Ian snorted. “Jesse didn’t marry for my approval. I wanted to further our political dynasty, but Jesse has never had much of a taste for politics.”
Janet set aside her embroidery hoop. “But you came around. Diamond’s dowry made the match acceptable.”
“Far as I can see, Diamond has nothing else to recommend her as a bride except for a distant relationship to a prominent St. Louis family and a passively pretty face. Growing the family fortune is always a plus, diminishing it is not.”
“I’m right here,” Diamond said. “Stop talking about me like I’m a piece of furniture.” She was getting used to Ian’s cutting comments, but had thought she and Janet were becoming friends.
“I’m sorry,” Janet apologized. “I merely wanted to call Father out for criticizing Finn, when he praises Jesse for the same behavior.”
Diamond could not recall Ian ever praising anyone, but since her father-in-law had made no more threats of disinheriting Jesse, supposedly he accepted her after a fashion. “It must be hard for you and Finn to be on opposite sides.”
“It’s hard to only hear from him sporadically, but, as I’m sure Jesse already told you, Father believes it’s a good idea to have a foot in each camp. That’s why Jack is also fighting for the North.”
“I have no intention of losing everything in this damn war. I pushed hard for compromise, but hotter heads than mine prevailed.”
Janet sighed as if she’d heard it before. Diamond supposed her sister-in-law had heard Ian’s opinions many times, but Diamond had never realized the irascible old man had tried to keep the country out of war.
“We had best be leaving for the Ladies Association meeting,” Janet said. “Since we haven’t any more material to donate and it’s a nice day, I thought we could walk.”
Diamond agreed. Her first few weeks in the nineteenth century had resembled boot camp, but since coming to Arkansas and living the life of a lady, she could use the exercise.
The women gathered up their knitting bags and set out.
“Will you send your socks to Finn?” Diamond asked.
“Can’t. You heard Mrs. Verdine. All work done at the Association must go for the cause. I’m working on a second pair at home, which I will get to him if I can. And then I suppose I will have to knit some for Jack.”
Green leaves crowned the trees, crowding out the white blossoms on the dogwoods. Squirrels scampered up and down the trunks and birds chirped from the safety of their new nests. Diamond could almost have imagined it a normal spring day, but for the horses and buggies rumbling down the dirt road and the housemaid who followed a few steps behind them.
“Is it necessary to bring a maid?” Diamond asked. “Since I’m a married woman, can’t I serve as your chaperon?” In her opinion, the whole practice was silly. She and Janet were both adults and Janet was the eldest.
Janet glanced back at the maid as if she had forgotten she was there. “I suppose, but Sarah has been with me forever. I’m used to having her around.”
Diamond supposed she shouldn’t argue. Sarah would sit gossiping with the other maids in the kitchen and enjoying some refreshment, if not the same delicacies served to the ladies. It was better than cleaning and doing laundry back at the house.
It took them about fifteen minutes to walk to Amy’s house. The butler took their jackets, directed them to the parlor and whisked Sarah away to the kitchen.
Diamond was growing more comfortable with the group which she supposed was not so different from a newsroom, except that all the members were female. There were those who tried to steal the limelight, and those who gossiped behind others’ backs. Presiding over it all, Mrs. Verdine made sure no one stepped out of line, just like the producer. Substitute drinks at the bar with tea and pound cake and she almost felt at home. Or would have if Amy would quit glaring at her.
At her first few meetings, she had assumed her knitting skills would rank near the bottom, being only a hobby knitter, but after reading Jesse’s letter, she paid more attention to what the other women were creating and realized many of them had less experience than she did. Apparently knitting was considered something of a lower class activity and most of the members of the group had only started knitting at the outbreak of the war.
They were all more accomplished with a needle, but again, most of their time had been spent on embroidery and all but a few of the older women struggled to complete the cotton shirts, even though their stitches were exquisite. Diamond had not yet attempted to sew. She hadn’t touched a sewing machine since her required FACS class in high school and had not sewn by hand since Girl Scouts. The other women could sew rings around her and she preferred knitting and purling to stabbing herself with a needle.
To her surprise, none of the women were working when she and Janet entered the room. No one had poured the tea and the plate of cake and cookies were untouched. The women gathered around Mrs. Verdine who read from a telegram. Diamond’s heart skipped a beat. Had there been a major battle?
“What’s the news?” she asked, pushing through the group so she could read over Mrs. Verdine’s shoulder. She ignored the grumbles of those she had jostled, desperate to know what had happened. Having to wait days for news when she was used to twenty-four/seven access drove her crazy. And as a reporter, she often learned about situations before the public.
“Mrs. Weber, there is no need to shove,” Mrs. Verdine said, crumpling the telegram before Diamond caught more than a glimpse.
“Sorry,” she muttered. She wanted to snatch the paper from the older woman. “Is there news of Jesse?”
“Ladies, take your seats and I will continue
