Southern Beauty

by Lucia, Julie

  “We don’t have contacts with the elite. Do we?” asked Jacob.

  “I am going to look for my brother, maybe he will know something,” Preston added.

  “Good idea, Preston. Jacob and I will split up and ask around, see if anyone knows her whereabouts,” said David. “She’s got to have some kind of connection from here, friends or relatives.”

  Chapter 11

  “A

  bigail, it is so nice to see you!” said Johanna as she hugged her friend. “I have missed you so very much.”

  “Johanna, oh how I have missed you too,” Abigail equally excited to see her dearest friend.

  “How is married life?” Johanna asked.

  “It’s pretty amazing, I would have to say,” Abigail went on, “although I do miss you coming over for a chat and a cup of tea.”

  “Me too, thank you for letting me stay with you while I am here,” said Johanna as she scanned Abigail’s parlor. “I heard New Orleans is a magical place.”

  Abigail eyed Johanna with curiosity. ”Okay Johanna, what is going on with you? You are never one for small talk. What is on your mind?”

  “What do you mean?” asked Johanna.

  “First of all, I got word from my cousin Mary Alice and she told me all about the ball and your three handsome gentlemen, is this true?” Abigail asked with no reserve in her manner.

  “They are not all gentleman,” said Johanna thinking of David. “But, they are all very handsome indeed!”

  Both of them laughed the way women do when they are together conversing about intimate details.

  “Please do tell,” said Abigail even more intrigued.

  “You are sounding like your cousin now,” Johanna grinned and then sighed over her predicament. “Oh Abigail, I have never felt such conflict within my heart. It is silly really, but I don’t know what to do?”

  “Johanna, this isn’t like you,” Abigail observed. “You always have been clear on every direction you have taken.”

  “It seems God has other plans for me,” Johanna smiled.

  “Yes, sometimes He does. Well, how do you feel about each one of them?” Abigail said trying to help Johanna sort out her feelings. “Let’s start with the dashing Rene Beauregard!”

  “Oh Abigail really, that is absurd. Rene and I just met and I think he needs someone a little more adventurous than I. It would be hard to keep up with his aristocratic lifestyle. And by the way, could you imagine Clarice being my sister-in-law?” Both women grimaced and then laughed.

  “Well, if you change your mind, I just want to let you know that he is in town staying at his family’s house,” Abigail said with a wink.

  “I will keep that in mind when I am desperate for a genuine heartache,” teased Johanna.

  “Okay, let us move on to your number two man,” said Abigail, with a big grin on her face and her curiosity mounting.

  “All right, you are truly making me sound like a harlot,” laughed Johanna. She continued anyway, “Malcolm is adorable, you should see those dimples when he smiles. It makes your heart melt. He can make me feel important, like I am the only one for him. It truly is a gift I am sure he spent time perfecting.”

  “You don’t trust him?” asked Abigail.

  “No, it’s not that,” said Johanna. “He is a perfect gentleman, handsome, and kind.”

  “Okay then,” said Abigail, eying Johanna. “What’s the problem?”

  Johanna sighed, “The problem is number three.”

  # # #

  “Did you find her?” asked Jacob.

  “Not yet, but I did get in touch with the vixen from Charleston. It seems she is also in town. I think I can use her to my advantage once again,” said David smiling.

  “Isn’t there some kind of riff between her and Miss Lee? Are you sure you want to do that?” Jacob asked with concern.

  “They definitely have some history,” David agreed. “But they run in the same circles. She is a perfect cover for me to get to Johanna.”

  “What do you plan on doing once you finally find her?” asked Jacob.

  “First and most important making sure she is safe away from Graystone,” David said with a determined look on his face.

  “Then are you going to whisk her away from her family and take her to Harrisburg? Do I need to remind you about Kathleen? Or are you planning on marrying her too?” asked Jacob trying to get David to think about his actions.

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Jacob, you are making it sound like a Greek tragedy,” David laughed.

  “It very well maybe if you don’t get killed before this ends,” Jacob warned him.

  “Killed? Are you insinuating that Malcolm will kill me before he lets me have Johanna?” asked David laughing at the thought.

  Jacob ignored David’s question. “This is maddening to watch.”

  “What do you mean my friend?” asked David.

  “I have never seen you act like this before, at least about a woman,” said Jacob.

  “She is not just some woman,” said David serious now.

  “No, she is not,” agreed Jacob. He sighed as he eyed David, “I am concerned about you. Do you really love her or is this some crazy infatuation?”

  David bit his lip, contemplating Jacob’s question. He sighed and then smiled at his friend, “I really love her.”

  Chapter 12

  J

  ohanna felt the rush of adrenaline as she made her way through the cobblestone streets of Port of New Orleans. The French Quarter was a surprising place to be. The sounds of trombones and saxophones came out of every corner bar, the smell of incense and tobacco filled the streets, and candles flickered highlighting the drunken soldiers and sailors standing on the sidewalks talking to scanty clothed women. She tried not to notice any of this. She was determined to meet Malcolm and begin her trip to Virginia, to family once again.

  Louisiana had just passed the vote and the state had now officially seceded. People were celebrating anyway they knew how. Fireworks filled the evening sky while people cheered at the sight. She couldn’t even remember which side she was on or supposed to be on. She thought about David. How long would he be on her side? If Virginia seceded, they would forever be at odds. Right now they were both from the Union. How long would that last, days, weeks, or months? How long did they have?

  She wondered how far north she would have to travel to be an ally of his. Why she was thinking of him again in a loving way perplexed her.

  The St. Charles Hotel was connected to small shops and apartments. She couldn’t quite make out the figures standing overhead looking out balconies and whistling and laughing while she grasped the door of the hotel to enter. She refused to look up and acknowledge their misbehavior. She hesitated and took a deep breath and opened the door.

  “Excuse me, I am looking for someone I am supposed to meet here,” Johanna asked a hotel attendant who happen to be walking by her as she entered. Johanna was about to describe Malcolm when he grumbled.

  “Try over there,” he pointed toward a table where a man sat, it appeared the hotel attendant was too busy to be bothered.

  The man who he pointed to sat at a small table alone, glasses barely fit on top of his nose. He seemed to be trying to read scraps of paper that lay out in front of him, he was mumbling to himself. Johanna started toward him when a woman with a hooded cloak interrupted her path.

  “Please come with me,” she ordered Johanna.

  No words were spoken between them as they walked silently toward the hotel’s cellar steps. A light flickered from below as they descended. Before Johanna reached the bottom stair, a feeling of uneasiness pricked at her, but it was too late to turn back.

  “I am looking for Mr. Graystone,” she tried to ask the woman whose face was still covered by her cloak. “Have you seen him, Private Malcolm Graystone?”

  The woman made no reply until they reached the end of the stairs. Lantern lights flickered in the dark exposing a single door at the end of a hallway.

 
; “The one you seek may not be the one you desire,” she smiled pulling her cloak off her head.

  Johanna was surprised to see a beautiful young woman with dark features her Creole accent only enhanced her beauty. Johanna watched the woman walk gracefully toward the door and knocked once and then twice more.

  The door opened and Johanna was pushed through a darkened room that was only lit by a small candelabrum which sat alone in the center of the room. Johanna focused on its light. Then she noticed the shadowy figure that ominously sat behind it.

  “Welcome, Johanna Lee,” a rough voice came out of the darkness. Each candle flame swayed with each breath he took. Johanna continued to focus on the candles, their wax melting and slowly cascading down making a shape she could not place.

  “Do I know you?” she asked with fear in her voice.

  “I don’t think so,” he laughed. “But you will get to know me soon enough.” His men laughed.

  “Do you know where I can find Mr. Graystone?” she asked ignoring his insinuation.

  “Yes and no.” he came out of the darkness.

  Johanna gasped. She knew who he was. He was Captain Darren Myers. But, he wasn’t a captain, more like a pirate. He stole cargo ships in harbors and kidnapped women in ports.

  “Ah, you recognize me from the wanted posters,” he grinned with excitement.

  Johanna still speechless stood still.

  “They don’t do me justice. I think I am much more handsome in person,” he laughed. “Don’t you think?”

  Johanna stepped backwards. The room had now brightened and she now could see Myers’ men blocking the stairs to her exit. The lamps they held flickered casting shadows about the room. Johanna noticed the woman who had led her into danger had now vanished.

  “What do you want?” she asked with more courage than she actually had.

  “You are in possession of something that is very valuable. It will come in handy as a bargaining tool for my freedom,” Myers grumbled.

  “I have nothing in my possession,” she replied.

  “Oh but you do, my sweet,” he said.

  Johanna stared him down, “I am telling you, I have no jewelry or anything of value on me.”

  Captain Myers laughed and his men followed. Shadows continued to dance around the room, giving it a haunted feeling.

  “Jewels and money I have plenty of. That is not what I am speaking of,” Myers continued. “Freedom is what I seek.”

  “There is no way anyone would give you pardon for what you have done. Not even for all the riches in the world,” Johanna said in frustration.

  “No, but for winning a war, there are those who would sell their souls,” Myers said.

  “You must be mistaken,” she said. “I do not have anything in my possession worth any value.” She again surprised herself with her lack of fear.

  “Oh, I think you do pretty lady,” said Myers. “There is a rumor that your uncle is friends with a balloonist. He made a secret map for him, an original. It is a treasure many men will pay for and even die for, and many women too.”

  The men in the room laughed. There were more than she first thought.

  “I am sorry you must be mistaken. I have nothing, and if I did, I still would not give it to you,” she boldly declared.

  “Oh, I do like feisty women,” Captain Myers laughed. “It’s a shame I have to let you go.”

  “You will let me go?” she asked.

  “As soon as I get what I want from you,” Myers explained.

  “I have nothing, I tell you,” Johanna repeated.

  “Yes, you said that. Maybe I should have my men search you?” he asked. “I know they would enjoy that immensely.”

  The men in the room laughed and cheered in agreement.

  “You wouldn’t?” asked Johanna now frightened.

  “Maybe, I will keep you instead for my collection,” he stared her down. “I bet I could get a pretty penny for you.”

  “You can’t keep me here,” warned Johanna who was now frightened. “I am in the care of the U.S. Army and they know where I am. If you take me, they will hunt you down like the dog that you are.”

  “It seems you have forgotten who I am,” Myers laughed at her courage. “I have many friends and family that are hidden in the deepest, darkest shadows, Miss Lee.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Johanna said under her breath. “What do you want from me?” she asked.

  “I will give you until dawn to retrieve my items,” said Myers. “We will find you. Remember any inquiries from the local authorities and you will not live to see another sunrise.”

  “By dawn, is that a joke? I don’t even know if I will ever see him again,” Johanna frustrated now being threatened once again. “And besides, that’s only a few hours away.”

  “Then you better hurry,” said Myers grinning.

  Suddenly to everyone’s surprise, a hidden door behind Johanna suddenly slammed open. Johanna, caught in the door’s path, was knocked to the ground. With no time to brace herself, she hit her head hard onto the basement floor.

  Men she didn’t recognize rushed through the secret door, their guns in hand. Myers’ men who had been taken by surprise, found themselves surrounded now by a new set of men who had descended the basement steps from behind.

  Before everything went black, Johanna saw a figure of a man standing in the doorway.

  Johanna teetered in and out of consciousness. She tried desperately to keep her senses. She had now become aware of the extreme ache that pounded the back of her head. Even with her vision blurry, she tried to focus on the men who fought before her. Their confrontation seemed to escalate with angry words but they seemed too far away for her to comprehend what they were saying.

  “Your business here has ended,” said a voice. “I suggest you leave the premises immediately. The authorities are on their way.”

  “We don’t want any trouble,” said Myers raising his hands in defeat. “We will leave.”

  “She must be quite a handful if you need all these men here,” mocked the man.

  “Yes, she is quite captivating. Don’t you think?” asked Myers.

  “Absolutely,” he answered.

  Captain Myers nodded to his men to halt their brawl and leave. Before he followed, he leaned down near Johanna who still lay motionless on the cold basement floor.

  “We will meet again, my lady. That you can count on,” he warned Johanna.

  Johanna tried to respond, but no words would form on her lips. A dark shadow of a man stood tall over her, but before she could recognize him, darkness enveloped her.

  “Bonjour, ma chérie,” he said looking down on Johanna. “It seems we meet again.”

  Chapter 13

  “I

  found her,” said Preston, putting his hand on David’s shoulder.

  “You found her? Where is she?” asked David.

  “Well, I know where she was,” Preston added.

  “And where was she?” David asked feeling like they were finally getting closer.

  “She was at the St. Charles Hotel down in the French Quarter, but it seems there was an incident,” said Preston.

  “An incident, what do you mean by that?” asked David.

  “She was introduced to some pirates,” Preston smiled. “I guess she was meeting Malcolm there and instead found herself in the hotel’s basement being harassed.”

  “Did they hurt her?” David asked now sick to his stomach.

  “Well, yes and no. It seems they were being paid to get information from her. They didn’t touch her if that is what you mean,” Preston said.

  David’s fear subsided but was still concerned. “What happened then?” he asked.

  “There was a scuffle and she got knocked out. It got hazy from there. No one is sure who actually took her after that,” Preston said.

  “Someone took her?” David asked now horrified.

  “It wasn’t the pirates,” Preston assured him. “The townspeople refuse to give me any
answers. I think they know but wouldn’t tell me.

  “Then the St. Charles Hotel is where I am going,” David said determined to get to the bottom of Johanna’s disappearance. “I am going to find someone to give me some answers.”

  # # #

  “Johanna, are you okay? Can I get you anything?”

  “Mr. Beauregard, what are you doing here?” Johanna rubbed her aching head.

  “I pay a lot of money to keep me posted on everything that happens in my hometown. Nothing gets by me.” He handed her a glass of water. “I am sorry you were put in this predicament. You are safe now.”

  “Where am I?” Johanna just now realized she was not at the St. Charles Hotel any longer.

  “Miss Johanna, welcome to the Beauregard House,” Rene smiled his most handsome, charming smile.

  “I am so confused. How did I get caught up in pirate affairs?” she asked him.

  “I have an idea, but we need not think about that right now. Let’s just be thankful you are safe,” said Rene with a look of concern on his face. “I have let Mrs. Jenkins know you are safe and will be my guest for the night.”

  “Oh, thank you Mr. Beauregard. I appreciate your kindness,” Johanna smiled and winced from the pain in her head simultaneously. “I don’t want to be any trouble.” Johanna tried to sit up but felt nauseous and had to lie down once again.

  “Nonsense, you are no trouble at all,” Rene smiled. “Let’s get you a cup of tea. We can discuss how you are going to return my kindness in the morning.”

  Johanna tried to laugh at Rene’s insinuation, but she fell asleep instead.

  Rene covered up his sleeping guest and leaned in and gently kissed her on the forehead. His eyes traced Johanna’s beautiful face and he smiled thinking about how lucky he was to find her and save her once again. He was enjoying his new role saving the damsel in distress. She was what he had been looking for. She was feisty and charming, and what he loved the most, she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Johanna was going to take some real finessing to fall for him. It was a challenge he was willing to take on. He blew out the lamp light before he left the room smiling to himself as he thought of his new conquest.