Undaunted Love (6 page)

Chapter Nine

April 20, 1861

L
IVVIE WAS PACING UNDER THE huge oak tree, twisting the strings of her bonnet. Rafe watched her from a quilt on the ground, half listening as he thought how beautiful she looked. Her blue dress accentuated her small waist, and the wide skirt swung high enough to show her delicate ankles when she turned angrily. He smiled to himself.

“Why are you smiling?” she demanded. “I don’t see where this it at all amusing, Rafe Colton!”

He laughed. “You look beautiful’s all. I can’t help looking, especially if you keep swingin’ your skirts up around your knees with your pacin’ back and forth.”

She blushed, which only made her more beautiful, and he grinned at her. “Why don’t you come sit down here with me?”

She put her hands on her hips, standing above him. He knew that he would dwarf her by a foot if he stood, but he liked this view. He reached out and took her hand, trying to pull her down to his side.

“Liv, listen. It’s the only thing I can do! The trees are almost gone, and I ain’t got a single other prospect. Mr. Greene allowed as how he’d apprentice me, but I’d have to live in Charleston with him, and I wouldn’t be makin’ any money for a good while. Mama and Nackie gotta have food. Nackie can’t even chop wood anymore. If I do this, I’ll get paid, real money. Enough to send home to them, anyway. What’ll I need money for anyway? I’ll be clothed and fed…”

She wrenched her hand away. “And you’ll be gone! What if there really is a war?”

He stood up, and took her in his arms. She resisted, then softened into him. “I’d be gone if I went to Mr. Greene’s, too. President Davis has called for volunteers. So has Mr. Lincoln. Lincoln said the Confederate States are in rebellion… You can be sure there’s gonna be war, some day, if not soon. But if I volunteer for the militia, I can go right on up to Charleston, join the 1st South Carolina Volunteers. It’s only for six months, Liv. If I don’t like it, I’ll come home. I promise.”

Looking up into his eyes, Livvie tried to keep the tears from her own. “But what if the Federals attack? What if they try to get Fort Sumter back? You’ll be right there in Charleston!”

He pulled her in, resting her head on his chest. “I don’t know what else to do. And it’s my duty, same as the other fellows who been signin’ up. I don’t want to leave you, Liv, no more’n I want to leave home, and Mama, and old Nackie. I want to marry you, and have my farm back, and go on with the way things have always been. But they ain’t that way no more, and I figure we can whoop the Yankees a time or two and they’ll give up, go on home, and leave us be. That’s worth somethin’, for Byrd’s Creek and all y’all still here. And in the meantime, I can support my family. And maybe, if I can do some good in the fightin’, your daddy’ll see I am worth somethin’ after all.”

They stood that way for a long while, the spring breeze lifting wisps of Livvie’s hair, her scent filling his head with thoughts of marriage and the future. Finally she pulled away from him, and looked searchingly in his eyes.

“Your worth somethin’ because you were made by God, Rafe. That’s enough for me, no matter what else you ever do in this life. I’ll not be marrying Mr. Wyman Phelps or anybody else Daddy brings home. I belong with you. I know it, in my heart and my soul. So you just come back to me, you hear?” She smiled as tears finally trailed down her face.

Rafe swallowed back the hard lump that had gathered in his throat and got down on one knee. He hadn’t planned to do this today, but the world, and the threat of war, was pressing down on him. “Olivia Byrd, will you marry me? I don’t mean some day, I mean now. Today, or this week. Will you be my wife, and send me off to war the happiest man in South Carolina?”

Stunned, Livvie stared at him, tears still falling. Then a huge grin spread across her face, and she flung herself to her knees and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh yes, Rafe Colton! Oh yes, I most certainly will! It will be the greatest pleasure of my life!”

Three days later they were clattering up the road to Charleston in Rafe’s cart, a borrowed horse trotting happily along. Old Norah had never been the same after the hurricane, and Rafe didn’t want to take any chances on this trip. This trip was going to make him a man. He was marrying the most beautiful girl in the world, and he was joining the militia. All in one day. He wondered what his own daddy would think and if he would be proud.

He frowned, thinking of his mama. He’d told her all his plans, laid them out for her while he sat on her bed. Nackie had propped her up on her pillows, a soft cotton shift and a quilted dressing gown keeping her thin frame warm. She’d looked at him, and seemed to recognize him. She even tried to smile. But the effort was too much, and she never spoke, even when he said goodbye. Nackie had shaken his head and clapped Rafe on the shoulder as they walked out into the hall.

“Now don’t you worry none, Mistuh Rafe. I been takin’ care of Miz Mariah for over twenty years now. She be jus’ fine, and you’ll come back with your purty bride one day, and see how we been takin’ care since you been gone.”

“Livvie’ll read my letters to you, so you’ll know what I’m doin’.” He knew the freed negro couldn’t read, and it was obvious his mama wasn’t going to peruse any letters he sent. “And I’ll send my pay, whenever they give it to me. I won’t need to keep much for myself, so you and mama can mostly have it all. I hope the house don’t fall down on your head whilst I’m gone.” Both men laughed.

When they got to the front steps, they stopped awkwardly. Rafe turned to the old man and gave him a fierce hug. “You’ve got the wagon, and Norah. Fat lot a good she’ll do you. Livvie will get the cart back to you tomorrah.” He smiled.

“We’ll be just fine, Mistuh Rafe, don’t you worry none. You go marry that purty lady, and come back to us when you can. We’ll be waitin’ right here.” Still, Nackie had tears in his eyes as he said goodbye.

Now, sitting next to him in his cart, was his bride. She’d told her mother she was going to spend some time with her sister, and met Rafe at the edge of town. He reached over and took her gloved hand, kissing it. She smiled up at him.

“You’re sure this Justice of the Peace will do the ceremony?” she asked, for the sixth time.

“He’s Mr. Greene’s cousin, and it’s all arranged,” he assured her. “And Jory, the timber foreman, will ride back from Charleston with you, make sure you get home and the horse gets returned.”

She nodded, but she was still nervous. “What if someone sees us on the road?” she asked after a few minutes.

“Not much we can do about that. I ain’t got a closed buggy, and your daddy didn’t see fit to loan you his. You can lie down back in the back if you want,” Rafe teased.

Livvie looked back at the wood planks making up the floor of the cart. They were splintered and warped, with wide gaps between some of them. She made a face. “No, thank you kindly. Only in an emergency, then.” She put her arm through his and sat contentedly.

After awhile they were near her sister’s land. She knew that her sister wasn’t there, as the house hadn’t been rebuilt yet. Gardner’s main priority had been the fields, and with the wet winter, they had only recently started building up from the former foundation. She supposed she might see her brother-in-law, but, like as not, he was far out on the land, inspecting fences and the small cotton plants. If she did see him… Well, they liked Rafe well enough. She’d have to trust them with her secret and pray they kept it.

Chapter Ten

T
HE BORROWED HORSE PROVED TO be much faster than Norah, and they reached Charleston in the early afternoon. Rafe made his way to Jeb Greene’s sawmill, and was welcomed by not only Jeb and his brother, but Mrs. Greene bearing a bouquet of flowers, as well. She hugged Livvie as she handed her the colorful arrangement of daffodils and roses. Livvie brushed back tears as she thanked her.

Hauling himself up into an old buggy, which once been black with shiny brass trim but was now grey with green, Jeb swung his arm for Rafe to follow, and the two horses trotted along the street for a mile before Jeb swung into the drive of a modest red brick home with white trim. A small sign hanging from a post on the fence said, “Micah Greene, Justice of the Peace.”

“Well, this is it, then,” Rafe said as he helped Livvie down from the wagon. She nodded and smiled at him nervously. He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly, leading her up the walk to the front stairs. The door opened and a short, middle-aged man stood there, a huge grin on his bearded face, and no hat on his balding head. He straightened his bow tie and jacket, and came out to meet them.

“Welcome! Welcome! Jeb has told me all about you, and the missus and I are so happy to be celebrating your nuptials with you on this fine, fine day!” He hugged them both in a crushing hug and planted a wet kiss on Livvie’s cheek. In the doorway a small woman of about forty waited, smiling wide.

The party entered the small foyer and were led to the back. The porch had been closed in to make a large room, and here they were made to stand, side by side, in front of a small podium. Micah put on small round reading glasses and brought a small cloth bound book to within four inches of his face. Jeb, his brother Clayton, and his wife stood with Micah’s wife behind the young couple.

Micah glanced up at them and nodded at the book. “I use the Book o’Common Prayer, 1662. Hope that’s satisfactory to you. Seems to me it’s lasted this long, must be a good one!” They nodded. Rafe reached over and took Livvie’s hand, but they kept their eyes on the man who would join them in matrimony. Micah began.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence, and first miracle that He wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men, and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained:

First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of His holy name. Secondly, it was ordained for the remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication, that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ’s body. Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.”

He looked around at the room as if there were a hundred in attendance, then nodded solemnly at the silence. Looking at the young couple, he said, “I require and charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be exposed, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it. For be you well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God’s Word does allow are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.” His eyes twinkled behind his glasses, but he looked at them very solemnly indeed. Neither said a word, and Micah smiled happily, turning his attention to Rafe.

“Rafael Colton, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

Rafe smiled and said loudly, “I will.”

Turning to Livvie, Michah said, “Olivia Byrd, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

Teary eyed, Livvie answered, “I will.”

Micah smiled more broadly and asked, “Have you rings?” When both shook their heads, he continued. “Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. For as much as Rafael and Olivia have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and by the joining of hands, I pronounce that they be man and wife together!”

The four witnesses broke into applause, and Micah’s grin split his beard nearly in two. Rafe took his new bride in his arms and kissed her gently as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They looked up shyly, still entwined.

Mrs. Micah Greene had prepared a light celebratory meal of lemon cakes and tea, with plenty of cream and sugar. Mrs. Jeb Greene had brought fresh baked sticky rolls. They ate, Rafe and Livvie having not stopped for a meal on their drive to Charleston. After an hour, Rafe took his wife’s hand and interrupted the cousins, who were discussing the new Confederate States and what Lincoln would or would not do about the fledgling nation.

“Excuse me, sirs, but we really must be headin’ out. I still have to go to headquarters and fill out my papers for the militia before this day’s over.” He held out his hand. “I thank you both so kindly for your help and care today. One day I’ll repay you, Mr. Greene. I swear it.”

Jeb shook his head and took the young man in a hug. “It’s my gift to you, son. That apprenticeship is still here if’n you want it after you’re done soldierin’, you hear? And you, Mrs. Colton, if you need anythin’ a’tall while your young buck is wearing the uniform, you come see Jeb Greene.” He let Rafe go and locked her in an equally strong embrace.

Mrs. Greene gave her a more womanly hug and a peck on the cheek. “Y’all go on now. You make a mighty fine couple, I must say. The good Lord has some plans for you, I just know it.” She smiled, her dimples showing, her eyes bright.

“Goodbye!” called Livvie as they made their way outside. She waved happily. “Goodbye, and God bless!”

Rafe kissed her lightly as he helped her into the cart. “Mrs. Colton, your seat?”

Livvie put her hands on his shoulders, looked deeply into the blue eyes she loved so much, and kissed him again, deeper, harder, and full of promise.
My husband!
she thought.
My husband, and I’m his lawful wedded wife. God has joined us, and no man, not even my daddy, can put us asunder.
She laughed aloud as Rafe made his way around the cart and pulled up into the seat.

“And what’s so funny then, Mrs. Colton?” he asked teasingly.

Snuggling next to him, her arms wrapped around his as he flicked the reins, she grinned. “I’ve never been so happy in all my life!”