She nearly fell off the bed. “Has the pain gone to your head?” Trying to stand, she was agitated when Quincy held firm.
“I’m not finished.”
She frowned down at him. “Oh, yes, you are.”
A low rumble in his throat was followed by, “Victoria.”
“Yeah, go with that. I respond well to growling,” she retorted. “Look, Quincy, we shared a really intense moment. I’m tending to your injuries, so it’s natural for you to form an attachment, but in a week or so, you’ll go back to your life, whether it’s back into battle or here with your brother, and I’ll be quickly forgotten.”
“I could never forget you.”
“You say that now, but just watch,” she droned as she patted his hand. “You must have a young lady who’s waiting for you to come home, don’t you?”
He tilted his head toward her. “Don’t speak to me as though I’m a child, Victoria. I know my own mind.”
“We don’t even know if my ‘predicament’ is permanent. I don’t know why I’m here, or if I could just zip back home within a matter of days... or seconds.”
Quincy took a deep breath. “You can’t leave me now.”
“Well, you may not have any say over it.”
He sat up slightly. “Who does?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I keep meaning to ask Hannah, but we continue to get sidetracked. I’ll try and find out.”
He settled back against the pillows. “In the meantime, you can agree to my courtship.”
“Oh my lord, big man, I’d drive you crazy. You’d get sick of me in no time. I just think it’s better we don’t start something we can’t finish.” Victoria tried to stand again, but he tugged a little harder this time and she lost her balance. She landed on his chest and her hand smacked his shoulder. His sharp intake of breath both vindicated and worried her. “Are you all right? Serves you right, really, don’t you think? Oh, Gus, I’m so sorry.” As she tried to gently pull the bandage away from his shoulder to see what damage she might have done, her emotions warred with her logic.
“It’s fine.” Quincy pushed her hands away.
“Don’t get snarky at me, mister.” Her eyes filled with tears, petrified that she may have done damage.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart.”
“I’m not crying. Let me look at your shoulder.” Victoria investigated his wound, relieved to see that it was fine. She stood and moved to the bureau. “I’m not going to clean it again until after the doctor has a chance to look at it. The infection seems to be gone, which is a relief.”
“Little rebel?”
“Hm?”
He held his hand out to her. “Come here, please.”
“Nope, I’m good over here. Thanks.”
“Victoria. Please.” He let out a quiet moan. “My shoulder really is in pain.”
She moved to his side and quickly realized her folly. He grabbed her hand and wouldn’t let go. Victoria let out a snort.
“Sit, please,” he said.
She flopped herself down and jostled him, which made him grimace slightly. She smirked at him.
“Victoria. I’m going to ask you again. Would you do me the honor of allowing me to court you?”
“Um, let me think,” she said, tapping her cheek with her forefinger. “No.”
“Why the hell not?” he snapped.
“I already told you.” She stood, even though he still held her hand. “Now, I’m going to have some breakfast. Would you like me to bring you a tray?”
He shook his head. “Don’t change the subject.”
“Was I?”
“You’re a vexation today, Rebel.”
“Quinn, don’t do this, okay?” She tugged on her hand. “It would never work.”
“Why wouldn’t it work?”
“Because I’d drive you mad. You don’t like me saying “no” to you, Gus, and I’d do it all the time.”
He paused briefly before he said, “All right, sweetheart. We’ll discuss this at another time.”
Victoria rolled her eyes. “We’ll see. Now, do you want some breakfast?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll need my hand back in order to carry the tray,” she pointed out.
Quincy reluctantly released her.
After stowing her camera equipment out of sight, she made her way downstairs and found Christopher in the dining room. He appeared to be making a tray as well.
“Good morning, Miss Carrington,” he said with a smile.
“Victoria, please.”
He gave a quick nod. “Victoria.”
Victoria moved farther into the room. “Is Hannah okay?”
Christopher set a pot of tea on the tray. “Yes, she’s fine. She’s still asleep. I usually bring her a tray in the morning. She still has bouts of nausea, so it helps if she eats something before getting out of bed.”
Victoria smiled. “How sweet. I checked on your brother, by the way, and the infection is gone. I told him I’d bring him a tray, but now that I think about it, if the doctor’s going to be here today and he needs to do surgery, Quincy shouldn’t eat anything.”
“He and I ate late last night, so I think he can wait a few more hours. If Stephen catches the first train, he should be here by lunch time.”
“Good.”
“Why don’t you help yourself to breakfast, and I’ll let Quinn know what’s going on.”
“Thanks.” Victoria strode to the buffet and poured herself a cup of coffee.
Christopher turned from the doorway. “Will you be all right alone? I hate to be rude, but I need to take this up. I’ll be happy to come back if you like.”
Victoria waved her hand. “No, please don’t. Take care of Hannah. I’m happy to eat alone. What would the odds be of a ride after breakfast, do you think?”
“They would be very good, especially if you wait for Emma. She and Clayton will be here around nine, and I’m certain she would love to go for a ride. Hannah hasn’t been able to for several months and I know Emma misses riding with someone.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Victoria sipped her coffee. “Thank you.”
“Enjoy.”
Victoria took a seat at the table and stared into the china cup. Tiny coffee grounds floated to the top, swirling as she tipped the cup forward. Her pain from her past was hovering dangerously at the edge of her mind and she silently cursed Quincy for bringing it all up again. She truly believed she’d shoved the betrayal deep enough to forget, but Quincy’s romantic words and earnest requests reminded her of another man who had seemed just as sincere.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Quincy came limping through the door. Victoria sighed. “What are you doing, Gus?” she admonished. “You shouldn’t be out of bed.”
“You didn’t come back.” He made his way to the buffet and unsuccessfully tried to get himself some coffee.
“Oh, for the love of god, Quincy, sit down. I’ll get you some coffee.”
He sat down in obvious relief and Victoria felt a slight tinge of guilt for not being more helpful. Quincy tapped his fingers on the table. “Why didn’t you come back?”
“Because your brother said he would deliver the message.”
“Which he did.”
“Great.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “So, tell me why you’re out of bed, then.”
“I missed you.”
The guilt quickly dissipated as she set the cup of coffee in front of him. “Gag.”
He stared up at her. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I’m too tired to listen to some insincere, lover-boy horse shit come out your mouth. Just leave it alone, okay? It might work on the scads of women I’m sure flock to you, but it isn’t going to work on me.” She made her way to leave but added quickly, “Don’t eat anything until after the doctor has seen you.”
Walking out into the foyer, she stomped up the stairs and into her bedroom, flopping down on the bed. With a frustrated sigh, she rolled onto h
er back and stared at the ceiling. She probably wouldn’t even get her ride with Emma.
Today is going to be excruciatingly long.
* * *
The remainder of the Butler family arrived just after breakfast. Mrs. Butler was a flurry of motion the moment she stepped through the door. Quincy could hear her from his bedroom and groaned silently.
“Where is he?” Mrs. Butler fluttered. “Where’s Quincy?”
“Mama, he’s resting, but I’ll take you to him,” Christopher answered.
“Is he all right?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, Jake, he appears to be perfectly fine.”
Quincy didn’t hear any further conversation, just padded feet on the stairs. Christopher led them to his room and poked his head into the already open door. “Are you up for visitors?”
“Only if one of them gave birth to me,” Quincy joked.
“You shouldn’t speak so plainly in mixed company,” his mother admonished as she shoved Christopher aside and moved into the room.
“I apologize, Mama.”
“Never mind that.” She shook her head as tears streamed down her face. “Are you in pain? And look at your face! It’s bearded.”
Quincy rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mama, razors are in short supply on the battlefield.”
He caught his father’s eye, noticing a flash of a smile cross his face.
She sighed. “Quinn.”
“Mama, I’m fine. A very nice lady found me on the field and tended to my injuries.”
His mother gasped. “Why on earth would there be a woman on the battlefield?”
Quincy glanced at Christopher, realizing he’d said too much.
“She was misdirected, Mama. She wasn’t there on purpose,” Christopher answered.
“Quinn, tell us everything,” Jacob demanded.
“How are you, little brother?” Quincy smiled over at him, glad for a change in subject.
Jacob crossed his arms. “I want to know every single thing that’s happened since you left here over a year ago.”
Quincy laughed and began his story.
* * *
Across the hall, Victoria woke from her short nap, feeling better than expected. She climbed out of bed, splashed some water on her face, and tried in vain to straighten her hair. In the end, she ran a brush through it quickly and left it to fall around her shoulders.
Padding across the hall, sans shoes, she knocked on Quincy’s door and opened it when bid. “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had visitors. I’ll come back another time.”
“No, Victoria,” Quincy said. “Come in, please. I’d like you to meet my family.”
She panicked, backing slowly out of the room. “No, it’s all right. I’ll just come back.”
“Rebel.” His tone laced with warning.
Her head snapped up and she glared at his use of her nickname in front of his parents.
“Quincy,” his mother admonished. “What an awful thing to call someone!”
Victoria suddenly felt mortified, but Quincy shook his head. “It’s not, Mama. For us, it’s a term of endearment.
The room seemed to shrink, and Victoria gave a tight smile as she tried to breathe.
“These are my parents, Vincent and Wilhelmina Butler, and my little brother, Jacob,” Quinn explained. “Everyone, this is Victoria Carrington. She saved my life.”
Victoria gasped. “I did not,” she whispered, lowering her head.
Quincy raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be modest, Rebel. Of course you did.”
“I’ll leave you to your reunion. Excuse me.” She turned to leave again.
“Victoria, where are you going?”
“Downstairs,” she said, and put her hand on the doorknob.
Quincy grinned. “Please don’t go anywhere, sweetheart.”
She couldn’t get out of the room fast enough and inadvertently slammed the door in her haste to escape. She heard his laugh all the way down the hall. She was angry and humiliated all at the same time as she ran downstairs and nearly knocked Hannah over.
“Victoria. Are you okay?” Victoria shrugged, and Hannah grabbed her arm. “What happened?”
“He tricked me.”
“Who tricked you?”
Victoria pointed to the stairs. “Grumpy Gus, upstairs.”
“Oh, really?” Hannah raised an eyebrow. “How exactly did he trick you?”
Victoria wrinkled her nose. “Why are you saying it like that?”
“Like what?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Like I’m overreacting and you’re about to laugh hysterically.”
Hannah gasped. “I would never!”
“Yes, you would, liar, liar, pants on fire.”
Hannah laughed, and Victoria pointed in accusation. “See? I haven’t even told you what happened and you’re laughing.”
Hannah took her hand. “Okay. I’m sorry, you’re right. Tell me what happened.”
“He made me meet his family.”
Hannah’s hand went to her mouth in shock. “No! That’s terrible. He should be strung up by his thumbs.”
“Hannah. It is terrible. He totally sideswiped me, and he called me rebel and sweetheart in front of them,” she whispered.
“Rebel and sweetheart?”
“Yes!”
“Crikey!”
Victoria snorted. “I thought you said that’s an Australian word.”
Hannah giggled. “It’s appropriate, don’t you think?”
“Hannah, Quincy said he wants to court me.”
“That’s great.” Hannah looked at her and paused. “That’s not great?”
Victoria threw her hands in the air. “No, it’s terrible!”
“What did you say?”
“I told him no.”
Hannah rubbed her forehead. “Oh dear.”
“What?”
“Well, I never did get the impression the Butlers were good with the word no, lovey.”
Victoria snorted. “He takes entirely too many liberties—”
“You sound like your mother.” Hannah pursed her lips. “Or, like an old southern woman.”
“Not the time for jokes, Hannah.”
“Bugger.” Hannah grinned. “Sorry, not sorry.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes. “It was like he was parading me in front of them.”
“Almost as though he was proud of you? What a dick!”
Victoria crossed her arms. “Hannah, he’s a total player. I’m not interested in getting into that all over again.”
Hannah mimicked her stance. “So, it’s time for you to push him away before he can do it to you, right?”
Victoria opened her mouth to blast her, but Hannah held her hands up in surrender. “Just because Logan was an arse, does not mean Quincy is. If he’s anything like his brother, he’s incredibly loyal, protective, and loving.”
“I can’t,” Victoria said quietly. “I just can’t.”
Hannah patted her cheek. “Lovey, you have to let someone in some time.”
“You’re in. That’s good enough for me.”
Hannah rolled her eyes.
Victoria sighed. “You mentioned we were going to Harrisburg in a couple of days?”
Hannah nodded. “Yes, Christopher wants to buy some horses.”
Victoria wrung her hands. “Can we go today?”
“What good would that do?”
“It would hopefully make him forget me.”
“Riiight.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “I know that Stephen and Christine will be leaving as soon as possible, so if you want to, you can probably go back with them. You can stay with us when we get there. But are you sure you want to do that?”
“I need some distance. Just don’t tell Quincy.”
“I’m not sure if I feel comfortable with that.”
“If he knows I’m going, he’ll refuse the surgery and won’t heal.” Victoria grabbed Hannah’s hands. “Please, can we keep it a secret? Just for a few days?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Victoria.” Hannah sighed. “I get that you’re scared, and I get that he’s pushy, but I also happen to like what I’ve seen of him so far.”
“So, you do think I’m overreacting?”
Hannah made the inch symbol with her thumb and index finger. “Just a skosh.”
Victoria bit her lip. “I’m still leaving.”
“I hear you.” Hannah looped her arm with Victoria’s. “Come and have something to eat. Gwen and Andrew are in the dining room and there are a few sandwiches and brunch type things put out for Stephen’s arrival.”
Hannah led her to the dining room and Victoria was surprised to see two women with Gwen. The man she assumed was Andrew, the women she couldn’t have guessed. Andrew stood when the girls walked into the room and smiled.
“Good morning,” Hannah said. “I notice there are a few sandwiches left, Andrew. Are you not hungry?” He chuckled. Hannah pulled Victoria forward. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce Victoria Carrington. She’s a close friend of mine and has been taking care of Quincy.”
Victoria noticed the woman next to Gwen scowl, but then the expression left her face so quickly, Victoria wondered if she’d imagined it. Almost.
“Victoria, this is Charity. She would technically be Gwen’s friend, I suppose, but they are far more like sisters, and I have grown fond of her as well.”
Charity smiled as she stood and shook Victoria’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Victoria. Gwen told us about your heroic rescue of Quincy. I can’t wait to hear the whole story.”
Victoria instantly liked Charity.
“I’m Millicent Atwood,” the other woman said. “A close friend of Quincy’s.”
“Right. Sorry, Millie.” Charity pursed her lips. “This is Millicent.”
“Her family’s farm neighbors ours,” Gwen grumbled. “Aren’t we fortunate?”
“Yes, we’ve lived there forever.” Millicent’s tight curls bobbed in time with her nod. “Quinn and I have been close our whole lives.”
“How nice.” Victoria glanced at Hannah in question.
“Well, I promised my mother-in-law some tea, so I should take a tray up now,” Hannah said.
“I’d be happy to do that for you,” Millicent said.
“No worries, Millicent. I’ve got it under control.” Hannah turned and moved toward the doorway.
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