The Bride Price (21 page)

Sophie faced the lieutenant. “Where did you
learn those defense moves?”

“I have no idea.” He stroked her arm. “I seem
to have always known them.”

Sophie knew it was more than instinct. She
knew now, without a doubt he was Jamie. She just needed proof.

Before she could ask, he took her hand. “Why
don’t I escort you home? I’d feel more comfortable if you two were
distanced a bit.”

Sophie sighed. “Yeah, that doesn’t always
work.”

“I noticed.” James grinned. “I’ll walk you
back now and then we’ll figure out what to do going forward.”

“All right. Thank you.” James slipped her
hand into his arm and they began their slow walk back to the
house.

“What happened to the soldier?” Sophie asked
when she noticed him scan their surroundings.

“Which soldier?”

“Seriously?”

James adjusted his hat but didn’t answer for
several seconds. “He was shot.”

“No!” Sophie said in mock surprise. When he
didn’t offer any further explanation, she said, “Nice try. Tell me
what happened.”

Before he could answer, and before Sophie
could ask her very personal question, Christine came rushing out of
the house. “Sophie!”

“Hi, Christine.”

“Is everything all right? You didn’t return
from lunch and didn’t retrieve the buggy.”

“Yes, I’m fine, Christine. It’s been a rough
afternoon. I’ll tell you all about it later if that’s okay? I just
want to curl up and take a nap.”

Christine smiled. “Well, then you
should.”

Sophie nodded as the three made their way
into the house and then turned to face James. “Thank you for
everything, I’m so sorry you got caught in the middle.”

He took her hand and kissed it and Sophie
made her way upstairs and flopped onto her bed. She let out a sigh
when she heard a quiet knock at her door. “Come in.”

“Sophie? I have some food for you.” Christine
stepped into the room.

Sophie sat up and raised an eyebrow. “How did
you know I was hungry?”

“The lieutenant said you didn’t eat.”
Christine sat on the bed next to Sophie. “Now, tell me what’s going
on. You look as though the world is coming to an end.”

“I’ve made a mess of everything.” Sophie took
a bite of chicken and sighed in pleasure, even if it was short
lived. “Richard is the biggest jerk! I’d have never guessed he
could be so abusive. I have forced James in the middle of my fight
with him and some very strange things are happening.”

“Like what?”

“He kissed me.”

“Richard?”

“Well, yes, he tried as well, but got slapped
for the effort. James, on the other hand, could have had more than
the kiss if he’d asked.”

“Sophie!”

Popping a grape to her mouth, Sophie groaned.
“He’s Jamie. I know he is, I just don’t know how to prove it
without getting his clothes off.” Christine let out a choking sound
and Sophie sighed. “Well, it’s true, Christine.”

Sophie continued to eat and gave Christine a
minute to compose herself.

“I don’t understand what’s going on with
Richard,” Christine whispered. “He’s never acted this way before.
His actions simply don’t fit the man I know. I’m sorry, Sophie, I
know you two were getting close.”

“I have no idea if we can salvage our
friendship but right now, I don’t want to see him. As far as James
is concerned, all I want to do is spend every waking moment with
him. There’s something not quite right going on, and I feel like I
need to figure it out and quickly. I’m sick of being confused.”

“Why don’t you rest for a little while and
we’ll talk more later. I’m going to bring Mama by for dinner, so
I’ll see you then.”

“Sounds good. Thanks for everything.” Sophie
slid under the covers.

* * *

Sophie woke later that day, freshened up, and
went downstairs, finding the house quiet and still. She made her
way to her favorite spot in the library and curled up with a new
book. Only a few minutes passed when she heard someone whisper her
name. Peeking around the chair, she saw James standing in the
doorway and jumped up, excited to see him.

“I don’t want to intrude. I just came by to see how
you were.”

“I’m much better, thank you. What time is
it?” Sophie slid a lock of hair behind her ear.

“It’s almost five thirty.”

“Oh! I thought it was much earlier.” Sophie
chewed her thumbnail as an awkward silence settled around them.
“Thank you for telling Christine I hadn’t eaten today. That was
very thoughtful.”

James smiled. “You’re welcome. Now, I should
probably get back.”

Sophie walked over to him and put her hand on
his arm. “Do you have to go? Can you stay for dinner?” She didn’t
want to beg, but she didn’t want to miss time with him either.

James chuckled. “I am done with the training
for today, so yes, Sophie, I can stay if you like.”

“I’d like.” He took her hand and kissed her
palm, but rather than letting go, he kept hold of it. Sophie could
barely think straight. “How was it after I left? Was Richard a
bear?”

He ran his thumb along the palm he’d just
kissed. “He disappeared. I haven’t seen him in the past few hours
and I have to admit, that’s one of the reasons I came by so early.
I wanted to make sure he wasn’t here. I hope that’s all right.”

Sophie sighed in resignation. “Yes, it’s
fine. I don’t know what to do about Richard. He lost his
ever-blessed mind today. I don’t understand it.”

“Lust can do strange things to a man.” He
kissed her palm again.

Sophie looked up in surprise. “What makes you
think Richard lusts after me?”

“Have you looked in a mirror?” He laid his
hand across her cheek. Leaning down, he gently kissed her, and she
opened her mouth for him as she slid her hands up his chest and
linked them behind his neck. He broke the kiss, seemingly unable to
catch his breath. “Sophie, we should talk.”

“About what?”

“I can’t sleep.”

“You can’t?”

“No.” James raised his open palms to his
temples in a circular, frantic motion. “Thoughts of you constantly
run through my head.”

“Really?”

James sighed. “Really.”

“Well, what should we do then?”

“I’d like to spend time with you, privately,
if you would be open to that.”

Sophie grinned. “I would love to spend time
with you. Privately or otherwise.”

The flitter of shallow footsteps sounded in
the hallway, and Betty pushed the door open. “Dinner is almost
ready, Miss Sophie.

“Thank you, Betty.”

Sophie led Jamie to the dining room. It was
empty, so the couple moved on to the parlor.

Nona and Michael were in the midst of an
intense conversation with Richard.

“What are you doing here?” Sophie asked,
rather rudely.

“Sophie, please, I just came to talk.”
Richard stood. James stepped up behind Sophie and Richard’s face
flickered with anger.

Michael and Nona looked more and more
confused as these interactions took place.

“Get out!” Richard bellowed.

“Richard, calm down. I asked James to stay
for dinner. You’re the one who’s here without an invitation,”
Sophie said.

“I came to apologize, Sophie, and I also
wanted to have a private word with you.” Richard took a deep
breath.

“That will never happen,” James said from
behind Sophie.

“Sophie, there are things about this man that
you don’t know. Things I’m certain he hasn’t told you.”

James scowled. “What haven’t I told her?”

Sophie stood between the two men and rolled
her eyes. “Please. You two are snorting like a couple of angry
bulls. Let’s step outside. I’d rather not do this in the doctor’s
house.”

Sophie turned and moved towards the foyer and
out the front door. James and Richard followed her onto the porch
and Richard reached over to take her arm. James quickly inserted
himself between the two of them. “Don’t touch her.”

Sophie faced Richard. “Richard, I have
nothing to say to you. I don’t even know why you’re here. I asked
for space.”

“I know. I’ve made a mess of everything.
Sophie, please forgive me.”

“Richard, this isn’t a forgiveness issue,
it’s a boundary issue. I can forgive you for trying to force
yourself on me, but I need to know it’s not going to happen
again.”

“You don’t seem to have any boundary issues
with the Lieutenant.”

“This is exactly what I’m talking about.
You’re sulking like a little boy who didn’t get his way. I’m sick
of it. The relationship I have with James is separate from the one
I have with you and quite frankly, it’s none of your business.”

“You don’t even know this man, Sophie. There
are rumors that he is married and has abandoned his wife. Are you
willing to test that?”

James clenched his fists and stepped forward.
“I’d never abandon a wife.”

Sophie placed a hand on his chest to keep him
from hitting Richard.

“You should just leave and let her get on
with her life!” Richard snapped.

“Richard, do you have proof that he’s
married, or are you simply trying to get rid of him?”

“Make him show you the wedding rings he wears
around his neck and ask him why he keeps them hidden.”

Sophie turned back to James. “Is that
true?”

“Why don’t you show her, Lieutenant? Put it
to rest once and for all,” Richard said.

James looked confused, but pulled the silken
rope from around his neck and handed it to her. “I don’t know who
they belong to, Sophie.”

Sophie inhaled sharply. “Where did you get
these? They’re mine!”

“What?”

“This is my engagement ring and this is the
anniversary band you gave me on our fifth wedding anniversary!”
Sophie’s world began to spin as she stroked the New Zealand bone
carving Emma’s best friend, Hannah, gave Jamie for his birthday
three years prior. “And this, James. It’s your wedding ring!”

“I don’t recognize it, Sophie” James
said.

“That doesn’t mean it’s not yours.”

“It can’t be. If you were my wife, there’s no
way I’d forget you. There must be some mistake. Perhaps I found it
somewhere or purchased it from someone.”

Sophie closed her fist around the treasures
in frustration. “No. You’re Jamie.”

Jamie shook his head. “I don’t think that’s
possible.”

“I designed this ring and gave it to you on
our wedding day. I have the identical one. Look.” She held her
right hand out to him. A thinner version of his wedding ring was on
her right ring finger. “See?”

He shook his head and turned away from
Sophie. “I can’t do this.”

“What do you mean you can’t do this?”

Turning, James mounted his horse, and
galloped away, leaving Sophie dumbfounded on the porch.

“Sophie.”

“Not now, Richard.” She ran into the house
and up to her room. Throwing herself on her bed, she used one of
the pillows as a punching bag.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sophie was only in her room for a few minutes
when she heard a knock at her door. Before she could answer,
Christine poked her head in. “Sophie?”

Sophie chucked the pillow into the corner of
the room with a frustrated groan.

Christine sat down next to her on the bed.
“What happened?”

“He left—it’s a mess, everything’s a
mess.”

“What do you mean?”

Sophie filled Christine in on everything that
happened. Once she was done telling the story, she took a deep
breath and climbed off the bed. Before she could say another word,
there was another knock at the door. “Come in.”

Nona walked in.

Sophie chewed her lower lip. “Hi, Nona. I’m
so sorry about all the drama. You have been so generous with your
home and I don’t want you to think I take any of it for
granted.”

“No need to apologize. We’ve needed something
to shake off the cobwebs. There’s been so much doom and gloom with
the war. Having you here has made it a little more bearable.”

Sophie sighed in relief. “Oh, Nona, I don’t
know what I’d do without you. I’d probably have to marry Richard.”
She shot a pointed look in Christine’s direction and felt somewhat
vindicated by her blush.

Nona hugged her, chuckling quietly. “Sophie,
you don’t need to worry about anything. You don’t have to marry
anyone you don’t want to. We all consider you a part of this family
and you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. Now, let’s go
downstairs and get something to eat. You must be famished.”

Sophie pulled herself together and the three
women made their way downstairs. They had a quiet dinner, and then
Sophie and Christine decided to spend some time in the parlor,
playing cards. The even got in a game of chess, but after a couple
of hours, Sophie was getting more and more restless. She
desperately wanted Jamie to come back but was afraid she had scared
him off for good.

Christine sat down at the pianoforte. “Any
requests?”

“If I give you a melody, do you think you
could play it?” Sophie asked.

“Let’s try.”

Sophie started to sing a song she and Jamie
wrote together. It took a few minutes, but Christine picked up the
tune, and Sophie started to relax and let her voice go where it
wanted to go. Singing for her had always been an outlet, and today
that outlet was desperately needed.

Several minutes into their private concert,
Christine stopped playing abruptly, and a strange look came over
her face. Sophie turned to see Jamie standing in the doorway of the
parlor, looking stunned. “Why do I know that song?”

Sophie made her way over to where he stood.
“Because we wrote it together.”

“I’ll give you some privacy.” Christine rose
from the piano.

Jamie nodded to her in thanks as she made her
way out of the room. He turned back to Sophie with a tormented look
on his face, and she reached out to touch his arm, but he deflected
the contact and walked over to the window. Sophie waited for him to
speak, knowing he was working things out in his mind.