Free The Bride Price by Tracey Jane Jackson

limp.”
    “How sad,” Sophie whispered.
    “Oh, there’s nothing sad about my brother.
He’s the strongest man I know.”
    “What happened to Peter?”
    “All I have is a letter and medallion that
Andrew managed to grab. I had to say goodbye to a ghost.”
    “Christine,” Sophie said sadly.
    “My only regret is that we didn’t have any
other children. When Ellie died, the thought of getting pregnant
and losing another baby was just too much. I have a marker for
Peter next to Ellie’s grave on the little hill, overlooking Mama’s
house.”
    Sophie and Christine sat in silence for
several minutes and then Christine stood. “I should take my
leave.”
    Sophie stood as well. “Thanks again for the
great talk.”
    Christine smiled. “Try to get some untroubled
sleep. You deserve a reprieve.”
    “If I can find a way back to Jamie, that just
might happen.”
    “We’ll try tomorrow.”
    “Thank you.”
    Sophie changed and
climbed into bed. Her head spun with too much information, her
heart beat with too much emotion. As she closed her eyes and forced
herself to think of happier times, she melted into the memory of
Jamie.
    * * *
    “Good morning, Miss Sophie. Time to rise and
shine.” Betty opened the drapes, waking her later than usual to
help her dress.
    Do they make everyone chipper in this century?
    “Good morning, Betty.”
    Nona poked her head in. “Good morning, dear,
did you sleep well?”
    “Like a baby.”
    “Oh that’s wonderful.” Nona smiled. “Would
you like to join me for breakfast?”
    “Yes, Nona, breakfast would be lovely.”
    Sophie finished dressing and then followed
Nona, who appeared to be in a fine frenzy this morning, downstairs.
They ate a quick breakfast, then Nona dragged her along for what
she called her morning constitutional.
    A tour of the grounds revealed an expanse of
land Sophie had never experienced, and she wondered how long
someone could be lost on their property before they were found.
Nona explained that Richard Madden shared a certain section of
acreage and Sophie listened distractedly. At that precise moment,
he appeared before them, sitting on a beautiful Thoroughbred
gelding, no less.
    “Good morning, ladies. What a pleasant
surprise seeing both of you here.”
    Sophie ignored him.
    “Good morning, Richard. I’m showing Mrs. Ford
the grounds. I thought she might like a brisk walk to start the
day. Are you off to the hospital?” Nona enquired.
    “Not right this minute, but I’ll be meeting
Michael there later to check on a few of my men,” he replied as he
continued to stare at Sophie, who covertly observed him as he
conversed with Nona.
    He wore a tan pair of breeches, a basic white
shirt, and nicely tailored jacket. His hat was tilted slightly over
his eyes and she couldn’t help but notice strong hands outlined
beneath soft, kid gloves. Since he didn’t make an effort to speak
directly to her, Sophie chose to stay quiet. She didn’t
particularly like him, and every time she opened her mouth in his
presence, she said something unpleasant.
    Once Richard finally rode away, Nona and
Sophie made their way back to the house. It was past time for lunch
and there was still a lot to do before the party. Sophie, emotions
still raw from the day before, tried to figure a gracious way out
of the event but had no luck coming up with a viable plan.
    Michael surprised them by joining them for a
late lunch and just as the three of them were finishing up, the
butler showed Christine and Elizabeth into the dining room.
    “Good afternoon, family.”
    Both women wore smiles from ear to ear.
    “What are you up to, Teeny?” Suspicion
hovered in Nona’s voice.
    “Whatever do you mean, Nona?” Christine
feigned innocence. “I’m not up to anything.”
    Nona’s eyebrows puckered. “Well, my dears, I
don’t have time to figure out exactly what you two are up to, as I
have a party to plan. Just try not to make a mess. That’s all I
ask.”
    “Us?” Elizabeth and