Souls Aflame

by Patricia Hagan

  Quietly he said, “We need to talk, Julie, about your brother.”

  Astonished, she could only stare at him.

  “You heard correctly. I know all about your brother, how he’s being held prisoner at Libby. Shall we go upstairs to your room where we can talk privately? Be assured I do not have other motives in mind. I just don’t want to take a chance on being overheard down here.”

  “But—but how did you know about my brother?” she stammered, allowing him to lead her upstairs.

  “I have ways of finding out what I want to know. Don’t concern yourself with that. Just be assured I want to help you, if you will cooperate.”

  Heart pounding wildly, she sank into a chair beside the fireplace in her room. Major Fox continued to stand, but she did not trust her suddenly weak knees to support her.

  “Let me begin by saying that you may trust me implicitly. Now, I want you to tell me all about your brother and about this man Derek Arnhardt.”

  Her brain was spinning. She was still stunned by it all. “I—I don’t know if I should tell you anything,” she gasped, her hand clasping her throat as she stared at him through blurry eyes. “How do I know this isn’t a trick? It may jeopardize Myles’s life—”

  “As long as he remains in the Black Hole, his life is in jeopardy, my dear. Now do you want me to help you or not?”

  Suspicion was a needle pricking along her spine. “Why would you want to help me?”

  “I have my reasons, but I’ll want something in return.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “And what might that be?”

  “I work for the Intelligence Department of the Confederate Army. We have need of beautiful and sharp-witted women like you. If I help your brother to escape, then you will return the favor by serving your country in the manner I prescribe.”

  “I don’t understand any of this.” She was completely baffled. “And if you have influence, why can’t you just process Myles’s release through normal channels? He was unfairly and unjustly put there to start with—”

  He waved her to silence. “I don’t care why he was imprisoned. And you aren’t to start asking me a lot of questions. I will tell you that in order to get him out, it must be done quite secretively and made to look like an authentic escape. We can’t afford any repercussions.”

  Julie stared at him intently, trying to absorb all that he was saying. She was already in a quandary over his frequent visits of the past two weeks—and now this. He was also an attractive man, though she still found that something about him made her apprehensive, almost frightened.

  “Another thing,” he continued. “I can’t tolerate any questions, because my work is justifiably secret. You either cooperate with me, or we forget the whole matter.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  His smile was insidious. “I would hope you would not be so foolish.”

  She shook her head slowly. This had all come about so quickly. “I don’t know. I can’t give you an answer. I have to think.”

  “There’s no time for that. All you have to do is give me your word that you will work for me, and then your concern for your brother will be over. He’ll be freed.”

  “He might want me to go with him,” Julie pointed out. “We have no family left, only each other. He might not understand my leaving him.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “And what was your bargain with this Arnhardt fellow? What did you promise him in exchange for helping you?” He saw her face color slightly and smiled in triumph. “I don’t think you have to tell me. I think I know. What do you suppose your brother’s reaction would have been to that?”

  She had never really thought of it in that light, but now, looking at the situation, she realized Myles would never have approved of or accepted such an arrangement. There would have been trouble. Perhaps Derek realized that and had decided not to go along with the plan. Maybe that was why she had not heard from him. He might not be coming back, she realized with a pang of terror. Why, she could be forced to remain a prisoner here!

  Suddenly Major Fox was kneeling before her, clasping her cold hands in his warm grip. “Julie, I need your help and so does your brother. I’m sure you’ve heard of the atrocities in that place, but you couldn’t know the reality, the true horror, unless you were to witness it for yourself. How can you even hesitate? Arnhardt offers you the demeaning position of a mistress. I offer you an honorable way to serve your country. And it won’t be forever, just until the war ends.”

  He waited a moment for his words to penetrate, then continued. “I don’t plan to be in Richmond much longer. I have business elsewhere. Now, if you agree, I will go right away to make the necessary arrangements. We can have your brother out of prison by this time tomorrow night.”

  Julie pursed her lips thoughtfully. Lord, this was happening so fast. There wasn’t time to think. “Will I be able to see him, if only for a moment?” she asked in a rush. “Can I let him know where I’ll be going, so he won’t worry?”

  He sighed, rubbing at his forehead with fingertips. “Oh, Julie, you’re making this difficult for both of you. But very well. I know you’re concerned and want to make sure he’s well. I’ll make sure you see him—but only briefly. And you won’t be able to tell him where you are going.

  “Besides,” he pointed out, “your brother will be a hunted man. I’ll see that he’s taken somewhere for the remainder of the war, somewhere he’ll be safe. You can arrange to meet later.”

  Was there another way? Dear God, she didn’t know. Derek could have sent word, and he should have returned. Her first loyalty was not to him anyway, she reasoned. She had to save her brother’s life. And Major Fox was right. All Derek had ever offered her was the status of being his mistress. He had never offered love.

  “All right,” she said finally, tremulously. “I don’t see that I have any other choice except to agree to what you offer, Major Fox.”

  “Call me Gordon.” He grinned, patting her knee before standing. “We’re going to be good friends, Julie. You’ll see.”

  He walked over to the window, and in seconds had the lock broken. “No one will notice this between now and tomorrow night. As soon as it’s dark and activities begin downstairs, come up here and lock your door. Open the window and wait. One of my men will be downstairs, and he’ll throw a rope up to you.”

  He gave the bedpost a shake. “This is sturdy enough to hold you. Tie the rope around it and work your way down. My man will be there to help.”

  “But what about Myles?” she demanded fearfully.

  “You’ll be taken to a place where you can see him for a few moments.”

  She closed her eyes, praying she was doing the right thing. But she had to be. It was the only way. “And then where do we go from there?”

  “You go with me. It’s as simple as that. You’re not to worry anymore. Your brother will be free, and so will you. When the war ends, you’ll be together.”

  The clock on the mantel chimed the midnight hour. It was the only sound in the room except for Julie’s anxious breathing. She was frightened of this man, and she was now in his clutches whether she wanted to be or not. There could be no turning back.

  He walked to the door and nodded curtly. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Julie. Until tomorrow night, goodbye.”

  She spent a restless night, and when dawn came, she had fearfully decided there was one other possibility to be faced. Gordon could be lying. What if he helped her escape from Opal’s only to whisk her away and keep her locked up somewhere for his own pleasure? She had seen the way he looked at her at times, eyes shining with desire. Perhaps he had no intention of getting Myles out of prison. It could be a trick, and she should prepare herself for that possibility just to be on the safe side.

  She thought of Garnet. They had become close friends, and she would have to take a chance that the girl could be trusted. If anything went wrong, perhaps she could depend on Garnet to get word to the authorities.

  Anxiously, she waited a few
more hours before going to Garnet’s room, knowing her friend would be quite grumpy if she was awakened too early. It was almost ten when Julie finally knocked on her door, and when Garnet answered, she blinked in annoyed surprise.

  “I’ve got to talk to you, Garnet.” Julie stepped inside and locked the door behind her.

  “What’s so important?” she yawned, padding back to her bed to snuggle beneath the covers. “Good grief, what time is it, anyway?”

  “You’ve got to listen carefully,” Julie whispered after sitting down on the side of the bed. “Listen to everything I’m going to tell you, and remember, I’m trusting you to keep all of this confidential.”

  When she had finished, Garnet stared at her with wide eyes and gaping mouth.

  “Well, say something,” Julie prodded. “I have to know I can depend on you if something goes wrong.”

  “How will I know if anything does go wrong?” She looked at Julie as though she were surely out of her mind.

  “If someone escapes from Libby, you’ll hear about it. All of Richmond will know about it. If you don’t hear anything, then come right out and ask those men who came with Major Fox if an escape attempt was made. If they say it wasn’t, then go to the authorities and tell them I was kidnapped.”

  Garnet yawned again. “Did you ever stop and think how he might get your brother out and then make you his prisoner? The man sounds weird to me.”

  Julie chewed her lip nervously. “I’ll figure that out later. Right now, I only want to do what I left Savannah for—and that’s free my brother.”

  “All right. I’ll keep my ears open. But for your sake, I hope it all goes well. Now how about letting me get back to sleep?” She gave Julie a weary smile. “And you’d best be getting back to your room. If Opal catches you up and about, she might get suspicious.”

  Back in her room, Julie could not go to bed. Instead she stood at the window and stared down at the ground, covered in a white blanket. The sun peered out from behind the clouds now and then to make the snow sparkle like thousands of tiny slivers of the finest crystal.

  Staring downward, she thought about the man who would be there tonight to help her slither down a rope. It was scary, but still she had a feeling of exhilaration to think that at long last, Myles would be free.

  She would not let herself think of Derek…and what might have been…had they shared love, instead of only passion.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  When Julie went downstairs around noon, she found Opal, fully dressed, going over a shopping list with her cook as they stood together at the front door. “Don’t forget anything, Ruth,” she was saying. “I’m having this party to bring in some business. Things have been slow lately. Now, have I overlooked anything?” She touched a finger to her cheek musingly. “I sent Allen and Craig to post invitations in the necessary places. We should have a large crowd.”

  “A…party?” Julie asked fearfully, stepping up.

  They ignored her. Ruth looked mad. “You’re going to give me a headache, is what you’re going to do,” she whined, jerking her shawl about her tightly. “It’s colder’n all get-out, and you send me traipsin’ out to do marketing.”

  “You can always seek employment elsewhere if you’re dissatisfied here, Ruth,” Opal snapped, thrusting the list at her. “Now be on your way. You need to get in the kitchen as soon as possible to start preparing some of the dishes I have on the menu.”

  Ruth stomped out of the house, a gale of frigid air rushing into the room before she closed the door. “She deliberately did that,” Opal fumed, “leaving the door open. The old fool.” Turning, she saw Julie. “Well, good morning.”

  “Did I hear you say something about a party?”

  “Yes, and don’t look so distressed about it. I should think you’d enjoy all the people. It must be getting terribly boring for you, what with Derek taking his time coming back.” She fluttered into the dining room, with Julie right behind her. “Would you mind polishing the crystal, dear? You’ve nothing else to do.”

  Suddenly Julie knew she had to ask. “Opal, do you believe Derek is going to come back?”

  The look she received was one of pity. “It’s hard to say, dear. Derek always was unpredictable. I will say that he’s been away longer than I thought he’d be.”

  “And what happens if he doesn’t come back?” Her heart was pounding fearfully.

  Opal’s expression was quite serious, businesslike, but her voice was gentle. “I can’t continue to support you indefinitely, Julie. I’m sure you know that. I’ll give him a few more weeks, and then we’re going to have to sit down and discuss how you’ll pay me back for your room and board.”

  “I don’t have any money,” she cried defensively.

  Opal’s eyes flicked over her body, and she smiled. “You have more to offer than my other girls, my dear. In no time at all you would be the most sought after and the highest paid. Derek would have no one to blame but himself for leaving you on your own to get by as best as possible. And I certainly couldn’t allow you to leave until your debt is paid.”

  “But, I couldn’t—”

  Opal waved a hand, dismissing her. “Please. I’ve no time for this conversation. There’s too much to be done. Get on the crystal, please, and then the silver. I’ll see that Garnet lends you a lovely dress for tonight. Who knows? It might be your debut.” And with a chuckle, she hurried from the room.

  Julie knew now that Major Fox’s offer was her only way out. To stay meant becoming a prostitute, because with each passing day it seemed more doubtful that Derek would return. She hated him for putting her in such a position.

  She took out her fury upon the crystal, and by mid-afternoon every glass was sparkling. Then she turned to the silver, and finally it was time to go to her room and dress. Opal had declared she wanted every girl looking her loveliest and in the parlor earlier than usual, should some of the guests arrive early.

  The gown left on her bed was a bright emerald velvet with a shockingly provocative neckline. With a nagging fear of what lay ahead, Julie dressed, wondering how she could escape to her room early if there was to be a big dinner party. She would have to find a way, no matter what.

  With her hair piled high in tightly ringed curls held in place by ivory combs, she could see by her reflection in the mirror that she did look nice. Chiding herself for her moment of vanity, she heard Opal summoning everyone to the parlor.

  “You are without a doubt the rarest gem in my collection of precious beauties,” Opal beamed as she descended the stairs. Julie said nothing, grateful when someone knocked on the door. The guests began to arrive.

  Filling a tray with glasses of various kinds of spirits, Julie began moving through the ever-increasing crowd that was filling the parlor and overflowing into the dining room. Opal would be happy, for this was the largest gathering of clients she had seen in one evening. Many of the men would be forced to wait their turn with the woman of their choice, for Julie counted at least three men to each girl.

  She felt strong fingers wrapping about her wrist and she glanced up, stunned to see Major Fox beaming down at her. “I’ll have a sherry,” he said warmly, then added, loudly enough for everyone else to hear, “Later I shall have you.”

  She stared at him, shocked, and he pressed his lips against her ear, pretending to kiss her as he whispered, “Smile, my dear. You’ve nothing to worry about. Everything is set. My being here is merely a front so that no one will ever suspect I had a part in the escape.”

  Hearing his words, her fears were assuaged, but she had not liked something he said. “What do you mean—later you’ll have me?” she said tightly. “Everyone knows I’m not one of Opal’s girls.”

  “Perhaps you’re not available to everyone, but let them think you and I are smitten with each other. Then there won’t be any suspicions, after we seemed so close, as to why you suddenly disappeared.” The muscle in his jaw tightened. “Don’t ever question my motives, Julie. I know what I’m doing at all
times.”

  He mingled with the other guests, then a short time later approached her for more sherry. This time he conveyed the information that according to the schedule, her brother was to be freed within the hour. “Word will come here, to Ned Rogers and Jarrett Payne, that there’s been an escape. They will have to leave immediately, and I’ll go with them. At that time, in the confusion and excitement that is sure to follow, you slip upstairs to your room. Someone will be waiting below your window to help you climb down, as I told you.”

  “I can’t believe it’s happening—”

  “It is.” He patted her shoulder. “Just as I promised.”

  Opal appeared in the dining room archway, holding a tiny silver bell which she jingled till she had everyone’s attention. She announced dinner was being served, and everyone moved in her direction. Gordon made his way along with Julie, escorting her into the room.

  The long table was laden with platters of roast turkey, duck, and goose. There were bowls filled with stews, gravies, sweet potatoes, and boiled eggs. Ruth waddled in wearing a greasy apron, to set a basket of steaming, hot biscuits in the middle of the table. The procession moved around, with everyone filling a plate, then finding someplace to sit and eat.

  Julie was surprised that she was able to keep her hands steady as she served herself food her fluttery stomach would probably never accept. Gordon was chatting amiably with Ned Rogers, who was in line just behind him.

  Ned was recounting his recent visit to General Lee’s winter encampment along the banks of the Rapidan River. “You should see it, Gordon. It’s like a city there: tents, huts, a sea of people. The men amuse themselves by playing in the snow like children.”

  “They had better enjoy themselves while they can,” Gordon commented drily. “With spring, both sides will no doubt move into full-scale battles. What were you doing out there, anyway?”

  Julie looked at Ned as he explained he had wanted to get away from the prison for awhile. “I get sick of seeing them carry out the bodies every day,” he said wearily. “They die like flies—from dysentery, typhoid, malnutrition. I can’t help but pity the poor bastards.”