Southern Beauty - By Julie Lucia Page 0,48
taking up smoking cigars now? You devil you,” he smiled. “Do you want me to get it for you?”
“Yes please, I am kind of in a hurry.” Johanna looked back in the carriage’s direction.
“I will be right back,” Rene left the room.
Johanna felt like it had been a year ago that she was Rene’s guest. Everything had changed. Instead of going to Virginia with Malcolm, (where he was she did not know), she was leaving with David.
“Here it is,” Rene came back in the room and handed her the box. “Is the box what makes it valuable or what’s inside?”
“Oh definitely what is inside,” she smiled. “Oh, by the way, have you seen Malcolm?”
“I thought he was with you,” Rene confused.
“No, we got separated. If you see him, could you tell him that I am catching the next train to Virginia? I feel like I should let him know,” she said.
“He left you again?” he asked. “I told you he wasn’t a nice guy. Yet you left me for him anyway.”
“Rene, you know I didn’t leave you for him, just for Arlington,” she smiled.
“Are you traveling alone?” he asked.
“Oh no, I am not,” she left it at that.
“Would you like me to walk you to the carriage?” he asked with a hint of sadness in his voice.
“No, I think it’s best you stay here, for the last time you walked me out I could barely catch my breath,” she smiled and he laughed his infectious laugh.
# # #
On the train David and Johanna sat in silence while Jacob slept next to them, head against the rocking window pane.
Johanna whispered to David, “darling note you left me in my locket.”
David smiled. “At least I didn’t steal your locket.”
“No, I guess I have to be thankful for that,” she frowned. “Why do you think you have stolen my heart?”
“I did, didn’t I?” he smiled, not really looking for an answer.
Johanna ignored his insinuation, “And the telegram? How cryptic can you get, ‘you’re in danger, all will reveal itself in dew time,’ silly don’t you think?” she asked him.
“What telegram? I didn’t send you a telegram.” David insisted.
“Then who tried to warn me?” Johanna asked.
“I wonder,” David seemed to know, but wasn’t ready to tell Johanna quite yet. “How is it you seem to get yourself in to so much trouble all on your own?” David asked her. Johanna wondered the same thing herself.
“I am curious, why did Malcolm think it was quicker for you to take a merchant ship to Virginia instead of the train? It takes weeks longer.” He asked trying to get her to wonder too.
“Oh. I might know,” she said sheepishly. “He wanted me to marry him. I think he was planning on having the captain marry us on board.”
“And you agreed to this?” he asked carefully.
“I said I would think about it,” she answered softly.
“I see.” He wasn’t sure what to say. He felt a little betrayed by her.
“Where’s Preston?” Johanna asked now realizing that he hadn’t been around and quite relieved.
“I don’t know. He hasn’t reported in since yesterday when I asked him to do me a favor,” David answered. “I fear we have lost him. He does love New Orleans.”
“It is a magical place,” she smiled thinking of all that she had encountered since being there.
# # #
“Well Miss Lee, we are at our destination,” Jacob took her hand and they departed the carriage.
“I can’t believe I have finally made it home,” Johanna said smiling. “I bet my Aunt Mary will have the biggest feast tonight celebrating my arrival.” She smiled thinking about her aunt’s kindness and astounding hospitality to friends and strangers alike. “It will be so nice to see my cousins once again.”
“Don’t forget our agreement,” David reminded her.
“You won’t let me,” she said.
They were awed by the Custiss-Lee House that sat on a grassy hill, pillars stood tall in front giving it a powerful majestic feel characterizing its owner. Johanna noticed something startling and familiar. No one was tending the gardens or milling around. It seemed to be strangely abandoned. Her heart sank when the door was opened by David who had come from the rear of the building. He saw the shock and disappointment in her face. All Johanna could see while she searched the first floor was white linen covering up furniture. The blur of white everywhere made her feel sick. She continued up the stairs alone. David tried to follow her but Jacob held his arm.
“Let her go,” Jacob said.
Johanna