Southern Beauty

chapter 10

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 his 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.”