QUINCY LED VICTORIA back to the Maddens’ stables, the day growing colder by the moment. Even he had to admit Victoria had been right. Rocky was much calmer now that they’d taken him out for a long run. The horse Richard had provided for him, a young Morgan gelding, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to wait to get back into the warmth of the barn.
He dismounted and handed his horse off to one of the soldiers, heading toward Victoria and reaching up to assist her from Rocky’s back. She squeezed her eyes shut briefly, gripping his shoulders. “Just a sec, Gus.”
Quincy kept an arm firmly around her waist. “What’s amiss?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s passed. I just felt a little nauseous.” She smiled and slid into his arms and onto her feet. “Probably didn’t eat enough.”
Rocky reached his head around and nuzzled Victoria. She patted his neck. “I’m okay, boy.” She slipped the buckles on the girth and stepped back for Quincy to remove the saddle. He set the saddle on a saddle post. What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion.
Rocky wrapped his neck around Victoria, somewhat like a hug, and cradled her as she melted to the ground. He nickered and nudged her lifeless form, then looked at Quincy with what Quincy would swear was desperation.
“Get a doctor!” Quincy bellowed as he rushed to his wife and dropped to the ground beside her, dragging her onto his lap. He didn’t know who was closer at this point. Dr. Wade or Dr. Paxton, either one, would do.
Rocky pawed at the ground and moved in closer than most people would have been comfortable with, but Quincy knew the horse was concerned about Victoria, and if anyone tried to get between her and him, it would not go well.
“Shhh, Rocky. She’s safe now,” Quincy crooned as he checked Victoria’s pulse, using the method Stephen had taught him. He let out a sigh of relief when he felt the strong throb.
Rocky leaned down and nudged Victoria again, and her eyes flickered open. “Rocky?” She frowned up at Quincy. “Why am I on the ground?”
“Don’t move, sweetheart. You fainted. I’ve called for one of the doctors.”
“What?” She shook her head and pushed herself up. “I don’t faint, Gus.”
“Victoria,” he growled. “Stay down, please.”
She looped her arm around his neck, but did as he asked. “I’m okay, honey. Really.”
Rocky was still somewhat agitated, and a young soldier made the mistake of getting too close to him, earning him a near kick in the nether regions. Luckily, the man was fast enough to move out of the way. Quincy held his hand up. “Don’t try, Saunders. Rocky won’t let you get near him right now. He’s protecting my wife.”
Victoria reached for a rein dragging on the ground and pulled Rocky’s head down. She kissed his muzzle and smiled. “I’m okay, boy. Will you go with this nice soldier, please? You’re wet with sweat and I don’t want you to catch a cold.”
Rocky shook his head.
“Yes, you’re going to go with him and let him brush you down and get warm. I’ll come and see you in a little bit.” She glanced over at the soldier. “He’ll go with you now.”
The man looked unbelievingly at Quincy, who chuckled. “He really will,” he assured. “He understands everything she says.”
The soldier approached Rocky slowly, but when he took the rein from Victoria, the horse followed him into the barn without incident.
“Can I get up now, Gus?” Victoria asked. “I really do feel fine.”
“I’ll help you stand, but if you feel faint, tell me immediately.”
She nodded, and Quincy stood, firmly gripping her waist. Victoria kept her arm around his neck and grinned when she was on her feet. “See? I’m great.”
He frowned. “I’m more concerned as to why you fainted in the first place.”
“My corset’s obviously too tight.” She stroked his face. “I’m fine, honey.” Her face suddenly went white again.
“Victoria?”
“I don’t feel so hot.” She passed out again.
Luckily, this time Quincy was there to catch her. He lifted her into his arms and headed for the house. He didn’t get far before she came to again.
“What is going on?” she grumbled as he set her feet on the ground.
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but we should get you home.”
“I really think it’s just the corset, Quincy. Either that, or I’m pregnant.”
“Have you missed your monthly?” he asked.
“Yes. But I’m never regular.”
Quincy frowned. “Let’s get you back to the house.”
She smiled. “We’re closer to the tack room, so why don’t we head in there and you can loosen my corset for me. I bet that will help immensely.”
He nodded and led her into the privacy of the Maddens’ tack room. He blocked the door while she unbuttoned the top part of her day dress and slipped it from her shoulders. He reached for her ties, swearing when he found them securely knotted.
“Who dressed you this morning?” he complained.
Victoria giggled. “Gabrielle tightened the corset for me.”
He tugged with a groan. “Try not to have her do this again, then.”
Victoria nodded, grasping a saddle rack for leverage. “Gus?”
“Hm?”
“Gus!”
Her urgency pushed him into action and he grabbed her as she went down. “Damn it!” He pulled his hunting knife from his boot and sliced the laces of her corset up the back.
She gasped and then her eyes fluttered open. “What is going on?”
“Quincy? Victoria?” He heard Stephen’s call.
Quincy settled Victoria against the wall and pulled open the door. “We’re in here, Stephen.”
The doctor rushed inside and knelt in front of Victoria. “You passed out?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Has this ever happened before?” He pulled open his medical bag and pulled out his stethoscope.
Stephen listened to her heart and then took her pulse. “Have you been feeling nauseous at all?”
“Yes,” Quincy answered before she could. “Several times over the last week or two.”
“When was the first day of your last period?” Stephen continued.
“Oh, that was...” She began to count with her fingers. “Ah... December 20. Oh, my word. I’m really late.”
“How regular are you?”
“Oh, I’m never regular, but I’ve never been this late.” She gasped. “Preggo’s totally an option!”
Stephen smiled. “Yes it is, but without a more thorough exam, I won’t know for sure. Let’s get you back to the house so I can do that. Christine’s waiting for me there.”
Quincy’s heart raced as he assisted Victoria off the floor of the tack room and helped her into Stephen’s buggy. The short trip back to the Maddens’ seemed to take a lifetime, and when Quincy was forced to stand in the hallway while Stephen and Christine examined Victoria, he thought he’d punch the wall, but then the door was opened and he was allowed entry.
He rushed to Victoria, who sat on the trunk at the end of the bed. “Are you all right?”
She grinned. “I’m fine, honey. It would appear that all signs point to a baby.”
Quincy turned to Stephen. “What do we do about the fainting?”
“Without the option of support hose, massaging her legs will help with circulation, but I believe she’s right about the corset. It was more than likely the culprit this time. Just watch her over the next few days and see what she’s like without one, or with a very loose one.” Stephen closed his bag. “Overall, Victoria’s very healthy, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
“You’re certain?”
Stephen smiled. “Yes. I’m around for the next few days, so find me if you have any concerns.”
“Thank you,” Quincy said, and walked the couple from the room. He closed the door and made his way back to Victoria, kneeling in front of her. “A baby.”
She cupped his face. “I guess this is why I’ve been so on edge.”
“Have you?” he asked. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She giggled. “You are the worst liar on the planet, Quincy Butler. But I love you anyway.”
“Will you kill me if I order you not to ride Rocky?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll kill you, and I won’t make it quick.”
“Just until we sort out the fainting,” he rushed to say. “What if you’re riding him and you pass out?”
“We can strap me to the saddle.”
“Rebel.”
“Please, Quincy. You know what he’s like. He’ll freak.”
Quincy stood and dragged his hands down his face. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, what?”
“If you don’t faint tomorrow, then you can ride him.”
“What happened when I passed out earlier?” she asked. “Before the tack room? What did Rocky do?”
“That is not relevant,” he said. “How exactly did you find out about that, anyway?”
Victoria grinned. “Stephen told me. The soldiers were chattering like old women about the way my horse wrapped himself around me so I wouldn’t fall. What I’d love to know is how he knew I was going to pass out.”
“That horse is not normal, Victoria.”
She laughed. “Which is why you bought him for me to begin with.”
“Tomorrow, please.”
She stood and looped her arms around his neck. “I will refrain from riding tomorrow. I will simply spend copious amounts of time with him on the ground.”
“Thank you.” He relaxed. “Come and sit on the bed.” He patted the mattress. “I’ll work on your circulation.”
Victoria giggled. “I bet you will.”
* * *
Mark walked back to the Fords’ and arrived to controlled chaos. Sophie stood in the parlor, hands on hips, and pointed to a spot on the ceiling, while Jamie balanced on a ladder. “No, baby, there.”
He threw a towel at the wall and let it fall to the ground. “I got it.”
“Hi, you two,” Mark said as he leaned against the doorjamb.
“Hi, Mark,” Sophie said as Jamie climbed down off the ladder. “Cobweb.”
“Ah.” Mark raised an eyebrow. “No staff to help?”
Sophie shrugged. “They’re slammed with other stuff, and since my husband won’t let me on the ladder, he had to take care of it.”
“No, I don’t think I’d allow my pregnant wife on a ladder, either,” Mark admitted.
She rolled her eyes. “Traitor.”
Jamie kissed her head as he passed by. “Safety first, Ten-Cow.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Do you need help with anything?” Mark asked.
Sophie smiled. “No, we’re good.”
“We’ve set the ballroom up for you and Rayne,” Jamie said. “Blinds are up, so you can be safe from lookie-lous. I think Rayne may already be in there.”
“Great. I’ll change quickly.”
Once changed, Mark made his way to the ballroom, where he found Hannah, Emma, and Rayne inside. Emma was fully dressed, but Hannah and Rayne were dressed to dance.
Emma let out an excited squeak and made a rush for him. He caught her in a hug and realized she wasn’t wearing hoops, so he swept his hands under her knees and carried her back to the dance floor. He lowered her to her feet and glanced at the others. “I didn’t realize I was going to get such a workout today. I was expecting to take it a little easy.”
Hannah and Rayne both hugged him.
“You’re lucky Em can’t dance for another few weeks,” Hannah said. “That lift you just did is as far as she’s allowed to go.”
“Good, rub it in,” Emma grumbled.
Rayne studied Mark. “Great outfit.”
He’d had dance pants made that would look period-authentic and, with his wife-beater, he didn’t look so off the mark nineteenth-century wise. The only thing he couldn’t change were the shoes. “You should’ve seen Mandie’s face when I tried to describe them to her. It was well beyond her expertise. She’s amazing with a sewing machine though.”
“So amazing,” Rayne agreed.
“Ready?” Hannah asked, clapping her hands.
“Let me just lock the door,” Emma said.
“Why do you need to lock the door?” Mark asked.
“Um...” Rayne glanced at the other women. “So the staff doesn’t see us.”
“Yeah, that’s it,” Hannah agreed.
An hour into their re-acquaintance through dance, Sophie rushed into the room. “Husbands.”
Mark had Hannah in a hold above his head. “What do you mean, ‘husbands’?”
“Let me down,” Hannah demanded.
Mark lowered her to the ground. “Didn’t you tell them you were doing this?”
“Sort of,” Hannah admitted.
“Back stairs,” Sophie instructed. “As we discussed.”
As Hannah and Rayne rushed out of the room, Mark crossed his arms. “What’s with the cloak and dagger?”
“Well, let’s just say, well, so...” Emma stuttered.
“Spit it out,” Mark demanded.
“Well, we kind of told a little white lie.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t worry. We did tell our husbands we were going to work on some of the dances with you.”
“But?”
“Well...”
“Emma,” he groaned.
“What?” she said with absolute deceptive innocence. “We did work on dances with you.”
“They omitted the part about them being routines from the old days... your old days,” Sophie provided. “Or that they’d be undressed.”
“I’m dressed,” Emma argued.
“Mark, why don’t you go and get ready for dinner?” Sophie suggested. “We’ll handle the husbands.”
“It doesn’t matter where you are, Em,” Mark complained. “Trouble follows you.”
Sophie giggled. “Oh, don’t give trouble that much credit. She drags trouble places even it wouldn’t want to go.”
“Hey! I’m not the one half-dressed in a ballroom.”
Mark laughed as he shook his head and made his way up the back stairs to his bedroom. He was sore in places he hadn’t been for a long time, which made him feel energized and relaxed. He couldn’t wait to see Gabby tonight. He’d been missing her since the moment he’d left her.
Just as he sat to pull on his dress shoes, a knock sounded at his door. “Come in.”
“Hey.” His sister poked her head in. “You do still exist.”
“Hi.” Mark stood and kissed her cheek. “Missing me already?”
“Passionately.” Jessica smiled. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you’re gallivanting off with all your friends. You knew them long before I did.”
“Why don’t you and I spend some time together tomorrow? Just the two of us.”
She nodded as her eyes filled with tears. “I’d really love that.”
“Aw, Jitterbug.” Mark frowned and pulled her close. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m pregnant,” she grumbled.
“I know that. But why are you crying?”
She slipped her arms around his waist. “Because I’m pregnant.”
Mark chuckled. “Of course. I should have known.” He rubbed her back and waited for her to calm. “Better?”
She nodded and tightened her hold. “I’m just so glad you’re here. Here, here, not just ‘here.’”
“Me too.” He kissed her head. “You look beautiful, you know. Why does the fabric look familiar?”
The dark green silk grew darker as it traveled down the dress. Her bodice was a deep forest green and began to deepen to black just past her waist. It was off the shoulder and short-sleeved. She carried the long black gloves she would wear in public.
She pulled out of Mark’s embrace and slid her hands over the gown. “It’s the dress I was wearing when I jumped forward. I was so nervous it wouldn’t make the trip back. Travis had it made for me before he proposed.”
“It’s stunning.” Mark smiled and crossed his arms. “I’m not going anywhere, you know that, right?”
“I guess.” She shook her head. “But what if you and Gabrielle Butler get married?”
“Whoa, sis. Jumping the gun a little, don’t you think?”
“If we were at home, I’d say yes, but we’re here and it’s different. Everything’s kind of on overdrive.”
“Gabrielle is beautiful, Jess. No doubt about it. And I feel this weird pull toward her, but I don’t know her and that’s something that needs to happen first. I do plan to get to know her, but let’s not rush me to the altar just yet, okay? There’s a lot to do in a short amount of time, and there’s something else much more important than wooing a pretty girl.”
“Oh?” she said. “What’s that?”
“Spending time with my favorite sister.”
Jessica beamed. “I love you, even if you are the worst man on the planet.”
“How am I the worst?”
“You’re entirely too charming for your own good. You and Emma were a match made in heaven.”
“What?” he balked. “How were we a match made in heaven? Emma’s the one who flirted with everyone.”
“Oh, please, you were both just as bad as the other. You left hearts trampled in your wake, but look what happened to her. May God bless you with a woman you can’t control.”
Mark looped his hand around her neck and hovered his fist over her head. “What was that?”
“Don’t you dare.”
“What?” he asked innocently.
“It took Annabelle almost an hour to get my hair perfect. No messing it up with noogies.”
“What the hell are you doing to my wife?” Travis shoved Mark away from Jessica. “Get your hands off of her.”
Mark stepped back, his hands raised. He hadn’t even heard his brother-in-law arrive.
“He was just playing, Travis,” Jessica said.
“Well, keep your damn hands to yourself next time you want to ‘play.’” He lifted Jessica’s chin and stroked her cheek. “Are you hurt?”
“No. I’m fine, Travis. I promise.”
Travis scowled at Mark, moving to stand in front of Jessica. “She’s pregnant. Or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t forgotten.” Mark stepped toward him. “And if you think I’d ever touch my sister in anger, or any woman for that matter, then you’re an idiot.”
Rage crossed Travis’s face and Jessica yanked him away from Mark. “Not the same thing, Travis.”
Mark had no idea what any of that meant as Jessica pushed her husband from the room.
“We’ll see you at dinner,” she said, and dragged Travis down the hall.
Mark rubbed his chin. He had no idea what he’d done wrong, but knew who could tell him. Grabbing his jacket, he pulled his door closed and headed downstairs.