Souls Aflame Read Online Free PDF

chooses. I won’t go into details of Mr. Harky’s crime, however, as a lady should not hear such.
    “I would suggest,” he continued, “that you obey the captain and show him the respect he deserves. By so doing, you will ensure that your voyage upon our ship will be quite pleasant.”
    She gave her long black hair an indignant toss. “I’ve no intention of being dictated to. I do happen to be a paying passenger. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I would like to enjoy the tea Mr. Harky so thoughtfully brought to me.”
    She placed her hand on the door and waited. Edsel Garris stared at her intently, pursing his lips as though he wanted to say more but decided it was best to keep his silence.
    “As you wish.” He blew out the candle, and for a moment they were alone in the inky shroud of night. Then she heard him step outside, and she quickly pushed the door shut and threw the latch.
    If he and his captain thought they would order her about, they were in for a surprise. As for Shad Harky, there might be something slightly ominous about his manner, but that could be the result of his scarred face and the mental anguish he must suffer. Whatever he had done in the past was just that—in the past—and as long as he behaved himself around her in a gentlemanly fashion, then she would be his friend.
    She poured herself a cup of tea, grateful he had thought to provide lemon. She found the tea relaxing, and when her cup was drained, she did feel drowsy.
    Getting back in her bed, she pulled the blanket up to her chin and lay there tensely, wanting to fall asleep so it would soon be morning. Maybe things would be better then. After all, she had never been on a ship, and it would be nice to gaze at the rolling ocean and taste the fresh salt air on her lips.
    Closing her eyes, she thought of Myles, and wondered once again whether he was all right. If only she could have seen him before he left, but there had not been time. Had he been captured, he would have been lynched by an unruly mob.
    It wasn’t fair, she thought angrily. Myles had a right to his opinions about the war. He hated slavery, and he’d often told his mother how, if it were left up to him, he’d free every slave at Rose Hill.
    Their mother had argued that the Negroes at Rose Hill were treated very well. She also pointed out that if they were freed and turned away, many would starve. They would have no home, nowhere to go. She had also told him that she would never ask him to think any way except that which his heart dictated, but she did ask that he keep his views to himself in such tense, tumultuous times.
    But Myles had not kept silent, and he and those who shared his opinions had angered many people in Savannah. So perhaps it was best that he had gone away, for his own safety. She only wished that he were not wanted for murder. That was a heavy burden for a man to carry. Myles was gentle and kind, and he would never have hurt anyone unless he was provoked to the breaking point.
    The attack upon her had been that breaking point.
    Once more the sound of someone coming down the steps made her instantly alert. Julie sat straight up, hoping that Officer Garris was not returning. She wanted no more company this night. She knew it would not be Shad, for he was already in trouble because of his earlier visit.
    The footsteps stopped outside her door. She waited for a knock, but there was no further sound. Why was he just standing there? Why didn’t he move on down the hall?
    Then a chill gripped her as she heard the doorknob turning. Thank goodness the door was bolted. She was about to demand to know who was there when she heard the hoarse, rasping breath, and she could only lie there in frightened silence.
    After what seemed hours, shuffling sounds told her that whoever he was, he was leaving. She let out her breath with relief, hoping and praying that sleep would come soon, for this had to be the longest night of her life.
    Pulling the blanket over her head, she vowed