Southern Beauty

chapter 4

rivate Malcolm Graystone was eating breakfast in the common room of the inn he stayed the night before. Waking up he couldn’t remember when he last said goodbye to the beautiful woman from the night before. He looked around his room and was pleased he didn’t see any signs of her presence. Thankful he was smart enough to end the tête-à-tête with the captivating woman before it even began. He had no idea of her name and was glad he would not have to explain his intentions after their steamy kiss. Although it would not help him in winning Johanna over, her kiss seemed to be entrenched in his mind. He still was glad, he didn’t need any more complications than he had already encountered.

Malcolm walked out to his horse, petting him as he watched the morning sun rise. He was ready to take Johanna to Arlington, and if everything went according to plan, he would court her, and maybe eventually take her hand in marriage. This would make his life much easier, getting closer to his ultimate goal, personally and financially. He needed a break and making her happy and his commander ever so proud, would change things for him. Taking the reigns on the horse, he lifted himself up, and began to ride.

While Johanna grabbed her trunk and repacked the things that Preston had taken out Jacob took David aside.

“What about the map?” Jacob whispered.

“I know she has it. Before this trip is over, we will have everything we have come for,” David answered.

“What do you think is in these papers that are so important?” asked Jacob.

“I believe they are military strategies and maps planned out by Lee himself,” said David.

“I thought that was just a story, the plans I mean,” said Jacob.

“No, he made them. It’s just whoever gets to them first. If the Confederates get their hands on it, we will lose more than Fort Sumter,” said David.

Johanna silently went along with them, knowing there was no one around even if she did scream. She wasn’t worried about her uncle’s map that she strategically placed in her mother’s locket she wore hidden around her neck, but if they found it, they would capture him for his betrayal to the Union. She had to keep it hidden, but when the soldier pulled out his weapon on her she was frightened, and she decided to lead them to Otter’s Cottage even if it meant her uncle would be in danger.

She needed time to think. Maybe she would delay their trip and give her uncle time to flee and then wait for the opportunity to escape, or if she was sly enough, she could learn what they were planning and notify the Confederate Army as soon as they released her. Either way her life was now in danger and she was on the edge of a cliff she wasn’t sure she was going to have to jump or be pushed off.

A day of difficult riding made Johanna exhausted and her insides ache. Her fingers were linked together around David’s waist. He hadn’t spoken to her or shown any kind of compassion towards her since the first time they met. When he did speak to her, he only spoke in short words that were cold and unsympathetic. Though she knew she was in danger and so was her uncle, her curiosity increased as they rode. David intrigued her and this won out over her feelings of fear. She knew they had felt some kind of connection the first time they met. Her impetuous thoughts burned within her. She then tightened the grip she had on him, bringing his muscular back toward the warmth of her body.

“Let go, you’re holding on too tight.” David coughed.

Johanna had been the only thing on his mind since he first laid eyes on her. Her gentle touch made his heart flutter like a school kid in his first crush. Passion interfered with his normal thought process. David was angry with himself, for he had no time for romance and no interest in marriage. Since Johanna had been around, he seemed to have forgotten what his general mission was.

“It’s Johanna’s fault for being so beautiful and smelling so-damn her,” he whispered to himself, he was furious with her for being so irresistibly lovely. He had no idea why he had not listened to Jacob who tried to convince him not to take the naïve Johanna. But, as soon as they retrieved the letter from her he knew she had to show them how to get to her family’s cottage. It sounded absurd at first, but it was the only way to complete their mission and besides no harm would come to her. They needed the Lieutenant Colonel’s papers and they would do anything to get them, the map and his military plans.

Thoughts of her sweet love clouded his mind. She held him more tightly as if she could read it.

“She must stay away,” David whispered under his steamy breath, so only he could hear.

“Did you say something,” Johanna questioned his murmur.

Her voice was that of an angel’s. “You can ride with Preston tomorrow I don’t need a Southern whore riding with me,” David brutally forced himself to say as he bit his tender lip, waiting for her reaction to his chilling accusation.

Stunned by his harsh words, she remained silent, which was very difficult for her. She let go of the tight hold she had on him and then turned her head away in frustration and shame. Although her eyes were filled with tears, she refused to let him affect her again.

Johanna had shown the men the way to her family’s special place, and it hurt her to share it with anyone other than her parents and her uncle. She had pointed out to Jacob that it was beyond the trees near the river. Preston went ahead to scout it out. He returned with a look of distress.

“The cottage is ahead, it’s completely deserted, but oddly enough, it’s fully stocked with food and supplies. I think someone was here, but left in a hurry,” said Preston.

“We can stay there for the night until we decide what to do,” David insisted. “We will keep our eyes open for any visitors.”

David looked behind him to see the confused look on Johanna’s face. Then he stopped the horse in front of the cottage and jumped off, taking the hand of Johanna to help her down.

Johanna couldn’t keep her eyes off the little house that had fallen into disrepair. She hadn’t been here in over a decade. She felt a flicker of sadness as she thought about being with her family here enjoying the simple life they never had time for, and no longer could enjoy. Her thoughts switched back to the ghastly man before her who was trying to take her hand and help her down off the horse.

Taking his hand briefly, they both felt a bolt of lightning strike their unsuspecting hearts, although their reactions differed. David held his breath surprised by the strong connection he felt when they touched hands. Johanna too angry, ignored the shock, and stepped down. She came face to face with him and with a blunt slap, she reddened his unshaven face.

“I am sure you are quite familiar with ladies of the evening, being in the military and all. Here in the South we are much more than ladies. Just because the women in the North are easy, never mistake me for one of your harlots again. I am above you in manners and in class and you, my sir, will never have the fortune to love a lady like me, in body and in heart.”

David was taken back by her slap and her harsh words toward him. He knew he deserved it, but still felt the shock of being scolded. He realized he was still holding her other hand. Her words were sharp as a knife, but her hand was so soft it pierced his heart and as she let go, her touch lingered.

“I’m going to wash,” she looked the men up and down. “I am sure you men are accustomed to smelling like that, but I am not.” She marched towards the river ever so proud of her last words to the man she had learned to despise.

The men all stood staring at one another, and then Preston smelled his armpits and shrugged his shoulders. They all looked back at Johanna who was walking toward the river’s edge.

Preston laughed at his friend’s encounter, while he tied the horses up to the nearest tree.

“She’s got fire in her blood, that one,”

“Shut up and go make dinner,” David glared, trying to hide his pride that had been damaged far worse than his cheek. He rubbed his face and stared in Johanna’s direction.

“What do we do now, McPherson?” Jacob interrupted.

“We need to stay out of sight and keep watch. There is no way Lee would leave his own niece stranded. He’ll come or he’ll send someone for her,” said David.

Down at the river’s edge, Johanna was enjoying the refreshing waters. She felt so calm and serene as she washed her face of dirt and grime. The currents tickled her velvet skin as she washed her hands and arms. She inhaled the pleasant odor of the forest’s evergreens. Losing herself in the congenial surroundings, she reminisced of her uncle and her playing hide-and-seek in the woods when she was young. Although she was concerned for his safety, a smile formed on her thin lips, she closed her eyes. She hadn’t come here since she was very young and she couldn’t bear the thought of remembering each wonderful memory. But, now she felt oddly comforted.

Johanna looked around making sure no one was watching her while she undressed. Although her petticoat would not leave her body, she wanted to wash her dirty dress. She leaned in closer for a better advantage point when she plunged right into the ice cold water. The river was unexpectedly colder than she thought and screamed from the shock. She began to panic when she realized she had fallen out of reach of the river’s edge, Johanna did not know how to swim. She screamed for help as she gasped for air. Her heart beat madly in her chest as if it was about to burst. She opened her mouth to scream again, but only inhaled the water. Her hands desperately searched for something to keep her afloat, her petticoat clung to her and her helpless body weakened as she struggled to stay alive. She heard a voice from the water’s bank and thought she could see David peering down at her, a panicked look on his face.

Diving into the water, David grabbed Johanna by the hair, standing her up on her feet. Out of fear she did not realize she had only been in three feet of water. She fell again and he drove her close to him and picked her fragile body up in his muscular arms. As David pulled her limp form onto the rocky shore, he held her tight, fearing if he let go, she would die. He caressed her colorless face.

He whispered into her ear, “Don’t die on me, not now, not when you just came into my life, I need you here with me. Please don’t die my precious Southern Beauty.” Surprised at his own words, he gently kissed her dampened cheek.

Johanna began to cough, her eyes slowly opened to the handsome face of David looking down at her. He watched her pale gray eyes return to their emerald color and her purple lips turn back into velvet. He could feel her heart pound against his chest.

Johanna’s fiery breath became heavier, her whole frail body belonging to David. Only minutes passed but it felt like hours, her insides burned with volcanic pleasures that exploded each time she inhaled. A passion they never felt before, her untouched ivory skin invited his touch. David’s gaze was fixed onto her velvet lips and he slowly bent down to taste them. Johanna could feel his steamy breath colliding toward her own. Inches away from her lips, she brought the passionate moment to a complete halt.

“Get off me you, brute!” she said coldly as her fists began to beat his chest with what strength she had left. David’s sapphire eyes questioned her hardened look. He wondered how such passion could turn to such rage. Was he mistaken about her feelings, their connection? Was he so sure of himself?

“What’s wrong Beauty? Am I too much for you?” he teased with his boyish grin.

Quickly the fogginess in her head cleared, she remembered his whispers when he thought she had drowned. Maybe she just imagined it, but his words began to affect her. She eyed him with curiosity. David had a hold of her wrists to prevent her from attack when her fists froze. It was silent once again, she watched David lean over her, Johanna closed her eyes giving into the yearning she suddenly had for his kiss. She pulled her chin up waiting for his lips to meet hers.

David smirked trying not to laugh out loud. He bent over closer as she opened her eyes to meet his once again, and David grabbed her dress, that sat in a pile next to her, and threw them upon her undressed body.

“Hurry, dinner’s waiting,” David said turning toward the old wooden cottage. Horrified, Johanna’s face turned ghostly white before it could redden, and she fell unconscious, hiding her humiliation.

David could hardly bear to turn to her once more, but when she didn’t make a sound behind him, he saw her lifeless body lay upon the rocks.