Tess

By Melody Hill-Campanelli

As the Civil War looms over Savannah, Georgia, Tess struggles to come to terms with her arranged marriage and the feelings she has for the wife of her husband's best friend. As Tess and Ophelia watch their husbands leave for war, they get swept up in an emotional war all their own. It becomes a fight that will leave them both changed forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melody Hill-Campanelli
• Release date: Feb 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311588982

Melody Hill-Campanelli

Melody Hill-Campanelli was born and raised on a North Georgia chicken farm at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Growing up steeped in Civil War history, surrounded by battlefields and Appalachian folklore, history and storytelling became her passion at a very early age. She lives in Rock Hill, SC where she shares a home with her wife and their dogs and cats. Melody Hill-Campanelli is working on several novels and spends her free time photographing the surrounding areas and historical sites.

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Tess

By Melody Hill-Campanelli

Copyright 2014 Melody Hill-Campanelli

Smashwords Edition

Cover Image and Design Copyright 2020 by Melody Hill-Campanelli

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work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or people, living or dead, is coincidental.

Table of Contents:

Introduction and Acknowledgements

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Epilogue

About the Author

Introduction and Acknowledgements

Welcome to my labor of love. I spent ten years writing Tess, and I can honestly tell you that it has seen me through some of the worst times in my life, and some of the best. Tess always adapted and changed depending on the circumstances in my life. I do not want to lead the reader into a false sense of what this book is about, however, so I felt like an introduction was imperative.

Growing up in a small town in Georgia, it was not easy for me to acknowledge the fact that I am a lesbian, although I knew from a very early age that I was. When I finally did come out to my parents at the age of 15, they accepted me wholeheartedly and continued to love me unconditionally. I was one of the lucky ones and I know I have an exceptional family.

It must be explained that this is not a book about the American Civil War, it is a book that tells a story set within the timeframe of the Civil War and after. It should not be construed as a history of any sort, and will not go into great detail about battles, events, Reconstruction, or any other area of factual history during the time it is set. The facts and dates inside this book are simply for the continuity of Tess' story. For the lovers of historical fiction, I think you'll find just enough history to keep you satisfied. That being said, it is important to note that Towering Oaks as it is described does not exist. I took license to create the plantation from scratch after seeing a house on Victory Drive here in Savannah that called out to me.

Deep down, in the heart, Tess is a love story. A life story. I decided to set it in this time period for two reasons. One, the American Civil War is what I know. I grew up surrounded by the ghosts of it, especially Sherman's March. Two, it is not unfathomable that a story just like this might have taken place back then. The ideals of that society and the general opinion of the proper thing to do may have led to more than one instance of a Tess style romance.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I would like to take a moment to thank my family for being so very supportive during this endeavor. Especially my mama, Angelia Hill, and my sister, Melissa McCoy who listened to me for hours and hours on end detailing the life of Tess and pandering for opinions.

Another special thanks must go to my sister because she is the one who taught me that writing is a very good form of expelling, or at least quarantining, my own demons. Without her, I don't think that Tess could have been accomplished, and for that I am eternally grateful. This book is for her.

And last, but most definitely not least, I would like to thank Christy Gibson, my other sister. She is the one that gave me the tools to get Tess published. Her undying faith in me and this book, and her unconditional love, have and will see me through my darkest days. ~Melody Hill Savannah, GA 2014

PART ONE

Tess looked out the upstairs window and listened to the rain pounding. Water poured off the leaves of the elephant ears and made the small fountain in the middle look redundant. The drops beat the heads of the camellias on the tree with life-giving nutrients and she knew that within two days everything in the garden would be two inches bigger. The rain added a lush tropical appearance and it appeared cool and damp in the little courtyard, but she knew that it was merely a trick of the eyes. Rain in Savannah during the Summer only made it hotter, as could be proven by the thin film of condensation building on the windows that meant it was cooler inside the house than outside. Even though it felt stifling and warm in the room, she knew it would be ten times worse if she went outside.

As she turned to face the interior of the lavish room, it did not look as inviting as it once had. It's deep red walls, golden accents, and harsh wooden furniture suddenly seemed more like a prison than a place where she once escaped. It made her feel like her chest would cave in, making it even more difficult to breathe. She felt a tickle of sweat follow a winding path down the inside of her corset, redirecting itself to carry on its way unimpeded by the whale bone contraption that felt like it was sucking the life out of her. Frowning, Tess moved towards the large oak fourposter and sat on the edge of it.

Downstairs she could hear the clanging of the good china and the silver. She knew they would come find her soon, but she still sat on the edge of the bed, in only her corset and pantaloons reeling from the idea that she was now a married woman. Against her will, her father, Grant, had married her off to James McCrae, a wealthy planter's son who owned a massive cotton plantation close to the Ogeechee River called Towering Oaks.

Not that she had no feelings at all for James. They had been friends since childhood and had many happy memories together. She would be able to laugh with him, give him her opinions, and in general go about her business unmolested as his wife. He was happy that she was opinionated and he had told her numerous times that he admired her courage and spirit when standing up to her overbearing father and his ideals of what a proper southern lady should look and act like. James had no idea of the extent of the war that raged between Grant and Tess, but regardless of his lack of complete knowledge, he knew enough to know that Tess needed to get out of the situation.

She supposed that Grant could be considered old-fashioned in his ideals. Her mother, Loreena, had saved her from a sound thrashing on numerous occasions, although there had been times when she wasn't around to save Tess from a few bruises. With a smirk, she remembered the first time she had refused to wear the large hoops under her dress. It had caused such a fuss in the Evans household that people still talked about it in town, like it was some sort of history making newspaper headline. The day Tess Evans stopped being a polite young lady. She had come down the stairs for a stuffy breakfast with some friends of the family without them on. Grant had sat fuming in silent fury, but as soon as the breakfast was over and their guests had departed, he followed her up to her room, stomping each stair as if it would drive the wild ideas right out of her head.

I'm telling you, Daddy, I won't wear it. Suzy Habersham's dress caught fire last week at the gala when she danced too close to the fireplace! She stamped her foot with zeal and continued her insubordination by tossing the huge hoops onto the floor in a very messy pile. She saw Grant move towards them and thinking twice about where they had landed, which was in too close a proximity for her liking, Tess picked them back up, ran to the window of her room, hoisted the window up with one hand and watched with glee as the hoops sailed out over the courtyard and promptly crushed a feather palm which had been minding its own business. Trying to stifle a triumphant giggle, Tess turned around and, laying on all the charm her mother had taught her, said, Daddy, please don't be mad. Have you ever worn one of those awful contraptions?

Grant eyed his sixteen year old daughter, thinking about how much money the contraption had cost and then weighing the flip side of it. He would definitely save money at the dressmaker's if Tess didn't wear the hoops. Unfortunately, his love of money did not overshadow his love of polite society and fitting into it without a hitch. He refused to let his headstrong daughter ruin his own reputation in Savannah for he enjoyed the company of the elite, possibly more than he loved his ill-tempered daughter. He grabbed Tess by the arm, almost lifting her off the ground as he backhanded her and shouted, Young lady, do you know how much that cost? Go get it! He then shoved her towards the bedroom door, where she unceremoniously landed on the floor.

Seeing a challenge, and unable to resist standing up to her father, Tess picked herself up and squared her shoulders, ignoring the flaming pain in her cheek. She did not even mention the fact that Grant had really hurt her because the bruises she'd have tomorrow would say enough. She crossed her arms in front of her and glared at him. In time, Grant would recognize that look and skip the arguing, but Tess' rebellious streak had just started and he had no idea, at this time, what was in store for him the same as Tess had no idea what Grant was capable of when he lost control of his temper. In time, she would learn.

Having heard the fight going on upstairs, Loreena came bursting into the room and stepped in front of Tess as she said, Grant that's enough. She's just a child. Let me handle this.

Grant shook his head and pointed at Tess as he shouted, Child or not, I won't have her making a fool out of me. What will people think?

Tess never had worn the huge bell hoops that made movement in dresses nearly impossible, although she had eventually received the lashing her father had promised. To spite him, she also refused to use her parasol or wide brimmed hat in the sunshine and sported a healthy tan. Once he realized that she would not be forced into submission no matter how hard he beat her, Grant changed his tactics and tried embarrassing her in front of the proper women of the city, never missing an opportunity to turn to her and say, See, Tess, that is what a proper lady's skin should look like. It did not work. She even stopped going to the hairdresser and her shiny black ringlets cascaded down her back in an unruly heap, not kept up in tight buns in the proper style. She would have enjoyed it very much if someone would have been willing to cut it all off for her, but her father had given all the barbers in town threats if they so much as touched a stray hair.

In fact, the only argument she had ever had the misfortune to lose with her father was, in her opinion, the most important one. This marriage was based on land and money, not what was in her heart, and for that, she felt she could never forgive Grant Evans. Tess' mother, Loreena Evans, had even argued with him for Tess' sake, simply because he had always promised her that nothing like this would ever happen. It was the last crack in an already fragile relationship. They had lost all respect for each other the moment Grant refused to retract his acceptance of the marriage.

Sighing, she leaned her forehead against the polished post of the bed and felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was still sitting like this, fighting the tears, when she heard a gentle knock on the door of her bedroom. Rolling her eyes, she stood up and brushed the wrinkles out of her pantaloons, then said quietly, Who is it?

Quietly, almost apologetically, James answered, It's me, honey. I'm coming on in.

Tess quickly grabbed the shot silk dress that was draped over the dressing table chair and tried to get it on as quickly as possible. Failing miserably, she stared at him as he opened the door and immediately averted his eyes. Frowning, Tess harshly said, Why are you turning your eyes? I'm your property now, you may as well look it over to see if you got what you bargained for. She dropped the dress on the floor as if to punctuate the statement.

James stared at the ground, appalled, and shook his head, Jesus, Tess, it isn't like that at all. You know that. I, God help me, have the unfortunate problem of loving you. I did not want to marry you for money, property, or status.

Tess stared at him, feeling an even deeper anger simply because he was telling the truth. Seeing the hurt in his eyes, she cursed inwardly simply because cursing outwardly would be a sin she would never recover from. Even Tess had her limits. Sighing, she picked up the dress, placed it back across the chair and walked over to James, genuinely feeling sorry for him. She brushed his cheek with the back of her hand, thinking that he looked very dark and dangerous in his sadness. Slowly, she lifted his hand with her own and said, James, I know this is not your fault. I am sorry that I have ruined your day. You are such a dear friend to me. I suppose that I have already proven myself to be a horrible wife. I just wasn't made for marrying.

James finally looked at her. He let his eyes rest on hers and frowned. They were dark brown, like a shadow passing over his own blue ones. He felt like they eclipsed everything they touched and hid a million secrets from him. He desperately wanted to know all those secrets but, standing here in this room and looking at the fire burning brightly behind the dark brown irises, James feared that Tess would never give up the secrets in her heart. He was no fool. He knew that her soul should be free, but the selfish man in him wanted her, and therefore he had taken her.

James had been aware that Tess would be unhappy about marrying him, but it had not stopped him from going to her father and offering him whatever he wanted in exchange for Tess' hand in marriage. He would have given Grant Evans his entire plantation and all the money in his bank account, just so that he could be with her. Just so he could save her. As it stood, Grant was just happy that someone actually wanted to marry his wayward daughter and had readily accepted the engagement proposal, even offering James a fairly large sum of money just to marry her quickly. He had refused to take Grant's money, but he had agreed to marry her within a month.

James knew that he could make Tess happy, if only she would let him. Now, as he glanced at her eyes, full of that righteous fire, anger, and pity he knew that she would never let him in long enough to even try. Slowly shaking his head, he said, Tess, I am sorry. I thought I could make your life better. Our life. You're so unhappy here, and if you'll only give me a chance...

Just shut up. She breathed the words but it made his own die on his lips as Tess moved back over to the bed and sat back down, wrapping her arm around the post, a million thoughts cascading on her mind, just like the rain had been cascading on the window. Once again, she stared out the window. The rain had let up, which meant that it would start getting hotter in the upstairs room. Shaking her head, she said, almost to no one in particular, James, this has nothing to do with you. In fact, I'm sure I'll be happy living with you. He just broke his promise to me, is all. He's very good at that.

James walked towards the bed and stood next to it, trying to be grateful for her lie. He left his hands hanging at his sides, slowing clenching them nervously over and over again. After a few moments of awkward silence, he said gently, I am glad he did. That's just the selfishness in me though. Ever since I got back from West Point, I wanted to marry you. God, Tess, I wanted to marry you before I left. You are a remarkable lady. I'd do anything for you. I'd give you anything. I just don't understand, you see. We have always been so close. I thought it was destiny for us to be married.

Tess looked at him and patted the bed next to her as she said, Sit down, James. She waited for him to get comfortable and then said, James, when I was fourteen, I extracted a promise from my father that he has broken. I want you to understand because I don't want you thinking this is something against you. When I was fourteen my father promised me that he would never arrange a marriage for me after what happened with that poor Scarborough girl. I guess I wasn't finding a husband at the speed he wanted me to, though. Which is understandable since I'm twenty already and soon to turn twenty-one. He thinks I'm getting old, and maybe I am. But the simple fact is that I'm quite happy being alone. I was quite happy living day to day not worrying about finding a man. See, James, I'm not like most women... She stopped, not really knowing where to go from there. She could not explain something that she did not understand herself.

James listened to this without changing his facial expression. Finally, he said, I know you aren't and I really don't need you to explain yourself to me. That's why I wanted to marry you. I can't stand those frail women who can barely dance a quadrille with a man without breaking out into hives and immediately assuming the man wants to marry her. Your difference, your strength, is what draws me into you. I guess we're different together, because I couldn't stomach the idea of marrying a debutante. I'd die of irritation or boredom.

Tess placed her hand on top of his and smiled sadly as she said, You know, if I were smart, I'd be pleased as pie to be your wife. I sometimes don't even understand myself. I should just be glad you're not a Habersham. Those boys are mean and thank God they gave up years ago or Grant would have given me to one of them and I'd be dead in a month. Sighing, she fidgeted with the new ring on his finger, Something inside of me just won't let me be happy with this arrangement, James. I reckon if I had been given a choice in it, I'd have chosen you anyway. You're comfortable to me because I've known you all my life. You're somebody I can talk to, somebody I can laugh with. But I wasn't given that choice James, and for that I'm very angry. I suppose I just always thought our friendship could be enough to sustain me. I'm your wife now, though, and I feel like nothing more than a slave sold at the auction house.

James looked weary and sad. Frowning, he squeezed her hand and said, I don't think this changes our relationship that drastically, Tess. You are no slave to me, damnit. Despite whatever Grant has led you to believe this marriage is about. I told you, I'm as different as you are, and I entered into this with the idea that you would be my partner in life. I thought we'd share something beautiful, meaningful, and create a legacy of our own. I don't much like the ideals of this society anyway, and I sure as hell don't like the way your father treats you. I want you to always tell me your ideas and always tell me the truth. I promise I will listen. The world is changing at a drastic rate. People's opinions and ideals are changing. I think we'll fit right in given time and people like your father will be outdated.

Tess studied his face. She could tell he was telling the truth as he saw it, and she really did pity him in this moment. He was laying his soul out in front of her and she was doing everything except wiping her feet on it. Sighing, she looked around the room and did not respond because she did not know what to say.

James looked around at the dressing table. Instead of all the feminine accouterments that should have been there, a stack of books dominated the desk. He figured he had probably bought her the majority of them, because that had always been a ritual between them. As the son of one of the largest cotton farmers in Georgia, he had moved to Savannah as soon as he had come of age so that he could handle the business end of the farm, while his father stayed on at the plantation and saw to it that James had plenty to do. Except for his time at West Point, he had spent every free moment he could find with the Evans family, and had been madly in love with Tess for a very long time. On hot summer days he'd bring her the newest book on the shelf and she'd read it to him in the courtyard for hours. He could read well, but he enjoyed listening to her read more because she had a flair for it. When they weren't reading, he'd take her for chaperoned rides around town and into the country for picnics. Because of this, James realized that Tess was far too intelligent for her own good, and that it had cost her a lot of happy memories.

James stood up from the bed and walked to the table, idly playing with the satin bookmark sticking out of the book on top. He felt partially responsible for her pain, since he had taught her to read and to crave knowledge as they were growing up. She knew, because of the books, that there was a much bigger world out there, and she craved it constantly, knowing that because of him, she could never have it now. Sighing, James looked at her reflection in the mirror and said, I remember the first time I ever laid eyes on you, Tess. I knew then that you were different, even at 9. I couldn't wait until the day when I was allowed to move to Savannah. I dreamed about it. Your fire, your quality, your strength. You don't realize it but I've been courting you ever since. If I have ever deceived you, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I know you've thought of me as your friend for a very long time, but I've always wanted more. I'd do anything in the world for you. You do know that, don't you?

She stared at him, his words like little daggers into her conscience. Nodding slowly she looked away from him and heard his voice again, Do you want to stay in Savannah? Is that it?

Tess shook her head quickly as she said, Absolutely not, James. I am married to you now, so I will go wherever you say because I have to, even if it galls me to do so. But I will tell you firmly that I would rather die than stay in this house, or any house within a ten mile radius of this house.

James winced and shook his head as he whispered, All of this because you married me? I mean, I'm not that bad of a man.

Tess sighed and said, James, you are not the cause of this. How many times do I have to tell you that? You are a dear friend to me and I am sorry that you fell in love with me and I have broken your heart. That pains me more than you can know. This is between me and my father. Like I said, perhaps if I would have been given the choice, I would have given myself to you freely. But the circumstances have left a bad taste in my mouth. The only thing you did wrong, the only thing I can be mad at you for, is the fact that you left me completely in the dark and made a compact with my father without my knowledge.

James nodded and said, I can understand that. I will try very hard not to let you down ever again, Tess. I will just ask you plainly, because I don't want you to think you are obligated in any way to just follow me where I want to go. Where do you want to live Tess?

Tess made eye contact with him in the mirror and squinted as if trying to decipher whether he was joking with her or not. She thought about it for a long moment before she finally answered, My mind is screaming names of far away places. Places I have only ever dreamed of seeing in my lifetime. Yet, I can only think of one feasible place for us to go. Towering Oaks. I know how much it means to you and it is dreadfully far away. The peace and quiet appeals to me as well. I am sure when we're older we will have money to travel.

James' eyebrows went up involuntarily. The surprised look on his face made Tess chuckle and the shock in his voice was evident as he said, I didn't think you wanted to live on a plantation. I mean, you've spoken against it since we were little. I know you enjoyed your visits out there, but you always said you'd never live in such a place. I had expected San Francisco, or New York City.

Tess stood up and lifted the blue dress again, Those are very far away places and they did cross my mind. But, I changed my mind. I'm allowed to do that. Let's leave in the morning, James. She felt like James was punishing himself enough without her taking everything from him. It would have been an unjust cruelty to remove him from the home and land he loved so dearly. She could remember every instance of him visiting home. The excitement he had felt when he was going and the depression that set in when he came back to Savannah.

James turned to face her and said, Your wish is my command. He bowed deeply in a mocking sort of way, as if he were a player on a stage. Shakespeare was their favorite and they had spent countless hours in the Evans courtyard reenacting scenes from Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet. He felt a sharp pain in the pit of his stomach as she mockingly curtsied back. Inside, his inner voice shouted at her, Why can't you just love me? but outside, his voice was different. It was collected as he said, In the meantime dear, your mother sent me to get you. Dinner is ready, everyone is waiting on us and we must go anon, else the guests might start climbing the walls.

Tess grinned and lifted the dress helplessly in her arms as she said, James, can you help me with this? It's atrocious and I can't do it by myself. Fanny left me when she realized I was in a sour mood. I guess she figured I wouldn't put it on anyway.

James chuckled and grabbed the dress, She knows you well. I will try. Can't say I'll be good at it, though, since I haven't had any experience with dresses in my 25 years.

Together, they struggled with the dress. For the first time all day, Tess was actually laughing as they both worked out