“Do you not like him?”
“It isn’t a matter of like or dislike.” He lifted his palms and shrugged. “I don’t know much about him.”
In truth, I didn’t either, but that was why I had given him permission to call on me, wasn’t it?
“Perhaps,” Papa continued, “my distrust of this young man is not a character flaw of his. Perhaps I simply mistrust him because I saw that he was interested in my little girl.”
“I’m not so little anymore.”
“Indeed, you are not.” He shook his head. “I just want you to be happy.”
It was the same sentiment Mom and Dad had uttered in 2001 and my marked parents had said in 1941. They all wanted my happiness, but how could I be happy when I would be devastating several of them in just five short months?
Papa and I walked across the corner of Lafayette Square to Rose Greenhow’s house later that evening. The heat of the day still bore down on us with oppressive humidity, and my skin was slick.
“One day,” I said, my arm secure in the crook of Papa’s elbow, “someone will invent something called air conditioning. It cools the air in your home and takes away the humidity.”
“Truly?” He shook his head in wonder. “What else?”
I smiled as I pressed a little closer to him. “There’s too much to share, and I will probably say something I shouldn’t.”
“I understand, Margaret. I’m still trying to believe what you’ve told me, but if I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that there is a lot out there we can’t explain.”
He led me up the steps to the front door, and it was opened by Rose’s butler, who bowed to us and welcomed us into the home. Laughter and conversation filled the air as Papa handed his top hat to the butler and then led me into the front parlor.
Rose’s voice could be heard above all the others, though I couldn’t see her. If her voice was any indication, she seemed to be in high spirits—something that wasn’t witnessed often in the city since the Battle of Bull Run.
There were eight individuals in the parlor, including Senator Wilson, who had been with us at Centreville. Mr. Seward, Lincoln’s Secretary of State, was also in attendance with his wife. They lived across the street from Rose, so I was not surprised to see him there. Papa and I joined the others, accepting their greetings. I could still hear Rose laughing in the dining room. Excusing myself, I left the parlor and walked across the worn rug toward the dining room to let her know we’d arrived.
Rose stood near the sideboard, a drink in her hand, as a gentleman stood next to her—closer than was necessary—sayingsomething in her ear that made her laugh again. He looked in my direction, and his smile disappeared.
“Maggie.” Gray took a step back from Rose, his face revealing his surprise at seeing me.
Rose didn’t seem to notice Gray’s shock, or my dismay, and smiled as she glided across the room to greet me with a kiss on each cheek. “Good evening, dear Margaret. Did your father come with you tonight?”
I was still looking at Gray as I accepted her kisses and nodded absently. “He’s in the parlor.”
“How nice.” She went to greet my father, leaving me alone with Gray.
He didn’t say anything for a moment, and I didn’t know if I should be angry or hurt or just disappointed. Gray owed me nothing, yet he had said he’d call and hadn’t. I had assumed he was too busy, but apparently he wasn’t too busy tonight.
I was about to leave, ready to feign a headache and go home, when he moved toward me.
“Don’t go.”
Pausing, half turned away, I didn’t meet his gaze. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you and Mrs. Greenhow.”
“You didn’t interrupt us.” He moved in front of me, his voice low. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to call on you, Maggie. I’ve thought about you every day we’ve been apart.”
His apology sounded so much like something Seth would say that it made me sick to my stomach. Had I been ignoring red flags with Gray too?
“I’ve wanted to get away from work,” he said, “but things have been happening so fast that I’ve been needed both night and day since Bull Run.”
“That’s strange,” I said, frowning. “Papa hasn’t seen you since the battle.”
“My work has kept me away from the White House.” Hereached out to me but then paused and lowered his hand. “I really am sorry. I hope to come soon, if you’ll still have me.”
Would I? Shaking my head, I took another step back. My relationship with Seth had left me raw and bruised. I had trusted him, but he had betrayed me by using our relationship to further his own cause. Was it the same with Gray? His loyalty had been in question from the day I’d met him—and now this? With Rose?
