She was still there when Finn and his friend arrived, dressed in their blue uniforms. Diamond and Richard would stand in as witnesses and the couples’ only attendants. The men brought two bottles of wine and a cask of beer to add to the limited refreshments.
As guests from town, neighboring homes, and even the Union contingent began to file in, Diamond made her way back to the changing room.
“You look beautiful,” she told Janet. “Finn’s here and waiting.” She might have imagined it, but Janet’s shoulders appeared to relax. Diamond supposed all brides harbored a secret fear their grooms would not appear.
When the music began, Diamond walked down the aisle on Richard’s arm. Finn stood in front of the altar and the pastor, an older man with a white beard, stood behind it. Janet followed, walking on her own since her father couldn’t be there.
Finn and Janet exchanged their vows, both speaking loud enough for the entire congregation to hear them. Despite her doubts about the groom, Diamond dashed a tear aside as she recalled her own wedding. At the time she had gone through the motions, weighted down with despair. But as she recalled the ceremony, she realized it had its own beauty despite being quickly thrown together. She wondered where Jesse was. Had he made it back to his regiment or was he languishing in a Union prison? She refused to consider he might be dead. She may not have loved him when she vowed to do so but intended to make up for that lack if she had the chance.
After the ceremony, the guests gathered to eat, drink, and wish the couple good luck. At first, the townspeople were wary of the soldiers, but once the alcohol started flowing, everyone relaxed and behaved civilly. Richard appeared less uptight and even Finn seemed approachable.
Diamond drew him into a private corner at her first opportunity. “Did you hear anything about Jesse?”
“Sorry to confirm your fears, but the rumors were correct. Union forces captured him and he’s now in prison in St. Louis.”
Diamond gasped, her hand going to her mouth. “What will happen to him?”
“He will either be paroled or transferred to a prisoner of war camp.”
“He might get parole?” Diamond asked. It was a strange concept to her, but sometimes prisoners were released if they promised not to take up arms against the Union again. Alternatively, he could be exchanged for a Union soldier held by the Confederacy. Diamond hoped he received parole, and no longer had to fight.
“It’s possible.”
“I need to travel to St. Louis. I have to see him.”
“I’ve been considering moving Janet to St. Louis to wait out the rest of the war. I suppose you could come with us. It might be nice for her to have company while I’m gone.”
Diamond’s eyes widened. What had Finn planned to do about her before? Leave her alone in the slave quarters? Send her back to Arkansas? Or had he not even given a thought to her wellbeing? “Have you discussed this with Janet?”
“There’s been no time.”
“She might prefer to return to her father’s home in Little Rock.” But it was unlikely. Part of the reason for this marriage was to establish a foothold on the Union side.
Finn’s brows drew together. “My wife will not be living in enemy territory.”
“St. Louis here we come.”
“Flippancy is unbecoming in a lady. If it weren’t for your dowry and distant connection to the Pooles, I would think Jesse made a dreadful misalliance.”
“I’m not your typical Southern belle,” Diamond agreed as her hands curled into fists. She’d like nothing more than to smack the smug expression off Finn’s face. Too bad she needed his cooperation to get to St. Louis.
Janet came up and laid a proprietary hand on her husband’s arm. “You’re monopolizing the groom.”
“Finn confirms the Yankees have taken Jesse. He’s in prison in St. Louis.”
Janet bit her lip. “That’s good news, in a way. At least you know he’s alive and away from the fighting.”
“Yes, but he’s not safe. The dreadful conditions in many of the prisons cause a high death toll.”
“I’ve been telling Diamond not to worry. I’ve decided it would be best for you to live in St. Louis for the rest of the war. I will arrange for both of you to visit Jesse.”
“It will be nice to live in a house again,” Janet said.
Diamond’s mouth nearly fell open. No argument? No discussion? She would not have believed Janet could be so compliant. But she would not complain. Not when the move would allow her to see Jesse again. It seemed like at least a year, rather than just a few months, since she had seen him off at the train station. She would call upon Ari once they reached the city. Maybe Bryce could pull a few strings and get Jesse paroled. He didn’t owe her anything. To be fair, he hadn’t even had to provide her dowry, although she was grateful he hadn’t abandoned her to her fate. She had Ari to thank for his generosity.
Bryce didn’t like her. In the twenty-first century, she’d sensed a story and pursued them unmercifully. She still wished she could have broken the story. Time travel is real!
