The Lady and the Officer by Mary Ellis

veiled scorneroded her confidence. Instead, she nodded politely while passing bowls and focused on her food. Throughout the meal she could feel General Downing’s gaze on her.
    After dinner, Mrs. Bennett rose gracefully to her feet like a society matron. “Why don’t you gentlemen retire to the porch? I’ll send Mrs. Howard out with a pot of coffee in just a few minutes.”
    As the dining room emptied, Madeline stacked the dirty plates onto a tray.
    â€œGo to the kitchen for the coffee and pie, my dear.” Mrs. Bennett bumped her with a well-rounded hip. “I can handle this. Make sure you pick out the best small plates.”
    â€œI’m happy to deliver the dessert, ma’am, but I insist on helping you with dishes.”
    â€œNothing doing,” Mrs. Bennett hissed under her breath. “Those officers spend all their time with one another. How they must long for polite female company.” She pushed Madeline out of the room. “Go. I’ll make sure Reverend Bennett remains with you outside.”
    A short while later, Madeline carried a tray out to the narrow porch filled with cigar smoke. “Pie, gentlemen?” she asked. Passing around the plates, she tried not to choke on the fumes.
    â€œI cannot eat another bite.” General Downing set his slice down on a table. “But I would appreciate your company in the garden.” He gestured down the steps.
    â€œI must serve the coffee.” Madeline held up the carafe as though proof of her assertion.
    â€œMy men are capable of pouring their own. Come, Mrs. Howard.” He led the way down the steps.
    Once she was away from the other soldiers, her courage returned. “Goodness. I’d forgotten who was in charge for a moment.”
    â€œTell me how goes the harvest.” He barked the order as if she were one of his men.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe harvest,” he said in a tone more suitable for a man courting a woman. “I know you asked nearby farmers.” Chuckling, he turned his gaze toward the panoply of stars.
    â€œLet’s see,” she said, stopping at his side. “You just ate two ears of the first local sweet corn, and hay is ready for the second cutting.”
    â€œAnd the weather? What say you about that?”
    â€œIt’s still too hot for my taste, but the breeze from the west may bring a shower or two.”
    â€œWhat about Cashtown news?” He turned his focus from the sky to her.
    Madeline felt as though her heart stopped for a moment. “Mrs. John Price gave birth to twin sons this week. Mr. Price is said to be overcome with joy.”
    â€œOverjoyed… as I am in your presence. Thank you for your forbearance with my staff tonight. They are often blustery following a battle.” General Downing reached for her hand, pressed it to his lips, and lightly kissed the backs of her fingers. “Good night, Mrs. Howard.”
    Before she could react or think of a single clever reply, he disappeared around the corner of the house. Madeline stood thunderstruck on the Bennetts’ parched lawn. But you haven’t touched your pie yet. She remained in the garden until the sound of hooves faded in the distance. Then she wordlessly climbed the stairs to her room and closed the door.
    She’d never felt more confused in her life.

F OUR
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    J ULY 15
    U nable to sleep, James stood at the flap of his tent at headquarters waiting for dawn to break on a wet, dreary world. Heavy rains during the night had turned the roads into a sloppy mess. If new orders arrived today, moving his troops a considerable distance would be downright nightmarish, if not impossible.
    â€œCoffee, sir?” Major Henry appeared with two steaming mugs in hand.
    James gratefully accepted one and let the hot liquid scorch his throat on the way down. Something needed to break him free of this tedium. Time spent waiting for General Meade to make a decision had been unbearable. Each