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much to his parents. “Let me help you into the buggy, and I’ll get your luggage.”
    She had a trunk and three bags, and after the porter loaded them into the buggy, Davis climbed into the seat, asking Belle, “Is that all?”
    “Yes. As you can see, I’ve come for a long stay.” The enigmatic remark matched the expression in her eyes, and she added, “I’m not sure it’s wise for me to stay at your grand-father’s house. I’ll be quite a problem for him.”
    Davis grinned and spoke to the horse sharply, and they moved down the street. “As far as I know, an enemy fleet of warships didn’t bother my grandfather,” he said. “I doubt one small woman will cause him to lose any sleep.”
    She said nothing, but looked out at the humming streets and the scurrying crowds along the way.
    Finally he spoke up. “You’ll be a help to my grandfather. He’s not well.”
    “He said he was somewhat indisposed.”
    “Slipped on the sidewalk and broke his ankle—and then got the flu. He’s always been so active that it’s been difficult to keep him still.”
    She glanced at him curiously. “You said at Richmond that you’d be going back to England.”
    “Well, I was all packed—before grandfather got hurt. He wouldn’t stay in a hospital, and he would’ve driven my parents crazy in a week. So I moved into his house to take care of him.”
    “You still won’t get involved with the war?”
    He gave her a sharp look, and shook his head. “I’ll be leaving as soon as you are able to take care of Grandfather. There’ll be a servant to help him, too, of course, but I hated to leave him without someone to talk with.” He pointed ahead, “There’s the house.”
    The little cottage was set back from the street, with two large trees in the front and a garden in the back. He helped her out, saying, “Let’s go in. I’ll get your bags while you and Grandfather talk.”
    They entered the house and he led her through a small foyer into a hall that turned off to the right. He opened the first door on the left. “This will be your room, Belle.”
    She stepped in, noting the yellow wallpaper, the walnut bed with the ornate wardrobe and the small desk beside it. She walked to the large window overlooking the garden. “This is lovely, Davis,” she smiled. “Let’s go see your grandfather.”
    He escorted her to the master bedroom off to the left, opened the door and said, “Grandfather—Belle is here.”
    “Well, bring her in!”
    Captain Whitfield was sitting up in bed, reading. He smiledas she approached. “My dear, how good to have you here, but I’m afraid I’m going to be a great bother to you.”
    She knew his words were meant to alleviate the strangeness she felt, and it touched her heart. “We’ll be trouble to each other, Captain,” she returned. “Both of us have been spoiled, I think.”
    “Nonsense!” he responded. “Davis and I are heartily sick of each other’s company. We’ll be much better by your presence! Now sit down and tell me all about our family. Davis, go bring Belle’s baggage in!” She sat down, and as soon as Davis left, Whitfield nodded toward the door. “Belle, no matter what anyone says about that boy and his attitude—he’s been a godsend to me! If I had gone home with Robert, one of us would have shot the other by now!”
    They talked about her trip for a time, and then Davis came back and announced that her luggage was in her room, adding, “It’s too late to fix a meal. Suppose you and I go out to a restaurant, Belle? We can bring something back for Grandfather.”
    “Oh no,” she said promptly. “I’d rather stay in tonight. Let me try my cooking on you.” They protested, but she insisted, and soon Davis was sitting on a high stool in the kitchen as she put together a quick meal, the main course being a cheese and mushroom omelet. He set the table when she announced that the meal was ready, and he went to get the captain.
    “Well, now! This is something