The Captain's Mistress

The Captain’s Mistress

By

Linda Scott

Copyright 2019

Linda Scott

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter One

The townsmen and women that strolled the wooden walk way seemed to pause and stare in awe at the tall, prancing, red sorrel horse, hitched to an elaborate shinny black and blue velvet seated carriage. The gelding’s head was high with nostrils flaring and his small ears alert to everything that went on around him. It would be obvious to any stranger in town that observed the horse and buggy, that it was owned by someone who still managed to have some wealth after the war. The locals all knew the buggy when they seen it, and knew it to belonged to the Baylor’s of Baylor Plantation.

A young woman with ash blonde haired, wearing a white, blue trimmed dress, held the reins high to encourage the horse’s spirited gait. Isn’t he jus’ beautiful? she exclaimed to a young red-head sitting beside her, clasping the side of the buggy as if her life depended on it.

The red-head squirmed in her seat and almost screamed as the horse jumped at a stack of wooden boxes. He’s jus’ a horse, Miss Caroline. And I would greatly appreciate if you’d quit paradin’ him in front of everyone like this.

Oh, Miss Sarah McGhee! Caroline glanced at the young woman and smiled as though she would like to laugh. Ya know yur lovin’ the attention.

No I’m not! Not like this! Sarah chirpped.

Ajax isn’t just any horse ya know. He’s General Robert E. Lee’s horse. A war horse. And a magnificent horse at that, Caroline said proudly. Ya ought ta be proud to be sittin’ behind such a fine horse as Ajax.

Sarah frowned. I’d be more impressed if his former owner had won us the war.

The general isn’t his former owner, he is his owner. I’m just blessed ta have him on loan for a while. Besides, Caroline lowered the reins and Ajax settled into a smooth walk, ya ought ta be grateful for the good negotiatin’ General Lee done at the end of the war.

Good! Sarah shook her head. I wouldn’t call it good.

It could a been a lot worse. His men could have lost horses, their guns, everythin’.

"If ya haven’t noticed, a good many of us have lost everythin’. We weren’t ridin’ the fence like ya all up here in Kentucky."

Caroline frowned. Kentucky maybe had declared neutrality, but that didn’t mean they went unscathed. Lincoln had ordered soldiers into the state and put them under martial law, and those same soldiers plundered and stole everything they wanted, including all of Baylor Plantations’ good horses. Although Sarah had the tendency to rant over silly things, this was one thing she was right about. Many people in the south had lost everything; their livestock being stolen and their homes burned to the ground. Sarah’s uncle, whom she had lived with, had lost everything he’d acquired since the new world became America under British rule.

Look, Miss Sarah, Caroline stated, to change the subject. Everyone’s lookin’. They know a horse like Ajax is worth turnin’ their head to look at.

Sarah rolled her blue eyes upward. I doubt that they’re lookin’ at us because of a horse, she stated as she loosened her grip on the buggy and adjusted her large, blue, yellow brimmed hat. She smiled as they passed a group of men, then she straightened her skirt.

What else would they be lookin’ at?

Certainly, Sarah said looking back at the men, not an ole horse.

Caroline glanced over at Sarah, like she really thought she was worth the effort to take a second look at. Only an idiot, like her idiot brother, would take a second look at Sarah McGhee with her pasty skin. It’s a matter of opinion I suppose.

I suppose it is. Sarah looked at Caroline. If ya all should speak so highly of a man as ya do a horse, then jus’ maybe -.

A man? Caroline almost laughed. Well I suppose I would if I ever happened upon such a man. But I’ve been far south and north and I’ve found none that demand such admiration as a good horse.

Ya have ta look beyond four hooves if yur gonna find a good man.

Caroline turned Ajax down a side street. Maybe one of these days.

Yur twenty-six, Miss Caroline! Yur doomed ta bein’ an old maid, which is somethin’ I’m not going to be. Huh-uh, not me. I’m gonna be married to a wealthy man, have beautiful children, and -.

Miss Sarah, yur listen ta my Aunt Katherine too much, Sarah snapped.

"She’s not your aunt, she’s your mother."

Maybe so, but after one year of bein’ married to my brother, you’ll think it better if ya were goin’ ta be an old maid.

Not hardly, Sarah said with a fake chuckle. Temple will inherit the plantation and we’ll continue bein’ as influential here as yur family always has been. I can’t believe that ya all don’t seek that kind of recognition, Miss Caroline instead of just. Existin’ here.

Caroline looked sideways at her. "I’m not just, existin’ here. Like ya said, we have influence here in town. Once a Baylor, always a Baylor. Not even a war can change that and ya better not let Miss Katherine hear ya call’em Templeton Temple. He’s Templeton." She pulled tight on the lines as Ajax jumped at a wagon and tried to bolt.

Sarah grabbed the side of the buggy.

Oh no you don’t, Caroline snapped. Ya know better than that ole man.

Yu’re gonna get us killed with this crazy horse!

That’d be a shame, right before yur weddin’ day and becomin’ wealthy.

Ya think it’s funny?

I didn’t say that.

And do ya really think that stupid animal understands ya any more than some stupid nigger?

Of course he does.

Sarah straightened her skirt again. Ya all might have found someone before the war, but talkin’ ta a horse like that. They’ll think ya out of yur mind. Besides, most men your age are either dead, married, or have been maimed in the war.

Sarah, Caroline looked at her. You’re such a pathetic doubter.

If that’s what the truth is, than I guess I am. If you’d lived in the south durin’ the war, especially in Louisiana like I did, instead of runnin’ up north -.

I didn’t run. I was goin’ ta school and acquirin’ an education! Caroline smiled at a man walking down the wooden walk as he tipped his hat to her.

You and yur fancy words.

Yur father should have done the same for you instead of leavin’ ya to study for yourself and learn what you may from whatever books you had lyin’ around.

We had good books and I learned a lot before the war! I speak French ya know. Unlike that Yankee ya’ve picked up.

Caroline shrugged. So what? Yes she could speak like a northerner when she wanted too, but who in Louisiana didn’t speak French? Wasn’t that their first language down there?

What other languages do ya know?

There are more important things in this world than knowin’ a language from a country that you’ll never visit.

Ya don’t know that! That we’ll never go to France. I truly long to visit France and England and see the countries I’ve read so much about and look up too.

Seriously?

Of course I’m serious! Why wouldn’t I be?

You’re marryin’ Templeton aren’t ya?

That’s right, and -.

That’s proof enough you’ll never get out of Kentucky.

Sarah frowned. Temple is as interested in travelin’ abroad as I am.

Caroline nodded. Sure he was. Since when? I’ve never heard him even mention leavin’ Kentucky for adventure, let alone the country.

Ya all can’t tell me you’ve never wanted to leave here and go see some other country? Sarah stated.

We aren’t talkin’ about me, Caroline stated. She turned Ajax around a corner. Sarah grabbed her hat that matched her dress, as the wind almost blew it from her head.

Caroline pulled the horse up in front of a store. Ya didn’t answer my question.

I don’t know. But we’ve talked about it.

More like she talked about it and Templeton listened and said nothing or totally ignored her. He was good at that. Taking the lines in one hand Caroline gathered her skirt to climb down from the buggy. Are ya all jus’ gonna sit there?

Sarah frowned. I’m comin’.

The young man nodded and kept the apple.

Ya all plan on spendin’ a lot of time ‘round here in Baghdad?

Not sure, the officer answered. He walked up to the counter. It depends on where the army sends us. He laid some change on the polished counter top and leaned forward to see as far as he could under the counter. "Your The store owner, an older robust man, stood behind a natural wood varnished counter, appearing to be counting inventory underneath of it, as he kept his eye on a young, brown haired, blue eyed, boy faced, blue uniformed cavalry officer who sported a mustache and strip of goatee on his chin, obviously to make himself look older, was walking around his store. The cavalry man was browsing, but didn’t seem interested in anything in particular. The owner frowned as the cavalry man picked up an apple from a barrel.

The officer turned and looked at the store owner. How much? His voice had a heavy Irish brogue.

Fifty-five cents, the owner replied.

inventory, tis takin’ ya a bit long ta count. Inventory tis all ya have under there tisn’t it"

You’re all more than welcome ta have yurself a look-see fur yurself. The store owner stepped back from the counter.

The young officer walked around the end of the counter and looked under the counter at the shelves, which were mostly empty.

Seems ta me ya Yanks all won the war ya could leave us be to bury our dead and take care of our own business. We don’t need the likes of ya around here. Captain. Ya are a captain, ain’t ya?

The young man nodded. Captain Myles Keogh, he answered. Ya ought ta be finished countin’ them boxes. There tisn’t many.

And Irish ta boot. Ya all fight with that Irish brigade outta New York?

Myles shook his head. No. I was with General Stoneman near the end. He took a bite from the apple. Ya all don’t like Irish?

I don’t like Yanks, Irish or Catholics. Guess ya kind a fall under all three of’em don’t ya? the owner smirked.

Your apples are sour. Myles turned and walked to the door. He leaned against the door frame and took another bite from the apple as he looked out onto the busy dirt street of town.

War hadn’t been as hard on the town as it had many others. The brick and white stone buildings along the street were neither damaged nor burned and the government buildings, although ransacked, still stood and appeared as they had before the war. Four years had not given the south a lot of time for recovery from the damage or emotional distress. But the village of Baghdad, he thought, was a place that citizen and soldier alike could get away from most of the death and destruction the Civil War had caused. But whose fault was it that this happened to not only their towns but the country? Myles had only been in America since 1862, after he had been recruited in England to come and fight a rebellious south, after the war had already started. According to his recruiter, it was a war to reunite America back into one country. He wasn’t familiar with all the political particulars that had built up to the division between the states, although he had heard opinions; mostly northern opinions.

As Myles looked up the street a flashy sorrel horse with four white stockings, a long flowing mane and tail, a narrow blaze face, caught his attention. The horse was a high stepper hitched to a shiny black and blue velvet open buggy. How was it that some soldier of the Union hadn’t confiscated that?

The buggy drew near Myles could see the driver, an ash blonde haired young lady in the driver’s seat holding the lines firm as she guided the prancing horse up in front of the general store. He hardly noticed the pale little red-head sitting next to her. It would have been the gentlemanly thing to do, to go out and tether her horse for her, but before Myles could think to do so, she was out of the buggy, talking smoothly to the horse as she picked up her long white dress tail and moved up the horse’s side to tie him. It was obvious to him that she was very comfortable around horses. More so than many soldiers he had met.

A rattling wagon spooked the horse and he jumped into her, as if expecting her to protect him from the loud noise.

Get off my foot you big lug! Caroline ordered. She pushed against Ajax’s sweaty shoulder.

That’s a nice lookin’ filly, Myles commented.

The store owner, who had been sweeping the floor, hesitated and looked out the window. That’s not a filly, it’s a geldin’, he snapped. Don’t ya Yanks know yur horses.

Myles looked at him. Should he tell him he wasn’t referring to the horse?

Caroline, with Sarah beside her, limped into the store, covering her hair with the white bonnet, which made it look darker.

Are ya alright, Miss? Myles asked. He removed his hat and smiled at her. She was taller than most women; judging from his six-foot-two, he guessed her to be five-foot-six or seven. I saw your horse spook and jump on your foot. I was goin’ ta come out and -.

I’m fine. Caroline looked at him, her bright hazel eyes meeting his bright blue eyes. He had beautiful eyes. The most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. Thank you for -.

C’mon, Miss Caroline, Sarah snapped as she looked at Myles. We ain’t got time for visitin’. She frowned at Myles as she dragged a surprised Caroline past him.

Good morning, Miss Baylor, Miss McGhee, the store owner greeted. Are ya alright, Miss Baylor?

Caroline nodded as she looked at Myles who was still standing by the door. Yes. She turned to the store owner. Yes, I am, Mr. Morris. Ajax just isn’t use to a lot of street traffic’s all.

A war horse that ain’t use ta noise. Imagine that! Sarah snapped and shook her head.

Well maybe he’s gotten over all that, Caroline suggested. She picked up her foot and rubbed it where the shod horse had stepped on it. It hurt more than she’d admit to anyone. Ya all have the dresses I ordered, Mr. Morris?

Myles listened to her as she spoke, her voice soft with the pretty southern dialect. He picked up another apple, walked up to the counter, and laid the correct change on the counter.

"You’re eatin’ a lot of sour apples, Captain," Morris stated.

I heard apples are good for ya, Myles replied, as he looked at Caroline.

Yeah, well ya all paid for it, so ya can go now.

Do ya have my dresses, Mr. Morris? Caroline asked again. She looked at Myles as he turned to go. He was very handsome with those beautiful sky blue eyes, and she loved his accent. She wanted to say something to him before he left. Maybe prolong his being there for just a few seconds. You’re new around here, Captain?

Sarah rolled her eyes in disbelief that Caroline had spoken to the soldier.

Myles turned and looked at her. I am, Miss Baylor.

Yes, Miss Baylor. I’m sure I do, Morris interrupted. He hurried around the end of the counter. But ya know, people here aren’t, well they, he laid a package on the counter. Well they aren’t gonna -.

Appreciate the newest in European fashion? Caroline finished.

Not fashion like this, Morris replied.

Caroline looked at Myles. You’re from Europe , aren’t you mist’r?

Keogh. Myles Keogh. And yes, I’m from Ireland, Miss Caroline, Myles replied.

Do you like the way women in Europe dress, Mister Myles?

Myles nodded. Very much.

You have sisters?

Myles nodded.

And you approve of the way they dress?

I see nothing wrong with the way they dress.

There you see, Caroline said to Morris. There are a few people in this country who have good taste in fashion.

I was just sayin’, Miss Caroline-. Morris started.

I know what ya were sayin’, Caroline stated. Jus’put it on my father’s account. I’m sure he won’t mind.

Yes, Miss Caroline, but -.

Come, Miss Sarah, Caroline said, watching Myles as he walked to the door. She picked up her package and walked hurriedly after him. She stopped and looked at Myles as if she were going to say something, but a loud wagon that clanged along the street, not only drowned out any words she might have spoken, but spooked her horse.

Ajax reared, broke the strap that tied him, and raced down the busy street with the buggy in tow.

Ajax, whoa! Caroline bolted out the doorway yelling at the horse to stop.

Myles ran out the door, jumped on his dark bay gelding, that was tied nearby and raced after the runaway horse. That buggy horse was a damned fast horse, Myles thought. If Paddy couldn’t catch him, he’d look like a damned fool. Luckily a large supply wagon, drawn by four horses, crossed in front of the frightened Ajax and he slowed enough for Myles’ horse to catch up to him. Myles grabbed hold of the right bridle line, bringing Ajax to a stop. The frightened horse tried to rear in protest to being brought to a stop, but Myles held him down, feeling the shaft of the buggy pinch his right leg and run into Paddy’s side, causing the cavalry horse to side step. Myles slid off the right side of his horse as he continued to hold the reins tight near Ajax’s mouth. After the horse had settled, Myles lead him along side Paddy down the street.

Caroline ran down the street, following after her runaway horse and Myles. As she approached Myles leading the horses she stopped. She calmed herself, so that she would give the appearance of the southern belle she was, and so that she wouldn’t spook her horse again. Thank God you caught him! she stated with her utmost graciousness. Ajax, are you alright? With tears streaming down her cheeks, she checked the horse’s front legs, looking at his back legs for blood where he might have injured himself.

I’m sure he’s okay, Miss Caroline, Myles stated. After all, didn’t ya say he’s an ole war horse?

He is, but she hugged him. Thank you so much, Mister Myles.

Myles smiled and held her with one arm, as he held onto her horse. It was the best thank you he’d had in a long time. Ya have any more horses need rescuin’?

Caroline almost laughed. No. Thank -.

Miss Caroline! Sarah gasped, as she hurried up. She looked around at the people who were looking. "What do ya think yur doin’? You’re makin’ a spectacle of