Destiny's Temprtress

by Janelle Taylor

  After placing the heavy tray on the table, Mattilu came to see about Shannon. The redhead excitedly revealed, “We’re saved, Matti. Eli is going to take us to Charleston. From there, we can get home.”

  Mattilu turned and gazed suspiciously at the man leaning against the door frame. “Don’t worry,” Shannon informed her. “He explained everything. We can trust him,” she stated, smiling at Elisha.

  Elisha suggested, “Matti, why don’t you go eat and pack, then return and help Shannon with her belongings. After we eat, I have to speak with Sellers and get things prepared for you two.”

  Mattilu grinned broadly. “I shore am glad I wuzn’t wrong about you, sir. I’ll take care of everything and Miss Shannon. See, chile, ain’t nothing to worry about no more. They’s still good men around.”

  Shannon smiled at Elisha again as she agreed. Suddenly the smile faded and Shannon turned away from him. After Mattilu left, the man questioned her change of mood. She looked up into his entreating gaze and asked, “How will I pay for our fares? What will you expect for this rescue, Eli?”

  He caressed her cheek, for he grasped her meaning. “Only your safety and happiness, angel,” he responded so honestly and tenderly that it pained her to delude him.

  “If I could give you more, Eli, I would.” She felt so guilty about using this man; who loved her, to reach the man she loved. She sadly admitted to herself that she had no other choice. “Forgive me.”

  “There’s no need, angel. I won’t give up hope for us, but I won’t use your trouble to make you mine. I know it would spoil things.”

  “Oh, Eli, if things were different—if I were different—I would marry you tonight. You’re one of the best friends I’ve had.”

  He chuckled and embraced her. “If you were different, Shannon Greenleaf, I wouldn’t want you so much. Perhaps in time you might discover you can’t forget me, or things could change. If that day comes, promise to look for me, because I know I won’t be able to replace you any time soon, if ever.”

  Shannon gazed into his compelling eyes. “I promise, Eli.”

  After they had eaten and Elisha had departed, Shannon cried. Elisha was very special. She had to be careful not to deceive him more than necessary; she had to be careful not to encourage his love and desire. She entered the bedroom to complete her packing.

  It was still dark Tuesday morning when Elisha and his helper came for the two women and their belongings. Shannon snuggled into her woolen cape to ward off the freezing weather that was teasing at December’s door. The sky was black behind countless tiny lights. For some curious reason, the word “freedom” kept racing through her mind. Instead of being afraid and wary, Shannon felt calm and confident. She was happy and full of anticipation, and she knew it was because of Elisha Carter.

  The ship sailed shortly after they were aboard and comfortably ensconced in Captain Sellers’s quarters. Elisha had told them to remain there unless he announced otherwise. If there was trouble, they were to be passed off as prisoners, which reminded Shannon of the incident in Moore’s camp. He had said the trip would require about three or four days, according to winds and Union obstacles. They could have made better time if it hadn’t been necessary to sail inside the blockade lines so close to land contours and shore perils. She was astonished and delighted when Elisha revealed that he had left hints around town to imply she was sailing for Nassau and England with him. That information would halt or slow everyone’s search for her! Her affection and respect for him increased, as did her remorse for duping him.

  The first day at sea passed without a problem. Aside from a heavy breeze, the weather was pleasant, though cold. Shannon couldn’t speak ill of the winds, for they blew in the ship’s favor. Surprisingly, she and Matti fared well on the rough seas. The captain and Elisha joined her for the evening meal, which passed with good food and amusing sea tales. That night, Shannon slept peacefully.

  The next morning, Elisha allowed her to come topside to enjoy the view and adventure. She stood at the railing and allowed his arm to rest lightly around her shoulders. She inhaled the cold air and smiled.

  “You make an excellent sailor, Miss Greenleaf. Too bad your first voyage comes during such bad weather and conditions.”

  Shannon laughed. “Only the circumstances are bad, Eli,” she corrected him. “Now I see why you and Corry are bewitched by this magic. How do I thank you for such a gallant rescue?”

  “Your smile and joy are thanks enough, angel. Does the offer still stand to introduce me to Corry and to help me acquire his business?”

  “More so than ever, Captain Carter. The sea gives one such feelings of excitement and freedom. I shall have to tag along.” Shannon instantly scolded herself, for she was innocently misleading him again.

  Elisha watched the wind whip through her hair and tousle it riotously. The morning sun beamed down on it, bringing it to fiery life. The sky and clouds were reflected in her large blue eyes, as dark and mysterious as the .waters around the ship. She was exquisite. She was stimulating. She was complex. How he wished he possessed the courage to whisk her away to sunny and exotic Nassau! Perhaps after the war…

  “I’ve never seen you so happy and carefree, Shannon. I wish I could have known you before this war, and I hope to know you after it.”

  “I have you to thank for this present mood, kind sir. Home, Eli—I’m finally going home,” she stated wistfully. “It’s been a long and hard journey.” Tears stung her eyes and she lowered her head.

  Elisha briefly tightened his hold on her. “It isn’t over yet, angel. But at least most of your troubles are behind us.”

  Wednesday afternoon, Simon Travers and his men arrived in Wilmington. It did not take long for them to uncover the false clues left by Elisha. He raged at Shannon’s stroke of luck. Again, he had missed capturing her by one day! How many men was she going to enchant into helping her? She couldn’t flee him forever. Simon pondered Blane Stevens’s reaction to her little adventure with another man. Unless the man had wings, he mused, they had arrived before the dashing Union agent. Why shouldn’t he leave a fatal surprise for Blane, compliments of Shannon? The handsome rake deserved death for stealing his property! That would ensure Blane’s never joining her again. Besides, the Union was winning the war; it didn’t require Blane’s help. Before he and his men departed in the morning, he would send a message to General Holmes about that Yankee spy, and sign it from the Flame.

  Simon fumed at this new delay, but he also questioned his information about Shannon’s destination. He knew that Shannon wanted to get to Corry and Greenleaf. Suddenly the truth became clear. Of course! That’s where the sly witch was heading! he realized triumphantly. It was time to stop pursuing her all over the South. The smart thing to do was head for Savannah and wait for her arrival. He could become part of the welcoming committee for General Sherman. The way that soldier was progressing, Savannah would greet Christmas as a Union conquest. When unsuspecting Shannon arrived—and he was certain she soon would, he would be waiting for her, waiting with the evidence to force the Rebel Flame into his possession.

  * * *

  Strange things were happening, things that caused Blane to increase his caution and vigilance. While Simon and his men were sleeping in a hotel not far away, Blane sneaked into the Resting Place to retrieve Shannon. He was alarmed to find her suite empty and clean. He wondered if that hateful Molly had assigned his love to a smaller and cheaper room. There was only one way to discover the facts.

  Molly opened the door to her suite and sleepily gazed at the anxious man standing there, demanding to speak with her. She smiled and invited him inside, closing the door behind him. In the dim lamplight, she did not realize how harsh her features appeared.

  When the woman tried to dally with him, he asked sternly, “Where is Shannon, Molly? I don’t have all night.”

  Molly’s blood and temper began to simmer. “She’s gone. And she didn’t leave any message for you,” she added frostily at his concern.
/>   “Gone?” he echoed in disbelief. “Where? How?”

  The nettled woman responded angrily, “She got a letter, then packed and left. She sailed with Captain Elisha Carter yesterday. I believe he said for Nassau, then England. She certainly must be popular, with so many men and soldiers asking for her. If you’re planning to chase her, I wouldn’t recommend it. She’s been sleeping with Elisha during your absence, and she’s going to marry him.”

  Blane drew back his hand and almost slapped Molly before he could stop himself. “You vile liar. The only man she sleeps with is me,” he snarled unwittingly. “Don’t you ever besmirch her name again.”

  “You sorry bastard!” Molly sneered. “It serves you right to be fooled by her. I found Elisha in her bed one morning when I went to deliver her breakfast. He was naked and sleeping like a baby. I didn’t have to ask why, and neither should you. I don’t suppose you heard about the attack on his ship? He lost it and most of his crew. He was hurt, but he survived. He came running back to Miss Shannon for comfort. You can say or think as you will, but I saw it with these two eyes. Matti had been waiting on her hand and foot and letting her other chores suffer, so I took up the tray to set her straight. She was in the bathing closet cleaning up and Elisha was sleeping. Neither of them saw me. If you find her, ask her. I dare you.”

  Molly was filled with rage and spite. She acidly scoffed, “She’s only using both of you. And there’s no telling how many other men she’s snared with those looks and that body. She uses her charms and devious innocence to wrap you men around her finger. She did the same with Elisha, then sailed off with him yesterday. Ask around. You’ll learn I speak the truth. What else would he be doing in her bed early in the morning without clothes? He only lives a short way from this hotel.”

  Blane scowled at the hostile woman. He knew her well enough to realize she was telling the truth, from her point of view. Yet he felt there was something strange about Elisha’s return and his stay in Shannon’s room. “What about this letter you said she received?” he probed inquisitively.

  “Matti took it up to her. Some man delivered it just before lunch Monday. It couldn’t have been a new assignment, or she wouldn’t have taken off with Elisha. Unless he’s her partner now.”

  “You’re positive she didn’t leave any message for me?”

  “I’m positive she didn’t. If you don’t believe what I’m saying, go ask my sister. She was even more shocked by your Shannon’s departure with another man. When Elisha was here, she spent nearly every minute with him. I can’t blame her. He’s handsome and virile and very rich. He asked her to marry him several times. She finally agreed. Or maybe she was just trying to avoid her duties. Two soldiers did come looking for her this morning. They seemed none too pleased about her taking off like that. Damn the bitch! She even stole Matti from us. Is that any way to repay us for helping her? No doubt the famous spy needed a personal serving woman. If you see her, you let her know she ain’t welcome here again.”

  Blane’s expression altered as he digested those additional facts. After telling Molly he wouldn’t be returning again, he went to awaken Sarah Jane to test her sister’s honesty and to glean more information. He was dismayed to receive almost the same story Molly had given him. Sarah Jane made it worse by telling him how sorry she was that Shannon had turned to another man for affection and help.

  “Don’t you think it was just friendship or loneliness?”

  Sarah Jane lowered her lashes to conceal her disappointment with Shannon and the girl’s behavior. “All I know is what I saw, Major James. They looked mighty close. I do know Elisha fell in love with her and asked her to marry him. He said she was considering his proposal. He told me he hoped they could return from England as man and wife. I know Shannon was afraid of something, but enough to marry Eli?…I thought there was something between you two.”

  “There was, Sarah Jane. I don’t understand her actions.” He felt traitorous asking if she knew about Molly’s wanton charges.

  “Molly told me what she saw. I didn’t believe her until—” Sarah Jane’s face went red and she halted her statement.

  “Until what, Sarah Jane?” he pressed apprehensively.

  “I’m sorry, Major James, but I did see Captain Carter sneaking down the back stairs very early that morning. He must have just returned from his narrow escape with that Union ship. He had several bandages on his head and arms and hands. I wish she had left you a message, sir, but she didn’t. I was hoping that letter was from you. I only saw her for a short time after she received it. Whatever it said, it made her afraid. She went to the train depot to buy a ticket to Charleston, but there were no trains due for days. I know she tried to buy or rent a horse or pay someone to drive her to Charleston. She even asked me to help her locate someone. When I couldn’t, I assumed she would be staying here. Perhaps Captain Carter offered to help her get away,” she speculated, feeling sympathy for the man standing before her, who was obviously distressed and pained over Shannon’s loss.

  Sarah Jane added, “They were to have dinner downstairs. He asked me to hold and prepare a special table. When Shannon didn’t come down to join him, he went to her room. Matti served them there. She and Shannon have become close friends. I can’t blame her for leaving to go to work for her. Molly did treat Matti badly.”

  “Do you know how long Carter stayed with her that night?”

  “Probably only long enough to eat. I saw him leaving a little over an hour later. He came after them early the next morning.”

  Blane analyzed these new facts. “Are you sure they were sailing for Nassau and England?” he persisted.

  “All I know is what I was told, sir. I did hear talk that it was true. They left on the Majestic Maiden with Captain Sellers.”

  Blane thanked her and left. He was standing beside his horse in the stable, getting ready to mount, when four soldiers entered the wooden structure and surrounded him. Blane eyed the guns leveled at him and wisely did not reach for his Colt or his knife. His instincts and skills came to full alert as he sized up each man and the situation.

  The stocky captain moved closer to Blane as his gaze swept over the tall, muscular agent. “You can drop your weapons, Major Stevens. You ain’t going nowhere but to hell come sunup. Your spying days are over, Yank. Do it real easy, with your left hand.”

  Blane scanned the expressions and stances of the men before him, astutely obtaining facts about the courage and skills of each. He observed how each foe held his weapon and reacted to the situation. He didn’t smile at the captain’s mistake in ordering him to use his left hand. He casually and fearlessly used one finger to lift his gun from its holster, then dropped it to the ground in a calculated, though unnoticeable, manner. He did the same with his hunting knife. Like a cunning mountain lion, he remained poised and prepared to attack the moment their guards were dropped. He patted Dan’s nose as the well-trained and intelligent animal smelled danger and shifted his hooves in mounting tension and alertness.

  The Confederate officer ordered, “Up with those hands, Yank. We don’t want to deny you a proper neck stretching at dawn. Rebel bullets are too quick and easy for scum like you.”

  Often under such conditions, Blane would unnerve and distract his opponent or opponents with taunting smiles and remarks. Tonight, he operated differently. He was in a hurry, and he had other things on his mind. He shrugged and lifted his hands slightly above his shoulders. “You got the wrong man, Captain. How about you explaining this mix-up to me?” he coaxed genially.

  The sandy-haired man lowered his rifle. The private relaxed his grip on his weapon. The captain holstered his revolver as he laughed triumphantly. Only one soldier, a redhead, kept alert with his weapon poised for use.

  The cocky officer teased, “You hear that, boys? Major Stevens thinks we caught us the wrong polecat. I would say Flame’s description of him and his horse call him a bold-faced liar. We can’t be mistaken, Yank. You showed up when and where she claimed you would. See tha
t, boys? There’s a knife scar on his left jawbone right where she said it would be. How many men do you think there are carrying a western Colt and a Cavalry knife and wearing a bandanna like a Texan? Brown and yellow hair and greeny brown eyes. You’re him, all right.”

  “Who is this Flame? And what am I accused of doing, Captain?” Blane observed the men as three of the soldiers laughed and exchanged knowing looks. Only the redhead remained stiff and silent.

  The private hinted mirthfully, “Why don’t you tell him, sir? Maybe these Yanks are too dumb to know about our beautiful heroine.”

  “Only a fool doesn’t know about Flame,” the sandy-haired man scoffed, placing his rifle butt on the ground beside his right boot and holding the barrel steady with his fingers.

  “Are you one of those fools, Major Stevens?” the private asked, then giggled like a young girl who was spying on her sister’s first date.

  “I must be, Private, ’cause I’ve never met her,” Blane replied.

  “Then how do you know Flame is a female, Major Blane Stevens from Texas?” the redhead scoffed, his rifle barrel still aimed at the Texan’s middle. The man’s blue eyes were as cold as frozen ocean water.

  Blane shook his head in silent chiding. “Men don’t usually refer to a male agent as a beautiful heroine,” he retorted insultingly, paying closer attention to that particular man. “Who is this woman, and why has she got it in for me? You do have legal charges against me?”

  Amused chuckles escaped the captain’s throat. “Oh, we got us plenty of charges, Yank. You traveled with Flame, so you should know her. Before she left town, she gave General Holmes a long list of your deeds, long enough to get you hanged at first light. Flame said she couldn’t hang around”—he halted to laugh at his choice of words—“to watch you pay for your crimes. Said she found someone else to work on. If I was a Yank, I sure wouldn’t mind her working on me,” he murmured, grinning lewdly and smacking his thick lips. “She also gave him a list of your Union sympathizers. He’s gonna take care of them as soon as he deals with you. Tell us, Major, is she as beautiful and clever as they say?”