Southern Beauty - By Julie Lucia Page 0,26

would you?” He grabbed her hand gently, kissed it, and walked her to the dance floor before she could protest. Music and laughter once again filled the air.

Johanna was thinking to herself as she stood on the dance floor once again with another handsome man: “What is going on here? For years I have been ignored and unnoticed by every man alive and here I am at this ball, like Cinderella, except I have three, yes, three men biding for my attention. Even if one was only pretending his affections. Am I in someone else’s body this month? Maybe I should look in the mirror to see if I am still me.”

When the dance was finished she thanked Rene.

Rene kissed her hand again, and said, “Until we meet again, Miss Johanna Lee,” He bowed with a slight grin.

Johanna returned the smile and walked toward the entrance where Malcolm stood with her cape and a black eye.

“Are you ready?” He asked with a quiet smile.

“I am, thank you,” said Johanna. She looked once again into the ballroom. Ladies still dancing with their handsome escorts, it was a moment she wanted to remember fondly, despite the drama that had come from it earlier. She held Malcolm’s arm and headed toward the exit where a coach waited. She continued to feel as if she was in a strange dream even as he helped her into the carriage.

“It’s been quite a night, hasn’t it, Miss Lee?” Malcolm asked.

Johanna replied, “Yes, quite a night indeed.”

Chapter 10

can’t believe I let her slip through my fingers once again.” David frowned.

“I don’t think we are going to get this map of Lee’s. I think we should face it, Graystone beat us at this one,” Jacob grimaced.

“Not if we catch them in New Orleans. We definitely can beat them there by horse,” insisted David.

“How do you know they are going to New Orleans?” asked Jacob.

“That’s where he is supposed to connect with Lincoln’s man. He gives him the map and Malcolm gets his honor and glory,” said David.

“How do you know this?” asked Jacob.

“Meade sent word about Malcolm’s plans. He asked me to keep an eye on him too, he seems to be a rogue wave, they are questioning his loyalty,” said David. “I am not surprised. I could have told them that from West Point.” David looked at the men, “So, are you all in?”

“Absolutely not, I think it’s time for me to go home.” Jacob announced.

“What about you? Are you in?” David asked Preston.

“I love the New Orleans ladies and music. Besides, my brother just moved into town,” Preston smiled. “I am definitely in.”

”This is madness. Just stop David. You have to let her go. She belongs with her family.”

“This isn’t about her,” denied David. “It’s about Lee’s map.”

“No, the map is a great excuse,” sighed Jacob, “but it’s about her and Graystone.”

“Come on Jacob,” said David frustrated, “you know she can’t be misled by him. She needs to know the truth and make her own decision. I just can’t let her believe that he is a good guy, trustworthy. You know he will hurt her. He just wants her because he thinks I want her.”

“You do want her David. She is a smart girl she will figure it out herself. You have to stick with the mission,” Jacob said trying to talk sense into him.

“She has the map. That is our mission. Especially since we never found Lee’s plans.” said David.

“We have the cigar box, we don’t need the map. We will get another map,” Jacob replied.

“We don’t know what’s so important about the cigar box except fine cigars. Maybe she can tell us,” David sighed finally giving up his excuses.

“I don’t know. How do we know she will tell us? She is a stubborn one,” said Jacob.

David smiled at Jacob’s observation, and then frowned at his loss. David took a deep breath finally deciding it was time to reveal his true feelings.

“I can’t lose her,” he whispered so only Jacob could here.

Jacob stared at David in disbelief shaking his head in disapproval.

“It’s done then,” said Jacob, “you have fallen for her after I begged you to stay away.”

“It’s not that, I just…” David didn’t know how to finish his sentence.

“This is no good David. You are entering into dangerous territory, my dear friend,” said Jacob. “You could very well be putting our lives at risk.”

David and Jacob stared each other down until Jacob finally relented.

“All right then. Let’s go get her,” sighed Jacob.

David smiled.

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