“Hannah?”
“This is all a joke, right?” She grabbed his arm. “Tell me this is all a joke. Please, Sir Knight. I need you to save me now and tell me you’re not some psychopath intent on holding me here against my will!”
* * *
Up to this point, Christopher would not have labeled her insane; however, she wasn’t making any sense. Now convinced that she must have hit her head quite hard, he whispered, “Hannah, it’s all right. We’ll figure this out in the morning.”
Hannah shook her head. “No. I have to get out of here. I can’t be here. It’s not right. Something’s not right.” He stopped her before she could take off again, wrapping his arms tightly around her as she sobbed. “What am I doing here? This isn’t right. I’m crazy. I must be crazy.”
“Shhh, it’s all right. I’ll help you. I promised, remember?” He felt her body relax, and as soon as he heard the tell-tale sound of hiccups, he handed her another handkerchief. “Hannah?”
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him as she pulled out of his arms. “I’m all right now, Christopher. Thank you. I think I should just go to bed now. Thank you for your hanky.”
He tried to smile as gently as possible. “Hannah?”
“Yes?”
“Everything is going to be all right.”
She wrung her hands. “Yes, Christopher, I know that now.”
“Shall I take you back to your room? I think all you need is a good night’s sleep.”
Hannah nodded. “Yes. All right. A good night’s sleep sounds lovely.”
Christopher led her back into the house and up to her room. He woke Gwen and asked her to sit with Hannah.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Hannah hissed.
“I know that, Hannah.” He tried to keep his tone gentle; however, he also wouldn’t broach an argument. “I simply thought Gwen could help you change.”
Hannah glared at him. “Riiight.”
She reluctantly followed Gwen back into her room and the girls stood in silence as Christopher stoked the fire before leaving them.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Gwen asked.
Hannah’s eyes swept the room. “Where’s the loo?”
“Who is Lou?”
“Um, I mean restroom. Where’s the restroom?”
Gwen’s eyebrows puckered. “I’m sorry?”
“I have to...”
“Oh!” Gwen knelt and reached under the bed. Pulling out an ornate bowl, she handed it to Hannah. “Here you go.”
“Um, no,” Hannah said, a little harsher than she intended.
Gwen frowned. “It’s the only chamber pot in here. If it’s not acceptable, I’ll be happy to find you another.”
“You must be joking.”
“Joking?”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, you’re serious!”
“I wouldn’t jest with you, Hannah,” Gwen said quite earnestly.
“I’m in hell,” Hannah whispered to the wall.
“Hannah?”
“Right, sorry. Um, I’ll just use that when I’m by myself, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course. Is there anything I can help you with at present?”
Hannah shook her head. “No, thank you, Gwen. You’ve been extremely kind. I think I’ll just get changed and go to bed.”
Gwen smiled and opened the door to leave. “All right. Please let me know if you need anything.”
Hannah nodded. “I will. Thank you again.”
Once Gwen left the room, Hannah listened for her footsteps in the hallway and the closing of her door. She waited another few seconds just in case Gwen might return and then opened her window again and threw her leg over the sill.
“Hannah, go back inside,” she heard Christopher say.
“What the—?” She bumped her head on the top of the window frame. “Ow!”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes,” she said exasperated. “You really don’t need to babysit me!”
She heard him chuckle as she pulled her leg back inside and leaned out the window. He stood at the top of the trellis, obviously waiting for her to try her escape again. “What are you doing?”
He leaned against the roof, his elbows resting on the edge. “I’m protecting you.”
“How is that protecting me? You’re acting like a freaking prison guard!”
“I’ll wait here all night if I have to,” he warned. “You need to go climb into bed. You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”
“Bossy much?” Closing the window with a frustrated huff, Hannah started to pace. Highly doubting he would actually stay out there all night, she figured she just had to bide her time and he would eventually give up. She waited an hour and then slowly opened her window.
“Hannah,” he growled.
“Damn it! You’re a persistent devil, aren’t you?” He chuckled quietly as she stuck her head out the window and glared at him. “Go to bed, Sir Knight. I won’t try again. I don’t want you to freeze because of me.”
“How kind of you.” His sarcasm was evident.
She gave up. She would let him win this round. Undressing, she put on the soft nightgown Gwen had left for her and climbed into the warm bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
* * *
Christopher waited thirty minutes before he climbed up onto the roof, snuck over to Hannah’s window, and looked inside. Seeing the pile of her discarded clothes on the floor, he looked at her form on the bed, relieved that she appeared to be asleep.
He figured tonight would be long and sleepless, but at least it would now be long and sleepless in his own warm bed. Climbing down from the roof, he made his way back into the house and upstairs to his room. Unable to stifle a yawn, his exhaustion overtook his body. He had no idea what this strange and intoxicating woman would put him through tomorrow, but he looked forward to the challenge.
* * *
Hannah woke the next morning feeling rather warm. She opened her eyes and noticed that her fire glowed orange and red. She pushed the covers off and stretched. Someone had apparently added a log and stoked it during the night.
“Good morning.”
Squealing, Hannah pulled her comforter closer to her neck as she sat up. She took a second to look over at him, and once again her stomach did a flip. Christopher sat, having folded his large body in the chair next to her window, one long leg over the other, and he observed her intently.
“What are you doing in my room?”
Christopher smiled slightly. “Breaking every rule of etiquette.”
“Apparently.” Hannah raised an eyebrow. “So, why are you here?”
He leaned forward and smiled. “I wanted to make certain you were all right.”
“I’m still here.” Hannah let out a frustrated sigh. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost eight o’clock.”
“In the morning?” she squeaked.
Christopher chuckled. “Are you not an early riser, Hannah?”
“Ugh,” she grunted as she peered over the side of her bed. “Where are my clothes?”
“They have been disposed of.”
She sat up quickly, forgetting her state of undress. “What do you mean, ‘disposed of’?”
“They weren’t suitable for a lady.”
Her skin heated as his gaze lingered on her altogether too-sheer nightgown. She pulled her covers back up at his perusal. “What do you mean by that, exactly?”
“I meant exactly what I said.” Christopher stood. “They were unsuitable.”
Hannah glared at him. “Look you... you... argh, I don’t know what you are, but just because you want to live in some fantasy life of top hats and hoop skirts does not mean that I should be made to do the same. Those were brand new jeans! Get them back.”
“Gwen will be in shortly with the appropriate form of dress.” He smiled down at her, his green eyes mocking. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Christopher?
” Her voice dripped with saccharin.
“Yes, Hannah?”
“I would highly suggest you get me those jeans. They were a gift from my friend and I want them back. Do you understand?”
“I’ll see you at breakfast.” He left her room and closed the door.
“Dick!” She threw her pillow at the door.
Gwen came into her room several minutes later, her arms full of clothing. “Good morning, Hannah. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, but my clothes are missing,” she grumbled as she climbed out of bed.
Gwen lifted a large amount of fabric toward her. “I have one of my day dresses for you.”
Hannah shook her head. “No. I mean the clothes I was wearing yesterday are missing. Would you know where they might be?”
“Christopher said they were disposed of, which is why I have some of mine for you.”
Hannah grimaced. “I want my clothes back. Can you help me?”
“They’ve probably already been destroyed, I’m afraid.” Gwen laid the dress and other articles of clothing on the bed. “However, these should work just fine. Would you like some assistance?”
“More than likely.” Gwen handed her what looked like bloomers. “You’re kidding, right?” Hannah turned the underwear front to back, and vice versa. On top of all of that, they were crotchless, which added insult to injury.
“You’re funny, Hannah.” Gwen giggled. “Put those on first, and then I’ll give you the chemise. I also have a corset for you, which I think will fit. We’re about the same size around.”
Hannah felt the color drain from her face. “Corset?” she squeaked. “You have a corset for me?”
“Yes, corset.” Gwen frowned. “Are you all right?”
Hannah merely nodded, because she realized quickly that if she spoke out loud she might scream. She put the underwear on and then Gwen assisted her with the corset.
I really am in hell.
Gwen handed her round wire hoops, which she stepped into. Once they were secure, the dark green skirt went over her head and then the blouse.
“How do you breathe in this?” Hannah gasped.
“Did I tighten it too much?” Gwen asked in concern. “I can loosen it if you need me to.”
“No, it’s fine,” Hannah grumbled.
I just want this nightmare to be over.
As the girls entered the dining room, Christopher stood and waited for them to take their seats before sitting again. Hannah tried to stomp down her irritation with her attraction to the man, but her mischievous elephants seemed to have awakened a few hours before she did. She took her seat and tried to focus on her plate rather than him.
“Would you like some coffee?” Gwen asked.
“Actually, is there any tea?”
“Yes. I’ll get you some.” Gwen stood again and left the room.
“May I prepare you a plate, Hannah?”
Hannah glanced up at Christopher and forced a smile. “Yes, please.”
“Anything in particular?”
Listen, here, elephants from Hades, you need to back off. Just because his smile makes his eyes crinkle at the corners, and his mouth makes me want to be kissed, does not give you the right to trample my insides!
“Hannah?”
“No, nothing in particular.” She waved her hand toward the buffet. “Whatever you choose.”
Christopher nodded and turned his back to her.
That is one tight bum.
“Hannah?”
Hannah blinked, not realizing her thoughts had wandered, and accepted the plate from him. She took a bite and then picked at her food.
“You should eat,” Christopher said.
“I’m not particularly hungry.”
“Eat, Hannah.”
She glared at him. “Find my jeans, Christopher.”
He smiled at her in response. Gwen returned with the tea and set the cup in front of Hannah.
“Thanks, Gwen.”
Gwen smiled as she took her seat and then turned to her brother. “What are your plans today, Chris? Are you going back to D.C.?”
He shook his head. “I won’t return until tomorrow.”
“Mama will be so glad.”
Christopher nodded and glanced back at Hannah. “Would you like a tour of Catonsville?”
She raised an eyebrow at him above the rim of her teacup. “I’d like to go home.”
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he shrugged. “There really isn’t anything that can be achieved today, so why don’t you go for a ride with me?”
“You told me you’d help me get home,” she accused.
“I have sent out a few missives, Hannah.” He picked up his fork. “Until I get responses, there is nothing to be done.”
Hannah sat silently for several minutes, unsure what to do.
Christopher lowered his fork. “Hannah? Would you like a tour?”
“Would you give me a second to think, please?” she snapped. “You’re like an old woman!”
Gwen giggled, which earned her a glare from her brother.
The thought of being stuck in the Twilight Zone for any longer didn’t sit well with Hannah, but perhaps if she got outside the house, she’d be able to find a way home.
“Yes, I’ll go for a ride,” Hannah answered a few minutes later.
“Excellent. Gwen will get you one of her cloaks and we’ll head out.”
“Wouldn’t Gwen like to join us?”
Gwen looked at her brother and then back at Hannah. Hannah thought she looked as though she were trying not to laugh. Christopher scowled at his sister. Gwen cleared her throat. “No, thank you, Hannah. I’m spending the day with my friend, Charity. I’ll retrieve some outerwear for you.” Gwen stood and left the room.
Christopher stood also and held his hand out to Hannah. “Shall we?”
She nodded and followed him. Gwen joined them in the foyer and handed Hannah a heavy cloak, gloves, scarf, and hat.
“Are you ready?” Christopher asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
He led her down the hall and out the back door.
CHRISTOPHER HEADED TOWARD the stables, and Hannah followed, lost in her thoughts.
What am I doing here? Am I really in 1863, or have I landed somewhere they’ve fabricated? Perhaps I’m in an M. Knight Shyamalan plot, or is it more like Truman, and people are filming us right now?
Looking around to see if she could find cameras, she nearly ran into Christopher, surprised when his strong arms wrapped around her to steady her.
“Hannah?”
“Oh!” She covered her outburst with her fingers. “Sorry. I was wool gathering, I suppose.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m not sure you actually want the answer to that.”
He squeezed her shoulder gently. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.”
Hannah took a deep breath and nodded, although she didn’t fully believe him. They made their way into the darkness of the barn and Hannah slowed her pace. “We’re not really riding horses, are we?”
Christopher turned to face her. “You don’t like horses?”
She lifted her head. “It’s not that I don’t like them. I just don’t particularly like them.”
Christopher chuckled. “We’re not going to ride today.”
“We aren’t?”
“I’m going to hitch up the buggy.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief. “Oh, good.”
“Have you never ridden before?”
“I’m not sure what I did could be called riding.” At his look of confusion, Hannah waved her hand dismissively. “My friend took me a couple of times. She and her sister are very good riders.”
“Did you not like it?”
She suddenly realized his hand still rested on her shoulder, and she stepped away from his touch. “It’s not so much that I didn’t like it, I suppose. It’s just that I’m not very good at it. Horses scare me a bit.”
> Christopher treated her to a heart-dropping smile. “I would be happy to give you instruction. It’s an important skill to have.”
No, no, no, elephants. Be gone, be gone now!
She shook off her thoughts and looked him in the eye. “I doubt I’ll be here that long.”
Christopher didn’t respond. Instead he moved to the end of the barn, found a groom to get the buggy, and pulled one of the horses out of its stall. Hannah stepped back quickly.
“He won’t hurt you, Hannah. His name’s Old Joe, and he’s very mild. Come closer.” He held out his hand.
Staring at the horse, Hannah’s body froze. She took a deep breath and forced her feet to walk closer to the animal and let Christopher take her hand.
“Here, place your hand on his muzzle.” Christopher lifted her hand to the horse’s face so that she could stroke his nose. Grateful that he stood still, seeming to know her fear, Hannah ran her hands down Old Joe’s face.
“There. How’s that?”
Hannah dropped her hand. “He’s a very nice horse.”
“Yes, he is.”
“He’s also not quite as big as Emma’s.”
* * *
The use of that name sent a shiver down Christopher’s spine. He suddenly remembered Jamie mentioning someone called Hannah in a previous conversation. Christopher laid his hand on Hannah’s lower back and walked her out of the barn so the groom could finish hitching up the buggy. “Tell me about your friend.”
Hannah kicked at a rock just under the snow as she asked, “Emma?”
“Yes.”
Her mouth pursed, and all Christopher could think about was kissing her. Then Hannah smiled. “She and I have been friends for several years. I was friends with her sister too. But then her sister got very sick—she disappeared while waiting for a heart transplant. Emma and I were certain she died. It was very sad for everyone, but of course, devastating for Em. Then on top of everything, Emma disappeared too, and hasn’t been seen for several months.” She let out a quiet gasp. “Never mind. I’m rambling.”
Christopher’s heartbeat returned to normal, relieved to hear Hannah’s Emma wasn’t Emma Madden. Emma’s sister was alive and well, and Emma wasn’t missing.
“I can’t believe I just told you that,” Hannah whispered.
The Bride Spy Page 4
