling hot and weak with a gnawing ache in her body that refused to go away. Finally she went back to sleep near morning and when Rosie knocked on her door at five o'clock she arose tired and out of sorts.

She was helping Penny set the table for breakfast when Chase and the woman came downstairs. She almost dropped the stack of plates she was carrying when she saw them.

Chase escorted the woman to the front door where she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a steamy kiss on his mouth before jiggling down the steps into the street. Chase turned from the doorway to find Ashley staring at him wide-eyed.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Major," Penny returned cheerfully.

Ashley looked away without returning his greeting. His brows rose as a puzzled expression came over his face but he walked past them into the kitchen and came out a few moments later with a steaming cup of coffee. He sat down in his usual place at the table, sipping the coffee while he watched them finish the table settings.

Ashley made a point of avoiding any eye contact with him, then left the room as quickly as possible. She was busy in the kitchen a few minutes later when he appeared in the doorway behind her. She realized he was there but kept her back turned and went on with her work. He watched her in silence for a few moments, then finally cleared his throat.

"I'd like another cup of coffee, Ashley."

"Then get it yourself!"

He shrugged, then came around her to help himself to a cup from the pot on the stove. He leaned against the counter while he sipped it, his dark gaze studying her. Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright with a light he didn't understand. The rigid way she was holding herself wasn't like her at all.

"You're certainly in a good mood this morning."

She looked up from the stove to deal him a scalding glance of contempt while she brushed back a lock of hair from her face. "You seem to be gay enough for a dozen people so it shouldn't bother you if I'm not."

He let his gaze move over her flushed face, saw the green eyes shooting sparks of emerald fire, her rapid breathing that caused the fabric of her dress to strain across her breasts. Whatever it was that had her in such a snit only made her more beautiful.

"Even if you're not cheerful in the morning, you're certainly beautiful."

Ashley glared at him, her head pounding from lack of sleep and irritation from trying to figure out those strange emotions that had raged in her dreams. She remembered dreaming how those warm, sensual lips had plundered her own, then she looked away in sudden embarrassment. It didn't help any that the object of those unsettling dreams was standing before her now, tall and very handsome and just a bit too smug to suit her.

"Oh, save it for your lady friends! I do not need your compliments, Major, nor do I need you in my way while I'm trying to get breakfast for your mongrel Yankee friends. Why don't you go shoot at somebody?"

Chase's eyes widened at her outburst of temper, wondering what he'd done to bring it on. The previous evening flashed into his mind. He remembered lying in bed after the blonde had gone to sleep, wondering if Ashley looked so peaceful and contented after making love. He shook the thought from his mind as he noted the determined way she avoided looking at him.

"Are you this grumpy every morning?"

"No, Major, I'm not. Only when I have a throbbing headache because I haven't slept."

"I see."

He set the coffee cup down on the counter and placed his hands around her neck.

Ashley jumped, gasping in surprise, trying to pull away.

"Hold still, Ashley. I'm not going to hurt you," Chase commanded as his fingers began to massage the back of her neck.

She had to admit it felt good. She stood still to let him rub her neck, feeling the tension slipping away under the touch of his hands. His fingers were warm and strong but surprisingly gentle. She shivered without realizing it when she remembered her dream from the night before. She thought again about the moans she'd heard coming from that woman, wondering what these strong hands had done to cause them.

After a few moments she felt his hands drop to her shoulders as he turned her around to face him. There was a strange glint in his eyes when she looked up at him but it was gone before she could analyze it.

"Feel better?"

She nodded and moved away.

Chase reached behind him to pick up his coffee cup.

"Do you often have trouble sleeping?" he asked, remembering the nightmare she'd had the night after he first met her.

"Not usually," she murmured.

Rosie bustled into the kitchen at that moment. Ashley was relieved she was no longer alone with him. There was something unsettling about that. She made a mental note not to be in that position again if she could avoid it.

Rosie gave Chase a big smile and patted him on the arm, then began slicing bacon to fry. "Well, I suppose you feel just wonderful this morning, don't you, you rascal?"

"I feel fine. Why?"

"Well, I'm glad to hear it, Chase, because I don't feel fine. I was kept awake half the night by some rather strange noises coming from the direction of your room. You know I don't mind if you bring women here but I do wish you'd be a little quieter. There are people here who are trying to sleep, you know," she scolded with a grin.

Ashley glanced at him but there was no embarrassment in his face, only an amusement that irritated her more. He didn't even have the decency to be embarrassed.

"Sorry, Rosie, I'll try to hold it down in the future."

The thought occurred to him that perhaps the noises Rosie mentioned were the reason the girl had not slept well. Her room was only two doors down the hall so it was quite possible she had heard them too. From the blush in her cheeks he was suddenly sure he had guessed right, wondering why that thought made him uncomfortable. He did not like the idea of Ashley listening to him making love to another woman. He didn't like it at all.

"Well, I've got to get moving," he said.

"What are you going to do today, Major?" Rosie asked.

"Run around in this godforsaken heat looking for shadows. I wonder sometimes if Sherman is just trying to keep me out of town. I've spent more hours in the saddle since I've been here than I did the first three years of the war."

"Then your butt must have calluses on it by now."

"It does, Rosie, believe me."

When he paused in the doorway to glance back at them his smile slowly faded when he saw the hostility in Ashley's face. She met his gaze for only a second before lifting her head and giving a visible sniff of contempt that set his teeth on edge.

Who the hell was she anyway to pass judgment on him? He stalked through the house and out the front door where his horse was waiting. He was angry with her for the superior way she had treated him this morning but he was even more irritated with himself for letting it matter.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Later in the day the sky became black and threatening and lightning tore jagged streaks through the heavy clouds as rain poured down on the dusty streets of Atlanta.

It took more than rain, however, to slow down Sherman's army. Ashley glanced out the window and hoped that wherever he was, Major Kendall was thoroughly wet and miserable.

Rosie came into the kitchen with an armload of sheets. "Ashley, dear, be a lamb and take these upstairs for me. Change the sheets for Major Kendall too, dear, if you don't mind."

Ashley took the sheets and wearily climbed the stairs. Muttering under her breath, she opened the door to his room and went inside. She looked around, surprised to see how neat everything was. The major, in spite of his other bad habits, was a very tidy person.

She knew she should be ashamed of going through his personal things but she couldn't help herself. There were several letters in the dresser from Philadelphia she assumed were from his parents since the name on the return address was the same. There were also letters from someone named Miranda Marshall. That could only be the fiancé whose picture was on the dresser. Resisting the urge to read the letters, she took a long look at the face in the silver frame and decided the woman didn't look like Major Kendall's type at all. His type was the kind of woman who had spent the night with him, brash and common who wore scandalously low cut dresses to show off her bosom.

She went next to the wardrobe to look at the clean uniforms hanging neatly inside. In addition to several more uniforms for daily wear there was also a full dress uniform with twin rows of gleaming brass buttons down the chest and elegantly adorned with gold braid and a red sash tied neatly around the waist. She touched the gold oak leaves on the shoulder straps, drawing back from the cold metallic feel of them.

She wearily made the bed with fresh linens. The headache was coming back. She felt weak and queasy. She had not eaten anything all day and it was nearing dinnertime. Patting the covers into place she glanced out the window again. It was still raining hard. Rivulets of water streamed down the windowpane. She shivered from the chill in the air. It was almost October.

She put her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn and sat down on the bed. She was so tired she decided to rest for a few minutes before going back downstairs. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes, intending to rest for only a second, but fell fast asleep soothed by the falling rain.

Chase returned from his patrol, soaked to the skin and thoroughly out of sorts. He opened the door and took off his hat, pitched it onto the dresser and began unbuttoning his shirt. He turned toward the wardrobe, then stopped dead still when he saw the sleeping girl curled into a ball in the middle of his bed.

Her hair fell around her shoulders like a honey-red halo, her dark lashes making tiny shadows on her cheeks. Her lips were parted, a half smile on them. She looked like a sleeping princess. Her knees were drawn up to her chest and her hands were folded beneath her cheek. Chase stared at her, drinking in her beauty, before bending down to slip off his wet boots.

An irresistible urge came over him as he went to the bed, lay down beside her and took her into his arms.

She unfolded her knees to relax against him, unaware of his damp clothing as she slept.

Chase kissed her, his mouth moving slowly upon her soft lips. He felt her arm slide over his shoulder as she snuggled closer.

Her mouth responded to his kiss as her sleepy mind went back into the past to reproduce Jeremy's gentle face. "Jeremy," she breathed.

Through the haze of the dream her brows knitted in puzzlement. Jeremy's kisses were so different now, much more exciting and tantalizing, his warm mouth more experienced, more commanding.

"Jeremy," she breathed again softly. "Why haven't you kissed me like this before?"

"Maybe because I'm not Jeremy," Chase whispered, his lips nuzzling her neck just below her ear.

Her hands moved sleepily across his back up to the epaulets on his shoulder. When she touched the gold oak leaves a frown crossed her face as her eyes fluttered open. It took a second to realize she was not dreaming at all but lying in the arms of a living, breathing man with her body pressed against the hard warm length of him. Shock and astonishment slowly registered as she gasped in horror when she recognized his handsome face. She scrambled to her feet and backed across the room, her mouth open, her eyes wide.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Chase raised up on one elbow to watch her with amusement. "I was kissing you."

"How dare you sneak into my room and take such liberties!"

Chase laughed softly. "Take a look around, Ashley. This is my room and you were in my bed."

She glanced around, her face flaming as she realized he was telling the truth. "Oh my! I must have fallen asleep...but that doesn't give you the right to ..to.."

"Kiss you?" he finished for her. "Perhaps not but what am I supposed to do when I come in to find you curled up like a kitten in the middle of my bed?"

"You think I was waiting for you? How dare you! You...you miserable, conceited…!"

Chase sat up on the edge of the bed and grinned as she backed away another step. "I didn't hurt you, Ashley. I only kissed you."

"I am not one of your common street trollops, sir! I do not wish to be kissed by you!"

"You liked it just fine as long as you thought I was someone else."

"You took advantage of me. I was dreaming, I thought you were Jeremy."

"And now you know it was me so you decide all of a sudden you didn't like it? Perhaps I should prove you wrong," he said as he stood up and begin moving toward her.

She gasped and turned to flee but he took one long stride, caught her arm and spun her around into his arms. She didn't have time to protest before his mouth covered hers, his arms encircling her body to pull her tightly against him. Her hands went to his chest to push him away but his arms were like steel bands holding her firmly while his lips moved lazily upon hers.

Tiny shocks went through her body as he forced her lips apart to explore her mouth with his tongue. She began to tremble. He moved one hand down her back to draw her hips against his hard body. She felt the heat as his body responded to the desire racing through his blood. She whimpered as the unfamiliar feelings of sensual pleasure flooded through her.

What was happening to her? Jeremy's shy kisses had never stirred her like this, but then Jeremy had never kissed her like this. Chase's mouth was warm but gentle as he kissed her on and on until she began to feel hot and dizzy. She did not realize she had stopped struggling or that her arms had closed around his neck until he lifted his head.

He was watching her instead with an expression of such intensity it caused her breath to catch in her throat. With a strangled cry of outrage she broke free of his arms and slapped his face.

"How dare you!" she cried while backing toward the door.

"Now don't tell me you didn't like that." He made no attempt to stop her from leaving but stood watching her emotions change from anger to embarrassment then back to anger again, each one clearly mirrored in her wide green eyes.

"You are the most detestable, conceited, arrogant man I've ever met! I despise you!"

"Because I'm a Yankee?"

"I wouldn't like you any better if you weren't a Yankee!" she screeched, flinging the door open so hard it crashed back against the wall.

Chase closed the door behind her with a laugh. He shook his head at the thought of her angry, frustrated features. He changed into dry clothing, stretched out across the bed and folded his hands behind his head. So Jeremy Reynolds had left something to be desired as a lover.

If Jeremy's kisses had failed to stir her emotions perhaps his lovemaking had also. Jeremy had been a boy but he was not a boy; he was a man experienced in how to please a woman. He wondered if Ashley ever thought about him in the same ways he often thought about her.

He glanced at the picture of the girl with pale hair with a small pang of guilt. Miranda had never triggered such conflicting emotions in him. In many respects Ashley Reynolds seemed to be everything Miranda was not.

Miranda had all the breeding and social qualities his parents felt were necessary in a wife but she lacked the one thing that made Ashley so damned attractive...spirit. Not that Miranda wasn’t a passionate woman…she was. A shadow of a smile touched his lips as he remembered the many pleasures of her bed.

Still the thought of Ashley crept back into his mind. The desire to have her in his arms, her soft body lying naked beneath him filled him with an ache he was beginning wonder if any other woman could satisfy.

CHAPTER NINE

For the next several days Ashley did not see Chase at all. He was gone from Atlanta for days at a time as Sherman's cavalry pursued Forrest's raiders who were more phantoms than men. Forrest's raids were not terribly threatening for he lacked the manpower to pose any serious threat but they were a constant nuisance as he hit supply trains and tried to disrupt Sherman's lines of communication. Also in the area now was General Wheeler's Confederate cavalry so Chase and his fellow officers were kept very busy into October.

Ashley became Rosie's right hand during the weeks of her stay at the boarding house for she was excellent at managing money and keeping records.

She began going to the supply depot to harangue the supply sergeant for better cuts of meat and larger portions of staples such as sugar, salt, and coffee until the poor man broke out in a sweat each time he saw her coming toward him.

Ashley also began making daily trips around Atlanta to purchase fresh eggs and milk accompanied by Penny. The streets were filled with Union troops, many of them drunk. As many as half the city's population had fled the city when General Sherman demanded evacuation shortly after the Union army's takeover so there were many empty houses for the soldiers to loot or destroy.

As she made her way through the city streets Ashley noticed a young Yankee soldier who seemed to appear with great regularity. At first she dismissed the incidents as no more than coincidence but as the days passed and this same solider continued to appear, she became convinced she was being followed.

The soldier made no attempt to speak to her and did not seem threatening in any way but the sight of him standing outside a house when she came out, or standing on a street corner after she had crossed the street began to make the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

One morning toward the end of October she came down the walk of one of the houses where she purchased eggs to find the young soldier lounging against a tree trunk nearby. She hesitated for a moment, then drawing herself up like a tomcat ready for a fight, she approached him. The soldier immediately stood up straight and acknowledged her presence with a pleasant nod.

"Why are you following me?"

The soldier began to blush as he shifted from one foot to the other in discomfort. "Well, ma'am, it's nothing personal. I'm just following orders."

Ashley stared at him in surprise. "Orders? Whose orders?"

"Major Kendall's, ma'am."

"Well, you just inform Major Kendall that I do not need a nanny."

The young corporal blushed even deeper but he stood his ground. "The major said I was to make sure nothing happened to you or I would answer to him personally so you see, ma'am, I have no choice."

"I don't care what that horrid man said. Stop following me immediately!"

"You'll have to take that up with the major, ma'am," he returned as politely as possible.

"Oh, I'll take it up with the major all right. When is he getting back?"

"Sometime today, ma'am."

Ashley whirled about to march down the street to the boarding house. She'd take it up with the major all right. He'd be sorry he started this.

***

It was late that night when Chase finally arrived. It had been a long three weeks. He felt as though his entire body was numb from so many hours in the saddle. That very morning he had lost three men in an ambush by Confederate guerrillas and as always when he had causalities, it left him with a bitter taste in his mouth..

The house was dark and quiet except for a lone lamp that burned in the drawing room. As he crossed the dining room toward the stairs a shadow drew his attention. Turning, he saw Ashley standing in the doorway. His breath caught in his throat. She was dressed in a plain muslin wrapper which she pulled tightly around her, clearly defining the curves of her body. His gaze flicked over her, his fatigue disappearing for a moment while he drank in her beauty.

"Major Kendall, may I have a word with you?"

Chase was admittedly curious about this late night vigil. She had obviously been waiting for him so he nodded as she led the way into the drawing room. She did not sit down so Chase remained standing also.

"What's on your mind, Ashley?"

"Why do you have one of your men following me?"

He sighed. "As I'm sure you've noticed, the streets are full of soldiers. I'm merely trying to keep you out of danger since you insist on going out on your supply expeditions. A young beautiful woman presents too much of a temptation for soldiers with too much to drink and too much time on their hands. I don't want you wandering the streets unprotected."

"My safety is not your concern, Major."

Irritation flared in his face, tightening his lips into grim lines and his jaw into a hard mass of muscle. "Would you rather be raped?"

"No, of course not, but..."

"Then stop giving Corporal Barlow a hard time and let him do his job. He's only trying to protect you," he replied in that authoritative tone that set her teeth on edge.

"I will not accept protection from a Yankee, sir!"

"In this case you have no choice. You may either go out accompanied by the corporal or I'll put you under house arrest. It's entirely up to you."

Ashley stared at him in astonishment. "House arrest? You can't do that!"
"I can do anything I damn well please so if you don't have enough sense to accept my protection then you leave me no choice but to force it on you."

"You have no right to tell me what to do."

"I have every right. When I brought you here you became my responsibility whether I like it or not, and believe me, I don't like it a damned bit better than you do," he said through clenched teeth.

Ashley stared at him defiantly for a few seconds. There was a weariness in his features that she hadn't noticed earlier. His uniform was dirty and sweat stained. The firm line of his jaw lay buried beneath several days growth of beard. She had never seen him like this. His appearance had always been impeccable even after being on patrol for days at a time but now he looked more than just a bit dangerous. Certainly his appearance made him even more menacing than usual and the tight tone of his voice warned her he was close to losing his temper. Something told her she really didn't want to be around when that happened.

He met her defiant gaze without blinking, and after a few seconds deliberation she sighed and looked away.

"You leave me no choice, Major, but to accept your protection. But I do not appreciate being tailed about as though I'm a dangerous spy or something equally ridiculous. I promise you, Major Kendall, one day I shall make you very sorry for the abominable way you have treated me," she said in an icy voice, then stalked past him toward the door.

"You make me sorry every time we have one of these confrontations, Ashley," he said tiredly behind her.

She stopped to listen but kept her stiff back turned to him.

"When are you going to realize that I'm only doing this for your own good? Are you so full of hate for every man that wears a blue uniform that you can't see that?"

"I am quite capable of taking care of myself," she returned as she whirled around to face him.

"I am not going to argue with you. Right now I'm too tired to give a damn and I've still got to write three sets of parents tonight and tell them their sons were killed this morning. Three boys no older than you, Ashley. So if you think anything you might say to me is going to make me feel any worse than I do right now, you're dead wrong."

He strode past her to disappear into the shadows as he climbed the staircase. She heard his boots clicking on the hardwood floor as he moved along the hallway to his room. A moment later his door closed. Ashley let out a long breath. She moved quickly through the dark house to her own room and closed the door behind her.

This conversation had not gone at all the way she planned it. That man had a way of turning everything to his own advantage. There had to be a way to get even with him and she was going to find it if it took all winter.

CHAPTER TEN

A couple of days later Chase came into the kitchen in mid-afternoon looking for something to eat. He had missed supper the night before and slept through breakfast that morning so he was starving. Sherman had given his worn out troops a week to rest and he felt as though he could sleep the entire time without waking.

As he strolled into the kitchen, he found Ashley busily stirring a pot on the stove, humming a tune while she worked. As she stirred the pot, smoke began to rise from the oven. Without thinking, she flung open the oven door and grabbed the hot pan of biscuits. A cry of pain tore from her lips as the metal pan seared her hand.

Unable to move quickly enough to prevent her from touching the hot pan with her unprotected hand, Chase leaped to catch her wrist. He half carried her to the bucket of water on the counter top. Placing her upturned palm in a shallow dish, he began to pour cool water over the burn where a large blister was already forming on the palm of her hand

Tears seeped from under her long lashes as pain coursed up her arm and a tiny whimper came from her lips. Holding her hand under the water, Chase glanced at her pale face.

"Does that feel better?"

Ashley looked up to find his eyes filled with concern. She nodded. Her legs were so weak that she would have fallen if not for his arm around her waist. He took her hand from the water and helped her to a chair.

"Don't move. I'll be right back," he commanded, then dashed out the door.

He returned in a flash, dropped to his heels in front of her and taking her hand, began to apply a light film of salve to the burn. In a few moments the salve began to take the pain away.

He took a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and gently dried the tears from her cheeks. She stared at him in surprise. His gentleness was astounding.

"Thank you," she murmured. "That was a stupid thing for me to do."

Chase handed her the handkerchief. She blew her nose and handed it back to him. A blush colored her cheeks from the embarrassment of having cried in front of him so she kept her head down.

"We all do stupid things once in a while."

Ashley glanced upward to see the hint of a smile around his lips. Once more he was shaven and wearing a clean uniform, not at all like the man she had spoken to in the drawing room a couple of nights earlier.

"It's this damnable cooking. I can't seem to master it."

Chase sensed her mortification, wondering again why her vulnerability made him feel as though he had to protect her. "Rosie tells me you've done remarkably well in the past few weeks. Especially considering your background. I mean, it's been tough on you, being used to having servants to take care of you and then all of a sudden having it all gone. Rosie is very proud of you, Ashley, and for what it's worth...so am I."

Her gaze darted to his face and through the veil that usually covered his emotions, saw the sincerity in his eyes. For some strange reason his praise made her want to cry. She covered her face with her hands, tears streaming down to stain her apron. Chase leaned forward to gather her into his arms.

Her arms went around his neck and she put her head in the hollow of his shoulder when his arms closed around her. He held her close and smoothed her hair while whispering in her ear. After several minutes she raised her head to take the handkerchief he offered her again. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose, glancing shyly at him as she hiccuped.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," she murmured in an embarrassed tone.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Ashley. You've been through a lot. You've earned the right to a few tears," he replied, his hands now resting on her shoulders.

"I've never been a crier. Tears don't solve anything."

"Maybe not but they don't hurt anything either. It doesn't mean you're weak because you cry once in a while. In fact, I'm almost glad to see it."

Ashley looked at him in surprise, seeing a flash of white as he suddenly smiled.

"I mean, I was beginning to think there was no vulnerability in you at all. It's nice to see I was wrong."

"Why is it nice? Do you like for women to weep and carry on? Does it make you feel superior when a woman cries?"

"No, that's not what I mean. I think you've been holding your grief inside you. It has to go somewhere and tears are more constructive than hating my guts and I think that's where you've been directing it."

"You think you're pretty smart, don't you?"

"About some things. I think you hate me because you need somebody to blame for what's happened to you. Plus, there's the fact that I won't let you walk all over me."

"You are the most conceited man I've ever met!"

"You're a very strong young woman, Ashley. If you'd admit it, you'd know you could never respect a man who would let you lead him around by the nose."
He was right. Weak men had never held any lasting appeal. Men like her beaus in New Orleans who wanted to court her but weren't strong enough to stand up to their parents.

She glanced at the man in front of her and knew without a doubt that he was the strongest man she had met in her life. She also knew that what she called conceit was no more than self confidence. Chase Kendall was a man in control of himself and those around him, the kind of confidence that came from command. No woman would ever lead him around like a lamb. He would simply never permit it.

Jeremy's shyness and gentleness was what had made her so fond of him. She wondered if those qualities would have become weakness had he lived. No, she must not think like that. It was disloyal. As disloyal as the dreams that plagued her sleep and left her feeling strangely unsatisfied.

Chase rose to his feet to put the lid on the jar of salve. He watched her thoughtfully, seeing the emotions in her eyes change from irritation to confusion. He turned to walk toward the doorway, pausing when her voice reached him.

"Major Kendall, I'm sorry about the men you lost the other day."

Chase turned his head to look at her over his shoulder and a brief smile touched his lips. "Thanks, Ashley."

He walked from the room and up the stairs feeling oddly cheerful. So Ashley Reynolds had the same soft areas as other women. It was a nice revelation. Even though he knew the periods of vulnerability were few and far between and the next time he saw her she would most likely be despising everything in a Federal uniform. She had allowed him a glimpse into her soul.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

By mid-October Sherman gave up the pursuit of Hood's army. Instead he began to make plans for his next campaign. He sent Generals Thomas and Schofield back to Tennessee with close to half the troops that had occupied Atlanta. Their mission was to make sure Hood's Confederates did nothing to upset the military balance while the rest of Sherman's force would drive for the seacoast.

After an extended argument with Grant over the telegraph wires Sherman at last convinced Grant that his plan was sound. With the pull out of Thomas and Schofield rumors began mounting about the next step of Sherman's plan to capture the South. One week after the re-election of Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States, Sherman summoned all his staff officers to his headquarters for a top level meeting.

"Gentlemen," Sherman said as he rose from behind his desk to face his officers. "I have called you here this morning to reveal a campaign that will end this war once and for all. We are leaving Atlanta today and marching eastward to the sea. We will arrive on the seacoast at Savannah having cut the enemy's only remaining rail communications eastward and westward. In moving through Georgia we will strip the state of its summer crops so that Hood's army will lack sustenance until the next harvest time.

"Your orders are to eliminate all needless baggage. Troops will carry only a knapsack, blankets, and arms. We will live off the land thereby doing away with many of the unnecessary supply wagons. Our objective is to place this army between Macon and Augusta making it necessary for the Confederates to defend both cities.

"The main body of this army will be flanked on the left by General Slocum's cavalry under the command of Major Kendall, and on the right by General Howard and General Kilpatrick's cavalry. I want a line thirty miles wide on either side of the main body cutting a swath of destruction sixty miles wide. I want everything beneficial to the Confederate cause destroyed; factories, railroad installations, warehouses, foundries; anything that will aid them. As for private dwellings you are to take whatever provisions are necessary to feed your men. Any occupied dwelling is not to be destroyed. As for unoccupied dwellings you may use your own discretion. Further instructions will be forthcoming once the march has begun.

"Have your troops ready to move out by dusk. I want all factories and such in this city destroyed before we leave. I trust you can be counted on to insure this is done without the complete destruction of the city. That is all, gentlemen."

Chase stared at his commanding officer for several moments when Sherman had finished speaking. What Sherman was proposing was incredible! If accomplished, it would surely break the back of the South and hasten the end of the war. Savannah! If the army was marching to Savannah he could get Ashley to her cousin! Taking a woman along on a military campaign was unthinkable but he could not simply ride away from Atlanta and leave her here alone. No doubt the city would be a shambles when the destruction of all military supplies was completed.

He waited impatiently to be dismissed, then raced across the city to the army's encampment to find his officers. When they arrived he briefed them quickly, giving orders as to the route they would take and what supplies were to be brought along. It took most of the day to get ready.

It was late afternoon when he arrived at the head of his regiment and looked back. His command consisted of one thousand battle-seasoned troops split into four companies under the command of four captains. Men he knew and trusted completely. He took a deep breath, gave the command to move out, and the column began moving through the streets of Atlanta toward the east.

Chase reined his horse alongside Captain Morrison and put one hand on the big bearded man's shoulder. "Dan, take command. There's something I have to do before I leave Atlanta."

Dan Morrison looked at him curiously. "What's on your mind, Chase?"

"Ashley Reynolds. Since that cousin of hers hasn't made any attempt to come for her, I can get her to Savannah with the army. Keep the men moving. I'll catch up with you later."

"You're making a big mistake, Chase. If you bring that female along you're asking for nothing but trouble."

A wry smile touched Chase's lips as he nodded. "You're probably right, Dan, but that's a chance I have to take. I can't leave her here. She's got nobody. Even Rosie will be gone with the army, if she isn't already."

"General Sherman will have your ass if he finds out about this."

Chase nodded. "I'm aware of that. Keep the men in line, Dan. There's going to be enough destruction tonight without any of our men being involved. I'll catch up as soon as I can."

With that, he turned the sorrel down a side street and urged the animal into a gallop. Already the streets were full of people trying to flee the city. News of the army's plan had spread quickly. Throngs of Atlanta's citizens were filling the streets carrying what belongings they could on their backs and in wagons and buggies of every type.

It was slow going as he moved through the crowds. His irritation grew steadily as he encountered hundreds of angry, frightened people clogging the streets, making faster progress impossible. Sweat trickled down his back although it was mid-November. Glancing back over his shoulder, the darkening sky was ablaze as the soldiers began setting fire to the factories and warehouses.

Atlanta was pretty tattered already. The repeated bombardments during the siege had destroyed many homes and during the long Federal occupation the deserted buildings got rough treatment from the soldiers. Now that they were leaving, the soldiers went to their work with zest. Flames from these buildings spread to others while wandering packs of privates lit fires on their own.

A light wind carried the fires from house to house. It appeared to Chase as he rode through the streets the whole city was ablaze. He was forced twice to backtrack so when he finally neared the boarding house it was quite dark except for the glow of the flames moving rapidly toward him.

He reined his horse to a halt in front of the house and jumped down. He led the animal inside the front door, not daring to leave it unattended in the street. He tied it to the railing of the staircase and dashed up the stairs. The house was completely deserted as he went from one empty room to the next. Discovering Ashley's room was empty, he swallowed the lump in his throat as he ran back down the stairs to his horse.

Rosie had gone already after packing up everything including the gear of the officers who had lived in the house. He would have to find her later to reclaim his things but now the only thing on his mind was how to find Ashley.

He mounted quickly and moved up the street. Through the hiss of burning buildings and the exploding of shells and ammunition, he heard someone call his name. Turning, he saw Penny running along in the dusty street and stopped his horse to let her catch up.

"Penny, have you seen Miss Ashley?"

The girl gasped for breath and nodded. "Yes sir, Major. I seen her a bit ago when Miss Rosie said we all had to get out of town. She was going that way." She pointed up the darkened street ahead of them.

"Will you be all right, Penny?" he asked, stifling his impatience to be on his way.

"Sure, Major. I got folks out Marietta way. Once I get there I'll be fine."

Chase dug in his trouser pocket then leaned down from the saddle to hand the girl two twenty dollar gold pieces. Penny's eyes widened with astonishment.

"Thank you kindly, Major. You better get goin' if you're goin' to find Miss Ashley in this mess of people. Take care of her, Major, and yourself."

Chase didn't take time to reply but spurred the horse into the crowd ahead of him. The animal tossed his head and pranced about, fearful of the noise as Chase maneuvered him in and out among the carts and wagons.

Cursing under his breath at each delay, he prayed he would be able to find Ashley in this mass of humanity and confusion. She was completely alone now and he knew she was frightened.

Suddenly, ahead of him he spotted her through an opening in the crowd and urged the horse forward. He called her name hoarsely but she either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him.

"Ashley, wait!" he shouted again. He reined the animal to a walk beside her. "Ashley, didn't you hear me calling you?"

"I heard you, Major."

"Why didn't you wait?"

"For what? So you can see the final destruction of my people? Isn't that why you're here?"

She glanced up at him for barely an instant but he saw the fright in her eyes. Her face was very pale, her eyes enormous in the failing light as she bit her lips to stop them from trembling.

He reined the horse around a hand pulled cart loaded to overflowing with household items and took a tighter rein on the nervous animal. "For God's sake, Ashley, you don't think I'm taking any pleasure in this, do you? My men are already on their way out of the city. I assure you that none of my troops are involved in this destruction,"

"Then what do you want, Major?"

"I came to find you. You're coming with me."

"You must be out of your mind! I'm not going anywhere with you."

Chase took a deep breath. "There is no time to argue or explain, Ashley. Give me your hand."

She shook her head, walking straight ahead with determined brisk steps, trying to get away from him in the crowd. Seeing her objective, Chase shouldered the horse alongside her again, ignoring the protests of the people the horse knocked off balance.

"Go away, Major. Leave me alone."

"Ashley, please trust me. I'll explain it all later but there's no time now."
She stopped in the surge of moving people, her lips tight with anger and fear. "Trust you? Haven't you done enough? You've killed my husband and my father-in-law. You've humiliated and insulted me and yet you've got the nerve to sit there in that hideous uniform and ask me to trust you? If I had a gun at this moment, Major, I would gladly put a bullet through your black Yankee heart!"

Chase stared into her angry, frightened eyes for a moment before she turned away. "Oh, shit! What's the use? There's no reasoning with you," he said through clenched teeth as he reached down from the saddle, wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her onto the horse.

The action took her so completely off guard that it was a moment before she could react. Then she began to struggle, her feet kicking and her fists hitting his chest and shoulders. He flipped her over to fling her face down across the saddle, placing the palm of his right hand in the middle of her back to hold her steady.

"Put me down! Put me down at once! How dare you treat me like this, you...you...you miserable Yankee! Put me down!"

Chase turned the horse back in the direction he had come, ignoring her howls of outrage. His jaw was set and hard, his eyes narrowing as he edged the horse through the heavy traffic, all of it going the opposite direction making his progress sluggish.

Ashley could hardly breathe with the saddlehorn stabbing into her chest but she continued to pound her fists on the big horse's front shoulders until the animal began to prance, snorting and slinging his head in alarm.

"Be still, damn it!".

"I demand you put me down immediately!"

A long pent-up breath exploded from Chase's lungs as he suddenly jerked her skirt and petticoats up over her back to expose her upturned, pantalet covered fanny. He brought the palm of his hand down sharply across her bottom, feeling a surge of satisfaction when she yelped in pain and surprise.

"Now unless you want another whack, be still and shut up!"

She ceased struggling and lay quietly across the saddle, fighting back hot tears. She had never been struck in anger, even as a child, so in addition to the pain in her stinging bottom, she was suddenly overcome with fear. She stared at his thigh, resisting the urge to sink her teeth into that long, blue clad leg. The horrible man would probably hit her again if she bit him and one blow from his powerful hand was quite enough.

As they moved slowly through the crowd a large man dressed in faded overalls, a floppy hat pulled low over his face, and carrying a long barreled squirrel gun, stepped in front of the horse.

"Hold it, soldier. Where do you think you're taking that lady?"

Chase reined the mount to a dancing halt in the middle of the street to meet the man's stare evenly, taking a tight grip on his impatience. "This lady is my wife. We're having a bit of a domestic problem. Nothing to concern yourself about," he said as calmly as he could while trying to contend with both the anxious horse and the wriggling girl across the saddle.

Ashley raised her head past Chase's knee with a gasp of horror. "He's lying! I'm not his wife! I'm a Georgian! I would never marry a Yankee!"

The man looked from Chase to Ashley and back again, uncertainty narrowing his eyes at the flushed, angry expression on the girl's face.

"Look at her wedding ring if you don't believe me," Chase said impatiently.

The man's gaze flashed to Ashley's hand to spot the gold band. "She's somebody's wife, right enough, but how do I know she's yours?"

"Because I'm telling you. Now step aside and let us pass."

"Suppose I don't, soldier?"

"Then you'll leave me no choice except to kill you," Chase replied as he took the reins in the hand pressed against Ashley's back and moved his other hand to the butt of his pistol. "Now get the hell out of my way."

Ashley gasped as she recognized the deadly tone of his voice. She brushed aside the cascade of hair that hung down the horse's side and lifted frightened eyes to the man in the street and ran her tongue over her dry lips.

"He's right, we're having an argument but there's no problem, really," she said in a shaky voice.

The man shot Chase another suspicious glance, then melted into the crowd. The horse again moved forward as Chase let out a long breath. For once Ashley had shown a little judgment. Knowing his chances of surviving a clash with a mob of enraged Atlantains were almost impossible he was relieved the girl had sensed the danger and backed up his wild story. Although he couldn't help wondering why she had.

Chase did not speak as they moved through the congested streets. As they neared the outer boundaries of Atlanta the crowds thinned, then ceased to exist altogether. They left the city behind except for a brilliant red glow that filled the sky for miles. Shortly they were moving past perfectly formed columns of marching troops.

Chase pointed his horse in the direction his regiment would be positioned and urged the animal into a gallop. By now Ashley thought her lungs would burst from the pressure of the saddlehorn pressing into her chest. As the darkness closed in around them, she began to tremble. The man above her was only a dark shadow, ominous and threatening, and she began to cry. She had never felt so alone as in this moment on the back of a moving horse with a man she was suddenly very much afraid of, going only God knew where.

Hot tears stung her eyes and fell into the dust at the horse's feet as he moved swiftly along the dark road.

Suddenly the hand in her back lifted. "If you promise to be reasonable, you can sit up, Ashley," Chase said from the darkness above her.

She nodded, unable to speak for the lump in her throat. He grasped her shoulder to lift her upright. She swung one leg over the horse's back to sit astride on the saddle in front of him, her back pressing against his chest.

He wrapped his left arm around her waist to hold her securely. He felt her tremble against him and knew she was frightened of him, as well as the events of this night.

"Ashley, I couldn't explain back there in the middle of that crowd but I'm taking you to your cousin in Savannah. That's where the army is headed."

Ashley brushed her long hair back from her face. "Does that give you the right to kidnap me right off the street and strike me?"

Now that he was speaking, she felt some of her courage returning and wiped the last of her tears away with the back of a small, shaky hand.

"Would you have come with me willingly if I had explained?"

"No, but that doesn't give you any right to throw me over this horse like a side of beef."

Chase gritted his teeth. Perhaps her cold angry silence was preferable to her nasty tongue.

"Did you hear what I said? I'm taking you to your cousin in Savannah."

"You're not taking me anywhere. Who do you think you are?"

"Right now I'm a very tired cavalry major who is no mood to argue with a bull-headed, ill-tempered Confederate sympathizer."

"Regardless of what you think, Major Kendall, I am not going anywhere with you. You may have kidnapped me and forced me to come with you but you'll never be able to keep me. I'll find a way to escape."

Suddenly he grasped her shoulder painfully. "Listen to me, you little fool. I'm fed up with your insults and I'm tired of being held personally accountable for everything the war has done to you. You're going to do exactly what I say. If you give me any trouble along the way I'll have you placed under twenty four hour guard and tied across a horse if necessary. You may consider yourself a prisoner of war until we reach Savannah."

"Do you have any idea how badly I hate you?" she asked at last in a cold, hostile voice.

Above her head, his lips tightened as something dangerous flickered in his eyes. "You've made that abundantly clear, Ashley. Right now, however, I really don't give a shit. I've got a thousand men, hundreds of miles deep in enemy territory, on the left flank of a marching army sixty miles wide that I'm supposed to protect.

"I'm tired and I'm hungry and I'm sick to death of your stubbornness and nasty temper. You can hate me till hell freezes over but you're coming with me to Savannah."

Ashley sat quietly for a long while as they passed column after column of marching troops and supply wagons. Finally she began to shiver in the cold night air.

"Are you cold?"

She nodded and bit her lips to keep her teeth from chattering. Chase reached behind him to take his heavy field jacket from the bedroll behind the saddle and draped it around her shoulders. She burrowed into it, grateful for its warmth but nothing could have forced her to thank him.

The horse stumbled in the darkness. Ashley put her hand out to regain her balance and clutched his thigh. His arm tightened around her waist to keep her from falling as the horse regained his footing. She felt the muscles in his leg contract beneath her fingertips and quickly removed her hand.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Ashley. I was merely trying to keep you from falling. You act as though my flesh burns your hand."

She did not reply; she didn't know what to say. She was very aware of his arm around her waist, the warmth of his body behind her on the horse. She could feel his heart beating against her back and his warm breath on her neck. Unexpectedly, the memory of his kiss flashed into her mind making her feel warm all over. Being this near him made her very uneasy.

"That man back in Atlanta...the farmer...would you really have shot him?" she asked after a while to break the silence.

"If he'd tried to prevent me from leaving the city with you.. yes."

"Surrounded by southerners? You must know they would have killed you."

"Perhaps, but not before I took a few of them with me."

"You risked your life to come for me. Why?" she asked, tilting her head sideways for a glimpse of his face through the darkness.

He shrugged as a half smile came to his lips. "Probably the same reason you backed up the lie I told that man about you being my wife."

"What do you mean?"

"It seemed like the thing to do at the time."

"I backed up that outrageous lie because I knew you would shoot him if I didn't. I didn't want such a thing on my conscience."

Chase chose not to comment but kept silent as the big horse ate up the distance between them and the head of the marching columns.

"How many men have you killed, Major?"

Chase's eyes widened in surprise, then he shrugged. "I don't know, Ashley. I try not to think about it."

"But there have been many, haven't there?"

"Yes, I suppose so," he grunted, wishing she would drop the subject.

"What is it like? How does it feel to kill another human being?"

"If you're asking me if I enjoy it, the answer is no. I hate it, it makes me sick to my stomach. It's the worst, most disgusting thing a man can do, but I'm a soldier, Ashley. Killing comes with the territory."

She sat quietly for a few moments, then shifted uncomfortably on the saddle. "I'm sorry for what I said back there.. I didn't mean it when I said I would kill you if I could. I realize you're doing what you think is right and I do appreciate you wanting to get me to my cousin."

"But?"

She shook her head, the waist length mass of waves gleaming like a silky cloud in the dim moonlight that was now peeking from behind the clouds to light their path.

"But we're enemies, Major. I'll do whatever I can to help the Confederacy. No matter who it hurts. Can you understand that?"

"I understand it, Ashley, but I can't allow you to interfere with my mission. Do you understand my position?"

She nodded.

"Good, at least we understand each other on that point," he said dryly.

From the passing ranks greetings began to come from the dimly lit path as Chase recognized his own troops. Within a few more minutes they reached the head of the column.

Captain Morrison greeted Chase with a big grin as he glanced at the girl sitting stiffly on the saddle in front of Chase. "Evening, Major. Nice night for a ride, isn't it? Any trouble?"

Chase shook his head. "Just enough to make things interesting."

In a moment Chase shifted in the saddle to look at him over Ashley's head. "Dan, have someone bring Mrs. Reynolds up a horse. Then get her settled in Sergeant Carney's platoon."

Morrison nodded and turned his horse back into the column. A few minutes later he returned leading a horse, accompanied by a soldier in his mid-fifties.

"Mrs. Reynolds, this is Sergeant Carney. You'll be riding with him for awhile," he said politely.

"Evenin', ma'am," the older soldier said in a gruff voice offset by a smile that crinkled his weathered face, briefly parting a scattering of gray whiskers.

Ashley made no reply except for a strained glance she threw at the sergeant. Chase lifted her onto the spare horse, then handed the reins to Carney. Ashley looked back before the soldier led the horse away.

"Your coat, Major," she said, reaching to remove to warm jacket.

"Keep it, you'll be needing it more than I will," Chase replied as he gave Carney a nod.

The sergeant turned to retake his position at the front of his platoon with Ashley following meekly behind him.
Chase glanced back over his shoulder to make sure everything was in order, then let out a sigh. He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair while he took a long direct look at Morrison riding at his side.

"Dan, tell Carney to keep a sharp eye on her. If she makes one wrong move I'd better know about it."

Morrison nodded. "You think she may try to escape?"

"There's no telling what she might do. Maybe Carney can do something with her; I sure as hell can't."

Morrison grinned at the frustrated expression on Chase's face. "I've known you a long time, Chase. You ain't never been a real stickler for all that military discipline most officers are. As long as the men follow orders and stay out of trouble you ain't said much to them but I ain't never seen you take off nobody what you've taken off that female. Can you explain that to me?"

Chase shook his head and sighed again. "No, Dan. I don't know if there is an explanation. I just know she's not nearly as tough as she acts but she's too damned stubborn to admit it."

"I still say you're going to be sorry you brought her along."

Chase glanced at him while he put his hat back on. "Well, at least this march won't be boring, will it?"

Morrison grinned and shifted in the saddle. "How long are we going to ride tonight?"

"All night, my friend, if necessary. By morning I want to be in position at least ten miles ahead of Slocum's columns. This regiment is the vanguard of Sherman's entire left flank so if there are any Rebs out there, we have to find them first."

"That's what the cavalry's for, ain't it, Chase? We do the scouting and get shot at so these infantry boys can just keep walking along behind us."

Chase grinned as he pulled his hat down against the chill wind. "Don't kid yourself, Dan. There's not a man among them that wouldn't trade places with us. Your butt may get tired but your feet don't have blisters."

"Hell, Chase, my ass has blisters," Morrison laughed. "And I imagine by morning that little lady's will too."

Chase looked back over his shoulder at Ashley. He could barely see her in the dim moonlight but she was sitting very straight, head held high, eyes straight ahead.

"If all our men had her determination, Dan, the war would've been over two years ago."

PART TWO

THE MARCH

CHAPTER TWELVE

By morning Ashley's entire body was numb. The column had not stopped all night and as morning broke across a clear Georgia horizon there was still no sign of halting. During the night she had dozed a little but it was nearly impossible to sleep on the back of a moving horse. The only sounds that broke the silence during the long, cold night was the clicking of the animals hooves on the hard earth, the jingling of bridle bits, and the occasional flutter of birds being disturbed from their roosts as the long blue column rode by. The soldiers became silent as the hours passed, trying to catch a few winks of sleep for most of them had been in the cavalry long enough to learn to sleep in the saddle with relative ease. It was a skill Ashley hoped to acquire very soon for she was tired, sore, and thoroughly out of sorts.

As dawn turned into morning Sergeant Carney politely nudged her from a semi-doze to inform her there was cold biscuits and meat if she was hungry. Realizing she was starving was a surprise for she didn't think she had enough strength left to be hungry.

"If you'll come with me, ma'am, I'll take you to the cook's wagon."

Ashley nodded and wearily turned her horse to follow him.

The soldiers were taking turns going to the wagons for food, a few at a time in very orderly fashion. When they topped a rise later in the morning Ashley looked behind her to find the long blue column astounding. There were soldiers as far behind as she could see, riding two abreast in perfect formation. She turned to Sergeant Carney in surprise.

"Sergeant, just how many soldiers are there in this company?"

Carney paused to spit a brown stream of tobacco juice onto the dusty road before looking at her with distinct pride in his sharp blue eyes.

"One thousand, ma'am, and it's four companies, not one. You're ridin' in A Company, Second Platoon right now. Capt'n Morrison is our CO."

"Is Major Kendall in charge of all these men?"

"Yes, ma'am, Major Kendall is our commandin' officer. You see, ma'am, each company has two hundred fifty men, broken into fifty man squads. Each one has its own officers but the major is in command of all of 'em."

"What do you think of him...Major Kendall, I mean?"

"Finest officer I've served under, ma'am. Known him since he joined up near the beginnin' of the war, helped train him in fact. There ain't none better in this here army. He's brought us through some mighty tough times, he has."

Ashley thought that over for a few minutes. She failed to see what there was about that dreadful man that inspired such loyalty. Perhaps he was a better soldier than she realized, she really didn't know much about all that military nonsense anyway. The only thing she knew for sure was that her back ached, her legs were cramping, and she was thirsty. She forced herself to think of something else. She would not give Major Kendall the satisfaction of knowing how tired and miserable she was. She would show this bunch of Yankee rabble that one southerner was worth a thousand of them; even if it killed her.

The regiment made a rest stop around noon to water the horses at a stream and give the men time to grab something to eat from the cook's wagon. Again the food was cold and tasteless but Ashley forced herself to eat a biscuit and a piece of ham. It wouldn't do her any good to go hungry. If she was to be of any service to the Confederate army she would need her strength.

As soon as the horses were all watered the regiment moved on deeper into the rolling Georgia countryside. The sun was warm and bright. Ashley began to feel her unprotected skin burning and wished she had on something with a higher neckline to protect it. She knew if she stayed out in the sun for any length of time she would begin to freckle. That thought incensed her more. Every step the cavalry horse made that long afternoon Ashley cursed Major Chase Kendall. This was all his fault. He had forced her into this arduous march. The pain in her back and legs, along with an increasingly severe case of sunburn was all because of him.

She preferred not to think about what would have become of her had she remained in Atlanta. When she fled the boarding house the previous afternoon she had no idea of where she was going or what she was going to do. She had been overcome with panic when Rosie announced the army was pulling out and had been ordered to destroy the arsenal and ammunition depots. The first spirals of smoke had filled her heart with fear. She had run from the house into the throngs of fleeing people with no thought of what would happen to her once she was outside the city.

She even admitted she was glad when she heard Chase calling to her in the crowded street, but only for a moment. Then she remembered he was the enemy, one of those devilish blue coats who had destroyed her way of life and her family along with it.

Long afternoon shadows were beginning to form in front of the horses when the column finally came to a halt.

"Looks like it's camp time, Missy," Sergeant Carney observed.

He swung down from his mount, then reached up to help Ashley down from the saddle. Her legs felt like they could not hold her up when her feet touched the ground so she clung to the saddlehorn for support until the circulation returned. The grizzled sergeant motioned toward a rock nearby before leading the horses away.

"Better take a seat, Missy. You don't look too good. I'll take care of these ponies and then I'll be back for you. Stay put, hear?" he said over his shoulder.

Ashley nodded wearily. Perhaps with a bit of food and a night's sleep things would look brighter. Within a day or two she might be able to learn Major Kendall's mission and find a way to escape to warn the Confederates, but right now all she wanted was something soft to sit on.

Within a matter of minutes campfires were burning brightly and the cooks were busy preparing supper. It appeared each company had its own cook and supplies. Although all the supply wagons had traveled together during the day they broke off into groups with night coming. Soon the smell of food wafted through the Georgia twilight.

Sergeant Carney reappeared soon after leaving Ashley, relieved to find the girl where he had left her. Captain Morrison had made the major's orders very clear; if anything happened to that girl or if she managed to escape, his sergeant's stripes would only be one of the things he would lose. He didn't want to think about the other possibilities.

When supper was ready, he brought Ashley a plate of food and sat sipping on a second cup of coffee while she ate. Carney wasn't much for food. He preferred coffee and a good chew of tobacco but it did his heart good to see the girl had not lost her appetite.

She had surprised him during the day's travel. She had not once whined or complained but rode straight in the saddle, shoulders back and eyes straight ahead. Much like one of his recruits. Yes, Carney was quite pleased with her performance.

Chase appeared just as Ashley was finishing her supper. He sat down beside her on a log pulled up near the fire and accepted a cup of coffee from the cook's helper. She did not look at him but stared straight ahead into the flames, wishing he would go away.

"Ashley, I've ordered some hot water sent to your tent. I'm sure you'd like to wash up after so much time on a horse."

She nodded, finally raising her gaze to look at him, wondering how he could look so neat and relaxed when she felt like a wrung-out dishtowel.

"Which tent is mine?" she asked as Chase raised an eyebrow at the fatigue in her face.

"That one," he replied while pointing to a tent a few yards away.

"Thank you," she murmured then rose stiffly to limp toward the tent.

Chase watched her go, shaking his head in amusement at her retreating back. He knew she was bone weary and exhausted but nothing could possess her to admit it.

Inside the tent Ashley slowly undressed down to her camisole and pantalets, gratefully beginning to wash the grime from her face and arms. The hot water was a blessing. She began to feel almost human again.

Feeling a draft, she glanced toward the tent's opening to find Chase standing there. There was a neatly folded bundle over his arm as he came forward until he was only a few steps away, then stopped, his gaze running over her.

"You said I could have some privacy, Major! How dare you just stroll in here!" she cried as she grabbed a towel from the ground to cover herself.

Chase did not speak for a moment while his gaze again swept over her slim curvaceous body.

"I thought you could use a change of clothing, Ashley, so I brought you something to wear," he said pleasantly as his gaze moved up her body to meet her furious expression. He dropped the bundle at her feet, then bent down to pick up the dress she had removed.

She stared at the clothing in bewilderment. It was a Union uniform complete with brass buttons and private's stripes on the sleeves. "If you think for one moment, Major, that I am going to wear that hideous uniform, you are very much mistaken!"

"I think you will, Ashley," he replied while his gaze locked with hers in an expression of confident authority that sent a fresh surge of rage flooding through her.

"You'll be a lot more comfortable in this than a dress. Pants are more suitable for riding a horse all day and the cap will help protect your face from the sun. Looks like you have quite a case of sunburn already."

"I don't care! I won't wear it!"

"You will also be considerably less obvious. You'll look like one of my men," he said, then added with a half-smile, "almost."

"I do not wish to look like one of your men!"

"Be reasonable, Ashley. It's not safe for you to be riding among a thousand men looking like you do."

"What do you mean by that?"

He sighed wearily with a gesture to her body. "As I have tried to point out before, you're a very beautiful woman. Too much of a temptation to expect all these men not to notice. In this you'll blend in much better. You'll be safer and so will my troops. I can't be with you every minute and neither can Sergeant Carney. Some of these men wouldn't think twice about raping you, Ashley. I don't think you'd care much for that. And I sure as hell wouldn't."

Her face flamed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I wouldn't like having to shoot one of my men because of you. Now put it on."

"I didn't ask to be brought on this trip, Major. You forced me, remember? But you will not force me into wearing that detestable uniform. Give me my dress."

She reached for the dress hung loosely over his arm but Chase stepped back, holding it away from her outstretched hands. He looked down into her angry, flushed face with a determined expression that set her teeth on edge.

"You can put on the uniform, Ashley, or ride the rest of the way to Savannah in your underclothes. Those are your alternatives."

She gasped as her eyes widened in dismay. From the set of his jaw and the firm tone of command in his voice she was sure he was dead serious. "You miserable Yankee bastard! How dare you do this to me!"

"I dare because I'm in charge of this regiment and until we reach Savannah you will obey my orders like every other member of it," he said coldly as quick anger swept through him. "The sooner you realize that and accept it, the easier it will be for both of us. Now put on the goddamned uniform!"

After a long moment of looking into his dark glittering eyes she tossed her head with a snort. Chase gritted his teeth and took a long deep breath while suppressing the urge to turn her across his lap and blister her tantalizing fanny. Finally she leaned down to snatch the uniform from the ground, allowing him a momentary glimpse of firm breasts pushing above the top of the camisole.

"I'll wear it, Major, but I promise you I will make you pay for this someday," she hissed.

"I have no doubt you'll try." He turned his back and after a moment heard the rustling as she dropped the towel, then slipped the uniform on over her underclothes.

"There, are you satisfied?"

He turned to find her dressed, her hands on her hips. He walked slowly around her. Private Jackson's uniform fit her like a glove. The pants hugged her slender hips like a second skin, the shirt strained slightly across her full breasts. Her long honey-red hair hung down to her waist in soft waves. At a distance she might pass for a young solider but up close there was no doubt the uniform covered the body of a woman, but it would do.

"It certainly looks better on you than it did on Private Jackson."

"Isn't he going to need this?"

Something unreadable flickered for an instant in his eyes, then he shook his head. "No. Private Jackson is dead, Ashley. He won't be needing it again."

Her eyes widened, then she dropped her head.

"You better get some sleep. We'll be moving out at dawn."

She glanced up at him, seeing the half-smile on his handsome face. "What's so funny?"

"You are," he answered, his gaze moving over her again lazily, appraising. "You may hate wearing this uniform now but you'll soon be glad of it. Of course it may present a bit of a problem to get all that hair under the cap but I'm sure you'll manage."

"If Jeremy were alive he'd kill you for the miserable way you've treated me!"

The smile remained on his face but she saw something flicker in his eyes for an instant, then it was gone. "If he were alive, I should hope he'd be smart enough to know what I've done was for your own good, Ashley. If you were my wife, I'd certainly appreciate someone looking out for you while I was away at war."

"Well, I certainly don't appreciate the way you go about doing it, Major. Your motives may be honorable enough but your tactics stink."

A soft laugh rippled from his lips as he folded the dress and laid it neatly over his arm." Chase walked around her toward the flap of the tent. "Go to sleep Ashley."

"Just a minute, Major."

He looked at her over his shoulder, waiting for her to continue.

"Where are you going to sleep?" she asked suspiciously.

"Right here, this is my tent."

Her eyes widened in surprise as her mouth dropped open. "That's out of the question! What will your men think?"

"What do you care what they think? They're only Yankees, hardly worth of your concern."

"You know what I mean! I will not have them thinking that you and I...that we...well…I just won't have it."

"My men will think what they want. It makes no difference to me. I promise to stay on my side of the tent. If anyone does any changing of positions during the night, it will be you."

Ashley's face flamed at the reference to that first night they shared a tent weeks before. "Oh, you're absolutely awful!"

A lazy grin covered his face as he studied her embarrassment. "You're really quite safe with me, Ashley. God knows you need to be watched. I can't have you running around in the middle of the night alone, now can I?"

Somehow she was sure he had insulted her.

"Then why don't you just tie me up somewhere? That would be much more preferable to spending the night in the same tent with you!"

"I've considered that. It would certainly be a lot less trouble. However, the nights are getting cold. You'll be more comfortable in this nice warm tent with me."

She was suddenly overwhelmed with the thought of him lying so close in the night. Suppose she woke up in his arms again?

His sharp gaze took quick notice of the fleeting look of panic that filled her face. She looked so helpless, so vulnerable at that moment, it made him wonder if she was afraid of seeking the comfort of his arms again.

"You have no reason to be afraid of me, " he said in a more gentle tone. "I'm not in the habit of forcing my attentions on a woman."

"Oh no? What about that day when you kissed me?"

The shadow of a smile touched his lips for a second. "I was merely proving a point that day. I never had any intention of pursuing the matter any further."

"How do I know that? You can hardly expect me to take your word!"

"For God's sake, Ashley!" He came forward a couple of steps, grimacing with irritation when she backed away. "If I want the kind of company you're implying I can certainly find someone more pleasant than you."

For some unexplainable reason his sharp words stung, making hot tears burn her eyes. "You mean I'm not good enough for you?"

He sighed wearily and shook his head. "Damn it, stop twisting everything I say."

"Then explain what you mean!"

"All right, damn it! When I feel the need for a woman, I prefer a woman, not a hot tempered little brat of a girl," he grated through clenched teeth. "I want a woman who's warm and sweet, not a wildcat who wants to cut my heart out. So you see, you're as safe in this tent with me as a baby in its mother's arms. And this is where you'll sleep, by God, until we reach Savannah."

He turned on his heel with one last flinty glance in her direction and strode from the tent. Behind him Ashley stared at the tent flapping from his angry exit with a strange mixture of relief and frustration. As always he'd had the last word. She stamped her foot in anger, then sank down onto the blanket at her feet. He said she wasn't woman enough to interest him! How dare him make an assumption like that!

There had to be a way to get even with him. There had to be and she was going to find it.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

After that night things settled into a weary routine. Every morning Chase sent out a thirty man patrol to forage for food and follow General Sherman's orders of destroying stores of cotton and other supplies valuable to the Confederate cause. The remainder of the regiment stayed on the route that would keep them a few miles ahead of the main column of infantry. Scouts rode ahead to keep Chase informed of the country ahead and any enemy troop movements. There was little for the rest of the men to do but try to stay alert.

For some, the march was turning into one big pleasure excursion. The soldiers who were sent on foraging details looted the rich plantations of everything from chickens and hams to silverware, jewelry, and whatever other trinkets caught their fancy. Many of the fine old homes were destroyed even though it was Sherman's orders that only unoccupied homes be burned.

Chase was becoming sure that Sherman's orders were unnecessarily harsh. His own troops were under strict orders to destroy only what would aid the enemy and take only what food they could use. He ordered that no occupied home was to be burned and no needless violence inflicted on the residents. His captains were fully aware of those orders and each day when the foraging details went out, they were commanded by one of the four captains personally to insure the strict enforcement of those orders.

For Ashley, those days became boring, endless, and very tiresome. She seldom saw Chase for he was always gone before she awoke. She was always asleep when he finally came to bed at night. It was obvious that since that first night's furious argument he was trying to avoid contact with her as much as possible.

Four days out of Atlanta the scouts joined Chase at the head of the column to inform him they had located a farm nearby with suitable facilities for spending the night.

Chase pulled a worn map from his jacket and scanned it for a moment. "It's only a couple of miles out of our way, Dan. Inform the other officers that we'll be spending the night there," he said as he glanced at Morrison who was riding by his side.

Morrison nodded, then turned to make his way down the long column to locate the other three company commanders and relay the orders.

Shortly they turned a bend in the trail and the farmhouse sprang into view. It was a modest structure in comparison to the fine homes they had seen the past couple of days. The house was well kept and the outbuildings were in good repair.

A woman came out of the house. When he and Morrison rode forward, Chase tipped his hat to her.

"Evening, ma'am. Sorry to disturb you. I'm Major Kendall, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry. I'd like your permission to camp here for the night," he said, surprised when the woman nodded with a smile.

"Of course, Major," she replied pleasantly. "My name is Nora Wellington. Please make yourselves at home. There is water and fodder for your horses and I'd be very pleased if you would join me for supper, Major."

"Thank you, ma'am, I'd be honored." Chase turned to Morrison. "Get the men settled, Dan, and put out sentries. Have the outbuildings checked and let me know what you find."

He swung down from the saddle and took off his hat as he led the sorrel toward the well in the corner of the yard. He drew a bucket of water and let the horse drink while he took a look around. The woman was still standing on the porch watching him with a curious expression.

She was a pleasant looking woman a few years older than himself, with light brown hair, dimples, and a nice figure. Her welcome was a nice change from the bitter hostility he usually encountered when approaching a southerner's home.

"Supper, huh?" Morrison teased at his side. Turning, he saw the big grin on the captain's face. "Bet I can guess what's for dessert."

"Really?"

Morrison nodded while wiping away the beads of perspiration that dotted his broad forehead. "She's another widow, Chase. Probably a very lonely widow who hasn't seen a man in a long time. Don't much matter which side of the war you're on. How many times have we been through this?"

Chase grinned, rubbing his horse's silky neck as the animal sank its muzzle into the bucket of cool water. "Are you jealous, Dan?"

Morrison's blue eyes twinkled when he shook his head. "Who me? Hell no, I ain't jealous. I just can't figure out how it's always you that gets invited to supper. You'd think once in a while me or Daniels or one of the others would get lucky."

"It must be the rank that impresses them, Dan."

Morrison chuckled and slapped the dust from his hat against his leg. "Yeah, I guess that must be it."

"Dan, while I'm having supper with the lady keep an eye on Mrs. Reynolds, will you? Fix her a place in the barn to sleep. Don't let her out of your sight for a minute," Chase said with a glance in Ashley's direction.

"What do you think she could do, Chase? We're miles away from any Reb troops."

"I don't know, Dan. I just know she's been too quiet the past couple of days and that worries me. She's up to something. You can count on it. Can I depend on you?"

"Sure, Chase. As long as I'm not invited to supper with one charming widow I might as well keep an eye on the other one," Morrison answered with a grin.

From the corner of his eye Chase saw Captain Daniels approaching from the direction of the barn. Daniels was a West Point graduate and a stickler for military protocol who always saluted before speaking to his commanding officer.

"Major, my men have checked all the outbuildings and report a sizable stash of cotton bales, sir."

Morrison and Chase looked at each other for a moment before Morrison chuckled. "Maybe that's why the good widow is being so generous with her hospitality. Maybe she thinks if she's nice to you, you'll spare the her cotton."

Chase flashed him an irritated glance. "That's been tried before too. You're probably right, Dan, so I'd better lay it out for her before she sets the table. Excuse me," he said, then walked toward the house where the woman waited.

Chase stepped up onto the porch and took off his hat. "Mrs. Wellington, my captain informs me that you have large stock of cotton bales on your property. It's my duty to tell you that I will have to destroy them before we leave in the morning."

Nora merely smiled a bit as she smoothed her dark hair back from her face. "I understand, major. I suppose it's all part of your job, isn't it?"

Chase's brows rose in surprise.

"And you're wondering if that will change my mind about inviting you for supper, aren't you? Well, never you mind about that silly old cotton. I have no way of getting it to market anyway. My invitation stands, Major. Supper will be ready in an hour so please just come on in when you're ready. Perhaps we can have a drink before sitting down to supper." After giving him a wide smile, she turned and went back into the house.

Chase stared at her disappearing back for moment. He shook his head, then went back to gather up the reins of his horse. He ignored the knowing grin Morrison flashed him as he led the horse across the yard to the barn a few hundred yards away.

It appeared Dan was right about Mrs. Wellington. He was pretty sure that supper wasn't the only thing the lady had planned for the evening. He had met a lot of women like Nora Wellington in the past couple of years. His groin tightened with the

prospect of spending the night with a warm, receptive female.
Ashley had watched the exchange between Chase and the lady. She was too far away to hear the conversation but the sly grin on Captain Morrison's face told her the lady didn't object to having Yankees around. Some people had no loyalty at all, she decided with a contemptuous sniff.

Sitting on the cavalry mount in a private's uniform she looked for all purposes like any other young soldier in the regiment. The cap she wore kept her long hair out of sight and off her back. She had grudgingly admitted after the first day that Chase had been right about the uniform. Her bottom still ached from the saddle but she was much more comfortable than she had been in the dress.

She dismounted and let Sergeant Carney take the reins and lead the horse away. She limped to the well to take a long drink from the cup the gruff old soldier offered her.

"Missy, I got picket duty tonight so I reckon you'll have to find somebody else to keep you company," Carney told her after she had drank her fill.

Captain Morrison appeared and cleared his throat before she could reply. "Mrs. Reynolds, if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your quarters for the evening. The major thought the nice soft hay in the barn would be a welcome change from the hard ground."

"How considerate of him," she replied dryly as she followed him toward the barn. She didn't care where she slept. Right now her tired body was screaming for relief.

Morrison led her to a roomy stall filled with fresh hay covered with a blanket. He smiled to himself as the tired girl sank into it with a sigh. She was holding her own with the soldiers, never complaining or whining. It was only at times like this that she let her proud determination slip, momentarily allowing him to see how exhausting this march was on her.

"Supper will be ready pretty soon, Mrs. Reynolds. One of the men will bring you a plate. Why don't you make yourself comfortable in the meantime. I'll be right outside if you need anything but don't go wandering around without letting me know."

"You may rest assured, Captain, that I shall not try to escape before supper."

"Yes, ma'am," Morrison replied with a barely concealed grin. He turned and left the barn.

Ashley took a deep breath as she settled down in the soft hay. It was pure heaven compared to the hard ground she was accustomed to and she fell asleep in moments.

Sometime later she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she found Morrison standing over her with a plate of food. She sat up rubbing her eyes, then gratefully took the plate.

Morrison moved away to sit down on an over turned keg to eat his own supper. When she finished eating, she sat the plate aside and folded her hands in her lap. "You don't like me much, do you, Captain?"

Morrison smiled, his teeth a flash of white against the thick black beard. "I have nothing personal against you, ma'am. I just don't happen to think a military campaign is any place for a woman."

"Any woman or me in particular?
"Any woman, ma'am. It's too dangerous for one thing and too much of distraction for another."

"I don't see you being distracted, Captain," she observed, wondering why this big bear of a man did not intimidate her the way Major Kendall did.

"I'm a happily married man, Mrs. Reynolds. Beautiful women don't distract me much. I was referring to the others."

"I see," Ashley said while she studied him closely.

The big captain was a pleasant looking man. He was in his early thirties with thick black hair that matched the full beard and mustache and had twinkling blue eyes. He was huge. He was as tall as Major Kendall but where the major was more slender and well proportioned, Morrison was barrel chested with arms like tree trunks. There was a gentleness in him that somehow offset his tremendous size.

"Well, Captain, coming along on this awful march was not my idea," she said after a moment.

Morrison sipped his coffee. "Oh, I know that, ma'am."

His amusement was irritating. Ashley felt her temper begin to flare. "It's all his fault, you know. Major Kendall, I mean. He kidnapped me right off the street, threw me over his horse like a side of beef and brought me here."

Morrison nodded, watching her pink cheeks over the rim of his cup. "I know; he told me. I warned him he was making a big mistake but he did it anyway. He has the idea that it's for your own good."

"I tried to tell him I don't need his help but he refuses to listen."

"Chase is like that all right. If he thinks he's right he'll never back down. It's a damn good thing too, ma'am.."

"What do you mean?"

"At Shiloh we got orders from this glory hungry colonel that would have gotten this whole regiment slaughtered if Chase had followed them, but he didn't. Instead of making a head on attack on a battery of Reb cannon, he took us up the hill by a side path. We took the hill and when that incompetent fool colonel tried to have him court martialed, Chase got a promotion instead."

Ashley looked at him thoughtfully for a long moment. "Have you known him long?"

Morrison nodded but stretched his massive arms before answering. "Yes, ma'am, nearly three years now. He's the finest officer I've ever known and a fine man as well."

Ashley tossed her head with a snort, much to Dan's amusement. "I have a difficult time believing that, Captain. He's an arrogant, conceited, overbearing scoundrel."

"Funny you should say that, ma'am. Most women have just the opposite opinion."

"Well, I'm not most women, Captain, and I think he's a horrid man."

Morrison stood up to take her empty plate. "Yes, ma'am," he said dryly. "Why don't you get some sleep, ma'am? Morning will be here before you know it."

He turned to begin walking toward the open double barn doors when Ashley spoke again.

"Where is he? Major Kendall, I mean."

Morrison turned to face her briefly. "He's having supper with the lady who owns this place. I don't expect him back until late." Under his breath he added, "If at all," and went out the door.

Behind him Ashley sniffed, then curled up on her blanket. She was not surprised to learn he was dining with that woman. Anyone who appeared as friendly to Yankees as the woman had certainly wouldn't hesitate inviting one of them to dinner.

She fell asleep but was awakened sometime later by quiet voices. She recognized the voices of Captain Morrison and Captain Daniels. They were sitting near the open doorway but their voices were clear in the calm night air.

"Any sign of the major?" Daniels asked.

"No. We won't be seeing him until morning. I'm sure that widow is keeping him busy."

Daniels laughed softly. "I sure hope I make major soon."

"I know what you mean," Morrison agreed. "Wonder what they're doing in there? The lamp went out hours ago."

"Hell, Dan, you know what they're doing same as me. I've yet to see it fail. The major has humped every sad-eyed widow between Philadelphia and Atlanta. It's a wonder to me the man has the strength to fight the Rebs."

"Remember the one outside that little town near Gettysburg? Hell, I thought for a minute she was going to join the army. If it hadn't been for her grandpa she'd have followed him halfway to the next state."

They both chuckled. "What about that one in there? You think he's humping her too?" Daniels asked

"Not a chance. That little gal doesn't seem to see his charm, at least not yet."

"You mean she's sleeping in his tent but he's not bedding her?"

"Like I said, Mark, not a chance."

"That's hard to believe, Dan. If he's not humping her, she's the only female he's passed up since '61. Anything wrong with her? I can't see the major passing up a prime package like that one."

"Nothing wrong with her as far as I can tell. She hates his guts, that's all. I get the feeling she'd rather sleep with a rattlesnake than the major."

"That's a real switch, isn't it? Usually he has to fight them off and then he finds this little filly that doesn't want anything to do with him. She's a real beauty too. That must not set too well with him."

Morrison chuckled softly. "I think he's getting used to it."

Daniels sighed. "Well, Dan, it's getting late. I better turn in. See you in the morning."

Morrison came into the barn and adjusted his blankets on a pile of hay between Ashley and the door. He sighed once and after only a moment Ashley heard him begin snoring.

She lay curled up on her blanket seething with anger. Did every man in his regiment believe as Captain Daniels, that they were lovers? From what she'd overheard, it was obvious that Major Kendall had been invited to supper with lonely women many times and spent the night with them. He was despicable, completely lacking of any honor or shame.
She thought about the woman in the picture she'd seen and felt a surge of pity for her. That poor girl had no idea what a cad her fiancee was.

Finally she drifted off to sleep. It seemed only minutes later when Captain Morrison gently shook her awake. He sat down a plate of food, then disappeared into the yard to assemble his troops. Ashley ate quickly, then tried to free the tangles from her long hair and smooth it under the private's cap. In a few minutes she went into the yard to find the men mounting up and took the reins Sergeant Carney held out for her.

She forced her sore muscles into the saddle, trying to find a comfortable way to sit.

Carney glanced at her with a grin as he spat a stream of tobacco juice onto the ground. He saw the scornful expression that came over her face and turning, saw Major Kendall coming down the steps of the lady's porch.

Nora Wellington followed him onto the porch wearing a dressing gown and slippers. She lifted a dainty hand in a farewell wave but Chase didn't look back.

He strode across the yard to take his horse's reins from Dan Morrison and mounted. He turned the horse around to see if the regiment was ready to move out, happening to glance at Ashley in doing so. His brows rose at the icy stare she threw him. He looked back at Morrison who was mounted next to him.

"Did anything happen last night that I ought to know about?" Chase asked as he led the regiment out of the yard back onto the trail again.

Morrison shook his head. "No. She ate supper and went right to sleep. I was there the whole time. She never moved. Why?"

"Because she just gave me one of those "you miserable Yankee bastard" looks. I was just curious about what's got her back up this morning."

Morrison chuckled. "Who knows? I don't try to figure out why women do the things they do. It's enough to give a man a headache."

Chase turned to look at Ashley again. She was riding beside Carney only two rows from the front of the formation, her back straight and her head high. As he watched her, she glanced at him, then quickly looked away. Something was on her mind all right and he had a feeling he wasn't going to like it.
She had been almost meek since that first night but he had to admit the defiance he'd seen just now was almost a relief. It made him a little nervous when she was so agreeable.

I think I'll go see what she's mad about. Keep an eye open for the scouts. They should be reporting back soon."

Morrison nodded as Chase turned his horse to ride back to join Carney and Ashley. "Good morning, Sergeant," he said as he moved his horse into formation beside them.

"Mornin', sir. Right nice day, ain't it?"

"Yes, it is, Carney," Chase agreed, noticing Ashley's chin raise a bit higher. "Carney, why don't you go up front with Captain Morrison for a bit? I'd like to speak to Mrs. Reynolds."

"Shore thing, Major," the crusty old sergeant said, then eased his horse between them.

When he'd gone Chase maneuvered his mount alongside her. "Good morning, Ashley."
"Good morning," she replied in an icy tone.

Chase didn't speak again for a few minutes.

She felt his gaze flick over her and glanced upward to find those dark, unreadable eyes locked with hers. "What are you staring at?"

"You," he replied, watching a faint blush creep into her cheeks. "You're much more attractive than any of the other soldiers in this regiment."

"Don't you dare make fun of me! It was your idea for me to wear this disgusting thing!"

"I'm not making fun of you, Ashley. I'm trying to pay you a compliment."

"You can keep your compliments to yourself, major. I hardly need them."

"Do you want to tell me what's got your Irish dander up so early in the morning?"

"Nothing at all, Major. I love being forced to wear this ridiculous uniform and travel with a thousand Yankee soldiers while they try their best to destroy the entire state of Georgia."

Chase sighed. "All right, Ashley. Have it your way," he said and urged the horse into a canter.

She glared at his back. She had something to tell him all right. Any man who could spend the night with a woman he didn’t know while he was engaged to someone else certainly wouldn't be offended by anything she had to say.

"Well?" Morrison asked when Chase rode up beside him.

"Who knows? She's being her usual lovable self, insulting and making accusations. God, I'll be glad when we get to Savannah so I can unload that nasty tempered little beast."

Within a few minutes the patrol he'd left behind to burn Nora Wellington's stash of cotton caught up with the regiment and Captain Banks reported that the mission had been completed.

Riding beside Sergeant Carney again Ashley noted their arrival and turned to the sergeant. "What's going on?"

"Capt'n Banks' patrol, Missy. The major left them back at that farm to make sure all that cotton didn't fall into Reb hands."

Ashley's eyes widened with amazement. "You mean that after what he and that...that lady did last night, he still burned her cotton?"

Carney nodded while reaching inside his shirt for a fresh chew of tobacco. He bit off a sizable piece and began chewing rhythmically. He glanced at the girl from time to time noting the way her shoulders had stiffened and her lips tightened at his affirmative nod.

"That surprise you, Missy?"

Ashley turned flashing eyes on him while two bright spots of color deepened in her cheeks. "No, I suppose not. Nothing that despicable man does would surprise me."

Carney spat a stream of tobacco juice onto the dusty ground. "It's all part of war, Missy," he said. "Whatever the major and that lady did, well, that was just time out from all this madness. This morning it had to start over again. He ain't the only man that takes advantage of every chance he can to escape it for a bit. We all do it, some of us in different ways, that's all. With Capt'n Morrison it's a drink once in a while. With the major it's women. I can't fault him none for that. Hell, if I was as young and good lookin' as he is, I'd be doin' the same thing."
"What about you, Sergeant? How do you escape?"

Carney paused to spit, then shrugged. "I don't, Missy. I ain't got nothin' against war. The army's my home, the only home I've had since I was a young 'un. Fightin' is my way of life so I don't mind it none."

"What about the woman Major Kendall is engaged to back home, Sergeant?"

Carney's eyes met hers in a straight gaze that made her feel foolish somehow. "She ain't got nothin' to do with any of this, Missy. The simple fact is that he's here and she's back there. He ain't doin' anythin' any other man wouldn't do, given the chance. One thing has nothin' to do with the other."

"I can't agree with your logic, Sergeant. If he truly loves her he wouldn't be doing those things."

Carney shrugged and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "I ain't one to argue, Missy, could even be you're right. Then again, maybe the major ain't in love with her at all. Lots of boys got married when the war broke out. Some of them because they was afraid they might not get another chance. Maybe the major got engaged for that same reason. Anyways, I reckon that's his business."

When Carney turned to look straight ahead Ashley knew he'd said his last word on the subject. She still believed Major Kendall was a womanizing scoundrel but she wondered why the thought that he might not be totally in love with the pale woman in the picture was a cheerful one.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Three days later, the regiment had been on the march for only a couple of hours when the scouts came flying back to the column to confer with Chase. From her position two rows back, Ashley could see him pull a worn map from his shirt. Chase signaled the regiment to halt and Ashley heard the order echoed down the long blue line behind her. After scanning the map for a few moments and talking with the scouts in low tones, Chase turned to speak to Captain Morrison, then wheeled his horse out of formation and urged it into a gallop, flying past Ashley heading back in the direction they had come.

A moment later Morrison approached. "Sergeant, you may as well tell the men to fall out. Looks like we're going to be here for a while."

"What's up, Capt'n?"

Morrison jerked his thumb toward the area the scouts had appeared from. "Trouble up ahead. Looks like the Georgia state militia is planning a little welcoming party for us."

Ashley's breath caught in her throat. She clung to the saddlehorn for support. Morrison saw the panic that swept across her features and sought to calm her fears.

"Nothing to worry about, ma'am. We'll just make camp and wait for General Sherman to decide how he wants us to handle it."

He tipped his hat politely and rode past her down the column to locate the other officers and inform them of the events.

The soldiers dismounted and stretched out on the cool grass to wait for further orders. As the cook wagons opened for business, it seemed to Ashley the most important thing on any of their minds was whether to eat or take a nap. How could they be so calm with an army waiting just ahead to kill them? This war was a very strange matter. One that she did not understand at all.

It was an hour later when Chase reappeared from Sherman's position

five miles behind them. He immediately called his staff together and briefed them. They sat around an over turned keg on which he spread the maps.

"Lieutenant Cooper reports there are about three thousand militiamen waiting for us here," Chase said as he pointed out the position on the map. "Just outside Milledgeville, along with a little regular cavalry. General Slocum is sending a brigade of infantry to clear them out. Our orders are to take up a position on their left flank to keep Wheeler off their backs.

"Gentlemen, your companies are to be ready in two hours. Banks, leave a fifty man detachment from your company here to stay with the camp. This operation shouldn't take more than an hour at the most. Any questions?"

The captains shook their heads in unison. Chase stood up with a curt nod, folding the map. "Good. Get yourselves something to eat and brief your officers."

The captains saluted and went quickly to make preparations. Morrison approached Carney and motioned him aside.

Ashley sat on a flat rock with her chin in her hands, wondering what was going on. She strained her ears to hear what Morrison was telling Carney but could get only snatches of the conversation. It was obvious the soldiers were preparing for combat for the camp had taken on a strange frantic, festive air as the men scurried to clean and check their rifles and side arms and make sure their horses and equipment were in good condition.

"Carney, fifty of Banks' men are staying in camp. I'm leaving it up to you to pick one of them to guard Mrs. Reynolds. Major Kendall is a little nervous about leaving her in camp but we have no choice."

"Right, Capt'n, you can consider it done," Carney replied. "She's not short on nerve, that one. It wouldn't surprise me to see her try to escape and warn the Rebs. She's one of 'em, just as much as if she was carryin' a gun."

Morrison nodded in agreement. "That's what the major thinks too. Anyway, we can't take any chances. I'm counting on you, Carney. I'd rather face the militia with a stick than face the major if that girl should get away."

Carney's grizzled face broke into a grin after he spit onto the hard ground. "Right, Capt'n."

Morrison clapped him on the shoulder and walked away.

Another hour passed before Ashley heard the sound of marching feet and rose to see Slocum's brigade coming alongside. As the infantry marched past, friendly insults flew back and forth between the foot soldiers and the cavalry and there was much laughter and joking among them.

Sergeant Carney mounted his horse but paused to throw Ashley a glance before moving in formation at the head of his platoon. "There ain't nothin' to worry about, Missy. You just stay right here. We'll be back before you know it."

"Sergeant, how can they be so cheerful? I don't understand. Don't they know some of them are going to be killed out there?"

Carney reached to pat her hand in an uncharacteristic show of affection. "Ain't no sense in worryin' about it, Missy. You either come through a battle or you don't. These boys have seen a lot worse things than what's waitin' for us up ahead. I know these Georgia boys are your people, Missy, but they ain't got a prayer. We got 'em outnumbered two hundred to one."

Ashley did not reply for at that moment Chase rode up beside Carney.

"Ready, Sergeant?"

"Ready, sir."

"Then move your men out."

"Yes, sir, Major," Carney said as he saluted.

It was the first time Ashley had seen him show any real respect to any of the officers, noting irritably that it had to be that particular officer.

When Chase paused a moment, Ashley looked upward to find his dark gaze resting on her. She met it with an scornful expression that made him smile as he turned the sorrel to ride to the head of his regiment. A moment later he led them out of camp to the left of the passing infantry. It took a long time for them all to pass; nine hundred fifty men riding two abreast.

As the last of them rode past a young private approached and tipped his cap to her. "Ma'am, I'm Private Catlin. Sergeant Carney said I was to keep you company while he's gone," he said politely.

Ashley did not respond but sat back down on the rock with her chin in her hands. It was only a few minutes later the first shots were heard. She sat huddled tightly in alarm as the scattered shots became volleys and blue smoke began to rise above the trees a couple of miles beyond the camp.

Those were her people out there. Georgians like herself trying to defend their capitol from the invading Yankees. A few men against thousands. Carney was right; they didn't have a prayer against Sherman's hoards while here she sat perfectly safe while they were dying for what they believed in. It wasn't fair, she thought bitterly. She should be doing something to help them.

Why was it then, that while she sat in the lengthening afternoon shadows that her thoughts kept drifting back to that enemy officer who was out there doing his best to kill her people? As much as she wanted to pay him back for the humiliation he'd forced upon her, the thought that he might be killed on this sunny November afternoon was a painful one. Yet she did not understand why.

Four miles away Chase's cavalry engaged an enemy far less superior to themselves. Slocum's brigade routed the militia with practiced ease. The only stiff opposition came from Joe Wheeler's cavalry which put up a determined fight but had no choice but to flee when the militia was overrun by Slocum's XV brigade.

Chase rode through the battlefield when it was over, his heart heavy from the carnage he saw. On the ground only a few feet from his horse lay a young boy, not more than thirteen or fourteen. He was bleeding from a bullet wound in his shoulder. He was wearing the uniform of the Georgia state militia, once neat and sparkling clean but now dirty and blood stained. He rose to his knees behind a broken tree stump and to Chase's utter horror, raised his rifle.

"Yankee trash!" he snarled, his pale face grimacing in pain as he aimed the gun at Chase.

"For God's sake, don't!" Chase said hoarsely knowing even as the words burst from his lips that the youngster meant to fire.

Determination was strong in the boy's eyes as he brought the gun against the stump to steady it while the injured arm hung uselessly at his side. The boy squeezed the trigger but the bullet exploded harmlessly into the air for years of military experience took charge as Chase's bullet struck him between the eyes. His face dissolved into a splintering mass of blood and brain tissue. His lifeless eyes remained open, staring accusingly. Chase felt his stomach lurch. He climbed off the horse and sank to his knees in the grass to vomit.

After retching for several minutes he rose on shaky legs to wipe his face with the handkerchief he drew from a back pocket. He leaned against the horse for support for a moment, then forced himself to walk around the animal to the dead boy's body. Dropping to one knee, he closed the staring eyes.

He looked around at the other causalities, discovering to his horror that most of the enemy soldiers his regiment had faced that afternoon were either boys no older than the one he'd killed, or old men.

He quickly made the sign of the cross and closed his eyes tight. "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death," he prayed aloud in a strangled, broken voice, then added, "Dear God, forgive us for what we've done here today."

He crossed himself again and rose to his feet as Captain Morrison rode up. "Major, are you all right?"

Chase nodded as he gathered up the reins. Morrison glanced at the dead boy. "You kill him?"

Again Chase nodded as he swung into the saddle. "He gave me no choice, Dan. Jesus, he was only a kid. Oh God, how I hate this damned war! Look at these men, Dan. Most of them are children and the rest are old men; too damned old to be carrying a rifle."

Morrison glanced about him. "I know, Chase, but we did what we had to. Milledgeville had to be taken. Those were the general's orders."

Chase's eyes were bleak when he turned to face the big captain. "To hell with the general. Did you see him out here killing these children? Hell no, you didn't. He's sitting back there five miles away drinking whiskey and smoking his cigar, giving his damned orders. He didn’t have to look this kid in the eye one second before blowing his brains out."
"I hope we never have to face such an enemy again," Morrison said. "They knew absolutely nothing about combat and with the exception of Wheeler, their officers knew as little."

"Goddamn Sherman!" Chase grated through clenched teeth as he turned his horse around. "Goddamn this war!"

"There is no God in war, Chase. It's merciless, cruel, and savage. It's all that devils could wish for," Morrison said softly, his eyes somber.

"Dan, take your company to secure the town. Report back to me when you've finished."

"Where will you be?"

"In camp. I have a report to write to the general," he answered bitterly as he spurred the horse forward.

He rode as quickly as the big horse could carry him through the trees until the battlefield was left behind. It was as though the demons of hell were chasing him, tearing at him with their sharp barbs of conscience.

Ashley jumped to her feet when he rode into camp. He sprang down from the saddle, threw the reins to a sentry nearby, and strode past her into his tent. Camp had been set up for it was now late afternoon and pointless to consider moving on until morning.

She noticed his ashy face and clenched fists but he didn't appear to be wounded. She stared at the tent for a moment, twisting her hands in confusion. Finally she walked over to the water bucket, took a dipper of cool water, and poured it into a cup. She paused outside the tent flap for a moment before going inside.
When she entered the tent Chase was seated at a low table set up along one side with his face buried in his hands. She noticed that he had thrown his hat down carelessly on the ground and had opened the first three rows of double buttons of his tunic.

He raised his head as she came into the tent, his face still so pale that she was startled by the pain in his eyes. It was the first time she had been able to read anything behind those fathomless pools. What she saw now filled her with a growing sense of alarm. Advancing a couple of steps, she held the cup out to him.

"I thought you might like a drink of water."

"I don't think water is going to help."

Concern sprang into her eyes as she scanned his body for a wound but there didn't seem to be one. "Have you been injured?"

He shook his head. "No, at least not where it shows. I appreciate your concern, Ashley, but I'd really like to be alone for a while. Do you mind?"

She shook her head, feeling foolish. "No, of course not."

She sat the cup down on the table and backed out of the tent. He was acting very different from the cocky, arrogant officer who had ridden off couple of hours earlier.

It was some time later before Morrison and the other captains led their companies back into camp. Ashley was relieved to see that Sergeant Carney had escaped injury. She ran to get him a drink of water as he wearily sat down on the grass in the darkening twilight.

"Thank you, Missy," he said gratefully as he took the cup from her.

"Sergeant, what happened out there?"

"A lot of people died that shouldn't have."

"Were there many causalities?"

"Not on our side, Missy. Can't say the same for the Rebs though. Is supper ready yet? Fightin' makes me hungry," he said as he got to his feet.

At her affirmative nod he walked away toward the cook wagon, returning a few minutes later with a heaping plate of food. He ate heartily for the first time since Ashley had met him, later setting the plate aside with a contented sigh.

By now it was quite dark. Ashley was undecided as to whether to go into the tent or not. Clad only in the long sleeved uniform shirt and trousers, she was getting chilled and wished for the heavier outer jacket that was inside with the rest of her things. The cheery campfire did little to dispel the brisk wind that came from nowhere to whip about with increasing force.

As she was debating about entering the tent, a flurry of activity caught her attention as two men rode into camp, sending several of the sentries to snap to attention and scurry forward to take their horses.

"Missy, put that cap on and be quick about it," Carney ordered sharply, causing Ashley to stare at him in surprise.

"But why? It's almost bed time."

Carney snatched her cap from the ground and stuck it on her head. "Stuff your hair under this and don't argue with me, Missy," he growled. "From now until that man leaves this camp you're a soldier. Do you understand me?"

Ashley quickly stuffed her long hair beneath the trooper's cap. "Who is he?" she asked, pointing to the man who was dismounting and striding toward Chase's tent.

"That, Missy, is Gen'l Sherman hisself."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ashley gasped and turned to get a better look at the man Georgians were calling the Scourge of the South. General William T. Sherman was not an impressive man to look at. He was quite small and thin with a receding hairline and a scraggly beard but there was something almost menacing about the way he carried himself that sent a chill through her.

"If he finds a woman in this camp you can bet Major Kendall's ass is in big trouble," Carney said grimly, glancing at Ashley to be sure the mass of burnished waves was safely out of sight.

Nodding with satisfaction, he settled back against the rock to take out a fresh chew of tobacco. His grim manner subdued Ashley's desire to ask more questions. Instead, she stared at the general.

Sherman and his aide paused outside the tent until Chase called for them to enter. He and Captain Morrison snapped to attention to salute their commanding officer. Sherman gave an answering salute and took the chair Chase indicated across the small table from his own seat.

"I understand your men served me well this afternoon, Major Kendall. My congratulations and thanks. However, I've been waiting for your report and since I have yet to receive it, I decided to come myself to see what the delay was."

Chase met the general's gaze, his dislike for the man's ruthlessness accented by the day's terrible events. "My men always serve well, General. However, killing children and old men is hardly a challenge for them."

General Sherman's eyes widened at Chase's accusing statement. "It's hardly your concern, Major, what the enemy is or how old they are. It is your duty merely to follow orders without question."

"You needn't tell me my duty, General. I know what it is. But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Sherman rose to his feet, his thin face turning red with anger. "Must I remind you, Major, to whom you're speaking? I will not be spoken to in such a manner."

"I'll speak to you any damned way I choose. I earned that right today, General. I killed a fourteen year old boy today at point blank range because of your goddamned orders, sir. So don't you dare tell me about my duty."

Sherman's eyes widened again while he stared at Chase, at a loss for words. His aide flushed, then said angrily, "You can be court martialed for speaking to the general like that, Major."

Chase threw the colonel at Sherman's side a scornful glance before directing his attention back to Sherman. "Then by all means court martial me. At least then I'd get the hell out of this war. When is the last time you killed someone, General? Has it been so long that you've forgotten what it feels like?

"Well, let me remind you. There's a big difference in ordering an army into battle and actually shooting someone yourself. Try riding across the battlefield when it's over and take a long hard look into the faces of the men you've killed. There's also a difference between killing an enemy soldier and killing a school boy at such close range that his blood splatters all over you."

"Major Kendall, you're a soldier and a good one. You were following orders. You have no reason to feel guilty," Sherman said as he sank into the chair.

"That's easy for you to say, General, with all due respect, sir. You weren't there; you didn't have to see it. That wasn't a battle. It was a massacre. Those poor fools didn't have a prayer against us and they knew it. There was three thousand of them against a brigade of battle seasoned troops. Do you call those even odds? I sure as hell don't. But they stood their ground and kept standing it until Slocum's troops walked right over them. Joe Wheeler's cavalry were the only ones who showed any ability to fight.

"Those people we killed today, General, were children and farmers and shopkeepers, not soldiers. And they died for nothing. Nothing, goddamn it! I can kill another soldier. I don't like it but I can do it because he's an even opponent, but I refuse to lead my men into battle against people like that ever again."

Sherman stared at him thoughtfully for a long moment with his keen gaze warily locked with Chase's. Finally he took a deep breath and said, "You will do whatever I order you to do, Major, or I'll hang you and your brilliant career out to dry. And I doubt your father would like to see his only son shot for cowardice."

Chase's eyes gleamed in the dim light from the lantern at one end of the table. "You go to hell, General! I'm no coward and you know it. But I do pride myself on being a man of honor and there is no honor, sir, in killing fourteen year old boys."

Sherman's thin lips parted in a smile, surprising everyone in his presence. He slammed one fist down on the table, chuckling aloud. "Colonel Thompson, bring in that bottle of whiskey in my pouch that I've been saving for such an occasion," he said cheerfully.

Chase's head snapped around to stare at the tall colonel as he left the tent. "Colonel Thompson? The Colonel Thompson from the XV Corps?"

Sherman nodded. "That's right. Do you know him?"

"Not personally but I've certainly heard of him. He's a goddamned butcher."

Sherman nodded again. "That's what some say but he's a highly effective officer. He follows orders, Major, and that's something I should hope you learn to do soon."

"He makes his own orders, General. He kills innocent civilians for fun and his men have raped more southern women than you or I can count."

Sherman drummed his fingertips on the table for a moment while he studied Chase's intense features. "I think you're too concerned with honor, Major, and not concerned enough with winning this war. The Union must survive, whatever the cost, and if men like Thompson can get the job done they have my approval and my blessing."

"I know what must be done, General. I believe in the United States of America as much as you do. That's why I'm here. But men like Thompson have no business wearing a uniform. It's giving them a license to kill. If that's the kind of officer you want, then you can have my resignation from the army immediately and you can take my command and stick it...."

"Just a minute, Major Kendall," Sherman cut in. "I've let you talk to me in a manner I have never tolerated from any of my officers because you're a fine officer and because your father is a personal friend of mine but don't push your luck too far.

"I suggest we drop this subject and get back to your official report. No more opinions or personal observations Major. Just the facts. Otherwise, I shall have you immediately removed from your command and brought up on charges of insubordination. Think about your family before you say another word, Major. Remember your father's position."

"I've been brought up on charges before, General. It doesn't scare me. What does scare me is the kind of man I'm becoming. My father raised me to do what I thought was right no matter the cost. Because he's become a United States senator, I hardly think his principals have changed. I know mine haven't. So you have my word, General, that I will do my duty the best I can but don't ever expect me to do something I believe is wrong, not even in the name of the United States.

"And you keep that son-of-a-bitch Thompson away from me because he is the kind of man I can kill without too much regret. You will have my report first thing in the morning, sir, but if you will excuse me, I have letters to write to the families of the men I lost today."

Sherman rose to his feet. "You watch your step, Major. You'll find it won't be pleasant to be on my bad side."

"It couldn't be any worse than this, sir."

Sherman's eyes narrowed as a thin smile curled his lips. "That's where you're wrong, Major. Things can be much worse. I can arrange for your regiment to get every dirty detail that comes along."

"But you won't, General."

The general's brows rose. "Why not?"

"Because the Third Pennsylvania is the finest fighting unit in your army and you know it."

Sherman smiled as he reached for his hat. "You're too damned cocky, Kendall, for your own good. You're your father's son all right, no doubt about that. I'll expect that report by nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

He strode from the tent, moving toward his horse, adjusting his hat as he went. He met Colonel Thompson coming toward him with the bottle he'd requested. Taking it, he turned toward the rock where Ashley and Sergeant Carney sat and held the bottle out to her.

"Give this to your commanding officer, soldier, with my compliments. He's a very lucky young man."

Ashley took the bottle, staring at him open mouthed, praying he would go away quickly.

"We're the lucky ones, general," Carney said at her side. "Major Kendall is the finest officer I've ever served under. He has the respect of every man in this outfit."

"I can see that, Sergeant," Sherman replied as his eyes drifted back to the private who sat perched on the rock next to the old soldier.

"What's your name, soldier?"

"Private Reynolds, sir," Ashley answered quickly.

She had overheard what had been said inside that tent and knew without a doubt that the officer standing beside General Sherman was the man who had murdered Mr. Reynolds. A red haze was forming in front of her eyes.

The challenge in them was all too apparent to the tall colonel who stared at her thoughtfully. His gaze ran over her slim body in a way that caused her to shiver while he mulled over the musical texture of her voice.

Her green gaze met his cold blue one with an icy hatred that Thompson found startling. There was something about this solider that did not ring true. Then he was roused from his thoughts as General Sherman turned away and strode toward his horse, forcing him to abandon his appraisal of her.

As they rode away to rejoin Slocum's left flank five miles behind, Carney let out a long sigh. "That was too close, Missy. Gen'l Sherman is nobody's fool."

***

As Thompson rode through the cool Georgia night, it suddenly occurred to him what was so strange about that young private...he was a female! Kendall had a woman in camp dressed in a uniform pretending to be a man. He thought back over her slim body and the way the uniform hugged her slender hips and strained slightly across the chest. No soldier he'd ever seen filled out a uniform like that. She was female all right and Kendall was no doubt humping her every night. The son-of-a-bitch!

He had seen that man speak to the general in a manner no other officer would have dared, not even himself. A small chuckle burst from his lips. So all that talk about honor was bullshit.

Thompson's lips thinned as he remembered the challenge in those bright green eyes. Private Reynolds had not seen the last of him. There would be another time for them to meet when she wouldn't be so lucky in having Kendall close by. He’d see just how long that defiant little bitch would remain that way.

He had met other women like her since his tour of duty in the south. Proud southern ladies who turned their dainty little noses up with disgust at him but he had brought them to their knees quick enough. This one would be no different. It was just a matter of time.

***

Ashley sat the bottle of whiskey down on the table with a bang. Chase looked up at her from the letter he was composing in surprise. She stood before him with her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing.

"That was him, wasn't it? That was Colonel Thompson!"

Chase nodded as he reached for the bottle and poured himself a liberal shot of whiskey into a tin cup. He tipped it back, draining it in one swallow, watching her angry face over the rim.

"Yes, that was him. In the flesh."

"Why did you let him get away?"

"There isn't anything I can do about him, Ashley, at least not right now." He felt another argument coming on and he wasn't in the mood for it.

"Why not? You know what he did!"

"I know a lot of other things he's done as well, but if you heard that part of the conversation, you must have heard the rest. You must know he's being protected by the general. Unless he crosses me directly there isn't anything I can do."

"Well, there's something I can do. Give me back my gun and I'll deal with him myself."

A sparkle of amusement darted into his tired face as he shook his head. "I can't do that, Ashley. In the first place you'd probably shoot yourself in the foot and if you missed him the first time, there wouldn't be a second chance. He'd kill you without blinking an eye just like he killed your father-in-law. And if he happened to discover that you're a woman, he'd rape you first."

Her face paled slightly as she ran her tongue over her lips in confusion. "What you said about his men raping southern women, was that true?"

Chase nodded and poured himself another drink.

"How do you know that?"

His dark eyes met hers while he sighed. "A few months ago we came through a small town in Tennessee. Thompson's company had been through the same town a few days before. He had turned his men loose on the town and they raped every woman they could find. Two of those women died."

"Died? I don't understand."

"Jesus Christ! Don't you know anything?" Chase snapped in annoyance. "Let me put it in terms you can understand. There were better than two hundred men in his company and they lined up for a turn with those women. Do the words "internal injuries" mean anything to you? Just how much punishment do you think a human body can take, Ashley?"

"Oh my!" she exclaimed as her face flamed.

"I'm sure you can understand now why you must stay very close to Sergeant Carney."

After a moment she came around the table to sit down opposite him. She looked at the papers on the table and picked one of them up. She read the letter, then handed it back to him. "You have nice handwriting."

"Thanks."

"That is a nice letter. I'm sure Corporal Harold’s parents will be very proud of him."

When Chase didn't reply she glanced up to find his gaze locked with hers in an unreadable expression that made her feel shy.

"That's very generous of you, Ashley, considering how you feel about Yankees." She remembered the fear that had come upon her earlier that afternoon while she waited for the battle to end. She also remembered the relief that had swept through her when she saw him riding back into camp unharmed.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, causing his brows to arch in question.

"About what?"

"About the boy you had to kill this afternoon."

She heard the chair scrape against the hard ground as he stood up. She looked up to find his back turned to her, his broad shoulders rigid with tension.

"I don't want to talk about that."

For some foreign reason his harsh words stung, making hot tears prick her eyelids. "I was only trying to be nice! Forgive me for trying!"

She sprang up from her seat and marched across the tent to stand beside her blanket, her body stiff with anger. Chase turned to observe her and let out a long breath. He walked up behind her, put out one hand as though to put it on her shoulder, then drew it back.

"I'm sorry, Ashley. I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I know you were trying to be sympathetic and I appreciate it. It's just that..."

She turned to face him. "It's just that it hurts, doesn't it?"

He nodded.

"I never thought about how you must feel when you kill someone," she continued after a moment. "I don't suppose it really matters which side you're on. The person you kill is still a human being."

"I've killed before, Ashley, but it's never affected me like this. This is the first time I've wondered if it was worth it. All these innocent people who always get hurt the worst."

"But you're an officer, and a good one," she replied slowly, sensing the pain that lay behind his veiled eyes. "You'll do what you must because you believe in what you're fighting for, just like my Jeremy believed in our Cause. It doesn't make you weak because you hurt, Major. It only means that you're still human, with human feelings."

He stared down at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "Well, at least you're finally willing to concede that I'm human," he said with a half-smile.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, Major. I still don't like you any better but I do understand somewhat, why you do the things you do."

"Fair enough, Ashley. You better get some sleep. We'll be pulling out early; we have a whole day to make up."

She nodded and watched as he moved across to his blanket and stretched out on his back. He folded his hands behind his head with a sigh.

Ashley blew out the lantern and lay down on her blanket. In moments his regular breathing told her he was asleep. It was a comforting sound, knowing that he was only a few inches away in case something happened during the night.

She was awakened a few hours later by a sound that brought her to a sitting position. It was almost a whimper that she heard. As she strained her eyes in the near darkness, she realized hat it was coming from Major Kendall.

She crept across the tent to sit beside him, not quite knowing what to do. It was obvious at closer inspection that he was having a nightmare. He thrashed about mumbling in his sleep. She could barely make out the words, "Don't do it...for God's sake…don't.." His upper lip was covered with perspiration and the muscles in his jaw were rigid with tension.

She reached out a tentative hand to touch his shoulder. He awoke instantly and sat up, rubbing his eyes with the back of one hand while he looked at her in surprise.

"You were having a nightmare."

He reached up to run one hand through his thick rumpled hair, then let out a long breath. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks for waking me."

Ashley nodded and crept back across to her own blanket to curl up. In a few minutes Chase went back to sleep but only moments later the dream began again.

She moved across the tent and lay down beside him, pulling his head down onto her shoulder. She placed one arm around his shoulders as she snuggled closer to his warm body, wondering as she did it why it seemed like the natural thing to do. She stroked his hair, murmuring in his ear, "It's all right. Go back to sleep." In a few seconds when his even breathing told her he was asleep, she took a long look at him.

His features were strong and masculine, his lips tantalizing, sensual as she directed her attention to his mouth. His lips curled upward at the corners as though he was accustomed to smiling a lot. She touched his cheek gently, feeling the stubble of beard forming along his firm jaw, trailing down his face toward his mouth. She let her finger trace his lips and for just a moment allowed herself to remember the feel of those lips on hers. Then she quickly took her hand away and put it back on his shoulder.

After a few seconds she ran her hand lightly down his side across his chest. He stirred in his sleep and she quickly drew her hand back as her breath froze in her throat at the prospect of being discovered. He was lying on his side facing her but now he shifted positions to lie on his back. She waited until she was certain he was asleep before letting her hand trail down his chest to his flat stomach.

She watched his chest rise and fall with steady breaths, feeling a shiver run through her. Beneath her fingertips she felt the taut stomach muscles through his shirt. If he should wake to find her exploring his body like this, whatever would he think?

Still something urged her on, something that rose up inside her to fill her with a longing that left her bewildered and empty. Without taking time to analyze it, her hand moved downward from his stomach to his groin. As though he knew what she was doing, he responded to her hesitant touch. She let out a tiny gasp of shock when his body became hard and erect beneath her fingertips. Oh my, she thought in distress, but still her touch lingered there, marveling at the throbbing hardness that filled her hand. She remembered her wedding night and how the sight of Jeremy's erection had frightened her. Somehow she was quite sure that Jeremy's body did not compare to the man she was touching now.

While her hand lingered on that very male part of him, a very warm feeling spread slowly through her, leaving her feeling hot and flushed and short of breath.

He suddenly turned toward her and wrapped one long arm around her shoulders. She gasped in apprehension but his even breathing assured her he was still asleep. Leaning forward, she kissed him gently, her lips barely touching his. When he didn't move she kissed him again with more confidence, her lips moving softly over his. Still he didn't move. She smiled in the darkness. It was quite pleasant, she thought, but not as pleasant as that rainy afternoon in Atlanta when he kissed her.

She sighed and turned her back to him, pressing her slim hips against his groin. His arm moved down her shoulders to encircle her waist and pull her back more closely against him until she felt the heat from his erection through her clothing. She stiffened with apprehension, but after a moment allowed herself to relax. Moments later she fell fast asleep.

When her breathing became soft and even, Chase raised up on one elbow and stared down at her in the darkness. She was like a goddess as she slept. Even in the Union uniform her beauty was astounding, her curiosity highly amusing. There was no doubt in his mind that she had been comparing him to dear, dead Jeremy and the expression of panic that had come over her when she finally got the courage to place her hand upon the erection he had been unable to control convinced him she found the comparison a bit unnerving.

He had taken a chance by opening his eyes for an instant while she was exploring him and the curiosity on her face both amused and intrigued him. It had been very difficult to lie perfectly still pretending to be asleep but he knew if he had let her know he was awake she would have been mortified.

He took a deep breath and lay down again, commanding his body to relax. It was a long time before sleep finally came.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The next few days passed without incident while the regiment continued on its way through the Georgia countryside. Though it was now almost December, except for the chill in the air at night, the weather was quite pleasant.

As Sherman's march progressed the soldiers became more lax. Their interest in fighting dwindled to almost nothing as the spoils of war became more attractive. They became somewhat fat and lazy from feeding on the abundant food they took on their foraging patrols combined with being asked to only march fifteen miles a day. Such a trek was child's play for these seasoned and rugged infantrymen.

It was while the regiment was pausing at noon to water the horses in a silvery stream, that Ashley saw Colonel Thompson riding into their midst. Her breath froze in her throat at the sight of him as he rode past where she and Sergeant Carney sat in the grass eating their lunch.

Carney cast a cautious look at the girl to make sure her hair was secured beneath the trooper's cap. He shook his grizzled head in disgust for it was obvious to anyone who took the time to really look at her that this slim soldier was not what he appeared.

"What's he doing here?" Ashley demanded. She put aside her food, all thoughts of hunger having vanished the second she recognized the tall colonel.

"Don't know, Missy, but you keep still. Capt'n Morrison told me what the colonel done to your folks so I don't blame you none for the way you feel about him but that is one dangerous man. If he happens to come this way, you keep your head down and don't say nothin'."

Ashley flashed him a defiant glance as she watched Thompson dismount to approach Chase and Dan Morrison. "You needn't worry, Sergeant. There is nothing I have to say to that vile creature. At least nothing a lady could say."

Chase saw Thompson coming with a mixture of surprise and concern. It wouldn't do for him to be near Ashley for long. Chase doubted she would be able to curb her hatred for the man and if Thompson took a long look at her, he'd know she wasn't a soldier.

"Afternoon, Major Kendall," Thompson said amicably as he swung down from his horse.

"Afternoon, Colonel," Chase returned with no attempt to salute.

Thompson glanced around at nothing in particular before his gaze came back to Chase. The girl was close by all right. He had seen her from the corner of his eye sitting beside that scruffy sergeant.

"Just thought I'd ride up this way to see how you're making out."

Chase watched the man warily with a feeling of unrest. Thompson was up to something.

"We're making out fine, Colonel."

"Guess you heard about Kilpatrick's run-in with the Rebs at Griswoldville. Lost himself about two thousand men in that little skirmish."

"So I hear," Chase returned, trying to curb the irritation he could feel creeping into his voice. He had not missed the second glance Thompson gave the encampment nor the way the man's eyes lingered on Ashley.

"Some of your boys are a little young, aren't they, Kendall?" Thompson asked as he jerked a thumb in the direction of Ashley and Carney.

"Perhaps a little, Colonel, but what they lack in age they make up for in tenacity."

Thompson abruptly turned and mounted without even noticing that Chase did not salute him. He walked his horse toward the girl and the old soldier, halting directly before them. Leaning one arm on the saddlehorn, he smiled slyly and said, "Afternoon, soldiers."

Thompson chuckled under his breath as he watched her follow Carney's lead and salute. In the bright sunlight there was no doubt he had been right. His gaze flicked over her slim body, lingering on the swell of her breasts the uniform could not completely hide.

"Where are you from, soldier?"

It took a second for Ashley to realize he was speaking to her. When her eyes flashed to his face the expression in those cold blue eyes sent a chill through her that nothing in her life had ever been able to cause before. There was something evil in his manner, something dangerous and ugly that made her shiver.

"Pennsylvania, sir," she replied quickly because it was the first thing that popped into her mind.

From his perch on the horse, Thompson's gaze mocked her. A brief smile curled his thick lips for a moment while she stared at him. Without the uniform she was no doubt a real beauty, he mused. Kendall was a fool if he thought he could pass her off as a man for long. He could already imagine the feel of her soft skin lying naked in his arms; the terror in her emerald eyes when he told her how he planned for her to entertain him.

"How is it that a soldier from Pennsylvania has a southern accent?"

Ashley's mind raced as she tried to think of a suitable explanation but the expression on her face remained calm. "My family had to move up North before the start of the war, sir. Folks down this way didn't think much of my father's stand on the political issues."

Thompson studied her, taking note of the icy stare she directed at him while she spoke. It appeared that Kendall had taken himself quite a prize. This female was certainly doing her utmost to convince him that she was indeed a young Union soldier. "I see. I must compliment your father on his courage. However, it would seem you're a bit young to join the army."

"I'm eighteen, sir!"

Sergeant Carney coughed, causing Ashley to glance at him and catch the concern in his face. She immediately dropped her head and directed her attention to the plate that lay beside her in the grass.

Suddenly Chase appeared at Carney's side. When his shadow fell across her, Ashley felt a surge of relief at his presence. As much as she resented the way he had taken charge of her life the past few weeks, at that moment she was very grateful that his appearance distracted Thompson from asking any more questions.

"Mount your platoon, Sergeant," Chase said to Carney. "It's time we were moving out."

"Yes, sir," Carney responded, motioning for Ashley to follow him.

Thompson let his gaze come to rest on Chase's face, noting with great satisfaction the irritation he saw. Kendall didn't like anybody looking at the girl. Thompson was delighted to see it.

"Well, it's time I was getting back to the general as well," he said after a minute. "See you around, Major."

He swung his horse around, kicked it into a gallop, and in a moment had disappeared into the mass of blue uniforms that were once again forming ranks to renew the days march.

Chase watched him for a moment, then called to Carney over his shoulder. "Carney, from now until we reach Savannah unless the girl is with me or Captain Morrison, don't let her out of your sight. Not even for a minute."

Carney nodded as he glanced in the direction Thompson had taken. "You think he knows, Major?"

"He knows, Carney."

"I knew we wouldn't be able to keep her a secret for long. She looks like a man like I look like Santa Claus," Carney muttered. "You think he'll tell the Gen'l?"

Chase shook his head. "No, he won't tell anybody. He'll keep it to himself but you can bet we haven't seen the last of him."

Carney picked at his teeth with a small sharp twig while he watched Chase thoughtfully. The major's brows were drawn into a deep frown and there was a smoldering fire behind his eyes.

"You think he'll try to hurt the girl?"

"He'll try. He'll have to catch her alone though. He's too smart to try anything with any of us around. That's why she must not be allowed to go anywhere alone, Carney, not even to relieve herself. Understand?"

Carney nodded. "Yes sir, Major, but she ain't gonna like it."

Chase snorted as he strode around his horse to mount. "She'd like what Thompson would do to her a lot less."

"Wouldn't it be a lot simpler if I just killed that murderin' bastard?" Carney asked as he squinted up at Chase from the ground.

Chase grinned as he studied the older man's grizzled features. Carney wasn't one for discipline or military etiquette but he was a fine solider and a loyal one. Chase knew that one word from him now and Colonel Thompson would cease to present a problem to anyone.

"No, Sergeant, I don't think that will be necessary. Just guard her carefully."

Carney squinted in the bright sunlight as he stared up at Chase. He glanced down to spit tobacco juice, then back up. "Major, I don't mean to argue, sir, but Thompson is a colonel and you're only a major. He could just come into camp and demand that you turn her over to him."

"Should he attempt that, Sergeant, then you have my permission to kill him."

"Yes sir!" Carney replied cheerfully before turning to take the reins of the horse Ashley had led up. He mounted and within moments the regiment was once again on its way.

The chill that had come upon her when Thompson had approached was a long time leaving, making Ashley grateful for the warm sun on her back as they rode. Carney was very quiet and she glanced at the older man frequently, her brows knitting in concern.

"Sergeant, did I do all right back there?"

Carney grinned at her with an expression of sincere affection as he nodded. "You did just fine, Missy. How did you ever think of somethin' like that so quick?"

Ashley shrugged and shifted in the saddle, trying to find a more comfortable position. "I don't know. I just said the first thing that popped into my head."

They rode in silence for a few minutes, then she asked, "He knows I'm not a soldier, doesn't he?"

Carney looked at her sharply, nodding after a second. "Yep, he does. Ain't no way no soldier boy could fill out a uniform like you do, Missy. No offense intended."

Carney was not one for idle compliments so she was surprised at his favorable appraisal of her. "No offense taken, Sergeant. What do you think he'll do now?"

"The major thinks he may try to catch you alone. No need to worry yourself none. I ain't lettin' you out of my sight till we get to Savannah and the major hands you over to your folks."

Ashley let out a sigh of relief. Even though the threat of Thompson was still present in her mind, surely there wasn't any way the man could harm her when she was surrounded by so many watchful eyes.

A tiny frown wrinkled her brow when she remembered that if she was under continual guard the chances of her being able to give any worthwhile information to the Confederate Army were pretty slim. She dismissed the thought from her mind. That was something she would worry about when the time came. For now she was more concerned about the evil look in Thompson's eyes. For the first time she was actually grateful to find herself surrounded by Union soldiers

***

That same evening when camp had been made for the night and they were sitting around the welcome glow of a cheery campfire, Ashley heard a scuffle and looked up from her supper to see two soldiers coming toward the fire dragging a Confederate soldier between them. Chase rose from his position across the fire and strode to meet the sentries.

He took a quick look at the soldier they were holding onto with some degree of difficulty to find a young man in his early twenties with light blonde hair and defiant blue eyes, dressed in a tattered, grimy Confederate uniform. Though it was December, he wore no shoes.

"Major, we caught this Reb trying to steal a horse," one of the sentries informed Chase.

"What's your name, soldier?"

The young soldier pulled himself free of the sentries' grasp with an indignant shrug, brought himself to attention, and saluted smartly. "Lieutenant Jacob Kearns, sir. Twelfth Alabama Volunteers."

"You're a long way from home, Lieutenant. What are you doing trying to steal one of my horses?"

"My own mount went lame a couple of days ago, sir. I've been afoot since. A while back I spotted your outfit and figured you'd never miss one horse," Kearns responded with a direct gaze into Chase's dark eyes.

"Where's the rest of your company?"

Lieutenant Kearns hesitated for a second to let his tongue sweep over his dry lips as he stared at the tall Union major. The officer was obviously no fool. Jacob could tell that much from the way the man looked right at him without wavering.
"I'm not real sure, sir. I got separated from them a couple of days ago and haven't been able to catch up without a horse."

"Where were they headed?" Chase questioned without really expecting an honest answer.

"With all due respect, sir, I can't answer that," Kearns answered truthfully, his thin shoulders erect, his head held high with pride.

Chase motioned for the sentries to bring the boy closer to the fire.

He indicated a spot and Kearns sat down, glancing around uneasily. His eyes widened when they encountered Ashley. He looked back at Chase in amazement.

There was just a hint of amusement in the major's face as he watched the boy's expression. He could imagine the shock of walking into an enemy camp and finding a beautiful creature like Ashley dressed in men's clothing.

"Bring the prisoner a plate," Chase instructed the cook.

A moment later the cook handed a heaping plate of food to Kearns. The boy tried to appear nonchalant but it was obvious he had been without food for a long time.

When he was finished, Kearns sat aside the empty plate and looked up expectantly. He had been well fed but he was still a prisoner. The next move was up to the Yankee major.

When Chase rose the boy stood up also, watching him warily all the while. "It looks like you'll be keeping us company for awhile, Lieutenant," Chase said. "If you will accompany Sergeant Carney here, he'll provide you with shelter for the night. In the morning you'll be issued a horse. Of course you are a prisoner of war, Lieutenant, and you will be under constant guard. I must warn you, any attempt to escape will result in your being shot on the spot. Any questions?"

Kearns shook his head and saluted before following Carney away into the darkness. After he disappeared, Chase turned to Morrison. "See that he has a decent pair of boots, will you, Dan? And see if you can find him something to wear."

Though he had spoken softly Ashley heard his instructions as she passed behind them on the way to her tent. She was very grateful that he was going to treat the young soldier with some measure of kindness. She had been alarmed when the boy was brought into camp. She had heard so many terrible stories about how badly Yankees treated their prisoners.

When morning came, Ashley approached Chase while he was checking his saddle girth as the regiment prepared to move out.

"Major, may I speak with you?"

Chase took his foot from the stirrup and turned to look down at her. "What's on your mind, Ashley?"

"It's about the prisoner."

"What about him?"

"What's to become of him?"

"You needn't concern yourself about him, Ashley. I have no intention of having him shot. That's what you're worried about, isn't it?"

"No, Major, as a matter of fact, that had not occurred to me. I only wanted to ask your permission to ride with him. That's what I'm supposed to do, isn't it? Ask your permission for every little thing?"

Perhaps he had been a bit too sharp with her. "You have my permission to ride with him, Ashley. Just stay close to Sergeant Carney."
He swung up on the sorrel, then turned back to add, "And, Ashley, don't get any ideas. I meant what I said last night. If he tries to escape he'll be shot. I don't think you want to be responsible for that."

"Would you have me shot as well, Major?"

Chase allowed a smile to play along his lips for a second while his gaze danced over her flushed features. "I'm sure I could devise a much more suitable punishment for you, Ashley. A bullet is so cold and impersonal," he drawled in a teasing tone.

Her mouth dropped open in astonishment. It was obvious he was teasing. That knowledge somehow made her even more angry.

"You hypocrite! You can shoot a little boy but you couldn't shoot a woman!" She stared in shock as his face paled beneath the golden tan. His eyes grew cold and hard, his lips became tight lines, and a muscle twitched in the rigid lines of his jaw. She gasped and drew back from the fury she saw in his face when he moved the horse forward until he loomed above her.

He leaned down from the saddle. She didn't have time to react before he caught her chin painfully and raised her head until she was forced to look into his eyes.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll never put that to the test," he ground out through clenched teeth.

He abruptly let go of her chin. It was clear he had frightened her. It gave him a primitive thrill of satisfaction to know that for once she was totally speechless. He kicked the horse into a startled gallop, leaving Ashley staring at his back as he rode quickly out of sight into the forming ranks of soldiers.

Her lips moved soundlessly as they formed an apology for what she had said. She had not meant for those awful things to come out of her mouth and was just as surprised as he when they did. She knew better than anyone else how he regretted that terrible incident.

She gathered up her horse, mounted quickly, and moved the animal alongside Lieutenant Kearns. Sergeant Carney was right behind them. The boy's hands were tied in front of him so he was able to guide the horse but not allow him too much freedom. Ashley looked at his bound hands, then glanced over her shoulder at Carney.

"Is it necessary to keep him tied like this?"

Carney spit a stream of tobacco juice and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Major's orders, Missy."

"It's all right, Miss. It's not as uncomfortable as it looks," Kearns assured her.

"I'm Mrs. Reynolds, Lieutenant. You can call me Ashley."

"Happy to meet you, Ashley. Why, you're a southerner!" he exclaimed in surprise as he recognized her lilting accent.

Ashley nodded with a smile. "Yes, I'm from Georgia, just outside Atlanta."

"What are you doing with these Yanks?"

"You might say that I'm a prisoner too, Lieutenant. It's a rather long story."

Kearns shrugged with a grin, displaying a boyish charm that piqued Ashley's interest. "Well, I've got plenty of time," he said with a glance about him at the Union troops surrounding them.

The morning passed quickly as Ashley and Jacob became acquainted. By noon they were fast friends. Ashley learned the young Confederate was the son of a rural Alabama farmer, one of seven children raised in near poverty. For Jacob the war offered an escape from his dreary existence, a chance to do something more exciting than hoe corn and potatoes and watch after his younger brothers and sisters.

Chase grimaced in irritation at the merry laughter that came from Ashley's direction. He looked back over his shoulder at her bright head bent closely to the young soldier's and sighed heavily. He had long since gotten over his anger. Once he calmed down enough to think clearly, he knew that Ashley had not intended to say what she had. Her stricken face had told him that, but for the life of her, she couldn't seem to help speaking without thinking first.

When he glanced again at the boy, a strange thought came to mind. Lieutenant Jacob Kearns was just about the same age Jeremy Reynolds would be had he not been killed. So that was why Ashley was so drawn to him. It was more than their common hatred of the Yankees, and that made it even more imperative to keep a very close eye on them both.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Jacob confessed to her the third day of his captivity that he was in love with her. Ashley stared at him wide-eyed and open mouthed. There was no doubt of his sincerity for his wide blue eyes were filled with emotion.

Ashley glanced over her shoulder at Sergeant Carney but was surprised to find the usually alert soldier dozing in the saddle. He had been on sentry duty all night and the easy gait of the march had lulled him into a light slumber as they rode through the afternoon sunshine.

"Ashley, it seems like we've known each other always. I would be so honored if you would consent to marry me," Jacob said earnestly.

A fine mist formed in her eyes as she stared into his adoring face. Suddenly the face before her became Jeremy's face instead. She gasped in shock as she realized the affection she felt for Jacob was the same emotion she'd had for her dead husband. Dear, sweet Jeremy. He was so much like this young man, so kind and gentle and understanding.

Impulsively she grasped his hand. "Jacob, I will marry you. Just as soon as we can find a way to get away from Major Kendall." Fate had taken Jeremy away from her but perhaps now that same fate was offering her another chance for happiness. She was going to grab it.

Jacob wanted to shout his happiness to the world but restrained himself with a joyful smile. "You've made me the happiest man in the world, Ashley. I'll be a good husband, you'll see. You'll never be sorry for marrying me."

"What about the Yankees? We still have to get away from them," Ashley pointed out softly with an anxious glance over her shoulder at Carney.

"I've been doing some thinking about that and I've got an idea. It might be dangerous, Ashley. Are you sure you want to risk it?"

She nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, Jacob, I'll do anything," she promised, resolutely putting Chase's warning out of her mind. "Jacob, I just remembered something. Major Kendall is going to a meeting with General Sherman tonight. I heard him telling Captain Morrison about it this morning. Tonight will be the perfect time to escape. He won't even be in camp until late and by then we can be miles and miles away."

Excitement flared again in her eyes as Jacob drew his head closer to hers as they made plans for the escape.

***

When Chase came out of the tent to leave for his meeting with Sherman, he was surprised to find Ashley waiting beside his horse. She looked gorgeous, as though she had spent hours brushing her long hair until it gleamed in the last rays of the sun. There was a pink flush in her cheeks and her eyes sparkled.

They had not spoken more than a few stiff uncomfortable words but he could tell she had something particular on her mind now as she shifted from one foot to the other in uneasy silence.

"Are you leaving for your meeting now?"
Chase nodded while reaching around her to take the reins from the sentry who was holding them. "Yes, Ashley."

"Will you be long?"

His eyes narrowed as he studied her. What was she up to now? "Probably, why the sudden concern?"

"No particular reason, Major."

Now that the time had come to part company with him she found herself strangely almost sad. There had been times in their stormy association when she had actually liked him.

She shook those thoughts aside, looking instead at the blue uniform so neat and spotless and his knee-high black leather boots so polished they gleamed. Her eyes moved further upward to rest on the gold oak leaves on his shoulders. This man was her enemy, she reminded herself sternly. She had her own duty to do.

She glanced at his face to see his curious expression, then looked away, twisting her hands in embarrassment. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for those awful things I said to you the other day. I had no right to say what I did...and...well, I just don't know what made me do it."

Was she always this beautiful when she apologized? "I accept your apology, Ashley," he said while he moved past her to swing into the saddle. "I really have to go, mustn't keep the general waiting."

Ashley forced a smile to her stiff lips as he rode into the darkness beyond the campfire. She was actually going to miss him in some ways. She had never met a man like him and probably never would again and it was for certain that she would never forget him.

She could just imagine the look on his face when he woke in the morning to discover she had escaped and taken the prisoner with her. It was a shame that she wouldn't get to see it for herself.

Ashley waited over two hours. By then the camp was asleep. Luckily there was no moon as she gave a last look around the tent. She had carefully arranged her blankets so that it appeared she was in bed, curled up sound asleep. It would be daylight before Major Kendall realized she was gone. By then it would much too late.

She stuck her head outside the tent before easing her body out, then quickly crossed the camp to where Jacob waited with his guard. She couldn't believe their luck when she realized the young sentry was asleep on duty.

Jacob rose silently and followed Ashley past the sleeping soldier into the darkness beyond the dying campfire. After Ashley quickly cut the ropes that bound his hands with the knife she'd taken from supper, the boy rubbed his wrists to revive the circulation.

They moved quickly toward the picket lines a hundred yards outside camp until the slow moving sentry loomed up out of the darkness. Jacob pointed to the soldier and tapped Ashley on the shoulder. She nodded then took off her cap to allow her long hair to cascade loosely down her back. She opened the top four buttons of the uniform shirt to expose the tops of her breasts.

She moved toward him while Jacob circled around behind. The boy paused to pick up a heavy stick from the ground.

The sentry jerked to attention when the girl appeared before him out of the long shadows. "Halt! Who goes there?"

His mouth dropped open in shock as the girl moved into clearer vision. His startled gaze quickly drank in the long silky hair, then came to a halt upon encountering the tantalizing cleavage exposed by the opened shirt.

"Take it easy, soldier," Ashley purred as she moved a step closer.

She was thankful for the darkness so the man would not see the blush that burned her cheeks when he stared at her breasts.

"What the devil are you doing out here, Mrs. Reynolds?" the sentry asked as he relaxed and lowered his rifle.

Ashley smiled sweetly as she moved closer. "I was so bored closed up in that awful tent. I decided to take a little walk. I hope you don't mind if I chat for a bit."

A grin lit the soldier's face while he continued to stare at her. "No, of course not, Mrs. Reynolds. In fact, I'm grateful for the company. Sentry duty can get real lonesome."

Suddenly his eyes rolled back. He let out a low moan when Jacob hit him over the head with the big stick. He slipped into a sprawled heap on the ground at Ashley's feet while Jacob leaned down to pick up the rifle.
He motioned to Ashley. She stepped over the sentry's body and followed him toward the horses. This was so much easier than she had anticipated that she had to refrain from giggling aloud. Jacob handed her the rifle so he could begin saddling two horses. It was so quiet the crickets sounded extraordinarily loud as he hurried to complete the chore so they could be on their way before anyone else came along.

*****

Chase rode up to the tent and dismounted wearily. It had been a long evening. He was looking forward to his warm blanket and a few hours sleep. Spending so much time in the company of Colonel Thompson had been such a trying experience that his face hurt from keeping a calm expression.

He unsaddled the horse and tied him to the tent pole. He was too tired to take him all the way to the picket lines and all the sentries were out of sight.

He stooped to enter the tent. He took off his hat and pitched it onto the table as he sank down onto his blanket. He glanced at Ashley's huddled form across the tent. Her apology a few hours before had been almost touching. Then his brows formed a frown as he stared at her blankets. Something wasn't quite right. He dropped to his heels beside the blanket and drew it down.

Clamping his lips together with a muttered curse when he saw the rolled up blankets instead of Ashley, he sprang to his feet and dashed out of the tent. He knew that Lieutenant Kearns would be missing also as he ran toward the picket lines.

Damn her! That little scene earlier had been staged to throw him off guard and he had fallen for it like a gullible fool! He decided not to alert the camp for fear if the sentries started shooting Ashley might be hurt. As much as he wanted to throttle her at the moment he did not want her shot in a crossfire.

He tripped over the unconscious sentry, then cursed under his breath when he saw them. The boy was saddling the horses and Ashley was holding the rifle and keeping a watch for trouble. Well, she was certainly going to have trouble all right.

He loosened the latch on his holster as he moved silently toward them. The boy was leading the horses from the picket line when Chase stepped from the shadows. He was only inches from where Ashley stood holding the gun, close enough to grab it if she tried to use it.

"Hold it, soldier!" he commanded as he moved into their line of vision.

Jacob Kearns froze in mid-air as he was about to mount. Turning slowly, he faced Chase.

Ashley's heart leaped into her mouth when she recognized Chase's voice. It was a second before she remembered the rifle she was holding. Was there time to raise it before Major Kendall could get to her? Would she be able to shoot him if she had time?

Chase glanced at her as she stared at him in horror. The rifle twitched in her trembling hands. Then Chase saw the resolution flash into her face. He sprang to grab the rifle barrel in both hands. Ashley hung onto it with all her strength when Chase lifted her off the ground as he tried to wrestle it from her grasp.

"Run, Jacob, run!" she screamed over her shoulder.

Jacob hesitated for an instant before jumping onto a horse spurring it into flight. Chase yanked upward on the gun so hard it came loose from Ashley's grip. She fell backwards onto the hard ground but came to her feet in a flash when Chase raised the rifle to his shoulder and took aim on Jacob's back.

She grabbed Chase's arm. "Please don't shoot him! Oh, please don't!"

Chase shook her loose and she fell again at his feet. This time she did not get up but grabbed him around the legs and held on tightly. He raised the rifle to his shoulder again and took aim on Jacob's disappearing figure. Even at that distance and in the darkness he knew he could not miss.

"Please don't shoot him! It was all my fault. If you must shoot someone, then shoot me!"

Chase glanced down at her upturned face in the dim light. She stared at him helplessly, her eyes begging him for mercy.

Sighing, he slowly lowered the rifle. He could not shoot an unarmed man in the back, he thought wearily as he dropped to his heels in front of the girl. His face was only a whisper from hers when he caught her arms in a harsh grip and shook her.

"Goddamn you! I told you not to try this. But you go right ahead and do exactly what I told you not to!"

His face was a mask of fury. His eyes burned into hers like coals of fire. His other hand still gripped her shoulder so painfully that she bit her lips to keep the whimper building in her throat from escaping.

His gaze flickered over the open shirt, resting momentarily on the creamy mounds peeking above her camisole. So that was how she had distracted the sentry. He choked back the urge to kiss that soft quivering mouth and got to his feet, pulling her up with him. Why the hell was it that she had this uncanny ability to stir his emotions so deeply and at the most damnable times?

"Goddamn you!" he grated again but released his harsh grip on her shoulder.

Ashley rubbed her arm, knowing his hard fingers would leave a nasty bruise.

"Why did you do that?"

"I had to. I had to help Jacob get away. He was going to take me with him. He wanted to marry me." Now that she was confident he didn't intend to shoot her, she felt her courage rushing back.

Chase's brows shot up in surprise as she raised her chin. "Marry you?" he repeated incredulously. "Are you so goddamned determined to get away from me that you would marry someone you barely know because he provided you a way?"

"Of course not! I am quite fond of Jacob actually."

"Bullshit! He reminded you of your dead husband and you felt responsible for him, that's all."

Anger flared in her eyes as she glared at him, wounded by the accuracy of his disgusted observation. "That's all you know! You're not so smart, Major. We almost got away."

"Did you think I'd just let you ride out of this camp without coming after you? Even if you had succeeded in getting away tonight, I'd have recaptured you before noon tomorrow. There's no place you could run where I wouldn't find you."

"Why would you bother? We mean nothing to you, just a couple of bothersome Confederates. You should be glad to get rid of us both!"

"I don't give a damn about the kid. If I did, I'd have killed him when he was riding away. But you? You're quite a different matter."

Her startled eyes searched his angry features for an explanation. When he didn't offer one she drew herself up with both hands placed on her hips. "Why am I such a different matter, Major?"

"I wish to hell I knew. Right now the question is, what am I going to do about you?"

He saw a touch of fear come crowding back into her eyes at his menacing tone. It seemed threats were the only way he could really get her attention.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, trying to control the quiver in her voice.

"Well, I could always leave you for Colonel Thompson. I'm sure he could find a way to deal with you effectively."

Ashley gasped as she moved backward a step. "You wouldn't do that! You know what that horrible man would do to me!"

He nodded as a cold smile touched his lips. " I wonder if he hasn't got the right idea, at least where you're concerned."

"Please don't talk like that." She was suddenly very frightened by his manner. "I promise not to do anything like this ever again. I'll do whatever you say, Major. I give you my word."

"Your word isn't worth a tinker's damn. You're about as trustworthy as a rattlesnake. But you're right about one thing; you'll never pull another stunt like this if it means I have to keep you tied and gagged the rest of the way to Savannah."

Ashley ignored the warning in his voice, hearing instead only the insult to her honor. She gasped and raised one hand to slap his face. She swung at him with all her strength but Chase saw it coming. He caught her wrist in one hand and forced it down to her side. Ashley kicked viciously at his legs. He stepped back, jerked her forward, and shoved her face-down into the grass at their feet. Ashley coughed as she spit out a mouthful of dry grass as he dropped to his knees. Taking off his wide leather belt with one hand, he held her securely with the other.

Her eyes widened with fright while she struggled to free herself. Unperturbed by her frantic efforts, he placed one knee in the middle of her back to hold her steady. The weight behind his knee forced the air from her lungs with a rush.

He flipped her onto her back, and looped the belt over her hands and drew it tightly around her wrists in front of her. Then he rose to his feet, lifted her to his shoulder, and began striding through the darkness toward the camp.

"What are you doing?" she shouted, more in anger now than fright. "Put me down at once!"

"Shut up, Ashley."

"I will not! I demand that you let go of me this instant!"

Chase cursed softly under his breath and increased the tension on the end of the belt. He noted her small whimper as the leather cut into her flesh.

"You're hurting me," she accused, her voice partially muffled by her face pressing into his back as he bent to walk under a low-hanging branch.

"Then stop struggling."

"What are you going to do to me? You're not going to hand me over to Thompson, are you?"

Chase did not miss the overtone of panic in her voice. "Of course not," he said as he shook his head. "I couldn't do that...even to you. But one thing is certain; I've got to teach you a lesson you won't forget. I have no intention of staying awake every night between here and Savannah to make sure you don't try to escape again."

"You're a heartless monster! I wish I had shot you when I had the chance!"

Chase did not answer but reached up and smacked her sharply across the buttocks with his open hand. The blow stung sharply because the tight fitting trousers were stretched across his shoulder. Ashley cried out in pain and fright and bit back the tears that stung her eyes.

"I hate you!"

"Well, I'm not too fond of you either at the moment. Now shut up unless you want me to give you the thrashing you so thoroughly deserve. Believe me, it would give me more pleasure than anything I can think of right now."

For once Ashley recognized the warning in his voice and clamped her lips tightly closed. Her mind raged with burning retorts but she had enough sense to keep them locked inside her head. From the way her bottom stung from his blow, she had no desire for a repetition so she had to content herself with cursing him under her breath.

A moment later they came into sight of the campfire. Ashley peered around his shoulder to see Captain Morrison coming to meet them, his teeth flashing in the dim light at the spectacle they made.

"What happened?" he asked, smothering a chuckle.

"This little vixen helped the kid escape," Chase grunted as he bent to enter the tent with the girl still flung across his shoulder.

He set her down and replaced the belt with a piece of rope. Tying it securely around her wrists, he pushed her backwards onto her blanket. "Your hands stay tied until you prove to me you can be trusted."

"I told you already; I give you my word," Ashley said, her voice becoming a plea.

Chase shook his head. "And I told you, I don't believe you. We'll discuss it again in the morning. By that time you should have had time to think it over thoroughly," he told her, then turned on his heel and strode from the tent.

He returned a few minutes later, sat down on his blanket, and pulled off his boots. He glanced at her once, then got up and came over to check that the rope was letting enough circulation through to her hands. She stared at him through tear filled eyes, hating herself for the sob that burned her throat.

"I'll kill you for this!"

A cold grin briefly touched his handsome face but it only made him appear more dangerous. "The next time you pull a gun on me, you better use it. You've tried twice now to kill me and I've let you get away with it both times but I'm fresh out of patience."

"You don't scare me!"

She saw his white teeth flash in the dim light as he leaned closer, saw him lift one hand to trace a light pattern on her cheek and down her throat to the opening of the uniform shirt. She gasped when he lightly touched the tops of her exposed breasts. A second later she felt herself shiver when his hand gently cupped her breast as his head bent to cover the firm flesh with his lips.

Chase felt her shiver, heard the soft whimper that came from her throat, and raised his head to find her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted. He smiled at the surprise in her face when he closed the buttons of the shirt, then cupped her chin in one hand to bring her eyes up to meet his.

"You little fool," he said softly. "You don't know enough to be afraid of the right things."

Shame flooded through her "What are you going to do, Major? Rape me? I thought that wasn't your style."

"It's not. That's the way Thompson operates, not me. I've never met a woman I wanted bad enough to rape, Ashley, and you won't be the first."

"Then why did you just...do what you did?"

"It's easy to see how the sentry was so easily distracted. Was that Kearns' idea?"

Ashley nodded. "I know it was a wicked thing to do but it worked."

"I'm sure it did. A man would have to unconscious not to drop his guard at a sight like that."

"Would it have worked with you, Major?"

"Probably, at least until I remembered how much you hate Yankees. Then I'd know there had to be another reason for exposing yourself."

"A minute was all we needed. If you hadn't come back when you did, we'd be miles away by now."

"And laughing all the way about how you pulled it off behind my back, no doubt."

"What did you mean when you said I didn't know enough to be afraid? You're not going to shoot me or rape me, so what is it?"

"Ashley, if I decided that I wanted to make love to you there wouldn't be a damned thing you could do about it, and I don't really think you'd want to. I've been around enough to know when a woman is serious about not wanting a man's attention and when she's only fooling herself, and you, my dear, are definitely among the second category."

"You miserable, conceited Yankee! You low-down..."

The remainder of her tirade was cut short when Chase drew her to him, covering her lips with his. Ashley stiffened and put her bound hands against his chest in a futile effort to push him away. His arms encircled her body to press her tightly against him. His mouth moved over her soft trembling lips. A whimper formed in her throat but she was determined to prove him wrong. She tried to think of something else rather than the deluge of warmth that flooded through her as he kissed her deeper. His hands moved down her back, cupping her hips to press her body more closely to him

He gently forced her lips apart to probe the sweet depths of her mouth while she fought the dizziness that threatened to engulf her. She felt flushed all over and though she tried to pull away from him, her body refused to obey. His warm hands caressing her breasts through the shirt made a low moan burst from her throat. Her breasts felt swollen, aching for his touch and her mouth was answering his kisses with urgent fervor.

With a supreme effort, Chase drew away from her, putting his hands on her shoulders to steady her. Her gaze was drawn to the bulge in his trousers but he made no effort to hide it or even be embarrassed about it. He seemed almost as surprised as she at his reaction to their kiss.

"It seems that I'm not quite as calm as I thought where you're concerned."

"I suppose you're happy now."

Her gaze darted downward again, making her blush even deeper.

"As a matter of fact, I'm not happy at all."

"How do you do that?" she asked innocently, her gaze still on his crotch.

"It appears that my body has a mind of its own where you're concerned. This was not the way I intended for this lesson to go."

"Does that happen every time you kiss a woman?"

"No, not every time, just every time I kiss you."

"Why is that?"

"I wish to hell I knew."

"Does it hurt?"

He had to smile at her innocence as he shook his head. "Why would you think it hurts?"

She shrugged and looked away from his inquiring eyes. "I don't know. It just seems so strange. I mean, it starts growing and it keeps getting bigger and bigger."

His brows rose at her confused questions. Didn't her husband explain anything to her?

"How do you make it go away?"

"By thinking very hard about something else."

Chase sighed and reached out to gently touch her cheek. She jumped at his touch.

"Let's just forget this whole thing, Ashley. It was a stupid thing for me to do...try to prove that I can make you want me. I don't like the effects this lesson has had on me."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't like wanting a woman who hates my guts. It's not an experience I care to repeat. So let's forget it, okay?"

When Ashley nodded, he moved back to his own blanket. He stretched out, folded his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes. What the hell was wrong with him tonight?

One thing was for sure; he must not let this happen again. It was too damned dangerous. With any luck they would arrive in Savannah in three weeks. Surely he could manage to be a gentleman that long, couldn't he?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ashley awoke the following morning to find Chase sitting cross-legged on his blanket watching her. When he rose to come toward her, she drew back from him.

The action was not lost on Chase and he swallowed the irritation rising in his throat. Having her fear him did not set well. He felt like a fool for leaving her tied up like a calf all night.

He knelt beside her and began to untie her hands. When the rope was removed she began rubbing her wrists to revive the circulation while Chase sat back on his heels.

"Are you still angry with me?"

"Yes, I'm still angry, Ashley. But as much with myself as with you. I should have known you'd try to help the boy escape. That's a mistake I won't make in the future."

Her head rose, her shoulders squared and that familiar gleam of defiance came into her eyes. "What are you going to do with me now?"

"Since it appears that you can turn my soldiers into simpering fools at the drop of a hat, I guess I'm going to be forced to watch you myself, at least when Sergeant Carney is unavailable. And it may interest you to know that those two sentries have been stripped of their rank and put on report until we reach Savannah."

"Major, that was all my fault."

"Corporal Atkins admitted he was asleep on duty and Sergeant Conway let you walk right up to him without being the least bit suspicious. That was failure on their part to do what they have been trained to do. That's why they're being punished.

"Now you better get a move on if you want breakfast before we move out. I have a little surprise for you today."

"Oh really? What are you going to do, have me shot?"

He rose to his feet with his hand extended. She took it and let him pull her to her feet. "Of course not. We're going on the foraging detail."

"Why?"

"I thought the change might do us both some good. Maybe it will take your mind off wanting to escape for a while."

"I doubt it," she replied as she walked out the tent toward the campfire where breakfast was waiting.

Once the initial danger of punishment was over, she was right back to being her usual haughty self, but somehow he must be getting used to it for now it didn't set his teeth on edge quite so much.

A few minutes later Sergeant Carney brought Ashley's horse over. There was a aggravated expression on his grizzled face and a sternness in his manner that Ashley did not like at all. She mounted and a moment later Chase appeared to lead the detail out of camp into the Georgia countryside.

"That was a real stupid thing you did last night, Missy," Carney growled after they had been riding for a while.

Ashley made no reply.

Carney stared at her for a moment, then spit tobacco juice into the dusty road. "You coulda got yourself killed, that boy too."

"But I didn't, Sergeant, and Jacob got away."

Carney continued to watch her with a cold glint in his eyes. "If that had been anybody but Major Kendall that caught you tryin' to escape, you can bet you and that boy would both be dead right now. I'd think about that if I was you."

"Well, you're not me and I don't need your advice, Sergeant."

"All right, Missy. But take last night as a warnin' and don't try nothin' that stupid again. The major let you off easy this time but don't push your luck. If it should happen again, take my word for it, you won't be so lucky."

Ashley did not answer and they rode the rest of the morning in uneasy silence. By mid-afternoon they had taken what supplies they needed for the next day from a large plantation and begun the trip back to rejoin the regiment.

The detail consisted of forty men, two scouts who rode a couple of miles ahead to scan the area for enemy troops, and the three men who drove the supply wagons behind the column.

As they rode along through the increasingly cloudy afternoon, the scouts came flying back down the trail toward them. The sound of gunfire could be heard behind them. A second later a patrol of Confederate cavalry came into view.

"Major! Reb patrol, sir! About forty men!" one of the scouts shouted as he brought his horse to a sliding halt in front of Chase.

"Take cover!" Chase shouted as he whirled his horse toward the trees lining the path.

The men dashed for cover amid a hail of Confederate bullets. Ashley's heart froze in her mouth when her horse began to rear. The animal refused to obey as she struggled to bring him under control. She realized that she was alone now in the middle of the road with the Confederate cavalry rapidly bearing down on her shooting and yelling at the top of their lungs.

As she frantically strained to turn the horse toward the safety of the trees, she saw Chase running toward her while bullets kicked up dirt all around him. He reached up to jerk her from the saddle of the rearing horse, tucked her securely under his arm, and ran for cover.

His men opened fire giving him all the protection they could but Ashley heard the whine of dozens of mini balls as they slammed into the ground all around him as he ran across the open ground, keeping his body between her and the enemy fire.

She felt him stumble. Then he dropped her behind a fallen log and flung himself down beside her. He picked up his rifle and came to a kneeling position, placing the rifle barrel across the top of the log to steady it. He took aim and squeezed the trigger. Ashley peeked up far enough to see a Confederate soldier grab his chest and topple headlong into the dusty road.

Sergeant Carney crawled toward them to hand Chase an extra rifle. When the Confederates pulled back into the trees on the opposite side of the road to regroup, Chase took time to glance at Ashley while he shoved another round into the rifle from the ammunition bag Carney threw down between them.

"Are you all right, Ashley?"

She nodded, her eyes enormous in her frightened face. Her trooper's cap had been lost when Chase jerked her off the horse and now her long hair fell around her shoulders in shimmering waves.

"Keep your head down," he said confidently. "It'll be all right."

At that moment the Confederates opened fire. A bullet slammed into the log only inches above her head. Then Ashley gasped when he shoved his empty rifle into her hands and took up the loaded one.

"You're going to have to load for me," he said in that authoritative tone that she hated.

She shook her head, staring at him in shock. "I can't! Those are my people out there! Surely you don't expect me to help you kill them!"

His lips tightened with exasperation as he slid the ammunition bag closer to her. "Listen to me, Ashley. Those soldiers don't know you're on their side. They'll kill you same as the rest of us. I can't very well load this rifle with one hand. You're going to have to help me."

"Why can't you do it yourself?"

"Because I've been hit."

It was only then that she saw the torn uniform sleeve and the blood that covered his left side.

"Oh my! How bad is it?"

"Not bad. It looks worse than it is. The bullet went clear through but it's slowing me down."

"Do what the major says, Missy," came Carney's voice on the other side of her. "You owe him that much. The man almost got hisself killed to save you."

Ashley turned to stare at Carney for a moment, then swallowed hard. She gave a barely discernible nod before she picked up the empty rifle and took a bullet from the bag.

"I don't know how," she said in a choked voice. "I don't know anything about guns."

Carney showed her how to shove the bullet into the chamber and nodded when she took the empty rifle from Chase and loaded it herself.

"Good girl."

Tears stung her eyes and she bit back the sob that burned her throat. How she hated him for forcing her to help kill her own people. Yet she knew Sergeant Carney was right. Major Kendall was her enemy, but he had saved her life and got himself shot in the process. She owed him something for that.

Glancing at him, she saw that his face was pale beneath his tan and that he grimaced with pain as he used the injured arm to steady the rifle barrel.

"You're losing a lot of blood."

"I'll worry about that later."

His jaw was set and his teeth clenched against the pain in his shoulder. A fine sheen of perspiration beaded his forehead and upper lip. In spite of herself, Ashley admired his courage.

"Here they come," Sergeant Carney remarked as the Confederates came charging from the trees.

"Hold your fire until I give the order," Chase turned to call to his troops. "Form two squads and fire in volleys."

Ashley raised her head to peer at Carney as the grizzled old soldier calmly spit over the log while he sighted along the rifle barrel. The enemy horsemen were only a few feet away.

A second later Chase shouted, "Fire!" The front row of approaching Confederates went down from the murderous volley of rifle fire behind him. A moment later the second squad of troops opened fire and a dozen more Confederates fell. The remainder drew back into the safety of the trees and the shooting stopped for the moment.

"That'll hold 'em for awhile." Carney took the plug of chewing tobacco from his jaw. He reached into his back pocket to pull out a handkerchief, which he handed to Ashley along with the tobacco. "Put this over the bullet hole in the major's shoulder, Missy. It'll help slow down the bleedin'."

Ashley's nose wrinkled in disgust but she took the handkerchief and the tobacco and slid closer to Chase. He leaned back against the log facing her with his eyes closed while she unbuttoned his uniform tunic. Pulling it back from his shoulder, she positioned the tobacco over the open wound, then covered it with the handkerchief.

"Does it hurt terribly?" she asked him in a shaky voice.

He shook his head. "Not much."

"Bull shit!" Carney snorted. "It hurts like hell."

Ashley looked from Carney back to Chase in alarm. The handkerchief she had placed over the wound was already soaked with blood. She swallowed, then took a deep breath.

"Give me your handkerchief, Major."

He handed it to her and she lifted his shirt to replace the blood soaked bandage.

"Press down on the bandage, Missy," Carney suggested.

Placing the palm of her hand against the wound, she pressed firmly. "Are we going to die?"

"No, Ashley. They don't have the manpower for that."

Somehow she believed him.

"Major, here they come again," Carney said in an almost cheerful tone.

Chase came to his knees and took up the rifle. Seconds later the Confederates came thundering across the open road toward them, yelling at the top of their lungs. The Union soldiers repeated the volley tactic but this time the Confederates did not break off the attack and retreat like before, but came on toward them over the bodies of their fallen comrades.

"They sure are determined, ain't they, Major?" Carney remarked as he aimed his rifle.

Chase's lips were set in a firm line, his hand steady on the rifle. "It looks that way, Carney."

He fired and an enemy soldier fell but there was no time to take the second rifle from Ashley. The Confederates were only a few feet away now.

"Ashley, get down flat on the ground as close to this log as you can and stay there. Don't move until I tell you," Chase commanded without taking his eyes from the rapidly approaching horsemen.

Ashley quickly did as he said. She covered her head with her arms, trying to pray but her throat was frozen with fear. A half second later a dead Confederate fell across the log above her, his blood dripping onto the ground beside her.

She saw the flash of metal as another one jumped from his horse and came at Chase with a blood chilling yell. She raised her head to see Chase come to his feet to meet the attack, his own saber drawn and ready. Her heart froze in terror for she was certain he was going to be killed. However, she had not counted on his skill with a saber. A moment later the enemy fell dead from a thrust through the heart. Then it was over and the Confederates once again withdrew to safety at the far side of the road.

When Chase dropped to his knees beside her, Ashley raised her head to look at him. Somehow he had escaped death, but her gaze locked on the bloody saber blade as he slipped it back into place at his side.

"Are you all right?" he asked her but she could only nod for her lips were paralyzed with fear.

Their gazes met for a moment. Ashley saw the calmness in his face, a quiet determination that both amazed and terrified her. He was the epitome of a warrior; calm, fearless, and confident.

Then her attention was drawn back to the Confederates across the road when a white flag was raised on a bayonet and waved energetically from the bushes where they had withdrawn to regroup.

"Looks like they've had enough, Major," Carney remarked.

Chase nodded. "Looks like."

A moment later the white flag was carried into the open and Chase turned to his men. "Hold your fire!" he ordered as he rose to his feet.

He stepped over the log and walked forward to meet the enemy officer. They came to a halt only a few feet away, then the Rebel commander saluted.

"With your permission, Major, I'll pick up my causalities and we'll be on our way," he said in a soft southern drawl.

"Permission granted. Some of my men will give you a hand."

"I'd appreciate that." The Confederate officer turned to signal to his men. "This was some dog-fight, Major. My compliments to your troops."

"Yours didn't do too badly themselves," Chase said.

Ashley watched in stunned silence as Chase came back to Carney. "Sergeant, have some of the men give the Rebs a hand with their wounded. And, Carney," he added, "keep a sharp eye on them until they're out of sight."

Carney nodded before picking a detail to help the Confederates. Chase sank onto the log with a heavy sigh.

"Is it over?" Ashley asked in a shaky voice.

Chase nodded as he turned to give her a quick glance. Her clothes were covered with dirt from lying on the ground and her eyes were enormous in her pale face.

"How can they be so friendly?" She motioned toward the soldiers. "Only moments ago they were killing each other."

Chase's lips formed a humorless smile. "It's all part of the insanity of war, Ashley. Soldiers kill other soldiers and men help other men."

"None of it makes any sense."

"War seldom makes sense."

"Then why do you do it?" Her gaze shifted to the dead soldier lying sprawled across the log in front of her.

"Because it has to be done."

Within minutes the Confederates had disappeared down the road in the same direction they had come and Chase forced his weak legs to support him.

"Weren't you scared at all?"

He glanced at her with a nod. "Sure I was."

"When they charged that last time?"

He shook his head. "No," he told her. When I thought you were going to be hurt, he added to himself as he moved away toward his men.

"How many causalities, Carney?"

"Four wounded, sir, includin' yourself but no one was killed. Remarkable, as Capt'n Morrison would say."

Relief swept across Chase's face. "Good. Sergeant, get the men mounted and let's get the wounded back to camp."

CHAPTER NINETEEN

A cold rain began falling as they made their way through the darkening countryside to rejoin the regiment. The injured men, along with the heavily loaded wagons, slowed them down until they were all soaked.

Though Chase held himself erect as they rode, Ashley could tell he was weakening from the loss of blood and in a great deal of pain. It seemed that each time she glanced at him he was more pale than the time before. At one point Carney stopped the detail to wrap Chase in the extra blanket he carried in his bedroll.

Chase gave him a weak smile and said, "I'm all right, Sergeant. Keep the men moving."

"I know that, Major, but we don't want you takin' a chill."

"How are the wounded?"

"Just fine, Major," Carney assured him. "We put Andrews in one of the wagons. That's where you ought to be too."

Chase shook his head, sending a shower of raindrops flying from the brim of his hat. "I don't think that will be necessary, Sergeant. We'll be in camp soon. I can make it."

"Yes, sir," Carney replied with a concerned expression on his craggy face.

Chase shivered and drew the damp blanket closer around him. The cold rain was falling harder now and he felt faint but he gripped the saddlehorn, urging his mount forward.

Casting a glance at Ashley, he saw her shiver from the cold. Her hair was soaked and hung in long wet curls around her face and shoulders. She was still very pale. Her green eyes seemed too large for her face. No doubt she hated him more than ever now, he thought as he silently cursed himself for exposing her to needless danger.

She had seen things today that no woman should ever see; death, bloodshed, and the senseless carnage of war. He could only be thankful she had not been injured. The memory of seeing her in the midst of enemy fire made him shudder again. Those few seconds when she was unable to control her horse with the Confederates bearing down on her had brought a chill to his blood like he had never experienced. He had gone to her rescue with no thought of his own safety or his responsibility to his men but a bullet through the shoulder seemed a small price to pay for her life.

When they rode into camp a half hour later, Morrison came running to meet them. The scouts had ridden ahead to alert Morrison of the skirmish and now the medics were waiting to take charge of the wounded.

Chase slipped wearily from the saddle and Morrison caught him to keep him from falling. He was light-headed and weak and his legs refused to hold him up. Morrison wrapped one brawny arm around him and half carried him into his tent. Morrison deposited him on his blanket, then stepped aside to let the medic get closer.

"Bring that candle closer," Lieutenant Griffin said.

Ashley leaped to comply, kneeling on Chase's right side to hold the light.

"Help me get his shirt off," Griffin instructed.

Chase tried to sit up but couldn't force his injured body to obey. Griffin slipped an arm under him to lift him up. Ashley handed Morrison the candle, then swiftly began to unbutton his shirt. Once it was removed, Ashley gasped at the gaping wound in his shoulder. The bullet had entered his back and exited the front between the shoulder and collarbone, leaving a hole a half inch in diameter.

"He's still bleeding," Griffin said. "I'll have to cauterize the wound to stop it." He looked over his shoulder at Morrison to add, "Captain, get me some hot water and clean towels, and you better see if you can locate a bottle of whiskey. He's going to need it."

Morrison nodded and stepped outside. He was back momentarily carrying a pan of hot water and several towels. Griffin glanced at Ashley as he handed her the towels.

"Start cleaning the blood off, will you?" he asked as he rose without giving her a chance to respond. "I'm going to need a couple of things. I'll be back in a minute."

Morrison followed soon after to go in search of the bottle the medic requested. Ashley dipped the towel into the hot water and began to gently remove the blood. His left side was covered with blood, some of it already dried and clotted in the hair on his chest, making it difficult to remove.

"You should get out of those wet clothes before you catch a chill."

"Worry about yourself, Major. You're the one with the bullet hole. You should have some dry clothing as well."

A twinkle appeared in his eyes and his lips curled at the heat that leaped into her eyes. "You're absolutely right but I don't think I can manage by myself."

"I suppose you want me to help you undress?"

"It would be nice," he returned, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"Well, I won't, so there!"

"It's not as though I'd be naked if I took these wet clothes off. I do have on underwear."

"Oh, you're impossible!"

She turned aside to reach for a dry blanket on the table behind her and covered him with it, tucking it around him in an effort to ward off a chill. Then she pulled the blanket down to his waist and took the towel so she could wash away the blood that clung to his chest and left arm.

She rose to her knees in order to reach across his body, her breasts brushing lightly across his chest. Her uniform shirt was soaking wet and plastered to her body, clearly defining the curves of her firm breasts.

Chase took a ragged breath and stared at the top of the tent. Even weak from loss of blood and bone weary from the battle, he felt the stir in his groin from her touch.

The sharp intake of his breath caught Ashley's attention. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," he replied shortly without looking at her.

He was thankful that Lieutenant Griffin picked that moment to reappear. Griffin sank to his heels to examine the wound at length.

"Major, it seems to be a clean wound. I don't see any cloth fragments and the

bullet didn't hit any bones. But those mini-balls do a mean job and unless I stop this bleeding you could very well bleed to death."

Chase nodded. "Do what you have to, Lieutenant."

Griffin handed him the bottle of whiskey and said, "You better take a healthy drink of this, Major. It's going to sting a mite."

Chase drank deeply from the bottle. He handed it back to Griffin and lay back on the blanket. A second later Dan Morrison came into the tent, his broad face wrinkled with concern.

"Captain, you'll have to hold him."

Morrison nodded and Ashley moved to one side to let the big man kneel beside Chase. When Griffin rose to go outside, Ashley clutched Morrison's sleeve.

"What's he going to do?"

"Cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding."

"Ashley, you better wait outside," Chase suggested.

She shook her head. "I'll stay, Major. This can't possibly be any worse than what I've already seen today."

Something flickered in Chase's eyes. His attention was directed back to the medic when Griffin came back into the tent carrying a steaming cup. Ashley's eyes widened in alarm as the medic knelt beside Chase.

"Ready, Major?"

Chase nodded, his lips set in a tight line, then he closed his eyes. Morrison put a big hand on each of Chase's shoulders.

"Hold him steady, Captain," Griffin advised. "I don't want this going anywhere but in the wound."

Morrison nodded and pressed down, holding Chase's shoulders firmly against the ground. Griffin took a deep breath and leaned forward. He positioned the cup of boiling oil above the ragged hole in Chase's shoulder and began pouring it slowly into the wound.

Ashley fought back a gag as the oil seared his flesh as it ran through the wound closing the torn blood vessels.

His face went white and broke into a cold sweat as he clenched his teeth against the pain. Then his head dropped back onto the blanket as his body went limp.

Griffin quickly finished and set the cup aside, then began to sew the wound closed. Ashley clutched Morrison's arm.

"Is he dead?"

Morrison shook his head as he sat back on his heels. "No, ma'am. He's just passed out. He'll come around in a minute or two."

By the time the medic had finished sewing up the wound Chase groaned and his eyes fluttered open. Griffin put the medical tools away in his bag and rose to his feet.

"Major, I'll let the lady here bandage that for you. I'm going to see if Rivers needs any help with the others. I'll be back a bit later to check on you."

Chase nodded and the medic left the tent.

"How about another shot of this?" Dan Morrison asked as he reached for the bottle of whiskey. "I figure we can both use one."

Chase sat up with Morrison's help, leaning against the main tent pole for support. He took a long drink from the bottle, then handed it back to Morrison. Glancing at Ashley, he was startled to see her shivering. She bit her lips to keep them from trembling as she began to unroll the bandages Griffin had left.

"Dan, send someone to the supply wagon to dig out Mrs. Reynolds' dress. She's still soaking wet."

Morrison nodded as he handed Chase the bottle. "You better keep this, Chase. I think you need it more than I do," he said before walking outside into the pouring rain.

It was raining harder now. Silver streaks of lightning split the sky making the tent vibrate from the heavy claps of thunder.

"When Dan comes back you can change into some dry clothing. In the meantime why don't you have some of this? It'll help take the chill out of your bones," Chase suggested to Ashley, holding out the bottle.

She stared at him in surprise for a moment, then reached to take it from him. His expression said he didn't believe she would do it so she defiantly turned it up and took a swallow. The whiskey felt like liquid fire as it burned down her throat, making her eyes water. She began to cough.

After a couple of moments she was able to catch her breath and handed the bottle back. "Thank you," she said smugly. "I do feel better."

Chase bit back a chuckle as he settled back against the tent pole while she prepared to bandage his shoulder. It was obvious she didn't know the slightest thing about nursing, but she moved closer to reach across him to wrap the long bandage around his shoulder and under his arm to cover the wound. The stitches in his flesh looked like an obscene smile so she tried to avoid looking at them.

Her hands were trembling. Except for two bright spots of color in her cheeks her face was still quite pale. She chewed her bottom lip in concentration as she fumbled with the bandage. She didn't like being this close to him. The fact that he was injured didn't make him any less formidable and she found it disturbing to see the steady rise and fall of his chest. When her hand brushed against the dark hair on his chest, she was surprised to find it so silky soft. She jerked her hand away as though she had been burned, mortified to hear him laugh. When she raised her gaze to find him watching in amused silence, her cheeks began to flame and her eyes sparkled with annoyance.

"What's so funny?"

"You are, Ashley. What are you so afraid of? I'm not going to hurt you."

"I'm not afraid. It's just that...that...well."

"Well, what?"

She dropped her head and made herself very busy with the bandage. "It's just that...well, I've never seen anybody that had all...that..."

Chase stared at her in puzzlement for a minute before he realized what she meant. A lazy grin spread over his face while he reached for her hand. Before she could protest, he placed it, palm down, on his chest.

She gasped and tried to draw her hand away but he retained the firm grip on her wrist. She soon realized it was useless to struggle. Her hand went limp, sinking into the dark curly hair.

"You obviously haven't seen too many men without a shirt then."

"Of course not!"

He regarded her thoughtfully for a second, still holding her hand against him. "If I were a betting man, I'd say the only man you've ever seen undressed was your husband."

"So?"

He shrugged, then winced at the pain the movement caused. "So, you're a little curious, that's all. There's nothing wrong with that."

"I am not the least bit curious about you, Major,"

Chase grinned, remembering the night she had explored his body when she thought he was asleep. "I don't think that's quite the truth, Ashley. Just now you were wondering what the hair on my chest felt like, now weren't you?"

Her cheeks burned but she kept staring into his dancing dark eyes, unable to look away. "So what if I was?"

"So I'm showing you." He let go of her hand and she jerked it back, rubbing her wrist. "Why do you find it so hard to be honest with me?"

"Because you're a Yankee and I don't like you."

His chuckle only made her more angry.

"You're not the only one who's curious, you know. I'm curious about you too."

"Oh really? In what way?"

He reached out to trace the soft line of her cheek, then let his finger slide gently across her lips before he answered. Ashley sat as though in a trance, unable to speak or move, her gaze locked with his.

"I'm curious about how soft your skin is. About how it would feel to have you all warm and naked in my arms. About how your eyes turn a deep emerald green when I take you in my arms and kiss your soft, sweet lips. About how your body would tremble under mine when I entered you and made love to you until we were both exhausted," he said softly.

She gasped in shock at his words. His eyes had taken on a very different expression. Something warm and gentle had replaced the amusement. Ashley felt he was looking right into her mind.

She tore her gaze away as she moved back. She raised trembling hands to his half bandaged shoulder and began again to dress the wound. "That's indecent, Major. No gentleman would ever speak to a lady in that manner."

"Perhaps not, but it's the way a man would speak to a very beautiful, desirable woman."

"I do not wish to be spoken to in that manner by you, sir. Must I remind you that I am a widow? That my husband died fighting you and others like you?"

"Your husband is dead, Ashley. Isn't it time you buried him?"

"That's very easy for you to say, Major. When this dreadful war is over you can go home and marry your fiancée and everything will be just the way you planned it. My whole life has been destroyed by you; my husband, my home, my financial security. I have nothing left so don't you dare presume to give me advice."

"You're a very young, beautiful woman, Ashley. Your husband may be gone but a woman with what you have to offer will certainly have no trouble finding another to take care of you."

"Being taken care of is not enough. I want someone to love me the way Jeremy did and I will never settle for anything less. I don't consider what you're so crudely suggesting as anymore than an insult and I'll thank you to keep such obscene thoughts to yourself."

The slow smile that played along his lips surprised her. She was sure her rebuff would make him angry.

"Is that any way to talk to a man who got himself shot to rescue a damsel in distress?"

"I suppose you blame me for that too?"

He shook his head with a weary sigh. "No, Ashley, I don't blame you. You were not responsible for what happened out there today."

She continued bandaging his wound for several moments, her brows puckered in thought. "It was a very brave thing you did, Major. You saved my life and you did get hurt doing it," she said finally, her voice softer and warmer.

"That's certainly generous of you."

"But I despise you for making me help you kill my own people and I'll never forgive you for it."

He stared into her hot, angry eyes for a long moment. Wet and bedraggled, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever known. Even her cold honesty was somehow refreshing.

"Would you believe me if I told you I was very sorry for that?"

Ashley shook her head.

"I didn't think so. But at the time it seemed the only logical thing to do. Those Confederate soldiers would have killed you just as quick as the rest of us. So really, you were only helping yourself."

"If you're trying to excuse yourself, Major, it won't work. I am grateful that you saved my life but I find your behavior inexcusable."

Chase watched her for a second, his gaze reaching into hers until she looked away. "Save your gratitude, Ashley," he said finally with a cold edge in his voice. "I saved you out there today because it was my fault you were in danger. As you've pointed out on numerous occasions, I forced you to wear that uniform and if you got shot because of it, that would only be one more thing you could blame me for and frankly, that list is long enough."

When she sniffed, he gritted his teeth as much against the irritation he could feel rising up in his throat as against the pain in his shoulder. At that moment Morrison came back into the tent, making Ashley shiver from the cold blast of air that came in with him. He took her dress from inside his coat and dropped it onto the ground beside her, noting the tension in the air.

"Here's your dress, ma'am. Better get out of those wet things soon."

Ashley snatched it up and flounced across the tent to plop down on her blanket while staring at them with an air of expectancy. Chase reached up to take Morrison's hand, and let the big man pull him to his feet. He wove unsteadily for a second, then seemed to regain his balance. He picked his shirt up and slipped into it, ignoring the way it had stiffened with dried blood. Picking up the whiskey bottle, he walked toward the tent flap while Morrison stared after him in amazement.

"Just where do you think you're going?"

"Out," Chase grunted over his shoulder.

"You shouldn't be out in this weather. You could catch a chill," Ashley said from across the tent.

He half-turned to deal her one brief, heated glance. "Maybe you'll get lucky and I'll catch pneumonia."

"I couldn't get that lucky."

Chase flung open the tent flap and walked out into the pouring rain.

"Where are you going?" Morrison asked behind him.

"You've got a tent, don't you? Well, that's where I'm going. You and me and this bottle are going to spend the night together."

Morrison shrugged as they waded through the puddles toward his tent, located a few feet away.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The rain was still coming down in torrents when Ashley awoke the following morning. It didn't let up for the next two days, bringing Sherman's massive army to a standstill. The rich Georgia dirt became thick red mud that clung to everything, making it impossible to move the supply wagons so the general wisely called a halt to the march until the weather cleared.

Upon returning to his tent the morning following the latest encounter with Ashley, Chase was not surprised to find his anger from the previous evening was gone. As usual, he found it impossible to remain angry with her once he looked into those enormous emerald eyes.

While the rain pelted down on the tent, Ashley sat quietly on her blanket sewing up the tear in his uniform tunic caused by the Confederate bullet. Chase glanced up from time to time from the papers he was studying at the table at one side of the tent to watch her shiny head bent diligently over her sewing.

She was wearing the yellow dress she had been wearing the night he had taken her from Atlanta. Her honey-red hair fell in long soft curls down her back. Her

full lipped mouth puckered in concentration as she made tiny stitches in his shirt. She had spent a considerable amount of time washing the dried blood from it and her hands still showed the signs of the lye soap she had used to scrub it clean.

Her dress clung to her voluptuous curves like a second skin, making it an effort to tear his attention away from her and back to the papers in front of him.

The papers had been delivered earlier that morning by a courier from General Sherman. They contained information that was necessary for Chase to go over in detail before the army reached Savannah, but while it was a boring duty, at least it helped pass the time.

Chase looked up with a grin as Dan Morrison's bearded face appeared through the tent flap. Seconds later his big body followed. He shook himself like a giant dog, sending cold rain drops flying. Chase wiped the water from his papers with a grin and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, Dan, how's the weather?"

"It's still raining like a son-of-a-bitch, as if you didn't know," Dan answered, then added, "Sorry, ma'am," with a apologetic glance at Ashley.

Ashley gave him a brief smile and went back to her sewing while keeping her ears tuned to their conversation.

Morrison perched one hip on the corner of the table as he took off his hat and slapped it against his massive thigh. Running one big paw through his wet hair, he sighed. "I hate to bother you, Chase, but I think you better come have a talk with the cook. If the men don't get some hot food real soon, there's going to be a revolt among the troops."

Chase rose to his feet. "I can't say I blame the men. I'm getting tired of cold meals myself. Okay, Dan, I'll have a talk with the cook and see what I can do."

He followed Morrison from the tent and across the camp toward the cooks wagons.

When the flap settled back into place after their departure, Ashley climbed to her feet and wandered across the tent and set down in the chair Chase had vacated. She sighed as she turned her head to listen to the rain beating down on the tent.

Although Chase had been pleasant company the past couple of days, she didn't like being stuck in the tent with him. Being that close caused a conflict of emotions and her dreams were again filled with a haunting ache that left her uneasy.

After a while the papers he had left strewn about on the table caught her attention. She began to idly sift through them. There was a half finished letter he had started to his father. As she scanned the contents she was startled to find her name. 'She is a remarkable girl,' the letter said. 'Aside from being very beautiful, she is intelligent and often times quite good company. Except for her dogged loyalty to the Confederacy and her nasty temper, I can't help finding myself attracted to her. There is a softness about her, Dad, somewhere beneath all that tough bravado that is very appealing. Perhaps if it weren't for.....' The letter came to an abrupt end without finishing the thought. Ashley's cheeks burned as she held it.

So the major did have some kind of feeling for her! She had no business reading his personal mail and felt a twinge of conscience for violating his privacy. She wondered momentarily why his confession to his father warmed her. She certainly did not return the sentiment.

She smiled to think someone as strong and determined as Major Kendall found her attractive. He was nothing like the young men she had known before the war and the absolute total opposite of Jeremy in every respect. Even if she did find him attractive in a purely physical manner, she would never let the hateful beast know it.

She picked up another document and glanced at it. Her eyes grew wide, brightening with excitement as she took a closer look. There, in her hands, was a map of the Savannah area complete with troop placements and artillery positions. In the columns in Chase's neat handwriting were notes of General Sherman's plans for invading the city.

She stared at it for several moments, hardly able to contain her excitement. Here was the one piece of information she had been waiting for. She held in her hands Sherman's complete plan of invasion of Savannah down to the last detail. How could she get this information to the Confederate army in Savannah before Sherman got within striking range?

Her brows knitted in thought as she went over the possibilities. Somehow she had to get this map and its details to Savannah. Soon. But how?

She had to find a way of getting the maps away from Major Kendall without his knowledge. She drew a long breath as she replaced the maps into the pile of papers. If she could get these battle plans to the Confederate Army in time to thwart Sherman she would be able to pay the Union back for what they had taken from her. She thought how proud Jeremy would be.

When Chase returned to the tent a short time later, Ashley was again seated on her blanket sewing. He dropped into the empty chair, shook his head to scatter the raindrops, and looked at her with a smile.

"You're certainly quiet today."

She glanced at him, then made a knot in the thread and bit it off. Standing up, she brought him the uniform tunic and laid it on the table while trying to keep her eyes off the stack of papers.

"Your shirt's mended."

"Thank you, Ashley. It was very kind of you"

"It's the least I could do, Major. It did get torn while you were rescuing me."

She went back to her blanket and sat down, folded her legs crosswise like an Indian and cupped her chin in her hands. She stared at him for a long moment while her head was spinning with ideas of how to escape.

"Something on your mind, Ashley?" Chase asked after a moment, making her start at the sudden sound of his voice.

She shook her head with a sigh. "No. I'm just bored, that's all. How much longer will we be stuck here?"

"Until the weather clears. I don't know how long that will be. It could be tomorrow or it could be a week."

"How far are we from Savannah?"

He studied her for a few seconds before he replied. "A hundred miles, give or take a few. Don't worry. You'll be with your cousin in time for Christmas."

Forcing his full attention to his work, he did not notice the sly, pleased expression that formed on her face nor the way her eyes narrowed as she watched him. Yes, Major, I'll be in Savannah in time for Christmas and with any luck you'll be in hell with the rest of your Yankee army long before that'.

***

It was nearly two o'clock in the morning when Ashley quietly rose from her blanket and crept across the tent. She said a silent prayer of thanks that the rain had finally slowed to a mere drizzle. Perhaps the clearing weather was a good omen.

She approached Chase stealthy and sank to her knees beside him. Holding her breath, she slipped the leather bag from under his pillow. She had watched to see where he put the bag containing the maps earlier in the evening. This was the most dangerous part of her plan for she knew he was a light sleeper and might wake at any moment.

She knelt beside him for a moment while she debated about what to do next. She needed a weapon but the closest one was strapped around his waist. She had often wondered how he slept fully dressed with the gunbelt on. Now she wished fervently he had taken it off and laid it somewhere more convenient.

Slowly she eased the pistol from its holster, holding it for a moment while she watched him sleep. His dark hair fell over his forehead in ebony waves.

As she stared down at him, he suddenly stirred and his eyes flew open. "Ashley, what are you...." He did not finish the sentence for as he began to rise, she brought the heavy barrel of the army revolver down across his temple. He slumped back onto the blanket and was still.

Ashley lifted a trembling hand to touch his throat, then let out a relieved breath when she felt the pulse beneath her fingertips. She scrambled to her feet and dashed from the tent. There was no time to lose now. She had no idea how long he would be unconscious. She had to put a lot of distance between herself and this camp before he woke up.

She skirted the camp to approach the picket lines without being seen. Saying a silent prayer of gratitude, she slipped past the sentries to quietly approach the horses. Murmuring to keep them quiet, she laid down the bag containing the precious maps and the gun and began to saddle a horse.

Once more she was thankful for the lessons Jeremy had given her in grooming and riding for she was able to saddle the animal quickly and expertly. She bent down to snatch up the pistol and bag and scrambled into the saddle. Forcing herself to keep the animal at a walk until reaching the edge of the clearing, she made sure she was out of sight, then urged him into a gallop.

The heavy clouds had parted. A big yellow moon lit the path in front of her as she sped down the muddy road. As the miles disappeared behind her, a relieved smile came to her face as the wind lifted her long hair out behind her like a veil. Never before in her life had she felt so alive or free. She had gotten the maps and escaped! Now the only thing that lay between her and the Confederate Army in Savannah was a hundred miles of Georgia countryside.

After several hours of hard riding, Ashley came upon a farm house set back from the road and decided to rest the tired horse awhile. It was almost dawn now. The sky to the east was streaked with red and orange as the sun made its way through the clouds. She rode around the small abandoned house to make sure it was deserted before dismounting and tying her horse out of sight from the road. She unsaddled the animal and gave him a pat on the nose before slipping into the house, wishing she had something more to offer him than her gratitude.

The house had obviously been deserted for quite some time for a heavy layer of dust covered everything. Sinister cobwebs hung from the rafters to the floor. She was relieved to find that the previous occupants had left a few cans of food on the shelves. She began to build a small fire, humming a happy little tune as she went about preparing herself some breakfast. Convinced that she had left Major Kendall and his Yankee army miles behind, she decided to eat and then take a short nap before continuing her journey. It was a mistake she would live to regret.

***

A half hour after Ashley fled the tent, Chase groaned as he struggled to sit up. He lifted a hand to his throbbing head, wincing as his fingers explored the painful bruise above his temple. Remembering what had happened, his hand flashed to his gunbelt, then realized the pistol was gone.

As he came to his feet, Captain Morrison burst into the tent. "Chase, the girl...she stole a horse and took off. What the hell happened in here?"

"That little witch knocked me in the head, that's what happened," Chase ground out through clenched teeth. He bent down to flip his pillow over. "She took the maps! Goddamn her! The invasion plans! She must have seen them this afternoon when I left them lying on the table like a goddamned idiot!" he snarled as he shouldered his way past the big captain.

"You want me to send a detail after her?"

Chase shook his head as he strode through the camp toward the picket lines. "No. This is one job I'm going to do myself. And with great pleasure."

A mixture of concern and amusement danced in Dan Morrison's eyes as he followed Chase toward the horses. "Remember, Chase, she's got a gun."

Chase took the reins of the horse one of the sentries had wisely saddled, and mounted. He threw Dan an angry glance as he turned the animal around.

"The gun won't do her any good. The goddamned thing isn't loaded. Take command, Dan. Find out who was on picket duty and put them on report. I'll deal with them with I get back. I'll catch up with you when I get the girl."

Morrison barely had time to nod before Chase spurred the horse into a run and disappeared into the darkness.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Chase came upon the farmhouse shortly after sunup. A faint smell of smoke came to him on the early morning breeze before he saw the thin gray plume that wafted from the chimney.

He circled the cabin, his lips thinning when he spotted the horse tied up outside. The saddle with Union markings lay on the ground. He dismounted, tied his horse alongside the other, and approached the door. When he tried the latch, the door swung open soundlessly. He paused for a second, watching Ashley as she stirred a pot over a fire that blazed cheerfully in the stone fireplace at the opposite end of the room.

"Now isn't this cozy?"

Ashley recognized his voice instantly. Her heart stopped for a second as she fought down the panic that filled her. Her fingers left the pot she was stirring and tightened around the pistol that lay at her feet. She slowly rose and turned to face him.

She met his furious gaze with a calmness she had not known since their first meeting in the slave cabin at Fernwood.

She brought the pistol up level with his chest and pulled back the hammer. Her face was pale but there was no fear in her eyes, only that fierce determination that Chase had come to know so well.

"How did you find me?"

Chase stared back at her, his eyes almost black with anger, his jaw a taut line that made Ashley recognize the danger in him. She had never seen him this angry, not even when she'd helped Jacob Kearns escape.

"It wasn't as hard as you might think. Your tracks were easy to follow in the moonlight."

"I'm not going back with you."

"That's where you're mistaken. You are coming back with me...you and the maps."

She shook her head while the early morning light cast radiant streams on her honey-red hair. "No, Major. The maps are coming with me to Savannah and General Hardee and you're not going to stop me."

Chase leaned back against the closed door. "I have to stop you, Ashley. The information you have could ruin Sherman's entire campaign. I can't allow that."

"The only way you're going to stop me from getting this information to General Hardee is to kill me."

"I hope you won't force me to go that far." Chase moved a step closer.

"Don't come any closer. If you force me to, I'll kill you."

A grim smile flickered across his face while he continued to walk slowly toward her. "I doubt that, Ashley. The gun isn't loaded."

Alarm sprang into her face and she pulled the trigger with the barrel pointed directly at his chest. The gun clicked harmlessly as she quickly squeezed the trigger again and again.

"Do you really think I'm fool enough to leave a loaded gun lying around?" he asked, now only inches away.

"Why, you miserable Yankee bastard!"

She drew back her arm to throw the gun at him, but he caught her wrist in a vise-like grip and forced her arm down to her side.

"Drop it, Ashley," he ordered. "Don't make me break your arm."

It took only seconds for her to learn she couldn't gain anything by struggling with him and she let the pistol fall to the floor. She brought her knee up, trying to hit him in the groin but he sidestepped and the blow landed harmlessly on his thigh. He caught her free hand and held her in front of him. They glared at each other for a moment, each one consumed by anger.

Swearing under his breath, he dragged her across the room to the narrow cot along one wall and sat down, flinging her down across his lap. Holding her struggling hands in one of his, he flipped her dress and petticoats up over her back, and began to administer the sound spanking he had so often wanted to.

She hung across his legs, struggling to free herself while she cried out in pain as he rained blow after blow upon her unprotected bottom. Chase knew he was hurting her. He meant to, and he felt a primitive satisfaction.

"I'll kill you for this! Stop it! Stop it at once! You're hurting me!"

She kicked and thrashed about wildly. Chase paused long enough to catch her legs between his knees, bringing her movements to a complete halt, and continued with the spanking. Angry, frustrated tears stung her eyes and fell into the dust at his feet while she lay helplessly across his lap. She sank her teeth into one muscular blue-clad thigh and heard him curse.

He rose to his feet, sending her sprawling across the floor on her back. She stared up at him, her chest heaving with righteous indignation.

"God, I enjoyed that!" he said while he rubbed the palm of his hand against his thigh. "You've had that coming for so long. I can't tell you how good it felt."

She had never been treated so cruelly in her entire life and the pleasure on his face was more than she could stand. With a cry of outrage, she sprang to her feet and attacked him, her nails stabbing for his eyes, her lips curled back over her teeth in a vicious snarl. It no longer mattered that he was bigger or stronger than she. She had endured all the humiliation at his hands that she could bear. The only thought in her mind now was to hurt him, kill him if she could, anything to pay him back for the way he had treated her.

Chase caught her wrists as she flew at him.

"Let me go!" she screamed, struggling to free herself.

"So you can scratch my eyes out? Not a chance."

"I'll kill you! Let me go!"

She continued to fight him, her breath coming in ragged gulps, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of anger and frustration. Chase lifted her off the floor by the wrists and held her dangling in front of him while she sputtered and raged. Ashley kicked out viciously, screeching with outrage as he neatly avoided her flailing feet.

Tiring of the game, he dumped her backwards onto the cot. Steamers of dust rose from the patchwork quilt that covered it as she bounced to an upright position. She opened her mouth to spit more insults at him but something in his eyes stopped her cold.

He stood above the cot staring down at her, calmer now, more in control.

"What are you going to do?" she asked in a shaky voice.

She blinked rapidly, trying to prevent tears from spilling down her cheeks. Her lips trembled when she realized for the first time how completely at his mercy she was. They were miles from another living soul, she had no weapon, and he was angry enough to do almost anything.

"What would you suggest I do, Ashley? You've made a complete fool of me. You stole valuable military plans, not to mention almost splitting my head, and if I hadn't had the foresight to unload my pistol you'd have blown my brains all over this room."

"You can have the maps back."

"That's very generous of you, considering they belong to me in the first place."

"You can have the maps," she said again. Her voice was stronger now, more confident, while her gaze searched his face. "But you can let me go. I can find my own way to Savannah from here. You can let me go and I won't be in your way ever again."

His brows rose at the pleading quality that had crept into her voice. She lifted one shaky hand to her throat and swallowed hard while she waited for his reply. "I'm afraid that's impossible, Ashley. You've seen the plans. You can give General Hardee enough information to endanger this campaign so you see, I have to keep you from getting to Savannah until the army does."

She stared at him for a long moment. "I don't suppose you would believe me if I promised not to tell General Hardee anything."

He shook his head. "Absolutely not."

She took a long breath and drew herself up, her eyes once more filling with contempt. "So, what are you going to do to me, Major? I suppose there is always the firing squad."

"That's one possibility. However, right now the most important thing is to get you and those plans back to camp. I'll deal with your deception later."

He turned and moved a couple of steps toward the door of the cabin when Ashley sprang from the cot and dashed past him, making one last desperate attempt to escape. Chase saw the movement from the corner of his eye and caught her in one long stride, wrapped one arm around her waist, and lifted her completely off the floor. He carried her, kicking and thrashing, back to the cot and dropped her.

Ashley came quickly to a sitting position, her nails stabbing at his face. Chase captured both her wrists in his left hand and flung her backward across the cot. She snarled and snapped like a trapped wolf cub while she kicked at him. Her violent thrashing jerked Chase off balance and he fell forward, landing almost completely full length on top of her.

His weight forced the air from her lungs and she went limp as she fought to regain her breath. Instead of getting off her, Chase lay very still, holding her wrists so she was unable to hit him.

Chase stared at her soft, lush mouth, then astonished them both by kissing her. When he let go of her hands, she tried to push him away until he caught her wrists again, forced them down to her sides, and held them there.

The thought flashed through his mind that he must be totally insane; he was kissing her when what he really wanted was to strangle her. Seconds later as the kiss deepened, all thoughts of wanting to harm her were wiped away by the burning passion that consumed him.

Perhaps it was her desperate defiance that finally pushed him over the edge of reason or maybe it was the touch of her soft mouth beneath his, her warm body trapped under him, but whatever the reason, the only thing that mattered to him now was the all encompassing desire to make love to her.

Ashley tore her lips away from his, her eyes wide when they met his. His anger was gone but what had replaced it was even more frightening. She saw clearly in his eyes what his intentions were and began to struggle desperately. He held her firmly, bringing her hands up above her head to hold them in his left hand while the right slowly moved down across her cheek to her throat and began to loosen the buttons of her dress.

"What are you doing? Stop it this instant! Do you hear me? Stop it!"

Instead of answering, his lips moved down her throat to the opening he had made in the front of the dress, raining warm, soft kisses across her silken flesh.

Chase could never be certain when his fury turned to passion. He kissed her

again, more deeply this time. His tongue probed into her mouth, setting her head awhirl.

She dimly realized he had released her hands, that his own hands were expertly undressing her while his mouth moved down her body, blazing a trail of molten desire. She could not understand why she could not move, could not force her body to resist him. She could only lie still beneath him gasping for breath while he removed her clothing until she lay naked in his arms.

She moaned softly when his hands cupped her breasts and he bent his head to tease each nipple with his tongue until it stood in a rosy peak. Her hands entwined in his thick hair as her back arched to press closer to his mouth. She tried to remember Jeremy's face but it had become a blur in her memory that was replaced with an aching need deep in her body that seemed to grow and grow until she was afraid she was going to drown in it.

She felt him move then and looked up to see him standing beside the cot quickly removing his uniform. Her face flamed but she was unable to look away. She shivered unsure if it was from fright or the passion that was blazing within her. His body was strong and powerful and so much more masculine than Jeremy's. Seconds later he was again beside her on the cot drawing her back into his arms, his mouth against her ear while his hands caressed her body.

"Don't, oh please, don't," she whimpered, putting her hands against his chest and turning her face away.

"Ashley, I'm not going to hurt you," Chase whispered hoarsely. "You are so beautiful. Jesus, you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I want you so damned bad...I can't help myself any longer."

She felt his hand slip between her thighs and she whimpered as he gently explored the soft velvet folds. No man had ever touched her there, not even Jeremy. She knew she should be mortified at what he was doing but she could only arch her hips against his hand, wanting more of this exquisite pleasure.

She opened her eyes to find him poised above her, his eyes burning with passion. His knee gently forced her thighs open and he lowered himself to enter her. Ashley knew it was far too late to stop him now, wasn't even sure she wanted him to stop, and knew she was helpless to prevent what was going to happen next.

Above her thrashing head, Chase's brows knitted in confusion at the resistance his swollen shaft found. He gave a firm push and felt her virginity tear, allowing him to sink deep inside her. A pain-filled cry burst from her parted lips. He looked down to find her teeth clenched as a teardrop slid down her cheek onto the dusty quilt.

"Jesus Christ!" he whispered in amazement but it was too late. He couldn't stop himself.

He began moving into her with smooth steady strokes, each one deeper than the one before until Ashley thought she would surely split in half. Moments later she realized she had taken all of him deep inside her. As the pain diminished, something completely foreign began to happen. Her body had taken on an identity all its own.

Chase reached beneath her to grasp her buttocks and lift her up to meet his thrusts. Her hips began to move in rhythm with him, her nails raked his back and shoulders as an exquisite pleasure spread like quicksilver through her veins. Her head thrashed from side to side as a low moan escaped from her lips.

Through his own passion Chase became aware of her response and slowed his thrusts. His mouth covered hers. His tongue probed the inner recesses of her mouth. He bend his head to gently suck at her breasts, first one and then the other until she trembled violently and gasped for breath. Her eyes flew open to stare into his, letting Chase see the desire blazing within her.

He nuzzled her throat before moving to her earlobes. "Tell me you want me, Ashley," he commanded gently, his lips against her ear, his voice husky with emotion.

"No, I hate you," she protested, but her body was betraying her.

He whispered inaudible love words, continuing to move into her, her warm softness making him wild. He had never made love to any woman that had stirred him like this one, so totally consumed him with passion until he was no longer in control of himself.

"Tell me you want this as much as I do," he ordered savagely.

Her only response was a soft moan as she arched upward to meet his thrusts, her nails digging into the hard muscles of his back. A heavy cloud engulfed her, cutting off any reason, enabling her only to feel the frantic demands of her body. As his thrusts increased in tempo, Ashley matched his rhythm wildly until an explosion went off deep within her, cascading wave upon wave of exquisite pleasure through her as she shuddered beneath him. A cry burst from her parted lips as she strained upward to take all of him deep inside her. A second later she felt Chase shudder with a groan as he drove into her one last time before exploding.

A few moments later he laid beside her on the cot. He attempted to take her back into his arms but she turned away as waves of shame came washing over her.

How could she have given herself to him like that, like some wild animal in heat? Tears began to slide down her cheeks as she huddled in a small ball with her back turned to him. Chase put a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off

"Ashley, are you all right?" he asked, raising on one elbow to stare at her.

"What do you care?" she whispered. "You got what you wanted, didn't you?"

"Why the hell didn't you tell me you were a virgin?"

"Would it have made any difference?"

"Hell yes, it would have made a difference. If I had known, I could have been more gentle. I wouldn't have hurt you. Jesus Christ, Ashley, you were married. I don't understand why you were still a virgin."

"You wouldn't understand if I told you."

"Try me."

"We were married for such a short time before Jeremy's leave was canceled. We didn't know each other very well," she whispered, wondering why she was bothering to explain, or why it mattered to him at all. "Jeremy didn't know very much about...it...I guess. He tried to...to...make love...to me...once...on our wedding night...but I was scared...so he didn't. He was a gentleman, he respected my feelings enough that he was willing to wait until I was ready. He didn't try to force himself on me. He wasn't an animal...like you."

Chase's face tightened as a flicker of pain crossed his eyes. He grasped her slender shoulders and rolled her over to face him. The shame in her eyes hit him like cold drops of rain.

"I'll admit I didn't handle it very well, certainly not the way I intended."
"The way you intended? You mean you planned to do this all along?"

"No, not exactly. I've thought about it...a lot, I won't deny that, but I never planned for it to happen like this. Last night when I woke up and you were gone with the invasion plans, I knew I had to find you, stop you. I was so damned mad because you knocked me out and took my gun, made me look like a fool. Then I found you here, so smug and confident. You would've killed me if the pistol had been loaded. I lost my head, but I never meant to hurt you, Ashley. That's the truth."

"You got what you wanted, now please leave me alone," she protested, her voice breaking.

His jaw tightened but he let her go and moved to the edge of the cot to retrieve his clothes. He began to dress and once again Ashley was unable to tear her eyes from his body. The muscles in his big shoulders rippled as he pulled on his pants and she shivered again when she recalled how only moments before those strong arms had held her tightly, forcing the world away for a few minutes like they were the only two people in the universe. He threw on his shirt, leaving it open as he leaned down to pick up her dress and laid it on the cot beside her, letting his gaze run over her naked body again, making no attempt to conceal his desire.

"For God's sake, Ashley, grow up! Be honest with yourself for once in your life. You enjoyed this as much as I did. Don't bother denying it. I don't understand why you insist on being ashamed of it."

She stared at him in astonishment. "What you did to me was dirty and disgusting and...and if I were a man, I'd kill you!"

"I did nothing more than make love to you, Ashley, and there was nothing dirty or disgusting about it. There's nothing shameful about responding to me "

"It was wicked and sinful! I'm a married woman!"

Chase sighed heavily and began to button his shirt while he looked down at her. Ashley snatched up the dress and covered herself.

"You're a widow. Besides, that has nothing to do with it."

"It has everything to do with it! My husband was killed fighting you and your stupid army! Haven't you done enough to me? You've taken Jeremy from me and killed the only family I had. Did you have to violate me as well?"

A long breath exploded from his lungs as quick anger flashed into his eyes. "For God's sake, Ashley! Can't you put aside your hate long enough to realize that I'm a man too? You didn't make love with a Union officer just now; you made love with a man. Just a man, that's all. A man who has wanted you for so long that his guts get all tied up in knots just to look at you. I may not be one of your fancy-assed southern gentlemen but I've waited to have you longer than I've ever waited for a woman and whether you want to hear it or not, it was damned well worth waiting for.

"You're a beautiful woman, Ashley. More beautiful than any woman I've ever known but more than that you're sensitive and passionate. Everything a man could dare hope for. You can go on telling yourself that you hate me till hell freezes over but it won't change what happened here between us."

Ashley turned her back while she dressed. She tried desperately to deny the truth in his words.

Chase caught her in a strong embrace, holding her firmly in his arms and kissed her, then released her. He patted her on the fanny as she stormed past him toward the fireplace where her breakfast was now smoking and charred. He smiled cheerfully as she kicked the pot off the fire to send it clattering across the room.

Mischief danced in his eyes. "After what's happened here this morning, don't you think it's a bit foolish to continue calling me "major"? I think making love should put us on a first name basis, don't you?"

"There are many things I'd like to call you, Major, but your first name is not among them. However, I shall refrain from calling you what you are for I'm sure you would only beat me again."

"You had that coming and you know it," he said as he bent to pick up the leather pouch containing the maps that lay beside the fireplace. "But have it your way, Ashley. Call me "Major" if you want to but I think it's more appropriate to call your lover by his name."

"I am not your lover!"

"Of course you are. We made love here; that makes us lovers."

"You're really proud of yourself, aren't you?" she hissed, drawing herself

up straight as a ramrod and facing him like a tiny bantam rooster. "You beat me, you insulted me, you violated me, and you have the nerve to stand there and be proud of it!"

"The thing I'm proud of is that I am your first lover."

He took her by the arm and started leading her toward the door. She ducked her head to walk under his arm as he held the door open for her.

"I guess you think it's pretty silly that Jeremy didn't...well...you know."

Chase shook his head and hung the leather pouch around his saddlehorn, then began saddling her horse for the long ride back to camp. "It seems like a terrible waste," he replied with a meaningful glance at her. "I find it hard to understand how any man worth his salt could go off to war without taking advantage of every single moment to make love to you."

Ashley preferred not to comment on that remark, asking instead, "Why did you say it was important that you were the first man to.."

He glanced at her over the horse's back. "There's something special about taking your virginity, Ashley. I'm told a girl never forgets the man who does that and I should like to think you'd remember me fondly when you're old and gray."

"I certainly intend to forget you, Major, just as soon as possible."

He stared at her for a long moment before he returned to saddling the horse. "I'm sure you'll try, Ashley. Anyway, it certainly explains why you had so many questions about making love."

"Well, you certainly took care of that, didn't you?"

He handed her the reins and waited until she had mounted before swinging up on his own horse. He led the way onto the road and kept a watchful eye on her as they began the trip back to the army camp.

She rode beside him, trying to blink back the hot tears that stung her eyelids.

It was positively wicked the way her body had betrayed her. She did not understand how it had happened. She despised the man, how could she have reacted like that when he touched her. She could only pray that Jeremy and his father could not look down from heaven and know the disloyal thing she had done.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

After catching up with the regiment shortly after noon, Ashley did not see Chase again until evening. Sergeant Carney had little to say and Ashley was grateful for his silence. The last thing she needed right now was another lecture.

When the regiment made camp for the night Ashley was surprised when Chase finally arrived at the tent after supper with two armed guards. After positioning them on opposite sides of the tent she heard him tell them, "Keep her under guard every minute. If she blinks I want to know it."

The young corporal in charge of the detail saluted and returned, "Yes sir. You can depend on me, sir."

"I am, Corporal. If she gets away again I'll have you both shot," Chase growled. He ducked to enter the tent and began to collect his things.

Ashley refused to look at him.

"I'll be in Captain Morrison's tent if you need anything, Ashley. Under the circumstances I've decided to sleep there for the remainder of our journey."

"Don't hold your breath, Major. There is absolutely nothing you have that I need."

She was dressed once more in the blue uniform of a Union private, but still stunning, he thought as his gaze rested on the high, firm swell of her breasts. He remembered the sweetness of her naked body in his arms.

Indeed, he had been able to think of nothing else all day. The little vixen had made it perfectly clear that she had no wish to admit her passion and he was not accustomed to such rejection. So why was he unable to put it out of his mind?

He tramped across the compound and entered Morrison's tent. Pitching his bedroll into one corner, he dropped into a chair at the low table that filled one side and took the cup Morrison held out to him.

Several minutes passed until Dan cleared his throat and said, "Chase, you know I don't mind sharing my tent with you, but do you mind telling me just what the hell happened this morning between you and the lady?"

Chase drained the cup and held it out for Dan to refill. His eyes were almost black with frustration and his voice was bitter when he spoke at last. "Something I'm not very proud of, Dan," he said, bringing his fist down on the table with a loud thump that made the lamp rattle.

Concern formed in Morrison's eyes as he watched the conflicting emotions on Chase's face. "What did you do, Chase, rape her?"

Chase's gaze darted to his friend's face and he stared at Dan for a long moment before finally nodding. "No....I mean...not really." He rose to pace the tent several times, running hand through his hair as he walked.

"Well, which is it? Yes or no?" Morrison asked, leaning back in his chair to watch Chase thoughtfully.

Chase turned to face him. "She says I did. Hell, I don't know. Maybe I did, Dan."

He dropped back into the chair and took a long pull from the cup, looking at the big captain over the rim. "It all happened so damned fast, Dan. I just lost my head. I found her about daybreak in this run-down shack," he explained slowly. "She tried to kill me but I had unloaded the gun. Anyway, when it clicked empty she went crazy and attacked me like a wildcat. I guess that was the last straw because I threw her across my lap and gave her the thrashing she's deserved for months. Then when I let her up, she came at me again and I threw her down on the bed and then...the next thing I knew I was tearing her clothes off and kissing her...

"And then the damnedest thing happened, Dan. All of a sudden she started to respond. It was like she didn't really know what was happening, you know? It was like she didn't want to enjoy it but she couldn't help herself either."

He paused to draw a long breath. "And then...afterwards...she said I had forced her. I really thought, Dan, that after that the barriers between us would be gone for good but obviously I was wrong; very wrong. It only made things worse."

A grin spread over Dan's broad face while Chase frowned with irritation. "You know what I think, friend? I think what happened between you and the lady this morning means a lot more to you than the casual romp in the hay you're used to and that scares the hell out of you."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Chase snorted.

Morrison shook his head with a grin. "No? I'm right and you know it, Major."

Chase shifted in the chair. "Do me a favor, will you, Dan? Go over there and make sure she's all right. See if she needs anything."

Morrison made no attempt to hide the big smile that appeared on his face as he rose to his feet. "Sure thing, Major."

He left the tent and strolled across the camp to the tent where Ashley lay trying to sleep. "Mrs. Reynolds? It's Captain Morrison. Mind if I come in?" he asked at the entrance.

Ashley rolled over, sat up, and quickly smoothed her hair. "No, of course not, Captain. Please come in."

Dan came into the tent, filling it with his tremendous size, and sat down on the ground beside her blanket, cross-legged, with a groan. He took a moment to survey her before explaining his visit.

"What do you want, Captain?"

"Major Kendall wanted me to check on you, ma'am. See if you needed anything."

Ashley shook her head, then dropped her chin so he couldn't see the shame that filled her at the mention of that man's name. "No thank you, Captain. I'm fine,"

"Are you sure, ma'am?"

She raised her head quickly at the note of concern in his voice.

"You know, don't you?" she asked in a subdued tone, her face flooding with embarrassment at his affirmative nod.

"Yes, ma'am. Major Kendall told me."

"Did he tell you that he forced himself on me?"

"Was that the way it happened?"

"Yes, Captain, it certainly was. Regardless of what that dreadful man has told you, that is exactly what happened. Did he send you over here to apologize for him? If he did, it won't work. What he did to me was unforgivable and he's going to be very sorry when we reach Savannah and I tell my cousin what he's done!"

Morrison's expression became very serious, causing Ashley to stare at him a bit apprehensively as he leaned forward. "No, ma'am, he didn't send me over here to apologize. I simply came to see if you were all right. But since I'm here, I feel I must caution you, Mrs. Reynolds, that telling your cousin Major Kendall forced himself on you could be a very big mistake."

"Why is that, Captain?"

"Because being the southern gentleman I'm sure he is, your cousin would feel obligated to challenge Major Kendall to a duel. Should that occur, I'm quite certain it would be a fatal mistake."

"What do you mean?" she asked in a voice devoid of the previous bravado.

"I mean, Mrs. Reynolds, that Major Kendall is an expert marksman. If your cousin should insist on a duel, the major would have no choice but to kill him. Now before that happens, I'd think long and hard about what happened between the two of you."

"I should have known you'd take his side! You're a man and a Yankee too, after all."

"I'm not agreeing with anybody. I just happen to think that you should give the matter some very serious thought. Try to be honest with yourself, Mrs. Reynolds. That's all I'm suggesting."

He climbed to his feet and strode from the tent. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps telling Dr. Wallace could be a mistake. She certainly did not wish to see him challenge Major Kendall to a duel, especially since she was so unsure of her feelings.

She knew Captain Morrison was right about her cousin being obligated to make the challenge to salvage her honor for it was the code all southern men lived by. Perhaps he was right about the other thing as well.

Only one thing was quite clear in her mind; she must keep as far away from that man as possible. He had shamed her once, he would never get the opportunity to do it again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The nights since the encounter with Chase in the farmhouse were long and haunted with dreams. Dreams filled with Chase Kendall and the emotions he had unlocked in her that morning. Now she knew what the unknown longings of the past were, for she awoke often, burning with the need he had awakened within her. There were times when she awoke from one of those tormented dreams calling his name and reaching for him in the darkness. Mortified, it would be hours before she could find sleep again.

Watching him ride at the head of the long blue column did not make it easier. Just looking at his broad shoulders made her shiver as the memory of lying in those powerful arms invariably flashed into her mind. She would remember the way she had responded to his kisses, the way her body had completely taken control of her senses.

Try as she would, she could not keep those uninvited memories from

creeping into her thoughts so she could only pray that nothing would slow this army down. The sooner they reached Savannah, the sooner she could put Major Kendall out of her mind for good.

About a week after that unforgettable morning, he approached her as the regiment moved into formation for the day's march.

"Ashley, come with me, please," he said in that no-nonsense manner that left no room for argument.

"Why? Where are we going?"

"Foraging," he replied, then turned his mount without another word.

Within moments the foraging detail was on its way. Chase moved his horse alongside hers but did not speak. Finally Ashley could stand the tension no longer and turned to look at him.

He was concentrating on the trail before them. As usual he was well-groomed, his uniform spotless and his black boots gleaming. The brass buttons on his uniform tunic caught the early morning rays of sunlight, reflecting merrily. There was a cool breeze blowing and the air smelled of fresh, clean rain. Birds sang happily in the trees. In spite of everything, Ashley began to feel her spirits lift.

"Why did you insist I accompany you on this trip?"

He turned to her with a tight smile and swallowed. "I thought the change of scenery might do us both some good."

"Really?"

The coolness in her voice grated on his nerves. "Yes, really. Look, Ashley, we're going to be together for a couple of weeks longer and I think we should clear the air."

"By all means, Major. Please, do go ahead."

"I owe you an apology for what happened the other day, Ashley. I was totally out of line and I'm sorry."

She stared at him in surprise. An apology was the last thing she expected. "I suppose you think that makes up for what you did to me?"

"No, of course I don't. I hurt you, and you're right; that's unforgivable. But it was partly your fault too."

Her brows arched as quick anger flared in her eyes. "Just how do you figure that, Major?"

"You stole the invasion plans, Ashley. You also cracked my skull with my own gun and stole a horse right from under the sentries' noses. You surely can't blame me for being angry about that."

"I was merely doing what I felt was necessary to help my army."

"I understand that. And I was doing what was necessary to prevent that information from getting into the wrong hands."

"Was it necessary for you to force yourself on me to accomplish your mission, Major?"
"You're right," Chase agreed. "My only excuse is that I was so overcome by your beauty that I could not help myself."

"Don't make fun of me," she said, her voice only a whisper as she looked away.

"I'm not, Ashley, I'll telling you the truth. Now while we're being honest with each other, why don't you admit that you enjoyed it at least a little bit?"

She shook her head stubbornly and flashed him a glance of defiant determination. "That's quite impossible, Major."

"Why not? It's the truth, Ashley, and we both know it."

"If I were to confess such a thing it would betray everything I believe in. No southern lady could have such a relationship with a Yankee and remain loyal."

He shifted in the saddle to observe her better. "I see. So as long as you believe you were taken advantage of, you can maintain your southern self respect. Is that it?"

Ashley refused to answer but kept her eyes turned straight ahead. To look at him now was impossible.

"Let me see if I understand this," Chase continued. "You can't just admit you want to make love with me. That would be disloyal."

She wiggled uncomfortably under his intent gaze. "I didn't say I wanted….."

Chase shook his head with a sigh. "Ashley, this whole southern loyalty thing is nonsense. Why can't you just face the fact that you're a woman and I'm a man and forget all this other stuff?"

Ashley lifted her head to meet his gaze squarely. "I have no intention of becoming one of a long line of women whom you take to bed and promptly forget, Major. So unless you intend to make forcing me to submit to your advances a habit, I suggest we drop the subject."

A gleam of admiration flashed into his eyes. "I have apologized for taking advantage of you, Ashley, and you have my word that it will not happen again. You see, I don't like playing games, even with someone as delectable as you. I find them unnecessary and a waste of time."

After days of frustration he had come to the conclusion that pressing her would only make things worse between them, if that was possible, so the best course of action he could take was to simply accept her denial and give her some space. She was unable to admit any deeper feelings, even to herself, and to let it make him angry every time it was mentioned was foolish.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

It was mid-morning when the foraging detail came upon a farmhouse set back off the main road. It was a small place overgrown with weeds, a thoroughly dilapidated structure with several shingles missing from the roof and a door that hung at a crazy angle by one hinge. The corral that surrounded the run-down barn had missing rails and the gate was gone entirely.

As the soldiers rode into the yard, a small boy perhaps ten years old came out of the house. He carried a rifle almost as big as he was which he raised with great determination to point at Chase as the column came to a halt.

"That's far enough, Yank," the boy called in a clear, firm voice.

"Easy, son. We mean you no harm."

The boy's lips curled with contempt. "Sure! That's what the others said when they came through here yesterday. Then they took our cow… .now my little brother's starvin'. And that officer.. .he hurt my mother. So you best just ride on out, mister. Just cause I'm little, don't think I don't know how to shoot. I been lookin' after my folks for quite a spell."

"We didn't come to take anything," Chase assured him. "We just want to water our horses before we move on. Is your father around?"

The boy shook his head while he watched Chase warily. "Nope, my pa's in the army. We ain't seen him for nigh on to a year now."

"Then may I speak to your mother?"

Again the child shook his head. "My mom's sick. I told you, that Yank hurt her."

Chase swung down from the horse and walked a couple of steps toward the porch until the boy raised the rifle and pulled back the hammer.

"Don't come any closer, Yank."

Chase halted, keeping his hands away from his body so the boy could see them clearly. "Listen to me, son, if your mother is ill maybe there is something we can do to help. One of my men is a medic. Let him take a look at her."

The boy didn't speak for a moment while he weighed Chase's suggestion. "All right, you can bring the doctor in. But remember, mister, I'm gonna keep this squirrel gun on you. Your men make one wrong move and I'll drill you."

Chase signaled to Lieutenant Rivers. "That's fair enough. I'm Major Kendall, what's your name?"

"Graham Potter," the boy returned, slowly lowering the rifle.

When Chase and the medic approached the house, the boy led the way inside. "Mom's back there," he said as he showed them toward a small room at the back of the house.

The rest of the detail began to dismount and draw water for their horses from the well near one end of the porch. Ashley let one of the men take her mount, then drifted toward the house. She could hear voices coming from the back room and a moment later Chase came out of the bedroom carrying a baby.

He looked up at Ashley as he came across the room toward her. "Ashley, this is Mr. Hampton Potter."

Ashley took off her trooper's cap as she smiled at the baby. He was probably close to a year old but he was terribly thin and pale. Ashley's heart went out to him. He lifted one skinny hand and stuck it in his mouth, sucking noisily on his fingers. Then his little face puckered in frustration and he began to cry.

"Do you know anything about babies?" Chase asked hurriedly, making Ashley giggle at the alarm that sprang to his face as the baby continued to howl.

Her long hair gleamed in the rays of sunlight that streamed in through the dingy, uncovered windows when she tossed her head. "Not really. But give him to me and I'll see what I can do."

Chase handed the baby over with a sigh of relief. Ashley rocked him back and forth in her arms, crooning softly to him. After a few minutes he stopped fussing and his eyes began to droop.

"He's hungry. Isn't there something for him to eat?"

Chase shook his head as he pushed the wide-brimmed cavalry hat back to allow her a clear view of his face. His voice tightened when he answered, "Doesn't look that way. The boy said their milk cow was just about dry but yesterday she was taken by the army. .the cow and just about everything else they could find."

Before Ashley could reply, the medic came out of the bedroom and Chase turned away to speak with him. Ashley continued to rock the baby but curiosity made her move a bit closer so she could hear the conversation.

"How is she?" Chase asked.

Lieutenant Rivers shook his head. "Not good, Major. From what I can tell she's been sick off and on since the baby came. Mostly from too much worry and not enough food, I'd say."

"What about the boy's story abut the soldiers hurting her?"

"He was right. She's been raped, sir, not just once but several times."

"Goddamn!" Chase's voice shook with fury that made his fists clench and unclench as he struggled to control of his temper.

"From the description she gave me of the officer in charge of that merry little band of cut-throats, Major, it looks like the work of your friend."

"Thompson?"

The medic nodded and Chase swore again under his breath. "I swear to God that someday I'll see that son-of-a-bitch pay for the hell he's caused innocent people."

"It's like you told us, Major. The man is using the war for his own private party."

After a second Chase took a long breath, then placed a hand on the medic's shoulder. "Do what you can for her, Lieutenant. Maybe there's something we can do to help make up for what Thompson did."

He glanced toward Ashley as he turned toward the door, noting the way her face had paled. "I suppose you heard that."

She nodded. "Yes. Do you think he's still around here somewhere?"

"Probably not. I'm sure he's taken his band of marauders on to richer plucking elsewhere."

He strode past her out the door. A moment later Graham Potter came out of his mother's room and followed Chase into the yard. He was still holding the rifle while he eyed the soldiers warily. He stood on the rotting porch watching while Chase called his men to join him in the shade of the house.

"Sergeant McNally, I'm leaving you in charge here. Pick a detail and see what you can do about fixing this place up a little. Take what you think you'll need from the supply wagon and get started."

He glanced upward toward the sky with the darkening clouds hovering overhead, then back at the stocky soldier. "It could start raining any minute and I'm sure this roof leaks like a sieve. And, Sergeant, when you get that done, leave the cow and calf we took from that plantation this morning. Leave those chickens too, and whatever else you think they can use."

McNally saluted. "You got it, Major. We'll have this place ship-shape in no time at all. I think maybe they oughta have that mule we took offen that rich farmer too. He's old but they'll need one come spring to do the plowin'."

Chase nodded his agreement as he pulled a map from his shirt. He glanced at it, then pointed out something to McNally. "See this plantation, Sergeant? Meet up with us there when you've finished here. The way those clouds are rolling in, I think we can count on spending the night there. Send one of the men back to the regiment to inform Captain Morrison of the change in our plans."

"Yes sir, Major. I'll send somebody back right away."

The sergeant turned away to begin giving orders in rapid fire succession to the men he picked for the detail. They quickly began taking stock of what supplies would be needed to get the house in livable shape.

The boy approached Chase, staring at him uncertainly. Chase waited for him to speak and after a moment the boy cleared his throat. "My pa wouldn't like me takin' charity from no Yanks."

Chase regarded him with quiet admiration. "I can understand that, Graham, but I'm not offering you charity. I'm merely trying to give back some of what those other soldiers took from your family. That's not charity. That's a debt the United States Army owes you."

"I ain't never seen no Yank like you afore."

Chase hooked his thumbs in the wide gunbelt around his waist. "I'm afraid the ones like Thompson make it difficult for the others, Graham. I'm just doing a job, son, like your father is trying to do." He turned to shoot a brief glance at Ashley on the porch. "All Yankees aren't so terrible, Graham."

The boy thought it over for a moment before nodding. "I reckon yore right, Major. Anyways, my mom and me. .we're right grateful for yore help. I heard you tell that other Yank to leave the cow." Following Chase's affirmative nod, he went on. "That's mighty nice of you. It's been a spell since Hampton's had any fresh milk."

He held out a dirty hand and Chase took it in a firm handshake to seal their agreement. The boy turned toward the porch to take the baby from Ashley's arms. His eyes widened with surprise when he saw her long hair and womanly figure and he looked back to Chase.

"Yore army down to using women to fight with, Major?"

Chase grinned as he shook his head. "No, Graham, this is a special circumstance. Private Reynolds doesn't fight, she's merely an observer."

The boy stared at him for a moment, then slowly shook his head "You Yanks are sure strange folks. It's no wonder yore losing the war."

Chase smothered the laugh bubbling up in his throat as he reached for the reins of his horse. Ashley had followed him across the yard and was now mounting her own horse. Chase swung into the saddle, then surprised the boy by saluting him.

"You're a fine young man, Graham. Your parents should be very proud of you."

The boy bounced the sleeping baby in his arms while squinting up at Chase. "Yore's too, I reckon."

Grinning, Chase turned the remaining members of his detail back down the path they had come. In minutes they were on their way again. They rode in silence for some time but finally Chase glanced at Ashley to find her watching him thoughtfully.

"Something on your mind, Ashley?"

"That was a very nice thing you did back there. Those people would have starved without your help."

"I was only trying to make up in part for what Thompson did to them. Fixing that house up a little and giving them a milk cow falls way short of that."

"Still, it was a kind gesture. Do you think they'll be all right now?"

"I hope so."

Falling silent, they passed a couple of miles without speaking. Ashley listened to the birds singing in the trees above as they rode, feeling very good about things. Chase's kindness to that poverty-stricken family had done a good deal to redeem him in her eyes. She suddenly felt more at peace than she had in days.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

They rode for another hour before, like a light at the end of a tunnel, a large clearing opened up. A gleaming white plantation house sprang into view. Riding onto the immense front lawn, Chase halted the detail and took a look around. There was nothing in sight, not even a stray animal.

"Corporal Donovan, take the men and search the house and outbuildings," Chase said to a tall lanky soldier behind him.

Donovan immediately dispatched the men to begin the search while Chase and Ashley dismounted. Dark clouds had almost covered the sky and now cold rain drops began falling as they stepped onto the long verandah that ran the length of the house.

"Whoever owns this place couldn't have left very long ago. This place is in fine shape."

"It's beautiful," Ashley said while she looked at the stately old house with its surrounding lawns bordered by late autumn flowers still in bloom. "Fernwood was a lot like this."

Chase noted the sadness in her voice as he took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. She had removed her cap and now her hair hung in silky waves down her back as she walked down the long porch to peek into a window.

He went to the front door and tried the knob. It turned in his hand and he stepped inside. The interior of the house was cold and damp and the heavy drape-covered furniture threw long shadows in the dim light coming from the draped windows.

In a moment three of his men followed into the room to begin a thorough search of the house. Ten minutes later they regrouped in the parlor to report the house and its out-buildings were deserted. Corporal Donovan stepped inside to report the area had been secured and sentries had been posted.

"Well, it looks like we have the place to ourselves for the evening," Chase remarked.

He pitched his hat onto a lamp table near the front windows, then pointed to the large stone fireplace that graced almost one entire end of the vast parlor. "Corporal, see about getting a fire started, will you?

"Ashley, will you come with me please?"

She followed him up the long curving staircase and watched as he opened first one door and then another. After the third one, he turned to her, motioning for her to come closer.

"I think this should serve you quite well. I'll have Corporal Donovan build a fire to take the chill off."

She gave a small gasp of pleasure when she got a better look at the room. It had a glorious white carpet and frilly pink curtains at the double window. In the center of the room stood a four poster canopy bed with matching fringe around the top and a luscious pink satin coverlet.

"It's beautiful," she said as she sank into the soft bed.

Chase watched her from the doorway as she lay back on the bed and closed her eyes with a contented sigh. "At least it's more what you're accustomed to than an army tent."

He was leaning against the door jamb, his weight resting on one leg, regarding her thoughtfully. She scrambled off the bed, trying to disregard the way her breath had caught in her throat. She moved about the room, then squealed with delight when she discovered a large enamel bathtub in a small adjoining room.

"Look! A real bathtub!"

"I'll see what I can do about getting it filled for you," Chase said behind her.

"That would be lovely."

They stood looking at one another for a moment before Chase found his senses, turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Ashley began exploring the closets. To her delight, she found that several gowns had been left behind when their owner fled to safer surroundings.

She took them from the closet and held each one against her as she peered into a gilt-framed mirror on the closet door before putting them back into the closet with a sigh. It had been so long since she had worn a gown of such quality and splendor. It would be heavenly to finally reach Savannah and have a decent wardrobe again.

Within a few minutes the soldiers came to build a fire. Shortly afterward they brought buckets of hot water to fill the tub. Ashley immediately stripped off the hated blue uniform and sank up to her neck in the delicious soapy water.

She was scrubbing herself for the second time when she heard a discreet knock at the door. A moment later Chase stuck his head through the opening. The bathtub was in a direct line with the bedroom door. Realizing that, Ashley sank up to her chin in the water with a gasp of dismay, thankful for the tons of soap bubbles.

"You didn't wait for permission to enter. Which I certainly would not have given!"

"Sorry, I didn't have time. I came to tell you that I'll be out for awhile. There's some kind of disturbance down at the stables and I have to take a look. I'm sure it's nothing, but I'm leaving two men downstairs just in case. If you need anything, just call them. And, Ashley," he added. "Be sensible for once and stay put, will you?"

"Don't worry, Major. Nothing could drag me from this heavenly bath."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it." Chase drew a long reluctant breath, then left, closing the door behind him.

She caught the sarcasm in his voice but decided to ignore it. There would be time to deal with him once she reached Savannah.

When the water began to cool she reluctantly stepped from the tub to rub herself dry. She felt clean for the first time since Fernwood was destroyed.

Moving to the bed, she picked up the green nightgown she had discovered in the closet and slipped into it. She hoped whoever owned it would forgive her for taking such a liberty.

The silky material clung to her curves, defining each swell and hollow. The garment was low-cut, revealing her firm breasts almost to the point of indecency. She felt like a queen as she sat down before the mirrored vanity to brush her hair, wondering about the girl who lived in this splendid room.

She brushed for several minutes, humming a cheery tune as she worked. Perhaps finding this plantation was a good omen. She smiled at the reflection in the mirror. There were tiny gold flecks across the bridge of her nose. After a second examination, she decided the freckles gave her face a touch of distinction. Her eyes appeared more luminous in the pale light from the lone lamp. She didn't seem any the worse for the adverse conditions she had endured throughout this march.

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Glancing up in the mirror, the brush slipped from her hand with a clatter onto the vanity top. Her heart froze in her chest for there, lounging against the closed bedroom door, stood Colonel Randolph Thompson.

A smug smile curled his lips. "Well, well, Private Reynolds, at last we meet. Fate has kindly provided us with a perfect set of circumstances," he remarked as he moved further into the room.

Ashley turned to face him. Where was Major Kendall when she needed him?

"How...how did you get in here?" she stammered, running the tip of her tongue over her dry lips.

Thompson dropped his hat onto a chair beside the doorway. "Quite simple really. I walked in."

"But Major Kendall left his men downstairs."

"So he did," Thompson agreed with a smile that made Ashley's skin crawl. "But two privates hardly present a problem for a full colonel, my dear. I must remember to commend Major Kendall on how well disciplined his men are. They follow orders beautifully."

"What is it you want?"

Thompson's cold blue gaze flicked over her before coming to rest on her face with such lecherous anticipation that Ashley felt faint with fear.

"I think that should be rather obvious, my dear. I've been watching you for weeks, hoping for a chance to get you alone. And then Kendall conveniently provides the exact setting I've been waiting for, unpurposely, of course. You see, the major is quite occupied elsewhere at the moment and will be for sometime."

"The disturbance he mentioned...you created it?"

"And I have two of my men outside this door in case the major decides to return before I'm ready. So you see, my dear Private Reynolds, there is plenty of time for us to get acquainted."

Ashley lurched up from the chair to face him. "I have no intention of becoming acquainted with the likes of you, sir! In the first place, you are nothing more than a murdering highwayman and a disgrace to the uniform you wear. And in the second place, we've already met!"

"Oh really? Pray tell me where."

"At Fernwood the day you murdered my father-in-law and burned my home to the ground!"

Thompson's heavy black brows arched in amusement. "Suppose you tell me. .what the hell is Fernwood?"

"It is…it was... my home. Until the second day of September. That's when you and your band of wolves came to steal our horses. When Mr. Reynolds refused to give them up, you shot him in cold blood and left him to die on the steps of his own home."

"Ah, yes, I do seem to remember that but I can't believe I overlooked a prize parcel like you."

"I was hidden, that's how you missed me!" Her hatred momentarily took control as she confronted him, unaware of the enticing picture she made in the low-cut, sensual gown.

"Well, better late than never, don't you agree? Such a pity though. We could already be such good friends. Oh well, we'll just have to make up for lost time now, won't we?"

"You come near me and I'll scream my head off," Ashley threatened, beginning to back up slowly as he came steadily closer.

"By all means…please do. It won't matter, I promise you. No one is going to rescue you, my dear."

"Major Kendall won't let you get away with this!"

"Ah, yes, Major Kendall. It would be very interesting if he were, how shall I put it…persuaded…to watch. It's only fair that he should share his good fortune with the rest of us. Trust me, my dear, if he comes up those stairs my men will be only too happy to deal with him."

Thompson's voice dropped to an ominous level as he added, "We're wasting time. Let's get started, shall we?" He unbuckled his gunbelt and let it drop to the floor.

Ashley backed further away. She frantically searched the room for a weapon.

He was so close she could feel his hot breath sear her skin. Her fingers curled around a silver candlestick resting on the nightstand beside the bed.

When Thompson moved another step closer, Ashley swung the heavy candlestick. Laughing mirthlessly, Thompson caught her wrist, bending it back until she thought she would faint from the pain. Her only chance was to delay him until Chase returned to the house.

"Drop it or I'll break your goddamned arm off!"

Ashley was forced to drop the candlestick. As it hit the floor, Thompson shoved her backwards onto the bed, then threw himself down upon her. His sweaty hands ripped at the nightgown.

The soft material split like tissue paper. Ashley fought back a gag when Thompson ran his eager hands over her body. She began to scream at the top of her lungs, but it had no effect on him. He slapped her hard to shut up the screams, so hard that Ashley had to struggle to retain consciousness. The lust in his eyes sickened her. He held both her hands in one of his while the other roamed at will over her body.

He flung one leg over her to keep her immobile and now Ashley watched in horror as he began to loosen his clothing. Helpless beneath him, she began to cry, praying it would be over quickly. He bent forward to put his hot wet mouth over hers while she gagged and struggled to turn her head away.

"That's right, baby…fight. The harder you fight, the better I like it."

His mouth was pressed against her throat while his free hand dug between her thighs. "Open them, you little bitch! You spread them for Kendall fast enough, I'll wager. Now it's my turn."

"Let me go, you disgusting pig! You're an animal!"

"When I'm ready, you snotty little bitch! Too bad Kendall isn't here to see this...he might learn something."

"Chase Kendall is a thousand times the man you are!"

Thompson slapped her again. Ashley's head snapped back against the curved bed poster. Her mind spun for an instant, then a cold dark cloud began creeping upon her. In a daze she could feel Thompson tearing away the front of the nightgown and felt a chill as the evening air hit her exposed body, but the blissful haze of unconsciousness was gaining control, making her feel as though she were floating.

As she fought to regain her senses, she became aware that Thompson was no longer sprawled across her but had risen and was standing beside the bed straightening his clothes. She shook her head to clear away the cobwebs and struggled to sit up.

Just inside the door she saw another blue uniform. A second later she recognized Chase's cold hard voice.

"Get away from her, Thompson!"

Thompson moved away, eyeing his gunbelt on the floor as he did so. Chase followed his glance and smiled.

"Go ahead, Thompson, try for it. I wish you would," he grated through clenched teeth.

Thompson took a deep breath. "I think you're forgetting your place, Major. I am the superior officer here and I'm ordering you to put that gun away."

"I don't care if you're a goddamned general. You put your filthy hands on her again and I'll kill you!"

Chase moved further into the room. The hammer on the heavy revolver was pulled back and the weapon was pointed at Thompson's chest.

"I'll see you court-martialed for this, Kendall. You can't pull a gun on a superior officer and get away with it."

"I can do anything I damn well please. I can shoot you right now and bury you behind the stables and no one will ever know what became of you."

"But you won't, Kendall. No, you're much too honorable for that," Thompson sneered. "You're the kind of officer who always goes by the rules,. You won't kill me, because you can't shoot down a man in cold blood."

"Unlike you."

Thompson nodded with a smug grin. "That's why I'll live a lot longer than you. Too much honor is bad for your health. You won't kill me, Major."

"And you won't try to have me court martialed," Chase replied. "I'm sure a review board would be very interested in your activities, don't you think, Colonel? Rape, plundering, murder…But you're right, I won't kill you in cold blood, but I will make you a promise. If you ever come near this girl again, you'll find the limits of my honor. Cross me again, Thompson, and you're a dead man."

Thompson shrugged. "As you wish, Major. No piece of ass is worth getting killed over."

He moved toward the door, then turned to send Chase one last cold stare. "But we're not finished, Kendall. No man pulls a gun on me and gets away with it. There'll be another time, another place. You can count on it."

Chase nodded as he motioned toward the door with his pistol. "I'm counting on it, Thompson. Now collect those two thugs in the hallway and get the hell away from here. You'll find a detail downstairs to escort you out of the area."

Thompson walked into the hallway where he found his two sentries being restrained by Corporal Donovan and Private Inwood. Sergeant McNally stood by, having returned from his repair detail at the Potter farm.

"Sergeant, make sure that Colonel Thompson and his men leave, will you?"

McNally nodded while motioning toward the staircase with the end of the long rifle that lay across his arms. "With pleasure, sir!"

Thompson stomped down the hallway but halted at Chase's cold voice behind him.

"And, Thompson, stay away from the Potter place. I'll be stopping there on my way back tomorrow and if I discover that you've been there again, I'll be looking for you."

Thompson turned to glare at Chase for a moment, then his lips curled in a sneer. "Remember what I said, Kendall. You and I aren't finished...not yet."

"I'll remember, Thompson."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Chase was almost knocked off his feet when Ashley threw herself into his arms. She pressed against him, burying her face in his chest while her fingers clenched in his shirt.

"Oh, Chase, Chase, that horrible man."

He took her by the shoulders to hold her away to see if she was hurt. He filled with anger at the bruises forming on her shoulders and arms. She seemed unaware that the gown was in shreds.

"Ashley, are you all right? Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head. "No," she murmured. "I'm not hurt."

"Are you sure? Maybe I should have the medic take a look at you."

Again she shook her head while she pressed closer. In his arms it seemed impossible that anything could harm her.

"No, I'm all right. Please, Chase, just hold me," she whispered in a voice so soft he had to strain to hear the words.

He laid his cheek against the top of her head. In seconds he felt her trembling body relax. He drew a long shuddering breath. What kind of man was he to feel these strong stirrings of desire when she had almost been raped only a few minutes earlier?

"It's all right, Ashley," he murmured against her ear. "He's gone now and I swear he won't be back." He carried her to the bed, and sat down with her on his lap.

As he continued to whisper comforting words to her, Ashley slowly became aware of his heart pounding against her cheek, of his breath warm and soothing on her neck. It dawned on her that he was trembling. She lifted a startled gaze to his face.

What she saw there was both alarming and comforting. Mixed with the concern she had seen earlier, there was now the same burning passion she had unleashed in him that morning at the deserted farmhouse. While she watched the struggle going on inside him, she suddenly knew she had nothing to fear.

"You're trembling."

"I'm a little upset, I guess," he stammered. "When I walked into this room and saw that son-of-a-bitch's hands on you...I wanted to kill him.."

She studied him in amazement. The man was actually embarrassed. "Why didn't you? You had the perfect opportunity, but you let him walk away."

"Because I couldn't kill him in cold blood, Ashley. If he had gone for the gun … but he didn't."

"You're too honorable to kill a man without giving him a chance, even a snake like Colonel Thompson."

A few hours ago you didn't think I was so honorable."

"A few hours ago you hadn't saved me from that horrible man. If you hadn't gotten here when you did..."

"I did get here in time, thanks to Private Inwood. He came flying out to the stables as soon as Thompson arrived and bullied his way in."

"Do you think he's really gone? He won't come back?"

"Not a chance," Chase assured her while he smoothed her damp hair back from her forehead. "Sergeant McNally will make certain of that. Trust me."

Ashley played with the brass buttons on his tunic, then lifted her gaze to his.

"I owe you an apology, Chase."

"Oh really? About what?"

"When I accused you of forcing yourself on me it wasn't true." She dropped her gaze, no longer able to look him in the face. "When that awful man came in here, when he touched me…there was no comparison in the way he was treating me and the way you treated me. I realized I've been unfair to you. It was wrong for me to blame you for everything like I did...and…well...I'm sorry."

He rubbed one hand gently across her back while she snuggled closer. "Then you no longer think I'm a two-headed monster like Thompson?"

Ashley shuddered at the mention of Thompson's name. "No, you're nothing like him."

"Did I hurt you?"

A flush stained her cheeks but she refused to look away from the warmth in his eyes. "Yes, you did, but it was unintentional. You had no way of knowing that I was...that I hadn't…"

"It's very difficult for you to talk about sex, isn't it?"

"Yes. I was raised by my father...I guess he didn't know how to explain such things to a daughter."

"I see."

Ashley followed his gaze, realizing that the front of the beautiful nightgown had been destroyed and he was looking down at her bare breasts.

"Oh my!" she gasped, trying to pull the ragged edges together to cover herself.

"Ashley, I'm not going to hurt you."

Without stopping to think about it, she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him.
Chase stiffened with surprise, then instinct took control. His arms went around her as his mouth responded to hers. He felt her go limp, molding to him as her lips parted to allow his tongue to slip inside.

Her hands moved up his neck to clasp in his hair while she responded to his kiss with a surge of desire that both frightened and excited her. Her body was in complete command of her mind, making her helpless to stop the emotions that raged through her.

It was he who finally pulled away. He held her by the shoulders while he struggled to get his breath. "Ashley, you don't know what you're doing to me," he murmured. "Don't play games with me. I can't take much of this."

Ashley kissed him again. She leaned forward to push him backward onto the bed, then laid down beside him. The torn gown fell away and she lay naked in his arms, their lips locked together in a passionate kiss that had her mind reeling. All those nights of sleeplessness, wondering what was tormenting her dreams had faded right out of her mind for his touch was the answer to all those questions.

She opened her eyes to find him staring down at her from a raised elbow, his gaze devouring her naked beauty.

"Jesus, you are so beautiful, Ashley," he said, his words barely a whisper.

She felt his hands slip down to gently caress her breasts. She began to fumble with the buttons of his shirt and slid it off his shoulders. She shyly began to loosen his gunbelt. It came loose and dropped onto the floor with a clatter. She ran her hands down his chest, feeling the muscles tense beneath her fingertips, down across his flat stomach to the buckle of the wide leather belt that ran through his trousers. It too, opened without a struggle but she couldn't go any farther.

"Go on, Ashley, you're doing just fine," Chase said softly while his lips blazed a trail of liquid fire down her throat to the tops of her breasts.

"I...I…don't think I can," she stammered. "I'm afraid."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. I won't hurt you."

"I know that. It's just that...well, I don't know how."

He reached down to remove his boots, then his trousers, and finally she felt the heat from his naked body when he drew her back into his arms and kissed her again. Only then did she find the courage to let her hand drift down to touch his throbbing erection.

"Oh my!" she gasped, withdrawing her hand.

He took her hand and pressed it against him. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Ashley. You've touched me before. The only difference is this time you know I'm awake."

"You were awake that night? You must have thought..!"

Chase kissed the tip of her nose. "I thought you were very curious about me, that's all. And I thought you were the most delightful creature I'd ever met."

Her lips parted but his mouth covered hers before any words could escape.

His mouth moved lazily down her throat to her breasts, his warm tongue bringing the nipples to instant tautness.

"Relax, Ashley, let me love you," Chase murmured. His hand slipped between her thighs to gently probe at the soft velvet wetness, then he moved down her body.

She lifted her trembling body to his mouth. Her fingernails stabbed into his shoulders as he continued to tongue her slowly. Wave after wave of exquisite delight surged through her body. She began to shudder and a cry burst from her lips as he brought her to a shattering climax.

She opened her eyes to see him poised above her. Her legs opened and her hips lifted to allow him entrance, but Chase held back.

She pressed against his back, her long legs encircled his hips, while her body screamed to have him inside her.

"Tell me you want me, Ashley," he whispered.

"No, I can't…."

"Say it, damn you. Say you want me," he commanded again while his mouth moved down her throat.

"Yes, yes, please, Chase. Please take me."

He groaned as he lowered himself into her. Half mad with passion, he forced himself to go slowly. He wanted to make this exquisite feeling last as long as possible.

"God, you are so beautiful," he whispered. "I want you so damned bad."

Ashley's nails raked his shoulders. She arched upward to meet his thrusts. Her mind was spinning madly as she tried to remember that he was the enemy, but at that moment the war had ceased to exist, time stood still, and they were the only two people in the universe.

Chase drove into her again and again, faster and faster until he heard her cry out his name, then felt her shudder beneath him. He felt her teeth sink into his shoulder as she strained upward. He groaned as he buried himself inside her with one last powerful thrust and shuddered as his passion was released into her.

A few moments later Chase rolled onto his side, his arms still tightly around her. Ashley lay quietly, her head cradled in the hollow of his shoulder, and opened her eyes to find him watching her.

She slowly realized what she had done, that she had allowed this to happen again, had in fact wanted it to happen. She burned with shame as she remembered crying out his name, begging him to take her. She tried to move out of his embrace but Chase held her securely.

"Please let me go," she whispered.

"No, not just yet. I want to hold you for awhile."

"Oh God! Why did I let this happen? I hate you for making me feel like this."

"It happened because you wanted it to happen."

"I was frightened...and...and you took advantage of me!"

"Now, Ashley, let's be honest, shall we? I did not take advantage of you. If anything, you took advantage of me. I was trying to be the perfect gentleman when you kissed me. Remember?"

Face flaming, she dropped her gaze, her eyes filling with tears. "Please, just let me go."

"Not until we reach an understanding."

"What do you want me to say? That I enjoyed this? That I wanted you to...to make love to me? Okay, okay, I did. I wanted it. Are you satisfied?"

"What I want is for you to stop being ashamed of those feelings. Ashley, there is nothing shameful about being a healthy, normal young woman. The whole world is crazy out there. People are killing each other twenty-four hours a day. Who knows how long either of us has? I can't see wasting all this time when it could be spent on much more pleasant things."

"Well, that's not enough!"

"What is it you want from me, Ashley?"

"This is so easy for you. You do what you want and then you'll just ride away in a few weeks and forget it. But it's not that simple for me. I have to go on living here among these people. How can I do that if they find out I've had a Yankee officer for a lover? I'll be an outcast. No decent man will ever consider marrying me. How can I live with myself knowing that I've let this...animalistic...feeling for you cause me to forget what you are, what I am?"

"What you are, my darling Ashley, is a very beautiful, sensual young woman and you must never let anyone make you ashamed of that. Why can't you forget about the war for awhile and concentrate on you and me?"

"I've already told you! In a few weeks you'll be gone back to your fiancée in...wherever it is...I have no desire to be just one of your fond memories to put into a neat little corner of your sordid past!"

"Ashley, I can assure you that you will never occupy a neat little corner in my memories. On the contrary, it will take a much larger space to contain the memory of you and what has happened between us."

"I will never be a convenience for you or any other man! A few stolen moments are not enough! It's dirty and shameful and immoral and I hate you for making me feel this way."

"What way is that, Ashley?"

"You know what way! Like some kind of wild animal!"

"Is that how I make you feel?"

"I hate myself for wanting you to...for feeling like I never want it to stop. I hate not being able to control my emotions when I'm with you."

Her voice broke and drifted off. She buried her head against his shoulder and began to cry. Over her bowed head, pain flashed through Chase's eyes as he laid his cheek against her hair. Her confession touched him more deeply than he cared to think.

"You're a beautiful woman, Ashley, and your body craves what I can give you. There's nothing dirty or shameful about that. I'm not a clumsy, awkward eighteen-year-old boy. I'm a man and I know how to make you feel like a woman. Can't you accept that and enjoy it for whatever time we have together?"

"No, no! Please just forget what we did. It was wrong and I'm sinful and disloyal and it must never, never happen again!"

Sighing, Chase released her arms. She sprang to grab up the robe that lay across the chair near the bed and began to dress frantically.

Once the robe was securely tied, she whirled to face him, trying valiantly to keep her gaze from running over his powerful body as he lay on the bed with his hands folded behind his head, making no attempt to cover his nakedness.

"Get out! Get out of here!" Her eyes blazed with conflicting emotions. Her honey-red hair was tumbled, making her look vulnerable and child-like.

Chase slipped into his trousers, buckled his belt and put on his shirt. He walked across the room to open the door. Stepping through into the hallway, he turned to ask, "Shall I come back later so we can discuss this in more detail?"

"No!"

When he closed the door she picked up a shoe and threw it with all her strength.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The ride back to rejoin the regiment was uneventful. Ashley rode beside Chase, grateful he did not try to engage her in conversation. She forced herself to think ahead to Savannah and the new life that awaited her there.

Chase was having much the same thoughts. It had been a mistake to insist the girl admit her passion for him. In fact, bringing her on this march had been a mistake from the very beginning, just as Dan Morrison had warned. For it was no longer a game to him. Playing cat and mouse with Ashley had come to an abrupt halt the previous evening when she had thrown herself into his arms.

It was at that moment Chase had faced the fact that this little southern vixen had come to mean much more to him than he wanted. And later when she had kissed him and clung to him, he had been overwhelmed by the emotions that roared unchecked through him. The mere touch of her made him crazy with desire. The sweet smell of her hair was enough to drive him wild.

He shook his head as he rode through the clear, brisk Georgia afternoon. He must put as much distance between them as possible. Yesterday he had come dangerously close to forgetting his commitment to Miranda, forgetting everything.

So he must deliver her to her cousin in Savannah, walk away from her, and never allow himself to go near her again. It was the only way.

PART THREE

SAVANNAH

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

As Sherman's masses neared Savannah the country became lower and more marshy, making marching difficult. They encountered roads blocked by fallen trees, particularly near creek and swamp crossings but Sherman's able workers rapidly removed them. By the time the army was within fifteen miles of Savannah, opposition thickened while supplies became shorter. This was rice country and while the foragers could load their wagons with plenty of rice, they could find little else. The country was flat and a good deal of it was under water and the campaign's picnic aspects came to an abrupt end.

The army came up on Savannah on December 10. Sherman led his forces around to the right, striking for the Ogeechee River and Ossabaw Sound, where he could get in touch with the navy, receive supplies, and regain contact with Grant in Washington.

The army went along the Ogeechee River where it overwhelmed Confederate Fort McAllister and met the Union Navy's gunboats and supply ships and the days of a rice diet were over.

It was Sherman's hope he would be able to trap General Hardee and his army of ten thousand defenders inside the city and force their surrender, but Hardee decided against surrender and planned an escape by way of the one causeway still open across the Savannah River. He evacuated his troops on December 20th and at daybreak the following morning, the XX Corps entered Savannah.

***

Ashley waited impatiently for Chase to return from his meeting with Sherman. He had promised to take her to her cousin as soon as the army was in control of the city and that had been completed two days before. It was now mid-day and her patience was wearing thin.

She was wearing the yellow dress he had taken from her. Though it was in sad shape, it was better than appearing on her cousin's doorstep wearing a Yankee uniform.

Captain Morrison's bearded face appeared through the opening in the tent. "Mrs. Reynolds, if you'll come out please, the major's here."

Ashley hurried from the tent and gave a gasp of surprise at the sight that awaited her. There in precise formation were the two hundred fifty men of Morrison's company. Mounted with buttons shining and boots gleaming, they gave her a polite nod as she came out into the sunshine.

In the front row of the impressive blue column sat Sergeant Carney looking properly military for the first time since Ashley had known him. His shaggy hair was neatly trimmed and he was clean-shaven.

She looked from the men to Chase, who sat on his horse a few feet away. In answer to the question on her face, he said, "Ashley, the men have something to say to you before you leave."

She directed her attention to Captain Morrison when he spoke. "Mrs. Reynolds, the men of A Company have a great deal of admiration for you. You have served well, even if it wasn't for our side, and they feel you deserve some recognition."

He looked to Sergeant Carney with a nod. "Sergeant."

Carney dismounted and walked toward Ashley very formally and stopped directly in front of her. He cleared his throat, glanced first at Chase, then at Morrison while Ashley noted the customary chew of tobacco was missing. This was a Carney she had never seen and somehow she liked the old scruffy soldier she was accustomed to better.

"Mrs. Reynolds, in view of your bravery under fire and your dedication to your cause, the men of A Company, Twentieth Corps, US Cavalry, present you with this medal for valor."

At that point he reached down and pinned a medal on her dress. Then he stepped back with a grin. "You're a fine soldier, Missy, and the men are proud to have served with you. We hope that you will remember us kindly when you look back on this campaign someday because for some of us, knowin' you has been the high point of the war."

Ashley looked down at the medal on her shoulder, then back up at the gruff old soldier who had been such a good friend during the past weeks and felt an unexpected tear forming. She impulsively hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Carney cleared his throat in embarrassment as the mounted soldiers behind him gave a rousing round of applause. He turned neatly on his heel and strode back to remount his horse.

Satisfied that everything was in order, Morrison said, "Mrs. Reynolds, the men of A Company, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, wish you happiness and success. We salute you."

With that, the entire company gave her a smart military salute. Ashley lifted shiny eyes to the men and cleared her throat. "I don't know what to say except thank you. Thank you all."

"Ashley, I'll take you to your cousin now," Chase said at her side.

She nodded, unable to speak for the lump in her throat, and took the reins he held out to her. She mounted, admitting reluctantly that the cursed blue uniform was certainly easier to manage on a horse than a dress as she tucked the skirt around her legs.

Chase led the way from camp while Morrison led the company in another direction. Ashley breathed in the fresh fragrance of jasmine and magnolias. Though it was almost Christmas, Savannah had a tropical air for blooming flowers were abundant and palm trees and orange trees were everywhere.

War seemed not to have touched the city at all. Sherman's troops had entered the city with flags waving and bands playing and the men were on their best behavior, insuring that Savannah would be spared the devastation so many other southern cities had endured.

As they rode through streets teeming with Union soldiers, Ashley looked at Chase. Those last few days before Sherman took Savannah, his regiment had seen a good deal of action as Hardee's troops fought desperately in a last ditch effort to hold the city.

Though his uniform was spotless as usual, the brass buttons gleaming in the afternoon sun, and the knee high black boots polished to a rich shine, there was tiredness in his face that came from days of action against the enemy and nights spent in briefings with his officers. He made no attempt at conversation as he led the way through the crowded streets.

Ashley broke the silence by clearing her throat to get his attention. "It was kind of your men to give me this," she said as she fondled the medal on her shoulder.

He glanced at her with a smile that barely touched his mouth, his eyes remaining cool and aloof. "I'm glad you were pleased. It was their own idea. It was a sincere gesture, you know. The men hold you in high esteem for the way you've handled yourself during this march. And they admire your courage."

"Whose medal is this?"

"Mine."

"What was it for?"

"Service above and beyond the call of duty, I think they said."

"Where did you get it?"

"Gettysburg."

"You can have it back. I'm sure you'd like to keep it."

He shook his head and kept his gaze straight ahead. "I have a couple more of them. Besides, you've earned it."

"You're certainly not in a very good mood today. I should think you'd be thrilled to be getting rid of me."

When he didn't answer, she tilted her head at an angle to look at him again. "I mean, once you've delivered me safely to Dr. Wallace you will have kept your word and you can forget about me."

Chase finally turned to look at her and Ashley saw something unreadable in his eyes. "Yes, of course you're right. Now you can get on with your life and I can get back to the war without having you underfoot."

She reached out a hand to hesitantly touch his arm. "Chase, there's something I'd like to say before we arrive at my cousin's house."

He slowed his horse while he waited impatiently. "Well, go on. Say it."

Ashley was a bit hurt at the curt tone of his voice and paused to swallow before continuing. "Well...I just...I wanted...I feel I ought to thank you for bringing me here...and…well, I'm not going to say anything to my cousin about...well...about what happened...about us."

A mocking smile appeared on his face. "That's very generous of you, Ashley, not to tell your cousin how I took advantage of you. I appreciate that."

"Oh, you insufferable Yankee! I'm trying to prevent my cousin from having to defend my honor and all you can do is make fun of me!"

"Ashley, you may tell your cousin whatever you choose, but I think you should know that your honor needs no defending. I can truthfully say you are the finest lady I've ever known," he replied in that same aloof tone.

She stared at him open-mouthed, not knowing what to say. Then she snapped her lips together and swallowed again. "There's one more thing."

"What's that?" Chase asked wearily.

She dropped her head for a second, then forced herself to meet his gaze. "About what happened…between us, I mean. I hope you'll be a gentlemen and forget it."

"What the hell do you think I'm going to do, Ashley? Make a public announcement that we were lovers?" he snapped.

"No, of course I didn't think that! It's just that...well, it was a mistake. I want to forget you and this miserable march and everything that happened along the way. I don't want to ever see you again and I certainly do not wish to be reminded of what a weak fool I've been."

Chase pulled his horse to a stop and her horse followed suit. He leaned one arm across the saddlehorn as he stared into her flushed face. "If you really want me to forget anything ever happened between us then I'll certainly try my damnedest. You can pretend nothing ever happened. You can go right on immortalizing your dead husband and being the perfect grieving widow for as long as you wish. No one will ever know differently.

"I only hope that someday you can look back on this and see that what we shared was something very special. Something that happened between two perfectly normal people, not a southern patriot and a Union soldier. Maybe then you'll be able to become a woman instead of a guilt-ridden little girl."

As the horses once more began moving forward, she struggled to come up with a suitable stinging retort but nothing came to mind. She was still seething when Chase stopped again.

"Why are we stopping now?"

"Because this is where you get off. This is your cousin's house," he replied as he dismounted.

Ashley jumped to the ground, smoothed her hair and adjusted her tattered skirts as Chase walked up to the front door to knock. A few seconds later the door opened and a large, portly man with thinning gray hair came out of the house.

"Dr. Wallace, I'm Major Kendall. I was here earlier but your housekeeper said you were out. I trust you were informed of your cousin's arrival?"

Dr. Wallace's head bobbed as he came down the steps past Chase to take Ashley's hand. Leading her toward the open door, he smiled cheerfully and called to someone inside.

"Sarah! Sarah, come here!"

A moment later a tall, slim woman appeared.

"Sarah, this is my cousin by marriage, Ashley Reynolds. Please take her inside and help her get settled. I'm sure she would like a nice bath and something to eat, wouldn't you, my dear?"

Ashley nodded and walked past Chase up the steps. She paused at the front door to turn and look at him one last time. "Good-bye, Major Kendall," she said in a formal tone as their gazes locked for a long moment. "I trust you will take care of yourself."

"I certainly intend to try. Good-bye, Mrs. Reynolds. I wish I could say it's been a pleasure," Chase returned in the same cool tone she had used.
Ashley turned and disappeared into the house with the housekeeper. Dr. Wallace followed Chase through the yard. When Chase mounted, he caught the bridle and looked up at Chase uncomfortably.

"Major Kendall, I wonder if I might have a word with you?"

Chase looked down at the man, his eyes narrowing at the whiny quality in the doctor's voice. "Of course, Dr. Wallace, but I can only stay a minute. I'm due for a patrol shortly."

Dr. Wallace cleared his throat and stared up at him. "Major Kendall, you have my most heart-felt thanks for bringing my cousin safely to me. However..."

"However what, Dr. Wallace?"

The pudgy doctor wiped his brow while shifting from one foot to the other in discomfort. "However, I must be perfectly honest and tell you that having another mouth to feed right now presents a considerable hardship for me.

"You see, Major, I am a surgeon, but lately the only patients I've had have been soldiers and the army is months behind in compensating me for my services. The truth is, Major, that I am in financial difficulty and with Ashley here...well, the child has no clothes, no money. I'm afraid she presents me with a rather severe problem."

Chase’s gaze flicked over Dr. Wallace with unconcealed contempt. "Is that why you never sent for her after you received my messages from Atlanta?"

The doctor's head bobbed again as he touched the tip of his tongue to his lips. "I'm afraid so, Major. I was in no position to send for her."

"I see," Chase replied dryly.

Dr. Wallace nodded and swallowed. An expression of worry crinkled his sweaty brow. "Perhaps I will be able to arrange a marriage for her but those things take time. And with all the young men off to war, well, it could be a long time before such an arrangement can be made."

A flinty gleam crept into Chase's eyes. He reached into a back pocket to take out his wallet. He counted out three one hundred dollar bills and handed them to Dr. Wallace.

Wallace wasted no time in accepting the money. A contemptuous sneer curled Chase's lips as the man greedily counted the money for a second time.

"I trust that will help ease your burden, Dr. Wallace. There should be enough there to buy Ashley a new wardrobe and whatever else she might need. I expect the money to be used for her needs.

"And, Doctor, I also expect you to let Ashley believe the money came from you. She's quite a girl. She's very dedicated to the Cause and regards any man in a blue uniform as worse than a traitor. I see that kind of patriotism doesn't run in the family."

The man's face went crimson. "I'm a realist, Major. I love the South as much as anyone but I have to be practical. Patriotism doesn't put food on the table or keep a roof above our heads. That is something my young noble cousin will have to learn. "

Chase whirled his horse and galloped away into the sea of soldiers that filled the streets. Behind him, Alexander Wallace recounted the money again. He glanced up at the Yankee disappearing down the street and smiled.

He folded the bills and put them inside his coat pocket. Yes indeed, perhaps there was a way to refill his depleted wallet, with a little help from the girl, and the Yankee.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Christmas Eve dawned two days later so warm and balmy it was hard to believe it was really Christmas. Chase rode down the street past green lawns bright with blooming flowers, and thought of home. In Philadelphia now the ground would be covered with snow and the air brisk. The family would be trimming the Christmas tree. The entire house would be filled with the fragrance of baking pies, cakes, and a dozen kinds of cookies.

He thought about all the Christmases in that house when he was a little boy. The house was always filled with visiting relatives, the tree buried beneath brightly wrapped presents. It had been four years since he had been home at Christmas time. Only four years but it seemed a lifetime.

He thought about Miranda. He could imagine her descending the stairs tonight wearing something elegant, stunning in diamonds and emeralds, to share the evening with his family.

How many years had Miranda been a part of their Christmas celebration? Their families had always taken it for granted that they would marry someday. He couldn't remember a time when his parents hadn't been certain that Miranda would be the perfect wife. Maybe they were right. There had been a time not so long ago when he thought so too but now…now he wasn't so sure.

He doubted she gave much thought to the danger he lived with. Knowing Miranda as he did, Chase was sure she was not sitting home every night knitting socks for him. She was out living life to the fullest.

That was a side of Miranda no one knew existed but him. To their families and the elite social circle they moved in, Miranda was the perfect lady. Prim, proper, with all the necessary social graces and as virginal as the day she was born.

A dry laugh bubbled up from his throat at that thought. He well remembered the day when she insisted he walk her home from school and suggested a short cut through the park. She showed him a quiet shady spot under a giant oak, then proceeded to show him a lot more.

Even the whipping his father gave him for being so late when he finally got home that evening had not dampened his high spirits.

He pictured again her face the day he left for the war. Her eyes had gleamed with affection as he slipped the diamond and emerald ring on her finger. Now he wondered if he would ever be able to look at that ring without remembering Ashley Reynolds' emerald eyes.

He shook that thought away and forced his mind back to the present. With General Hardee's army out of reach in the Carolinas, he had been given a couple of days off for Christmas and had taken advantage of the time to track down Rosie and retrieve his personal things. Along with his own belongings, she had given him the framed picture of Jeremy Reynolds that Ashley had been forced to leave behind in the Atlanta boarding house.

He was now on his way to give it to Ashley. Besides the picture, he had bought her a Christmas gift. Something purchased on a sudden impulse. It was Christmas. She was alone and he didn't want it to be a bleak time for her.

***

In the two days since Chase had delivered her to Dr. Wallace, Ashley was busy adjusting to her new life. With a closet full of new clothes and a lovely room of her own, a bath everyday and plenty of food, she felt better than she had in weeks.

Sarah, she had discovered, was her cousin's housekeeper and had been with him for years. She was a pleasant woman who didn't talk much and lived in her own room at the back of the house.

Alexander Wallace was fifty years old and had never been married. He was a reputable doctor who seemed very dedicated to his medical practice. St. John's Cathedral had been turned into a hospital, filled to over-flowing with wounded, so Dr. Wallace was there from before dawn until after dark every day.

Dr. Wallace's home stood in a quiet area of Savannah away from the more affluent section of town. It was a modest home by most standards but Ashley was becoming very comfortable there.

She was dusting the upstairs bedrooms that Christmas Eve when Sarah came to tell her that she had a visitor.

"Visitor? Who on earth is it, Sarah?"

"It's that handsome Yankee major, Miss Ashley. He says he's brought you something you left behind in Atlanta. Something very important to you."

It could only be Jeremy's picture! She had been certain she would never see it again but Chase had gotten it somehow and brought it to her. Then the smile died on her lips. She had vowed that she would never see Major Chase Kendall again.

"Sarah, please tell Major Kendall to leave whatever it is. And, Sarah, tell him also that should he call here again, I shall not be in….ever."

Sarah climbed down the stairs and approached the tall man waiting in the drawing room. "I'm sorry, Major. Miss Ashley is indisposed. She asked that you leave whatever you've brought and accept her apology."

"I see. Is she indisposed to everyone or just to me?"

"I'm sorry, Major Kendall. I'm afraid Miss Ashley does not wish to see you."

"Of course. As the lady wishes," he said after a moment in a voice so calm it could have frosted the windows. "Please see that she gets this, will you?"

Sarah took the picture from him. Almost as an afterthought, he handed her another package, much smaller and brightly wrapped in Christmas paper. "And please wish her a Merry Christmas for me, will you?"

"Certainly, Major. Good day," Sarah replied as she showed him to the door.

She went back up the stairs and found Ashley dusting the same furniture with a frightful vengeance.

"Well, what did that dreadful man want?"

Sarah handed the picture. Ashley snatched it up and hugged it to her chest. Tears came to her eyes as she bent her head over the picture.

"There was something else, Miss Ashley," Sarah said. She handed Ashley the smaller package. "The major said I was to tell you Merry Christmas."

Ashley laid Jeremy's picture on the bed and stared at the gaily wrapped gift. After a moment's hesitation, she tore open the package. Inside the paper was a royal blue jewelry case. She opened it to find a magnificent crucifix inside. The chain gleamed with the rich luster of pure gold. The clasp was heavier, also solid gold. As she turned it over, she caught the sparkle of engraving: To Ashley...From Chase.

Sweet was a term she would have never thought of applying to Chase Kendall, but this was a very sweet gesture. She knew she should send it right back to him. Instead, she went to the mirror, fastened it around her neck, then stood back to admire how it looked.

She must have it blessed. St. John's was now a hospital but it was still a church. She would go there tomorrow and have the crucifix blessed at Christmas services. Perhaps it was his way of saying good-bye, she thought. Or saying he was sorry for the despicable way he had treated her so often.

She decided to concentrate on the gift and forget the giver. She did not like the way her body warmed when she thought about Chase Kendall. It was much too unsettling and so must be ignored.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Chase awoke on Christmas morning with a roaring hangover. He sat up in bed, trying to remember where he was or how he had gotten there. Glancing around, his blood-shot gaze settled on the two naked women, one on either side of him, and it began coming back to him.

He had been so angry when he left Dr. Wallace's house, he had ridden about aimlessly for awhile, then came to this waterfront saloon where he proceeded to drink himself insensible. During the evening he procured the services of these two somewhat seedy but well-versed ladies and apparently spent the rest of the night humping his brains out.

He eased himself out of bed, being careful not to wake either of them and stood staring down at them in confusion. He couldn't remember their names. Not that it mattered. The two of them together could not compare to a quarter-sized patch on Ashley Reynolds' creamy thigh.

He stumbled across the small dingy room to the washstand and poured the pitcher of water over his throbbing head. He felt dirty and sticky and his stomach heaved when he raised up too quickly from the washbowl.

He put both hands to his temples. His head felt like it would burst. The blood-shot veins in his eyes reminded him of a reconnaissance map when he glanced in the cracked mirror above the washstand. He looked around for his clothes and struggled into them. Every movement sent a stab of pain piercing through his brain. He grimaced at the collection of empty liquor bottles strewn about the room. It was no small wonder his head pounded like an anvil and his stomach lurched with every breath.

He laid a hundred dollar bill on the washstand before leaving the room. He took a back stairway to the street and located his horse still tied in front of the building. He mumbled an apology to the animal for leaving him tied up all night as he wobbled into the saddle.

It was almost eight o'clock Christmas morning as he lifted his head to listen to the bells from St. John's Cathedral pealing in the distance.

It had been a long time since he had been to church, before the war in fact, but he felt a compelling need to go this morning. It was Christmas and he was a long way from home and suddenly very lonely.

***

A half hour later after a quick bath and a shave, he walked into the chapel of St. John's Cathedral. The chapel was a small room off the main sanctuary and the only part of the church not being used as a hospital. The morning sun streamed through stained glass windows in multi-colored patterns that played on the pews and altar with a radiance that filled Chase with a comforting peace.

He was raised a devout Catholic, but it had been years since he had really thought about God. It was hard to believe in an all-loving Creator when men were being killed all around you. There had been many times when he had doubted God even existed in the midst of all this death and devastation. But not here. Here in this chapel the Lord’s presence was softly surrounding everything.

He knelt to pray but no words would come. What could he say to explain the horrible things he had done in the name of war? How could God understand or forgive? He couldn't pray for himself but maybe he could pray for others.

He thought about the crucifix he had given Ashley. He tried to pray for all the women who had lost their husbands and sons and brothers in this terrible war. He prayed that they would all find peace someday, but especially Ashley.

Proud, defiant, sweet, gentle, beautiful Ashley. She was right. The only thing to do was forget everything that had happened between them. How else could he ever hope to go home and marry Miranda?

There was gentle rustling at his side, causing him to glance up to see a young woman gliding down the aisle toward the altar. He saw that it was Ashley approaching the priest. Though he was some distance from the altar he could hear the priest's incantations as he blessed something. She crossed herself as she genuflected before the altar, then came back up the aisle. She was wearing the crucifix he had given her. That was what the priest had blessed.

Ashley slipped into a pew across the aisle. Feeling his eyes on her, she looked directly at him. Starting with surprise, she and bowed her head to pray. She was irritated to find her attention wondering. Why was he here?

For a moment she thought it obscene that a Yankee should be here in a Georgia church. Then taking a quick glance around, she was chagrined to see other Union soldiers present. Several Confederate wounded had also come to the services. If soldiers could call a truce for a few hours, she supposed she could too.

Turning her mind back to the service, Ashley followed the Mass, finding the serenity of the prayers comforting. When it ended, she rose to leave the pew, searching for Chase amid the church-goers. She spotted his broad shoulders ahead in the crowd and hurried to catch up with him. When she finally caught up with, he was striding toward the hitch rail where his horse was tied.

"Chase! Chase! Wait!"

He heard her calling his name but he did not turn around or slow his pace. She had sent him away the previous day like a stray pup and he had no desire for another helping of her scalding insults. He untied his horse and was about to mount when he felt her touch his shoulder.

"Chase, didn't you hear me calling you?"

When he turned to face her, she saw the tiredness in his face, the tiny lines around his mouth, and the blood-shot eyes and drew back in alarm.

"What is it, Ashley? I have a thousand things to do," he said curtly.

Ashley swallowed and blinked. "I...I...you have to work on Christmas?"

"Yes. The war may stop for a day but the paperwork goes on. What is it?"

"I thought...I just wanted to thank you for bringing Jeremy's picture. It was very kind of you," she stammered. If he was going to be rude she'd get this over with as quickly as possible.

"You're welcome."

"I also wanted to thank you for the crucifix. It's very beautiful," she added, shifting from one foot to the other.

"You're welcome for that too."

"I was quite surprised to see you here this morning. I didn't know you were Catholic."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Ashley."

Her face colored. "You're still mad because I wouldn't see you yesterday, aren't you?"

"My, aren't we perceptive this morning?"

"We agreed not to see each other again."

"I'm quite aware of that, Ashley, but I really thought you would have manners enough to accept your beloved husband's picture in person. I was wrong, obviously, but it was a mistake I shall not make again."

"You look terrible," she said, changing the subject in an effort to avoid further reference to her lack of manners.

"Thanks for pointing that out. I have a roaring headache this morning and if you're through, I'm going back to my quarters and throw up."

Alarm sprang to Ashley's face. Without realizing it, she put a hand on his arm. "What's wrong, Chase? Are you sick?"

"That's one way of putting it," he said in a more civil tone. "However, I have no one to blame but myself. You see, I started celebrating the holidays a little early."

"You have a hangover!"

"You are so right."

He mounted but had to wait for her to move out of the way before he could turn the animal toward his quarters.

"Christmas must be very lonely for you. I mean, you're so far away from home and your family and…"

"I'll live through it. I'm sure I can find something to keep me busy."

The sarcastic implications in his words hit her like a blast of frigid air. She stepped back from the horse with her eyes flashing. "I'm sure you can, Major. Perhaps you can find the same sleazy, low-class creature you obviously found so fascinating last night!"

"It sure as hell beats sitting at home staring at a picture of a dead person. I'm not dead yet and I don't intend to be buried one goddamned second before I have to," he said sharply, then silently cursed himself at the pain that flashed through her face.

Ashley stared up into his eyes while her lips curled with a contemptuous sneer.

"You go straight to hell, Major!" she hissed, then whirled around and flounced off down the street.

She heard his horse break into a gallop and glanced back to see him disappearing in the opposite direction. Good, she fumed. He's out of my life once and for all, thank God.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Two days later Ashley was summoned to Dr. Wallace's library for a chat after dinner. She hurried into the room with a cheery smile.

"Sit down, my dear," Dr. Wallace invited, indicating an overstuffed chair opposite the window from his seat.

The library was a comfortable room with mahogany bookshelves lining one entire side and end. A stone fireplace covered the other end and on the opposite wall from the bookshelves a large window overlooked the flower garden that surrounded the house. Though it was late December and a fire burned merrily in the fireplace, the smell of jasmine still crept into the room filling it with a sense of spring.

Dr. Wallace settled into his own chair, drawing on the long thin cigar held in his teeth as he eyed his young cousin. His gaze flickered over her perfect figure. With such a body and face, finding a suitable husband should present no problem once the war came to an end and the young men returned home.

He remembered Franklin's son Jeremy and wondered how on earth such a mousy little milksop ever managed to woo this lovely creature.

"Ashley, dear, we've had such little time to chat since you've arrived. I thought we should take a few minutes to get better acquainted."

"I'm so glad, Dr. Wallace. I've been thinking the same thing."

"Good, good. And please, Ashley, call me Alexander."

"Thank you, I'd like that."

"You know, Ashley, I'm a bit concerned about how you came to be with General Sherman's army. I received a message from Major Kendall shortly after you arrived in Atlanta but I'm afraid it was quite impossible for me to leave our dear wounded boys. Although I was very concerned about you being all alone in Atlanta with all those Yankees about. Especially after the way they murdered poor Franklin."

Ashley glanced away. "Actually, Alexander, coming with the army was not my idea. The night Atlanta was burned Major Kendall took it upon himself to bring me along...against my will, I might add."

"I see," Dr. Wallace said. His brows raised a bit while he drew on the cigar again. "I hesitate to ask this, Ashley, but as your only living relative I feel I must. Major Kendall...did he do anything to...how shall I put this delicately...cast a shadow of doubt upon your reputation?"

"No! Of course not!"

Two bright points of color burned in her cheeks but she fought to keep her voice calm and her gaze directly on his. "I assure you, Alexander, Major Kendall was very protective of me during the march, but we reached an understanding right away. I hated him and he hated me."

"That's not the impression he gave me," Dr. Wallace observed. "He seemed to hold you in quite high regard, as a matter of fact. Although he seemed certain you did not return the opinion."

"He was quite right. But what can you expect from a Yankee?"

"What do you know about him, my dear?"

Ashley stared at him in puzzlement. "I'm not sure I know what you mean, Alexander."

"What kind of family does he come from? You know, that kind of thing."

Ashley thought for a moment, her brows knitting in concentration as her hands twisted in her lap. "I don't know very much about him, I guess. He mentioned once that his father is a senator...I think he is an only child. He is also engaged to someone he's known for years and his family thinks it's a match made in heaven."

This last statement was made with such sarcasm that Dr. Wallace's eyes lit up with interest. "Then he isn't married?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

Dr. Wallace shrugged and smoked his cigar for a few moments. "Would you say then that his family has money?"

The thought of the expensive gold crucifix at her throat flashed through Ashley's mind. "I assume so. I don't understand, Alexander, why are you so interested in that dreadful Yankee?"

"What else do you know about him?"

"That's about all."

"Would you say he is an honorable man, Ashley?"

"No, Alexander, I would not say he is an honorable man," she snapped, then looked down at her hands. "He is an immoral, womanizing scoundrel!"

"Are you quite sure this man treated you with the respect you deserved, my dear? For if he didn't, I can assure you that I will demand satisfaction immediately."

Alarm sprang to her face as Captain Morrison's warning reverberated in her ears. She swallowed hard. "Alexander, it's just like I've told you. He didn't do anything to compromise my reputation. I swear!" She could only pray that Dr. Wallace believed her. For him to demand satisfaction from Chase Kendall would only prove disastrous.

Dr. Wallace let out a long sigh as he puffed on the cigar. If Major Kendall had compromised Ashley in some way, he was quite sure the major would be willing to pay handsomely to keep his family's name from being disgraced. But the girl was adamant so he was forced to skip ahead to his alternative plan.

"Ashley, my dear, you know I'm very happy to have you here. I'm also pleased that you made the trip safely, especially under such adverse conditions, but I'm forced to tell you some rather disturbing facts," he said, his voice becoming sad and serious.

"What's the matter, Alexander? Is it something I've done?"

"No, no, my dear, it's nothing you've done. But I am afraid your arrival does present me with a serious problem. You see, my dear, my financial situation is deplorable. The army is months behind in paying me for my services to the wounded and now that you're here, well..."

"Now that I'm here you have added burdens." Tears burned her eyes but she blinked them back. "Is there anything I can do to help, Alexander?"

This was even easier than he had anticipated. "As a matter of fact, there is. As much as it pains me, Ashley, I must ask you to go to Major Kendall and explain my situation to him. I'm sure once he understands the gravity of the situation he will be happy to make you a loan."

Ashley's mouth dropped open in shock. She must have misunderstood Dr. Wallace's suggestion. "You want me to ask that man for money?"

"I'm afraid it's the only way, my dear. Major Kendall is the only man in Savannah with spare cash."

"How do you know that?"

"Where do you think all those new clothes came from, Ashley?" Dr. Wallace’s voice lost the soft despair. "Major Kendall gave me three hundred dollars to buy whatever you needed the day he brought you here. However, there is still the matter of food and rent and other necessities. You may assure him it is only a loan, just until my pay comes from the army."

Ashley stared at him in shock, still unwilling to believe what she was hearing. "You took money from that man? How could you!"

"Quite simply, my dear. I merely asked for it and he handed it over. He seemed determined that you should want for nothing. In fact, he insisted on being informed of any further needs you might have."

Ashley bolted from the chair. "Have you no pride, Alexander?"

Wallace reached up and caught her wrist. "I found out very early in the war, my dear, that pride doesn't pay the bills. Now, as I have already pointed out, there is a need for money and your Yankee major has expressed a willingness to provide it. So all there is left for you to do is merely go to him and tell him what you need. I think four or five hundred dollars should be sufficient for the time being."

When he released her wrist, Ashley sprang back in alarm. She sank into her chair, staring at him in dismay. "I can not go to that dreadful man and ask him for money. You don't know him, Alexander. If I ask him for money he is going to expect something in return."

"Then my suggestion is, unless his demands are too outrageous, give him what he wants."

"You can't mean that," Ashley cried. "Alexander, I am not willing to give that man what he would demand in payment."

"Then you have only one other option, my dear. You may get a job and go to work to earn your keep. It is up to you. As a matter of fact, I have the name of a place where you might get employment. It's owned by a friend of mine."

He handed her a piece of paper with the name and address of the business to which he was referring.

"This is the name of a saloon!"

"The Golden Lady is a thriving business down on the waterfront. I believe they are in need of a waitress. You may speak to Mr. Garfield tomorrow at ten o'clock about the position. Of course, if you change your mind, Ashley, you can still go to Major Kendall."

"No! Never!"

Wallace stood up with a smile. "As you wish, my dear. Now I must bid you goodnight. My carriage will take you to the waterfront tomorrow morning."

With that, he strode across the room and up the stairs. Ashley sat in stunned silence. The scent of jasmine and honeysuckle still sweetened the room but all the joy had gone out of it. She could not believe she had been so totally wrong about Dr. Wallace. The man had fooled her completely and apparently Mr. Reynolds as well. Her father-in-law would never have wanted her to come here if he'd had any idea about his cousin's true character.

Lonely, frightened tears began to spill from her eyes as she sat alone in the growing darkness. A single candle burned on the mantle and the fireplace blazed cheerfully but she wondered if she would ever feel cheerful again. And to think Chase Kendall had paid for the clothes on her back!

She shook the tears from her eyes and straightened her shoulders. If she must take a job, then take a job she would. At least she had some experience waiting on tables. She would show Dr. Wallace just what a Reynolds was made of. She would take this job and show them all.

How Chase must hate her now. She touched the crucifix around her neck. He had bought it for her after already shelling out three hundred dollars to her cousin. It was indeed a generous gift.

She finally went to sleep, determined to take this job. Her pride would settle for nothing less.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The job at the Golden Lady was a simple matter to acquire. Mr. Garfield hired her after one glance. Indeed, he could hardly believe his good fortune. He knew the soldiers would come pouring into his business for a mere glimpse of her.

He was right. When word spread of the beautiful new waitress in the Golden Lady, the place was filled every night with off duty Union soldiers.

The skimpy costume she was expected to wear was bright red with very thin spaghetti straps. It was so low-cut the red fringe around the neckline was the only thing that kept her breasts from being completely visible. The skirt was full and covered with red and silver spangles that danced in the dim lighting. It ended an inch or two below her buttocks, revealing so much skin that Ashley was mortified to walk out among all those strange men.

As much as she hated the costume and the job, Ashley quickly learned to like the money. Her salary didn't amount to much but the tips were very good. She soon found that a smile was all that was required to make these lonely men happy so she became adept at smiling.

****

Chase looked up from the stack of reports on his desk as Dan Morrison sauntered into the room. Dan eased over to perch one hip on a corner of the desk and grinned.

"Maybe it's a good thing I've never made major, Chase. I hate paper work."

Chase threw his pencil into the papers as he made a face. "Just one of the benefits of command. What are you doing here this time of night?"

"I have a bit of information I think you will find interesting."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"It seems Corporal Donovan and a couple of my boys were in the Golden Lady saloon last night when they spotted a friend of ours."

"And who would that be?"

"It was Mrs. Reynolds, as a matter of fact."

"Ashley? Working in a saloon? Doing what?" Chase demanded.

"Waiting tables, Donovan said. Looked real pretty too. She had on one of those little short things. You know, with more of it missing than was there? Red, I think he said. Said it took him an hour to put his eyeballs back in their sockets."

"What the hell is she doing in a place like that?"

Morrison shrugged. "Guess she needs a job. Anyway, Donovan said she acted real embarrassed when she recognized him." He stood up and stretched. "Just thought you'd like to know. See you tomorrow, Chase," he said before strolling out.

***

The saloon was unusually busy that night. Ashley scarcely had a minute to think as she scurried about serving drinks and taking orders. She took a second to glance at the big clock on the wall behind the bar to see that it was almost ten o'clock. Her shift was over at midnight and her feet were killing her. She had scarcely been off them for a moment all night.

After serving a full tray of drinks at one table where she had to side-step a pair of too friendly hands, she noticed another customer had come in to occupy a small table in a corner near the stairwell.

She was very close to the table when she noticed the gold oak leaves on the epaulets of his tunic. When the man turned his head, she found herself staring into the ebony eyes of Chase Kendall.

She fought down the urge to turn and run. Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she forced herself to keep walking toward him. The last person she wanted to have see her in this place, in this dress, and there he sat as big as life staring at her as though he could not believe his eyes.

She marched up to the table and perched the tray on her hip while she forced her gaze to meet his. "What'll you have, Major?" she asked in a flip, defiant tone.

"What the hell are you doing in this place dressed like that?" Chase demanded as his gaze slowly ran over her body before coming back to linger on the high swell of her breasts.

"Don't you like my costume?"

His eyes sparkled with anger and his jaw tightened at the arrogant tone of her voice. "Answer me, damn it! What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like I'm doing, Major? I'm working. I must earn a living now that your army has destroyed my home and income."

"This is the only job you could find? Peddling drinks in a dump like this? Having drunk soldiers leering at you?"

"It pays well. Besides, it's none of your business."

"If you need money, Ashley, you should have come to me," he said, his gaze again drawn to the tantalizing cleavage the skimpy dress enhanced.

"How would you suggest I pay it back, Major? Would you like me to wash your clothes perhaps, or scrub your floors? Or maybe I could polish your brass buttons and shine your boots."

"For Christ's sake, Ashley. Why must you always think the worst of me?"

"Because I know you, Major. I know exactly how you would expect me to repay you and I will not be your whore."

Chase gritted his teeth and took a long breath as he struggled to control his temper. "You don't know a damned thing about me. If I want a whore I can go upstairs and pay for one. I have never considered you in that manner!"

"One could never tell from the way you've treated me!"

"That's not true and you damn well know it. I've treated you the only way you would allow me to. Is it my fault that you're so goddamned stubborn you won't let me treat you the way I'd like?"

"Just what way is that, Major?"

"Like a lady," Chase replied in a softer tone that caught her completely off guard.

"Do you want a drink or not? I have paying customers waiting," she told him, pointedly ignoring his last statement.

"Yes, I want a drink, a strong one. Bring me a bottle of whisky and a glass. Talking to you always seems to create the need for a drink."

Ashley whirled around to march across the room to the bar. She returned in only a moment with a bottle and a glass, which she slammed down onto the table.

Chase sat sipping his drink while she flounced away to go about the crowded room taking drink orders from the soldiers. He could not take his eyes off her.

A young corporal reached out to put his hand on her thigh while she stood beside him to take an order, and began to move it up and down her leg. She could feel Chase's eyes on her so she let the man's hand remain on her thigh while she forced a flirty smile.

Behind her, she heard the sound of Chase's chair scraping across the gritty floor when he flung it backward in rising from the table. Good, she thought, maybe now he'll go away and leave me alone. She had just set the soldier's drink on the table when she realized Chase was behind her.

She gasped as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"What do you think you're doing! Put me down!"

The soldiers at the table rose to their feet in protest as her tray clattered to the floor. "Just a minute! You can't do that!" the brash young corporal bellowed.

Chase turned to give him a scalding glare that made the men slink back into their seats. "Do you see these oak leaves, Corporal? They say I can do any damned thing I want. Now sit down and finish your drink. That's an order, soldier."

Chase walked toward the door carrying her. Ashley beat on his back with her fists and kicked her legs but his grip made it impossible to free herself.

"Put me down! You can't do this to me!

Chase made no reply but carried her, thrashing and cursing, outside to his horse. Once astride the horse, he sat her down in the saddle in front of him, and keeping one arm around her waist, turned the animal toward Dr. Wallace's house across town.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Home, where you belong."

"Stop this instant! You have no right to do this to me!"

"Perhaps not, but I will not allow you to parade around dressed like a cheap saloon girl."

"You don't understand, Chase. I must have a job," she said finally.

"Then find one more suitable. You're a lady, Ashley. There is no reason to degrade yourself by pouring drinks, half-naked in a seedy saloon."

"I can't find a job that pays as well anywhere else."

"Then I'll give you what money you need myself."

"I will not take money from you," she said, fighting back the tears that suddenly stung her eyes. "I owe you three hundred dollars already."
"You may not want to take money from me but your cousin, the good doctor, certainly will. Was it his idea for you to work in that place?"

She refused to answer but sat stiffly in front of him, trying to ignore his arm around her waist and the warmth of his body. Being this close to him brought back feelings she did not wish to recall.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"I wish to hell I knew." Chase drew his arm more closely around her, pulling her back against him to let the heat from his body warm her. It was a long ride and the night air caused her to shiver in the skimpy dress.

"You don't understand about Dr. Wallace. He expects me to earn my own way. Please don't take me home like a mindless child that can't take care of itself."

"Somebody has to take care of you, Ashley. It's obvious your cousin doesn't give a damn about you. Why else would he let you take a job in a waterfront saloon and find your own way home late at night?"

"I am not your problem, Major. I can manage without your help."

"Let's just say that I don't like the idea of other men looking at you and imagining how you look naked."

She felt her face flame and tried to move further away from him. "That is none of your business!"

"Wasn't that little scene back there for my benefit?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"You know damned well what I mean. You knew I was watching when you let that corporal grope you. If it wasn't for my benefit, what was it?"

"Maybe I liked it!"

Chase laughed. "I know better than that, Ashley. He was a Yankee and I know how you feel about all Yankees."

"What do you care anyway?"

"Listen, you little fool. If any man touches you, it's going to be me, do you understand?" he said in a soft, savage voice.

"I am not your personal property, Major. If I want to let someone touch me, I will and there's nothing you can do about it!"

"Like hell there isn't. I'm taking you home and that's where you're going to stay until you can find respectable employment. If I catch you in that place again, you'll be a very sorry little rebel."

"What are you going to do, Major? Arrest me and lock me up?"

"Why do you insist on fighting me, Ashley? Why can't you accept my help without making an issue of it?" Chase asked wearily.

"Because I don’t want anything from you except to be left alone."

"You are the most ill-tempered, ungrateful little witch I've ever had the misfortune of running into," he ground out through clenched teeth.

"Then put me down this instant! Never let my welfare cross your mind again!"

"I wish I could, but for some unexplainable reason I find myself feeling responsible for you."

"That's totally unnecessary. Whatever responsibility you may have felt for me ended when you delivered me to Dr. Wallace."

"Did it? I thought so too but now I'm not so sure. I don't like to think you're being mistreated and I get the distinct impression that things are not going too well at the good doctor's. So I guess I'm stuck with you until I know you're provided for properly. And if that means paying for your well-being and having to put up with your nasty temper, then we'll both just have to get used to it."

Ashley shivered again, and let herself enjoy the warmth of his body pressed against her, protecting her from the brisk wind.

"That was not part of our agreement."

"I told Dr. Wallace I would take care of whatever you need as long as I'm in Savannah. So it appears that we have a new agreement, doesn't it? But don't worry, Ashley, you won't have to see me. I can take care of my business with your cousin without coming to the house. So you don't have to worry about your prospective husbands seeing a Yankee hanging around," he said sarcastically.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, Dr. Wallace hasn't informed you of his plan to find you a rich husband? I suppose he thinks he can explain your working in a saloon by blaming it on the hardships of the war so that it doesn't damage your reputation."

Ashley remembered the conversation she had with Alexander about Chase's family. Had he intended that Chase be that rich husband? Were he ever to learn about their encounter on the way to Savannah, he might very well demand that Chase pay him off to keep Chase's family from being disgraced.

"Well, if that is what he thinks, I shall have a say in the matter!"

"I'm sure you will."

"But he is going to be very angry about the job."

"I'll make sure he understands I terminated your employment. After I put some cold hard Yankee money in his greedy little hands I'm sure he'll feel much better."

Ashley knew he was right. "There's still the matter of repaying you."

"That's between me and your cousin."

She snorted and shivered in the cold. "My cousin has no money, Major, you'll be waiting a long time."

"So I'll wait."

"Damn you! Must you always be so self-righteous?"

Chase gritted his teeth and swore under his breath. Why was it this little slip of a girl could stir his emotions so easily? Even now, when he was angry enough to strangle her, he felt his body respond to her closeness. It was insane to keep putting himself in this position. His body had no sense where she was concerned.

"Is it self-righteous to want you to be safe and happy? For God's sake, Ashley, can't you accept anything from me graciously?"

"No, Major. You see, I've learned that you never do anything without a reason."

"I'm trying to protect you, you stubborn little fool. Is that so hard to understand?" His arm tightened, pulling her closer. "If you weren't so damned proud and stubborn, you'd know that."

"What you consider protection, Major, I consider purely lust and I don't need it. Nor do I need your concern or your pity."

"I don't pity you, Ashley. I want you."

"Well, I don't want you!" she declared, clenching her fists so tightly her nails stabbed into her palms.
"That's not quite true. Shall I take you to my quarters right now and prove it to you again?"

"No! Must you keep reminding me of those shameful, weak moments?"

His warm breath on her bare shoulder caused her to tremble and she could only pray he did not notice. The heat from his body seemed to cover her while his heart beat strongly against her back. There was a clean masculine scent about him, something appealing yet dangerous.

"There is nothing shameful about what we did, Ashley. When are you going to realize that? Can you blame me for not wanting other men to know that part of you?"

"I wish you would forget that," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"I wish I could but for some reason I'm finding that very hard to do."

Ashley breathed a deep sigh of relief when the lights of the house appeared through the evening mist.

Chase reined the horse to a halt in front of the house, slid from the saddle, and lifted her down. He held her in front of him for a moment, his hands resting on her shoulders, their bodies very close, his gaze locked with hers.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to go to my quarters? I promise to have you home before daylight," he asked while his right hand traced a light pattern across her cheek.

Ashley jerked her head away. "Have you no shame at all?"

"Apparently not where you're concerned," he replied as he took her hand to lead her into the house.

"Ashley, you're home early," came Dr. Wallace's voice from inside the library when the front door closed.

"Yes, she is and she's not alone," Chase said curtly. Turning toward Ashley he said, "Go on up to bed, Ashley. This won't take long." He did not wait for a reply but walked toward the library.

Ashley hesitated, bridling at being dismissed like a naughty child, then followed. If she was going to be the subject of conversation, she intended to hear what was said.

Inside the library, Dr. Wallace looked up when Chase walked into the room. He closed the door behind him before coming across the room where the doctor was seated in front of a crackling fire.

"Well, Major Kendall, this is a surprise," Alexander said in a friendly tone as he indicated a chair.

"It shouldn't be." Chase sank into the chair, took off his hat and laid it on the table. "You knew as soon as I learned what Ashley was doing that I'd be here."

"Would you like a drink?" Wallace offered.

"I didn't come here for a drink. Let's get right to the point, Wallace, shall we?"

Alexander poured a liberal shot of expensive brandy into a glass for himself before answering. "By all means, Major. What's on your mind?"

"Ashley. That's what is on my mind, Wallace. Just what the hell were you thinking when you let her take a job in the Golden Lady Saloon?"

Alexander shrugged and swirled his brandy. "That was Ashley's decision, I assure you, Major. Once I explained my financial situation to her, she was most eager to help out. Of course, I suggested she come to you for a loan but she refused. She said something about the manner in which you would expect repayment."

Chase kept his face straight, his eyes veiled, and when he spoke, his voice was very calm. "Ashley has some very definite opinions about my character. I'm sure she's made them known to you by now so it shouldn't have surprised you that she would refuse to ask me for anything."

"Quite right, Major. So the only other alternative was for her to find a job. Which she did, dear child."

"In a saloon selling drinks to soldiers along the waterfront? Don't you know just how dangerous that is?"

"From what I've observed about Ashley, I'd say it was the soldiers who were in danger, Major. My young cousin is quite capable of taking care of herself. She did manage a two hundred fifty mile march with your regiment and arrived with her virtue intact, did she not?"

Chase did not like the way the doctor's eyes narrowed while he waited for a reply. What was Wallace hoping to hear?

"She did. Due to the fact that she was never out of sight of either myself or one of my trusted junior officers. However, Ashley's virtue is not the issue here, is it, Doctor?"

"Perhaps that is the issue, Major. If I am to find a suitable husband for her, I must be certain that her reputation is spotless. You must agree that it was hardly suitable for a young woman to travel so far with so many men. I must doubt your motives for bringing her on such a dangerous mission, Major."

"Perhaps you would have preferred I left her in Atlanta alone with the city burning down around her. Someone had to take responsibility for her and since you had made no attempt to come for her, Doctor, that pretty much left it up to me."

"Your rush to look out for her wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that she is a very beautiful, vulnerable young girl, would it, Major?"

Chase stared at the man contemptuously while he subdued the urge to grab Wallace by the collar and shake him until he wet his pants.

"What is it you're asking, Doctor? If you think I've taken advantage of Ashley in some way, then you ask her. I do not have to defend myself to you.

"Ashley is a lady. Even you should know that. And while she may hate my guts, I have only the highest regard for her. I would not do anything to harm her."

"I can see that, Major." Alexander sipped at his brandy. "Ashley tells me your father is a senator. Is that correct?"

Chase nodded.. "That's right."

"That would make him Steven Andrew Kendall, shipping magnate, United States senator from Pennsylvania, one of the strongest opponents of slavery, personal friend of General Sherman, and a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln."

"I see you've done your homework, Wallace. Mind telling me why you've gone to so much trouble?"

"Not at all, Major. I was concerned about the kind of man my cousin spent so much time with. I was relieved to learn that you come from an old, established family and that you, yourself, have a reputation as being a man of honor and fair dealing."

"I'm thrilled that you're so pleased with my credentials, Wallace," Chase said dryly.

"Surely you can understand my concern, Major. It is very important that I be able to explain the situation satisfactorily to a young man who might be interested in Ashley as a wife."

"Let me warn you, Doctor, if you think you can force Ashley to marry someone because it's convenient for you, you'd better think again. You'll never force her to do anything she doesn't want to do."

"Ashley will do whatever is best for the family, Major. I am, after all, the only living relative she has in the world. Southern women are very family conscious. It's part of their upbringing. Ashley will do as she's told, I assure you."

Chase chuckled. "You're in for quite a rude awakening, Doctor. Ashley is the most stubborn creature that ever drew a breath and she'll do what pleases her. You'll never make her marry someone she doesn't want to." He leaned forward in the chair while his gaze locked on Wallace in a steady, unwavering stare. "Now, let's cut the bullshit, Doctor. Tell me what you want."

Wallace's eyes were wide with innocence as he replied, "I don't know what you mean, Major."

"You know exactly what I mean, Wallace. However, if you want to profess innocence then I'll tell you what I want. I want Ashley to stay away from the Golden Lady. If she sets one foot back in that dump or any place like it, I'll tear your head off."

Alexander blinked twice and swallowed before he could regain his composure. "Threats are not necessary, Major. I must point out again, however, my financial circumstances are...."

"I know about your financial circumstances, Wallace, and I'm sure you know all about mine. That was the point of your investigation into my background, wasn't it?"

Wallace licked his lips, then poured himself another shot of brandy. "I think you and I understand one another very well, Major. You don't want Ashley to work in such unsavory surroundings. The question is, what is it worth to you to keep her from going back to the Golden Lady?"

There was murderous contempt in Chase's eyes. His hands clenched into fists on the chair arms in an effort of control the flash of temper that came dangerously close to exploding into something he might later regret.

"Would a hundred dollars a week help her find more suitable employment?"

Wallace nodded. "I think that would do nicely, Major. In fact, as I think about it, I can use Ashley at the hospital. She could write letters for the wounded and the like. Yes, I think that might be an acceptable solution."

"I thought you might." Chase reached into a back pocket to pull out his wallet. Taking out a hundred dollar bill, he flipped it onto the table.

Wallace snatched it up and snapped it. Then he carefully folded it before slipping it into his shirt pocket.

Chase snorted in disgust as he rose to his feet. "There will be one of these delivered to you at the hospital every week, Doctor. I trust you will keep this arrangement between the two of us. There is no need to upset Ashley with it."

"Of course, Major. There is one thing more, however."

"Yeah, what?"

"The matter of repayment. If you wish, Major, I shall insist that Ashley be...nicer...to you in the future," Alexander said suggestively. "A man should see some return on his investment."

The words had barely left his mouth when Chase grabbed him by the shirt collar and jerked him off the floor. Dr. Wallace dangled in mid-air, his face contorting with the effort to breathe.

"Listen to me, you little bastard. You keep your filthy suggestions to yourself. If you dare make that suggestion to her, I'll come back over here and rip your tongue out," Chase said softly.

The doctor's heels clicked against the hardwood flooring when he let Alexander drop. Alexander put both hands to his throat, coughing as the color came rushing back into his face. He sank back into his chair to stare up at Chase fearfully. Then gathering his courage, he coughed again and squared his shoulders.

"Your sense of honor is commendable, Major, but you are also, I fear, a hypocrite. You can protest all you like but it is clear to me that your interest in my cousin goes deeper than merely wishing to protect her from unsavory surroundings."

"I thought I was doing the best thing for Ashley when I brought her here to you. If I'd known what a greedy little weasel you are, I'd have left her in Atlanta. She'd have been better off." He picked up his hat, turned on his heel, and strode across the room and into the hallway that led to the front door.

Ashley shrank back into the shadows as he passed, cursing to himself. "Goddamned greedy little bastard!" she heard him growl as he flung the door open, then disappeared into the darkness.

She burned with humiliation at what she had overheard. Alexander had discussed her as though she was a piece of merchandise to be peddled to the highest bidder.

And Chase Kendall was willing to pay that little snake to keep her safe. How could she ever hope to repay all the money Alexander was wringing from him? The only way might be to marry someone who could repay Chase. Yes, perhaps that was the way. At that distressing moment, marriage to someone she did not love seemed a small price to pay for squaring her debt to Chase.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Ashley's nursing career began the following day. She was surprised to find it more fulfilling than anything she had done in her life.

There were frequent skirmishes between Union troops and the small bands of Confederates near the city. The church was full of wounded. The pews in the sanctuary had all been removed and stacked along the walls and the space filled with army cots. Even the altar had been moved and its place taken by more cots.

More and more of the wounded that came into the hospital now where Union soldiers. At first Ashley was reluctant to go near them. It seemed an act of treason to comfort a Yankee but that feeling disappeared forever the day Sergeant Carney was brought into the hospital.

It was mid-afternoon about a week after she had begun working there, when wounded began coming into the hospital, the result of a skirmish earlier in the day. Ashley was alarmed to learn the Third Pennsylvania was involved in some of the heaviest fighting, but it still came as a shock when she looked up from a letter she was reading to a wounded boy to see a flurry of activity near the front doors.

She recognized Captain Morrison and Chase. Then she realized they were carrying someone. They were both bloody and covered with dirt as they laid their wounded companion down on a recently emptied cot.

Chase looked up and saw her. "Ashley, come here. On the double!" he shouted, unaware that he had given her an order as though she was in the army.

Ashley rushed across the rows of cots to his side. His face was ashy pale, as was Captain Morrison's. As she reached them, Chase reached up to wipe a trickle of blood from his eyes.

"Chase, what's happened?"

He seemed not hear her question. "Ashley, get Dr. Wallace! Quick! Move, girl!"

She glanced down at the cot and her face went white. Sergeant Carney lay there, his usually tanned face ashen as he gasped for breath. The front of his blue uniform shirt was soaked with blood. She sucked in her breath in horror when Chase knelt to open the shredded material to expose the gaping wound in Carney's abdomen.

Before she could call for Alexander, he was there, shouldering her aside to bend over Carney. Ashley stood by, unable to move or speak, only to stand numbly while Alexander examined the wound.

After a moment he stood up to face Chase. "There's nothing I can do, Major. He's lost too much blood and the wound is too extensive."

"There has to be something you can do for him."

Wallace shook his head. "Major, the man has been disemboweled. His left shoulder and leg are nothing but splinters. If there was a miracle that could save him, he'd lose them both."

"I don't give a damn! If there is any chance you can save him, then do it, for God's sake!"

"The best I can do is make him as comfortable as possible, give him something for the pain. Other than that..."

Chase turned away with a groan that came from deep inside him. He sat down heavily on the foot of the bed, burying his face in his hands.

Wallace turned to an orderly, barked a command for water and clean towels, then moved aside to give them some space. Laying a hand on Chase's shoulder, Alexander said in a low voice, "Major, if there's anything you want to say to him, you'd better say it. He won't last long."

The orderly returned and began cleaning the blood from Carney's face.

"Let me do that," Ashley said as she took the towel and gently wiped the sweat from Carney's pallid face. His eyes fluttered open and a weak smile came to his lips when he recognized her.

"Missy...what are you doin'...here?" he asked in a voice that was barely a whisper.

"Shhh, don't try to talk. Save your strength," she said softly while she continued wiping away the cold sweat that beaded his forehead and cheeks.

"Hell, Missy, there ain't no point...in that. I'm dyin'…I know it and…you know it...no use...kiddin' ourselves." Carney’s eyes were filled with agony from the wound, and a bubble of blood came to his lips as he tried to speak, yet there was a gentleness in his face that touched Ashley's soul.

"Shit, Carney, you ain't dying. You're too damned on'ry to die," Dan Morrison said with forced cheerfulness.

Chase rose and came to the other side of the cot. He sat down where Carney could see him. "Dan's right, Sergeant. The doc said..."

"I know what the doc said." Carney tried to smile. "Don't try to kid me, Major. We been….through too much...for that. I know I ain't…got much time…and there's somethin' want you...to promise me."

"Name it, Carney."

"See to it...my kid gets what I got…comin' from the army…will you, Major? His address…is in my stuff. Promise?"

Chase nodded as Carney reached out blindly to find his hand. Chase took it while tears streamed unashamedly down his face, cutting tiny rivulets in the dirt smudges that covered his cheeks.

"You've got my word, Carney. Anything else?"

There was a barely perceptible shake of Carney's head. His hand tightened briefly on Chase's as he made a supreme effort to speak. "My boy...I never talked...about him much…I hope…hope...he turns out to be the...kind of man...you are…Major. I'd be...real…proud...if he did."

He turned his head with a grimace of pain so he could see Ashley. A fading smile touched his bloody lips as her grief-stricken features focused before his eyes. "Now…don't you...go cryin' over...me, Missy. Why...a man…couldn't ask for...more...than to have...a pretty little...thing…like you…to look…at…when…he…dies."

His eyes closed. Ashley wiped the blood from his lips but it bubbled up from his chest faster than she could clean it away. There was a rattling in his chest, then a choking sound, then his hand fell away from Chase's. A flood of tears spilled from Ashley's eyes when she realized he had died.

"Oh, Jesus!"

Ashley looked up through a blur to see Chase rise from the cot and stumble away. He sank to his knees a few feet away, his dark head bent, while she saw his shoulders shake with the sobs that came ripping from inside him. She glanced at Captain Morrison to find that he too, was crying openly.

Morrison leaned down to pull the sheet up over Carney's still face, then walked around the cot to where Chase knelt with his face buried in his hands. "Chase, you better have the doc take a look at you. You've got a face full of shrapnel," he said in a shaky voice.

Chase wiped one hand across his forehead, leaving a bloody smear. The collar of his tunic was blood soaked, his entire uniform dirt streaked and splashed with blood.

"I can't take anymore, Dan," Ashley heard him say in a broken voice. "Dear God, have many more have to die before this is over? I'm getting out. I can't stand anymore."

"I know how you feel, Chase. I feel the same way but quitting isn't the answer," Morrison said quietly. "If we give up and quit now, just walk away from this, then Carney and all the others...they've died for nothing."

"I don't care, Dan. I can't bury anymore of them. Carney was like a father to me. We've been together from my first day in the army. He was my drill sergeant. He trained me. Now he's dead. He took a shell that was meant for me and the only thing I can do is bury him. I can't do it."

"Yes, you can, Chase," Morrison said in stronger voice. "You're the only one who can. Damn it, man, you've got a thousand men out there yet. They won't have a prayer if you give up.

"You've kept it together, Chase. You can't walk away from that. Remember Shiloh? Remember Chancellorsville? Remember Gettysburg? There have been a hundred times when we would all have turned and run for home but you wouldn't let us. You kept us going, Chase, by showing us it was all right to be scared but we had to go on in spite of it.

"These men don't fight for Sherman or Lincoln or any great ideology, Chase. Hell no, man, they fight for you because they believe in you. So don't talk to me about quitting.

"You're no quitter. If you were, men like Carney wouldn't respect you like they do...like I do. So pull yourself together, Major, and get those wounds looked after. You've got a regiment of cavalry waiting for orders and you're the only man who can give them."

Chase sat silently. Morrison took a soiled handkerchief from a back pocket, wiped his eyes, and blew his nose with a resounding honk.

Glancing at Ashley, Dan jerked his head toward the door. She brushed away her tears and followed him. He put a big paw on her shoulder. "See if you can find that doctor, girl."

She looked back at Chase's bowed head, then back to Dan. "Is he badly hurt?"

Morrison shook his head. "No, I don't think so. We both took some shrapnel but it isn't serious. Just bloody. I don't think he even feels it yet. We were damned lucky."

"What did he mean about Sergeant Carney taking a shell that was meant for him?" Ashley asked in a squeaky little voice she hardly recognized as her own.

"In battle, one of the objectives is to take out the officers on the other side, Mrs. Reynolds. The idea being that without effective leadership the troops will scatter. The three of us were riding together when we were hit with an artillery barrage. The shell that killed Carney hit me, Chase, and three other men. Lt. Rivers, Donovan, and Price were killed instantly.

"Now run, girl and get that doctor."

Minutes later Ashley held clean towels for Alexander while he dug pieces of metal from Chase's neck and head. The worse wound was a long gash in the top of his head, just above the hairline.

Chase sat silent and still, his face still ashy white, his eyes bleak while Wallace worked.

"I'm ready to close this wound now, Major. Don't you want something for the pain?" Alexander asked when he took up his needle and thread.

Chase shook his head so Alexander sighed and began sewing. When he was finished Alexander stepped back and said, "Come back in a week and I'll take these stitches out."

Chase nodded while Wallace went on to Captain Morrison.. When it was over, Wallace took his instruments and disappeared among the rows of cots.

Dan stood up, buttoning his bloody tunic. "I'll get a detail to take care of Carney and the others, Chase. And I'll take care of notifying the next of kin."

"No," Chase said. "That's my job. Part of being in command. And, Dan...thanks."

Morrison nodded and moved away to assemble the men necessary for a burial detail.

Ashley sank down on the cot next to Chase and hesitantly took his hand. He looked at her briefly, his eyes red-rimmed and filled with sadness.

"I don't know how to tell his son. He didn't talk much about his family," he said at last in a hollow voice.

"He didn't talk much about himself at all," Ashley agreed, her eyes filling with tears for the gruff old soldier who had treated her with such respect. "But he was a good man. I feel honored to have known him at all."

She began to cry and leaned her head against Chase's shoulder. When he slipped an arm around her, she buried her head against his chest. The strong steady beat of his heart was reassuring. She was comforted by the sound.

"You'll get dirty, Ashley. My clothes are filthy."

"I don't care," she whispered, her voice muffled. "I didn't even know how much I liked him until it was too late."

Chase buried his face in her sweet smelling hair and took a deep breath. There was a kind of comfort that came from having her close like this, feeling the same grief he felt.

He pulled away from her and stood up. His hand remained on her hair for a moment while he forced a smile to his lips. "I have to go, Ashley. Thanks for what you did for Carney...and well...thanks." Then he walked away out into the sunshine of the Georgia afternoon.

She watched him disappear, then started in surprise when Alexander spoke behind her.

"I thought you hated Yankees."

"I do." Beginning to fold the bloody towels Alexander had used in cleaning Chase's wounds, she deliberately ignored the amusement that danced in Alexander's eyes.

"Then why all the concern because one of them got himself killed?"

Ashley whirled, her eyes blazing with anger. "Sergeant Carney was a fine man! He took care of me on the way to Savannah and he treated me like a lady!"

"I'd be careful if I were you, my dear. You could find yourself looking at all those blue uniforms and seeing men instead. That would be a dreadful thing, wouldn't it? Suppose you began to see Major Kendall as a man instead of a blue uniform? It would prove disastrous, would it not? What with him engaged to some blue-blooded socialite female?

"I assure you, my dear, a man like Chase Kendall may play around with women who make themselves available but he will always marry his own kind."

"Any woman who was fool enough to fall in love with him would surely deserve whatever she got," Ashley snapped as she hurried past him into the ward.

***

Dusk had fallen upon Savannah when Chase heard a knock on the door of his office. Looking up, he saw Ashley standing in the doorway.

"Ashley, what are you doing here?" he asked, rising to his feet.

"May I come in?" she asked hesitantly, then walked into the room at his affirmative nod.

"Please sit down," he invited, indicating a chair across from his desk.

"Thank you." She perched on the edge of the chair while Chase sank back into his.

He looked much better than the last time she had seen him. He was clean, dressed in a crisp fresh uniform, and much of the color had returned to his face. Except for the part in his hair caused by the stitches, he looked almost as though nothing had happened...until she looked into his eyes. The sadness had not disappeared with a bath and a change of clothing. It was still stark and bitter.

"You're working awfully late."

"I can’t sleep so I may as well get some work done. What's on your mind, Ashley?"

She took an envelope from her bag and slid it across the desk toward him. Chase picked it up with a curious expression, then looked back to her.

"It's for Sergeant Carney's son. It's just a note I wrote. I thought it might help to know what a fine man his father was."

"I'll see that he gets it."

She rose to her feet and backed toward the door, feeling suddenly foolish and uncomfortable. "Thank you. I must go now, the buggy is waiting for me."

Chase came to his feet, his body throwing long shadows across the room.

"Ashley," he said.

She stopped dead in her tracks in the open doorway.

"That was very thoughtful. I'm sure his son will appreciate it."

Ashley did not reply but threw one quick glance over her shoulder as she rushed from the room. She had a sudden inexplicable urge to get as far away from Chase Kendall as possible.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The following week all Savannah was atwitter with the news of a lavish party the town leaders were planning for General Sherman and his staff. It was going to be the social event of the year. The city was going to show Sherman their appreciation for not destroying the city as he had so many others in recent months and they were going to do it in grand style.

The party was to be held in the Savannah Hotel, a grand old establishment that towered above the rest of the city. Three stories high, it had been used as headquarters for General Hardee when the city was in Confederate hands. An orchestra had been formed and the ballroom gaily decorated with streamers of every color. Refreshments of every description filled long serving tables to over-flowing. An open bar was available to the gentlemen with a thirst for something a bit stronger than fruit punch.

When Chase arrived with General Sherman shortly before eight o'clock, the music was playing while a festive air flowed from the building beckoning them inside.

Dan Morrison pulled at his collar in discomfort s they entered the door. "I still don't see why we have to wear dress uniforms for this damned party. I'm choking to death."

Chase clapped the big man on the shoulder. "Stop complaining, Dan. You look nice for a change. Stop pulling at that or you'll rip it."

Morrison reluctantly dropped his hands to his sides. "All right, but I still feel stupid." He noted the approving glances from several of the ladies present and nudged him. "I'd say you were making quite an impression, Chase. You act right at home at these damned things and I hate them. Why did I have to come anyway?"

"Because you've been promoted and besides, I want you here."

"Ever since Sherman made you a colonel you've been as sassy as a young stud," Morrison grumbled.

"You've wanted to be a major for years so shut up and enjoy it."

"That was before I found out I had to get all dressed up like a damned fool. What if somebody asks me to dance? I don't know how to dance."

"Then it's time you learned. Smile, Major Morrison, the mayor and his buddies are coming this way."

"You smile, you're not choking to death," Morrison whispered.

Savannah's mayor was approaching with several of Savannah's social and civic leaders. They wore smiles of welcome as they neared the spot where Chase and Dan waited with General Sherman.

"General Sherman, how nice of you to come," bellowed the mayor with an extended hand.

"Mayor, it was very kind of you to invite me. May I present Colonel Kendall and Major Morrison?" Sherman replied.

The mayor and his companions bowed and Chase returned the gesture. The mayor slipped an arm around Sherman's shoulders and they drifted away in deep conversation.

Left alone, Dan bent his head to ask, "All right, we've made an appearance. Can we go now?"

"Absolutely not, Major. Relax and have a good time. You've earned it."

"Well, can we at least have a drink?"

"What an excellent idea."

Chase led the way to the bar. Ordering two shots of whiskey, he leaned against it and looked around as he sipped his drink. He had not seen so many women in one place since his engagement party to Miranda. It was a sight to behold.

Every lady in Savannah society was decked out in her finest. More than one of them was casting veiled glances at Chase beneath lowered eyes.

"Have you ever seen so many bare tits in your life?" Dan whispered at his side in such an awed tone that Chase had to laugh.

"Now aren't you glad you came?"

"Well, things are looking better all the time," Dan agreed while he scanned the crowd of ladies with lively appreciation. "Now will you look at that!"

Chase’s breath caught in his throat as Ashley and Alexander Wallace came into the room. Ashley was wearing a light green gown of organza, so delicate it seemed to float around her as she moved across the room on Alexander's arm. The low neckline was softly scalloped so that the tops of her breasts peeked tantalizingly above the material. The sleeves were long and sheer, the skirt flowing, making her tiny waist seem even smaller by comparison. There was a flash of gold at her throat that made Chase notice she was wearing the crucifix.

"Now isn't she something?" Morrison breathed, almost reverently.

Chase nodded, watching as Wallace went about the room introducing Ashley to the important people he knew. She smiled and curtsied as she accepted dance invitations from several of the young men who were falling over themselves to get an introduction.

"Whoever would've thought that private's uniform hid something like that?"

"Put your eyes back in your head, Dan. Remember you're a married man. Looks like the good doctor is taking full advantage of this party to show off his merchandise."

Morrison's face sobered. "Is that what he's doing?"

"That's exactly what he's doing. Shopping for a rich husband by showing off what he has to sell. Except it isn't his to sell."

"Well, it doesn't look to me like she's minding too bad. Maybe she likes the idea better than you think."

"Maybe she does."

Chase leaned against the bar, watching Ashley as she and Alexander slowly made their way through the throng. When they finally approached, Alexander extended a hand in greeting. Flashing a big smile, he nodded over his shoulder at the crowd and said, "Good evening, gentlemen. Quite a turn out, wouldn't you say?"

Dan took the offered hand. "Doctor Wallace, Ashley. Yes, it is quite a crowd."

Chase ignored Alexander’s gesture. Turning instead to Ashley, he took her hand and lightly touched it to his lips. "May I say, Mrs. Reynolds, you're looking very lovely this evening. Dare I hope that you will honor me with a dance later?"

Blushing, she curtsied as she drew her hand back. "Thank you, Major. You're looking quite dashing yourself. Hello, Captain Morrison. How are you?"

"Just fine, ma'am, except for this danged collar," Dan replied while he again pulled at the top button.

A giggle bubbled from her lips and her eyes sparkled with good cheer. "Well, it may be uncomfortable but you look very striking."

Alexander drifted away into the crowd but turned back when he realized Ashley was not with him. She turned to follow, but Chase caught her hand to pull her back for a moment.

"You didn't answer my question, Ashley."

"Which question is that, Major?"

"About the dance. You will dance with me, won't you?"

"I didn't know Yankees knew how to dance."

A lazy grin spread across Chase's face, making the twin creases in his cheeks deepen to impishness as he let go of her hand. "This Yankee does, I assure you."

"Then of course, Major. I really must see that for myself." With a flirtatious smile, she disappeared into the throng, where she was immediately claimed for a dance by a handsome young soldier.

Chase's gaze followed her as they danced away into the mass of people. The soldier had such a look of admiration that Chase felt the unfamiliar stirrings of jealously. He turned back to the bar to order another drink.

"She makes quite a picture, doesn't she?" Morrison asked.

Chase nodded and glanced back into the crowd to find her head tilted upward as she listened with great interest to something the young soldier was saying.

"She does indeed."

The rough edge in his voice brought a smile to Dan’s face as he glanced from Ashley to Chase. "She's certainly in high spirits tonight. It's nice to see her having a good time for a change."

"She was actually able to speak to me in a pleasant tone of voice. If we can get through this evening without a fight, I may start believing in miracles again."

Morrison laughed as he nudged Chase, nodding toward a group of young ladies who stood a few feet away watching Chase with open admiration.

"Looks like the young ladies of Savannah have been without male attention for some time, Chase. Take that group over there; they're dying for you to come over and ask them to dance."

Chase's gaze followed the direction Dan was nodding. The girls giggled and blushed when they became aware he was looking at them.

Looking about the crowded ballroom, it was obvious that for the time being at least, the hostilities of war had ceased. Proper southern ladies were dancing with Union officers and while tomorrow they would pretend it had been because of some obligation or other, they were obviously having a good time.

Chase spotted General Sherman dancing with an older lady he assumed was the mayor's wife. He couldn't help laughing. "If the men could see Sherman now, they'd never believe it."

Dan nodded as he ordered another round of drinks. "I'm not sure I believe it myself. These folks are sure doing their best to bury the hatchet."

"Let's just hope they don't decide to bury it in our backs."

After finishing his drink, he approached the group of girls and asked a striking blonde to dance. She accepted without hesitation. He spent the better part of an hour going from one attractive young lady to another.

Keeping an eye on Ashley in the swarm of people was easy. She was at the center

of attention with a line of woeful faces waiting to claim her for a dance.

Alexander stood along the sidelines, smoking his cigar and smiling broadly. This evening was going even better than he had hoped. Every available male between the ages of sixteen and seventy-six had inquired about his Ashley and asked permission to call on her.

Discreet inquiries had guided his decisions about such suitors with only the ones with good possibilities gaining his approval. Yes, having a beautiful cousin was beginning to look more promising all the time.

Chase stole another glance at Ashley as she danced with a distinguished older gentleman, then saw the smile on her face suddenly fade and die. He followed the direction she was staring to see Colonel Randolph Thompson as he began to cross the room toward her.

"Colonel, you're not listening," the petite brunette on his arm pouted.

"I'm sorry, Miss Miller. Will you excuse me please? I see an old friend coming in that I really must speak with. You will forgive me, won't you?" he asked with his most charming smile.

"Why, of course, Colonel, if you promise me another dance before the evening is over," the girl purred.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, I assure you," Chase returned, trying to keep his impatience from showing. The girl's hand lingered on his arm for a moment before he gave her another dazzling smile, then quickly made his way through the throng of dancers toward Ashley.

She had frozen in her tracks at the sight of Thompson. The color drained from her face so quickly the man she was dancing with was sure she had been stricken ill.
Thompson approached with a smile that did little to offset the sinister gleam in his eyes. "Mrs. Reynolds, how nice to see you again," he drawled as he came to a halt in front of her.

"Mrs. Reynolds, are you ill? Can I get you a glass of water?" the older gentleman asked as she sagged on his arm.

She shook her head and wet her dry lips, trying desperately to keep her fear from showing. "No, I'm fine, really. I just need to rest for a moment," she said when she found her voice.

"By all means, let me assist you to a comfortable chair," Thompson purred in a exaggerated tone of concern. He rudely elbowed the other man away and took Ashley's arm.

"Take your hands off me, you murdering bastard!" she hissed as Thompson maneuvered her through the crowd, not in the direction of the row of sofas that lined the ballroom, but toward the open French doors that led to the garden.

"I believe we have some unfinished business," he snarled in a low, threatening voice. "You wouldn't want to make a scene, now would you? With all these people just waiting for a spark to ignite this little soiree into a battlefield?"

Ashley tried to remove her elbow from his grip but his hand was clamped on her arm like a vise, making her wince with pain. "I demand you let go of me this instant, you...you Yankee baboon!"

Thompson laughed, a dry humorless sound that chilled her blood as she glanced frantically around the room for Alexander. "If you're looking for that milksop cousin of yours, forget it. He's afraid of his own shadow. Oh yes, my dear," he went on at her startled expression. "I know everything about you. Where you go, what you do, who you visit. You see, my dear Mrs. Reynolds, I've kept you under close surveillance since your arrival in Savannah. Surely that doesn't surprise you?"

"Nothing you might do would surprise me, Colonel. Where are you taking me?"

"To the garden. It's really quite lovely, you know. It's also very private so we can have a nice little chat without being disturbed," he answered as he propelled her through the crowd, closer and closer to the doors.

"I believe this is my dance, Mrs. Reynolds."

Relief flooded through Ashley as Chase appeared from the throng.

Thompson whirled, fury contorting his features. "Kendall! You seem to turn up everywhere!" he sneered as Ashley jerked her arm free.

"I certainly do my best, Colonel. Someone has to keep a rein on you. It may as well be me."

Thompson's cold gaze darted to Ashley, then back to Chase. "I wonder if you'd be so concerned if it involved anybody but this delightful little piece of baggage. You've had her long enough. It really wouldn't hurt you to share."

"The lady is quite capable of making her own choices, Thompson, and it's obvious that she doesn't wish to share your company. I suggest you stay away from her."

"Why you insubordinate little whelp!" Thompson snarled, his face paling with fury. "How dare you threaten me! You wouldn't be the first pup that tried me!"

"But I will be the last."

"You'll pay for this, Kendall. I'll make you sorry you were ever born. And this snotty little traitorous bitch too!"

Chase's fist caught Thompson squarely on the chin. His eyes rolled backwards, then he let out a soft grunt of surprise as he sagged toward the floor and fell into Chase's arms. Suddenly Dan Morrison was there to lift Thompson by one arm while Chase took the other. Together they carried him to the front door where two sentries snapped to attention and rushed to see what the problem was.

"Colonel Thompson had a bit too much to drink, Lieutenant. See that he gets back to his quarters."

"Yes sir!" the lieutenant replied with another salute. He and his companion hoisted the unconscious colonel between them, then headed toward the officer's quarters several blocks away.

Morrison turned to Chase with a satisfied grin. "Too much to drink, huh? That was some punch, Chase. He went down like he'd been kicked by a mule."

Turning back to the party, Chase replied, "I can't say I didn't enjoy it either."

General Sherman met them just inside the door. "What the hell happened to Thompson?"

"He just had one too many, sir," Chase told him innocently.

Sherman stared at the two of them, his sharp gaze taking a long, hard look first at one, then the other. "I can see that. What I'm wondering is just what it was that he had one too many of."

When neither of them offered a reply, he turned on his heel to go back to the group of businessmen he had been conferring with when he caught sight of Chase and Morrison carrying Thompson through the front doors.

Once he disappeared into the crowd, Dan turned to Chase, laughing aloud. "This is turning out to be a right nice party after all. First I get to look at all these half-naked women and then you punch Thompson out right under the general's nose. Now if I could dance, I'd be a happy man."

"I'd be very pleased to teach you to dance, Captain."

Dan flushed with embarrassment at Ashley's offer. "I couldn't let you do that, Mrs. Reynolds. I might cripple you for life. I've got two left feet when it comes to that kind of thing."

Ashley patted his arm, then turned to Chase. "Then perhaps you will dance with me, sir."

Chase bowed extravagantly. "I would be honored."

He took her in his arms and moved her skillfully into the throng of dancers. The orchestra was quite good. The waltz they were playing was soft and mellow.

Ashley was surprised at how comfortable she felt in his arms moving with the rhythm. A few moments passed in silence while they swung about the expansive dance floor but the lack of conversation was neither awkward nor unpleasant. She felt safe in his arms and for once that thought did not trouble her.

She could feel the envy of the other women who watched them. It was not the first time she had seen those looks directed at Chase, but it was the first time she had felt this strange sense of pride. He was certainly very striking in his full dress uniform with sashes and saber, and all the brass buttons shining. It was the first time she had seen him wear his medals. She did not know what they represented but they did add a flair that was certainly dashing.

"Thank you," she said simply after a time.

Chase smiled down at her with a flash of white that lit his face and deepened the creases in his cheeks to dimples. "You're quite welcome."

"Are you going to get into trouble for hitting him?"

"I doubt it. I'm sure the good colonel has enough sense to know that General Sherman would not take very kindly to his behavior. This party is very important to the general. He hopes it will be the beginning of a mend in the fence the war has created."

"I hope you're right...about not getting into trouble, I mean," Ashley said in a stumbling fashion.

"I noticed you dancing with a couple of Union officers earlier. Does that mean you've softened your opinion of us?"
Ashley stared into his dark eyes for a moment while trying to decide if he was teasing her. "Only of their dancing, I assure you. "

He pulled her closer, his hand tightening just a little on hers. "That's too bad. I was hoping this evening would open up a new world of understanding."

"I'm afraid not. But I see no need to be rude."

"Oh really? You've been rude to me often enough."
"Only because you were rude to me first. Is it my fault you are a born bully?"

"My men refer to it as leadership. I like their description better."

"I'm sure you do. Perhaps they don't know you as well as I do."

"I can assure you, Ashley, that none of my men know me quite the way you do."

"You know what I mean! If you're going to bring that up again, I'm not going to dance with you anymore."

"Okay, okay," he replied. "Let's call a truce, shall we?"

After a moment she nodded.

"It's nice to see you smile, Ashley," he said, his voice becoming warm and gentle again. "You should do it more often. It becomes you."

"Thank you."

The orchestra chose that moment to end the waltz and Chase reluctantly let her out of his arms. Staring up at him for a second, her mouth opened to speak, but then she quickly closed it.

"Thank you again for what you did earlier," she said finally.

Chase stood above her, his eyes containing a hidden message that she tried to decipher, but could not. He stepped away and bowed gallantly. "Coming to your rescue, fair lady, seems to be one of my missions in life."

He disappeared into the crowd while she stood watching him. She noticed that several young women found an excuse to cross his path. Ashley sniffed as a bosomy blonde slid into his arms and momentarily rested her head on his shoulder. Some women had no pride at all it seemed.

She had little time to think about Chase Kendall again for hours for she was busy with one dance partner after another until her feet began to ache. She could not help wondering why he did not ask for another dance. The evening was almost over and he had not come near her since the incident with Colonel Thompson.

He had certainly danced with every other woman in the room at least once, she thought. Some of them twice, but he was not paying the slightest bit of attention to her. And she had gone out of her way to be nice to him too!

Burning with annoyance at him and at herself for caring, she smiled at something the young Union lieutenant she was with said. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Chase bending close to the blonde. He was the center of attention among the women present, young and old alike, and enjoying every minute of it. The arrogant, conceited ass!

The orchestra began to play the last dance, a lovely romantic waltz. Ashley followed her partner absently. The young lieutenant had begged so pitifully for the last dance that she did not have the heart to turn him down.

"Excuse me, Lieutenant, may I cut in?"

Her heart gave a leap as they came to a halt in the middle of the dance floor. The young soldier swallowed and turned red while staring at the gold eagles on Chase's epaulets.

"Well, sir, I..."

"Get lost, soldier. That's an order."

The young man stepped away from Ashley. "Yes sir, Colonel," he said, then slunk away.

"You have a lot of nerve!" she hissed as he took her in his arms and swung her into the mass of dancers. "Using your rank to...Colonel? When did you get to be a colonel anyway?"

A flash of white splashed across his face at her abrupt change of course in mid-sentence. "A couple of days ago. Aren't you proud of me?"

"Why should I be? I could care less what rank you are."

To her utter confusion, Chase laughed and pulled her closer into his embrace. His hand slid down her back to press her against him, overwhelming her with the sudden rush of emotion that surged through her. She felt flushed all over, as if she was standing too close to a fire.

"And you are too beautiful for words," he murmured with his lips very close to hers. "Did you really think you could escape without saving the last dance for me?"

"Have you been drinking?"

"A bit, but I'm not drunk, Ashley. But if I were, I'd be drunk on your beauty."

She always felt out of control when she was this near him. "Let go of me. I don't want to dance with you."

"Yes, you do, Ashley."

She stared at him, wondering what had come over him.

"Just relax and dance, Ashley. I'm a very good dancer."

"Another of your hidden qualities, Maj...Colonel?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact."

He glanced around the room, his eyes narrowing when they came across Alexander. "You've certainly made quite an impression here tonight. Has Wallace made a list of the top five contenders for your hand?"

"Don't be crude!"

"With all the attention you've gotten I'm sure he must have some idea."

"When have you had time to notice how much attention I've gotten? You've been so busy dancing with everything in skirts I should think you've had little time to notice me at all."

"Now there is where you're very wrong," Chase said softly, brushing her ear with his lips. "I haven't taken my eyes off you all evening. How could I, when you're the most beautiful woman in the place?"

Ashley bent backwards so she could look into his face. Two bright points of color beamed in her cheeks as she cast a rapid glance around the room to see if anyone was watching.

"If you're going to speak in this manner I insist you let go of me this very instant! People are looking at us!"

"I don't doubt it. I'm certainly not the only man who is appreciative of your charms. You've done quite a job of selling them tonight."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Her voice was tight but she tried to force herself to relax and continue the dance. It was the only way to keep anyone from noticing her discomfort. She had worked far too hard this evening to create a favorable impression to ruin it now.

"Only that you've done everything Dr. Wallace could have hoped for to arouse the interest of every man here and let them know that you're a poor lonely widow in need of a man."
The sarcasm in his voice made Ashley snort. "Suppose I have. Perhaps Alexander is right. Perhaps I should start looking for a husband. What's so terrible about that?"

Chase's eyes narrowed. "I'd be very interested to know what has brought about this sudden interest in finding a husband. Remember you told me once not so long ago that you would never marry again until you found someone like Jeremy Reynolds? Well, you're not going to find him in this crowd.

"The men here are either Union soldiers or too damned old to be of any use to you. All the young men in this town are either dead or still in the war somewhere. Now tell me what's going on in that pretty head of yours."

"What is going on in my pretty head is none of your business, Colonel. Perhaps I've changed my mind about what I want in a husband. I'm not getting any younger, you know."

"Cut the bullshit, Ashley. It's me you're talking to, remember? I'm probably the only man alive you can be perfectly honest with. You haven't changed your mind one decimal about the kind of man you want. Unless your cousin has changed it for you."

"Alexander has not even mentioned the subject to me, I'll have you know. I…I just thought things out and decided it was time to be realistic. I must put the past behind me and make a new life for myself. You said that yourself if I remember correctly, and I'm sure it's what Jeremy would have wanted," she answered after wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue.

Chase stared down into her flushed face, his gaze touching her sparkling eyes, then her red, full mouth and resisted the urge to kiss her on the spot.

"I'm surprised at you, Ashley. I thought you had more grit than this. I guess I was wrong. Just a couple of weeks with that money-grubbing leech and you're beginning to sound just like him."

"How dare you judge me, you self righteous ass! You certainly haven't suffered because of the war. Your family is safe and secure in…in…wherever it is...and you've still got money in the bank. So don't you presume to criticize me!"

A lazy smile came to his mouth and his eyes twinkled at her angry outburst. "Lower your voice, my darling, people are beginning to stare."

"God, is this dance never going to end?"

"I certainly hope not. I, for one, am having a splendid time."

"Will you please be a gentleman for once in your miserable life and let go of me?"

"No. This could be the only opportunity I'll have to hold you in my arms again. I don't want to waste one second of it."

"What do you mean? Are you leaving Savannah?"

"Yes, and soon I'm afraid. Nothing is definite yet but there are rumors the army will be pulling out before the end of the month. That should make you happy."

Ashley wondered why it didn't. Instead, she was suddenly overcome with a strange sense of regret. "Of course that makes me happy. Nothing could make me happier."

"The war is almost over, Ashley," he went on as their eyes locked together while their bodies moved with the music in perfect rhythm. "When this last campaign is finished the war will be too. Which means I will probably never see you again."

"What's your point, Colonel? I'm sure you're coming to one."

"My point is that since I'm about to leave your life forever, I would hope that you would grant this lonely, desperate soldier one last favor."

Ashley stared up into his eyes, unable to look away. His arm tightened around her waist. The humor in his eyes was gone, replaced by something demanding but surprisingly gentle all at the same time.

"And just what would that be, Colonel?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"Let me come to you tonight after this damnable party is over. Let me make love to you once more before I have to ride out of your life. Leave me with something sweet and warm to get me through all those long cold winter nights ahead."

For just a second she saw the same yearning in his eyes that she felt deep inside. Then she stiffened and tried to yank her hand free.

"How can you suggest such a thing? You know that is impossible!"

"You forget that I'm a soldier, Ashley, and soldiers are trained to be resourceful. I can get into the house without Alexander ever knowing. Or if you'd rather, I can walk up to the door and knock," he returned with a mischievous grin.

"Yes, that would be easier, wouldn't it? You could just demand repayment for all the money you've given him these past weeks and the little weasel would probably lead you right up the stairs to my room! The only thing that matters is that my precious reputation remain spotless!"

Surprise leaped into his face, filling Ashley with a primitive thrill of pleasure at having taken him completely off guard. "You thought I didn't know about your little arrangement, didn't you? Well, I do, and I will not be used by him...or you!"

Tears began forming in her eyes. She was barely able to see the muscles twitch in his jaw before his hand clamped down on her shoulder. He towered above her, his dark eyes boring into hers with such intensity that she drew back.

"So you eavesdropped on that conversation, did you? I shouldn't be surprised. Well, if you heard that much then you also must have heard me tell that little snake that his methods of repayment were not satisfactory to me. How could you even think I would expect to be paid off with your body?

"I want you, Ashley, more than I've ever wanted any woman and I had hoped you could be honest enough with yourself to admit you'd like to be with me one last time before I have to leave Savannah. Obviously I was wrong."

His voice was tight with anger and disappointment. After waiting for her to respond, he let go of her hand and began to turn away. Ashley hesitated an instant, then reached out and clutched his sleeve.

"Chase, wait, please!"

He turned back as though he was not sure he had heard her correctly. She lifted her hands in a helpless gesture, unable to say what she felt. Indeed, she was not sure how she felt at that moment.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean those things. I know what you told Alexander and I know you didn't expect me to...to pay back the money like that. I don't know what made me say such terrible things to you."

Chase let out a long sigh. He took her into his arms again. "Ashley, Ashley, " he chided as they began to sway in time with the music once more. "Do you have any idea how your sharp tongue can slash a man to ribbons?"

She shook her head while choking back the tears that burned her eyes.

He watched her in silence for a few moments while they moved around the dance floor. "Ashley, there's something I want to discuss with you but this isn't the place or the time. Will you meet me at ten o'clock tomorrow in the chapel at St. John's?"

She nodded, staring up at him anxiously. Chase squeezed her hand, then disappeared into the crowd as the waltz came to an end. The party was beginning to break up as she located Alexander and accompanied him to thank their hosts.

She kept searching the throng for Chase. Finally she found him at the bar with Major Morrison having a last drink. As she slipped on her wrap before letting Alexander lead her toward the door, their gazes met for a moment and Chase smiled reassuringly.

She felt better. Tomorrow she would see Chase and explain how she hoped to marry a wealthy man who would pay back every cent Alexander owed him. Then he could leave Savannah without looking back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

When Ashley entered the empty chapel the following morning, her stomach was doing flips and her palms were sweating. Seeing that Chase had not yet arrived, she took a seat near the back and settled down to wait for him.

He arrived five minutes later, sweeping off his hat as he came through the door. Spotting her, he came to sit down beside her. Ashley's stomach did another flip when he reached to take her hand.

"Sorry I'm a little late. I got tied up at the last minute."

Ashley shook her head while she wondered why his nearness had such a disturbing effect on her senses. "I just got here myself."

They sat for a bit, neither of them speaking. Chase looked at her downcast face while breathing in the sweet fragrance of rose scented soap. She was wearing lavender colored dress with a high neckline and long puffy sleeves trimmed in ivory lace. The full skirt and high bodice further accented her tiny waist. His gaze lingered on the full swell of her breasts for a long moment while he swallowed and tried to find his voice.

"Ashley, I want to apologize for my behavior last night," he said at last to break the awkward silence. "I was out of line and I'm sorry if I offended you."

"I'm sorry too," Ashley admitted.

"Good, we've got that out of the way. Now tell me why you've agreed to Dr. Wallace's plan for finding you a rich husband."

"It's the only way I can pay you back what he's blackmailed from you."

Chase's brows rose in surprise.

She glanced upward and blushed, then hurried on. "You were right when you told me I needed to grow up. I'm trying to do that by taking responsibility for my debts. I think you know as well as I that Alexander has no intention of repaying the money."

"Alexander is a no-good money-grubbing weasel. I made a big mistake in bringing you here."

"Perhaps, but he is the only family I've got and I do owe him for taking me in off the street."

"So you intend to repay his kindness by marrying someone he picks off a financial report? Be sensible, Ashley. You'll never be happy in a marriage like that."
"Perhaps not, but a marriage like this would solve my problems. Alexander would be satisfied and I would no longer be indebted to you."

"You don't owe me a damned thing! Ashley, Wallace didn't coerce me into doing anything I wouldn't have done anyway. The money means nothing to me. What is important to me is that you're safe. I would pay a thousand times more to keep you out of the Golden Lady or any place like it."

The look she gave him was clear and unwavering and it was he who looked away. "Why?"

"I don't know exactly," Chase replied while he ran one hand through his hair. "You're a lady. You should be treated like one."

"Perhaps the man Alexander finds for me to marry will treat me with respect."

"You really intend to go through with this hair-brained scheme?"

"What would you have me do, Chase? I have no money. Alexander is the only family I have so I have no place to go. I'm sure if I don't do what he wants, he's capable of throwing me out into the streets to fend for myself. Unfortunately, my upbringing has not prepared me for that. So my choices are rather limited, aren't they?"

"They don't have to be limited, Ashley."

She stared at him, not understanding what he meant. There was a sense of urgency in his manner, as though if he did not say what he wanted quickly, he wouldn't be able to say it at all. This uneasiness was a stark contrast to the capable man who was always so sure of himself. He seemed so vulnerable that she was amazed.

"I can straighten out everything if you'll let me. I can take care of you so that you'll never have to worry about money, or your cousin again."

"Are you proposing to me?"
Chase shook his head with a sigh. "No, Ashley. I'm not proposing marriage. And be honest, you wouldn't marry me if I was free, would you?"

She shook her head. "That wouldn't very loyal, would it? To consider marriage to one of the very men responsible for the death of my husband and my heritage?" The momentary softness left her voice to be replaced with an icy inflection. "So what you're offering me is not marriage but an arrangement. Correct? A neat little apartment somewhere where you can come to visit for a couple of hours occasionally to satisfy your lustful appetites. A nice, discreet little arrangement with nice clothes and money, and a piece of jewelry once in a while to pacify me while you live with your wife and children in a big house with complete respectability while I hide in the shadows of your life. Is that what you're talking about?"

Two bright points of color stained her cheeks but the gleam in her eyes was not embarrassment, but defiance.

"No, Ashley, that's not what I'm offering you. You're too much of a lady for any man to expect you to settle for being his mistress, although it is a very intriguing idea.

"No, I am offering you enough money to open a business of your own, whatever you want. A venture that will provide you with security and comfort and enable you to be free of obligation to anyone, even me. We can draw up a legal contract if you want, and you can repay the loan as you can."

Ashley stared at him in astonishment. Somehow this offer was more insulting than if he'd asked her to become his mistress. "No, thank you, Colonel! I would rather sleep in the streets than take one cent from you! I will marry some rich, doddering old fool if I have to, but I will repay every single dime you've given Alexander and then, when I no longer owe you anything, I am going to tell you, and my cousin, to go straight to hell!"

Seething with frustration, she sank down onto the nearest pew, weeping bitterly. She felt Chase beside her, drawing her into his arms, pressing her wet face against his chest.

"Jesus Christ, Ashley! What the hell do you want from me? No matter what I say to you, it either makes you mad or makes you cry. I'm at my wit's end." He rested his cheek against the top of her head and smoothed back her hair.

"I'm good enough to sleep with, but I'm not good enough to marry. I'm not even good enough to take for your mistress," she sobbed into his shirt.

He glanced down at her bright head pressed tightly to his chest. "Ashley, you just said you wouldn't marry me if I was free to ask."

"I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth!"

"Would you consent to be my mistress?"

"No!"

"Well, you don't want to be my business partner either so just what do you want? Do you know?"

"No!"

"Then how the hell do you expect me to know if you don't?"

She sat up and wiped her eyes. Chase handed her his handkerchief, waiting patiently while she blew her nose. God, did this woman never have a hanky?

"Ashley, answer one question for me and tell me the truth." He waited until Ashley raised her wet eyes and nodded before continuing. "If it weren't for the war, if I were not a Union officer, would you marry me?"

"No!"

"Why not?" he persisted, holding her gaze with the intensity of his dark eyes.

"Because you're conceited and arrogant and a bully and I wouldn't like you any better if you were in the Confederate Army!"

"Why is it that I don't quite believe that?"

Ashley blinked and sniffed while she stared at him belligerently.

Then he suddenly took her face in both hands and kissed her. His mouth moved slowly, confidently over hers until he felt her answer his kiss. Her hands moved up his shoulders to encircle his neck and clasp together behind his head.

He felt his body involuntarily leap to life with desire. He forced himself to break the embrace and hold her away from him. He saw her eyes gleaming with passion, her lips parted breathlessly, trembling.

"Jesus, why do you do this to me? You hate me for what I am but you want me for the same reasons. Why can't you distinguish between the soldier I have to be and the man I am?"

"What would it accomplish, Chase, if I were able to do that?" Ashley asked softly, her eyes still shining with a glow that made his chest ache from the fireball that burned inside him. "You're engaged to someone else. You would never dishonor yourself or your family by breaking that obligation for another woman. And I will never settle for second best from any man, not even you. So tell me, what good would it do either of us to reveal any feelings I might have?"

"We still have some time before I have to leave the city," he said urgently. "We can spend as much of it together as I can manage."

"And then what?" Ashley's eyes gleamed into his. "Then you'll be gone with the army and I'll never see you again. If you survive the war, you'll go home to marry that woman and what will I have? A few pleasant memories? That may be enough for you, Chase, but it isn't enough for me. I have to have more than that."

"Tell me what you want, Ashley. What is it that you want that cannot be changed?"

Ashley raised one hand to gently touch his cheek, feeling the strong muscles in his jaw contract beneath her fingertips. "I wish that this rotten war had never happened. I wish that people like Jeremy and Sergeant Carney had not had to die. I wish that I had been born in Philadelphia from a good, proper family and an acceptable social standing. Most of all I wish that I had never met a man who can turn my mind to jelly with a kiss and make me forget where my loyalties lie and then leaves me with this awful guilt because I can't seem to resist the spell he casts over me.

"I hate you, Chase Kendall, for being the enemy and for being so damned honorable, but I hate myself even more for letting any of it matter." She sprang to her feet to dash past him out of the chapel.

Chase sat in silence on the pew. Whether she realized it or not, Ashley Reynolds had just confessed her raw, open soul to him and the implications of that confession scared the hell out of him.

***

Forty-five minutes later Chase bullied his way into General Sherman's private office past two sentries and a staff of adjutants while they protested that the general was not to be disturbed.

Sherman looked up from the pile of papers on his desk at the commotion in the outer office, frowning as Chase stalked into the room.

He returned Chase's salute with a mild wave of the hand, then indicated a chair across the desk. "Have a seat, Colonel, and tell me what has brought about this interruption."

A light of genuine affection warmed his eyes while Chase dropped into the chair he had indicated.

"General, I'm here to request an immediate transfer."

Sherman gazed at him with surprise, toying with the pencil he held like a saber between his fingers. "To any place in particular?"

"No, sir. Anywhere will do. I just want out of this city."

The desperate tone of his voice brought a raised eyebrow and a speculative gaze that narrowed Sherman's shrewd eyes. "For what purpose, Colonel? Is there a family emergency?"

There will be soon if I don't get out of Savannah, Chase thought. Unconsciously, he smoothed and re-smoothed the brim of the dark blue hat in his lap while he tried to gather his thoughts. "No, General, it's a personal matter. I'd rather not explain any further."

"Colonel Kendall, you've been assigned to my staff long enough to know that you'll have to do better than that. If you want a transfer from my command you'd better have a damned good reason."

Chase glanced away. "I can't go into it, General, but it's very important that I leave Savannah as quickly as possible."

"It wouldn't have anything to do with that lovely young lady I saw you dancing with last night, would it?"

Chase looked at him, his eyes veiled. "Which one, sir?" he asked innocently.

Sherman flipped the pencil down among the papers on his desk with a scowl. "Don't try to bullshit me, Chase. You know which one I mean...Mrs. Reynolds. You haven't gotten her into some kind of trouble, have you?"

"No, sir. At least not yet."

"You better start from the beginning and be quick about it," Sherman ordered although his voice was not nearly as harsh as his words.

"General, you've known my father for a long time. You know how he feels about a man's word being a point of honor. You know how he expects a man to keep a promise if he makes one."

Sherman nodded. "Chase, for a man who says exactly what he thinks in no uncertain terms, you're doing a lot of beating around the bush. What the hell are you getting at? And what has any of this got to do with your request for a transfer?"

Chase swallowed, then rose from the chair to pace the office a few times while he tried to organize his thoughts.

"Sit down, Colonel, you're making me nervous," Sherman ordered at last, smiling faintly as Chase slumped into the chair again with a heavy sigh. "Now clearly and distinctly, state your reasons for wanting a transfer."

"General, you know that I'm engaged to Miranda Marshall?"

"John Marshall's daughter. So?"

"Sir, if I don't leave Savannah soon, there may not be any wedding." Chase seemed calmer now, more in control of his thoughts. "If I were to break that engagement, John Marshall and my father too, I fear, would never forgive me."

"This young lady at the dance...Mrs. Reynolds...I take it she is the root of all this transfer business?"

Chase nodded as he twirled his hat in his lap. "She and I...I mean...I...well, there is a lot of attraction between us, sir. The longer I'm here, the harder it gets to remember my obligation to Miranda."

"Chase, I've known you a long time, been your commanding officer for close to two years. As I'm sure you know, I make it my business to keep an eye on the men I select to be my field officers.

"I know you to be a brave, honorable man and one of the finest officers under my command. I also know you have an eye for the ladies. I've no doubt that you've probably screwed more southern females than any one man has a right to. What is there about this particular female that has you in such a panic?"

Chase shrugged. "All I know is that she is special. It's very important to me that she not be hurt."

"And you're afraid if you stay in Savannah any longer she might be?" Following Chase's silent nod, Sherman went on. "Have you made her any promises you can't keep?"

"No, sir. I've promised her nothing because I have nothing to give, at least nothing she will accept. I'm engaged to Miranda and that's an obligation I can't back out of. But the longer I'm near Ashley, the closer I get to forgetting all that. When I'm with her nothing else seems to matter."

Sherman sat in silent reflection for several moments, idly drawing on a piece of scratch paper. Chase squirmed in the chair, wishing this whole thing were over with. He didn't like confessing personal things to Sherman.

"Chase, I wish I could give you what you want," Sherman replied at last. "I could transfer you to another division and put the distance between you and this girl that you think is going to relieve the problem.

"But I can't do it. I need you here. In less than a month we're going north after Lee and I'm going to need you more than ever. I'm sorry but I have to turn down your request for a transfer.

"Do whatever you must in order to deal with this situation. Don't see the girl again. Don't go near her. If that doesn't help, then maybe you better stop and re-think this engagement. You've referred to Miranda twice as an "obligation". That tells me you're not ready to marry anyone right now.

"I don’t believe your father or John Marshall would want you to rush into a marriage you can't commit yourself to one hundred per cent. But whatever you decide, when this army moves out of Savannah I am depending on you to be mentally ready to lead your troops into combat. I don't want you thinking about this girl, or Miranda, or anything else when the time comes to fight. Have I made myself clear?"

Chase stood to salute, trying to maintain a calm, controlled face. "Yes, sir. Perfectly clear, sir."

"Good, then go about your duties, Colonel."

Chase turned on his heel to stalk from the room, seething with frustration. If Sherman would not grant him a transfer then he would have to make damned sure he did not come in contact with Ashley Reynolds ever again.

She had been through too much to be hurt anymore, especially by him. By the time he had walked through the offices and reached his horse on the street below, his mind was made up. He would not see Ashley again. He would leave Savannah without saying good-bye.

Funny, there had been a time not so very long ago when dumping her had been the foremost thought in his mind. Now the thought of never seeing her again caused such pain in his guts he could hardly breathe.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

That afternoon as Ashley made her rounds through the Confederate ward, she saw a detail of Union soldiers escorting a group of captured Confederates into the area.

There were four prisoners whose uniforms were little more than tattered gray rags covered with dirt and blood. They were hardly more than boys and the despair in their eyes tore at Ashley's heart.

As the group approached, her eyes widened. She ran to clasp the sleeve of the young soldier in the front of the group.

"Jacob! Oh, Jacob, are you all right?"

A smile lit Jacob Kearns' thin worn face. He took her face in a shaky hand. "Ashley? I can't believe it! Is it really you?"

Ashley nodded, squeezing his hand while her gaze ran over his emaciated frame and bloody sleeve. Her concern turned to dismay when she'd had a moment to gather her wits. The pair of heavy boots he had been given in Chase's camp only weeks before were nothing more than worn strips that hung on his feet by pieces of wire. Glancing at his companions, she discovered they had fared no better. Two of the tired, haggard young men had no boots at all, only scarred, bloody feet covered with festering sores.

The detail came to a halt. The officer in charge nudged Jacob in the back with his rifle to get them moving again. "Get moving, Reb. You can talk to the lady after I've turned you over to the guards."

Ashley dealt the man a scalding glare as she took Jacob's arm protectively. "How dare you bully him! Can't you see he's wounded?"

The lieutenant sighed and motioned toward an empty cot near the center of the ward. "Have a seat, Reb. The doc will be along."

Jacob followed Ashley toward the cot and sank down onto it. She knelt beside him and gently opened his sleeve so she could inspect the wound. He had been shot in the shoulder and while the wound was not serious, he had lost a lot of blood. He closed his eyes with a sigh, holding to her free hand, as though afraid she was nothing more than a dream.

In a few minutes Alexander made his way through the rows of cots to examine Jacob’s wound. "You'll be fine in a few days, young man," he said. "It's a clean wound, no indication of infection. You need some rest and food, and you'll be as good as new."

One of the men who had been brought in with Jacob gave a short mirthless laugh. "Patch us up real good, Doc. The sooner you get us on our feet, the sooner we can be on our way to a Yank prison camp."

Ashley stared at the man in alarm. "Prison camp? What do you mean?"
Jacob patted her hand while he forced a smile. "It's not so bad, Ashley. Confederate prisoners get better treatment than Yanks get at our prisons. At least maybe there'll be enough food to go around."

"After weeks of hidin' out and being' chased by Yank patrols and eatin' roots and berries, a Yank prison sounds pretty good to me," one of Jacob's companions said.

"With the war goin' the way it is, we'll have just about enough time for a nice long rest before they have to ship us back," another agreed.

"Are things really that dismal, Jacob?"

"I'm afraid so, Ashley. Our army is short of everything; food, horses, ammunition, guns, blankets. I hear that Sherman is getting ready to push north to meet up with Grant in Virginia. It'll take a miracle now to save General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia."

"Surely General Lee can defeat them."

Jacob shook his head. "Not unless we get help from France within the next few weeks. I don't see how we can hold out much longer."

"Jacob, you're not giving up?"

"No, of course not, Ashley. We'll keep fighting as long as there's a man of us left."

"Surely they won't send you to a prison camp."

Alexander looked up from bandaging Jacob's wound to shake his head at her innocence. "Ashley, what do you think happens to these men when they're released from the hospital? Do you think the Yankees turn them loose to fight again? Of course he'll be shipped to a prison camp."

"Well, I simply won't stand for it!"

"Then I suggest you speak to Colonel Kendall. Perhaps he'll make an exception for your friend," he said in a mocking tone.

"Is Colonel Kendall here in Savannah?" Jacob asked.

"In the flesh," Alexander answered.

At the mention of Chase's name, Ashley dropped her head and busied herself cleaning Alexander's instruments. There was no way on earth she would ask that man for assistance, especially after the way she had fled the chapel earlier. No, there had to be another way to make sure Jacob did not spend the remainder of the war in a Yankee prison camp.

She had heard enough about the Federal prisons and the despicable treatment Confederate prisoners received to convince her that she must not let that happen to Jacob. She doubted he would survive long in such a place. She would find a way to help him escape such a fate.

She sat beside Jacob until he drifted off to sleep, her mind buzzing with ideas. The only way to keep Jacob safe was to get him away from the hospital before he could be transferred. But how?

The Yankee guards were everywhere. She could not look up without seeing at least one or two of those hateful blue uniforms. All the exits were heavily guarded. What if she tried to help Jacob escape and got him killed in the process?

No, there had to be a way. It was simply a matter of finding it. She had helped Jacob escape Chase Kendall once and she could do it again.

***

With decent food, clothing, and Ashley's attentive nursing, Jacob's wound healed quickly. When Ashley informed him of her plan for escape, he was dead set against it. The odds of such a plan working were slim and should she be caught, she would be tried as a traitor.

After several escape scenarios were discussed and discarded, the sergeant who had been captured with Jacob suggested that Ashley's initial plan was the most feasible. "Mrs. Reynolds is right, Lieutenant. If that back door was left unlocked we could escape between bed checks. For over a week now that back door had been unguarded except for when the patrols make their two-hour bed checks."

Ashley nodded in agreement. She cast a glance at the guards who were at their posts inside the front entrance. "Alexander has a key. He uses it to come in the back way sometimes. I'm sure I can get it."

Jacob shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous, Ashley. Suppose the guards saw you?"

Ashley shot him a confident smile. "They won't see me, Jacob. I'll keep to the shadows and watch for patrols on my way here from the house. I can unlock the door without anybody knowing. I can be back home in bed before anyone misses me. No one will ever know I was involved."

Jacob and his men exchanged glances while they thought it over. "But what if they find out you helped us, Ashley? You could be shot for helping a prisoner escape."

"It's your only chance, Jacob, and if I'm willing to take the chance, you should be willing to let me."

"It'll have to be soon. I heard the doc tell one of the guards this morning that we can be moved by the end of the week," the sergeant pointed out.

"Then we'll do it tonight," Ashley said. "There's no point in dragging it out now that we're agreed. Alexander goes to bed early. I can get the key from his coat where he leaves it hanging downstairs every night. But how will you get out of Savannah? The whole city is crawling with Yankees."

The sergeant patted her hand with a wide toothy smile. "You let us worry about that, Mrs. Reynolds. You just get that door open and we'll take it from there. There are a lot of folks in this town who are more than willing to help. Take my word for that."

"What time, Jacob?"

"Better make it two o'clock. Everyone will be asleep by then and the guards make their check at one-thirty."

Ashley stood up and smoothed her skirts. "I'll be here."

Jacob caught her hand to pull her back down beside him. He shyly kissed her cheek. "Ashley, please be careful," he pleaded. "I couldn't bear it if you got harmed because of me."

Ashley gave him a bright smile as she squeezed his hand. "Don't worry, Jacob. Nothing is going to happen except that you and your brave men are going to be free to keep fighting the Yankees. I really must go now. I'm sure Alexander is wanting to get home. I'll be here at two o'clock."

Riding home with Alexander, she glanced at him several times. He was in for quite a surprise if he thought he could force her to marry someone of his choosing. Somehow she would find another way to get the money to pay Chase back. Funny how things could change so drastically in only a couple of days. It did not matter that Jacob came from a poor family. He loved her and she was confident they could have a good life together. Jacob was kind and gentle. She was sure that in time Jacob would help her forget Chase Kendall and those shameful memories would fade from her mind forever.

***

The house was dark and silent when Ashley slipped down the stairs. The pale January moon cast eerie shadows making the furniture resemble huge forbidding creatures. She moved quietly into the living room, heading straight for the coat rack just inside the doorway. It took only a second to rummage through Alexander's coat pockets and locate the key to the back door of St. John's.

She drew her cloak closely around her as she stepped out into the brisk night air. She kept to the shadows and made her way through the deserted streets. Several times she heard the approach of Union patrols as they made routine rounds of the city and slipped into the shadows until they passed.

A few minutes later she could make out St. John's looming out of the Savannah skyline. She hurried into the alley behind the church and approached the back door. She again looked around but saw no one, then inserted the key into the lock. It opened with a slight click that sounded like a cannon to her anxious ears. She turned the knob cautiously to be sure it was unlocked. Assured that it was, she sank back into the shadows to wait.

Several minutes passed before the door eased open and the Confederate prisoners slipped through it into the alley. A wide smile lit Jacob's face when she materialized from the shadows. He opened his arms and Ashley went into them with a sigh of relief.

They stood in a close embrace until the sergeant coughed quietly, making Jacob come to his senses and step back from her with a ragged sigh of regret.

"Lieutenant, we better get a move on. The more distance we can put between us and the Yanks, the better."

Jacob nodded. "Right, Sergeant." He gently touched Ashley’s cheek. "Ashley, I'll write as soon as I can. Now you hurry along home and replace that key."

Ashley nodded, then embraced him again so tightly he could scarcely breathe. Then she stood back and pushed at his shoulder. "You must go, Jacob," she urged in a shaky voice. "The guards might discover that you're missing at any moment."

He bent down to kiss her again and forced a smile to his lips as he moved into the shadows. He stopped to look back over his shoulder for just a second. "I love you, Ashley," she heard him whisper. Then he was gone.

Ashley stared down the dark alley for a few moments before taking a long breath and squaring her shoulders. She turned back toward home, listening for the sound of gunfire that would tell her Jacob's escape had been discovered. She heard nothing and finally the welcome sight of Alexander's home appeared from the darkness.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Ashley awoke the following morning, stretched beneath the covers and smiled. By now Jacob and his men were safely miles away from Savannah. She threw back the quilts and rose reluctantly from the warm bed. Without warning, she felt lightheaded and her stomach churned, forcing her to sit back down on the edge of the bed until the spell passed. Her brow wrinkled while she took a few deep breaths. This nausea was totally unfamiliar, but then she remembered that she had eaten nothing since breakfast the day before. She had been so engrossed in her plans to help Jacob escape that food had completely slipped her mind.

She forced herself to get dressed and was seated in front of the mirror when she heard a sharp knock at her door.

"Come in," she called over her shoulder and a moment later Sarah appeared in the doorway. The concerned expression on the woman’s face made Ashley turn from the mirror. "Is something wrong?"

Sarah nodded, her face tight with concern. "Miss Ashley, there are two Union soldiers downstairs."

"What on earth for?" The last thing she needed on such a queasy stomach was a bunch of Yankees. "What do they want with Alexander so early in the morning? Can't they wait until he gets to the hospital?"

Sarah shook her head while the frown on her face deepened. "Dr. Wallace left for the hospital some time ago, Miss Ashley. The soldiers want to speak to you."

Ashley’s face went pale, her eyes growing wide with alarm while she rose on unsteady legs. Leaning one hand on the vanity to steady herself, she fought down a surge of panic. Yankees could only be there for one reason; they had discovered Jacob's escape and suspected her of aiding him.

She took a ragged breath and struggled to bring her emotions under control. She must remain calm and answer their questions. Then they’d go away and leave her in peace.

She went down the stairs. Pausing at the sight of two Union soldiers waiting inside the front door, she swallowed and wet her lips. The sooner she faced them, the sooner this would be over, she told herself, moving onward, pointedly ignoring the polite nods of her visitors.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" She came to a halt in front of them and placed her hands on her hips.

The oldest of the pair tipped his cap. "Sorry to disturb you so early, Mrs. Reynolds. We've been instructed to bring you down to headquarters for questioning regarding the escape of some Confederate prisoners last night. If you’ll come with us please," he said politely.

Ashley drew herself up like a bantam rooster and stared at him with what she hoped was total disgust. "On whose authority, Sergeant?"

"Colonel Randolph Thompson, ma’am."

The mention of Thompson's name sent the blood draining from her face. She regained control and wet her lips with the tip of her tongue "I will not speak to that revolting creature!"

The sergeant’s facial expression did not change, but Ashley saw a determined glint come into his eyes. He was obviously a man who expected people to do what they were told.

"Sorry, ma’am. I have my orders. Please come with us, Mrs. Reynolds. Don't make this more unpleasant than it has to be."

Ashley stared at him for a moment, then reached to take her cloak from the rack.

"I assure you, Sergeant, that I know nothing about any escaped prisoners, but if you insist, I will accompany you. I must warn you, however, I intend to make a formal complaint against you and Colonel Thompson for this unwarranted intrusion."

The sergeant opened the door and stepped aside to let Ashley pass through. There was a buggy waiting outside. Ashley marched toward it and brushed aside the sergeant's attempt to help her inside.

"I do not need any help from a Yankee, sir!" she snapped as she settled into the seat.

"Yes ma'am," the sergeant replied with a shrug. He climbed into the seat beside her and took up the reins. The second soldier took a seat next to her on the other side so she was sandwiched between them.

Ashley grimaced at the seating arrangement and clamped her lips together, ignoring the soldier's attempts at polite conversation as the sergeant drove the buggy through tile busy city streets toward the Federal headquarters.

She could feel her heart lurch in her chest when they neared the large red brick building that Sherman had turned into his regimental headquarters. There were hundreds of Union troops milling about, but Ashley kept her eyes focused straight ahead and ignored the stares and cat-calls as the buggy passed through the ranks.

The sergeant halted the buggy and stepped down. Ashley flounced off the seat and strode up the steps with an outward confidence she was far from feeling. They have no proof, she kept reminding herself as she was led along a maze of corridors. I must not let that monster know I’m afraid. He cannot possibly know that I helped Jacob escape.

She kept her head high as they met a group of officers approaching in the hallway. Her eyes widened with surprise, then dismay when she recognized Chase among them. She quickly averted her gaze. Wasn't it bad enough that she had been dragged here and subjected to this humiliation without having to come face to face with him too? And after her noble speech about not ever wanting to set eyes on him again.

Chase turned to stare at her retreating figure and put a restraining hand on the arm of the officer beside him. "Why has that young lady been brought here?"

The man shrugged, glancing in the direction Ashley was heading. "The way I heard it, some Rebs escaped last right from the hospital where she works and Colonel Thompson thinks she had something to do with it. It’s more likely that Thompson's got a hard-on for her and had her brought in for questioning to scare the unfortunate little damsel into his bed. You know how he is."

Chase's lips became a thin line and the muscles in his jaw became rigid as he stared at his companion. "What prisoners?"

Major Turner shrugged again. "Just some ragged Reb guerrillas, Chase. There were four of the poor devils. Talk about pathetic! One of my patrols caught them a few days ago and shot them up a little. Let me think… their officer’s name was Kearns, I think. Yeah, Kearns, that's right. A tall skinny kid."

"Kearns? Jacob Kearns? Are you sure?"

Turner nodded. "Yeah, Jacob Kearns, that was his name. How did you know that, Chase?"

Chase did not answer. He whirled and moved down the hallway in the direction Ashley had been taken. His boot heels clicked on the polished hardwood floor as he made swift strides along the corridor. Goddamn her, he thought angrily. She had done it again and right under General Sherman's nose!

The sergeant opened a door and waited for Ashley to enter. Her heart dropped to her toes at the sight of Colonel Thompson. He was seated behind a desk covered with papers, but rose when she entered the room to indicate a chair positioned directly in front.

"Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds," he said pleasantly. "Please take a seat. And may I say how very lovely you look this morning?"

Ashley sniffed as she sank into the chair. She planted her feet firmly on the floor and prayed he couldn’t notice how her limbs were shaking. She clenched her hands in her lap and glared at him.

"No you may not! I demand to know the meaning of this despicable farce!"

Thompson settled back into his chair and folded his arms on top of the desk. His lips curled in a smile at the haughty expression on her face. She was trying to bluff her way through this but it wouldn’t work. By the time he was finished with her, she would be putty in his hands, begging for the chance to fulfill his most deviated request in order to save herself.

Knowing that the girl was desperately afraid increased his pleasure. It sent a thrill through him that took the form of a rock-hard erection beneath the desk.

"A group of Reb prisoners escaped from the hospital last night, but then I'm quite sure you’re already aware of that," he said while his gaze probed into hers.

Ashley forced herself to maintain his insolent gaze while she squelched the urge to shudder. "How would I know such a thing?"

"Come, come, my dear; I'm not in the mood to play games, not even with such a delightful creature as yourself. When my guards checked the side door at one-thirty this morning it was locked. When they checked it again two hours later, it was open and four prisoners were gone. That door was unlocked from the outside."

"What has all that got to do with me?"

"Your cousin, the good doctor; has a key to that door. It would have been a very simple matter for you to have acquired that key, come to the hospital in the middle of the night, and unlocked the door."

"Too bad I didn't think of that myself. I hardly make a practice of running around in the middle of the night alone, Colonel, especially with the streets crawling with your Yankee marauders."

The oily smile that appeared at his mouth made her flesh crawl but she forced herself to look him straight in the eye while her fingernails stabbed into the palms of her hands with the effort to control her trembling.

"Cut the innocent act, you little bitch!" Thompson snarled as he leaned forward. "You helped those Rebs escape and you're going to admit it."

"I've already told you, I know nothing about any prisoners escaping."

"Continuing to lie is going to get you nowhere. I know you were involved, so why not just admit it and make things easier for yourself'? I'll get the truth out of you eventually anyway. One way or another."

Ashley shook her head. The nausea she had experienced earlier came washing over her again in fierce waves that necessitated swallowing rapidly several times before the urge to vomit passed. "I don’t know what you're talking about!"

The office door behind her opened and she turned to stare as General Sherman walked into the room. Thompson came to his feet in an immediate salute, which Sherman returned as he perched one hip on the corner of the desk and stared at Ashley thoughtfully.

"Is this the young lady you mentioned to me, Colonel?"

"Yes sir. I've just been questioning her."

"Threatening me is more like it." Oddly, Ashley felt more secure with Sherman in the room.

Thompson attempted to speak, but the general stopped him with a wave of one hand. "Mrs. Reynolds, we have reason to suspect that you were involved with the escape last night of several Confederate prisoners. If that’s true, you'd be much better off to admit it now."

His voice contained such authority it made Ashley shiver. She had heard that same kind of authority before in Chase Kendall. She didn’t like it any better coming from a general.

"What proof do you have, sir, that I was involved in such a matter?"

"You've been extremely friendly with those particular prisoners since they were brought to the hospital, Mrs. Reynolds. Do you deny that?" Thompson asked. His voice had taken on a more civilized quality with the general's arrival. It was easy to see the effect the superior officer had on him.

Thompson was not afraid of Sherman, Ashley thought, but he had a healthy respect for him. She felt certain he would not dare harm her or threaten her in the general’s presence. "No, I do not deny that," she replied, meeting Sherman's gaze. "That hardly makes me an accomplice, does it?"

"You were aware that Dr. Wallace was in possession of a key to that door, were you not?" Sherman asked.

She shook her head, the waves of honey-red hair cascading down her back in soft

waves. "No, I was not. I am Dr. Wallace’s cousin, not his confidant."

The barest hint of a smile touched Sherman's lips while he studied her. So this was the girl that had Chase Kendall in such a state. She was beautiful, he thought to himself. It was easy to see why Chase was so confused.

He observed her pale face, especially the defiant gleam in her eyes. He admired anyone who could look him straight in the eye as she was doing now, especially when they were lying through their teeth.

"Mrs. Reynolds, do you know what the penalty is for aiding a prisoner of war to escape?" he asked.

"No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me."

"The penalty is death, Mrs. Reynolds, in front of a firing squad, or life in prison. You’re a young, attractive woman, Mrs. Reynolds. I’d hate to think of you spending your life in a Federal prison.

"If you’ll tell me the truth now, I’ll be lenient. However, if you force me to continue this investigation and I learn that you were, indeed, part of this escape, I’ll see to it that you pay the full price for your crime."

"I deeply resent being accused like some common criminal. I have done nothing wrong. My only crime, General, seems to have been extending a bit of simple human kindness to a few wounded men who happen to be my countrymen, and who have been smart enough to escape from under your Yankee noses."
Sherman’s eyes widened. The girl had grit all right. It was perhaps fortunate for the Union that southern females were not bearing arms. If they all possessed the spirit of this one stunning young woman, things might be going quite differently.

"I see," he said thoughtfully.

He continued to stare at her flushed face while Ashley stared back, her eyes sparkling with anger and contempt.

"General, with your permission, sir, I’m sure I can persuade Mrs. Reynolds to tell me the truth," Thompson suggested, enjoying the fear that sprang into her face.

"Have Dr. Wallace brought in for questioning, Colonel," Sherman said while he rose from his perch. "Mrs. Reynolds, I must ask you to remain with us until this matter is cleared up. Colonel Thompson will see to your comfort."

"If that murderous creature dares lay one hand on me, sir, I promise that you will be very sorry," Ashley warned with a contemptuous glance in Thompson's direction.

At that precise moment, the sergeant who had brought her to headquarters opened the door and stuck his head through. "General, there's an officer out here who says he can clear Mrs. Reynolds of the charges."

Sherman nodded. "By all means, Sergeant, show him in."

Ashley’s mouth dropped open when Chase stepped into the room and saluted. He walked into the room until he was standing directly in front of Sherman. He did not look at her. Instead he kept his gaze focused on the general's.

"Colonel Kendall." Sherman was not surprised. "You have information pertinent to this case?"

"Yes sir."

He stood very straight, almost regally, Ashley thought. She had no idea what he was going to say but she knew with absolute certainty that he was going once more to rescue her from a dreadful situation. At the moment she was so relieved to see him, she completely forgot to resent his intrusion into her life.

"Mrs. Reynolds could not have possibly been involved in this escape, sir."

"You have proof of this statement, I assume."

"Yes sir. I know Mrs. Reynolds was nowhere near the hospital last night, sir, because she was with me."

Sherman’s brows rose. His gaze drifted from Chase to the shocked expression on Ashley’s face. "All night?"

"Yes sir;" Chase answered. He glanced downward at Ashley’s gasp of horror. Her mouth opened to protest when she recognized the subtle warning in his eyes and snapped it closed again without uttering a sound.

"He's lying to protect her, General!" Thompson snarled as he came to his feet behind the desk. "He brought her to Savannah dressed as a soldier in his regiment so he could have her close at hand. He'd say anything to save her skin."

Sherman's penetrating gaze remained locked on Chase's calm face. "Is that true, Colonel? Did you bring this young lady on our march through Georgia without my permission or knowledge?"

"Yes sir."

"You dressed her up like a soldier to keep her presence a secret?" Sherman’s lips thinned at Chase's affirmative nod.

"Yes sir, I did."

"For what purpose?"

"The purpose Colonel Thompson stated. I wanted her close to me."

Sherman’s perceptive gaze came to rest on Ashley's stunned face. He could not decide if her reaction was because Chase was lying to protect her or if she was merely shocked that he admitted their relationship so openly. "Is this true, Mrs. Reynolds?"

Ashley could only nod in a jerky fashion. She was speechless at the ease with which Chase could so blatantly lie to his commanding officer. She could not help wondering why he was putting himself deliberately into this position. A noble gesture was the last thing she would have expected from him.

"Then you maintain that you were with Colonel Kendall all of last night?"

Ashley dared give Chase one brief glance before nodding again. His eyes were veiled but he had given her the only avenue of escape and she was in too far now to back out.

"Yes, General, Colonel Kendall and I spent the night together, as if it's any of your business!" she snapped when she recovered her powers of speech. "I certainly hope you're gentleman enough to keep this information to yourself!"

Chase slowly exhaled, unaware that he had been holding his breath. She had taken his cue and plunged ahead with full force in typical Ashley fashion. Why did the spark of relief in her eyes make him suddenly feel satisfied? Damn her beautiful hide to hell! He should have let her sweat it out by herself, maybe then she’d think twice before pulling another stunt like this. But one glance at Thompson's sullen face convinced him he had done the only possible thing.

Sherman studied Ashley's indignant features for a long moment, finally letting his gaze drift back to Chase. "I guess this matter is settled. If the young lady was with you last night, she could hardly have helped those prisoners escape. I suppose we'll have to look elsewhere for our culprit.

"Colonel Kendall, escort the lady home and then put yourself on report. You have a great deal of explaining to do. I expect a full report, Colonel, on my desk by the end of the day. Dismissed!"

Chase saluted, took Ashley by the arm, and hustled her toward the door. She attempted to jerk free, bristling at the authoritative manner with which he handled her, but he held her firmly as he maneuvered her into the hallway.

"How dare you!" she demanded when the heavy door was safely closed behind them. "How could you tell such a brazen lie? Don't you know what this will do to my reputation if it gets out?"

The anger she saw in his face chilled her outrage. He strode down the hallway, half-dragging her along beside him. "Which is more important, Ashley, your precious reputation or your life? Those were not idle threats the general made in there. He meant every word."

"I don't care!" She was half-running to keep up with his long strides, her breath coming in short pants. "And where do you get the right to assume I helped those prisoners escape?"

Chase did not reply until he had shoved her into the seat of the buggy and climbed up to take the reins. "Jacob Kearns was one of those prisoners, wasn't he?"

"So what?"

"So you had to be the one who helped him get away. You seem to have a soft spot where he's concerned."

"That's none of your business! I did not ask for your help!"

"No, but you sure didn't turn it down, did you? If you weren't guilty, you would’ve called me a liar."

Ashley sniffed and looked away.

Chase gritted his teeth. In spite of his anger, she was so beautiful with her head lifted proudly and her eyes flashing, it forced him to take a deep breath to ease the tightness in his chest.

"Yes, Colonel, I did help Jacob escape. I'd do it a hundred times over if I had to. You knew that when you lied to General Sherman. So why did you bother?"

"Because I'm a goddamned fool!"

Ashley stared at him, torn between anger and gratitude. There was no way she could ever understand this man. He had lied to protect her knowing she was guilty, but now he was angry with her as though it was her fault he had lied. She glanced down at her hands twisting in her lap and took a ragged breath.

"What will General Sherman do to you?" she asked at length in a more subdued voice.

Chase glanced at her, then directed his attention back to the team. "Probably give me a good bawling out for disregarding procedure. Any other time it would cost me a rank, maybe two, but he can't afford that right now. When are you going to think before you get into these situations, Ashley?"

"I did think. I knew exactly what I was doing. In fact, the escape plan was my own idea. Jacob warned me what might happen if I was caught but I chose to do it anyway. It’s time you realized I can take care of myself."

"You think so, huh? Let me explain something to you, Ashley," he said with a somber tone that made her look up into his eyes. "My regiment is pulling out of Savannah at the end of the week. Colonel Thompson is being left here as the military commander of this city. The smartest thing you can do is stay out of his way. I don't think I need to remind you how dangerous that man is.

"The only thing that saved you today was General Sherman choosing to believe the lie I told him. In a couple more days you'll be on your own, and while I don't like it, there isn't a hell of a lot I can do about it, thanks to your damnable Irish pride. You must promise that you won't ever try anything this foolish again."

"I wouldn't do it for anybody but Jacob."

"Why is that particular soldier so goddamned important to you?"

"Because I'm going to marry him."

Chase shook his head with a sigh. "You find marriage to that kid preferable to my offer of being independent?"

She stared at him for just a second, then she looked away. "I happen to love him, although I don't expect you to understand that. I doubt the meaning of that word belongs in your vocabulary."

"Bullshit!" Chase snorted. "You're the one who has her words mixed up."

"I knew you wouldn't understand!"

"I understand a lot more than you realize. You don't love him, Ashley, and I have serious doubts that you really loved Jeremy Reynolds. Jacob Kearns is offering you an easy way out and you're taking it."

Stung by the challenge in his voice, Ashley retorted, "So what if I am? Who are you to tell me who I love and who I don’t? I hardly consider you an authority on the subject. I'm certain you could write a book about lust, but love, Colonel? Please, spare me your platitudes Why can't you mind your own business?"

"If I had minded my own business, you'd be in a cell with Thompson doing

whatever he damned well pleased."

They had arrived in front of Alexander's house. Ashley jumped down from the buggy and flounced toward the house. Chase leaped down and followed her.

"Ashley, wait."

She halted at the sound of his voice. In a second she felt his hand on her shoulder as he turned her to face him. She was unwilling to look into his face so he cupped her chin in one strangely gentle hand, and forced her to look at him.

"Ashley, I don't want it to end like this."

She swallowed hard. "It's the only way it can end, don't you know that yet? You have your life and I have mine and I choose to share it with Jacob."

"Ashley, for God's sake, don't rush into this marriage. You don't love him. You know that as well as I. Don't throw your life away because he reminds you of someone who’s dead and buried."

The intensity in his eyes made her shiver. She wished his nearness did not make her feel so vulnerable and confused. He towered above her with his hands on both her shoulders, but after a moment let them drop to his sides.

"We all do what we have to, don't we, Colonel? I want to marry Jacob and I will. So why don't you just go on with your horrid army and leave me in peace?"

He bent down and kissed her. Her hands flew to his chest to push him away but his arms were strong around her. After a moment, her arms closed around his shoulders and she answered his kiss. She felt dizzy and closed her eyes wondering why she had no control over her body when he touched her.

After a long, pleasantly foggy moment Chase released her and held her away, his eyes burning into hers.

She stared at him for a second and then with a sharp intake of her breath, she slapped his face.

There was sadness in his face when he stepped back. "Is that the way you want it, Ashley?"

Her head lifted, her eyes gleamed with a combination of anger, desire, and regret. "Yes, Colonel Kendall, that’s the way I want it. I want to forget I've ever met you. I despise you and everything you represent and I want you out of my life forever," she said in a voice choked with unshed tears.

Chase studied her for a very long moment, then tipped his hat to her. "Good bye, Ashley."

She watched through a blur of tears as he turned on his heel and strode back to the buggy, then drove back down the street without a backward glance. She watched him go, wishing she could call him back, but knowing she could not. Within a few moments he was gone from sight and she turned toward the house with a heavy heart. It's for the best, she kept saying to herself sternly as she entered the house and climbed the stairs to her room.

Her head ached and the queasiness had returned. She flung herself across the bed miserably. For months now she had wished she never had to see Chase Kendall again and now that wish had been granted, but she did not feel the elation she had imagined. She only felt empty and lost. Whatever the future held, it would be dull compared to the past few months and she wondered why that thought made her so miserable.

Then she turned over, buried her face in the pillow, and began to cry.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

When Chase entered General Sherman’s office with his report, Sherman was seated behind his desk shuffling through papers. He indicated the empty chair in front of the desk and Chase dropped into it without a sound. He handed the report to Sherman and waited while the general read it.

Sherman laid the paper aside and looked across the desk, his expression both irritated and amused. "You have a hell of a nerve, Colonel."

Chase did not reply but returned the general’s steady gaze without any visible signs of emotion. Sherman lit a thin brown cigar and drew on it in silence for a few moments, never taking his gaze from Chase's controlled face.

"Would you care to tell me just what the hell you were thinking when you brought that girl along on a military campaign?"

"I didn't see any other way, sir," Chase answered wearily. The bitter parting with Ashley was still strong in his thoughts. "I couldn't very well just ride off and leave her in Atlanta with it burning down around her, could I?"

"Yes, you could have, you should have, and you know it."

"I didn't see it that way. She was totally alone with nothing but the clothes on her back. I knew Dr. Wallace was in Savannah so I decided to bring her here."

"Against every rule of military protocol? You know that civilians have no place near a military campaign. Yet you knowingly disobeyed procedure."

"As I said, sir, I saw no other way."

Sherman snorted and drew on his cigar again. "And that little scene this morning; you still say the girl spent the night with you?"

"Yes sir. It's all in the report, sir." Whatever the general was going to do, he wished Sherman would just do it so they could stop talking about it. He felt foolish enough without having to rehash the whole thing over and over.

"You're lying through your teeth, Chase, and I know it. I just can't prove it."

"Why would I lie, sir? Feeling runs pretty high among Southerners when one of their own consorts with the enemy."

The tiniest hint of a smile appeared at the corners of Sherman's lips. He leaned back in his chair and watched Chase through a haze of cigar smoke. "You're a very lucky man, Chase. Firstly, because I don't have time to pursue this matter and secondly, because if I did, I'd have to court-martial you. But that would leave me without your field experience when we move north against Lee.

"So it's a good thing that I’m choosing to overlook this blatant disregard for orders. Your regiment will be ready to move out on schedule?"

"Yes sir. We're ready and waiting for further orders."

Sherman rummaged among the papers on the desk before looking up again. "Good. Your regiment will move out at first light Friday morning. I expect some strong resistance before reaching Columbia. Most likely it will be a stiff fight all the way north to join General Grant."

"As I said, sir, we're ready."

"I trust you’ve said your good-byes to Ashley Reynolds?"

"Yes sir." Chase had no desire to dwell on that bitter scene earlier in the day. He shook his head to dismiss those unpleasant thoughts from his mind, directing his attention to the coming campaign and the end of the war he felt sure would follow.

"That's all, Colonel," Sherman said, bringing Chase's mind back to the present.

"Yes sir." He rose and saluted before turning on his heel and striding from the room. He had a thousand things to do before his regiment moved out in two days. From now until he reached their destination in the North, there would be no room for anything else in his mind.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Ashley spent the remainder of that day in bed. The increasing spells of nausea left her tired and drained.

The following morning she had to force herself to get out of bed and get dressed. Several times she was forced to sit down and wait until those alarming seizures passed. Breakfast was out of the question for the mere thought of food made her stomach lurch.

While she rode with Alexander through the city streets, she could see the army was making preparations to move. The flurry of activity going on all through the city made her remember Chase's warning about Colonel Thompson. She vowed to do what he said for once and stay out of Thompson’s way.

The morning passed slowly. It took a supreme effort to drag herself through her duties. The spells of nausea were increasing and she was becoming alarmed. She was helping serve lunch, fighting the urge to vomit, when Alexander wandered through the ward and paused to observe her pale face and trembling hands.

"Ashley, aren't you feeling well?"

Ashley looked up, startled by the unexpected concern she heard in his voice. "No, I’m not, Alexander. I must be coming down with something."

Alexander took the plate of food from her, called an orderly to finish her chores, and took her hand. "Come with me, Ashley. I think I'd better have a look at you. You haven't been looking well for several days. I shouldn't wonder with what you've been through; being hauled down to Federal headquarters like a mere child could possibly be a security risk. It’s enough to make you ill."

Ashley was too weak to argue. She meekly followed him through the ward to a small anti-room he used for an office in the back of the church. Alexander closed the door behind them, indicating that she should sit down in front of the tiny desk. He plopped into his chair and studied her pale face with the heavy dark circles that shadowed her cheeks.

"Tell me how you've been feeling."

Ashley shrugged. "I don't know what's wrong with me, Alexander. I feel sick all the time and I keep having these strange dizzy spells. Do you think I've picked up a virus of some kind?"

"Sarah tells me you haven't been eating well," Alexander prompted while his gaze bored into hers.

He rose and came around the desk and checked her temperature and pulse. He also checked her blood pressure and inspected her throat and ears.

Ashley sat quietly until he finished the examination, watching the strange expression on his face with a sense of foreboding. At last Alexander went back to his seat behind the desk, and propped his elbows on top, continuing to gaze at her thoughtfully.

"When was your last monthly flow, Ashley?"

Her face went crimson with embarrassment. She was mortified that he would mention such a thing. "Why do you ask that?" She kept her head down, her gaze fastened at the toe of her shoe in an effort to avoid Alexander's probing gaze.

"It's a perfectly reasonable question, my dear. There's no need to be embarrassed or upset. I am a doctor, my dear. Now, as I asked, Ashley, when was your last monthly flow?"

She finally stared at him in bewilderment. "What could that possibly have to do with anything?"

"I can find nothing wrong with you, my dear. You have no fever, no signs of infection. Have you had your flow this month?" His voice was soft, almost kindly, but the probing intensity of his eyes deepened her concern.

She dropped her head from his penetrating gaze. Her brows wrinkled in concentration and her eyes narrowed while trying to remember. Had it been two months or three since the last time? So much had happened in such a short space of time it was difficult to recall such trivial matters.

"No," she admitted.

"When was the last one?"

"I don’t remember exactly, October, I think."

Alexander leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile forming at his mouth. "Ashley, my dear young cousin, don't you think it's time you were completely honest with me?"

She stared at him blankly. "I don't understand, Alexander. What are you trying to say?"

"How long have you been sleeping with that Yankee?"

The statement jerked Ashley from her lethargic state. Her face registered first dumbstruck astonishment, then fleeting dismay, and then bewilderment.

"And don't bother denying it. I've been a doctor too many years not to recognize a pregnant woman when I see one."

"P-p-regnant?" Ashley stammered in a voice so hushed and disbelieving it was barely audible "W-what do you mean?"

"I mean pregnant, Ashley, with child. You’re going to have a baby, you ninny," Alexander chided sarcastically. "And since I don't believe in immaculate conceptions, I know there's a man involved somewhere. Jeremy's been dead for over a year so I can safely cross him off the list of suspects. If your last flow was in October that means you conceived sometime in November. Which can point the finger of guilt at only one man."

Ashley continued to stare at him stupidly. The blank, bewildered expression on her face slowly dissolved into dismay.

"It is Colonel Kendall, isn't it? He's the most likely suspect. Unless you spent the nights while you were on the march with the Federals going from one blanket to another."

Ashley could not respond. Her mind was frozen with disbelief, her mouth dry and wooden, her throat so tight and constricted her breath was all but cut off.

"Snap out of it, girl," Alexander said sharply. "Tell me if Kendall is the man responsible for this abomination!"

"It can't be," Ashley whispered at last. She blinked rapidly several times. "You must be mistaken."

"I'm not mistaken, girl. You show all the classic symptoms."

Ashley shook her head. "No, it's not possible, it can't be."

"Are you denying that you've slept with him?"

The amused expression on his face made Ashley want to erase it with a stinging slap but she knew that was pointless. "It's not like you think," she told him in a shaky voice. "It only happened twice, that's all."

"Believe me, my dear, that was enough. We are discussing Colonel Kendall, aren't we?"

Miserably, she nodded and swallowed against the growing lump in her throat. She wanted to cry but refused to give in to such a futile act. Slowly the cold light of realization sank into her befuddled mind. She began to shake violently. Her teeth chattered until she clamped her lips together to cut off the sound.

Alexander studied her for several long moments. He almost felt sorry for the simple-minded little fool. Her shock and misery caused him to shake his head in wonderment. Would women ever learn to think about the consequences of such an act and take proper precautions?

Another thought occurred to him. Perhaps this disaster was a stroke of good fortune. A man with Kendall's social background would likely be willing to pay handsomely to keep this information from getting back to his family.

"Am I correct in assuming he knows nothing about this7"

"How could he know? I can hardly believe it myself." While she stared at Alexander, the sly grin that crossed his face sent a peal of alarm through her. "He doesn't know and he must never know! Please, Alexander, you won't tell him! Please, promise me you won’t tell him! Oh God, I'd rather die than have him know!"

She began to cry. The tears slid down her cheeks to drop onto her lap in tiny dark puddles. Her nails bit into the palms of her hands as she clenched her fists in a futile effort to check her shaking.

Alexander got up, moved around the desk, and wrapped a protective arm around her trembling shoulders. "Now, now, dear, don't you worry about a thing," he said soothingly. "I'm going to take care of everything."

He half-lifted her from the chair and led her toward the door. "Now you go straight home and put yourself to bed. Leave everything to me."

Ashley gave in to his kindness, letting him lead her to the front doors of the hospital. Her mind was spinning so fast with this shocking turn of events, she didn’t notice the crafty smile on Alexander's face when he sent her on her way.

She stumbled down the streets, not noticing anything around her while she struggled to comprehend what this meant. Later the anger and rage would come, but now the only thing that occupied her thoughts was to keep Chase Kendall from knowing about this baby.

He was leaving Savannah in just two days. She would never see him again. He must never know about this child. All ties between them had been broken and they must remain broken.

Her chin lifted proudly. She dried her streaming eyes and wiped her cheeks. This was her child, her responsibility. She would find a way to raise it alone. She was a Reynolds; she didn’t need anyone.

CHAPTER FORTY

Chase looked up irritably when Dan Morrison knocked once on his door and entered without waiting for permission. "What is it, Dan?"

Morrison grinned at the scowl on Chase's face as he strolled into the small office. "You’ve got a visitor."

"I don’t have time for a visitor. Can't this wait till later?"

"I think you’ll want to see this visitor, Chase."

Chase looked up from the neat stacks of papers on the desk. "Okay, who is it?"

"Dr. Wallace. And he looks to me like a man with something on his mind."

"The only thing that man ever has on his mind is money. If he thinks he's going to get one more cent out of me, he's crazy. I've washed my hands of that stubborn little vixen. From now on she's his problem. But, go ahead, let him in."

Morrison grinned at Chase's relenting comment and went to the door and let Alexander in, then closed the door on his way out.

Alexander approached Chase with a satisfied glint in his eyes, and waited until he was certain they were alone before he spoke.

"Colonel Kendall, I've come on important business." He plopped into the vacant chair without an invitation.

"Wallace, I don't have time for one of your financial reports. I'm leaving Savannah Friday morning at dawn and I have a lot of work to get done before then."

Alexander leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs. "I'm well aware of your plans to vacate the city, Colonel. I won't take up much of your time. However, I do think there’s something you should know before you leave Savannah."

A wary glint came into Chase's eyes. "And just what would that be, Doctor?"

"It's about Ashley."

"I was sure it was. What has she gotten herself into this time? Or more to the point, how much is it going to cost me?"

"Ashley is pregnant, Colonel."

Chase jerked upright in his chair, his eyes widening with surprise.

"I persuaded her to tell me the name of the father of her child. I must admit that I'm surprised at you, Colonel. What with all your talk about honorable intentions." He shook his head in feigned dismay. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Chase stared at him in stunned surprise while the implications of Alexander's news sank in. Then he recovered his composure. "What would you like me to say, Wallace? That I'm not the man responsible for her pregnancy? I can't very well do that. If Ashley is pregnant I have no doubt that I'm the father of her child,"

Alexander's ruddy face colored and his eyes narrowed with anger. "You conceited scoundrel! How dare you sit there so calmly, confessing that you've taken cruel advantage of an innocent girl in such a vile manner!"

A muscle twitched in Chase's jaw. His eyes became pools of ebony embers while he stared into the doctor's indignant face. "There was nothing vile about it, Wallace," he replied, his voice still calm. "What happened was a mistake, for both of us, a mistake that Ashley has greatly regretted. Regretted much more than I. However, if you expected me to deny my guilt, then you're wrong.

"Why are you telling me this? I'm sure Ashley didn't send you here. In fact, I'm sure she'd rather I never know anything about this child at all. Do you want satisfaction? Is that it? Are you going to challenge me to a duel to redeem Ashley's honor?"

Alexander saw the danger in those dark eyes and swallowed. The bastard would probably love for him to call him out so he could kill him. Well, he was not going to be suckered into a stupid move like that.

"I'm not a man of violence, Colonel Kendall. I only want what is best for Ashley. I'm sure you find this situation as intolerable as I. I think you’ll agree that the sooner it's dealt with, the better for all concerned."

"What is it exactly that you're proposing, Wallace?"

Alexander, feeling the immediate danger pass, leaned forward to explain. "As you know, Colonel, I am a doctor, and a good one I might add. Ashley is only a few weeks pregnant by my calculations. It would be a relatively simple matter to terminate the pregnancy now. She would be in no danger, I assure you, and this entire unpleasant episode can be forgotten."

Chase stared at him in amazement. "You're suggesting an abortion?"

Alexander nodded. "Yes, yes, a medically safe procedure. It will be over quickly and is practically painless. That way Ashley's honor can be salvaged and you can go on your way without any obligation."

"And just what do you get out of all this, Doctor?" Chase asked, making no effort to conceal the scorn in his voice.

Alexander rubbed his hands together and smiled. "Of course, I expect to be compensated for my services."

"I'll just bet you do." Chase shoved his chair back so hard when he rose it almost toppled over.

He strode around the desk so furiously, it made the doctor draw back. Chase towered above him, hands clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing with contempt. "You goddamned little weasel! If you lay one finger on Ashley, I'll rip your heart out. There is no way in hell she will ever agree to an abortion. In case you've forgotten, Wallace, Ashley is Catholic, as am I. She could never kill her own child, even if I am its father.

"Now you get the hell out of my office! I'll be over to speak to Ashley tonight as soon as I'm off duty and we'll decide what's to be done. Until then you stay the hell away from her. Do you understand me?"

Morrison opened the door at the sound of Chase's angry voice, stepping aside as Wallace scooted past him into the hallway. The portly doctor did not look back as he scurried down the corridor toward the front door. Dan turned from watching Alexander's exit and came into the room.

"What the devil happened? I heard you yelling clear out in the hallway."

"Ashley's pregnant, Dan."

"Goddamn!" The shock on Morrison's face matched the shock in his voice, but then he shook himself and went to a side cupboard to pour them both a liberal shot of whiskey. He handed one glass to Chase, watching as Chase downed it with one swallow.

"What are you going to do?"

Chase slumped back into his chair and idly toyed with a pencil. "Wallace offered to abort the pregnancy...for a fee of course."

"That was what all the yelling was about? I take it the idea didn't sit too well with you?"

"Hell, no. And it won't sit any better with Ashley."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"The only thing I can do."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, finish getting the regiment ready to move out on schedule, Dan."

Chase stood up and took his hat from the hat tree near the door. "I'm going to see the general and then I'm going to my quarters. I'll be there for the remainder of the day if you need me."

Morrison nodded and took Chase's place behind the desk and began shuffling through the paperwork. It looked like he was about to become the regimental commander whether he liked it or not.

***

It came as no great surprise to General Sherman when his adjutant announced Colonel Kendall wished to speak to him. Nothing Chase Kendall did really surprised him anymore.

"What's on your mind, Chase? Having problems getting your troops organized for our departure tomorrow?" he asked when Chase walked into the room and saluted.

Chase shook his head and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "No sir, the regiment will be ready on schedule. I'm here on a personal matter."

Sherman put aside the maps he had been studying in order to give Chase his full attention. "Go on. What's on your mind?"

"General, I must have a two week leave of absence. I have all the paperwork ready." Chase handed over several sheets of paper.

Sherman barely glanced at them before tossing them aside and dealing Chase a thoroughly disgusted glare. "Leave of absence? Have you lost your mind? We're pulling out of here tomorrow at first light."

Chase stared back. "The regiment is ready sir, as I said. Dan Morrison is completely capable of taking command until I can rejoin him. He's a fine officer, fully qualified to...."

"It's your command, Colonel," Sherman broke in. "And your responsibility. What could possibly be of such importance that you would ask for a leave of absence at this time?"

Chase made an off-hand motion toward the papers he had given the general a moment earlier. "Personal reasons, sir. Believe me, I wouldn't ask if it weren't urgent."

"Mrs. Reynolds again, I presume," Sherman remarked dryly.

Chase drew a long breath and tried to control his rising irritation. "It concerns her."

"I'm not surprised. For a rational, level-headed man, Chase, you seem to have no objectivity where that particular female is concerned. What trouble is she in now?"

"I don't feel it's necessary to go into details, sir. May I point out, sir, that I haven't had a leave in almost two years. I will rejoin my regiment before it reaches Columbia. I don't think two weeks is asking too much in view of that fact."

"At any other time I might be more inclined to agree with you, Chase, but not now. The end of this bloody war is in sight. This will be the final campaign, I'm sure of it. Surely you can postpone whatever it is until then."

"No sir, I can't. It has to be now."

"I'm sorry, I can't spare you now. Permission denied."

Chase swallowed, returning the general's cold stare. "Then you leave me no

choice, General, but to resign my commission."

Sherman stared at him as though he was not sure he had heard correctly. Then he leaned back in his chair and paused to light a thin brown cigar and drew on it a couple of times while he studied Chase's determined face.

"You’re not serious. You’re willing to let one troublesome female Confederate cause you to throw away your career with only a few weeks left of the war? What could possibly be that important to you?"

"She's having my baby, sir. I can't leave her here in that condition. I have to make some kind of arrangements for her."

Sherman did not show the surprise Chase had expected. Instead, he merely raised one eyebrow a bit while he continued smoking the cigar. "I see. What do you plan to do?"

"Take her up north where she'll be safe. When I've made sure that she's in good hands I'll rejoin my men."

"By good hands I assume you mean your parents," Sherman said. Upon Chase's affirmative nod, he stared thoughtfully for a moment, then asked, "Do your folks know about this?"

"No, not yet."

"Looks like you've made quite a mess of things, Chase."

"Yes sir, I guess I have."

"I see your predicament, Colonel," Sherman said after a pause. "All right, I’ll approve your request for a two week leave of absence to take the girl north. But I expect you to be back with your command before we encounter Lee in Virginia."

Chase let out a long sigh of relief, unaware he had been holding his breath or that he had been clenching his fists so tightly his fingers were beginning to cramp. He came to attention and saluted.

"Thank you, sir,"' Chase said, then turned on his heel to walk from the office.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

As darkness drew closer, Ashley lay with her face buried in the pillow and tried to force her weary mind to consider the future. The first painful fact was that marriage to Jacob was out of the question now. How could she ask him to accept another man’s child?

She turned over and stared up at the ceiling. The evening shadows were creeping into the room, covering her with the chill that came with sundown. Within a few minutes her entire life had been altered but while she knew the facts, she was finding that accepting them was quite another matter.

One hand slid down her body to rest on her stomach. To think that a tiny new life was beginning there made her shiver with anxiety. A mother! She could not picture herself in that role.

What kind of parent would she be? She knew nothing about children. She hardly knew how to take care of herself. How would she manage to raise a child alone?

She shuddered, remembering Alexander’s parting words earlier in the day. He was probably already trying to find someone to marry her in order to salvage his family’s name. Tears of frustration stung her eyes as she tossed restlessly upon the bed. With the situation as it was, she had no choice. A quick, quiet wedding was the only way to protect herself and her child. Perhaps she had been too hasty in rejecting Chase's offer of assistance. Had she accepted, she would not have to rely on Alexander’s choice of husbands. No, had she accepted Chase’s money there would always have been a link between them that would someday, no matter how carefully she guarded her secret, lead him to discover the child.

He must never know about this baby. He had another life awaiting him, a life she could never enter.

She sat up on the side of the bed and brushed away her tears. He had come into her life with a roar and he was leaving it the same way. Tomorrow he would lead his regiment north, then someday home to his family and the woman who waited to marry him. And she would have his child and somehow make a life for the two of them.

She glanced up at the knock at the door and murmured a whispered, "Come in."

Sarah stuck her head inside. "Sorry to disturb you, dear. Alexander is waiting for you in the study. He says for you to join him right away."

Ashley nodded, her face drawn and pale, her eyes bleak. She blew her nose and ran a comb through her hair. She squared her shoulders and lifted her head.

She knocked and heard Alexander's booming voice tell her to enter. She opened the door and stepped into the room. It was so dimly lit that she failed to see the second man who awaited her.

Alexander was seated at one end of the long sofa that sat in front of the window. As he motioned for her to come closer, Ashley noticed the pleased smile on his face. He had obviously succeeded with his plan, whatever it was, but his smug manner put her on guard.

"You wished to speak to me, Alexander?"

"Please come and sit down, my dear, I certainly hope you're feeling better this evening."

His concern only made Ashley more anxious. As she came closer, a sick feeling of despair made her stomach lurch. She choked back the urge to turn, flee from the room, thus escaping whatever fate awaited her.

It was only when she moved further into the room that she felt another presence. She glanced toward the fireplace and stopped dead still, putting one hand to her throat, as a gasp came from her lips. Her eyes were enormous in her pale face as she stared in horror at the man who moved from the shadows into the light.

Her gaze froze on Chase's grim face for a moment before whirling to confront Alexander. "What is he doing here?"

"Sit down, Ashley. Colonel Kendall insisted on speaking to you with regard to this unpleasant situation."

"How could you?" Ashley’s eyes burned with humiliated tears, her throat felt constricted, squeezing off her breath. The pounding of her heart sounded like thunder in her ears, making it difficult to hear above the roar. "How could you tell him after you promised you wouldn't?"

"I promised to deal with this problem, Ashley," Alexander reminded her.

"I have absolutely nothing to say to him, or to you!" Ashley cried, then she whirled to bolt for the door.

She could not remain in the same room with that man one more second. Alexander had gone running to him, had told him everything. Why hadn't he just stood on top of a building and shouted her disgrace to the entire city? And now Chase was here, looking like he would rather face a firing squad. She had never been so angry, so humiliated, and so appalled all at the same time in her life.

"Sit down, Ashley," Chase said in that firm no-nonsense tone of voice she had come to know, and resent, so well. "Please," he added a second later, his voice softer.

She hesitated for a moment, not quite knowing what to do. Chase neatly stepped in front of her only avenue of escape, his face inscrutable, his lips compressed into thin lines of determination, the muscles in both strong jaws twitching. Ashley wondered if he was as furious about this turn of events as she, or was perhaps that unfamiliar glint in his eyes the result of embarrassment, surprise, even confusion? She dropped her head to escape his piercing stare. Her heart pounded, banging against her ribcage. She felt dizzy, weak, almost nauseous. Marching to the sofa, her back ramrod stiff, she sat down, still avoiding his gaze.

"You may not want to talk to me, Ashley," he said. "But in this instance, you don't have a choice. Dr. Wallace tells me that you're going to have a baby."

Ashley was not certain if it was a statement or a question. She nodded, keeping her face averted, struggling to control the flood of tears that stung her eyes.

"The question is, Colonel, now that you've disgraced my young cousin by putting your seed inside her, what are you going to do to rectify the situation?"

"That’s something Ashley and I will work out. I am aware of your solution and I find it totally unacceptable."

When Ashley glanced up in surprise, Chase noted the anxiety in her pale face. "I see you haven't informed Ashley of your plan."

He moved across the room to lean against the fireplace mantle. The pain in her eyes filled him with guilt and regret but he took a long breath and went on, "Your cousin, the good doctor, has generously offered to terminate the pregnancy, Ashley. For a fee, of course."

Ashley's horrified gaze flashed to Alexander's confident face at his end of the sofa when she realized what Chase meant. "You mean kill the baby?" she whispered in a disbelieving voice.

"That's a bit melodramatic, my dear," Alexander replied dryly. "It's the only logical solution. I am a doctor. I can do it safely and quickly and this entire matter can be forgotten."

"No!" Ashley shook her head emphatically she Alexander's gaze. "No, I could never do that."

"I'm afraid there is no other alternative. I cannot allow you to give birth to an illegitimate child and disgrace my name. That is out of the question."

"There is another solution," Chase said before Ashley could speak. "I want to marry you, Ashley, and give my child its rightful name."

Her gaze snapped to his face, staring at him in astonishment. Surely she had not heard him correctly.

"You must be joking, Colonel. I'm sure your aristocratic northern family would be appalled at such a marriage," Alexander said sarcastically.

Chase's gaze never left Ashley's shocked face. "This is my child and I'm willing to

take the responsibility for my actions. We can be married right away, Ashley. I've arranged for a leave of absence so I can take you to my family in Philadelphia."

"Aren't you taking a lot for granted, Colonel? You're assuming Ashley will agree to this ridiculous marriage."

"Ashley is a very bright young woman, Wallace. She's refused to have an abortion and I refuse to have my child born a bastard. Marriage is the only logical alternative," Chase said. "Now I would appreciate it if you would leave us alone to work out the details."

Alexander hesitated for a moment and then shrugged. He was as stunned by this turn of events as Ashley. Who would have thought the man would take the honorable approach? He rose from the sofa with a heavy sigh, resigning himself to losing all those Federal dollars.

Ashley watched him move toward the door. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone in the same room with the arrogant bastard that had ruined her life. She lurched off the sofa and would have run from the room after Alexander, had not Chase anticipated her actions and caught her arm.

"Let go of me! I have nothing to say to you!"

The door closed behind Alexander. She glanced wildly from Chase's determined face to the door and back, knowing she was trapped.

"Perhaps not, but I have several things to say to you, and you're going to listen."

Ashley stared up into his face, so calm and in perfect control, and swallowed hard. "Nothing you can say could possibly persuade me to marry you! I would rather be dead than marry you!"

Chase gritted his teeth, taking a tighter rein on his emotions. He was going to remain calm and logical if it killed him.

"You will marry me, Ashley, because it's the only thing that makes sense. When you calm down, you'll realize that. Now, please sit down and let's try to discuss it with some degree of maturity."

His confidence only enraged her further. How dare him think she would jump at the chance to become his wife! She had not been good enough for him before. She surely was not good enough now simply because he had gotten trapped by his own actions.

She jerked her arm free and slapped his face. Chase did not move but stood perfectly still, his gaze intent on hers. When he did not respond, she slapped him again on the opposite cheek. Still he did not move. She stepped back, staring at him in amazement.

"Does that make you feel better?" he asked softly.

Ashley sprang at him, her fists swinging at his face. He caught her wrists in both hands and pulled her against him, crushing her against the hard strength of his chest. She continued to struggle while tears of anger and humiliation stung her eyes.

"You miserable, low-down, vile creature! I wish you were dead! I wish I were

dead! I wish I could kill you for what you've done to me!" Her voice broke as the tears she had been choking back tore from her throat and began to stream down her cheeks.

Chase drew her into his arms, holding her close, pressing her head against his chest. He could feel her body tremble. He laid his cheek against her hair while sob after sob poured out of her. He let her cry, his own eyes filled with pain, while he silently cursed himself for causing her such unhappiness, knowing she was as much afraid as she was angry.

She cried for several minutes until the sobs receded to soft whimpers and then to hiccups. Finally she pulled out of his embrace and took the handkerchief he held out. She sank down onto the sofa, dried her eyes and blew her nose. Chase perched on the sofa arm next to her, letting his hand rest on her shoulder.

Ashley made no attempt to move away, but kept her face averted while she twisted the handkerchief in her lap. She was overwhelmed with dismay to have let him see the extent of her misery and bit her lip to still the trembling.

"Are you all right, Ashley?"

Even in her distress, Ashley caught the gentleness in his voice. She nodded and hiccuped.

"Can we talk now?"

"There's nothing to say," she whispered.

"I have something to say. Will you please just listen for a minute?"

She nodded but kept her face averted.

Chase stood up and moved away a few steps while he tried to put his thoughts in order. He took a deep breath, turned around, and came back to her. When she looked down to avoid his gaze, he dropped to his heels in front of her and took her hand in both of his. "Ashley, I'm sorry. I know that doesn't mean much, but I never meant for this to happen. I never meant to hurt you.

"Please believe me, I had no intention of causing you such pain. You are so beautiful, Ashley, I wanted you so damned bad I couldn't help myself. But God as my witness, I never meant to make you pregnant. That's my fault for being careless. But when I started making love to you, I completely lost my head. I know you were inexperienced. I should have been more careful but everything just went out of my head except how good it was to have you in my arms."

A pink tinge warmed Ashley's cheeks when she glanced at him. His eyes were probing into hers and she looked away.

"Anyway it's too late now for excuses, you're pregnant and I'm responsible. I know how you feel about me, Ashley, you've made it abundantly clear, but it's not just you and me involved anymore. There's an innocent baby to consider. We must put our differences aside, and make his welfare our only priority. Surely you can agree with that much."

Ashley looked at him then, her eyes bright with unshed tears. 'Yes," she agreed hesitantly. "But I don't want to marry you."

"I know that, but do you really hate me so much that you're willing to let our child suffer because of it? You can't want the baby to be born in disgrace, even if I am its father," Chase argued gently. "I won't let you go through the shame of having the baby alone. If you should have the baby without a husband, your own life would be destroyed as well as our child's future. Do you want that?"

Ashley shook her head while the firelight cast brilliant highlights around her shoulders, bathing her face in shadows that accented the hollow, strained texture of her features. "No, of course not. I want my baby to have the best life I can give him. None of this is his fault."

"Then marry me, let me take care of you and the baby the way you both deserve."

"You mean get married for the baby's sake and then get a divorce when he's born?"

Chase shook his head. "No, Ashley, I mean to stay married permanently," he replied, watching the expression of horror that flashed into her face. "I don't believe in divorce, Ashley, and neither do you. We've both been raised to believe marriage is forever. It will be a real marriage."

"You mean…live together…and. everything?" she asked with large, apprehensive eyes.

"Yes, everything, Ashley. We'll have a home and a family... and everything. I won’t be in the army forever. The war will soon be over. I can provide you with a good life, Ashley, and our children will have everything they need. I left a successful law practice to become a soldier and when the war is over I'll return to it."

"You're a lawyer?" The thought that he might be something other thin a formidable, highly determined soldier had never really occurred to her.

"Yes, and a damned good one. I'm actually quite successful and I'm not a poor man by any means."

Ashley sat quietly for a few moments and thought over his arguments. It did make sense, she had to admit. The baby could be born with his rightful name and they both could be well taken care of.

She looked at Chase's hands lying upon hers, strong and brown but yet surprisingly gentle. She remembered the feelings those hands could bring to life deep inside her, allowing herself to wonder momentarily what marriage to him would be like. The stain in her cheeks deepened with the prospect of being his wife, lying in his arms at night, sharing the passion he stirred within her.

Chase saw the indecision in her eyes and felt her hand tremble beneath his.

"We can have a pleasant life together, Ashley, if you'll give it a chance."

"What about your plans? What about the woman you're engaged to?"

His eyes were clear and honest as he returned her questioning gaze. "As I said, Ashley, our baby is the only priority. He's more important than any plans I may have made before. Regardless of what you think of me, Ashley, I could never turn my back on my child."

She stared at him. While a part of her wanted to believe him, another part kept telling her he was trapped, he was saying what was expected of him to say. "But your family, what will they say?"

"I have a very close relationship with my family, Ashley. I had a great life as a kid; I'll have nothing less for my own child. My parents would want nothing less either."

Ashley studied him while her mind raced with a deluge of conflicting emotions. In spite of her anxiety, she could not deny the undercurrent of excitement that surged through her blood at the thought of being his wife.

"Where would we live?"

"In Philadelphia. I'll buy a house of our own as soon as the war is over, but until I can come home to stay, you'll stay with my parents. My leave is only for two weeks, Ashley, then I must rejoin my regiment. I've sent telegrams to Miranda and to my father requesting he send a ship to pick us up. It’ll be on its way tomorrow."

"You've thought this all out, haven't you?" she asked with a touch of her old belligerence.

"Yes. I've thought about nothing else since Alexander's visit."

"There's something I don't quite understand. If I should marry you, the baby and I will be gaining your name and the security you can give us, but what will you get from this arrangement?"

A smile hovered around the corners of his mouth, deepening the creases in his cheeks to mischievous proportions. His gaze flickered over her before he answered. "That should be obvious, Ashley. I'll be getting you."

A deep blush warmed her cheeks but she forced herself to hold his confident gaze. "That hardly seems a fair trade, especially when you know how I feel about you."

"Feelings can change, Ashley. Perhaps when I'm no longer wearing this uniform you'll find I'm more than just a Union soldier. You might even discover that you like me more than you think."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll have to be satisfied with your body, won't I? I can put up with your dislike for me to have you in my arms at night. In some ways I'll be getting the best of the bargain."

Ashley's face flamed and she looked away from the sensual light in his eyes. "You're horrid!" she whispered. "Yesterday the thought of marrying me was the last thing on your mind. Now, after Alexander told you about the baby you can't wait to marry me. If you think you can sway my opinion of you by...well,…you can just think again."

Chase rose to sit beside her on the sofa, tucking her hand safely between both of his. "If you would allow yourself to remember honestly, Ashley, you'd have to admit that you are not totally unappreciative of my abilities in that area."

She did not reply, unable to think of something suitable to put him in his place.

"When we're married you won't need to deny your passion, Ashley. You'll be my wife. Making love with me won't be immoral or sinful."

"Isn't there any way out of this mess without getting married?" she asked, hoping to change the subject. The thought of belonging to him made her weak with apprehension, yet she could not deny the thrill of excitement that crept into her blood.

"If you have a better idea, I'm willing to listen."

She sat in confused silence for a few moments trying to think of an acceptable alternative, but in her heart she knew he was right. Marriage was the only solution that made sense. Finally she raised her head and looked into his face.

"I don't know anything about being a wife. I was married to Jeremy for such a short time."

Chase squeezed her hand. "That makes us even because I don't know anything about being a husband. I guess we’ll learn together, it'll be more fun that way. Does this mean you accept my proposal?"

Ashley nodded. The fear of the unknown washed over her in giant waves. "I don't have much choice, do I? I must think of what's best for the baby regardless of my own feelings."

A hint of amusement touched Chase's eyes as he smiled. "Good. I'll speak to the priest at St. John’s right away. We can be married Sunday."

Alarm sprang to Ashley's face, filling her eyes with dismay. "So soon?"

"The sooner the better in this case, don't you think?"

She bit her lip to still its trembling and nodded. "I suppose so."

Chase stood up, pulling her to her feet. "Fine. I'll come by tomorrow around ten to pick you up."

"Why? Where are we going?"

"Shopping, of course. You're going to need some things for the trip up North and you must have a suitable wedding dress."

For an instance excitement flared in Ashley's face, but then she thought about the sad state of her finances and the light faded.

"But I don't have money for those things."

"Ah, but I do. From now on, Ashley, you need never concern yourself about money. You let me take care of the details, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed. "But I'm still not going to like taking orders from you."

"You don't have to take orders from me, Ashley, just try to meet me halfway. I know it's not going to be easy. I don't expect it to be, but we owe it to our child to try. Agreed?

Chase began walking toward the front door and Ashley followed, her hand still tucked in his. As they neared the door, Ashley's brows knitted into a frown.

"Chase?" He turned to look down at her, his gaze sweeping her puzzled features curiously. "You don't seem to be very upset by all this."

His brows raised but he waited for her to explain.

"I mean…it's not pleasant for you either. I mean...I know you're only doing this because of the baby, but it's certainly not the way you planned to spend your life."

"What are you getting at, Ashley?"

"It's just that…well, you don't seem to be very angry. I was sure you'd be furious if you knew about the baby."

"Was that why you didn't come to me yourself'? Or did you think I'd deny it was my child and run for the hills?"

"How did I know what you'd say?" she retorted, her eyes beginning to snap with quick anger. "It would be just like you to deny it!"

An amused grin spread across his face as he looked down into her angry eyes. "Now that's the Ashley I know."

Ashley stared at him in amazement. As usual, the man had done the exact opposite of what she expected.

Chase put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer until she was only a whisper away. "Ashley, when Alexander told me you were pregnant I'll admit I was surprised. But angry? Well, it's much too late to be angry. It's happened and we'll just have to make the best of it. You didn't get in this condition without a considerable amount of help from me."

"I guess I've always planned to have children someday." He reached to brush a lock of unruly hair from her forehead and let his finger trail across one cheek. "I suppose this is as good a time as any other. And anyway, where would I find another woman as beautiful as you to be the mother of my children?"

He leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, then stepped back and opened the door. "I'll be here at ten. Sleep well, Ashley."

Before she could respond, he disappeared into the brisk night air. She watched him swing up onto his cavalry horse with an easy grace that was surprising for a man his size.

In a very short time that man would be her husband. How had she let herself be talked into that? She shuddered at the thought of spending the rest of her life with him. How could she live with him? She did not want to marry him and go so far away from everything familiar to her, but she had to admit he was right. It was the logical thing to do for the baby's sake, even if it meant swallowing some of her pride. Who would have dreamed he would insist she marry him?

She would marry him all right, but she would never allow herself to feel anything but contempt for him. He had used her, put her in this disgraceful position, but now she would use him; his name, his money, and the security those things offered, but the only part of her he would ever possess was her body. She would never allow him more than that.

It was the only way she could face a future with him. Anything else was unthinkable. If she let herself care for him, he would destroy her and if he thought her feelings would change, then he was a fool.

She snuggled down between the sheets and closed her eyes but Chase's handsome, determined face formed like a vision before her. The one thing she knew with absolute certainty about Chase Kendall was that he was not a fool.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

When Chase arrived at the house the following morning promptly at ten o'clock,

Ashley was nervously pacing in the study. She had risen early and eaten breakfast, a feat that had been impossible the past couple of weeks. She was surprised at how well she had slept. This morning she awakened fresh and rested and except for a passing round of nausea, was feeling quite well.

She took a great deal of time to dress. Looking through her wardrobe twice, she finally chose a lavender and white dress with a lace-trimmed bodice and sleeves. A lavender ribbon formed the collar and lavender lace fringed the skirt. A pair of white kid shoes completed her ensemble.

She brushed her waist-long hair until it gleamed and fell down her back in soft waves, secured back from her face with twin mother-of-pearl combs. Finally she gave her reflection in the mirror a nod of approval and went downstairs to wait.

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the buggy drive up in front. A few seconds later she heard a knock on the door and rushed to open it.

"Good morning," Chase said with a cheery smile when she flung the door open.

"Good morning." She suddenly felt shy and awkward, like a silly schoolgirl when she found herself avoiding his gaze.

"You look very lovely this morning, Ashley," he said as his gaze swept over her. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, quite well, thank you. And you?"

A lazy smile spread across his face, deepening the creases in his cheeks to give him an air of mischief as he watched her fidget. "You know, Ashley, you don't have to try so hard to be polite. Why don't you just relax and be yourself?"

Ashley blushed, feeling even more foolish, as she reached for her cloak. Chase took it, draped it around her shoulders, and then stepped aside to let her out the door.

"I didn't think you liked me much when I'm being myself."

Chase chuckled as he helped her into the buggy. He climbed in beside her, took the reins, clucked to the team of matched gray horses and turned the buggy toward the city.

"I like you just fine when you're being yourself. Then at least I know what to expect."

"Where are we going?"

"There's a dress shop a few blocks away. I thought you might find something there you would like."

Ashley sat silently as he maneuvered the team around other buggies and wagons in the street. Her eyes widened as the long blue columns of' Sherman's XV Corps marched through the city on their way North.

She glanced at him from time to time, amazed at the cheerful expression on his face. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining in a brilliant blue sky and birds sang happily in the magnolia trees as they passed.

"Are you sorry you’re not leaving with your men?"

"No, not really. They’re in good hands. It's going to be a long, dull march to Columbia and I'd rather be with you. You're so much nicer to look at than Dan Morrison."

Ashley was surprised to find herself smiling back. He was obviously trying to be pleasant and despite herself, she could feel herself responding to his amiable mood.

The man simply amazed her. She looked more closely at him, admitting that he was an incredibly handsome man. He was, as always, neat and clean and he smelled nice. The wide-brimmed cavalry hat shielded his eyes from the bright sun, leaving most of his face shaded but when he smiled his teeth were a flash of white. His skin was deeply tanned from years of exposure to the sun. His dark brown hair was neatly combed, every hair in place.

But it was the subtle masculinity he exuded that fascinated Ashley most. There was an understated sensuality in him that reached out to her and warmed her with its provocative promises.

She was still staring at him when he suddenly looked down at her. His eyes danced with amusement at the puzzled expression on her face.

"Why are you staring at me like that, Ashley?"

She started at the sound of his voice as two large pink spots leaped to her cheeks. "I-I-I didn't realize I was staring."

"Tell me what you were thinking."

Ashley focused her gaze on a passing wagon to avoid looking at him. "I was just wondering if the baby will look like you," she murmured.

"I certainly hope not. I hope it's a girl and she looks exactly like you."

"You mean you'd rather have a girl than a boy?"

"Sure, why not?"

The sudden heat in his eyes seemed to warm her all over. "I thought all men wanted a son."

"Oh, I do want a son but if this one is a girl, then we'll keep trying until we get a boy."

Ashley's face burned from the implication in his voice. She fidgeted with the lace on her sleeves, at a loss for words. So much had happened so quickly. She had trouble comprehending it all. To find herself about to be married to this man was almost more than she could deal with.

"I think a little girl would be nice," he went on cheerfully. "One with your red hair and green eyes. But without your temper."

The smile on his face put her more at ease. She smiled back and tried to relax.

"Tell me about your parents. If we're going to be related I should know something about them, don’t you think?"

Chase nodded, taking his gaze from her to give more attention to the team. "Well, as you already know, my father is Steven Kendall. He's been a US senator for several years now. My mother's name is Clarice. They live in Philadelphia in a two-story brownstone house, the same one I grew up in.

"There's also a smaller house in Washington where they live when Congress is in session. My mother usually goes with him when he travels and they have an active social life. They both like people so they entertain a lot.

"My mother is very beautiful. She's small and feminine, a lot like you in fact, and she laughs a lot. But she's tough as nails when it counts, also a lot like you," he said with a grin. "My father says she should be the senator."

He gave a soft chuckle that made Ashley look at him curiously. A softness had crept into his voice as he talked about his family that filled her with a contented feeling.

"He means that she's the kind of person who gets things done. She has more

energy than anyone I know. She runs the house and keeps things going smoothly so he doesn't have to bother about details. That way he can concentrate on the affairs of state. My father, on the other hand, is more relaxed. He takes his time making decisions but he's very shrewd about people and rarely misjudges them.

"My mother's family is French. My father met her in Europe when he was there on business."

"What does your father look like?" Ashley asked. The gentleness in him when he talked about his parents intrigued her.

"Me, I guess, or rather I look like him. He's tall and rather imposing at first glance but he's very kind. You're going to like him. You'll like them both."

"The question is, are they going to like me?"

Chase looked down to read the anxiety on her face. "Of course they are." He reached to take her hand and squeeze it. "You're going to be my wife, Ashley. They'll like you very much if you let them."

"But they had planned on you marrying someone else."

"Yes, they did, but I've explained about you and I know they'll accept you with no problems."

"What exactly have you told them about me?"

"I told them that you’re very beautiful and full of life and when you smile your eyes sparkle like emeralds. They know how we met. In fact, they know all about us except for the part about the baby and the real reason for the marriage."

"What did you tell them about the marriage?"

"I told them that we're being married tomorrow. And that we're very much in love with each other."

Her eyes grew wide at that revelation and her mouth dropped open. "Why on earth would you tell an outrageous lie like that?"

"Because I think it's best if everyone believes we love each other, Ashley. There will be enough questioning looks once your pregnancy becomes obvious. It will be much better for our child if people think we got married because we are in love."

"But that's such a lie! We don't even like each other. How do you expect to make anyone believe we're desperately in love?"

Chase ignored the sarcasm in her voice. "It will require a good bit of acting but I'm sure you can manage it. Considering that our child's future is at stake, I'm sure you will rise to the occasion."

"You want me to act like I'm wild about you in the presence of other people? I don't think I'm that good an actress."

Chase laughed while she stared at him in complete confusion.

"What's so funny?"

"Ashley, my pet, we're going to spend the rest of our lives together. I think we should try to make the best of it, don't you? Besides, somewhere down deep you know you like me a little bit."

Ashley jerked her hand away and stared straight ahead. The truth of his words had hit her like a splash of cold water. "I don't want to like you. I utterly despise what you've done to me and I shall never forgive you for it. The only reason I'm even considering this ridiculous marriage is because of an innocent baby, and you well know it."

A sparkle of amusement danced in Chase's eyes while he studied her. "Is it? For some reason I don't quite believe that. In fact, I think you're just a little bit relieved that Alexander told me about the baby. And I think you do like me, just a tiny bit, even if you won't admit it."

"That's because you're an arrogant, conceited man, Chase Kendall. I said I'd marry you, isn't that enough?"

Chase shrugged. "It's enough, Ashley, for now anyway. As I've mentioned before, you may find being married to me will be more pleasant than you think."

"I doubt that."

"You do know I'm right about appearances, don't you?" Chase asked, returning to the original subject.

"I suppose so. Being married to you will be bad enough without everyone knowing exactly the purpose of the marriage."

"Then you'll try to act like a loving, devoted wife?" he teased with a grin.

"I'll try." Then she turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with determination. "But you just remember that it's only an act."

A lazy smile came to his face as he reached to take her hand once more, tucking it securely inside his. It was small and cold and he felt it tremble. An odd expression came into his eyes as he observed her determined face, then he swallowed and put the smile back into place.

"That's fair enough, Ashley. Although, for myself, I don't think being married to you will be so terrible. We might even learn to like it someday."

"Maybe in a hundred years."

Chase did not reply for they had reached the dress shop. He pulled the team to a halt, sprang down from the buggy, and came around as Ashley held out her hand for his assistance.

Instead of taking her hand, he reached inside the buggy to put both hands around her waist and lifted her out onto the ground beside him.

"I am quite capable of getting out of a buggy alone."

"You may as well get used to my taking care of you, Ashley," he said cheerfully, ignoring her waspish mood. "Besides, I need the practice."

Ashley sniffed while leveling a cool stare at him as he took her hand and led her across the boardwalk toward the shop, giving her just enough time to notice it was one of Savannah's most exclusive millenaries. The merry tinkle of a silver bell announced their arrival and in seconds a small, dark woman with very dark hair and twinkling black eyes came from a curtain at the back of the shop.

"Ah, Colonel Kendall, I see you have brought your lovely bride. As you requested, I have selected a few things I think she will like."

Ashley was immediately aware of the woman's lilting French accent, then she took Ashley's arm and began to lead her toward the dressing area in the back of the shop. Ashley glanced over her shoulder at Chase with a mixture of apprehension and contempt, but a moment later her eyes lit up with excitement at the fabulous array of clothing awaiting her inspection.

"This room is reserved for my special clients, my dear," the woman said as she directed Ashley's attention to a rack of dresses in the middle of the room. "So you may be assured of complete privacy. Mrs. Reynolds, my name is Rozelle and I shall be delighted to assist you in selecting whatever you will need for your wedding and your trip north. And may I say, my dear, you are indeed a most fortunate young lady to have found such a handsome, generous man.

"Colonel Kendall was quite specific in his instructions that you are to have whatever you like," she continued as she began to take gowns from the rack.

An hour later after a dizzying array of purchases, Chase turned to Rozelle with a secretive smile and asked, "Now what about the wedding gown we discussed?"

Rozelle clapped her hands together in excitement. She bustled into another room beyond the curtained area and returned in a moment with a gorgeous ivory colored gown across her arms. Ashley's eyes widened and a soft gasp escaped her lips as Rozelle held up the gown for her inspection. It was floor length, made of light, fluffy organza. The snug bodice was adorned with a dozen pearl buttons encased in pure white lace. The neckline was traditionally high but delicately trimmed in lace to give it a soft, feminine quality.

"This was designed for another young lady who, unfortunately never got to wear it," Rozelle said as she displayed the gown. "It should fit you perfectly."

Excitement flared in Ashley's eyes as she gently fingered the dress. It was even more beautiful than the wedding gown Mr. Reynolds had made for her before her marriage to Jeremy. She fell in love with it the second she saw it. She looked up at Chase with eyes filled with joy.

"I take it you like it," he observed with a smile.

Speechless, Ashley could only nod her head.

"Good, then we'll take it."

He took her hand and they followed Rozelle back into the front of the shop to wait while she totaled up their purchases. Ashley gasped when Rozelle handed Chase the bill. It came to slightly over eight hundred dollars but Chase did not appear to mind. When he reached for his wallet, Ashley put a restraining hand on his arm.

"Chase, no, you can't. It's too much!"

There was something indiscernible in his eyes as he counted out the money and gave it to Rozelle.

"This, my dear Ashley, is only the beginning." Then he turned to Rozelle, his voice once again businesslike. "Have these things sent to the Savannah Hotel, Rozelle, with the exception of the wedding gown. The bridal suite," he instructed, giving her a card with Alexander's address for the delivery of the wedding gown.

"May I wish you both much happiness, Colonel."

"Thank you. If Ashley should find she needs anything more before we leave, we shall be back," Chase told her as he took Ashley's arm.

He led her back out into the bright morning sunshine and lifted her into the buggy. When he had climbed in and took up the reins, Ashley finally found her voice.

"Chase, I--I--I don't know what to say."

He clucked to the team and paused to flash her a teasing grin as he maneuvered them into the congested traffic. "That's quite a switch."

"It cost so much, you shouldn't have. I didn't need all those things." That he had spent so much money without so much as the blink of an eye astounded her. When he had mentioned shopping, she'd had no idea what he meant. All those beautiful clothes. It was mind-boggling.

"Don't be silly. It's time you had some nice clothes, and don't worry about what it costs. I told you I'm not a poor man. Start getting used to having nice things again, Ashley, because from now on you'll have the best of everything."

She noted the ring of pride in his voice. He actually seemed to be enjoying her delight. His lips curled in a pleased smile, his eyes filled with warmth, so Ashley nodded and relaxed.

The sunlight threw swirls of honey-red fire around her shoulders, lending a glow to the color in her cheeks. "It's been such a long time since there's been money for things like clothing. Even before Mr. Reynolds was killed there was no money. It all went to help with the war effort. There were a lot of times when we didn’t even know if we would have enough food."

Chase gave her a reassuring glance, feeling a quiet satisfaction at knowing those hard times were all behind her. "Those days are over, Ashley. See, I told you being married to me might be nicer than you imagined."

Ashley found herself smiling back and settled back into the buggy with a contented sigh. It had been a long time since she had felt this secure. It was a wonderful feeling.

"And the fun isn't over yet," Chase said, his eyes sparkling with mischief

"Where are we going now?" Her eyes glowed with happiness as she allowed herself to look forward to this new surprise.

Chase grinned at the child-like anticipation on her face. "First, we're going to have lunch at the Savannah Hotel and then I've got another surprise for you."

"Oh what fun! I've heard they have very good food there."

"So I hear."

"What’s the other surprise?"

"You'll have to wait until after lunch to find out."

She looked disappointed for just an instant, then her eyes brightened. "Okay, I can wait but I don't know how much more excitement I can stand in one day."

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

They arrived at the Savannah Hotel a few minutes later. Chase lifted Ashley from the buggy and turned the team over to a doorman. He took her arm and led her through the hotel lobby and into the lavish restaurant that occupied the back end of the first floor. The Savannah was the city’s oldest and most prestigious hotel-restaurant with a reputation for impeccable service and fine food.

A formally dressed waiter hurried to greet them and showed them a table beside one of the large bay windows that overlooked the street. As Ashley studied the menu, Chase smiled to himself.

She was exceptionally beautiful this morning. Her complexion glowed with health and her long, radiant hair gleamed in the light. She was only a girl in many ways, but she also possessed the beauty and poise of a woman.

He watched her poring over the menu and felt the familiar stirrings of desire. His body had developed a mind of its own where she was concerned. It would be a relief to finally make love to her without feeling guilty about it. He only hoped Ashley would learn to do the same.

"Well, what do you see that sounds good?" he asked.

Ashley shook her head, her lips pursed in concentration. "I can’t make up my mind. There are so many good things, oh, why don’t you order for me?" she suggested, laying down the menu and folding her hands on the table.

The table was covered with a fancy lace cloth, with a lone candle resting in a silver candlestick in the center.

"It’s too bad it isn't dark so we could light the candle. I love candlelight."

Chase called over the waiter and instructed him to light the candle.

"'That was nice, thank you."

This romantic side of him was astonishing. She would never have dreamed the man had a romantic bone in his body. For the moment she allowed herself to forget that he was only acting a part and pretended he was really as sincere as he appeared. The results were staggering for her pulse began to race and she felt herself blush when she glanced upward to find those dark eyes probing into hers. When his leg brushed hers under the table, her breath caught in her throat.

Tomorrow night she would be his wife. While the thought scared her silly, she was also excited by the prospect. Already her body was having those strange, uncontrollable reactions to his presence for she could feel a warmth spreading throughout her limbs.

Glancing around the room, she realized there were several other ladies lunching, with their eyes trained on Chase. A feeling of pride came upon her. In just a few hours this big, ruggedly handsome Yankee colonel would be her husband and Ashley knew their wedding night would be altogether different than her wedding night with Jeremy. No shy, awkward kisses, no furtive, nervous caresses from this man. There was nothing shy or awkward about Chase Kendall. She shivered with anticipation. If he continued to be this pleasant, living with him might not be as terrible as she imagined. In fact, the prospect began to look brighter by the moment.

When the waiter came to take their order, Chase ordered roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, with coffee for himself and a glass of milk for Ashley. She leaned across the table to touch his hand after the waiter moved away.

"I would have preferred coffee too."

"Milk is better for you. You should drink lots of milk until the baby comes."

Her cheeks grew pink with embarrassment. "Oh, I didn't think about that. I suppose you're right, but it's just that, well, it's been so long since I've actually been hungry, and I thought coffee sounded so good."

Chase's lazy grin put her at ease as she sipped at her glass of water while they waited for their food. "Once we get to Philadelphia you'll have all the mothering you can stand, I promise, especially when we tell my folks about the baby. Emma will have you drinking gallons of milk everyday or I'll miss my guess."

"Who's Emma?"

"Emma is our housekeeper, Ashley. She's been with my family since before I was born. Does that give you an idea of how old she is?"

"For a man your age you don't look too bad, Chase. Take a look around; every woman in this room has been staring at you. But," she added with a feigned sigh of resignation, "I suppose that's something every woman with a handsome husband must become accustomed to."

"Tell me something; does my age bother you?"

Ashley's smile's faded when she realized he was serious. "No, of course not. Why should it?"

"Because I'm fourteen years older than you."

"I could ask you the same question. Does my age bother you?"

"No, although I'll admit it did at first. But then you have so many other charming qualities that make up for how young you are. You have more grit than any woman I've ever met."

"Is that a compliment?"

Chase nodded. "It certainly is. Meek, mousy woman have never appealed to me and you, my pet, can never be considered meek nor mousy."

The waiter appeared with their meal and Ashley dug into it. Later, she pushed her empty plate aside with a sigh.

"Is there anything else you'd like, Ashley? Some dessert maybe?"

She shook her head and eased back from the table a bit. "Oh no, I couldn't eat another bite. I'm stuffed."

Chase laid his napkin on the table and signaled the waiter. "Then I guess it's time for my next surprise."

Ashley's eyes lit up with anticipation as she rose from the table and let him take her arm. He paid the bill, then led her through the lobby and up the long curving staircase. When he halted outside a room on the second floor, Ashley pulled free of his guiding hand.

"Don't get nervous, Ashley," he said as he unlocked the door. "I only want to show you the rooms I've reserved for us until the ship arrives to take us to Philadelphia."

She watched him warily as he pushed the door open and stood aside to let her enter. The room that unfolded before her was large and airy with bay windows. The furniture was dark mahogany polished to gleaming perfection. She walked through the sitting room, her eyes shining with approval as she touched the dark blue velvet sofa. There were also velvet drapes at the windows and several small highly polished tables on which stood elegant lamps with silver bases bearing hand-carved designs.

"It’s beautiful."

He walked past her to open the bedroom door and waited for her to inspect it also.

She slipped past him into the room to find it as elegantly furnished as the sitting room. It too was large and spacious, containing two large dressers, a dressing table above which hung a huge, gold framed mirror, and a marble water basin with a porcelain pitcher and bowl. But it was the four poster bed that she focused on.

The posts were made of highly polished mahogany and carved with intricate designs. It was covered with a dark blue velvet spread that matched the drapes at the window. It looked soft and inviting but Ashley felt anything but comfortable as she stared at it.

She glanced uneasily from the bed back to Chase, her cheeks flaming at the open desire she read in his eyes. She backed away a couple of steps and nervously touched the edge of the dresser.

"Well, what do you think?"

She jumped at the sound of his voice. "It's very beautiful," she murmured, trying to smother the urge to turn and run.

Rather than let him know how nervous she was, she took a deep breath and lifted her head. "How long will it be until the ship arrives?"

"No later than Tuesday," Chase answered as he moved past her to sit on the edge of the bed. "It's one of my father's fastest ships so the trip won't take long. With good weather we’ll be in Philadelphia by the end of the week."

The springs creaked under his weight as he motioned for her to sit beside him. When she was seated, Chase took her small, cold hand and reaching into his pocket, pulled out a blue velvet box and placed it in her palm.

"And this is the other surprise I have for you. I hope you like it."

Ashley opened the box eagerly, her nervousness forgotten for the moment. She gave a tiny gasp of delight at the sight of the ring that lay inside. It was solid gold, delicately adorned with three diamonds surrounded by brilliant emeralds.

"Oh my!" she whispered, stunned by its beauty.

"This is the engagement ring, Ashley There’s a matching wedding band but you'll have to marry me tomorrow to get it."

He removed the gold wedding band on her finger, put it in the jewelry box and slid it into Ashley's bag, then put the engagement ring in its place. Ashley felt a momentary pang of regret when Jeremy's ring was no longer on her finger, but she swallowed and tried to remember that the past was gone and the future was before her.

"There, that makes it official. We’re engaged."

She turned to look into his face, still overwhelmed with the beauty and expense of the ring sparkling on her hand. He had spared no expense. That was somehow comforting. He had promised she would never lack for anything and he was certainly keeping his word. But the ring made it all so official. She was actually engaged to this man. In just a few hours she would be his wife.

Suddenly, she lurched off the bed and turned away as her eyes filled with unexpected tears. An instant later she heard the springs creak again, then felt his hand on her shoulder.

"Ashley, what's wrong?"

She shook her head, unable to speak for the huge lump in her throat. He placed both hands on her shoulders but still she could not look up into his face.

"Look, Ashley, I know you're not happy about this, but I think we can have a pleasant relationship if you'll give it a chance."

"No, it's a mistake. I can't go through with it."

"It would be a far greater mistake if we don't get married, you know that as well as I. It's going to be all right."

"No, no! It's a mistake, it's never going to work. How can it when you're asking me to give up everything and go so far away and live with people I've never met? Your parents will hate me for ruining your life."

Her voice bordered on panic, filling Chase with a rush of protectiveness. He lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. "It will work. It won't be easy, I know, but it will work if we both try hard enough.

"And my parents are not going to hate you. Nobody could hate you, Ashley. They’re pretty surprised right now but once they've met you and get to know you, they'll be crazy about you.

"You're scared. I know that. I know you're scared of marrying me, scared of having a baby, but I can give you a good life. Trust me, Ashley. We're doing the right thing,"

"Trust you? For God’s sake, you're a Yankee, my enemy! How can I live in a city full of Yankees? How did I let you talk me into this? It's ridiculous to consider marrying you! It’s impossible! I don’t want my baby to grow up a Yankee!"

Chase sighed. "Ashley, in a few weeks this damned war will be over. There won't be a Union and a Confederacy anymore, just the United States of America. Can't you and I have a peace treaty as well?"

Ashley stared at his lean body and serious face, and knew he was trying to keep his voice calm, but the effort made the muscles twitch in his jaws. She sensed an almost desperate intensity in him. What was driving him so hard to persuade her? Was an unborn stranger that important to him?

She lifted one shaky hand to touch the epaulets on his shoulders. "I can't imagine you as anything but a Yankee soldier. I can’t imagine what you would look like in ordinary clothes."

A slight smile touched the comers of his mouth as he released her chin and brushed back a lock of hair from her eyes. "You'll get used to it. We both have a lot of adjustments to make. For one thing you'll need a complete new wardrobe in a few weeks."

His hand moved down her stomach. "This baby is a part of me too, Ashley, and I’ve got a right to watch him grow up."

She searched his face but all she saw was a quiet honesty that startled her. "Is the baby so important to you?"

Chase nodded, then took her hand and led her back to the bed, sitting down beside her again. "Yes, it is. And if that surprises you, well, I find it a little shocking myself."

Ashley watched him, unable to deny the thrill of pleasure that swept through her blood at his admission of sentiment. The expression on his face was open, honest, even slightly embarrassed by the degree of emotion he felt for someone who was still a tiny embryo inside her body. He loved this baby, she realized with a start. Enough to marry her and disrupt his entire life, knowing the depth of her abhorrence for his political beliefs.

"What about Miranda? Don't you love her?"

"No, Ashley, I don't love Miranda. I wonder if I ever did. I've known her most of her life. Our families have been close friends for years, neighbors, and I guess our engagement was more to please them than anything else. Actually, I'm grateful that I found out about the baby." At her astonished expression, he grinned sheepishly. "It gave me the excuse to do what I should have done months ago."

-"But you don't love me either."

"You're having my baby Ashley, and besides, I have a certain amount of affection for you."

"Is that what you call it?"

"I think we can safely call it affection," he replied with a mischievous grin. "We have to start somewhere, don't we?"

"We already did, remember? That's how we got into this mess."

Chase laughed and pulled her backward onto the bed as his arms closed around her. "Yes, it seems I do remember that. It was a delightful experience as I recall. And I can't tell you how much I’m looking forward to refreshing my memory."

Her cheeks burned from his bold statement. She tried to look away but he pulled her closer and gently kissed her lips. After a moment, her arms encircled his neck and she hesitantly answered his kiss.

Then he pulled away, leaning on one elbow while observing her. Her eyes opened slowly, bright with a combination of anxiety and desire. She allowed her head to rest on his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath her cheek. She wondered why it felt so natural to be here in his arms like this.

"Marriage to you will never be boring, will it? I can only hope our children will be spared your nasty Irish temper."

She smiled as one hand trailed across his neck to rest on his chest. "I hope the baby looks like you."

His brows rose in surprise. "Why?"

Ashley kept her head pressed against his chest so he couldn’t see the blush that had crept into her cheeks. "Because you really are quite handsome."

"You think so?" he asked, wondering why this simple admission touched him.

She nodded while her hand moved around his shoulders. "I'm scared, Chase," she admitted, pressing herself against him.

Chase pulled her closer, laying his cheek against her silky head, trying to give her some of his confidence.

"I know, baby, I know, but there's no need to worry. I'll take good care of you and the baby, and I'll break my back to make you happy. You’ll never be sorry you married me, Ashley, I promise. It's going to be all right. Please try to trust me."

"I'll try," she whispered, "but I don't know if I can."

"Just try, that’s all I ask."

He held her for a long moment, then sat up and pulled her to her feet. "Now, I'd better get you back. You need your rest and I still have details to take care of before tomorrow."

He took her hand and led her from the room and back downstairs. When the coachman brought the buggy around, he lifted Ashley into the carriage and began the trip across town to Alexander's house. He helped her down and escorted her to the door.

"I'll pick you up at one o'clock tomorrow, Ashley. Get some rest, okay?"

Ashley nodded and took her hand from his to open the door. "I'll be ready," she assured him, then added, "Chase?"

He had begun to turn away but swung around at the question in her voice.

"Thank you," she said, feeling suddenly shy and uneasy. "It was a very pleasant day."

"You're welcome, Ashley. See you tomorrow," he answered with a lazy grin that made her heart lurch.

He returned to the buggy and after a wave, he drove away. Ashley skipped into the house and up the stairs with a warm, contented feeling inside her. She kept thinking about all the beautiful things Chase had given her today, glancing again at the sparkling ring on her hand. It had been a wonderful day. She had actually enjoyed his company, and not just because of all the expensive gifts. Perhaps this marriage wasn't such a mistake.

He sincerely wanted this baby, she thought as she touched her stomach. As amazing as it sounded, Chase Kendall had a soft spot in his black Yankee heart for his unborn child. That could only work to her advantage.

Then remembering her response to his kiss in the bedroom of the gorgeous suite, she had to wonder if his money and the security it offered was the only part of their marriage she was looking forward to.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Ashley sat in front of her dressing table mirror the following afternoon brushing her long hair until it gleamed like burnished copper and observed her reflection with a mixture of pride and apprehension. She had slept surprisingly well and awakened early, eager to have this marriage over and done with before she changed her mind.

The beautiful ivory wedding gown fit as though it had been made especially for her. She turned from side to side, smiling at her reflection in the mirror. Her waist was still tiny and touching her stomach, she hoped it would remain so until they arrived in Philadelphia and she had time to win Chase's parents affection.

She lifted her hand to make another stroke with the brush and saw the flash of diamonds from the ring on her hand as they caught the sunlight from her open window. Laying down the brush, she held her hand out to inspect the ring more closely. There was no way of estimating its cost but she knew it was very expensive.

It seemed Chase was indeed a wealthy man. She knew both herself and her child would be very comfortable financially. She thought a few years ahead, trying to imagine all the things his money could provide for her child. The best schools, the latest styles of clothing, the proper social circle of friends, all the things necessary to give him a good life. With that knowledge in mind, she knew marrying Chase was the right thing to do.

Her only doubts were created by her own conflicting emotions toward the man. While she despised the things he had done, her body responded to his touch so strongly it terrified her. Even now as her mind wandered to what this night might bring, a warming sensation spread through her body.

Sarah’s knock at the door interrupted those disturbing thoughts. She rose from the dressing table with a last look of approval. She had never been more beautiful than at this moment, she thought proudly, and put aside any lingering doubts. When she opened the door, she smiled at the affection she saw in the housekeeper’s face.

"You look so beautiful, Miss Ashley," Sarah said. "I’m so glad things have worked out for you. You and Colonel Kendall are going to share many happy years together."

"I’m not so certain about that, Sarah, but I hope you’re right."

"The carriage is waiting. Your colonel certainly looks very handsome, and just a bit impatient."

"I'm sure he wants this to be over as quickly as I do, Sarah," Ashley said, reaching for her cape.

She paused in the doorway of the bedroom that had been her home for the past few weeks. She had not been happy in this house. The only thing she would miss was Sarah.

Whatever the future might hold, it could not be any worse than the past few months, could it? Even though she was leaving this part of her life behind, she did not feel sad. Chase had promised her a better life and she believed he would keep his word, maybe not for her sake but for the baby.

Lifting her head, she stepped down the hall to the stairs. When she reached the staircase, she saw Chase waiting just inside the front door. Alexander had wisely chosen to spend the afternoon at the hospital so Chase was waiting alone, pacing the short hallway.

Ashley paused on the bottom step and watched him for a moment before he noticed her. As usual there was a slight fluttering in her chest at the sight of him. Sarah was right; he looked especially handsome today in his full dress uniform complete with sashes and saber.

The rustle of her petticoats caught his attention and he turned to stare at her. For once he had to look up at her from her perch on the stairs. The expression of utter surprise that crossed his face almost made Ashley giggle. He had been so deep in thought he had failed to notice her arrival. It was unlike him to be caught off guard. But he quickly recovered and Ashley felt a warm rush of blood to her cheeks from the way his gaze swept over her before coming to rest on her face.

"Ashley," he said softly, then cleared his throat and began again. "Ashley, you look absolutely stunning."

Ashley came down the stairs and walked across the room to stand in front of him. The stark desire in his eyes made her feel warm all over, made it an effort to keep looking into his face.

"Why thank you, Colonel. May I say that you also look very handsome?" she returned in a light tone to ease the electricity in the room.

With an effort, Chase finally tore his gaze away from hers and cleared his throat again. He reached for the door and held it open for her. Taking her arm, he escorted her to the carriage, then lifted her into the seat as easily as if she were a feather.

Ashley glanced around the elegant carriage and smiled. The seat was made of black leather and felt silky beneath her fingers when she ran her hand across it. She felt almost giddy from all the excitement bubbling inside her. Had she been this excited the day she married Jeremy? It seemed so long ago, she could not remember. She experienced a moment of panic when she realized she couldn’t remember Jeremy's face.

That part of her life seemed to drift away in a pleasant haze as she watched Chase climb into the seat and take up the reins. She shivered and pulled the cape closer around her. It was not the brisk breeze that chilled her however, it was the way the muscles rippled in Chase's wide shoulders beneath the snug blue uniform tunic when he turned to look into her face.

"Ashley, are you all right?" he asked out of concern for the way she was shivering.

She managed to nod and from somewhere deep inside found the courage to lift her head and return his intent, direct gaze.

A flash of relief came into his face, then he slipped his arm around her shoulders as he pulled her across the seat closer to him.

"Good. Then let's go get married," he said and flicked the reins.

Neither of them spoke as they moved toward the church. From time to time Ashley stole a glance at him. There was a grimness in his face that he was trying to conceal and she surprised herself by reaching out one small, cold hand and laying it on his arm.

Chase glanced down at the gesture. The concern in her eyes touched him. Did she realize just how nervous he was? He had to smile at the quiet resolution he saw in her face. Yesterday's panic was gone, replaced with a calm, unwavering determination that was as admirable as it was amusing. From the expression on her face, you'd have thought she was going to prison instead of her wedding.

He pulled himself from his thoughts as St. John's loomed into view. He felt Ashley's small hand tremble on his arm and pulled her closer. It was the nineteenth of January and the air was chilly from the breeze blowing in from the harbor but he knew it was more than the weather that caused Ashley to shiver.

Their eyes met for a long moment, his with confidence and hers with quiet determination. He pulled the team to a halt in front of the church and draped the reins over the hitching post. Going around to lift Ashley from the carriage, he took her small, cold hand firmly in his and tucked it inside his elbow. Together they walked to the side door that opened into the chapel and stepped inside.

The sanctuary was quiet as they paused just inside the door. Each one took a deep breath before moving down the aisle to approach the altar.

Upon hearing their arrival, Bishop Verot came from his small office and smiled. Extending his hand to Chase, he welcomed them and motioned around. "As you requested, Colonel, there is no one else present." Turning to Ashley he said, "Colonel Kendall has instructed me that you want a quiet, simple ceremony."

Ashley nodded and swallowed, trying to rediscover her voice. "Yes, Father, as simple and quick as possible."

The priest nodded. "Then let's get started, shall we?"

He moved to the center of the altar and turned to face them. "My dear friends. You have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.

"Chase Michael and Ashley Erin, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives? Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"

Chase's voice was strong and firm as he replied, "I will."

Ashley hesitated for an instant, her gaze flashing to Chase's confident face. "I will," she said softly, gaining courage from the unspoken assurance she saw there.

"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church," Bishop Verot said.

Taking Ashley's trembling hand in his, Chase looked down into her eyes and said, "I, Chase Michael, take you Ashley Erin, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

Ashley swallowed hard to force down a moment of blind panic, then forced herself to look into his eyes, thankful for the silent strength he gave her. "I, Ashley Erin, take you Chase Michael, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you good times and in bad, in sickness and in health." Her voice faltered, growing barely audible, and her hand trembled, but she swallowed again and went on; "I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide."

Reaching his hands out over the rings Chase held, Bishop Verot continued, "May the Lord bless these rings, which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity."

Chase took the small gold band and slipped it onto Ashley's finger beside the matching engagement ring. "Ashley, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Ashley's hand shook when she took the matching band from the priest and fumblingly placed it on Chase's finger. Then she repeated in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper, "Chase, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

"Lord, accept our offering for this newly married couple, Chase and Ashley. By your love and providence you have brought them together; now bless them all the days of their married life. We ask this through Christ our Lord."

Bishop Verot led them in the Lord's Prayer, his deep voice strong and resonant, and then indicated they were to kneel. "My dear friends, let us turn to the Lord and pray that He will bless with His grace this woman now married in Christ to this man, and that he will unite in love the couple he has joined in this holy bond."

After taking Holy Communion, Father Jonathan stretched out his hands above their bowed heads and prayed solemnly, "God the eternal Father keep you in love with each other; so that the peace of Christ may stay with you and be always in your home. Amen. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Chase and Ashley together repeated the final Amen and rose. He took her into his arms and kissed her, feeling her soft mouth tremble beneath his, then stepped back and smiled at Bishop Verot.

"Congratulations, and God bless you always," the priest told them as he shook Chase's hand.

"Thank you, Father," Chase said, then took Ashley's hand and led her back up the aisle and out the door.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Chase lifted Ashley into the carriage and steered it into the flow of traffic, moving toward the Savannah Hotel. When she did not speak for several minutes, finally Chase looked at her curiously.

"Well, Ashley, do you feel any differently now that you're Mrs. Kendall?"

She shook her head, still avoiding looking directly at him. She suddenly felt very shy, almost uneasy, and rubbed the palms of her hands against the skirt of the gown to dry the beads of sweat that appeared from nowhere.

Finally she reached deep inside herself to find the courage to return his questioning gaze. "I just hope God doesn't strike us dead for what we did in there."

"I'm sure God understands, Ashley. My folks always told me that there's a reason for everything so I figure if God didn't want us to be married you wouldn't be pregnant and Alexander wouldn't have told me about it. Anyway, we are married, for better or worse, so let's try to put the past behind us and start all over, shall we?"

She gave a tiny nod as she turned her face away. From the corner of her eye she caught the gleam of the gold wedding band on his left hand. She was really married to this man!

She was now Mrs. Chase Kendall. Mrs. Ashley Kendall, she thought while she tried out her new name in her mind. Funny, now that the actual ceremony was over, she did not feel so nervous anymore.

"I've got good news," Chase said, breaking into her thoughts. "I received a telegram from my father this morning giving us his congratulations and telling me the ship will be here tomorrow. We'll be leaving for Philadelphia first thing Tuesday morning."

"So soon?"

"It's a fast ship," he replied with a grin at the uneasy expression on her face.

"Well, I suppose the sooner, the better. Your parents can't be any worse than Alexander, can they?"

Chase chuckled and wrapped a strong, protective arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "I'm not sure that's a compliment. Will you be sorry to leave Georgia?"

"No, I guess not. Alexander is the only family I have and I'm not sorry to see the last of him."

"I certainly share that sentiment. My father and mother are looking forward to meeting you."

"I must remember that we're quite the loving couple, mustn’t I?" she sniffed, but there was no bitterness in her voice, only resignation.

"By the time we dock in Philadelphia you'll have it down perfectly. That gives you a couple of days to practice."

"I suppose you want to go straight to bed the second we get to the hotel?"

The lazy grin he threw her only deepened her embarrassment. Still, she forced herself to return his bold gaze.

"Actually, I thought we might have dinner first. But of course if you can't wait..."

"It's too early to have dinner. But I can wait just fine, thank you. I'm just a little surprised that you can contain yourself that long."

"I can afford to be patient, Ashley. We're going to be together the rest of our lives, there will be plenty of time."

Ashley had to look away from the sensual heat in his eyes. She knew he was teasing her but she also knew what he expected before this evening was over. The strangest thing was that she was beginning to actually look forward to it.

Her thoughts were clearly reflected in her eyes, making Chase pull her closer. His body stirred from her nearness and he shifted uncomfortably on the carriage seat. "I thought we might have lunch and get settled in the suite, maybe do a little packing for our trip."

Ashley visibly relaxed. The uneasiness in her face vanished, letting the sparkle in her eyes return. Her head brushed his shoulder, making her painfully aware of his arm around her while the warmth of his body kept off the chill of the January afternoon.

"Have you ever been on a ship?"

She shook her head. "No. My father was in the shipping business in New Orleans but I was never allowed near the docks. Not proper for a young lady, you know?" she asked with her nose wrinkled in scorn. "Sometimes he would take me to a hill that overlooked the harbor so I could see the ships. They looked so graceful and elegant."

"I know. There's such a feeling of freedom when you're sailing. It's like no other feeling in the world."

"What kind of ship is it?" Ashley asked, warming to his subtle attempt to relieve her anxieties.

"A schooner. She's not nearly as large as some of our fleet but she's very fast. She's one hundred and seventy feet long with three masts. With a good wind she'll go fifteen knots. And she's quite comfortable too. There's a large cabin my father had outfitted for traveling with everything a lady might need. She's really quite elegant. We've always used this particular ship for trips to Europe because she's faster than our larger frigates."

"Does it have a name?"

"It's called the Clarice, after my mother. Dad thought he could entice her to sail if he named the ship after her."

"Your mother doesn't like to sail?"

"No, she doesn't like the water. It makes her seasick."

Alarm sprang to Ashley's face. "Seasick? On my, I certainly hope I don't get seasick. I'm having enough trouble lately as it is."

"You'll get used to the sea in no time at all," Chase assured her with a gentle squeeze of her shoulders. "'By the time we reach Philadelphia you'll be an old hand at sailing."

"And a lot of other things as well if you have your way," she declared, although her voice lacked the sarcasm she had intended.

"What happened to your father's wealth after his death, Ashley?" he asked to change the subject.

"I inherited it. Or actually Jeremy did because we were already married. My father was lost at sea the week following our wedding. Then Mr. Reynolds used my inheritance as well as his own fortune to help the army."

"It was a very bad investment."

"But a very noble cause," Ashley retorted, her eyes beginning to snap with indignation.

Chase looked at her with amused indulgence. "Now, don't get your Irish temper up. I didn't intend to insult the Confederacy."

Ashley blushed and glanced away. Then she took a long breath. "I forgot we're supposed to have a peace treaty," she murmured, then added in a stronger tone, "I just don't happen to think that doing your best for something you believe in is wrong."

"Neither do I, Ashley. I only meant that unless the Confederacy can manage to win the war, Mr. Reynolds' investment is a lost cause."

'There's not much chance of that now, is there?"

"No. Lee's army is trapped between Grant and Sherman, or will be when this campaign gets underway. There is no possible way he can win. He'll be forced to surrender. He's too intelligent an officer to keep fighting when he's faced with a hopeless situation."

"You almost sound as though you admire General Lee."

He nodded. "I do. He's a fine officer and a fine man as well. When he realizes his army is trapped he'll surrender rather than sacrifice lives needlessly."

"I suppose you're right. I guess Mr. Reynolds isn't the only southerner who will have lost everything."

"No, there are many more. It will take years before the scars heal, if they ever do. People on both sides have lost too much to expect a quick reconciliation."

Ashley's reply was cut off when the Savannah Hotel came into view. Chase pulled the team to a halt and gave the reins to the coachman. When he lifted Ashley from the carriage, it took a few moments to untangle her long skirts from the hilt of his saber. By the time he got things untangled, they were both laughing. He took her hand and led her onto the long covered porch out of the sharp wind.

Moving quickly through the hotel lobby to avoid the curious stares of the scattered crowd, they mounted the stairs and continued down the hallway to the suite. As they approached it, Chase dug into his pocket for the key and opened the door. Before Ashley could voice a protest, he picked her up and carried her into the room. Her mouth was open with surprise when he set her down, then pitched his wide-brimmed cavalry hat onto a lamp table near the door.

"Isn't it customary for a groom to carry his bride over the threshold?"

"In most cases, yes. However, this marriage is hardly what I call customary. I thought we had to pretend to like each other only when other people are around."

Chase turned from unbuckling his saber to send her a mischievous grin. "I'm practicing. If we're going to be married we may as well start by observing tradition, don't you think?"

Ashley shrugged, took off her cape and laid it across the back of one of the large chairs near the window. She thought he was over-doing it a bit but he was being so pleasant she did not want to spoil the mood by pointing it out.

She changed from the ivory gown into a more suitable one of forest green wool, then busied herself for a while by putting away what things she would need before departing on the ship. Fresh excitement filled her when she began opening the array of packages from Rozelle's dress shop in preparation to pack for the upcoming trip.

After spending some time packing the trunks Chase had purchased for the trip, Ashley's back began to ache. Glancing up from closing the last trunk lid with a sigh, she saw him watching her , his eyes veiled. It wasn’t fair, she thought, that he could so easily keep her from reading his thoughts when he could read hers like a book.

"You must be tired," he observed.

Ashley nodded before sinking into a soft chair and stretching. "I am a little, I guess. I seem to tire so easy lately."

"That's because of the baby. He's taking much of your strength now. You must be sure to get plenty of rest and not over-tire yourself," he told her in that authoritative tone that she hated.

"When did you become such an authority on babies?"

"When I found out I was going to be the father of one." He finished locking the trunk containing part of Ashley's new wardrobe and sat down on the lid. He stretched his long legs and studied her tired face.

Ashley shifted under the intensity of his eyes. "You don't have to pretend to be so happy about the baby. You've done the noble thing and married me. I see no point in playing this game until it's necessary."

Chase's brows rose in surprise. After observing her for a moment, he got up and walked toward her, perching one hip on the arm of her chair. Ashley refused to look at him, keeping her eyes straight ahead, trying to ignore the clean, masculine scent of him and the warmth that emanated from his body.

"I'm not playing a game, Ashley. You've never been a game to me and neither is our child."

"But this marriage is," she reminded him, wondering why she felt so irritated with him when it was her own feelings that were so confused.

"There's no reason we can't live together like two civilized people," Chase pointed out, trying to maintain his calm manner. "We're married, we're going to have a baby, and I’m getting to like the idea. Although I'm sure you don't think so, my concern for you is sincere. I want to make these next few months as comfortable and pleasant as I can for you. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, if you mean it. I simply don't want you to think you have to pretend something you don't feel."

Chase reached down to pull a lock of hair from her forehead and raised her face to look at him. "Ashley, my pet, I should think you know me well enough by now to know that I never do anything unless I want to. If I hadn't wanted to marry you, I would have simply gone with my company when it left the city.

"But I found, much to my surprise, that I couldn't do that when I learned about the baby. This child is part of me too, and I want to be part of his life. Is that so hard for you to believe?"

"No, I guess not," she admitted, keeping her gaze locked with his. "I just can't imagine you being a father, or me being a mother, for that matter. The whole idea terrifies me."

Chase's finger trailed down her cheek. "I know it does. It scares me a little too. I’m used to taking care of myself, even being responsible for a thousand other men, but this is altogether different. I have a family now, or will have soon," he said with a meaningful glance at her stomach. "And it's time I settled down."

"Then you really do care about the baby?"

He nodded and a slow grin touched his lips while he caressed her cheek. "Yes, Ashley, I do. And you'll be a great mother, just wait and see."

"I hope you're right." A touch of sadness came into her face as she went on. "I never got to know my mother, she died when I was very small. But I know she loved me very much. My father told me many times how much they wanted to have a baby and how happy they were when I was born. I want my child to know that kind of love."

"He will, Ashley."

"Even if his parents don't love each other?"

"You and I will both love our child. That's a good starting point. Maybe someday we'll grow to love each other as well."

Ashley's expression was skeptical but before she could muster a reply there was a knock on the door. Chase's lips twitched with mischief as he rose to open it and let in the room service staff.

Ashley watched in surprise as two attendants rolled in a large cart, on which rested several large pots of steaming water. Chase directed them into the bedroom while Ashley peeked behind them as they opened a small door at one side of the bedroom she had assumed to be a closet on her first inspection.

Inside the small room was a porcelain tub that rested on curved legs. The attendants emptied the hot water into the tub and withdrew. Ashley slipped into the room to discover a dressing table complete with a large mirror and a corner cabinet filled with soft towels.

"Is this for me?" she asked, indicating the bathtub.

"Absolutely. Take as much time as you want."

He went back into the sitting room and stretched out on the luxurious sofa, watching as Ashley darted back into the bedroom to snatch up the green silk nightgown she had left in the top of one of her trunks.

She did not dare look at him as she dashed back into the bath area and closed the door with a bang. Moving to the dressing table, she discovered an assortment of bath oils and perfumes and a set of pearl handled brushes engraved with her new initials A.K. When had Chase found the time to purchase all these delicious things? She smiled to herself at his thoughtfulness, and shivered with excitement.

Laying the negligee on a corner of the dressing table, she moved on to examine the other things she found there. There was also a dish of heavenly smelling soap flakes, which she splashed liberally into the waiting tub. Stepping out of the wool dress, she slipped into the steaming water.

A moment later she was up to her neck in the tub, stirring the water until it was frothy with bubbles. As she relaxed in the fragrant water, she could feel the fatigue draining away. Being careful to keep her long hair outside the tub, she scrubbed herself until her skin glowed.

Finally she forced herself out of the water and toweled dry. She paused a moment to listen at the door, then giggled nervously. It was foolish to lock the door for after all, the man on the other side was her husband. She could not hear any sounds from the sitting room and the silence made her wonder what Chase was doing all this time.

She slipped the negligee over her head, rubbing her hands up and down her sides while enjoying the feel of the silk against her bare skin. The gown had a deep vee neckline that was both tantalizing and revealing. Then she sat down before the mirror and began brushing her hair until it gleamed in the soft light from the lamp on the dressing table.

The mirror showed her a face with creamy, flawless skin, pink cheeks, a full-lipped, sensuous mouth, and bright emerald green eyes that glowed with anticipation. Whatever else this marriage might hold for her, the one absolute truth was that her body craved the touch of the man who waited for her on the other side of the door. The man who was now her husband.

A shiver of excitement ran through her, making her nipples grow taut against the gown. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, almost giggling at the fire that lit up her eyes with the thought of what was sure to come. She touched her breasts through the silky gown and found them aching, awaiting the touch of Chase's educated hands.

She wondered why she felt no shame at the perfectly sinful thoughts racing through her head. Was it possible that a wedding ceremony could make such a difference in her feelings? That was the only explanation, for instead of those wicked and sinful feelings, she felt only the excitement of a bride anticipating a night of love with her husband.

With a last glance into the mirror, she padded barefoot to the door and slipped through it. As she glided into the sitting room, a gasp of delight sprang to her lips at the sight that awaited her.

There was a cheery fire blazing in the fireplace against the outside wall and a dining cart covered with a lace tablecloth had been brought into the room on which sat an array of silver chafing dishes. In the center of the cart a single candle burned. Chase had turned out all the other lamps in the room so that now the soft glow of the one candle, together with the crackling firelight, was all that lit the room.

Ashley stepped into the room, feeling as though she had awakened on Christmas morning. The room fairly crackled with excitement as she ventured closer and looked about for Chase, her eyes widening with surprise when he moved from the shadows. Instead of the dark blue uniform she was accustomed to, he was dressed in an elegant cream colored robe with sable trim that tied at the waist with a wide sable sash.

She stared in amazement at the change in his appearance. He no longer looked like the formidable Union officer she had come to know, but rather a very handsome stranger with deep mahogany hair and twinkling dark eyes. His smile was a splash of white against his tan and a startling contrast to the dim lighting.

He walked to the dining cart, pulled out the waiting chair, and looked at her expectantly. She looked half child, half woman in the candle's glow, making his nerves tingle with anticipation. Stay calm, he told himself sternly, take your time. Don't rush it.

"My lady, dinner is waiting,"

Ashley slipped into the chair as he slid it into place. She stared at him as he walked around to take his place opposite her and poured them each a glass of wine from the carafe that rested in a frosty bucket of ice on the cart. She reached to take the glass he offered and felt her heart lurch when his fingers brushed her hand.

"I realize pregnant women really shouldn't drink champagne, but I don't think one glass will do any harm, do you?"

"What shall we drink to?"

"To us, of course. To a long and happy life, Ashley," Chase answered as he lifted his glass.

"To us," she murmured and sipped from the glass. The champagne was light and bubbly as she took another small sip. "It's delicious. How were you ever able to locate champagne in a city overrun by Confederate sympathizers who have hidden everything of value they own?"

Chase grinned, his lips curling back over white, even teeth with a dash of mischief that made Ashley's pulse race.. "There are times when being a Union officer does come in handy. When the hotel told me they didn't have any champagne, I assured them that if they didn't find some, I would send a patrol over here and search the place. After that, they were anxious to give me whatever I wanted. What's a wedding party without champagne?"

"You're terrible," Ashley giggled. "Isn't it very unmilitary to take advantage of civilians?"

"I suppose so. Normally I wouldn't, but this is a very special occasion and it calls for champagne, no matter what steps have to be taken. It's not everyday that I marry the most beautiful girl in Georgia."

A shiver of excitement ran through her while she gazed across the cart into his face. "Will you think I'm so beautiful in a few weeks when I'm fat and clumsy?"

"I don't know. I can't imagine you as fat or clumsy."

Ashley smiled again as he opened the dishes and filled her plate. After feasting on roast Cornish hens with stuffing, stuffed mushrooms, fresh cut corn, and a rich dessert of strawberries and cream, she finally pushed back her plate and daintily touched her lips with a napkin.

"If I continue to eat like this, I'll be fat sooner than necessary."

"I don't think one or two good meals is going to hurt you. Anyway, it's a chance I'm willing to take."

He refilled their glasses and then rose and came around to help Ashley from her chair. She watched him expectantly while he took both glasses and moved to the sofa in front of the fire and sat down. In a second she followed him and took her glass, sipping the sparkling champagne while the fire crackled, throwing deep shadows into the corners of the room. The robe he wore was exquisite and she estimated quite costly. Without thinking, she reached out to touch his sleeve. The material felt much like the silk gown she wore and her brow wrinkled with irritation that he had made no comment on her appearance.

At her touch, he turned to study the confusion on her face. "Do you like it, the robe, I mean?"

"Yes, very much. It's just that, ...well..."

"What, Ashley? That I don't look so much like a Yankee in this?"

Ashley nodded while the firelight cast radiant halos around her face.

"Tell me what I do look like."

She drew a long breath and let her gaze wander over his lean frame. "You certainly don't look like a soldier."

"That's the whole idea. I’m a man, Ashley, not just a solider. I want you to get used to seeing me in civilian clothes."

She swallowed and studied his dark gaze, trying to read his thoughts but as usual found it impossible. It seemed the only time she could tell what he was thinking was when she made him angry, but she had no desire to spoil the mood this evening. He had gone to great lengths to provide a pleasant atmosphere and she wanted it to last. This romantic setting made it easier to pretend their marriage was more than a matter of necessity.

"It just came as a shock. I didn't expect you to be dressed in anything except your uniform. It will just take time to get used to, I guess."

She was unable to tear her gaze away from his, feeling like she was drowning in those dark, bottomless pools. She felt her nipples grow taut and wondered if he had noticed.

"The fire is nice, don't you think?" he asked, reaching over to draw her closer by slipping one arm around her shoulders.

Ashley nodded and allowed her head to rest against his shoulder while she gazed into the firelight. "Dinner was nice too. Everything was perfect. You even remembered about the candle. Thank you."

"I have an excellent memory, especially for things that are important. I want this evening to be special."

She recognized the warm glow in his eyes as the beginning of the same passion she could feel building in herself. She took another sip of her champagne, continuing to watch the flames playing along the logs in the fireplace.

"You haven't said anything about the gown."

She felt his gaze sweep over her, then felt another shiver ran through her.

"It's beautiful, Ashley, and you're beautiful in it."

She turned to look into his face and again fingered the sleeve of his robe. "Do you have on anything under this?" she asked boldly.

Chase had to smother the urge to chuckle at the curiosity in her face. "Absolutely not. Do you have on anything under this negligee?"

She blushed and shook her head, keeping her eyes downcast. There was a soft clink when Chase set down his champagne glass. A second later his arms closed around her. She slowly turned to face him, waiting for the kiss she was sure would follow.

He kissed her soft lips, feeling them tremble under his as she turned in his arms to allow him to draw her closer. His hands moved down her back to the curve at the base of her spine, gently caressing, sending a delicious shiver through her. Beneath his mouth, her lips parted and her arms slipped around his neck, her fingers moving upward to brush through his thick hair.

Chase's mouth moved lazily upon hers, kissing her deeply, his tongue slipping between her parted lips to explore and tease her already awakened senses. She answered his kiss eagerly, losing herself in the fire that slowly ignited between them until she became dizzy and breathless.

His lips moved, ever so slowly, over her face, kissing her eyelids, then her dainty earlobes, sucking and caressing while she trembled in his arms.

"Ashley, Ashley," he murmured against her ear while her hands slid across his shoulders.

Behind closed eyes, she felt his warm mouth travel slowly down her throat. A hundred tiny sparks sprang to life beneath his lips as her fingers clenched and unclenched in his hair. A small gasp of pleasure rippled from her lips as she felt his mouth move downward to the opening of the negligee to kiss the creamy tops of her breasts.

She shuddered when he took one hand from behind her back to caress her taut nipples through the silky fabric until they ached with desire. Lowering his head, he teased each hard nipple with his mouth, his tongue moving in slow, ever increasing circles. Ashley thought she would burst. She gave a small sigh when he stood up, scooped her into his arms, his mouth still moving expertly over hers, and began walking toward the bedroom.

He laid her down on the bed and stretched out beside her, their lips still locked in a hungry, passionate kiss that made her mind reel. It was as though her body was made of jelly as Chase removed the nightgown. She was unable to move, even think. It was as though she was floating somewhere in space. Her mind was totally devoid of the ability to function, for her body had taken complete charge of her senses as she responded to his touch.

Chase shrugged out of the robe, then pulled her into his arms, their naked bodies touching with an explosion of unrestrained desire. Ashley could feel the heat spring from him as he became erect against her thighs and pressed herself still closer.

His strong, warm hands began again to caress her breasts, teasing and tantalizing while his tongue gently swirled inside her mouth. She moaned when he moved one hand down her belly to play for a time at the damp entrance of her aching inner vessel. Then his mouth moved lazily down her throat to suck at each erect nipple before traveling downward across her belly, leaving a trail of fiery kisses in its wake.

"Jesus, Ashley," she heard him murmur between kisses, in a voice husky with desire. "You're so beautiful, a goddess. I can never get enough of you."

Running one hand along her thigh, he opened her legs and a second later she gasped as he began to softly kiss the warm wetness between her thighs. Shudder upon shudder of exquisite pleasure surged through her as he continued to tease her with his tongue. It seemed her entire body was on fire as she arched her back. Never had she felt such an over-powering need to have him deep inside her. She pulled at his shoulders in an effort to bring his body into hers. Chase raised his head to stare into her blazing eyes and a pleased smile touched his lips at the passion he saw.

"Not yet, Ashley," he said softly.

Ashley whimpered in confusion, beseeching him to end her torment. His own body screamed for relief but he deliberately took a tight rein on his emotions. He continued to tongue her slowly, bringing her to the brink of release and then backing off, kissing the inside of her thighs as his hands moved up to her breasts to tease the nipples between his fingertips until Ashley thought they would explode with pleasure.

Her nails raked his shoulders while her head thrashed back and forth and soft moans tore from her throat at the torment he was creating deep inside her. Finally she could stand it no longer and heard herself begging him to put an end to the raging inferno inside her.

Chase, please," she gasped, her voice shaking with unfulfilled desire. "Please, I can't bear it any longer... please."

As he moved astride her quivering body, she forced herself to look into his eyes and was surprised to see there was no triumph there, only satisfaction. Then she was totally lost to thought for his powerful body slipped deeply inside her.

Chase moved into her slowly and deeply, each stroke bringing new heights of delight. Within seconds a fine sheen of perspiration covered both their bodies. She ran her hands across his back, feeling the muscles harden like coils of rope beneath his skin.

Her head tossed back and forth, fanning out like a copper veil on the pillow. Her lips curled back over bared teeth as the fire inside her raged and grew in intensity until she was consumed by it. Chase moved suddenly, flipping her over so that he was lying on his back and she was sitting astride him.

She opened her eyes to find him smiling up at her. The half-smile on his lips was a stark contrast to the burning passion that lit his eyes. For a moment she was so surprised, she forgot the rhythm they had been keeping, but then Chase reached up to cup each full, aching breast in each of his hands and she gasped as he thrust upward into her.

Seconds later she was keeping pace with him again, her breath coming in ragged gulps. Her nails dug into the muscles of his chest, feeling the dampness their thrusting bodies created wet the curly black hair that crinkled beneath her fingertips.

In this new position, Ashley was even more acutely aware of the long thickness of him as he thrust upward into her, his hands now holding her hips steady, her steamy velvet sucking him into her deeply as she neared a climax.

Chase watched her through ha1f open lids, smiling to himself at the blazing passion that drove her on and on, her head thrown back, her lips parted as she matched each thrust with a desperate need to take all of him deeper inside her. Then, with a whimpered cry, he felt her body shudder atop him, her nails stabbing into his chest as she reached a shattering release. Only a second later he released his own passion into her with one last powerful stroke, his body straining upward as he spent himself.

Her body went limp and Chase rolled over so that she was lying on her side with her head cradled against his chest and his arms securely around her. Slowly she became aware of the pounding of his heart beneath her ear. A slight breeze from a half-opened window caused goose-bumps to rise on her skin.

She weakly raised one hand to lie against his chest while she relaxed. Chase reached down to pull the sheet from the foot of the bed to cover them with a smile down at her sleepy, contented face. He smoothed a damp lock of silky hair from her forehead and planted a gentle kiss on her eyelids, now heavy with sleep. She shifted and opened one eye to study him. He was lying on his side facing her, his eyes closed and she watched the pulse at the base of his throat slowly return to normal and sighed contentedly.

"Chase?"

"Hmmm?" he murmured without opening his eyes.

"Where did you learn to do that so well?"

"Do what?"

"You know what. Make love. Where did you learn to do it so well?"

Chase opened one eye. "What difference does it make?"

"It isn't fair, you know," she murmured with her face snuggled against the soft fur on his chest. "You know everything about me but I know almost nothing about you."

He made no reply, closing his eyes again while he waited for her to come to her point.

"Chase? Have you made love with Miranda?"

"What if I have?" he responded, stifling a yawn.

Ashley's brows wrinkled in concern as she trailed one finger down his chest. "I was just wondering...if it was better with her."

"No, Ashley, it wasn't better with her. As a matter of fact, it’s better with you than any woman I've ever known. Now, go to sleep, you need your rest. I've kept you awake long enough for one night," he whispered in her ear.

She sighed and tucked one hand under her cheek, keeping the other pressed against him. Never in her life had she felt this content and this secure.

When she snuggled closer, her warm breath against his flesh caused that now familiar stir in his groin that made him grimace above her head.

Christ! It had only been a few minutes since he had made love to her. How could he want more so quickly? He lifted his head to stare down at her, realizing she was sound asleep. He lay back against the pillow and grinned to himself.

To have Ashley with him was worth any price he might be asked to pay and he drifted off to sleep with his arms still closed protectively around her.