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

Butler walked in the room.
    “Good morning, Mama, Daddy.”
    “Good morning.” Mr. Butler gave Gwen a kiss on the cheek.
    “How did you girls sleep?” Mrs. Butler asked them.
    “Very wel ,” Hannah said.
    “Excel ent.” Mrs. Butler smiled.
    “No Christopher?” Mr. Butler asked.

    Gwen shrugged. “Not yet.”
    As they began to pass around the breakfast dishes, Hannah laid her napkin in her lap. “Shouldn’t we wait for Christopher?”
    Mr. Butler smiled. “He knows what time breakfast is served.”
    Hannah didn’t say anything else as she helped herself to pancakes and scrambled eggs. The meal was pleasant, with easy conversation and family joking, but Hannah was disappointed that Christopher wasn’t there. She wondered where he might be. She didn’t have to wonder for very long.
    He walked into the dining room looking exhausted.
    Gorgeous, but exhausted.
    “Good morning,” his father said.
    “Good morning. Forgive my tardiness.” He didn’t go into any more detail as he sat down to eat.
    “You look exhausted, Chris,” Gwen said.
    Christopher closed his eyes briefly and sighed. “I’m fine.”
    “You might want to take a little nap today.” Gwen laid her napkin on her lap. “I’m certain Charity and I can entertain Hannah.”

    “Gwendolyn,” her mother admonished.
    Gwen ignored her mother as she smiled at Christopher.
    “What are your plans today, big brother?”
    “I have a few things to attend to,” he answered vaguely.
    “What things?” Gwen piped in.
    “None of your business,” he snapped.
    “I apologize, Christopher the Big.”
    “Gwen, stop antagonizing your brother,” Mrs. Butler said.
    Hannah watched the exchange in confusion. She got that Christopher was tired, but wasn’t exactly sure what the underlying reason for his irritability was. Gwen obviously knew something she didn’t.
    When the meal concluded, Gwen and Hannah made their way into the parlor. Christopher fol owed, shooting Gwen a look, sending her back out the parlor door. He turned to Hannah. “How did you sleep?”
    “Apparently better than you.” Hannah crossed her arms.
    “Why are you so tired?”
    Christopher shrugged. “I didn’t sleep wel .”

    “Yeah, I picked up on that. Is everything al right?”
    Christopher nodded. “Yes, I just don’t sleep wel .”
    “I can relate.”
    Christopher frowned. “You didn’t sleep wel ?”
    “I slept perfectly last night, but I don’t typical y. In fact, the last two nights are the first I’ve slept straight through in months.”
    Stepping closer to her again, he raised his hand to her cheek. “What would cause you to not sleep?”
    “Nothing of significance.” Hannah blushed from his attention and pushed his hand away. “Stop touching my face.”
    Good morning, elephants, I had hoped you’d stay away today. Apparently not.

    He lowered his hand. “Why don’t you sleep wel , Hannah?”
    “Maybe because you’ve stolen my clothes,” she retorted.
    “Meaning, no more personal questions?”
    “You’re smarter than you look, Sir Knight.”

    He chuckled.
    “What caused you not to sleep wel last night?” she asked.
    “Nothing of significance.”
    “I guess I deserved that.” Walking to the window, she peered out on the winter scene before her.
    “What would you like to do today?”
    Rubbing her forehead, she turned to answer his question.
    “I’d like to go home.” His scowl indicated he didn’t like that answer. “You promised you’d help me, Christopher.”
    “Yes, I did,” he grumbled.
    Dropping her arms, she buried her shaking hands in her skirts. “Are you going back on your word?”
    “Of course not.”
    “Wel , then, I need you to help me—or I’l find someone else who wil .”
    “Like who?”
    “I don’t know. I’l find someone.” She turned back toward the window.

    Moving to stand next to her, Christopher laid his hand gently on her lower back. “Who wil you find, Hannah?”
    “I don’t know! Why are you being so