The Travellers Chronicles Book Five: To Build A Country

Chapter Four

22 February 1862

On this date, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the only President of the Confederate States of America.

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March 1862

After Christmas, Samuel was sent on campaign. While there Tess received a letter from him.

Mr. Secretary,

I am writing to you this day to ask for your daughter, Adelaide's, hand in marriage. I am an upstanding man who graduated at the top of his class at West Point and hold the position of Captain in the Union Army. I am not as wealthy as your family, but I am well off enough to provide a comfortable life for your daughter. Please consider me as a future son-in-law.

Yours,
Samuel Lewis, Captain of the 7th Dragoons

After reading it in her office, Tess went to the parlor where she found Sybille reading. Lisette was nowhere to be found. Just to be safe, she had Sybille soundproof the room before she broached the subject. "Mr. Lewis has written to me asking for Lisette's hand."

Sybille clapped in joy. "That is wonderful! At least, it will be if he accepts her for all she is."

"I agree. So, I should tell him we would bless the marriage as long as it is what Lisette wants?"

"Please do!" Sybille sighed happily. "Ah, a wedding, I cannot wait to plan it."

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Dear Captain Lewis,

You have many fair points in favour of you marrying my daughter, and though my wife and I will support it, it is not our decision to make; you must ask Adelaide. She would not care whether or not I blessed the marriage as she is her own person. However, I do hope she agrees. You would be a welcomed addition to the family.

Yours,
Henry Davies, Secretary of State

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April 1861

Tess and Sybille had left after supper for a ball held by the Secretary of the Navy and his wife. It was well past time for the servants to finish their work when a knock came to the door. Letting Hughes get it, Lisette looked out her window to find Samuel at the door. Uncaring that she was already in her nightclothes, Lisette raced down the stairs to Samuel. Hughes was trying to get him to leave for the night.

"Hughes, allow him entry." Lisette ordered.

"But Miss, it is not proper. There will be no one to chaperone you."

Lisette rolled her eyes. "It is fine, my parents will not mind. Now, let him in." With a huge sigh of defeat, Hughes stepped to the side and let him in. Lisette ran to him, and Samuel caught her in his arms. She kissed him passionately, a preview of the night she had planned. "Come."

Taking his hand, Lisette pulled Samuel up to her room. Before she could open the door, he stopped her. "I can very well guess where you plan for this evening to go, and I must decline. I do not want to ruin your reputation."

"None will know." Lisette assured him. "Love making could never ruin a person, only make them better." She blushed before adding on to that statement. "Besides, I am truly in love with you."

Samuel felt a blooming in his chest at her words. He kissed her forehead. "I love you truly as well. But is it right?"

"It is. For love making can only enhance a relationship." He did not seem convinced. "Samuel, I see you so very rarely because of your work. Soon, you will go off to battle and neither of us can know the outcome of that. I want to make love to you because I am in love with you. I want to have, even if it is one moment, the memory of your touch. Of your kiss, of your love for me."