CHRISTOPHER WAS LATE, and Hannah’s nerves were on edge. She’d been ready for over two hours and driving Sophie and Emma nuts with her pacing. They’d forced her to eat lunch, which she did reluctantly. In the end, she’d holed herself up in her room with a book. Not that she read it... she spent more time obsessing over all the reasons why he wasn’t there on time. The biggest being he’d changed his mind, made a terrible mistake, and didn’t want to court her.
Just before one, Emma knocked and pushed her door open. “He’s here.”
“I don’t care. Tell him to go away.”
Emma stepped inside. “Why?”
“Um, hello.” She closed the book with a snap. “He’s three hours late.”
“Oh, no, you’ve got it bad.”
Hannah pushed out of the chair. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve fallen in love with the man. That was quick.”
Hannah dropped the book on the bed. “You got that from me not wanting to be disrespected?”
Emma grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door. “Come on, grumpy. Let him explain.”
Hannah pulled on her hand. “Why should I?”
Emma tightened her grip. “Because there was an emergency, and need I remind you that it’s not like he could call you.”
Hannah bit her lower lip. “I guess I forgot about that part,” she grumbled and followed Emma down the stairs.
Christopher paced the foyer, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Not just any flowers, Hannah noticed... but daisies. Her favorite. Emma glanced back at her with her Cheshire grin.
Hannah laid her hand on the balustrade and forced a smile. “Chris?”
He glanced up at her and smiled apologetically. “Hannah. I’m so sorry I’m late. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She made her way down the rest of the stairs and pointed at the flowers. “Are those for me?”
“Yes.” He gave her a cheeky grin. “However, I won’t give them to you until you promise to forgive me.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “I forgive you.”
He handed her the flowers and leaned down to give her a chaste kiss on her cheek. Emma took the flowers from her. “I’ll put these in water. You two go for your drive.”
Hannah nodded. “Thank you.”
Christopher gathered Hannah’s heavy cloak and laid it over her shoulders. Once she’d pulled on her gloves, Christopher set his top hat on his head and led her out to his buggy.
Lifting her skirts while Christopher held tightly to her hand, Hannah stepped up into the open buggy. While she settled in, Christopher gathered several furs he’d brought with him and laid them over her knees. “Thank you.”
“Are you warm enough? There are hot bricks by your feet, but if you start to feel a chill, please let me know.”
Hannah smiled. “I will.”
He climbed up next to her and released the brake. “Comfortable?”
“Very.”
He clicked the horse forward and they pulled away from the house. Although he drove Hannah around the city for almost an hour, she was still surprised when he pulled in to a secluded area near a small park. “We’re not going back to the house?”
Christopher set the brake. “And waste valuable time with a modicum of privacy with you?” He grinned. “No, we’re not going back to the house. We are going for a walk.”
Hannah’s stomach flipped. She didn’t know if it was because of his smile, or the fact they weren’t finished with their date.
Christopher jumped out of the buggy and strode around the back. Reaching her side, he wrapped his hands around her waist as she laid hers on his shoulders. He lifted her down and leaned in to kiss her. Hannah broke the kiss and tapped his chest with her palm. “We’re in public, Sir Knight.”
He chuckled. “No one’s around. I made certain of it.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “Well, then, may I have another?”
Smiling, he leaned down and delivered one more heart-defying kiss before sweeping her away from the privacy of the buggy and leading her into the park.
Hannah’s hand was firmly inside his arm, and she gave it a little squeeze. “Tell me about Quincy.”
“My brother?”
“Do you know anyone else named Quincy?” she teased.
Christopher stalled briefly and then moved forward again. “What would you like to know?”
“I want to know him. Through your eyes.” He frowned and Hannah smiled gently. “When you mentioned him the other day, you looked sad and I’d love to know why. Maybe I can help.”
“Well, he’s fifteen months younger than me, looks quite a bit like me, although he’s shorter—”
“Which I’m sure you remind him of, right?”
Christopher grinned. “Absolutely.”
“What else?”
“He’s a good man.” Christopher led Hannah to a bench under a large willow tree.
“I’m sure he is.” Hannah sat down and waited for him to sit next to her. He did, but she noticed his hand fisted so tight, the leather of his glove strained against the pressure. She laid her hand over his and squeezed. “Tell me everything.”
The shadow crossed his features again as he stared at her.
“Talk about it, Chris. It’ll make you feel better.”
“He enlisted in Company A, 1st Regiment Maryland Heavy Artillery, at the start of the war. I’ve heard reports that he’s moved quickly up the ranks to Sergeant First Class.” His smile was tight as he said, “Which doesn’t surprise me.”
“Heavy artillery means sharpshooters and canons, right?”
Christopher nodded. “Among other things.”
Hannah forced his fist open and slipped her fingers through his. “You’re constantly on alert, waiting for the news that something’s happened to him, and the thought of being without your best friend and brother causes you not to sleep, right?”
His eyes widened and he nodded. “Something like that.”
“Tell me about him... not his military movements... but him.”
“Hannah,” he whispered.
She pursed her lips and then smiled. “Would you please let your lady come to the aid of her Sir Knight? You have the weight of the world on your shoulders, and I know you can’t talk freely about your work, but you can talk about your brother, so why don’t you let me share some of that burden with you?”
“Are you always this persistent?”
“I’m usually much, much worse.” She smiled. “Tell me about something you two did as kids. Is he as serious as you are?”
Christopher let out a snort, which turned into a chuckle.
Hannah poked his arm with her finger. “I’ve hit a nerve.”
Christopher smiled. “There was never a time when Quincy could have ever been called serious, except for once, I suppose. He pulled me into many of his pranks, and somehow escaped the punishments as well.”
“Really? Tell me about the serious part.”
Christopher sank further on the bench. “If I tell you this story, you may never breathe a word of it to anyone.”
“I won’t.” Hannah clapped her hands together and grinned. “I promise.”
“It was my fifteenth birthday and Mama had planned a big party, as she did with all of us each year. We’d invited close friends and neighbors, and everyone had shown up. Our closest neighbors are the Atwoods, and they have two sons and a daughter. Frank is their oldest, Jimmy, then Millicent.” Christopher frowned. “There has always been something off with Jimmy. He has a mean streak in him and likes to tease anyone smaller than him. Especially girls. Anyway, he’d been bothering Gwen... she was barely seven at the time... and she’d come running to Quinn. Unbeknownst to me, he set up a trap for Jimmy.”
“I like this story already.”
Christopher nodded. “A group of us, boys only of course, decided we’d perform a few death-defying acts in the barn. Our hay loft was a good thirty feet up, and Quincy talked everyone into swinging down to the ground using a rope he’d tied to one of the rafters.”
Hannah covered her mouth with her fingers. “I can kind of see where this is going.”
“There were seven of us, and Jimmy was puffing out his chest, saying he could do it higher than everyone else, calling out obscenities as each of us swung down from the top. When his turn came up, Quincy handed him the rope and stood back. Jimmy took a flying leap, the rope came loose, and he landed in the hay pile at the bottom, which would not necessarily been a problem...” He stalled.
“What happened?” she asked, somewhat breathless.
“Frankie had shoved a plank of wood under the hay, so when Jimmy landed, he landed so hard, he broke his leg.”
“Oh, no! What did you do?”
“Well, the rest of the boys scattered, which left me, Quincy, and Frank. Quincy let Jimmy know that it had all been planned and if he came near Gwen again, he’d break more than his leg. Frank had been a willing participant in all of it, although, I don’t think he realized Jimmy would get that hurt.”
“I want to feel bad for this Jimmy character, but I have to admit, I kind of don’t.”
Christopher grimaced. “The blame was laid squarely on my shoulders, and I was forced to assist Mr. Atwood with all the chores Jimmy would have done, on top of my own.”
Hannah cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. “Why do I think you were the one who took full responsibility for the act, insisting that Quincy and Frank had nothing to do with it?”
Christopher crossed his arms and stared at her and then let out a deep breath. “Quincy was already in trouble. He’d been caught kissing one of the young ladies at the party... twice. If he’d admitted any part of it, Father would have made his life miserable.”
“So, you took all the blame, and Quincy skated free.”
“It’s much more complicated than that.”
Hannah raised her hands. “Hey, I’m not judging. Quincy was protecting Gwen. I get it. All I’m asking is if he recognized what you did for him.”
Christopher ran his hands through his hair and nodded. “Yes. He repaid the debt several times over.”
“Did Jimmy stop bothering Gwen?”
“Yes.”
Hannah gave a quick nod. “Happy ending, then, right?”
Christopher grinned. “The fact Jimmy wasn’t mobile for several months was the best part.”
Hannah smiled. “Quincy sounds pretty devious.”
“He is.”
“Well, then, I have a feeling he’s devious enough to survive whatever this war throws at him.” She patted his knee. “If he’s as smart as you and has the same integrity to back it up, he’s probably outsmarting the other side.”
Christopher blinked several times and then pulled her hand to his lips. “Thank you, Hannah.”
His voice was full of emotion, and she didn’t miss the sheen of tears in his eyes. She cleared her throat and bit her lip. “Shouldn’t we get back? It must be close to dinner by now.”
He nodded and rose to his feet, pulling her up and slipping her hand in his arm. He led her back to the buggy and she found herself in seclusion again and kissed to the point of breathlessness. She groaned when he broke the kiss and she stared up at him. “You are really good at that.”
He pulled off his glove and stroked her cheek. “You have the most amazing skin.” He ran his thumb along her lower lip. “And lips that I can’t seem to resist.” He kissed her again.
The sound of horses and Christopher stepping away from her brought her out of her trance. Without a word, he lifted her into the buggy and they took off toward home.
Hannah wrapped the furs tighter around her and snuggled against Christopher. “Are you going to come to the train station tomorrow?”
“I’m not certain.” Christopher pulled on the left rein and then glanced down at her. “I’m going to try.”
Hannah frowned. “When are you coming to Harrisburg?”
“I’m meeting my family at Union Station on Wednesday. We’ll probably arrive at Clayton’s house just before dinner on Wednesday.”
Hannah slumped further into the bench. Instead of guiding the buggy to the front of the house, Christopher pulled into the driveway and back to the carriage house. A young black boy jogged out and took the horse’s head. Christopher set the brake.
“Evenin’, Masser Butler.”
“Good evening, Jack. I won’t be staying long, please hold the horse until I return.”
“Yessuh.”
Christopher climbed down and motioned for Hannah to slide over to his side so he could lift her down. He walked her through the back door and to the parlor. He assisted her with her cloak and she removed her gloves and bonnet.
“I should take my leave.” Christopher kissed her hand.
Hannah pointed at the grandfather clock. “I haven’t heard ten bells yet.”
Christopher smiled. “Regardless, tomorrow is going to be an early one.”
“Fine,” she huffed.
Christopher leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss. When he broke the kiss, she dropped her head onto his chest. “I can’t believe we’re not going to see each other tomorrow.”
“I’ll try, but if not, remember that we’ll get to spend four uninterrupted days together.”
She raised her head slowly. “Uninterrupted?”
Christopher nodded. “Yes.”
“How will you manage that?”
“I have my ways.” Christopher pulled his scarf tighter. “My mother is also very good at subterfuge, and I know she will assist.”
“I look forward to the effort.”
“You do that.” He cupped her chin. “Also between Clayton, his brother Richard, and their neighbors, they have a large number of horses.”
“So?”
“So—you are going to learn to ride.”
“Ugh.” She wrinkled her nose.
Christopher chuckled. “Sleep well tonight.”
“I don’t even know what that means. The only two nights I have ever slept straight through were at your parents’ home.”
“I’m influencing you already.”
Hannah laughed. “Yes, Sir Knight.” She clasped her hands together in mocking. “Just knowing you were near to protect me made all the difference in the world.”
He leaned down for one last kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
* * *
The next morning came too quickly in Hannah’s opinion. Forcing dry, gritty eyes open, her lack of sleep made her body lethargic. The thought of sitting on a train for four hours in a hoop skirt was somewhat unsettling.
Emma came in her room at nine, carrying yet another dress for her. “Good morning.”
Hannah grunted.
“Not a good night, obviously.”
“No sleep,” Hannah admitted.
“None? At all?”
Hannah held up two fingers. “About two hours.”
“What is with you and the lack of sleep?”
“What is with you and the ability to sleep standing on your head in the middle of an amusement park?” Hannah mocked and then added, “at noon.”
Emma laughed. “Touché.” She stared at Hannah and cocked her head. “Was it the nightmare again?”
“Yes. It’s so frustrating! I still can’t see the threat, I’m just petrified. That’s the entire stupid dream. Me feeling terrified, but seeing nothing. I would think that now that I know you’re safe, they’d stop.”
Emma’s eyebrows puckered. “You’ve been ripped away from your norm, though, Han. You need to give yourself a break.”
“I suppose.” Hannah sighed. “Anyhoo, let’s just get this over with.”
Emma helped her with her corset and hoops and then she put Hannah’s hair into a bun on top of her head. The girls made their way downstairs to the dining room. No one was there, but breakfast was set out, so they helped themselves.
“Where is everyone?” Hannah asked.
“I’d imagine Jamie and Sophie are just waking up now. She finished all her packing last night so she could sleep in. Clay woke me just before he left at six-thirty this morning. I went back to sleep, but woke up an hour later, so I finished the rest of the packing then.”
Jamie and Sophie came in a few minutes later. “Good morning.”
“How did everyone sleep?” Sophie asked. “Han, did you get any sleep?”
“Not really, but, I’ll live.”
“We’ll get you out into the country and you’ll feel better.”
“Speak for yourself,” Emma said.
Jamie laughed. “Keep in mind the fact that you will have the large ballroom to dance in and miles of riding terrain, Em.”
“I thought Sophie said ballrooms were usually really small,” Hannah countered.
Sophie smiled. “Well, this one isn’t.”
“That will be very cool,” Emma agreed. “Although I won’t be able to dance if there are people there. At least not with people in the house. Let’s not forget about that.”
“Let’s not forget about what, sweet?”
“You’re early.” Emma grinned as she stood to give her husband a kiss.
Clayton nodded. “Yes, Chris has everything under control. Is everyone packed and ready?”
“I brought a few bags down already. We just have yours and Emma’s to get now,” Jamie said.
“Well, you finish your breakfast and I’ll grab the bags.” Clayton left them to eat.
“I need to get mine,” Hannah said.
Emma shook her head. “I put it in the pile with ours already. Clay will get it.”
Hannah settled her chin in her palm and picked at her food.
“Missing someone?” Emma asked.
Hannah straightened and shook her head. “Nope.”
“You’ll see him tomorrow. It’ll fly by.”
Hannah nodded.
“It’s a good thing Chris isn’t coming until later tomorrow.”
Hannah narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Why?”
Emma smiled. “We’re going to have a really busy day with the dressmaker.”
“We are?” Hannah asked, horrified.
“Yes, we are.” Hannah huffed and Emma giggled. “I know you hate to shop, but we’ll make it quick.”
“I don’t hate to shop, necessarily. It’s the trying stuff on part that’s annoying. Oh, and watching you buy shoes!”
“You know what you are?” Emma pointed a finger in accusation. “You’re prejudiced against shoes. A shoe-ist.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You have something against poor, innocent shoes. Shoes that have done nothing to you. Innocent, pretty little shoes.”
Sophie laughed. “That’s quite good, Em.”
Clayton and Walter finished bringing the rest of the bags down and set them in the foyer and Clayton grabbed a bite to eat before they departed. The group finished their breakfast and the guys loaded up the carriage that would carry them to the train station, while Sophie tended to Samson. They tied the horse to the carriage, climbed in, and took off.
It didn’t take long to reach the busy platform, and while Jamie and Sophie took Samson to his stall, Clayton carried the bags they were keeping with them to their private parlor car. Emma and Hannah stood on the platform with the bags that would be put in the main luggage car.
“We should probably board and get settled,” Jamie said. A porter came up and started to take the luggage away.
“Let’s go,” Emma said.
Hannah was more disappointed than she was willing to let on that Christopher hadn’t made it to the station to see her off. She hated the fact that she would now have to wait until tomorrow night to see him and berated herself for feeling like that. It was completely irrational.
“You’ll see him soon, Han-Han,” Emma whispered.
“Who?”
Emma grinned. “Nice try.”
Hannah ignored her and started to climb the stairs.