TOPPER SWORE AND dropped his plate on the side table. Sophie grabbed his arm. “In here.” She led him to an oversized piece of furniture that had two doors at the bottom.
Topper raised an eyebrow. “I’ll never fit in that.”
“Check the parlor!”
“Get in there,” Emma hissed.
Topper forced his body inside the tiny space and Sophie closed the doors. She turned the key in the lock and dropped it into her pocket. Just as she stepped away from Topper’s hiding place, the parlor door flew open.
A large man in a Confederate uniform raked his eyes over each one of them slowly.
Sophie let out a squeal and rushed to her sister. “What do you want with us?”
“Tell me where the boy is,” the man demanded.
“What boy?” Emma stood taller and tried not to notice the angry scar down the man’s face. Or his cohort. She felt sick.
His bearded lip stretched across crooked teeth in a sinister sneer. “The boy y’all are hiding.”
Sophie squeezed Emma’s hand. “There’s no one else in here. I don’t know what boy you’re referring to.”
He waved his pistol to the left. “Move away from the window, ladies.”
Emma stepped slightly in front of Sophie as they did as he asked.
“Check every inch of this room,” the soldier drawled. “Destroy it if you have to.”
Seconds passed before one of the men made his way to the cabinet. He jiggled the door and turned to the officer. “The doors are locked, Lieutenant.”
The lieutenant waved the gun at Emma. “Open it.”
Emma swallowed. “I can’t.”
He stepped forward. “What do you mean, you can’t?”
Emma tried a nonchalant shrug, despite the fear coursing through her veins. “The cabinet is usually locked,” she lied. “I don’t have a key.”
“Well, who does?”
Sophie stepped out from behind Emma. “Only the lady of the house and perhaps one of the maids. But you can’t really think he would hide in there… how would he fit?”
He moved to stand in front of the girls. “Well, now, y’all seem quite nervous. Perhaps you’re hiding him somewhere else.”
“We’re nervous because you’re waving guns at us,” Emma snapped. “You’ve checked the room. The person you’re looking for isn’t here.”
“Maybe there’s valuables in that cabinet.” He turned to the soldier who’d discovered it. “Break it open.”
“No!” Sophie rushed toward it.
“Turn around slowly with your hands in the air.”
Emma’s focus went to the parlor door. Clayton and Jamie stood with pistols drawn, Andrew and Richard directly behind them.
Clayton glanced at her and then back at the lieutenant. “I said, put your hands in the air.”
The lieutenant took a deep breath, but before he could react, Clayton had closed the distance and aimed his gun at his heart. “You try to move and you’ll be dead before you twitch.”
The man knew he was outgunned. He dropped his pistol and directed his men to do the same. While Clayton and Jamie kept guns on the men, Richard and Andrew tied their hands and led them out of the house.
Clayton holstered his pistol and pulled Emma into his arms. “Are you all right?”
Tears streamed down her face. “They didn’t hurt us.”
He stroked her cheek. “Are you certain?”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Yes, I’m fine, Clayton.”
Sophie rushed to the cabinet and unlocked it. Topper slid from his hiding place and began to take deep breaths.
“Where the hell did you come from?” Jamie snapped.
“Jamie,” Sophie admonished and rubbed Topper’s back. “Are you okay?”
Topper nodded. “Yes, I think so. I tried not to make any noise.”
“You did great,” Sophie assured him.
“I think I might have broken a few of my aunt’s plates.”
“We’ll deal with that later. I would imagine she won’t mind.” Sophie groaned. “I’m sorry I thought you were playing a game.”
Topper shrugged.
Jamie grabbed the nape of his neck. “You have some explaining to do, son.”
“Ow, Jamie.” Topper tried to move his head away. “I’ll tell you everything, I swear.”
“One question. Were you in trouble, or were you playing a game?”
“That’s two questions,” Topper retorted.
“Christopher Aaron Wade,” Sophie snapped.
Jamie glared at him.
Topper sighed. “I was in trouble. I thought I could handle it myself.”
“We’ll discuss it shortly. I need to assist with the prisoners. These were the last of the rebels.” Jamie released Topper’s neck and gave him a slap on the back of the head.
“Ow!”
“Don’t go anywhere.” Jamie pulled Sophie close. “I’m sorry we didn’t stop them soon enough.”
“We’re fine,” Sophie assured him. “Take care of what you need to and then hurry back.”
Jamie nodded but didn’t seem willing to let her go.
Emma’s legs grew weak and she suddenly couldn’t breathe. Clayton’s arms tightened around her waist and he guided her onto the sofa. “Emma?”
Deep breaths only seemed to make it worse.
Clayton hunkered down in front of her. “Tell me.”
Sophie rushed to Emma. “Em? What’s wrong?”
“He…” breath, “he…” breath, “he watched me.”
“She’s hyperventilating.” Sophie sat next to her on the couch and rubbed her back. “Who watched you, love?”
Emma bent forward and wrapped her arms around her waist. “He… the man with the scar…”
Clayton scowled. “The man with the scar watched you?”
Emma nodded.
“Where did he watch you?” Clayton demanded.
“Clayton.” Emma grimaced. “I need to talk to Jamie and Sophie alone. Can you please give us a minute?”
“Emma,” he whispered. “You can tell me.”
She pulled her hand away. “I can’t, Clayton. Please.”
He stood slowly, confusion written in the tight features of his face, and left the room. Jamie stood above her and crossed his arms.
Sophie took her hand. “Who was watching you?”
Emma took a shaky breath. “The man… the one with the scar. He watched the house.”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “Emma, that man has never been on this property. If he had, one of us would know.”
Emma groaned in frustration. “Not this house.”
Sophie gasped, her lips parting. “You mean…?”
Emma nodded. “Yes. Our house.”
Jamie swore and knelt down beside her. “Tell me everything.”
Emma twisted her hands in the material of her skirts, trying to focus on something other than passing out. “There has been a car… actually, a couple of cars… that have been watching the house. I thought it was the FBI, because of everything that happened with you, Jamie, but now I’m not so sure.” Emma stood and started to pace. “I am such an idiot!”
Sophie rose to her feet. “Why, sissy?”
“I felt safe, Sophie. I thought it was the good guys watching me… following me.” Emma sank to her knees and tried again to catch her breath.
Emma vaguely registered the sound of the door opening and mumbled voices, before strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. “Emma.”
She burst into tears and clung to Clayton as he carried her to the couch. “Shh, sweet. Tell me.” It took several minutes for her to calm, and despite her attempts to push him away he wouldn’t release her.
Emma took another deep breath as Clayton settled them on the sofa and wiped her cheeks. “I’m okay. Really. I just had a scare.”
He pulled a footstool over to the sofa and sat in front of her. Grasping her hands, he kissed her palms and smiled gently. “Are you certain that’s all it is?”
Emma nodded. “Yes.” She nodded again. “You have to go. They’re waiting for you.”
“Emma, I don’t want to leave you like this.” He handed her his handkerchief.
She pushed to her feet and held her hand out to him. “I’m fine.”
“Mr. Madden?” A sergeant stood in the doorway and removed his hat. “We need your assistance, sir.”
Clayton slowly stood and took Emma’s hand, pulling her close. “We’ll return as soon as we can. Will you be all right?”
“Yes, Clayton. These are tears of victory.” Emma forced a smile. “Go. I’m fine.”
Clayton reluctantly left her and joined the men milling in the foyer.
* * *
Sun streamed into the parlor. The morning greeted them with fresh snow-covered ground that sparkled when the rays of light hit the ground. Clayton and Jamie had returned an hour ago and dragged Topper into the library for a conversation he’d resisted for all of five minutes.
Sophie had promised Jamie she’d go back to bed, but Emma was too pent-up to sleep so she stayed in the warm room and paced. Now she stood, mesmerized by the winter scene outside.
“Emma?”
She twirled around at the sound of Clayton’s voice. “Hi.”
He closed the distance between them and kissed her. “I thought you were going to try and get some sleep.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep.”
He lifted her chin and narrowed his eyes. “Are you still frightened?”
“No. Sophie stayed with me while you and Jamie talked with Topper. I feel much better, now.” She rubbed her arms and sighed. “Who were those men, Clay?”
He laid his hand against her cheek. “It’s a long story.”
“Relating to Topper?” Emma leaned her cheek into his palm and took a deep breath.
“Yes.”
“Will you please tell me what’s going on?”
“It’s not a pleasant story.”
Emma shrugged. “I don’t care. I want to know what happened to him.”
Clayton led her to the sofa and pulled her down next to him. “Topper was stationed with a man in New York who took him under his wing. His name was Newton Brown and he apparently abused Topper repeatedly.”
Emma frowned. “How?”
Clayton smiled gently. “You don’t want to know. Let’s just say that Topper was led to believe something that was a lie.”
Emma nodded. “Is that how he lost his hand?”
“In a way.” Clayton sighed. “There was a small skirmish at Diascund Bridge in June. Newton somehow separated Topper from the rest of the men and isolated him. He led him to where three other men were laying in wait…”
Emma reached for his hand. “Tell me. All of it, please. No matter how horrible.”
“The men were hired to kill him—his hand was confirmation it was carried out.”
Emma jumped from her seat. “How did Topper get away?”
“He didn’t. They left him when they thought he was dead.”
Emma frowned. “How did he get to the hospital?”
“He woke up on a cot in the back of the tent but didn’t know where he was. He doesn’t know how he got there, either. Had your sister not found him, he might not have survived.”
Emma swallowed and laid a hand over her mouth. “Who hired the men?”
“It doesn’t really matter who anymore, Emma.”
“Why doesn’t it matter? He should be protected.”
Clayton shook his head. “He’s not in danger anymore. He’s safe.”
Emma glanced up. “How do you know?”
Clayton sat across from Emma and took her hand. “Because Jamie and I have taken care of the threat.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “You got the man who hired them, as well as the ones who fulfilled the deed?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “You don’t need to know the particulars. Just know that it’s done.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered.
As he ran his thumb over her lower lip, Emma couldn’t stop her tongue from tasting him. He leaned down and slowly kissed her, and Emma came undone.
“I love you, Emma.”
She fluttered her eyes open and stared into his. “I love you, too.”
A knock at the door broke their intimate moment. Clayton sighed. “I can’t stay. I have to send a wire to Christopher. I would very much appreciate it if you would go back to bed… and change into something more appropriate.”
Emma had forgotten she was wearing her jeans. “You don’t like my manly attire?”
“The problem is that I like them entirely too much—and so will other men.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “What other men?”
He slipped his arms around her waist. “I’m hoping none. However, if you continue to wear this outfit, I’m certain they will notice and then I’ll have to kill them.”
She slid her hands up his chest. “Such melodrama.”
Clayton kissed her and then grabbed her hand. “Upstairs, sweetheart.” He pulled her into the foyer. “Try to get some rest and I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Clayton? Thank you for telling me about Topper. I know that was difficult.” Emma climbed the stairs and blew him a kiss before making her way to her room.
* * *
The next ten days were a whirlwind for Emma. Clayton had been given the assignment of investigating whatever was going on with Topper, which kept him close, but still tight-lipped. Her love grew deeper for him—as did her anxiety. He’d have to return to Washington shortly, and her heart broke at the thought of not seeing him again. Emma tried not to dwell on her gloomy thoughts, but they were hard to ignore as the days drew closer.
There was also the issue with Rose. She hovered entirely too often, and Emma was frustrated. Rose played the poor little southern damsel to a T, not to mention the fact, she’d become Emma’s best friend, and Emma couldn’t pinpoint what her angle was. Emma was still convinced she was spying, but no one had been able to catch her in the act.
Saturday morning, Emma joined Sophie in the parlor for breakfast. Nona had declared the day too cold to eat in the drafty dining room, so the fire was set, and a small repast had been provided. Emma wrapped her hands around a hot cup of coffee and sighed just as Clayton walked through the parlor doors. “I hope that means the coffee is good.”
“It’s hot, so that means it’s good.” Emma set her cup aside. “Good morning to you, too.” Emma frowned when Rose followed him through the door.
Clayton made his way over to her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Good morning, sweetheart. Sophie.”
Sophie smiled. “Good morning.” She nodded to the new arrival. “Rose.”
“Good morning, ladies. I do declare it’s as cold as big ol’ ice cube this morning.” She sat on the chair closest to the fire. “I almost told your man to find me a quilt.”
Sophie set her paper aside. “I’d be happy to grab you one, Rose.”
Rose held her hands out to the fire. “Bless your heart, Sophie. I’d never impose. The fire’s just fine.”
Emma rolled her eyes as she grabbed her coffee and glanced up at Clayton. “Are you hungry?”
He nodded. “Starving.”
“Clayton, darlin’, would you fix me a plate, please?” Rose crooned. “You know what I like.”
Clayton nodded and did what she asked. Emma wanted to chuck her cup at her. Once Rose was taken care of, he prepared himself a plate and sat next to Emma.
Sophie took a sip of coffee. “What are your plans today?”
“We’re going for a ride, probably out to the lake.” Clayton answered. “I have a little surprise.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “You do? What is it?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” Clayton broke off a piece of his muffin and placed it in his mouth.
“I hate surprises,” Emma grumbled.
Sophie chuckled. “Go with it, sissy, you might like it.”
Emma narrowed her eyes at her sister. “What do you know?”
Sophie took a bite of her eggs and shrugged.
Clayton dropped sugar into his coffee. “A groom is saddling a horse for you as we speak.”
“Is this a private party, or may I come?” Rose asked.
Emma raised an eyebrow pointedly toward Clayton.
“I’m sorry, Rose. I promised Emma we’d spend the day together, but Sophie has offered to entertain you.”
Rose huffed, but didn’t comment further and focused again on her plate. They finished their breakfast and Clayton guided Emma out to the barn and helped her mount the horse he’d chosen for her. As they made their way to what they now referred to as their personal oasis, Clayton had to work to keep up with her. Emma gave a yell as she cleared a large fence and glanced back at Clayton. “Come on, slowpoke.”
Clayton groaned as he spurred his horse on. Emma arrived at the lake a few minutes before him, and waited for him to pull up next to her. Clayton gave her a look of reproach and dismounted. “Sometimes you scare me with all the fences.”
He reached up to help her dismount. Once she was on the ground, he pulled her close and gave her a lingering kiss.
“Mmm, what was that for?” Emma melted into him.
He gently ran his fingers down her cheek. “I love you.”
Emma sighed. “I love you, too.”
He kissed her one more time and then gathered the blankets and saddlebags tied to his saddle. They walked hand in hand over to the waterfall and Clayton laid out the thick blankets for her. Emma sat down, arranged her skirts, and watched Clayton unpack the saddlebags.
“What’s in there?”
“So many questions today, sweet. Will you ever be satisfied with the simple enjoyment of a surprise?”
She shook her head. “Nope, never. I hate surprises.”
Clayton chuckled and pulled out a carafe. “Would you like some hot chocolate?”
Emma shivered. “Yes, please.”
He poured her a cup and handed it to her. “I think it might snow.”
Emma took a sip and nodded. “Makes sense, it’s freezing.”
Clayton raised his head to the sky. “This may not have been a good idea.”
“What? The cocoa?”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “Bringing you out here. Perhaps we should head back.”
Emma took another sip. “No way. I happen to the like the cold, and I’ve spent next to no time with you over the last two weeks.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I want you all to myself for a little while. Even if I run the risk of turning into an icicle.”
Clayton leaned back on his elbow and stared out at the water. He said nothing for several minutes.
“Clay? Are you okay?”
“Of course, why?”
“You’re just wound up so tight today.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Emma, I love you.”
Emma’s heart pounded. “I love you too, Clayton.”
“I have never had a closer friend than you. I have never had someone I could share everything with. The good and the bad.” He sat up on his knees and faced her. “I feel as though I can trust you with anything.”
“You can.” She stroked his cheek. “Is everything all right?”
Clayton nodded. “I would like you to marry me.”
She dropped her hand. “What?”
“Emma.” He grasped her hand and cleared his throat. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Emma stared at him for several seconds.
“Will you please say something?”
“Oh!” She covered her mouth with her fingers. “Sorry. Are you sure? I mean, we haven’t known each other for very long. Are you sure?”
“I’m certain.” He kissed her. “Do I get an answer, or am I to stay here all day?”
“Sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
Clayton sighed. “A yes or no would be a very good start.”
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” She threw herself into his arms, knocking him over and sprawling across his chest. “It will be a privilege to be your wife.”
“Let’s make it official.” He pulled off her glove and slipped a ruby and diamond engagement ring on her finger then kissed her palm.
Emma gasped. “Clayton, this is incredible. How did you know rubies were my favorite?”
“I asked your sister when I went to her and Jamie for permission to marry you.”
“You asked for permission?”
“Of course. Without your father close by, it seemed prudent.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she pushed away from him and stood.
Clayton followed. “Is everything all right?”
Emma paced. “There’s something I have to tell you, but I don’t know how.”
“You can tell me anything, sweetheart.”
She glanced down at her ring and sighed. “Clayton, it’s really big, and I think I’d like to have Jamie and Sophie there. Could we put this part of our conversation on hold and talk about it when we get back to the house?”
“Of course we can.” He held his hand out to her. “Come here and let me hold you. I’m not going to get to do that for much longer.”
“Don’t remind me!” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “When do you have to leave?”
“In three days. We’ve wrapped up everything here, so I have no excuse to stay.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “I won’t stay away long. I’ll organize everything for your arrival.”
“Oh, right. I didn’t even think about that.” She pulled away and started to pace again.
“Emma?” She didn’t answer, just continued to pace and chew on a fingernail. “Sweetheart, everything is going to work out fine. You’ll see.”
She glanced up at him and burst into tears. “Clayton, I can’t leave Sophie.”
“You aren’t going to leave her.”
Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. “What do you mean? When we’re married, I go where you go.”
Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out a handkerchief. “Yes, but ultimately this will be our home.”
“How is that going to work if your responsibilities are in Washington?”
He stroked her cheek. “I’ll work it out. The townhouse will be our second home.”
Emma wiped her face and blew her nose. “But what about a week from now?”
“I have to go back, but I will return in a month, certainly no longer than six weeks.”
She let out a quiet squeal. “One month? You expect me to be all right with you leaving me for an entire month? Or more?”
“Sweetheart, a month isn’t very long.”
“It’s a lifetime, Clayton.”
He lifted her face to look at him. “I love you, my sweet, silly girl.”
“Don’t patronize me, Clayton.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.”
She scowled. “I can’t live without you for a month.”
Clayton slid a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. “I can’t take you back with me until we’re married. It wouldn’t be proper.”
“What if Sophie came with us?”
He shook his head. “Jamie is not going to let his pregnant wife travel to Washington without him, and you know he can’t leave his post. He would be considered a deserter.”
“So I just have to sit here like a good little Civil War fiancée and wait for her man to come home?” Emma started to pace again.
“We’ll figure it out. I promise. Come here, let’s talk for a little while.” He led her back to the blanket and settled her in the middle.
Sitting beside her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and laid down, pulling her close. She rested her cheek on his chest and burst into tears again.
“Shh, sweetheart. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”
“No it won’t, Clayton. I’m going to lose you.”
“Emma. You’re not going to lose me.” He tipped her chin up. “What’s all this about?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I just don’t want you to go. I have this feeling of doom and I can’t shake it.”
He shifted so that he was lying on his side and looked down at her.
“Nothing is going to happen to us. I promise.” He stroked her cheek and leaned down to kiss her.
He hasn’t heard the big news. He’s going to run for the hills.