Southern Beauty

Epilogue


hat do you have there?” asked David as he came behind Johanna and slid his arms around her, “rocks?”

She smiled as she felt the warmth of his body and the coolness of a warm summer breeze on her face. “They were given to me by the Voodoo Queen in New Orleans.”

”Ooh, sounds mysterious,” said David.

Johanna began, “I didn't figure them out until now. One smooth, this represented Rene. He always knew what to say, charming, handsome...”

David interrupted, “Okay, okay, I got it.”

Johanna laughed, “Did he really bother you that much?”

“Only when he was holding you in his arms,” he smiled and hugged her tighter.

“Well, he did have an amazing kiss,” she laughed.

“Hey, that’s not funny,” said David.

“Nothing will ever compare to our first kiss,” she assured him. “The thunder and lightening just intensified it.”

“And the fact that you couldn’t stand me,” he added.

“And Malcolm knocking you out,” she laughed. “How can you beat that?”

“I am sure I can try,” he insisted.

“I would love you to,” she laughed.

“Were you ever taken in by Rene?” he asked seriously.

“Not ever,” she said. “I knew he would never be faithful to me. He loved the fact that I wasn’t taken in by his charm. That was why he found me so appealing. Anyway, he definitely was a lot of fun to be around. I am glad we could stay friends.”

“Should I be concerned by his letters he writes to you?” David asked.

“You have nothing to fear, my love,” she said.

“I think the only time I feared for your safety is when you were near Malcolm,” said David.

“Was it my safety you feared or that I would fall in love with him?” asked Johanna.

“Both,” he admitted.

She held out the other rock, “speaking of Malcolm, he represented this rock. One rough, no matter how hard he tried the wickedness in him continued to show.”

“If your stubborn self would have listened to me in the first place, you could have saved yourself from a lot of heartache, or at least from being shot,” said David.

“Then I wouldn’t of known how much you really cared for me,” she sighed.

“Yes, it seems I had to follow you across several states, pretend I was courting a ghastly woman, get into numerous fights with Malcolm, stay by your bedside for a week and then chase down your carriage for you to finally get it,” he said. ”It would have been simpler if you would have just believed me in the first place.”

Johanna laughed. “Wait, you never told me you loved me until I followed you to Baltimore.”

“You never asked,” he said.

“How was I to believe that you loved me? Every time we were together you would insist on that bloody map and of course, kiss me. I thought you were trying to trick me into falling for you.”

“I always told you the truth. I never lied to you,” he said.

“No, you just didn’t tell me about Kathleen,” she said.

“Well, I didn’t know how to tell you,” he said.

“I am so glad she found someone. It made it so easy to befriend her since she is happy and in love,” said Johanna.

“Yes, that worked out for all of us. It was quite awkward having to explain to her how much I loved you,” he said.

It seems you told everyone but me,” said Johanna.

“If you wouldn’t have left Harrisburg in such a hurry, I would have told you myself,” he said.

“You could have told me when you hijacked my carriage,” she said.

“I just thought you knew,” he answered.

“No, you just insisted that I loved you,” she said.

“I wasn’t wrong,” said David.

“No, you were not,” she smiled.

“And that one?” he pointed to the last rock she held.

“This one, oh, it seems rough on the outside, but,” she opened up the rock to show its beauty, ‘a treasure to behold.’ This represented you,” she smiled.

”You didn't realize until now that I am a treasure?” he mocked.

”Oh, I knew you were something,” she smiled. They both laughed. “Want to help me do the honors?” She handed him one.

“Of course,” They each took a rock and skipped it into the pond. At the end of the pond’s shore, a dragonfly whizzed by inhaling the sweet scent of swamp lilies. “Let's keep this one just in case you forget how valuable I am.” He held up the small geode. She laughed.

“Have you heard from your uncle?” asked David.

“Not recently. I know he is safe. Aunt Mary writes and keeps me informed without divulging any information of his whereabouts,” said Johanna.

“I am sorry this conflict has been so hard on you,” said David seriously.

“I just want it to be over. It saddens me that there are those who are fighting against friends and family,” she said.

“I know. We will make it through this,” said David trying to assure her. “I will keep you safe here in Harrisburg, no matter the cost.”

“I do love you, Mr. McPherson,” said Johanna smiling again. She then turned to him and searched his handsome face, “are you happy?”

He kissed her softly and then whispered in her ear, “Ever since I captured my Southern Beauty.”


Author’s Note

Southern Beauty is based on a loose interpretation of history. I spent many years researching the end of the antebellum era and the beginning of the civil war.

Robert E. Lee did have family that fled to Paris, France, because of financial ruin, although they did not have a daughter named Johanna.

Mary Custiss-Lee left Arlington and fled to Ravensworth but it wasn’t until after her husband accepted the commission as a major general of the Confederate Army. For the story I needed her to have left much earlier. General Lee did not have a place in South Carolina, and there is no record of him ever visiting the South before his resignation.

General P.G.T. Beauregard was stationed at Ft. Sumter and did have a son, Rene. Rene was about 19 when the Civil War broke out. He did not have a twin sister.

The Beauregard family was from New Orleans where at the time lived the famous Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, and her daughter. Marie was a hairdresser to the elite. It is believed by listening to her patron’s gossip and instilling fear in their servants is how she became so powerful. You have to think, if she knew everyone in town, then I am sure she did know the Beauregard family.

As for the cigar box, there was actually Lee’s battle plans found wrapped around cigars by a private in the Union before the battle of Antietam at an abandoned Confederate campsite.

If you are still curious about other historical facts in Southern Beauty, I suggest the following;