Destiny's Temprtress

by Janelle Taylor

  Chapter Fifteen

  Just before she lapsed into unconsciousness, the man removed his hand from her mouth and nose. Shannon inhaled sharply and deeply in a desperate at tempt to refill her lungs with life-sustaining air. She began to breathe heavily and urgently to arouse herself. Her heart was pounding and her pulse was racing. Her vision gradually cleared. By the time she was breathing at an almost normal rate, her lips and throat were dry. She looked into the tormented expression of the man still hovering over her—the man who still held her imprisoned between his legs.

  In a voice filled with anguish, he asked, “Why, Shannon? Why did you betray me? I thought I could trust you. I thought you were something special. She told me you were a Confederate agent. It’s a lie. You’re working for the Union. They were waiting for us when we reached the mouth of the York River. They blew my ship to hell and back. Nearly all of my crew was killed or captured.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her violently as he sneered contemptuously, “My God, I was taken in by a bewitching vixen. I wanted to marry you. That’s like taking a viper into my arms and bed. Even if you didn’t love me, didn’t you at least care about me? Did my life, my crew, my ship, those men awaiting my supplies mean nothing to you? I should kill you, woman, but I can’t,” he hoarsely admitted.

  He flung his leg off her and sprang to his feet. Seizing her right arm, he forcefully yanked her from the bed and tersely ordered, “Get dressed. I’m turning you over to General Holmes. We’ll see if he’s as generous with your miserable neck as I was. I can’t slay you, but I can’t allow you to destroy more lives with your bloody spying.”

  Shannon was rubbing her sore throat and staring at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Eli. I didn’t tell anyone about your plans. I swear it on my life and honor.”

  “You don’t have any honor, you bloody traitor. And soon you won’t have a life—not one to speak of. If they don’t hang you, they’ll let you rot in prison. I trusted you and I loved you, Shannon. Why? Damnit, you owe me an explanation! For once, be honest with me.”

  “I don’t know who betrayed you to the Yankees, Eli, but it wasn’t me. Don’t you remember how I begged you not to go?”

  “Yes, I remember. It was because you knew you would be sending me into a trap. There were only three people who knew about my plans: me, General Holmes, and General Bragg. Until we pulled anchor, not even my crew knew where we were sailing or why. I didn’t want any of them getting drunk and dropping clues. It had to be you. Molly told me you were an agent for our side, but that isn’t true. You’re here to help destroy Wilmington and Fort Fisher, aren’t you, Flame?”

  Shannon paled. “Perhaps General Holmes told someone. Why don’t you ask General Bragg about me? He’s known me since I was a child. He was a good friend of my father’s. In fact, why don’t you talk with Molly again? She can tell you I haven’t been out of this room except once, and that was to help nurse a trainload of wounded Rebels—Rebels, Eli, not Yankees. I don’t know what Molly told you or why, but somebody’s lying. Not I, Eli. I did not betray you,” she stressed, tears rolling down her flushed cheeks. “You asked me to marry you before you left. If I had known you wouldn’t be returning, why wouldn’t I have agreed to marry you and become your wealthy widow? Why wouldn’t I have agreed to marry you later just to fool you? Listen to me, Eli; I have not used you. Please believe me.”

  His frosty, hurt expression didn’t change as she continued. “Don’t you remember how I tried to silence Vance’s messenger when he was revealing privileged information downstairs? If I had been after information, would I have tried to hush him? And you—when have I probed you for information? Never! Have you forgotten you mentioned this plan and trip in the parlor that first night we met. Either of those lieutenants could have told someone. How do you know it was a trap? Maybe they were awaiting any ship.”

  “Are you saying you didn’t tell Molly and her sister you’re a Rebel spy? You aren’t staying here as their guest, relaxing until your next assignment? That is, if you aren’t doing one here. Would you like to know what the Yankee captain shouted as he sent the last volley into my ship?” he sneered in simmering fury. “He said he owed the capture of my ship and crew to the beautiful temptress called Flame. I was lucky I got away; most of my men didn’t. I heard what that soldier said to you on the train, and I saw how you reacted. Can you swear you aren’t the notorious Flame,” he scoffed bitterly.

  Shannon’s heart thudded painfully. She recalled that Jeremy had visited her after Elisha’s departure that day. The attack on his ship had to have been a result of Jeremy’s eavesdropping. Who else could have known about his voyage and blamed her? He must have sent word to Blane, telling him of their friendship, and of Eli’s daring plans, and of her suspicious silence. They had almost gotten this man killed. Were they also responsible for incriminating her? Who else could know so much about her activities?

  Shannon sank to the bed and sighed heavily. Her gaze lowered to the floor and more tears slipped down her cheeks. She didn’t know what to think about the Blade, her cherished lover. Partial truth seemed the only way out, and perhaps Elisha deserved that much from her. She had to find some way to extricate herself and to protect Blane. “It’s a long and complicated story, Eli. I’ve heard of the Flame’s black deeds, but I’m not responsible for them. I admit I was given that code name in August, but I haven’t used it or earned it. I did know those three men who were murdered, but I didn’t kill them or help do it. And I don’t know why that Yankee captain blamed me for your attack. If you’ll listen, I’ll try to explain. When I finish, I’ll dress and you can take me to General Holmes. I won’t try to stop you, and I won’t try to escape. Maybe I should discover who’s trying to involve me in these crimes, and why.”

  Shannon stood up to pace while she talked. “When it all started in Washington a few months ago, it sounded so patriotic, so logical, so simple and exciting. Lord, I was ignorant, and impulsive, and egotistic. I thought I was doing what was right for me and my family, for my country. I was reared to respect and obey authority. My father and brother had sided with the Union, so naturally I assumed my loyalties and duties lay with them. After my father and older brother were slain and my younger brother was taken prisoner, I was terrified of losing everyone and everything I loved. When I went to see President Lincoln, I naively thought I needed his permission and approval before I set out to locate and rescue Corry. I didn’t know anything about war or what was happening in the South, but I did know I would need help with weapons and supplies and safe places to hide and rest. I had read the glorious accounts of agents like Rose Greenhow and Belle Boyd. I pictured myself as a fearless heroine who was going to save her brother and home. I even foolishly believed I could become a clever agent who could help end this miserable war.”

  Shannon sighed heavily, then drank water to soothe her dry throat. “After what happened to my family, I didn’t think I owed the Confederacy anything. To me, the South and the Confederacy weren’t the same thing. The South was good, my home. The Confederacy was bad, a pack of renegades. My father had convinced me that the United States had to be reunited; I still believe that’s true.”

  Shannon halted by the windows and stared outside at the full moon. She decided to color the truth slightly by telling Eli she had actually met the President. “When I met Lincoln, I was most impressed by him. He agreed to my working for the Union in exchange for their help with Corry. I was flattered by his confidence and faith in me. I felt I would be doing something important. Maybe I was deluding myself all along. I do know he helped me out of a terrible situation. There was a man chasing me, trying to force me to marry him. Lincoln helped me get away from him. It all happened in a big rush. When I left the White House, I only wanted to free my brother from a Confederate prison and get home to Savannah to escape that evil Simon Travers. I don’t know how things got so confused.”

  She looked over at him, her lips and chin quivering. “You’re hurt, Eli. Can I banda
ge your wounds while we talk? If I do anything wrong, you can shoot me.” She asked him to remove his tattered shirt and let her examine his injuries.

  Elisha did not agree to her ministrations because he was in pain, though he was; he agreed because he wanted to observe her while she worked, while she was touching him. He sat in a chair as Shannon bathed and dressed his wounds from her medical supplies. He had several small burns, but they were easily tended. His arms revealed many cuts and abrasions, but what stitches were needed would come later. She did the best she could, relieved that he had survived this treachery.

  “You aren’t talking, woman,” he stated evocatively.

  Shannon was finished with her bandaging. She moved to the sofa and sat down, facing him. “My deal with Lincoln was simple. In return for getting me to my brother, I was to pass them any information I could gather about the Rebels. But I’ve never performed my task. I have not sent any missives to Yankees or reported to any agent. All along the way, I’ve worked doing things to aid the Confederacy, like helping with those trains of wounded. I never learned anything that the papers hadn’t already printed. I really don’t think Lincoln intended for me to be anything more than a cover for his male agents. Most of the time, I’ve been running and hiding, living in constant fear of discovery and often under awful conditions. I don’t know why, because I never did anything wrong, despite what they claim I’ve done.”

  Shannon told Elisha about her talk with President Davis and how she knew him. She told him about her nursing in Danville and about Major Clifford’s attack. She explained who James Thornton was. “They were evil men, but I didn’t kill either of them. I swear it, Eli. I don’t know who did or why. Nor did I kill Zachary Pike. He was very kind to me, a good man.”

  Shannon snuffled as she remorsefully recalled the lieutenant. “There was always something happening to keep me bound to the Union. Sometimes it was nothing more than the challenge of proving myself, of showing my gratitude to Lincoln and my partner. The closer I got to home and the more times he saved my life, the more I felt I owed him my loyalty. Maybe I’m just gullible and trusting, but he kept me alive. When I had time to read papers and gather news, the truth of this war struck home. I told my partner I couldn’t help the Union because of the terrible things Sherman, Sheridan, and Grant were doing.”

  Shannon told him, “They said I could quit, if I promised not to reveal any of the things I had learned about their agents. I don’t know who’s making up these tales or committing these crimes, Eli, but it isn’t me. Do you honestly believe I could do such horrible deeds?”

  Elisha was watching her closely. “Who brought you here?”

  Shannon was forced to lie to protect Blane. “After I refused to keep my part of the bargain with Lincoln, the agent with whom I was traveling dropped me and headed toward Charlotte. If I fail to keep my word, he’ll look me up and get rid of me. While I was hiding and trying to decide what to do, I met a Confederate agent who let me travel with him because I told him I was working for President Davis. About all I’ve done is serve as his cover, sometimes playing his sister or nurse or wife. He left me here to rest and stay safe until he finished a mission for General Lee. When he heads for Savannah, he promised I could go along. Sarah Jane and Molly allow Rebel agents to stay here, so I claimed to be one. Ask anyone if I’ve done anything suspicious. I want this war to end, Eli, but not by helping the Union destroy the South. I swear to you I haven’t gathered any information here in Wilmington and passed it along. I swear to you I told no one about your trip. I won’t spy for the Union, but I cannot betray the people I met who are working for the Union. They helped me and defended me many times.”

  “Where is your brother? Did you find him?” he inquired.

  “No. The men at Danville told me he’s either at Andersonville or he escaped on his way there. Surely you’ve heard about that awful place. Can you blame me for wanting to help him escape? But when I saw what my help involved, I couldn’t go through with it. As to who’s playing the Flame, I don’t know. Maybe it’s some kind of trick to elicit my aid, or a punishment for refusing it. Maybe somebody’s using the elusive Flame to cover up his own crimes. Why don’t you do some checking around? I’m willing to bet this false Flame has committed crimes while I’ve been here. That should prove it isn’t me.”

  “How do you explain my betrayal?” he questioned.

  She candidly admitted, “I can’t. Someone could have been spying on me and overheard what you said. The others might have been responsible. Damnit, it wasn’t me.”

  “Does Steven James know all of this?” he asked.

  “If you tell that Confederate agent about me, he’ll…There’s no telling what he’ll do if he learns about what I’ve told you. Please, Eli, you mustn’t tell anyone what I’ve said tonight. If you don’t believe me, you can imagine what he’ll think. Heavens, he’ll probably think I’m spying on him! Why did I get myself into this mess? What do I have to say or do to convince you I’m innocent?” she entreated.

  “Marry me,” he responded, to her surprise and his own. “I couldn’t turn in my own wife, could I? And that way, I would be sure you were retired from Union duty.”

  Shannon looked at him in dismay. “I can’t marry you, Eli. I am very fond of you, but I don’t love you. It would be wrong to marry you without love and under duress. Turn me in, if you must. Perhaps I can prove my innocence to the authorities before they do anything drastic. But why should strangers believe such an incredible story when you won’t? Of course it sounds too improbable to be true. At least they’ll know I’m blameless when this false Flame commits another crime while I’m in prison, or after I’m executed.”

  “Do you realize what prisons are like for women?” he asked her.

  “I’ve heard stories. This is one of the dangers of being an agent. When someone discovers your identity, he uses it to blackmail you. I should be thrilled and flattered. Major Clifford demanded sex for survival; and James Thornton wanted to ransom me to Simon. At least you and Pike were honorable enough to demand marriage.”

  “Would marriage to me be as bad as prison?” he persisted.

  “Under these circumstances, perhaps it would. I can’t let you do this to either of us, Eli. We don’t deserve being punished for someone else’s crimes. Without love and trust, we wouldn’t have a real marriage. I cannot wed you as a bribe to avoid arrest.”

  Elisha’s gaze critically surveyed the woman before it. He had watched and listened intently as she related her remarkable story. He mentally envisioned those days he had spent with her and around her. “Either you’re a damn good actress and a brazen bluffer, or you’re telling the truth. Which is it, Shannon Greenleaf?” He inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled as he made his decision.

  Shannon’s somber gaze unwaveringly met his percing one. “During the last few months, I’ve been all of those, Eli. I’m sorry about your ship and friends. I’ve suffered losses too, so I know how you must be feeling. Believing I betrayed you must make it harder. I am glad you survived, Eli.” She noticed his hesitation. “I realize this is a difficult decision for you. I have no evidence to prove my innocence. You don’t know me, so you have no reason to trust me. All I can say is I’m not that treacherous Flame. Maybe someone created a heroic image to stir men’s spirits. Maybe someone’s using Flame to distract enemies from the real agent. Maybe someone’s after me. I don’t have any logical, or perhaps believable, answers. If you would rather not assume the responsibility for my guilt or innocence, I’ll understand. Do what you feel is right. I won’t blame you or hate you.”

  Elisha ran his fingers through his mussed sable hair and absently chewed on the inside of his left jaw. “I hope I’m making the right choice, Shannon, because I’m not going to turn you in. I’m afraid the authorities might not be as trusting as I am. Prison is a horrible place, and I wouldn’t want you harmed.”

  Shannon closed her eyes and exhaled loudly in relief and gratitude. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. �
�You are indeed a very special man, Elisha Carter, but I knew that when I met you,” she stated sincerely. “I promise you won’t be sorry for believing me.”

  “Then show your appreciation by letting me stay here tonight.” When he saw her face pale and her eyes fill with anguish, he clarified, “Not to repay me for saving your hide by sleeping with me. I lived on my ship, so I have no place to go. It’s late and I’m exhausted. I won’t touch you, Shannon; you have my word of honor. I just need to sleep. I’ll look for a room in the morning.”

  Shannon’s indecision was visible. “What if someone sees you coming out of my room? I already have that notorious Flame reputation to deal with. This could make matters worse for me.” She sighed heavily. “But you’re right. I do owe you for protecting me, and I could be partly to blame for your misfortune. Eli, can I ask you one question without your taking offense?” she queried anxiously.

  “Ask,” he replied, wondering at her curious look.

  “This trip and attack—they did take place, didn’t they? This wasn’t a trick to unmask me or to ensnare me, was it? I know it must sound awful that I ask such things, but I’ve become so wary.”

  Elisha knew she was being honest with her questions. “Look at me, woman. Are these injuries false? I thought you were a Rebel agent, Shannon, even if you did act strange for one.”

  “What do you mean?” she probed in bewilderment.

  “You never asked questions and snooped. You didn’t reveal yourself when I told you about the voyage. Little things like those.”

  “That was intentional. I didn’t want to do anything to incriminate myself, and I didn’t want to uncover facts that could divide my loyalties. If the Union contacted me or tried to force my aid, I could then swear I had nothing to report. I’m tired of running and hiding and being terrified. You can have the bed and I’ll take the sofa.”

  “No, I’ll take the sofa, if we can’t share the bed like two adults,” he jested, grinning at her.