Braham nodded, and David slid out of the building. After a quick check of the premises, he returned for Charlotte. Braham passed her through the window and followed them out.
“Take her home,” David said, handing her back to Braham. “I’m going to work out surveillance with Gaylord. I’ll see ye at the house later. If she goes to sleep, wake her every hour. Make sure she knows where she is and can follow commands, like squeezing yer fingers.”
“If I have a concussion, it’s mild,” she said. “Other than the headache and the initial nausea, I’m okay.”
“We’ll observe ye anyway. Now go.”
Braham held out his hand, and David clasped it. “Thank ye,” Braham said.
“Let’s get the other Mallory home safely, too, and then my job will be done,” David said.
Braham glanced at Charlotte, then at David. “No, I don’t think it will be.”
The trip home was uneventful, and Braham kept the horse to a slow walk to keep from jostling Charlotte. “Can ye tell me what happened?”
“One of Gordon’s goons grabbed me and threw me into a carriage. Gordon hit me several times. Next thing I knew, I woke up in the cellar. I hate rats.”
“I don’t like them either. David got to ye within thirty minutes of finding out ye were missing. He’s a fine man.”
“Meredith said he could do anything. I knew he’d find me.” Charlotte closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
He gazed down at her dirt-streaked face. Even smudged and bruised she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Her time living in the past had scarred her, and when this was all over she and Jack would need time to heal. Maybe they would consider coming to his vineyards to rest for a while. Later, he would ask, but for now he only wanted to hold her close. And as he did, his silent tears fell gently into her hair.
89
Washington City, 1865
Cullen’s critical eye roved over Braham, who had worn his best uniform for this critical courtroom appearance. Epaulets with silver embroidered eagles graced both shoulders. Around Braham’s waist Edward had tied a yellow sash. The jacket buttoned up to the throat, forcing a slight lift to Braham’s chin. Polished spurs with large rowels were buckled with fine leather straps to top-boots made with ornamental stitching of red silk. As Edward hooked a long sword with a jewel-studded hilt to his side, Braham stood quite still, his face devoid of emotion.
“If yer intent is to intimidate, ye’ve accomplished it well,” Cullen said.
“I’ll be in a room full of generals, Cul. Intimidation is not my intent. I only wish to remind them Lincoln and Stanton had faith in my judgment, and there’s no call to doubt it now.”
Charlotte entered the room through the adjoining door, carrying a cup of coffee. Cullen gasped inaudibly at the sight of the bruises on her face, now a deeper purple, extending from the left side of her eye down to her chin.
She stopped and smiled slightly. “You look dashing. The female spectators won’t be able to take their eyes off of you.”
Braham kissed her on the lips, and Cullen smiled inwardly, longing for his wife. They started every day with long kisses, and he missed them terribly, especially today, when he felt a strong need for Kit’s tender touch and understanding.
Braham pushed aside Charlotte’s hair, revealing a bandaged ear. “How do ye feel this morning?”
“Sore, but very grateful. My head still throbs, but it’s on the mend. I probably had a concussion last night, but I’m thinking more clearly this morning. I have scratches, but only two bad bites. I cleaned them both and smeared antibiotic ointment over them. All in all, I’m pretty good.”
She turned to Cullen and gave him a quick hug. Her vanilla-scented hair reminded him of Kit, and he missed his wife even more.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” she said.
“I would never have forgiven myself if I hadn’t come, and likely Kit wouldn’t have forgiven me either.”
Braham tucked Charlotte into his arms. “We’ll send ye news as soon as we can.” She lifted her face and they gazed into each other’s eyes. Cullen was so touched by the love he saw there he glanced away, not wanting to intrude.
“Half of Gaylord’s men are stationed here, both outside the house and inside. Ye’ll not be alone. Ye’re not a prisoner, but for yer own safety, ye’re not allowed to leave, even if ye beg for a walk in the park. If any of the guards surrenders to yer wiles, they’ll be drawn and quartered. So spare the men and behave.”
She gave him a demure look.
Cullen turned toward the window to hide another smile and inhaled the morning air, heavily scented with honeysuckle from the garden below. He knew Braham would surrender to Charlotte’s charm within seconds. Charlotte was a beautiful and intriguing woman, and from Cullen’s experience with strong-willed women, she’d damn well go outside, threats notwithstanding, if she needed a bit of air and exercise.
“How do you feel about today?” Her brow creased, and her voice was soft, with a curious emphasis in her tone.
Braham softly touched the crease in her forehead. “We’ve planned for every contingency. There’ll be no surprises.”
Cullen smiled again, shaking his head, his index finger gently tapping his chin. Charlotte had completely ignored Braham’s admonishment, and he allowed it. As Kit would say, Charlotte had Braham wrapped around her little finger. And it would tickle Kit to see it.
Edward gave a final brushing to Braham’s jacket and trousers, flicking off small wisps of lint. “You’re ready now to face the enemy, Colonel.”
Cullen, Braham, and Charlotte followed Edward in an orderly procession down the stairs. Saber and spurs clinked with Braham’s easy stride. At the door he collected his revolver, hat, and gauntlets.
She gave Braham one last good-bye kiss. “Good luck, soldier.”
Braham cleared his throat and stood ramrod straight. “I’ll bring yer brother home, or die trying.”
Cullen tucked his briefcase under his
