The Bride Found by Tracey Jane Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

into focus—and so did Andrew. Emma gasped and tried to push herself away, twisting her ankle again as she put pressure on it. She cried out.
    Jamie grasped her arms. “Shh, Em. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    “ You didn’t,” she snapped.
    “Andrew?” Jamie glanced at Andrew. “Why are you frightened of Andrew?”
    Emma shook her head. “What are you doing here?”
    Jamie stood and held his hand out to her. “I’m here to take you to Sophie. You need to get up and get dressed so that we can catch the early train.”
    Emma waved her hands in disbelief. “Um, no, you need to explain to me what the hel is going on. You were dead!
    Sophie was dead.”
    Jamie ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t have time to explain, but I wil . I promise. We need to get out of here before anyone discovers who you are or where you’re from.”
    “Where are my jeans?”

    “Okay, right.” Jamie coughed. “Wel , you can’t wear them.
    I’ve brought something of Sophie’s, and as embarrassing as it might be, I’l need to help you dress.”
    “Um, why ?”
    “Andrew.” Jamie pointed to the door. “Leave us, please.”
    Andrew gave a curt nod and stepped outside.
    “Christopher’s an early riser, Jamie. Don’t forget that.”
    “Got it.”
    “Jamie, why are you wearing your wedding uniform?”
    Jamie turned back to Emma. He dropped a bag onto the bed and pul ed what looked like one of Sophie’s old corsets out.
    “Oh, hell , no!” Emma snapped…now wide-awake.
    “Squirt, it’s 1863. You have to wear a corset. I have one of Sophie’s day dresses for you and I think we can do without the hoops, but you have to wear the corset.” Jamie held it up for her. “You get it hooked and I’l tighten the laces for you.”
    “This is beyond humiliating.”
    “I know, Emma. I’m sorry. Did they give you laudanum?”

    “I know, Emma. I’m sorry. Did they give you laudanum?”
    “They tried. I took a couple of sips, but it tasted funny…I poured the rest into the basin.”
    Jamie chuckled. “Good thinking.”
    Emma smirked. “I did listen to Sophie on occasion, and the fact the tea was cloudy raised a flag.”
    “Good girl. Okay, get dressed.” Jamie turned his back. “Let me know when you’re decent.”
    Emma groaned and backed off the bed, doing her best to baby her ankle. She slid her good foot onto the floor and steadied herself against the mattress in order to get the corset on and hooked. “Okay.”
    Jamie turned and tightened her laces and then stepped outside so that she could finish dressing. Emma had several moments of nausea from the pain in her ankle and the migraine threatening to attack.
    “Jamie,” she whispered. “I’m ready.”
    He pushed open the door and stepped back inside. “What do you have in the way of shoes?”
    “Just my brown boots, but there’s no way I’l get it on my right foot.”

    “Put the left one on and we’l carry the other.” Jamie guided her to a chair and handed her one of the discarded boots.
    “Thanks. Can you find my bag, please?” She slid her boot on and then sat back with a sigh. Jamie handed her the purse and Emma rummaged through it for Advil and her migraine medicine.
    “Jamie, the sun’s rising,” Andrew whispered as he pushed the door open.
    Jamie swore. “Squirt, I’m going to carry you downstairs where we have a carriage waiting. Everything has to go real y quickly—and quietly.”
    Emma nodded and held her hands up. Jamie lifted her while Andrew gathered her belongings. They sneaked down the stairs and out the back door, then through the al eyway and onto the street. Emma couldn’t understand why al the subterfuge, but kept her questions to herself, knowing Jamie would answer them as soon as he could.
    Jamie settled her into the tiny buggy and Andrew threw her bag in at her feet. Jamie jumped into the driver’s seat, saluted Andrew, who stepped back onto the sidewalk, and released the brake. Emma glanced back as Jamie guided