THE COUPLE LEFT as planned; Rayne excited about the chance to make a home for them, Sam happy to be taking her somewhere safe.
They boarded the train and took their seats. The steam hissed and the train jolted forward. Rayne waved to Victoria and Quincy as they stood on the platform and watched. Once away from the depot, Rayne slid her hand into Sam’s and leaned against him. “Are you going to tell me what Clayton found out?”
Sam smiled and shook his head. “I had hoped you’d forgotten about needing to know every little detail.”
Rayne chuckled. “Silly rabbit.”
“Timothy Johnson is an old friend of Clayton’s. He, his sister Rose, and his brother Anthony grew up with the Maddens in Virginia. The Johnson’s have been working as Southern spies since about the beginning of the war, and Rose tried to use her friendship with Clayton to further their objective. It didn’t work, and Tim and Rose were arrested, however, Anthony was killed by Clayton last year.”
Rayne shifted in her seat. “So Tim blamed Clayton for his brother’s death.”
“Exactly. What we weren’t prepared for was Ivan. He’s a southern sympathizer who found an ally in Tim, and the promise of money. Apparently, Ivan has six children and a wife who likes to spend recklessly. He needed money, and Tim offered him a significant amount if he would help him escape. He figured the best way to do that would be to hold you for some kind of ransom. He didn’t count on Emma’s quick thinking, insisting she join you.”
“Wow. You know, I’ve had a few weird letters from unbalanced people in my time, but didn’t think I’d be much of a draw here.”
Sam frowned. “What kind of letters?”
Rayne squeezed his hand. “Just crazies wanting to take me away from my public life. One guy threatened to kill me if I didn’t meet him at a certain place, certain time. All normal for us big rock stars.”
Sam sighed. “Rayne.”
She smiled up at him. “You can’t honestly be worried about that now! They can’t get me here.”
Sam grimaced. “I’d rather not think about the possibility that anyone could “get you,” anywhere, anytime.”
“Well, we’re going home where you can watch me night and day.”
The rest of the train ride seemed to drag on and Rayne worried that she couldn’t seem to draw Sam out from his melancholy. She wasn’t used to having someone care about her so much, but she was beginning to like it.
The hiss of the steam indicated they’d made their final destination without incident and they disembarked to find Elijah waiting for them with a buggy. After retrieving Rayne’s horse and tying it to the back of the carriage, Sam lifted Rayne in and then jumped in beside her.
Tandy was waiting for them on the porch as they drove up. “Good afternoon, suh. Lunch is in the dining room.”
“Thank you, Tandy.” Sam assisted Rayne with her outerwear and then led her into the dining room.
The large buffet was overflowing with silver platters filled with more food than Rayne could have imagined available during wartime. “This is enough food to feed an army!”
Sam chuckled. “Tandy must have been excited.”
“Well, I’m starving,” she said. “Let’s eat.”
The dining room table, which sat fourteen, was set for the two of them… a place setting at each end of the table. Sam waited for Rayne to sit down before he made his way to the other end of the table.
Rayne peered around the bouquet of flowers in the middle of the table and frowned. “Are you serious?”
Sam took his seat and glanced at her. “Tandy will be in to serve us momentarily.”
Rayne shook her head. “Not that.” She rose to her feet and gathered her plate and silverware. “This is ridiculous.”
Sam stood as well. “Angel? What’s amiss?”
“I think it’s silly for us to sit at opposite ends of the table when it’s just the two of us.” She sat in the chair to his right. “We also don’t need Tandy to serve us. We are perfectly capable of serving ourselves, don’t you think?”
Sam smiled. “Of course.”
Tandy strolled into the room and stalled. “I’s sorry, suh. Was the table not right?”
Rayne stood and smiled gently. “It was perfect, Tandy. I just wanted to sit close to my husband.”
Tandy frowned. “Oh. Shall I set it like that from now on, missus?”
Rayne nodded. “I’d certainly appreciate that, yes. Also, there is so much food here… do you think some of the other families might like whatever’s left over?”
“Oh, Missus Powell, tha’s too generous, we’s couldn’t.”
Rayne glanced at Sam and then back at Tandy. “You could. Please. The thought of this going to waste bothers me.”
“Yes, missus.” Tandy lowered her head. “I’s sorry.”
Rayne rushed to her side and laid a hand on her arm, quickly removing it when Tandy pulled her arm away. “Oh, Tandy, don’t apologize. You do an amazing job… Sam has told me how he couldn’t have been away if you hadn’t been here to run the house. I do hope that won’t change.”
Tandy stood a little straighter and smiled. “Yes, missus.”
Rayne sighed. “Oh, I’m so relieved. I hope I’m not being too bossy.”
Tandy didn’t respond… she just shook her head and made her way to the buffet. “May I serve you?”
“We can do that, Tandy. Do you have something else to do more pressing… or would you like some time to yourself?”
Tandy glanced at Sam, her expression somewhat fearful.
Sam smiled. “Yes, Tandy. Please take the next two hours for yourself.”
Tandy lowered one of the large forks onto a platter and nodded before leaving the couple. Rayne watched her leave and then turned to Sam. “She looks petrified, Sam.”
“She’s never taken time off before. She usually won’t take anything other than Sunday, which is her assigned day off.”
Rayne frowned. “I hope she doesn’t think I’m taking over.”
Sam patted her hand. “You’re the mistress of the house. It’s expected you’ll take over much of the management of the household.”
“Well, I’ll talk to her later and make sure she’s okay.”
The couple ate quickly and decided to take a ride around the property. Rayne decided it would be the perfect opportunity to discuss her ideas for a school and the sanctuary she and the other girls wanted to create.
The groom saddled their horses and the couple took off, focusing on the east side of Sam’s land first. He gave her an in-depth tour, and Rayne was overwhelmed by the amount of land he owned. She pulled her horse to a walk as she took in the vastness of the area. “How do you keep up with all of this?”
“I don’t do it alone.” Sam grinned. “There are a lot of men and women who tend to the land, so it’s not particularly difficult for me.”
“Well, they must be pretty remarkable. The land is immaculate.”
Sam nodded. “They are. I think I have the most dedicated group of individuals working for me.”
Rayne smirked. “Of course, it’s possible you’re biased.”
Sam laughed and led her the opposite direction. He guided them to the edge of a small grove of trees and then helped her dismount. They walked for a few minutes and Sam slid an orange from his pocket and handed it to her. “How’s your head, sweetheart?”
“Much better.”
“Good.”
“How is it we have all this food? I thought the war made it impossible to acquire luxuries.” Rayne held up the citrus treat. “I mean, how do we have oranges… in winter?”
Once Rayne had peeled the orange, he took the wedge she offered and popped it into his mouth.
“It’s harder for the southern states, and we’ve had our issues, but with my reputation in D.C. and connection to Christopher, I haven’t had to deal with many of the threats a few in Maryland have. My livestock are left alone, and the men built a small greenhouse next to the kitchens that provides fresh fruit year round. We’ve only had one looting since the war began, but the soldiers were interrupted in the middle and dealt with.”
Rayne ran an orange wedge across her lower lip in thought. “Blue or gray?”
“I’m sorry?”
Rayne paused. “The looters? Were they Union or Confederate?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”
Rayne shrugged. “I guess not… just curious.”
Sam slid her hand into the crook of his arm and continued their walk. “They were Rebels.”
They were silent a few minutes and Rayne took a deep breath to bolster her courage. “Can I talk to you about something?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”
“The girls and I would like to start a charity.”
“That sounds charitable.” He grinned. “What did you have in mind?”
She stalled. She didn’t quite know how to approach the sensitive subject with him.
“Angel?”
“We want to create a safe haven for women who are either being abused or forced to marry against their will. I’d like to host it here.” He paused for several minutes. “Please say something.”
Sam sighed. “You cannot save the world, Rayne.”
“No, you’re right. But what if I could save Amelia? What if your sister fell in love with a man who appeared to be perfect, but he beat her?”
“I’d kill him,” Sam said.
“Of course you would.” She stroked his cheek. “But...what if she didn’t have you? What if she were alone in the world?”
He crossed his arms. “How will you approach this, Rayne? How will you keep the husbands from their wives?”
“It’ll be a bit like the Underground Railroad, I would imagine.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “The what?”
“You don’t know about the Underground Railroad?” He stared at her intently… Rayne frowned. “What?”
“We are a depot,” he said with a sigh.
“What?” she exclaimed. “You sneak! Was this something you were going to tell me? How long have you been a depot?”
Sam smiled. “Of course I was going to tell you. I wanted to get you settled first. We’ve been on the line for three years.”
“Oh, Sam!” Rayne threw her arms around his neck. “I am so sorry I ever thought you were prejudiced!”
He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “You approve, then, Angel?”
She kissed his chin. “This is so brave and incredibly noble.”
“It’s the right thing to do, Rayne. I wouldn’t call it noble.”
“So, can you understand why it’s the right thing for us to help women in need?” she asked. “Many women won’t leave their husbands because of their children. What if we can stop one child from watching their mother die at the hands of their father? Don’t you think that would be worth it?”
“It sounds dangerous,” he said.
“No more dangerous than being a depot on the Underground Railroad! You’re here to protect me, right?”
“I suppose,” he said quietly.
“Plus, Christopher and Quincy will be available as well.”
“They have approved this?” he asked.
“Well. No. Not yet, but they will.”
Sam groaned. “Rayne.”
“Well, they will! You know Quinn can’t say no to Victoria, and Hannah is the only one who can get around Chris. They’ll take care of it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What about Mrs. Madden?”
“Emma travels back and forth to Harrisburg so much, she’ll be more in the background.”
Sam cocked his head to the side. “You’ve thought about this quite a bit, haven’t you?”
Rayne shrugged. “I actually ran a foundation that did the same thing in the future. I have three years of experience under my belt. I’m sure it’ll take some adjusting while I get used to the lack of technology, but I at least know what to expect.”
“Do you?”
She nodded. “Yes. Plus with Hannah’s expertise with private investigation, I think we have a better chance than most for this to work. She can do classes to teach the women self-defense, and Jamie could also help if he’s here. He taught Hannah. Also, by the looks of the amount of food laid out at lunch, we should be able to feed a decent amount of people, whether they be slaves or women and children.”
He pulled her closer and kissed the crown of her head. “All right, Angel. I’ll speak with Chris and Quinn about how to protect you, but you may not do anything until we have a plan in place. Agreed?”
Rayne clapped and let out a little laugh. “Agreed. Thank you!” She pulled his head down for a kiss. It quickly turned heated and before she knew it, she found herself up against a tree with his hands under her skirts.
* * *
Quincy and Victoria visited over the weekend and Rayne was thrilled to see them. They gathered at the large dining room table for lunch and Rayne insisted they eat at one end, rather than spread out.
Victoria sipped her iced tea and smiled. “You know what we haven’t done?”
“What’s that?” Rayne asked.
“Thrown you a wedding reception.”
Rayne smiled. “We don’t really need one, do we?”
“Of course we do!” Victoria set her glass down. “We need to have a big fancy ball in honor of your wedding!”
Quincy and Sam let out a collective groan.
Rayne tapped her fingers on the table. “We do have a huge ballroom and plenty of space here.”
Victoria nodded. “We could rope the girls in and have it planned in a week. Especially if we pull Sophie in.”
“Oh, we have to get Sophie involved,” Rayne agreed.
“We could stretch the party out over a weekend,” Victoria suggested.
“Totally. We have all these empty rooms. Plenty of room for guests.”
“Plus Quincy’s parents aren’t far if it’s not enough.” Victoria glanced at Quincy. “If you don’t think your parents would mind, honey.”
Quincy raised his eyebrow. “They’d be hurt if you didn’t ask.”
Victoria giggled. “Just as I suspected.”
Rayne grasped Sam’s hand. “Let’s have it the first Saturday in November. That way we’ll have time to get ready for Thanksgiving.”
Victoria clapped her hands. “I love it.”
“Oh! Let’s make it a masquerade!” Rayne said.
Quincy raised an eyebrow. “A masquerade?”
Rayne nodded. “Yes. I did this really cool video—”
“For ‘Timeless,’ right?” Victoria interrupted.
“Yes, it was really fun and the masks were really ornate.”
“I loved that video!” Victoria said. “I think everyone should come in period costume.”
“Um, helloooo, we are in period costume,” Rayne pointed out.
“Revolutionary War period,” Victoria said.
Rayne gave a little squeal. “So cool!”
“I know!”
“Would you please translate?” Sam asked.
“We’re going to throw a masquerade ball, and the guests must dress in Revolutionary War costume and masks.”
“Ah.” He rolled his eyes.
Victoria laughed.
“Is that okay?” Rayne asked.
“Of course,” he said and then turned to Quincy. “I have an aged bottle of whiskey and cigars in my office. Would you care to join me?”
Quincy pushed away from the table. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Sam rose to his feet and leaned down to kiss Rayne’s cheek. “We’ll leave you both to make your plans. Just let me know where to send the payments.”
“You’re making this too easy, baby,” she said.
“A glimpse of our life together.” He leaned down for a quick kiss.
“Riiiight.” Rayne laughed as the couples stood and went their separate ways. The girls went to the parlor to plan; the boys went to Sam’s office to do anything but plan.
“So, the sixth is good?” Victoria asked.
Rayne nodded as she sat on the sofa. “Yes, it’s perfect. Provided we can get the invitations out in the next few days. Who should we invite?”
Victoria sat in the chair next to the fire. “Why don’t we take a ride over to the farm tomorrow? Wilhelmina will know who we should include.”
“That sounds good. What are Quincy’s parents like?” Rayne asked.
“Amazing.” Victoria smiled. “They’re funny and kind and make Hannah and me feel like we’re their own children.”
Rayne tucked her feet underneath her skirts. “Nice.”
“What are Sam’s parents like?”
Rayne shrugged. “His dad seems nice, but his mother hates me.”
“What? Why?” Victoria asked.
“She thinks I’m a gold-digging whore,” Rayne said.
Victoria gasped. “She does not!”
“Yes, she does.” Rayne sighed. “I heard her tell Sam before we got married.”
“Oh, Rayne, that’s awful. She just doesn’t know you. She’ll come around.”
“Maybe. However, the woman is über bit—” Rayne slapped her hand over her mouth.
“Rayne!” Victoria exclaimed, but couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped.
“Well, she is! She thinks Tandy is beneath her and hates the fact that Sam gave everyone their freedom.”
“You have to remember the time she’s been raised in, though,” Victoria countered.
“Do I, Victoria? Really?” Rayne smacked the arm of the sofa. “Because I think there’s something to basic human dignity that she doesn’t get on any level.”
Victoria smiled. “Perhaps you’re right.”
“Oh, I’m right.” Rayne avowed.
“Doesn’t he have a sister?”
“Yes. Amelia.” Rayne smiled. “I adore her. I just wish we could spend more time together.”
“You should have her come and stay. Maybe she could help with the plans.”
“That’s a really good idea. I’ll ask Sam to pose it to his parents.”
Victoria peeked out the window. “I want to go for a ride.”
“The rain has stopped. Why don’t we go now?” Rayne suggested.
Victoria grinned. “Perfect.”
The girls went to find their husbands, not surprised to walk into Sam’s office and find it swirling with smoke.
“Yuck!” Victoria waved her hand in front of her face.
“We thought we might go for a ride,” Rayne said.
“We’ll go with you,” Sam said. “Why don’t you two change and I’ll gather our coats and gloves?”
The girls rushed to get ready and before long, the foursome were mounting their horses and heading for the west side of the property. They spent the rest of the afternoon riding and returned home just in time for dinner and an evening of cards. Once again, Rayne won millions of dollars and they all drank enough wine to fall into bed that night exhausted.
* * *
Rayne woke the next morning to an empty bed. She forced herself to get up despite the early hour, knowing they’d have a bit of a trip to the Butlers’ farm. She eased herself out from the comfort of the sheets and donned a fresh pair of breeches and blouse. She found a light skirt to put on over her breeches and then went to find her husband.
Sam and their guests were in the dining room. The men stood and Sam kissed Rayne’s cheek as he placed a large cup of coffee in front of her.
“Thank you.” She tiredly settled her chin in her hand as she raised the cup of coffee to her lips with the other.
“I was going to let you sleep for another hour,” Sam said with a gentle smile.
“I figured we would need to get an early start.”
“We’ll take the carriage and you can sleep on the way,” he said.
“Works for me.” Rayne yawned. “Sorry.”
Victoria giggled. “We should eat and then get going.”
“The carriage is waiting for us outside,” Sam said.
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “What would be the odds of riding instead? Rocky needs a good open run.”
Sam smiled. “Elijah will drive us while you and Quincy ride, if you like.”
They finished their breakfast and made their way out to the carriage and horses. Rayne was surprised to find the inside of the carriage had been heated and sat with a contented sigh on the seat across from Sam.
“Comfortable?” he asked.
“Sure.”
Sam tapped the top of the carriage and they heard Elijah get the horses moving with a verbal command.