SUNDAY CAME QUICKLY—a little too quickly, but Hannah was thrilled that Christopher managed to convince his parents to allow the girls to chaperone them back to Washington. He’d assured her that his home in town was large enough to accommodate all of them, so rather than going back to the Maryland farm, they would all stay there.
Everyone gathered at the Maddens’ home to see them off, and Hannah spent most of their good-bye assuring Emma she would be more than fine in Christopher’s care. “Gwen and Charity will show me the city, and I’ll be back at your townhouse in no time.”
Emma nodded. “Be safe.”
Hannah hugged her. “Who are you talking to?”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Emma’s eyes filled with tears. “I just got you back.”
“Emma.” Hannah squeezed her hand. “I’m going to see you in a few days.”
“That’s what we thought last time,” she whispered.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be at Christopher’s when you and Clay arrive to pick me up. I promise.”
Emma smiled. “You better be.”
Hannah hugged her one more time, and then the foursome jumped into the carriage and took off to the train station. As Hannah, Charity, and Gwen waited on the platform, Christopher organized the loading of their bags and then led the girls to the private car he’d booked.
After they were settled and comfortable for the long ride ahead of them, Christopher took Hannah’s hand and she leaned against him, letting her body relax. His thumb stroked the inside of her palm and moved to the sensitive part of her wrist. She tried to pull her hand away, but he kept pulling it back. Gwen and Charity, deep in conversation, seemed oblivious to what was going on, which made Christopher even cheekier.
The train finally pulled into Camden Station, which meant less than an hour before they’d be home.
“How are you, sweetheart?” Christopher asked.
She grinned. “Starving. Could we get some food, do you think?”
“Of course.” He glanced at Gwen and Charity. “Are you ladies hungry?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“All right, I’ll be back shortly.” Christopher stood and left the parlor car to fetch refreshments.
Hannah leaned forward in her seat and smiled. “Thank you so much for staying with us, Gwen.”
“It’s my pleasure. Truly. The thought of spending a week with my parents, even with Charity as a distraction, was a bit of a bore.”
“Thank you very much,” Charity said.
Hannah giggled. “I can’t guarantee spending it with me will be any more fun.”
“We’ll see the city and shop. Much more entertaining.”
Hannah grimaced.
“Oh, yes. Emma mentioned you hate to shop,” Gwen said.
“Guilty.” Hannah waved her hand in the air dismissively. “But I’ll still shop with you if you like.”
Gwen grinned. “Just the necessities. I promise.”
“Sounds fair.”
Christopher arrived back with sandwiches and water and handed them out before sitting back down next to Hannah.
“This bread is wonderful,” Hannah said appreciatively as she bit into the soft, warm dough.
“Yes, Chris. Perfect. Thank you,” Gwen agreed.
Hannah settled against him. “What’s the schedule this week?”
“I’ll be working everyday but will attempt to be home by dinner. We’ll sit down and work out a timetable for you both.”
Hannah lowered her sandwich. “Timetable?”
Christopher nodded. “An itinerary. Times and approved places for you to visit.”
Hannah cocked her head with a smile. “You’re funny.”
Gwen grimaced. “He’s serious, Hannah.”
Hannah frowned. “Um, no.”
Christopher raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”
She sat forward and turned to face him. “Christopher, I don’t need a schedule as though I’m a child who cannot make my own plans.”
He shrugged. “This isn’t really up for debate.”
“Agreed.” She rolled her eyes. “I have no intention of debating this with you.”
“Good.” He sent her a warning glance. “I’ll set an agenda and you two will adhere to it.”
Hannah let out a quiet huff. “You seriously need to remove the rod from your arse.”
Gwen and Charity giggled and Christopher glared at them. “Hannah,” he warned.
She crossed her arms. “Your voice just got lower. Does that mean I have to listen now, because you’re using your serious tone?”
“We’ll discuss this later.”
“What’s wrong with discussing it now? I might yell later. Now I’ll keep my voice at a much more manageable level.” She heard his slow, deep breath as she sank back against the seat, furious and hurt.
Christopher took her hand. “We’ll talk about it later.”
Hannah pulled her hand away. “Whatever.”
They sat in uncomfortable silence for the duration of the trip, Hannah’s frustration growing with every click of the track. When the train pulled into Union Station, she was ready for some alone time. The steam hissed and she stood and walked to the exit, barely waiting for Christopher and the girls to catch up with her.
* * *
Hannah continued the silent treatment in the carriage on the way home from the train station, and continued it as Christopher led them into his townhouse. The tour of his home was painful, as she responded with pursed lips and the occasional curt nod.
They were home for an hour before Christopher cracked. He asked Gwen and Charity to excuse them, grabbed Hannah’s arm, and pulled her into his office. She stood facing him with her arms crossed. He started to pace, hands behind his back. “I need you to understand something.”
She glared at him, curling her fists at her sides.
“These are dangerous times, and I have a position that could potentially be dangerous to those I love. Emma and Sophie were kidnapped by people who wanted to harm the President. Since they couldn’t get directly to Clayton, they took them.”
“How am I going to be more protected if you make an agenda for us to follow?”
He paused and faced her. “I will know where you are at all times.”
“Do you know that I can shoot, probably better than you? I have even shot a civil war issue pistol, thanks to Sophie, and did quite well. I’ve been in dangerous situations before, and I’m quite capable of staying calm under pressure.”
“How exactly will that keep you safe?”
“How exactly won’t it?”
Christopher pinched the bridge of his nose. “You are so vexing!”
Hannah held up her hand. “Look, I get that your goal is to protect us. I realize that I have been known to overreact at times, but I don’t appreciate being treated like a child.”
“That was not my intent, sweetheart.”
“I know.” She rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. “Can we compromise?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“We won’t make a schedule, but we’ll let you know our plans. We’ll leave word with your staff, and if we know what the plan is for the day, we’ll let you know in the morning. What do you think?”
He paced again. “That would make me feel much more comfortable.”
“Good. Are you done being a dictator?”
“For today, yes.”
“You are such a cheek.” She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Are you always going to be this difficult?”
She nodded against his chest. “Absolutely.”
Christopher chuckled and leaned down to kiss her. “I love you, difficult one.”
She smiled up at him. “And I love you, dictator of mine.”
* * *
Hannah woke early Monday morning, tired and cold. Climbing from the bed, she made her way to the window and saw that it had snowed during the night, however, the weather for now was clear and crisp. Wrapping a robe tightly around herself, she went to find Gwen. She looked at the clock in the hallway and it said seven. Knocking on Gwen’s bedroom door, she entered when bid to find her and Charity sitting on the bed looking through fashion plates.
“Good morning, you two.”
Charity smiled. “Good morning.”
“You’re up early.” Gwen climbed from the bed and hugged her.
“Yes, I know. Very unlike me. Did your brother leave already?”
“Yes, he left at six.”
Hannah shuddered. “I couldn’t imagine having to get up that early.”
“He’s always been an early riser, even when we were children.”
Hannah sat down on the chair facing the fireplace and warmed her hands. “What’s the plan for today?”
“I thought we’d hitch up the buggy and I’ll show you around the city, after we drop Char at the train station. She needs to get home.”
“Is it safe for you to travel without a chaperone?” Hannah asked Charity.
Flipping a page in the book, Charity smiled. “My brother will collect me.”
“Oh, good.”
Gwen climbed back onto the bed. “I told Chris we’d join him for lunch. He’s at the White House today.”
“Are we meeting him there?”
Gwen nodded. “Yes.”
“We can go to the White House?”
“Yes, of course.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “Just walk in?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
Gwen smiled. “Are you hungry? Chris’s housekeeper should have breakfast set out by now.”
“Yes, I’m starved. Should I get dressed first, or can I stay in my robe?”
“There are no men here at present, so your robe is fine.”
The girls made their way downstairs and into the dining room, where a light breakfast awaited them. Mrs. Putnam had organized just the right amount of food for everyone, and the girls spent the mealtime getting to know one another. Hannah really liked them. Her future sister-in-law was funny and sweet, and Charity was an absolute spitfire. Not much got past her, and Hannah thought she would have done very well in the future. She was definitely ahead of her time in this century.
Once breakfast was over, the girls got dressed and ready for their day. Hannah chose a deep green day dress, long-sleeved with dropped shoulders. Her bonnet was the same color, and she chose black gloves and boots to complement the outfit. Gwen helped her put her hair in a simple chignon and she swept her bangs to the side, softening the look.
They walked quickly out to the carriage house, where the groom had hooked up a small buggy to one of Christopher’s horses. Climbing in, they pulled the warm blanket over their knees before Gwen guided the horse toward the train station. Once they delivered Charity to her brother, Gwen started the tour through the city.
Despite the chill, the city amazed Hannah, and her cold was quickly forgotten. She hadn’t seen it in the future, so her only reference was what she was seeing now and how Sophie had described it in the modern world. The architecture was exquisite and the city appeared to be quite clean. Soldiers were abundant in this part of the city, and despite the weather, the streets were busy.
Gwen spent several hours showing Hannah everything she could. She was an informative and knowledgeable guide and Hannah thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
“Are you hungry?” Gwen asked.
“Starved,” Hannah said.
“Let’s meet Chris.”
“Even better.” Hannah grinned and, this time, the elephants decided to do a cartwheel.
Gwen guided them through the gates of the White House and pulled into the area where several other buggies were parked. A man came and assisted the girls down and then tended to their horse. Gwen knocked on the door, presented her card, and led Hannah through the front doors of the White House.
Hannah was still reeling from the fact that you could just walk into the White House when she felt someone touch her arm. She turned to see Christopher grinning at her. “Hi.”
“Good afternoon, sweetheart. How has your morning been?” He chastely kissed her hand.
“It has been very nice. Your sister is an incredible tour guide. How about yours?”
“Very productive.” He grinned down at her. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said and couldn’t stop her slight blush.
“I wish I could kiss you right now.”
“Ditto.” At his raised eyebrow, she explained, “It means, me too.”
“Ah. Are you hungry?”
“Starved. Where’d your sister go?”
“She’s visiting with Samuel. She went to meet him in the dining room. Shall we?” He held his arm out for her and she looped her hand through. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed gently, as she smiled up at him and secretly wished for some privacy.
They passed through the large dining room to a smaller room where a simple lunch was displayed. Christopher and Hannah made their choices and then moved into the dining room, where they found Gwen sitting with a very handsome young man.
“Where’s Sam?” Christopher asked.
“He was tied up, so Thomas offered to join me,” Gwen answered.
Christopher raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he introduced Hannah. “Thomas, may I present my fiancée, Hannah Nelson? Hannah, this is Thomas Burkett.”
Hannah shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
The four sat down and Hannah noticed that Thomas only had eyes for Gwen. Hannah pushed her thoughts aside and focused on her time with Christopher, pleased that the conversation was easy and the food was delicious. Before she knew it, Christopher had to go back to work. “I have a meeting in a few minutes.”
“Oh.” Hannah scrunched up her nose in disappointment.
“You’re adorable when you do that.”
“What time will you be home?” She frowned as he raised her hand to her lips. “Sorry. I already sound like the demanding wife.”
“I should be home by six, and I look forward to you as my demanding wife.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “So, what you’re telling me is that I have to wait five hours for a kiss.”
Christopher laughed, which caused several people to look at them. “I have an idea.”
“Oh?”
“Before you leave, ladies, let me show you this artwork,” he said a little louder than was perhaps necessary. He led Hannah and his sister into a small room off the foyer.
“What are you doing, Chris?” Gwen asked.
“Just wait here for a moment, Gwennie.” He led Hannah to a small alcove in the room and pulled her close.
Hannah grasped his jacket. “What are you doing?”
“Shhh.” He leaned down and kissed her.
With a sigh, she slid her hands up his chest and looped them around his neck.
Christopher grinned. “How’s that?”
“You just broke your very serious rule about public affection in front of your colleagues.”
He grimaced. “I’m aware of that.”
“I’m very proud of you.” She ran her hands across the nape of his neck. “There’s just one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“Now I want more.”
“Oh, really?” He leaned in for another kiss.
“Well, that helped a bit, I suppose,” she said cheekily.
“Perhaps. However, now I want more.”
Hannah laughed and kissed him one more time. “All right, my love, we should probably go, or you’ll be late for your meeting.”
Christopher grinned and led her back to Gwen. “I thought I might invite Samuel and Thomas for dinner tonight.”
“Wonderful,” Gwen said enthusiastically.
“I’ll see you both soon.” Christopher kissed Hannah’s hand.
The girls made their way out to the buggy and took off for home.