EMMA VAGUELY REMEMBERED Clayton’s kiss when he left for work the next morning. She climbed out of bed, wrapped her robe around her, and went in search of her sister. She found her in the dining room. Emma grabbed a piece of toast. “You’re up.”
Sophie sipped her coffee. “It is past nine o’clock.”
Emma smirked. “Did you and Jamie work things out last night?”
“He thinks we did.”
Emma poured herself a cup of coffee. “This is so unlike you. You don’t hide stuff from Jamie. You never have.”
Sophie sighed. “He’s hiding something from me… payback.”
“Sophie. Really? How do you even know he’s hiding something?”
Sophie popped a grape into her mouth. “His sense of humor has disappeared.”
Emma shrugged. “Yeah, he does seem a little less jovial. Kind of like when we couldn’t find you.”
Sophie grimaced. “I guess I didn’t get the pleasure of witnessing that.”
Emma frowned. “It wasn’t much fun.”
“I just wish he’d tell me what’s going on.” Sophie dragged her lower lip between her teeth. “I don’t like the rules being changed midstream, especially when no one tells me what the new ones are.”
“How about we take our minds off this whole business.” Emma rose to her feet. “Why don’t we try another dance lesson?”
“Oh, yeah, ’cause that sounds fabulous.”
“Come on, it’ll help kill time. You’ll want to know something, especially if we get invited to balls or soirees or whatever.”
Sophie shook her head. “I don’t feel like it, Em.”
“What if we’re somewhere and the President asks you to dance? A chance to dance with Abraham Lincoln, Sophie. What would you do?”
Sophie scowled. “You’re absolute, pure evil.”
“Yep. Come on.” Emma grabbed her hand and dragged her into the parlor.
She spent the next two hours teaching Sophie some of the most popular dances and was thrilled when she began to pick them up. Emma made Sophie sing one of their favorite Metallica songs that just happened to be in the right time signature for a waltz. Emma thought it might help her pick up the timing and it appeared to be working. “You’re getting it! I’m so proud of you.”
“I can’t believe it!” Sophie glanced at her feet. “That was really fun, Em. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Ladies.” Clayton pushed the parlor door open.
“Clayton!” Emma threw herself in his arms.
“Good afternoon, sweet.” He kissed her quickly.
“What are you doing here?”
“We were able to conclude our business early, so we thought we’d join you for lunch and then go riding, what do you think?”
“Where’s Jamie?” Sophie asked.
“He’s checking on Samson. He’d like you to meet him out there if you don’t mind.”
Sophie left the room and Clayton pulled Emma down on the sofa next to him. She slid her arm around his waist as he pulled her close. “You look tired.”
He forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
“Did you sleep last night?”
Clayton took a deep breath. “A little.”
Emma sat up. “What’s going on, Clayton?”
“What do you mean?”
She stood and faced him with a frown. “Clayton Madden, I am not an idiot. Neither is my sister. We know something’s going on, and I’d like you to tell me what it is.”
He leaned on his knees and ran his hands through his hair. “I cannot discuss it.”
“The horses are ready if you are,” Jamie interrupted their conversation when he strolled into the room.
Emma raised an eyebrow. “I thought you wanted to eat.”
Jamie shook his head. “Samson’s freaking out, so we need to ride now. If you want to wait, I’ll take Sophie alone.”
Emma sighed. “No, it’s fine. I’ll change.” She made her way to the stairs.
Clayton nodded toward Jamie. “We’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.”
Jamie nodded. “Okay.”
Clayton jogged up the stairs and let himself into their sitting room. As soon as he closed the door, he pulled her into his arms. Emma pushed away. “Don’t. I’m mad at you.”
“If I could tell you, I would.”
“Don’t you think it would be safer for me to know, so that I can be aware of my surroundings?”
“The less you know, sweetheart, the better.” He leaned down and kissed her. “All you need to be aware of is me.”
With a wicked grin, she slid her hand under the waistband of his trousers. “I’m already aware of you.”
Clayton groaned. “I won’t be able to concentrate now.”
“All you have to worry about is staying on your horse.”
Clayton chuckled and kissed her again. Emma removed her hoops and pulled her breeches on under her skirts. “Ready?”
Clayton and Emma joined Jamie and Sophie at the carriage house. Sophie was already on Samson and three other horses were tacked up and ready to go. Clayton assisted Emma onto her horse and then the men mounted and they took off for their ride.
“I thought I would take you to the capitol building and the White House,” Clayton said.
“Sounds good,” Jamie said.
Emma could tell that Sophie had to work double time to keep Samson from bolting. He pranced and sidestepped, anxious to run.
“Ten-Cow, are you okay?”
“Yes, he’s just antsy today. He wants to run.” Sophie bent down to pat his neck and croon to him.
Clayton nodded toward the north end. “There’s an open strip ahead where we can let them go a bit.”
Jamie frowned. “I don’t know.”
“Jamie, Samson needs to run. If you want to get on and ride him, feel free, but it needs to happen,” Sophie snapped.
“Sophie.”
“What? Your concern is starting to piss me off! I can ride better than any of you, and I’m on a horse that I have a bonded trust with. Nothing is going to happen.”
“Fine, but a short run.”
“Thank you, oh great and wise husband.” She dug her heels in and let Samson fly.
“I hate it when she does that.” Jamie took off after her.
“See ya,” Emma said to Clayton, and followed.
“Emma!” Clayton hollered, but had no choice other than to pursue them.
They ended up running almost all the way to the White House. Sophie slowed Samson to a walk and patted his neck as she cooled him down. Jamie glared at her as he shook his head slowly.
“Whatever, Jamie. Look at him. He’s totally calm now. And…” Sophie checked herself over, “…what’s this? No injuries anywhere on my body? It’s a miracle!”
“Sarcasm was never pretty on you, Sophie.”
Despite the tension between the Fords, they spent another hour on a tour of the city. Emma was in love. It was much more modern than Harrisburg and even though it wasn’t 2017, it suited her a little bit more than the wide-open spaces of Pennsylvania.
Clayton flanked Emma as they made their way back to the house. “Other than a small reception tomorrow night, we have no other commitments for the weekend.”
“Does that mean we can explore the city more?”
Clayton nodded. “If you like.”
She smiled over at him. “I really just want you all to myself for a few hours.”
“Ditto,” he whispered.
They arrived home just in time for dinner.
“I’m starved.” Emma removed her gloves and cloak. “I say we eat now and change later.”
Clayton handed his coat and hat to Walter. “I think that’s a great idea.”
Emma followed him into the dining room and took her seat. Sophie sat across from her, while Jamie and Clayton sat at each end.
Emma accepted a glass of wine from Clayton and took a sip. “Where is the dinner tomorrow night?”
“At Christopher’s parents’ home.”
“In Maryland?”
“Yes.” Clayton poured two glasses of whiskey. “Gwendolyn lives there with their parents and younger brother. It will be a small affair.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “How far is it?”
“Not far.”
Sophie laid her napkin in her lap. “Will we have time to ride tomorrow?”
Clayton nodded. “You can probably ride Samson to their home, if you like. It will take several hours, but we’ll be able to stay overnight and come back at our leisure. The other option is to take the train to Camden Station and ride from there.”
Jamie shook his head. “I’ll take Samson out tomorrow and we’ll leave him behind this time.”
Sophie dropped her fork. “What? Why?”
“We’ll discuss it later, Sophie.”
“I’m tired.” Sophie rose to her feet. “I’m going to bed.”
She stomped from the room.
Emma turned to Jamie. “Why are you being such a jerk? Just tell her already.”
“Emma,” Clayton broke in.
“Don’t ‘Emma’ me. He’s being an ass.”
“Sweetheart,” Clayton warned.
“No!” Emma turned back to Jamie. “Jamie, come on. She has more chance of being hit by a meteor than being hurt by Samson. You were never like this at home. We rode everywhere, without your permission. You know how independent she is, why are you trying to take that away from her?”
“Emma, this is none of your concern,” Clayton said.
“Step off, Clayton. I’m not some quiet little Victorian bride raised to never speak her mind or stand up to you big strong men. Get used to it quickly or our marriage will be miserable.”
“Emma.”
“Forget it.” She threw her napkin on the table and pushed her chair back with a scrape. “Feel free to sit here alone and beat your chests for each other. I’m going to bed.”
Instead of going to her room, she went to Sophie’s. She wasn’t there. She went straight out to the carriage house and found her in Samson’s stall. Emma leaned over the door. “I thought you might be here.”
“I feel like I’m in jail, Em. He’s driving me crazy.” Sophie stroked Samson’s nose.
“Clayton’s not much better. He wants a quiet mousy wife who never makes waves. I’m sure they’re in the dining room discussing the best way to ‘handle’ us.”
Sophie dropped her forehead onto Samson’s neck. “Maybe we should have just stayed home.” Samson nickered quietly. “I know, boy.”
All of a sudden, they heard a yell and Emma stepped out of the carriage house to see Jamie in a frantic run towards her.
“Where’s Sophie?” he snapped.
Emma pointed inside. “In there. What’s wrong?”
He rushed into the carriage house and Sophie leaned her head outside of Samson’s stall. Jamie grabbed her arm. “You said you were going to bed. I went to our room to bring you a tray and you weren’t there. What the hell were you thinking?”
Sophie shrugged out of his grip. “I was thinking I’d like to visit my horse.”
Samson snorted and started to paw the ground.
Jamie glared at her. “Get in the house.”
Samson nickered loudly in protest. Jamie grabbed her arm again. Sophie tried to pull away, but Jamie wouldn’t budge and before anyone could react, Samson stuck his head out of his stall and bit him. Hard.
Jamie let go several choice swear words as he rolled his shirtsleeve up and they saw a large mark on his forearm.
“Samson!” Sophie tried to hide her shock as she stepped outside his stall. “Shh, Sammy, it’s okay.”
Emma jumped when Jamie hauled off and punched the wall. “Sophie Jane, get in the house, now. I’m not going to tell you again. Leave that damn horse alone and get up to our room!”
Without warning, Emma was scooped up into Clayton’s arms. She hadn’t even heard him approach. “What are you doing?”
Clayton sent her a warning scowl. “If I have to lock you upstairs, I will. You are going to learn to obey my word or suffer the consequences.”
“Put me down!”
“You will mind me, Emma.”
She tried to slap his shoulders. “Oh, my—!” Emma swore. “I am so not your chattel. Put me down!”
He continued through the back door of the house and stalked up the stairs and into their sitting room. “Emma, you can’t just go off and do whatever you want to do. It’s dangerous.”
“How exactly is it dangerous, Clayton? We are on our own property, for Pete’s sake.”
“Listen. You cannot comprehend the level of danger right now.”
“Then tell me! Help me understand.”
He stroked her cheek. “I can’t share that with you, you know that. It’s confidential. Just trust me.”
“Oh, okay,” she snapped.
He sighed. “Emma.”
“No! It’s fine. I trust you, Clayton. There are big, bad men waiting around the corner to kill me and I should never go anywhere without you. Got it. What if I have to use the chamber pot at night? Should I wake you and let you know that I need to make water? I don’t mind if you watch.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What if I want a midnight snack? Will you escort me to the kitchen and butter my bread for me?”
“Sweetheart, don’t overreact.”
“Then don’t be such a jerk! Talk to me.” She waved her hands frantically in the air. “I can keep a secret and it’s just us. Why do you insist on keeping everything so close to the vest? I’m your wife, not some terrorist waiting for confidential information.”
He stood and seemingly debated his next move. “Let’s go to bed.”
“Fine.” She turned her back on him and took off her clothes. He tried to pull her into his arms, but she deflected him. “Don’t placate me. If you don’t trust me enough to talk to me, there’s nothing left to talk about.”
“It has nothing to do with trust.”
“It has everything to do with trust,” she snapped. “Go away, Clayton. We’ll talk later.”
Clayton quietly left the bedroom and closed the door behind him. Emma flopped onto the bed, punched her pillow, and then punched it again. Her emotions went from angry to sad every few seconds and she knew she’d go mad if she was stuck in the house without anything to do. She heard her door open and grimaced.
“Emma?” Sophie whispered.
She sat up. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m going for a ride tomorrow morning, want to come with me?”
Emma snorted. “Sophie, I know you’re mad, but don’t be an idiot.”
“I’m taking Samson out tomorrow. I’m going to prove to Jamie that it’s perfectly safe, and he’s worrying for nothing. If you want to come with, meet me in the carriage house at five.”
Sophie stormed out of the bedroom, and Emma was left stunned. She’d never seen her sister mad enough to do something that stupid.
I must tell Clayton.
Best laid plans. Several hours passed and he hadn’t returned to the room, so she went looking for him. She made her way through the sitting room and tried to open the door. It wouldn’t budge. She glanced down and noticed the key was missing from the lock.
Oh, he did not lock me in!
She tried again and realized she’d been relegated to prisoner. She seethed as she made her way back to the bedroom and made a new plan.