Thirty -three
When the laughter had quieted, Beaumont made his presence known. "Hello." He shouted in a voice full of good humor.
Startled, those sitting around the breakfast table jumped at the realization they were not alone. Matt, whose weak right hand was wrapped around the handle of a buttermilk pitcher, lost control, dropping the container to the table with a crash, and sending the contents of the broken pitcher flying up in the air and splashing Kitty, Frankie and himself.
This was the scene that met Beau's eyes. Thick buttermilk dripped from the faces of the ten-day girl and Kitty, while it clung to the wild beard and eyebrows of Kitty's half-witted brother-in-law. Except now, Beaumont Davis wasn't so sure exactly how disabled the mind of the man actually was. "Allow me." Beau offered as he handed Kitty a dishtowel that had been hanging from a cupboard knob. He couldn't help but smile, for even in this soggy state she looked enchanting. "'My heartfelt apologies for startling you, I knocked at the door, but no one answered."
Kitty, ever the quick study, gave Beau a hasty, "thank you", for the towel and hurried to Matt's side.
While running the towel over his face she crooned words of comfort. "There there, it's alright. I know you didn't mean to drop the pitcher." She practically stuffed the towel is his mouth to stop any comments that might further give away his mental competency.
She turned her attention briefly to Frankie, "Lilly, please take Matt into the washroom and get him cleaned up."
Frankie had fully donned her Lilly persona, "Come on Abe, let's see if'n we kin squeeze the buttermilk outa them whiskers of your'n."
Kitty, who'd gotten the least of the buttermilk shower looked over to Beau with a willing smile.
He raised his palms in supplication. "Again, my dear, I apologize for surprising everyone so. It certainly sounded like a rollicking good time in here. I thought I heard your brother-in-law's voice. He sounded almost … normal."
Kitty could feel the pulse beating at the base of her throat, her 'tell' was showing and she hoped Beau wasn't knowledgeable enough to realize. "He does have his moments when he seems more like the man I used to know. But, I'm sorry to say they don't last long. They come and go quite suddenly. I'm losing hope that he will ever be what he was."
Almost imperceptibly, Beau's eyes narrowed and there was a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "It looks like you've civilized Lilly some as well."
Kitty's response was genuine. "She's a diamond in the rough Beau, I don't know what I would have done without her. I'm hoping to convince her to return home with us."
There were sounds coming from the washroom, apparently Frankie had persuaded Matt to play his part, for they heard guttural grunts and a series of gibberish spattered, 'no-no no'.
Beau seemed to weigh the evidence for a moment and then he asked, "Kitty, please, will you come fishing with me? Let me take you away from this for a little while. I have my boat docked, it's a lovely morning, and I even have a small repast packed in a wicker hamper.'
Here it was, Kitty thought, the door was opened and she knew she had to step through. "I'd love to."
GS GS GS GS GS
The river flowed with a most gentle current that morning. The breeze that wafted through her hair was almost summer like. She had worn a simple outfit, of dark skirt and white button-front shirt. She had left the top buttons undone and popped up the collar in the back, making her neck appear long and graceful. On her head was a tattered straw sunbonnet she'd found hanging on the sun porch. Her hair was tied at the nape with a black velvet ribbon and only a minimum of face powder concealed her freckles. They sat on opposite seats facing one another, giving Beau a clear perspective on his companion. She looked very young to him and very compelling.
Beau's fishing boat was made of highly waxed cedar, with a wide flat bottom and comfortable cushioned seats, it was a far cry from the battered dinghy she and Matt had hauled from the storage shed. Beau had rowed the small vessel to a hidden cove on the opposite shore and it was here he dropped anchor. He reached for one of several fishing poles he carried on board, baited the hook with a fine squirming night crawler and then handed it to Kitty. He did the same for his own behalf.
The overheard conversation back at the cottage, had produced doubt in his mind. He was concerned with Kitty's allegiance and wondered if she might be a spy in his uncle's employ. The talk of General Jackson and the Alabama 120th added fuel to his suspicion. With mild wariness, he had fishing of another nature in mind. "You mentioned taking Lilly with you when you return South … are you planning on leaving soon?"
"Matthew is much stronger than he was, But, I'm not sure that he is ready yet to travel any great distance."
"I'm glad."
She smiled. "Why?"
"It gives me time to convince you to stay."
"Georgia's my home."
He dug into the hamper and offered her a sandwich. "But, there is nothing left for you there."
She unwrapped the waxed paper from the bread, and took a bite. She chewed and swallowed. "Beau, I have my memories …"
He pulled a chorded rope hanging over the side of the boat and produced a bottle of champagne.
She laughed. "A little early in the day for the bubbly, isn't it?"
He popped the cork and poured them each a glass, "The French consider it the height of good taste to drink champagne with breakfast. I prefer mine with a strawberry, but alas they are not in season."
He held his glass to hers until a 'clink' was heard, "May I propose a toast? To our future Kitty, to leaving the past to it's memories and opening the door to new adventures and to new love."
She was quiet, her eyes downcast, she bit her lip before looking up and asking him the question with a tentative voice. "With you?"
His smile all but disarmed her. "If you'll let me."
"Beau, we hardly know each other."
"That can easily be remedied. Allow me to introduce myself, I am your humble servant, Beaumont T. Davis."
She laughed then, for he was as charming a man as she had ever met and had her heart been free, she could have easily become victim to the attraction. "Tell me about yourself Beau, did you fight in the war?"
He looked at her with true regret in his eyes. "No, sad to say, I did not. I was in Europe at the time, attending University at Oxford. I begged to come home, but my family felt it best that I stay and finish my education."
"I know your Grandmother's loyalty is to the South, but what about your family?"
He took a sip of the champagne, savoring it a moment before swallowing. "My family settled Davis Port in 1730, my father was a staunch supporter of the North, a Union loyalist. My mother strongly disagreed with his opinion, her heart remained with her family at Narcissus in Bloom. Considering their differing viewpoint, it is perhaps wise I stayed out of the conflict."
"How did your Grandmother feel about that?" Kitty asked as Beau's line began to tug. "Oh! You gotta bite!" She exclaimed excitedly. She grabbed Beau's glass as he jumped to his feet rocking the boat as he did. The champagne spilled over to her skirt, but she didn't notice. He began to frantically work the line, but to no avail and the fish got away. He shrugged his shoulders and sat down again. She handed the glass back and they continued the conversation.
"Grandmother sacrificed a great deal, two of her sons were lost, one at Chickamauga and the other at Cold Harbor. Her remaining son … well, I think he has never admitted the war ended in defeat. I believe she was relieved that I was spared the trauma of war."
It was such a pleasant morning, that Kitty almost forgot she was on a covert mission. "Tell me about your family here in Virginia, Beau?"
He smiled, showing off his perfect teeth and his irresistible dimples. "I was the only child of an only child. Any family celebrations were spent with Mother's relatives. She and I would take extended holidays to Narcissus, sometimes two or three months in duration. The only relation I recall on Father's side was a close cousin, who came to our house frequently when I was young. I remember, I called him Uncle Homer. He was, I believe a graduate of West Point, and later went on to serve in the Union Army. Funny, I haven't thought of him in years, I wonder what became of him?"
He reached for the champagne bottle and refilled her glass and then his own. "My sweet beautiful Mother passed away in December of '64. She simply fell asleep one night and never woke up again. I'm told Father was desolate without her and I suspect he lost the will to live. He died six months later. By that time the war had ended, Lincoln was dead and I was on my way back home. Sadly, I did not arrive in time to bid him farewell."
"So, I came back to Davis Port and took over my father's business. I've done a good job, the store does well, our other interests are profitable. I'm what most eligible ladies consider a good catch Kitty."
She laughed at him then. "I'd settle for a little nibble on my hook today Beau."
He reached across to grab her hand and bring it to his lips, "Well my dear Kitty-cat, I think you've got that and more."