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

them down the street.

    * * *

    Clayton downed his coffee and dropped the cup with a curse. He’d burnt his mouth in his rush to get out the door.
    His dreams had been fil ed with the beautiful Emma Wel ington and he’d woken anxious to see her.
    Foregoing another cup of coffee, he grabbed his outerwear and made his way out to the carriage house. Jack led his horse out and tipped his head in greeting. “Mornin’, boss.”
    Clayton grinned “Good morning, Jack.”
    Jack held the horse’s head as Clayton mounted and gave a slight wave as he took off toward Christopher’s. He was glad Christopher’s townhouse was close to his own. His churning stomach and heart flutter wasn’t something he was used to. Rather than riding to the back, he dismounted and tied the horse to the post out the front. He took the stairs two at a time and knocked.
    The door was opened by one of Christopher’s men, and Clayton spent a few minutes in conversation. He was distracted by an argument coming from the parlor and excused himself.
    “Where did she go, Andrew?” Gwen asked.
    “Gwendolyn, I cannot tel you.”

    “Andrew Simmonds, you tel me right now what you’ve done with that poor girl!”
    Clayton rushed into the room and studied his friend.
    “Andrew?”
    Andrew swore.
    Clayton raised an eyebrow. “What’s Gwen talking about, Andrew?”
    Gwen crossed her arms. “I woke up this morning and went to col ect Emma, but she was gone, along with her belongings.”
    Clayton frowned. “What do you mean, gone?”
    Gwen waved a hand toward Andrew. “Ask him. He won’t tel me.”
    “What have you done with her?” Clayton advanced on him.
    Andrew shook his head. “I haven’t done anything with her.”
    “Andrew,” Clayton hissed.
    He shrugged and gave an apologetic grimace. “She’s safe but that’s al I can tel you.”
    Clayton grabbed the front of Andrew’s jacket and pushed him against the wal , ignoring Gwen’s gasp from behind them. “If you’ve done anything to harm that woman, Andrew, I wil kil you. Our friendship be damned.”
    Gwen laid her hand on Clayton’s arm. “Clayton, please.”
    Andrew chuckled. “He won’t hurt me, Gwen.”
    Clayton whipped his head back with a glare. “Don’t count on that.”
    Andrew pushed Clayton’s hands away and smoothed his jacket. “Clay, she’s safe. I promise.”
    “Tel me where she is so that I can determine that myself.”
    “I can’t tel you.” Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose.
    “I’ve been sworn to secrecy. I’m sorry.”
    Clayton swore. When Andrew made a promise, he kept it.
    “I’l find her myself.” Clayton didn’t wait for a response as he rushed out of the room and mounted his horse. He arrived at the large war office building and pushed his way through the crowd. If he couldn’t use his position to find one beautiful woman, then he was working in the wrong field.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Emma fiddled with a fraying ribbon on her skirt and glanced over at Jamie, who sat across from her on the train. He’d chosen benches close enough for her to elevate her foot and she sat with her back to the front. In pure Jamie form, his leg bounced up and down in agitation, a movement she’d seen a hundred times, particularly after Sophie got sick.
    “Lamie, what’s going on?”
    “We can’t talk here, Squirt.” Jamie leaned forward and smiled. “We’ve got a couple of hours and then we’l be home.”
    “Home? Home where, exactly?”
    “Harrisburg.”
    “Pennsylvania?” she squeaked.
    He nodded.
    “How the heck did you end up in Pennsylvania?”

    Jamie dragged his hands down his face. “Emma, just be patient, okay? I know it’s not your strong suit, and that you hate surprises, but al wil be revealed.”
    Emma continued to pluck at the ribbon. “You couldn’t have picked something better for me to wear?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I can’t imagine Sophie would be seen in public in this thing.” Emma wrinkled her nose. “It’s