Southern Beauty

chapter 19

s Johanna listened she couldn’t quite place the other voice, but it seemed quite familiar. She was on the verge of presumption when she noticed a light from the floor below her feet. She hadn’t seen before for it was overshadowed by the candle burning in the room. She leaned down and tried to peek through the cracks but the light extinguished abruptly and then she heard a voice from below.

“Are you going to open the trapdoor or do you want Myers to have his way with you?” She felt the wood with her fingers and pulled the trap open. Hands grabbed her from below and brought her down with a quick hand over her mouth. The trap shut as soon as the door opened to the bridge.

Johanna was scared for she couldn’t see who had just saved her since the voice was muffled by the trapdoor. She didn’t know if she had put herself in a far worse predicament than she had just barely escaped from. If she knew anything about herself, she probably had.

They listened intently to Myers yelling out orders to find her while he paced the floor above them. Her rescuer’s body leaned close to hers while they stood together at the top of the ladder.

He finally let go of his hold on her mouth and brought his fiery lips on hers in the darkness. She knew that kiss. It was hot and steamy and it was all she ever longed for.

“Are you okay?” the voice in the dark whispered softly in her ear.

“David,” she whispered as her heart skipped a beat. She felt relieved, excited and confused simultaneously.

David had never heard her say his name before. It made his body quiver and he quietly exhaled overwhelmed by the feeling. He kissed her again.

“Follow me,” he whispered again as he took her hand and led her to a small opening in the wood. She loved his hand. It was warm and strong. She felt safe even if she was mad at him for stealing the map. She would save her anger for later.

“They were going to use this for cannons but decided they would rather use the ship for commerce. More money in it,” David explained while they crawled through a small space.

To her surprise a boat awaited them with Jacob holding the oars. A makeshift ladder attached itself to the ship and they climbed down into the boat. The sun was about to peek over the horizon. Despite the situation, she was overjoyed to see Jacob. She gave him a big hug in silence. He in turn was just as excited and relieved to see her once again especially in one piece.

David used his strong arms to row and they disappeared out of the ship’s sight before they were noticed. Johanna still in shock from the whole experience sat quietly.

“Are you okay Miss Lee?” Jacob asked. “You seem a little out of sorts.”

“I am just a little overwhelmed that is all.” She tried to smile and not look at David. Her hand still feeling his in hers, although, he had already let go.

David stopped rowing and sat next her, he grabbed her cold hands that shivered in her lap. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?” he asked with concern.

“I am fine, thank you, Lieutenant McPherson,” she was grateful he seemed to care but her indignation toward him overshadowed that feeling. She felt betrayed by his letter in the locket and a bit foolish for letting him kiss her again.

David felt the coldness of her words. He let go of her hands and stood up to row once again. The tension on the boat was unnerving, and even Jacob kept silent until they reached shore.

“There is a coach waiting for us,” Jacob looked down at Johanna.

“Where am I going now?” she looked at both of them. They both didn’t know how to answer her. “Don’t tell me you still need information from me that you have not already stolen from me,” she looked at David with discernment.

Both men stared at her fury still not sure how to answer.

“We would like to discuss that with you,” David said beginning to be annoyed by her unrelenting temper.

“I am sure you do,” she said angrier with each passing minute. “I wish you would have left me on the ship at least I would know when I am being betrayed.”

“Ungrateful little wretch!” David blasted her.

“Ungrateful? Am I to be thankful that you have me a prisoner once again?” Johanna didn’t back down.

“I have saved your life!” he reminded her. “I could have left you there and you would have been taken to a black market auction. A slave to the highest bidder, is that what you wanted?” David scolded her.

“Okay you two. This isn’t the time,” Jacob interrupted their spat. “Let’s get ourselves to safety and then you can have it out.”

Reprimanded by Jacob, they turned their heads away from each other like small children both seething with anger.

In the early morning light they entered the coach still in silence until Jacob spoke. “Are you still heading for Virginia?”

“Yes, that is where people who love me are waiting,” she said while she glared at David. He was still angry with her and stared her down with contempt in his face.

“We will let you go. We won’t keep you prisoner any longer,” said Jacob.

“Why would you do that?” Johanna confused.

“On one condition,” David interrupted.

“Of course there would have to be a catch with you,” she said toward David.

David ignored her jab, “you must tell us where to get the military plans that go with the map we stol…,” he cleared his throat, “acquired.”

“That,” she smiled in triumph, “is because I never trusted anyone. It is in a dear friend’s possession until I say otherwise.”

“Who has it?” Jacob asked her.

“Safe, until my journey is complete,” she smiled.

“What does that mean?” Jacob asked her.

“It means it is waiting for her in Arlington,” David answered for her.

Johanna’s smile widened with a smug nod at both men.

“Then I guess we are heading to Virginia,” Jacob smiled at Johanna’s cunningness.