CHARITY KNOCKED ON Hannah’s door. It opened just a crack and then all the way when Sophie saw it was Charity. “Come in,” she said. “Quickly.”
“What’s going on?” Charity asked.
“We’re scheming,” Emma said.
Charity sat on the edge of the bed. “Scheming?”
“Yes,” Hannah added. “We’re sick of our husbands dictating our lives to us.”
“Charity? Are you all right?” Sophie asked. “Have you been crying?”
She burst into tears and Sophie immediately pulled her into her embrace.
“What’s happened? Did Richard do something?”
“I want to go home,” Charity cried.
“What happened after he carried you from the table?” Emma asked. “Where did he take you?”
“To his barn. The tack room to be specific.”
“And?”
Charity scowled. “He touted the importance of the man’s role in the world and how it is the woman’s place to support and submit to him.” She started to pace, flailing her fists in the air. “He said he was going to travel with the men to find Quincy Butler and I would do well to keep the home fires burning.”
“He didn’t!” Emma exclaimed.
“Then he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, until I’m ashamed to say, I couldn’t remember what I was upset about.”
“Oh, Charity,” Sophie sympathized.
“Arrgh! He’s the most vexing man alive,” Charity complained.
“Been there,” Hannah said.
“Done that,” Emma grumbled.
“Bought the T-shirt,” Sophie ended.
Charity didn’t seem to hear them as she continued to pace.
“So, then what happened?” Sophie asked.
“Then he took my hand and we came back here. He told me to come upstairs and find you and went into the library.”
Hannah shifted in her seat. “Did he puff out his chest like he’d won something?”
Charity’s eyes widened. “Yes! Exactly.”
“And did he lean over and kiss your cheek and pat your hand as he directed you upstairs?” Emma added.
“Yes!”
“Hmm,” Sophie said.
Emma pursed her lips. “Time to get creative.”
“What are you thinking, evil one?” Hannah asked.
Emma raised an eyebrow. “I am thinking that they need to understand that we are independent, capable women, who make decisions all by our little ol’ selves.”
“Here we go,” Sophie said, although tempered it with a smile.
“They like to dictate their movements to us, without any warning, and I’m thinking we should give them a taste of their own medicine.”
“How do you propose we do that?” Sophie asked.
Emma tapped her lips with her finger. “Well, you’re limited because of Junior, but we will be less two husbands and a very overbearing boyfriend the day after tomorrow, so I say, let’s not be waiting when they get back.”
“Emma! What are you thinking?” Charity asked.
“I’m thinking, Charity, that you’re going to go home.”
“And so will I,” Hannah stated. “With you, of course, Em.”
“Of course.” Emma grinned. “Walter’s at our home in D.C., along with Hattie, and he will provide protection.”
“Yes, no point in being brash,” Sophie said sarcastically. “How do you plan to travel?”
Hannah smirked and looked at Emma.
“Vincent,” they both said at the same time.
“Why Vincent?” Charity asked.
“Because he will help us and not mention a word of it to anyone,” Hannah said.
“What do we do until then?” Charity asked.
“We pretend they’ve won.”
Charity grimaced. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
“Yes, you can Charity. Just remember the incident in the tack room and you’ll find the strength,” Emma promised.
“Well, I intend to make my Knight suffer a bit longer, so I hope you won’t mind if you’ll excuse me so that I can go to sleep,” Hannah said.
“I’ll help you with your clothes,” Emma offered.
“Ta.”
Sophie and Charity left the room and Charity decided to check on Gwen before she went downstairs to face Richard. Before she was able to open her door, she felt a familiar hand on her elbow. She turned and found Richard looming over her. “Join me in the parlor.”
“I want to check on Gwen,” she said.
“I’m certain Andrew will update you on her progress.”
Charity hissed and pulled her arm away. “I am going to check on my friend, Richard, and you will not stop me.”
Richard frowned. “Charity.”
She turned and slowly opened Gwen’s door and saw that she was sleeping soundly. She sighed in disappointment. Andrew crested the landing just as she pulled the door closed. “She’s still sleeping,” Charity said.
Andrew smiled. “Thank you, Charity. Would you like me to let you know when she wakes up?”
Richard shook his head. “That won’t be necessary, Andrew. Charity has had a long day, she should rest.”
Charity glared at Richard. “Yes, Andrew, please let me know when she wakes up.”
Andrew nodded and let himself into the room.
* * *
Gwen woke with a start. Her side was burning and she felt sick. She moved her hand and was relieved to feel Andrew next to her. “Andrew?” He groaned, but didn’t wake up. “Andrew?”
He sat up, but she could see he wasn’t quite awake. “Gwen? What’s amiss?” he said to the wall.
If she weren’t in so much agony, she would have laughed. “Andrew? Could you help me please?”
Andrew rubbed his eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“I need some of those tablets,” she whispered.
He climbed from the bed and retrieved two pills and some water. She sat up slightly, took the pills, and then let out a groan.
“Are you in pain?”
“Sorry, no.” She leaned back against the pillows. “I mean, yes, I’m in pain, but I just forgot you sleep naked.” She smiled. “I wonder if I will ever get used to seeing you like that.”
Andrew chuckled. “You could always join me, you know. My goal is to get you sleeping naked every night as well.”
Gwen raised an eyebrow. “And have you set a timeframe for this goal?”
He leaned over and kissed her. “Yes. We’ll shred all your nightgowns before our first anniversary.”
She giggled and then winced.
“I’m going to get Michael to look at your side, sweetheart.”
She nodded. “You should probably put some pants on first.”
Andrew pulled a shirt over his head. “You’re no fun.”
“Just wait until this heals. I’ll show you fun.”
“Promises, promises.” He pulled his pants on. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“All right, I’ll bring a tray on my way back.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her again and then left to find Michael. Gwen climbed slowly out of the bed and realized she was pretty much useless. She couldn’t bend to get the chamber pot and she couldn’t stand on her own without feeling dizzy. She had sat back down to wait for Andrew when there was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
Charity poked her head around the corner. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Char. You’re just the person I need.”
“What’s amiss?”
“I need some help and Andrew went to get Michael and breakfast, so won’t be back for a little while.”
Charity walked further into the room and closed the door. She helped Gwen with her more personal needs and then assisted her back into the bed.
“What happened yesterday after I left the dining room?” Gwen asked. “Did I hear yelling from Hannah’s room?”
“Yes,” Charity said. “Did we wake you?
“Yes and I caught some of it, but please tell me the rest,”
“The men have decided they are going to find your brother. Well, Jamie and Andrew aren’t going, but the other three are.”
“How do you feel about Richard going?”
Charity scowled. “I’m really angry, actually.”
“Did you talk to him about it?”
Charity groaned. “I tried, Gwen. He wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise and has determined that I am to stay behind and wait for him to come back. I don’t even live here!”
“Oh no,” Gwen said with a giggle. “Does he realize who he’s dealing with?”
Charity gave her an evil smile. “Apparently not, but he will. Sooner rather than later.”
“What have you done?” Gwen asked.
“It’s not what I’ve done, but what we’ve done.”
Charity laid out the plan that the girls had come up with the previous day. Gwen had a difficult time keeping a straight face.
“You are evil!” Gwen said.
Charity shook her head. “I haven’t even begun to get evil, Gwen. He’s never going to forget this incident for as long as he lives. I have an entirely additional plan in mind for him.”
“Do tell.”
“I’m going to enlist the aid of Franklin.”
“Atwood?”
“Yes. We’ve been good friends for years and I know he’ll play along.”
Gwen frowned. “Charity, what are you going to do?”
Charity sat in the chair next to the bed. “Frankie’s going to court me.”
“No! Char, you can’t! Richard will kill him,” Gwen said, slightly shocked at her friend.
“No he won’t. I’ll stop it before that happens.”
Gwen narrowed her eyes. “I thought you liked Richard.”
“I love him, Gwen. I love him more than life, but I also know I could never live with someone who doesn’t respect me. It’s almost as though there are two Richards. The one I love and the one I want to maim. Right now, Richard thinks I’m a quiet church mouse who enjoys being under his thumb.”
“You have always been entirely too forward, Charity.”
“Look who’s talking, Miss Gwendolyn.”
Gwen laughed and immediately regretted it. “Ow.”
“Sorry,” Charity said.
“No, it’s my fault. I keep forgetting I got shot.”
“You make that sound so insignificant,” Charity accused.
There was a knock at the door and Charity went to open it.
“Good morning, Richard,” Gwen heard her say.
“It’s time for breakfast, sweetheart.”
“Oh? Are you incapable of feeding yourself?” she quipped.
“Charity. You will join me for breakfast, please. I’ll wait here for you to let Gwen know.”
“Of course, Richard. I would love to join you. Just a moment.” She slammed the door and started to pace. “He is the most condescending, arrogant man I have ever met!”
“I think I might agree with you, Char,” Gwen said. “He certainly thinks you’re his for the taking.”
“I am going to teach that man a lesson, Gwen. I swear it.” Charity took a deep breath, smoothed her hands down her skirt, and opened the door. “I’ll see you later.”
Gwen could just imagine the fake smile she probably had pasted on her face as she let Richard lead her down the stairs.
Andrew returned with a tray full of food and Michael following with fresh bandages. He set everything down on the bureau and then poured her a cup of coffee while Michael checked her side.
“It’s starting to heal nicely, Gwen. In a day or two it will start to itch, but please refrain from scratching the area--you don’t want to pull the stitches out. You should get up and walk around at least twice today and then more tomorrow. Your blood needs to circulate.”
“Thank you, Michael.”
He put a fresh bandage on and then left the couple to eat.
“What delights have you brought me, husband?”
Andrew carried the tray to the bed and set it in the middle. He settled himself next to her and picked up a plate. “Bacon and eggs, along with Betty’s famous scones and fresh jam. What would you like?”
“All of it, please,” she said. “I am starved.”
“Let’s go slowly, sweetheart. We’ll start with a scone and see how your stomach feels.”
“All right,” she said reluctantly.
The couple finished their breakfast and Andrew helped Gwen get dressed so that she could join the family for a short visit.
Gwen sat on the sofa next to Hannah.
Christopher hovered and Hannah sent several irritated glances his way. “Knight, sit down. I’m fine.”
Christopher sat across from her and settled his ankle on his knee.
Hannah laid her hand on her stomach. “Do we know if this attack had anything to do with us? Has anyone talked with Madame?”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, I spoke with her yesterday. She doesn’t know anything.”
“The other man involved was Simon Burkett.”
Hannah frowned. “Burkett? As in, Thomas Burkett?”
Thomas Burkett had worked with Christopher in the War Department for over a year before they discovered he was working with a southern sympathizer. Come to find out, it wasn’t just any southern sympathizer. It was a man from the future who had attacked Hannah in her home and then disappeared before he could be apprehended. Thomas, on the other hand, had been apprehended, and according to Christopher, was not an ideal prisoner. He did whatever he could to incite riots and was now in solitary confinement.
Clayton nodded. “Yes. He went to school with Anthony, and called on him when Thomas was incarcerated. Simon wanted to help Thomas escape somehow and Tony and Tim were still angry about our run-in with Rose. Edward came into the plot later when he met Anthony through a colleague in Virginia. The men have been plotting for months.”
Hannah bit her lip. “That’s a relief, I suppose.”
“A relief?” Gwen asked.
“That it isn’t future related… it means we can relax a bit.”
“There is still the issue of Quincy, however.” Christopher picked at the crease in his trousers. “They seemed to know more than we do, and that concerns me.”
Gwen frowned. “Do you think they could hurt him… or send someone to hurt him?”
“It’s war, Gwennie, anything is possible.”
“Knight,” Hannah admonished.
Christopher sighed. “Sorry.”
Gwen shook her head. “Stop trying to protect me from everything. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve survived the worst so far. I think I can handle frank conversation about the safety of my brother.”
Andrew reached over and squeezed her hand.
The rest of the day was spent planning for the men’s departure. By the time Gwen fell into bed, she knew she would sleep like the dead.
* * *
Gwen woke the next morning, her side throbbing, but not as badly as it had the previous mornings. She took comfort in that fact and felt a certain relief that there was tangible proof she was healing.
Andrew suggested they join everyone for breakfast, since Christopher, Clayton, and Richard would be riding out right after breakfast. He helped her dress and then they made their way slowly down the stairs and into the dining room.
They found everyone sitting at the table, smiling and eating, but not a word was being spoken.
“Good morning.”
Andrew pulled a seat out for her.
“Good morning, Gwen. How are you feeling?” Hannah asked.
Gwen smiled. “Much better, thank you. Where are Mama and Daddy?”
“They are getting prepared for the trip home,” Christopher said.
“Oh, yes, that’s tomorrow. I’d forgotten,” Gwen said sadly.
“We’ll see them soon, sweetheart,” Andrew promised and kissed her cheek. He put her plate in front of her and poured a cup of coffee.
“When is everyone leaving?” Gwen asked.
“Shortly,” Clayton said.
Emma traded glances with Hannah and Charity and then focused on her plate.
Gwen laid her napkin on her lap. “When will you return?”
“We’ll be gone about four days. If we don’t find him in the next two, then we’ll head back. Clayton and I need to return to D.C. next week, so we can’t spend as much time looking as I’d like to,” Christopher explained.
Hannah wiped her mouth gently. “We’ll miss you terribly, Christopher. Won’t we girls?”
“Yes, it will be mind-numbingly awful,” Emma said melodramatically.
“Well, I for one am certain that Richard will ride quickly and return to me in one piece,” Charity said and then turned to him. “You are so big and strong, after all.”
Gwen choked on a laugh, but did her best to turn it into a cough.
Breakfast concluded and the men gathered a few supplies. They mounted their horses and took off. Gwen sat in the parlor with Andrew and the Fords to await the next steps.
The girls burst through the doors, giggling uncontrollably.
“What is going on?” Jamie asked.
Emma laid her hand over her mouth. “We stood on the porch waving our handkerchiefs—”
“Emma’s idea,” Hannah interrupted.
“A stroke of genius on my part. We waited until we could no longer see them.”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “Why is that so funny?”
“No reason,” Emma said and the girls laughed harder.
“What have you done, Squirt?”
She sobered quickly. “Done? What have we done? We sure as hell haven’t gone off on a wild goose chase, leaving our wives alone without warning, to ride into enemy territory.”
“They’re in deep, aren’t they?” he observed.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Sophie said.
Vincent walked in a few minutes later. “Are my girls ready?”
“Yes,” they said standing together.
Jamie frowned. “What’s going on?”
“I’m taking Charity home. And Hannah and Emma are going to stay with us for a few days,” he said.
Jamie’s eyes widened. “You can’t be serious!”
“Willie and I haven’t had this much fun in ages. We never get the opportunity to put one over on Christopher.”
Hannah grinned. “Well, I must say, I’m certainly glad you’re on my side.”
The group sat down to enjoy lunch together. Gwen was exhausted and took a nap as soon as she finished eating. She was able to join everyone again for dinner, but tired quickly, so Andrew forced her back to bed. She felt like she was missing something really big and grumbled right up until the time she fell asleep.
* * *
Andrew and Gwen spent the next three days in relative boredom. Her entire family had left with Hannah, Emma, and Charity in tow, leaving Gwen feeling sad at their desertion. They joined Sophie and Jamie for breakfast on the fourth morning and were surprised when Clayton, Christopher, and Richard walked in.
“What are you doing back so early?” Jamie asked.
“We weren’t even close,” Christopher said, frustrated.
Clayton poured himself a cup of coffee. “We kept going around in circles. I have an idea we can get more done from our offices.”
“Where’s Charity?” Richard said.
Gwen sipped her coffee and tried not to smile. “She’s not here.”
“Is she upstairs?”
“Wait a minute. Where’s Hannah?” Christopher asked.
“She’s not here, either,” Gwen said.
“Where is she, Gwennie?” Christopher growled, although Gwen was pretty certain he was figuring out exactly where she might be.
“Watch your tone, Chris,” Andrew warned.
Clayton swore. “They’re not in Harrisburg, are they?”
Sophie shook her head as she let out a slow grin. “No, they’re not, Clay. They have gone back to D.C.”
“Damn it!”
Sophie glared at him. “You brought it on yourselves, Clayton. I don’t know why you’re cursing.”
Clayton leaned down and narrowed his eyes at his sister-in-law. “Do you not remember what happened the last time you two schemers disobeyed us?”
“Clayton, I’ll lay you out flat if you continue to speak to my wife that way,” Jamie warned.
“Oh, please, I can handle Clayton, Jamie.” Sophie turned back to Clayton. “I didn’t realize you were her father, Clayton. I don’t think Emma did either.”
Richard suddenly turned and stormed out the door.
“Where’s he going?” Gwen asked.
“Maryland, I would imagine,” Clayton said.
“Shit!” Christopher bellowed and then turned to follow Richard, Clayton on his heels.
No one heard anything from anyone for two days. Gwen was healing more and more and was able to stay out of bed for longer periods of time. It was a mild day and Andrew suggested they sit outside on the porch and enjoy it. When she was settled, he brought her lemonade and cookies and they sat down to watch Sophie play with Junior on the lawn.
“I wonder how the reunions went,” Gwen said distractedly.
“I would guess, explosive,” Andrew said.
“I wish I could have seen it.”
Andrew raised an eyebrow at her. “You enjoy watching couples argue?”
Gwen shrugged. “Only when Hannah takes Christopher’s arrogance down a bit. You men can be somewhat overbearing at times. It gets tiresome.”
“You men? Are you including me in that?”
“Sometimes,” she said with a smirk.
“Gwendolyn, I’m hurt,” he said in mock upset.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll make sure you know when you’re doing it. That way you can stop yourself.”
He laughed and leaned over to kiss her. “I’ll show you arrogance, wife. Just wait until you’re completely healed.”
“Oh, really,” she whispered. “What will you do to me?”
“I’m going to start by…”
“Gwen! Gwen! Where are you?”
“Is that Charity?” Gwen stood to make her way back into the house.
“Gwendolyn!”
“I’m here, Char.”
Charity rushed through the doors of the parlor, entirely out of breath. Gwen stood just inside the French doors, concerned about her friend. “What’s going on?” Gwen asked.
“May I stay here, please?” Charity asked.
“Of course, but why? I thought you went home. Did Richard find you?”
“Yes, he found me.” Charity grimaced. “He was not happy.”
“Sit down, Gwen, before you fall down,” Andrew ordered, and Gwen sat on the sofa with Charity.
Andrew quietly turned and walked back outside so the girls could speak privately.
“Did he hurt you?” Gwen asked.
“No, nothing like that. He just yelled a lot and of course, tried to kill Frankie.”
Gwen sighed. “I warned you about that.”
“He was so angry, Gwen.” Charity shook her head. “I really thought his eyes might pop from his skull.”
Gwen patted Charity’s knee. “What did Frankie do?”
“What could he do? He ran home. Richard doesn’t know where he lives, thank the Lord, so I don’t think Franklin’s in any danger.”
“Well, did you two talk at all?” Gwen asked.
“Of course not. Richard wouldn’t let me. He really is the most vexing man alive. Luckily, daddy chased him off with a shotgun.”
Gwen gasped. “He didn’t!”
“He did. Richard kept yelling and daddy warned him twice. Anyway, Richard told me he was staying with your parents and he’d return first thing. I left before he got to my house this morning.”
“You left? What do you mean? How did you get here?”
“I convinced Henry to take me to the train station.”
“You rode the train here alone? Are you insane?” Gwen exclaimed.
“Well, what else was I supposed to do, Gwen? Richard wouldn’t listen to me, so I left him. I plan to see this game to its end.”
“Char.” Gwen groaned. “I think you may have gone a little too far this time, dear.”
“I don’t care. He’s driving me insane,” she grumbled.
“Come outside. Andrew will get you something to eat,” Gwen said and took her hand.
She led her outside and found Andrew playing with Junior. Sophie took the baby from him and he made his way to the girls. “What’s going on?”
“A certain someone convinced her big brother to put her on a train,” Gwen said.
“You rode here by yourself?” Andrew asked. “You could have been hurt, Charity.”
“No, I was fine. I stayed close to a family and made it appear as though I was with them.”
Gwen let out a sigh and looked at Andrew.
Andrew smiled. “Sit down you two and I’ll organize something to eat.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Gwen said.
“Where’s Sophie?” Charity asked.
“She was playing with Junior just a few minutes ago,” Gwen said, looking around. “Oh, there she is. She’s walking toward the arena. She’s probably taking Junior to see Samson.”
Charity lowered her eyes. “Do you think she’ll mind if I stay here?”
“Have you met Sophie?” Gwen quipped.
Charity giggled. “Yes, of course. She loves a full house.”
Gwen nodded. “Indeed. So, what are you going to do now, Char?”
“I’m going to wait for Richard to show up.”
“Good grief. He will, won’t he?” Gwen said.
“Of course. Even if he decides he doesn’t love me, he hates to lose, so he will come for pride’s sake.”
“Charity! He’s not going to stop loving you.”
Charity sighed. “He might, Gwen.”
“No, he won’t. You’ll have to sit down and talk, which I’m certain you will, but he won’t stop loving you.”
“I hope not,” Charity whispered. “I couldn’t bear it.”
Gwen took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “Tell me what happened with my brother?”
Charity giggled. “I’m not entirely sure, because I was already home, but Richard alluded it was heated between the two of them. Clayton wasn’t quite as angry, which Richard seemed to think was because he couldn’t handle his wife.”
Gwen gasped. “He did not actually say that?”
“Yes, he did,” Charity said. “That was what sent me over the edge, I think.”
“My word. He’s not very quick, is he?”
“No. I think he really believes some of the things he says.”
Andrew interrupted their conversation with more lemonade and some sandwiches.
“Did you make these?” Charity asked.
Gwen laughed. “Highly doubtful.”
“Betty to the rescue,” Andrew said. “As usual.”
The girls ate quickly and then Charity decided to take a bath. She and Gwen were walking through the parlor when they heard the front door slam. “Charity Edwina Short!”
Charity swore.
“Charity!” Richard bellowed.
“It’s now or never, dear,” Gwen said.
Charity opened the parlor door and moved into the foyer. Gwen saw Richard rush her and lift her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Charity screamed.
Gwen rushed into the foyer. “Don’t you dare hurt her!”
Richard turned and Gwen thought for certain she wouldn’t like what she heard, but was shocked to see him smiling. “I won’t hurt her, Gwen. We’re simply going to have a little discussion.”
“Put me down, Richard,” Charity said.
“No,” he said and the two disappeared into the library.
Gwen followed. The door hadn’t closed all the way, so she peeked through the crack.
“What the hell were you thinking, traveling alone on a train?” Richard bellowed.
“I had to get away from your arrogance, and since the only way to do that was to get on the first train here, I did it.”
Gwen jumped when she felt Andrew blow in her ear. “What are you doing?” he whispered.
She put her finger to her lips. “I’m listening to Charity put Richard in his place.”
Andrew rolled his eyes. Gwen turned back toward the door.
“Explain to me why you had to get away from my arrogance, Charity,” Richard continued.
“You showed up at my house…”
“And what did I find, Charity? My fiancée on the arm of that squirrelly little bastard, Francis,” he interrupted.
“His name is Franklin, Richard, and he wants to court me.”
“No, he doesn’t, Charity,” Richard said, a little quieter.
“Wait,” Charity said. “I am not your fiancée! You can’t just come in here and dictate everything! You’re so egotistical! Did you tell Frankie we were engaged?”
“He left before I had a chance, remember? He ran home to hide behind his mother’s skirts.”
Charity punched his chest. “Franklin Atwood is a wonderful man, one who is my friend and treats me as an equal. He listens to me and values my opinion. Something you know nothing about. I would be very lucky to be his wife, if he’ll have me,” she shrieked.
“That man will never touch you,” Richard growled.
“Why not? What if I want him to?” Charity challenged.
Richard grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her.
Gwen glanced up at Andrew and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Are you telling me you want him to do that, Charity?” Richard asked.
Charity shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“What about this?”
Andrew pulled Gwen away from the door and literally dragged her back into the parlor.
“What are you doing?” she complained. “The conversation was just starting to get good.”
“It’s none of our business, and they need to work it out themselves.” Andrew led her to the sofa.
“You are no fun!”
“How’s your side, sweetheart?”
She sighed. “It’s burning.”
“Sometimes, Gwendolyn Simmonds, I have the urge to take you over my knee.”
She glanced up at him. “Like on page sixty-two?”
“Excuse me?” he asked.
“Of our book. Isn’t that on page sixty-two?”
He kissed her quickly and stood. “I’m going to get you a couple of those tablets.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now. If I don’t, I’ll end up carrying you up to bed and ripping your stitches out.”
Gwen giggled. “The way I’m feeling right now, Andrew, I’d let you.”
He strode out of the room. Gwen sighed and let her body fall back onto the sofa. She turned her head when she heard the rustling of skirts. Charity stood in the doorway, her hand at her mouth, her hair a mess, and tears in her eyes.
“Are you all right?” Gwen asked, concerned.
Charity nodded.
“What happened?” Gwen patted the sofa beside her. “Come sit.”
Charity walked slowly to her and sat down.
“Char? What happened? Is everything all right?”
Charity nodded.
“Dearest, you’re going to have to use words, because I cannot for the life of me understand what you’re trying to say.”
Charity giggled. “I’m getting married.”
Gwen let out a little squeal. “I knew it! What happened? Tell me everything.”
Charity pulled her left hand from behind her back and showed Gwen her ring. Gwen hugged her. “Char, that’s incredible. But, it didn’t sound like you were being proposed to, so what changed?”
“How do you know what it sounded like?” Charity asked, her eyes narrowing. Gwen felt her face heat up and suddenly studied her fingernails. Charity scowled. “You are the nosiest person alive. You listened, didn’t you?”
“Guilty,” Gwen said.
“No, you’re not. You’re entirely too smug to feel any guilt.”
“You’re right. So, tell me everything,” Gwen said.
“Did you hear all of it?”
“Obviously not, Charity, or I’d know about the proposal.”
“Gwendolyn!” Charity said with a huff. “When did you walk away? Wait, let me rephrase. When did Andrew drag you away?”
Gwen grinned. “When Richard kissed you.”
“Which time?”
“My word,” Gwen said. “The first time.”
“Hmm. Well, he kissed me several more times, attempting to make his point,” Charity began. “But when he realized I was onto him, the bluster went out of him. I sat in one of the chairs and he sat down on the hearth and listened. Truly listened. I told him everything I was feeling and my frustration with him over the past few weeks and he apologized. He said that I was right and could I ever forgive him?”
“And could you?” Gwen asked.
Charity lifted her left hand up again.
“Right. Of course,” Gwen said.
“He promised he would do his best to include me on decisions and be my partner in all things and then he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.”
Charity’s eyes were filling with tears. “Oh, Charity, how romantic.”
“No, Gwen. That’s not the romantic part.”
“Tell me.”
“He told me he stood on the porch of my house with my father pointing a gun at him this morning and professed his love for me and would he please give us his blessing, because he couldn’t live without me.”
Tears started to stream down Gwen’s cheeks. “Oh, Char. What did your father say?”
“Apparently, Daddy knew it all along and asked him why it took him so long to come to his senses.”
Gwen laughed and hugged her friend. “I always liked your father,”
“Me too,” Charity admitted.
“I’m so happy for you, dear,” Gwen said.
“Thank you.”
“Charity?”
The girls turned to see Richard standing in the doorway. “Would you like to go for a ride?”
“Yes, I’d love to.” She jumped up and joined him.
“Congratulations, you two,” Gwen said.
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
Andrew returned several minutes later with water and pills. Gwen took them and then filled him in on everything that happened. Andrew laughed and agreed with her that both Richard and Charity had finally met their match. He leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
As the couple sat on the front porch after dinner, Gwendolyn reflected on the love Andrew had shown her. Who would have ever thought she would have been so blessed? The odds had been stacked against them, but love had conquered war and ransom.
She was the luckiest woman alive.