The Bride Spy

by Piper Davenport

  * * *

  Christopher woke Hannah early the next morning in order to meet everyone at the Maddens’ for breakfast. Once seated, the conversation grew animated as everyone asked Stephen questions.

  Hannah stood and closed the two entry doors and then took her seat again. “Tell us the story, Stephen. I researched some of it, but of course, no one would have ever thought of time travel.”

  Stephen glanced around the room and then lowered his fork. “It was 1997 and I was in my fourth year of medical school. I had decided to live with my parents after high school to save money. My brother and his new wife lived up in Seattle at the time, so we were all relatively close. My parents were living in a large Victorian in Portland, which was close to OSU and it was perfect for me. My last class of the day was canceled, so I came home early, intending to hit the gym and meet a few friends for dinner. My parents were away for the weekend, and I had the house to myself. I gathered my workout clothes and CD player...”

  Emma’s giggle interrupted him. “CD player!”

  “Blast from the past, right?” Hannah quipped.

  “What do they have now?”

  “iPods – they’ll blow your mind,” Hannah said. “I’ll show you sometime soon.”

  Stephen chuckled. “Anyway, I threw a change of clothes into a bag so I wouldn’t need to come back to the house. Before I got out the door, though, I realized I needed to get a book from the library, so stopped in there first. My mom had just bought a biography on Ulysses Grant. I picked it up to have a look at it and when I looked up again, I saw a large field in front of me. The room seemed to disappear in front of me, but everything behind me was still in place. It was weird. I had a moment of vertigo and then everything went black. I woke up in an open field and came to, to find out I was on the grounds of Pennsylvania College.”

  “Which in modern time would be renamed to Gettysburg College,” Sophie said.

  “Thank you, Scarlett,” Emma said as she and Hannah laughed.

  “What about the big mansion on the hill?” Jamie asked.

  “Mansion?” Hannah asked.

  “Oh, Han, It’s gorgeous,” Sophie said. “He lives in a humongous brick house on top of Allison Hill. Four white columns in front and a porch covering two sides. It has sweeping views of the Susquehanna River and Blue Mountains.”

  Stephen raised an eyebrow. “You should be a realtor.”

  Hannah chuckled. “Well, I’ll have to see that next time I visit.”

  Stephen smiled. “You are welcome any time.”

  “So,” Jamie pressed. “How did you find the house?”

  “It was weird. Through a colleague, I met an elderly woman who was in failing health, and I discovered that some low-life was manipulating her to try and get her fortune.”

  “How?” Christine asked.

  “He was drugging her. I knew that in her present state she wouldn’t understand what was happening to her, so I did some subterfuge with the scumbag, got her in her right mind, and informed her what was going on. We watched him for several weeks, caught him in the act, and in the end, were able to get him arrested.”

  “Then what?” Hannah asked, completely enthralled.

  “When she passed away, I was the only one around. She had no one else. It was very sad, because she was a really nice woman, but she had lost her family to typhoid. Anyway, long story short... she left me everything.”

  “My word,” Hannah whispered.

  Sophie leaned forward, a hopeful expression on her face. “Stephen, what was your focus in school?”

  “Internal medicine and medical research. Although I did a surgery tour as well.”

  “What about obstetrics?”

  Stephen smiled. “I have delivered several babies, in the future and in the past.”

  “Okay, I’m petrified about having a baby in the past with the germs and lack of drugs. Can you do anything about that?” Sophie shuddered.

  “Germs are controllable. The drugs, though, are not. The whole thing will have to be natural.”

  “Baby, you’re going to be fine,” Jamie said.

  Sophie frowned. “What if something goes wrong?”

  Stephen smiled gently. “Sophie, I’ve performed several c-section deliveries and feel comfortable with the surgery if needed. I doubt it would come to that, though.”

  “This sounds like a personal conversation. Perhaps we should excuse ourselves,” Clayton said.

  Sophie shook her head with a grin. “No, it’s fine, Clay, we’ll discuss baby birthing later.”

  They enjoyed a quick lunch and then decided to separate for some alone time before the men had to return to work. Jamie, Sophie, Clayton, and Emma went for a ride. Stephen and Christine decided to go for a walk, and Christopher and Hannah went home. Everyone would meet at the Butlers’ for dinner, so they had a few things they needed to organize before everyone arrived.

  Once they arrived home, Christopher lifted Hannah down from the buggy and kissed her before walking through the door. She smiled up at him. “What was that for?”

  “Just a reminder that I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  They walked through the kitchen and stopped to speak with Mrs. Putnam before Christopher took Hannah upstairs. “I have to go back to work in an hour, Hannah. Would you like me to drop you back at Clayton’s?”

  “No, I’d like the afternoon alone, actually.”

  His forehead crinkled in confusion. “Are you certain?”

  Hannah smiled. “Why is that so strange?”

  “I have never known a woman who likes to be alone,” he said.

  Hannah laughed. “Didn’t we just have a conversation about how I’m not your typical woman?”

  He smiled down at her as he pulled her in to his arms. “I don’t want you to get lonely.”

  She kissed him and began to unbutton his shirt. “I’m not lonely, Knight.”

  “If you get lonely, you will tell me, won’t you?” He slipped the buttons on her blouse and then loosened her corset.

  “Yes, Knight, I’ll tell you if I get lonely.”

  He unhooked her corset and let it fall to the ground then went to work on her skirts. He pushed them from her waist and helped her step over the material. Christopher picked her up and laid her on her the bed then moved over her to kiss her.

  Pushing Christopher onto his back, Hannah straddled his hips and leaned down to kiss him. She sat up again and pulled the pins from her hair, letting it cascade down her back.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  She smiled and leaned down to kiss him again. “Sit up,” she directed.

  He did so, and Hannah knelt before him on the floor, sliding her hands up his thighs and taking his cock in her hands. She wrapped her mouth around the tip, sucking gently, and then taking as much as she could, dragging her hands down the length of him as she sucked and stroked, and tried not to come at the feel of him in her mouth.

  Christopher wove his hands into her hair and tugged gently, a quiet hiss indicating she was on the right track, and then his thighs locked and his hands gripped her head, and with a loud grunt, he exploded and she took it all, giving one final suck and grinning as she rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Wow,” she whispered.

  He wrapped the length of her hair in his fist and tugged her head back gently. “Wow, indeed.”

  “I like that. I think we’re going to do that often.” He studied her and she cocked her head in question. “What?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” he said.

  “No, I’ve never done that before,” she said.

  “How...” His eyes dropped to the side. “Why would you think I was thinking that?”

  Hannah giggled. “Because I can tell you thought I was good at it.”

  “You are good at it.”

  “Thank you.” She ran a finger down his temple. “I have always been kind of a prude, but you make me bold, Knight. You make me feel beautiful an
d sexy. I had no idea sex would be like this.”

  Christopher chuckled and then kissed her. “I’m very glad you gave me another chance.”

  Hannah laughed. “Me too.”

  Christopher had to go back to work, but Hannah was still sleepy, so he kissed her one more time on his way out the door and she took a nap.

  Hannah woke an hour after Christopher left and decided to work out. She donned her dance gear and grabbed her iPod. She knew she probably only had enough battery for one or two songs, but she didn’t care. She needed to dance. She would have to do everything in their bedroom so that no one would see her, but luckily their bedroom was large.

  Stretching out, she picked out yet another Citizens song. She and Emma had choreographed a routine to “Wolf Who Cried Boy” for a class she was teaching, and it was one of her favorites. Partly because it reminded her of Emma and had been a comfort when she thought she’d lost her. She secured her iPod to her arm, put the ear buds in her ears, and began her routine, losing herself to the music and motion.

  * * *

  Christopher managed to leave his office early and now stood in the doorway of their bedroom, captivated by the beauty moving before him. He’d never seen anything like it. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, enthralled. She was so immersed in her dance, she hadn’t noticed him watching her—yet.

  “Oh!” She stopped suddenly and pulled the ear bud from her right ear. “How long have you been standing there?” she asked, out of breath.

  “Not long.” Christopher smiled. “That was incredible, Hannah.”

  She blushed. “Incredible good, or incredible bad?”

  Christopher chuckled. “Good, sweetheart. Where did you learn to do that?”

  She pulled the other ear bud out and took her armband off, laying everything on the bed. “Emma and I have been dancing most of our lives. I came to the States as an exchange student when I was fifteen. We met in a dance class, and I ended up staying.”

  Christopher frowned. “Is this what everyone wears when dancing?”

  Hannah laughed. “Yes, Knight. This is what we wear.”

  “I’m not sure how I feel about other men seeing you in this outfit.”

  Hannah glanced up at him. “I suppose you wouldn’t, especially with how squirmy you get when I’m just without shoes.”

  “This is a bit more serious than no shoes, sweetheart.” He dragged his hands down his face.

  Hannah walked over to him and placed her hands on his chest. “Serious, hm?”

  “Yes. I want you to promise you’ll never wear this if there are any other men in the house.”

  She pulled his head down for a kiss. “No?”

  He shook his head. “No. Although I’m enjoying looking at you myself.”

  “Oh, really.”

  “Yes, and I think I’d like to look at you out of it as well.”

  “Well, I was going to take a bath before everyone arrived tonight, so perhaps you could assist me to undress.” She ran her hands up his chest and pushed his jacket from his shoulders.

  “What would you like me to do once I have assisted your undressing?”

  “Get creative.”

  He picked her up, threw her on the bed, and got creative.

  THE NEXT THREE months flew by for Hannah. It was almost May, which meant Emma would leave soon to help Sophie when she delivered. Hannah didn’t know what Clayton was going to do without her.

  Hannah didn’t know what Hannah was going to do without her.

  She felt restless, not used to having nothing to do during the day. “Knight, I’m bored,” she said one morning at breakfast.

  “Already? I thought you liked me.”

  “Not with you, doofus.” She pushed the food around on her plate. “Just in general. I’m not used to being a ‘kept’ woman.”

  He smiled. “Well, what would you like to do?”

  “I want to go to law school and do what I’d planned to do before,” she said in frustration.

  “What would you like to do that could actually be achieved?”

  “Forget it.” She dropped her fork with a clatter.

  “Hannah.”

  “No, seriously, I get it. I’m a woman, which means all I’m good for is birthing babies and taking care of my husband. Forget I said anything. It was stupid of me to think above my station.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “I’m not feeling well. I’m going to bed.”

  * * *

  Christopher let her go. She’d been irritable and tired over the last few days, and nothing he said was right. He finished his breakfast and made his way to their room.

  “I brought you a tray,” he said as he walked through the door.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Hannah.” Setting the tray on the dresser, he sat down beside her. “Look at me, please.” She rolled over to face him. “You know that I will support you in anything you want to do.” He added quickly. “Provided it’s not dangerous.” She smirked at him. He stroked her cheek. “My opinion about women and education isn’t always popular. I would love for you to go to law school, and if I could change the policies, I would.”

  She sighed. “I know.”

  “I’ll talk to the President on Monday and see if he has any suggestions. He educated himself and did it quite well.”

  “You would do that?”

  “Hannah, I’d do anything for you. Don’t you know that?”

  She burst into tears.

  “Precious girl. What is going on with you?”

  Hannah groaned. “I don’t know. I’m tired all the time and all I want to do is cry about nothing. Stupid things. I don’t cry.”

  Christopher chuckled. “You’re right, sweetheart, you don’t.”

  “I’m sorry I’m so unstable,” she grumbled.

  “Hannah, I don’t think you’re unstable. When was your last monthly?”

  “My period?” She thought for a minute. “I guess I’m late.”

  “How late?”

  She dropped her head to the ceiling and counted on her fingers. “Five weeks.” She sat up, stunned. “Knight!”

  “Yes, sweetheart.”

  She put her hand on her stomach. “I can’t be pregnant.”

  Christopher raised an eyebrow. “Have we been going about it the wrong way?”

  Hannah punched his arm. “What are we going to do?”

  “What do you mean?” Christopher frowned. “Are you not happy?”

  “It’s…um… Damn it!” She climbed off the bed and started to pace. “I can’t be pregnant. It must be stress. We’ve only been married a few months. Jamie and Sophie were married for six years before she got pregnant.”

  Christopher didn’t know what to say. He was thrilled to think of a child, but was disappointed that his wife didn’t seem to feel the same way.

  She burst into tears again. “Knight, I cannot have a baby! I’m going to be a terrible mum.”

  He jumped off the bed and pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, you’re going to be a wonderful mother. Why would you think otherwise?”

  Hannah shook her head. “I don’t know, I’m just not particularly maternal, and the thought of being home all day with only a kid to talk to makes me crazy.”

  He held her, knowing that there was nothing he could say to make her feel better. She was obviously being irrational, which would make it impossible for her to hear him anyway, so he just held her and stroked her hair.

  “A baby,” she whispered.

  He smiled down at her. “Yes, it would appear to be a probability.”

  “Wow.” She smiled up at him. “Your baby.”

  “Well, I would hope so. Unless there’s something you need to tell me?” Hannah giggled and he placed his hand on her still-flat stomach. “A baby.”

  “It might be just stress,” she said.

  Christopher chuckled. “It’s not stress.”

  Hannah sighed. “What’s the deal with us? We can’t just take things slow, can w
e? It’s rush, rush, rush.”

  Christopher cupped her face. “We could look at it as though we refuse to waste time.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I love you so much. I’m excited about having your baby, Knight. Please believe that. I just wasn’t expecting it so soon.”

  “Neither was I.” He wiped a tear away gently with his thumb. “But the thought of a little girl who looks like you brings me nothing but joy.”

  “Or a little boy with your eyes.”

  He kissed her nose. “I’m so glad we’ve discovered why you’re crazy.”

  “I thought maybe you might leave me.”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  Hannah shrugged. “Because I was being such a cow.”

  “I’ll never leave you.” Christopher shook his head. “I can’t believe it crossed your mind even for a moment.”

  “I told you I was unstable,” she said.

  “Why don’t we go into the parlor and you can dance for me?”

  Hannah clapped her hands. “Really?”

  He nodded.

  “Will you dance with me?”

  Christopher chuckled. “I would be honored to.”

  Hannah followed Christopher downstairs and spent the rest of the morning showing him a few routines that simultaneously shocked and aroused him.

  * * *

  They’d been invited to the Maddens’ for dinner, and Hannah knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the news from Emma. She and Christopher arrived just after five and were shown into the parlor.

  “Hi.” Emma hugged Hannah and then kissed Christopher on the cheek.

  “Hi, yourself.” Hannah grinned.

  Clayton poured Christopher a drink and, despite Clayton’s objection, Emma poured herself and Hannah each a glass of whiskey. When Emma handed a glass to her, Hannah shook her head with a smile.

  “No!” Emma squealed.

  Hannah nodded with a laugh. “Yes, I think I am.”

  Emma pulled Hannah into a big hug. “Oh, my gosh! I can’t believe it. This is so amazing. And fast.”

  “He must have bionic sperm,” Hannah whispered.

  Emma started giggling, which then got Hannah going.

  “What’s going on?” Clayton asked.