Promise Me Forever Read online

  Rachel glanced down the drive, lined with mounted cannons and stacks of their black balls, to a large and lovely cottage. She didn’t have time to question her host further about how Harry got into the arms business or if he was a native Athenian or if he was involved in the war’s arms manufacturing.

  “Bellevue Cottage, home of Octavia Walton Levert. Her grandfather was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; he and Lyman Hall are buried beneath the signer’s obelisk downtown. She lives here with her aunt, Mrs. Anna Robinson. We’re to have lunch with these fine ladies. You’ll enjoy them immensely. It’s one o’clock, so we’re right on time.” He tucked away his pocket watch, then told them about Octavia.

  Rachel’s nerves became as tight as a French corset two sizes too small. Whatever, she fretted, would she talk about with such an intelligent, widely traveled, educated, and polished woman? A woman so well known around the world would surely find her dull and simple. If she had known about this important lunch, she would have dressed differently, better. She trembled as the carriage stopped before the residence.

  Dan noticed her apprehension. He smiled and whispered, “Don’t worry; they’ll adore you, as everyone does. Just be yourself, Rachel.”

  That’s easy for you to say, she scoffed silently, you handsome and charming rake! They’ll love you at first sight, like all women must do.

  Hours later, Dan assisted a smiling Rachel back into the carriage. A few pleasantries followed, then the visitors rode away with the two ladies waving and Rachel and Dan responding in like manner.

  “That was wonderful, George. I don’t know when I’ve had a better time. They were wonderful, special ladies. Thank you for bringing us to meet them. Octavia is lovely, so well bred and well mannered.”

  “They keep our Old South ways alive and fresh, don’t they?”

  “Yes, George, they certainly do,” Dan agreed.

  “You had a good time chatting about foreign places and people with her, didn’t you?” Rachel asked, her body half turned in the seat as she spoke to Dan.

  He rested his arms along the back seat and carriage side. His blue eyes trailed over her serene face as he answered. “It was quite enlivening and refreshing. I also enjoyed reading that poem to her from Edgar Allen Poe. It was much lighter than his usual style.”

  “You like to read?” Rachel queried.

  “Sea captains have plenty of time for books during voyages. Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and Thomas Hardy are three of my favorite authors.”

  “Ah, the adventurous tales for a man with a wild heart and restless spirit,” she jested, and watched him grin in amusement.

  “You’d be surprised how much their works teach you about people.”

  “I’ve read many things by all of them. I love to read, too. Perhaps I should become an author and write down my adventures for sale.” Rachel wanted to bite off her loosened tongue after it made that foolish mistake.

  When she appeared dismayed over her slip, Dan subtly rescued her. “I’m certain you would earn a fortune on them. Wait until we complete our trip and you’ll have many more, like today’s, to add to them.”

  “I saw the photograph of Dr. Levert on the piano. He was a fine-looking gentleman. I’m sure she must miss him something terrible.”

  Dan grinned at how the cunning creature changed the subject from her past. “We should locate a photographer’s studio and have a picture taken of us on our holiday as a souvenir remembrance.”

  “I know a good one downtown,” George interspersed.

  Dan leapt on that assistance from the man who didn’t guess they weren’t related. “Give me his name and we’ll see him Friday afternoon. We can do our sitting dressed in party clothes to look our best for posterity.”

  Rachel laughed. “You’re such a joker, Cousin Dan.”

  “I’m serious. It would be fun, and will give us a nice keepsake.”

  “He’s right, Rachel. You should capture pleasant times in pictures.”

  “If you two insist, it’s fine with me.”

  “I insist,” Dan murmured.

  “Friday it is,” she responded, then faced forward because his sensual grin was weakening her resolve not to be more heavily attracted to him.

  The entertaining tour continued as they made their way back to the hotel where they parted company for the day.

  “Either George is a nice and sincere man,” Rachel speculated at dinner, “or he’s cleverer than I can ascertain and he’s keeping us occupied and away from the company. What’s your opinion of him?”

  “If he’s a dishonest and treacherous man, it certainly doesn’t show in his personality and behavior. I like George; he impresses me as kind and generous. I think the reason he acted strange at the company when you spoke with him is because he didn’t want to discuss business with his partner’s wife or with a woman. Other than changing the subject to distract you from an uncomfortable topic, he seemed open and trustworthy.”

  “That’s good, because it matches my opinion of him and his conduct. I would hate to think of George being guilty of my suspicions.”

  Dan knew which suspicions she really had in mind. “We are having a wonderful time, and you’re getting good information for Phillip.”

  “Yes, I am. I’m enjoying your company and assistance. Thank you for coming along and for being such a gentleman.”

  Dan grasped her implications and sly warnings. “Me, too, Rachel, and you’re welcome. Have you contacted Phillip yet?”

  Rachel lowered her fork from her lips. “What?” she asked.

  “Have you sent Phillip a telegram to let him know how things are going?” he explained to see how she would react.

  “No. I told you at home, I don’t know how to reach him. He knows where I am and what I’m doing. If he wants news, he’ll contact me. I’m sure he realizes it’s too soon for me to have any facts for him.”

  Dan swallowed his piece of ham. “You’re right. Maybe he’ll cable you in Athens. Then we can let him know I’ve arrived and that I’m with you. That should keep him from worrying about you being alone on this journey.”

  Rachel calmed herself. “I’m sure he’ll be delighted to learn his best friend is protecting me for him. If a telegram is delivered to my room along the way, I’ll tell you immediately, so you can respond with me.”

  When a bellman came to their table and told Dan he had a message at the front desk, he said, “I’ll check on it while we’re waiting for dessert.”

  Rachel observed his retreat with intrigue, as it was odd for their dinner to be interrupted unless it was an emergency.

  When Dan returned after ten minutes, he seemed winded to her, as if he’d rushed to do something. “A problem?” she asked.

  “No, but I’ll tell you about it later,” he hinted with a sly grin.

  They finished eating and walked to her door. Rachel unlocked it and turned to say good night, to find him grinning. “What is so amusing, Dan?”

  “Your surprise,” he murmured in a husky voice and pointed inside to a vase of flowers. “You said this was your favorite season, so I thought a little bit of spring would brighten your room and give you pleasure.”

  She looked concerned as she asked, “How did you get them in here?”

  “They arrived while we were dining. The bellman came up with me to unlock the door so we could put them in place. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Of course not. It was kind and gracious. Thank you. Good night.”

  “Good night, Rachel. See you in the morning.” He assumed she made her hasty escape because she was worried he had seen her perfidious mischief on the bed.

  Rachel walked to the table and roved her gaze over the lovely and colorful arrangement. She couldn’t decide if his gesture was friendly or romantic. The card with them did not help answer her query: “Rachel, they can’t compare with your beauty, but I hope you enjoy them. Dan.”

  She withdrew a daffodil and smelled it, smiling with delight at the heady fragrance.
She went to the bed to place it on her pillow to give pleasure during the night, as she often did with gardenias during their season.

  Something was lying there—a folded note and a small vial of white powder. She tensed as she put aside the daffodil to grasp the two items. A sick feeling caused her heart to drum. She read the note on hotel stationery. Dread and panic made her heart race faster and her hands shake.

  She read it again: “I want you and I’ll get you, whatever it takes, in life or in death. Leave your husband or you’ll soon be a widow once more. Divorce him or desert him or use this on him; I don’t care, but get free and be mine this time or else you’ll be sorry. I need you and must have you.”

  Rachel gaped at the vial of poison in her trembling hand. She had to get rid of it fast before it was found in her possession! Whoever had written the note didn’t know Phillip was dead, but was following her and scaring her. Anyone who saw it would think she had penned it, as the script matched hers! She didn’t know if the contents were the insidious truth or a cruel joke. Who, she fretted, had done this horrible deed, and how?

  Dan didn’t have an alibi this time, either, but he couldn’t forge her handwriting without a long sample and lengthy practice. The brief message she had slipped beneath his door this morning was not sufficient. She had no tangible reason at all to distrust or suspect him.

  As quietly as possible, she left her room and went downstairs. She located the bellman who had summoned and accompanied Dan earlier. She questioned him about anyone else being let into her room for any reason during her stay. He told her no one could enter a guest’s room without permission from the desk clerk. Rachel checked with the other man, to learn that only one person had done so—Daniel Slade, and tonight.

  “Did you notice anything lying on my bed?” she asked the bellman.

  “A note and a small bottle of medicine. I put them on your pillow. I didn’t read it or bother anything, ma’am. Ask Captain Slade; he saw me.”

  “Did he read the note and see the… medicine?”

  “He saw them when I moved them, but he didn’t touch either one. Is something wrong, Mrs. McCandless?” the desk clerk inquired.

  She smiled and lied. “No. It’s only that the note was very private; so, when I found it moved, I wanted to make sure no one had read it.”

  “I swear we didn’t, ma’am. Delivering the flowers only took a minute.”

  “Thank you, and don’t worry about it again.” The bellman left and she said to the clerk in a pleasant tone, “I have important personal papers in my room, sir, so please don’t let anyone inside for any reason. Have future messages and gifts left with you, then contact me to come for them.”

  “Yes, ma’am; your request will be obeyed,” he replied politely.

  “Thank you, and good night.” As she returned to her room, she prayed Dan had mistaken the vial for medicine, too. She hoped he wouldn’t remember her having it when he heard the horrible rumors about her soon. If he did, she knew what he would think!

  Rachel took her same precaution of a breakfast that allowed only enough time to eat. Last night it had been difficult to share a leisurely dinner in the cozy dining room. She didn’t want every meal to be a chore where she had to stay on strenuous alert against reaching out to Dan or risk making slips when she became too disarmed.

  She pushed aside her fears and worries over the recent threats. She needed a clear head to concentrate on George and Dan. She reminded herself that the original incidents in Savannah had begun before Daniel Slade’s arrival, so it was doubtful he was behind them; that made her think he couldn’t be blamed for the ones dogging her on the road. Still, she would keep an alert eye on the enticing sea captain and on her surroundings.

  George picked them up at nine-thirty and gave them a detailed tour of the inner city. When they reached the waterfront, he halted the carriage and they got out near the city wharves. Steamboats and keelboats plied their trades at the location, which was loud and busy with workers. Homes, businesses, and enormous warehouses were lined shoulder to shoulder along Bay Street. Two covered railroad bridges crossed the river less than a block apart. Nearby was another bridge for use by the general public.

  Rachel saw the sparkle that entered Captain Daniel Slade’s dark-blue eyes as he gazed at the wide and swift Savannah River and the boats. He appeared filled with energy and excitement to be near water again. When George asked Dan a question, she listened closely to his response.

  “Ever been tempted to give up the sea, Dan?”

  The captain didn’t take his softened gaze from the rapid currents. “Not yet, George. Haven’t found anything worth replacing it and my ship.”

  “I understand that feeling. This river is a powerful and unpredictable one. She serves us well until heavy rains cause her to flood into the city.”

  “Flood the city?”

  “That’s right, Rachel. She usually overflows a little once or twice a year, but Augusta has suffered four terrible floods. What we need is a levy to control her overabundance. We sit close to her banks and we’re low. When she’s too high and dumps water into the canal at a heavy rate, it spills over into the town and residential areas. Where Molly Sue and I live, it’s been pretty safe over the years from much damage.”

  “What about at the company?” Rachel questioned. “Since it’s beside the canal, is there much danger of things getting ruined when it floods? You said the powder and chemicals had to be kept dry. A flood there could create a terrible financial loss for you and Phillip.”

  “No problem so far. Let’s continue on,” George suggested.

  At their next stop, without leaving the carriage, George said, “This is Cotton Row, one of our most important locations, our life-blood. We still do well with tobacco, but that white stuff is the ruler. King Cotton—what a history and tragedy that’s been for the South,” he murmured before going on. “We’re second only to Memphis in the cotton trade, and second only to Savannah in shipments of it to northern and foreign markets. Our buying and selling spans the world. You’ve never witnessed such a commotion and such excitement as the height of the season in September.”

  George stared off into space with a dreamy gaze. In a few minutes he shook his graying head, and said, “If you two are hungry by now, I know a special little cafe not far from here. Wonderful food and clean as my home.”

  “That sounds good to me, George. After we finish, I’d like to go to your office to get my business with you settled, so I can forget about it.”

  “Suits me,” George agreed with a genial smile.

  At the Augusta Ammunition Company, Rachel and Dan were in for several surprises and new clues to her mystery.

  “How do you keep track of different orders, George? Can you show me the books so I can see and understand how it’s done? I’d like to learn more about Phillip’s business so I can talk with him intelligently about it. I’m sure he would be surprised and pleased by my interest and knowledge.”

  George looked anxious about her unexpected request. “I wish I could help you, Rachel, but it’s impossible on this trip. The books aren’t here; they’re with our accountant, and he’s out of town this week. He’s working on financial reports for us, hopefully to show us where we can cut costs to save money. They’ll be finished by the time Phillip returns. I’m sure he’d be delighted to teach you all you want to know.”

  Rachel sensed that George was deceiving her, but not because of the mystery engulfing her, but rather because he didn’t want to show the reports to her without her husband’s approval or to expose his private earnings. “That’s fine, George,” she said to relax the nervous man.

  Dan spoke quickly to lessen the tension and to distract George from Rachel’s intimidating request. “I did my figuring, and I’ll need eighteen hundred cases. I’ll pay cash in advance before I leave town so I won’t have to worry about hiring someone to deliver the payment to you later.” Dan knew he would have no problem selling that size order somewhere during his future tr
avels, so he wasn’t risking the investment in his cover story.

  George’s brown gaze widened in astonishment as he scribbled notes. “That’s 1,800,000 cartridges! It’s … $30,006! I didn’t realize you meant an order this big. I would have discussed it and taken it sooner. I can use the cash. Do you mind if I ask why you need so many cartridges?”

  “Certainly not. We have a small force in the Mediterrean area, and they’re expecting trouble by the end of summer with Turkey and her surroundings. I was in port when they mentioned sending an order for arms and ammunition. I requested the assignment and received it. When Rachel planned this holiday, I decided to mix business with pleasure. I want Phillip’s two companies to fill my orders. I’ll try to stay in port until it’s ready. When can you have the cases in Savannah ready to be shipped out?”

  Rachel leapt at the chance to gain information. “Will that be a problem or take long, George? I know you’re already working on that other big contract Phillip mentioned before he left home.”

  “I had it started before Phillip canceled it, but Harry stopped by last Friday and told me Phillip had changed his mind again and to get back on it fast. I have my men working as quickly as possible to make our deadline. It’ll be in Savannah by May fourteenth as promised.”

  His words reminded her of Phillip’s frantic mumblings. May fourteenth was six weeks away. “I forgot who Phillip said it was for.”

  “I don’t know, just Phillip’s name is on the contract. He’s handling the order, delivering it, and collecting the payment.”

  “Harry didn’t mention the customer’s name, either?”

  “No, Phillip’s handling the arms deal the same way.”

  Rachel did not point out how preposterous that sounded. “It’s big and important. How many cases are involved?”

  “Thirty thousand.”

  Rachel’s eyes widened this time. “That’s…”

  “Thirty million cartridges.” George supplied the amount for her. “We’re charging $16.67 per case, so the contract is for five hundred thousand dollars. We give a discount on large orders like that; normally we charge eighteen dollars a case. I’ll give you the same lower rate, Dan, because your order is large.”