Read Leigh Ann's Civil War for Free Online

downstairs.
    My family was in the dining room at breakfast. Eggs, ham, fish, fruit, biscuits, grits, and coffee were set out on the table, as if nobody had eaten last evening. Pa was being handed a dish of food by a striking young man with a face like a god and one arm that hung limp. He smiled at me. There was a certain amount of boldness in the smile. I didn't like him.
    "Leigh Ann! You all right?" they asked in unison.
    I pronounced I was.
    "She looks as good as Cinderella," Louis said.
    "I think Cinderella was written by a crazy person," I put forth. "Who else would write a story for children about a man marrying a girl just because her shoe fit right?"
    Louis choked on his coffee. "Where does she get these ideas?" he asked.
    "Living with all of us," Teddy said, "and listening when she isn't supposed to."
    I noticed that the boys were dressed in jodhpurs and regular shirts. "We were up at four," Louis boasted. "Took our horses on a last ride. Saw first light. God, this homestead is beautiful."
    Viola fixed me a plate of food and tea. From across the table her eyes twinkled at me and I knew she had gotten her share of kissing Johnnie last evening.
    "Jon," Teddy said, "this is our little sister, Leigh Ann. You've been told about her. She's of no concern to you."
    "Yes, sir."
    "Leigh Ann," Teddy told me, "Jon is in our employ to care for Pa's every need, to keep him company. You are not to bother him, tease him, or hover around him. Understand?"
    "Yes, sir," I mimicked Jon.
    Teddy dismissed him and frowned at me. "You don't give me much assurance of behavior when I'm leaving," he said sadly.
    I went around the table and hugged him. "I'm sorry," I whispered.
    He kissed the top of my head. "I know you are. Now go eat."
    ***
    There wasn't much time now. Teddy stood up, reached into his jodhpur pocket, and drew out three gold doubleeagle pieces of coin. He gave two to Viola and one to me.
    "They're Yankee," he told us. "Coveted around here. They're worth twenty-five dollars each. Hide them."
    Now Louis winked at me. And the burying of his silver that we'd done only yesterday seemed like ten years ago.
    "Now I think we ought to change into our uniforms, Louis. We're due for muster at nine and I've still got to see the mayor."
    "Yes, sir!" Louis stood up and saluted.
    We laughed as we were meant to. "Why do you have to see the mayor?" Viola asked.
    Teddy put his arm around her shoulder. "That paper I left with you? I'm registering a copy of it with the mayor's office. I'm having it notorized."
    "Oooh." Viola was taken aback. "Thank you, Teddy."
    "It'll strengthen your claim," he said.
    ***
    Of course, we were going to the square to see them off. Viola and I, Cannice and Careen, Primus and a few of the other favorite servants, even Cicero. All but Carol. She could not bear public scenes, she told Teddy. So she went with him to their room to help him dress, but they were in there a long time. Teddy came downstairs, still buttoning his shirt, his jacket not yet on. We waited for him in the center hall. Louis gave him a sly look.
    "We were saying goodbye," Teddy apologized.
    "Well, maybe you've finally found the right words," Louis said as he helped his brother button his jacket. "You'll have to tell me what they are sometime."
    ***
    The Roswell Guards would assemble to listen to some orders and instructions, so we still had time. Viola came to my room to inspect my toilette. Careen had been helping me dress.
    Viola did a muster of her own. Was my hair fixed right? Were my pantalets white enough, my hoop skirt manageable, my shoes spotless? How many petticoats was I wearing?
    I think she felt, at fifteen, the drawing away of her mother's love and wanted to make sure I didn't miss the care at least. Her fussing over me was the sweetest deed imaginable.
    "Where is your sash? I told you, a pink sash goes with that dress."
    "It makes me look like a little girl."
    "Well, I haven't discovered you to be anything else. Careen, get the pink