Bethie had made a living feigning love, but it was apparent to her that Jessie had not. The kiss on her forehead was weak and awkward, but the whore strengthened it with her reaction. She delicately raised her hand, as if blood had rushed to her cheeks and she wished to hide it. She forced her eyes to glimmer, as she had many times in the past, and bashfully turned her gaze downward.<br/><br/>Once Jessie had departed, she returned her attention fully to cooking. During dinner, she spoke little. The Yankee spoke to her a little, and she gave simple responses in return. She was never cold to the woman, but she was also not welcoming to her.<br/><br/>After dinner was over, Bethie retired to the wagon. She wrote in her diary for some time, recording the wild events that had transpired. With little else to do, she undressed into her nightgown and went to sleep.<br/><br/>It was her sleeping habits that caused the entire ordeal. Although the two women had went to sleep with their backs together, Bethie had rolled to the other side of the slender cart. This left an ambiguous space in between them. Being a heavy sleeper, it was only the elbow of Penelope that awakened her.<br/><br/>She groaned, clutching at her ribs. In the darkness, she listened to the two shoot back at one another. Confronted with the decision to side with one of the women over the other, Bethie chose to stand with Jessie. Her reasoning was simple. It was not because the two were faking a marriage, but because Penelope was a Yankee. Bethie would never side with a Yankee over a true southerner.<br/><br/>"Whoa, stop!" She whispered. There was a harsh tone to her voice, almost like an erupting flame. She was a bit grumpy, having been awoken from a rather pleasant slumber. Unlike the other women, she has not haunted by memories of a lost loved one.<br/><br/>Bethie hated Yankees as much as the next southerner, but she wanted to quell the argument before any real turmoil arose. "Both of you, quiet." She placed her hands on Jessie's shoulders and eased the two away from each other. She pointed outside, where vague shadows and noises of roaming men could be heard. "Simple mistake. That's all. Back to sleep."<br/><br/>She wasn't used to being the voice of reason. In fact, she considered herself immature and unfit to really lead anybody. But, in that moment, she simply acted as she saw fit.<br/><br/>She reclined back onto the wood, pulling Jessie down with her. She brought the female impostor's ear to her lips. "You know my past. No amount of groping and fake moaning will bother me. Just let her be. You're in the right." She eased a hand through Jessie's hair, in case anybody was watching their  shadows outside. "You have to lead..." She muttered, turning onto her side for Jessie to lay behind her.