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Craighugh.”
    “Yes, but few had to endure what we were put through. My father’s warehouses were seized by that beastly man. Why, he even had our furniture and valuables confiscated just because Daddy wouldn’t sign that miserable ol’ loyalty oath. They were even going to take away this very house, if you can imagine but Daddy gave in—just to keep me and Mama safe. Then, there was that awful affront to all of us when Butler issued orders that the womenfolk of the city should be treated less politely by his men. I just can’t imagine a gentleman like yourself, sir, following such a command.”
    Cole knew General Order Twenty-Eight by heart, for it had caused a great furor among the civilians. Butler had issued it to protect his men from the insults of the women of New Orleans, but his actions had backfired and eventually won more sympathy for the South. “And I, Miss Craighugh, cannot envision you deserving such treatment.”
    “I must confess that I was afraid to set foot outside this house for fear of being accosted. I was most relieved when the Union Army decided to replaceGeneral Butler, and now they have that other nice general in command. I’ve heard that Banks gives the most lavish balls and is far more cordial. Have you ever been to any of those affairs, Captain?”
    “I’m afraid I’ve been too busy at the hospital, Miss Craighugh. It’s a rare day I have to myself, but I’ve been most fortunate today. After the general’s inspection of the hospital this morning, I was able to take the afternoon off. I shall hereafter consider it as my good fortune.”
    Al stood through Roberta’s chatter and the captain’s replies, attempting to catch her eye while at the same time trying to stay out of the man’s range of vision. But the lad realized his cousin was totally engrossed with entertaining the Union officer and refused to be interrupted. Forcing the woman to remember her manners, Al dropped the valise on the marble floor with a disrupting clatter.
    Roberta started. “Oh, Al! You must be starving, child, and supper won’t be for ages yet. Go tell Dulcie to find you something to tide you over.” She smiled brightly at Cole. “Gracious, it’s been so long since we’ve entertained, I’ve nearly forgotten my upbringin’. Captain Latimer, won’t you stay and join us for dinner? Dulcie is just about the best cook in New Orleans.”
    Al rolled his eyes in total incredulity. How could Roberta do such a thing?
    Surprised by the invitation, Cole was slow to reply. Usually it was only the women of the back streets who would lower themselves to consort with the enemy, and even they were not always the most congenial. Though it had meant long months ofcelibacy, he had not been inclined to indulge himself with some pretty, knife-wielding Confederate sympathizer. Nor, for that matter, had he been tempted to crawl into bed with those proven safe by countless numbers in the Union ranks. He was not uneager to be in the company of such a beauteous lady, but there were things to be considered. Her father, for instance. He would just as soon refrain from getting himself into a forced marriage.
    “I just won’t hear of you rejecting my invitation, Captain,” Roberta pouted winsomely, confident that he would accept. After all, she had never been refused before. “I suspect that you’ve been shown very little hospitality here in New Orleans.”
    “One can hardly expect it under the circumstances,” Cole smiled.
    “Well, it’s settled then,” Roberta replied happily. “You must stay. After all, you did bring Al home, and we are indebted to you.”
    Unable to regain Roberta’s attention, Al gave a subdued snort and made his way toward the back of the house. The oversize boots clumped noisily against the floor, marking his passage through the mansion. The sound of his stride was like a death toll echoing through the stripped rooms, and he softened his steps. The house was hardly more than a shadow of its