Victoria followed Christopher upstairs, trying to be as reassuring as possible and then helped Hannah undress when Christopher left the room. Hannah lay on the bed and rolled onto her side with a groan. Stephen and Christine walked in a few minutes later.
“There’s blood,” Victoria whispered.
Stephen forced everyone from the room so he could do the examination. As Victoria stepped outside, she found herself pulled into Quincy’s arms. She buried her face in his chest and let him hold her. “Quinn, I knew it. We need to get Emma. She has to be here.”
He tipped her chin up. “Is it serious?”
“Serious enough to need her best friend.”
Quinn nodded and stroked her back. “I’ll send a message.”
STEPHEN AND CHRISTINE spent almost an hour with Hannah. By the time they came out of the room, Victoria’s heart was racing in panic.
“The bleeding has stopped, and Hannah is in and out of sleep. I’m optimistic that the worst is over,” Stephen said.
“Is the baby okay?” Victoria asked.
Stephen nodded. “So far, yes. I can still hear the heartbeat and it sounds strong.”
Victoria followed the couple downstairs and into the parlor. She was relieved to see Quincy had returned and eagerly accepted his outstretched hand. She linked her fingers with his and sighed when he lifted her hand to his lips. “How is she?”
Victoria shrugged. “Stephen says she’s doing better.”
Quincy leaned down and kissed her temple. “Then you should believe him.”
She leaned against him and gave him a reluctant nod. When he slid his arm around her waist, it took all of her control not to burst into tears and take comfort in his arms. Quincy pulled her out the French doors and turned her to face him. “Hannah will be fine.”
Victoria dropped her head onto his chest. “Let me just hide here for a few minutes.”
He pulled her closer and rubbed her back as he kissed the top of her head. “You can hide here for as long as you need.”
She didn’t get to stay away from the masses for long, but the short respite bolstered her courage somewhat. They were called inside for lunch and Quincy hovered, forcing her to eat, even though she wasn’t hungry. With Christopher’s attention diverted, and Jamie holed away somewhere with Sophie, Quincy took on the role of host. Clayton and Emma arrived from D.C. much sooner than expected, and Quincy greeted them as they rushed into the parlor. “That was quick.”
“We were able to catch the very next train.” Emma sighed. “We didn’t bring anything with us, but we’re here.”
* * *
A few hours later, Stephen sent Christine with an update. Victoria, Emma, and Sophie followed Christine into the foyer for a modicum of privacy.
“The baby seems more comfortable and the bleeding has stopped. Stephen has ordered bed rest until he feels it unnecessary. He’s hoping it won’t be for the remainder of her pregnancy,” Christine said.
Sophie frowned. “What was it?”
“Stephen thought it might be placental abruption, but is confident now that it’s not. He’s going to check her twice a day. He’s hoping not to have to do surgery.”
“I can imagine,” Sophie said. “Why don’t we all eat something? Everyone’s in the parlor.”
“I’ll go back to Hannah and let you know if anything changes,” Christine said, and made her way upstairs.
Victoria stayed in the foyer... pacing. Not for long, however. Quincy came looking for her. “Sweetheart?”
“Hm?”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the crown of her head. “She’s going to be fine.”
“If Hannah was at home, they’d give her a c-section and put the baby in the neonatal ward until it was well enough,” she whispered.
“Sweetheart, she is home,” he pointed out.
Victoria frowned. “In the future.”
“Let’s go into the library.” Pulling her down the hall, Quincy led her to a chair and then sat across from her on the hearth. “She and the baby will be perfectly fine.”
“You can’t know that for sure, Quinn.” Victoria dropped her face into her hands.
“Rebel,” he said with a sigh.
Victoria snorted. “Are you always this positive?”
Quincy shrugged. “I don’t see the point in borrowing trouble or worrying over things I don’t have control over.”
“Well, it’s annoying,” she snapped, and slumped further in the chair.
Quincy leaned forward and gathered her hands in his. “What will you do when our children worry you, sweetheart?”
She shrugged. “I’m not having children, so it’s a moot point.”
“We’re going to have children, Victoria.”
“We don’t even know if we’re going to get married, Gus,” she droned. “Let’s not put the cart before the horse.”
Quincy smiled, although his eyes remained solemn. “We’re going to get married, sweetheart, you can count on that. And we’re going to have children.”
“Oh, really?” she snapped. “Our history books in the future failed to mention that men had the ability to give birth during the Civil War. So, does that mean you’re going to get pregnant? Because I sure as hell am not.”
She stood and tried to walk out of the room, but he stopped her before she made it two steps away from him. “Little rebel, look at me.” She turned, eyes filling with tears. “Sweetheart, don’t cry.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I understand your fear, but Hannah and the baby are going to be fine, and when we get married and decide to have a family, you will be too.”
She shook her head. “Babies die a lot more in this time, Quincy. I won’t lose a child.”
Cupping her cheek, he gently wiped a tear away. “My beautiful girl, we won’t lose any of our babies. I promise.”
She pushed at his chest in frustration. “You can’t promise something like that. You’re not God.”
He chuckled and kissed her, but she broke the kiss and patted his cheek. “Do not attempt to distract me with your lips, Mr. Butler. It’s manipulative.”
“Well, I can’t very well distract you in a more pleasant way, so my lips are all I have at my disposal.”
She frowned up at him. “You’re secretly the devil, aren’t you?”
“I won’t tell you until after I wed and bed you.”
She couldn’t stop a snort as she kissed him but quickly realized she hadn’t paid any attention to his injury for several hours. “Honey, I completely forgot about your shoulder! Are you in pain?”
“No, I took two of those tablets.”
She moved to unbutton his shirt. “We should have Stephen look at it again.”
Grabbing her hands, he pulled them to his lips. “It’s fine for now, Rebel.”
“Quincy, you could be bleeding.”
“Stephen has other, more pressing concerns. He can look at it again in a few days.”
Hearing a knock at the door, Victoria pulled away from Quincy to answer it. Emma stood on the other side. “Hi, Emma. Is there an update?”
“Sort of. Stephen won’t let Hannah travel, so she won’t be going back to D.C.”
“So, we’ll be staying here until she delivers?” Victoria asked.
“You’ll return to D.C. with me,” Quincy said.
Victoria ignored him.
Emma smiled. “Hannah will stay here so Sophie can take care of her. I’m thinking of staying for a while as well, although, Clayton and I haven’t discussed it yet.”
“We’ll come back together when it’s time,” Quincy said.
Victoria turned, slightly taken aback that Quincy had moved to stand behind her without a sound. “No, Quincy. I’ll stay with Hannah now.”
“Victoria.” He raised an eyebrow. “You’ll come with me when I return in a week.”
“Knock it off,” she snapped. “I’ll stay with Hannah.”
“We’ll discuss it later.”
“Whatever.” She let out a f
rustrated sigh and then turned her back on him. “Emma, is she really okay? And the baby?”
“Yes, they both appear fine for now. Stephen will monitor her daily and we’re going to move her to the Wades’ so that Sophie and I can take care of her.” Emma gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’ll leave you two to talk. I think everyone has turned in, so Clayton and I are settling next door. We’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Thank you for everything.” Victoria closed the door and turned to Quincy. She took a deep breath and willed herself to stay calm. “I’m going to turn in. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.”
He shook his head. “Victoria.”
“Good night, Quincy.” She turned to walk out the front door, but before she stepped off the porch, she found herself pulled up against a very strong body. Once again, she hadn’t heard him approach. “You are the most annoying man on earth.”
Kissing her neck, he turned her body to face him and then leaned down and kissed her. Victoria couldn’t breathe. She broke the kiss and rested her forehead on his chest. “It’s really not okay that you can do that to me.”
“Victoria, I want you with me.”
She pulled out of his arms. “You don’t get to dictate my movements. I’m not part of your regiment, and right now, my friend needs me more than you do.”
“I’ll be gone for several weeks, Victoria.”
She crossed her arms. “So?”
“So?” he returned.
“I can live without you for a few weeks. Especially if it means taking care of Hannah.”
“All right, sweetheart. You’re upset. We’ll discuss this tomorrow.”
Victoria scowled. “Don’t patronize me! I won’t change my mind tomorrow and we don’t need to talk any further on the subject. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He followed her into the Maddens’ home, but headed for the library, rather than follow her upstairs.
* * *
Quinn sipped his whiskey and pondered the situation with Victoria. He knew she was exhausted and worried about Hannah, and realized what an ass he’d been. Setting his empty glass on a table, he headed toward the stairs, taking them two at a time, up to Victoria’s room. Knocking on her door, he didn’t wait for permission to enter and found her on the chair facing the fireplace, her feet resting on the opposite chair.
She glanced up and narrowed her eyes. “Go away.”
Closing the door, he walked over to her. “No, Victoria, we’re going to talk about this.”
She glared at him, but his reaction was to pick up her feet, sit in the chair, and gently rest them on his lap.
“I’m all talked out, especially if it’s just going to turn into another argument.” He pulled her slippers off and started to massage her foot. “I’m not one of your men, you know.” Victoria bit her lip. “I’m not easily placated.”
He paused. “I have never massaged the feet of one of my men to placate them.”
Victoria let out a quiet snort. “Gus, seriously.”
“I know you’re not one of my men, sweetheart. I should not have ordered you around and I’m sorry.”
She sighed. “I have to stay with Hannah.”
He nodded. “I know. I don’t like the idea... but I know.”
“We’ve only known each other a little while. I think we can survive a few weeks apart.”
Quincy frowned.
“Gus, come on. You don’t agree?”
Knowing he had to answer her question carefully, he took a deep, quiet breath. She wasn’t ready to accept that his love was a commitment, not just a fleeting emotion, but the thought of being without her for a day was difficult enough to comprehend, let alone two or three weeks. “You’re right, sweetheart,” he said in flat monotone.
Pulling her feet from his lap, she leaned forward and stroked his knee. “I’m really tired, Gus. Let me look at your shoulder and then I’m going to turn in.”
“My shoulder is fine.”
She stood and held her hand out to him. “Honey, let me look at it, at least.”
“It’s fine. I’ll let you get some sleep,” he said as he rose to his feet.
Following him to her door, she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him and he caught her surprise when he kissed her cheek.
“Goodnight, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.” Quincy smiled and walked out of the room.
* * *
Closing her door, Victoria undressed, put her nightgown on, and climbed into bed. She fell asleep but woke up an hour later, realizing something wasn’t right. She jumped out of bed, pulled her robe on, and rushed across the hall to Quinn’s door.
Quinn was very much awake, looking illegally gorgeous as he sat by the unlit fire, shirtless, shoeless, and holding a glass of whiskey. “Victoria?”
She leaned against the doorframe. “Hi.”
Quincy held his hand out to her. “What’s amiss, sweetheart?”
She moved to stand by him and linked her fingers with his, letting him pull her down onto the chair opposite him. “Why are you still awake?”
He chuckled. “I’m not tired.”
“Are you in pain?”
“Not particularly. Why are you awake? Couldn’t you sleep?”
“I had no problem falling asleep, I just couldn’t stay that way,” she grumbled.
Quincy leaned forward and stroked her cheek. “Did you have a nightmare?”
“Not exactly.”
He raised an eyebrow at her.
Victoria huffed. “Don’t look at me like that! You didn’t kiss me when you left my room.”
Quincy frowned. “I did kiss you, sweetheart.”
“On the cheek, what the hell was up with that?”
“Victoria, we’ve only known each other for a few days.” He rubbed the inside of her wrist. “I didn’t think you’d miss a proper kiss.”
She gasped and jumped up, dislodging her hand from his. “You did that on purpose?”
He shrugged.
“Asshole!” she snapped. “You were trying to punish me.” He didn’t move or try to argue as her eyes filled quickly with angry tears. “I’m going back to bed.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart.”
Stalking across the hall, she strode angrily into her room and slammed her door. She paced for a few minutes, but that only made her angrier, so she went back across the hall, opened Quinn’s door, and before she could let loose a litany of abuse, was pulled into his arms and kissed senseless.
She slid her hands up his bare chest and slipped them into his hair. They seemed to move back to his chest of their own accord, and Victoria was having difficulty remembering exactly what she came back to his room to do.
Breaking the kiss, he caressed her cheek. “Goodnight, little rebel. I love you.”
Victoria shook herself out of her fog. “No.”
Quincy grinned. “No? I don’t love you?”
“No. I mean, yes. I can’t believe you tried to punish me by withholding affection,” she whispered. “Is that how it’ll be if I do something you don’t like?”
“I was simply trying to prove a point.”
“A point?” She pushed him away. “Don’t be a dick!”
Quincy crossed his arms. “Victoria, you were the one who said you’d have no issue being separated from me for several weeks, I simply wanted to show you what it would be like.”
She tapped her chest with her hand in frustration. “I never said I wouldn’t have an issue with it, Quincy. The bottom line is that Hannah needs me right now and you don’t.”
“Victoria.”
“Good, growl at me. That helps.” She closed the distance between them and took his face in her hands. “I hate the idea of being separated from you, even for a day, but the thought of not having your affection is worse.”
“I didn’t particularly like it either, sweetheart.”
Victoria sighed as he kissed her again. His whiskey-laced breath assaulted her senses. “Mmm, you taste good.”
“You smell good,” he sai
d, and kissed her again. With a groan, he broke the kiss and stepped away from her.
“Why did you stop?”
He frowned. “I stopped, sweetheart, because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t.”
“Oh,” she said quietly and closed the distance between them. “What if I don’t want you to stop?” Wrapping her arms around his waist, she kissed his chest.
“Victoria.” Quincy pulled her arms away, lifted her chin, and smiled. “It is now time for bed.”
“Well, shit.”
He stroked her chin. “Wasn’t it you that was just telling me you would have no issues with being separated from me for a few weeks?”
“No, that was the other woman you’re courting,” she retorted. “You can’t kiss me like that, half naked, and expect me not to react.”
“Go to bed, beautiful girl. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You could very well be the meanest man alive,” she grumbled.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
With one last kiss, she went back to bed, but it took her over an hour to fall asleep and she silently cursed Quincy for the thoughts in her head.
VICTORIA WOKE JUST before five, and unable to fall back to sleep, decided to go for a run. She found her jeans and a T-shirt in her bag, but had to dig for her Nike’s. She slipped her sweatshirt over her head and secured her hair in a scrunchy as she snuck down the stairs and out the front door.
It was a cold morning, but if the past few days were any indication, it wouldn’t stay that way. She stretched and took off toward the west side of the property, staying close to home until she saw the sun rising along the horizon. She was always amazed by the magnificence of a sunrise and knew that as long as she lived, the sight of one would never grow old.
As the morning grew lighter, Victoria ventured farther away from the house. Her body worked up a healthy sweat, so she pulled her hoodie off mid-stride and wrapped it around her waist. She loved the feeling of the cold air in her face, and although she felt her lungs burning from the exertion, she embraced the pain and moved her body past it. It wasn’t long before she hit a sense of euphoria, so she pushed herself a little faster and a little harder.
The Rebel Bride Page 14