T. Novan - Words Heard In Silence / Xena Uber

--*--

The gentleman had gone off to their own celebration and the ladies adjourned to the rear parlor for their own festivities where they were joined by Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Cooper, and Mrs. White. The men would be more in number, but Rebecca was sure the ladies would have just as good a time.

Sarah had laid out a very nice table of refreshments. Rebecca was peering into the bowl of punch, which had been set in the center of the table. Elizabeth joined her, looking in after her to see what was so fascinating. "What are you doing?"

"I think it is missing something."

Elizabeth ladled up a small cup and tasted it. "No, I think it is lovely, very fruity and refreshing."

"Trust me," Rebecca grinned and moved to a cabinet where she retrieved a bottle of Charlie’s best rum. "It is missing something."

Elizabeth's eyebrows rose. "I take it you want me to go to my own wedding with a hangover?"

"Well, my dear, you can drink slowly. However, if you should be in need, Sarah has a remedy that will take care of you." And with that, she poured the bottle into the punch. "I simply do not see why the men should have all the fun."

Elizabeth looked at her friend with wide eyes. She knew what Sarah used as a remedy for the hangover. It worked, but just trying to get it down one's throat was, in her opinion, probably worse than the hangover itself. "Oh, well, what the devil. Let us emulate our masculine partners on this one night. And Rebecca Redmond - if I am miserable tomorrow and need Sarah's cure, you have to drink one with me."

Rebecca ladled two cups out and handed one Elizabeth. "It is best enjoyed with a friend." She took a healthy drink of hers and coughed just a bit. "Very smooth." She choked, hoping her eyes would not tear up.

Elizabeth, having been involved in drinking contests with the gentlemen when out in the field, had the good sense to sip hers. "I think I will wait until the rest of our guests arrive before I indulge to the point of senselessness."

A moment later the parlor doors opened and the rest of the ladies entered escorted by Reg, who was trying desperately to be polite but make a quick retreat from this den of ladies. Ladies of any color in a bunch made Reg nervous.

Rebecca was kind enough to warn the ladies of the punch and told them she would be happy to provide other resources if they desired. She was not truly amazed when her offer was declined and each of the three pulled their own cups from the bowl.

"It is a party. Let us celebrate." Mrs. Cooper lifted her cup to her friends.

--*--

Charlie quietly closed the door and headed up the stairs, using his left hand on the banister to steady himself. He was by no means completely drunk, but he was nicely tight and, for the first time in a very long time, the pain in his body was all but forgotten.

He took the steps slowly, carefully then at the top he walked down the hall to their bedroom. He noticed the light was on and filtered under the door. Quietly he pushed the door open and immediately noticed something was not quite right. Just inside the door at his feet was the top of Rebecca dress. A foot or so past that was her skirt. He grinned like an idiot and began following the trail of clothing, which consisted of the layers required to make Rebecca’s dress look so full.

He stopped when he finally saw her, sitting up on the settee, near the fireplace. She was naked from the waist up, clad only in her pantalets, she had one shoe on and one bare foot, the other shoe and stocking had somehow managed to find their way to the center of the bed.

Quietly, he divested himself of his coat, tie, vest and boots. Clad only in his shirt, britches and socks, he padded over to the settee and stroked Rebecca's hair. "Rebecca, dear," he whispered.

"Hmm……" She opened rather bleary eyes, and then she smiled. "Charlie you are home."

"Good evening, darling. Um. Did you... wear yourself out this evening?"

"Huh? Oh no, the ladies and I had a delig……deligh……a good time."

The unmistakable aroma of rum hit Charlie straight in the face. Since he had been drinking brandy that night, the difference in aromas was unmistakable. "Um, Rebecca, darling, have you been indulging in the rum?"

"Not just me." She giggled. "I think Mr. Cooper is in for quite the surprise tonight." She began giggling harder to the extent that she fell over on the couch, continuing to laugh.

Charlie had a vivid image suddenly spring into his head, of five very outspoken women sitting around the parlor, with every inhibition they owned erased by the power of his Demerarra rum. It was a frightening image. "Darling, you need to get to bed. Let me help you finish undressing."

"Ooo Charlie, are you going to undress me and take me to bed?" She opened one eye and graced Charlie with an almost predatory look.

Charlie knew that look. He had first seen it on the last night they spent at the Willard. He checked in with his body and decided that yes, perhaps he was finally ready for the... exertion that satisfying that look required. In a low, slightly husky voice, he responded. "That, my dear is exactly what I am going to do."

"Oh good." She sat up and pulled Charlie to her. "I love you, I have missed making love with you." She gave Charlie a kiss he would have felt to his boots had he still been wearing them. As it was, his toes were very warm.

--*--

Saturday, June 17, 1865

The ladies spent the night at Redmond Stables. The plan was to prepare as much as possible, then withdraw to Mrs. Cooper’s for final touches. However, the effects of the previous evening were having a definite impact on the speed with which the ladies started their day.

Elizabeth staggered down to the kitchen, looking for Sarah and her magical hangover cure. The cook had taken time from her labors out in the summer kitchen to come into the main house to prepare breakfast for the family. "Lord a mercy, Miss Elizabeth. What happened to you?"

Rebecca appeared at that moment, using the doorjamb to support her rather shaky frame.

Elizabeth very slowly turned her head to Rebecca. "She happened to me."

Rebecca shaded her eyes against the morning glare as Charlie breezed in from the mudroom and opened the shades. "Good morning, ladies. It is a beautiful day. In fact, I would say a perfect day for a wedding." He smiled benignly, knowing full well that Rebecca had a head that could define the term ‘‘morning after.’ He suspected Elizabeth and the other ladies were in no better shape. "Sarah, I think a pair of poached eggs on toast would be just the thing today –– light enough to save plenty of room for your lovely dinner, but enough to stick to your ribs and stay with you. Why, let us make your morning simple. The same thing for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Rebecca."

Rebecca groaned and let her head drop to the table. "You are an evil man, Charles Huger Redmond."

"But, darling, last night you told me how wonderful you thought I was."

She raised her head and gave him an insincere smile. "Anything said in the heat of passion cannot be held against me."

Charlie leered. "My dear, I would happily hold anything against you that you wish." He took pity on the two sad figures in front of him. "But for right now, Sarah, I think you need to mix up a major batch of your hangover cure. These two definitely need some, and I suspect there are three more candidates for your remedy. Oh, and while you are at it, please bottle up a dose. Colonel Polk is not at his best this morning either."

"Did you get my fiancéé drunk, Charlie?" Elizabeth managed to ask from between her hands, which were currently holding up her head.

"No more than my wife got you drunk, dear Elizabeth. And to be absolutely precise, I believe it was the drinking contest between your husband-to-be and Jocko that was the final straw for our rather bilious friend."