EMMA SLEPT UNTIL well past nine. Finding Clayton gone from their bed and room, she made her way downstairs to look for him. She arrived at the dining room to find fresh coffee and breakfast still laid out. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she turned when she heard the rustle of skirts.
“Hi,” Sophie said from the doorway.
“Hi.” Emma raised an eyebrow as she took her seat at the table. “Did you just wake up?”
“Who said I was awake?” Sophie grumbled as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.
Christine walked through the door. “Good morning.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “You’re up late.”
Christine grinned. “I’ve been awake for several hours, my friend. Hattie and I went for a walk.”
Emma buttered her toast. “I wonder where the guys are.”
“I don’t know, but it’s too early for me to care.” Sophie popped a grape into her mouth.
“About what, love?” Jamie made his way over to kiss her.
Sophie presented her cheek. “About where you were and why you left our bed so early.”
Emma glanced back at the door. “Where’s Clayton?”
“He’s taking care of some last-minute travel details,” Jamie said.
“What are you doing up so early, anyway?” Sophie wrinkled her nose. “You never get up unless you have to.”
He stole a slice of orange from her plate. “Clayton woke me at eight. I nearly killed him for doing it, but he needed some information and since I happened to know the answers, I decided it would be safer for him if I took care of it, rather than waking you.”
“Ah, good thinking.”
Emma huffed. “So, when is my husband going to be back? Did he say?”
“I can’t imagine he’ll be long. He and Christopher are meeting again.”
“Well, I’d like to go for a ride.” Sophie pushed away from the table. “Anyone else?”
Emma took a last sip of coffee and rose to her feet. “I’ll go for a ride with you, Soph.”
“Great. How about you ride Samson? I’d like him to get used to you.”
“I’ll get the horses saddled while you girls change,” Jamie offered.
Jamie was just finishing up with Samson when the girls arrived. Emma stood at his head and began to speak quietly to him. She let him smell her hand and stroked his muzzle. She mounted him from the ground and he stood perfectly still.
“Should I be jealous?” Sophie stroked his nose. “Don’t go and fall in love with my sister, will you? You’re still my horse.”
The three of them took off toward the White House. This seemed to be their favorite morning jaunt and the horses knew exactly where to go. Their ride was cut short by the threat of snow, and they arrived back at the house an hour later. Emma guided Samson to the entrance of the carriage house and dismounted.
Jack took the reins from her. “Mrs. Madden, Mr. Madden is awaiting you in his office.”
“Thank you, Jack.” She glanced up at her sister. “I’ll see you in a few minutes?” She didn’t wait for Sophie’s answer. Rushing through the back door and into Clayton’s office, she found him sitting at his desk. “I don’t like waking up to find you gone.”
He stood and held his hand out to her. “Sorry, sweet. I got up early and didn’t want to disturb you.”
She removed her bonnet and gloves, dropped them on the desk, and took his hand. “Well, disturb me next time, please.”
“Gladly.” He kissed her. “Did you have a nice ride?”
“Yes, Samson is a magnificent horse. Are we all ready for Gettysburg?”
Clayton chuckled. “Yes, we are.”
“Good. I’m starved.” She strolled toward the door. “Up for a snack?”
Clayton followed with a grin. Emma removed her coat as they made their way to the parlor and dropped it on the bench by the front door before stepping into the warm room. Christine sat on the sofa reading a book.
“Where’s Hattie?”
Christine glanced up. “Walter escorted her on a walk.”
“Did he now?” Clayton raised an eyebrow.
“They like each other, Clay. Don’t make it difficult for them, okay?” Emma whispered as she pulled him over to the window.
“Walter loves every woman he meets.”
“Well, he likes her best.”
“All right, sweetheart.” He stroked his fingers gently down her cheek. “I’ll check with Sarah about a light repast.”
“Thank you.”
Clayton left the room and Emma sat next to Christine. Sophie fluttered in a few minutes later. “I’m freezing!”
“Melodramatic much?” Emma giggled. “Come by the fire and get warm.”
Emma heard the front door knocker and rose to her feet. “I’m assuming Walter won’t be getting that.” She made her way to the foyer and opened the door, her eyes widening in surprise. “Dr. Paxton? What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Madden. I was wondering if Christine Martin might be here.” He removed his hat. “I know she and your sister are close. I hoped she might have come to see her.”
Emma nodded. “She’s here, Dr. Paxton. Come in.”
“Thank you.” He stepped inside and Emma led him into the parlor.
“Christine.”
Christine jumped from the sofa and her book fell on the floor with a thud. “What are you doing here?”
Sophie rose to her feet. “We’ll give you some privacy.”
“Don’t bother, Sophie. Stephen was just leaving.” Christine crossed her arms and moved to the window.
Stephen closed the distance between them. “I’m not leaving, Christine.”
“Yes, you are.” She tried to escape, but he caught her arm.
“I’m not leaving.”
“What are you doing here?” Christine pulled out of his grasp. “How is it possible you were able to break away from the hospital? How long were you planning on staying? How did you find me?”
Stephen laughed quietly. “I’m here because I love you. Dr. Palmer allowed me a short leave. I will need to return tomorrow and I asked Michael where you went.”
Christine hissed. “I can’t believe he told you where I was!”
“He didn’t, Nona did.”
Christine fisted her hands at her side. “Traitorous sister!”
“Christine, I’m not going to let you run away from me.” He took her arm again. “I’m not that easily put off.”
“Why is that, Stephen? I can’t marry you.”
“You can’t or won’t, Christine?”
“What difference does it make?”
“It doesn’t make a difference.” He stroked her cheek. “Because you don’t have a valid argument.”
Christine tried again to pull away from him. “Stephen! This is ridiculous.”
“Yes, I agree. It is ridiculous.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Christine broke the kiss. “I can’t do this, Stephen, it’s too much.”
Stephen shrugged. “Christine, I love you. We can take this slowly and I’ll wait as long as you need. I just don’t want you to deny what you feel. Can you do that?”
Christine glanced at Sophie and her face reddened. “We’re not alone,” she whispered.
“Look at me, Christine.” Stephen tipped her chin toward him. “These are your closest friends, you don’t need to be embarrassed.” He chuckled. “Besides, I want witnesses.”
Christine gave him a horrified expression. “Witnesses to what?”
“My proposal. I want you to finally agree to marry me. If I have witnesses, it will be harder for you to say no.”
Sophie grinned. “Put the poor man out of his misery, Teeny.”
Christine narrowed her eyes into a glare which elicited a laugh from Stephen. “Yes, Teeny. Put me out of my misery.”
“I would love to.” Christine huffed. “I’m just not certain my definition is the same as yours.”
“Let me clarify. You marry me and we’ll sort the rest out later.”
Sophie rushed forward. “She accepts.”
“Sophie!”
“Christine, if I have to force you into an arranged marriage, I will.”
Stephen smiled and leaned down to kiss Christine’s cheek. “Whatever works.”
Christine’s response was cut off by Jamie and Clayton entering the room carrying trays of sandwiches. Clayton raised an eyebrow in question. “Dr. Paxton?”
Stephen stepped forward, his hand out in greeting. “Mr. Madden. Sorry to drop in on you like this.”
“Not at all.” Clayton set his tray down and shook his hand. “Can I offer you a drink or something to eat?”
Stephen nodded. “That would be most appreciated.”
“I’ll make you a plate,” Emma offered.
“Thank you.”
Clayton indicated for him to sit next to the fire and handed him a glass of whiskey. “Where are you staying?”
“I haven’t thought that far. I thought I would get a room over at the Willard.”
Emma handed him a plate. “That seems like a waste of time and money. You should stay here. We have plenty of room.”
“Yes, Stephen, you are welcome to stay,” Clayton said.
“Thank you, that’s very generous.” Stephen smiled and glanced at Christine in question.
Christine sighed. “Yes, it’s fine with me.”
Stephen tipped his drink toward her. “I’m leaving tomorrow and I’m taking you with me.”
Christine smirked. “We’ll see.”
Jamie cleared his throat. “Well, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
* * *
The next morning, the group met up for breakfast. Discussions naturally turned to their upcoming travel plans to Gettysburg.
“What time do we need to leave on Wednesday?” Sophie asked.
“We’ll take the noon train.” Clayton sipped his coffee. “Christopher is escorting the President later that day, but he’ll try to meet up with us for dinner at the hotel.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Won’t Christopher be staying at the hotel?”
“No. The President is staying in a private home, so he’ll stay to protect him, but he hopes to meet us for dinner.”
“Is Gwen going to join us?”
“Not this time, sweet.”
Emma frowned. “Why not?”
“Her parents have other plans for her over the next few weeks, so she’ll be very busy,” Clayton explained. “She and her parents, however, will travel with us at Thanksgiving.”
Emma sighed. “She’ll be disappointed she won’t get to experience this.”
“There will be other things for her to experience.”
Sophie waved her fork dismissively. “Not quite like this, Clayton.”
Stephen glanced at his pocket watch. “We should really think about getting to the train station.”
“Stephen, we have nearly two hours.” Christine dabbed her lip with her napkin. “Plenty of time to enjoy breakfast.”
“You’re already bossing me around.” He grinned. “That’s a good sign.”
Christine rolled her eyes.
“Will you both make it for the speech?” Sophie asked.
“Yes, we’ll be there. We’ll join you for dinner on Thursday as well if you like,” Stephen assured them.
Emma took a sip of orange juice. “How long does it take to get from Harrisburg to Gettysburg?”
“The train is a little over an hour.”
“I didn’t realize it was that close.” Emma winked at Sophie. “Modern travel is a marvel.”
Sophie smiled. “Yes, it is. Which means you must visit me often when we go home.”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
Jamie and Clayton veered the conversation to horses and war. Before Emma knew it, almost an hour had passed.
Stephen rose from the table and stood behind Christine. “We really should get to the station.”
Christine sighed. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
Clayton stood and ushered everyone to the foyer. “Jack’s going to drive you.”
“Thank you, Clayton.” Stephen held Christine’s coat open for her. “I appreciate the hospitality.”
Christine slid her arms into the warmth and sighed. “Thank you for everything, Sophie.”
Sophie hugged her. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
Christine slipped her gloves on with a nod. “Yes, you will.”
Sophie grinned. “Safe journey, my friend. Be nice to Stephen.”
Christine laughed. “I’m always nice to Stephen.”
Jamie and Clayton bid them farewell and then made their way back to Clayton’s office. Christine hugged Emma and then followed Stephen outside. Emma and Sophie stood in the street and watched the carriage roll away from them. Sophie sighed and followed Emma back inside. “I’m going to drag my husband out for a ride.”
Emma grinned. “Good idea.”
The girls entered Clayton’s office and Sophie made her request. Once the couple left, Emma sat across from Clayton and settled her chin in her hand. “I think I’m going to take a nap.”
He glanced up. “That’s a good idea, sweet. I have to meet with Christopher again to finalize a few things.”
“Oh,” she said disappointedly.
“What’s amiss?”
She stood and slid around to his side of the desk. “I thought perhaps we could nap together.”
Clayton gathered various papers and set them in a pile. “I have no time for sleep, sweetheart,” he said distractedly.
She swiveled his chair and leaned down to kiss him. “Are you sure?”
“Are you trying to sidetrack me, Mrs. Madden?”
She slipped her hand inside his shirt. “What do you think?”
He kissed her deeply and broke it with a groan. “I’ll try and make the meeting quick.”
“Don’t try, baby. Do.” She gave him one more kiss before he left.
* * *
Wednesday arrived with great anticipation. Emma could barely sit still on the train and when they finally pulled into the station, she jumped up almost as quickly as Sophie. Clayton grasped her arm and pulled her against him. “Emma, wait for me, sweet.”
He led the group out onto the platform and the men left the ladies to collect the bags.
Sophie linked her arm with Emma’s. “I’m so excited, I can barely breathe.”
Emma giggled. “It might be the corset.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow without comment. Clayton and Jamie returned with a porter, and after letting him know where they were staying, Clayton took Emma’s hand and led everyone to a carriage.
“Would y’all like a tour?” Clayton asked as he assisted Emma inside.
Sophie nodded. “Yes, please.”
Jamie took Sophie’s hand and she climbed inside next to Emma. Once she was settled, the men sat across from them. Clayton gave instructions to the driver and they took off through town.
Emma squeezed her sister’s hand. “Maybe your Civil War isn’t so boring.”
Sophie grinned. “I told you so.”
Emma leaned her head out of the carriage and tried to take in as much as she could. Before she knew it, the driver had pulled up in front of the Gettysburg Hotel and set the brake. Emma frowned at Clayton. “That’s it?”
Clayton chuckled and jumped down from the carriage. “The President won’t arrive until late this evening, so we’ll have time to explore after we check in.”
Emma clapped her hands and let Clayton lift her down. “Yay.”
Jamie climbed down and held out his hand for Sophie. She bent down and stepped through the door. “Tomorrow, I don’t necessarily want to follow the parade route. I’d like to get to the town cemetery so that I can see everything.”
“I thought he spoke at the new National Cemetery?” Emma’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that the whole point?”
Sophie nodded. “You’d think, but nope, it will be at the town cemetery.”
Emma smirked. “Well, if anyone would know, you would.”
Sophie smiled.
Once they checked in, Clayton led the group on an in-depth exploration of the city of Gettysburg, ending their tour at the battle site. Sophie stood in the middle of the field in between her sister and her husband, and squeezed their hands.
“A little different, isn’t it?” Jamie observed.
Sophie nodded. “I can’t believe it’s only been four months since the battle. It’s so surreal to me. It doesn’t look much different than… you know.”
They took a slight detour to visit the cemeteries and then made their way back to the hotel for dinner. The train with the President and Christopher on it still had not arrived, so they decided not to wait to eat.
They enjoyed a meal which began with oyster soup, followed by lamb chops with fresh vegetables and potatoes, and finished off with southern sweet bread.
Dessert was homemade bread pudding with fresh cream. They lingered over the sweetness and coffee before going back to their rooms. Just as they took their final sip of coffee, Christopher walked through the door of the restaurant. Followed closely by Gwen.
Emma gave a little squeal and jumped up to hug her. “What are you doing here? I thought your parents made you stay home?”
Gwen giggled. “I pouted and stomped my foot long enough for them to let me come.”
“You did not!”
“No, you’re right, I didn’t. I simply explained that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear the President speak, and I made Christopher back me up on the argument. He is occasionally good for something.”
Christopher chuckled. “You’re entirely too logical at times, Gwennie.”
“Come and have some dessert,” Emma said and they both sat at the table.
Christopher turned to Clayton, a look of concern on his face. “We have a small problem.”
“What’s that?” Clayton asked.
“The hotel is booked solid. No room for Gwen. I’m staying with the President and hadn’t planned on staying here.”
“We have a huge suite, she can stay with us,” Emma offered.
“Yes, that’s fine,” Clayton said, although he didn’t sound like it was fine.
When Gwen and Christopher were done with their desserts, Emma pulled Clayton aside. “I’m sorry. I just jumped in.”
“It’s all right. I had other plans for us tonight that required us to take our clothing off. That won’t be appropriate now.”
Emma scrunched up her nose. “No, I don’t suppose it would be appropriate. Bummer.”
Clayton took her hand and kissed her palm. “We’ll make up for it tomorrow night.”
Emma heard Sophie gasp and turned to see the President walking through the door. Christopher rushed to greet him and Clayton followed. The three moved toward their small group.
Emma grabbed Sophie’s hand. “Are you ready to meet the President, Sophie?”
“No.” Sophie grimaced and leaned over to Jamie. “I think I’m going to pee.”
Jamie chuckled quietly as he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
“I hope so.” Sophie took a deep breath.
Jamie smiled gently “You’re overreacting, just a tad, don’t you think?”
“Oh, really? How do you think you would feel if you got to meet Bono?”
He raised his eyebrows at her.
“Exactly. You’d have to pee too.”
Clayton introduced the President to Jamie and then Emma. “May I present my wife, Emma? Emma, the President.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. President.” Emma smiled and before Clayton could say anything, Emma pulled Sophie forward. “This is my sister, Sophie.”
Sophie shook visibly as the President took her dainty hand in his very large one and bowed to her. His smile lit up the room and Emma could tell that Sophie was immediately smitten with him.
After several minutes of conversation, the President lifted Sophie’s hand to his lips with a grin. “Pressing matters must take me from your presence, I’m afraid. It has been a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Ford. I hope that when you are in town, you will join me and my family for dinner.”
Sophie blushed. “I would be honored, Mr. President.”
Christopher cleared his throat. “We must get back, sir.”
The President patted Sophie’s hand. “Yes. Of course.”
Christopher escorted the President out of the dining room and Clayton grinned at his wife. Emma sat next to Sophie at the table. “Are you okay, Soph?”
“No, I want to throw up.”
“Better aim for your reticule,” Emma retorted.
Sophie let out a quiet snort in an effort not to laugh. Jamie held his hand out to her. “I think we should turn in. We have a long day tomorrow.”
Sophie nodded and took his hand.
Jamie narrowed his eyes at Clayton. “Do not wake us before ten, unless it’s an emergency. Got it?”
Clayton laughed. “Nine a.m., got it.”
Jamie scowled.
“Come on, grumpy.” Sophie squeezed his hand. “We’ll give you an attitude adjustment.”
Clayton turned to Emma and Gwen. “Shall we retire?”
At the girls’ agreement, he led them up to their suite. Stepping into their sitting room, Clayton pointed to the bedroom. “I’ll sleep on the sofa and you two can sleep in the bed.”
“Are you certain, Clayton?” Gwen asked.
“Yes, of course.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
Emma gave him an apologetic smile. “I’ll grab you a pillow.”
The girls stepped into the bedroom. Emma returned with a blanket and a pillow and dropped them onto the sofa. She wove her hands around Clayton’s neck. He kissed her nose. “I’m going to miss you tonight.”
“I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, I promise.”
He chuckled. “Yes, you will.”
After his more thorough kiss, Emma went into the bedroom and Gwen helped her off with her corset and vice versa. They climbed into bed and Gwen fell asleep immediately. Emma didn’t have as much luck. She tossed and turned for over an hour before giving up and climbing out of the bed. She quietly opened the bedroom door and slid into the sitting room.
“Emma?” Clayton whispered.
“Hi.”
He sat up. “Is everything all right?”
“I can’t sleep.”
Clayton held his hand out to her. “Come here.”
She grasped his hand and he pulled her down on top of him. He drew the blanket over both of them and she settled her head on his shoulder.
“Better?”
“Much,” she whispered and yawned as she snuggled against his warmth.
“Sweet, you need to stop wiggling,” he said with a groan. “You’re driving me to distraction.”
“Oh, really?” Emma slid her hand down his chest.
“Emma.”
“I wish we were naked.”
Clayton chuckled. “Ditto, sweet. Now, lie still and try to sleep.”
“Kiss me first.” He did and she broke it with a sigh. “You’re killing me.”
“Who invited Gwen?” he whispered.
“Touché.”