Ashes of Thornwood

Chapter 9

Christmas arrived at Thornewood with a bitter chill that seemed to seep into every corner of the house, turning its stately grandeur into something stark and unwelcoming. The festive season, once marked by warmth and joy, now felt tainted by the ever-present weight of war and the suffocating secrets that had wormed their way into every wall of this grand estate.

I stood by the parlor window, my breath fogging up the glass as I stared out at the snow-covered fields, their pristine white blanket stretching endlessly beneath the pale winter sky. The barren landscape felt like a mirror to the desolation growing inside me, each snowflake a reminder of the coldness that had settled over Thornewood since the war began. The house, once alive with laughter and light during the holidays, now stood like a silent sentinel, guarding the secrets that clung to its walls.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Sebastian entering the room, his face etched with worry. The weariness in his eyes told me that whatever news he carried, it was not good.

"Evie," he said softly, his voice heavy with the weight of unspoken fears. "There's something we need to discuss."

My heart tightened as I followed him to the settee near the fire. He took my hand, his grip firm yet trembling, and I could feel the tension in his body. The crackling of the fire was the only sound as we sat together in silence, the warmth doing little to ease the chill in my bones.

"What's wrong, Sebastian?" I asked, though I already feared the answer.

He hesitated, his gaze searching mine as if seeking the strength to speak. "It's Mr. Blackwood," he began, his voice low and troubled. "He's been pressuring me...pressuring all of us."

I had suspected as much, but hearing the words from Sebastian's lips made the threat feel all too real. "What does he want?" I asked, though I dreaded the answer.

Sebastian sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off an impending headache. "He wants us to support the Confederacy more openly. He's talking about sheltering soldiers here, providing funds, and more. It's becoming a demand, not just a suggestion."

My stomach churned at the thought of becoming entwined with the Confederacy's cause, something I knew Sebastian had tried to avoid. "But you don't want to, do you?" I asked, needing to hear his resolve.

He shook his head, his expression torn between frustration and fear. "Of course not, but it's not that simple. Blackwood has connections—dangerous ones. If we refuse, the consequences could be severe. For all of us."

"And your mother? What does she think?" I could hardly breathe, the walls of the room seeming to close in around us.

Sebastian let out a bitter laugh, one that held no humor. "She's torn. She's always supported the South, but even she's wary of Blackwood's tactics. Yet, she fears what will happen to Thornewood if we don't comply. She's terrified of losing everything."

A cold dread settled in my chest. Mrs. Thorne, for all her flaws, had always been a pillar of strength. If she was afraid, then the threat was not just real—it was imminent.

"What do we do?" My voice trembled as I asked the question, the enormity of our situation pressing down on me. "How do we keep ourselves safe without becoming part of something so...wrong?"

Sebastian's grip on my hand tightened, his eyes filled with anguish. "I don't know, Evie. But we have to be careful. We can't afford any missteps."

Before I could respond, the door to the parlor creaked open, and Mr. Blackwood strode in, his presence as unnerving as always. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of us, his expression a mixture of suspicion and disdain.