Katie Cameron

PROLOGUE

Hector Cameron was born in the year 1820 in Inverness, Scotland. He was educated in Inverness Academy like his parents and grandparents. He owned a wine business which was very successful. He was a man of 5ft 10 inches with bright red hair and a ruddy complexion. In London, while attending a conference, he met the very beautiful and petite Isabelle from New Orleans, Louisiana. They fell in love and got married and lived in Inverness in a big house overlooking the river Ness.

Isabelle Furneaux was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in America in the year 1825. She was petite with black hair and a rosy complexion. She was full of life making her very confident and enjoyed flirting and being admired by the gentlemen of the town. She was a great asset to the business but unfortunately could not stand the Scottish winters. In the year 1844 she married Hector Cameron and settled in Scotland. In the year 1845 a daughter was born to Hector and Isabelle.

Katie Cameron, born in Inverness in the year 1845, was very like her father Hector. She had inherited his red hair, but her eyes were green. She was a shy, sensitive lass, and kept herself to herself finding it hard to make friends. She was devoted to her father. In the year 1857, Hector took pneumonia and died leaving a pretty widow and daughter.

Isabelle continued with the wine business but after a while she decided she would go back to America and stay with her sister and family in Woodville, Louisiana. She sold the business after receiving several proposals of marriage.

In 1859, they left for the USA, and stayed with Isabelle’s sister Kitty and William O’Brien in Woodville, Louisiana.

William O’Brien was born in Cork, Southern Ireland, in the year 1822, and when he was ten years old his parents emigrated to the USA. He worked in the docks in New Orleans where he met Kitty Furneaux and they got married in the year 1840. He managed to get a job on a local plantation near New Orleans and after their two children were born, Courtney in the year 1842 and Catherine in the year 1845, William got a position as foreman on a cotton plantation near the town of Townsville, Louisiana.

Kitty Furneaux was born in New Orleans in the year 1821. She was the eldest sister to Isabelle. She was also petite with black hair. She married William O’Brien in the year 1840.

The story begins in the year 1861.

CHAPTER ONE

YEAR 1861

The sun shone through the trees, giving a ghostly effect on the waters of the lake. Courtney O’Brien sat on his horse gazing at the birds floating on the water. It was late afternoon and it was time to set off home for supper before it got too dark.

Catherine O’Brien laughed out loud pointing at a bird diving for fish. She was petite with long dark hair which hung loosely down her back.

Why look at that bird, ain’t he funny, his little tail is sticking right up into the air, she said, giggling away.

Courtney laughed with her, pushing back his wide panama hat. He looked over at his cousin Katie to see her reaction.

Katie smiled, wiping the sweat with the back of her gloved hand. She hated this humid heat and wished she was back in Scotland where the cool breeze blew over the River Ness. They had ridden out of the plantation, riding for most of the afternoon, and Katie was glad to have a rest by the lake where it was so peaceful.

Courtney and Catherine were experts at riding, having learnt from an early age. Katie on the other hand learnt to ride horses when she arrived at her Uncle and Aunt’s plantation near the town of Townsville, Louisiana.

Catherine and Katie were the same age, sixteen years, but Courtney was older at nineteen and was learning to run the plantation with his father William O’Brien.

Guess we better get home, otherwise Mammy will be cross. Race you two back to the house, he said. He turned his horse towards the wooded path and dug his heels into his horse’s side.

Catherine followed her brother giving excited yelps. Katie was slower and followed at a more sedate pace.

Katie cantered along the dusty road. She was dressed in a bright green riding outfit with a matching hat. She hardly ever saw her uncle most days as he was busy with the cotton plantation. Her Aunt Kitty supervised the house with the help of her mother, Isabelle, and often they would go into the town of Townsville to shop and meet other families.

The crossroads were situated near the plantation. Katie never saw him at first, until she approached the bend in the road. Who was he, sitting tall in the saddle on a white horse? She had to be wary of strangers as a woman riding alone in these parts could easily be kidnapped or even raped. He lifted his hat showing a head of golden hair. She had never seen him before.

Excuse me Ma’am, but am I on the right road to Townsville? he drawled in his southern accent.

She looked at him for a moment before replying. He was handsome, no doubt about it, and was not from these parts. She licked her lips before answering. Why Sir, you take the right fork, and in five miles you will come to Townsville, she said, tugging nervously at her hat.

He tipped his hat and gave her a smile. Why thankin you Ma’am—and he turned his horse, but waited for her to take her leave. She urged her horse forward, but kept looking at him. She wondered who he was. He was certainly very handsome.

Katie arrived back to find her mother waiting for her at the bottom of the steps to the house.

Why Katie Cameron, you are late. Courtney and Catherine came back ages ago. Have you been day-dreaming again? Isabelle fanned herself with a delicate white fan.

Katie dismounted, and Joseph, the stable boy, took her horse off to the stables. She ignored her mother and flew up the steps and into the house taking the stairs two at a time. She burst into the bedroom which she shared with Catherine.

Catherine was getting into a pink dress for the evening helped by Millie the housekeeper’s daughter.

Why, you are late, Katie and your Mama was furious, said Catherine, brushing her hair.

Katie sat on the bed, not hearing Catherine, as she was still thinking of the handsome stranger.

Katie was not used to being pampered with servants. In Scotland her parents merely employed a cook and a maid to keep the house clean and tidy. Katie washed and let Millie dress her in the light blue corn coloured dress ready for the evening supper when the whole family met.

After the evening meal they all sat politely in the parlour drinking coffee and the men whiskey.

Where did you go for your ride this afternoon? asked Kitty, looking at Courtney as he was in charge of the girls.

To the lake to watch the sun go down and then we had our usual race home. I won of course. He grinned at the two girls.

Oh no you didn’t, I won! shouted Catherine and they began to argue.

Oh for goodness sake, you two, do be quiet—this conversation happens every evening. Kitty put her sewing down. She continued: Did you know that the Jacksons on the other side of Townsville are having a big party and have invited the whole of Townsville? And of course we are invited as well. She said this shaking her head from side to side.

A party, oh what fun! shouted Catherine, clapping her hands together with joy. When is it? I must have a new gown for it.

Shh, child, of course you can, and Katie too, Kitty said, turning and smiling at Katie as she was so quiet at times.

When is the party, my dear? enquired Isabelle, looking directly at her sister.

We have to wait for the invitations, but tomorrow I suggest, Isabelle, you go into town with the girls and buy some nice outfits, said Kitty quietly. She was a good wife and mother to William, Courtney and Catherine.

Before retiring to bed Katie sat by the window gazing over the well-groomed gardens of the plantation and wished her father were still alive and with her. She so missed him but her mother appeared to be so fussy and really was more interested in finding herself a rich husband.

CHAPTER TWO

Isabelle made sure the two girls were going to look their best at the Jacksons’ party on Saturday evening. She called for the buggy and the three of them made their way into Townsville to Madame Fleur to choose their costume for the party.

The town was very busy with young men moving about very fast on their horses hoping to join the Confederate Army, which one could join at the town hall. Madame Fleur was very busy with young ladies trying on different dresses and the whole shop was a buzz of excitement. Catherine waved and smiled at friends while trying on different garments and whispered and giggled to Isabelle. Katie on the other hand was bored with the whole idea and drifted towards the window to watch a fight that was taking place across the street.

Isabelle fussed about the shop and was furious with her daughter who appeared to be more interested in what was going on outside the shop than trying on dresses.

Why honey, I just don’t understand you. You prefer to look at two grown up men fighting than being a lady and choosing a pretty outfit for the party, said Isabelle, pulling Katie by the arm back into the centre of the activity.

Why, you are so like your father, living in a dream world, said Isabelle, handing her daughter a blue dress to try on and shoving her into a dressing room.

Isabelle chose a red dress for Catherine which showed off her dark curls and a blue dress with a large bow tied at the rear of the dress for Katie.

They stopped at the Grand Hotel for some light refreshment and found the whole of the female population were there. The large room was full of chattering ladies, young and old, all sipping their refreshments.

Isabelle was glad to sit down by the Darling family with their daughter Annabelle and Jeannie and of course could catch up on the latest gossip.

They say there is going to be a war between the north and south, Mrs. Cameron, remarked Mrs. Darling.

Isabelle smiled sweetly and dabbed the side of her mouth with her napkin before replying:

Do you honestly think so, Mrs. Darling? What will happen to us womenfolk? Should we flee and go somewhere safe? She took out her fan and fanned herself.

Why, they ain’t no reason to flee, Mrs. Cameron, our brave boys will fight good and strong for us believing in the cause and country, replied Mrs. Darling, patting Isabelle’s hand. She changed the subject. Are you and your lovely girls going to the Jacksons’ party on Saturday evenin’? The whole of Townsville will be invited.

Isabelle smiled and replied that they were all going to the party.

They climbed back into the buggy after spending an hour talking and taking refreshments with friends. Isabelle loved coming into town with its picturesque square and fountain and all the major buildings situated around it.

They waved at various horse drawn carriages taking families shopping. The girls were very excited at the prospect of meeting other families, especially gentlemen who perhaps would make suitable husbands.

They headed south from Townsville and when they were only a few miles out they were met by excited riders galloping towards the town. Catherine bent forward to have a better look, holding onto her bonnet as she did so.

Oh, what is happening in Townsville that all the guys are heading into town, are we missing something? Catherine remarked, looking at Isabelle. Isabelle shook her shoulders and sat back in the buggy twirling her parasol.

Rory Stephenson pulled up beside them shouting, lifting his hat, as any southern gentleman would do.

Hear the news? said Rory, very excitedly. An important man from the army is coming to town and is inviting folk to join the Confederate Army and fight those Yankees!

What is this talk of war? So it is true? I suppose you and your friends will be joining up? Isabelle fluttered her eyes at him. Catherine smiled at Rory and asked:

Are you going to the Jacksons’ party on Saturday evenin’?

Why of course Miss Catherine, and I want the first dance with you, he said, kissing her hand. He looked at Katie and said:

Miss Katie, it would give me great pleasure to have a dance with you. Katie smiled and nodded.

That will be my pleasure, Sir, she said, giving a smile. She liked Rory, but she knew he was keener on Catherine.

He galloped off towards town and they continued their journey back home to Woodville and the plantation.

They arrived home and Katie got undressed and lay on top of the bed to rest. They always had a rest in the afternoon as it was so hot. She closed her eyes and immediately thought of all the young men she knew. There was Rory of course, and Jamie who was in love with Catherine. Charlie, she knew, liked her a lot, but she knew she did not love him. She enjoyed flirting like her mother, but she also wished she had the confidence of both her mother and her cousin. She did not go riding that afternoon and pretended that she had a headache. After all Courtney and his sister would still argue who had won the race at supper.

Courtney rode out to the fields to join his father where William and his foreman discussed what to plant in the new fields.

William knew that if there was a war Courtney would have to join up and fight and the plantation would have to be kept going. As for the womenfolk, his wife and sister-in-law and the girls would have to move to a safer area. This President Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery and what was the south going to do—fight for their rights and country?

CHAPTER THREE

The evening of the Jacksons’ party arrived and Catherine and Katie got ready and wore the dresses they had bought at Madame Fleur’s. Catherine was very excited as she loved socializing and dressing up. Katie took the evening in her stride. Isabelle dressed in a dark ruby coloured dress, slightly off the shoulders drawing attention to her bosom and dark curls. She hoped that everyone would enjoy themselves at the party and that Katie and Catherine would meet some suitable beaux.

They all made their way in two carriages—the O’Briens in one, and in the other Isabelle, Katie and Courtney.