Chapter Five
Charlotte couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent so much time looking in the mirror.
She’d never been one to spend hours primping or worrying over the place of every hair on her head.
She’d even considered herself pretty enough, but Annabelle was a miracle worker.
After the last three hours of washing, curling and setting, Charlotte hardly recognized herself.
She looked every bit the Southern belle despite her dark blue gown, and could have stepped out of a scene of Gone with the Wind.
“Are you sure I’m still in there?” she breathed, turning eyes of amazement to Annabelle.
“That is all you, my dear,” Annabelle drawled with a grin. “ Even in your mourning clothes you will still be the belle of the ball and Dr. Abbott will never know what hit him.”
Charlotte’s heart fluttered thinking of her last encounter with Spencer.
The officer’s Christmas ball was the sort of event she had been present at during a Civil War reenactment with her brother Jackson.
Despite this, she was excited, almost giddy at the prospect.
She couldn’t wait until Spencer claimed her for the first dance.
“You look radiant, Charlotte,” said Annabelle looking no less beautiful in pale pink herself. “Are you ready?”
Charlotte nodded with barely concealed excitement. The two women set off for the ball.
****
Spencer paced the perimeter of the ballroom.
He grew more impatient as the seconds passed.
The party was well underway, and Charlotte still hadn’t arrived.
General Sherman’s chief cook, Henry Mumphrey, had prepared a veritable feast. It was surprising how sumptuously they had fared given the scarcity of food during wartime.
However, he knew that General Sherman’s cook could get his hands on almost anything that was desired.
There was a turkey dressed with corn bread, some chicken salad and a piece of fresh pork.
There was an oyster stew, greens, potatoes and rice.
Dessert had been a cornmeal pudding. It was a shame Charlotte had missed the delicious meal.
His gaze skimmed the large hall. Ribbons and colorful drapes decorated the walls and chairs, and fresh flowers dressed every table.
Several regimental flags flanked the Union flag with its thirty-five stars and thirteen red and white stripes hung above the doorway.
A small dance orchestra made up of three uniformed men and two ladies played festive music on the flute, piano, violins, viola, mandolin, cornet, and double bass while several couples spun happily around the room.
They performed graceful quadrilles, scandalous waltzes, and polkas with proper deportment, etiquette, flitting through the silent language of the fan.
He would gladly join them if only Charlotte would get here He thought he'd made a breakthrough the other day after their passionate lovemaking in the meadow, but she had such a tendency to—
Spencer stopped short, placing a hand over his heart, sure it had stopped cold in his chest when Charlotte entered the room.
She was stunning—a vision in a dark blue gown that perfectly complimented and contrasted brilliantly with her ivory complexion.
Thick ebony curls spilled along her shoulders and her lips looked perfectly red and full as they curved in amusement as her aunt whispered in her ear.
Gazing at the tantalizing curve of her lips the word ripe came to mind.
He was more than ready to sample their sweetness.
Setting off to claim her, he was totally oblivious to any other young woman in the room.
God, but Charlotte looked gorgeous tonight even if she is still in deep mourning!
****
Charlotte knew that the Green-Meldrim House was one of the South's finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture, as well as serving as General Sherman’s headquarters.
Upon arrival she stepped down from the carriage and stared in amazement up at the impressive house—its characteristic details that included steeply pitched roofs and front facing gables with delicate wooden trim.
She greatly admired the most expensive house in Savannah— its unique crenellated parapet and oriel windows added to the gothic flavor.
However, what really took Charlotte’s breath away upon entering the house was the overall splendor of the ballroom. There was a small Christmas tree sitting on a table in the far corner decorated with different kinds of pinecones, holly, ivy, mistletoe. strings of dried fruit, and red ribbons.
She felt like a new person standing in the beautiful room, garbed in her fancy gown. Annabelle and Charlotte glided further into the hall, but Charlotte held back, her eye sweeping the room in nervous excitement, silently searching out one tall form.
Charlotte’s gaze collided almost instantly with Spencer making his way toward her, smiling.
Her heartbeat quickened and as always, the magnificent specimen of masculinity he was struck her.
The blue dress uniform fit his frame like a second skin, and the decorative gold embroidery and the impressive green sash left the man gleaming from his perfectly shined black boots to the glittering blue of his eyes.
Watching the crowd part like the Red Sea as he passed, Charlotte was convinced he was the most handsome man in the room.
He stopped before her, giving a slight bow, and lifted her hand enticingly.
“I believe the first dance is mine.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened and her heart fluttered as he led her onto the dance floor.
Never had she imagined such a romantic moment.
Never had a man looked at her that way or made her feel so .
.. desired. When he swept her into his arms for the waltz—thank God, I know how to waltz—she felt as though they were the only two people in the room, and when he looked so attentively into her eyes and asked, “How are this evening, my dear?” she knew it.
She felt it to the depths of her soul.
She was in love with Spencer Abbott.
How could she have let herself fall in love with him? Briefly she closed her eyes, considering, but it was impossible for her to deny it. The gaping holes in her soul weren’t just healing, they were sealed. Without a doubt she’d fallen hopelessly in love with him.
It was a sensation deeper than anything she’d ever felt for Samuel and a flight of nerves assailed her so profoundly that it took a moment to reply.
“I’m fine, Major, thank you.” Major?
“Major?” Spencer’s word echoed her thoughts. “I had hoped you would keep calling me Spencer.”
His smile was easy, friendly, genuine, and she felt herself relaxing under his familiar gaze.
“I’m sorry, Spencer. It’s the uniform. You look so official in it that I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Then we’ll just have to get me out of it so you can feel more comfortable.”
It took a moment for the full meaning of his words to hit home and when they did, she blushed feverishly.
“My apologies, Charlotte, that was a crude joke. It isn’t what I meant.”
Recovered, she laughed, her eyes dancing.
“I am quite sure that is exactly what you meant, but it’s all right, I forgive you. Mind you, if we sneak off now, we’ll never manage to get my hair back into place, and then we’ll have a scandal on our hands.”
Spencer’s eyes widened in surprise and Charlotte grinned. His reaction devilishly pleased her.
“Don’t tempt me, woman.”
He clutched an arm more tightly about her waist, pulling her against him as they turned.
A burst of surprised laughter bubbled from her throat, and she reveled in the ease with which he laughed with her. Their eyes locked and a moment later his heated gaze dropped to her mouth. Her lips tingled in response, silently yearning for his kiss.
Without any other warning, Spencer bent his head, claiming her lips in a deliciously tender kiss for all of Savannah to see.
As the dance ended, Charlotte believed she might be floating as Spencer gallantly pressed his lips to the back of her hand. He returned her to Annabelle’s care before crossing the room to get some punch.
“He is quite smitten with you, Charlotte. Why, he’s been walking on a cloud since the day you met. He thinks you are the most brilliant woman he’s ever known,” Annabelle said, grinning.
“I’m not so certain that Spencer thinks I’m all that brilliant, Annabelle. We had several major disagreements about how the hospital should be run.”
After Spencer returned, Charlotte’s breath caught at the warmth glittering through the depths of his eyes. Tonight, there was something more in his gaze, something that made her shiver.
“How are you this evening, my darling?”
“I am so happy. I’m having a wonderful time,” she murmured, “especially since I’m with you.”
“What do you say to a little fresh air?” he whispered, his lips breezing past her ear in a barely palpable caress.
“It is pretty hot in here.”
Spencer offered her his arm and laid his fingers over hers when she nestled her hand within the crook of his elbow. As he led her through the room, they came upon General William Tecumseh Sherman himself.
Spencer came to an abrupt stop and saluted the older man.
“Tell us, now, Abbott,” the General said, clapping a hand on his shoulder, “are you going to marry this bonny lass? She is the most beautiful girl in Savannah I dare say!”
“Well, thank you, sir. I certainly wouldn’t argue with that!” Spencer replied enthusiastically.