1864: Georgia's Burning

[shadowoftheheart]

OOC: If interested in joining, pleas see the OOC thread at:
https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=379471

Can always use more Slave and Soldier characters.


July 8, 1864. Friday.

Emily Penrose stood on the verandah of her mansion. Penrose Plantation. A paradise of magnolia and peach blossoms. Cotton, corn, and wheat grew in abundance in its fertile fields, tended by the swarm of black African slaves. Slaves that were already out in the fields, tending to the knee-high corn and the first-bloom cotton.

The rising sun was a brilliant red, calling to her mind the four years of sacrifice that the brave Sons of the South were making on fields of battle all across the young Confederacy. The Fourth, normally a day of celebration, had been a somber day of prayer and reflection. A year before Robert E. Lee had been beaten in Pennsylvania and General Sam Grant had taken Vicksburg, severing the South in half and giving the Union control of the Mississippi. Now, as Emily looked out over her plantation, there was an army moving toward them with deliberate and destructive force. General William T. Sherman had determined to take Atlanta before the Northerners conducted their Presidential Elections in four months, and it appeared as though he would succeed. Penrose Plantation, however, stood between Sherman and Atlanta.

Still, she was determined not to flee. No, she had slaves and crops to look over. Peaches and apples to mind. Far too much to oversee to flee. Besides, Marcus was relying on her to keep the Plantation safe. He was in Virginia, fighting with Bobby Lee to keep Grant from taking Richmond. She was his eyes, his ears, his hands, here in Georgia. The war wouldn't last forever, after all, and he would want to return to a safe, successful plantation when it all ended.

She sighed once more. The day promised to be hot, and already the distant, pervasive sound of endless skirmishes could be heard off in the distance, where Northern and Southern soldiers traded lead in a deadly foreplay leading to an inevitable and bloody battle for Atlanta. What had this world come to, She wondered to herself.

 

[sharingfantasies]

The dust rose behind the pony cart as Patience tooled along the narrow track between Heartwell and Penrose. She winced as she heard the deep booming that indicated the war that was taking place practically in their backyards. As she had thought thousands of times since this whole debacle had started, she once again wished that men were different. Why they felt that violence was always the answer to any issue she would never understand.

The thought of needless violence brought back the memory of Christopher but she immediately pushed those memories away. It was odd that she could still remember the hurt and pain of his death but had a terrible time recalling his face.

"I fear that the southern troops are not holding their own," she said to Lazarus, the ten year old boy that held on to the sides of the pony trap as if he was going to be spilled into the dusty lane at any minutes. Patience glanced at the small boy who accompanied her several times a week to Penrose, but always had the look of distrust on his face when she held the reins. She grinned at him, knowing that his distrust was more a disliking of horses than a distrust of her handling abilities. She had never tipped the cart over and she had been driving it since she was younger than Lazarus.

What would happen to the plantations here near Atlanta was a huge concern to both Patience and her best friend Emily. Both of them were women alone trying to make their plantations remain in operation during the war. The Confederacy had already taken its toll in huge taxes to pay for the war, while the Union was well known for looting any and all useful commodities as it pushed the southern army further south. Patience had been able to keep her people fed but it was getting harder as the war lingered on. Thank goodness she had had the foresight to double the vegetable garden when the war started. She knew many of the food stuffs that were consumed on the plantation were grown not on the local plantations but in the fertile fields of places like New York and Pennsylvania. Plantation owners usually had small gardens and kept as much of their fields as possible dedicated to their commercial crop. In the case of Heartwell, the cash crop was cotton. By doubling the size of the garden, Patience had been able to continue feeding her people after the battle at Fort Sumtner had closed off the shipping between the northern and southern states.

In the back of the pony cart was 50 bushels of sugar beets, which she would trade Emily for winter wheat. The two plantations had been supporting each other for the past four years, but both women knew that they had been lucky so far. If the Union pushed much further, it would break through the lines at Atlanta and within days come upon the two plantations. Neither woman was sure what would happen then, but the possibilities were frightening.

Pulling up in front of the wrap around verandah at Penrose Plantation, Patience gave the reins to Lazarus. "Take the cart around the back and have Simon switch these bushel baskets for the flour sacks. Then you can go play with Simon's children until it is time to go." For the first time since they had left the plantation, she saw Lazarus smile. Although he was a few years older than Simon's children, he loved playing with them. Watching the boy drive off, she nodded to herself. He would make a good driver in time.

Lifting her skirt to the plum colored riding habit she was wearing, she climbed up the several steps to the verandah. Standing next to Emily, the two silently looked out over the fields towards the town, where the clouds of dust and smoke rose. Patience sighed softly. Sometimes the responsibility of the 895 people at Heartwell was overwhelming. Turning her back to the railing, she leaned back against it and looked over at her friend. "This isn't good, Emily. We need to make some plans. I would love to believe that the army will prevail, but we both know that the Yankees have more men and more power. It is only a matter of time before they break through the lines, and then the Yankees will be here. We need to decide whether to leave or stay, and how we will go about taking care of the people that depend on us."

 

[OnHarry]

July, 7, 1864

Major Hicks had been summoned to his commanding officer's tent, amd was not real happy about it as he had a lot of things to deal with right now, and did not need any more. The support battalion had followed General William Tecumseh Sherman's main force all the way from Chatanooga and in every battle since had contributed behind the lines with whatever was needed.

When he arrived in Colonel's Ferguson's tent he saluted and asked curtly, "what is it you need sir?"

Looking up the Colonel who was also tired and a bit edgy, said to Hicks, "I need you to set up some supply and repair depots in the next few weeks, apparently General Sherman expects that maybe he might be in for a protracted seige when we get to Atlanta."

"I understand so what do you have in mind, and do you think it will be a long campaign?" asked Hicks curious now despite his irritation.

"Sherman thinks it might, and that's all that matters right now, I need an ordnance depot, and some field repair stations set up in close proximity to the main roads heading towards the city."

"I see, well I am short some officer's, as you no doubt recall, I lost three of my best ones at Kennesaw, and two others are wounded, and not much good to me right now."

"Well then improvise Hicks, I can't pull qualified officer's out of my ass, what do you want me to do?"

"I think that I can cover the ordnance depot myself," he replied thoughtfully, and I have Captain Henderson who can maybe look after the repair depots, but I would prefer to have someone in charge at each station."

"What about Hunsinger?"

"What about him, he's a First Seargent, not an officer."

"Well promote him to Seargent Major under Henderson's command and let him manage a depot, you said he was capable. I don't have a lot of time to debate the issue so do that and get on with it."

"Yes sir," Hicks saluted and withdrew from the tent, and went to the ordnance tent first and asked for Seargent Major insignia, then asked for Hunsinger to be sent for.

When he arrived he entered Hick's tent and saluted, then stood at ease awaiting his orders. Hicks smiled and said to him "congratulations Hunsinger you are now Seargent Major Hunsinger and you will be in charge of a repair depot."

Without reacting the new senior NCO merely said, "thank you sir."

Hicks never knew how to take this soldier, he was always dead serious, rarely smiling that he had ever seen, but he never argued or debated any order he merely carried them out. His men were the best behaved of any troops in the division, so he must be fairly stringent with them, but they seemed to respect him.

"Don't you have any questions Hunsinger?"

Remaining silent for a moment as if considering his answer he finally said, "what do you want set up where I am, and where do you want it set up sir."

Hicks looked at him and said "I want a field forge, saw pit, and whatever else you need for wagon and artillery repairs. You will need to make wagon wheels, and sides and bottoms."

"Very good sir, I will need at least five men then."

"I will see how many I can get, for now go and organize the material you need and I will arrange for someone to scout out the location."

"Yes Sir," he saluted and turned to go.

Hicks stopped him and said, "you forgot your stripes Jacob."

Jacob turned and accepted them nodding his head in thanks, and turned once more to go but Hicks was curious about something. "Jacob is it true you do not go to the brothels at all?"

Jacob did not feel very comfortable having an officer address him with the familiar rather that the formal manner. He further did not really like discussing his private life, but he was a true soldier and so responded, "yes sir it is true, I don't consort with harlots, out of respect for my late wife."

"Admirable, if not particularily common, still what did you do before you joined up?"

Sighing quietly JAcob continued, "I worked in the raliway shops in Altoona, I was a machinist, my father got me the apprentiseship, he is a pattern maker in the foundry there."

"A machinist, no wonder your so good at mechanical things, well anyway I have no doubt you will carry out your duty as always, carry on Seargent Major I will let you know in a few days where you are to be located. Dismissed"

 

[OnHarry]

Big Bump.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

OOC

Edgar William Penrose, native of Liverpool England, and distant cousin of Marcus Penrose.
6 feet tall, black hair, pale blue eyes, and clean shaven.

IC

It had been a long journey, From Liverpool to Bermuda, and then running the blockade into Wilmington. All that before I could even begin my journey to Richmond.

There I was, an Englishman, working for the Confederacy, delivering verbal messages to Stephen Mallory, Secretary of the Southern Navy, about the loss of the beloved raider, The Alabama. I had to inform him that Commander Bulloch was in the process of purchasing another vessel to replace her, as well as surrepticiously purchasing one of the French corvettes, an ironclad, to be sent out as The Stonewall.

All this of course was in my head, for if I were to get captured, carrying any official documents, they will hang me as a spy of course. From Richmond I went to Roswell, close to Atlanta, to see the Bulloch family, and let them know that Irvine, who had been on the Alabam was all right.

Only now, after all this rushing around could I relax, if one could relax in a war zone.
Approaching the plantation, I was tired, and dusty too, badly in need of a bath, and some rest. But the main thing is, at last I am here, and will get to see my cousin, Marcus penrose, for the very first time.

Riding in to the plantation, towards the house, I look around, for someone to take care of my horse. A young black man, a slave I guess, takes my horse away, and points me to the door.
I knock, and wait.

 

[OnHarry]

BUMP c'mon folks this is too good a thread idea to let it fall into the abyss

 

[Aliyahlovinsex]

Shakina

The dirt rose from the road as I shuffled along it, making my way to the house from the slave quarter. The sun was already burning overhead, making me sweat in my proper dress and I regretted having to wear it. Sometimes I longed to be free to wear light dresses like those of the field women, but I was grateful for Miss Emily's kindnesses to me.

The house was slightly cooler as I entered it, and slipped off my heavy walking shoes to change into my house slippers. I nodded to Mary, the house cook, as I passed through the kitchen.

"How are you, Mary?"

"Old and tired," she responded crankily. I smiled slightly because Mary was always cranky, even though her job was the easiest here at Penrose Plantation.

"And Miss Emily?" I asked.

"She upstairs I imagine. That's where she usually is this time o' mornin'."

I nodded and started for the staircase which led up to Miss Emily's room. She was more than likely on her balcony, staring out over the slave fields as she did so often.

I knocked on the door of her room and receiving no response, I entered and saw her standing outside, obviously deep in thought.

"Miss Emily?" I knew she would probably want to talk about her husband today. She missed him. I heard tales, whispered on the night air, sung through the slave quarters, and passed plantation to plantation. The Union was coming, and soon all of us slaves would be freedmen. I feared that Miss Emily's husband was dead, but I would never tell her that.

"Miss Emily, how are you this morning?"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Now Patience, you know well that I can't leave. General Marcus, he entrusted his plantation in my care, and I cannot allow my husband's trust to go unfounded. If It comes to it, well, I'll take up a musket to defend it and my people."

Her eyes glimmered with firm purpose. Over the short time they had spent together over their ten years of marriage, Emily and Marcus had developed a strong bond, based on mutual respect as strongly as love. That bond, she could not ever allow to be misplaced.

She looked back to Patience to say something else, when her girl Rose came out to the verandah.

"Miss Emily, how are you this morning?"

Rose she considered like a sister. There were rumors, in fact, that they were in fact sisters, but Emily never gave credence to that. Rose had been given to her by her father as a present one year, and Emily always looked fondly upon her first slave.

She glanced at Patience, concerned that the woman might find Rose's interruption of their conversation intolerable. She sighed softly, wishing there were more she could do for the girl. She was already allowing her to hire out some of her time, keeping that wage, toward purchasing her own freedom. A small, nagging part of Emily said she should gift her with her freedom, but she was aware of the girl's intent to join one of the many Freedman's Back to Africa societies, that even in the midst of the war and blockade managed to send small numbers of freed slaves to Liberia and other colonies in West Africa. While Emily wanted Rose, or Shakina as she called herself, to be happy ... she couldn't bear the thought of life without her.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

OOC

Edgar William Penrose, native of Liverpool England, and distant cousin of Marcus Penrose.
6 feet tall, black hair, pale blue eyes, and clean shaven.

IC

It had been a long journey, From Liverpool to Bermuda, and then running the blockade into Wilmington. All that before I could even begin my journey to Richmond.

There I was, an Englishman, working for the Confederacy, delivering verbal messages to Stephen Mallory, Secretary of the Southern Navy, about the loss of the beloved raider, The Alabama. I had to inform him that Commander Bulloch was in the process of purchasing another vessel to replace her, as well as surrepticiously purchasing one of the French corvettes, an ironclad, to be sent out as The Stonewall.

All this of course was in my head, for if I were to get captured, carrying any official documents, they will hang me as a spy of course. From Richmond I went to Roswell, close to Atlanta, to see the Bulloch family, and let them know that Irvine, who had been on the Alabam was all right.

Only now, after all this rushing around could I relax, if one could relax in a war zone.
Approaching the plantation, I was tired, and dusty too, badly in need of a bath, and some rest. But the main thing is, at last I am here, and will get to see my cousin, Marcus penrose, for the very first time.

Riding in to the plantation, towards the house, I look around, for someone to take care of my horse. A young black man, a slave I guess, takes my horse away, and points me to the door.
I knock, and wait.

Thomas sighed deeply, shuffling to the door, and opening it slowly with his arthritic hand. He had been a slave of the Penrose's for his entire life, most of his 60 years spent in livery opening doors and acting as their butler. He took a deep breath, and drew his sore frame up into as dignfied a posture as he could manage, and opened the door.

"Sir," he said in flawless English with just a trace of a British accent, affected at the urging of the Penroses.

"Who may I say is calling?"

He waited, knowing that Miss Emily was with her friend and that pesky young slave Rose on the front verandah. He wondered, idly, that this gentleman did not see them. He further wondered if one of the field slaves hadn't mis-directed him to this back entrance. Or perhaps, the man was gentleman enough not to presume to approach two ladies unannounced, even if they were on the front verandah....

 

[Blue Dolphin]

The door was finally opened by an elderly black man, dressed impeccably I might add.


"Sir, whom may I say is calling?"

I smiled before responding, trying to reassure him that I was all right, and not a yankee.

"Edgar Penrose at your service my man, distant cousin of Marcus penrose, Master of the house I do believe. We have corresponded by mail, and my cousin said that if I was ever in the area....
Well my good man, here I am. Would you announce me please?"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Thomas nodded, with a thin smile.

"Of course, sir. If you please? Can I get you a drink?"

He stepped back, with effort remaining straight and proper despite his arthritic back. He waived for him to take a seat as he went to Miss Emily to announce her guest.

A second slave awaited Edgar to get him whatever drink he might request, as the elderly Thomas went to announce his arrival.


As he sat to wait, Thomas hobbled off, again tring (though failing) to maintain a proper English dignity as he moved. Idly, he wondered that this man didn't know that Edward was off in Virginia fighting with Bobby Lee. He shrugged once he was out of the guest's sight, and walked out to the verandah.

"Ma'am," he said politely once he saw his chance.

"Edgar Penrose, a gentleman claiming to be Master Edward's cousin. He awaits you in the Foyer."

Emily nodded to him, with a smile.

Thomas then bowed to Patrience.

"Miss Patience. Ever a pleasure."

Emily supressed a grin. The man's soft Engish accent and impeccable, if stiff, manners never failed to make her smile.

"Thomas, if you please, get our guest a drink, and inform him I shall attend him momentarily."

 

[sharingfantasies]

Patience sighed softly, "I know, Emily, that neither of us can really leave, it is just that it seems so ridiculous for the armies to invade the plantations. Both of us have sent goods to the army, albeit, the Confederate Army, but from the stories that are being published in the newspapers those Yankees are not just taking goods but destroying fields and burning houses. Such fools!! When the war is over, who are they going to look to for their cotton and tobacco, rice and sugar? Do they think it just magically appears from the ground?"

"I know, I know. Nothing will come of sitting around and talking about it." Patience grinned at her best friend, her dimple showing in her cheek. "But you have to admit ..."

She paused as Rose came out to the verandah, casually inquiring as to her Mistress's health. Patience nodded at Rose, having known of her casual relationship with Emily ever since the two had arrived at the Plantation. While such familiarity between slave and mistress was common in private, it wasn't usually displayed when there were guests around. But all three of the women knew that Patience did not consider herself a guest any more than Emily did. Their friendship was so close that they were in and out of each other's houses all of the time and considered each other family more than friends.

Patience raised an eyebrow as Thomas came out onto the verandah, commenting softly, "My, Emily, you are a popular one today."

Patience smiled at Thomas as the elderly man acknowledged her. The memories of her childhood spent running around Penrose Plantation with Edward were also coated in the memory of this man's constant supervision and complete dedication to the two of them. As Patience grinned at the older man, she saw his eyes sparkle in return.

Knowing that Edgar was calling on his cousin and his cousin's wife for the first time, she walked to the railing and leaned back against it. For truly, there was no one as beautiful as Emily in all of Georgia. Patience knew that she was pretty, she was certainly told often enough by the gentleman of the area, but Emily was gorgeous. While Patience was sure that Edgar or any Penrose would behave with the utmost gentlemanly behavior, she couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he first saw Emily Penrose. She was practically shivering with anticipation as she stepped further away from the French doors leading to the verandah.

Whispering softly she uttered, "I wonder if he is aware that Edward is away? This should be interesting to observe."

 

[OnHarry]

July, 8 1864

Dear Father;

I am writing to you to assure you I am fine. We just completed a major battle recently at Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia, and won the day though not after many casualties, and several hard days of fighting. I cannot discuss the next step, in the campaign as that would be removed by the censor anyway.

I would also add that I have been promoted once more and now am a Seargent Major, in charge of a field wagon works, which means we will be repairing and maintaining artillery caissons, and freight wagons. I don't know where our next location will be, apparently the major I spoke of to you, has a place picked out some plantation on the main road, though I don't know why he selected this spot it sounds as if it is appropriate.

I hate to burden you with my troubles father but I have to say the loneliness is hard, surrounded by such sacriligious companions, and my Anna gone these six years now, I confess that it is often hard to resist the charms that seem to pursue an army in the field, however vulgar, and common they may be. Still I am blessed that the chaplain here is a Lutheran and of good German stock so he aids me in my struggles to maintain my path of goodness. I fear however I will be separated from his wise council when I set up the field works, and will have to rely on my own inner strength to remain chaste.

I must close now as I have to go to sleep, but will write when I get a chance. God Bless dear father,

Jacob

He closed and sealed the letter to be given to the military post in the morning, and sighing put out the lamp in his small tent, which was his alone owing to his recent promotion. When he lay there after in the darkness, he wished he did not feel the urge for female companionship so much, and tried to think of something to dispell such thoughts. He tried to think of the minister's wife at home, homely as a stump fence and very chaste indeed, but even she seemed to have some charms for him. Sighing he closed his eyes to sleep.

 

[Aliyahlovinsex]

I stopped abruptly as I noticed that Miss Emily was not along on the verandah. The woman from the neighboring plantation was also there; she had been out of my sight when I first entered the room. I bowed pleasantly, knowing that Emily would not like the interruption and then busied myself with making the large bed.

The butler, Thomas, entered the room to announce a guest, and I gave him a nasty look. He was one of the few people on the plantation that I disliked; always thought he was right, that one. He thought of me as a pest, probably because I was lighter, and educated. And unluckily for him, Emily liked me more. I smiled devishly as he left, giving me a glare when he passed.

As I tidied up the room, I listened carefully to Miss Emily and Patience's conversation, wanting to know if there was any news. For this purpose alone, I was useful to the other slaves; I provided them with information and so they did not bother me as much as they would have. Sometimes there are extreme disadvantages to being a so-called "half-breed".

 

[OnHarry]

July, 8, 1864

Jacob was up a full hour before he had to, before the bugler summoned the trops to awake. He had awoke as usual with a severe erection, and just as usual had relieved himself of it. The chaplain and he had decided that was preferable to consorting with loose women, and it allowed him a measure of satisfaction, and oddly enough he seemed quite energetic afterwords.

He went to check on the assembled wagons assigned to his detail, that would carry the tools and equipment he needed for the field depot. He was met by Private Andrew Roberts, a young soldier but a skilled joiner, having apprenticed in Harrisburg from his twelfth birhday, but he was young and brash. Seeing Jacob he made an exageratted salute to him.

"You do not salute a non commisioned officer Andrew, and when are you off fire picket?"

"As soon as that damned bugler blows that's when." He was a very likable person the sort who always poked fun and had a quick answer for any remark, and yet always managed to make people smile or laugh rather than get angry at him.

Good get some reast and then I will need you and the others to go over what we are to do when we set up the depot."

Andrew groaned audibly saying, "we know that now Jacob, unless something happened overnight, say did you find a woman to stay in that tent of yours huh?"

"NO I certainly did not, and you might better call me sir rather than by my name."

"Yes sir Jacob sir, sorry Jacob sir didn't mean to be friendly like, won't happen again Jacob sir."

Jacob only sighed, he was only thirty himself, and yet beside Andrew he felt like he was an old man.

Then Andrew said to him, "where are we going to set up this depot Jake, er sir."

Some plantation near the main Atlanta road, apparently a local ex official named Burnett suggested it, seems he knew it well when he was the local registrar here."

"Yea well if that's the case why is he on our side?"

"I don't know seems he had his authority taken away from him by someone hereabouts."

"If you want my opinion he is probably trying to settle a score then."

"I suspect that you may be correct in that Andrew but we will see."

Then Andrew shifted his tack a bit and said, "Hey Jake sir, you noticed those half blacks around these parts?"

"I have but what of them?"

"Well I figure, you get near to one of them and you just might find a reason to stop going to church. I met this one gal up in Chattanooga, named Athena or something, anyway she had skin the colour of coffee with a lot of cream in it, she was a real looker"

"That is blasphemy Andrew, I will remain chaste."

"I bet if this damned war goes on another year you won't."

"Perhaps," just then the bugler called reville, and Andrew said his good mornings to Jacob.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

The elderly black man, whom I assumed to be the butler, returned with a drink for me. Which I accepted most gratefully, the day was hot, and I had travelled a fair distance to be here.

I was informed that his Mistress would attend to me shortly, which left me with no option but to wait. I was after all, a guest in a foreign land one might say.

I coiuld see a very pretty lady out on the veranda, but protocol, and common decency prevented me from approaching her, until that is, we had been formally introduced.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Where? Why, they think a tame Kentuckians farm will produce all that they need, if they think a'tall. By their treatment of us, they have confirmed our sucession, and I hope that our friends in England and France will realize this."

"Rose, I am well. And how are you this fine day?"

And then Thomas announced their guest.

"My, Emily, you are a popular one today."

"I was thinking just the very same!"

She grinned, and motioned her two friends (though only Patience could be acknowledged as such, she considered Rose in that category) forward.

"Patience my dear, perhaps you'd care to make the aquaintance of my British cousin? Rose, girl. Come too in case you are needed for anything."

She gave Rose a secret smile and wink, to tell her she simply wanted her company, but was unable to openly acknowledge it. She'd understand of course.


Emily entered the foyer, holding Patience's hand with Rose a pace or two behind them.

"Mrs. Emily Penrose," Thomas said with affected dignity, "Her guest Mrs. Patience Hartwell. This is Mr. Edgar William Penrose."

Thomas shot a pointed glare at Rose, as though to highlight the fact that her existance didn't rate an introduction.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

I watched as two ladies entered, holding hands, followed by a young girl, whom I surmised to be a maid. The butler spoke to the ladies, introducing me.

I shook hands with Both Mrs Penrose and Mrs Hartwell before speaking.

"Good day to you dear ladies, and please, forgive my rather unkempt appearance, but it has been a long and aruous journey to get here. I had to keep dodging the Yankees on my way from Richmond to Roswell, and again coming here. These are troubled times for youryoung country, but hopefully General Lee will yet save the day."

I paused for a moment, smiling, and watching both ladies, who still seemed a little unsure of me, which, given the circumstances was quite understandable.

{i]"Mrs Penrose, your husband, my cousin Marcus and I have been exchanging letters for about 5 years now. And he did say that if I was ever in the area, to call in. And well, here I am, all the way from Liverpool in England. Although there are times when Liverpool almost seems Confederate also, with so many Southern Naval officers there. Indeed, it has been said that more Confederate flags fly in Liverpool, than in Richmond."[/i]

Deciding that I had probably already said too much, I held my silence, and waited for a responsefrom mrs Penrose.

 

[sharingfantasies]

I hadn't thought anything about the visit of Edgar Penrose, other than the curiousity that comes from meeting strangers. I knew of Edgar of course. Edward's mother had delighted in telling the entire family tree of the Penrose line, especially the English branch, to anyone that would listen. Although Edward and I did our best, there were too many times that she managed to keep us in a chair while she went on and on about this Duke and that Marquis. I could probably quote the family line as well as Edward could.

What startled me was the grip Emily had on my hand as she pulled me into the house. I had expected her to have him brought to the terrace where we were talking but she obviously wanted to keep this visit to a minimum as she actually tugged me into the foyer. Usually Emily met with guests on the terrace or in the formal parlor. To meet someone, especially a relative of Edward's in the foyer was very odd. The tight grip on my hand was even odder.

It suddenly dawned on me that Emily was frightened, and that frightened me. She obviously thought that Edgar had brought word of Edward. Now I was gripping her hand tightly. Surely he was all right? They say if someone you love dies you can actually feel it inside. Neither of us had felt it, we would have said something to each other.

It was even scarier that the tall man standing in front of us, introducing himself, didn't seem to acknowledge Emily's beauty but was actually standing their silently waiting for Emily's response. He did not give a card or offer a letter of recommendation, only his own words. In all the years I had known Emily, I had never known a man to not be in awe of her beauty when he first beheld her. Perhaps it was the family ties, but the entire situation was turning frightening. I could feel Emily's hand trembling in mine.

I waited for her to say something, as this was her house, but she remained silent, just staring at the man who claimed to be Edgar Penrose. Now why would I use the word "claim"? I looked him over carefully, trying to see some family characteristics that he might share with Edward or even Edward's father. Outside of the dark hair and light eyes, I could see nothing at all that even slightly resembled the Penrose line. And I could think of a handful of people I knew, including my own relatives, with that combination of eyes and hair. I couldn't stand the silence any longer.

I blurted out, "Do you come with word of Edward?" I heard Emily's swift intake of breath, but I had to know the answer now.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

She blinked, jolted by the surprise of Patience belying her name.

She had been caught off guard seeing Edgar, and the passing resemblance he held to her dear husband, as well as surprise that he had come here seeking him.

"Edgar ... Forgive my friend. I ... I have been seeking after word of my husband. He has been in Virginia, serving under Bobbie Lee. I ... I wonder that he did not seek you out, or send to you word while you were in Virginia. Or ... or did he? Cousin, you are certainly welcome, but Edward is indeed not here, so I fear your trip has been for little gain ...."

Her mind was reeling, and she reached back for Rose, not thinking of decorum at the moment.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

It was not difficult to see the consternation on Mrs Penrose, Emily`s face, I tried to explain.

"Sadly, due to the nature of my visit, and my connections to Commander Bulloch in Liverpool, whom the Yankees would hang if they ever got hold of him. It was not advisable for me to tarry long in Richmond. But I must say, people there spoke very well of the illustrious General, some referring to him as Marse Robert incidentally. As for my visit being in vain dear Mrs Penrose, that is not so. Any visit is worthwhile, if only for the new people one can meet, and get to know. I have wanted to come here for a long time now. To meet Marcus yes, but also to meet you, and to see your plantation. I am very well connected in Liverpool, with both the cotton trade, and blockade running. And consequently, I feel that I have a lot to offer Marcus, as kinfolk I mean, not an employee.".

 

[sharingfantasies]

Emily and I gave a sigh of relief, and sank down to sit side by side on the davenport, as our knees gave way. As eminent as the danger was to us here on teh plantations, Edward's life was in danger every minute of the day and neither of us forgot that ever.


As Rose went for the tea and sherry, Edgar Penrose sat down in a chair across from us. With interest we both listened to his tales of some of the adventures he had encountered as a blockade runner.

In return, Emily and I shared bits of Edward's life on the plantation. It was a pleasing time, with much hilarity at some of the antics of both men. But I was aware that I was needed at home, so after the requisite half hour visit, I turned to Emily.

"This has been a most pleasant visit, my dear Emily, but I must get back home. I have some work to do that can't be put off as much as I might wish."

Turning towards Edgar Penrose, I stood and smiled, extending my hand, "Mr. Penrose, it was a delight to meet you. I am so glad you were able to visit here at Penrose Plantation, but please excuse me, I must be leaving. Perhaps our paths will cross again before you leave. Will you be staying in the area long?"

 

[Aliyahlovinsex]

I stood there listening to their conversation for a good time. I was nervous as well. Nervous that Miss Emily's husband was dead and she would have a breakdown. The plantation certainly didn't need that.

Fortunatley, this Edgar man didn't bring news of the master and no news is good news. I continued to eye him carefully as I went to get some tea from the kitchen.

Miss Emily obviously didn't feel it, but I felt it. The rest of the slaves on the plantation felt it. There was an odd thundering on the horizon. There was talk that the North would win and we would be freed. Now whether or not that was true, I did not know. But deep in my belly, I felt it. Things would not end well for Miss Emily.

But how to tell her this without completely overstepping my bounds? I had to wait for the proper time obviously. And now was definitely not it.

I entered the sitting room and served the English gentleman a cup of tea. I rather liked him. True he didn't notice me, but he didn't give me the typical snarl as he took the cup from me either. After I finished serving the tea, I settled into a corner to listen, unseen and unnoticed.

 

[JokerWild]

"Come on boy, KEEP UP!" yelled a snaggled tooth dirty man, his hair was balding and he wore dirty clothes. Buck was chained behind a horse, he looked rough, no shoes or shirt on, only a pair of black slacks. On his back were scars from beatings, reminders to him to that this was the price for running. From time to time the man would yank the chain making Buck stumble and crash to the ground.

"Yep, heard you was a runna huh boy? I wish ya would run from me ya dirty little nig..." before he could finish Buck ran towards the horse and slapped it's rear as hard as he could. The horse neighed loudly and took off, yanking his chained wrists back he snatched the chain from the startled slave hunter's grip and ran off into the forest.

"Gah dammit!" shouted the slave hunter as he gained control of the horse, he turned around and cursed to himself. "When I fin ya I'm gonna whip the shit outta ya black ass!" he shouted. Buck didn't bother to stop running, he held the chain in his arms so it wouldn't get caught up on any limbs, he kept running for what seemed like forever only to see a large mansion ahead of him.

The slave hunter was on his trail and spotted Buck who was making a run for it. Pulling out his long whip he steered the horse towards the slave who was unaware he had been spotted. "Now I got ya!" he shouted lashing out and striking Buck's bare back, in an instant his skin tore and he stumbled forward, any other man would have fell or even fainted from the pain but Buck continued to run.

"Dammit boy!" shouted the man as the horse sped after Buck, another lash struck Buck in the back again, this time he fell to his knees. Lack of water and food was taking it's toll on his already worn out body. "Told...you...not to..RUN!" shouted the man with each lash to Buck's back.

Slaves began to come out of their small sheds they stayed in, children cowered in their parent's arms as they watched the stranger strike the unknown slave. "Go and get the missus!" said an old woman to a woman. The woman ran towards the mansion as the man continued his assualt on Buck...

 

[sharingfantasies]

Edgar, Emily and I were standing in a small group, as I was saying my goodbyes. I needed to get home and although I was curious about Edgar and his travels, I couldn't really stay any longer.

As I turned to go out the parlor door, Thomas came through it. Loud shouts could be heard coming from the back of the house. I looked at the other two in amazement. Whatever was causing the commotion was not the Yankee Army, as I doubted if they would cause havoc in the backyard. Thomas began saying something about slave hunters after a slave. It was hard to understand what he was talking about since slave hunters had no business at Emily's plantation. The three of us headed towards the back of the house curious as to why slave hunters would be in the area and why Emily's slaves were all upset. Neither of us had had a problem with our slaves for as long as I could remember.

When we stepped onto the back verandah, I could hear a man on a horse swearing profanely at a negro kneeling on the ground. The negro's head was down, his body visibly shaking as he took deep breaths. I didn't recognize the negro, and from his condition, it appeared that he had been running hard for some time.

Several of Emily's people were gathered around watching, whispering between themselves. When the man's arm rose into the air, I could see the bull whip in his hand. As I cried out, "Stop!" I heard Emily's voice blend with mine.