Daughter of Twin Oaks Read Online Free Page B

white-painted railing, interrupting with a decidedly unladylike snort. “You don’t really believe that drivel, do you?
    “What is that, my dear?”
    “That God is on our side? This is war, Reverend Benson. God is on neither side. He is stepping back to let us destroy each other, and when we’re finished, He will need another flood to wash the blood away—the blood that brothers fighting brothers shed.” She clenched her fingers over the curved arms of the rocker. “This is no holy war, Reverend.” She turned at Lucinda’s throat clearing. Looking at her old mammy’s face, she knew she’d overstepped the bounds of propriety.
    “Excuse me.” Jesselynn pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and rose to her feet. “Please make yourself comfortable, and I’ll be back in a few minutes. Ah … pardon me. I-I’m not myself.” She took three steps before Reverend Benson made it to his feet.
    “I’m sure if you feel that way, there is no more use for me here.” He clapped his hat on his head and thundered down the three steps. “Good thing your mother and father weren’t here to listen to such sacrilege. All our brave boys fightin’ for our very existence.” He glared at her one more time. “I do pray you will come to your senses, Miss Jesselynn.”
    Whatever had gotten into her? Ignoring the sense that she should make things right, she entered the study and closed the door, willing herself to calm down. She could feel her heart racing, pumping blood to her face so that hours spent in the sun couldn’t have made it hotter. She took several deep breaths, bracing her hands on the flat surface of her father’s desk. Well, so much for propriety. She’d practiced lying, gone on a political tirade, and deeply offended her pastor, all in a few short minutes.
    She was glad he left. The thought of facing him again made her cheeks burn hotter. What would her mother say to this?
    “Missy Jesselynn!”
    She raised her head. The call came again. She could tell by the panic in the tone that the child calling her needed her now . She spun around and hurried to the back steps.
    “Missy Jess, Yankees comin’ up the drive. Dey’s gonna murder us all.” The child’s eyes rolled white in his round black face.
    “Nonsense. You run to the stables and make sure the horses are hidden. Go now!”
    The little boy took off as if the Union soldiers rode right on his heels.
    Jesselynn took a deep breath to compose herself and walked back to the front portico. Sure enough, a group of horsemen were riding up the drive. Even if she hadn’t been warned, from this distance she could see they wore uniforms of blue.

Chapter Two
    “Lucinda, go make more lemonade.”
    “Yessum.”
    Jesselynn looked around to find Meshach striding through the door as Lucinda hurried back to the kitchen. She knew the smile she gave her black field overseer went no further than barely turned-up lips, but she knew too that he understood. Or else he wouldn’t be backing her up like this.
    She whispered without moving her lips, “The horses?”
    “Safe.”
    Her heart settled back to only double time. The Union soldiers trotted up the circular drive and stopped their horses ten feet from the portico steps. At least this man has the manners to not ride all over the lawn . The last officer to come calling hadn’t been so courteous.
    “Evening, ma’am.” The officer in charge tipped his hat. “I’m Captain James Dorsey of the United States Army, and there have been rumors that you might have more horses to sell to the Union army.” He patted the shoulder of the sorrel Thoroughbred under him. “I appreciate Roanoke here. He comes from Twin Oaks, I believe.”
    Jesselynn cocked an eyebrow. “Sell, sir? I don’t recall evah receivin’ the money promised when that group was taken.” She deliberately deepened her accent, speaking more slowly, giving herself more time to think.
    The man had the grace to look uncomfortable. “I’m sorry to hear that.