Southern Beauty by Julie Lucia

you care if I fancy her or not?”  Malcolm now intrigued by David’s concern.
    “You, you care about her?  That is a laugh.  What does she have that you are so interested in?” asked David.
    “She is a pretty thing isn’t she?” stated Malcolm ignoring David’s question, while trying to provoke him.
    “Just stay away from her.  She doesn’t need to be hurt by this.” David warned.
    “Oh, are you becoming noble now?  Don’t worry, McPherson, by the end of this mission, I will have saved the day and won the girl!” 
    David couldn’t have predicted this.  Not only was the man who was spending time with Johanna someone he actually knew.  He was Malcolm Graystone.  He was on the Northern side pretending he was a wavering patriot following Lee.  He was a master of trickery.  He hurt his sister and now he was after Johanna.  This was grave indeed. 
    Malcolm had been bent on beating David at everything since they were at West Point together.  Malcolm always looked for the next big mission to carry out, the next mountain to climb, and the next goal to achieve without any regard to morality.  David had caught Malcolm cheating at West Point and had him expelled.  Malcolm never forgave him and went after his sister when he was away for months with General Meade.  Now Johanna was caught in the middle of this.  He needed to save her.  And if Malcolm had any idea how much David loved her, he would never give up.  Malcolm would forever ruin her if it would destroy David.
     
     
    #   #   #
     
    “Johanna, I thought you would want to know, I just overheard G.T. talking with some cadets.  Your uncle was delayed and will not be able to make the ball,” Mary Alice relayed what she overheard.  “There seems to be some talk of conspiracy and it was too dangerous for him to reach Charleston.”
    “That lying…” Johanna headed toward the stairs.
    “Fight! Fight! There are two soldiers fighting in the foyer!” A young cadet yelled out to his schoolmates. 
    Everyone stopped dancing and headed to see the added entertainment.  “Who are they?” another cadet asked.
    “You have got to be kidding me,” Johanna stopped dead in front of the two men throwing punches at each other.  There before her was David and Malcolm acting like school kids with one knocked to the floor and the other shoved into the door.   It was broken up by cadets who were standing by, both men bloodied from their battle. 
    Mary Alice came behind Johanna, “ Which one do you choose? I would definitely take Rene, less mess to clean up.”
     
    #   #   #
     
    After David and Malcolm’s encounter everyone returned to the party.  The orchestra continued to play and guests returned to their rightful places which included dancing, gossiping and drinking.
    Before David stepped out of the parlor he was approached again by Malcolm. What David did not know is Malcolm had seen Johanna watching them carefully by the door.   
    Malcolm used her eavesdropping on their conversation to his advantage.
    “I just want to know one thing?” asked Malcolm holding his hands up in retreat.
    David stared him down not sure if he should trust him.  He was on guard in case Malcolm was going to sucker punch him when he wasn’t ready.
    “ What is that?” David asked.
    “Do you love Miss Lee?” asked Malcolm loud enough for her to hear.
    “Absolutely not,” denied David. “I will do anything I can for my mission, and that includes pretending my affections.”
    “Does she think you love her,” asked Malcolm.
    “Well, if she does she is mistaken,” said David.  “I am not marrying anyone.  As soon as this mission is over, I will be free to go home.  Johanna is just a means to an end.  Frankly, I don’t know how anyone would want to marry her.  Her family is disgraceful.  Her parents are in Paris completely ruined and her uncle is becoming a traitor to our country.  How could anyone think she is good for marrying?”
    “I