EMMA SHRUGGED AND stared down at her hands.
“I’ll allow you your secret, Emma. However, one day you’ll tell me everything. I have no doubt in that.” He let go of her horse and shifted in his saddle. “Shall we continue our ride?”
With a nod, she gathered her reins and followed him again.
“Harrisburg is the largest training area for soldiers in the North, lucky for us. Although, Gettysburg was a close call.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”
“From what we understand, Harrisburg was supposed to be attacked, but Lee called his men to Gettysburg instead. So far, we’ve been diligent enough in our patrols to ward off anything further.”
Emma nodded. “I suppose it’s a blessing in disguise having so many men in one place. You can effectively defend your position.”
A man-made lake straddled both properties, and they rode the perimeter in silence.
Once they’d dismounted, Clayton led Emma to the edge of the water. “Emma, you ride very well.”
Emma grinned. “Thank you.”
“How is it that you are able to ride astride?”
Emma blushed. “You weren’t supposed to notice that.”
“Forgive me.” He chuckled.
“Sophie and I have always ridden that way. We don’t have brothers and our parents didn’t seem to mind.” Hearing rushing water, Emma gasped as they came upon a waterfall. “This is exquisite.”
Clayton gazed out over the water. “I don’t come here often enough, but enjoy it every time.”
“How often do you make it home?”
“Twice since the war began. Usually it has only been for a few days. I haven’t been home for this long in over a year.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “How did it go with your brother today?”
Clayton sighed. “Not well.”
“I’m sorry.” Emma slipped her hand from his arm. “Is there anything I can do?”
Clayton studied her for several seconds, then leaned down and placed his lips gently on hers. After her initial shock wore off, she wove her hands up to clasp them behind his neck, and opened her mouth for him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her body closer. He heard her sigh, and reluctantly broke the kiss. “I have wanted to do that since I first saw you in my stable.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Clayton nodded.
“Want my confession?” At his nod, she smiled. “That was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
“The best you’ve ever had?” Clayton frowned. “How many kisses have you had before that?”
Emma shrugged. “Not many, and certainly none like that.”
“How many is not many, Emma?”
She raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Um, I’m not sure that’s any of your business, is it?”
“It is if I am to court you.”
Emma let out a quiet snort. “Who said I wanted to be courted?”
“I’ve just kissed you.” He went back to rolling the rim of his hat. “I wouldn’t have done that had I not intended to court you.”
“I don’t recall you asking if I would like to be courted.”
“I rather figured it was implied.” Clayton paused for several minutes before adding, “And I thought you’d be grateful.”
“Grateful?” Emma snapped. “You can’t be serious.”
“I spent three days searching for you,” Clayton said.
“I wasn’t lost!”
Clayton mumbled something Emma couldn’t make out.
“Is it customary that when a man says he’s courting a woman, she simply bows at his feet and thanks him profusely for considering her?” She tried to keep her increasing irritation from her voice.
“The lady doesn’t typically kiss back. Unless she’s—” He abruptly stopped.
“Unless what, Clayton?”
“Never mind.”
Emma gasped out loud. “Unless she’s a prostitute?”
“Emma.”
“That’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it? Oh, my god. Do you think I’m easy simply because I kissed you?” She shook a fist at him. “I should slap you here and now.”
“Emma, don’t be absurd. It was a wrong choice of words.”
“You’re damn straight it was. I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon, Clayton.” She turned on her heel and started back toward the horses.
“Emma, stop.”
“No. I’m afraid I need to meet with my pimp. He’ll be wondering where his money is.”
Clayton followed. “Emma!”
“No!” she yelled. “Huggy-Bear was very particular about how much time I could spend with you. You don’t pay, you don’t get to play. You messed with the wrong ho.”
“What is ho?” he asked as he rushed to catch up with her.
“It’s slang for prostitute,” she snapped.
Clayton gently took her arm. “Emma, please stop. I apologize. It was a slip of the tongue, and absolutely not what I think. Will you forgive me?”
She pulled away from his touch and crossed her arms as she faced him. “This really isn’t a good start to the courting process, Clayton.”
“No, it isn’t.” He gently laid his hand on her cheek. “May I start over?”
Emma shrugged. “Knock yourself out.”
“Miss Wellington, it would be my honor if you would grant me permission to spend time privately with you.” He stroked his thumb along her cheek.
She leaned back. “You need to stop touching my face, it’s distracting me.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes. I can’t concentrate when you stroke my cheek like that.”
“That’s quite inconsiderate of me, isn’t it?” He kissed her.
She broke the kiss this time. “Clay, you’re not playing fair.”
“I didn’t realize I was playing a game, Emma,” he said earnestly.
She rolled her eyes. “What does courting involve, exactly? Is it an exclusive relationship?”
He nodded. “Usually, yes.”
“Usually? But, not always?” She pulled her face away from his touch. “So, it could be that you’re courting me here and some other woman in Washington?”
“No, Emma. I’m not interested in courting anyone else.”
“You just met me, Clayton—”
“What does that have to do with anything?” he interrupted.
“—less than a week ago,” she continued without missing a beat. “How can you say that you want to court me exclusively? You don’t know me. I understand that we have a certain attraction to one another, but I’m not certain it constitutes an exclusive relationship.”
Clayton failed to conceal his shock. “Are you saying you desire someone else?”
She crossed her arms. “If I did?”
“This would be a good time to tell me, Emma.”
“Why? It’s not like it’s any of your business.”
Clayton hissed.
“Clayton, explain something to me.” Emma tucked her hair behind her ears. “When I say to you that I’m not sure you courting me would be the wisest thing, why do you jump to the conclusion that I must want someone else? Is it so foreign to you to think that perhaps I may not want to be in a relationship, that I would like to be single?”
“Would you like to be single, Emma?”
“Don’t turn my words back on me!”
Clayton chuckled. “If spending time with me is not pleasing to you, please tell me, and I’ll return you to your sister.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she said, frustrated at her inability to mince words with him.
He smiled down at her and cupped her face. “A little.”
“It’s not that I want to be single. It’s that I don’t want to rush into anything.”
“So, you don’t want to be single?”
“Okay, now you’re just being ornery,” she said.
Clayton laughed. “Yes, now I’m just being ornery. We’ll take it slow. I’d very much like to court you, but if you’re not comfortable, I understand.”
“I would love to believe in the fairy tale of love at first sight, but I just haven’t had much luck with relationships in the past. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to get to know you better and it doesn’t mean there’s anyone else. I just think it’s too soon to make a decision on exclusivity.”
Clayton frowned. “Would you please explain what you mean when you say ‘relationships in the past’?”
Emma didn’t know how much she could say to him. She already felt like she’d revealed too much, but he was easy to talk to and there was no doubt she was attracted to him. Her heart wanted to jump in, but she’d been down this road before and been hurt too many times, so she forced herself to wait. “Can we let that be a story for another day?”
Clayton smiled. “Another day… soon.”
Emma nodded. “Soon.”
Clayton frowned up at the sky. “I think it might rain.”
“Really? The sky looks so clear.”
Clayton pointed past her. “Not in the distance, it doesn’t.”
Emma wrinkled her nose. “No, it doesn’t. Do you think it will snow?”
He shook his head. “It’s too early in the season, but rain is a given.” He held his hand out to her. “Let’s head back to the house.”
He assisted Emma into the saddle and then mounted himself.
They just missed the downpour as they pulled their horses into the barn. Clayton handed his horse off to the groom and then helped Emma from the saddle.
His arms tightened on her waist and he gave her a sexy grin before releasing her. Emma waggled a finger at him. “You better watch that charm if you’re going to court me. I won’t tolerate you looking at anyone else like that.”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying you accept?”
“Ooh, I walked right into that one.” Emma chuckled.
Clayton pulled her further into the darkness of the stables and kissed her breathless. “Will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the Paxton Ball on Saturday?”
Her heart raced. “I’m not sure, Mr. Madden. What will all of my clients think?” She needed to get her emotions in check and humor was always her best weapon. She thought she heard him growl as he kissed her again. “Yes, Clayton, you may escort me to the ball.”
She’d lost this round to his irresistible charm, and he smiled down at her in triumph. “Excellent.”
“Don’t you dare think you’ve won, Clayton Madden. I may enjoy your kisses, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get around me every time.”
“You admit you enjoy my kisses. I think that’s a very good start.” He took her hand and placed it on his arm. “I’ll escort you home, and then I must change for dinner.”
Emma paused at the barn doors and shivered. “I think we’re going to need to make a run for it.”
The rain fell in sheets, the ground potted with puddles as far as she could see, and Emma’s heart soared. She loved the rain. She and Sophie both. They would ride for hours, despite protests from Alex.
Clayton frowned. “Perhaps I should rig up the covered buggy.”
Emma snorted. “For a little rain? No way! It’s beautiful.” She grabbed his hand and started to pull him outside. “Come on, chicken. Let’s go.”
She lifted her skirts and started to run for the house, forgetting about her ankle. Clayton did not. He scooped her up just as she stopped and grabbed her leg.
“You forgot your injury,” he accused.
Emma grimaced. “I did. That was really dumb.”
“Dumb?”
Emma sighed. “It’s an expression my sister and I use… it means, unwise.”
He smiled gently and kissed her cheek. “Let’s get you home.”
When they arrived at the front porch, he set her on her feet, kissed her hand chastely, and then he was gone. She felt slightly dejected at the separation and hated the unfamiliar emotion. Emma made her way up to her room and peeled her wet clothes from her body. She’d left a note with the maid to inform Sophie she was going to lie down for a little while, so she knew she wouldn’t be disturbed.
Stretching out on the bed, she put a pillow under her foot, her ankle now throbbing, and surprisingly fell asleep within minutes.
* * *
Emma woke to a dark room, and wondered what time it was. Lighting one of her bedside lamps, she found and took a couple of Advil, and then did her best to dress by herself. The clock on the bureau said five, which meant over an hour until dinner. Problem was, she was hungry now.
Maybe Mary will have pity on me and let me have a snack.
She started her very slow descent down the stairs, but had to stop a few times to catch her breath, a little dizzy from the pain. She heard footsteps in the foyer and then heard her name. She looked up a little too fast and nearly slipped.
“Emma!” Clayton took the stairs two at a time. He reached her quickly and lifted her into his arms. “You overdid it today, didn’t you?”
Emma squeezed her eyes shut and nodded.
“Let’s get you downstairs.” Clayton carried her into the parlor and set her down gently on the sofa. “Where are your crutches?”
“In my room.”
“I’ll have Betty fetch them.” Clayton left the parlor and returned surprisingly quickly, Betty in tow. He set her crutches beside the sofa as the maid gave her a gentle smile and wrapped her ankle with ice she’d brought with her. Clayton grabbed a pillow and gently lifted her foot onto it. “How’s that?”
“Better,” she said and turned to Betty. “Thank you, Betty.”
Betty nodded and then left the room. Emma frowned. “Why’d she leave the door open?”
“Propriety,” Clayton said.
“Is she afraid of what will happen if the door is closed?” Emma whispered.
Clayton smiled. “Betty has always been a moral compass in the Wades’ home.”
“Is she concerned I’ll ravish you?”
“The thoughts you put in my mind,” Clayton said with a groan.
Emma giggled and relaxed back into the sofa cushions.
“Would you like some tea?”
Emma licked her lips. “I’d prefer whiskey.”
Clayton chuckled. “I’ll return shortly.”
Emma leaned forward and gripped her ankle. The Advil hadn’t even dented the pain, and she really just wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep. Clayton returned with wine, and Emma wrinkled her nose. “No whiskey?”
He shook his head as he handed her the glass. “Michael’s office is closed.”
Emma downed it and then handed the glass back to him.
“Emma, that’ll go to your head if you’re not careful.”
“That’s the plan.”
Clayton sat next to her on the sofa and took her hand in his. “Is it that bad?”
“Nope, I’m fine.” She turned her head away, tears slipping down her face.
“Emma, it’s all right to cry, you know.”
Emma sniffed. “I’m not crying.”
“I’m sorry, my mistake.” Clayton squeezed her hand. “Why don’t we find something to distract you?” He kissed her—and kept kissing her. Emma didn’t want to stop. She shifted her body to pull herself closer to Clayton.
Her ankle twisted and she broke the kiss with a gasp. “Ow, ow, ow!” She squeezed his arms and pushed him away.
“Sorry.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up into more of an upright position.
Emma smacked the couch in frustration. “I hate this.”
“You’ll need to take it slow tomorrow.” Clayton kissed her palm. “You don’t want to miss the ball.”
“Well isn’t this cozy?” Jamie stood in the doorway.
“Hi, Jamie,” Emma said.
Jamie made his way to the sofa and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Did you overdo today?”
“I think so. The ice is helping, but I think I’ll need to stay off it for a day or so.”
Jamie nodded and sat across from them. “Yes, good idea.”
“Where’s Sophie?”
“She’s dressing. She’ll be down soon.”
Daniel announced dinner and Jamie moved towards Emma. Clayton beat him to her. “I’ll assist Emma,” he said possessively and lifted her into his arms.
Jamie stepped away, and Emma smiled up at Clayton. “What was the point of bringing me the crutches, if you’re going to haul me everywhere?”
“Crutches? I don’t see any crutches.”
Emma glanced over his shoulder. “Where are they?”
“Somewhere safe.” At her raised eyebrow, he whispered, “I wanted an excuse to get you in my arms.” Clayton strode into the dining room and seated her at the table, before sitting beside her.
Several minutes later, a tired looking Sophie walked into the dining room. The men stood and Jamie made his way over to her. “Hi, baby. How are you feeling?” Pulling out her chair, he helped her sit.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
“Shall I prepare you a plate?” Jamie asked.
Sophie nodded. “Please.”
Dinner was subdued and passed quickly. The day seemed to have sapped everyone’s energy, and Emma could see her sister hiding several yawns behind her napkin. Once dessert had been cleared away, Clayton decided to bid everyone a goodnight.
Emma insisted on walking him to the door (well, she hobbled…slowly) and waited for Daniel to hand Clayton his outerwear. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
Clayton shrugged into his coat. “I will try.”
That’s all I get, really?
“Okay.” Emma forced a smile.
Clayton glanced around the space quickly then tipped Emma’s chin up gently for a kiss. Emma grasped the scarf hanging around his neck and leaned closer.
Then he was gone.