The Bride Star (Civil War Brides Book 6)

by Piper Davenport

  She shook her head. “This is crazy.”

  “You’re the one who wants to elope.”

  “No, not that. Just getting married in general… none of this was in my five-year plan.”

  Sam squeezed her arms gently. “We can wait, sweetheart. It doesn’t have to be now.”

  “What about going home?”

  “You’re not going anywhere.”

  Rayne rolled her eyes. “Sam, being married to me won’t be easy.”

  “Did I say I was looking for easy?”

  She pulled away from him and started to pace. “Perhaps we should make a list of the pros and cons.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Well, one of the pros of getting married is that we love each other, but one of the cons is that we haven’t known each other very long.” Rayne tapped her mouth with her finger as she thought. “A pro is that we could have sex, but a con is that we might not do well together.”

  Sam snorted out a laugh. “Why would you think we wouldn’t do well together?”

  “Because we haven’t tested the physical part of our relationship,” she whispered, eyebrow raised.

  Sam made his way over to her and pulled her into his arms. He cupped her cheek gently with one hand and then wrapped his other arm around her waist. He leaned down and kissed her. A kiss that was a promise of things to come. Rayne sighed as her senses were assaulted. She almost whimpered when Sam broke the kiss. “Still worried, Angel?”

  Rayne took several deep breaths. “Maybe not.”

  Sam chuckled. “We can do whatever you desire to do, Rayne. We can wait and plan a proper ceremony, or we can get married tomorrow.”

  She nodded and started to pace again.

  “Samuel?”

  Sam and Rayne turned to see his mother standing in the doorway of the parlor.

  “Good afternoon, Mama. How’s Father?”

  Mrs. Powell nodded. “He’s doing very well. May I speak to you, son? Alone?”

  “Of course.” He turned and winked at Rayne. “Excuse me, Rayne.”

  RAYNE WAITED IN the parlor for several minutes before her curiosity overtook her common sense and she went to find Sam. She slunk into the foyer and heard muffled voices coming from his mother’s private parlor. As she got closer, the voices clarified. She stood, frozen, as she listened to the conversation.

  “You barely know this girl, Samuel,” Mrs. Powell accused. “It’s irresponsible to rush into such a big decision.”

  “Mother, you and Father knew each other a week before getting married,” Sam argued.

  “Yes and we have paid for that.”

  “It’s different with Rayne.”

  “Is it? This girl showed up out of nowhere, no family or past to speak of, and you’re ready to rush off and marry her.”

  “I know my own mind, mother. I’m not a child.”

  “I know that, dear, but you are just twenty-four,” his mother droned. “Not experienced in this world. This girl could be trouble. Anyone who finds it so easy to take the Lord’s name in vain shouldn’t be trusted.”

  Rayne bit her lip.

  I do really need to watch that.

  “Why would you say something so absurd?” Sam snapped. “I would much rather be married to someone who does the right thing, rather than say the right thing.”

  “They’re one and the same!”

  “No, they’re not,” Sam argued.

  “Samuel, you are successful and exceedingly wealthy. What girl wouldn’t be attracted to that? Especially one who appears to be alone. She’s very physical with you. It’s unseemly and there is that business with her sickness.”

  “What business, mother?”

  “Her being enceinte.”

  “Mother! She’s not pregnant! She has been sick!”

  Rayne gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth.

  “Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she were pregnant, Samuel, and I think you should reconsider,” his mother continued. “It might not even be yours.”

  “I’m not having this conversation with you again,” Sam snapped.

  Again? When had he had it before?

  “She’s not an acceptable choice, Samuel, and you will break it off with her immediately.”

  Sam said something Rayne couldn’t quite hear and she leaned closer to the door.

  “And don’t think I don’t know about you and that harlot’s daughter, either, Samuel.”

  “Excuse me?” he asked.

  “Gwendolyn Butler,” she snapped.

  “What have you been told?”

  “Enough to make me believe you’re a horrendous judge of character.”

  “Mother!” Sam groaned. “My relationship with Miss Butler is none of your business… and neither is Rayne.”

  His relationship with Gwen? Present tense?

  Rayne didn’t want to hear anymore. She couldn’t decide if she was angry or sad; her mind was swimming with confusion and her heart wanted to run. She stomped up the stairs and to her room. She shut the door with a little more force than she intended, but had to admit the sound gave her a bit of satisfaction. Pacing the room, she tried to sort out her options.

  Of which, she didn’t have many.

  The only thing she knew for sure was that she couldn’t stay there… wouldn’t stay there. If Sam wasn’t willing to tell her the truth about his feelings for Gwen and if his mother hated her that much, Rayne wouldn’t stick around to take the abuse.

  A knock interrupted her internal war and she turned just as Samuel pushed open her door. “There you are.”

  She tried her best not to glare. “Hi.”

  “You didn’t wait for me. Is something wrong?”

  Rayne shrugged. “I have a headache.”

  “Are you ill again?” Sam frowned and closed the distance between them. Rayne tried not to melt as he laid his hand on her cheek. “You don’t feel warm.”

  “I’m really tired, Sam. I probably just need to sleep.”

  “We haven’t even had dinner.” He smiled. “Where’s the woman who doesn’t like to sleep before midnight?”

  She shrugged again. “Maybe I’m not the woman you think I am.”

  His eyebrows puckered. “Angel, tell me what the matter is.”

  Rayne sighed and stepped away from his touch. “I’m fine, Sam. Could you please send your sister in?”

  “Should I get the doctor?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m simply tired.”

  Sam leaned down to kiss her, but she deflected his advance. He straightened and stared at her for a few tense seconds before he nodded and moved toward the door. “I’ll get Amelia for you.”

  Rayne swallowed and laid her hand over her stomach in an effort to calm the butterflies. She sat in one of the chairs next to the fireplace and squeezed her eyes closed. If her plan didn’t work, she’d be stuck and she didn’t want to be stuck.

  Amelia walked in a few minutes later. “Rayne? Sam said you weren’t feeling well.”

  Rayne forced a smile and rose to her feet. “I think I’m simply overly tired, but I do need a favor.”

  Amelia smiled. “Anything.”

  “I need to leave.”

  Amelia frowned. “What do you mean?”

  Rayne smoothed her hands over her skirts. “I need to go back to Harrisburg.”

  “Sam will take you, Rayne.”

  “No!” Rayne snapped. “Sam can’t know anything about it.”

  Amelia gasped. “What did he do?”

  “Nothing, Amelia. I just need to go back.”

  “If he did something to you, Rayne, you can tell me.”

  Rayne took a deep breath. “I just need to go back. Please don’t tell him anything.”

  Amelia nodded. “I’ll take you. John will drive us to the station. It’s not far and I know the way. We’ll use Sam’s name to get on the train.”

  Rayne bit her lip. “Can we go in the morning before Sam wakes up?”

  “Of course. Is the
re anything I can do for you now?”

  “Just tell Sam that I’m sleeping and not to disturb me.”

  Amelia left her, and Rayne spent the majority of the evening in abject misery.

  * * *

  Amelia woke Rayne at six the next morning. Rayne got dressed, left her ring on the night table, and left her love behind. She didn’t speak the entire way to Harrisburg… couldn’t really. Her throat didn’t seem to work. She was glad Amelia didn’t press her for conversation, seemingly happy to leave Rayne to her thoughts.

  The ladies arrived at the depot and disembarked to find John waiting with a hired rig. They set out to the Wades’ and pulled up to find Sophie and Jamie moving crates.

  “Rayne?” Sophie was obviously surprised to see her. “Are you okay? We heard you were sick.” Rayne’s composure cracked. She burst into tears and Sophie gathered her into her motherly embrace. “What’s wrong?”

  “His mother hates me and he’s still in love with Gwen.”

  Amelia gasped. “What are you talking about?”

  Rayne turned to her. “Your mother hates me, Amelia. She raked Sam over the coals for wanting to marry me. She told him I was a gold digger and a harlot.”

  Her sobbing started all over again and Sophie squeezed her as she turned to Amelia. “You must be Sam’s sister. I’m Sophie Ford, James’s wife. I’ve heard so much about you and your wonderful care while my husband was injured. It’s so nice to meet you.”

  Amelia nodded. “Nice to meet you also.”

  “This is probably one of the reasons why she hates me. I can’t even do a simple introduction,” Rayne cried.

  Sophie tightened her hold. “Rayne, I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

  “No, I’m not. I want to go home, Sophie. I told you this would happen and now my worst nightmare has come true.” Rayne pulled away from Sophie and wiped her tears from her cheeks. “The bottom line is that I don’t belong here. I need to go home!”

  “Where is home?” Amelia asked.

  “Chicago,” Sophie provided and gave Rayne a warning glance.

  “I thought you said that Sam had done something.” Amelia frowned.

  Rayne sighed. “No, I just didn’t correct you when you came to that conclusion.”

  Amelia narrowed her eyes. “Rayne! My brother is going to be furious. Not to mention worried sick.”

  “Well, he can cry on Gwendolyn’s shoulder then.”

  Amelia crossed her arms. “Gwendolyn’s married to another man.”

  “Doesn’t mean he doesn’t still love her.” Rayne turned back to Sophie. “Sophie, please. I need to go home.”

  Sophie rubbed Rayne’s arm. “Look. You’re upset and obviously exhausted. Come inside with me and we’ll sort this out after you’ve rested. Amelia, you are welcome as well. We’ll get you home tomorrow.”

  Amelia nodded and followed Sophie inside.

  * * *

  Sam woke later than usual and his immediate thought was of Rayne. Climbing out of bed, he splashed water on his face in an effort to wash away his fitful night and then went to find her. Pushing Rayne’s bedroom door open, he found the room empty, so made his way back downstairs. She wasn’t in the parlor or the dining room. He went to find his mother, who was in her private parlor.

  “Mother?” He knocked on the open door. “Did Rayne go for a walk with Amelia?”

  His mother glanced up from her needlepoint. “I haven’t seen your sister yet, dear. She might still be asleep.”

  “At this hour?” Sam tried to control his irritation. “She’s always first awake.”

  “Yes, that’s true.” Mrs. Powell shrugged. “However, I have yet to see her.”

  Sam made his way upstairs and back to Rayne’s room in case she may have returned. He opened the door and it was still empty, but something propelled him forward. He saw nothing out of order necessarily, but he knew something wasn’t quite right. Then he saw the ring. He grabbed it from the night table and rushed to his sister’s room. Searching quickly, his heart sank when he saw the note on the bureau.

  “Mother!” he bellowed as he flew down the stairs.

  “What would ever make you think it was appropriate to yell at the top of your voice in this house?” she admonished as she came out of her office.

  “Meely left you a note. What does it say?”

  She laid her needlepoint aside. “Well, how would I know? I haven’t read it yet.”

  “Mother!” he hissed. “Read the note, please.”

  His mother opened the missive and read. “Well, this is just ridiculous.” She waved the letter in the air. “I knew that girl was trouble.”

  Sam took it from her hands and read it. “Shit!”

  “Samuel Harold, I will not hear that kind of language in my house.”

  “All right, mother, I’ll leave your house and use it outside.”

  His mother gasped and Sam rushed out the door. He saddled his horse and took off in pursuit of his family.

  * * *

  Sam arrived in Harrisburg just after lunch and rushed through the open front door of the Wades’ home without knocking. “Rayne!”

  Amongst crates and trunks and bustling staff, Amelia stood in the foyer buttoning her gloves. “Good afternoon, Sam. Rayne’s asleep. I was just going for a walk.”

  “Where?”

  “Out to the arena I think.”

  “Meely.”

  Amelia chuckled and nodded up the stairs. “She’s upstairs. What’s going on?”

  He scowled at her. “You tell me. You left a note for Mother saying that you were going to Harrisburg because I had hurt Rayne.”

  “Well, I believe I was mistaken.” Amelia lowered her head in contrition. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

  “Explain, Meely.” He grasped her arm and pulled her toward the parlor. “The part about the note and the part about why you traveled here alone.”

  “I didn’t travel alone. I was with Rayne.”

  “Unmarried ladies who traveled on a train the army is in charge of, using my name and connection with Christopher to get on board. Start talking.”

  Amelia sighed. “Rayne was upset because of something Mother said. She said Mama was unhappy about you marrying her and seems to think she hates her. I asked John to drive us to the train, so we were perfectly safe.”

  Sam swore as he ran his hands through his hair.

  Amelia frowned. “What did Mother do?”

  “I’ll explain later. First, I need you to do something for me.”

  Sam outlined his plan. Confident that Amelia would execute it perfectly, he went upstairs to find Rayne. Opening the guest room door, he found her asleep on the bed. He made his way over to her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Angel, wake up.”

  She opened her eyes and scowled. “Go away.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Rayne yawned. “This will never work, Sam. You should just cut your losses.”

  Sam shook his head and crossed his arms. “I don’t give up, remember?”

  She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the mattress. “Your mother thinks I’m a gold digger and a harlot. She doesn’t think I’m good enough for you.”

  Sam grinned. “Well, she’s wrong on all counts, then… eavesdropper.”

  “Why are you grinning like an idiot?” Rayne slid off the bed.

  “Was I?”

  Rayne sighed. “It’s not just your mother.”

  Sam raised an eyebrow. “Then what else?”

  “You shouldn’t be in here.”

  Sam grasped her hand. “Angel, tell me what the matter is.”

  Rayne sighed. “You don’t have to marry me.”

  “I’m aware of that.” He grinned. “But I want to. The thought of not marrying you makes me crazy.”

  She blinked as she stared up at him. “Really?”

  “That surprises you?” Sam raised an eyebrow.

  Rayne dropped her head. “What about Gwen?”

  “What about her?” S
am lifted her chin with his finger and narrowed his eyes. “Just how much did you hear?”

  Rayne bit her lip. “Most of it,” she admitted.

  “Rayne,” he admonished.

  Rayne wrinkled her nose. “Don’t you dare use that tone with me. You’re the one who’s still in love with your old girlfriend.”

  “I am?”

  She tried to pull her hand from his, but he held firm. Rayne pursed her lips. “If your mother knew about the two of you, then I’d say you understated your relationship.”

  He grinned.

  “What?” she snapped.

  “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.” He pulled her close and covered her mouth with his. He couldn’t resist. Her lips were puckered in irritation, just asking to be kissed.

  She sagged against him and sighed. “Sam, stop.”

  “Not until all thoughts of my affection for another woman are wiped entirely from your mind.” He kissed her again, his body fighting against his mind to throw her on the bed and remove her clothing. She slid her hands up his chest and he thought he might lose all sense of decorum as she wove her hands into his hair. Breaking the kiss, he cupped her cheek and smiled down at her. “Rayne, I have never loved anyone other than you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else might say or think, it doesn’t make it true. Gwendolyn Simmonds has been nothing more than an acquaintance and friend.”

  Rayne bit her lip. “So what are you trying to say?”

  Sam laughed. “Silly girl. You shouldn’t be at all concerned about another woman. After all, aren’t you Rayne Green, million-dollar pip star?”

  Rayne snorted. “Pop star, Sam, not pip.”

  “Right. Pop star. According to Victoria and you, every man wants you. Why wouldn’t I?”

  Rayne flopped onto the bed. “I’m not a pop star here.”

  “You’re my star, Angel.” Sam leaned down, placing one hand on each side of her legs. “I love you.” He kissed her again.

  She grasped the lapels of his jacket and sighed. “I love you, too.”

  “Good.” Sam grinned and pulled her off the bed. “Now, I have a plan.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. Amelia will be up shortly to help you dress.” He kissed her cheek. “Don’t concern yourself with my mother. I honor her, but wholeheartedly disagree with her.”