The Bride Price by Tracey Jane Jackson Read Free Book Online

door. “Now, if you please.”
    Richard didn’t budge.
    “Why are you looking at me that way? Take me to Jamie!”
    Nona let out a quiet sigh. “Shhh, Sophie, calm down. I’m certain Michael will tell us everything, once he and Richard have a chance to talk.”
    “I won’t be shushed, Nona.” Sophie turned back to Richard. “Where is Jamie? Why are you just standing there?”
    Michael rushed in. “Richard, Nona? What is going on here?”
    “He won’t tell me where Jamie is!” Panic had been replaced with anger, and Sophie turned back to face Richard. “Where is he, Mr. Madden? You do realize that I’ll find him, with or without you. I swear, if he’s hurt somewhere and you won’t take me to him, there isn’t a corner on earth you can go where I won’t find you. If you knew any of my friends, they would tell you to beware the wrath of Sophie. Pushed far enough, sir, I’ll make your life a living hell. Do you hear me? A living hell !”
    She registered, barely, Nona’s stifled, “Oh, my!”
    “Yes, ma’am, I heard you.” Richard made a sweeping motion with his hand. “In fact, I believe the entire countryside heard you.”
    Sophie was beside herself. “You are the most irritating, arrogant, subspecies of a human being I have ever come across.”
    “Sophie, I don’t think that’s particularly fair to Richard. He has been trying to help find your husband, and I think you need to be a bit more appreciative.” Nona fluttered to her side and patted her hand.
    Sophie took a deep breath in an effort to calm herself. “You’re right, Nona, I should apologize.” Turning to Richard, Sophie forced a smile. “Mr. Madden, I am sorry for calling you a subspecies of a human being. Now, please tell me what you have found out about my husband.”
    “What about the irritating, arrogant part?”
    “Excuse me?”
    Richard smiled. Smug and infuriating. “The irritating, arrogant part. You only apologized for the subspecies human being part.”
    She clenched her fists at her sides. “I did that because I didn’t want to insult any other subspecies. I withdraw my apology. Where is Jamie?”
    “Richard, stop torturing the poor girl. Tell us what you have found out,” Michael said.
    Richard turned his back on Sophie and once again spoke directly to Michael. “A new group of wounded have been brought to the hospital. One of the men resembles the description Mrs. Ford gave me, and I hoped you could have a look at him. He’s unconscious and severely wounded.”
    “Of all the arrogant...” Sophie stopped herself from stomping her foot in rage. “Or you could speak to me directly and stop pretending I’m not here .” Turning to the doctor, Sophie begged, “Please Dr. Wade, you have to take me. I’ll be able to tell you if it’s Jamie right away.”
    “His wounds are quite gruesome, Mrs. Ford. I’m not sure it would be a good idea for you to see him like that,” Richard interjected.
    Sophie inwardly seethed. She couldn’t help herself, her hand flew to her breast, and she did her best Scarlett O’Hara imitation. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Madden. I don’t know how I’d survive all of this without it.”
    She then turned to Nona. “Please make them take me. If it’s Jamie, he’s going to need me. I have to be there. I don’t want him to wake up alone, wondering what’s going on.”
    Before Nona could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. Richard reached out and opened it and Christine sailed through, with another woman in tow.
    “Well, doesn’t this look like a party?” Christine chuckled. She looked around at everyone, and her eyes lit on Richard. “Good afternoon, Richard, what a nice surprise seeing you here.”
    He gave a slight bow. “Good afternoon, Christine, I hope you are well? Elizabeth, once again a pleasure.”
    Christine urged Elizabeth forward, towards Sophie. “Sophie, may I introduce our sister, Elizabeth?”
    Sophie shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet