Promise Me Forever

by Janelle Taylor

Dan thought a minute about Luke. “He’s cheerful, smart, dependable, and level-headed. The men trust and respect him; so do I. He stands by me in any situation, good and bad. He loves the sea and sailing. We’re both adventurers at heart. Luke’s easygoing, but he can be tough and strong when the situation demands.” Dan sipped his tea, which was spiced with fresh mint. “We’ve been tight friends and constant companions for four years. Where one goes, the other goes. We met on the ship I took when I left Charleston in ’71. We forged a tight bond during that voyage, and we’ve been together ever since. After I purchased my ship, I signed Luke on as first mate, and I’ve never been sorry for a moment. The Merry Wind has been my home for years, and he’s been my family. Luke’s like a brother to me, and he feels the same way about me.”

  Rachel was warmed by those revealing words and the strong feelings behind them, was even a little envious of that relationship. Hearing about the kind of special relationship that she had been denied through no fault of her own made her a little melancholy and bitter. “That’s wonderful. I haven’t had a best friend since I was a child. I played with the plantation workers’ children until Mama married Earl. He said it wasn’t proper and stopped it. Earl didn’t like for visitors to come around much, so I didn’t meet many girls my age who were acceptable to him.

  “Of course,” she conceded, “we didn’t have many close neighbors with daughters my age because the plantations were so large and far apart. After I moved to Savannah, I wasn’t given the opportunities and time to make friends with other young women. Oh, I had acquaintances, just not close and best friends like you described. I’ve missed that.” She sighed heavily, then forced a smile. “Lula Mae is my friend, and so is Burke, the manager. But they’re older, and I’m their mistress. Sometimes I think Lula Mae still views me as a child. She tries to protect me and teach me and discipline me as if I were her daughter. I suppose that’s why I don’t get any closer to her; it could cause a problem if I had to overrule a decision of hers or reprimand her. I owe her a great deal, so I let her get away with things I might correct others for doing or saying. If it doesn’t seem that important, I allow it to pass unchallenged.”

  “Everybody needs a good friend, someone to confide in, someone who stands by you no matter what comes along, somebody you trust and respect.”

  “But how do you find such a person, Dan? How can you be sure they’ll stand by you in dark times or not betray you?”

  Dan sensed she was serious, perhaps even testing his feelings, his reaction to even bigger revelations. “You found me, Rachel. I promise you can speak freely to me. I would never betray you, to anybody. I could make a good best friend even if I’m not a female.”

  We’ll soon see if you mean what you say… “This topic is gloomy. However did we sink into it? Order me a tempting dessert and put me in better spirits.” She laughed softly with her voice and expression, but not with her gaze.

  Dan noticed, and it curiously pained his heart. He believed those admissions were true, tormenting, and difficult. The fact she could reveal such private and poignant feelings told him how close she was getting to him and how much she trusted him in certain areas. If only he could trust and believe her, and didn’t have to betray her.

  On Thursday morning, they met with Ted Jacobs in the lobby. The hotel cook had prepared a sumptuous picnic basket, even loaned them glasses to go with the wine, along with a tablecloth and utensils. They got into a rented carriage and headed off to tour Athens.

  Rachel and Dan were both amused by the redhead’s enthusiasm, but they suppressed their laughter at the way he often leapt from topic to topic like a jumping frog. It was only when he turned his back to drive, that they exchanged grins and soft laughter. They realized how much fun they had together. They were relaxed and content, even though their shadow was tailing them again.

  As they turned onto Milledge Avenue, Ted pointed out how much larger the lots were in an area which had many trees and meadows and a few branches. The streets and roads were dirt, but the hard-packed Georgia clay gave up little dust at their slow pace and that of the carriages they encountered. He pointed out many homes of famous residents along the picturesque route-mostly in Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian styles.

  Their next stop—a long one—was at a female institute. Ted reveled in telling about it being “one of the highest honors to be known as and be called a ‘Lucy Cobb Girl.’ Now, families from the North send their daughters South to get refinement and culture and social graces. That’s ironic.”

  The sun was high, so Rachel held her parasol over her head and leaned closer to Dan to shade his eyes, too. Their shoulders and legs touched. The heady contact affected both of them, and they had a difficult time paying attention to their guide’s words and the sights.

  They reached Lumpkin Street and turned left, back toward town. Ted soon pulled to the side of the street. “Let’s stop here for our picnic.”

  The serene, woodsy, flower-filled meadow bordered the estate of an ex-governor and the college campus. It was a perfect selection. Tall oaks and thick magnolias presented a lovely setting and welcome shade. They spread out the tablecloth and sat down on the grass around it. As they feasted on the delicious fare and sipped tepid wine, they chatted about what they had seen and would see.

  When Ted asked questions about them, they related the same tale they had told Harry and George. It was doubtful, but George could have warned Harry of their impending visit and Harry could have hired this innocent-faced boy to meet them and to stay with them during their visit. The couple had discussed that possibility, then dismissed it because of their shadow. Still, it paid to be careful and alert. Dan and Rachel watched everything they said and did in his presence, which took extra effort, but it didn’t prevent a good time.

  Their tour continued along Lumpkin past the university to the cotton-factoring location. There, the student, a fountain of information and overflowing with energy, said, “Athens is one of the largest cotton markets in the South and probably in the world. Outside of town in every direction are farms and plantations of immense sizes. After cotton is picked, hauled in, ginned, and baled, you see stacks of them everywhere, I mean everywhere along the streets nearby. It’s a big and profitable business.”

  They traveled up Thomas Street toward the area called Lickskillet, the original location of the rich gentry, which now belonged to Prince and Milledge avenues. Ted pointed to a large Victorian home on the corner and said, “I suppose you know that’s where Harrison Clements lives.”

  “Yes, I was there for a short visit before last Christmas,” Rachel revealed. She waited to see if Ted would make further comments, but he didn’t. Neither did she.

  At the hotel entrance, Ted informed them that he had tests the next day and was visiting his family Saturday. “But I can show you around Sunday afternoon,” he said. “You must see the old botanical gardens before they go to ruin.”

  Rachel smiled genially at the slim youth. “That sounds like a delightful way to spend Sunday afternoon, doesn’t it, Dan?”

  “It certainly does. We’ll be waiting for you after church.” Dan paid the agreed hourly fee and added some more money to it.

  The youth beamed as he saw the large tip. “You’re most kind, sir.”

  “You are most informative and interesting, Ted,” Rachel said. “You’ve shown us a wonderful time. Thank you. Until Sunday afternoon.”

  As they watched the student head down the street to return the rented carriage, Rachel asked, “Is he still there?”

  “Yep, our spy has stuck to us all day. I bet he’s starving if he didn’t bring along a picnic, too. Just for meanness, we should stroll until dark and exhaust him, but we won’t. Let’s just get washed up and have dinner.”

  Friday they walked up and down and in and out of blocks of town. They halted here and there to shop, having fun together and relishing the merry chase they were leading their shadow on. She purchased several sweets, including fresh baked cookies and candy called
“bucket mix” from a confectionary store. She waited outside the hotel while Dan carried those items to his room, and she pretended not to see the spy who had to guess they were leaving again soon or she would have gone inside.

  Dan returned and their adventure continued. They stopped to have lunch at a restaurant, but hurried to prevent their spy from having time to eat or risk losing sight of them. It was amusing to punish and outwit the hired man, who couldn’t even stop for a drink to wet his dry throat or to be excused. Afterward, Rachel bought gifts for Lula Mae, Burke, his wife, and the other two workers at the plantation.

  As they strolled along, Dan carried her packages, but didn’t make any purchases himself. He had a pleasant time just being with and watching Rachel play the perfect holiday traveler.

  The more they were together, the closer they became and the higher their desires increased. They cared about what happened to each other; as they worked in intimate secrecy as a team and they shared—without knowing it—common goals, dreams, hopes, and interests.

  When Rachel and Dan were too weary to continue with their mischievous ruse, they returned to the hotel to relax before bathing and dressing for dinner with Harrison Clements. His message, more like a summons, had awaited them at the front desk telling them where to meet him.

  At eight o’clock, the couple entered Fabeer’s, a restaurant known for fine and leisurely dining. They were shown to Harry’s table, to find him alone and sipping Irish whiskey without water or ice or a mixer. As they were being seated, Rachel asked where his wife was tonight.

  “She’s visiting kinfolks out of town. I must have forgotten to tell you. It will just be the three of us for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Rachel didn’t believe him. She guessed that his wife was at home or he had sent her away. No doubt it was to provide an excuse not to socialize with her and Dan and to prevent the woman from making a slip. “That’s a shame, Harry; I was looking forward to seeing her during my visit. Please tell her I inquired about her and shall see her during my next one.”

  “When will that be?” Harry asked, then sipped his drink.

  “I have no idea. I suppose whenever Phillip asks me to come along with him, perhaps during the summer or fall.”

  The waiter arrived and asked if the couple wanted a drink before ordering dinner. Rachel and Dan didn’t glance at each other as they shook their heads, but Harry insisted. “Bring them champagne—your finest, William. This is a celebration. We’re here to enjoy ourselves.”

  Later, as they dined, Harry questioned, “Are you and Phillip doing all right? Are your problems over in Savannah?”

  Rachel grasped his meaning and panicked. “Everything is fine, but thank you for your concern.” She quickly changed the subject. “When we were visiting with George, he mentioned something I’d never thought about: How did you and Phillip meet, and how did he become your partner?” Focus the attention on him, Rachel, and off you.

  Harry couldn’t hide his surprise at her unexpected queries. “Phillip’s never told you?” he asked, stalling.

  Rachel laughed and replied, “If he had, I wouldn’t be asking you. George said you introduced him to Phillip and helped them become partners. Suddenly I realized I didn’t know how you two had met or how my husband had gotten into the arms business, or even when he had done so. Surely there’s no reason why I can’t be enlightened, is there?”

  “Why would there be?” he asked as his answer. “Phillip and I met when I was visiting Charleston in late ‘72. A mutual friend introduced us, and we liked each other from the start. During a conversation one day, we both discovered we wanted business partners and came to an agreement he would join my firm. After his father and brother died, Phillip wanted to leave Charleston and start fresh in another place. He wanted to get away from all those bad memories and gossip. I suggested Savannah as his new port and introduced him to Milton Baldwin. Milton’s shipped for me for years, and he needed a partner just as George and I did. Arms and ammunition go together, and it made a nice circle to have Phillip involved in all three companies. The idea appealed to Phillip, so he joined all of us in early ‘73. So far everything’s worked out well for everybody involved.”

  Two things stuck in her mind: Philip’s brother and Harry’s prior relationship with Phillip’s shipping partner. Harrison Clements was like a ringleader who had created that little “circle” he used. Once more she realized how little she had known about the man she had married and buried. She echoed, “Brother? I didn’t know Phillip had one.”

  It was Dan’s turn to panic. He hadn’t thought about either partner knowing about him or knowing people in Charleston. Since Phillip’s wife hadn’t known about his existence and alleged demise at sea, he had assumed his brother hadn’t told anyone about them. Of course this cunning man could have investigated Phillip’s history before or after taking him on as his partner. If Harry knew the whole story, he himself was in deep trouble! He waited and listened to see if he would be exposed to her. Since Harry didn’t know Phillip was dead, wouldn’t he think such revelations might create problems between him and his partner? He recalled that Harry had visited his brother the night before Phillip died and that Harry had a strong reason to be angry with Phillip.

  “I can understand why Phillip wouldn’t mention his lost brother,” Harry said. “It’s still much too painful for him, even after all these years.”

  “But Phillip told you about him,” she said in an accusatory tone.

  Harry shrugged broad shoulders and responded, “Only once and just a few words, because he knew I knew about him. He was drowned at sea in ‘72 when his ship went down in a violent gale. Another vessel witnessed the sinking, but couldn’t help. The captain and crew didn’t get the sails down in time; the waves flipped her on her side, and the weight of the sails and masts dragged her under too fast for rescues. The entire crew was lost.”

  “They were certain his brother was aboard?”

  “No doubt about it at all. The crew registers in port with the ship’s company before sailing. His name was on the role and he’s never returned.”

  Rachel observed a look of unconcern and a lack of sympathy about the matter. “How awful for Phillip and his father,” she murmured.

  Without sensitivity or caution, Harry related, “The worst part was the nasty scandal his brother left behind before he sailed to his doom.”

  Why, she wondered, was Harry telling her such private and painful things? Was he angry with Phillip and trying to punish him by causing trouble between husband and wife? “What scandal, Harry?” she asked.

  The man did not hestitate to answer, “I don’t know the details, but it was a nasty triangle between Phillip’s father, brother, and a woman they both wanted. The McCandlesses tried to keep it quiet and concealed.”

  “But Phillip told you about it?” she probed in visible intrigue.

  “No, James Drake, that mutual friend who introduced us, told me. You’re from Charleston, Dan. Did you ever meet James, Phillip, or Mac?”

  “Mac?” she echoed.

  “Phillip’s brother—Mac,” Harry clarified. “That’s all the name I know.”

  Dan did not expose his relief. “No, the McCandlesses were gone when I moved there from Alexandria, and I haven’t made Drake’s acquaintance yet. I’m not in port very much or for very long periods.”

  “Is that how you met Phillip, when he married your cousin in Savannah?”

  Dan put a genial smile on his face as he used his ruse. “That’s right, but I’ve only seen him a few times, and not in a very long while. I docked the afternoon of the day he sailed in the morning. Rachel and I decided that while we were catching up on family and old times, we’d take this trip and have fun. A few more days of relaxation and entertainment, and I’ll have my land legs back.” Dan was aware that Harry had not asked them if they were having a good time in town or what they had been doing for the last few days. He knew why, because Harry was having them followed. Yet, as clever as Harry s
eemed, in Dan’s eyes that was a reckless oversight. Perhaps the man’s second one, since he had searched her room too casually and made no attempt to have it appear a robbery.

  Everyone ate in silence for a few minutes as they studied each other.

  Rachel worried that if Dan had grown up with Phillip and they had been best friends as he told her, he should have known about this brother and the scandal. Doubts about him returned. He could be one of her enemies after all, and Captain Daniel Slade might not be his real name. Maybe he had come along to investigate the mysterious arms deal for himself or his partners. She would question him later about these inconsistencies. If she didn’t ask natural questions, he would be suspicious. No doubt Dan would come up with a cunning way to explain his deceits and she would be compelled to let him do so and pretend to believe him. Again…

  “So,” Harry spoke first, “you two are enjoying yourselves here. That’s good. Athens is a nice town and has plenty to offer visitors.”

  “Yes, it does.” Rachel concurred with an amiable smile. “We hired that university student I mentioned to you. He’s made a splendid guide. He knows so much about Athens, so our visit has been fascinating.”

  “I know something you’ll enjoy even more than sightseeing; I’m attending a party tomorrow night at the Fabeer’s, the people who own this restaurant. I mentioned you were in town, so you two have been invited. It’s at eight o’clock; no dinner, but plenty of treats and drinks, and there’ll be dancing. Would you like to attend?”

  “That sounds marvelous, Harry. Thank you,” Rachel accepted for both her and Dan.

  “I’ll give you the address before we part tonight and see you there. Make’ certain you save several dances for me, Rachel. With your husband absent, a beautiful woman like you will be popular with the men.”

  “You’re too kind, Harry. Thank you for the compliment.”

  “I speak the truth,” he said, then, changing the subject, added, “The evening will be formal. Did you come prepared for special events?”