Southern Beauty (9 page)

“Oh.  I am sorry.  And why is that?” asked Johanna.

“Well, because I have not got my chance to dance with the most beautiful girl here.  You are ruining my reputation.  You wouldn’t want that now would you?”  He grabbed her hand gently, kissed it, and walked her to the dance floor before she could protest.  Music and laughter once again filled the air.

Johanna was thinking to herself as she stood on the dance floor once again with another handsome man: 
“What is going on here?  For years I have been ignored and unnoticed by every man alive and here I am at this ball, like Cinderella, except I have three, yes, three men biding for my attention.  Even if one was only pretending his affections.  Am I in someone else’s body this month?  Maybe I should look in the mirror to see if I am still me.”

When the dance was finished she thanked Rene. 

Rene kissed her hand again, and said, “Until we meet again, Miss Johanna Lee,” He bowed with a slight grin.

Johanna returned the smile
and walked toward the entrance where Malcolm stood with her cape and a black eye.

“Are you ready?” He asked with a quiet smile.

“I am, thank you,” said Johanna.  She looked once again into the ballroom.  Ladies still dancing with their handsome escorts, it was a moment she wanted to remember fondly, despite the drama that had come from it earlier.  She held Malcolm’s arm and headed toward the exit where a coach waited.  She continued to feel as if she was in a strange dream even as he helped her into the carriage. 

“It’s been quite a night, hasn’t it
, Miss Lee?” Malcolm asked.

Johanna replied, “Yes, quite a night indeed.”

Chapter 10

“I

can’t believe I let her
slip through my fingers once again.”  David frowned.

“I don’t think we are going to get this map of Lee’s.  I think we should face it, Graystone beat us at this one
,” Jacob grimaced.

“Not if we catch them in
New Orleans. We definitely can beat them there by horse,” insisted David. 

“How do you know they are going to
New Orleans?” asked Jacob.

“That’s where he is supposed to connect with
Lincoln’s man.  He gives him the map and Malcolm gets his honor and glory,” said David.

“How do you know this?” asked Jacob.

“Meade sent word about Malcolm’s plans.  He asked me to keep an eye on him too, he seems to be a rogue wave, they are questioning his loyalty,” said David. “I am not surprised. I could have told them that from West Point.” David looked at the men, “So, are you all in?”

“Absolutely not, I think it’s time for me to go home.”  Jacob announced.

“What about you?  Are you in?” David asked Preston.

“I love the
New Orleans ladies and music.  Besides, my brother just moved into town,” Preston smiled. “I am definitely in.”

”This is madness.  Just stop David.  You have to let her go.  She belongs with her family.”

“This isn’t about her,” denied David. “It’s about Lee’s map.” 

“No,
the map is a great excuse,” sighed Jacob, “but it’s about her and Graystone.”

“Come on Jacob,” said David frustrated, “you know she can’t be misled by him.  She needs to know the truth and make her own decision.  I just can’t let her believe that he is a good guy, trustworthy.  You know he will hurt her.  He just wants her because he thinks I want her.”

“You do want her David.  She is a smart girl she will figure it out herself.  You have to stick with the mission,” Jacob said trying to talk sense into him.

“She has the map.  That is our mission.  Especially since we never found Lee’s plans.” said David.

“We have the cigar box, we don’t need the map.  We will get another map,” Jacob replied.

“We don’t know what’s so important about the cigar box except fine cigars.  Maybe she can tell us,” David sighed finally giving up his excuses.

“I don’t know.  How do we know she will tell us? She is a stubborn one,” said Jacob.

David smiled at Jacob’s observation, and then frowned at his loss.  David took a deep breath finally deciding it was time to reveal his true feelings.

“I can’t lose her,” he whispered so only Jacob could here.

Jacob stared at David in disbelief shaking his head in disapproval.

“It’s done then,” said Jacob, “you have fallen for her after I begged you to stay away.”

“It’s not that, I just…” David didn’t know how to finish his sentence.

“This is no good David. You are entering into dangerous territory, my dear friend,” said Jacob.  “You could very well be putting our lives at risk.”

David and Jacob stared each other down until Jacob finally relented.

“All right then.  Let’s go get her,” sighed Jacob.

David smiled.

#   #   #

“I still don’t understand why we are on a train to New Orleans instead of on a ship to Arlington,” Johanna asked Malcolm as they boarded the train trying to accept their new detour.

“I am sorry, Miss Johanna, but our trip to
Virginia had to be delayed.  Colonel Lee said you must meet him in New Orleans immediately. He said you have something valuable in your possession and that he wants you to personally hand deliver to him while he is visiting Fort Pike,” Malcolm explained. “Do you have something valuable?”

“I am not sure,” Johanna chose not to elaborate.

“Do you want to tell me what you think it is?” Malcolm asked.

“Well, I had his cigar box before the union men took it from me.  I don’t know how it could be valuable.  I don’t think it was that important to divert our destination.”  Johanna still didn’t feel comfortable enough to give Malcolm her trust especially about the map hidden in her locket.

“So the men have it now?” he asked. 

“They have the cigar box, but I was able to take something else,” she hesitated but mentioned it anyway, “his map.”

“I see.  What is this map of, do you know?” he asked curious.

“I am not sure. I never really looked at it.  I guess it’s from the famous balloonist,” she was still feeling hesitant divulging information. 

“John Steiner?  They say he had the only copy, I didn’t think it was true,” Malcolm’s eyes lit up.  “Why don’t you give it to me so you will no longer be in harm’s way?  It’s probably safer in my hands.”

“I don’t know,” Johanna was weary of him and his excitement.  “Why would my uncle send for me and not just his papers?”

“You have a good point,” Malcolm said trying not to alarm her.  “Maybe it’s safer in your hands, especially if the soldiers who kidnapped you didn’t get their hands on it.”

“Why are Union soldiers after something of my uncle’s when he is still part of the
Union?  Why don’t they just ask him for it? And where do you stand in all of this? Are you for the Union or a Confederate?” 

“I guess that is a hard question to answer during these tumultuous times,” he paused for attention, “
let’s just say I am on Colonel Lee’s side, wherever that may lead me.”

“I know what you mean.  Well, I am grateful for that.  It is so hard to know who to trust anymore.” Johanna said still feeling unsure if she should have confided in him.

“I understand,” Malcolm smiled.  “I hope you know you can trust me.” 

As the train left the station, Johanna found the rocking sensation had put her to sleep quickly after they boarded.  She didn’t get much time to speak with Malcolm about their evening the night before.  He seemed quieter than usual about it and she didn’t feel much like chatting either. They seemed as if they were hung over from the ball, but neither of them drank.  Johanna thought to herself, no alcohol, but they had all acted like fools, so really what was the difference.

Johanna was stirred by the sound of papers being shuffled.  She almost made herself known until she realized Malcolm was trying to carefully go through her trunk without awakening her and doing a poor job at it. 

“What do you think you are doing?”  Johanna asked startled by his behavior.  Malcolm jumped.

“Here you are,” Malcolm pulled out her shawl and placed it over her.  “I’m sorry I wasn’t trying to go through your things, I just wanted to cover you up.  You looked a bit chilly.” Malcolm said recovering from his shock of being discovered.

Johanna still not sure of his intentions eyed him over seeing if his actions would give him away. 

“Honestly Miss Johanna, I was only trying to take care of you. Please let me at least do that.”  Malcolm smiled hoping she would ease up on her accusing stare.

“Thank you Mr. Graystone. You are too kind to me.” Johanna smiled back decidedly giving him the benefit of the doubt.

“We should be in New Orleans by morning,” Malcolm quickly changed the subject. “Have you ever been to New Orleans?”

“No I have not,” said Johanna.

“It’s an amazing city I hope to show you around while we are there,” he paused, “Oh, by the way I have made accommodations for us.  I will be staying at the St. Charles Hotel.  You on the other hand, I have secured a place with a family on the Garden district.  It’s with one you might know, a Mrs. Abigail Jenkins?”

“Oh my, with all the craziness,
I forgot my dear friend is here,” Johanna said pleased at her new accommodations.  “Thank you so much! You just made my day,”   she placed her hand on his and squeezed it gently in a thankful gesture.

“I am glad it is that easy to make you happy,” Malcolm said delighted by her touch and pleased with her reaction. “It is my hope that I can make you that happy every day.”

Johanna blushed.  “Well, I would like to see you try, Mr. Graystone,” she said with a hint of playfulness.

“It will be my pleasure I assure you,” he smiled revealing his dimples and his charm once again.

“How long do you think we will be staying?”  Johanna asked.

“I fear it may be indefinitely, unless we can get Colonel Lee all the items he needs back in hi
s possession,” Malcolm replied.

“Oh, I must get to
Arlington.  What can I do to help?” Johanna asked desperately.

“Why don’t you meet me at the
St. Charles Hotel tomorrow night?  We can plan how to get all of his important papers back,” Malcolm pushed.

“All right, but I don’t know how to get the cigar box back from those Union soldiers that kidnapped me.”  Johanna explained.

“We will figure it out.  I think you still have something they want.  They won’t be far behind us,” Malcolm announced. 

Johanna stared at Malcolm as he sat opposite her.  He really was adorable even with a black eye.

“Could you please tell me why you were fighting with that soldier at the Beauregard’s?” she asked.

“Oh, that.  Did you recognize him?” he asked.

Johanna lied, “no, I did not.  Was I supposed to?”

“No.  I guess not.  He was the one you encountered on the balcony,” Malcolm said testing her.

“Please don’t tell me you were fighting over me?” she questioned. She tried to forget the conversation she overheard.

“Well, he said some things about you that a lady should never hear,” Malcolm lied.

“Oh my, I didn’t know.  What did he say?” Johanna asked shocked at Malcolm’s words.

“Well, if you must know, he asked me if I was paying for my escort and if you were available.  He must have thought you were a lady of the evening,” Malcolm said trying to upset Johanna.

“Oh. I see.”  Johanna’s heart sank.  It seemed like something David would say.  What a fool I am to actually believe that he loved me.  I should have never given into his kiss, his kisses. His wonderfully heart pounding kisses.

#   #   #

“This city is the biggest in the South, how can we possibly find her?” Jacob asked.

“Easy.  She is a lady.  Let’s start at the Garden District. 
Someone has got to know the Lees,” said David.

“We don’t have contacts with the elite. Do we?” asked Jacob.

“I am going to look for my brother, maybe he will know something,” Preston added.

“Good idea,
Preston.  Jacob and I will split up and ask around, see if anyone knows her whereabouts,” said David. “She’s got to have some kind of connection from here, friends or relatives.”

Chapter 1
1

“A

bigail, it is so nice to see you!” said Johanna as she hugged her friend.  “I have missed you so very much.”  

“Johanna, oh how I have missed you
too,” Abigail equally excited to see her dearest friend.

“How is married life?” Johanna asked.

“It’s pretty amazing, I would have to say,” Abigail went on, “although I do miss you coming over for a chat and a cup of tea.”

“Me too, thank you for letting m
e stay with you while I am here,” said Johanna as she scanned Abigail’s parlor.  “I heard New Orleans is a magical place.”

Abigail eyed Johanna with curiosity. ”Okay Johanna, what is going on with you? You are never one for small talk.  What is on your mind?”

“What do you mean?” asked Johanna.

“First of all, I got word from my cousin Mary Alice and she told me all about the ball and your three handsome gentlemen, is this true?” Abigail asked with no reserve in her manner.

“They are not all gentleman,” said Johanna thinking of David. “But, they are all very handsome indeed!”

Both of them laughed the way women do when they are together conversing about intimate details. 

“Please do tell,” said Abigail even more intrigued.

“You are sounding like your cousin now,” Johanna grinned and then sighed over her predicament. “Oh Abigail, I have never felt such conflict within my heart.  It is silly really, but I don’t know what to do?”

“Johanna, this isn’t like you,” Abigail observed.  “You always have been clear on every direction you have taken.”

“It seems God has other plans for me,” Johanna smiled.

“Yes, sometimes He does. Well, how do you feel about each one of them?” Abigail said trying to help Johanna sort out her feelings.  “Let’s start with the dashing Rene Beauregard!”

“Oh Abigail really, that is absurd.  Rene and I just met and I think he needs someone a little more adventurous than I.  It would be hard to keep up with his aristocratic lifestyle.  And by the way, could you imagine Clarice being my sister-in-law?” Both women grimaced and then laughed.

“Well, if you change your mind, I just want to let you know that he is in town staying at his family’s house,” Abigail said with a wink.

“I will keep that in mind when I am desperate for a genuine heartache,” teased Johanna.

“Okay, let us move on to your number two man,” said Abigail, with a big grin on her face and her curiosity mounting.

“All right
, you are truly making me sound like a harlot,” laughed Johanna. She continued anyway, “Malcolm is adorable, you should see those dimples when he smiles.  It makes your heart melt.  He can make me feel important, like I am the only one for him. It truly is a gift I am sure he spent time perfecting.”

“You don’t trust him?” asked Abigail.

“No, it’s not that,” said Johanna.  “He is a perfect gentleman, handsome, and kind.”

“Okay then,” said Abigail
, eying Johanna.  “What’s the problem?”

Johanna sighed
, “The problem is number three.”

#   #   #

“Did you find her?” asked Jacob.

“Not yet, but I did get in touch with the vixen from Charleston.  It seems she is also in town. I think I can use her to my advantage once again,” said David smiling.

“Isn’t there some kind of riff between her and Miss Lee? Are you sure you want to
do that?” Jacob asked with concern.

“They definitely have some history,” David agreed. “But they run in the same circles. She is a perfect cover for me to get to Johanna.”

“What do you plan on doing once you finally find her?” asked Jacob.

“First and most important making sure she is safe away from Graystone,” David said with a determined look on his face.

“Then are you going to whisk her away from her family and take her to Harrisburg? Do I need to remind you about Kathleen?  Or are you planning on marrying her too?” asked Jacob trying to get David to think about his actions.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Jacob, you are making it sound like a Greek tragedy,” David laughed.

“It very well maybe if you don’t get killed before this ends,” Jacob warned him.

“Killed? Are you insinuating that Malcolm will kill me before he let
s me have Johanna?” asked David laughing at the thought.

Jacob ignored David’s question.  “
This is maddening to watch.”

“What do you mean my friend?” asked David.

“I have never seen you act like this before, at least about a woman,” said Jacob.

“She is not just some woman,” said David serious now.

“No, she is not,” agreed Jacob.  He sighed as he eyed David, “I am concerned about you.  Do you really love her or is this some crazy infatuation?”

David
bit his lip, contemplating Jacob’s question.  He sighed and then smiled at his friend, “I really love her.”