The Bride Spy

by Piper Davenport

  “That was amazing,” Hannah said as she tried to catch her breath.

  “Does that mean I get more than one chance now?”

  Hannah ran a finger down his chest. “Baby, if you make me feel that way every time, you can have as many as you like and as often as you like.”

  Christopher chuckled. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He held her and stroked her back for a few minutes and then kissed her quickly before he sat up. “Are you hungry?”

  “Very.”

  He swung his legs over the bed. “I’ll find us something to eat.”

  “I’ll come too.” Hannah climbed off the bed, wrapped a robe around herself, and followed Christopher to the kitchen. They found some fried chicken that had been left by the housekeeper and an apple pie.

  There was a large table set to the side of the room and it had two long benches beside it. Rather than sitting on one of the benches, Christopher lifted Hannah and settled her on top of the table. “You forgot your slippers.”

  Hannah snorted. “I didn’t forget anything.”

  Christopher chuckled as he poured lemonade while Hannah ate.

  “It’s so wrong to eat this for breakfast.” Hannah took a bite of the chicken.

  He handed her a glass. “Not today it isn’t.”

  “What’s so special about today?”

  “It’s our one-day anniversary.”

  Hannah laughed. “How is it possible that the most romantic man alive married the most unromantic woman?”

  “Never fear, sweetheart. If you’re set on loosening me up, I can certainly turn you into a romantic.” He kissed her slowly. The kiss turned heated and their meal was forgotten.

  * * *

  The newlyweds didn’t leave their house until it was time for Christopher to return to work on Monday morning. He hated leaving her all alone in their bed and woke her before he left. “I have to go, sweetheart.”

  “Have a good day,” she said, smiling sleepily up at him.

  “Mrs. Putnam will wake you at nine.”

  She squinted at him through one open eye. “What time is it now?”

  “Six.” Christopher kissed her cheek.

  Hannah threw an arm over her eyes. “Why so early? Does the President not sleep?”

  Christopher chuckled. “I can wait an extra hour tomorrow and take you to Emma if you would rather.”

  “Seven. Wow, generous.” She groaned. “Why don’t you get back into bed with me now?”

  “I would if I could.” He kissed her slowly and thoroughly.

  “Thank you for waking me and getting me all hot and bothered, Mr. Butler.”

  “Go back to sleep, Mrs. Butler. I’ll see you at lunch time.”

  “You better come prepared to cool me down, husband,” she ordered.

  “I will, wife. You can count on it.”

  Hannah smiled and snuggled under the blankets, immensely looking forward to lunchtime.

  Mrs. Putnam woke her at nine and helped her dress. She had no idea what she was going to do for three hours before Christopher came home. She was finishing her breakfast when that question was answered.

  “Good morning, Han-Han,” Emma said as she breezed into the room.

  “Hi!” Hannah stood and gave her a hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “I thought you might want company. I know I do, and then I thought we could surprise the guys with lunch. What do you think?”

  “Love it. Have you eaten?”

  Emma nodded. “Yes, but it was early. I could eat again.”

  Hannah giggled. “Of course you could. Help yourself.”

  Emma prepared herself a small plate and grabbed a cup of coffee. “So, how are you?”

  “Amazing,” Hannah said with a large smile.

  “I’ll bet.” Emma smirked. “What would you like to do today?”

  “I need to dance at some point. I haven’t done anything in over a week.” Hannah took a bite of toast.

  “We could probably move the parlor furniture around.”

  “Good idea. Christopher said he’d bring me over to your place tomorrow if that works. It’ll be early though.”

  “That’s fine with me. Clay wakes me at dark o’clock every morning anyway. I’ll more than likely be up.”

  Hannah sipped her tea. “How did we pick husbands who were such early birds? Sophie had the right idea with Jamie.”

  “I know, right? At least mine makes it worth my while to wake up so early.”

  Hannah put her fingers in her ears and started to sing. “LA-LA-LA-LA. I’m not listening.”

  Emma giggled. “How about we go for a walk? We can dance later.”

  “Good idea.” Hannah rose to her feet. “Where’s Walter?”

  “He promised me I wouldn’t know where he was... just that he was close.”

  “I’ll let Mrs. Putnam know and then we’ll go.”

  Hannah returned a few minutes later and after donning their outerwear, the girls set out for their walk. Emma linked her arm with Hannah’s. “Isn’t that irritating?”

  “What?”

  “The whole having to check in.” Emma scowled. “I’m a little over it, to be honest, hence the promise from Walter to stay out of sight.”

  Hannah shrugged. “I don’t mind checking in. Having a listed schedule of the day’s events, however...”

  Emma’s head whipped up. “He didn’t?”

  “Oh, he tried.”

  “What? When?”

  Hannah swept a gloved hand across her forehead. “On the train on the way home from Thanksgiving.”

  “I bet that went over like a lead balloon.” Emma laughed.

  Hannah smirked. “Yes, I believe I told him to remove the rod from his arse.”

  “Nice touch. What did he say?”

  Hannah sighed. “We ended with a compromise.”

  “Which was?”

  “Basically, that I wouldn’t have a schedule, but I’d let him know where I was going. It’s funny, because it’s what I would have done anyway.”

  Emma nodded. “Did I tell you Jamie’s been ordered to Washington? Clayton’s picking him up at the train station in a couple of hours.”

  “Is Sophie coming?”

  “They didn’t say, but seriously, when has Jamie gone anywhere without Sophie?”

  Hannah suddenly noticed they were being followed. She laid her hand on Emma’s. “How long would it take to walk to your house, Em?”

  “Probably fifteen minutes. Why?”

  “Don’t react. Just keep walking. We’re being followed... and it’s not Walter.”

  Emma gasped. “How do you know?”

  Hannah shrugged. “I just know.”

  “Walter must be close. It’s probably nothing.”

  “I don’t see him, so let’s get to your place, just to be safe. I need you to trust me and do everything I tell you to, okay?”

  Emma sighed. “I wish we’d ridden today.”

  “Well, we’re just going to have to keep to the sidewalks and find crowds. You need to lead us to somewhere open, with people. Can you do that?”

  Emma nodded. “Yes.”

  Hannah let out a lyrical laugh.

  “Why are you laughing?” Emma said with a tight smile.

  “Because then the guy won’t know we’re onto him.”

  “Oh.” Emma laughed as they maneuvered through the winding streets.

  “Let’s stop into a store, Em. Find me a ribbon or ladies’ store. I want to check something out.”

  Emma led them to a small haberdashery. They entered the store and Hannah went directly to a display of gloves. The man did not follow, but Hannah could see he had crossed the street and appeared to be looking in the window of a store. He then turned and looked in their general direction.

  Hannah picked a lace ribbon and held it up so that she could look at both the ribbon and the man. Handing the ribbon to Emma, she nodded towards the clerk. “Go pay for this so that I can w
atch our tail.” Hannah found another length of ribbon and took it to the front. “Sir, I’m wondering if there might be a back way out of here.”

  “Is there a problem, ma’am?”

  “Well, there is someone following us.” Hannah used her knack for a proper British accent in order to charm the man. “Please don’t look. He has been following us for quite a while and we are attempting to elude him. Would you be able to assist, do you think?”

  He nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”

  “Wonderful. Let’s just wait until he isn’t looking and then perhaps we could sneak out the back.”

  Hannah saw the man step inside the store across from them, probably assuming the girls would be a while. They made their move and took off out the back. They were half way home when heavy footsteps sounded behind them. “Mrs. Madden, Miss Nelson!”

  “Walter!” Emma turned with relief.

  Hannah scowled. “Where were you?”

  “Trying to keep up with the two of you. You led me on a merry chase.” Walter took several deep breaths. “You are supposed to stay close.”

  “Someone followed us from Hannah’s house.”

  “Did you recognize him?” Walter asked as they continued onto the Maddens’.

  “No,” Hannah and Emma said in unison.

  Hannah frowned. “You didn’t see him?”

  Arriving at the front door, Walter shook his head. “I’ll send Jack to fetch Clayton and Christopher.”

  Emma pulled Hannah inside and into the parlor and called for tea. Christopher and Clayton arrived less than half an hour later.

  “Hannah?” Christopher sounded worried as he walked in the door, Clayton quickly on his heels.

  “I’m fine, Knight,” she said as he pulled her into his arms.

  Clayton pulled Emma over for a kiss and she assured him she was fine as well.

  “What happened?” Christopher asked.

  “A man followed us from the house.”

  “What did he look like?” Clayton asked.

  Hannah laid her palm on her forehead. “Ah, just under six feet. Light hair and mustache. His clothing was of several brown hues, neat, but not expensive, from the looks of his scuffed boots.”

  “You noticed all of that?” Christopher asked.

  Hannah nodded. “Yes.”

  “Impressive.”

  Hannah smiled. “Thank you.”

  Clayton glanced at Christopher. “That sounds like Alfred.”

  Christopher didn’t respond.

  Hannah frowned. “Who’s Alfred?”

  Clayton took a seat on the sofa and pulled Emma down with him. “He works with us.”

  “Why would someone who works with you be following us?” Hannah asked. Christopher continued to stand in silence. “Knight?”

  Still nothing.

  Hannah gasped. “You did not!”

  He opened his mouth but then closed it quickly.

  “Oh, my God!” Hannah swore. “You did!” She stalked out of the parlor, incensed.

  * * *

  “What’s going on?” Emma asked her husband.

  “It would appear Chris asked Alfred to follow Hannah, is that right?” Clayton asked Christopher.

  Emma frowned. “Why? We already had Walter. Hannah’s going to be pissed.”

  Christopher stood, speechless.

  “Chris? You might want to get going if you’re going to catch your wife.” Clayton crossed his arms.

  Christopher came out of his trance and rushed out the front door. It took a few minutes for him to catch up with Hannah. Even in her heavy skirts, she was quick.

  “Hannah.”

  She fisted her hands at her side. “Go back to work, Christopher.”

  “Sweetheart, stop so we can talk.”

  “Don’t you dare ‘sweetheart’ me.”

  “Hannah.”

  She turned to face him. “I’m not going to have this conversation with you in the middle of the street, Christopher.”

  “I understand. Let’s go home and we’ll talk.” He took her arm.

  She pulled her arm away from him and glared at him. “Let me be very clear. I’m not having this conversation with you in the middle of the street, or at home. Go. Back. To. Work.”

  “Hannah.”

  She turned and continued down the street. He followed.

  * * *

  Making it home in record time, Hannah walked through the front door and slammed it behind her. She ran upstairs and to their bedroom, beyond angry as she grabbed a bag and started throwing clothes into it. She didn’t even know what to pack since she wasn’t dealing with jeans, t-shirts, and underwear, so she grabbed a day dress and her dance things.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Christopher yelled from the doorway.

  She said nothing and continued to throw things in her bag.

  “Hannah, I asked you a question.”

  Closing her bag, she moved past him to walk out the door. He grabbed her arm with one hand and her bag with the other. “I asked you what you’re doing.”

  “And I told you to go back to work.” She tried to pull her arm away. “Let go of me.”

  “It was for your protection,” Christopher said through gritted teeth.

  She swore and then tried to pull away from him again, but he didn’t budge. “Let go, Chris.”

  “Hannah, you’re not going anywhere. We’re going to talk about this.”

  “Oh, we’re going to talk about it now? Now? Not yesterday or the day before, but now? I just want to be clear.”

  “Hannah.”

  “Gosh, Christopher, I don’t know if I could possibly understand anything you have to say today. Especially, since I was so obviously not smart enough to understand it yesterday, or the day before,” she snapped.

  Christopher rolled his eyes. “Hannah, it was for your protection.”

  “Riiiight. My protection. Because the fact that there was a strange man following me would make me feel protected and safe. And God forbid my husband would inform me that he was hiring someone to follow me, because that would defeat the whole purpose of me feeling safe and protected.”

  “I didn’t hire him,” he whispered.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I didn’t hire him. I asked him to keep an eye on you.”

  Hannah took a slow, deep breath. “Christopher, I’m trying very hard not to eviscerate you with my words, which would include several four-letter ones that I’m pretty certain you have never heard come out of a woman’s mouth. Do not stand there and split hairs with me.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  She grabbed his hand. “Come with me.”

  “Where?”

  “I’m giving you the courtesy of a warning. You do not get to ask me any questions. Follow me.” Hannah led Christopher down to their parlor.

  “Move the couch and chairs to the walls please.” She stood in the doorway and crossed her arms. She knew he had no idea what was coming as he did as she asked. Once he was finished, she moved to the middle of the room and turned her back on him. “Attack me.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Attack me, Christopher.”

  “This is ridiculous.”

  She waved her hand with a sigh. “Come at me. It doesn’t matter how. Grab me by the waist, shoulders, throat, it doesn’t matter.”

  He shook his head. “I won’t.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Christopher, if you ever want to see me naked again, you will do as I ask.”

  He hesitated for only a moment and came up behind her, grabbing her gently.

  “What a poof,” she said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She elbowed him in the stomach, and he immediately let go of her. “Hannah!”

  “Attack me like a man, Christopher.” He came at her again and this time, she kicked him in the shin with her boot. He swore and grabbed his leg. “Do it like you mean it!” she ordered.

  He came at h
er again and again, and every time she would inflict some kind of bodily harm that made her feel increasingly better with each lesson.

  She turned to face him. “Now come at me from the front.”

  At this point he was almost out of breath, but he was certain there would be no way she could get away from a man who tried to choke her. He was wrong. In fact, he ended up flat on his ass with that assumption. She never broke a sweat. She stood in the middle of the room with her arms crossed and a much-vindicated smirk on her face.

  “Hannah,” he whispered from his place on the floor.

  Turning on her heel, she made her way back upstairs.

  He followed her a few minutes later and stalled in the doorway of their bedroom. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  She turned. “For?”

  He gave a deep sigh. “Hannah.”

  “For what, Christopher?”

  “For assuming.”

  “For assuming what?”

  “For assuming that you were in need of protection, when clearly you are not.”

  “Oh, my word, Christopher, you are such an arse!”

  He ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know what the hell you want me to say.”

  She started to scream at him. She never got this frustrated and she hated him for making her feel this way. “This has nothing to do with me needing, or not needing, protection! This is about you not bothering to tell me about it. I am in an unfamiliar place, in an unfamiliar time, and there was a strange man following me. If you had simply told me that this Alfred person was going to check on me and perhaps have introduced me, I wouldn’t have cared.”

  “You shouldn’t have known he was following you.”

  “Then you need to hire better people.” Hannah stomped her foot. “Which is not the freaking point! I saw him before we’d gone a hundred feet from our front door.” She took a deep breath. “I really need to stop having this conversation with you because, seriously, husband, I’m about to walk out that door and find refuge with my best friend.”

  “You’re not going anywhere,” he growled.

  “Don’t threaten me, Christopher.”

  “It’s not a threat, Hannah, it’s a simple statement.”

  “You are so messing with the wrong bitch.”

  “Hannah!”

  “Remember the warning about language earlier?” She shook her finger at him. “I know a lot more.”