Chapter 9From the private journal of Esau Lamont Ballantine…
Sunday, May 5, 1861
…I can no longer contain my desire for her, nor can she for me. Just having her so near at the many social events and being unable to touch but her gloved hand is more painful than any man can bear. With her jealous husband or well-meaning chaperones in seemingly constant attendance, too few moments have we shared in private, too few times have our lips actually embraced.
O! The memory of her mouth on mine, the lushness of her rosy lips. I feel the dam of our passion about to break, and there is nothing either of us can do to stop it. Nor do we want to stop it. I fear, shall we not soon consummate our burgeoning love, I will scream my rage for her brutish husband and my carnal desires for my dearest sweethe
