by Jerri Hines
She placed her hand on his arm gently and shook her head. “I’m not going to let her ruin my evening.”
“Are you certain?” He looked over at Gavin, who seemed to be waiting for their decision.
“Yes, most definitely.” Josephine managed a smile. “The play is delightful, as is the company we have. Besides, you promised me a night out.”
The four returned to their seats. The play went on. Delightful as it may have been, Jo’s mind was far away. She could not simply dismiss the ominous feeling that Kathleen had provoked within her.
* * * *
Reflecting on the evening, Josephine sat at her vanity and stared into her beveled mirror. Mary unfastened her gown. It would have been a wonderful night if not for Kathleen. She could not deny that Kathleen’s words had disturbed her. How did Kathleen know she had been in prison?
In the carriage on the way home, Cullen assured her that she had no fear that it would become common knowledge. He would make certain of it, insinuating he would find where Kathleen learned of the fact.
“You were wonderful, my love,” Cullen asserted. “I even saw some kind smiles while we walked by.”
She would not have disputed his statement if not for that brief encounter with Kathleen. Perhaps after the war, she would not feel as much as an intruder at social functions. However, if anyone found out she had been in prison, no matter the reason, she had little doubt any smiles would be dispensed her way.
Mary reached over the gown’s shoulders to slide it off.
“That won’t be necessary. I will help my wife.”
In the mirror, Jo saw her husband’s reflection in the doorway, his waistcoat and cravat removed. His dark eyes caught hers, leaving little doubt of his intent. The evening’s confrontation had been forgotten; his mind was not on anything other than his obvious desire.
Jo gave no notice of Mary, who nodded slightly, and quickly exited.
Cullen closed the door and came over behind her. “Would it surprise you that I have a vision of you wearing my gift?”
“I am wearing them now.” She smiled alluringly, touching the lustrous pearls that cascaded around her neck.
“Not as I want to see them worn.”
He reached down and lifted her to her feet. His arms encircled her and pulled her back against him. The power of his touch warmed her; his fervent kisses on her neck sent a torrent of sensations surging through her.
His hands moved over the silk that covered her breasts, intertwining his fingers in the strings of the pearls. As he slipped the gown off her shoulders, he pulled the material down to her waist. He ran his hand up her pantalets and pulled them down, making her shudder. Soon he had dispensed with all the layers of clothing between him and his fantasy. She stood as he desired, with nothing but the pearls against her skin.
A large smile formed on his lips, staring at her in the mirror as his hands claimed her with firm strokes along her stomach, hips, and thighs. Dipping down, his kisses scalded her neck. Slowly, almost languidly, his caresses sent rippling waves of pleasurable sensations crashing through her.
She turned to him to accept more. He complied and lowered his head down to her breasts. As he suckled on one, and then the other, she closed her eyes and basked in his maddening kisses. Pausing only a moment, he led her to their bed.
He looked down at her longingly, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt. She helped him shed his clothing, worked at the fastening on his pants. Gently, he pressed her back on the bed and covered her with his naked body.
Their tongues tangled, enthralled in the essence of their passion. She responded with abandon. Sliding her fingers through his hair, she pushed him on his back and then straddled him.
As she rode him, the pearls hung down over her naked breasts in the most provocative manner. Aroused to the point he cautioned himself. He needed to give her pleasure, compelled to give her pleasure, before his own.
He flipped her, returning her to her back. “Hold your arms over your head and spread your legs.”
She objected to nothing and he wanted everything. The anticipation of the coming pleasure curled in her stomach and flared in an overwhelming heat at the core of her being. He gave her pleasure with his mouth and tongue, but he took his own in hers.
He tasted her and savored her every gasp and groan of swelling passion. She came hard, thrashing and screaming. He took her then and filled her with the hunger he held for her…only her. Each thrust sharpened wanton sensations, taking them to a plane of ecstasy that erupted into exquisite relief.
Afterwards, Jo snuggled into his shoulder and he drew her closer. Beyond this night, he took solace in the love they shared and knew they could face the world outside these doors. This was as it should be. Josephine and him together.
* * * *
On Monday, Cullen rose early in the morning, the memories of Josephine’s beauty and passion fresh on his mind. He would rather have lost himself remembering the long hours of incredible pleasure she had given him, but he had tasks to complete before he left for Washington on the afternoon train.
He had decided that he would move his family out to Rosemount when he returned from his trip. Most times, the house was not open until summer, but he saw the desire in Josephine to leave the confines of the city.
Kathleen was not the only resident of the city who held prejudice against Southerners. The city’s bias toward their Southern brothers swelled. There was no need to expose Josephine to those sentiments more than need be.
In time, the rift that had divided the nation would begin to heal, but not until the war officially ended. President Lincoln had been inaugurated for another term a couple of weeks before. His first term had been spent diffusing the age-old practice of slavery. That, in turn, had caused the bloodiest, most horrific of wars, pitting brother against brother, family against family. Now, President Lincoln faced another gargantuan task: leading the nation out of the darkness it had fallen into and into the nation he envisioned.
Despite the earliness of the day, he found his father already at work in his office. His home office was situated in the back of the house with a separate door for any necessary visitors, such as the one sitting in front of the desk.
Heyward appeared deep in thought, rubbing his hand over his chin. He looked up when Cullen walked across the room.
“Cullen,” Jonathan said. “Heyward has come with some disturbing news.”
“What has happened?”
His first thought was something had happened to Miss Hazel. He prayed to God she was well. Jo took solace in the fact that her mammy was close at hand. Cullen came to the realization that it was useless trying to separate Jo from Miss Hazel. He had relented and withdrawn his objections to Jo visiting Miss Hazel.
Yesterday, Jo had even gone down to the Baptist church and donated supplies for the injured black soldiers. Miss Hazel had directed her energy into helping the wounded men who often received inferior medical treatment.
Granted, he had been furious when Jo had left with Heyward in the manner she had when she first arrived. There was so much already weighing against his wife, she didn’t need any gossip about being escorted through Philadelphia with a freedman.
In truth, it had been more. He had been jealous of her love for her mammy…her need for someone other than himself. Not to mention, he had been abrupt with Heyward.
“Yesterday when Miss Jo was leaving after her visit with Ma at the church, I noticed a figure lurching in the alley. He looked like a vagabond, dressed in rags, heavily bearded. The man’s hat brim was pulled down to his eyebrows, leaving most of his face in the shadows, but I swore, Mr. Cullen, when he looked at me, it was Harry Lee. I ran after him, but he disappeared.”
Cullen faced Heyward. “It is a relief to me that you are keeping a keen eye out for Miss Josephine. I am deeply appreciative. Moreover, this gives me a chance to apologize to you for the last time we talked.”
“It’s not necessary,” Heyward said. “I’m more concerned
about the welfare of my family and Miss Jo. I refuse to lose more to that man.”
“Then I can relieve your mind.” Cullen walked over and sat on the corner of the desk. “Harry Lee is dead. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. Andrew informed me of the fact and I telegraphed a man I know down at the state department. I just got confirmation from Captain Gibson, the fort’s commander, that Harry Lee died of smallpox last year. It’s over.”
“You’re sure?”
“Gibson said he saw a copy of Harry Lee’s death certificate. Again, I apologize. I should have relayed the information to you.”
Heyward shook his head. “I could have sworn it was Harry Lee.”
“The son of a bitch is dead, but it does not mean that others aren’t out there gunning for my wife. You have brought up a good point. There are many in the city who hold hard feelings toward any Southerner. Someone may have set their sights on Jo. Maybe I shouldn’t leave today.”
Jonathan held up his hand and shook it slightly. “I don’t think it’s necessary. I will see that she is looked after. If she goes out, I will send Ainson with her, and I will alert the coachmen and footmen to be on guard for any suspicious activity.”
“If I see that man again, I will let you know,” Heyward said.
A knock on the door disturbed the conversation. Elizabeth slipped her head in the room and smiled. “Father, Mother wanted me to tell you that Roger Dukett is in the drawing room. Were you expecting him this morning? He says you were supposed to discuss his government contract for uniforms.”
“Oh, yes. I promised to send a note to Senator Cowan on his behalf. It seems that the government requisitioned another order for the troops and rescinded it after it was delivered. I fear we will be addressing more of these issues if the war is truly coming to an end.” Jonathan turned to Heyward and Cullen. “I really must go and see Roger. Is there anything else, Heyward?”
“No, sir. I have to get back to the Chestnut Street office.”
“Then I will see you there this afternoon. Thank you, Heyward. Your attentiveness is appreciated.” Jonathan rose and nodded to Cullen. “I assume I will see you before you leave.”
“But of course.” Cullen answered his father, but cast a thoughtful glance toward Heyward, who had made no movement to leave. He had known Heyward a long time. Despite the class differences, the two men knew each other well.
Heyward had been one of the main reasons Cullen’s network had worked. He also knew something else bothered Heyward. “Are you going to tell me what else is troubling you?”
“Not sure,” Heyward stated honestly. “I’m used to being dismissed by others, Mr. Cullen. Not you.”
“I am not dismissing what you saw,” Cullen replied. “I would not. Remember it was I who helped you rescue Gillie and saw firsthand the damage the man inflicted. I certainly would not play light with the information if I thought for one minute it wasn’t truly Harry Lee.”
“I suppose I could have been wrong, but I tell ya, something is going on that I don’t like. I can feel it.”
“What are you talking about?”
Heyward nodded to the door. “Miss Elizabeth, there. She’s friends with that devil woman Dr. Andrew was married to?”
“Miss Elizabeth was good friends with Andrew’s wife at one time, but not now, especially after what that woman put my cousin through. Miss Elizabeth told me herself she cut ties with her.”
“You believe that?”
“I have no reason not to.” Cullen’s eyebrows rose. “Do you?”
“I saw ’em, Mr. Cullen, more than once, together. One time walking down Walnut Street arm in arm. Then last week, a carriage drew up at your father’s work. Miss Elizabeth got out, but I saw that woman in the carriage.”
Cullen couldn’t deny that the knowledge disturbed him. He didn’t try. “Tell me again what you saw...in detail.”
* * * *
“Oh, Cullen, I’m so sorry.” Tears spilled down Elizabeth’s cheeks. “I should have told you, but truly I didn’t want to upset you or Josephine.”
“Elizabeth, this is inexcusable.” Cullen shook his head. “Whether intentional or not, you gave information to Kathleen, which she attempted to use against Josephine.”
“I am weak, for in the end I couldn’t tell her no…not in the state she was in,” Elizabeth cried, lifting her head up. Wiping back her tears, she rose from the sofa and gripped Cullen’s sleeve. “She played against my sympathy. I thought she had changed like she claimed. I was foolish to believe her. She was relentless. I told her many times to leave me alone.”
“That is true, Cullen,” Monica intervened. “I witnessed one of Kathleen’s tantrums…here in the drawing room. Why, I had never seen such a display! She pulled at her hair and fell to her knees, weeping and crying she had no one else to turn to for comfort. I heard Elizabeth send her away.”
“Elizabeth, do you comprehend the havoc Kathleen wreaked over Charleston and my cousin? She blatantly carried on numerous affairs, pauperized Andrew, and left her infant daughter behind without blinking an eye.”
“Stop, oh, please stop, Cullen. I didn’t know. She told me that the Montgomerys ripped her daughter from her arms and refused to let her have her. That it was Andrew having the affairs…that she was cast aside because she was a Yankee…but it wasn’t until after her father passed away and news came back that her daughter died that I gave in…” Elizabeth’s voice cracked. Releasing Cullen’s sleeve, she fell back into her mother’s waiting arms. “I’m so ashamed.”
Monica patted the back of her disturbed daughter. She looked over at Cullen. “She is sorry. I will make sure that woman won’t set foot in this house again and Elizabeth will not associate with her anymore. Is that not right, Elizabeth?”
The distracted Elizabeth did not look around, only nodded. Falling back into her mother’s arms, she wept.
Cullen frowned deeply. He had no choice but to accept his stepsister’s apology, but with reluctance. He was disappointed Elizabeth had fallen back under Kathleen’s spell.
In the end, Cullen left Monica to deal with Elizabeth. If she didn’t, he would when he returned. He would not have Kathleen in their lives.
He had to prepare to leave within the hour and wanted to spend the time with his wife and children. He left the room.
Chapter Twelve
Just before dusk, a warm southwesterly breeze sprang up at the exact moment when Josephine exited the carriage. The buffeting wind whipped at her and tore at her bonnet. Hampered by her petticoats, dress, and cloak, she lagged against the force.
Turning, she reached up and gripped her bonnet tightly. Abruptly, she halted. There in the shadows between the houses was a strange man with his hat brim pulled down low over his eyebrows. He wore a large brown overcoat and his beard hung down to his chest. Even from the distance between them, she felt his eyes burn into her.
Catching hold of her skirt, she looked back. He had vanished, lost in the shadows. Good gracious! She had gone and let her fanciful imagination get the better of her.
Entering the house, Penniford, the Smythes’ butler, was at the door and took her cloak, along with her bonnet. Immediately, she forgot the storm brewing outside as she was greeted to the sound of her children laughing in the drawing room.
Josephine walked in and smiled at her son playing with his sister. Elizabeth and Mrs. Smythe sat on the sofa, enjoying the sight themselves.
“I told you they would be content.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft and reassuring. “How was your visit with your friend?”
“Quite enjoyable,” Jo acknowledged, patting her unruly hair back down. “Diana was quite hospitable. She invited over her two sisters as well. It was a lovely tea.” Jo didn’t add that it was a nice gesture on the part of Diana to include her, making her feel welcome in her new surroundings.
“I’m glad you are beginning to start calling on friends. I was thinking I would like for you to accompany me over to the Jancys’ next wee
k.” Mrs. Smythe met Jo’s gaze.
Touched by the invitation, Jo quickly agreed. “I would love to go.”
“Then it is set.” Her mother-in-law displayed no emotion at her acceptance, not even a small smile. “Penniford just announced supper would be in half an hour if you need to freshen up.”
“Thank you. I believe I do.” Jo glanced over at her children, who hadn’t even looked up at her entrance. “I believe they are happy. You seem to have a way with them, Elizabeth.”
“It is mutual,” Elizabeth murmured, handing Percival one of his men that Madeline had thrown. “I truly enjoy them both.”
Jo studied Elizabeth for a brief moment. She had to admit Elizabeth had gone out of her way to make Jo feel more at home since the episode over Kathleen. It would not come as a shock if it had been Elizabeth who suggested her mother invite Jo to the Jancys’.
Moreover, Elizabeth seemed at ease with the children. Her face lit up when they came into a room. Although never could she be considered a beauty, her appearance had greatly improved over the last few days.
She didn’t know whether it was confidence or maybe she had found the happiness she sought in the children. She needs children of her own. When Cullen comes home, perhaps I can set her up with one of his friends.
“My dear.” Mrs. Smythe halted Jo’s progress out of the room. “In the foyer, you will find a small package Cullen sent.”
“Thank you.” Jo hurried out. On the table, as her mother-in-law had stated, sat a small package. She opened it quickly. It was a book from Cullen with a note.
Thought you might find this of interest. I know I heard you talk of the author, Charles Dickens. One of the wives of a fellow officer recommended this book, A Tale of Two Cities. I thought it might help pass the time until I return. Be patient. I have only to take care of a couple of more issues and then, my darling, you will find me constantly by your side. I miss you and the children, but will return as quickly as I can. Yours forever, Cullen
Languorously, Josephine walked up the stairs with the book in hand. Two weeks had passed since Cullen had left for Washington. Her nervousness in his departure had diminished, although she missed him dearly. She hoped his apprehensions about her had eased. He had almost canceled his trip because of his fear for her.
