CLAYTON MADDEN PULLED his horse up to Christopher Butler’s Washington D.C. townhouse. He was finally at the point where he could join Emma again, and he couldn’t wait to head home. He’d been away for far too long and missed his wife and new son beyond reason.

As he dismounted, he noticed Christopher’s cousin, Theodore, rushing toward the house. Clayton had met just about every Butler cousin in existence, except the few who were scattered across the country. The local Butlers were a close-knit family and often in each other’s business. Clayton found this uncomfortable at times, but then again, he’d married a woman who knew everyone and everything going on... as did her sister. He supposed he should embrace the new way of the world.

“Theodore? Everything all right?” Clayton asked.

“I’ve lost my sister,” Theodore complained. “And this time it was without effort.”

Clayton chuckled. “Come on, she’s probably inside.”

They walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. Christopher’s housekeeper, Mrs. Putnam opened the door. “Mr. Madden, Mr. Butler. Welcome.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Putnam,” Clayton said as he removed his hat and outerwear. Theodore did the same.

“Mr. and Mrs. Butler and Miss Butler are in the parlor. Please follow me.”

They followed the housekeeper into the parlor and found Christopher, Gabrielle, and Hannah in deep conversation. Christopher noticed them first and forced a smile as he greeted his cousin. “Good morning, Theodore. Gabby was just getting ready to apologize for running off. Weren’t you, Gabrielle?”

Gabby snorted. “Not in the least.”

“I like this girl. We need her around more,” Hannah said as she rose to her feet and hugged Clayton.

Theodore hugged Hannah as he shot his sister a look of reproach. “Be careful what you wish for, Hannah. She has a way of getting under your skin.” He crossed his arms. “Father put you in my care, Gabby, and the moment my back was turned, you ran off. It’s reckless and completely unnecessary. I told you I’d bring you here.”

Gabby lowered her eyes. “I know, Theo. I’m sorry, but I felt a pressing need to hurry. And I’m glad I did. They’re catching a train in an hour for Harrisburg.”

Christopher sighed. “She’s right, Theo. Another twenty minutes and you would have missed us. I agree with you that this was reckless”—he glowered at Gabby—“but what she had to tell me was important, or it would have been.”

“How was I supposed to know you already knew?” Gabby complained, exasperated. “And just because you’re Christopher the Big does not make you omniscient,” she quickly added.

Hannah laughed. “You just can’t get away from that title, can you, love?”

Christopher grinned and pulled Hannah close.

“What information, exactly?” Theodore asked.

“John Wilkes Booth was at the hotel while we were there,” Gabby explained.

“The actor?”

“Yes,” Gabby said.

“Why is that significant?”

“We have information that indicates he’s plotting an assassination against the president,” Christopher said.

“Gabrielle,” Theodore snapped. “You knew about this? The plot?”

She glanced at Hannah, then at Christopher, who nodded. Gabby turned to her brother and took a deep breath. “Yes. I knew about it. Well, partially, anyway. My suspicions were confirmed today.”

Theodore swore. “You shouldn’t have gotten involved.” He turned to Christopher. “And why the hell would you encourage her?”

“I didn’t really. Not intentionally, anyway,” Christopher said. “Nevertheless, Gabby was right in telling me. I’m not happy she came here unescorted to do so, but the information Booth and his cronies were sharing could have been dangerous had we not already known about it.”

“I’m standing right here,” Gabby snapped.

“Which you shouldn’t be. You should be back at the hotel with me,” Theodore stressed.

“Fine.” Gabrielle raised her hands in surrender. “We shouldn’t keep our cousins, Theo. They have a train to catch.”

Hannah hugged her. “I wish you could come.”

“As do I,” Gabby admitted. “However, without a valid reason, my father won’t allow it.”

“Is there nothing you can come up with?” Hannah asked hopefully.

Gabby stared at her brother.

“No,” he said.

She continued to stare.

“No, Gabrielle. There is no possible reason for me to travel to Harrisburg.”

“A new horse, perhaps?” Christopher suggested.

“How exactly would I obtain a new horse, when all the decent ones have been gathered up for military use?”

“Jamie has horses he’s selling,” Clayton said. “Cavalry horses that won’t be needed.”

“And how exactly does he know they won’t be needed?”

“Ah... well,” Clayton stalled.

“That’s confidential,” Christopher said.

Theodore rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. In any case, I don’t have anything to justify taking time out of my schedule for a party. Some other time.”

“Please, Theo?” Gabby begged. “I could always travel with Chris.”

“No. You’re not packed for an extended trip. If you want to go, you’ll need to speak with Father.”

Gabby sighed as she wrinkled her nose. “Fine.”

“Well, we’ll be in Harrisburg for three weeks, if you change your mind,” Christopher said. “And should you need anything, send a wire.”

“Yes,” Clayton added. “They’re staying with us, so please don’t hesitate, and should anything change, you are more than welcome as well.”

* * *

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Andrew Simmonds leaned over to kiss his sleeping wife. She had been unusually tired of late, her newly discovered pregnancy the culprit, and he’d forced her to lie down. She’d apparently fallen asleep, despite her protests. “It’s time to wake up, beautiful girl.”

Gwendolyn groaned and shook her head. “Please tell me you’re jesting with me.”

“Your brothers will be arriving in less than two hours. Shall I collect them alone?”

“Yes.” Gwen sighed and blinked her eyes open. “No. Oh, I don’t know. Remind me again why we no longer live in your perfectly acceptable home in downtown Harrisburg? We could have walked to the train station from there.”

Andrew smiled. “I think it had something to do with the fact that you wanted a home close to your brothers and parents, and a dwelling large enough to raise eight children.”

She wrinkled her nose and sat up. “Right. Now I remember. Why did you listen to me again?”

He laughed. “Because I can’t resist you.”

“We should work on that.”

“Well, in all honesty, I didn’t expect the house to sell so quickly.”

Gwen yawned. “I know. Decorating a few rooms in the colors Emma suggested seemed to excite people.”

Andrew sat on the edge of the mattress. “I am happy to collect them alone.”

“No, because then you’d have to come all the way back here... unless you’d let me ride Tornado over to the Fords’?” she asked hopefully.

“No,” he said almost before she could finish her sentence.

“I didn’t think so,” she grumbled.

“Gwendolyn.” Andrew smiled. “I have promised you a long ride tomorrow. Did you forget?”

“No,” she admitted. “But I thought I’d try for today anyway. A short ride would be quite easy for me.”

“I’m aware of your riding abilities, sweetheart, but Tornado is still a stallion and I don’t like you riding him without me close.”

“You seem to forget I’m a better rider than you.”

“I haven’t forgotten, sweetheart. As much as I’d love it not to be so, I’m well aware of your ability, but even the best riders fall, and if you were hurt and no one was with you...” He couldn’t finish his thought.

“It’s been almost a week.”

He squeezed her hand. “The Paxton’s groom has been exercising him. And you can ride him tomorrow.”

Gwen crossed her arms. “Yes, I know. You’ve said that.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Our child appears to be making you testy.”

“No. Perhaps I’m testy because I’m not allowed to ride my horse!”

Andrew shook his head. “Could be, I suppose.

“I’m sorry.” Gwen bit her lip. “I’m just restless.”

“Is there anything else going on?” He laid his hand gently on her side. “Are your ribs hurting?”

Gwen had been shot when she and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth, had been kidnapped, but that was six months ago, and Gwen was completely healed.

“No. I’m fine.” She sighed. “Truly. I suppose I’m concerned about Charity.”

Charity Madden was Gwen’s closest childhood friend. She’d married Richard Madden in October and had been a little distant as of late.

“What’s wrong with Charity?”

“I’m not certain. She’s just different.”

Andrew smiled. “I’m sure she’s fine. She’ll be at the ball, right? You can check on her then.”

“You’re probably right. I’m sorry I’ve been difficult.”

The best defense against Gwen when she was in a bad mood was humor. It was rare when Andrew couldn’t “joke” her out of a mood. “I love you, even when you’re difficult.”

She giggled. “You’re supposed to say that I’m never difficult. You’re supposed to say that I’m perfect.”

“Am I?” He leaned close to her. “How very remiss of me.”

He kissed her until she slid her hands into his hair. He had every intention of leaving her to get ready, but found himself removing her nightgown and making love to her instead. By the time Gwen’s maid knocked on their door, he realized they were going to be late. “We’ll be right there,” he called.

“I suppose that’s one way to wake up,” Gwen said as she climbed from the bed.

Andrew shook his head. “Your brothers aren’t going to be happy we’re late.”

Gwen shrugged, the action shaking her long chestnut hair across her chest, which only magnified her nudity, driving any rational thought from Andrew. She looked much like Lucas Cranach the Elder’s depiction of Eve in his famous painting. “They will get over it.”

Andrew turned away from her and pulled on his pants. “Your Sophie-isms are coming along at a rapid pace, I see.”

“I like her modern speech. It’s much more... relaxed. Not that you should complain, you’re the one who never wants to leave their home. Why are you staring out the window, Andrew?”

“Because if I continue to stare at you, your brothers will have to find their own way over to the Fords’.”

He glanced over his shoulder when he felt her soft lips on his shoulder. “They wouldn’t mind.”

“Gwendolyn Simmonds.” He took a deep breath and finished buttoning his trousers. “You are a terrible temptation.”

“That’s all I needed to hear,” she retorted. “I’m happy to dress now.”

He pulled on his shirt and tucked it into his pants, turning when he finally felt he could control himself. He grimaced as pain shot through his leg.

Andrew had been injured at Shiloh by a cannon ball that had exploded in front of him. The shrapnel in his knee, although removed by doctors, had caused ligament damage, which resulted in chronic pain and a permanent limp. He’d also sustained scars on his face and was reminded of those when he looked in the mirror, which happened only when purely necessary.

“Your knee?” Gwen asked.

He nodded, gritting his teeth.

“Sit down, sweetheart. I’ll help.”

He sat in one of the high-backed chairs near the window and Gwen knelt in front of him. She dug her fingers into the muscle and the initial pain gave way to relief. Hannah had taught Gwen how to use massage to assist with muscle pain, and Andrew was amazed at how well it worked.

“Better?” Gwen asked.

Andrew smiled and stroked her cheek. “Much. I can face the day now.”

She rose to her feet. “Do you want a painkiller?”

“No, the pain’s not bad enough for one.” He stood and pulled on his jacket. “I’ll send Mary in.”

“Thank you,” she said, and raised her head for a kiss. “I will require more of you later.”

He grinned and kissed her quickly. “If you insist.”

* * *

Emma Madden settled Henry in his bassinet and leaned over to kiss him. “Sleep well, sweet boy. Daddy will be home soon and he will shower you... and me... with a ridiculous amount of attention.”

Henry’s eyes fluttered closed and Emma smiled, grateful he was such a good sleeper. She quietly left the room and headed downstairs for something to eat, and hopefully, a cup of coffee. She was halfway down when the front door opened. She let out a squeak of excitement and flew into the arms of her husband. “You’re early.”

“I am.” Clayton chuckled as he tossed his hat onto the bench by the door and pulled her close, kissing her with abandon. “Lord, I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”

“Not as much as I’ve missed you.”

“Where’s Henry?”

“I just put him down.”

“Oh.” Clayton frowned. “How long will he sleep?”

“A few hours.” She smiled up at him. “If we’re lucky.”

“What if we wake him?”

“Don’t you dare,” she demanded. “Never wake a sleeping baby.” She looped her arms around his neck. “I know you want to see him, but I’d really like to have uninterrupted adult conversation for a little while.”

He chuckled and kissed her. “Speaking of babies, what about Penny? She’ll be here shortly.”

“It’s different when they’re not your own. You can give them back.”

“That’s very true.”                 

“Where are Victoria and Hannah?” she asked.

“I asked to ride Rocky so I could beat the carriage.”

“And he let you?”

Clayton nodded. “We’ve been getting to know one another. He’s a magnificent horse.”

Emma smiled. “I’m surprised he didn’t freak out about leaving Victoria, being so protective of her and all.”

Clayton chuckled as he removed his coat. “She explained to him what was happening. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he understood every word she said.”

“He probably does.” She cocked her head. “How’s Hannah?”

“She seems fine.”

“Says Mr. Unobservant.”

“It’s not as though I would ever ask her such a personal question, Emma. And she seemed in good spirits on the train.”

Emma sighed. “Well, that’s because she’s good at hiding her feelings from the outside world, but I know something’s going on with her... I just wish she’d tell me.”

“You can ask her when she gets here.” He stroked her cheek. “How are you? Are you getting enough sleep?”

“Probably not. But I’m fine. Better now that you’re here.” She smiled. “How’s Apollo?”

Emma’s gelding had been left behind, since she was unable to ride him for a few more weeks, but Clayton had arranged for a young agent at the war offices to take care of him while they were away.

“Apollo is happy and healthy, sweetheart. Although, I’m sure he’s pining for you.”

Emma giggled. “Good answer.”

Clayton smiled. “I really have missed you.”

“Same.” Emma slid her arms around his waist. “How long until everyone gets here?”

“At least twenty minutes.”

Emma grasped Clayton’s hand. “Ooh, good. Some private time. Come with me. Since we can’t do anything fun for a few weeks, I want to hear the plan before everyone arrives.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know, sweet, I can come up with a few things we can do that are almost as fun.”

“Even better,” she said. “Move it.”

She smacked his bottom and rushed for their bedroom.