The Loyal Heart (20 page)

Maybe he was a man willing to take risks after all.

T
HE KNOCK CAME AT HALF PAST FOUR
.

The moment Miranda opened the door to the man who should have been a complete stranger, she instead found herself smiling as though she'd suddenly met a long-lost friend.

Maybe it was the golden head of hair that looked to be ruthlessly kept short. Maybe it was the man's pale blue eyes that had too many wrinkles at their corners. Or his military bearing.

Or, perhaps, it was the way he looked—as if he was not only the most formidable man on earth but also possessed the kindest heart ever known.

None of that really mattered. It didn't matter how she knew him; she simply did.

As she stood there, fighting a smile, his own eyes scanned her face, seeming to memorize every detail.

And then he bowed from the waist. “Madam,” he said, his voice halting and respectful. “You don't know me, but I am—”

“You're Captain Devin Monroe,” she finished.

He blinked as if she'd taken him by surprise. Then, after a pause, he smiled. “I am, indeed. And you, I presume, are Mrs. Markham?”

“Yes, Captain, I am. I mean, I was Phillip's wife, Miranda.”

His smile grew. “You are everything he said you were, ma'am.”

“As are you. Phillip must have been better at describing people than I had ever realized. I feel like I would have known you anywhere.”

“I am delighted to make your acquaintance at last.”

“I am pleased as well.”

After gazing at her face again, he folded his hands behind his back. “May I come in?”

“Oh! Oh, certainly.” She stepped back. “I'm so sorry. I can't believe I kept you standing outside my door.” She waved a hand. “Please, do come in.”

After he'd followed her and she closed the door to shut out the wind, she held out her hands. “May I take your coat, Captain?”

He shrugged it off his shoulders. “Thank you. But please, simply call me Devin.”

“I could not,” she said as she hung his heavy wool coat in the wardrobe by the door. “You meant so much to my husband. To both of us.”

“Then I guess it will have to be Mr. Monroe. I resigned my commissions, you see. I'm no longer in the military.”

“I was not aware of that. Robert, I mean Mr. Truax, still refers to you as Captain.”

He smiled again. “Old habits die hard with Robert, I'm afraid. He likes things to stay the same if at all possible. Change doesn't come easy. Perhaps you've noticed?”

“I can't say that I have,” she said after a moment's reflection. “All I have noticed is that he is more than he seems at first glance.”

Appreciation flickered in his eyes. “I dare say we all might fit that description.”

She was embarrassed now. Had she just revealed too much of herself?

“Please, won't you come into the parlor and sit down?” she asked in a rush as she led the way. “Or may I serve you some coffee? Tea?” Another thought crossed her mind. “Or are you hungry? Perhaps you'd like a light repast?”

“I have no need of refreshment at the moment. Don't go to any trouble, Mrs. Markham.”

His expression looked so serious all of a sudden that she sat down too. “All right.”

He looked at her again, his eyes showing genuine happiness. Then, catching himself, he shook his head as if to clear it. “I'm sorry for staring. It's just that, well, you are almost all Phillip talked about. It's taken me a moment to put the lady in front of me with the words that so often rang in my ears.”

“Phillip and I were a love match. I'm afraid we were both guilty of talking far too much about the other.”

“I don't think that is anything to apologize for. Yours was a blessed union.”

“Yes. Yes, it was.” She folded her hands, then was suddenly embarrassed. “I'm sorry. I should have sent for Robert right away. He said he was asking for your help, and I'm sure he's been expecting you.” Moving to get up, she said, “I think he is home. It won't take me but a moment to—”

“Mrs. Markham, I do want to see Robert. But if you can spare the time, I would like to talk to you first.”

She felt more awkward than a schoolgirl attempting to please her teacher. “Oh. Yes, of course.”

“You see, Robert came here to see how you were faring. I believe you know that.”

She nodded.

“He's been mailing me updates about you and his visit. He also told me about the disturbing letters you've been receiving.” He
raised a brow. “And, I believe, you've also had some trouble with your in-laws?”

Everything he listed had happened. And while she supposed she was grateful to Robert for caring, she wasn't as pleased to hear about her problems on this man's lips. “I am not sure how I feel about Robert giving you updates on me.”

“He didn't really have a choice, I'm afraid. You see, one night on Johnson's Island we made a vow to each other, a pact, if you will, to look out for each other. Phillip asked that you be looked after too.”

Miranda didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Of course Phillip would have wanted her to be safe and secure. She could honestly see him, dressed in his worn uniform, standing with Robert and Captain Monroe and inserting her needs into their conversation.

It was sweet and so very thoughtful.

But she didn't think they honored that vow all that much. After all, Robert had only arrived to see her a few weeks ago. But she had been suffering for so long before his arrival.

“You don't seem all that impressed with our pact, ma'am.”

“I'm sorry, but I am not. The war has been over for some time, and I confess I've been struggling on my own. I never thought your men would seek me out, so I don't want to sound ungrateful or bitter. It's just that, well . . . I hope you have been looking after the other parties in your pact a bit better.”

He winced. “We scattered after we got out. I'd like to think the others are doing well now, but I have no idea. I, um, had some issues that I had to take care of directly after the war. I am only just now able to fulfill my promises.”

“No, I am sorry. You owe me nothing.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Mrs.
Markham, I disagree. Furthermore, I have heard that you have been experiencing some difficulties of late. Perhaps you could tell me a bit more about what has been happening with you.”

She didn't wish to ask one more man for help with her laundry list of hurts. “I will be fine. Sheriff Kern is now helping me. The only problem I've been experiencing that you might find noteworthy is the rumor that has been circulating around Phillip.”

It even hurt to say it. “About Phillip's role in the war. Someone is saying he was a traitor. That, I believe, is cause for your concern. I suppose that is why Robert sent for you.”

Captain Monroe's whole bearing shifted. He looked angry and hard. At that moment, it was hard to locate the gentleman who had opened the door to her. “Phillip was not a traitor, Mrs. Markham.”

“No, he was not,” Robert said as he walked into the parlor.

Miranda rose to her feet. “Robert, your captain is here.”

“Just arrived,” Captain Monroe said as he stood up as well. “I came as soon as I read your last letter.”

“So I see.” He winked at her before walking directly to Captain Monroe and holding out his hand. “Devin, it is good to see you.”

They shook hands, then to Miranda's surprise Devin pulled Robert to him and clasped him in a manly, rough hug. “We've been through too much to simply shake hands, Lieutenant.”

“Yes, sir. I suppose we have.” Turning to Miranda, he said, “I hope Devin here hasn't been filling your head with too many stories about our time together?”

She loved how he so easily used that euphemism. Instead of reminding them all that they'd fought side by side in the most terrible of situations.

“Mrs. Markham has just shared how she's been besieged by rumors about Phillip betraying the Confederacy.”

“Which is where I came in,” Robert said easily. Taking a seat
next to Miranda on the sofa, he said, “I have to say that whatever Miranda might have told you about the pressure she's been under is probably at least ten times worse than she has led you to believe. I don't know too many men who could put up with so much, let alone a gently bred woman.”

Captain Monroe's expression turned fierce. “I would like to spend a few days here if I may, ma'am.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied.

Then he eyed her gently. “I would like the opportunity to share some memories of Phillip with you. If that wouldn't upset you too much.”

“I would love to hear your stories. Well, if you feel they are suitable for my hearing,” she teased.

The captain grinned. “You're looking at a man who has spent the majority of his life in the company of ramshackle men. I doubt any of my tales are suitable for gently bred ladies. But if you think your ears can handle stories with a few rough edges, it would be an honor to share some memories about a man I held in high esteem.”

“I might have been gently bred at one time, but now I'd like to think of myself as a survivor, sir. I promise, there is little you could tell me that I haven't heard before.”

Robert chuckled. “Just probably not from Phillip.”

Feeling her cheeks heat, she averted her eyes. “You are right about that. Phillip was always careful around me.”

Monroe exchanged a meaningful glance with Robert.

“What is it?” she asked. “What did Phillip do? Robert, you told me Phillip was not a traitor. Were you telling me the truth?”

Captain Monroe stared hard at her again. Then, seeming to come to a decision, he sat back down.

“Phillip Markham was a smart and capable man, Miranda. He excelled at West Point.”

“Yes.”

“Did he, by chance, ever speak to you about his relationships there?”

“No. I am assuming they were the usual ones made between men at university?”

“I think one could safely say that is true. But what you might not have realized is that he was popular there. He had many friends. Many close friends from all walks of life.”

“Yes?”

“When he attended, the war was not on anyone's mind. No one paid much mind to where men were from. Because of that, he became as close to men from the North as from the South.”

“I thought that might be the case,” she said slowly. “He never mentioned any man or state by name. But he did say from time to time that a man can't be judged only by the region where he lives or the dialect in his speech.” She shrugged. “I think that was his way of reminding me that every soldier in the North wasn't a terrible person, just like every man in the South wasn't perfect either.”

“That sounds like something Phillip would have said,” Robert said easily. “He was always giving everyone a chance. Even a man like me.”

Miranda smiled softly at Robert. “Even you.”

Devin linked his fingers together. “Mrs. Markham, what I am about to tell you cannot be shared with anyone. This is for your ears only.”

Miranda was sure she paled, but she leaned forward to catch every word.

“When we went to war, I was not with Phillip at first. Did you know that?”

“I did. He was under another captain. I can't recall his name now.”

“I would be surprised if he ever told it to you. That captain had been assigned a job directly from Lee himself. He was to find men who could easily slip through enemy lines and gather information.”

She felt her cheeks freeze. “What are you saying, sir?”

“That Phillip was one of the men recruited for that job.”

She shook her head. “No.”

“For two years Phillip Markham went behind enemy lines, donned a blue uniform, and mixed with Union officers.”

She shook her head. “No, that is not possible. They would have known he was from the South.”

“Some did. Some thought he was from Kentucky, and that state was pretty much split down the middle. But it didn't matter. He changed his name half the time. He changed his posture and his accent. To survive, he became another man.”

“But—”

“To fulfill his missions, he never told anyone but his superiors about them. He kept his promises to the generals and such, who asked so much of him. He was loyal to the core.”

Hardly able to believe what she was hearing, Miranda nodded.

Captain Monroe looked at her intently. “What I need you to understand, Mrs. Markham, is that there were many jobs and roles in our war. Not everyone who put his life at stake held a bayonet and charged across a field. Some, like Phillip, risked their lives for information. He was a hero, ma'am. He was a hero in every sense of the word.”

Miranda knew it would be days before she would fully be able to let that sink in and come to terms with the fact that her husband had led a very different life from what he'd let on.