Surrender to the Fury by Connie Mason Page A

violently. Ever since that scoundrel Nick Drummond had intruded upon her life, she had had a difficult time controlling her thoughts. Though in the past she had thought about him upon occasion—how could she not when she had a living reminder of him?—it had never been to such an extent that she recalled every vivid detail of every minute they’d spent together. Previously, all she cared to remember was what a devil he was and the hatred she bore him.
    “I’m fine, Savannah.”
    “What you doin’ in here all by yourself?”
    “I—I was thinking this room should be given a thorough cleaning.”
    “Why?” Savannah snorted. “Ain’t no furniture in here to clean, so why bother? Most of de house ain’t livable ’cept for de kitchen and some of de bedrooms. ’Sides,” she added astutely, “you can’t fool me, honey. Somethin’s botherin’ you. Ever since dem Yankees rode in, you ain’t been de same.”
    “You’re imagining things, Savannah. If I haven’t been the same since the Yankees came to Tall Oaks, it’s because I haven’t forgotten that Yankees are responsible for Beau’s death.”
    Savannah’s dark eyes narrowed suspiciously. She wasn’t fooled for a minute. “Dem Yankeesbeen here for nearly two weeks, and dey ain’t caused us no harm so far. I ain’t sayin’ I love dem, but at least we’s eatin’ regular. I’m thinkin’ it’s only one Yankee dat’s botherin’ you so much. You got a special grudge against Captain Drummond, and I ain’t figured out why.”
    “There is nothing to figure out, Savannah,” Aimee insisted stubbornly. “Stop trying to place any importance on my hatred for Captain Drummond. The man is an arrogant bastard who has taken over our lives without considering our feelings. Tall Oaks is mine; he has no business being here.”
    “C’mon, honey, why don’t you come into de kitchen with me and help prepare supper. Dere’s a brace of nice plump rabbits ready to be skinned and made into a tasty stew. Why, dere’s even some sugar and flour to make Brand his favorite cookies.”
    Later, as Aimee rolled out sugar cookies for Brand, and Savannah put together the ingredients for the stew, a lone rider rode into the yard. His horse was lathered, and when he dismounted, his legs nearly gave way beneath him. He looked as if he had ridden fast and hard. Savannah joined Aimee at the back door as a soldier pointed out the man to Nick.
    “Wonder what dat’s all about,” Savannah said curiously as the man placed a leather pouch in Nick’s hand.
    “Probably some kind of messenger,” Aimee assumed. “I wonder …” She shrugged and turned away.
    Nick directed the man to the soldiers’ mess, then walked slowly toward the house with thepouch. Aimee heard the front door slam behind him and his steps reverberating on the stairs as he sought the privacy of his room to peruse the dispatch from headquarters. It was the first time since the Yankees occupied Tall Oaks that a messenger had arrived. Though Aimee was curious, she deliberately refrained from speculating on the contents of the pouch. The war had caused her and her loved ones untold grief, and she had been able to cope with it by disassociating herself from its daily horrors. It might be cowardly, but it was her way of keeping her sanity.
    The next day Nick led a patrol out at dawn. Aimee had been waiting for just such an occasion to defy his rule about leaving the confines of the house and yard. She knew the berries that grew in the nearby woods were ripe, and she planned to slip away at the first opportunity to gather them. There was still some sugar left, and they’d make delicious pies. She informed Savannah of her intention.
    “You know what Captain Drummond said, honey,” Savannah warned her. “Why not ask him if you could go? Dat way he can’t say nothin’ when he learned you went against his wishes.”
    Aimee bristled angrily. “I’m not going to let that man control my life! I’ve always picked