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

Did he forget her?

A man she didn't know, with his hair slicked back and long sideburns came to her. He bowed slightly before where she sat on the chair and asked, "May I have the honor of the first waltz with you?"

Jenny looked at him. He seemed to have a gleam in his eye. She knew she must be polite. "Yes, Mr. . . ?

"So sorry, not to introduce myself. I am Theodore Turner, but friends call me Tad."

Tad was only one of many who swept her away in waltzes. Actually, she was beginning to grow tired of all the attention. What she really regretted, was when Daniel came to her, she had to turn him down for the next dance. Her card was already filled with that one and the next. It was hard for her to do, for he was the one she wanted to dance with the most.

Finally, his time came, and Jenny looked up into his eyes as he embraced her. The other men for her were only for dancing. With Daniel, she could relax and be herself.

Daniel looked into her eyes as they waited for the music to start. "You are so popular tonight," he said. He bowed toward her and she automatically curtsied to him.

"Too popular, all of a sudden," she sighed.

"A very beautiful dress," he noted, looking down at what showed of her bosom.

Jenny felt exposed, with his eyes on her, and she felt herself blushing.

"Very pretty," he added, still admiring her with a smile.

Jenny wondered. Was he talking about her breasts or her dress? "OK," she said, as the music finally started. "I've been wanting to dance with you, Daniel."

As the music continued, Jenny felt as if she could dance her whole life with him. She seemed to follow his lead automatically, as if they were one instead of two. Too soon, it was over, and she regretted that now she must dance with someone else. He bowed to her again and she curtsied, the custom they both knew, and he led her back to her chair, saying a quick word to Sarah at her side. "Daniel," she added quickly, as he started to leave, "I do hope you will stop again at the house before you have to leave. I want to give you something."

He came back to her, saying, "Jenny, I wouldn't miss saying goodbye to you before I have to go." Then he was gone, and already the next man on her list came before her.

She met Hank on one of the dances and learned he was Daniel's friend. That sparked her interest immediately. Actually, with all their talking, the dance was too short. She liked him and told him on leaving to be careful. "Take care of yourself, and try to find cover wherever you can if on the battlefield."

He smiled at her then, in a way that told her that she really didn't know what battle was like. Still, she added as they were parting, "And you help take care of Daniel too, and he you."

Hank broke into a great smile. "I will, Jenny," he said on leaving her.

Two dances later, it was Sarah who was dancing with Hank. He escorted her back to her chair, and in doing so winked to Jenny who also had returned to her chair. Jenny didn't know what the wink meant, but she kind of liked it. It was good knowing that Daniel had a fine friend, one who would be a good companion to him when they were fighting. 'Fighting,' suddenly the thought struck her. Both men could be gunned down. She put her hand over her mouth, not wanting to speak out loud her fear for them. She finally regained her composure, but it wasn't easy.

While Rex was dancing, for the first time neither Jenny nor Sarah had people scheduled to dance with them. They both welcomed the break. Then, they saw Rex out on the floor dancing with Samantha. When the dance was over, Rex took Samantha back to her chair next to Daniel. He returned to them in seeming high spirits, saying to them, "Seems I've been missing something. Have to say, country girls are special."

Sarah looked directly at Jenny, and the two girls exchanged not only glances but thoughts. Was Rex suddenly interested in Samantha?

The dance continued like that, an evening that seemed to be enjoyed by all. Then, Jenny noticed several men to one side of the hall. They were talking among themselves rather loudly, and not happily. Two of the dance managers came up to them, more words were spoken, and one of the managers went to talk to the musicians. The music stopped, and the man stood ready to make an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen. It has been brought to our attention that some of our ladies are refusing to dance with certain gentlemen. It has been expressed to us that the reason seems to be based on a man's sympathies for the north or south. Ladies, this is a town ball, open to all people in our county and their friends. Please do not show discourtesy to anyone by refusing to dance with a gentleman. Let us all enjoy the dance, and refrain from bringing up discussions of a political nature."

The music resumed, and as far as Jenny could tell, things went peaceably after that. Nevertheless, Rex, she, and Sarah had much to talk about as Rex drove them both home.

Rex was a gentleman, not only taking her home, but also walking her past her gate and to her front door, before returning to his carriage to take Sarah home.

As she spun through the door, Jenny was already thinking of when she would see Daniel again, in only two days. Unfortunately, it would be the last time, for then he would have to return to the army.

* * *

She waited. It was late in the afternoon when they had finished supper and she had cleaned the dishes. For the occasion, she wore her finest dress, other than her Sunday best, with a pretty blue apron. She had fixed her hair attractively, so that her tresses cascaded down her neck and shoulders, and even added color to her cheeks. She felt it was important that Daniel see her at her best, for he might be gone for a long time. She hoped not. She hoped the war would soon be over.

Time passed slowly as she continued to wait for him. As darkness began to fall, she became worried. Did he forget her? Was he not going to stop at all? Standing at the door that she had cracked open, listening to the sound of his buggy, she heard her father tell her, "Good night, Jenny."

"Night, Daddy," she answered.

What am I doing here? she began to think, waiting for a man who obviously had forgotten her. She stayed a while longer at the door as darkness, illuminated only by the light of a rising moon gradually fell over the country. Then, she went slowly up to her room. Saddened, she lit a candle, deciding she would read a bit before going to bed. It might help to take her mind off of Daniel's not coming.

Did she hear something outside? She went to the window and looked out, but didn't see anything. Of course not, it was dark outside and the big tree's leafless branches cast moon shadows in the yard. Then she heard a light tapping at the front door. Cheered, she rushed down the stairs and quickly opened the door. "Daniel," she said, breathless with pent up excitement.