Camellia by Diane T. Ashley Page A

regretting the necessity of putting off her education for a year. Everything was working out perfectly.

    Jonah was sick of parties. He was tired of sifting through bits and pieces of information and trying to decide what was important enough to pass along to Mrs. Dabbs. At least he’d been able to report the encouraging news that the work on the two ironclads being built in the New Orleans harbor was at a standstill. Getting the supplies through Admiral Farragut’s blockade had proven more difficult than expected. Furthermore, many of the men who were formerly employed as shipbuilders had volunteered in the Confederate army.
    Last night he had learned that a portion of the New Orleans forces were being sent northward, further weakening the city’s defenses. He needed to get that information to Mrs. Dabbs right away. If the Union showed up today, he believed they could take over the city without firing a single shot.
    “Did I overhear you ordering that your horse be saddled?” His mother’s question interrupted his thoughts. “I am planning to visit Mary Lee Thompson’s mother and thought you might like to join me. You seemed to be taken with her at your sister’s party last week.”
    “No, thank you. I’m going to La Belle to check on Camellia Anderson.”
    “Again?” Her gaze searched his face. “You have been to see her several times in the past month. I thought the first time that it was just your sense of obligation to Lily, but I am beginning to wonder if you have other reasons to frequent the school.”
    Another of the problems with being a spy was the lying, especially to people he cared about. “She’s pretty, but I have no interest other than that of an older brother. Besides, she has her sights set on a much bigger prize.”
    A frown crossed his mother’s face. “I don’t know why she wouldn’t be flattered by your attention. Why don’t you take her some flowers? Young ladies always like romantic gestures.”
    “Thank you for the advice, Mother.”
    “I know, I know. You don’t need your mother telling you how to act.”
    At least he knew enough about the female gender to not respond to that comment.
    “Why don’t you invite Camellia over for a weekend visit?” His mother seemed to have taken his silence as an invitation to meddle. “I’m sure she would like to get away from the school for a few days.”
    “She seems pretty happy at La Belle.” As soon as he made the statement, Jonah could have bitten off his tongue. Even to his own ears, he sounded too much like a jealous suitor. “I’ll invite her if you wish.”
    “Excellent. Sarah would probably like to see her, too. And we’ll all go to church together. Perhaps I can even convince your father to join us.”
    “I doubt that. Father cannot abide the pastor’s cooperationist leanings. The last time he went with us, I thought he was going to have an apoplexy.”
    “He is a man of strong principles.”
    “It’s a shame he’s chosen the wrong ones.”
    She considered him for a moment before answering. “Youth is a glorious time. You know all the answers and could solve all of the world’s problems if only you were in charge.” She pursed her lips. “But things are not that simple. Your father is an ardent supporter of states’ rights. He believes the federal government has grown too powerful, and he doesn’t want to be ruled by the politicians in Washington.”
    “He would rather be ruled by the rich planters instead?”
    Silence fell between them, filled with tension. Jonah wondered if other families suffered the same divisions, argued the same issues.
    “Your father is a good man.” His mother’s voice was tender.
    The tension leached out of Jonah’s shoulders. He smiled at her and pushed back from the table. “I should be back in an hour or so.”
    Her eyes, a darker shade of green than his, were luminous with unshed tears. “I love you.”
    He moved to her side of the table and dropped a kiss on the cheek she