The Bride Price (16 page)

“You don’t know a damn thing about my
brother,” he snapped.

“Then tell me! I want to know all of it. The
good, bad, and indifferent! I’m a great ally to have, and I’m here
to listen without judgment to whatever it is you want to say. But I
will not sit back and let you wallow in self-pity.”

“Sophie?” Michael stood in the doorway,
breathing heavy as though he ran up the stairs. “Are you all
right?”

“Yes, Michael. We’re fine.”

He glared at his nephew. “Did you do
something to offend Mrs. Ford?” Michael’s tone was laced with
warning.

Sophie shook her head. “No, not at all,
Michael. We were simply having a healthy debate.” She turned back
to Topper. “
Weren’t
we?”

Topper nodded and turned his head toward the
window.

“What happened here?” Michael bent down to
help Sophie pick up the discarded dishes.

“Nothing we can’t handle.” Sophie stood and
set the tray on the nightstand. “
Right
, Topper? He actually
just asked if I could find a wet cloth so that he could wipe up the
mess. Didn’t you, Topper?” Topper grunted but Sophie wouldn’t give
up. “In fact, Michael, perhaps you could take the tray back to the
kitchen and get us a few rags?”

“I’ll send Betty up.”

Sophie held up her hand. “No, no. Topper’s
going to clean the mess up. He
insists
.” She nearly laughed
out loud at Michael’s baffled expression.

“All right. I’ll return shortly.”

Michael left the room and Sophie crossed her
arms. Topper turned his head back to her and glared. “I’m not
cleaning anything.”

Sophie snorted. “Oh, yes, you are, you
ungrateful little cretin.”

“Who’s going to make me?”

“Really? We’re going with that?” Sophie
turned to the bureau and poured a glass of water. “We can play this
game all day long, little man, but you
are
going to clean
that mess up. You’re also going to start treating the staff with
respect.”

“They’re
servants
.”

Sophie turned slowly and stared at him. “No,
they are not. They’re hard working men and women who are paid to do
a job. No more or less than you.”

“I’m nothing like them.”

“You’re right. You’re a spoiled brat.”

Michael returned with a metal bucket filled
halfway with soap and water, and several rags.

“Thank you.” Sophie turned back to Topper.
“Up and at ‘em. Time to clean up your mess.”

Michael set the bucket down. “Perhaps, I
should get some assistance.”

“No, Michael. Topper made the mess. Topper’s
going to clean up the mess. Now.” She raised an eyebrow in Topper’s
direction. “Get your skinny butt out of that bed and start.”

She watched him sit up, throw his legs over
the side of the bed, and then push himself off the side. He let out
a loud, pathetic whimper, and she had to physically push Michael
out of the room to stop him from rescuing Topper. “Oh, that was
really quite convincing, bud.” She crossed her arms and smiled.
“You’ve refused pain meds from the start, you don’t get to pull
that card when it’s something you don’t want to do. Now, grow a
pair and start mopping up your mess.”

“Sophie? A word?”

She stepped into the hallway and faced
Michael, knowing exactly what was coming. “The boy is wounded. He
should not have to clean when we have staff to handle it.” Michael
slid his hands into his pockets. “This is all too much for
him.”

“Michael, he threw a tantrum and that’s why
there’s a mess to begin with. He’s horrible to the staff, rude to
Nona, rude to me, and an all around pain in the butt. He has to
learn to live without a hand, and we need to help him do it with a
good attitude.”

Michael’s brow puckered into a V, and Sophie
reached over and squeezed his arm. “Trust me. He’s angry, for very
valid reasons, but he can’t go through life like this.”

He took a deep breath. “I’ll give you some
time, Sophie. I just pray it doesn’t take long.”

Sophie smiled. “It won’t. Don’t coddle him.
Give me that much. The rest you can leave up to me.”

With a stilted nod, Michael turned and left
her. Sophie made her way back into the bedroom and found Topper had
in fact cleaned up the mess and now sat on the bed, fuming.

“Good job.” Sophie smiled. “Dr. Paxton is
arriving in an hour to check your wounds. Right now, though, you
need to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Sophie chuckled. “Oh, I can’t imagine that’s
a true statement. You didn’t finish your breakfast.”

“Has anyone ever mentioned your
instability?”

“Was that a jest, Master Wade? It’s a good
one.” Sophie picked up the tray and set it beside him on the bed.
“Let’s just say that my specialty falls to angry young men who like
to make others miserable in order for them to feel better.” She
handed him half the sandwich. “Now, eat.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Sophie waited for Topper to finish his lunch
and then decided to rest before the party. She knew tonight was
going to be a late one and she didn’t want to miss any of it. She
wanted to be alert and enjoy every minute.

Sophie had been asleep for what felt like
less than a minute when a scraping noise woke her, and she opened
her eyes to find Christine leading Betty into the room with a
bathtub. “Good afternoon, Sophie. Time to wake up and get pretty
for the party.”

“Ugh, Christine, what time is it?” Sophie
groaned.

“It’s about four thirty.” Christine closed
the door. “Come and take a warm bath, you’ll feel better.”

Sophie eased out of bed, disrobed, and
climbed into the tub. As the water flowed around her body, she
inhaled deeply, the scent of oranges filling her nose, and she
smiled as her lethargy left her body. She couldn’t think of
anything she loved more than oranges. Christine was right. She did
feel better. “Ah.” Sophie sighed. “This is heaven.”

The lit fire made the bedroom almost too
warm, so Christine opened a window, just a crack.

“Can I just stay here all night? I’m not sure
if I’m up for a crowd tonight.” Sophie stretched her legs and
settled her feet on the edge of the copper tub.

Christine laughed. “I share your feelings.
But for now, let’s get that hair of yours washed. If we don’t start
now, we might miss the party,” she joked—sort of. “I don’t think
I’ve ever seen anyone with as much hair as you.”

Once Sophie’s hair was washed, Christine
wrapped it in a towel, and then Sophie stepped out of the tub and
grabbed another towel for her body. She decided not to get dressed
completely and stood behind Christine, who had slipped out of her
day dress and into a robe.

Styling Christine’s strawberry blonde locks
into a simple chignon, Sophie placed a ribbon over her crown like a
headband, leaving the ends trailing down her back. Christine’s hair
was all one length, but instead of parting it in the middle, as was
the style of the day, Sophie swept it straight back off her
forehead.

“Sophie, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen
anything like it before. Where did you learn to do this?” Christine
gushed.

“I used to wear my hair like this all the
time.”

Sophie didn’t mention that it was how she
would control her locks when she competed in horse shows. She had
to be able to set her riding helmet or top hat on her head, so had
to have a style that worked for both.

“Your turn.” Christine stood to trade places
with Sophie. “Where are the ribbons that Madame sent over with the
dress?”

“I think Elizabeth put them in the
wardrobe.”

Christine collected the velvet ribbons and
styled Sophie’s hair by pulling her hair loosely up and slightly
away from her face. Leaving a few long curls cascading down her
back, she stalled when she couldn’t figure out what to do with
Sophie’s bangs, as they had begun to get quite long. In the end,
she swept them to the side, which softened Sophie’s face.

It was now time for the gowns, so Sophie
tightened Christine’s corset first, then helped her step into a
pink chiffon dress, with layers of material that gave the skirt an
almost ruffled effect. The top was a criss-cross style, off the
shoulder and came to a V at her waist. With Christine’s hair and
skin, it suited her perfectly.

Once Christine was ready, she tightened
Sophie’s corset and helped her on with her skirt. Sophie yanked at
the top. It gave them a bit of trouble, particularly because it was
even more revealing than the copper one. She was thankful her
sleeves weren’t as tight across her shoulders. They lay on her arms
in a droop fashion that gave her more room to move, but she still
felt a bit exposed.

Sophie tried a few windmills with her arms
and everything stayed where it was supposed to be, so she decided
not to worry about falling out. She went over to the full-length
mirror and took a deep breath. If she could have designed her
perfect dress, it would have never come close to the magnificence
of this one. She felt beautiful.

“Christine. It’s incredible.” She twirled
around. “I love my hair, I love the dress, I love it all. I don’t
know how to thank you.”

“Nonsense, it’s an early birthday present.
You look beautiful and that’s the best thanks I can receive.”

The girls left the room and headed
downstairs. Sophie’s stomach fluttered in anticipation as they made
their way to the ballroom. They took their place in the receiving
line, outside the large double doors, along with Michael and Nona,
and greeted guests as they arrived.

“Where’s Topper?”

Michael rolled his eyes. “He refused to
attend.”

“Oh, well.” Sophie shrugged and turned to
greet the new wave of guests. Richard arrived a little past six
o’clock and as he made his way to the receiving area, he smiled
deeply. Sophie smiled in return. “Good evening, Richard.”

Lifting her hands to his lips, he kissed each
one. “Sophie, you look exquisite.”

“Thank you. You look very nice yourself.”

As they continued to make small talk, they
heard voices and booted footsteps in the hallway. A group of
soldiers entered the anteroom where everyone stood. Richard turned
and walked over to the group. Sophie and Christine continued to
greet guests and as the crowd lulled, they talked for a few minutes
about the hospital and one of their favorite patients.

Their conversation was quickly interrupted
when Richard walked back to them. “Sophie, Christine, I’d like you
to meet 1
^st
Lieutenant James Emerson.”

The soldier walked forward to greet the
girls, and Sophie grabbed Christine’s hand, squeezing it in panic.
“Oh!” Sophie raised a gloved hand to her mouth.

“Sophie?” Christine asked, concerned. “Are
you all right?”

The man stared at her like he recognized her
but couldn’t quite place her.

Sophie’s eyes filled with tears. “Jamie.”
Pitching forward, she dropped like a stone.

The lieutenant reacted instantly and caught
her before she hit the ground.

“Bring her into the parlor,” Christine
suggested. “Nona, you and Michael stay here and continue to greet
people. I’ll tend to Sophie. I don’t want to draw attention if we
can avoid it.” Christine walked into the parlor. Richard
followed.

The lieutenant laid Sophie on the sofa and
then reluctantly stood as Christine moved to sit beside her.
“Sophie?”

“Hm,” she mumbled and slowly opened her eyes.
“What happened?”

“You fainted.”

Sophie waved her hand dismissively in the air
as she sat up. “I don’t faint, Christine.”

Before Christine could comment, Sophie turned
her head and with a smile a mile wide, she stood and made her way
to the lieutenant. “You look amazing, baby. A little scruffy…but,
still, amazing.” She wrapped her hands around his waist and laid
her head on his shoulder. “Jamie.” She sighed and closed her
eyes.

The lieutenant stood stiff with his arms out,
obviously uncertain how to react.

“What’s wrong?” Sophie looked up at him.

“I don’t know you.”

Sophie snorted. “Don’t joke, Jamie.”

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, I don’t know you.”

Sophie let out a nervous giggle. “It’s me,
baby.”

At his sad look, she dropped her arms
quickly, humiliation overtaking her as tears filled her eyes.
Wiping her hands nervously over her skirt, Sophie swallowed. “Sir,
I’m so sorry. You look identical to my husband.” His hair was
longer, and he had a full beard, but he still looked exactly like
him.

“I’m sorry.”

She put her hands over her face, mortified.
“You must think I’m crazy.”

Richard pulled her into his arms. “James, I
must apologize for Sophie. She has recently lost her husband and
the grief has been overwhelming.”

Sophie pushed her way out of his arms. “Don’t
you dare apologize for me, Richard Madden. I am perfectly capable
of speaking for myself.” Turning back to the lieutenant, she wiped
her tears and forced a smile. “Lieutenant, again, I am very sorry.
I just cannot get over your resemblance to my husband, James. You
even sound like him.”

“No need to apologize, ma’am. It’s perfectly
all right. It’s not every day that a beautiful woman walks up and
puts her arms around me.”

“Shall we make our way into the ballroom?”
Richard asked.

“I need a minute.” Sophie, unable to drag her
eyes away from the Lieutenant, grabbed for Christine’s hand.

Christine stayed with her as the men left the
room and headed for the party. “Are you all right?”

“No, I’m not. That man looks exactly like
Jamie. How is that even possible? He could be his twin.”

“If he was Jamie, he would know you—wouldn’t
he? From what you’ve told me about him, if he knew you were close
by, he wouldn’t hesitate to find you. It can’t possibly be
him.”

“But he even has the same name.” Sophie
pulled away and began to pace. “That can’t be a coincidence.”