Southern Beauty

chapter 15

fter Clarice and Johanna’s confrontation everyone moved into the parlor. They all tried pretending there wasn’t tension floating through the room. They each felt uncomfortable for very different reasons.

Rene and John migrated toward the card table and the women to the sitting chairs. David did neither. Instead he went toward the piano and asked Clarice if she minded he played.

“Be my guest,” Clarice smiled. She seemed to not be able to take her eyes and hands off of his handsome face. Johanna thought he winced when Clarice touched his cheek softly, but she figured it was only wishful thinking.

“That was some scene at dinner,” Abigail said to Johanna.

“I don’t know where she gets off thinking she can talk to people that way,” said Johanna.

Abigail and Johanna watched Clarice stand near David who was now playing New Orleans on the piano.

“Apparently he came all the way here for a visit,” explained Johanna.

“For her or for you?” questioned Abigail.

“Oh I love this piece by Bach,” Clarice seemed to intensify her voice so others were aware of her being well educated in music.

“It’s Jesu, Man’s Desire, isn’t it?” announced Rene laughing at the women’s reaction to his observation.

“He is sure putting on a show isn’t he?” said Johanna speaking of David.

“All men do in front of Clarice,” Abigail confirmed. “At least my John is not tempted by the temptress.”

“Yes, you are truly blessed my friend,” Johanna tried to smile.

“Johanna, what are you going to do now?” asked Abigail.

“I am going to Arlington,” she said. “There is nothing for me here. Besides, I think I have worn out my welcome.”

“You think so?” Abigail laughed.

Johanna smiled and then continued to watch David. She tried not to but she could literally feel his presence envelope her. She hated that. Her face flushed thinking of his kiss once again. She just hoped it wasn’t apparent to everyone else.

“Are you going to be okay,” Abigail asked concerned about Johanna.

“I will be fine,” Johanna said convinced. “Besides, I have number one and two to fall back on.”

“Well, Rene seems smitten with you. That is amazing in itself,” Abigail said.

“I don’t think it’s that amazing. You just have to act like you’re not interested and he is near panting like a dog,” Johanna laughed.

“Johanna, that is terrible,” said Abigail as she tried to suppress her laugh. “I don’t know what men see in Clarice,” said Abigail as she too was watching the scene unfold in front of her.

“Oh, your right, she is just beautiful, charming and seductive. Nothing impressive,” smiled Johanna.

They continued to watch the two together. It was hard for her to have David so close in proximity without being near him. She felt the heaviness of disappointment begin to pull her down. She really believed he once had strong feelings for her. It still hurt when she thought of the conversation she overheard between Malcolm and David. He denounced any feelings he had for her, saying that it was all for some mission. She was played a fool and now he sat at Clarice’s side. It felt like déjà vu. This time she had to watch it play out in front of her. She received another stab to the heart when Clarice put her hand on his arm and another when she whispered in his ear with a small kiss before she left the room.

David waited until Clarice was completely out of the room and changed the music.

“I know this one, this is My Cottage Home,” Rene announced out loud.

Johanna’s heart skipped a beat. She thought of her family’s cottage with David. She thought of them in the pouring rain, she thought of their passionate first kiss.

David began playing a new tune.

“Oh this is Rainy Day,” said Abigail playing the game now.

Johanna looked up at David who was now eyeing her. Her face flushed. He grinned at her. She was taken in by it. She moved toward him cautious but knowing in her heart he had been thinking of that night too.

“I didn’t know you played,” she whispered.

“You don’t know a lot about me, Miss Lee,” David continued to play.

“I guess I don’t.” she confessed.

“My mother taught me. It’s not my passion though,” he explained.

“What is your passion Lieutenant McPherson?” Johanna asked in a whisper.

“Are you talking to me about passion Miss Lee?” David asked as he gazed at her intently.

She shot right out of her dreamlike state, “No, No I am not,” she swallowed nervously and looked around the room. It seemed as if time had stood still. This moment was made for her and David. Their conversation and presence seemed to be unnoticed.

David smiled at her uncomfortable reaction. “You are here with Malcolm or Rene?” he asked.

“Why do you care? It seems you can’t keep away from Clarice,” said Johanna frustrated.

“I can’t keep away from you,” he admitted. He then looked up at her and stopped playing.

Johanna’s heart skipped. She searched his face to see if he was telling the truth. She loved that handsome face and those sapphire eyes that bore into her soul.

“How could I ever believe you?” she asked in a whisper as she searched his face.

David began to play again. “Where is your dear Mr. Graystone?” he asked.

“I don’t know. He seems to keep disappearing on me,” explained Johanna. “Why, would you and Malcolm like to entertain the Beauregard family again?”

David ignored her comment. “Do you know anything about Rene Beauregard?” he asked.

“Rene saved me from an awful situation,” she added, “rather like what Mr. Graystone did at my family’s cottage.”

“Yes, when you left me for dead,” David came back.

Johanna rolled her eyes, “Where’s Clarice anyway? She seems a bit taken in by your charm; she won’t stop touching you.”

“It’s the cost I have to pay to get what I want,” David grinned.

“Oh you poor thing, Clarice kissing on you, it’s a terrible burden is it? You are meant for each other. Both of you do whatever it takes to get what you want including deceiving someone you pretend to care about,” she said biting her lip.

“I am not pretending with you,” he said. “I am here because of you.”

“You came here for the map,” she said frustrated by his attempt to win her over. “Don’t tell me otherwise, I overheard you talking about me to Malcolm at the ball.”

David’s mind flashed back to his conversation with Malcolm. “Why would I ever tell Malcolm how I feel about you?” he asked. “I don’t think you realize the danger you truly are in,” he whispered to her.

“I am only in danger when you are around,” she said with a double meaning.

“That’s not what I hear,” David said.

Johanna had no comeback. She stared at him in silence.

“Listen, I need that map,” said David, “and I need you to stay away from Malcolm.”

“You want me to stay away from Mr. Graystone?” she asked. “Why?”

“I have the cigar box and am willing to give it back to you,” he said.

“If I give you the map?” she asked him.

“Yes,” he answered.

“And you will stop harassing me?” she asked him.

“If that is what you want,” he said not looking at her.

Johanna bit her lip. She couldn’t answer his question. She had no idea what she desired anymore. She was sure she didn’t want him out of her life and she was sure she did.

“But you must promise me you will stay away from Malcolm,” David added.

“Why?” she asked again.

“Mr. McPherson,” Rene interrupted, “could you please play something I could dance to with my darling Miss Lee?”

Rene grabbed Johanna around the waist and pulled her close. Johanna smiled at her predicament. She wondered if Rene’s attention bothered David.

David watched Rene and Johanna dance closely. He fumed with jealousy but continued to play. Clarice entered the room and saw David watching Johanna and Rene intently.

“I don’t know what my brother sees in her,” she said as she sat next to him on the piano bench.

“Where have you been?” David asked not really caring but intent on keeping up his charade.

“Did you miss me?” she asked not answering him.

“Of course, no room is quite the same without you in it,” he said really meaning it.

Clarice’s face brightened at his words. She leaned into him whispering, “Why don’t you stop playing and spend some time with me?”

“Unfortunately, I must retire for the evening,” he said as he looked past her toward Johanna who was smiling now at Rene as he held her close.

“Maybe tomorrow you can call on me?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” he said kissing her hand gently.

“Let me walk you to the door,” she smiled as she took his hand in hers.

“Thank you, I would like that,” he lied.

Johanna was still dancing with Rene when the music abruptly stopped. She and Rene’s attention went toward David kissing Clarice’s hand and them walking out hand in hand.

Johanna’s face went pale. Rene then grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him so they were face to face.

“You are my Archilles’ heel, you know that, Johanna? I am enjoying your company more than I would like to admit,” he smiled and then kissed her on the cheek.

Johanna smiled at Rene’s words and then looked at Abigail who was in awe of Johanna’s circumstance, her eyes getting bigger every second.

“I will be right back, I have something for you,” Rene said and then walked away.

Johanna walked over to Abigail who was sitting on the couch next to her husband. Abigail mesmerized by Rene’s affection toward Johanna.

“Oh stop it, Abigail. He has won you over, but not me, this is part of his little game with women,” Johanna insisted.

“It’s a great game from where I am sitting,” Abigail laughed.

“I must speak with Mr. McPherson before he goes. I just don’t know how I am going to get him away from Clarice,” Johanna frowned and then exited the room.

Abigail looked at her husband, “I don’t know how anyone could get their man away from Clarice.”

When Johanna went toward the drawing room she was cut off by Clarice.

“I just don’t get him. He never goes for women beneath him,” Clarice stared Johanna down.

“Whom are you speaking of?” Johanna confused by her words.

“Rene of course, charity I would say was never his strong suit. He must have felt desperate this evening. His standards in women have taken quite a dive,” Clarice said trying to insult Johanna as much as she could.

“How dare you,” Johanna held her ground. “Is this about Rene or are you upset over Mr. McPherson?”

“How do you know him?” Clarice demanded an answer.

“I know that he is not who he portrays,” Johanna announced.

“You are so naïve, still after all these years, you still underestimate me,” Clarice grinned.

“I know that you can never be trusted, especially when it comes to men,” explained Johanna now irritated.

“Are you still harboring resentment towards me for your lost love?” asked Clarice.

“No Clarice. I have made my peace with that a long time ago. You can’t help if you are so insecure that you can’t find love without stealing someone else’s,” said Johanna as she stared her down.

“I can’t steal anything that doesn’t want to be stolen,” she laughed. “He pursued me. They all pursue me.”

“You seem to make yourself available to all, but never to one, why is that?” Johanna asked. “Is it because you know deep down if the men stayed around long enough they would know how awful you really are?”

Johanna didn’t wait for an answer and headed back into the parlor.

“We are leaving,” Abigail said as she gave Johanna a hug.

“I am sorry to hear that,” said Johanna.

“Did you find him?” whispered Abigail.

“No, I did run into Clarice once again,” Johanna smiled.

“Lovely,” Abigail smiled back.

“Where is everyone off to?” Rene asked walking into the room with a wrapped gift.

“Thank you for a very entertaining evening,” said John as he shook Rene’s hand and smiled big toward Johanna.

“I am glad you enjoyed yourself,” Rene laughed understanding.

John and Abigail left leaving Johanna alone once again with Rene.

“What do you have there?” Johanna asked Rene who was still holding the gift.

“For you,” he said handing it to her. “It’s a small reminder of our time together here.”

Johanna opened an intricate glass globe inside sat the city of New Orleans covered in snow. “Thank you, this is beautiful,” she smiled up at him.

Rene leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. “I am glad you like it,” he smiled back.

Johanna went to her room holding the snow globe watching the flakes fall on the city. When she entered she noticed it was not as she had left it. On her bed lay her uncle’s cigar box. She looked around the room and saw nothing had been taken or disturbed. What was David’s motivation for giving her the cigar box before getting the map? Was he really that desperate for her to stay away from Malcolm? Now she was more curious than before. What was it about Malcolm that David despised? He was a good and loyal soldier and a fine gentleman, wasn’t he?