“We won’t forget what you’ve done for us,” Jesse said.
“Don’t forget the rules, either,” Bryce said. “You must stay married for at least a year or I’ll make no further payments on the dowry. After five years, you will have the full amount.”
Trust Bryce to spoil the moment and turn what almost seemed like a real wedding into a crass financial transaction. Diamond pasted a fake smile on her face. “I’m not likely to forget.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you… well, actually, it is. I wouldn’t put it past you to put Jesse up to this to get your hands on the money.”
“Sir, I assure you the marriage was my idea,” Jesse said. “And while I appreciate the dowry, I didn’t need an inducement to want Diamond for my bride.”
Nicely done. Diamond’s stiff smile melted into something more natural. It pleased her to see Jesse stand up to Bryce. She hadn’t had someone willing to defend her since her father died.
Victoria and Sebastien joined the group. Although not as intimidating as Bryce, Sebastien was a formidable man and must have been striking in his prime. He still sported broad shoulders and a firm handshake, although his beard was mostly gray and his face lined and weathered.
“Write me,” Victoria said. “I’m happy to have someone besides Ari to talk about—you know. And I’ll have tips for you.”
Ari and Victoria had already given her their addresses and Diamond promised to write once she settled in Arkansas.
“I wish you were staying in Missouri,” Victoria said. “It seems safer.”
“It may be safer in St. Louis, but guerilla warfare terrorizes the countryside,” Jesse said. “My father will keep her safe.”
“The South will fall,” Ari whispered.
Jesse bowed his head. “I’ve heard. He will keep her safe as long as he’s able. And Diamond and my sister may move back to New Madrid once the army moves on.”
Diamond’s heart raced. Did she really want to do this? She could throw herself on Ari’s mercy, stay in St. Louis, and work at their stupid store. No. She took a deep breath. She’d made her choice. Jesse—and the dowry money—were her best option. She would survive.
Victoria moved in for a hug. Not being much of a hugger, Diamond froze and awkwardly patted the smaller woman on the back. To her surprise, she felt comforted by the brief embrace.
Ari didn’t hug, but shook hands, as did Sebastien. Bryce thumped his cane on the floor and said he needed another drink.
Jesse took her hand as they slipped from the restaurant and walked back to the hotel. The hotel staff had moved Diamond’s new clothes, along with her old belongings, into Jesse’s room. It was furnished similarly to her own, with a bed, washstand and dresser, but the bed seemed to suck up most of the space.
Stop acting like a silly little virgin. It’s not like you’ve never done this. But she could count the number of her partners on one hand and it was always awkward the first time. “I guess I should get out of this fancy gown.”
“Why don’t I give you some time to get ready?”
“I don’t think I can get out of this dress by myself.”
“I’ll send up one of the hotel maids.”
Most women traveled with their maid, but the hotel had staff available. “Thank you.” She sighed with relief once the door closed behind Jesse. She poured water from the pitcher into the bowl and washed her face. The maid arrived a few minutes later and helped her out of her dress and into a linen nightgown.
“Will there be anything else, ma’am?”
“No, thank you.” Once the maid left, Diamond plumped the pillow and crawled under the covers. She lay there, staring at the ceiling and wishing she’d had another glass of wine at the reception.
The snick of the door warned her of Jesse’s arrival. “I brought a bottle of wine.”
“You must have read my mind.” She wriggled to a sitting position and accepted the glass he poured for her. The fruity flavor slid over her tongue and she stared into its ruby depths, trying to ignore the sounds of Jesse disrobing.
The bed dipped beneath his weight as he slid in beside her. A shirt covered his torso, but she suspected he had nothing else on. Silence grew between them as they sipped their wine. Wanting to postpone the inevitable, she hoped he would pour more wine, but he took the empty glass from her boneless fingers and set it next to his on the nightstand. “You looked lovely today.”
“Blame the dress.”
“I’m serious. I felt so lucky to see you walking down the aisle.”
“Guess it beats my normal clothes. Or what used to be my normal clothes. I will miss them.”
“Keep them. You look good in them.”
Diamond cocked her head to one side. “You almost sound like you mean that.”
“I do, but I hope you learn to like your new clothes.”
“I guess they’re not so bad, except for the corset.” The number of layers frustrated her, but a small part of her enjoyed the dip and sway of the skirts and the elegant details of the expensive hand-sewn garments she had chosen from the Pooles’ store.
“You won’t regret today, Diamond.”
“Why would I? Apparently I’ve achieved the ultimate goal of any proper Victorian young woman.” She winced at the tinge of bitterness in her words. Was this how she wanted to start their marriage? She fumbled for words, but Jesse took her mouth with is, smothering them.
He kissed her fully, unlike his dutiful kiss at the altar. His lips were firm, his mustache and beard soft against her skin. She had always preferred her men clean-shaven, but Jesse’s facial hair suited him, as did his shoulder-length brown hair. She ran her hands through it as she had longed to do since the first day she saw him on the trail.
His fingers tangled in her hair, too, before tracing the line
