CHRISTOPHER BRUSHED HIS lips across Hannah’s cheek. “Time to wake up.”
Hannah smiled sleepily. “Hi.”
“How are you feeling?” He swept her hair gently from her face.
“I feel incredible.” She grinned. “How much time do we have before we need to be downstairs?”
“Probably an hour. Why?”
“You’re a very intuitive man, Knight. Figure it out.” She sat up on her knees and removed her chemise. She wore nothing underneath.
“And you’re a very beautiful woman.” He quickly removed his shirt and then the rest of his clothes. Lying down beside her, he pulled her into his arms. “Are you sure you feel all right?”
“Let me show you just how ‘all right’ I do feel.” Pushing him onto his back, she straddled his hips and leaned down to kiss him. “This is going to be my favorite position I think.”
He laughed. “It’s your favorite now.”
“True, but it’ll be just as good as the baby grows.”
“Let me show you another position that’ll work beautifully,” he whispered.
“Are you going to be my Yoda?”
“What the hell is a Yoda?”
Hannah giggled. “Story for another day, love.”
“On your knees, sweetheart. Cheek to the mattress.”
Sliding off of him, she followed his instructions and he positioned himself behind her, lifting her hips and leaning down to kiss the gentle swell of her bottom. “Beautiful, sweetheart.” He pushed inside of her, reaching his hand to her clitoris and applying pressure with his fingers. Hannah mewled as she squirmed against his hand, but he cupped her mound and anchored her to him. “No moving until I say.”
“Knight,” she breathed out, but didn’t move.
He lifted her so her back was to his chest and he kept one hand between her legs and cupped her breast with his other, keeping her secure with his arm as he kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Good?”
“Amazing,” she panted. “Can I move now?”
“Yes, sweetheart, you can move.”
She dropped her head back onto his shoulder and rode him until they were both at the brink. Before he would let her fully release, however, he repositioned her back on her knees and thrust in from behind. Hannah grabbed a pillow and screamed into it as she contracted around him, falling flat on her stomach, her body shaking from her orgasm, Christopher rolled them so they stayed connected, but he wasn’t crushing her.
Hannah took several deep breaths. “I love that you’re like the Energizer Bunny.”
“Excuse me?”
Hannah giggled. “You just keep going and going.”
He kissed the crown of her head.
“Whatever those pills are that Sophie gave me seemed to do the trick.”
“Yes, they did.”
She faced him and kissed his chest. “I’ll be sure to get more.”
“That would be appreciated.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “We should probably get downstairs.”
Hannah groaned. “I’d rather stay here until tomorrow.”
Christopher smiled sadly. “I am going to miss you.”
“Don’t remind me.” She sighed.
“Sweetheart, you’ll be so busy, you won’t even notice I’m gone.”
Hannah rested her head in the palm of her hand. “Knight, I notice you’re not with me all the time. I miss you when I’m walking in the park with Emma. I miss you when you leave my bed in the morning to go to work, and I miss you when you leave the room to smoke a cigar with Clayton.”
“I’ll visit as often as possible.” He cupped her cheek and wiped a tear away with his thumb. “Now, I have something to tell you. A confession of sorts.”
“Oh, really? What’s going on?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I just know that I need you here, surrounded by soldiers and your family, so that Clayton and I can flush out the threat.”
“I wondered why you were pushing the Harrisburg agenda.” She sat up. “Do you think this has something to do with Thomas?”
Christopher shrugged. “We don’t know. We’re watching him, but he hasn’t made any moves yet. We know he has people working with him, but we haven’t been able to catch anyone in the act.”
“Could it have something to do with the assassination?”
Christopher’s head whipped up. “Assassination of whom?”
“Crap.” Hannah slowly climbed off the bed.
Christopher sat up and narrowed his eyes. “Hannah?”
She began to pace, and despite the distraction of her naked form walking the carpet, Christopher forced his focus back to the conversation. “Sweetheart, what do you know?”
Hannah held a hand up. “Promise me you’ll stay calm.”
Christopher slid off the bed and faced her. “Stay calm about what?”
Hannah took a deep breath. “The President is going to be assassinated.”
“What?” he snapped. “When?”
Hannah frowned. “Um... 1865. April, I think. It’s right after the war ends, but that’s about all I remember. Sophie knows more.”
Christopher swore.
“I’m sorry, Knight. I thought you knew.”
He settled his hands on his hips. “How would I know?”
Hannah dropped her head.
“Hannah.” His tone dipped low in warning.
Hannah raised her head. “Clayton knows. I thought he would have told you.”
“Damn it!” Christopher turned and gathered up his discarded clothing.
Hannah slid her robe on. “Where are you going?”
He glanced up as he dragged on his pants. “I need to talk to Clayton.”
“You should really talk to Sophie.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I intend to.”
Hannah frowned. “Knight, what are you going to do?”
He didn’t answer as he pulled his shirt over his head.
“Christopher, stop. You’ve got that look on your face.”
He scowled. “What look?”
“Like you’re ready to drown a kitten. I don’t want Sophie on your warpath.”
One side of his mouth raised in a smirk. “I have no intention of drowning Sophie.”
Hannah closed the distance between them and took his hand. “Well, I don’t want you attacking Clayton either.”
Christopher raised an eyebrow and pulled his hand out of hers. “He should have told me.”
Hannah sighed as she reached for one of her ribbons on the bureau. “Knight, he couldn’t tell you.”
Facing the mirror, he began to fasten his tie. “I beg to differ.”
“Why?”
Christopher undid the knot he’d made and started again. “Because he’s required to.”
“As your friend or your employee?”
Christopher glanced over his shoulder and frowned. “Both.”
Hannah sat in one of the chairs next to the fireplace. “Ah. I get it.”
“What do you get?”
Christopher swore when he couldn’t straighten the tie. He unknotted it and started the process over again.
“Really? We’re going with a tie, babe?”
Christopher nodded. “Always.”
Hannah scooped her hair into a ponytail and secured it with the ribbon. “Chris, we’re with our family. For once, will you relax? You don’t have to wear a tie, you don’t even need to wear a vest if you don’t want to.” She rose to her feet and laid her hand on his back. “And you don’t need to kill Clayton.”
Christopher turned to face her. “He kept vital information about the safety of the President from me. That’s insubordination.”
“Lovey, it’s not... well, it is if you want to be a jerk about it... but it wasn’t really his secret to tell.”
His irritation grew at the use of the word “jerk.” She’d shared a few of the modern day terms and their definitions, and he didn’t like being on the receiving end of this particular one. “How is it that I’m the jerk for his insubordination?”
“Can you sit down, please? I’m getting a crick in my neck from looking up at you.” She pulled him to the chair. Once he sat down, she smiled. “I think you’re madder at the fact that your friend didn’t share this with you and you’re feeling out of the loop.”
Christopher narrowed his eyes. “Keeping state secrets is more accurate.”
“I see your point.” Hannah sat in the chair opposite him. “All I’m saying is that you need to give Clayton the benefit of the doubt. We’ve had a lot going on, and it may have been an oversight on his part.”
Christopher snorted in derision. “Quite a significant oversight.”
Hannah smiled. “Okay, I can’t argue that, but you’ve both had a lot on your minds.”
“I suppose.”
Hannah grinned. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Why’s that?”
“You just gave me information without me asking.”
Christopher laughed. “I’ve learned it’s impossible to keep anything from you.”
“Good lesson to learn.” She rose to her feet and slid the robe from her shoulders. It fell to the ground in a pool of silk. “You’re smarter than you look.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Hmm, let me think.” She tapped her lip and grinned. “You would be considered exceptionally handsome in my world, so people would automatically think you’re not particularly intelligent, hence the term. I know better, though, which is why I married you.”
Christopher stood. “You married me because I’m intelligent?”
“Noooo. I married you because you’re gorgeous and not dumb.”
He laughed and grabbed her around the waist, tickling her as he pulled her closer.
“Knight!”
“Apologize.”
“I apologize.” She paused. “You’re ugly and not smart.”
He tickled her again, but the sight of his beautiful wife lost in a laugh made his heart turn over and he ended up kissing her instead. The kiss turned heated and they were sidetracked for another hour.
* * *
Clayton and Christopher left the next afternoon and Hannah thought her heart would break. Her elephants forgot about her stomach, and now concentrated on stomping her heart further into her chest. Useless at being brave, she’d managed not to cry, but she knew Christopher could see the hurt in her eyes when he kissed her good-bye.
She made it through Monday and Tuesday, but by Wednesday, Hannah was throwing herself a pity party—quite successfully. She slunk off to bed just before dinner, begging a headache.
“Han-Han?” Emma pushed open the door.
Hannah was staring at the ceiling. “Hi, Em.”
“Are you okay?” Emma sat on the bed.
“I don’t know yet.”
“I know how you feel.”
Hannah smiled sadly.
Emma patted the mattress. “Come on. It’s time for dinner and I’m starving.”
“When aren’t you?” Hannah asked jokingly. “Are you sure you’re not the one pregnant?”
Emma giggled. “It’s not from lack of trying.”
Hannah covered her face with a snort. “Ugh. Too much information.”
The girls made their way downstairs and were greeted by the Wades and Jamie.
“Where’s Sophie?” Emma asked.
“She’s not feeling so hot, so I made her stay in bed. I’m going to bring her a tray.”
“Is everything okay?” Hannah asked.
Jamie nodded. “Yes, she’s just feeling large.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose as she sat next to Nona. “We’ll check on her after dinner.”
“She’d like that.”
“When will your husbands return?” Nona asked.
Emma took her seat. “Clayton said they’d be back on Friday night.”
“I don’t know how they’re going to keep this schedule up.” Hannah poured herself a glass of water. “It’s a lot of money and traveling. It almost seems like a waste of time.”
“Han-Han,” Emma whispered.
Hannah kept silent the rest of the meal, despite Emma’s attempt to draw her out. She barely ate anything, and even the cheesecake Mary had prepared for dessert didn’t hold her interest. She took one bite and pushed her plate away. “Would you please excuse me? I need to go for a walk.”
At Nona’s nod of agreement, Emma rose to her feet. “Why don’t we dance?”
Hannah stood. “Even better.”
Hannah met Emma in the ballroom and joined her on the floor.
“There is one good thing about the guys being gone,” Emma said.
Hannah began to stretch and raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“There’s no one to tell us we’re naked.”
Hannah laughed. “That’s true.”
“How did your exam go with Stephen?”
Hannah leaned over her right leg and lifted her foot toward her hand. “I’m definitely pregnant.”
Emma giggled. “What a relief.”
The girls spent the next hour working on one of the dance routines they‘d choreographed before Emma disappeared. Hannah started to feel more like herself, and when they finished their workout they made their way to bed.
Sophie had thoughtfully organized baths for them. Hannah sank down in the warm water and deliberately pushed her doom and gloom thoughts away. She spent close to thirty minutes in the tub and finally got out only because the water had turned cold. She dried herself off, put on her nightgown, and climbed into bed.
Facing Christopher’s place in the bed, she laid her hand gently on his pillow, saying a prayer to keep her love safe and for his dreams to be sweet. She was both physically and mentally exhausted and fell asleep almost immediately.
* * *
The darkness settled over Hannah. She knew Christopher was right beside her, even though she couldn’t see him. She smiled as he took her hand and pulled it to his mouth. She looked up.
It wasn’t Christopher. The man wore a gruesome mask that obscured half his face. It looked like a Phantom of the Opera mask, only it covered both his eyes. She could see only his mouth and chin.
Hannah screamed and tried to pull away. He held her tightly.
“Who are you?” she whispered.
“A friend.” His voice was distorted.
“You’re no mate of mine. Who are you really?”
“I am someone who holds your life.” He swept a hand in front of them. “Say good-bye to your knight.” She watched as he hit Christopher over and over.
“No!”
“You will never see him again.” He hit him again.
“Fight back! Why aren’t you fighting back?” she screamed at Christopher.
The man hit him again.
“NO!” She sat straight up as she screamed herself awake to see Emma rushing to her side.
“Han-Han?”
Hannah swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Something’s wrong with Christopher.” Hannah grabbed her chest and tried to catch her breath.
Emma gasped. “What are you talking about?”
“Something’s wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
Hannah grabbed a bag and started to throw things in it. Emma put her hand on Hannah’s arm. “Hannah, stop.”
Hannah shook off Emma’s hand. “No, I can’t. I have to find him. Someone’s trying to kill him.”
“Sweetie, it’s almost midnight. What do you think you’re going to do?”
“I’m going to find him,” Hannah snapped.
Emma turned her to face her. “Hannah, think. There are no trains, and you’re not a strong enough rider to just jump on the back of a horse and ride off to D.C. Let’s wait until the morning and ask Jamie and Andrew to check around. I’m sure we can get a message to him.”
Hannah growled in frustration and threw her bag to the ground. She sat heavily on the bed and sobbed.
“Han-Han.” Emma sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“I can’t do this, Em.”
“What can’t you do?”
“I can’t sit around knowing he’s in danger and not do anything about it. I need to go back. I need to be with him.”
“He’s going to be here in less than two days.”
Hannah shook her head. “I have to see him now.”
“How about this? We’ll have Jamie and Andrew check on him tomorrow, and then you can plan on going home with him on Sunday if you want to?”
Hannah really didn’t have a choice. She knew she wouldn’t be able to do anything while it was dark. She nodded reluctantly and stood to put her things away.
“Hannah, leave that stuff. I’ll sleep in here with you tonight, okay?”
“I’m fine, Em.”
Emma raised her eyebrow. “Yes, you look fine, with those dark, puffy circles under your eyes.”
“Fine! Sleep here, I don’t care.”
“Good answer.”
Emma fell asleep almost immediately, but it took Hannah several more hours to put her fears aside.
* * *
Morning came and brought with it an annoyingly sunny day. Emma sat in the chair by the fireplace and leaned forward, a wide grin on her face. “Good morning, Han-Han. How’d you sleep?”
“I wish I had a taser right now,” Hannah grumbled.
Emma laughed. “Sorry, do I sound like one of those irritating, chipper morning people?”
Hannah scowled. “What time is it?”
Emma rose to her feet. “Eight.”
“And why are you standing there when I could be sleeping?” Hannah pulled the covers over her head.
“Because I thought you might like to know that Andrew is downstairs having breakfast.”
“Where’s Jamie?”
“He’s already out at the arena.”
Hannah groaned as she sat up and rushed for the bowl on her bureau. Emma handed her a washcloth. “Ta.”
Emma helped Hannah dress and the girls made their way downstairs. Sophie was at the dining room table with Andrew and they were laughing about something. As soon as Andrew saw the girls, he stood.
“Andrew, I think we need your help.” Emma sat down at the table.
“What’s amiss?”
“I need to make sure Christopher is all right,” Hannah said.
“I’m sure he’s fine.”
Hannah’s rubbed her chest. “I need to see for myself.”
“All right.” Andrew waited for the girls to take their seats and then did the same. “I can send a dispatch for you if you like. It might take a day.”
“No, that won’t work.” Hannah tried to control the shake in her voice. “I need to get on the next train to D.C.”
“What are you going to do, Hannah? You can’t travel without an escort,” Sophie said.
Hannah slapped away an errant tear that had slipped down her cheek. “This is ridiculous! Why not?”
“Because women don’t travel alone, honey.” Sophie leaned over and patted her hand.
“I have to get back to Christopher today!” she said through gritted teeth.
“I’ll escort you, Hannah,” Andrew offered.
“What about Adam?” Sophie asked.
Adam Whitman was Andrew’s business partner, married to Andrew’s older sister, Elizabeth.
“Adam handled the business for more than a year while I was at war. I’m sure he can do without me for a few days,” he said and then turned to Hannah. “Pack a bag if you need to and we’ll go to the station and catch the first train.”
Hannah stood. “I don’t need to pack. I’ll leave everything here.”
“All right. Have some breakfast and then we’ll go.”
Hannah sat back down and picked at her food. Sophie asked Emma to get her a few of the nausea pills for Hannah to take with her and Emma went to find them.
“I’m ready.” Hannah stood once Emma returned.
“You barely ate anything.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Sophie handed her the pills with a sigh. “I want you to take one of these now and grab a muffin for the trip.”
“Yes, mum.”
Sophie smiled and hugged Hannah. “Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”
Hannah nodded. She hugged Emma and then she and Andrew took off for the train station. She was a bundle of nerves the entire way to the station but started to calm down after discovering they hadn’t missed the early train. They were able to board five minutes before it departed and were still walking down the aisle as the train took off. They found their seats and sat to wait out the trip.
“Andrew?” She turned away from the window with a smile.
“Yes?”
“Thank you so much for coming with me and indulging my paranoia.”
Andrew chuckled. “Why do you think you’re paranoid?”
“Don’t you?”
“Absolutely not. I may not know you well, Hannah, but your friends do, and one thing you are not, is paranoid.”
Hannah relaxed. “Thank you.”
“Truth be told, I must thank you.” A silly grin covered his face. “Even if you’re wrong, I still get to see Gwendolyn.”
“Do you love her?”
“Hopelessly.”
“Then why aren’t you objecting to Sam’s courtship?”
Andrew scowled. “I’m working that out.”
“Well, you better work it out quickly, Andrew. If you wait too long, you’ll be objecting at a church.”
Andrew went back to his thoughts and Hannah turned back to the window. Her resident elephants were thankfully less frantic, but she wouldn’t completely relax until she had her husband in her arms.
About an hour into the trip, Andrew went to find them something to eat and returned with small sandwiches and lemonade. The two spent the rest of the time talking and getting to know each other. Hannah discovered quickly why Sophie and Jamie loved him so much.