Christmas arrived at Thornewood with a bitter chill that seemed to seep into every corner of the house, turning its stately grandeur into something stark and unwelcoming. The festive season, once marked by warmth and joy, now felt tainted by the ever-present weight of war and the suffocating secrets that had wormed their way into every wall of this grand estate.
I stood by the parlor window, my breath fogging up the glass as I stared out at the snow-covered fields, their pristine white blanket stretching endlessly beneath the pale winter sky. The barren landscape felt like a mirror to the desolation growing inside me, each snowflake a reminder of the coldness that had settled over Thornewood since the war began. The house, once alive with laughter and light during the holidays, now stood like a silent sentinel, guarding the secrets that clung to its walls.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Sebastian entering the room, his face etched with worry. The weariness in his eyes told me that whatever news he carried, it was not good.
"Evie," he said softly, his voice heavy with the weight of unspoken fears. "There's something we need to discuss."
My heart tightened as I followed him to the settee near the fire. He took my hand, his grip firm yet trembling, and I could feel the tension in his body. The crackling of the fire was the only sound as we sat together in silence, the warmth doing little to ease the chill in my bones.
"What's wrong, Sebastian?" I asked, though I already feared the answer.
He hesitated, his gaze searching mine as if seeking the strength to speak. "It's Mr. Blackwood," he began, his voice low and troubled. "He's been pressuring me...pressuring all of us."
I had suspected as much, but hearing the words from Sebastian's lips made the threat feel all too real. "What does he want?" I asked, though I dreaded the answer.
Sebastian sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off an impending headache. "He wants us to support the Confederacy more openly. He's talking about sheltering soldiers here, providing funds, and more. It's becoming a demand, not just a suggestion."
My stomach churned at the thought of becoming entwined with the Confederacy's cause, something I knew Sebastian had tried to avoid. "But you don't want to, do you?" I asked, needing to hear his resolve.
He shook his head, his expression torn between frustration and fear. "Of course not, but it's not that simple. Blackwood has connections—dangerous ones. If we refuse, the consequences could be severe. For all of us."
"And your mother? What does she think?" I could hardly breathe, the walls of the room seeming to close in around us.
Sebastian let out a bitter laugh, one that held no humor. "She's torn. She's always supported the South, but even she's wary of Blackwood's tactics. Yet, she fears what will happen to Thornewood if we don't comply. She's terrified of losing everything."
A cold dread settled in my chest. Mrs. Thorne, for all her flaws, had always been a pillar of strength. If she was afraid, then the threat was not just real—it was imminent.
"What do we do?" My voice trembled as I asked the question, the enormity of our situation pressing down on me. "How do we keep ourselves safe without becoming part of something so...wrong?"
Sebastian's grip on my hand tightened, his eyes filled with anguish. "I don't know, Evie. But we have to be careful. We can't afford any missteps."
Before I could respond, the door to the parlor creaked open, and Mr. Blackwood strode in, his presence as unnerving as always. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of us, his expression a mixture of suspicion and disdain.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, though his tone made it clear he didn't care.
"Not at all, Mr. Blackwood," Sebastian replied, his voice icy. "What can we do for you?"
Mr. Blackwood's gaze flickered between us, his lips curling into a thin, humorless smile. "I was hoping we could discuss the arrangements for Christmas. Given the current state of affairs, it would be prudent to show our support for the cause, don't you think?"
His words sent a chill down my spine. "What exactly are you suggesting?" I asked, unable to keep the edge from my voice.
Mr. Blackwood's eyes shifted to me, calculating and cold. "I'm suggesting we invite some guests—Confederate officers, perhaps—to join us for the holiday. A gesture of goodwill, to show where our loyalties lie."
Anger bubbled up inside me, but I fought to keep my voice steady. "And if we refuse?"
He chuckled softly, a sound that held no warmth. "Refusal is not an option, Mrs. Thorne. Not if you value the safety and reputation of your husband and this estate."
Sebastian stood, his posture rigid with barely contained fury. "Mr. Blackwood, you are a guest in this house, not our master. This is our decision."
Mr. Blackwood's eyes darkened, but he did not back down. "I would advise you to reconsider, Mr. Thorne. The Confederacy does not take kindly to those who do not support its cause. And the Union is equally unforgiving. You are caught in the middle, and if you're not careful, this house could be destroyed."
Sebastian clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his temper in check. "We'll consider your suggestion, but this is a family matter, and we will discuss it as such."
Mr. Blackwood's smile was thin and dangerous. "Of course. Just remember, time is not on your side. The longer you wait, the more precarious your position becomes."
With that, he turned and left, leaving a suffocating silence in his wake.
I looked at Sebastian, fear tightening my chest. "What are we going to do?"
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched in every line of his face. "I don't know, Evie. But I'm not going to let him bully us into something we don't believe in. We'll find a way to protect this estate without compromising our principles."
"But how?" I asked, my voice trembling with desperation. "If we refuse him, we're in danger from both sides. And if we comply..."
Sebastian's eyes hardened with resolve. "We'll play along, just enough to keep him at bay while we figure out a way to protect Thornewood. It's dangerous, but we don't have a choice. We have to be strategic, to outmaneuver him."
The thought of deception left a bitter taste in my mouth, but what choice did we have? Mr. Blackwood's influence was growing, and the war was closing in from all sides. "I'll stand by you, Sebastian," I said quietly, squeezing his hand. "Whatever you decide, I'll be with you."
He looked at me with gratitude and sorrow in his eyes. "Thank you, Evie. I don't deserve you, but I'm grateful every day that you're by my side."
As we sat together by the fire, the tension between us unspoken but shared, the reality of our situation settled over me like a heavy shroud. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but we would face it together.
The days leading up to Christmas were filled with an unsettling quiet. The usual preparations were subdued, the joy that should have filled the air replaced by a sense of dread. The house was in a state of constant unease, as if even the walls were holding their breath, waiting for the storm to break.
Christmas Eve arrived with thick, heavy snow, blanketing Thornewood in silence. The house was eerily quiet, the holiday cheer muted by the oppressive tension that hung over us. I stood by the window in the drawing room, watching the snowflakes swirl outside, my heart heavy with the weight of the choices we faced.
Sebastian entered the room, his expression as troubled as my own. He joined me at the window, his hand resting gently on my shoulder as we both stared out at the snow-covered landscape.
"Evie," he began, his voice low, "I've been thinking about what Mr. Blackwood said."
I turned to look at him, my heart sinking at the worry etched on his face. "What are we going to do, Sebastian? We can't let him force us into something we don't believe in."
"I know," he replied, his gaze steady. "But we can't ignore the threat he poses. We're in a precarious position. If we refuse to support the Confederacy openly, we risk retaliation from both sides. But if we comply, we become part of something that goes against everything we stand for."
"So what do we do?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to play along, just enough to keep Blackwood at bay while we work out a way to protect the estate and everyone on it. We have to be strategic, to navigate this without compromising our values."
"Play along?" I echoed, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "You mean pretend to support the Confederacy, while secretly doing the opposite?"
"Something like that," Sebastian admitted, his voice heavy with the burden of the decision . "I hate the idea of deception, but it might be our only option. We have to protect Thornewood, Evie. We have to protect our people."
I swallowed hard, understanding the gravity of what he was suggesting. It was a dangerous game, one that could easily backfire. But what choice did we have? Mr. Blackwood's influence was growing, and the war was closing in on us from all sides. If we didn't do something, we risked losing everything.
"I'll stand by you, Sebastian," I said quietly, reaching out to take his hand. "Whatever you decide, I'll be with you."
He squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. "Thank you, Evie. I don't deserve you, but I'm grateful every day that you're by my side."
We stood together in silence, the snow falling softly outside, the house around us feeling more like a fortress than a home. The night wore on, and the tension in the house grew more palpable. The servants moved cautiously, their eyes darting nervously as they went about their tasks. Mrs. Thorne remained in her chambers, her sharp tongue tempered by a wariness that was new. It was as if we were all walking on a tightrope, each step more precarious than the last.
By the time the sun had set, the house was enveloped in darkness, the only light coming from the few candles flickering in the windows. The snow continued to fall, piling up against the windowsills, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were trapped, isolated from the rest of the world by the storm that raged outside.
Sebastian had been called away to speak with Mr. Blackwood, and I was left alone in the drawing room, the fire crackling softly in the hearth. I tried to focus on the book in my lap, but the words blurred together, my mind too preoccupied with the dangers that surrounded us.
The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Sarah standing hesitantly in the doorway, her expression troubled. "Miss Evie," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can I speak with you?"
"Of course, Sarah," I replied, closing the book and setting it aside. "Come in."
She stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind her before approaching the fire. "I've been hearin' things," she said, her voice low. "Things about Mr. Blackwood and what he's been askin' Mr. Sebastian to do."
I nodded, a sense of foreboding settling in my chest. "Yes, I've heard as well. It's...troubling."
Sarah glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening, before continuing. "There's talk, Miss Evie. Talk that Mr. Blackwood is plannin' somethin'. Somethin' big. And it's not just about the war. He's been gettin' closer to Mrs. Thorne, and I've seen 'em talkin' late at night. It's like they're plottin' somethin', somethin' that don't sit right."
My heart raced at her words, the implications of what she was saying sending a chill down my spine. "What do you mean, Sarah? What could they be planning?"
"I don't know," she admitted, her brow furrowing with worry. "But whatever it is, it ain't good. Mr. Blackwood's a dangerous man, and he's got Mrs. Thorne wrapped around his finger. I think...I think he's tryin' to take control of the estate, to push Mr. Sebastian out."
The thought of Mr. Blackwood trying to take control of Thornewood filled me with dread. I had always suspected he had ulterior motives, but to think he was actively working to undermine Sebastian, to push him out of his own home, was almost too much to bear.
"We have to stop him," I said, my voice trembling with determination. "We can't let him take control. We have to protect Sebastian, and Thornewood."
"But how, Miss Evie?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide with fear. "Mr. Blackwood's got connections, powerful ones. And Mrs. Thorne...she's listenin' to him more and more."
I bit my lip, my mind racing as I tried to think of a way to counter Mr. Blackwood's influence. We were running out of time, and the storm outside was only growing stronger, threatening to engulf us all.
"We'll figure something out," I said finally, though the words felt hollow. "We have to."
Sarah nodded, though I could see the doubt in her eyes. She didn't believe me, and I wasn't sure I believed myself. But we had to try, had to find a way to stop Mr. Blackwood before it was too late.
"Thank you, Sarah," I said softly, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "For telling me. We'll get through this, somehow."
She nodded again, her expression troubled as she turned to leave. I watched her go, the weight of the situation pressing down on me with a suffocating intensity. We were in over our heads, and the future looked darker with each passing day.
Sebastian returned late that night, his expression grim as he entered our chambers. He looked exhausted, the weight of the world resting on his shoulders as he crossed the room to where I was sitting by the fire.
"Evie," he said, his voice heavy with fatigue. "We need to talk."
I nodded, my heart sinking as I braced myself for whatever news he had to share. "What is it, Sebastian? What did Mr. Blackwood say?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he sat down beside me. "It's worse than I thought. Mr. Blackwood's pushing harder than ever for us to support the Confederacy. He's talking about bringing soldiers here, sheltering them, providing funds...everything we feared."
My stomach turned at his words. "And your mother? What does she say?"
"She's agreeing to it, Evie," he admitted, his voice laced with frustration. "She's fallen completely under his spell. She believes that supporting the Confederacy is the only way to protect Thornewood, to ensure its survival. But I can't...I can't bring myself to go along with it."
"Then don't," I urged, my heart aching for him. "We'll find another way, Sebastian. We can't let Mr. Blackwood take control."
He shook his head, his eyes filled with sorrow. "I don't know if we can stop him, Evie. He's got too much power, too much influence. And the more we resist, the more dangerous he becomes."
"Then we'll fight him," I insisted, my voice trembling with emotion. "We'll do whatever it takes to protect our home."
Christmas Day dawned cold and bleak, the sky a heavy gray that threatened snow. The once festive air of Thornewood had been replaced by an oppressive silence, the kind that comes before a storm. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach—a sense of foreboding that refused to be shaken. Even the usual holiday cheer seemed muted, as if the house itself was bracing for what was to come.
The day started quietly enough. Mrs. Thorne was her usual composed self, directing the servants with the same sharp tone, but there was an edge to her today, a tension that was new. She insisted that the day go on as planned, with a large Christmas dinner prepared and the house decorated in the finest holiday trappings. It all felt like a façade, a desperate attempt to maintain normalcy while everything around us was crumbling.
Sebastian and I exchanged a few words over breakfast, both of us too preoccupied to fully engage. He seemed distracted, his brow furrowed in thought, and I knew he was wrestling with the same doubts and fears that plagued me. We were both aware that something was brewing, something that would force us to confront the growing divide in our household.
By mid-afternoon, the first sign of trouble arrived. A messenger, covered in mud and looking haggard, arrived at the door with a letter for Sebastian. The note was brief but chilling: Union soldiers were reported to be in the area, and they were targeting plantations suspected of aiding the Confederate cause.
Sebastian read the letter with a grim expression, his hands tightening around the paper. "They're getting closer, Evie," he said, his voice heavy with worry. "If they come here and find out what Mr. Blackwood has been up to..."
My heart raced at the implications. "What do we do? We can't let Thornewood be caught in the crossfire. But we can't just stand by and let Mr. Blackwood turn this place into a haven for Confederate soldiers."
Sebastian nodded, his jaw set with determination. "We have to make a stand. We can't hide where our loyalties lie any longer. We'll have to stop Mr. Blackwood before it's too late."
That evening, as the family gathered for what was supposed to be a celebratory Christmas dinner, the tension in the air was palpable. Mrs. Thorne sat at the head of the table, her usual haughty expression in place, but I could see the nervous flicker in her eyes as she glanced around the room. Mr. Blackwood was seated beside her, his presence more imposing than ever, his gaze cold and calculating as he watched Sebastian and me.
The meal was served, but I had no appetite. The food tasted like ash in my mouth, each bite heavy with the knowledge of what was coming. The conversation around the table was stilted, filled with forced pleasantries and thinly veiled barbs. I could tell that Sebastian was struggling to keep his composure, his eyes occasionally darting to Mr. Blackwood with a mixture of anger and resolve.
Then, as dessert was being served, the sound of distant hoofbeats reached our ears. Everyone froze, the air in the room thick with tension. The hoofbeats grew louder, closer, until it was clear they were coming straight for Thornewood.
Mrs. Thorne's eyes widened in alarm, but it was Mr. Blackwood who reacted first. He pushed back his chair, his hand resting on the table as if preparing to stand. "Stay calm," he ordered, his voice low and commanding. "We need to assess the situation before making any rash decisions."
But there was no time for assessment. The front door of the house burst open with a crash, and within seconds, Union soldiers were flooding into the hall. They moved with military precision, their rifles at the ready, their eyes scanning the room for any sign of resistance.
Sebastian rose to his feet, his face a mask of calm despite the chaos unfolding around us. He held up a hand, signaling for the soldiers to hold their fire. "We mean you no harm," he called out, his voice strong and steady. "This is a peaceful household."
The officer leading the group stepped forward, his expression hard as he sized up the situation. "We're looking for Confederate sympathizers," he announced, his gaze sweeping over the gathered family. "This estate has been under suspicion for some time now. We're here to search the premises."
Mrs. Thorne's face went pale, and she looked to Mr. Blackwood for guidance. He remained seated, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the officer. "You have no right to search this house," he said coldly. "This is private property."
The officer's expression didn't waver. "We're at war, sir. We have every right. Now, step aside, or we'll do it by force."
Sebastian moved to stand between the officer and the rest of the family, his voice firm as he addressed the soldiers. "If you're here to search the house, you'll have our cooperation. But I can assure you, there are no Confederate soldiers hiding here."
I watched in horror as the soldiers began their search, moving through the house with a grim efficiency. I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface of Mrs. Thorne's composed exterior, and I knew that her alliance with Mr. Blackwood was about to be tested.
As the soldiers moved from room to room, Sebastian turned to me, his eyes filled with a silent plea for understanding. "Evie, stay close," he whispered, his hand finding mine. "No matter what happens, we have to stay united."
I nodded, squeezing his hand in return. But before we could say anything more, the soldiers returned to the dining room, one of them holding a piece of parchment in his hand.
"What's this?" the officer demanded, holding up the paper for everyone to see.
It was a list of names, scrawled in Mr. Blackwood's unmistakable handwriting. At the top of the list were the words "Confederate Supporters" and beneath it, a list of families in the area who had been secretly providing aid to the Confederate cause.
Mrs. Thorne gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as the color drained from her face. Mr. Blackwood's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with a mix of fury and desperation.
"That's a forgery," Mr. Blackwood snapped, rising to his feet. "This is an outrage!"
The officer wasn't convinced. "It seems we have all the evidence we need," he said, his voice cold and final. "This estate is now under Union control. Any further resistance will be met with force."
It was in that moment that Mrs. Thorne made her choice. Her eyes darted to Mr. Blackwood, then to Sebastian and me, and finally back to the officer. "I... I had no knowledge of this," she stammered, her voice shaking. "I never approved of this... this treachery."
Mr. Blackwood whirled on her, his face twisted with anger. "You're lying! You knew about this all along, you—"
But he was cut off as the soldiers moved in, seizing him by the arms and dragging him toward the door. He struggled against them, his curses echoing through the hall as he was taken away.
Mrs. Thorne sank into her chair, her hands trembling as she stared at the place where Mr. Blackwood had stood. The betrayal hung heavy in the air, and it was clear that she had thrown him to the wolves to save herself.
Sebastian moved to stand beside her, his voice low but firm. "Mother, this is the only way. Thornewood will be safe now, but we have to show our loyalty to the Union."
She looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "You've betrayed us... betrayed everything your father stood for..."
"No, Mother," Sebastian replied, his voice steady. "I've protected our home, and I've protected Evie. We can't keep living in the past. The future is with the Union, and it's time we stood on the right side of history."
For a long moment, Mrs. Thorne said nothing. Then, slowly, she nodded, her shoulders slumping as if a great weight had been lifted from them. "Very well," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Do what you must."
The soldiers left soon after, taking Mr. Blackwood with them. As the front door closed behind them, I felt a strange sense of relief, as if a storm had finally passed. But the damage had been done, and the scars would linger for a long time.
That night, as Sebastian and I sat together in the drawing room, I couldn't help but think of the choice we had made. We had shown our loyalty to the Union, and in doing so, we had protected Thornewood from being drawn into the horrors of war. But at what cost?
"Do you think we did the right thing?" I asked quietly, my hand resting on Sebastian's arm.
He turned to me, his eyes filled with a quiet resolve. "Yes, Evie. We did what we had to do. And we'll keep doing it, as long as it takes to protect our home and our future."
I nodded, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. We had made our choice, and now we would face the consequences together. The road ahead would be difficult, but as long as we were together, I knew we could weather any storm.
As I rested my head against Sebastian's shoulder, the fire crackling softly in the hearth, I allowed myself to hope that the worst was finally behind us. The war was far from over, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like we were on the right side of it.