The Bride Price (5 page)

The combination Nona chose for Sophie
consisted of a deep blue skirt with a simple white bodice. The
jacket, a lighter blue, was adorned with piping that matched the
skirt. Elizabeth sent ribbons for each of the dresses, and Sophie
used one of them to pull her long hair back and tie it securely at
her neck.

Sophie forced a smile. “Nona, thank you so
much for your kindness.”

“It’s my pleasure, dear. I know things seem
frightening right now, but I hope you will consider my home your
home. You are welcome to stay as long as you have need.”

“Thank you.”

Nona led Sophie downstairs and into the large
dining room. The buffet had a simple but abundant breakfast
arrangement. Smelling the savory aroma of the sausage, pancakes,
and fried potatoes, Sophie filled her plate, her stomach rumbling
in anticipation. Another concoction, a dish that looked positively
disgusting, made her stomach roll as the beady eyes of a fish
stared at her from beneath the sauce.

Sophie and Nona were in the dining room for
only a few minutes when the butler showed a beautiful, petite woman
into the room. Her strawberry-blonde hair framed a heart-shaped
face, and wind-blown cheeks illuminated larger-than-life blue eyes.
She appeared a younger version of Nona.

“Christine, what are you doing here so early?
Weren’t you scheduled to be at the hospital today?” Nona stood
quickly and made her way over to the woman. She folded her into one
of her motherly hugs.

The younger woman removed her winter cloak
and gloves to reveal a dark blue skirt. Her matching jacket was
buttoned all the way to her throat, and Sophie assumed it was a
uniform of some type. She handed her outerwear to the butler
hovering behind her and laughed. “A very good morning to you, too,
big sister.”

“My word, where are my manners?” Nona turned
to Sophie. “Sophie, this is my youngest sister, Christine. She
volunteers at the local hospital, taking care of wounded soldiers.”
She turned back to her sister. “Christine, this is Sophie Ford. She
landed on our doorstep yesterday, for lack of a better word.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Christine
shook Sophie’s hand and then turned to her sister. “Elizabeth came
by to see Mama and me after she dropped the dresses off to you this
morning, so I’ve heard part of the story. I thought I would call on
you and see if you needed anything.”

News certainly travels fast around here
without the use of cell phones.

“You look lovely in that dress, Mrs. Ford.
Much better than Elizabeth would have. Just don’t tell her I said
that,” Christine said.

“Thank you.” Sophie fingered the fabric. “Has
your sister never worn this?”

Christine chuckled. “No. None of the ones she
gave you have been worn.”

“Wow—I mean, my goodness.”

Nona glanced at the clock on the dining room
wall. “Oh, my, look at the time. I must get the menu organized for
tomorrow night’s soiree. Christine, would you please keep Sophie
company while I talk to Cook?”

“Of course.” Christine sat at the table and
turned to face Sophie with a warm smile.

“Christine.” Sophie wrung her hands. “Sorry,
may I call you Christine?”

“Of course.”

“What is this soiree Nona referred to?”

Stirring sugar into a cup of coffee,
Christine explained, “We have spent the past week honoring officers
who have made it home for a brief sojourn. The soiree will cap it
off. Many will leave again in the coming weeks, as new marching
orders are being delivered as we speak.”

“Oh,” Sophie squeaked.

Christine laid her spoon aside and looked at
her in concern. “Are you all right, Mrs. Ford? Can I get you
something?”

“Um, no, no, I’m fine. I just thought about
all those people.” Sophie took a deep breath. “I guess it freaked
me out a bit.”

Christine furrowed her brow. “Freaked you
out? What does that mean?”

Sophie internally smacked her hand to her
forehead.

“Oh, right, well, it means, kind of scared
me.” Sophie smoothed her hands across her skirts and then settled
them on her lap. “I hope it will be all right to stay in my room
with the door locked tomorrow night.”

Christine laughed. “Why would you want to do
that?”

“I just don’t feel up to a party, I
suppose.”

Christine took a sip of her coffee and set
her cup gently in the saucer. “Mrs. Ford, I understand you’ve lost
your husband.”

“Please, call me Sophie. And, yes. I have no
idea where Jamie is. I’m choosing to think he’s misplaced, but
everything’s a bit of a confusing mess right now.”

“Well, let’s try and focus on the positive.”
Christine dropped another sugar cube into her coffee. “Now, let’s
discuss gowns. I know one in particular that Elizabeth had made.
She disliked the color, so never wore it. It would look incredible
on you. We’ll have Madame Desmarais alter it for you before the
party. Elizabeth has influence with her.” She added in a conspiring
whisper, “She should, with the amount she spends there.”

Sophie waved a hand in the air. “Please don’t
go to any trouble, Christine. The dresses Elizabeth has already
provided are beautiful. She has been more than generous.”

“Don’t be silly, it’s our pleasure.”
Christine set her coffee cup down. “Now, I must get to the
hospital. I’ll return at three and we’ll go down to Madame’s
together. I’m on my way to pick up a few things from Elizabeth’s,
so I will also get the dress.”

Christine gathered her outerwear and Sophie
walked her to the door. “Thank you for spending some time with
me.”

“My pleasure, Sophie. I’ll see you
later.”

Watching as Christine climbed into her little
buggy, Sophie remained in the open doorway as the horse trotted
down the long driveway.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sophie closed the door and leaned against it
in silence, turning when she heard Nona’s familiar footsteps tap
over the foyer.

“There you are, dear. Did Christine
leave?”

Sophie nodded. “Yes, just now. She said
she’ll be back at three to take me to Madame something or
other?”

“Madame Desmarais. She’s a miracle worker
with a needle and thread. She makes all of Elizabeth’s gowns and
believe me, Elizabeth keeps her working day and night.”

Sophie smiled. “So I’ve heard.”

“Oh, Sophie, you have such a lovely smile. I
look forward to seeing that more often. Now perhaps you should rest
before Christine collects you. She can be a bit overwhelming if
you’re not prepared for her.”

“I wonder where she gets that from?” Sophie
muttered.

“What was that, dear?”

“Oh, nothing, Nona. What do you have in the
way of books? I would love to read something.”

Nona led her to their library and when Sophie
stepped into the room, she sighed in awe. Three walls had
floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the dark mahogany showcased intricate
carving. Two high-backed chairs faced a large, stone fireplace. A
hearth raised it three feet off the floor and offered a warm place
to rest your feet. This could only be described as her dream room.
“This is perfect, Nona. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dear. I’ll have Daniel add
wood to the fire and you can rest in here, if you like. I’ll
collect you at three. Richard will be joining us for dinner, so I
have requested Elizabeth send over an appropriate gown.”

Sophie smiled her thanks and searched for
something to read. There were many medical books, which shouldn’t
have surprised her, and she thought she might be disappointed,
until she came across “
Lady Audley’s Secret,
”
written by Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

Curling up in one of the chairs, she tucked
her feet under her and settled in to read. But she found she was
unable to concentrate, and the pages swam before her. Turning her
head, she stared out the window.

Where are you, Jamie?
She
felt tears slip down her cheek and wiped them away with the palm of
her hand.
Please, God, I need some answers here. As
grateful as I am to be healthy, I want my husband back. I think I’d
rather be dying with Jamie, than healthy without him.

With her chin on her palm, she continued to
stare out the window.

Almost an hour into her forced rest, Sophie
was grateful when she heard the rustle of fabric behind her. “Miss
Sophie?”

“Hm?” Sophie peeked around the high-backed
chair.

“Miss Nona says her sister will be here
soon.”

Sophie stood, lightly running her fingers
over the fabric of her skirts to smooth them, and followed Betty
out of the room. She arrived in the foyer just as the butler was
opening the front entrance door. Thinking Christine had come a few
minutes early, Sophie hurried forward to greet her new friend.

She froze mid-stride and felt her face heat
with indignation.

Richard Madden handed his hat and gloves to
the expectant butler. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Ford. How are you
feeling today?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Mr. Madden.” Sophie
pulled her hands behind her back and clasped them tightly. “Have
you found something out about Jamie? Is that why you’re here?”

Before he could answer, Nona bustled into the
entryway and greeted Richard with a big smile. “Richard, what a
nice surprise.”

“Good afternoon, Nona.” He gave her a slight
bow.

Sophie turned back to Richard. “Mr. Madden
was just going to tell me what he found out about my husband.”

Richard stood in silence.

“Well? Mr. Madden?” Sophie ground out, a
little more pointedly.

Richard turned and spoke directly to Nona.
“Is Dr. Wade still here? I thought I’d try to catch him before left
for the hospital.”

“Or, you could answer my question.” Sophie
didn’t like being a shrew, but this man’s arrogance irritated her.
Call it a fault of hers, but she always felt the need to put male
chauvinists like him in their place. That, and she desperately
wanted to know where Jamie was.

“Ma’am, I don’t have anything to tell you at
present. I really should speak with Dr. Wade before I go any
further.”

Pointing her finger at him, Sophie shook with
anger. “Why? Why do you have to speak with Dr Wade before ‘going
any further’?”

“Pardon me, ma’am?”

“Don’t you ‘ma’am’ me. Where is my husband?
Are you hiding him? Is he hurt and you don’t want to tell me? Is
that why you need the doctor? It is,
isn’t
it?” Panic
bubbled up and threatened to spill over. “Why are we just standing
here? Take me to him.” She moved toward the front door. “Now, if
you please.”

Richard didn’t budge.

“Why are you looking at me that way? Take me
to Jamie!”

Nona let out a quiet sigh. “Shhh, Sophie,
calm down. I’m certain Michael will tell us everything, once he and
Richard have a chance to talk.”

“I won’t be shushed, Nona.” Sophie turned
back to Richard. “Where is Jamie? Why are you just standing
there?”

Michael rushed in. “Richard, Nona? What is
going on here?”

“He won’t tell me where Jamie is!” Panic had
been replaced with anger, and Sophie turned back to face Richard.
“Where is he, Mr. Madden? You do realize that I’ll find him, with
or without you. I swear, if he’s hurt somewhere and you won’t take
me to him, there isn’t a corner on earth you can go where I won’t
find you. If you knew any of my friends, they would tell you to
beware the wrath of Sophie. Pushed far enough, sir, I’ll make your
life a living hell. Do you hear me?
A living hell
!”

She registered, barely, Nona’s stifled, “Oh,
my!”

“Yes, ma’am, I heard you.” Richard made a
sweeping motion with his hand. “In fact, I believe the entire
countryside heard you.”

Sophie was beside herself. “You are the most
irritating, arrogant, subspecies of a human being I have ever come
across.”

“Sophie, I don’t think that’s particularly fair to
Richard. He has been trying to help find your husband, and I think
you need to be a bit more appreciative.” Nona fluttered to her side
and patted her hand.

Sophie took a deep breath in an effort to
calm herself. “You’re right, Nona, I should apologize.” Turning to
Richard, Sophie forced a smile. “Mr. Madden, I am sorry for calling
you a subspecies of a human being. Now, please tell me what you
have found out about my husband.”

“What about the irritating, arrogant
part?”

“Excuse me?”

Richard smiled. Smug and infuriating. “The
irritating, arrogant part. You only apologized for the subspecies
human being part.”

She clenched her fists at her sides. “I did
that because I didn’t want to insult any other subspecies. I
withdraw my apology. Where is Jamie?”

“Richard, stop torturing the poor girl. Tell
us what you have found out,” Michael said.

Richard turned his back on Sophie and once
again spoke directly to Michael. “A new group of wounded have been
brought to the hospital. One of the men resembles the description
Mrs. Ford gave me, and I hoped you could have a look at him. He’s
unconscious and severely wounded.”

“Of all the arrogant...” Sophie stopped
herself from stomping her foot in rage. “Or you could speak to me
directly and stop pretending
I’m not here
.” Turning to the
doctor, Sophie begged, “Please Dr. Wade, you have to take me. I’ll
be able to tell you if it’s Jamie right away.”

“His wounds are quite gruesome, Mrs. Ford.
I’m not sure it would be a good idea for you to see him like that,”
Richard interjected.

Sophie inwardly seethed. She couldn’t help
herself, her hand flew to her breast, and she did her best Scarlett
O’Hara imitation. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Madden. I don’t
know how I’d survive all of this without it.”

She then turned to Nona. “Please make them
take me. If it’s Jamie, he’s going to need me. I have to be there.
I don’t want him to wake up alone, wondering what’s going on.”