The train attendant led Tina down a long corridor of the train that went through several cars until he came to a stop

“This is Ms. Porter’s compartment” he acknowledged as he allowed Tina to enter which she did so with entitled intention

“So you decided to share a compartment with me after all?” Bette smirked as she took off her gloves and placed them inside her coat vest

Tina ignored her while surveying the room as the attendant set her cases down.  He nodded toward Bette who had handed him a hefty tip for helping Tina

“Thank you kindly” Bette gestured with a wave of her hand.  Tina rolled her eyes at the display

“Not a problem Madam..We should depart the train station shortly.  Breakfast is currently being served in the main dining car”

Bette nodded her head to the attendant in kind as he tipped his hat to the two and exited the compartment.  Tina ran her gloved hand over the cushioned seat.

“I’m sure some of my father’s cotton went into making this seat..It is rather soft.  I’m sure you will be most comfortable here while I enjoy sleeping on the nice cot you currently have occupied with your carrying cases”

Bette chuckled as she removed her hat setting it on the rack affixed to the wall

“Do you really think I would just let you have this cot?”

“Well it is the gentlemanly thing to do.  Is it not?” Tina asked in a sarcastic tone

Bette nodded “It certainly is that” she replied with Tina giving her a satisfied look “…..But good thing I’m not a gentleman then”

Tina scoffed

“And you definitely aren’t a lady either” Tina quipped plopping herself down on the seat and folding arms in annoyance.

Bette tapped her index finger to her cheek in thought for a moment “I am not sure how you define a lady but your behavior is far from what I would consider lady like”

“And you are a pompous shrew!” Tina angrily retorted stomping her feet into the floor

“And you have just proven my point for the one hundredth time” Bette pointed her index finger at Tina “Which is why I have a proposition for you”

Tina scoffed raising her eyebrow “What sort of proposition could you possibly suggest.  I’m certainly not going to kiss you if that it is what you are considering.  I see the way you look at me” she says smugly

Tina marched over to her mother who was standing with Clementine Murdock the wife of Franklin Murdock the current Mayor of Stanton and discussing their weekly sewing and crocheting group that commences on Saturday afternoons.

“Really Clementine I do believe I can persuade Meredith to join us.  Since her husband Julius passed she has not stepped foot outside her home” Grace assures as Clementine gives a grateful nod

“That would be just splendid Grace.  It disturbs me that she has withdrawn herself from public appearances such as this fundraiser.  Events like this give Mer-“ Clementine stopped when Tina jumped in front of her.

“Mother!..What is this about me going with that horrid woman to South Carolina?” Tina angrily asks folding her arms in distaste

Grace looked at Clementine apologetically “I’m terrible sorry for this intrusion Clementine” she apologized giving Tina a scornful look

“Never you mind that Grace.  You have more than shown that you are not to blame for this child’s unpleasantries” she gestures at Tina “I do believe a long switch from one of your many oak trees could do wonders for her manners if rapped against her two cheeks.  And I am not talking about the two cheeks here” Clementine says taking her thumbs and index fingers and quickly pinching both of Tina’s cheeks

Tina gasps in horror and looks at Grace “Are you going to let her get away with that Mother” she asks expectantly

Grace smiles through clenched teeth at Clementine “Would you excuse us Clementine?  I shall find you and finish our conversation later. I must talk to Christina here”

Clementine nods and smiles “Very well Grace.  And before I go I must say, Bette Porter is such a delightful young lady. Very humble and gracious. She even pledged a generous donation to the Stanton Hall fund.  Miss high and mighty here could definitely learn some charm and grace from her” she says giving a sheepish grin to Tina before sauntering away

“Really Mother does everyone here know I’m going to South Carolina with that Yankee” Tina chided as her face distorted to one of disdain

Unable to hold in her anger at her unruly daughter any longer, Grace grabbed Tina by the arm and pulled her outside the ballroom leading her wordlessly to one of their waiting coaches.

As the annual barbecue ended at the Kennard Plantation, the last carriage was seen off by John Kennard and it made it’s way down the oak lined dirt road leading away from the plantation.  Bette watched the departure from the bedroom window of the room she was occupying for the night.

As the carriage disappeared from view she picked up the pocket watch her father had given her for her 25th birthday and checked the time.  She had fifteen minutes until she was to join the Kennard family for dinner.  She smirked slightly at the thought of the youngest Kennard daughter.  She was sure there would be visible and verbal protest of her presence at the table but truth be told she was ready for the entertainment of the firecracker known as Tina Kennard.

She chuckled at the thought and turned her attention to the evening attire she had placed on the bed and grabbed the black trousers quickly putting them on that hugged her curves in the right places. She then picked up the white delicate pleat shirt slipping it on and buttoning it up making sure the tail was neatly tucked inside her trousers. She placed her engraved cufflinks with the letter “P” in the cuffs and sat down on the bed to place her nicely buffed and polished black boots upon her feet. Once she pulled the bottom of her trousers down over her boots she stood up putting her black tailored singled breasted coat on completing her ensemble for the evening.  Her brunette hair with its naturally large curls was neatly pulled back and tied at her neck.  She took a quick look at herself in the floor length mirror and after smoothing out her coat and tails and adjusting her shirt she headed out of the room and down the corridor.

She could hear a cacophony of laughter from one of the rooms down the corridor as she descended the main staircase and was met at the bottom by Norris the Kennard Plantation’s trusted servant.  He bowed as she stepped down from the last step on to the wooden floor of the foyer

“Good Evening Miss Bette. Mister John requested I take you to the formal dining room once you presented yourself for dinner” he says bending his arm at the elbow and holding it out for Bette to slip her hand around his upper arm

It was the spring of 1861 and on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia the sound of horses pulling carriages made their way up the long winding dirt road lined with oak tress leading to Kennard Plantation. It was the annual barbecue given by plantation owner John Kennard and every socialite within 30 miles was there. At the center of attention and surrounded by several male suitors was John and Grace Kennard’s three daughters–Mary Elizabeth, Frances Grace, and Christina Nicole. All three were single and were highly courted and today was no exception. As Mary and Frances entertained the charm of their admirers at the main house, Christina was out under the gazebo swooning hers, although her interest was not at all directed at the men currently under her seductress charm. Instead as she spoke, her eyes stayed on one male that she was completely infatuated with– Eric Wilkinson.

”And I really don’t know who I will choose to take me to the cotillion although I wish that one special person would”

”Let me Ms. Christina. Oh I would love to take you to the cotillion” A young man excitedly offered as he grabbed Christina’s hand and kissed the back of it.

”Please Henry. Call me Tina. There is no need for such formality of my name. And I will consider your offer as well as yours Frank, John, Jessie, and Sam. Now I really must be getting back to the main house. It’s time for my nap. You boys best be getting back for your parlor time with my father”

As Tina stepped down from the gazebo every young suitor fought over one another to walk beside her to the main house. As an argument ensued behind her amongst all of the men, Tina paid no attention and continued to walk as she watched the man she desired drop to one knee and propose to the woman who just became her enemy.

”How dare you Eric. You love me not her. You are supposed to marry me. I can’t let this happen” Tina said to herself as she hurried along the trail trying to catch up with Eric and the woman he just proposed to.

As she reached the door to the main house and ran up the stairs her sister Mary jumped in front of her hugging her and spinning her around before putting her down much to Tina’s annoyance