* * *
“Good morning, Rayne. It’s time to wake up.”
Rayne groaned as she rolled over to face the distinctly southern voice. “What time is it?”
“It’s a little after nine. I wanted to let you sleep in a bit.”
“Noon would have been better,” she grumbled.
Victoria chuckled. “You and Hannah are cut from the same cloth, I think. Quincy and I have been downstairs since six, but I don’t think Chris has been able to wake Hannah yet.”
“Well, if she gets to sleep, why can’t I?” Rayne pulled the comforter over her head.
“Because she’s pregnant and Sam will be here to collect you at ten.”
“Right, I forgot.” She threw the covers off with a groan. “Why so early?”
Victoria opened the freestanding wardrobe. “He wanted to come at nine.”
“What? Why?” She sat up.
“I think he likes you.” Victoria pulled a gown from a hanger and laid it over a chair. “I explained to him you’d need to rest and tried for eleven, but he negotiated me down to ten.”
“Damn, he’s persistent.” Rayne flopped back down onto the bed.
“I know.” Victoria smiled gently. “How’s your head?”
“Better, I think.” Rayne laid her hand on her forehead. “Too early to tell, though.”
“What about your lip?”
“As long as I don’t smile, I don’t feel it.”
Victoria frowned. “Maybe we should put something on it.”
“Nah, it’ll be fine. Smiling’s overrated anyway.”
Victoria chuckled. “Okay, come on. Up and at ’em. I’ll come back in ten minutes to help you dress. There’s fresh water in the pitcher on the bureau.”
“Thanks.”
Once Victoria left the room, Rayne climbed out of bed and washed her face. Her hair was standing straight on end from having slept on it wet the night before. She hoped Victoria would be able to do something with it.
Rayne observed the clothes Victoria had laid out. The dark blue jacket had dropped shoulders and a velvet trim, and the skirt had the matching trim at the hem. A knock at the door brought Victoria with a brush and bobby pins.
“Where did the bath go?” Rayne asked.
“Hannah and I drained it while you slept last night.” Victoria laid her burdens on the bureau.
“Wow. What a pain in the neck.”
Victoria groaned. “Seriously. Next order of business for Hannah is to install a bathroom. She’s trying to convince Chris to do it before the baby comes.”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Hannah’s had a rough time with her pregnancy and she can’t just sit back and relax. I think if they started a renovation project, Christopher’s afraid she’d overdo.” Victoria dragged items from one of the bureau drawers. “And he’s probably right.”
Rayne splashed water on her face. “Ah.”
“Do you like the color?” Victoria nodded toward the outfit. “I picked it because I thought it would match your eyes. Might as well drive the man wild.”
“I thought this was supposed to be a no-pressure situation?”
Victoria nodded. “Oh, it is. I’d just like to watch Sam squirm a little bit.”
“Great.”
“Let’s get your undergarments and corset on, but we’ll leave it loose. We’ll work on your hair before we get you dressed.”
Rayne’s mouth fell open. “How much clothing am I supposed to wear?”
Victoria showed her how to put on the stockings, pantaloons, and chemise and then fastened the corset without tightening the laces. She led Rayne to the small stool and sat her down to work on her hair.
“Your hair is longer than it looks.” Victoria ran a brush through the short locks.
“I know. On show nights I usually curl it and spike it up. Sometimes my hair person will spray some funky color into it, but last night she left it natural.” Rayne smoothed her hands over the short spikes.
“I bet it looks great either way.” Victoria dipped her hands in water and slipped them into Rayne’s hair. She grabbed the brush and pulled it through the wet locks. She was able to achieve a short ponytail, and pinned what there was into a bun at Rayne’s neck. “Your hair’s just long enough that with a hat, no one will know your hair isn’t of the latest nineteenth-century style.”
“I have to wear a hat too?” Rayne squeaked.
Victoria grimaced. “And gloves.”
Rayne swore.
Victoria smiled. “Sorry. Okay, I’m done. Let’s finish getting you dressed.” She helped Rayne step into her hoops and then got the rest of her dress fastened.
Rayne groaned. “I hope I don’t have to pee.”
“Yes, hold it. It’s not fun in hoops.” Victoria giggled. When she was finished, she took a quick look at her masterpiece and then led Rayne to the mirror.
Rayne turned to the side and then back to the front. “I don’t even look like me.”
“Do you like it?” Victoria smoothed her hands across Rayne’s back.
“It’s different.” Rayne shook out her skirts and turned to face Victoria. “I’m used to jeans and a T-shirt, you know?”
“Totally. I am too.” Victoria put the bobby pins she didn’t use back into a drawer. “Plus, I’m a runner, so I’m used to sweats, Nike’s, and sports bra.”
Rayne grinned. “I run too!”
“You do?”
“Yep, every day.” Rayne shook her head. “Well, I used to. It helps keep me in shape when I’m on tour.”
“I’d love a running partner. Maybe we can go tomorrow.”
Rayne shrugged. “I should probably check my calendar. I’m so busy these days, I’m not sure I have the time.”
The girls looked at each other and dissolved into giggles. It took a few minutes, but they were able to compose themselves and get back to the subject at hand.
Victoria handed her a shawl. “How’s the corset? Can you breathe?”
“Sort of.”
Victoria grinned. “As long as you don’t think you’ll pass out, I’m good with ‘sort of.’”
“I should be able to stay on my feet.”
“Excellent. Let’s get you some breakfast and I’ll find you a hat and gloves to complement your outfit.”
The girls made their way downstairs and found Hannah in the dining room. “You’re up.”
“I suppose.” Hannah lay down the piece of toast she’d just taken a bite of.
Victoria frowned. “Are you feeling okay?”
“A little pain. But, I’m okay.” She smiled and then turned to Rayne. “How did you sleep?”
Taking the seat Victoria indicated, Rayne smiled. “Fine, thanks. The bed was very comfortable.”
“Good. I understand Sam is taking you out today?”
Rayne shrugged. “That’s the plan.”
Placing her hands over her stomach, Hannah took a few deep breaths. “Sam’s an amazing guy. I think you’ll really like him.”
“I don’t want to like him,” Rayne complained. “I want to go home.”
Victoria poured herself a cup of coffee. “I know.”
“Chris promised to send a wire to Madame today.”
Conversation halted briefly as the girls ate. Rayne was consumed with thoughts of the day. Just before ten, the housekeeper announced that Sam had arrived and was in the parlor. She handed Victoria a hat and gloves, and Victoria smiled at Rayne. “Let’s get your outfit finished.”
Rayne stayed seated so that Victoria could pin the hat on her head. She took the gloves and something that looked like a fabric pouch, and followed Victoria into the hallway.
Victoria pointed to her hand. “That is called a reticule. It’s a purse of sorts. I put a few coins inside and a handkerchief.”
Rayne nodded. “Thanks.”
Victoria pushed her toward the parlor.
“You’re not coming with me?” Rayne whispered frantically.
“Do you need me to
?” Victoria raised an eyebrow.
Reaching out to grab Victoria’s arm, Rayne growled. “Um, yes.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you perform in front of thousands of people, but one tiny man scares you?”
“He’s not tiny,” Rayne argued.
Victoria giggled. “No, you’re right, he’s not. But you can do it. I have faith in you.”
“You’re abandoning me?”
Victoria pushed her gently. “You’ll be fine, Rayne. Go. Just remember to refrain from modern speak. Listen to Sam and follow his lead.”
“Okay.” Rayne moved slowly down the hall, pausing and taking a deep breath before walking into the parlor. “Good morning, Mr. Powell.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “You’re beautiful.”
Rayne felt heat creep up her neck as she lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, that just slipped out.” He moved toward her and it gave her just enough time to gather her wits and once again look at him. With a smile, he cocked his head and asked, “Are you ready?”
Rayne nodded and they made their way out the front door. She pulled her gloves on and Sam assisted her into the buggy before climbing in next to her. Taking up the reins, he turned, and his gaze lingered on her lips. Rayne dragged her lower lip between her teeth. His study of her made her heart race.
Sam focused back on the road and clicked the horses forward. “Would you like to visit the White House?”
“Sure,” she said apprehensively.
He glanced sideways and then forward again. “Is something amiss?”
“Don’t you have to make an appointment or something?” She nervously twisted the string on her reticule.
“To visit the White House?”
“Yes.”
Sam shook his head. “No.”
“You can just walk in?”
“Yes.”
“Get out of town! Seriously? You can just walk into the White House?”
“Well, you have to knock and present your card, but yes, for the most part, you can just walk in.” Sam grinned. “Plus, I do have a few connections to the president through Chris.”
As he looked at her intently, Rayne realized, hopefully not too late, that he probably thought she was slightly insane. “Thank you, Mr. Powell. I would very much enjoy a visit to the White House.”
“Samuel, please. Or Sam. Mr. Powell is my father.” She smiled and nodded, but didn’t say anything further as he continued to stare at her. “And?”
She frowned in confusion. “And, what?”
“May I call you something other than Miss Green?”
“Ah. No. You can’t.” Rayne laughed at his disappointed expression. “I’m joking. You may call me Rayne.”
He gave her the most adorable sideways smile, which sent a shiver up her spine. She tried to shake it off as they made their way toward Pennsylvania Avenue, but was unsuccessful, so she made a point of sitting still and keeping her hands folded in front of her.
“What happened to you last night?” Sam glanced at her. “Have you been able to determine how you were drugged?”
Rayne nodded. “Yes. A man I trusted put something in my water.”
“And did you determine why you were dressed the way you were?”
“I never had a question as to why I was dressed the way I was.”
“Then why were you?”
Rayne shrugged. “I’m a prostitute, remember?”
He frowned, but Rayne was glad he dropped the subject. As they drove through the city, Rayne couldn’t keep the awe from her voice as she asked questions. It didn’t look that much different from the future D.C., other than all the horses, of course, and the buildings were new. She was impressed with the efforts the twenty-first-century city had put forth to restore D.C.
Within a few minutes, Sam pulled the buggy up to the White House and set the brake. Rayne moved to get out, but he put his hand on her arm. “Let me, please.”
Climbing down, Sam made his way around the horse and reached up to help her out. She put her hands on his shoulders as he wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her from the buggy. Lingering briefly, Sam took a bit longer than necessary to set her gently on her feet.
She looked up at him and saw the same sideways smile. She smiled back at him and slowly removed her hands from his shoulders. Sam took one of her hands and slipped it into the crook of his arm to lead her to the front door. He handed the man his card and then escorted Rayne through the doors of the White House.
Rayne gasped in awe at the beauty of the interior. “I still cannot believe we can just walk in,” she whispered.
“Would you like to see more?”
“Yes! Are we allowed to go anywhere?” she whispered again.
“Why are we whispering?”
She giggled quietly. “The awe, I think.”
“Well, there are a few places that are off limits, but I’ll show you everything that’s open.”
Rayne grinned. “Thank you.”
They spent over an hour touring the house and the grounds. Samuel’s knowledge of the history of the White House and the area impressed her repeatedly. His attentiveness also made an impression she wasn’t expecting. He anticipated her every need and his soft, almost imperceptible touches, produced a feeling in her stomach she’d never experienced before. She could only compare it to stage fright. Something she hadn’t dealt with in years.
He made her laugh, and their conversation felt easy. She didn’t feel as though he wanted anything from her. His attention wasn’t self-serving. People did things for her all the time, with the expectation of some kind of return. The only person who never expected anything from her was Shaye. She sighed sadly.
“Is something amiss?” Sam patted the hand firmly folded into the crook of his elbow.
She glanced up. “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking of an old friend. I miss her.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s at home.” Her tone broached no further inquiry, and she was glad that he smiled without comment.
“We’ll be late for lunch if we don’t leave now.”
“Well, let’s get a move on, then.” She grinned. “I’m starving.”
Sam chuckled and led her out the doors and back to the buggy area. Chaos seemed abundant as the attendants tried to assist several people at once. Sam frowned. “Will you be all right if I leave you here briefly?”
“Of course.” She gave him a smile and watched him walk away to find someone to retrieve his carriage.
STANDING OFF TO the side of the carriage house, Rayne watched the bustle of people walk by the White House. The sights and smells wafting toward her seemed surreal. Missing was the smell of gasoline and the sight of paved roads, replaced by the smell of horses and dust flying from the primitive streets.
Without warning, the hair on Rayne’s neck stood up and a shiver went down her spine as she heard a deep chuckle behind her.
“Well, now, what do we have here? A lady alone.”
Rayne turned with a gasp and stared into an all-too-familiar scarred face. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her terror as she realized the man didn’t recognize her. “I am not alone, sir,” she said firmly.
He swept the hat from his head and bowed slightly. “You appear to be very much alone, ma’am. May I escort you somewhere?” He reached out to take her arm.
“Touch her and you’ll regret the action.”
His arm fell to his side and Rayne squeezed her eyes shut in relief as Sam made his way to her side. Placing his hand gently on her back, Sam was by her side and on guard.
Scarface scowled. “Samuel Powell.”
“Lyle Spears,” Sam said with disgust. “I believe you were warned not to follow me.”
He shrugged. “Who said I was followin’ ya? Public street, Sam.”
“Is there a reason you’re harassing the lady?”
Lyle shrugged. “I noticed she was alone. I offered assistance. Nothing more.”
Rayne shivered and
couldn’t help but nervously touch Sam’s leg as she moved her body closer to him.
Sam took her hand and settled it in the crook of his arm with a squeeze. “You can see she’s in safe hands and doesn’t require assistance.”
Lyle leered at Rayne and she once again moved closer to Sam. Lyle shoved his hat on and tipped his head before stalking away.
Sam turned Rayne to face him. “Are you all right?”
Rayne’s lower lip quivered and she dragged it between her teeth.
“What’s amiss?”
“He was the man who—” Her hand went to her mouth, but she couldn’t continue.
“It’s all right, Rayne. We can discuss this at a later time.”
Rayne nodded and let Sam lead her to the buggy. Lifting her in, he jumped in beside her and took off toward the Butlers’.
They arrived back at the townhouse just as Christopher was walking up the front walk. “Good afternoon. Will you join us for lunch, Sam?”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Sam drove around the back and handed the horse off to the stable hand.
Sam escorted her inside and assisted her with her outerwear before leading her to the parlor. The room was empty.
Sam faced Rayne. “Tell me about Lyle.”
She took a deep breath. “When I woke up, he was the one who hit me.” She lifted her hand to her still sore lip.
Sam nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll take care of him.”
She reached out to touch his arm. “You don’t need to, Sam. It’s fine. I doubt I’ll ever see him again. He didn’t recognize me, so it’s really no big deal.”
“He’s a menace and now I have more of a reason to ensure he stays where he belongs.”
“Which is where?” Rayne asked.
“Lunch is served.”
The couple turned, their conversation effectively interrupted by Christopher’s announcement.
Sam led her into the dining room to join everyone else and took the seat across from her. She was confused by the strange expression on his face, but he seemed to relax as the meal progressed, so she put it out of her mind. She was determined to enjoy herself until she could find her way home.
The Bride Star (Civil War Brides Book 6) Page 5