Southern Beauty

chapter 6

fter that day Johanna couldn’t remember much about the incident with David. The moment they had shared together was a blur. It seemed more like a dream. She could hardly remember when Private Graystone whisked her away from David. They were interrupted by unexpected arrival of Malcolm. He had knocked David out with his revolver with one swift blow. David had no idea what hit him until it was too late.

David and Johanna didn’t hear Malcolm approach them from behind with the downpour of rain and the crashing thunder. As David fell to the ground it was there in that instant, Malcolm took her. He grabbed her, covered her mouth, and before she could scream, he whispered in her ear.

“Colonel Lee has sent me,” said Malcolm. “I am here to save you. Please don’t scream or there will be blood spilled this night.”

That was enough for Johanna. She never said a word. And they rode back toward Charleston and she never looked back, not once. A blur, her time with David was something that changed her. But it was just a blur.

Private Graystone and Johanna didn’t speak until arriving at her home where her uncle had sent soldiers to keep watch. She entered, bathed, changed clothes, and went down into the dining room where Malcolm and dinner sat waiting for her. There were also at least a dozen servants she didn’t recognize milling around.

It was hard for Johanna to smile, but she knew that the soldier was doing his job. She couldn’t be angry with him.

“Thank you,” she forced a smile, “you saved my life.”

“Miss Lee, I was sent to take you to Arlington. I don’t really know what happened when you were abducted,” Malcolm looked at her with concern, “I know that Union soldier tried to force himself on you out there, and I am sorry that I wasn’t here sooner. I will never forgive myself for staying at the inn and not coming straight here.”

Johanna looked up at him with confusion and then frowned. “I just want to forget all about it,” she lied.

“On Sunday, I will take you to Arlington as planned. In the mean time, your uncle left word that he would like us to stay and meet him at the Beauregard’s party in two evenings from now.” Malcolm smiled. “I would love to take you.” He asked in a charming plea even Johanna couldn’t turn down.

“I thought he couldn’t meet us?” questioned Johanna.

“A change of plans,” answered Malcolm.

Johanna couldn’t think of anything she would rather not do, but she half smiled back and said, “That would be nice, thank you Mr. Graystone.”

“Please call me Malcolm,” he noticed her somber tone and put his hand on hers. “Cheer up Miss Johanna, it will be fun, I promise.”

The next day she spent in her room with thoughts of David and how she began to notice his kindness more during their time together. She was confused by her feelings. He was her captor, he was arrogant, yet, he made her feel an unbelievable shock to her heart every time he would lay his eyes on her or touch her. She was torn between hate and love. One second she despised him and the other she didn’t know how she would go on without him. It was ridiculous. She was being ridiculous she thought. How could this infatuation be good? It was not like her to feel such emotions. She must be coming down with something. She felt her face. Oh yes, it was flushed, she must be ill. Maybe she would lie down some more she thought.

“Stop thinking about him,” she angrily whispered to herself. She tried to read and then realized she left her magazine with the Union soldiers. She was heartbroken. How could she get it back?

She could not live with knowing that they had something that was so precious to her, unfortunately, they were long gone. They had what they needed. She knew they must have found her uncle’s cigar box with the plans inside.

Then she smiled to herself and put her hand on the locket that caressed her neck. She was able to save one page of her uncle’s plans, the map. They might have some of it, but they didn’t have all of it.

“Now go back to your regiment and see if your big heroes!” She actually had a twinge of sadness for them. They would look like idiots with half of a plan. She could hear someone at the front door. She hid her locket back in her dress and looked once again in the mirror and dashed down the stairs to see who had visited her.

“Damn!” said David punching the ground. He was angry and humiliated by his surprised blow to the head. It took him awhile to awaken when Jacob called his name and helped him off the ground.

“Are you okay?” Jacob said helping David with a hand up. “That bump on your head looks painful.”

“She’s gone,” David said as he felt his goose egg. His gaze directed past Jacob, looking in the direction Johanna had disappeared. There were footprints in the mud that lay before them. It had proven she had not escaped on her own.

“I know. I think we need to reevaluate what we are going to do. We have to get out of here before recruits come,” said Jacob. “You know she has the map with her, don’t you? Preston was admiring her locket earlier and she refused to let him look in it. It must be in there. The good news is we still have the cigar box we found in the liquor cabinet. I think it’s more important than just a bunch of exquisite cigars.”

Preston finally joining them with one of the cigars in his mouth, “Yeah, these cigars are going to determine who wins the war,” he laughed.

David still looking around as if Johanna was going to appear out of the woods ignored the men, “I blew it. I stopped thinking about the mission for one second. I know better. I have to get her back,” said David.

“What do you mean? Have you gone mad?” asked Preston.

“Yes...” David hesitated and then caught himself, “no, I just mean, we need to get that map from her.”

“Right, how do you suppose we do that?” Jacob asked.

“I don’t know yet,” said David still rubbing his head.

“Well, I am in, whatever you decide,” said Preston.

“Thanks, I appreciate your support,” said David.

Preston laughed, “No, it’s not that, I am just amused by the effect Miss Lee has on you.”

When Malcolm met Johanna at her door to escort her to the Beauregard’s ball, she was surprised to notice how very handsome he was. He had a boyish charm about him that made a girl’s heart skip a beat in his presence.

“You look lovely,” he smiled at her and helped her into the carriage. “It’s hard for me to take my eyes off you.” Johanna blushed not used to the attention. “What, you don’t believe me?”

“Thank you. It’s been a long time since anyone has noticed,” smiled Johanna still blushing.

“I find that hard to believe. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon.” He continued with his compliments.

“Be careful Mr. Graystone, I might skip the ball and take you straight to church,” smiled Johanna.

“Only if it’s for our wedding,” he said with a grin. They both laughed. Johanna slightly embarrassed.

Johanna looked out the carriage window smiling and thinking how she couldn’t wait to see the look on Clarice’s face when she walked in on the arm of a handsome man that Clarice hadn’t yet had her hands on.

Johanna had history with Clarice Beauregard. They unfortunately belonged in the same society. Johanna had to be exposed to her for teas, dinners, and of course for balls. Johanna found her to be mean and manipulative. Normally Clarice didn’t bother her in the least, especially because her family most of the time resided in New Orleans.

But when circumstance would have it and Johanna had to see her, she would make every effort not to encourage Clarice’s manner. She wasn’t worth the effort.

Clarice was the model of what every man wanted. She was beautiful, seductive, and charismatic. Johanna had to learn this lesson first hand. She was in the wake of Clarice’s power she held over men. One young man Johanna thought had potential to be a suitor was ruined by Clarice. More like ruined him. She set her sights on him and devoured him with one swift blow. Johanna was in the crossfire and was also burned. From that day on, Johanna vowed to never ever be involved with any man that Clarice had encountered. It was a no win situation. He would forever be regretful of losing Clarice or regretful of never getting the chance.

Johanna sighed with a heavy heart. Just a small glimpse of heartache always brought Johanna to that place where she felt that pang of deception. The carriage listed to the right and with it brought Johanna out of her sharp and painful past.

“Are you all right?” Malcolm questioned her hardened look.

“Oh yes. I am not quite enthusiastic for parties they give me a bit of anxiety.” She answered.

“Well, there is nothing to fear. I shall not leave your side.” Malcolm smiled.

Johanna smiled a not so convincing smile back.