Read Online The Outrider (Redbourne Series #5 - Will's Story) by Kelli Ann Morgan - Free Book Online

looking back at Grace. “The daughter
of an acquaintance of mine recently went missing and when I saw your friend
here,” he gestured toward Elizabeth, “it was like seeing a ghost.” He took a
step sideways and addressed her directly. “You look just like Miss Archer, my
dear.”
    American accent , she reminded herself before speaking.
    “Sounds like something out of one of my adventure
novels,” she said, trying to sound excited.
    “I couldn’t help but notice that pendant you are
wearing. It is very becoming. I’m sure a piece like that comes with quite a
history.”
    Elizabeth reached up and caressed the ruby
dangling from her neck. Why had she worn her mother’s necklace?
    “I’m sure I wouldn’t know. I bought it off a
peddler somewhere outside of Boston,” she lied, refraining from adding any
history about the jewel. She bit her lip.
    “Shame. Yes, well, I hope I haven’t taken too
much of your time.” He turned to leave, but stopped and looked at Grace.
    “Ms. Redbourne, was it?”
    “Yes,” Grace said with a smile.
    “Are you, by chance, a relative of Will Redbourne?”
    Elizabeth swallowed hard.
    “Why, yes, Professor.” Grace glanced over at her.
“Will is my brother-in-law. How do you know him?”
    Elizabeth wanted to shrink away. If this man was
an acquaintance of her father and he was looking for Will, it could only mean
trouble.
    Grace looked at her, a conspiratorial glint in
her eyes.
    “He was a student of mine at university a while
back.”
    “What brings you so far away from home,
Professor?” Grace asked.
    “Will has not told you, has he?”
    “Told us what?”
    “Ahhh, it is to be a surprise then,” he said,
switching his hat between his hands. “I will not ruin it for him.” He tipped
his hat. “Ladies, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He placed
the fedora back on top of his head and winked. “I’m sure I will see you tonight
at Redbourne Ranch. Will and I have some business to discuss.”
    “Will has not returned yet from his last trip.”
    “If there is one thing I have learned about Will
Redbourne, my dear, it is that he always follows through on his commitments.”
He smiled, then turned away from them and walked into the livery.
    Elizabeth relaxed her shoulders and let out the
breath she had been holding. She searched her memory, unable to recall ever
meeting a Professor Cromwell, but he certainly seemed to know her.
    Grace hooked her arm through Elizabeth’s and
leaned in close to her ear. “Elizabeth Archer, it’s very nice to meet you.”
    Elizabeth pulled back for a moment trying to act as
if she had no idea to what the woman was referring, but she’d been discovered.
She could see it in Grace’s eyes. Her secret was out.
    “Don’t worry,” she said matter-of-factly, “my
lips are sealed.”
    “Grace, I…”
    “No judgements from me, Ms. Arch—I mean, Eliza Beth.
We all have stories. I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” she said, a
thread of excitement weaving its way into her words.
    Relief washed over her like water from a warm
bath. The drama in her life could rival any of the penny dreadfuls she’d read,
but she was glad she finally had someone she could confide in. Someone she
could trust.
    “What kind of a story could you possibly have?”
Elizabeth asked.
    “The kind that involves betrayal, treasure, and
love,” Grace responded without missing a beat.
    Elizabeth stopped in front of the livery where
their carriage had been boarded and looked at her friend with a full dosing of
skepticism, shaking her head and hands on her hips.
    “Honest,” Grace said, crossing her heart.
    Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed, but she could see the
sincerity written on Grace’s beautiful features.
    “What do you say we talk over a slice of warm
peach cobbler?” Grace tugged on her arm, pulling her into the quaint little
restaurant nearby that served the townspeople of Stone Creek. They took a seat
at a table in the corner of