The Sun Rises (Southern Legacy Book 4) by Jerri Hines Page B

had not changed his blood-stained clothes, but he had washed up. Turning back to her, his eyes lit on the empty glass on the table beside her and walked over to the decanter.
    “Would you like another? I find I need one myself.” Andrew lifted the decanter.
    Ladies of quality would never drink hard liquor in the presence of a gentleman. At the moment, neither was she a lady or Andrew a gentleman. She handed him her glass. “Don’t dawdle. Out with it,” she demanded contemptuously.
    “There’s not much to tell,” he said, grimly, drinking down the entire contents in one mouthful. “Mitchell’s alive, but barely. I told Gardner what had happened. Had no choice in the matter. He is watching him now.”
    Jo grimaced. Lord almighty! However were they going to keep him a secret if the whole of the plantation knew of his presence!  Her anger stirred. “I’m not taking a chance on getting caught with him. I don’t care how you do it, but move him!”
    Slowly, Andrew poured himself another drink and stared at it as he swirled the brandy around his glass. “I suppose I should tell you I’m grateful you did not turn him over to McCoy. I thought for sure it was your intention when you stormed out of the cabin.”
    “Spare me, Andrew. You know well enough I’m not that much of an idiot. McCoy would have condemned us all if he discovered the man. Why, I have no doubt Buck would have burnt Magnolia Bluff down! But I won’t have it! I won’t lose Magnolia Bluff over some dirty, lousy Yankee spy!”
    “Stop! I do not need you hammering at me. I will handle it.”
    “You won’t be able to if Buck…”
    “Jo, I know.” Andrew’s manner eased. “I will not make light of the situation and surely not Buck. It will bode well for you and the children to move into Charleston, at least for the time being.”
    Terror struck her. “You are afraid of what Buck will do?”
    “I certainly don’t trust the man, if that is what you ask. Thank goodness, I heard that Harry Lee is in a prison camp at Fort Delaware. I doubt Buck will try much of anything on his own, but while Mitchell recovers…if he recovers…it is best you aren’t here.”
    “We are set to leave for Charleston at the end of the week. Didn’t Derek see you? He went into Charleston…”
    “I have been so busy at the hospital that I’ve been staying there,” Andrew answered before she finished. “But Mother mentioned it in her last letter. I didn’t realize it was set.”
    “We will leave, but I want that  man  gone as soon as you are able to move him. I won’t have Magnolia Bluff jeopardized more than it already has been. We don’t need any suspicion upon us as Yankee sympathizers.”
    “Josephine, don’t let Buck’s words gnaw at you,” Andrew directed, suddenly showing a little compassion toward her. “If it concerns you about what you did to save little Tome, don’t. We need to do what we must and not be dictated by others’ perception of what is right.”
    “You’re wrong,” Jo snapped. “We have to be concerned about what is whispered. Everyone is on edge…we have to do everything…everything to protect Magnolia Bluff. Wade…Wade can’t be forgotten…”
    “I, too, hold to Wade’s memory. Trust me, Jo. I will do everything in my power to ensure Magnolia Bluff will be whole for Percival.”
    Emotions overwhelmed her. Abruptly, she wiped back a silent tear. “You understand my position. I want nothing more to do with that Yankee. You will take care of it without causing attention to the family.”
    “I give you my word.” Andrew nodded in agreement and stood aside as she made her way through the door in silence.
    * * * *
    Rain pounded against the windowpanes. It had been relentless most of the night. Jo knew because she had found little sleep. She had been up most of the night with her daughter. The little one was teething. Finally, she had been able to lay Madeline down without her screaming.
    She prayed Percival wouldn’t