“He should know enough to keep his eyeballs in his sockets.”
Rachel folded her arms in front of her. She glanced at the food, then to Lucas, and shook her head. “Care to admit who is the most effective now?” When he didn’t answer, she made clucking sounds with her tongue. “My. My. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Lots of gravy,” she emphasized.
Lucas jumped from the bed, grabbed a plate, and sat down again.
She sauntered over to him and handed him a bottle of whiskey. “I believe this is yours,” she said triumphantly. “Have you lost your tongue, Colonel Rourke, or has your conceit unhinged your mind?”
Lucas shoveled food into his mouth. “It’s on account of my esteemed position.”
“Ha! You can’t even admit I have abilities and influence.”
“I don’t care how it got here. I’m hungry,” he said between mouthfuls, manners bolting out the window. “I see they have guards posted on us outside, so you were not that convincing.” She wanted a response, perhaps affirmation of what she’d accomplished. No way was he going to give her one inch.
“You are the most frustrating man I’ve ever met.”
“It’s a gift, Rachel,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.
“More of a curse.”
Lucas found that notion hugely entertaining and heaping more food on his plate, he pointed a chicken leg at her. “You best forget it. We are safely behind Union lines and you are under my command. You will not embark on another mission. No more dances with danger.”
That raised the hackles on her neck. He guessed what was already spinning in her mind. “Need I remind you that your father was caught?”
“Your problem is that you possess an overriding sense of responsibility that disallows you to grant control to another human being. Unfortunately for you, it almost became your demise.”
He wanted to shake her. “Despite your strong opinions on my capabilities, from here on, I will take matters into my hands and you will do as I say.”
Rachel dropped her plate, stood, her skirts snapping with every step she took until she was within inches of him. “Your rabid possession of me must stop. Believing that someone belongs to you is equal to southerners who believe their slaves are their possessions and belong to them.”
He jerked his head back. He didn’t consider possessing her in that way. Maybe he had, yet his mind went astir, reaping the full benefits of the boon displayed. Slim white ankles showed beneath her skirts.
Rachel put her hand up against his chest. “We still haven’t finished. You’re in terrible danger unless you forgot. Someone set you up and that someone is still loose. You must tread lightly from here on, avoid mistakes and always be prepared.”
The guards came and escorted her to a bathing tent. Lucas took advantage of the shaving materials, soap and a hip bath provided. Feeling clean again, he dressed. With this much service, Crawford must have doubts about them being Rebel spies.
He scrubbed a hand over his face, a besieged mass of frustration.Rachel. Her wit knew no bounds and painfully challenged him at every turn. And then too, she had an inner strength and cleverness unmatched in any woman he’d ever known. She had faced the enemy countless times, to the point of sacrificing herself for him and nameless others. Despite the risks he’d thrown her way, and the fact that he’d mercilessly pushed her forward, her unfailing bravery rang through.
She returned. Silent and keeping a safe distance from him, she poked up the fire, pushing around the red coals and setting free a few burning embers. Cinders twisted up in the hot air, and then slowly spiraled down, settling on the hearth. With a brush in hand, she worked on untangling her heavy hair until it flowed like a waterfall of rich chestnut silk. Lucas almost feared to move unless she flew away. He watched, mesmerized. “You are a witch, a beautiful tormenting witch.”
“A witch.” With a gay laugh, she returned to their easy camaraderie. “Weren’t you taught it rude to stare so openly?” Her amber eyes glowed with playfulness.
“I was but admiring you. How can I help it when I’m gifted with a windfall? Does a sane man throw it away?”
“You accused me before of inane prattle, yet you babble now.”
He liked the blush that stole across her cheeks.
All his senses were involved with her, her loveliness of spirit stirred his soul, creating a need so deep…
Outside their prison, the guards spent the evening playing cards. Lucas heard troops in drilling and the mournful sound of a bugle, spillingTaps… Day is Done…The War. The reality slammed into him. The war had them in its ugly clutches. Even now, he remembered how close they had come to death’s door.
He grabbed her hand, and she stared at him, a question in her magnificent eyes.
“This isn’t how I planned it, Rachel…but I believe we should begin again.”
“Nonsense. Whatever you say, it doesn’t matter.”
Her mood was different.
