“You were holding her!”
“I was pushing her away.”
“Amy must be much stronger than she looks if she can overpower you and force you to submit to her kisses.”
“Keep your voice down,” Jesse snapped.
“I’m the injured party here and I’ll talk as loud as I want.”
“Are you the injured party? Consider Amy’s point of view. I didn’t mean to hurt her, but she apparently put more stock in our fathers’ agreement than I did.”
“Poor little Amy.”
Jesse sighed. “I don’t want to fight, but if we must, let’s take it indoors so the whole neighborhood doesn’t hear us.”
“Whatever.” Diamond retreated through the French doors, resisting the urge to slam them in Jesse’s face. Why was she so angry? Did she expect Jesse to be faithful to her? It was the nineteenth century. Men here probably didn’t even know the meaning of the word.
“I’m sorry you’re upset, but I owed her an explanation.”
“An explanation is one thing, a kiss, another.”
“Once again, I did not kiss her. She kissed me.”
She heard the edge of impatience in his voice and her heart ached. “I’m not sure why we’re arguing. It’s not like our marriage is anything other than a business relationship.”
Jesse grabbed her arm. Diamond shook it off but paused long enough to listen. “The proposed match with Amy was dynasty building. Nothing more than a desire to unite two families. I consider our marriage to be a partnership.”
Diamond hesitated, torn between holding on to her pain and accepting his compliment. The flattery pulled her in. Even in the twenty-first century, she had to fight for men to see her as an equal. “A partnership? What do I bring to our union other than the dowry?”
Jesse lowered his voice. “Knowledge of the future along with steadfast courage and determination. There’s no question I got the better end of the deal.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Diamond scoffed, but his words seduced her. Her knowledge of the future was a valuable asset, one which could pay off someday. But for now, she had only her dowry. “I didn’t realize it when we wed, but your family is important. You own a prosperous estate, your father is a senator, and obviously Amy considers you quite a catch.”
“My father is a senator in exile and we both know he’s never returning to power. As known Southern sympathizers, there’s no guarantee we will hold on to our property, but hopefully Jack’s Union status will help.”
She wished she knew what happened to his family home. It was even possible the mere act of her traveling to the past would change that outcome, though it didn’t seem likely. “Most of the guys I’ve known see my determination—my stubbornness—as a drawback.”
“Men like my father feel they need to control everything and everyone. I’m not like that.”
“I don’t know if I can stay here.” Living under Ian’s thumb would suffocate her. “Your father is antagonistic and I feel like a burden.” And she would have to deal with Amy.
“Yes, you can. Stubborn as hell, remember?”
He believed in her. He saw the grit that turned others away, but he didn’t flinch. “Stubborn enough to follow the drum.” But was she really? It was bad enough staying home, waiting for that knock on the door or that telegram. Could she really face all the dangers of a soldier’s life except for actual combat?
“I can’t take you with me. It’s too dangerous and too miserable.”
“Do you really have to go back? Your commanders probably think you’re dead.”
“I have to fulfill my obligation. I signed up for eighteen months, but I won’t reenlist.”
Would he keep that promise if his father insisted he continue to serve? He might not even have the option once the Confederacy instated the draft. She hadn’t told him both the North and the South relied on conscription as the war dragged on and volunteers dried up. She wouldn’t say anything now. Let him think he would come home in a year.
Before she could say anything, the front door opened and Ian called for Betty to take his coat and hat. As the servant took his outerwear, he glimpsed Jesse and Diamond standing in the hall. “Good news. I’ve got your orders. After the fall of Island #10, the Yankees captured most of your unit. However, after the evacuation of New Madrid, some went south. You’re to meet up with them in Tennessee.”
Diamond wished she remembered more Civil War history. Tennessee sounded better to her than being sent to fight in the east, but soldiers died even in small battles and more men died of disease than battle wounds.
“When do I head out?”
“Tomorrow. No sense wasting time. Don’t worry about your wife. She will be safe here.” With a gruff nod, he clumped up the stairs to his room.
“I had hoped for longer. I wanted to get you settled and show you the town. But if I’m leaving tomorrow, I must refresh my supplies.”
“I’ll come with you. Kill two birds with one stone.”
“Always efficient.” Jesse offered his arm.
Diamond took it. This close to him she caught his scent, a combination of sweat and sandalwood, and her knees grew weak. She was still angry about the kiss, but Jesse was going off to war. She might never see him again. She didn’t want them to part in anger. She put on her game face, the one she used on TV even when the network had sent her on a stupid story. Her acting chops were equal to those of the anchors and she could dig as deep as any of her fellow reporters. She had a feeling she would need her skills in the coming months.
* * *
Diamond, along with Ian and Janet, saw Jesse off at the train station early the next morning. The train puffed on the tracks as if eager to depart. As Diamond gave him a hug and a dutiful peck on the cheek, she wished she could keep him from leaving. Janet hugged him as
