The Bride Price

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  “Thank you, Richard.”

  “I missed you while I was gone.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, and Sophie had to hold back a snort of disgust as she deflected him, the smell of alcohol once again overwhelming. “Richard, please, I’m not sure that this is entirely appropriate.”

  “I know you missed me, Sophie.” Reaching inside his pocket, he pulled out a long velvet box. “I have a gift for you.”

  Sophie held her hands up in protest. “Why?”

  Richard lifted the lid, and Sophie let out a gasp of both admiration and horror. Nestled in a bed of silk lay a diamond bracelet, the likes of which Sophie had never seen before. Three large baguettes were separated by smaller, round stones, and Sophie thought it was the gaudiest thing she’d ever seen. “Richard, no. I can’t take this. Absolutely not.”

  “Of course you can. It’s a gift.”

  Richard handed the box to her. Sophie pushed it back. “No, Richard, I’m sorry. It’s too extravagant and I cannot accept it.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Richard, I think I need to make myself clear. Despite the fact that Jamie isn’t here, I am still deeply in love with him.” Sophie pressed her arm against her stomach. “I don’t know if that will ever change. I’d like to continue our friendship, but if you cannot accept that it will never be anything more, it might be best if we didn’t see each other.”

  Richard looked disappointed, and she thought she caught a glimpse of anger in his expression, but his voice was even when he said, “I understand, Sophie. I really do. We’ll take it slow.”

  She didn’t want to take it slow. She didn’t want to take it anywhere, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with him. He may never fully understand her feelings for Jamie. Exhausted from the busy day, she quickly made work of undressing and getting into bed. She had to admit she was somewhat frustrated with Jamie. She knew it was illogical, but she wanted him with her, not just to scare off the likes of Richard, and she was put out by his absence. Only Jamie could make things right.

  * * *

  Sophie woke the next morning, dressed quickly, and arrived downstairs to find the house in an uproar. Sophie caught Michael sneaking off to his office and cornered him. “Michael, what’s going on?”

  “Nona has decided to have a ball this evening for Lieutenant Emerson.”

  “Oh, wow.”

  “Elizabeth is on her way over, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Christine shows up right behind her.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “I have found the best thing to do during times like these is to stay out of the way.” Michael chuckled and continued to his office.

  The front door opened a few seconds later, and Elizabeth walked in, her hands full. “Good morning, Sophie.”

  Sophie rushed up to help relieve her of her burdens.

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth handed over a few of her packages. “It’s starting to get warm outside. I hope it doesn’t get too hot.”

  “Where would you like me to put these, Elizabeth?”

  “Let’s find Nona and we’ll ask her where she wants them. There is something in there for you, but I’ll show that to you once we put these other things away.”

  They found Nona in the ballroom. She took the packages from the girls and, after a few minutes of small talk, hustled off to organize and plan the last-minute event. Elizabeth and Sophie made their way up to her bedroom. Sophie’s curiosity was overwhelming.

  “What have you done, Elizabeth?”

  Elizabeth turned, looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. “I haven’t done anything,” she said as she opened the box previously laid on the bed.

  Sophie gasped as Elizabeth pulled out the most beautiful ball gown she had ever seen. Cobalt blue velvet, her favorite color, off the shoulder, and with a plunging neckline that incorporated an intricately embroidered border in ivory satin, which was also at the bottom of the skirt and sleeves. Tiny ivory pearl clusters were strategically placed around the neckline, and the buttons to close the dress matched the clusters.

  “Oh, Elizabeth. This is incredible, but I can’t take this from you. You should wear it,” Sophie said as she tried to hand the gown back to her.

  “Actually, Sophie, it’s not mine. Christine commissioned Madame Desmarais to make it when we altered the copper dress. She was going to surprise you with it on your birthday, but we both felt this would be perfect for tonight.”

  Sophie’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her friend.

  “Sophie, what’s amiss? Do you not like it?” Elizabeth rushed to her side in concern.

  “Not like it? It’s magnificent. I just can’t believe how incredibly wonderful you and your family have been to me. Thank you so much for everything.”

  Elizabeth hugged her and chuckled. “Well, we’ve decided we adore you and we’re going to keep you.”

  “This really is brilliant, Elizabeth. Thank you again.”

  Elizabeth handed her a handkerchief. “My pleasure. Now, I must get back to the children. Christine will be over early tonight to help you with your hair and I believe she’s also planning on dressing here. I’ll see you tonight.”

  Sophie gave her another hug and then they made their way downstairs again. She walked Elizabeth out and then went back inside and spent some time trying to help Nona, realizing relatively quickly it was a losing battle.

  Since she needed something to do, Sophie decided to take Topper lunch. Several weeks had passed since the Wades had taken in Topper and it had been tumultuous at best. Sophie saw cracks even in Nona, the woman who never lost her composure.

  Carrying a tray up to his room, she knocked on the door. No answer. She tried again. “Topper? I have lunch for you.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “I’m coming in.” She pushed the door open and frowned. “What happened here?”

  “None of your business.”

  The tray from breakfast lay face down on the floor, oatmeal stuck to the wood, and milk souring around it.

  “This is just great, Topper.” Sophie laid her burden on the bureau and bent to pick up the mess. “Did you do this all by yourself? Hm? Did it make you feel better to throw a tantrum?”

  Topper grunted.

  “This is ridiculous! You need to eat.”

  He held up his stump with a scowl.

  “What?” Sophie snapped. “Are you trying to tell me that you can’t eat because your hand is gone?”

  “I can’t do anything because my hand is gone,” he yelled.

  “You have another hand, Topper.” He let out a curse. Sophie chuckled sardonically. “You don’t offend me, bud. I know you’d like to, but it won’t work.”

  “Leave me the hell alone!”

  Sophie slammed the bowl onto the tray and stood. “No! I won’t. Everyone in this house has been tiptoeing around, worried about the poor boy who has been injured. How young he is to have seen so much and experienced so much pain.”

  “Well, I have.”

  Sophie shook her finger at him. “It was your choice, Topper! You made the decision to lie about your age and join the adult fight. Now, you’re dealing with adult consequences. I’m sorry you lost your hand. I know it hurts and makes your life difficult, but you have your other hand—and your life.” She slammed her fist on the nightstand. “Look at me when I’m speaking you!” He turned eyes full of anger on her. “You have your life, Topper. Your brother wasn’t so lucky, and I cannot imagine he would want you to spend the rest of yours angry and pitiful.”

  “You don’t know a damn thing about my brother,” he snapped.

  “Then tell me! I want to know all of it. The good, bad, and indifferent! I’m a great ally to have, and I’m here to listen without judgment to whatever it is you want to say. But I will not sit back and let you wallow in self-pity.”

  “Sophie?” Michael stood in the doorway, breathing heavy as though he ran up the stairs. “Are you all right?”

&n
bsp; “Yes, Michael. We’re fine.”

  He glared at his nephew. “Did you do something to offend Mrs. Ford?” Michael’s tone was laced with warning.

  Sophie shook her head. “No, not at all, Michael. We were simply having a healthy debate.” She turned back to Topper. “Weren’t we?”

  Topper nodded and turned his head toward the window.

  “What happened here?” Michael bent down to help Sophie pick up the discarded dishes.

  “Nothing we can’t handle.” Sophie stood and set the tray on the nightstand. “Right, Topper? He actually just asked if I could find a wet cloth so that he could wipe up the mess. Didn’t you, Topper?” Topper grunted but Sophie wouldn’t give up. “In fact, Michael, perhaps you could take the tray back to the kitchen and get us a few rags?”

  “I’ll send Betty up.”

  Sophie held up her hand. “No, no. Topper’s going to clean the mess up. He insists.” She nearly laughed out loud at Michael’s baffled expression.

  “All right. I’ll return shortly.”

  Michael left the room and Sophie crossed her arms. Topper turned his head back to her and glared. “I’m not cleaning anything.”

  Sophie snorted. “Oh, yes, you are, you ungrateful little cretin.”

  “Who’s going to make me?”

  “Really? We’re going with that?” Sophie turned to the bureau and poured a glass of water. “We can play this game all day long, little man, but you are going to clean that mess up. You’re also going to start treating the staff with respect.”

  “They’re servants.”

  Sophie turned slowly and stared at him. “No, they are not. They’re hard working men and women who are paid to do a job. No more or less than you.”

  “I’m nothing like them.”

  “You’re right. You’re a spoiled brat.”

  Michael returned with a metal bucket filled halfway with soap and water, and several rags.

  “Thank you.” Sophie turned back to Topper. “Up and at ‘em. Time to clean up your mess.”

  Michael set the bucket down. “Perhaps, I should get some assistance.”

  “No, Michael. Topper made the mess. Topper’s going to clean up the mess. Now.” She raised an eyebrow in Topper’s direction. “Get your skinny butt out of that bed and start.”

  She watched him sit up, throw his legs over the side of the bed, and then push himself off the side. He let out a loud, pathetic whimper, and she had to physically push Michael out of the room to stop him from rescuing Topper. “Oh, that was really quite convincing, bud.” She crossed her arms and smiled. “You’ve refused pain meds from the start, you don’t get to pull that card when it’s something you don’t want to do. Now, grow a pair and start mopping up your mess.”

  “Sophie? A word?”

  She stepped into the hallway and faced Michael, knowing exactly what was coming. “The boy is wounded. He should not have to clean when we have staff to handle it.” Michael slid his hands into his pockets. “This is all too much for him.”

  “Michael, he threw a tantrum and that’s why there’s a mess to begin with. He’s horrible to the staff, rude to Nona, rude to me, and an all around pain in the butt. He has to learn to live without a hand, and we need to help him do it with a good attitude.”

  Michael’s brow puckered into a V, and Sophie reached over and squeezed his arm. “Trust me. He’s angry, for very valid reasons, but he can’t go through life like this.”

  He took a deep breath. “I’ll give you some time, Sophie. I just pray it doesn’t take long.”

  Sophie smiled. “It won’t. Don’t coddle him. Give me that much. The rest you can leave up to me.”

  With a stilted nod, Michael turned and left her. Sophie made her way back into the bedroom and found Topper had in fact cleaned up the mess and now sat on the bed, fuming.

  “Good job.” Sophie smiled. “Dr. Paxton is arriving in an hour to check your wounds. Right now, though, you need to eat.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  Sophie chuckled. “Oh, I can’t imagine that’s a true statement. You didn’t finish your breakfast.”

  “Has anyone ever mentioned your instability?”

  “Was that a jest, Master Wade? It’s a good one.” Sophie picked up the tray and set it beside him on the bed. “Let’s just say that my specialty falls to angry young men who like to make others miserable in order for them to feel better.” She handed him half the sandwich. “Now, eat.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Sophie waited for Topper to finish his lunch and then decided to rest before the party. She knew tonight was going to be a late one and she didn’t want to miss any of it. She wanted to be alert and enjoy every minute.

  Sophie had been asleep for what felt like less than a minute when a scraping noise woke her, and she opened her eyes to find Christine leading Betty into the room with a bathtub. “Good afternoon, Sophie. Time to wake up and get pretty for the party.”

  “Ugh, Christine, what time is it?” Sophie groaned.

  “It’s about four thirty.” Christine closed the door. “Come and take a warm bath, you’ll feel better.”

  Sophie eased out of bed, disrobed, and climbed into the tub. As the water flowed around her body, she inhaled deeply, the scent of oranges filling her nose, and she smiled as her lethargy left her body. She couldn’t think of anything she loved more than oranges. Christine was right. She did feel better. “Ah.” Sophie sighed. “This is heaven.”

  The lit fire made the bedroom almost too warm, so Christine opened a window, just a crack.

  “Can I just stay here all night? I’m not sure if I’m up for a crowd tonight.” Sophie stretched her legs and settled her feet on the edge of the copper tub.

  Christine laughed. “I share your feelings. But for now, let’s get that hair of yours washed. If we don’t start now, we might miss the party,” she joked—sort of. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with as much hair as you.”

  Once Sophie’s hair was washed, Christine wrapped it in a towel, and then Sophie stepped out of the tub and grabbed another towel for her body. She decided not to get dressed completely and stood behind Christine, who had slipped out of her day dress and into a robe.

  Styling Christine’s strawberry blonde locks into a simple chignon, Sophie placed a ribbon over her crown like a headband, leaving the ends trailing down her back. Christine’s hair was all one length, but instead of parting it in the middle, as was the style of the day, Sophie swept it straight back off her forehead.

  “Sophie, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Where did you learn to do this?” Christine gushed.

  “I used to wear my hair like this all the time.”

  Sophie didn’t mention that it was how she would control her locks when she competed in horse shows. She had to be able to set her riding helmet or top hat on her head, so had to have a style that worked for both.

  “Your turn.” Christine stood to trade places with Sophie. “Where are the ribbons that Madame sent over with the dress?”

  “I think Elizabeth put them in the wardrobe.”

  Christine collected the velvet ribbons and styled Sophie’s hair by pulling her hair loosely up and slightly away from her face. Leaving a few long curls cascading down her back, she stalled when she couldn’t figure out what to do with Sophie’s bangs, as they had begun to get quite long. In the end, she swept them to the side, which softened Sophie’s face.

  It was now time for the gowns, so Sophie tightened Christine’s corset first, then helped her step into a pink chiffon dress, with layers of material that gave the skirt an almost ruffled effect. The top was a criss-cross style, off the shoulder and came to a V at her waist. With Christine’s hair and skin, it suited her perfectly.

  Once Christine was ready, she tightened Sophie’s corset and helped her on with her skirt. Sophie yanked at the top. It gave them a bit of trouble, particularly because it was even more revealing than the copper one. She was thankful her sle
eves weren’t as tight across her shoulders. They lay on her arms in a droop fashion that gave her more room to move, but she still felt a bit exposed.

  Sophie tried a few windmills with her arms and everything stayed where it was supposed to be, so she decided not to worry about falling out. She went over to the full-length mirror and took a deep breath. If she could have designed her perfect dress, it would have never come close to the magnificence of this one. She felt beautiful.

  “Christine. It’s incredible.” She twirled around. “I love my hair, I love the dress, I love it all. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “Nonsense, it’s an early birthday present. You look beautiful and that’s the best thanks I can receive.”

  The girls left the room and headed downstairs. Sophie’s stomach fluttered in anticipation as they made their way to the ballroom. They took their place in the receiving line, outside the large double doors, along with Michael and Nona, and greeted guests as they arrived.

  “Where’s Topper?”

  Michael rolled his eyes. “He refused to attend.”

  “Oh, well.” Sophie shrugged and turned to greet the new wave of guests. Richard arrived a little past six o’clock and as he made his way to the receiving area, he smiled deeply. Sophie smiled in return. “Good evening, Richard.”

  Lifting her hands to his lips, he kissed each one. “Sophie, you look exquisite.”

  “Thank you. You look very nice yourself.”

  As they continued to make small talk, they heard voices and booted footsteps in the hallway. A group of soldiers entered the anteroom where everyone stood. Richard turned and walked over to the group. Sophie and Christine continued to greet guests and as the crowd lulled, they talked for a few minutes about the hospital and one of their favorite patients.

  Their conversation was quickly interrupted when Richard walked back to them. “Sophie, Christine, I’d like you to meet 1st Lieutenant James Emerson.”

  The soldier walked forward to greet the girls, and Sophie grabbed Christine’s hand, squeezing it in panic. “Oh!” Sophie raised a gloved hand to her mouth.