AS ANDREW WALKED back across the platform, he noticed Gwen standing with a man who was unfamiliar to him. Gwen wrung her hands, and Andrew scowled. She was obviously uncomfortable.
“Sir, my husband will return momentarily. I don’t feel it’s appropriate to discuss something so personal.”
“Your husband?”
The man reached over to touch her arm… Andrew saw red and quickly closed the distance between them. “Remove your hand from my wife, sir.”
“Did not mean to offend.” The man took longer than Andrew would have liked for him to back off.
Gwen pulled her arm away from the man’s hold and stepped closer to Andrew who took a moment to memorize the threat. The man was tall with a thick British accent and a similar look to Adam, Andrew’s brother-in-law.
Andrew didn’t like the way he was leering at Gwen, and pushed her behind him in a protective gesture. “Is there something I can assist with?”
The man placed his hat back on his head. “No, not at all. I saw the young lady standing here alone and only thought to ensure she was safe.”
“Well, as you can see, sir, I have returned, and she will be perfectly safe.”
The man stood and stared for a few seconds and then turned on his heel and walked away.
“What was that all about?” Andrew turned to face Gwen. “And where the hell is your brother?”
“I don’t know.” Gwen glanced around the platform. “It wasn’t random, Andrew. He knew who you were. He kept asking me questions about Adam. He saw me with you and wanted to know about your business dealings with him. I told him you were my husband and then you walked up. He knew things about Hannah and Emma as well.”
He squeezed her arms. “He was watching you?”
She shivered. “He must have been. He knew you and I were traveling together.”
“I don’t like this.” Andrew slid her hand into his arm.
Gwen leaned heavily against him. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Jacob strolled up to them a few minutes later and Andrew pulled him aside. “Where the hell have you been, Jake?”
“My father was occupied and I needed to escort my mother.”
Gwen squeezed his arm. “Don’t, Andrew, it’s fine.”
“What happened?” Jacob frowned.
Gwen frowned. “It’s not Jake’s fault. I told him to go.”
Andrew scowled. “She was accosted.”
Gwen shook her head. “Andrew, I was not accosted! That’s a bit of an overstatement. A man was asking me personal questions. It was nothing.”
“Sorry, Gwen. I should have waited for father.” Jacob hung his head slightly.
“No, it was fine,” she said to her brother and then turned to Andrew. “I’m fine.”
Andrew mumbled to himself and Gwen smiled. She slipped her hand back into the crook of his arm and let him lead her onto the train. Vincent and Wilhelmina were already settled in their private parlor car, so they joined them with plenty of time before departure.
“Where are Christopher and Hannah?” Gwen glanced around the car.
“We don’t know, dear. If they’re not here in five minutes, your father’s going to look for them.”
“Gwennie, sit with me please.” Vincent slid sideways to leave enough room for her skirts. Andrew squeezed her hand and smiled. Gwen sat next to her father who took hold of her hand and kissed it. Her mother sat across from them, and Andrew situated himself next to Jacob.
“I’m sorry I left Gwen,” Jacob whispered.
Andrew sighed. “I know, Jake. I probably overreacted a bit. I just want her safe.”
“I do too. I won’t do that again.”
“I’d appreciate it.” Andrew smiled.
“Good morning, family.” Christopher followed Hannah as they walked through the doors of the parlor car.
“Good morning! How was the first part of the trip?” Wilhelmina asked.
“Early,” Hannah grumbled.
Gwen giggled. “One day, Hannah, you might be surprised to find yourself waking before the sun.”
“Highly unlikely, little sister. Keep dreaming.”
They heard the telltale sign of the hissing steam, which indicated the train would depart shortly. Christopher made sure Hannah was comfortable and then went and sat with his mother.
Wilhelmina patted his hand and beamed with pride. “Why weren’t you here when we boarded?”
Christopher smiled down at her. “Hannah needed to stretch her legs.”
“You are taking good care of her, aren’t you, dear?”
Christopher chuckled. “Of course, mama. You taught me well.”
An hour into their journey, Christopher, Jacob, and Andrew left to organize refreshments.
Gwen took the opportunity to move next to Hannah. “How are you feeling?”
“Not particularly well.” Hannah took a deep breath. “But don’t tell your parents.”
Gwen shook her head. “I wouldn’t.”
“Where’s Charity? I thought for certain she’d come with us.”
“She’s coming tomorrow with her family. They wanted her to travel with them.”
Hannah laid her hand on her stomach. “I guess that makes sense.”
“Andrew told me,” Gwen whispered.
“Told you what?”
“About how you got here.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Oh. How do you feel about that?”
“I have lots of questions, but I’ll wait until we’re alone.”
“Good idea.” Hannah smiled.
The girls decided to find a ladies’ room, so Gwen let their parents know where they were headed and left the parlor car. They got slightly turned around, but found a porter to direct them. They didn’t linger and quickly made their way back to their parlor car.
“We meet again.”
Gwen gasped and turned toward the voice. “Are you following me, sir?”
He ignored her comment. “I see your husband has once again left you alone.”
“She’s not alone.” Hannah slipped her hand into Gwen’s. “I’m with her.”
“Yes, I see that. What a lovely companion you are, dear. The only problem is that you’re missing your blonde friend. Where are the sweet Emma and her husband, Clayton? I was so disappointed to not find you all traveling together. How is your husband faring, Hannah? Is he safe? And, where is your fiancé, Gwendolyn?”
“Who are you?” Gwen tried to keep a horrified expression off her face.
“You sound quite a bit like Elizabeth with that tone of voice.”
“Elizabeth? What does she have to do with any of this?”
The man pulled out his pocket watch as though they were having a simply lovely conversation about the time. “Two women alone on a very busy train. Something terrible could happen.”
“Are you threatening us?” Hannah pushed Gwen behind her.
“Not at all. I’m simply making an observation.” He snapped his watch shut. “Try not to get caught between cars. Those mechanisms can be quite slippery.”
Gwen moved out from behind Hannah. “I didn’t catch your name earlier, sir.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t give it.”
“Is there something you want from me? It would appear you seem to be wherever I am today.” Gwen shivered.
“Nothing I want from you just yet, my dear. Or you,” he said to Hannah. “Your husbands will know our requests soon.”
“What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?” Hannah snapped.
He stared at Hannah and it sent a shiver up Gwen’s spine. “Such language from a lady. Particularly one as slight as you.”
“We’re going to take our leave now, sir.” Gwen started to pull Hannah away.
“Until we meet again, pleasant Gwendolyn.” He leered a little harder at Hannah. “Oh, and Hannah, please send my regards to Christopher.”
Gwen gasped as he turned and walked away from them.
“Do you know that man?” Hannah asked.
“I’ve never met him before. How does he know so much about us?”
“This isn’t good. We need to tell your brother.”
Gwen nodded and they made their way back to their family. The second she walked through the door, Andrew pulled her aside. “What’s amiss, sweetheart?”
“That man—”
“The one on the platform?”
She wrung her hands. “Yes. Hannah and I found him lurking in the corridor when we came out of the ladies’ room.”
Andrew laid a hand over hers. Christopher and Hannah joined them, Christopher looked ready to kill. “Tell me everything.”
Gwen relayed what happened on the platform and the conversation in the corridor. Gwen raised fear-filled eyes to Andrew. “How did he know our names, Andrew? And why would he be asking about Elizabeth?”
He took her hand and kissed it. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but we’ll find out.” He gave a pointed look in Christopher’s direction.
Christopher nodded and pulled Hannah close.
“We should eat.” Hannah laid her hand on Christopher’s chest. “Nothing can be solved right at the moment.”
They joined the rest of the family for sandwiches and lemonade, and spent the remainder of their trip discussing the wedding. They did their best to try and forget the disturbing encounter. The train pulled into Harrisburg slightly before noon and they disembarked to find Jamie and Richard waiting for them. Two carriages waited for the group, and once the bags were loaded into one, the group climbed into the other.
Arriving at the Wades’, Andrew stepped out of the carriage and assisted Gwen down. He walked with her to where Sophie was waiting on the porch with Junior. “Welcome home, you two.”
Gwen and Andrew hugged her and Andrew took Junior from Sophie’s arm. Gwen’s heart melted as she watched him with the baby. Gwen patted Junior’s back and grinned up at Andrew. “I’m exceedingly excited about watching you with our children.”
He leaned down and gave her kiss on the cheek. “As am I, beautiful.”
“Andrew, are you going to moon over Gwen all day or help with the bags?” Jamie called.
Andrew grinned. “Do I have a choice?”
Andrew handed Junior back to Sophie and then made his way to assist the men as Hannah and Mrs. Butler made their way to the porch.
Mrs. Butler smiled at Sophie. “Good day, Mrs. Ford. I trust you are well.”
“I am, Mrs. Butler. Thank you. Nona has organized a repast in the dining room if you would like to join her inside.”
“That will be lovely, dear. Thank you.” She turned to Gwen. “Coming, dear?”
Gwen nodded and followed her mother inside.
Nona stood and greeted them before pulling Gwen’s mother away to discuss a few wedding details.
“Do you need me as well, Mrs. Wade?” Gwen asked.
“No, dear. You sit and enjoy something to eat. Your mother and I will take care of everything.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
Gwen forced a smile and took a seat at the table. Sophie and Hannah joined her a few minutes later, and joined them at the table.
Sophie filled her plate with fruit. “Where are Clayton and Emma?”
Hannah sipped some water slowly. “They’ll be here tomorrow. Clay is finalizing something, I’m not sure what, but he told Christopher to go on ahead.”
Sophie sighed. “Oh, I was hoping the three of us could spend some time together tonight.”
“Is everything okay?”
Sophie nodded. “I’ve just been feeling blue lately. I think I miss you both.”
“You think you miss us?” Hannah raised an eyebrow at her.
Sophie grimaced. “Poor choice of words, maybe?”
Hannah smiled. “Well, we’re here for a few days, perhaps even a week if Clay gets everything sewn up.”
“A week would be better.”
Hannah laughed. “I love you. Even when you’re not sure you miss me.”
Jamie walked in and kissed Sophie on the cheek. “Junior is sleeping soundly.”
Sophie smiled. “That was quick.”
Jamie nodded and then turned to Hannah. “Han, your bags have been taken over to Clayton and Emma’s.”
“Thank you. Where’s Chris?”
“He’ll be here soon. He arrived to a message from Clay, so I think he’s sending a response.”
Hannah frowned. “Hm.”
Before Hannah could say anything further, Andrew walked in and took the seat next to Gwen. “Your luggage is upstairs, as are your parents’ bags.”
Gwen smiled. “Thank you.”
Andrew kissed her fingers and then prepared himself a plate.
Christopher came looking for Hannah a few minutes later, leaning down and kissing her gently.
Hannah smiled up at him. “Miss me already?”
“Something like that.” He grinned and placed his hand gently on her belly. “How are you feeling?”
“Better now that I’m not moving.”
Christopher sat next to her and handed her some sort of tablet, which Hannah swallowed. “You should eat, sweetheart.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “I’m not particularly hungry.”
Christopher smiled sympathetically and stroked her cheek.
Gwen glanced at Andrew and whispered, “He’s so free with his affection when we’re here.” She gladly accepted his hand under the table. “Have you noticed that?”
“When you’re around, sweetheart, I really don’t notice anyone or anything else.”
Gwen smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. “How’s your knee, love?”
Andrew grimaced. “Sore.”
“Once lunch is done, let’s move into the library.”
“What are your plans after the wedding?” Sophie asked Gwen.
“Sophie.” Jamie rolled his eyes.
“Oh, please.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “I’m not Emma. I’m not asking about what they plan to do directly following the wedding, we all know what’s going to happen.”
“And there’s the line.” Jamie tapped his hand on the table.
“You started it,” Hannah pointed out.
“Anyhoo.” Sophie squeezed his hand. “What are your plans once you’ve partaken of, and enjoyed thoroughly, your honeymoon?”
Gwen felt the heat creep up her neck as she cleared her throat. “We found a townhouse two doors down from Chris and Hannah, which is where we’ll live part-time.”
Andrew pulled Gwen’s hand to his lips. “And we’ll live here the rest of the time. I need to finalize a plan with Adam, but we’ll work it out.”
The rest of the meal was spent discussing the war and current state of the nation, although, surprisingly, the conversation was not heavy.
* * *
Once lunch was finished, Gwen grabbed Andrew’s hand and pulled him into the library. “Sit here, sweetheart.” She pushed him into one of the chairs facing the fireplace and then sat on the hearth and began to massage his knee. She added pressure every few minutes. She only eased up when she heard Andrew groan. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
She continued, and after another ten minutes Andrew stilled her hands and pulled her onto his lap. “Andrew!” She pushed at his shoulders. “I wasn’t finished, and this isn’t proper.”
“I don’t care. I need a kiss.” He pulled her head down for a kiss.
“We shouldn’t be doing this, Andrew.”
Andrew dropped his head against the chair. “Gwendolyn, we are getting married. I don’t think anyone will think less of you for sitting on my lap and kissing me. In fact, with the company we’re keeping, it would more than likely be encouraged.”
Gwen sighed. “I suppose this is all so strange for me. I’ve been told my entire life to act like a lady and never show affection in public.”
Andrew gave her a gentle squeeze. “Well, I hope you’ll grow used to affectionate kisses from me in public.”
“Is your knee still hurting?” She stroked his cheek.
“No. I’m amazed as a matter of fact.”
“About what?”
He played with one of the ribbons on her gown. “I’ve been in pain for so long, I never thought I’d ever feel relief.”
“And that’s not the case now?”
“On many different levels.” He smiled at her.
She leaned down for a kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, beautiful.”
“What’s the plan for tomorrow?”
Andrew frowned. “I need to meet with Adam.”
“Did you notice that the man on the train looked quite a bit like Adam.” She began to wring her hands. “Do you think he might be related?”
“I don’t know. That’s something I’m going to ask him.” He sighed. “Sweetheart?”
“Hm?”
“We’ll figure this out. Don’t worry. Our wedding will be perfect and everything is going to be fine.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
He kissed her again and they spent the next few hours trying to forget about the strange man and the threat. He didn’t want to leave her, even for one night, but his home wasn’t far enough away to justify staying the night.
* * *
“Edward, your incompetence is truly on my last nerve.”
“They’re never alone and entirely too protected, sir,” Edward said.
“They cannot possibly be surrounded at all times.”
“They have been so far.” Edward rubbed his forehead.
“You should have taken them on the train.”
“With no way of escape?” Edward whined. “Explain to me why that would have been a good idea.”
The other man paced the room, obviously agitated. “Those interfering bastards have ruined everything, to date. I want them stopped. I think now would be a good time to call in reinforcements.”
“Whom?”
“I think Christopher and Clayton need shaking up,” he continued as though he hadn’t heard Edward.
Edward’s blood ran cold. “This sounds personal.”
“Oh, it is.” He raised dead eyes to him. “Very personal.”
“So, how do you plan to shake them up?”
The man rubbed his chin. “Yes, I think they most definitely need to learn a lesson.”
He turned and walked out the door, leaving Edward scratching his head in confusion. He had no idea what he was supposed to do now.