And One Rode West by Heather Graham

that the property could not be touched. Jeremy had gained a certain reputation as a cavalry commander. No one could deny that he was a stalwart Yankee.
    Christa stood by his side tensely waiting as he filled out several documents.
    Then he straightened.
    It was over. Christa turned and hurried out of the courthouse into the yard, Jeremy following.
    They stood in the yard and he stared at Christa, his silver eyes hard and enigmatic.
    “Are you happy now?”
    “Of course.”
    “You’ve lied under oath.” Why were those eyes of his so damned condemning?
    She tossed back her hair. “I would have wed the devil for the Hall,” she told him coolly. “And I am going to hell when I die. You’ve already told me so.”
    He shook his head, his lip curling into a small, mocking smile. “Oh, no, Christa. I didn’t say a thing about death. You’re going to live in hell right now. But let’s see, you would have married the devil—or old fur-faced Bobby-boy,” he reminded her. “But I think fur-facemight have been preferable to me. In your eyes, madam, you have married the devil, haven’t you?”
    “A Yankee devil,” she agreed. It was already done. Why was he torturing her now?
    “A Yankee devil,” he repeated smoothly.
    She lowered her lashes quickly, reminding herself that she was supposed to be grateful.
    “I—I’m sorry,” she managed to mutter. “I truly appreciate your help.”
    Her gaze was lowered, but she felt his, silver and steel, burning over her.
    “My, my!” he murmured. “You’re sorry that you called me a devil—or you’re sorry that you married one?”
    Her gaze rose quickly to his. He laughed with true amusement. “Never mind, don’t answer that. Well then, let’s see, the wedding is over and done with. Cameron Hall is free and clear from all liens, and cannot be sold to anyone for any reason. No one can torch it. So, where does that leave us? Dinner, I think.”
    “I’m not—really hungry,” she murmured. She wanted to get home. To Cameron Hall—and away from him.
    “I am. I’m starved.”
    She looked down at the ground. All right. They were here, he was hungry. She’d have to have dinner with him.
    “Fine. Let’s find somewhere to eat,” she said, attempting to be gracious.
    Her impatience was still clear in her voice. Jeremy seemed amused. He didn’t give a damn if she was impatient or not.
    There was a small inn down the street. Jeremy was determined to annoy her, telling their waiter that they were newlyweds, ordering champagne and the chef’s special roast beef.
    Christa forced herself to keep a dry smile on her lips. She wasn’t going to let Jeremy’s mockery disturb her.
    “Let’s see. To you—Mrs. McCauley.” He hadn’t addressed her so as yet. He rolled the words on his tongue bitterly. Still, he raised his glass to hers.
    She lifted her glass in return. “To Cameron Hall,” she retorted sweetly.
    He tossed back his champagne. “And to all that we have done in its sacred honor!”
    “Be that way, then!” she whispered fiercely across the table. “I don’t care!”
    “Just so long as I came in the nick of time, right?” he asked her, pouring more champagne.
    She arched a brow to him. For the first time in the long day, she was suddenly curious as to how he had happened to be there at just the right time.
    “What are you doing in Virginia?” she asked him, trying to sound polite and interested.
    He set his glass down, watching her. “I came to say good-bye to Callie.”
    “Good-bye?” she said. “Where are you going?”
    He waved a hand in the air. “West,” he said simply.
    She frowned. “But the war is over—”
    “Yes, the war is over,” he said, leaning back. “And my neighbors are all maimed, my fields are filled with decaying corpses in blue and gray. Your brothers fought on different sides. You should understand. Maryland’s loyalties were split in two. Maybe some people can go home. I can’t. Not yet, anyway.”
    She was startled