Rebel Heart: (Swept Away) Of Life and Love during the American Civil War

She is going to show him

Jenny reacted instinctively to his strong embrace and the feel of his lips on hers. She pressed her body on his, not wanting him to leave.

But, it was over all too soon as he stood up tall and straight.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" she asked. My pa and brother go to bed early cause they're early risers."

She saw him seem to look at her, as if he were considering the invitation. "No, can't stay as I'm going on to Samantha's."

Jenny's heart sank in her chest. She had thought that he had come only to see her. But no, this was only his usual stop along the way to her house. Quickly, she tried to compose herself, struggling to hide her feelings and to be civil. "But it's so late, Daniel," she said, those being the only words she could come up with.

"Oh, the horse knows the way I think, even in the dark and there's a half moon rising."

"But would she be expecting you so late?"

"She likes to sleep in, so I'm fairly sure she'll still be up reading by candlelight."

As it was obvious to Jenny that the man was ready to be on his way, she told him, "Thank you for coming by, Daniel. It was just lovely taking that ride with you and seeing the sun go down over the lake."

He was already stepping away, but turned to say, "You are really nice to be with, Jenny. You're special." With that, he was quickly at the gate, and opening it turned to wave goodbye to Jenny, whose feet hadn't moved at all since he walked away from her.

She felt rooted to the spot, watching as he stepped into the buggy, told the horse go forward, and drove away. How could he do that? she wondered. How could he be there with her, even talking of the things about the war he didn't want to talk about? She felt they had shared so much, how could he now simply drive off to see another woman? Did he share his feelings that way with Samantha? she wondered.

She walked slowly back to the front door of her house, and still thinking, opened it. The house was dark, save for a lone candle left burning by her father until she returned.

* * *

Jenny saw Daniel three more times in the short time he was on furlough. She never knew which day he would come, so she tried to always look her best. But it was always the same; he was stopping by on his way to Samantha's. What kind of a spell did that girl have on him?

In the meantime, her older brother also came home. How she and her family rejoiced to see him hail and hearty, still tanned from the sun, with some stories to tell. Jenny loved having him back, but she feared for when he would have to return. Then, there was something else she feared. Jeb had left to join the Union forces, while most of her town supported the South. She prayed there would be no animosity toward him.

A letter came in the mail. Addressed to the family, her father after glancing at it handed it to her. Jenny took it to her room. In fine lettering, there was much information included in the announcement, and she wanted to read it closely when she had more time. There was still some light left in the winter day by the time she had cleaned up after the meal. She rinsed her hands with water, drying them on her apron and went to her room to get the announcement. Standing by the light coming in from the window, she read it carefully.

"Music will be provided by Mr. Mandall at the piano with Mr. Taylor and his daughter Emily accompanying him on fiddle. The dance managers are: (She read the list of men who were to officiate and provide guidance to those participating.) The missive continued, "As a number of our brave fighting men are currently on furlough from the army, we enjoin all present, especially the ladies, to honor them with our typical southern hospitality. We do not turn a gentleman down who asks for a dance unless previously spoken for or temporarily fatigued from dancing. Proper respect is to curtsy to him at the beginning of each dance and at the end.

Gentlemen, it is your right and obligation to offer your protection to the lady whose hand you hold at the dance. Proper respect is to bow to her before each dance and after. When the dance is over, escort her back to her chair.

We will not speak of dancing attire, as it should not be necessary, except to clarify that white gloves are the appropriate dress for both men and women for a formal dance."

Jenny read the rest of the announcement, and then sat down on her bed. It came to her that it might be the last time she would see Daniel before he had to go back. The thought came to her that it would be the best time to dress in such a way that he could not help but notice her. A smile came to her lips as her imagination took over.

That was Daniel's problem, she suddenly decided. He still thought of her as a girl. Well, she intended to show him, in a way that every man could understand, that she was a woman, one with her fair share of feminine curves. Now, how to do it. The first thing she thought of was her mother's corset. One she remembered helping her tie up in back. That would emphasize her figure. Then, she could easily make an alteration to her best dress. One to bring the neckline down lower. She smiled in anticipation. Daniel was going to know without a doubt that she was a grown up woman. She would leave no doubt in his mind.

The sky was darkening early, as it always did in winter. But it was not too late to visit Sarah. Like herself, she did not go to bed when the sun went down. Hurriedly, she put on her coat, and not telling anyone, was out the door, then quietly closing the front yard gate.

It took only a few minutes to reach her house, and looking up, she saw there was a light on in her room. Not sure if her parents had already gone to bed, she hesitated at the door, and then decided to try knocking quite softly.

Sarah came down from her room, opened the unlocked door, and ushered her in. She was wearing her night robe, but looked far from sleepy. "Jenny! Nice to see you. What's up!" She spoke softly, so as not to wake her parents.

Jenny kept her voice lowered as well, but that didn't detract from the eagerness in her voice. "Just got the ball announcement. So exciting. Did you get it too?"

"Oh, yes. Just this afternoon. I'm so glad. It's been so long since the town put one on. Everyone will be there."

"Including Daniel and some of the other men on furlough. I'm making plans about him."

"Plans? What do you mean?"

"Well, you know how I care about him. And that he thinks Samantha is the one for him."

"Yes, yes, I very much know that," she answered, seeming impatient to know the rest.

"Here's what I'm thinking. Daniel still thinks of me as that girl he helped when I fainted in school. His young friend, but not a full grown woman."

Sarah cocked her, head, looking at her friend from another angle. "You may be right. But what can you do about it?"

Jenny regarded Sarah in the last of twilight coming through the windows before answering. "Show him something. Show him enough so he will have no doubt that I'm a fully filled out woman."

Sarah laughed, quickly holding her hands in front of her mouth so as not to waken her parents.

Jenny didn't know what to think of her friend's reaction, and stood looking at her.

"I love it!" she finally said. "You, who have always been so modest. And, maybe it will work. Who knows when it comes to men." She wrapped her arms around Jenny. "Let me help you with what you will wear. Oh, Jenny, this is delicious. When we are done, you are going to be turning heads. I'm so excited for you already."

They talked and talked some more. Later, Jenny left from Sarah's with a bounce in her step and a smile on her lips. She was going to do it. She was going to do what she needed to do to make him notice her.

Hope you liked this part. What do you think? Is Jenny's plan is going to work?