The dancing continued until it was time for the cake and the toasts. Charlie had been anticipating this moment eagerly, as it signaled the time when he could take Rebecca off to their room. Richard had been dreading it, for it was up to him to deliver the first toast.
Duncan and Raiford carried in the wedding cake, while other troopers passed more champagne. Charlie and Elizabeth stepped behind the cake, while Richard stood before them with a raised glass.
Richard grinned. Charlie looked concerned, having a vague memory of the toast at his party the previous night. "Today," Richard began slowly, looking at Charlie, "I lost my position as the first person best friend turns to when things are difficult. He has found a lovely lady to spend his life with and I am exceptionally happy for him. I hope that Miss Rebecca finds him to be not only a wonderful husband, but also the best friend she has ever had. To Charlie and Rebecca Redmond, may they only know happiness for a very long time to come."
"Charlie and Rebecca!" rang through the room as the guests joined Richard in his good wishes.
General Grant stepped forward. A normally retiring, soft-spoken man, those at the farthest corners of the ballroom had to strain to hear him.
"Just about eighteen years ago, when I was a second lieutenant serving in Mexico under Zachary Taylor, I had the honor of serving with a young Captain from Virginia, Robert Lee. After the horrors of the Battle of Buena Vista, Captain Lee and I had observed the valor and skill of a young recruit who rose to command with a field promotion to second lieutenant. Both of us endorsed this young man to our commanders as true officer material. Over the years, we watched Charlie Redmond rise through the ranks, always the model of a soldier and a gentleman. I, for one, never thought he would find a place in the world outside of the Army. It gives me great joy to be here at his wedding. I am just sorry my wife could not join us in wishing you, Charlie and Rebecca, all of the best. We will be sorry to lose you from the Army when this war is over, but I can tell you folks of Culpeper, and I think our old friend General Lee would agree, you are getting one of the Army’s best."
To hear Grant, who, to Mrs. Williams, was the devil incarnate, speak of his friendship with the hallowed General Lee was incredible. The woman was overwhelmed; first her husband had chastised her publicly, and now she discovered that the abominable Redmond was a friend of Lee’s. It was too much. She fainted dead away, creating quite a stir in the room.
Charlie looked over at the woman with a raised eyebrow. "Looks like she finally exceeded her limit."
Chapter 27
Saturday, January 28, 1865
Finally, Charlie and Rebecca had escaped the wedding party. Tess had taken Em up to bed before the dancing began, much to Charlie’s relief. The local guests left in varying degrees of sobriety. Mrs. Williams had spent the last part of the evening reclining in one of the small sitting rooms, supported by an elderly cousin. Richard had been hard pressed to relieve Elizabeth of her vial of pepper oil and replace it with smelling salts when reviving the offensive woman. Reverend Williams remained downstairs for the rest of the toasts and the cake.
Charlie stood regarding his bride, who was still flushed with the excitement of the last few minutes of the evening. Following tradition, she had tossed her bouquet from the top of the stairs. Her aim had been good; Elizabeth was hit squarely in the chest.
"You know, darling, marriage seems to be bringing out the imp in you. You certainly managed to embarrass our dear friend the doctor this evening. Did you know that Richard asked her to marry him tonight?"
"Elizabeth made a comment about it. She is very nervous."
"You think she is nervous? Richard may have left bruises on my arm from hammering on it as he told me. It was actually funny. He kept saying, ‘‘My God, Charlie, do you know what I have done? I really did it –– right in front of Sheridan and Grant. If I back out, Sheridan will have my ass for breakfast, I think.’ The babble level was amazing."
"Oh yes, Elizabeth certainly did not expect him to propose tonight, Charlie." Rebecca made small talk as she prepared for bed. She turned to him offering him the buttons of her dress. "Would you please?"
Charlie’s hands were shaking. They had slept together every night for several months. They had made love frequently after his return from Washington and that first fantastic night. But tonight was different. Tonight he was going to claim her as his own, his wife, his love, his future. Carefully, he began unbuttoning her bodice. The soft skin at the back of her neck was too tempting; he leaned down and tenderly kissed her shoulder.
"Charlie, if you finish the buttons, I can get out of this dress," she reminded him even as her hand went back and caressed his cheek.
Charlie tore himself from the tender skin and turned more of his attention to her dress. This night of all nights, he was enjoying being her lady’s maid. He had more than enough of waiting, of being with other people. He just wanted to be with Rebecca. The bodice came off, and Charlie untied the laces of her full skirts, letting them pool at her feet. She stood before him, wearing her pantaloons, chemise and jewelry. He turned her to face him. "You are beautiful, my wife."
She reached out for the buttons of his vest. "And you are overdressed."
"That can be remedied. Which side of me do you want tonight, darling? The man or the woman?"
"I just want you, Charlie, all of you. Tonight is our night to explore and learn."
Charlie shed his sword belt and sash, then his coat and the unbuttoned vest. Slowly, teasingly, as if he were performing a dance, he eased his cravat off and began unbuttoning his shirt. Soon he was standing before her in boots, britches and open shirt, with the bindings showing through the placket. It was a halfway point in his mind, presenting Rebecca with both the male and female aspects of who he was.
Rebecca approached slowly. She pulled Charlie's shirt from his trousers and slipped it from his shoulders. As the shirt dropped to the floor, Rebecca wrapped her arms around Charlie and started working the bindings free. "I love you, my handsome gentleman." When the bindings fell the way of the shirt, she continued, "and I adore you, my beautiful woman." She then began working the clasp on the trousers, all the time leaving soft kisses on Charlie’s shoulders and collarbone.
Charlie ran her hands under Rebecca’s chemise and slowly slid it up her body. Rebecca briefly broke off her attentions to Charlie to let him lift it over her head.
Rebecca smiled at her. "I think we should go to bed." She slowly stepped out of her shoes as her hands went to her hair, removing a few pins and letting it drop around her shoulders. She turned her back on Charlie, removed her necklace and then, very slowly, she pushed her pantaloons to the floor, making sure to bend over slowly as she did so.
Charlie stopped breathing. This beautiful woman wanted her, desired her, and was clearly seducing her, offering Charlie everything she had ever dreamed of. Softly, Charlie caressed Rebecca’s back, running her fingertips down the strong muscles on either side of her spine, over the firm globes and down the backs of her thighs, as if reading her own future with the touch.
Rebecca turned around, smiling shyly, holding her hands in a position of false modesty. After all, they had already made love several times and she was not sure there was anything left undone between them. But she wanted to give Charlie the image of the nervous bride.
Charlie tipped her face up to look into her eyes and tenderly kissed her. Slowly, thoroughly, she made it clear to Rebecca that this night was going to be devoted to sensual love. As the kiss continued, Charlie’s hands slid back and tangled in Rebecca’s long, blonde locks. They were both breathing hard when the kiss ended. Charlie swept Rebecca up in her arms and carried her to the bed, laying her down on the soft cotton sheets then stepping away to finish undressing herself. As she pulled her boots and britches off, she wondered how Rebecca would respond to what she had planned for the evening.