The Bride Star

by Piper Davenport

  “Just don’t desert me.”

  Sam chuckled. “Where would I go?”

  “Good answer,” she said.

  Jamie and Sophie arrived a few hours later, along with Junior and a young nanny they had recently hired. Just as Hannah had predicted, Sophie nearly passed out at the sight of the Powell farm. “This place is amazing,” she exclaimed as she turned in several circles. “Did you say it was built in the sixteen hundreds?”

  “Yes. It has been in the family since it was built. We’ll take you on a tour later.” Rayne smiled. “For now, would you like to get settled?”

  Sophie nodded. “Yes, please.”

  “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” Rayne led her and the nanny upstairs.

  Sophie got Junior settled while Rayne greeted the guests that arrived over the next few hours. Sophie joined her once Junior was asleep and Rayne was relieved that Sophie fell into the role of co-hostess without being asked.

  Christopher, Hannah, Quincy, and Victoria arrived, with Jacob in tow, and Rayne could see the excitement on Sophie’s face when she saw Hannah and her ever-growing belly.

  “You’re huge.” Sophie gave her a warm hug.

  “I know! I’m almost as big as you were.”

  Sophie laughed. “No one could ever be as big as I was.”

  “Probably not,” Hannah said with a giggle. “Is Emma here yet?”

  “Not yet,” Rayne answered. “But I expect them anytime.”

  “The rain’s coming down pretty heavily, it might slow them down a bit.” Sophie took Hannah’s hand and led her to the sofa. “Sit down, mama.”

  Hannah wrinkled her nose. “I’ve been sitting all day.”

  Victoria sat next to her and smiled. “Where’s Chris?”

  Hannah let out a quiet snort as she kicked off her shoes. “Oh, you mean, because he’s not hovering like the overprotective husband that he is?”

  Rayne chuckled. “I doubt that’s exactly what Victoria was thinking.”

  Before Hannah could answer, Christopher came back into the room, a cup of tea in his hands. He set the cup on the small table next to Hannah and handed her a napkin. “I’m glad to see you’re sitting down.”

  “She is now,” Victoria said.

  “Victoria!” Hannah glared at her friend and then turned to her husband. “I’m fine, Knight. I only stood long enough to hug Sophie.”

  “No more standing,” he ordered and sat down next to her.

  Hannah narrowed her eyes at Victoria. “I’ll kill you later.”

  Victoria wrinkled her nose. “I look forward to you trying.”

  Rayne shook her head and stifled a chuckle.

  “Rayne?”

  She looked up to see Sam motioning for her.

  “Duty calls,” she said. “Excuse me.”

  She left the girls to join her husband and found him standing in the foyer with Amelia.

  “Hi!” Rayne said excitedly and pulled her into her embrace. “I’m so glad you came.”

  Amelia grinned. “You couldn’t keep me away.”

  “Are your parents here?” Rayne asked.

  “No,” Amelia said slowly.

  “How did you get here?” Sam asked.

  Amelia bit her lip. “On the train.”

  Sam glared at his sister. “Alone?”

  “Sam, stop it. She’s here and she’s safe,” Rayne interrupted.

  “That is not the point, Rayne,” he snapped and then turned back to his sister. “You look as though you have enough luggage for a year and you brought all of this alone?”

  “Well, I am staying for a few months.”

  “Amelia Rose, who did you travel with?”

  Amelia grimaced. “John.”

  Sam grasped her arm and pulled her farther away from their guests. “You traveled alone with a Ne—?”

  “Sam!” Rayne hissed.

  He raised a hand and shook his head. “Not now, Rayne.”

  Amelia glanced at Rayne with a pleading look. “Don’t be cross, Sam. Daddy still can’t travel freely, and Mama wouldn’t have let me come. I knew I couldn’t travel alone, so I asked John to come with me. He rode in the car with the other Negroes—”

  “Seriously, people, you need to stop using that word!” Rayne interrupted.

  Amelia frowned. “What word?”

  Sam shook his head. “Never mind. When you arrived in Baltimore, who helped you off the train?”

  “John did.” Amelia pulled an envelope from her reticule and handed it to Sam. “Daddy also knew about everything, and he gave me this for you.”

  “Amelia!” Sam snapped as he grabbed for the envelope. “You cannot honestly think I would believe our father sanctioned this trip.”

  “Sam, shush,” Rayne admonished. “You’ll bring our guests running.”

  “Am I not welcome?” Amelia asked.

  “Of course you are! You can stay as long as you like,” Rayne assured and then gave Sam a warning glance.

  “This has nothing to do with you being welcome, Meely,” Sam clarified.

  She laid her hand across her chest. “Well, that’s a relief.”

  Sam narrowed his eyes and then focused on the letter their father had sent.

  “Are you tired, Amelia?” Rayne asked.

  Amelia shook her head. “No, not at all.”

  “Good.” Rayne smiled. “Was the trip good?”

  “Yes, very. I forgot how personable the residents are in this area. I met one of your neighbors on the road, and he was very nice.”

  Sam glanced up distractedly. “Oh, who?”

  “A Mr. Atwood. James, I think.”

  “You will stay away from him.” Sam laid a hand on her shoulder. “He is not a neighbor of mine, he lives near the Butlers, and he’s dangerous.”

  “Truly? He seemed very kind,” Amelia said. “He said he was a close friend of Miss Butler, Gwendolyn is it?”

  “Simmonds, now,” Rayne provided.

  Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Not in her opinion, he’s not!”

  “You certainly seem to know a lot about Gwendolyn Simmonds’ likes and dislikes,” Rayne grumbled.

  “We’ll discuss that later, Rayne.”

  “Oh. I see,” she snapped.

  “Does Mother even know you’re here?” Sam asked Amelia, interrupting his wife.

  “Mama is being quite unreasonable.”

  “Meely,” he growled.

  “We’ll discuss it later, Sammy. When we’re alone,” Amelia whispered.

  Sam sighed. “Where’s John now?”

  “I sent him to the servant’s entrance. Tandy’s helping him get settled.”

  Sam dragged his hands down his face. “I’ll send Mother a note, but this conversation is not over.”

  “Yes, Sam.”

  Before Sam could say anything further, Amelia grabbed Rayne’s hand to pull her back into the parlor. Rayne tugged gently to get her attention. “Are you going to be in trouble?”

  Amelia shrugged. “I’m viewing this as an adventure. Now introduce me to everyone, please.” She stopped suddenly.

  “What’s wrong?” Rayne asked.

  “Who’s that?” Amelia nodded toward the fireplace.

  Rayne looked across the room and smiled when she saw Jacob Butler deep in conversation with Quincy. Rayne giggled. “That would be Jacob Butler. Shall I introduce you?”

  Amelia sighed. “No, it would not be appropriate.”

  “Why not?”

  “Perhaps another time.”

  Rayne sighed. “Okay.”

  Amelia bit her lip. “Would you consider me rude if I were to lie down for a few hours?”

  “Not at all. I’ll show you to your room.”

  RAYNE MADE SURE Amelia was settled and then went looking for Sam. She found him standing near the fireplace in the parlor and linked her arm in his. He leaned down and kissed her temple. “Is Amelia in her room?”

  Rayne nodded. “Yep. She’s going to rest for a few hours.”

 
“Good.”

  Rayne stared at Jacob and bit her lip as she thought about Amelia’s strange reaction to him.

  “What are you thinking about, Angel?”

  She glanced up. “What do you mean?”

  Sam’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “I know that look.”

  Rayne grinned. “I had hoped to do a bit of matchmaking.”

  “Whom do you want to match?” he asked.

  Rayne nodded toward Jacob. “Your sister and Jacob.”

  He shook his head. “She’s too young for him.”

  “She’s eighteen, Sam.”

  “Too young.”

  Rayne giggled. “She is not. Jacob’s not much older, right? And how cute would their babies be.”

  Sam stepped away a few inches, and stared down at her with a mildly horrified expression. “Rayne Elizabeth Powell, my baby sister will not be having babies with Jacob Butler.”

  Rayne realized Sam didn’t want to acknowledge his “baby” sister was growing up. She raised an eyebrow. “They could, if you don’t screw it up.”

  “You will not interfere,” he further admonished.

  Rayne bristled at his fatherly tone. “Why not?”

  Sam stared down at her but didn’t elaborate.

  “Sam?” Quincy called from the other side of the room. “Settle a bet for us.”

  Sam nodded and then glanced at Rayne. “Leave it alone, Rayne. It’s none of your business.”

  Sam made his way to the Butler men and Rayne joined Victoria, who squeezed her hand. “What’s up?”

  “Huh?” Rayne asked.

  “You’re mumbling and scowling at your husband.”

  “Oh.” Rayne tried to smooth her expression. “Nothing.”

  Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to go somewhere and talk?”

  “No… but I wouldn’t mind going somewhere to yell.” Rayne seethed. How could Sam just dismiss her thoughts in this manner? Did this mean he didn’t value her opinion? She thought she knew him better than that.

  “Where?”

  At the moment, Rayne didn’t want to socialize or play nice… she sighed instead. “Let’s go to my private parlor upstairs.”

  “You have a private parlor? Fancy,” Victoria asked, and Rayne smiled despite her irritation.

  Victoria let Quinn know where she was going and then followed Rayne upstairs. Rayne was too angry to tell Sam anything, so she led Victoria into the room and closed the door.

  Victoria let out a low whistle. “This is beautiful.”

  Rayne smiled. “Thanks. It’s growing on me. It’s a little crowded for my taste, but Sam said he’d help me move some things around when I decide what I want to do.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Victoria sat in one of the brocade chairs. “Okay, now spill.”

  Rayne paced the small room in frustration before flopping into the chair next to Victoria. Her skirts brushed against the chess set, toppling the queen. “He’s just so damn bossy. He treats me like a child and I’m sick of it!”

  Victoria set the queen right. “How does he treat you like a child?”

  “He freaked out on me because I wanted to introduce Amelia and Jacob.”

  “Why would he freak out?” Victoria asked.

  Rayne stood again and faced Victoria. “I have no idea! It’s not like he’s going to share anything with me… I’m apparently not worthy.”

  Not like Gwen, anyway.

  “I highly doubt it’s that,” Victoria argued.

  Rayne rubbed her temples. “I just feel like it’s two steps forward, one step back.”

  “What is?”

  Rayne crossed her arms. “Our relationship… we argue and bicker more than we should.”

  Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  Rayne narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “Why are you saying it like that?”

  Victoria’s eyes widened. “Like what?”

  “Never mind.”

  “Like what, Rayne?” Victoria pressed.

  Rayne sighed. “Like Sophie.”

  “Oh, no… you had a conversation with Sophie? That must have gone well.” Victoria grinned. “What did she say?”

  Rayne sat back in the chair, gentler this time. “It doesn’t really matter.”

  Victoria studied her fingernails. “Did she say something about a sense of entitlement, or needing to get one’s way, perhaps?”

  Rayne groaned. “I hate you both… you know that, right?”

  Victoria laughed. “Oh, I’m aware. It must be tough to leave a world where one person refuses to kowtow to you, just to arrive in a world where there are several of us, not the least of which is a gorgeous man who loves you beyond reason.”

  “I just don’t understand why he needs to constantly correct me.”

  “Do you think that’s what he’s really doing, Rayne, or is it possible that you’re hyper-sensitive and projecting?”

  Rayne narrowed her eyes. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

  “I just wonder if maybe…” She formed the inch symbol with her fingers, “… just a little… you’re being a tad reactionary. Maybe even assuming he’s thinking something that he’s not.” Victoria smiled gently. “You’re expecting him to make a lot of adjustments and changes to accommodate you, but are you doing the same for him?”

  “I have never asked him to do anything for me!” Rayne argued.

  Before Victoria could respond, there was a knock on the door and the girls looked up to see Sam open it.

  “I thought you might be in here,” he said as he walked in. “Hiding again?”

  “Maybe,” Rayne grumbled.

  “I’ll see you later,” Victoria said. “Think about what I said.”

  “Okay,” Rayne said.

  Sam sat in the chair Victoria had just vacated. “Who are you hiding from, Angel?”

  Rayne frowned. “You, currently.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Because you’re being an ass.”

  Sam crossed a leg over his knee and smiled. “Why am I being an ass?”

  “Because you’re so secretive.”

  Sam’s smile faded slowly. “How am I secretive?”

  “I don’t get why you have an issue with Jacob Butler. The rest of the family seems to be quite high on your list.” She added in a whisper, “Especially Gwen.”

  “Gwen?” Sam dropped his leg to the ground. “What does Gwen have to do with any of this?”

  Rayne bit her lip as she picked up the queen from the chess board. “I just feel like you know and care much more about her than you let on.”

  He cocked his head in question. “Are you jealous?”

  “Do I have reason to be?”

  “Rayne!” Sam stared at her in shock.

  “What?” Rayne sighed. “You make me feel like I’m an imbecile and like this isn’t a partnership.”

  Sam linked his fingers together and settled them on his thigh. “What isn’t a partnership?”

  “Our marriage! It feels like a dictatorship right now, with you trying to keep me in the dark.”

  Sam took a slow, deep breath. “I’m not trying to keep you in the dark, Rayne. There are just some things I can’t tell you and others that I can only tell you in private. You must understand that.”

  “Okay then. Now that we’re alone, fill me in on the Jacob thing.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “Sweetheart, I don’t know what that means.”

  Rayne rubbed her forehead again in an attempt to ward off a rapidly approaching headache. “I would like you to tell me about Jacob and why he’s the devil when it comes to Amelia.”

  “It’s not that he’s the devil, sweetheart. It’s just that he doesn’t suit, and my parents will never allow an affection to form.”

  Rayne smacked the arm of the chair. “Why should they have any say in it? And what’s wrong with Jacob Butler? I think he’s adorable.”

  Sam studied her for several seconds. “I’m uncertain you’d under
stand the reasons and even if you did, it would anger you… and quite frankly, I don’t want to argue with you.”

  “The only reason there would be an argument is if you agree with your parents and I don’t.” Rayne shrugged. “Who knows? I could agree fully with all of the reasons.”

  Sam smiled without humor. “You would not agree with my parents, Angel. Of that, I’m certain.”

  “Which means, you do?”

  “Not necessarily.” Sam tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “However, I’m not Amelia’s father, so it’s none of my business.”

  Rayne flew out of the chair. “What a load of shit. Are you trying to tell me that you wouldn’t fight for her?”

  “It’s not a matter of fighting for her. She’s not in danger.”

  “She is so! She’s under the rule of unreasonable, narrow-minded parents.”

  “That’s an unfair statement.” Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. “You don’t know the full details of the situation, Rayne.”

  “Then tell me!”

  Sam dragged his hands down his face. “We have half-a-house full of people with a large party planned tomorrow, could we not argue about this now?”

  “Of course. In fact, let’s just discontinue this conversation all together. How wrong of me to think you’d listen to anything I have to say!” Rayne fisted her hands at her side. “I’m not the sweet, appropriate, and beautiful Gwendolyn Butler.”

  “Rayne!”

  “No!” Rayne jabbed a finger at him. “You know what, Sam? You can sleep on the couch tonight.”

  She moved to leave the room, but his hand snaked around her waist before her hand reached the doorknob. “Rayne, stop,” he said as he pulled her away from the door.

  “Stop what? Voicing my opinion?” she snapped as she turned to face him. “I can’t do this anymore!”

  “Do what, Angel?”

  “Play the subservient wife. I will have my say or I’ll go back.”

  She heard his quick intake of breath. She knew she’d hit the mark when his hand dropped to his side, and she crossed her arms in challenge. Sam stared at her for several minutes. The longer he stood there, the more uncomfortable Rayne felt. She settled her hands at her side and tried to stop them from shaking.

  He said nothing. He barely moved and Rayne felt his anger, but something else as well. She felt his fear. It was palpable.