Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Page B

curves of her lips. “I was just passing by in my carriage when it came to me just how hard you work. No time for relaxation it would seem, or even a leisurely meal. A man does have to eat, doesn’t he, Captain? And you can hardly be blamed for taking a few moments to do so. I know of a divine little place in the Vieux Carré where they serve the most delicious shrimp. Would you care to join me, Captain?” Though she was all smiles and coy looks, she held her breath awaiting his answer. She had secretly planned for this all week, and she would be crushed if he disappointed her now.
    “I must humbly apologize, Miss Craighugh. Ihave wounded left to attend to. Otherwise, I would be most anxious to enjoy your company.”
    Roberta hid her annoyance. This was no mewling schoolboy she could lead about on a string and expect him to obey her whim. She tried another ploy. “It wouldn’t be a terribly great distance for you to ride out and join us for supper this evening.”
    Cole smiled at her persistence. “What would your father say about my coming, Miss Craighugh? I have the distinct feeling he’d just as soon not have his daughter consorting with a Yankee.”
    The corners of Roberta’s mouth turned upward coquettishly. “Why, Captain Latimer, you don’t impress me as a man who bothers himself with what fathers think.”
    Cole laughed, his eyes glowing as they lightly caressed her. “On the contrary, Miss Craighugh. I do worry about what fathers may think. As to your invitation, I would rather avoid the surprise and not come unannounced.”
    “Now don’t you worry about that. I know how to handle Daddy. Dulcie is cooking up a nice bouillabaisse, and you won’t want to miss it.”
    A lazy grin twisted his handsome lips, lightening her heart. “If nothing further develops, I should be free later this evening.”
    Roberta was coolly poised despite her elation. “I shall look forward to this evening then, Captain. Now, I really must let you get back to your duties.” She waited briefly in hopes of hearing protestations, but she had to conceal her disappointment again when he glanced almost imperceptibly toward the large, standing clock in the vestibule. She laid ahand tenderly across his lean knuckles as he strolled with her toward the entry. “I’ve held you away from your work long enough, Captain. You will forgive me, won’t you? I must not know much about doctoring to imagine you can come and go as you like.”
    “I am destroyed,” Cole responded as he guided her from the door and handed her into her carriage. “But I assure you that you have made my day considerably brighter.”
    “This evening then, Captain?” she murmured demurely.
    “This evening.” Cole smiled and saluted her, then spinning on a heel ran back into the hospital without a backward glance.
    Roberta watched him go, and the thought of that lean form guiding her across a ballroom floor was almost overwhelming. And all that money! She could not suppress a delicious shudder at the thought. She rapped the back of the driver’s seat with her parasol.
    “Jedediah, take me around by Jackson Square before we go home. I haven’t been for a carriage ride in a month of Sundays.”
    As the carnage lurched into motion, Roberta raised the parasol to shield her carefully protected skin from the sun but not enough to hide her beauty from the soldiers who paused to stare.

Chapter 6
    M AJOR Magruder was waiting for Cole at the head of the stairs, his hands clenched behind his back and his legs braced wide apart. It was obvious he had been watching. “Quite a bit of fluff you’ve picked up there, Captain Latimer.”
    “Miss Craighugh,” Cole informed him and raised an eyebrow at the man’s apparent curiosity.
    “A Southern wench, I presume.”
    “Wench, hardly! Southern, yes. Al’s cousin, and I would be more selective in what is chosen for adjectives when the lad is within hearing. He has a way of setting one back on his heels.” Cole smiled at