The Lady and the Officer Read Free

is not money I’m interested in, sir. I want my property returned.” Madeline fought to control her voice even as her courage flagged. Suddenly the partially open door swung further, startling woman and aide alike.
    General Downing appeared as shocked to see her as the minister had been earlier. “Mrs. Howard, come in. I consider your visit a propitious omen.” He turned toward the other officer. “It’s all right, Major. I will spare a moment to settle a civilian injustice.” He stepped to the side so that she could enter. Then he closed the door in the astonished major’s face.
    In an austere room smelling faintly of tobacco, Madeline’s confidence vanished in a heartbeat. “You may not be pleased to see me once you hear me out.” She tucked several loose wisps of hair behind her ear. “General, all of my horses were stolen from my barn last night while Union troops were moving through Cashtown.” She paused to moisten her dry lips. “From my window I saw blue uniforms on the thieves. I can only surmise they were your soldiers.” Surreptitiously she glanced at the maps and drawings spread across the desk.
    General Downing appeared to choose his words carefully. “ ‘Thief’ is a harsh word that some may consider treasonous. Considering that your husband died fighting for this great nation, would you deny the army desperately needed replacement mounts? Our officers and cavalry require horses.” He dropped his voice to a murmur. “Today, there was a cavalry battle east of Gettysburg. Many good men died on the field. Many horses were lost as well. Everyone must make sacrifices in times of war.”
    Madeline’s stomach churned, but she forced herself to meet his gaze and swallowed hard. Then she continued with far less zeal. “I understand your predicament, General, but those horses are my only source of livelihood. Without them, I will be at the mercy of friends and neighbors this winter. But beyond my selfish desire to survive, I respectfully request that at least one of those horses be returned. Bo is a medium-sized, brown Morgan with a distinctive white blaze down her face. She was bred from thebest bloodlines in Pennsylvania. I hand-raised and trained her myself. You may keep the others as my contribution to the war, but please not Bo.” Her voice trailed off as she willed herself not to cry.
    He reflected on her words for a long moment. Then, “If you would make yourself comfortable, madam, I will be only a minute.” He pointed at a chair and closed the office door behind him.
    Madeline strained to hear what was being said through the solid maple, but the commotion outdoors masked all but the intensity of the general’s discussion with the irritable major. She inhaled a breath to steady her nerves and perched on the edge of the straight-backed chair.
    What an effect this man had on her. She felt as skittish as she had during her brief courtship with Tobias. She had never been one to be affected by a man’s looks, yet her attraction to the officer was undeniable. Tall and broad shouldered, General Downing had thick dark hair that curled over his jacket collar. So dark they were almost black, his eyes transfixed a person with their intensity. He wore a meticulously neat uniform, distinguished, but with none of the flashy gold tassels seen in daguerreotypes. Yes, he was handsome, but his appeal stretched beyond physical attributes. He possessed some unseen quality—a magnetism that drew her like bees to nectar.
    And she didn’t like that one bit.
    Madeline’s woolgathering was abruptly curtailed by the door swinging open.
    The general crossed the room in a few strides and then turned to face her. “I’ve sent word to the cavalry commander with Major Henry, my chief of staff. When the situation and time permits, he is to look into last night’s unauthorized acquisition of civilian livestock,