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.
AFTER AN HOUR of being cooped up in the overly warm carriage, Rayne shifted in her seat for the umpteenth time and groaned. “How do people travel like this on a regular basis?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know what travel’s like in the future, but I spent a fortune on this carriage and its well-sprung axles.”
Rayne sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to insult your precious carriage.”
Sam chuckled. “Why don’t we stop for a little while?”
“Yes, please. My butt is numb. I need to move around.”
Sam rapped on the carriage roof and Elijah brought the horses to a halt. Sam opened the carriage door, jumped out, and then lifted Rayne down. He kept an arm around her waist as he set her feet on the ground.
“Where are Quincy and Victoria?” Rayne asked as she wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed.
“Probably a few miles ahead of us. It’s faster on horseback,” Sam said.
“Are we close?”
He nodded. “Yes, only three more miles to go.”
“Do you want to walk a little bit?”
Sam gave her a crooked grin. “Are you up to it?”
Rayne laid her palm over her chest. “Me?”
Sam glanced behind her and grinned. “I’d hate to think my antiquated carriage has bruised your bottom.”
Rayne pursed her lips. “Hm, I’ll let you investigate that later. However, now…” She took off at a dead run and got a few hundred feet ahead of him, but squealed as she felt him closing in on her. He grabbed her from behind and lifted her off her feet.
“No way,” she exclaimed with a laugh. “How did you do that?”
Sam chuckled and kissed her. “It wasn’t easy, considering I had visions of your delectable bottom racing through my mind.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “Put me down, baby, you can’t carry me all the way to the Butlers’.”
“Why not?”
“Funny,” she said.
He set her feet gently on the ground and took her hand. Rayne was surprised to hear the carriage behind them. She glanced over her shoulder. “Is he going to follow us the entire way?”
“If need be,” Sam answered.
Rayne turned and waved to Elijah, who enthusiastically waved back. “Are we safe walking?”
Sam smiled. “Safe enough.”
“What does that mean?” Rayne narrowed her eyes. “I thought Maryland was a Confederate state.”
Sam shook his head. “No. It’s a border state, but we just abolished slavery, so I’d say that’s against the Confederates.”
“We, meaning?”
“Maryland.”
“Really?” Rayne raised an eyebrow. “When?”
Sam squeezed her hand. “It was signed into law on October 13.”
“You mean this October? Of this year?”
Sam smiled. “Yes.”
Rayne grin
ned. “I’m so glad!”
Sam chuckled. “I thought you might be.”
“Tell me about Maryland. I failed history… miserably.” Rayne bit her lip. “The only thing I remember is that Dr. Mudd’s home is here somewhere.”
“Dr. Mudd?”
Rayne nodded. “The guy who fixed Booth’s leg after he shot Lincoln.”
Sam stopped short and pulled Rayne to face him. “Excuse me?”
Rayne bit her lip. “Um… right… it hasn’t happened yet.”
Sam squeezed her arms. “What the devil are you talking about?”
Rayne grimaced. “Oh, I’m messing this up. I don’t remember dates… um… there are some bad men, one of them is an actor, John something Booth, and he kills Lincoln. I think in 1865.”
“That’s next year!” Sam scowled. “What happens? Tell me everything.”
Rayne rubbed her forehead. “I don’t remember. That’s the problem. Seriously, I passed most of my classes, but history just went over my head… I didn’t even pretend to try in that class.”
Sam swore. “Who would know?”
Rayne shrugged. “Victoria might know more. I’m sorry, Sam.”
Sam turned and held his hand up to Elijah, who pulled the carriage to a stop. “We’re going to ride the rest of the way. Please hurry.”
Elijah nodded and waited for Sam to lift Rayne in. Once Sam had jumped in beside her and closed the door, she heard Elijah whistle and the carriage jolted forward. They arrived at the Butler Farm to find Victoria standing on the porch, hands on her hips. “Where have you been?”
“We walked part of the way.” Rayne grinned.
“Come and meet Wilhelmina.” Victoria took Rayne’s hand. “We have refreshments set out in the parlor.”
“I’ll show Elijah where to put the horses and meet you in there,” Sam called.
“Okay. Thanks.” Rayne squeezed Victoria’s hand. “I think I did something I shouldn’t have.”
“What?”
“I mentioned Mudd and him fixing Booth’s leg after he shot Lincoln,” Rayne whispered.
Victoria frowned. “Uh-oh. What did Sam say?”
Rayne sighed. “He swore… actually, it was quite inventive… a word I’d never heard before.”
“Rayne.”
“Sorry. The problem is that I don’t remember anything from class, but I offered your expertise.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Oh, thank you very much. He should really talk to Sophie, but I’ll fill him in on what I can.”
Rayne’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you.”
Victoria pulled Rayne into the parlor and a woman who looked like an older version of Gwen stood and pulled her in for a motherly hug. “You must be Mrs. Powell. Welcome to our home, dear. I do hope you will make yourself at home.”
Rayne smiled. “Thank you. Please call me Rayne. It’s really nice to meet you.”
Mrs. Butler led her to the sofa and sat next to her. “Victoria mentioned you’re going to host a masquerade.”
“If we can pull it off in time, that’s definitely the plan,” Rayne said.
Mrs. Butler patted her hand. “It will be the talk of the town, dear. Never fear.”
Victoria giggled. “See?”
The women began to plan and kept at it until they were forced to stop for dinner. The men had snuck away when the discussion turned to linen, but returned to escort them now. Rayne was surprised to look up and find that time had slid past her without her noticing.
Sam took her hand and led her to the dining room. Rayne took a minute to pull him aside. “Are you okay? I’m surprised you’ve been so patient about… you know.”
Sam sighed. “Quincy answered a few questions, but he said the person to speak to is Sophie.”
“That’s what Victoria said as well. I’m sorry for dropping that bombshell on you.”
Sam kissed her cheek. “You don’t need to apologize, Angel.”
Rayne pulled his head down for a quick kiss. “Mmm, I thought I detected something yummy on your breath.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Did you, now?”
“Did you think I’d kiss you for no reason?” Rayne grinned.
“Minx.” Sam chuckled. “Vincent has an expensive bottle of scotch that we were able to dip into while you were otherwise occupied.”
“I love scotch!”
“You do?” he asked.
Rayne wrinkled her nose. “Why are you surprised?”
“Ladies generally don’t drink spirits.”
“Well, this lady loves a good glass of scotch, so you better find some for me at some point, even if you have to sneak it.”
“I will, Angel.” Sam laughed. “Later.”
She smiled up at him and gave him another quick kiss before they made their way into the dining room to join the rest of the family for dinner.
* * *
Sam took Rayne to bed a little past midnight, despite the fact she was wired from their fun-filled evening. He opened the door to one of the many guest rooms and guided her inside.
“This is beautiful,” she said as she entered the room. “It looks like a bed and breakfast.”
“What’s a bed and breakfast?” he asked as he closed the door.
“It’s generally a historic home that has been converted into a hotel and they serve you breakfast,” she said. “Well, sort of.”
He chuckled. “I suppose that was obvious.”
She saw a tray set out on a small table and a decanter filled with light amber liquid on it. “Is that scotch?” she whispered.
“Yes, it is,” he whispered back.
“Why is there only one glass?”
“The staff assumed it was for me, sweetheart.”
“Right.” She let out a quiet snort. “Ladies don’t drink scotch.”
Sam picked up the glass and grinned. “We’ll share.”
“Oh, we will, will we?”
Sam poured a glass and started to hand it to her, but as she reached for it, he pulled it back and took a sip. “Yes, we will.”
Rayne held her palm out. “Give it.”
He laughed and handed her the glass.
She took a sip and let out an audible sigh of pleasure. “This is so good!”
“I agree with you.” He took the glass from her again.
She grinned. “Sneak.”
He handed it back to her and she sipped again. “You must find out where Mr. Butler got this and buy some.”
Sam gave her a mock salute. “Yes ma’am.”
He leaned down to kiss her and Rayne hummed in appreciation. “You taste amazing.”
Sam grinned. “I was about to say the same thing.”
She set the glass on the nightstand. “I think we should end every day like this.”
“That can be arranged.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Did you enjoy yourself today, Angel?”
“I did. Quincy’s parents are amazing.” She looped her arms around his neck. “Victoria and Hannah are really lucky.”
Sam pulled her into his embrace. “My mother will come around.”
She grimaced. “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“You forget that I know you, Angel.”
“Yes. I guess I do.” Rayne frowned. “What if she hates me forever?”
Sam shrugged. “What if she does?”
“So, you admit she hates me.” Sam groaned. “What?” Rayne settled her hands on his shoulders. “What if she never comes around and refuses to accept me?”
Sam shrugged. “If for some reason, she chooses to be estranged from you, then, she chooses to be estranged from me.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Rayne said in frustration. “What if you have to choose?”
“There would never be a choice, Angel.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“You are my wife.”
“Which is what your mother hates the most about me,” she grumbled.
She wound her arms around his neck again and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said with a smile. “Now. Did you get your plans made?”
“We did. Wilhelmina is a firecracker.” Rayne picked up the glass of scotch and sipped.
Sam laughed as he began to remove his clothing. “Yes, she is. Did you invite the entire area?”
“Just about,” she admitted. “We have close to a hundred on the list and intend on getting the invitations out tomorrow.” She took another sip and watched him pull his shirt from the waistband of his breeches. “Sophie wired that she would assist with the invitations in Harrisburg.”
“I’ll arrange some extra assistance for Tandy and the household staff,” Sam said as he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it over his head.
Rayne took another sip of her drink and sighed.
Sam paused his undressing and frowned. “Is something amiss?”
“Not at all.” She licked her lips. “I was just thinking how this show will never get old.”
“Show?” he asked.
“Yes. You, stripping.” Rayne bit her lip. “Mmm… you without a shirt and me with a good glass of scotch. I don’t think my life could get any more perfect.”
Sam chuckled and moved to her side. He took the drink from her hand, set it on the nightstand, and unbuttoned her blouse as he leaned down to kiss her. “I think I can make it better.” He reached behind her to loosen the laces of her corset, slipped the first three hooks, and kissed her neck.
Rayne dropped her head back. “Better, you say?”
Sam nodded. “Most definitely.”
* * *
Sam took Rayne home the next morning and the week flew by as the preparations for their wedding reception progressed at breakneck speed. Pulling Rayne into his office on Thursday for a moment of quiet before the storm, Sam led her to his desk chair and pulled her onto his lap. “Are you ready for the masses?”
“Yes and no.”
Sam chuckled. “Why the no?”
“I really miss Shaye,” Rayne admitted. “She’s the one who’s good at this. Not me. She usually tells me where to go and I show up. She can talk to anyone about anything and makes everyone feel welcome.”
Drawing her hand to his lips, he kissed her fingers gently and smiled. “Everything has gone smoothly so far, Angel. You’ll do fine.”
The Bride Star Page 25