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

her.
    “You seem quite confident in your brother.”
    Quincy grinned. “Actually, his housekeeper. She’s a miracle worker with coffee.”
    “Then let’s get out of here.” Victoria stood quickly and Quincy laughed. After tacking up the horses, she helped him climb into the saddle before mounting her own horse. They stopped only once to share the rest of the pretzels and for Quincy to take some Advil.
    Arriving in D.C. just before dinner, Victoria followed Quincy to a quiet street, relieved when he finally pulled the horses to a stop. She glanced up and noticed the front of a beautiful redbrick home, however, she didn’t have time to admire her surroundings as she dismounted and went to help Quincy. He almost fell off the horse.
    “Quinn, are you okay?” She could feel the heat pouring off him. “Oh, Gus, you’re burning up. Let’s get you inside.”
    Steadying him as they tripped up the porch steps, she knocked on the front door and was taken aback when the man in the painting opened the door. Just as tall as Quincy, but not quite as wide as the tree trunk she was supporting. “Are you Christopher?”
    “Yes. May I help you?” She watched as the man’s face registered who she was holding. “Quinn? Brother, with that beard, I hardly recognized you.”
    “Very heavy man here. Getting heavier,” she groaned.
    “Right, sorry. Hannah!” Christopher turned and yelled before relieving Victoria of her burden.
    Couldn’t be.
    “What’s wrong, Knight?”
    Hearing the thick Kiwi accent of her missing roommate, Victoria’s heart raced as she watched the tiny woman, chestnut brown hair pulled into a loose chignon, walk into the foyer and glance her way.
    “No! Victoria!”
    Victoria’s suddenly tight chest and queasy stomach made it difficult for her to breathe. She grasped her side as she sat down hard on the floor and tried not to panic.
    “Hannah?” Christopher asked.
    Hannah knelt beside Victoria as she glanced up at her husband. “It’s Victoria, Knight.”
    Victoria stared into the familiar hazel eyes, the soft features of Hannah’s oval face comforting after so much uncertainty.
    “Your college roommate?”
    “Yes, sweetheart.” Then, addressing Victoria, she asked gently, “How did you find Quinn?”
    Victoria couldn’t speak—she had started to hyperventilate.
    Hannah wrapped her arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm. “Victoria, listen to me. Listen to my voice. Breathe. Deep and slow. Deep and slow. That’s it. Good girl. Let’s get you upstairs.”
    Victoria squeezed Hannah’s hand as they stood and turned to make their way up the stairs. Christopher was already halfway up with his brother, and Victoria watched every movement as she followed him closely. She let Hannah lead her toward one of their guest rooms, while Christopher put his brother in the one across the hall.
    Victoria had to stop herself from following Quincy, but was grateful that Hannah seemed to pick up on her concern and didn’t press for details. Victoria refused to leave the hallway until Christopher returned from tending to Quincy.
    “I’m going to get Clayton and the doctor,” Christopher said as he closed Quincy’s door.
    Standing with Hannah’s arm around her waist, Victoria nodded, relieved at Christopher’s sense of urgency.
    “Okay, baby. Ask Em to come as well, please? Oh!” Hannah grabbed his arm. “And get Gwen. She and Andrew aren’t going back to Harrisburg for a few days. She’ll want to see him.”
    Christopher lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “Anyone else, sweetheart? The neighbors? Or perhaps the parish.”
    “Aren’t you the dag?” Hannah’s New Zealand expressions always sounded funny, but Christopher just smiled as she continued, “It’s not my fault your family is huge, is it? Which reminds me! You’ll need to send a message to your parents. They are going to be so excited!”
    “I hadn’t thought of that, sweetheart.” He nodded toward the grandfather clock