Southern Beauty (11 page)

Chapter 1
4

J

ohanna met Rene in the tea room
in the Beauregard’s home.  His gaze locked onto the garden before him with a troubled look on his face.

“What is it ? You seem perplexed,” Johanna asked.

Rene looked out into the horizon as he spoke, “Oh, it just that I feel that I am overwhelmed by life’s stresses and under whelmed by the joy it gives.”

“One must find joy within oneself first to be able to see it anywhere else,” Johanna assured him.

Rene smiled.  “Yes, I know, you are right.”  They sat in comfortable silence.

“My sister is here.  I apologize for her already.  She is in one of her moods again,” said Rene.

“No need to worry.  I have a lot of practice dealing with your sister and her moods,” Johanna smiled.

“You and her have some kind of falling-out between you?” he asked.

“You could definitely say that,” Johanna said not wanting to elaborate.

“Well, I hope she doesn’t spoil our evening,” Rene frowned.

“I hardly believe she could,” Johanna tried to reassure him.

“
Would you like to tell me what it is?” he asked trying not to pry.

“Why your sister and I don’t get a long?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Rene curious.

“Oh, I was dear friends with someone long ago who had the unfortunate loss of having to find out her love was secretly courting
your sister in New Orleans.  It seemed Clarice knew about my dear friend, but my friend did not know about Clarice,” Johanna sighed.  “She just got empty promises of love and marriage and Clarice got the man.”

“Ouch. Well, I am sorry she was caught in the middle of my sister’s love affairs.  Unfortunately, she doesn’t count any man off limits,” confessed Rene.

“My friend was devastated at first,” Johanna continued. “She was young. She thought she could trust everyone. It was quite humiliating for her.  It seemed she was the only one not in the know.”

“That is usually how it works,” explained Rene.

“Yes.  That is true.  But, you know, after she stepped away from the situation she realized how thankful she was that she was protected from an awful, loveless marriage.  She also finally figured out that happiness doesn’t come from someone else,” Johanna explained.

“It takes a few heartaches to
understand that sometimes,” Rene agreed.

“Yes, that is also true,” Johanna now surprised at Rene’s observation.

“Whatever happened to him?” Rene asked.

“He got what he wanted and got what he deserved,” Johanna explained with sadness in her voice.

“He got my sister and good taste of his own medicine,” Rene figured out.

“Yep, your sister didn’t want him anymore once she got him.  Clarice had moved on to someone else,” said Johanna.

“Did he ever try to get in touch with your friend, you know, to make amends?” asked Rene.

“He wrote a letter to apologize.  But, sometimes we have to realize that God has a better plan for us.  Whatever people might do to hurt us, it really doesn’t matter.  God can make things turn out for our good,” Johanna smiled. “She married a fine man who adores her and gave her four beautiful children.” 

“Well, in your case, you are safe with me.  We don’t believe in courting family here,” Rene laughed. 

Johanna laughed right back, “Well, I am glad of that, Mr. Beauregard.”

Rene smiled looking on Johanna fondly, “Enough of this serious talk, let us have tea.”

#   #   #

“Mr. Graystone!  I thought I would never see you again,” smiled Johanna genuinely happy to see him.

“Miss Lee, I am so sorry for the confusion.  I hope you are all right.” Malcolm approached her and kissed her hand gently.  “Please forgive me.”

“I will only if you can you explain yourself? Where have you been this whole time?”  Johanna
asked a little perturbed at Malcolm’s absence.

“Trying to find you, I am afraid. I had gotten word that we were to meet your uncle at the boat docks.  I sent
a telegram to inform you to meet us there, but it must not have made it in time,” said Malcolm.

“No I did not receive any message,” said Johanna.

“When I went to the hotel I asked around and someone recognized your description, but wouldn’t tell me anything,” said Malcolm. “Especially that it was Rene who had saved you from an awful situation.”

Rene’s smile widened.

“It seems the townspeople are all fond of him for some reason,” said Malcolm.  “They thought I was collecting a debt or something and sent me in the wrong direction a few times.”

“I think it is you who now are indebted to me, Malcolm,” Rene laughed.

“Shut up, Rene,” Malcolm smiled but wouldn’t take his eyes off of Johanna.

“All right Mr. Graystone, I will forgive you on one condition,” said Johanna.

“And what is that?” he asked returning her smile.

“You take me to
Virginia, no more delays,” said Johanna.

“You have a deal. I have already secured a steamship for us.  We are to leave by morning.  And now that I have found you,” Malcolm was cut off.

“Thanks to me,” Rene chimed in.

“I w
ill never leave your side again,” finished Malcolm.  His smile now showing his dimple, he put his hand on her cheek.

“Hey, none of that,” Rene interrupted.

Johanna faced Rene, “Mr. Beauregard, how can I ever thank you for your hospitality?”

Rene added,
“And for saving your life?” 

Johanna laughed, “
Yes, and for saving my life.”

“I don’t know I will have to
think it over and let you know,” Rene joked.

“Okay, sounds good,
” Johanna smiled.

“I hear you rode a street car for the first time today?” asked Malcolm trying to keep Johanna engaged and eyes off of the handsome Rene Beauregard.

“I did.  It was very exciting,” said Johanna smiling.  “New Orleans is a beautiful city.”

“She was so nervous I held her hand the whole time
,” Rene rubbed it in.

“I am sure you
did,” Malcolm said with distaste. 

“Dinner is now being served,” said a servant who interrupted their conversation. “Please follow me.”

“I am afraid I can’t stay,” admitted Malcolm.  “I have to secure our departure for the morning.”  He kissed Johanna’s hand once again.  “I will send for a carriage to pick you up and take you to the harbor.  I will meet you there. You are almost home.”  Malcolm eyed Johanna.

Johanna pondered the word “home.”  She had been in so many places in the past month she didn’t even remember where home was.

“That’s okay Malcolm she will be in good hands,” Rene grinned. “I will take good care of her.”

Malcolm frowned, “I am sure you will.”

“Thank you Mr. Graystone,” Johanna ignored Rene’s insinuation.  “I will see you soon.”

“So much for not ever leaving your side,” Rene quipped.

“Oh, don’t you worry I wouldn’t miss our trip for anything.” Malcolm looked at Rene.  “Besides, on the ship Rene won’t be around to interrupt us anymore!” 

“Ah, and to my chagrin too,” Rene smiled at Johanna.

While Malcolm disappeared out the door, Rene held his arm out to Johanna. 

“Are you ready for dinner?”  Rene asked.

“Yes. I think I am ready,” Johanna smiled up at him.

“I must tell you how absolutely enchanting you look this
evening,” said Rene in his charming accent. 

Johanna blushed.
  “Thank you, Rene,” Johanna used his first name in recognition of their friendship. 

Rene smile brightened, “I am getting closer.”

“Closer to what pray tell?” Johanna questioned him.

“Closer to you falling in love with me, of course,” Rene smiled.

“Not quite yet,” she laughed.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Rene continued as they walked toward the dining hall, “we have a few guests coming.  I hope you don’t mind.”

“What do you mean a few guests?” Johanna questioned him but they had walked into a room full of guests sitting at a large table. 

Johanna gasped as she surveyed the guest list.  To her utter surprise David was sitting next to Clarice.  Clarice’s hand
was resting on his shoulder.  She smiled at Johanna in a protective tiger kind of way. 

David smiled up at Clarice not looking at Johanna until he followed Clarice’s gaze. 

Johanna was surprised that David wasn’t shocked by her appearance. He nodded in recognition and then carefully looked back up at Clarice.  

“I see, it seems you can’t quite keep away from my dear brother,” Clarice said with a sly smile.

“Hello Clarice,” Johanna looked at her and then once again at David.

“You haven’t met my David, have you?” she asked Johanna
, smirking.  She had sat down and was now leaning into David proudly showing off her new possession.

Johanna hated Clarice for calling David hers.  It made her insides hurt.  She stared them both down
.  She felt such conflict, it clouded her judgment.  So in a voice that was cold and calculated, she said, “no I have not.  Is he one of your new pets?” 

Clarice laughed at Johanna’s observation. David smiled.

“Miss Lee,” Rene interrupted, “did you notice our other guests, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins?”

Johanna turned toward Abigail. “Oh, it is so nice to see you again,” she smiled. 

Abigail smiled back with a quick squeeze to her arm.  Johanna sat next to her getting the hint.

“Lovely party,” Abigail said, “Don’t you think?”

“It’s lovely all right,” Johanna frowned looking once again at David.

He was lost in conversation with Clarice.  She tried not to study his new clean shaven face that only enhanced his good looks.  She tried only to focus on her anger toward him for being involved once again with Clarice. 

Clarice was enjoying Johanna’s glances and played up to them.  With every once in awhile caressing his cheek, whispering in his ear closely, and laughing at everything he would say.

Johanna watched what looked like an intimate conversation between David and Clarice.  It was like a knife that continued to stab her over and over every time Clarice touched him.

“I am so glad you are here,” Abigail said to Johanna trying to distract her.

“It was so nice of Rene to invite you and your husband, John,” said Johanna realizing her error in letting David’s affection toward Clarice bother her. 

Johanna than turned to Rene, “Thank you so much for such a lovely day.”

“Did you enjoy yourself, Miss Lee,” Rene asked smiling.

“I did very much,” she smiled back at him.

She felt David’s gaze upon her, but she refused to look in his direction.

“You should see what I am planning for us tomorrow?” said Rene.

“I truly look forward to it,” said Johanna.

“Johanna,” Abigail whispered to her, “so what is this I hear you are staying here instead of with me?”  

“What do you mean?” asked Johanna.

“I received a telegram from Mr. Beauregard telling me you had a change of plans and that you will be staying here with him as his guest for the duration of your stay,” said Abigail.

“He said that in his telegram? That sounds like somethi
ng he would do,” Johanna smiled as she looked at Rene who was now engaged in a conversation with Abigail’s husband, John.

“Is it true?” asked Abigail, confused by her friend’s reaction.
“Are you staying here with Rene?”

“Well, I know he assumes that every woman wants to be with him, but it sounds intriguing doesn’t it
, Abigail?” asked Johanna who was not that shocked at Rene’s forwardness.

“Johanna!  I am surprised at you,” said Abigail laughing as quietly as she could. “Are you starting to fall for your number one?”

“Oh, Rene is wonderful, but it is extremely distracting when number three is here,” Johanna motioned toward David who was now leaning into Clarice for an intimate whisper.

“You are kidding me,
he is Mr. McPherson?” asked Abigail intrigued. “You mean the man with Clarice at his side?” 

“Unfortunately, yes,” Johanna sighed.

Clarice must have heard her name and looked up across the table staring at Johanna. 

She smiled and said, “I guess you will be leaving soon.  Just as well, there is nothing left for you
here.”  She stared Johanna down and then gently put her hand on David’s with a grin.  “Rene has to return to papa in Charleston.”