Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance) Read Online Free

looked out the window and watched as the snowflakes drifted down from a gray overcast sky. Leaning her head against the cold window pane she tried to gather her thoughts. She had no idea what the future would hold for any of her family. Meagan had chosen her own future, and Dr. Howard had told Honor that her aunt's condition would only worsen with the passage of time. She herself was considered very young by her friends and neighbors, and yet at the moment she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. But she allowed herself these doubts and apprehensions only when she was alone. When she was with her aunt or Darcy she tried to present a cheerful outlook.
    She sighed heavily and returned to the desk, where she picked up the ledger and tried to concentrate. Landau Plantation had only three field hands left, and they were all older men who had remained because they had no place to go. Then there were Clyde and Darcy. Darcy had been born on Landau, but she had never been a slave, but more like a member of the family, and lately there had been no money to pay her the small salary that she had always received in the past.
    There would have been plenty of money if Aunt Amanda had not converted all her cash into confederate dollars when Jefferson Davis had asked the Southerners to do so. Now no one seemed willing to honor the Rebel dollar, as many merchants called them.
    Honor closed the account book wishing she dared ask her aunt's advice, but knowing she could not bother her with money problems.
    Honor looked up as Darcy came bustling into the study. "Your aunt is sleeping. She ain't feeling none too well."
    "I wish there was something we could do for her. It tears at my heart to see her in so much pain, Darcy."
    Darcy's black eyes became soft as she looked at Honor. "Honey there ain't nothing we can do that we ain't already done."
    "I know. Everything seems to be going wrong. I feel like such a failure. Aunt Amanda has entrusted me with the running of Landau and I have made a shambles out of everything. Meagan has run off with a Yankee. There is no money to buy new supplies. Aunt Amanda's health is growing worse by the day. You need help with the housework, and there is a war going on."
    Darcy placed her hands on her hips. "Shame on you. There are a lot of folks that is a lot worse off then we is. At least we has a roof over our head and food to eat."
    "I know you are right as always, Darcy. I suppose I was only feeling sorry for myself. Look at you, looking after this house, and my aunt keeps you busy from morning until night, and yet you never complain. You have not even received a salary in months. You eat no meat knowing that a few chickens are all we have and you do not want to deprive my aunt of the meat she needs so badly."
    "As for eating meat, you ain't had one mouthful since I have, and I don't need no money. We is family, and when a family is in trouble they all pull together." Darcy reached out and touched Honor's silky hair. "You don't ever complain. I know better than anyone how hard you work and how tired you get. You are just young and should be having fun, but you don't have time." Darcy's eyes became misty. "My poor baby, what's to become of you?"
    Honor smiled. "I do not know what I would do without you and Clyde."
    Darcy sniffed and walked over to the bookshelf and made a pretense of straightening the books that were already neat and orderly. "Like as not we are going to have to be strong for each other, honey. There are harder times coming."
    "Aunt Amanda does not suspect how bad off we really are, does she, Darcy?"
    "I ain't said anything."
    "She does not suspect that we eat only vegetables so she can have the chicken to keep her strength up?"
    "She ain't easy to fool, but she is too sick to worry 'bout what goes on around her."
    There was a knock on the front door and Darcy left the room to answer it. Honor leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment. Her eyes opened when she heard Clyde