The Bride Price (15 page)

Of course, he never would.

In February he’d pulled Mitch out of a sticky
situation with a married woman, and ever since then they’d been
partners. Mitch knew about his memory loss and covered with the
higher ups to keep him in their unit.

Heavy fire brought his focus back to the
present. James followed Mitch into cover and then he didn’t have
much time to think. A shot rang out and Chamberlain was thrown from
his horse.

“Let’s go, men!” Averell yelled.

“Is he out of his mind?” James groaned as
Averell started to cross the river.

Mitch dug his heels into his horse. “Come
on.”

They followed Averell, the water running a
little faster than James liked. In the end, it took over two hours
to cross. Mitch let out a holler as the last man made it to shore
and James mirrored his relief—internally.

“Just think, Jimmy, my man. We’ll be in
Harrisburg before you know it. I heard there’s pretty ladies and
the best horses in the nation, all within ten miles of one
another.”

James laughed and shook his head. “Are you
sure they’re not saying that the horses
are
the pretty
ladies?”

Mitch swore with a frown. “What do you take
me for, Jimmy?”

James shrugged. “I’m just sayin’ I’m not sure
which one you’re more excited about mounting first.”

Mitch managed to catch James over the head
with his crop. James laughed louder.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Richard didn’t return to Harrisburg until the
beginning of April. The flowers, sprouting out of the earth as the
snow melted, reached for the sun that shone a little longer,
indicating the beginning of spring. Although the days were still
quite cool, the absence of subzero temperatures seemed to put a
skip in everyone’s step. Everyone but Sophie, who still hadn’t
found anything to indicate how to get home.

On an unusually warm morning, Sophie made her
way out to the stables to visit the horses, as she did as often as
she could before starting her day. Her heart swelled as she called
Samson’s name and he whinnied for her. As she stood outside
Samson’s stall, she heard her name, and turned to see Richard
walking towards her.

Sophie smiled. “Mr. Madden, you’re home.”

“Yes, ma’am, I am.” He smiled as he strode
over to her, took her hand, and placed a kiss gently on her
fingers.

Pulling her hand away from him, she slid it
behind her back. “How was your trip?”

“It went very well, thank you. How have
things been here? Have you been surviving?”

Sophie laughed. “Yes. I started volunteering
at the hospital. It helps the days go by quicker. You must come up
to the house. The Wades will be thrilled you’re home.”

“I actually have several things to do before
I settle back in. I thought I might visit later today once
everything is completed. Would you please let the Wades know that
I’ll come by at six o’clock?”

Sophie chuckled. “Dinner time.
Convenient.”

Richard grinned. “I thought so.”

He appeared reluctant to leave her, and once
again, Sophie felt off kilter. “I should get back to the house.
Christine will be by shortly to take me to the hospital.”

“I look forward to dinner.”

“I’ll see you later.” Sophie made her way
back to the house.

Christine pulled up in her little carriage as
Sophie stepped onto the front porch, so the girls let Nona know
about Richard and then rushed off to the hospital.

Sophie was glad the day passed quickly.

Word got around that Richard was home, so the
entire Simmonds family, sans children, planned to converge on the
Wades for dinner.

Elizabeth arrived just after five o’clock,
followed closely by Christine and Miriam. Adam and Andrew were
detained with some import issues, so were going to be a bit late.
The girls were having wine in the parlor when the butler showed
Richard in.

“Good evening, ladies. Am I the first to
arrive?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, you are,”
Christine said. “May we offer you a drink?”

“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.” He made
his way to Sophie and drew her hands to his lips. As he leaned
closer, Sophie noticed the smell of alcohol again, and pulled her
hands behind her back, shying away from the smell, relieved when
Adam and Andrew arrived a few minutes after six and they were shown
into the dining room. The table was alive with animated
conversation. The hot topic, of course, was Richard’s meeting with
the President.

“Richard, we’re all dying to know. What’s the
news from Washington?” Michael asked.

“Yes, Richard. Do tell.” Adam’s sarcastically
laced comment drew a smirk from Andrew.

“Lincoln has his eye on a First Lieutenant,
James Emerson, who’s under Grant’s leadership. Despite being
wounded a few months ago, the man has shown himself to be not only
a great leader of men but exceptional at strategic fighting.
Lincoln has ordered that he and a few of his men make their way
here. They will arrive tomorrow. Lincoln believes that he and I can
partner to train more men. I’ll concentrate on the horses and
Lieutenant Emerson will focus on the men.”

“So, what does that mean for you? No more
front lines?” Andrew sipped his whiskey.

“For the time being, I’m home, with no orders
to do anything differently at present.” Richard stared at
Sophie.

“That must be a relief.” She gave him an
awkward smile.

“Yes, I have to admit, it is.”

Everyone was in great spirits and once dinner
was over, the women retired to the parlor while the men went to the
library.

The moment the girls walked into the room,
the ladies begged Christine to play for them. She chuckled and sat
down at the piano, insisting Sophie sing with her. It took Sophie a
little longer to acquiesce. She should have known it was futile to
try to bow out of it.

Christine started a tune that Sophie was
familiar with so she sang along. Finishing the song, Sophie turned
to see Adam leading the men back into the parlor, clapping as they
entered the room.

“Sophie, that was astounding,” Richard
said.

Sophie blushed. “Thank you.”

“Where did you learn to sing like that?”
Christine asked.

Sophie shrugged. “I guess I have always sung.
I never really thought about it.”

“Well, you and Christine will need to play
again!” Elizabeth said.

“Yes, I agree.” Richard smiled.

“Thank you, that’s very nice.” Sophie lowered
her head.

The evening wrapped up shortly after the
impromptu performance by Sophie and Christine. As everyone made
their good-byes, Richard hung back. Once the rest of the guests
left, he insisted Sophie join him on the porch. “Sophie, you have a
wonderful voice.”

“Thank you, Richard.”

“I missed you while I was gone.”

He leaned down to kiss her, and Sophie had to
hold back a snort of disgust as she deflected him, the smell of
alcohol once again overwhelming. “Richard, please, I’m not sure
that this is entirely appropriate.”

“I know you missed me, Sophie.” Reaching
inside his pocket, he pulled out a long velvet box. “I have a gift
for you.”

Sophie held her hands up in protest.
“Why?”

Richard lifted the lid, and Sophie let out a
gasp of both admiration and horror. Nestled in a bed of silk lay a
diamond bracelet, the likes of which Sophie had never seen before.
Three large baguettes were separated by smaller, round stones, and
Sophie thought it was the gaudiest thing she’d ever seen. “Richard,
no. I can’t take this. Absolutely not.”

“Of course you can. It’s a gift.”

Richard handed the box to her. Sophie pushed
it back. “No, Richard, I’m sorry. It’s too extravagant and I cannot
accept it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Richard, I think I need to make myself
clear. Despite the fact that Jamie isn’t here, I am still deeply in
love with him.” Sophie pressed her arm against her stomach. “I
don’t know if that will ever change. I’d like to continue our
friendship, but if you cannot accept that it will never be anything
more, it might be best if we didn’t see each other.”

Richard looked disappointed, and she thought
she caught a glimpse of anger in his expression, but his voice was
even when he said, “I understand, Sophie. I really do. We’ll take
it slow.”

She didn’t want to take it slow. She didn’t
want to take it anywhere, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with
him. He may never fully understand her feelings for Jamie.
Exhausted from the busy day, she quickly made work of undressing
and getting into bed. She had to admit she was somewhat frustrated
with Jamie. She knew it was illogical, but she wanted him with her,
not just to scare off the likes of Richard, and she was put out by
his absence. Only Jamie could make things right.

* * *

Sophie woke the next morning, dressed
quickly, and arrived downstairs to find the house in an uproar.
Sophie caught Michael sneaking off to his office and cornered him.
“Michael, what’s going on?”

“Nona has decided to have a ball this evening
for Lieutenant Emerson.”

“Oh, wow.”

“Elizabeth is on her way over, and I wouldn’t
be surprised if Christine shows up right behind her.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I have found the best thing to do during
times like these is to stay out of the way.” Michael chuckled and
continued to his office.

The front door opened a few seconds later,
and Elizabeth walked in, her hands full. “Good morning,
Sophie.”

Sophie rushed up to help relieve her of her
burdens.

“Thank you.” Elizabeth handed over a few of
her packages. “It’s starting to get warm outside. I hope it doesn’t
get too hot.”

“Where would you like me to put these,
Elizabeth?”

“Let’s find Nona and we’ll ask her where she
wants them. There is something in there for you, but I’ll show that
to you once we put these other things away.”

They found Nona in the ballroom. She took the
packages from the girls and, after a few minutes of small talk,
hustled off to organize and plan the last-minute event. Elizabeth
and Sophie made their way up to her bedroom. Sophie’s curiosity was
overwhelming.

“What have you done, Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth turned, looking like the cat that
swallowed the canary. “I haven’t done anything,” she said as she
opened the box previously laid on the bed.

Sophie gasped as Elizabeth pulled out the
most beautiful ball gown she had ever seen. Cobalt blue velvet, her
favorite color, off the shoulder, and with a plunging neckline that
incorporated an intricately embroidered border in ivory satin,
which was also at the bottom of the skirt and sleeves. Tiny ivory
pearl clusters were strategically placed around the neckline, and
the buttons to close the dress matched the clusters.

“Oh, Elizabeth. This is incredible, but I
can’t take this from you. You should wear it,” Sophie said as she
tried to hand the gown back to her.

“Actually, Sophie, it’s not mine. Christine
commissioned Madame Desmarais to make it when we altered the copper
dress. She was going to surprise you with it on your birthday, but
we both felt this would be perfect for tonight.”

Sophie’s eyes filled with tears as she looked
at her friend.

“Sophie, what’s amiss? Do you not like it?”
Elizabeth rushed to her side in concern.

“Not like it? It’s magnificent. I just can’t
believe how incredibly wonderful you and your family have been to
me. Thank you so much for everything.”

Elizabeth hugged her and chuckled. “Well,
we’ve decided we adore you and we’re going to keep you.”

“This really is brilliant, Elizabeth. Thank
you again.”

Elizabeth handed her a handkerchief. “My
pleasure. Now, I must get back to the children. Christine will be
over early tonight to help you with your hair and I believe she’s
also planning on dressing here. I’ll see you tonight.”

Sophie gave her another hug and then they
made their way downstairs again. She walked Elizabeth out and then
went back inside and spent some time trying to help Nona, realizing
relatively quickly it was a losing battle.

Since she needed something to do, Sophie
decided to take Topper lunch. Several weeks had passed since the
Wades had taken in Topper and it had been tumultuous at best.
Sophie saw cracks even in Nona, the woman who never lost her
composure.

Carrying a tray up to his room, she knocked
on the door. No answer. She tried again. “Topper? I have lunch for
you.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“I’m coming in.” She pushed the door open and
frowned. “What happened here?”

“None of your business.”

The tray from breakfast lay face down on the
floor, oatmeal stuck to the wood, and milk souring around it.

“This is just great, Topper.” Sophie laid her
burden on the bureau and bent to pick up the mess. “Did you do this
all by yourself? Hm? Did it make you feel better to throw a
tantrum?”

Topper grunted.

“This is ridiculous! You need to eat.”

He held up his stump with a scowl.

“What?” Sophie snapped. “Are you trying to
tell me that you can’t eat because your hand is gone?”

“I can’t do
anything
because my hand
is gone,” he yelled.

“You have another hand, Topper.” He let out a
curse. Sophie chuckled sardonically. “You don’t offend me, bud. I
know you’d like to, but it won’t work.”

“Leave me the hell alone!”

Sophie slammed the bowl onto the tray and
stood. “No! I won’t. Everyone in this house has been tiptoeing
around, worried about the poor boy who has been injured. How young
he is to have seen so much and experienced so much pain.”

“Well, I have.”

Sophie shook her finger at him. “It was your
choice, Topper! You made the decision to lie about your age and
join the adult fight. Now, you’re dealing with adult consequences.
I’m sorry you lost your hand. I know it hurts and makes your life
difficult, but you have your other hand—and your life.” She slammed
her fist on the nightstand. “Look at me when I’m speaking you!” He
turned eyes full of anger on her. “You have your life, Topper. Your
brother wasn’t so lucky, and I cannot imagine he would want you to
spend the rest of yours angry and pitiful.”