The Last Heiress (47 page)
Authors: Mary Ellis
“No, I mean before we reach the Atlantic.”
“There is nothing between Wilmington and the sea except for Fort Fisher. Please don't take me to a place of so much bloodshed.”
“No, not the fort. Just wait and see.”
During the carriage ride to the waterfront and then throughout the interminable time it took to load the luggage of three Henthornes, plus hers and Nate's, Amanda tried without success to guess what the reason for the stop was. Her husband just grinned silently at her, making her even more curious. Finally, though, a long whistle blast signaled it was time to leave the coach and depart Wilmingtonâ¦at least for the foreseeable future. Amanda hurried back to the open carriage where Salome and Amos sat with the last of the luggage. She hugged both in turn, along with Thomas, not caring about society's proprieties. “I shall miss you. Thank you for all your kindness,” she said.
“Don't stay away too long,” huffed Salome. “Now that you married Mr. Cooper, you are an American now.”
“Yes, that's how I feel too.”
Joining her side, Nate shook hands with the men and kissed Salome's soft cheek.
The Henthornes matched their farewell, minus the kiss. “Are
you sure you don't want to work at Oakdale for full wages?” asked Jackson. “I can only pay half wages while we're gone.”
“No, thanks, sir,” Thomas said. “We'll be fine watching your house until you and the mistress return.” Salome and Amos nodded their enthusiastic agreement.
At the helm of the
Lady Adelaine
, Amanda spotted a familiar face. “Joshua, what on earth are you doing here? Surely you haven't decided to visit my mother in England.”
“Nope. I'm just hitching a ride downriver. Captain Russell is allowing me to steer this beauty to continue my nautical education.” Joshua slapped the dignified captain on the back.
“But how will you get back to town?”
“There's a horse, wagon, suppliesâeverything I need to keep me busy while you're gone. Stop worrying, Mandy, and enjoy your honeymoon.”
Mandy. Joshua was only the second person in her life to call her that. When she turned to face Nate, her new husband was scowling at her. “Must you always stick your nose under every rock? For once I wanted you to be surprised.”
As details clicked into place, Amanda blushed to her hair roots. “Our cottage! Will Joshua be finishing our home while we're on honeymoon?”
Nate nodded his head with resignation. “Along with finding a trawler for sale and then learning to maneuver it. Thanks to my demanding wife, my brother won't get a moment's rest.” He guided her away from the ship's wheelhouse. “Is everyone in England this headstrong and disdainful of surprises?”
“Only half the population. The rest are men.” Amanda stretched up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“I hope you plan to do better than my cheek once you see the progress I have already made.”
A little while later, when Amanda spotted the white frame
house, high on granite piers, with a red tile roof, wraparound porch and pebble walkway down to the river, she burst into tears. There was even a white picket fence around her future garden plot. The “doing better” came easy once they stopped by a little dock.
“It's looks delightful, Nate. Thank you. Living here will be my dream come true.” She kissed him with all the passion she could muster.
“You two may stay ten minutes on land, and then I'm hauling anchor,” called Captain Russell. “We've got to beat the tide or delay our trip a day.”
“It won't take long to look around, Captain. The sooner we leave the sooner we can get back home,” Nate said before sweeping her into his arms. Precariously, he carried her down the narrow gangway.
She clung to his neck for dear life. “I truly hope you don't drop me into those cattails. There could be snakes or toads or who knows what!”
“Have no fear, my love. I have a firm hold. If we fall into the river muck, we're going in together. I never intend to let go of you again.”
1. What obstacles does Amanda face in replacing her father in the business world?
2. How could Abigail so easily adjust to her husband's slave-owning household when England had outlawed slavery long ago?
3. How does the lifestyle of western North Carolinians differ from the coastal counties in the mid-nineteenth century?
4. The death of her father places additional responsibility on Amanda's shoulders. Why does her mother suddenly become her burden?
5. Why does Jackson Henthorne take issue to the relationship between Amanda and her maid, Helene?
6. Although their attraction was immediate, why does Nathaniel conclude any romance with Amanda is hopeless after one dinner party?
7. Jackson sees the closing of other southern ports as an opportunity. Why does this also present great risk to him and his father's company?
8. What appeals to Amanda far more than the home-style cuisine during dinner at the Simses' house?
9. In what ways is the scheme proposed by Jackson's business partner dangerous? And why would Jackson take part in such a gamble?
10. What is Nathaniel hiding about his past, and how does it affect his present relationship with Amanda?
11. Why does Jackson consider Amanda a threat to his household?
12. Why would Nate participate in the clandestine rally in the woods, and what left him conflicted to his role in the war?
13. In England, a large underclass works as domestics to the gentry. How is their lot similar and how is it different when compared with slavery in America?
14. Jackson and Nathaniel each join the army during the war's eleventh hour. What caused a change of heart for each man?
15. Why would America make a better choice for the future home of Amanda and Nathaniel?
C
IVIL
W
AR
H
EROINES
The Quaker and the Rebel
The Lady and the Officer
Romance on the River (eBook only)
T
HE
N
EW
B
EGINNINGS
S
ERIES
Living in Harmony
Love Comes to Paradise
A Little Bit of Charm
T
HE
W
AYNE
C
OUNTY
S
ERIES
Abigail's New Hope
A Marriage for Meghan
T
HE
M
ILLER
F
AMILY
S
ERIES
A Widow's Hope
Never Far from Home
The Way to a Man's Heart
S
TANDALONES
Sarah's Christmas Miracle
An Amish Family Reunion
A Plain Man
Mary Ellis and her husband, Ken, live near the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, home to the last remaining GAR Hall in Ohio, and Hale Farm and Village, home to annual encampments and reenactments of Civil War battles. She is an active member of the local historical society and Civil War Roundtable, where she served as secretary for several years. She has enjoyed a lifelong passion for American history.