ANDREW WATCHED THE girls for several minutes before making his way back to the house. As he stepped onto the back porch, he almost ran into Samuel.
“Leaving so soon?” Andrew’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Samuel handed him a sealed letter. “Please give this to Gwen and don’t hurt her again, or you’ll deal with me.” Without further comment, he mounted his horse and took off down the driveway.
Andrew slipped the note inside his jacket, resisting the urge to open it, and went into the house to find Jamie. He found him in the library with Clayton, glasses of amber liquid in their hands. Andrew entered the room and Jamie poured and handed him one as well. “How’s the reconciliation going?” Jamie asked.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Better than I expected. You were right.”
Jamie chuckled. “I usually am.”
Clayton sipped his drink. “Will there be another wedding soon?”
“If it’s within my control.” Andrew sat in the chair facing Jamie. “Where’s Chris?”
Jamie nodded towards the door. “He’s tending to Hannah. She hasn’t been feeling well.”
Andrew took a sip of his drink. “Nothing serious, I hope.”
“I think she’ll be fine,” Jamie said. “Were you out at the arena?”
Andrew nodded. “Yes. I argued internally about joining the ladies. I don’t know that they should ride alone.”
Jamie groaned. “We’ve tried to stop them in the past and that turned out catastrophic, so we compromised. They’ll ride to the lake and back. They have almost two hours before dark, so plenty of time to make it.”
“It’s the safest route, still close to the camp. As long as they stay mounted, they’ll be safe. There are four of them, after all.” Clayton sounded as though he were trying to convince himself, rather than anyone else in the room. “The truth is our wives can outride almost anyone they might come in contact with, so we don’t worry. Much.”
“Besides, anyone that might think to threaten Sophie will get a swift kick from Samson,” Jamie added. “He’s her equine bodyguard.”
Andrew chuckled and downed his drink.
Christopher joined them thirty minutes later. He took his seat at the small card table and lit up a cigar.
“How’s Hannah?” Clayton asked.
“Much better. Although, the forced rest isn’t a popular order.”
“Hannah doesn’t follow orders well,” Jamie provided.
Clayton grinned. “I’m not looking forward to being in your situation.”
“Are congratulations in order?” Andrew asked.
Clayton nodded. “Yes. Emma’s with child.”
After a few minutes of best wishes, the men returned to their game of cards. They didn’t get very far.
“James?” Richard knocked and pushed open the door.
Jamie turned to face him and rose to his feet. “Yes, Richard?”
“You’ve been called up.” He handed him the missive.
Jamie nodded and left the room with Richard. Shortly after Jamie left, Emma knocked on the door and poked her head inside. “Hi. I just wanted to let you know we’re back.”
Clayton rose to his feet and made his way over to her. “How was your ride?”
“Where are the rest of the ladies?” Andrew asked as he and Christopher also stood.
Emma grinned and presented her cheek to Clayton for a kiss. “The ride was great and the rest of the ladies are upstairs getting cleaned up. Charity had a minor incident and Gwen was forced to assist.”
Andrew frowned. “What happened? Is she—are they hurt?”
“No… no one was hurt.” Emma smiled gently. “Really. She just got a little muddy.”
Andrew moved toward the door. “I’ll check on her.”
“Gwen’s changing, Andrew.” Emma smiled. “She’ll be down when she’s cleaned up.”
He gave a reluctant nod.
“Anyway, I’m going to change as well,” Emma said.
Clayton turned to follow. “I’ll come with you.”
“No, it’s okay.” Emma patted his chest. “I promised Charity I’d help her so Gwen could spend a little extra time on herself. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Clayton kissed her quickly and let her go. Andrew took his seat and sipped his drink as he stared at the fireplace.
“Andrew?”
He turned to Clayton. “Hmm?”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been staring at the empty grate for almost thirty minutes.”
Andrew frowned and pulled out his pocket watch. “Has it been a half hour?”
Christopher chuckled. “It’s been long enough for you to lose your hand to me.”
Andrew shifted his gaze to his cards, still lying face-down on the small table. Andrew stood. “Why don’t we find out if Jamie requires anything before he leaves?”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “He’s not leaving for several days.”
“All the more reason to help him prepare.”
Clayton shrugged and stood to follow, while Christopher chose to check on Hannah. They arrived at the arena to find Emma standing with Sophie, who was in tears and cradling Junior in her arms. Jamie’s attempts to calm her appeared to be failing.
“This is so stupid! You should stay here. With us.” Sophie shifted Junior and pulled him closer. “Your wife and your child!”
Jamie patted her back. “I’m not leaving for over a week.”
“So?” Sophie leaned against him. “Jamie, the Battle of Trevilian Station will be the largest all-cavalry battle of the Civil War. Grant will order Sheridan to make a raid along the Virginia Central Railroad.”
“Shh, Ten-Cow, keep your voice down.” He glanced around the empty arena and then pulled her into his embrace. “I have to go. You know I do.”
Sophie sobbed. “I hate this.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
Emma gathered Junior into her arms as Clayton joined her, and Sophie sagged against Jamie.
“Ten-Cow, you need to go inside the house with Emma. Junior’s probably hungry, and you need to rest.”
Sophie shook her head. “I’m fine.”
Jamie tipped her chin up. “You just had a baby, sweetheart. You need to rest. You can walk me through what you remember after dinner.”
“Jamie’s right, Sophie,” Andrew added. “Nothing can be solved out here in the heat.”
“Didn’t we have a conversation a while ago about you being an annoying brotherly figure in my life?”
Andrew smiled. “Yes, we did. However, it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop.”
Jamie mouthed, “Thank you,” as Andrew led Sophie and Emma back to the house.
* * *
Gwen finally managed to clean off the mud caked to her hands and in her hair. Her bath had taken longer than expected, but it couldn’t be helped. As she stepped out of the room she was sharing with Charity, everything seemed too quiet, and Charity still hadn’t returned from her bath, so Gwen went looking for her. She figured Andrew would still be with the rest of the men--Emma had warned her that they could be shut away for hours at a time.
Richard and Clayton kept a small staff, and even they seemed to be absent as she roamed the lower floor. As she approached one of the back offices—Clayton’s, I think?—she heard noise from inside, so she knocked.
“Come in,” Andrew called.
Gwen pushed the door open in surprise. “What are you doing here? I thought you were with the men.”
“Our meeting concluded quickly.” He smiled and held his hand out to her. “I’ve been waiting for you.” She made her way over to him and took his hand. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “How was your ride?”
“Exhilarating.” Gwen’s heart raced as he continued to hold her hand, the physical touch unusual for her.
“What happened with Charity?”
Gwen raised an eyebrow. “You heard?”
Andrew nodded. “Emma said something about it when she told us you had returned from your ride.”
Gwen bit her lip. “Her horse stopped suddenly and she fell.”
“Was she hurt?”
“No, not at all. She landed in a large mud puddle which cushioned her fall, I think, but I had to help her out.”
Andrew squeezed her hand. “Why did you have to help her out?”
Gwen blushed. “She was stuck.” She took a deep breath and lowered her voice. “Her skirts were soaked through, and they were dragging her down.”
“Sweetheart, why are you blushing?”
Gwen wrinkled her nose. “I shouldn’t be discussing my friend’s skirts with you,” she whispered.
Andrew chuckled and kissed her fingers. “I hope that you will soon find that you can discuss anything with me.”
Gwen smiled tentatively and pulled her hand away in order to sit down. “Speaking of Charity, I can’t find her. Have you seen her?”
“No. She’s probably resting.”
“Perhaps.”
Andrew pulled a letter from his jacket pocket and handed it her. “This is for you.”
“What’s this?”
“Open it.” He gave her a few minutes to read the note.
Gwen sighed. “Oh, Sam.”
“What did he say?”
Slapping the note against her hand, she smiled. “He just wished me well and said he’d see me when I got home.”
Andrew shook his head. “Like hell he will.”
Gwen rolled her eyes. “He’s my friend, Andrew.”
Andrew pushed away from the desk. “You’re not going to see him. At home, or anywhere else, for that matter.”
Gwen leaned forward. “Of course I’m going to see him again.”
“Don’t push me on this, Gwendolyn.”
Gwen rose to her feet. “Andrew, he’s been my friend for years… and particularly during an incredibly difficult time. You will not dictate who I see and don’t see. Moreover…” she leaned against the desk and narrowed her eyes at him, “… explain to me how my friendship with Samuel Powell is any different than your friendship with Ann.”
“Ann and I have never been any more than friends.”
“Neither have Sam and I,” she pointed out. Andrew mumbled under his breath and Gwen frowned. “You’re being ridiculous. Why are you so upset?”
Andrew closed the distance between them, leaned his hands against the desk, and came face to face with her. “I cannot imagine after kissing you, that he’d so easily let you go. I am unconvinced he won’t try to win you back somehow.”
Gwen couldn’t stop a laugh as she leaned away from him. “He’s never kissed me. In fact, no one other than you has ever kissed me.”
Andrew narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
“He didn’t.” Gwen smiled. “Sam knew how I felt about you from the very beginning, and in the end, we realized that we could never be anything more than friends. He never tried anything physical… outside of today, of course. He admitted he did it to make you a little crazy.”
A strangled sound came from Andrew’s throat.
“You sound like Chris.” He glared at her and Gwen giggled as she kissed his cheek quickly. “Andrew. I love you. Don’t be a horse’s arse.”
“Gwen!”
Gwen shrugged. “I learned that from Hannah, but it’s appropriate I think.”
He straightened and pulled her away from the desk. “You’ll be the death of me.”
“Perhaps.” Gwen grinned. “But I love you, and at least you’ll die with a smile on your face.”
“So I’m forgiven, then?”
Gwen laughed. “You never forget anything, do you?”
“No.” Andrew leaned down to kiss her.
“Remove your lips from my sister, Andrew.”
Gwen gave a little squeal and tried to step away, but Andrew would let go. “I don’t think I will, Christopher.”
Christopher advanced on them.
“Knight. Stop it.” Hannah pushed her husband out of the way. “This has been coming on for a long time and you of all people should not be surprised.”
“Me of all people? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ll explain later. For now, can we please be happy for your sister?” Hannah made her way over to Gwen and pulled her in for a hug. “I can’t wait to hear the whole story, but dinner’s ready and I know you would not want to be rude and hide.” Hannah then whispered for Gwen’s ears only, “Even if it does mean kissing, which is very tempting.”
Gwen giggled and Christopher scowled at his wife.
“Oh, knock it off. She does not need rescuing from Andrew.” Hannah linked her arm with Christopher’s and tugged him back into the hallway.
Andrew laughed and kissed Gwen on the temple before following. “Would you like to join me for a walk after dinner?”
She glanced up with a smile. “I’d love to.”
They joined everyone in the dining room and Gwen took the seat next to Charity. She leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Where have you been?”
Charity blushed. “I was invited to see a new horse Mr. Madden purchased.”
“I thought you were cleaning up.”
Charity nodded. “After I changed.”
“You must fill me in.”
“Later,” Charity whispered back. “Then you can fill me in on Andrew.”
“I’m sorry I’ve neglected you.”
“You haven’t! I have been otherwise occupied. Plus I love your family, so I never feel uncomfortable.”
Gwen took a sip of water. “I do love your independence.”
“You just fix things with Andrew and don’t worry about me.”
Gwen squeezed her hand. “That would leave you more time with Richard, wouldn’t it?”
She noticed that Richard couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Charity throughout dinner. Andrew had finagled his way to sit on the other side of Gwen and he was attentive. So attentive in fact, Christopher scowled often during dinner.
* * *
Instead of joining the rest of the group after dinner, Andrew excused them for the promised walk. The humidity settled over them like a blanket as Gwen slid her hand into the crook of his arm and leaned against him. Before they set out towards the stables, Andrew leaned down to kiss her.
She pulled away. “Andrew. Not in public.”
Andrew raised an eyebrow and pulled her toward the side of the house. As they rounded the corner to a modicum of privacy, an uneven piece of ground caught him off-guard and he hissed as the pain shot up his thigh.
Gwen grimaced as she squeezed his arm. “Andrew, how bad is it?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing, Andrew. Your knee is obviously bothering you.” Gwen glanced up at him in concern. “I have known since dinner.”
Andrew forced a smile. “What about my knee?”
“Do not try to divert attention with that smile.” Gwen narrowed her eyes. “Your limping has gotten progressively worse throughout the day, and I understand that you’re a very strong man, but even you must have a breaking point. We don’t need to walk to the stables. We can go back to the front of the house and sit and talk in the parlor. I don’t really care, just so long as I spend some time with you.”
Andrew pursed his lips. “I’m unaccustomed to someone caring whether or not I’m in pain. I don’t like to discuss it and generally don’t have to.”
She squeezed his arm. “Well, I care… a great deal, and I’d appreciate it if you would tell me the truth. Are you in pain?”
Andrew sighed. “Yes, Gwen, I’m in a small amount of pain.”
“Then let’s go back.”
Andrew reluctantly took her hand and led her back to the Madden’s. The hour was still early, so they let themselves in the front door and settled in the parlor. Andrew noticed several of their friends outside enjoying a late game of croquet. Just as he started to relax, Gwen stood and smiled. Andrew stood as well.
Gwen wrung her hands. “Why don’t I get us something to drink? Would you like lemonade? Or perhaps tea?”
Andrew glanced at her hands and then smiled. “Lemonade, please.”
Gwen left the room and Andrew sat down again and grabbed his knee. There was a combination of a throb and sharp pain and it seemed to be getting worse. He didn’t want Gwen to see him like this, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to avoid it for very long.
“Hi, Andrew.” He turned to see Hannah walk inside through the french doors that led to the back yard. “Where’s Gwen?”
“She went to get some lemonade.” He tried to control the pain in his voice. “Are you done with your game so soon?”
“I’m just tired.” Hannah studied him for several seconds. “Are you in pain?”
Andrew shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
“Riiiight. I’ve heard that one before.” Andrew sighed and found he didn’t have the strength to keep up the charade anymore. Hannah waggled a finger in the air. “I have an idea. I’ll be right back.”
Andrew let his head fall onto the high-backed chair and tried to forget about the pain.
“Andrew?”
He opened his eyes to find Gwen standing in front of him, holding a glass of lemonade. He reached for the drink. “Thank you, beautiful.”
“I also brought some ice for your knee.”
“Thank you.”
She handed him the wrapped ice. “Would you like me to get Dr. Wade?”
“For what purpose, sweetheart?”
“I don’t know, perhaps he could give you something for the pain.” She stood before him and wrung her hands.
“That’s the last thing I need,” he said a little too sharply. He set the ice on his leg, finding a bit of relief.
“What can I do?” she asked.
Andrew sighed. “Nothing, Gwen.”
Gwen sat on the sofa and continued to work her hands in her lap, worry furrowing her brow. She didn’t stay there for long but stood and walked to the window. Andrew sighed. “Come here, sweetheart.”
“No.”
“Gwendolyn. Come here, please.” She walked over to the chair and Andrew took her hand. “Look at me.” She raised her eyes to his. “I’m sorry for snapping at you.”
Her eyes filled with tears, but she nodded. Just then, Hannah walked in. Gwen moved back over to the window and Andrew glanced at Hannah.
“Take this.” Hannah handed him a tablet.
“What is it?”
“It’s something that will help.” Andrew swallowed the pill and Hannah nodded in satisfaction. “I can show you some other things as well. Things that Gwen might be able to do.” Gwen turned her head in interest. Hannah continued. “Some massage techniques that Emma and I have learned over the years.”
“Could you please show me now?” Gwen asked.
“Sure.” Hannah waved her over. “If that’s all right with you, Andrew?”
He nodded, so Hannah began to massage around the knee. Andrew grimaced at her strength. Hannah eased up. “Is that too much pressure?”
Andrew shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “Is there actual metal still in your knee, or just muscle damage?”
“The doctors assured me they were able to remove all of the metal, so I believe it’s muscle damage only.”
Hannah resumed her attack.
“What the hell are you doing with your hands on his leg?” Christopher seethed from the doorway.
Gwen flinched, but Hannah simply rolled her eyes.
“Hannah,” Christopher growled.
“Sod off, Knight.” Hannah dug further into Andrew’s leg. “It’s perfectly innocent and you’ve been picking a fight all day. You can watch if you like.” Hannah, originally from New Zealand, found herself falling into her accent and sayings when she was tired or angry.
“My sister is not going to put her hands on him either, Hannah.”
Gwen’s eyes filled with tears.
“Seriously? Are you seriously going to pull this crap right now?” Hannah snapped.
“Hannah, it’s fine,” Gwen said.
“No, it’s not fine, Gwen. Excuse us.” Hannah stood. “Come with me, husband.” She led him out of the parlor and into the foyer. Andrew and Gwen could hear their conversation from the room.
“You know what? Never mind,” Hannah snapped.
“Hannah.”
“No. Forget it. I don’t have the energy today.”
Christopher mumbled something quietly, but they couldn’t make out the words. Gwen sidled closer to the door.
“Knight, that man in there is in a great deal of pain, which may or may not ever get better for him. If I can show your sister, the woman who will marry him, I might add, a few things that may relieve his discomfort, then you should be supporting it. Not playing the Neanderthal male and beating your chest as though you must protect us little women.”
“How did she know I was in a ‘great deal of pain’?” Andrew whispered.
“Shhh.” Gwen put her finger to her lips. “I don’t want to miss this.”
“My sister should not be touching him,” Christopher continued.
“Why not?” Hannah asked.
“This is all happening too fast for them.”
“Oh my…” Hannah snapped. “Are you kidding? They’ve known each for years. How long did we know each other before we were making out in Clayton’s office?”
“Hannah.”
Gwen moved back to Andrew’s side. “See, he makes the same noise as you.”
“Shhh,” he admonished.
“No, Knight!” Hannah continued. “Don’t you dare use that patronizing and belittling tone with me. Andrew is your friend. You owe him more respect.”
Andrew nodded with a smirk. “Yes, he does.”
Gwen smacked his leg. “He’s Christopher the Big. He’s beyond respect.”
Gwen and her brothers had given Christopher his nickname when Christopher had reached six feet… at the age of fourteen. He’d always been the moral compass for the siblings, and with his size, people tended to leave the Butler children alone.
Andrew snorted. “He’s no longer as big as you once thought, sweetheart.”
Gwen smiled. “Perhaps not, but he’s still the law, so he’s still the Big.”
“I’m going to go back in that room and show Gwen some more techniques, and you’re not going to stop me, or so help me, you’ll deal with sleeping on the couch!” Hannah threatened.
Hannah’s angry steps flitted over the foyer floor.
Gwen glanced at Andrew and found a slightly amused look on his face. “What?”
Andrew chuckled. “Christopher has met his match, I think.”
“So have you.” Gwen leaned down and kissed his cheek.
Hannah came back in the room and appeared much more composed. She sat down on the sofa and smiled at the couple. “How are you feeling, Andrew?”
Andrew smiled. “Better than I ever have.”
“Good. I think if you do that daily, you’ll feel much better.” Hannah rose to her feet. “I’ll leave you two alone for now. I’ll show you a few other things tomorrow if you like.”
Gwen nodded and noticed her brother lurking in the doorway, although he did look a little more contrite. Christopher held his hand out for Hannah who took it and let him lead her out of the parlor.
Andrew sighed as Gwen started the massage again. “You have wonderful hands.”
Gwen grimaced. “Are you certain I’m not hurting you?”
“I doubt there would be anything you could do to hurt me beautiful.”
She eased up on his knee and looked at him. “Andrew, let’s be serious for a moment. Am I hurting you?”
“I am serious, sweetheart. You have wonderful hands and I look forward to them touching me often.”
Gwen dug in again and Andrew grasped her hands, pulling her onto his lap.
“Andrew,” she squeaked. “We’re not alone.”
He glanced around the room. “We’re perfectly alone.”
Gwen blushed. “There are people just outside those doors… which happen to be open.” She pushed at his shoulders. “Let me up.”
“One kiss, then I’ll let you go.”
She reluctantly obliged and then jumped from his lap.
The clock in the foyer sounded the half hour and Andrew rose to his feet with a sigh. “Sweetheart, I need to meet with Adam.”
“When?”
He gave her a guilty smile. “Tonight.”
“Tonight? Now, tonight?”
Andrew nodded. “Yes. I’m actually late.”
Gwen’s lip pouted. “Oh.”
“We can spend the day together tomorrow.”
Gwen let out a mock sigh. “The whole day?”
Andrew chuckled. “Unless you have other plans?”
“No. Tomorrow will be lovely. I’ll walk you out.”
Andrew retrieved his hat from the foyer and leaned down to kiss her. “Sleep well, beautiful.” He kissed her once again before walking out the front door.
Gwen watched him leave and then made her way upstairs to her bedroom and found Charity sitting on the bed. “I wondered if we would get to talk tonight.” Gwen flopped down next to her.
Charity nodded. “Me too. I have been waiting here for hours.”
“You are such a fibber. You were out playing croquet and watching Richard with the horses.”
Charity giggled.
“Has Richard proposed yet?”
Charity gasped. “No. Why would you say that?
“A jest.” Gwen patted her hand. “You like him, don’t you?” Gwen climbed off the bed and presented her back so Charity could assist her with the buttons and corset.
Charity stood behind her. “I think so. Emma said he had a troubled past, but Clayton came in the room and she stopped speaking suddenly. She didn’t go into detail, so I’m not certain what that means.”
“He used to drink quite heavily, but that’s all I know. He’s apparently a changed man since he stopped.” Gwen glanced at her over her shoulder. “Will you ask him?”
Charity shrugged. “I will if it comes to that. We’re leaving soon, so I’m not certain I’ll ever see him again.”
“I have a feeling you might.” Gwen grinned.
Charity sighed. “He’s so handsome, isn’t he?”
Gwen giggled. “I’m certain I couldn’t say.”
Charity laughed. “In your eyes, no one’s as handsome as Andrew.”
“I know. It feels like a dream. Not real somehow.” Gwen blushed. “Especially when he kisses me. I never thought I would enjoy it so much.”
Charity grinned. “Kissing is very enjoyable.”
Gwen gasped. “Richard kissed you?”
Charity shook her head. “No… not yet.”
Gwen flopped onto the bed. “Then who are you speaking of? You never told me you’d been kissed before!”
“Yes I did.”
“No you didn’t.”
“Yes I did.” Charity squeezed her hand. “It was the week you received word about Andrew.”
“Oh.” Gwen bit her lip. “I’m so sorry, Char. I don’t remember.”
“You had more important things on your mind than the handsome man visiting the Atwood’s for the summer.”
“There was a handsome man at the Atwood’s?”
Charity grinned. “Yes. Their second cousin, he was twenty and he kissed me twice before he left.”
“Twice? Really?” Gwen raised an eyebrow. “Then you must tell me all about it. In detail, please.”
The girls dissolved into giggles and continued to talk into the night. It was one in the morning before they fell asleep next to each other.