Dearest Enemy by Nan Ryan

Author:Nan Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2006-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Six

The passion Mitch Longley had awakened in Suzanna did not change her true feelings for him. While her body responded to his masterful caresses, her heart remained untouched. The physical relationship in which she so willingly engaged, had but one cold-blooded purpose—to aid in the defeat of the Union.

Her hatred of the Yankees was as strong as ever and she never forgot for a moment that Mitch Longley was the enemy. The enemy who had taken everything from her—her sweetheart, her brother, her mother, her home, her livelihood.

And now, finally, even her dignity.

She had nothing left to lose, a fact that imbued her with reckless courage. She had no fear of the future for the worst had already happened.

Suzanna genuinely liked spying. She considered herself to be an able espionage agent who proudly served the Confederacy. She would do so until the war ended. The parties at Mattie’s and the trysts with Mitch were but a part of her duties. As bold and brave as any man, she galloped headlong through the night on more than one occasion, carrying cipher messages to commanders in the field. And when the rare opportunity arose, she even sneaked into rooms to eavesdrop on Union Army conferences.

Suzanna shocked friends and acquaintances—including Mattie Kirkendal and Dr. Milton Ledet—by visiting camps and calling on generals and colonels in their tents. She constantly courted danger, and on at least one occasion, Federal commanders heard that she had passed information to the Confederacy that might interfere with their well-laid battle plans. Called on the carpet and presented with the damning facts, Suzanna used her overwhelming femininity to save herself. She appeared frightened and young and apologetic, and assured them she’d meant no harm, her big blue eyes filled with remorse as she spoke in a soft, childlike voice.

It worked beautifully and she found that the Federal commanders were quite gallant, almost as chivalrous as any Southern cavalier. They let her go with a warning and reprimand.

As Suzanna carried out her assignments, she took care not to be away from her rented rooms too long at a time. She knew that any day or night Mitch might show up unexpectedly and want her to rendezvous with him. She was prepared to drop everything on a minute’s notice.

To her surprise, Suzanna was afforded ample warning of his next visit. A note arrived on Friday, August 5, saying he would be in Washington late Sunday evening. Would she meet him at the cottage? Spend the night?

Suzanna read and reread the note. Her blue eyes turned wintry and her lips thinned as she said aloud, “Sure, Admiral. I’ll spend the night with you, so long as you bring your musette bag.”

* * *

Suzanna was waiting at the cottage on that warm August Sunday afternoon. She had considered bringing prepared food for their evening meal, but had quickly decided against it. She hatched a foolproof plan. Once Mitch arrived and they’d relaxed for a while, she would declare that she was absolutely famished. But, she would inform him, she didn’t really feel like going out to dinner.

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