Shannon here: Mary Ellis shares how her character’s meet in an excerpt from her latest historical romance, The Lady and the Officer. Comment on any post dated August 6 – 8 to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: August 16th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Mary:
Excerpt from: The Lady and the Officer (the scene in which they meet)
Cashtown, Pennsylvania
Late June 1863
“Gentlemen, please take heed to what your horses are doing to my flowers!” Madeline Howard spoke with the indignation that simmered after two long years of war.
Four blue-clad officers paused in their conversation to gaze down on her wilted ageratums and hollyhocks. The flowers were trampled almost beyond recognition beneath their horses’ hooves. The soldiers offered faint smiles of regret and then resumed their postulating and pointing, affording her as much attention as they would to a gnat.
Except for one officer, who straightened in his saddle. Tugging gently on his reins, the man guided his mount out of the flower bed toward the road. “Good afternoon, miss. General James Downing, at your service. I apologize for the damage.” He tipped his hat and then turned his attention back to the others.
“Madeline Howard, General. Mrs. Howard.” She marched down the porch steps. “If you would kindly move your meeting to someone else’s yard, I shall be forever in your debt.”
A thin, gangly officer mounted on a sorrel mare was quick to retort before the general could reply. “See here, madam. In case you’re unaware, the war has come to the fine Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the arrival of Robert E. Lee’s infantry. Unfortunately, your posies are of no importance to the Union Army—”
“I’m well aware of the war, sir. My husband died on the banks of Bull Run Creek, leaving me alone to run this farm.” Madeline settled her hands on her hips with growing indignation. “Those Rebs you’re chasing marched through last week, stripping every ear of corn from my fields and every apple from my orchard. They stole my chickens, killed my hogs, and led my milk cow away on a tether. They took every bit of food from my kitchen and larder. So if I request that you not trample my flowers for no apparent reason, I would think you could oblige me!” Madeline completed her diatribe with a flushed face and sweating palms. After months of privation, she had finally lost her temper.
Silence reigned for several moments as the officers stared at her in disbelief. Then General Downing addressed the wiry, haughty officer. “Major Henry, you will order the troops to remain within the confines of the road so as to not needlessly damage civilian property.” Along the highway, enlisted soldiers trudged in formation toward town, raising a cloud of dust that would linger for days.
Saluting, the major and the other officers spurred their horses and rode off, leaving Madeline’s garden empty but ruined.
“Please accept my apologies, madam. And I thank you for your husband’s sacrifice to our country.” General Downing pulled off his leather glove and extended his hand to her.
“Thank you.” Temporarily flummoxed, Madeline reached up and gave his callused fingers a quick shake.
“I will do my best to protect your town from further harm.” He held her fingers and gaze far longer than necessary…or proper.
Tugging her hand free, she retreated backward so quickly she trampled the few remaining blooms missed by the horses. She felt a flush climb her neck as she picked up her skirt and ascended the steps. Pausing in the shelter of her porch, she looked back at the man who still sat watching. He bowed a second time, replaced his glove, and galloped away, adding another cloud of dust to the heavy air. Madeline retreated inside and slammed the door, not pleased with her behavior.
She wasn’t a woman who normally became flustered in the company of men. Remembering the trampled flowers under her feet, she shook her head. At thirty years old and widowed for the last two, she had no time for silly flirtations or coquetry. When her wits returned, Madeline went out to her stable to check the animals. The din of artillery shelling all morning had made her mares skittish. If it hadn’t been for quick thinking last week, her beloved horse stock—Tobias’ pride and joy—would now be in the hands of the enemy. She stroked their sweaty flanks and scratched their noses, trying to calm them with soft words and a gentle touch.
About Mary: Mary Ellis has written twelve bestselling novels set in the Amish community. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate. Living in Harmony, book one of her last series won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction. Love Comes to Paradise won the 2013 Lime Award.
Her most recent Amish book is A Plain Man. She is currently working on a three-book series of historical romances set during the Civil War for Harvest House Publishers. The Quaker and the Rebel released in January and The Lady and the Officer releases in July. Learn more and connect: www.maryellis.net, www.maryeellis.wordpress.com, https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236
About the book – The Lady and the Officer:
Love, loyalty, and espionage…how does a lady live with all three?
As a nurse after the devastating battle of Gettysburg, Madeline Howard saves the life of Elliot Haywood, a colonel in the Confederacy. But even though she must soon make her home in the South, her heart and political sympathies belong to General James Downing, a Union Army corps commander.
Colonel Haywood has not forgotten the beautiful nurse who did so much for him, and when he unexpectedly meets her again in Richmond, he is determined to win her. While spending time with army officers and war department officials in her aunt and uncle’s palatial home, Madeline overhears plans for Confederate attacks against the Union soldiers. She knows passing along this information may save the life of her beloved James, but at what cost?
Can she really betray the trust of her family and friends? Is it right to allow Elliott to dream of a future with her? Two men are in love with Madeline. Will her faith in God show her the way to a bright future, or will her choices bring devastation on those she loves?
Come back August 11th for Amber Stockton!
shelia hall says
love to win the book!
Bonnie Traher says
Looks like a must read.
Rhonda Gayle Nash-Hall says
looks like a wonderful book and I would love to win a copy! Rhonda
nashhall AT aol DOT com
Abbi Hart says
Looks good!
gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)com
Melanie Backus says
This book sounds like a winner to me!
melback at cebridge dot net
Maxie Anderson says
I loved reading this about Mary’s book and about her. I would love a chance to win this book.
Thanks for the give-away. Maxie .> mac (at) me (dot) com <
Britney Adams says
I love the excerpt! Thank you for sharing and for the chance to be a winner!
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Melanie Backus says
I am so behind in my following……Mary’s book sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing and the giveaway!
melback at cebridge dot net
stvannatter says
I have a winner! Joye won the drawing for Mary’s book. I appreciate Mary for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.