GWEN SLEPT FOR almost four hours. Andrew rested beside her, in and out of slumber, but never falling completely under. He felt her stir and turned his head slowly in an attempt not to jostle her.
“Andrew?” she whispered.
“I’m here.” He rolled on his side to face her. “How do you feel, sweetheart?”
“Better.”
He stroked her cheek. “Promise?”
She smiled. “Promise. Could I please have one of the tablets and some water?”
“Of course,” Andrew said and climbed off the bed. He poured water and then helped her to sit up. She took the pill and her body seemed to droop into the pillows against the headboard. “You should rest.”
Gwen let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s all I have been doing. I’m sick of it.”
“You were shot, sweetheart.”
“Really?” she rasped sarcastically.
There was a knock at the door and Gwen pulled the covers further over her body. Andrew opened the door and found Hannah on the other side. “How’s the patient?”
“I’m frustrated,” Gwen called out.
Hannah laughed and walked over to the bed. “Cabin fever?”
“If that means I’m tired of being in bed, then, yes.”
Hannah smiled sympathetically. “Perhaps you could join us for dinner.”
“Absolutely not,” Andrew said. “It’s too soon and she needs to rest.”
Gwen rolled her eyes. “I would love to join everyone for dinner.”
“Gwendolyn,” Andrew growled.
“One hour, sweetheart. Please?” Gwen pleaded.
“You need to rest. The process of dressing for dinner alone could wear you out,” Andrew argued.
“She wouldn’t need to get completely dressed. It’s just us,” Hannah argued. “She could even go without a corset and no one would care.”
Andrew paced the room and then turned toward them. “One hour.”
“Thank you.” Gwen sighed.
“Are you up for visitors? Your mother and Charity are beside themselves with worry,” Hannah asked.
“Absolutely.”
Hannah left the room and retrieved Charity, who rushed to Gwen’s side.
“Where’s Mama?” Gwen asked.
“She’ll be here shortly,” Charity answered.
Andrew left them alone to catch up.
“I was so worried about you,” Charity said as she kissed her on the cheek.
“Well, as you can see, I’m very well.”
Charity frowned. “I’m not certain ‘very well’ is accurate, Gwen.”
“Better, then. What happened with you? Why did Michael have to examine you?” Gwen asked.
“I fainted and apparently the chair went with me. I bruised my shoulder and got a bump on my head.”
Gwen gasped and tried to sit up a little straighter. “You don’t faint, Char. What happened?”
She saw Charity shiver. “One of the men pointed a gun at me and Richard shot him.”
“My word.”
“In the middle of his head,” Charity whispered.
“Well, I can see why you fainted, then.”
“It was positively horrific.” Charity wrinkled her nose. “There was so much blood and the smell was awful.”
“How is Richard?”
“Other than the fact he’s hovering, he’s fine. He didn’t even think, Gwen. He just raised his pistol and fired. I’ve never seen a man so… I don’t know… lethal.”
“Does that change the way you feel toward him? The fact he took a man’s life?”
“Not at all. He protected me. I’ve also never had a man do that for me.”
Gwen smiled. “It is quite remarkable. Where is Richard now?”
“Outside the door,” Charity said. “He won’t let me out of his sight.”
“A bit like Andrew.”
“I had to force him to stay outside one of the rooms earlier, so that I could use the chamber pot. It was embarrassing.”
“I have a feeling an engagement will be happening soon,” Gwen said.
Charity sighed. “I do hope so.”
“Are you truly all right, Char? I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt.”
Charity squeezed her hand. “Gwen, I’m fine. I promise.”
There was a knock at the door and Charity went to answer it. She gave a little huff as she listened to Richard. “Richard, I’ll be out in a minute,” Gwen heard his muffled voice on the outside of the door and saw Charity’s shoulders straighten.
“Richard, stop. I’m inside the room of my closest friend, with you standing guard in the hallway. No one can harm me, and you do not need to physically see me to know that.”
He growled. Gwen smiled.
“Fine. Yes, I’ll be out in a moment. No, I’m not coming out right now. I will as soon as Mrs. Butler arrives to visit. You are vexing, Richard. I hope you realize that,” Charity said.
She closed the door and returned to the chair beside the bed.
“What was that all about?” Gwen asked.
“He can’t see me through the door and wants me downstairs with him.”
“Yes, an engagement is definitely on the horizon.”
They only got to visit for a few minutes more before Gwen’s mother arrived and Charity left as promised. Gwen heard Richard and Charity arguing as the door closed.
“Mama,” Gwen said.
“Baby girl. How are you?”
“I’m much better. I heard you had a scare.”
Wilhelmina chuckled. “Would it be terrible of me to admit I wasn’t really frightened? Just exhilarated?”
“Why weren’t you frightened?” Gwen asked.
“I knew your brother would save the day. He always does.”
“You are full of surprises, Mama.” Gwen shifted, grimacing from the pain. “How are Daddy and Jake?”
“They are well. They were able to get the fire under control and now Clayton and Richard are assessing the damage.”
“How heartbreaking to watch your home burn,” Gwen said.
“It can be rebuilt, sweetheart. We must be thankful no one was hurt.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“Well, my dearest, I understand you’re going to try to join us for dinner.”
“Yes. I’m sick of being in bed,” Gwen admitted.
“I remember when I was ordered to bed at the end of my pregnancy with Jacob.” Her mother patted her hand. “I didn’t like it much, so I empathize with you. But, you must promise to take it easy.”
“I will, Mama. Especially with my husband being ever watchful.”
Wilhelmina smiled. “Andrew is a wonderful man, Gwen. You chose very well.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
Andrew returned a few minutes later and hugged his mother-in-law. “The scream diversion was pure genius.”
“It just came to me,” Wilhelmina said and then whispered, “I had fun.”
Andrew laughed. “Well, let’s try not to make a habit of getting kidnapped.”
She nodded. “Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter, Andrew.”
“Believe me, it’s entirely my pleasure.” Wilhelmina hugged him again and left the room. Andrew walked to the bed and kissed his wife. “Ready to try and get dressed?”
Gwen threw the covers off and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Absolutely.”
“Slowly, Gwendolyn,” Andrew said as he guided her to a sitting position.
“Do I have a dress here?”
“Actually, Jamie brought two from the house. You have your green day dress and the blue velvet.”
“The green one, I think. It will be more comfortable.”
“Your wish is my command, my lady,” Andrew quipped.
Gwen giggled. “Oh, if only that were true at all times.”
“Come on, love. Let’s get you out of that nightgown.” He drew it over her head and gasped at the bruising around her wound. “My beautiful girl.”
“Andrew,” she said with a frustrated sigh, knowing what would come next.
“That’s it,” he said. “Back to bed.”
“No.” Gwen grasped the bedpost. “It’s just a small bruise.”
“Gwendolyn Simmonds, it is not a small bruise. The entire side of your body is purple!”
“Please don’t make me stay in here. I know it looks bad, but it truly is better.”
Andrew ran his hands through his hair. “What do you want me to say, Gwen? You have a gunshot wound, for God’s sake. There is still the possibility it could get infected and you could get very sick.”
“One hour is not long, Andrew. I promise that if I’m in pain, I will tell you immediately and you can hide me away again.” He glanced at her and then back at her bruise. Gwen cupped his cheek. “Please.”
“One hour, sweetheart. Against my better judgment.”
“Duly noted,” she said.
He helped her dress and then brushed her hair for her. She pulled it into a simple chignon, unable to do anything else with it. It hurt to raise her hands above her head, so she still had wisps of hair that refused to cooperate and was forced to leave it.
“You look beautiful,” Andrew said.
“The dark rings under my eyes and sallow skin are attractive to you?”
“I don’t see any of those things.”
“You are a terrible liar, but I appreciate you trying.” She kissed him.
They made their way slowly down the stairs, Andrew gripping her arm tightly.
“Andrew?”
“Hmm?”
“Your grip is just a bit tight.”
He loosened it immediately. “Sorry, sweetheart. How are you doing?”
She took a shallow breath. “I’m fine.”
They walked into the parlor and Andrew was relieved to see it was in fact, a small gathering. Well, a small one compared to the past. The majority of the family was still in attendance, including the Fords and the Maddens.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
Gwen rolled her eyes. “The same as I was thirty seconds ago.”
Andrew sighed but refrained from comment.
“Hi!” Hannah said and hugged her gently.
Christopher was standing behind Hannah and did the same, only he didn’t release his sister quite as quickly. “How are you?” he whispered in her ear.
Gwen scanned the group. “May I just say this once? I am fine. I will tell you if I’m not. Please let that answer be sufficient.”
Andrew led her to a chair and helped her to sit. Gwen’s mother and father monopolized her until dinner was announced. Gwen smiled as she saw Charity being led to the table by Richard. He hadn’t relinquished her hand, despite Charity’s attempts to separate herself from him. At one point, she mouthed “sorry” to Gwen from the other side of the room and Gwen knew they probably wouldn’t get to talk again tonight.
Andrew sat beside her and wouldn’t let her do a thing. He served her and at one point, she had to stop him from trying to feed her. “Sweetheart, I can lift a fork to my mouth,” she argued in a whisper.
“Sorry,” he said, although she wasn’t convinced he actually was.
“What’s the plan, now, son?” Vincent asked Christopher.
“The plan?” Christopher lowered his fork and glared at his father. “What makes you think there is one?”
Vincent lowered his head in contrition.
All eyes turned to Christopher and Clayton. They put their heads down and continued to eat. Hannah put her hand on Christopher’s arm. “Knight?”
“Yes, precious?”
“Don’t you “precious” me, mate. What have you two done?” Hannah asked.
“It’s nothing significant,” he said.
“Clayton Bamphfield Madden, what have you two planned?” Emma cut in.
The men looked at each other once again and then over at Jamie.
“Jamie?” Sophie asked in surprise. “Don’t tell me you’re involved in this.”
“Thanks a lot, guys,” he grumbled in their general direction and then turned to Andrew. “You don’t get off scott-free, mister. Neither do you, Richard.”
“What have you done, husband?” Sophie asked.
Jamie stared at his plate. “We’re going to find Quincy.”
The girls seemed to stand in one fluid motion. Gwen stayed seated, but her body language said pure attack.
The girls all started to speak at once. Each one yelling at her husband, each in her unique ways. Sophie used “James” several times in the span of one sentence. Emma used physical punishment, choosing to punch Clayton in the arm, while Hannah went off in a kiwi tirade, no one understanding a word she said. Charity never raised her voice, but everyone knew she was giving Richard the set-down of a lifetime. When her head began to pound from the noise, Gwen stood.
“Sit down,” Andrew growled.
“No.”
“Gwendolyn! Sit down,” Andrew repeated and then stood and bellowed, “Everyone, sit down!”
The girls stopped mid-sentence and stared at him. Gwen let out a quiet gasp. She’d never recalled a time when Andrew had raised his voice in anger. The group sat down slowly.
“What do you mean, you are going to find Quincy?” Gwen asked.
“We have a general idea of where his unit is, so we are going to ride out there and make sure he is safe,” Christopher explained.
“You can’t all mean to go,” Sophie said.
“Why not?” Jamie asked.
She frowned. “Seriously?”
Jamie shrugged. “Safety in numbers, baby.”
“Good lord, James. You’re going to leave your wife and baby to fend for themselves in war time?” He lowered his head but refrained from comment. “No. Absolutely not,” Sophie said.
“Ten-Cow,” Jamie growled.
She stood and stalked out of the room.
“Sophie!” he yelled and followed.
When the couple left the room, Charity turned to Richard. “Why do you need to go, Richard?” Charity asked quietly.
He seemed to squirm in his seat. “To assist,” he said.
Charity crossed her arms. “I don’t want you to go.”
“Charity, I’m going.”
“Oh, really?”
“I’m not going to have this argument with you,” Richard growled.
She nodded her head, uncrossed her arms, and turned back to her plate. She slowly cut a piece of meat and popped it into her mouth.
“You’ll see, sweetheart, I won’t be gone long,” Richard said, obviously thinking he had won.
She ignored him. Richard put his hand on her arm.
“Unhand me, please, Mr. Madden,” she said, a little too politely.
Hannah looked over at Gwen, who had her hand in front of her mouth, trying to hide a smile.
“Charity,” he growled but didn’t budge.
She pulled her arm from him and moved her chair slightly away from him.
Richard threw his napkin on the table, bent down, and lifted Charity into his arms. She squealed and dropped her cutlery as he carried her from the room. Uncharacteristically of Charity, she started to yell at him as they moved toward the library.
“My word,” Wilhelmina said. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard Charity raise her voice.”
Gwen couldn’t help but giggle. “She never has raised her voice to you, Mama.”
“So, now that I have apparently caused a significant stir, what is the plan?” Vincent asked.
“Vincent,” Wilhelmina said with a sigh.
Christopher sighed. “We have an idea where Warren’s unit is, so the plan is for Clayton and me to ride out tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow?” Hannah bellowed her interruption.
“Hannah…” Christopher started. She didn’t let him get far.
Hannah jabbed her fork toward him. “Let me understand something. You were planning on riding out of here tomorrow, without so much as a good-bye…”
“I was going to say good-bye, sweetheart.”
Hannah dropped her fork with a clatter. “I’m not finished!”
Christopher bowed his head.
“You were going to ride away without discussing the plan with us. What were we supposed to do? Just sit back and watch you leave, like nice little subservient wives?”
“There’s no way in hell that’s going to happen!” Emma countered.
“Language, Emma,” Clayton warned.
“Hell, Clayton! Hell, hell, hell. I cannot believe you!”
“Sweet, it’s done. We’ve made the decision,” he said.
“Sod off, Clayton,” Hannah snapped.
“Don’t tell him to sod off, Hannah. It’s your idiot husband who probably had the idea in the first place,” Emma snapped.
“MY idiot husband? What about yours? He’s the biggest shit-stirrer on the planet. He’s the one who probably pumped everyone up for some misguided sense of action.”
“Ladies, please,” Andrew said.
“Shut up, Andrew,” they both said in unison.
Gwen was shocked. She stood and pointed a finger at them.
“Don’t tell Andrew to shut up! He’s not the one who started this whole mess!” Gwen snapped. She whimpered and sat back down. Everyone rushed to her side, immediately contrite.
“I’m sorry, Gwen,” Hannah said.
Emma sighed. “Me too, Gwen. I feel horrible.”
“I’ll be fine,” Gwen whispered.
“Sorry, Han-Han. I wasn’t really mad at you,” Emma said.
“I know, lovey, I’m sorry as well. I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” Hannah said.
“I’m taking Gwen back up to bed,” Andrew said and lifted her into his arms. “You four need to decide what to do. I, however, won’t be leaving Gwen.”
Andrew carried his wife upstairs and laid her gently on the bed. Tears were streaming down her face and to say that he was nervous about her well-being was an understatement. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I think this was a little too difficult an undertaking.”
“No Andrew. I wanted to be downstairs, I just shouldn’t have yelled at everyone.”
“You were defending my honor.”
“Yes, and it hurt.”
He sat down beside her and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry, beautiful. I’ll get you something for the pain.”
“No morphine.”
Andrew gave a frustrated sigh. “It will help, Gwen.”
“No morphine, Andrew. Promise me.” He stood and collected two pills and a glass of water. He handed them both to her without comment and she took them. “Thank you.”
“Against my better judgment,” He grumbled.
“I don’t like to feel clouded.” She patted the bed and waited for him to sit next to her. She raised her chin for a kiss, and sighed when he broke it. “I hate this.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you hate, beautiful?”
“I hate that I can’t rip your clothes off and try page number thirty-nine. Do you remember that one?” She slumped on the pillows.
“Probably,” he said carefully.
“The one where the lady is bent over…”
“Gwendolyn Simmonds, death of me… death of me!”
“I’m sorry,” she said with a giggle. “I’ll be good.”
“You should rest,” he said.
“I am actually a bit tired now. Could you help me undress, please?”
“Of course.”
Andrew helped her with her skirts and hoops. She decided to keep her chemise on and climbed slowly back into the bed.
“You sleep, sweetheart,” he said and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go downstairs for a little while, but I’ll be back before you wake up.”
She nodded and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Andrew blew out the lamp and made his way downstairs to see if his brother-in-law was still alive. No one was in the dining room, so he went to the library. Christopher and Clayton were sipping rather full glasses of whiskey.
Andrew grimaced. “Ah, so this is where you’ve been exiled to?”
“For now, yes,” Christopher said.
“When those two join together, there’s no point trying to fight. They are holed up in Hannah’s bedroom and won’t come out,” Clayton added.
“Where are Jamie and Richard?” Andrew asked.
Clayton grimaced.
“What?”
“Apparently, after Sophie yelled for close to half an hour, she excused herself and stalked out to the barn.”
“Uh-oh,” Andrew said.
“Yes, she took Samson for a ride.”
“Alone?”
“Yes. Jamie has gone looking for her,” Christopher said.
“She probably rode out to the lake,” Andrew said.
Clayton swirled the liquid in his glass. “We hope so.”
“We’re not certain where Richard took Charity. Perhaps to the cabin.”
“Is it finished?” Andrew asked.
Clayton sighed. “Not quite, but if Charity wants to yell at him, no one will hear.”
“Well, you’ve both made a mess of it, I’d say,” Andrew said.
“As much as I’d like to disagree, I think you’re right,” Christopher said.
“Why don’t we ever learn?” Clayton added.
“Because you’re all idiots,” Sophie said as she walked in the room, closely followed by Jamie.
“Ten-Cow. Be nice,” Jamie admonished.
“You want nice?” she warned.
“Never mind,” he said with a grimace.
“Where are my sisters?” she asked.
“They’ve locked themselves in Hannah’s room,” Clayton said.
Without another word, Sophie turned and walked out the door. Jamie walked to where Michael hid his whiskey and poured himself a glass. “Anyone else?”
The men held up the glasses they’d already poured and Jamie chuckled. “What about you, Andrew?”
“No, thank you.” He needed a clear head to take care of Gwen so refrained from imbibing.
Jamie sat on the window bench. “Where’s Richard?”
“We’re not certain,” Christopher admitted.
Jamie sipped his drink. “Well, let’s figure out what we’re going to do about this Quincy matter. I’m going to have to bow out of joining you, but will assist in any other way I can.”
“Yes, I’ll be staying behind also. I can’t leave Gwen right now,” Andrew said.
Before any discussion could begin, Richard walked into the room.
“Hey there,” Jamie said. “How’d it go with Charity?”
“She’s fine now. She understands her place,” Richard said.
Andrew shook his head.
Jamie drew a breath through his teeth, causing a quiet whistle. “What do you mean by ‘she understands her place’?”
Richard sat on the hearth. “I simply explained to her that I will be leaving and there would be no further discussion on the matter.”
Jamie and Clayton exchanged looks.
“Good luck with that one,” Jamie said.
“Charity will be fine,” Richard said.
“How long have she and Gwen been friends?” Jamie asked.
“Since birth. Why?” Andrew answered.
“Oh, nothing,” he said.
Andrew noticed Richard didn’t appear to have a care in the world. He had a feeling Jamie knew something Richard didn’t and wondered what that might be. Jamie was the most intuitive man about women he’d ever met, so he knew he would need to ask him once they were alone.
“So what’s the plan?” Richard asked.
“We’ll leave in two days…” Clayton started.
“I thought we were leaving tomorrow?” Richard interrupted.
“Well, that has changed,” he snapped.
Richard laughed. “How is it we were raised in the same house, Clay? You need to handle your wife better.”
Clayton stood, ready to fight, but Jamie stood and held his hand out. “No, Clayton, really. Richard is probably right.” Clayton scowled, but Jamie simply widened his eyes. “Look at how quickly Richard brought Charity to heel, Clayton. Perhaps he knows something the rest of us don’t.”
Clayton nodded and took his seat again. “Right. Yes, oh wise big brother of mine.”
“As Clayton was saying,” Christopher continued. “We’ll leave in two days. I have coordinates of Warren’s movements, so we’ll head that way.”
The men continued to discuss their plans, while upstairs the women were doing some planning of their own.