Southern Comfort

Bennett Beth

Description

The issue of slavery has divided the nation and war is upon the land.

Charlotte MaCausland, the smart, sensible, southern daughter of a mathematics professor, is thrown directly into the center of the conflict. Cadet Brice Bidwell only has eyes for Charlotte and intends to make her his own, even if that requires a little old fashioned discipline if she refuses to cooperate. Brice must choose between his love for Charlotte and duty to his conscience. Their lives take different paths, but cross again in Richmond, during the climax of the war. Barely escaping Libby prison, Brice secrets Charlotte away in the middle of the night.

Will Charlotte’s anger at Brice’s betrayal spell doom or will true love and a little southern comfort win the day?

Sujets

• Horses
• Traditional marriage
• DIXIE
• Alpha (ethology)
• Poacher
• Colonial history of the United States
• American Old West
• Spanking
• Army
• Soldier
• Stalker
• Suspense
• Cowboy
• Danger
• Western

Informations

• Publié par: Blushing Books Publications
• Date de parution: 16 septembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781682595794
• Langue: English

Extrait

Southern Comfort
By
Beth Bennett
 
©2016 by Blushing Books® and Beth Bennett
 
 
All rights reserved.
 
No part of the book may bereproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ormechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storageand retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 
Published by BlushingBooks®,
a subsidiary of
ABCD Graphics and Design
977 Seminole Trail #233
Charlottesville, VA 22901
The trademark BlushingBooks®
is registered in the USPatent and Trademark Office.
 
Beth Bennett
Southern Comfort
 
Cover Design by ABCDGraphics
EBook ISBN: 978-1-68259-579-4
 
This book is intended foradults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book arefantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpretedas Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual spankingactivity or the spanking of minors.
 
Tableof Contents:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
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Chapter One
 
Charlotte MaCausland satcurled upon the intricately carved sofa, her nose, stuck in a book. She pushedher reading glasses back up, lost completely in the world of Charles Dickens.The front door closed loudly and heavy booted steps crossed the dark oakfloors.
“Charlotte, Charlotte! Whereare you?”
She raised her chin andreplied to the familiar voice. “In the library, Father.”
Major John MaCausland steppedthrough the door wearing his army uniform. Beneath the brim of his hat, deepbrown eyes peered at her from under coffee colored eyebrows accented with gray.He tugged at his long beard.
“The cadet reception is thisevening. I’m sure I need not ask, but are you finished with preparations?”
She gave her father a smile.She had been running his household for more than three years and never yetfailed to preside over his every need and comfort. Responsible to a fault, allwas ready for tonight’s reception, just in time to give her a moment to loseherself in the writings of Mr. Dickens.
She placed her book on theornate mahogany side table and set her glasses on top. Rising from the sofa,she apprised him of the situation. “Everything is ready. How many cadets do youexpect to attend?”
Major MaCausland removed hishat and ran his hand through his thick wiry hair. “Each professor will behosting twelve of the top matriculating cadets. I believe I told you to preparefor twenty just in case.” He placed his hat upon the rack in the hallway. “Iwill leave you to it then.” She gave her father a slight curtsy as he turned upthe staircase and on toward his bedroom. This was John MaCausland’s first yearas mathematics professor at the Virginia Military Institute. His first postingat the University of Virginia, was now done, his career progressing nicely atVMI.
Charlotte was only a babywhen her mother died. Two brothers much older than she, were grown and marriedwith families of their own. Jerry lived in Nottoway County and Fred inLunneburg. Charlotte rarely got to see either of them. They were practicallygrown by the time she had been born. The burden of adulthood came early toCharlotte but her serious nature was well-suited to it. She was bookish, solemnand ran her father’s household with amazing precision and maturity, far beyondher seventeen years.
She loved the ShenandoahValley of Virginia and looked forward to the display of color that would soonbe appearing across the mountains. Was there ever anything as lovely as thechange of leaves in Virginia? She was sure there was not. Her father employed alocal woman, Anne Smithson, to help out with cooking and cleaning. Charlotteinsisted she could certainly run the household alone, but her father wouldn’thear of it.
“You are my daughter, not mymaid.” Charlotte smiled at his protective authority. She was used to it and itwas nice to have Anne help out, especially when there were functions such asthis cadet reception. This was only the beginning of a long list ofexpectations the formality of residing at the institute would require. Theregimentation and sameness of every day, the routine of quiet afternoons andthe manners of military life was a comfort.
Though a young woman,Charlotte remained unimpressed with the male population surrounding her. TheUniversity of Virginia had put her in contact with young men all the time andthe Virginia Military Institute would do no less. It was always at a distancehowever, within the propriety of society. Major MaCausland cast a very largeshadow in her life and Charlotte never had eyes for anyone else… just yet.
Everything was ready. Annewas just taking the last of the apple pies out of the oven. The smell of coffeeand cinnamon filled the air. Charlotte stirred the big pot of spiced ciderheating on the stove while the Major moved to answer the knock at the door.
“Good Evening, gentlemen,won’t you come in?” The door opened wide and the Major stepped back to makeroom for the group of cadets. Charlotte stepped into the hall and gave a smallcurtsy as they removed their hats. A look of sympathy shone from her eyes. Eachone of them sported the same buzzed hair cut given to all ‘rats,’ as thefreshmen were called. Dressed alike and sporting the same lack of hair, she hadno idea how she was going to tell them all apart.
The Major waved his handtoward her. “May I introduce my daughter, Miss Charlotte MaCausland.”
Mumbled sounds of, “How doyou do, ma’am,” rang out.
Charlotte presented thenervous students an encouraging smile as she greeted them. “How do you do, gentlemen?You may hang your hats on the hat rack here in the hall if you please.” Therumble of boots sounded as the pack of first year cadets tromped across thefront porch and into the house. The hat rack was soon full and the Majorushered the students into the front parlor while Charlotte left to help Anne.
She could hear her fatherquizzing each cadet and asking after their families. She quickly sliced severalpies in extra-large servings and placed them on her mother’s silver tray. Sheknew they would enjoy it. The mess hall certainly didn’t serve apple pie likethis. Earlier, Charlotte had brought the dining room chairs into the parlor andarranged enough seating for fourteen.
As she entered the room, thecadets stood. “Oh please, gentlemen, do have a seat. Anne and I have made someapple pie. I do so hope you enjoy it.” Major MaCausland lit his pipe asCharlotte passed out the pie. Anne followed with coffee and cider. The cadetsmurmured their appreciation and quickly riveted their attention on MajorMaCausland. They hung on his every word. Most of the young men looked nervousbut they managed to dig into the pie and enjoy the beverages. Charlotte didn’teven notice the cadets’ faces. She was too busy being careful not to upset thetray as the young men helped themselves. She returned the tray to the kitchenand took a place beside her father.
“The rat line is ratherdifficult to navigate, my boys.” Major MaCausland’s pipe glowed red as he tooka deep pull. Fat smoke rings floated round his head as the fragrant aroma ofVirginia tobacco filled the room. “It doesn’t last too long though. Comespring, the upperclassmen will let you out and all this will be just a memory.”The cadets would have to endure the stress of the rat line until spring. Theywould be instructed and abused by the upperclassmen for seven or more longmonths. In addition, they would have to memorize and follow intricate rulesdesigned to separate the men from the boys. The rat line would forever bondthem as a group. Friendships made during this year would last their entirelives. The graduating class of 1859 would decide the exact date that thefreshmen rats would ‘break out’ and their time in the rat line would come to anend, usually in March or April.
Charlotte sat primly holdingher hands in her lap. She wore a plain brown dress with lace collar. Hermother’s cameo broach sat at her throat and her light brown hair was parted inthe middle and pulled to the nape of her neck in a bun. It was certainly astyle that many women wore, but for a girl of seventeen, it made her lookrather plain.
Lost in her own thoughts, shejumped when one of the cadets spoke out. “What do you think of the rumors ofsecession, sir?”
Another cadet spoke up. “Myfather says it’s only a matter of time. There’s going to be a war.” The othercadets murmured in agreement.
Charlotte noticed one cadetsitting in the corner. Unlike the others, he looked completely at ease. Hisgaze flitted occasionally to her father but she had the distinct feeling thathe was staring at her. She finally gained the courage to look his way. Herbreath caught in her throat. This young man was exceptionally handsome. Thelack of hair did not dim his chiseled features a bit. Stormy eyes, the color ofthe Atlantic, stared back at her. The intensity of his scrutiny c