Ashes in the Wind Read Online Free Page A

presence of Union soldiers. Shops and narrow houses, adorned with iron lace-trimmed balconies, huddled close against each other. Well-tended gardens were visible in courtyards behind exquisitely wrought iron gates, and trees grew in odd places. As the boy’s directions led them away from the Vieux Carré, the avenues grew wider, then small lawns became evident. Magnolia trees laden with large, waxy blooms mixed their heady fragrance with that of jasmine, sweet shrub, and crepe myrtle. Further on, the lawns grew wide and spacious, and great houses spread their galleries beneath towering, moss-festooned oak trees.
    Cole peered over his shoulder and spoke with some doubt. “Are you sure you know where you’re leading us, Al? This is where the wealthy live.”
    “Huh. What little wealth you Yankees leave.” The boy shrugged and pointed. “I’ve been here before. It’s just a little ways further. Down there.”
    A few moments later he gestured to a lane that led through a tall hedge behind which loomed abrick house of considerable proportions. Brick arches shaded the first floor gallery, and near one end of the porch, a curving wrought iron staircase led to an upper filigree-adorned balcony that stretched across the face of the manor. Massive live oaks shielded the whole from the hot sun, and beneath their spreading limbs, the carriage house could be seen beyond the intricate iron gate that led into the grounds.
    Cole sensed the boy’s rising eagerness as he turned his steed onto the curving brick path. Halting the animal before the wide gallery, Cole swung down and looped the reins through the iron ring of the hitching post, then reached up to take the case. As he set it down, Al bounced to the ground and fairly flew to the front door to pull vigorously upon the bell. Like any good servant, the captain was left to heft the bag and follow behind.
    Al cast an apprehensive glance over his shoulder as Cole joined him and impatiently rang the bell again. A sound of footsteps came from within and the door was opened by a striking young woman, slightly taller than the boy. As she looked at them in confusion, Cole swept his hat from his head and tucked it beneath his arm. A Yankee officer’s presence on the gallery was bewildering, but not half as much as the pleading grimace she saw on the lad’s face.
    “Ma’m.” Cole had seen nothing that resembled recognition in the beautiful visage and began to suspect the urchin’s credibility. “This boy says he knows you. Is that true?”
    The woman returned her astonished gaze to the youth and appeared repulsed by what she saw. Shewrinkled her nose in disgust. “Gracious me, I surely should hope n—” Suddenly she gasped. “Al—Al—”
    At the boy’s startled expression, she choked off the name but was obviously flustered. She glanced nervously toward the captain then back to the lad.
    “Al?” She tried out the name gingerly and was encouraged by the boy’s responsive smile. “Why, Al, it is you! We hadn’t—ah—expected you. My goodness! Won’t Mama be surprised. I declare, she’ll simply be aflutter when she sees you!”
    The raven-haired beauty faced Cole again and gave him a charming smile. “I hope Al hasn’t done anything too terrible, Colonel. Mama always said Al had a mind of his own. Why, there’s just no telling what he’ll do next.”
    “Captain, ma’m,” Cole corrected politely. “Captain Cole Latimer.”
    The boy threw a thumb over his shoulder and explained gruffly, “The doc, here, give me a ride from the boat.”
    The young woman’s eyes widened in amazement as she shifted her gaze from the Union officer to the roan tethered to the hitching post. “My goodness, you don’t mean to say you rode together—”
    Al coughed loudly and half turned to the Yankee. “This here’s my cousin, Roberta. Roberta Craighugh.”
    Cole had already taken in the black hair and dark eyes, the summer gown of flowered peach muslin cut daringly low across a