Souls Aflame

by Patricia Hagan

  But she couldn’t share these thoughts, or her tumultuous world. Myles would kill Virgil, even at the risk of being hung, and he would never understand her feelings for Derek after he had kidnapped her. No, she had to keep these things inside. This was her own private hell. When her mother died, they would go away, and no matter how it haunted her, she would have no choice but to put Derek from her mind…and her heart.

  The two clung together—brother and sister—alone against the world. Sara stood silently watching in the shadows. She could not be sure what Myles was thinking, but she could imagine what was going on in Julie’s head and heart. Sara wanted to tell him all of it, but she did not dare.

  “We’ll make it,” Myles whispered finally, patting Julie reassuringly and trying to give her a brave smile. “You’ll see, little sister. We’ll make it.”

  I pray to God you do, Sara thought, tears streaming down her black cheeks. I pray to God that both of you make it…

  Chapter Fifteen

  “We gonna be ready to go the day yo’ mama is laid to rest,” Sara said one afternoon. “All we gotta do is get our clothes together, which won’t take long for me and Lionel. We ain’t got that much.”

  “Or me,” Julie said as she took a few more pieces of silver service from a velvet-lined chest. She watched Sara conceal them in the folds of her apron. “I’ll be glad when I can stop worrying about Myles too.”

  “Did I hear the name of that murdering brother of yours mentioned?”

  They spun around, startled. Virgil stood in the arched doorway of the dining room, an insidious smile upon his lips. As always, he was dandily dressed, this time in a ruffled shirt and bright embroidered vest. His fingers toyed with the gold chain that stretched from his watch pocket. “Well,” he said, quite annoyed, “did I?”

  Julie fought for composure, darting a warning look at Sara for her to do the same. To Virgil she said, in what she hoped was a calm voice, “Yes, we were talking about Myles. We were saying we hope he comes home soon, so we can stop worrying about him.”

  “I don’t want his name mentioned in my house!” he bellowed. “He’s a criminal—”

  “He is not a criminal!” Her ire matched his. “And I would like to remind you that this is my home, not yours, and you’ve no say-so about who comes here, certainly not my brother!”

  He reached out to seize her shoulders and give her a violent shake. “It is my house, you ungrateful little wench, and if Myles ever shows his face here, I’ll see that he’s hung, as he should be. As for you, I’ll not tolerate your insolence. Do you understand me?”

  Julie knew she should not provoke him further, but she had been on the brink of losing all control for so very long that Virgil’s verbal attack upon Myles pushed her over the edge. With all the strength she could muster, she raised her hand and slapped him. “Don’t you ever speak of Myles in such a way again. I just wish my mother could know what a lecherous, conniving rogue you really are—”

  He grabbed her wrist and tugged her roughly forward. “Then let’s not wait any longer to tell her, my love. We’ll go together, right now, to her bedside. You can tell her what a reprobate I am. You say this isn’t my house, and you dare to strike me! Well, I think it’s time we tell your mother the truth. So come along—”

  “No! You can’t!” Julie yanked out of his grasp and backed toward Sara. “You know it would kill her.”

  “So?” He cocked his head to one side, grinning. “I’m ready for her to die. She never satisfied me or brought me the pleasure that her daughter does. She should go on and die and get out of the way. If you behave yourself and show me some respect, I’ll make you the mistress of Rose Hill.”

  “I would rather die. I hate you, Virgil. I wish you were dead. I wish I had a gun; I’d kill you here and now myself!” With such fury rushing through her veins, Julie knew at that moment that she was capable of murdering him without a second thought.

  “I’ll not have you speak to me that way,” he cried, leaping forward to wrestle her arms behind her back and push her toward the floor. “We’re going up to your mother’s room right now and tell her everything, how we spend the nights in each other’s arms, loving passionately, warmly. We’ll tell her all the things we do to each other to make our union even sweeter—”

  Julie was struggling, knowing her mother was probably awake at this hour, and if the yelling and screaming continued, she was sure to hear. “Let me go,” she hissed, kicking out at his shins. “Let me go, Virgil. Stop this madness!”

  Sara backed away, her hands pressed to her lips as she fought to keep from screaming. Terrified, she could only stand there and watch the horrible scene before her.

  Virgil flung Julie to the floor. As she fell, she slid into a chair, sending it toppling with a loud crash. She scrambled to escape him, and he glanced about for some weapon with which to punish Julie. Spying the heavy braided bell rope which hung from the ceiling, he reached up and snatched it down.

  Suddenly Sara came out of her horrified trance. Intending to shield her mistress, she sprang forward, forgetting about the silver she had hidden in her apron. It clattered to the floor like hail striking a rooftop.

  Virgil turned, eyed the silver suspiciously, then shifted his gaze to Sara’s petrified face. He shrieked, “You were stealing, you worthless black wench! I’ll have your flesh stripped to the bone—”

  “No, she wasn’t stealing anything!” Julie scrambled to her feet as Sara ran from the room. “She was going to clean the silver, and she was carrying it in her apron to keep from making so many trips to the chest. You can’t punish her for that.”

  Silently he stared after Sara, and when she had disappeared, he looked at Julie, his eyes glittering. “I’ll deal with her later. You are the one who needs chastising at the moment. On your knees.”

  When she did not move, he whispered ominously, “You will obey me, or we’ll go to your mother’s room and tell her the truth.”

  Julie had already suffered too much in the past for it to have been in vain. Her mother would die, but not with a broken heart. Having no other choice, she obeyed.

  “I’m going to take you here, on the floor, like the bitch you are,” Virgil panted in eager anticipation as he pushed up her dress and yanked down her pantalets. Then he spread her legs and positioned himself between them. “Now, my love, take a deep breath and receive me,” he commanded.

  And with a hard, jolting thrust, he entered, grunting with pleasure. Mercifully it was over quickly, and he left her lying on the floor and walked out of the room.

  Sara, who had been watching from her hiding place behind the door, rushed in, tears streaming down her cheeks. “That man’s got to die,” she sobbed, gathering Julie in her plump arms. “A man that evil, he don’t deserve to live. Tell Mastah Myles. Let him do what has to be done—”

  “No, we can’t.” Julie choked out the words. “He has to remain hidden. They would hang him if he’s caught. We have to go on with our plans as they are. This doesn’t change anything.”

  Sara helped Julie to the kitchen. She bathed her with water from a kettle on the stove. “Now you go lie down fo’ awhile,” she told her. “You can’t let yo’ mama or yo’ brother see you till you calm down. I’ll look after things. You just rest.”

  “I can’t. Mother might have heard all the yelling. She might be upset. I need to go to her.”

  “I’ll take care of her. I’ll tell her you fell and hurt your ankle or somethin’. You got to get to bed.”

  Julie felt too bad to protest. Sara half-carried her up the stairs, and when they reached the top, they found Virgil leaning against the bannister, smiling insidiously. “What ever is wrong, Julie?” he asked with mock concern. “Aren’t you feeling well? That’s a pity.”

  Sara tensed, and Julie fought the impulse to lash out at him. They moved on by, and once in her room, she fell across the satin comforter and gave way to tears of frustration.

  Her eyes were heavy, but she fought against sleep, wantin
g to think, to plan. This could not go on. Sooner or later her mother was going to find out, or else Julie would kill Virgil in a fit of rage. And she knew that it was only a matter of time before Myles was discovered. The situation grew more desperate with each passing day.

  Could she go on and leave before her mother died? she wondered in sudden desperation. Did she dare? Which would be worse—to disappear or remain till something more terrible happened? Dear God, she did not know the answer.

  Suddenly Sara was shaking her gently, and she realized that sleep had won and wrapped her gently in its shadowy cloak. “You got to wake up, Miss Julie,” Sara was whispering frantically. “You got to get up.”

  A glance at the windows told her she had slept far too long, for the veil of gray creeping across the sky would soon give way to the darkness of night. “How is Mother?” she asked, needles of apprehension stabbing at her.

  “She ain’t had a good day. The doctor, he’s in with her now. I peeked in on my way up here and saw him using that little silver thing with the rubber strings coming out of it.”

  “His stethoscope. He uses that to check the strength and regularity of Mother’s heartbeat. He does that every time he comes, so why should that alarm you?”

  “He was listenin’ and shakin’ his head. Mastah Oates was in there too, and he saw me lookin’ and grinned, like he’s a-hopin’ it means she’s worse.” Her eyes grew bigger. “But it ain’t yo’ mama I’m worried about. It’s Mastah Myles. He sent Lionel to the house to get word to you that he wants to see his mama and be on his way. He seen some lawmen nosin’ around in the woods, and he’s scared they got wind he’s back. He says it’s too risky, and he’s gonna leave tonight at midnight.”

  Julie knew he was right. Their mother was going to die. There was nothing she could do but leave in order to escape further abuse from Virgil. She could not save her mother’s life, and if she stayed to try and make things easier for her, sooner or later, someone was going to get hurt, perhaps killed.

  She was washed over with waves of desolation wishing there was some way she could convey all her feelings to her mother without causing her untold anguish. How she hated to disappear, knowing she would never see her mother again, and have her mother think she had just deserted her. But perhaps God, in His infinite wisdom, would let her mother know how desperate Julie had been, and that she did truly love her.

  Julie quickly changed to a mauve-colored dress of heavy cotton with a high neck and long sleeves. Then she twisted her long black hair back into a haphazard bun at the nape of her neck to get it out of her way. No longer did she concern herself with her looks. Under the conditions she had been forced to endure, it was easy enough to stop caring about anything.

  She told Sara to go to Lionel and have him tell Myles that it was going to be impossible for him to see his mother before he left. “Explain how she’s too weak, and there isn’t enough time to prepare her. Have Lionel tell him to wait for the three of us in the cemetery. We’re all leaving together at midnight.”

  “Praise God!” Sara lifted her eyes upward, then said in a rush, “I knows you hate to leave yo’ mama, but it’s the only thing you can do.”

  “I know that, Sara,” Julie whispered painfully. “Now go. I’ll sit with Mother one last time, and you pack as much food and supplies as you can. Make sure Virgil doesn’t get suspicious. When we go, we’re going to have to move fast, because he’ll no doubt have the law on our trail.”

  “He’s been nosin’ around. He’s been checkin’ on the silver and other stuff. I ’magine he’s been snoopin’ in yo’ mama’s jewelry chest too. And Lionel says he saw him pokin’ around in the yard, like he was maybe lookin’ for somethin’.”

  “It’s just too dangerous to stay. Now hurry.”

  Sara turned to go, but then Julie called to her once more and said she should inform the servants, whom they could trust, of their plans. “I want Mother cared for after I’m gone, and I can’t depend on Virgil to do it. Surely there are others we can rely on.”

  “Yes’m. Don’t you fret.” And she hurried out.

  Julie got to her mother’s room just in time to see Dr. Perkins coming out. Seeing her, he frowned and closed the door behind him. “She hasn’t got long, Julie,” he said in a voice filled with sorrow. “I barely heard her heartbeat. And there are other signs, as well. The color of her skin, the way her breathing becomes more labored. And her feet and hands are turning unusually cold as the circulation of her blood slows. She’s failing fast. I doubt she’ll last the night.”

  “I—I’ll go and sit with her,” Julie murmured tremulously, shaken by his gloomy prediction. “I suppose there’s nothing more we can do.”

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’d stay with you, but I have a patient about to deliver who has had a great deal of difficulty in the past and lost several babies. I feel it’s my place to help bring a new life into the world, rather than see one leave it, when I can do nothing to prevent it.”

  “Of course. You go along. I’ll send word to you when…” her voice trailed off. She could not put the death of her mother into words, and she felt guilty to think she would not be there when it did happen. Dr. Perkins, like so many people, would wonder why she had disappeared so suddenly in the last hours of her mother’s life, but she could not be concerned with their speculations and opinions. There was too much to be faced in the coming hours.

  Moving into the room, she went to the side of the bed and stared down at her mother’s still form. Her chest barely moved as she struggled to breathe. Julie touched her hand and found it frighteningly cold. Hurrying to the cedar chest in the corner, she took out another quilt and tucked it about her.

  The hours moved by with agonizing slowness. Sara slipped in to tell her things were moving along as planned. She brought Julie a cup of broth, which she did not want but drank anyway, knowing she would need every bit of her strength for the journey that lay ahead. She had no idea where they were going. Myles had said something about heading west till the war was over, returning one day to claim Rose Hill. But they both knew that would not happen. No, they would not come back. Life as they had known it was gone forevermore.

  Around eight o’clock, Virgil swaggered into the room, took one look at his wife, and chuckled out loud. “Well, it won’t be long. I’ve seen death hovering before. According to Dr. Perkins’ good news, she may not last till morning. What a relief!”

  Julie gripped the arms of the chair in which she was sitting, her heart pounding with loathing and rage. “Get out of here, you despicable creature.” She shook as she spoke. “Have you no respect in that evil heart of yours? Can’t you let her die in peace?”

  “Oh, quite, my love. In fact, I’m going to give you both peace to share your final hours together. I’m going into town for a game of cards. And when I return in the morning, I hope to find a wreath on the door, the hands of the clocks still, the mirrors covered with sheets…the usual procedure when death visits.”

  He walked to where she sat and leaned forward to kiss her cheek as she shuddered with revulsion. Laughing, he murmured, “Now is that any way for a prospective bride to react to her future husband?”

  Whipping her head about, she stared at him in shock. “What did you say?” she gasped.

  “Don’t act so surprised. You will marry me and become mistress of Rose Hill.”

  “And you’re out of your damned mind.” She spoke as loudly as she dared. “I’d sooner die than feel you touch me again, Virgil, and heed me well: if you ever do touch me again, I will kill you, somehow, someway. This I promise you!”

  The smile on his lips quickly disappeared, and his eyes, which had been gleaming with enjoyment over his taunts, turned cold. “Well, then, suppose we rouse your mother and tell her of our plans? Suppose we just give her a parting gift by letting her know how we’ve enjoyed the fruits of our passion while she lay on her death bed?”

  Turning about, he leaned over, clutched her mother’s shoulders, and began shak
ing her roughly. Julie watched in horror, stricken, as the frail body bounced up and down on the mattress beneath Virgil’s strong hands. But her mother’s eyes remained closed, and her head lolled to one side. Her mouth suddenly gaped open…as though silently screaming.

  “Oh, you devil, leave her alone—” Julie leaped up and shoved him to one side, placing herself as a shield in front of her mother’s bed. “Get out of here, Virgil, or I’ll send someone for Sheriff Franklin. I won’t have you torturing her in her final hours. You are evil! A spawn of Satan himself!”

  “Am I now? Well, you know you’ll be punished for such talk. A wife must respect her husband. I’ll remember you’re due a lesson in obedience.”

  She placed both hands against his chest and gave him a shove so sudden that he almost tripped and fell as he struggled to steady himself. Reaching for the first thing she could get her hands on—the china water pitcher by the bed—she held it threateningly above her head. “Get out of here, Virgil! I’m warning you! Get out of this room and out of this house.”

  He brushed at an imaginary fleck on his waistcoat. “Very well, Julie. I suppose it’s only proper that you sit with the dying instead of satiating the hunger I know you feel for me. It will keep. But remember, you’ll be punished—and severely.”

  She shook the pitcher at him. “Out! Take your filthy, depraved mind and body out of this room at once.”

  He backed toward the door, smiling. “Very well. I’m leaving. But remember. Rose Hill is mine now, and you would be wise to come to terms with yourself regarding your insolence. I can throw you out of here any time I choose—”

  How Julie longed to tell him this was the last time she would be subjected to his nauseating company. Instead she turned her back on him, focusing all her attention upon her mother. It was not long before she heard the sound of the door opening and closing and knew he was gone. A wave of relief washed over her.

  Her mother continued to sleep deeply, her breathing becoming even more labored. Sara came in, and together they raised her head by putting more pillows behind it. This helped some; her chest looked a wee bit stronger as she struggled to breathe. But she did not open her eyes. If anything her slumber seemed even deeper with each passing moment.