Souls Aflame (47 page)

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.”

Julie’s heart constricted with pain. Myles was there—in that horrible place. Dear God, the plan had to work. He had to be freed!

“It’s a shame the prisoner exchanges broke down,” Gordon commented. “Both sides are overloaded with prisoners of war.”

“Nothing to be done about it except beat the Yankees and end the war,” Jarrett laughed.

Julie kept her face turned away lest someone see the anguish in it. She heard Opal complaining about the war talk, saying they were supposed to be having a party.

She saw Jarrett reach out and squeeze Opal’s bottom, and his plate tilted, dribbling gravy to the table as he laughed, “I’ll show you a good party in a little while, baby. You just eat and get your strength up, because you’re going to need it for what I’ve got in mind.”

Frowning at the stain on the linen tablecloth, Opal went off in search of Ruth. The crowd continued to circle about the table, conversation filling the air with a noisy ring. No one heard the pounding on the front door.

Opal, returning with Ruth, paused at the sound of glass rattling. Turning, she saw the outline of someone standing on the porch, barely visible through the thin gauze curtain. “A late arrival,” she smiled happily, swinging the door open with a wide grin of greeting. Then, at the sight of the grim-faced soldiers, she felt a wave of annoyance. They were not invited guests. “What do you want?” she demanded curtly.

There were six of them, and the one who seemed to be in charge removed his cap and told her it was imperative that he see Lieutenants Payne and Rogers at once.

“We’re having a dinner party!” Opal snapped. “Your officers will be furious if you disturb them for some silly military business that can wait.”

“Sorry, ma’am. This is important.” He didn’t sound sorry at all. “If you don’t call them, we’ll have to go in and get them.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, all right. But you shall suffer the consequences. I can assure you they’re going to be quite angry with you for disturbing them.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the soldier nodded politely. “I accept the responsibility.”

Opal closed the door in their faces. The icy air was chilling the parlor, and she didn’t want to invite them in to tramp up the carpets with their snow-caked boots. Hurrying to the dining room, she stood on tiptoe, scanning the crowd until she saw Ned Rogers. Catching his eye, she pointed to him and Jarrett, then motioned for them to come.

Still carrying their plates of food, the two men maneuvered back through the line to where she was standing.

“Soldiers!” she made a face. “I told them we were having a dinner party, but they insisted…”

The two exchanged anxious looks, then sprinted for the door. They stepped outside and were gone but a moment, then ran back and demanded to know where their greatcoats and hats had been placed. Several people had wandered into the parlor and stood watching them curiously, as it was obvious they were extremely upset. But it was Major Fox who demanded to know what was going on.

“Escape at the prison,” Ned told him as Ruth handed him the huge cape and his hat. “We don’t know all the details, but a couple of guards were killed while on duty. Evidently the murdering bastards then slipped inside, wearing Confederate uniforms, and took a prisoner.”